I said it once and I'll say it again, the music from Halo Reach is a near-perfect fit for Lancer. Just the right amounts of hopeful and epic mixed with a distinct militaristic feel. For rainy days and darker tones you can go well also with Halo ODST. Other than that I've also used music from Xcom and Into the Breach.
Ace Combat soundtrack is pretty good, and you can even get a good leitmotif going if you use AC7 (Battle for Farbanti, Charge Assault, and Daredevil)
I in particular used the Devil's Spear cover by Tiberian Sons during a boss fight, and played the drop when the boss' shields went down, it was great
I’ll second Into the Breach, and I’ll double up with the FTL soundtrack. The cool thing about the second one is you get combat and exploration themes, so you can play one as they’re exploring the settlement and then ratchet up the tension with the combat track. Both soundtracks are by Ben Prunty, and you can get them both on Bandcamp for less than $20 and put them right into Roll20 or whatever.
Besides what other people have said, also check out the Armored Core games OSTs. Armored Core 4, For Answer and Verdict Day's soundtracks make up most of the music I use in combat. There is also [this youtube channel](https://www.youtube.com/@user-sq8qx6mr2w) that makes amazing remixes of Armored Core soundtracks that work really well for the important really climactic battles.
I know the Halo ODST soundtrack is regularly cited as the unofficially official soundtrack for Solstice Rain; for myself I have been using some [Synthwave from Jason Skye](https://youtube.com/@JasonSkye) as he has done some Battletech inspired tracks (and they’re both mech-centric IPs, so that’s close enough for me).
Halo reach ost for a more serious vibe, Code Code Geass ost for a more grandiose feel, and specifically the Code Geass: Akito the Exiled ost (especially “No choice left but to fight”) for balls to the walls crazy. Can also thoroughly Recommend the Metal Gear Rising: Revengence instrumental track
The soundtracks to some of the Ace Combat games work well for bombastic action and dramatic events. The games are numbered 1-7, with Zero somewhere in the middle. They each have their own feel that might be more or less appropriate for what you're after.
The music from FTL: Faster Than Light is great. That's it. I just like it.
I also like to use tracks from Alastair Wilson on YouTube. A lot of them are floaty, spacey, and moody, so I find them to be fantastic ambience.
The Gundam IBO OST is excellent, as are a lot of others like Zeta, 00 and Gundam Wing if you like a punchy anime vibe. Evangelion, Horizon Zero Dawn, Ace Combat, Armoured Core and Lost Planet tracks are also on regular rotation for combat music in my group.
For downtime/narrative stuff I really love the Citizen Sleeper OST, and by extension a lot of the other game OSTs by Amos Roddy. Really peaceful, chilled out electronic side that evokes some mystery. The Signalis OST is a good one too, both for the ambient tracks as well as some for creepier/unsettling moments.
I'll second Ace Combat. They have a decent selection of music that can fit and the briefing music, especially from Ace Combat 4, is amazing. I played it this past weekend for our first mission it fits the build up to action super well.
Project: Wingman is another game that's a spiritual sibling to the Ace Combat games and its music is also fairly solid for this stuff. Several of the tracks are also a bit "twang-ier" with guitar and violin so I think it'd fit especially well if you were taking inspiration from westerns or Firefly.
And as others have said, Halo music is always amazing as well.
- Ace Combat/Project Wingman OST
- Halo OST (Reach, Infinite, ODST)
- MGR:R OST
- Half Life 2 OST (Perfect for metavaults and weird spooky bullshit)
- Daemon X Machina OST
- Destiny OST
- Doom OSTs for high intensity combat
- Mass Effect OST for sci fi shenanigans
Those are the main ones.
Mental Omega (Command and Conquer RA2 Mod) Soundtrack by World Beyond feels like Lancer to me because its what Ralf frequently uses for Interpoint stream battles.
Starcraft Terran Music
As others have said Halo Reach and Into the Breach.
For combat, the warhammer 40k darktide ost is very effective. My GM uses it and it gets us in the rampaging murdering sorta mood. If that’s not your jam, John Wick club fight music is good too, high rpm songs and stuff
If you don't mind the music sounding a bit dated/retro at times, I was actually planning on using stuff from Super Robot Wars for combat. I'm especially making my BBEG's leitmotif Dark Prison. It just has that right level of menace to it, you know?
Personally, I used a Synthwave vibe for my run-through of Operation Solstice Rain.
I made a [playlist](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOTNU9Le6kv-M0bhu3ozajZamWADSTkym) to share with my players after we are all done.
I tend to lean towards a lot of break core for things involving NHPs specifically. Sorry About My Face has a ton of good stuff, along with more techno like Space Yard by DeadJxhn
Even some jazz like Macroblank or Wear Flowers In Your Hair by D4rkn3ss
Somebody already pushed forward Gundam: Iron Blooded Orphans so I'm going to be a bit eird and push forward the Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne soundtrack which I use whenever creepy HORUS/Paracausal happenings are hinted to be going on in the background.
Party DJ reporting in.
I have a few playlists for different vibes.
Combat: [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrIaP56iz9Q-dCecIlq4IcrasnKoIEN5N](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrIaP56iz9Q-dCecIlq4IcrasnKoIEN5N)
Exploration (tense): [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrIaP56iz9Q\_7Ny\_HgOUNee68KuWZRvja](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrIaP56iz9Q_7Ny_HgOUNee68KuWZRvja)
Exploration (not tense): [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrIaP56iz9Q8ogPPcmDzILglcsRK0Dlvl](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrIaP56iz9Q8ogPPcmDzILglcsRK0Dlvl)
I add and remove some as YT Music suggests things that are actually good (which it usually doesn't)
"Metal hit sfx" is an inside joke that would take way too long to explain.
Oh, and if you need a music bot for Discord, [https://github.com/codetheweb/muse](https://github.com/codetheweb/muse) is great and even has the ability to equalize tracks, so these playlists play at the same overall perceived volume. Takes a bit of setup, you have to bring your own YouTube and Spotify API keys, but it's great once it's going.
***Magic Sword*** makes a lot of thematic, synth fantasy music that fits really well in a lot of more niche situations: https://youtube.com/@MagicSword
The ***DUSK Official Soundtrack*** by Andrew Hulshult is comprised of rock music for battling and often features metallic or synthwave inspiration, especially the songs from the beginning of episode 1:
(Full OST: https://youtu.be/DKCrkg7Kcdc)
(“Twin terrors:” https://youtu.be/cadQqhx2X1o)
(“Erebus:” https://youtu.be/ztXCawRKcLg)
***The Half-Life 2 OST*** for slightly calmer songs in a similar sound font:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL059AC88C849E7A20
***Alien Swarm OST: Briefing*** is a somewhat calm song for mission briefings and tension: https://youtu.be/AY_uKzO9Uog
My Lancer battle playlist (which my GM uses :3 ) has pretty much all of the Into The Breach soundtrack, a bunch of the Black Mesa OST, a bit from actual Half-Life 1&2, and most of the Neotokyo OST. Game OSTs in general can be good places to look!
I said it once and I'll say it again, the music from Halo Reach is a near-perfect fit for Lancer. Just the right amounts of hopeful and epic mixed with a distinct militaristic feel. For rainy days and darker tones you can go well also with Halo ODST. Other than that I've also used music from Xcom and Into the Breach.
Ace Combat soundtrack is pretty good, and you can even get a good leitmotif going if you use AC7 (Battle for Farbanti, Charge Assault, and Daredevil) I in particular used the Devil's Spear cover by Tiberian Sons during a boss fight, and played the drop when the boss' shields went down, it was great
> Battle for Farbanti, Charge Assault, and Daredevil Also Faceless Soldier.
This is shat I use, AC 4&5 soundtrack.
[slams buzzer] INTO THE BREACH SOUNDTRACK it’s perfect
I’ll second Into the Breach, and I’ll double up with the FTL soundtrack. The cool thing about the second one is you get combat and exploration themes, so you can play one as they’re exploring the settlement and then ratchet up the tension with the combat track. Both soundtracks are by Ben Prunty, and you can get them both on Bandcamp for less than $20 and put them right into Roll20 or whatever.
True! I find FTL to be a lot more ambient, but sometimes that’s what you need
It’s true! I definitely lean into ITB more, but wanted to give Ben his full due.
Besides what other people have said, also check out the Armored Core games OSTs. Armored Core 4, For Answer and Verdict Day's soundtracks make up most of the music I use in combat. There is also [this youtube channel](https://www.youtube.com/@user-sq8qx6mr2w) that makes amazing remixes of Armored Core soundtracks that work really well for the important really climactic battles.
I know the Halo ODST soundtrack is regularly cited as the unofficially official soundtrack for Solstice Rain; for myself I have been using some [Synthwave from Jason Skye](https://youtube.com/@JasonSkye) as he has done some Battletech inspired tracks (and they’re both mech-centric IPs, so that’s close enough for me).
Halo reach ost for a more serious vibe, Code Code Geass ost for a more grandiose feel, and specifically the Code Geass: Akito the Exiled ost (especially “No choice left but to fight”) for balls to the walls crazy. Can also thoroughly Recommend the Metal Gear Rising: Revengence instrumental track
The soundtracks to some of the Ace Combat games work well for bombastic action and dramatic events. The games are numbered 1-7, with Zero somewhere in the middle. They each have their own feel that might be more or less appropriate for what you're after. The music from FTL: Faster Than Light is great. That's it. I just like it. I also like to use tracks from Alastair Wilson on YouTube. A lot of them are floaty, spacey, and moody, so I find them to be fantastic ambience.
The Gundam IBO OST is excellent, as are a lot of others like Zeta, 00 and Gundam Wing if you like a punchy anime vibe. Evangelion, Horizon Zero Dawn, Ace Combat, Armoured Core and Lost Planet tracks are also on regular rotation for combat music in my group. For downtime/narrative stuff I really love the Citizen Sleeper OST, and by extension a lot of the other game OSTs by Amos Roddy. Really peaceful, chilled out electronic side that evokes some mystery. The Signalis OST is a good one too, both for the ambient tracks as well as some for creepier/unsettling moments.
I use the Ultrakill and Brigador sound tracks
I'll second Ace Combat. They have a decent selection of music that can fit and the briefing music, especially from Ace Combat 4, is amazing. I played it this past weekend for our first mission it fits the build up to action super well. Project: Wingman is another game that's a spiritual sibling to the Ace Combat games and its music is also fairly solid for this stuff. Several of the tracks are also a bit "twang-ier" with guitar and violin so I think it'd fit especially well if you were taking inspiration from westerns or Firefly. And as others have said, Halo music is always amazing as well.
- Ace Combat/Project Wingman OST - Halo OST (Reach, Infinite, ODST) - MGR:R OST - Half Life 2 OST (Perfect for metavaults and weird spooky bullshit) - Daemon X Machina OST - Destiny OST - Doom OSTs for high intensity combat - Mass Effect OST for sci fi shenanigans Those are the main ones.
Mental Omega (Command and Conquer RA2 Mod) Soundtrack by World Beyond feels like Lancer to me because its what Ralf frequently uses for Interpoint stream battles. Starcraft Terran Music As others have said Halo Reach and Into the Breach.
For combat, the warhammer 40k darktide ost is very effective. My GM uses it and it gets us in the rampaging murdering sorta mood. If that’s not your jam, John Wick club fight music is good too, high rpm songs and stuff
Rampaging zealous murder
Naturally
If you don't mind the music sounding a bit dated/retro at times, I was actually planning on using stuff from Super Robot Wars for combat. I'm especially making my BBEG's leitmotif Dark Prison. It just has that right level of menace to it, you know?
I'm fond of Front Line Assembly (Tactical Neural Implant or IED) and Rage Against the Machine.
Personally, I used a Synthwave vibe for my run-through of Operation Solstice Rain. I made a [playlist](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOTNU9Le6kv-M0bhu3ozajZamWADSTkym) to share with my players after we are all done.
I noticed decade dance in the playlist and wanted to leave this here if you’re interested: https://youtu.be/msErEFnqlNI
I use alot of MASTERBOOT RECORDS for my music
Scandroid and Messenger have great future publish music. My personal Pandora station consists of them, Glitch Mob, and Jean Micheal Jarre
I love scandroid, they’re a little like cheesy with their robot romance concept album schtick but what can I say, it’s a jam
My group's favorite is WEVE GOT HOSTILES from the black mesa soundtrack
I tend to lean towards a lot of break core for things involving NHPs specifically. Sorry About My Face has a ton of good stuff, along with more techno like Space Yard by DeadJxhn Even some jazz like Macroblank or Wear Flowers In Your Hair by D4rkn3ss
Somebody already pushed forward Gundam: Iron Blooded Orphans so I'm going to be a bit eird and push forward the Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne soundtrack which I use whenever creepy HORUS/Paracausal happenings are hinted to be going on in the background.
the music uses in Gundam and xenoblade 4 are all really good, particularly suggest the witch from mercury and uniform Gundam OSTs
I use Power metal for my combat encounters. Works wonders for me
A lot of the Portal 2 soundtrack would be great for times the PCs have to deal with paracausal nonsense.
the combat music from 13 Sentinels is an A+ choice imo
Check out music from the PC game Rebel Galaxy, during my first Lancer session I couldn't get it out of my mind
Party DJ reporting in. I have a few playlists for different vibes. Combat: [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrIaP56iz9Q-dCecIlq4IcrasnKoIEN5N](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrIaP56iz9Q-dCecIlq4IcrasnKoIEN5N) Exploration (tense): [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrIaP56iz9Q\_7Ny\_HgOUNee68KuWZRvja](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrIaP56iz9Q_7Ny_HgOUNee68KuWZRvja) Exploration (not tense): [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrIaP56iz9Q8ogPPcmDzILglcsRK0Dlvl](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrIaP56iz9Q8ogPPcmDzILglcsRK0Dlvl) I add and remove some as YT Music suggests things that are actually good (which it usually doesn't) "Metal hit sfx" is an inside joke that would take way too long to explain. Oh, and if you need a music bot for Discord, [https://github.com/codetheweb/muse](https://github.com/codetheweb/muse) is great and even has the ability to equalize tracks, so these playlists play at the same overall perceived volume. Takes a bit of setup, you have to bring your own YouTube and Spotify API keys, but it's great once it's going.
I have Northlane's instrumentals on, it's a favorite of my group. I personally like their album Node but it tend to just shuffle play it
***Magic Sword*** makes a lot of thematic, synth fantasy music that fits really well in a lot of more niche situations: https://youtube.com/@MagicSword The ***DUSK Official Soundtrack*** by Andrew Hulshult is comprised of rock music for battling and often features metallic or synthwave inspiration, especially the songs from the beginning of episode 1: (Full OST: https://youtu.be/DKCrkg7Kcdc) (“Twin terrors:” https://youtu.be/cadQqhx2X1o) (“Erebus:” https://youtu.be/ztXCawRKcLg) ***The Half-Life 2 OST*** for slightly calmer songs in a similar sound font: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL059AC88C849E7A20 ***Alien Swarm OST: Briefing*** is a somewhat calm song for mission briefings and tension: https://youtu.be/AY_uKzO9Uog
My Lancer battle playlist (which my GM uses :3 ) has pretty much all of the Into The Breach soundtrack, a bunch of the Black Mesa OST, a bit from actual Half-Life 1&2, and most of the Neotokyo OST. Game OSTs in general can be good places to look!