Editing Lancer (section)

===Manufacturers===
The chief classifications for the mech frames and gear are twofold in Lancer: The first is their [[Combat roles|role]], which is pretty self-explanatory (Striker, Defense, Support, Controller, Artillery), and the other is their manufacturer. Each manufacturer has very distinct types of mechs with particular specialties, even within combat roles.

*'''GMS (General Massive Systems)''': All pilots start here. GMS is pretty much the generic-name manufacturer for almost everything, nationalized by Union, having built mechs since the dawn of colonization. GMS has weapons for everything to fill in the openings for your build (including the all-powerful [[Dakka|Heavy Machine Gun]]). They also produce your starter frame, the Everest - a super-modular model that's actually quite zippy. As of the Wallflower Act I gamebook they also produce the Sagarmatha, a much more defensive version of the Everest that's still very customizable.
*'''IPS-N (Inter-Planetary Shipping - Northstar)''': The largest of the megacorps. They started with building spaceships, and function much like space Amazon, but with better PR and perhaps slightly less worker exploitation. Their models tend to specialize in close-quarters combat (CQC), and carry quite a bit of armor. Their whole frame production line is based on killing pirates and ironically, created the frames that would be most useful for said pirates - who of course, make good use of said mechs. Their mechs are generally named after naval commanders or pirates to continue the irony.
*'''Smith-Shimano Corpro''': One of the oldest of the megacorps, they specialize in bespoke luxury products and genetic modifications, I.E, bespoke people. SSC was quite quick to secure deals in subspace vessels. Their loftiest research projects involve merging man and machine into one seamless entity, but that's been mostly abandoned due to moral and legal pushback from Union, but are definitely still attempting it in secret. SSC Mechs are really fast and sneaky, being made to avoid damage rather than taking it head-on. They also have plenty in the way of sniping. SSC's focus on elegance is epitomized by them naming their mechs after butterflies or moths.
*'''HORUS''': It's not really clear what the deal is with this manufacturer. Is it a collective of master hackers who like fucking with things, or is it the product of a rogue not-AI God? Whichever the case, it's got weird mechs that use impossible technology and specialize in electronic warfare and AI management. The models are so diverse that Union uses "Pattern Groups" named after mythical creatures, as no two HORUS mecha are really the same. Basically, if /b/ made mechs. Expect to get eldritch horrors masquerading as mecha.
*'''Harrison Armory''': Remnants of the Second Committee, they're gung-ho, militaristic, and have a cult of personality around John Creighton Harrison, now on his third clone-version since the fall of the regime. Originally dealt exclusively with guns, but they eventually decided to make their own mechs and embrace their own brand of imperialism that includes mining, industry and [[Wat|hard liquors.]] HA's mechs tend to be fairly durable and have top of the line reactors, which is probably necessary when you consider just how hot their weapons run. In case you didn't get the message the first time, they name their mechs after famous army commanders.