Maybe my favorite part of the new boxes is the pilot cards. After going through the pregenerated ones, I immediately wanted to make my own. Unfortunately, I'm not a graphic designer and attempts to fiddle with a PDF of pre-final cards CGL previewed a few months ago had... interesting results in Acrobat. I knew at that if I wanted new ones, they'd have to be from scratch - and since colorizing mech images is outside of my skillset, I decided to go grey scale (a happy coincidence in intersection with my propensity to do everything as cheaply as possible).
After some tinkering, where I inadvertently taught myself how to do a few things, I got to a result I was actually pretty pleased with
they even look pretty decent next to the official cards
Here's the files you need to make them too
Samuel Tabbard's example card. You can also copy/paste it several times on the page to make a bunch and print them out. Save paper!
here's the word version that's a little wonkier to work with but still functions.SPA list. I used the official wording found on the box set cards. There are a number of abilities not used. I'd recommend just c/p the short description from CampOps for now if you want to use them
Faction Logos. A .zip with the official era icons as well as every faction logo I could glean from sourcebooks.
Step 1: Decide on a concept.Before you go barreling into editing text, you need to figure out who your pilot is. Our example edit will be a Lyran social general. He needs a heroic name - a name that will inspire his troops and strike fear into enemies. We'll call him Michael Michaels.
Step 2: Edit Name and SkillsClick on the text box at the top with the name to edit it.
You also need to assign him skills. Michael Michaels is a warrior with skill befitting his lofty station. Click on the pilot and gunnery skill numbers to edit those text boxes.
Step 3: Enter VitalsNext you need to assign Michael his basic stats. He's a pretty low-end social general so he's not too high in the chain of command
Due to his position he was assigned to a prestigious military command
And his ride. Definitely not compensating for something.
Step 4: 'Mech PicNow we need to make sure the 'Mech pic matches the 'mech. Left-click on the Orion. When the grey dots appear, Right click and go to "Change Picture"
Pick the file you want where you store such things. I learned how to make transparent backgrounds in Paint 3D so the white space won't cover up part of the faction logo background.
Step 5: Enter BackgroundNow you need to concoct a background. Make sure to not go overboard or there won't be enough room to add SPAs. Look at the official cards for an approximate word count.
Step 6: Choose SPAsNow your pilot needs some SPAs. Technically, Michael shouldn't get any as a green pilot, but that makes for a poor tutorial. We'll take pity on him and give him one. Go to the provided .doc file and copy the text for the ability you want. Paste it over the top of the SPAs on the template.
Step 7: Say Something CleverAdd a quote that adds a bit more flavor and personality to your pilot. The official cards' quotes are by someone else about the pilot. You can follow that template. Or not. While you're at it, adjust the pilot BV mod (see the chart from TechManual in the SPA doc). At least our boy won't hurt his force's BV.
Step 8: Finishing TouchesHomestretch. Now let's replace that eagle with the Lyran fist (presumably clutching all that money). Right click on the main textbox and select Format Autoshape.
Next go to Fill Effects
And then File
Pick the Lyran Commonwealth image from the package provided. Or add literally any image you want. Go wild. Make sure your image is sized to 225Lx288H or it will stretch and look weird. Also double-check that the transparency is set at 75% or higher or else that background is going to overpower your text.
Finally, select which eras your pilot is active in. Follow the same procedure as you did with changing the faction background and select one, two, or three eras. Make sure the transparency is turned up to 80% or it's going to cover up your quote and potentially part of the background. If you don't want to fill the second or third box, just turn the transparency up to 100% and it will be invisible.
we don't have to change anything here so i'll add a third era (which means our good general somehow survives the destruction of the 8th at the hands of the Falcons).
We're all done! Now get your avatar out into the field!