Heat
Heat is generated by your Mech as you perform various actions. Firing weapons with the Hot Trait can generate Heat, using certain Systems and Modules such as a VTU can generate Heat, certain attacks against you may generate Heat, and Pushing also generates Heat.
You cannot activate an Ability or use a weapon that generates Heat if this would take you over your Heat Capacity. For example, if your Mech's Heat Capacity is 10 and you have 9 Heat and wish to fire a weapon that generates 2 Heat you cannot do so as it would take you over your Mech's Heat Capacity.
Heat Check
You must make a Heat Check when you Push your Mech. You also must make a Heat Check if your Mech reaches its Heat Capacity or starts the turn at Heat Capacity.
To make a Heat Check, roll a d20. If the result is equal to or under your Mech's current Heat, your reactor has overloaded. A roll of a 20 is always a success, as your Heat Capacity can be higher than 20. You must roll on the Reactor Overload Table p. 235 to see what happens to your Mech. This can result in your Mech shutting down, losing Systems or Modules, or even being destroyed.
You should add any Heat to your Mech as a result of using any Systems, Modules, or Abilities before you make the Heat Check. For example, if you shoot a Red Laser which has the Hot (1) Trait and decide to Push the roll, you gain 1 Heat from the Red Laser and 2 Heat from the Push. You should then make the Heat Check.
If making multiple attacks in a single turn, resolve them each separately. For example, if you were to fire the Red Laser twice, resolve each attack and any Pushes separately, then move onto the next.
Reactor Overload Table
ROLL THE DIE:
| Roll | Result |
|---|---|
20 | Reactor Overdrive: Your Mech's reactor goes into overdrive. Your Mech can take any additional action this turn or Push their next roll within 10 minutes for free. |
11-19 | Reactor Overheat: Your Mech's reactor has overheated. Your Mech shuts down and gains the Vulnerable Trait. Your Mech will re-activate at the end of your next turn. In addition, your Mech takes an amount of SP damage equal to your current Heat. |
6-10 | Module Overload: One of your Mech's Modules chosen at random or by the Mediator is destroyed. |
2-5 | System Overload: One of your Mech's Systems chosen at random or by the Mediator is destroyed. |
1 | Reactor Overload: Your Mech's reactor goes into full meltdown and explodes. Your Mech, as well as any mounted Systems, Modules, and all Cargo, is destroyed in the explosion. Everything in Close Range of your Mech takes SP damage equal to your Mech's Maximum Heat Capacity. They may take any Turn Action or Reaction in response to try to avoid this. Your Pilot dies unless they have a means to escape. The area your Mech was in becomes Irradiated |
Venting Heat
To reduce your Mech's Heat, you must fully shut it down and rest for 1 hour as a Long Action. If you do this it resets its Heat back to 0 at the end of the hour.
Whilst Shutdown, a Mech cannot take any actions and gains the Vulnerable Trait meaning it automatically takes 2× damage from any attacks against it that hit.
Some Systems and Modules, such as Heat Sinks and Coolant Flow Manifolds allow you to increase the Heat capacity, or vent Heat more efficiently on your Mech.
Guide
Salvage Union Workshop ManualPage 234
Heat is generated by your Mech as you perform various actions. Firing weapons with the Hot Trait can generate Heat, using certain Systems and Modules such as a VTU can generate Heat, certain attacks against you may generate Heat, and Pushing also generates Heat.
You cannot activate an Ability or use a weapon that generates Heat if this would take you over your Heat Capacity. For example, if your Mech's Heat Capacity is 10 and you have 9 Heat and wish to fire a weapon that generates 2 Heat you cannot do so as it would take you over your Mech's Heat Capacity.
Source: Salvage Union Workshop Manual, p. 234