Salvage Union is a simple to learn, post-apocalyptic Mech tabletop RPG. You play as a salvager crew, scouring the wastes for scrap in salvaged Mechs. The Starter Set contains everything you need to start playing, including a brand new campaign.
Salvage Union is an easy to learn, ENNIE nominated, post-apocalyptic, mech, tabletop RPG. You play as a crew of salvager mech pilots, scouring the wastelands for scrap, and using it to keep you and your community alive.
As you explore the wastes in your Union Crawler you’ll encounter wasters, raiders, mutants, bio-titans, alien meld, and corpo forces fighting for survival.
Will you salvage enough scrap for you, and your community, to survive or fall prey to the wastelands?
Download the free Salvage Union Quickstart here. It includes premade Pilots and Mechs, the core of the rules, and an introductory scenario 'The Downing of the Atychos.'
The Salvage Union Starter Set, is a stand alone boxed set that contains everything you need to start playing the game.
It includes:
All of the rules you need to play, and a full campaign, split into four booklets - The Core Rules Booklet, a condensed version of the core rules found in the Salvage Union Core Book, detailing everything you need to start playing Salvage Union. - The 'Reclamation of the Wastes' Campaign book, a campaign designed to take Pilots from Tech 1 to Tech 3, detailing the story, and all of the areas, factions, and adversaries Pilots will encounter in play. - The Pilot Handbook detailing the game’s six Pilot Classes and their abilities as well as Pilot Equipment, including new content for the Starter Set. - The Parts Catalogue detailing all of the Mech Chassis, Systems, and Modules you can find, including new content for the Starter Set.
An A2, fully illustrated 'Reclamation of the Wastes' campaign map containing 10+ regions.
A set of Salvage Union d20 die unique to the Starter Set.
Pre-made Pilot, Mech and Union Crawler sheets to quickly get you and your group into the wastes.
Blank Pilot and Mech Sheets for crafting new Mechs and creating new Pilots.
A collection of handouts and quick reference sheets for the players.
The Salvage Union Starter Set Asset Pack includes add on content unique to the campaign.
At a base level if you pledge at any tier that includes the Physical Asset Pack you'll receive -
Pamphlet Adventure - Honey Hive - A swarm of AI controlled Mazonas have gone rogue in the wastes. Delve into the hive to find out what's causing them to swarm and uncover the secrets within.
Pamphlet Adventure - Relics of a time gone bay - A foray into an abandoned Arco holding dark secrets of the fallen world that once was.
'Mazona Owners Club' Patch
Pilot, Mech and Union Crawler Sheet pad - 100 premium sheets for you and your group.
All Digital Asset content
You will also receive all stretch goals we're planning for the campaign if you support any Asset Pack level pledge. For example if we achieve a stretch goal to unlock a new Pamphlet Adventure it will be added to the Asset Pack, and you'll receive it in your pledge.
Digital Asset Pack
If you back any pledge level with the Physical, or Digital, Asset Pack you'll receive the all of the contents of the Digital Asset Pack. This contains all the Pamphlets in PDF format, as well as a full set of useful PDF's including character sheets, rules references and more.
In addition you'll get access to all Digital Stretch Goals on the campaign. Should we achieve our stretch goals, we're looking to add Roll20 and Foundry VTT support. We're also aiming to fund development of the Salvage Union Workshop, a digital character builder, as well as much more! Backers with the Digital Asset Pack will get early access to these tools, and digital exclusive content.
The Salvage Union Core Book is an ENNIE nominated, award winning, post-apocalyptic Mech RPG. It contains the full rules of the game, everything you need to expand the Starter Set into a Tech 1-6 campaign in the wastelands.
INSIDE YOU’LL FIND:
• All the rules you need to run and play the game for 3-6 players. • A full scenario ‘The Downing of the Atychos’. • A simple d20, variable, resolution mechanic powered by the Quest RPG. • Rules to craft and customise your Mech from 30 different Mech Chassis and 150+ different Mech Systems and Modules. • Rules to create your Salvager Pilot from 6 Core Classes and 5 Hybrid Classes with 80+ different abilities and 40+ pieces of Pilot Equipment to customise them with. • A robust NPC list of Denizens of the Wastelands including 90+ unique Mech patterns, drones, Bio-Titans, alien Meld, wastelanders, vehicles, mutant creatures, and more. • Rules for creating your Union Crawler and upkeeping, customising and upgrading it during play as well as creating NPC characters on board who form part of your community. • Rules for salvaging and crafting with scrap you find in the wastelands during play. • Advice for the Game Mediator on running Salvage Union, including tools for designing campaigns, creating scenarios, and structuring sessions. • Lore on the setting of Salvage Union and a huge range of gorgeous artwork of the world.
Salvage Union has three published adventure modules. Each explores different areas of the world, and contains new content including Mechs, Systems, Modules, Pilot Equipment, and Abilities. Each adventure is designed to be played stand alone, or to slot into an existing campaign.
False Flag
False Flag is a cold war themed Salvage Union Adventure Module by award winning RPG authors Aled Lawlor and Panayiotis Lines.
INSIDE YOU’LL FIND:
• An intricate Salvage Union adventure spanning 5 regions, detailing the Northern Wastes and Frozen Gulf, developed to run for 10-15 immersive gaming sessions and designed with multiple potential endings. • An expansive sandbox environment, with dozens of jobs on offer, populated by three deeply detailed factions and numerous mercenary groups, all fiercely contending for supremacy. • A cast of unique characters for players to interact with, all with their own goals and motivations. • Rules for crafting Nanite-Tech and piloting Nanite-Mechs. • 6 new Mech Chassis, including Nanite-Chassis. • Fresh Systems, Modules, and Pilot Equipment—among them the new Nanite-Tech.
Rainmaker
Rainmaker is a diesel punk inspired, Salvage Union Adventure Module by ENNIE Award winner author Luke Gearing.
INSIDE YOU’LL FIND:
• A Salvage Union adventure that takes you on a journey across a forgotten corner of the Oceanic Rim, designed to run for 10-15 sessions. • Seven unique regions to explore each inhabited by a diverse cast of characters and factions, all driven by conflicting motives. • Seven new Mech Chassis for Salvage Union, including demonic Automechs. • Three new Bio-Titans, formidable and terrifying creatures that will challenge your party. • Numerous additional Systems, Modules, and Pilot Equipment options to enhance your Mechs and Pilots.
We Were Here First!
We Were Here First! is a bio-punk themed, Salvage Union Adventure Module by ENNIE Award winner author Diogo Noguiera.
INSIDE YOU’LL FIND:
A Salvage Union adventure with 19 unique areas to explore, designed to run for 10-15 sessions.
8 distinct and well-developed factions, all competing for power and salvage in Gehenna.
Rules for crafting and piloting monstrous Bio-Mechs.
5 new Mech Chassis for Salvage Union, including Bio-Chassis.
3 new Bio-Titans, formidable monstrosities to fight against.
New Systems, Modules, and Pilot Equipment including Bio-Tech.
The Salvage Union Starter Set is designed to a simple, and accessible introduction to Salvage Union, containing everything you need to start.
It includes all the rules you need to play split into four handy booklets.
Core Rules Booklet
A booklet containing a condensed version of the Salvage Union core rules, found in the Salvage Union Core Book. Includes everything you need to start playing Salvage Union, from managing Mech Heat and Energy, to Mech combat, exploring the wastes, and salvaging.
Pilot's Handbook
Details the core abilities of all 6 Pilot Classes you can play in Salvage Union, as well as the Tech 1-2 Pilot Equipment, including new equipment and abilities unique to the Starter Set.
Parts Catalogue
Containing all of the Tech 1 and Tech 2 Mech Chassis, Systems, and Modules, as well as new Mechs, Systems, and Modules unique to the Salvage Union Starter Set.
The Reclamation of the Wastes Campaign
Containing everything you need to run the 'Reclamation of the Wastes' Campaign, which includes 10+ regions to explore which guide Pilots from Tech 1 to Tech 3. You play as a fledgling group of salvagers, who having built their first 'Village' sized Union Crawler venture into the central wastelands following the cataclysmic events of Impact Day. The campaign is designed to guide the Mediator, and players in learning to play, and gradually introducing them to the wastelands.
A2 Campaign Map
An A2, fully illustrated, fold out, map for the 'Reclamation of the Wastes' campaign included in the Starter Set.
Pilot and Mech Sheets
A set of six, paired, pre-made Pilots and Mechs to easily start playing with.
New Mech - BobCat
The Salvage Union Starter Set includes a new Mech, the Bobcat, a construction Mech designed to be paired with the Salvager premade Pilot Class.
New Dice
A set of two, d20 dice unique to the Salvage Union Starter Set, one in salvager red and the other in Sakura corpo green.
The Reclamation of the Wastes Campaign, included in the Salvage Union Starter Set, is designed as an introduction to Salvage Union. It features over 50 adventure locations, designed to guide Pilots from Tech 1 to Tech 3. It also includes a fold out, A2, fully illustrated campaign map, pre-made Mech and Pilots, and a detailed campaign with 10 regions to explore, brimming with new factions, Mechs, characters and much more!
Reclamation of the Wastes Map
Centuries after Impact Day, the region known as Caldera in the Central Wastes, has become habitable once more, as the radiation levels fall to 'teeth tingling' levels, and the burning hot dusts settle to reveal an area ripe for exploration, and habitation.
Impact Day was a cataclysmic event at the end of the Second Corpo War. The remnants of the corpo space colonist flung an irradiated meteor from orbit at the People's Capital, a thriving megapolis founded by the Territorial Democratic Alliance (TDA) to commemorate their victory over the corpo alliance.
This petty act of spite doomed the corpo colonists as it consumed the last of their resources, resulted in the loss of millions of lives on the planet, and wiped the TDA off of the map. This flung the world back into chaos, and in time allowed the corpos to regain control of their arcos, and eventually the wastelands.
Caldera was on the edge of the impact crater, large swathes of the region were destroyed, irradiated, or buried under ash and flame.
In the present day, the dust has settled to reveal Caldera and the resources that have been buried for so many years. Multiple factions including corpos, wasters, raiders, and cults, have come to claim a stake in the territory, some are looking to rebuild, others to claim the rich resources of the region, others simply to exert control over the power vacuum.
You play as a fledgling group of salvagers, having built your first Union Crawler, and claimed your Salvage Charter, you are heading into Caldera to support your growing community in this scrap ripe region, as you explore, uncover its buried secrets, and make friends and foe along the way. What stories will they tell about you and your salvaging crew?
A how to play podcast for Salvage Union by the Firebreathing Kitten's Podcast, gives more detail on the system.
Core Mechanic
Salvage Union is designed for 3-5 players. One of these players takes the role of the Mediator who runs the game, everyone else plays as a salvager pilot. As a pilot your
Salvage Union Core Rules
Salvage Union is designed to be easy, and accessible to play. It uses a simple d20 resolution as its core mechanic with a variable resolution to create a variety of engaging situations in play.
Pushing your Mech
When you attempt something tricky, and don't get the roll you want, you can Push your Mech to re-roll the die. This increases your Heat by 2 and forces you to make a Heat Check. If this fails your Mech can temporarily shutdown, lose parts, or even explode!
Reactor Overload Table
Salvaging
At the core of Salvage Union is a simple crafting and salvaging system, with a lot of depth.
Salvaging Abilities
Each Pilot in the game has access to a wide range of salvaging and crafting abilities. Every Mech Chassis, System, and Module in the game can be salvaged, as can areas of the world such as ruined cities, corpo factories, or abandoned highways. Meaning everything in the game can be salvaged, and then turned into new Mech parts for you and your salvaging crew to use to survive in the wastelands.
Choose a Pilot Class
There are six core Salvage Union classes you can play as. Each is primarily differentiated via access to unique, powerful abilities they can activate in play.
Abilities in Salvage Union are designed to be punchy, and fast paced allowing you to blow the legs off a Mech, force a horde of raiders to retreat, launch your Mech on top of a building, or deflect back a laser shot with shield.
Build a Mech
Your Mech is built from a Chassis, Systems, and Modules.
The Chassis is the core of your Mech, determining it's Structure Points, Energy, Heat Capacity and how many Systems and Modules it can mount. Each Chassis also has a unique ability that ranges from allowing the Mech to hover, to increasing its cargo capacity, to allowing it to fabricate new parts in the field.
Systems are external hardware such as weapons, salvaging tools, or armour plating. Modules are internal hardware such as communicators, hacking units, and targeters. The Salvage Union Starter Set comes with a premade Mech designed to be compatible with your class. As you play you'll discover new Mechs, Systems, and Modules you can use and customise during play.
Whilst Salvage Union is designed to be easy to learn, it's depth comes from the huge range of customisation options you have for your Mechs and Pilots. There's dozens of Pilot abilities, and over 30 Mechs, and 150 Systems and Modules in the game, which produce tens of thousands of possible combinations for you to play with. in the full Core Book
The Union Crawler
The Union Crawler is a humongous Mech that acts as you and your salvage crew's home base. Within its mammoth hull is your entire community, including friends, family, and loved ones. These are the reason you risk your life to head out into the hostile wastelands in hunt for scrap to keep your Union Crawler functioning in the wastes.
During play the Union Crawler acts as a core part of the gameplay loop in Salvage Union. With players each session needing to find enough scrap to upkeep the crawler out in the wastelands and prevent it from deteriorating, creating the primary impetus for adventure and exploration. The Union Crawler can also be upgraded as the pilots progress in a campaign, growing in size and unlocking new tech and abilities.
As the pilots search the wastes for scrap, they'll themselves entangled with the denizens of the wastelands, including violent raiders, terrifying bio-titans, and the ruthless corpos who rule the wastes.
Salvage Union Workshop - Digital Pilot and Mech Builder
The Salvage Union Workshop designed by SWooNe allows you to quickly, and easily, create a Salvage Union Pilot and Mech and export them as a editable PDF sheet.
You can view a preview of the Salvage Union Workshop here, which contains everything you need to build a starting Mech and Pilot in Salvage Union from the T1 options.
As a Digital Stretch Goal for the campaign we're aiming to fund the full development of this character builder which will be accessible for free to anyone to use. If we hit the high level stretch goal we need, then backers who supports us by picking up a pledge with the Digital Asset Pack will gain early access to the tool, as well as backer exclusive content.
Intro to Salvage Union, Scrap the Past, Forge the Future.
SALVAGE UNION: POST-APOCALYPTIC MECH RPG || FIRST LOOK
Salvage Union Actual Plays
"Starfall" a Salvage Union Campaign by Spellbook Gaming
A full, 8 episode campaign of Salvage Union by the Spellbook Gaming channel. Join the crew as they embark on a journey across the wastelands to a mythical city.
"We Carry Stuff and Get Paid" a Salvage Union one shot by the Firebreathing Kitten's Podcast.
Nugh, Ozob, and Colette are hired to use their salvage mechs to brave rock slides, biotitans, and magic scepters to bring back valuable relics and valuable loot on behalf of their employer.
"Downing of the Atychos" by Victory Condition Gaming
A one shot adventure of Downing of the Atychos, run by Panny of Leyline Press, with Victory Condition Gaming.
Salvage Union Written Reviews
Salvage Union Tabletop Gaming Magazine Review
A review of Salvage Union by Anna Blackwell writing for Tabletop Gaming Magazine.
Aled (he/him), is an award winning RPG designer, and one of the co-founders of Leyline Press and is providing layout, art and design on the project. Aled is an art and layout expert, and is keen on tactile materials and alternative print methods. He's particularly fond of Risograph printing due to the inks and papers available.
Panayiotis Lines
Panayiotis (they/them), is an award winning RPG designer, and one of the co-founders of Leyline Press. They are working on the core of the writing and design for the Salvage Union Starter Set, having written and designed, the Salvage Union Core Book, and Adventure Module False Flag. They have always loved playing and running games, and have a passion for Ancient Greek history and mythology.
Hamish Frater
Hamish (he/him) is a digital environment artist who formerly worked at Sony London Studio and now directs one of the art teams at mobile FTP developer Hutch. He's designed the gorgeous Salvage Union banner as well as many other visually stunning pieces of art within the game. We drew large amounts of inspiration from his artwork and the wider world they implied for the games setting.
Francesco Silva
Francesco (he/him) is a Freelance Concept Artist based in Brazil. He's an artist that has created many pieces for Salvage Union with his distinctive style, including the Hacker and Hauler Pilots, the Meld Behemoth and the Scylla Bio-Titan. He has further created his own unique post apocalyptic universe, Junk Lords of which we are drawing plenty of inspiration from for Salvage Union.
Alex Connolly
Alex (he/him) is a graphic designer who has many of the mech art pieces within the game, including the Magpie Mech on the cover art, the Jackhammer and the Atlas. He has an eye for creating mech art with an industrial design perfect for Salvage Union. He's a father of three currently in the midst of studying for his degree in graphic design.
Helen Gould
Helen Gould (she/they) is working on editing and sensitivity reading on the Salvage Union Starter Set. Helen specialises in sensitivity consulting and developmental editing. They have given dozens of talks and hosted panels and workshops on various socio-political topics, especially in games and films, at conventions like Dragonmeet, Eastercon, Flights of Foundry, and Nine Worlds.
About Leyline Press
Leyline Press is an award winning UK based publishing company that specialises in the production of high quality tabletop roleplaying games. They have successfully funded and fulfilled multiple tabletop gaming crowdfunding campaigns, including Salvage Union an ENNIE nominated post-apocalyptic Mech TTRPG. Founded in 2021 by Panayiotis Lines and Aled Lawlor, our mission is to create exceptional games that deliver unique experiences to the players. We are further committed to increasing the growth and diversity of the tabletop games industry by supporting other innovative creators by offering our publishing and distribution services to them.
You can find all estimates for shipping below. Shipping will be charged after the campaign via BackerKit and these numbers may change. Shipping in the US, UK, EU and Canada is customs friendly. We are aiming to fulfil all pledges in a year from when the campaign ends, approximately November 2025. Backers may pay for split shipping if you wish to get your Salvage Union Core Books, and Adventure Modules sooner.
We are aiming to fulfil all pledges in a year from when the campaign ends, approximately November 2025. This may be subject to change based on external factors. The majority of work on the Salvage Union Starter Set is complete, we need to finalise the 'Reclamation of the Wastes' campaign and get everything ready for production and distribution. The Salvage Union Core Book and all Adventure modules are already published and will be sent out to backers with your pledges. You can pay for additional split shipping if you want to get your books earlier.
Salvage Union is a human made game. None of the art, writing, or content uses any A.I. generated content. We believe in supporting human artists in creating their work.
Join the Salvage Union Discord to discuss the game with the community, ask the designers questions you might have, and play in games run on the Discord.
The Leyline Press Newsletter includes lots of Salvage Union content, such as new blogs, community designed Mechs, and updates on all our new releases for the game.
If you have any questions about the Salvage Union Starter Set Campaign, or anything else, please don't hesitate to get in touch with us via BackerKit or e-mail [email protected].
