Machinist
You don't fight the battle. You build the battlefield everyone else fights in.
Archetype: Battlefield engineer — construct deployment
The Machinist is an engineer first. The Forge Rig is a full exosuit with integrated construction bays. You deploy autonomous constructs — independent units that follow orders, hold positions, fire on designated targets, run support protocols. While they operate you manage the field. The Machinist is the reason a party can take two more encounters before a long rest.
In the World
The Forge Rig is the largest and most visible Essa Rig in common use. Empire licensing is expensive and heavily scrutinized. Most independent Machinists are unlicensed. The constructs that emerge from the back bays are clearly mechanical — they do not pass as organic, and the Suppression Grid logs every deployment.
Key Mechanic: Construct Deploy
Deploy autonomous constructs that act on their own initiative. 1 construct at L3, 2 at L5, 3 at L13. Each construct acts at your initiative count (after you). Constructs can: Essa Strike (1d8 + Rig Tier force), Support Protocol (Ward ally, Scan zone, Stabilize), or Hold Position (opportunity attacks). At Level 10: constructs can deliver one Machinist Technique per encounter.
Essa Interaction
Standard vial + Feedback Save. Forge Rig has larger Burn Buffer than Gauntlets (distributed across the full suit). No Rig Current — Machinist Rig output goes into constructs. Ward and Reinforce are the primary active defense outputs. Clear Burn is the only class in the game that can remove Burn from other practitioners.
Techniques
Force shielding for yourself or positioned in front of allies. EP × 8 + CON HP.
Full damage immunity for 1 round. Feedback Save on expiration at DC 12 + EP.
Apply a Barrier to a distant ally within 30 ft. EP × 6 + CON HP. Enhancement: extend to additional targets.
One creature cannot spend EP on enhancements for EP rounds. Enhancement: block all Technique use.
Remove 1 Burn level from yourself or one creature you touch. No Feedback Save. Only Machinist and Oathbound can do this.
Restore EP Modification Slots to a Rig. Enhancement: also restore Burn Buffer to full immediately.
Class Features
Level Progression
| Level | Features | Channel Slots | Rig Tier | Constructs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Forge Rig, Construct Bay (1), Barrier, Shell, Scan, Profile | 2 | T1 | 1 |
| 5 | Ward, Suppress, Construct Bay (2), Rig Tier 2 | 3 | T2 | 2 |
| 7 | Reinforce, Repair, Field Protocol | 3 | T2 | 2 |
| 9 | Rig Tier 3 | 4 | T3 | 2 |
| 10 | Burst, Throw, Clear Burn, Construct Upgrade | 4 | T3 | 2 |
| 13 | Rig Tier 4, Construct Bay (3) | 5 | T4 | 3 |
| 15 | Root, Construct Overclock | 5 | T4 | 3 |
| 17 | Rig Tier 5 | 6 | T5 | 3 |
| 18 | Full Deployment, Apex Calibration | 6 | T5 | 3 |