BattleTech - Magazine - Battle-Tec - Issue #6

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Opening shots I just purchased AeroTech 2 and read

Welcome to Issue #6 of BattleTec. the rules. As a result of this I had to
Blame Diablo II for the delay folks change the design of the two ships I sent
(gods I love that game). This issue, you. Use these "new and correct" designs
we are covering some new ground if ya want. If you like I will send other
in terms of articles. We have some ships as I am a warship person (ex Navy
wonderful new Warships (thanks to type). I also have auxiliary ship designs
the arrival of AeroTech 2). 'Bitchin' (Hospital Ship, Repair/Salvage Ship,
Bob Richter returns with some new Cargo Ship, Patrol Ships, Research Ship,
info in The Cutting Edge, and Lev System Defense Ships, etc etc) if you
'Head-Shot' Arris profiles the would prefer something different. Let me
Dasher/Fire Moth. know! Later Days.
The third and final installment of
-Larry Leslie (AKA Highball)
the 4th Jaguar Dragoon's TOA finds
the warring forces hashing it out at
Thanks much, Larry. There'd been
the spaceport. We get a look at the
quite a lot of posts at Sarna (before
Jumbo/Elephant Heavy Tank, as
it mysteriously went tits-up) about
well a fearsome hatchet-wielding
the new rules. I myself have yet to
heavy mech called the Hunter.
try them, but any ships you have
A large campaign system
good fluff for, send 'em my way.
designed (by moi) for planetary
conquest has been thrown in to the
I would be interested in learning more
mix (with URL's for playing pieces).
on how to use Web-RPG. I have
Our bud Apo gives us a good Liao
downloaded it and installed it. It seems to
thrash-fest as well. So what are you
waiting for? Get reading! be a real system hog, but I would like to
play a game on it. As you are a very vocal
INCOMING! advocate, I would like to know if you would
I would like to submit a 'Mech for play a small one on one to show me the ins
submission for the next issue of and outs of the program. Let me know
BattleTec. If there isn't going to be -Chunga
one...I'd appreciate it if you could at least
take the thing out for a test drive for I DO enjoy Web RPG a lot. It's a
far cry from the fun of in-person
me...I don't get a lot of B-Tech playing in
games, but I think it clubs the hell
unfortunately.
out of IRC play, even with the bugs.
- Brian Yurkiw
Of course, there's a limit to how
well it plays, and big fights can just
Ask and Ye shall receive. Your
be too unwieldy. Still, it's ideal for
'Mech takes center stage in 'The
small games between 2-3 players.
Design Bay'. Looks to be a fierce in-
Like all online games, Role-
fighter, too…
playing or war-gaming, there is the
missing human element you find
face to face. I think I've had the
BattleTech is a Registered Trademark of FASA Corporation. Original BattleTech material Copyright by FASA
Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Used without permission. Any use of FASA Corporation's copyrighted material or
trademarks in this file should not be viewed as a challenge to those copyrights or trademarks. The sole purpose of this
publication is to raise the level of popularity, and awareness of BattleTech. E-mail any submissions to me at
[email protected]
2
most fun when I'm playing on Web fluff text to explain what purpose the
RPG with guys I know from the chat vehicle serves.]
boards Send me a E-mail for a
weekend game (Sunday preferred) NAME: JMB-1 "JUMBO"
and we can rock. My ICQ is TECH LEVEL: Tracked I.S. /
8037042. Level 2
Weight: 100 Tons
Dear Jeff, Movement:
Thanx again for this issue of BattleTec!
I was happy to be able to read something Cruise: 2
during this weekend... The CGB invention Flank: 3
list was one of my favorites! I have only
one question: why is the name of the file Engine: 200XL Fusion
Issue5beta.rtf? You'll create a final 6.0
version or just forgot to rename it? :))) Control: 5.0
It's a pity you lost your files. In this Power Amplifiers: 0.0
case I'll send you the Stromcrow essay Lift Equipment: 0.0
again, along with a Kodiak and Grizzly Heat Sinks: (16) 6.0
description for future use. I hope I am Internal Structure: 5.0
not the only pervert ([ ?]) who rather Turret: 1.0
writes on 'Mechs ;-> so you have lots of
stuff to put into BattleTec! Armor: 15.5 (248pts.)
Good luck with the back-up! Armor Distribution

Front: 58
SCpt. Crane Tseng Sides: 50/50
231st Battle Unit Rear: 40
Clan Ghost-Bear Turret: 50
I started posting the 'zine in RTF Weapons & Ammo:

because almost everyone's Long Tom Artillery Piece
computer can read it then. Thanks
(Front) 30.0 Tons
for the comments…the Lone
Large Laser (Turret)
Mechwarrior of Hungary lives on!
5.0 Tons
Large Laser (Turret)
5.0 Tons
The Vehicle War-Book LRM-10 (Front)
5.0 Tons
[This section highlights new vehicle
designs being produced across LRM-10 (Front)
holdings in the Inner Sphere and Clan 5.0 Tons
space. Submissions to this feature CASE (Body)
should have a good background and 0.5 Tons
[email protected]
3
LTAP Ammo: 15 (Body) predecessor. The old Long Tom vehicle was
3.0 Tons woefully under-gunned when its location was
threatened with overrun. Slip-Shod installed two
LRM Ammo: 36 (Body) Flash-Fire Model A Large Lasers, noted for their
3.0 Tons ruggedness in military environments. These were
installed a swivel-top turret, though this turret
COST: $13,350,666 suffered from the inability to raise higher than 45
BV: degrees.
CREW: The main gun is the Long Tom Mark IX
artillery piece, with incredibly long range and
OVERVIEW: increased accuracy over the Mark XIII series.
While slow, the Jumbo packs armor comparable
Slip-Shod Tech, Inc. was one of several small to many Star-League era vehicles, giving the
firms approached quietly by House Marik with a Jumbo incredible resilience on the battlefield.
proposition to produce a new, improved version The Wad-Cutter LRM-10s are cheap, less than
of the Long Tom Mobile Artillery vehicle. After notable missile systems, but they are acceptably
announcing that Slip-Shod had won the bid (and reliable and require no special maintenance. A
there were more than a few hints at government real perk for the crews is installment of CASE in
kickbacks and payoffs), the fledgling company the ammo storage bin of the Jumbo.
set to work. The results, after a lot of foot-
dragging and bureaucratic red tape, were less HISTORY:
than impressive. The first run of the Jumbo rolled off the line in
The finished vehicle, dubbed the 'Jumbo' the last quarter of 3059 and right into the meat-
because of its very large size (close to the grinder that is The Chaos March. Three of the
Demolisher Heavy Tank) lacked any real new tanks were sent to various hot spots
improvement in speed over the venerable Long throughout the March on a publicity stunt
Tom weapon system. Even greater of a problem, masterminded by Slip-Shod executives. All three
the Jumbo carried minimal amounts of ammo for of the new tanks were captured on vid in combat.
its assigned combat role. Aerospace assets destroyed one seconds after it
Angry accusations by the Free Worlds League fired on an enemy column, one is reported
Office of Procurement and an official missing (speculation and suspicion is aimed at a
investigation were further stymied by the small small mercenary group who deserted the post
print Slip-Shod managed to billet into the that the tank was stationed at), and the third crew
original contract, guaranteeing at least 50% of received a decoration for duty beyond the call.
the original contract budget should House Marik This third Jumbo somehow managed to pin a
decide to cancel the project for any reason. hostile Battlemaster against the wall of the
Marik lawyers were helpless in the face of this compound where the Jumbo was stationed. The
strangely ironclad stipulation. Rather than scrap tank commander, Sgt. Harlock Gunderson,
the whole project, Slip-Shod agreed to a second seeing his machine surrounded by raiding mechs
production run, with the intent of adding shooting at the Jumbo and other defenders, threw
essential design aspects the FWL Military his tank, nicknamed 'Tantor', into reverse,
demanded. This second run produced the variant catching the unsuspecting Battlemaster as it
called the 'Elephant'. More than one Procurement rounded the corner of the Compound HQ.
officer also added the dubious term 'White' to the The impact drove the assault class BattleMech
title. back into the compound wall, pinning it in the
breach nearly underneath Tantor. By the time the
CAPABILITIES: other enemy units were driven off and friendly
Apart from the major flaw of small ammo for its 'Mechs arrived, the Jumbo crew was nearly deaf
main gun and lack of real mobility, the Jumbo from the echo of the constant pounding of the
does have some major advantages over its Battlemaster on the tank's rear armor and turret.
[email protected]
4
The recording of this engagement is still used card with a winter painting on it. The snow
by the Marketing Department of Slip-Shod as a formed thick drifts, cut through by a stream that
major selling point for the Jumbo. The flowed down from the mountains. You couldn't
Compound C.O. rewarded the tankers with a see those peaks from the bleak gray of a cloud
cash bonus, and gave the captured Battlemaster front that was moving down on us from the high
to Harlock, who pilots it to this day as bodyguard country.
for his old Jumbo. Sometimes, a shower of light will make it
through the overcast, and the mountains will
come alive with a beautiful rosy glow. When that
happens, you can forget how harsh and
Small Unit Actions unforgiving the high country can be. We didn't
expect to find much up there. Everyone figured
Ever wonder where the expression 'Cold as the Falcons were gone by now, as the last
Hell' came from? Isn't 'Hell' supposed to be hot? engagement with them had been three weeks
Well, I know where the saying comes from. It ago.
came from the first soldier to get posted We'd split the lance down into 2 'Mech teams
somewhere where the temperature was routinely to cover more ground, though we kept the
below zero. distance short, usually half a kilometer or so.
Cold weather takes its toll on equipment, too. Kirkoff and me were plodding through the pines
Some of the climates of the planets we got to the right of our line. My Phoenix Hawk had
garrisoned on were more than a match for the the best sensors in the lance, so I ran a
newest foot sloggers cold-weather gear. Not broadband, all-spectrum scan ever three or four
only did the cold cause problems for vehicles minutes. I was just finishing up one when a heat
with internal combustion engines, but almost all spike flared on my HUD, and disappeared just as
tanks are notoriously hard to keep warm in the quickly.
crew compartments. Kirkoff brought his Centurion to a halt right
Idle hovercraft could get their fans frozen in behind me when he saw me draw up short.
place, making them useless. They threw up a lot "What's up, Ash? You got something'?"
of snow, too, making their use in close "Yeah. A heat spike…I almost missed it, it was
formations risky…too much powder blown into so brief. About one K Northeast."
your wing's vector, and he might end up plowing "Could be a geyser…maybe a hot-spring. They
into a tree. said this area has a little volcanic activity. "
Wheeled vehicles were next to worthless. Kirkoff tried to sound optimistic, but we both
Tracked vehicles were ok, provided their tracks knew it was no natural volcanic phenomena.
were wide enough. We 'Mech jocks usually had it Somebody was out there, not too far away. And
a little better, but sometimes even we got a raw I'm experienced enough to know bait when I see
deal from the elements. A blizzard will blind it.
your 'Mech as easily as it blinds a tank. "Ash to Cobb. Just got a invitation from some
At least the cold usually lets you run your less-than-desirables."
weapons hotter than you normally would. Of "Give me a grid cord." was all the C.O. said. It
course, the same holds true for an enemy was hard to impress Maxwell Cobb with any
BattleMech, so that's not always so comforting. kind of news, good or bad. I tight-beamed him
Kirkoff and me were part of Fire Lance Ringo, the info and waited. Within a minute, Kirkoff and
working a contract in the most remote areas of me both received a topographical feed of the
Morges. Apparently there was a natural-gas area. We could both see the lines and marks that
refinery up there our employer deemed worth the Cobb was drawing on his grid map. He was
scratch to protect. We got assigned to scout the going to have us enter the suspected area and
perimeter of our employer's fief, keeping a watch retreat to the West, where ha and Yarboraough
for reported Raider Stars from the Jade Falcons. would set up a counter-ambush on anyone who
We were slogging it through deep alpine tried to clobber us.
woods…the kind of scenery you see on a post
[email protected]
5
The smirk of Kirkoff's face came through on Situation:

the com-set. A scout lance from Parker's Praetorians
"I hope those 'Falcons use that honor crap they mercenary battalion was probing the Northern
swear by. If not, we're gonna buy it here in the country on Morges, acting as a screen against
middle of Bum-_uck Egypt." raiding Clan Jade Falcon elements. Recognizing
You might think sitting thirty feet up, you can an ambush for what it was, the mercenaries
see better and that's usually true, but with all the managed a slick counter-ambush by luring the
clumps of snow that weighed the trees down, and battle-hungry Jade Falcon Raiding Star back into
the crappy light, we couldn't see a 'Mech's a trap of the merc's own.
footprint a dozen meters away. We made our way
up the stream parallel to where the computer said SETUP:
the heat spike had originated. Lay out two BattleTech maps, short ends
A large clump of giant pines stood at ground meeting. These should both have a lot of woods
zero of the reading, but we didn't see anything. and at least one stream that connects the maps
The snow was too thick on the branches, so it together. The defender sets up first, placing the
was like looking at a gigantic camouflage net of Charger and Apollo in hidden positions
white, dark green and shadowy black. The anywhere on the southern map. The Phoenix
human way Kirkoff's Centurion shrugged when I Hawk and Centurion set up on the northern map,
gave him a questioning glance almost made me within 6 hexes of its southern edge. The
laugh. Centurion is minus one round from its LB-10X
"Now what?" he asked. autocannon.
"Fire off a round." The Attacker sets up within four hexes of the
"What…in the air?" northern edge on the northern map, in woods
"Hell no! Fire into the trees, dumb-ass!" hexes.
"Seems a waste of C-Bills, but whatever…"
The Centurion's right arm thrust forward, Special Conditions:
vomiting a stream of expensive autocannon Due to the snow, subtract 1 MP from all units'
rounds into what was probably nothing but trees. walking speed and recalculate their running
Well… almost nothing. A large moose somehow speed. The intense cold means all mech's heat
managed to stumble from its cover, though its sinks operate at 50% greater efficiency (rounded
rear half was nearly blown away from the high- up).
velocity 90-MM slugs.
"Jesus Christ!" Kirkoff yelled in disgust and Attacker:
horror. "It's only a Moose!" A star of light Jade Falcon OmniMechs from
War does funny things to your sensibilities. If the green 66th Falcon Grenadiers. All
you live in a combat zone long enough, your OmniMechs are in perfect working order.
perceptions of what is acceptable tend to… Elementals do not start the game mounted. These
mutate. Try as hard as I could, the snorting warriors are being trained to fight the Inner
became a chuckle, then a belly laugh. Sphere warriors with their own tactics and are
"Shut the hell up!", Kirkoff yelled over the line. under orders NOT to engage in Zellbrigen. They
">snicker<…Damn, Kirkoff! You didn't even are free to engage with massed fire and physical
give him a chance to surrender!" attacks.
At that, Kirkoff started laughing too. We were
hawing it up, when the majority of the snow, Star Comdr. Riazik (G: 3/P: 4) Hellhound
loosened by depleted uranium rounds and MW Zander (G: 4/P: 5) Cougar 'A'
agitated by the sound waves of the autocannon, MW Ricco (G: 4/P: 5) Uller Primary
dropped to the ground with a muffled 'whumph'. MW Dizz (G: 4/P: 5) Uller 'A'
We stopped laughing when we saw the Clan Point Comdr. Higgins, +4 Elementals
OmniMechs looming there…
Defender:
[email protected]
6
Parker's Praetorians scout lance to leave nothing to chance and give his opponent
impossible shots whenever evading.
Sgt. Cobb (G: 3/P: 4) CGR-3K Charger With the advantages and disadvantages of the
Cpl. Tinsel (G: 3/P: 4) PXH-3S Phoenix Hawk
fixed capabilities discussed, we can proceed to
Pvt. Kirkoff (G: 4/P: 5) CN9-D Centurion
Pvt. Char (G: 4/P: 5) APL-1M Apollo the next part: The weapon and equipment
configurations.
Victory Conditions:
That side with the highest remaining BV on Turn PRIMARY:
#12 wins. The Prime configuration of the Dasher is in
reality nothing more that a copy of the weapons
Mech of the Month load-out of the COM-2D Commando, except for
the addition of another medium laser and the use
of Clan technology. The Omni's 10 double heat
Dasher [Fire Moth] sinks are sufficient to keep the temperature in
By Lev 'Ha! Another head shot!' check and allow the pilot free use of his
Arris weapons. This design is a good all around variant
although it does create a problem for the pilot,
who has to get in close in order to use his
[Finally I get my chance to do something for weapons effectively. For the Dasher, any close
Jeff's Battletec, with school over and myself is, simply, too close.
having a lot of spare time. -Lev] The Primary configuration really shines in the
anti-armor role. With Inferno missiles in its twin
I've decided to do a review of one of the more SRM racks, the Dasher Prime can devastate
controversial designs introduced in TRO: 3050, enemy heavy tank lines, while using its speed to
the Dasher (Fire Moth). First, let's look at the keep out of harm's way.
base configuration. After taking a glance at the
Dasher's statistics it becomes apparent that this 'A' Variant:
OmniMech is built for one thing: Speed. This The Dasher 'A' is a spotter mech, loaded with
mech is the fastest of all Clan designs, capable of electronics to locate enemy units and call in
moving at 162 kph at a full run. artillery fire. While devastating in theory, in
With its MASC system engaged, the Dasher is practice the Clans rarely use fire support, making
capable of moving at an incredible 216 kph, this variant extremely rare.
which enables it to outrun anything it cannot For offensive weapons, the 'A' variant carries a
outgun, which is fortunate, because this Omni single Streak SRM-4 rack, with 25 reloads. This
carries a measly 2 tons of Ferro Fibrous armor. provides the unit with meager firepower, but is of
While capable of protecting this 'Mech against little assistance to the unfortunate pilot of a
light weapon fire, the paltry amount of armor is cornered Dasher 'A'. The 'A's Anti-Missile
all but useless against the massive Mech-Class System helps shield the fragile OmniMech from
weapon systems carried by heavy and assault enemy SRM infantry ambushes and light missile
'Mechs (and even some medium and light fire from other enemy units.
machines as well). Needless to say, this configuration suffers from
With this lack of armor in mind, a wise pilot of no heat problems at all (as if heat is likely to be
this otherwise extremely effective OmniMech the main concern of a pilot sitting atop a 20 ton
must rely on his speed to provide him with OmniMech protected by only 2 tons of armor
protection, and save his Dasher's armor for the and mounting a single Streak SRM-4 for
few lucky shots that will inevitably hit him. weapons...).
A smart Dasher pilot will retreat in the face of
superior opposition, but if such a course of action
is not possible due to Clan honor, or simply a 'B' Variant:
stubborn commander, he would be well advised
[email protected]
7
The Dasher B is an effective combat design, 'D' Variant:

despite the lack of armor on the base The Dasher 'D' is the most readily identified
configuration. Twin medium pulse lasers provide variant…and version some enemies wish to
it with accurate short and medium range forget (names have been changed to protect the
firepower, and this accuracy allows the pilot of humiliated). With 5 ER medium lasers and an
the B to engage enemy units at a longer effective Advanced Targeting Computer, this variant can
range than the Prime would allow. rain in lethally accurate firepower while staying
In addition to the twin lasers the 'B' also at a safe distance from most big guns (Large
mounts a Machinegun (ack!) with 200 shots of pulse lasers are always a hazard to lightly
ammo (ack! x 2). While useful against infantry, armored machines, even ones as fast as Dasher).
this weapon is a waste of tonnage on an Omni The Flamer is rather useless for combat, and
where pod space is extremely limited, and would my guess is it's there simply to fill space, but you
have been better used if the 'Mech carried only can still use it to light trees up and use the smoke
half a ton of ammo and devoted the other half ton for cover later on. Great overall design, just
to something else. Even another pair of watch two things: Your enemy's pulse lasers
machineguns might be a nice idea (wait a (well, this one fits any configuration of the
minute...machine guns, a nice idea? I must be Dasher...) and watch your heat. At a run (which
losing my mind...). should be your only type of movement, if you
For added protection, the 'B' mounts a want to live a long life), and firing the 5 lasers,
Guardian ECM and an A-Pod. And while all your heat jumps to 7.
players can understand the need for an ECM of Of course -1 MP is little hindrance, but as per
such an under-armored 'Mech, the A-Pod is a Murphy's Law of Combat: "The nearest cover is
waste of a perfectly good half a ton. Combined always one step farther than your jumping
with the half ton of removed MG ammo, the range". Okay…you can't jump, but that extra MP
weight could be used to mount and extra ER can save your ass someday. In general, this is the
medium laser or other offensive weapon. only Dasher you'd really want to be in when the
Come on! When was the last time you saw a shells start flying (that is, if you want to be in a
mech capable of running at 162 KPH get leg- Dasher in the first place...hehe), but it's of
attacked by unarmored infantry? minimal recon use and cannot spot for homing
Arrow IVs. So skirmish, yes, spotter, no.
'C' Variant:
The Dasher 'C' reminds me of the LCT-1M 'H' Variant:
Locust, boasting a pair of small missile racks for The last and newest Dasher configuration is
primary weapons. Although the 'C' carries 24 the one that poses the largest danger to the pilot.
reloads per rack, it lacks a back up weapon. This It carries insane firepower, but its maximum
is not that large of a drawback as it seems, in effective range is an appalling 3 hexes. At that
campaign settings at least, where the Dasher can range, even an Inner Sphere medium pulse laser
disengage and run to friendly lines for reloading. will hit and kill you.
Still, not having to close the distance to your Still, the ability to blow out from behind any
target to get in range means you get to go home center torso in existence makes this a deadly
in a metal box with legs, not a wooden crate. The weapon, if it can close the range to the target and
Anti-Missile System is a welcome addition to a get to fire its weapons with an aimed shot, and if
'Mech as lightly armored as the Dasher, but the it can survive the return fire. In general, this
two tons of ammo seem excessive somehow. mech is for suicidal pilots only…everyone else,
Again, the miniature weapons load means no stay clear.
overheating problems, but heat is your smallest
problem when you hear your last missiles load
into the racks…oh well, you can always run House Rules:
away. [Too little information is given about
the Dasher to post any reliable House
[email protected]
8
Rules from the Fluff Text alone. A New Mt. Fuji Space Port, Turtle Bay
glance at the Dasher's image from the Smoke Jaguar Occupation Zone
TRO: 3050 or the metal miniature can 25 December, 3058
give us a few ideas, however. -XIANG]
The placement of the hands on the Dasher Smoke poured up craters that pocked the
would make wielding a club ludicrous. Not ferrocrete of New Mt. Fuji spaceport's aerodyne
much of a handicap to Clan warriors who stick to runway. The remains of a hapless 7th Jaguar
Zellbrigen. The wide cowling around the rear leg Rifleman IIC littered the area, all that was left of
area might give the Dasher two extra armor a once powerful BattleMech after the machine
points for each leg against shots that come from landed on camouflaged mines.
the rear fire arc. From his position inside the cockpit of his
Timber Wolf Alpha, Star Captain Torc studied the
OVERALL RATINGS (from 1-10)*: wreckage and frowned grimly. Though the last of
Prime = 7 the 7th Jaguar Dragoons were now everything he
A = 5 reviled, he still felt regret. They were Jaguars,
B = 7 however misguided. While they sought the death
C = 6 of Torc and his men, most of them were just
D = 8 doing what they were told. What a warrior was
trained to do.
H = 4
A Dire Wolf with the 7th's markings thundered
by, racing down the main avenue, a trio of large
pulse lasers and the silver streaks of gauss
rounds firing from its massive arm pods. As the
[*Note that this rating is based on an over-all machine lurched by, Torc slammed the throttle
comparison of mechs from a similar tech era. forward and bolted into the giant enemy 'Mechs
Also bear in mind that the rating applies to rear arc, firing everything his Timber Wolf had.
mechs of roughly the same weight class. A '6' Particle beams and pulses of green laser fire
rated mech of heavy design might or might not laid open the back of the Dire Wolf, exposing
be a match for a '6' rated medium mech. The vital components to the savage impact of short-
number rating from this gazette is not meant to range missiles that corkscrewed in from the
replace BV, but to provide the reader with some Timber Wolf's SRM launcher. The big machine
feel of how the mech stacks up when comparing started to vibrate violently as its own SRM
its inherent strengths and weaknesses.] ammo detonated.
The force of the explosion threw the machine
out of balance as the CASE panels expelled the
majority of the blast pressure out the
OmniMech's mangled back. The impact of the
100-ton giant as it fell was enough to send a
tremor through Torc's machine.
'He is gravely wounded, but not quite dead. To
Campaign CORNER: destroy him now, after an ambush, smacks of
The following series of battles were cowardice. But this is a Trial of Annihilation. I
actually fought in my house campaign. will do what I must to preserve the 4th.'
Forgive any major deviations from Reluctantly, Torc centered his Targeting system
‘official’ sources you may find. The on the stunned Dire Wolf, and let loose with all
current series deals with a T.O.A. we his weapons again. He ignored the heat that
played out among the Smoke Jaguars, welled up in the Timber Wolf's cockpit. The salvo
of which one faction was assisted by finished off the Dire, but Torc was already
Clan Nova Cat (no, they helped the darting down the narrow concrete canyons of the
bad guys). spaceport, in search of more targets. Somewhere
[email protected]
9
overhead, the black LAM piloted by Star Jin was uncertain how she knew where to go,
Commander Acex dove into another attack run but she found her Warhawk thundering forward,
on the 7th's forces. down side-alleys, avoiding the brief yet fierce
Less than a Trinary of the 7 th Jaguar Dragoons firefights between her troops and the enemy. It
remained to assault New Mt. Fuji spaceport. The was almost an ethereal feeling…something her
shame of the last month's losses was more than extremely logical mind could not understand,
Jin Mheta could endure. At every turn, the 4 th had that guided her, un-accosted, to the small landing
proven themselves unfit for the title of Clan pad on the outskirts of the main port. She
warriors. Ambushes, wolf-pack tactics and now brought the 85-ton OmniMech to a slow walk
the use of mines, buildings as cover, and the then halted completely.
presence of a taboo air-mech among their forces Switching from Mag-Scan to thermal, she
all proved it. spotted the warm silhouette of a Timber Wolf
Yet, regardless of their underhanded tactics, waiting among the buildings. A pair of aircraft
they were winning. This battle would be the last. hangers, much taller than either 'Mech, stood
Jin knew it and she was sure Torc knew it as between the two. In the cockpit of the Timber
well. The badly mauled 7th Jaguar dragoons and Wolf, Torc noted the arrival of the Warhawk.
now-defeated 44th Nova Cat Cavaliers would "Acex, Status. Are they all gone?"
bear the disgrace of this debacle for generations. A moment of crackling static came before Acex
The two units would most likely become Dezgra. replied.
'And the worst dregs of both clans will be sent "Aff, Star Captain. The 7th is no more. Just
to us. Better to die today, fighting as a true Mheta's Command 'Mech. Shall I assist?"
Smoke Jaguar, than command the cast-off rabble "Neg. If anyone interferes with the coming
from the home worlds.' Jin pictured the scene in fight, we will not be able to drive home our
her mind's eye, with more than mere disdain. point, Aff?"
She hated the 4 th. Clansmen normally did not "Aff. One more thing…the 'Dirty Dozen' has
hate those they killed, for death and destruction lost its commander. A 7th Dragoon Behemoth
were a warrior's calling. But try as she might to kicked in Richard's cockpit before the Inner
label it something else, hate was the only word Sphere warrior could extract his 'Mech
strong enough for the thing Jin felt towards the completely from the rubble of a collapsed
enemy Jaguars. The hatred was made all the building's basement. I avenged him shortly
more powerful by the fact that they were thereafter."
unusually skilled warriors, dishonorable tactics Torc's heart sank at the news. He had actually
aside. That was the cruelest fate of all. Jin now grown to like his old rival, despite their past
realized she had seriously underestimated the 4th, conflicts.
and just as seriously underbid for the Trial "Understood. See that the terms of our salvage
Thus, the consternated woman allowed hatred agreement are completed, should I not return
for herself to further kindle the hatred of her from this place. They fought well, and have
enemies. That she should fail so miserably in earned our respect as well as the salvage. Torc
gauging her enemy stood in her mind as proof out." Torc reset the channel to open-frequency
she was not fit to command. There could be no Alpha.
excuse. Anything that tried to alter or rationalize "…have come, as you knew I would, Torc. I
this new fact could only be interpreted as a lie. have come to kill you!" Jins voice growled in
Lying was not the Way of the Clans. mid-sentence.
'I will die here…today…that much is certain. In her command seat, a cold calm had come
But even my memory will be tainted if I fail to over Jin. Her hatred was so strong, all her mind
kill you, Torc. I know you have already surmised could do to cope with it was numb most of her
this. I will not underestimate your ability to senses. She forgot about everything else that she
perceive an enemy's sagacity. Where shall we once considered important. Perhaps that was
meet?' what imminent death did to you. It gave you
clarity of focus you could never otherwise
[email protected]
10
experience. 'By Kerensky's grave! I begin to defender sets up first using hidden unit rules for
sound like a Nova-Cat!' any number of his 'Mechs.
"The battle is over, Jin. Your forces have lost The Defender may combat drop or bring on
the Trial. It was a foregone conclusion after the any of his units from any side of the map.
engagement at the Pass. There is no need for us OmniMechs that drop may take no further action
to finish it all thusly." the round they land, though there is a modifier
The feral tenor of Jin's reply left no doubt for anyone who shoots at them.
about her feelings on the matter.
"Were we the last two of all clan warriors, I Attacker:
would still kill you. Your pathetic plea for The remaining elements of the 7th Smoke Jaguar
conciliation brands you more of an Inner Sphere Dragoons Trial forces. All Nova-Cat OmniMechs
freebirth than a Smoke Jaguar. How one such as were either destroyed or withdrawn from the
you could test-out amazes and confounds me. Trial in previous battles.
Regardless of your skill, you are not and never
were a true warrior."
The miniature Warhawk on Torc's HUD bolted Star Colonel Jin Mheta (2/3) Masakari Primary
MW Tubbs (3/4) Thor Primary
forward, all four PPC's blazing. The first hanger
MW Crockett (2/4) Daishi 'A'
literally flew apart as the cobalt beams MW Bambie (3/4) Behemoth
hammered into them. As it did, the thermal MW Ringo (2/3) Rifleman IIC
overlay on the Warhawk icon flared brightly.
Torc shook his head. Star Commander Halvin (2/3) Night Gyr 'A'
'Your anger may kill you before I do, Jin. I see MW Cobbs (3/4) Mad Cat
now that you do not care if you die. I begin to MW Chittlin (2/3) Ryoken 'B'
think you CRAVE death. But I will not let you
take me down that final path. Not yet. There is
Defender:
too much left to be done, too many debts yet
The defenders are elements of the 4 th Jaguar Dragoons,
unsettled, for me to allow a battle-maddened as well as elements of the Dirty Dozen mercenary
hellion the fruits of ultimate victory.' company.
4th Jaguar Dragoons:

SITUATION: Star Captain Torc (0/0) Mad Cat 'A'
The remaining elements of the 7th Jaguar Star Commander Acex (1/1) Razor Hawk LAM
Dragoons launched a last, desperate assault Star Commander Pyra (2/4) Thor 'C'
against the 4th's position in the New Mt. Fuji Star Commander Jones (2/3) Hellcat Primary
Star Commander Reece (2/4) Ryoken 'A'
spaceport. The 4th had several surprises,
including command-detonated mines on the MW Stilleto (2/3) Daishi 'ART'
landing pads, and a deadly refitted Phoenix MW Doeth (2/4) Daishi 'ART'
Hawk LAM.
Dirty Dozen:
SAPPHIRE LANCE
Colonel James Richards (1/1) MAD-4A Marauder-II
[Richard's Marauder has dropped 10 of its 29 heat
SETUP: sinks and replaced the remaining 19 with double-
Lay out two BattleTech maps, white sides strength units. The PPC's have been upgraded to
showing, short end to short end. Place 20 random ER variants. A master C-3 unit sits in each side
sized buildings on either side of the center three torso]
hexes through both maps. The middle three rows Lieutenant Vero (2/3) GUN-1ERD Gunslinger
[Replace one medium pulse laser with a regular
of both maps represent runways and landing pads medium laser. Add a Slave to the right torso]
for aerodyne and spheroid dropships. There are
Pvt. Alberto (3/4) PPR-5S Salamander
currently no dropships at the spaceport. The [Replace one medium laser with a Slave to the right
torso]
[email protected]
11
Pvt. Smith (3/4) PTR-4D Penetrator Armor: Ferro-Fibrous (182) 9.5

[Replace one medium pulse laser with a regular
medium laser. Add a Slave to the right torso]
Internal
Armor
Structure
Victory Conditions: Value
The last surviving 'Mech is the winner of the Trial of Head 3 9
Annihilation. There is no retreat for either side in this Center Torso 19 26/10
scenario. R/L Torso 13
20/5
R/L Arm 9 18
Special Equipment: RL Leg 13 26
The entire 3 hex center row of both maps is sewn with
command detonated mines. Once these mines are set Weapons/Equip.
off, they may not be used again. A friendly unit must Location WT.
have LOS to any hex in the landing strip to set off the Med. Pulse Laser LA 2.0
mines. All or none of the mines are triggered.
Med. Pulse Laser LA 2.0
Med. Pulse Laser RA 2.0
The Daishi OmniMechs in this scenario have both
Med. Pulse Laser RA 2.0
been equipped with two ARROW IV launchers with
Med. Pulse Laser CT 2.0
homing rounds. (See below). In addition, a modified
AMS RA 0.5
Phoenix Hawk LAM was used in the original battle
AMS LA 0.5
(which now makes this engagment a level 3 scenario).
Targeting Computer RT 2.0
The stats for this TOO deadly machine are listed
below. TAG H 1.0
We discontinued the use of this machine as its Active Probe LT 1.5
presence on the battlefield was totally unbalancing ECM Suite CT 1.5
(yeah yeah, the weapons load-out is munchkin as hell, AMS/Ammo (24) RA 1.0
but what better equipment to put on a LAM?), often 2 Jump Jets LL 1.0
accounting for a whole lance of assault 'Mechs by 2 Jump Jets RL 1.0
itself. It is only presented here in the interest of Jump Jet RT 0.5
historical accuracy. Jump Jet LT 0.5
SPECIAL EQUIPMENT: BV: 2,430

$: 12,939,090
Razor-Hawk Daishi Artillery Variant:

Type: Modified Phoenix Hawk LAM (55-
Ton Clan Level 3 LAM) Arrow IV LA/LT
Arrow IV RA/RT
Large Pulse LA
Equipment Mass Large Pulse RA
Internal Structure: Endo Steel Large Pulse CT
2.75 Med. Pulse H
Engine: 330XL 12.5 1 Ton Normal Ammo RA
1 Ton Normal Ammo LA
Walking MP: 6 2 Tons Homing RA
Running MP: 9 2 Tons Homing LA
Jump: 6 (18 in Air-Mech Mode)
No lower arm actuators.
Heat Sinks: 13[26] 3.0

Gyro: 4.0
Cockpit: 3.0 The Cutting Edge
By Bob Richter
[email protected]
12
making it the longest range energy weapon in

[From the desk of Star Colonel any Clan’s arsenal.
Devon MacArthur, 22nd Phalanx This new weapon shows great promise, as it
Cluster, Clan Ghost Bear] can deliver 20% more damage than a large 8cm
laser at over 30 meters greater range, allowing a
fast ‘Mech employing it to strike from beyond its
A week ago, Alpha Galaxy stopped by for re-
opponent’s weapons range.
supply fresh off the front with Khanslayer’s
The final piece of Wolf equipment is a new
Wolves. Among those in this august unit is my
OmniMech design. Dubbed the Desperate Wolf
comrade-at-arms and Sibkin Grant, known by
by Alpha Galaxy forces, this dubiously named
friends and enemies alike as “The Guillotine”
OmniMech extends the design philosophy that
due to his propensity for removing heads. While
spawned the popular Timber Wolf into the 50-ton
removing heads from the ‘Mechs of our lesser
category. In fact, the Desperate Wolf resembles
neighbors during border skirmishes, he has run
the Timber Wolf closely, but in miniature. The
across several new pieces of Wolf hardware.
use of a pre-designed chassis with only slight
The first and most intriguing is the Automated
variations was a clear attempt by Khan
Warfare Unit. A small computer (weighing in at1
Vladimier Ward's scientist caste to cut corners
ton), it links with existing ‘Mech hardware to
and get this new ‘Mech to the front as quickly as
create an AI-controlled war machine. Now, this
possible.
is not quite an abomination, nor is it a Sci-Fi
The Timber Wolf uses one of the heaviest
horror. It is, in fact, an elegantly simple solution
engines possible, sacrificing firepower, but not
to a very difficult problem.
armor, for the most maneuverability of any
Clan Wolf has a severe shortage of manpower
‘Mech in its weight class. Similarly, the new
and equipment, but it has been easier for them to
Desperate Wolf employs a 350 XL engine,
remedy the problems of equipment than
sufficient to propel it at over 112 KPH on the
manpower. Hundreds of newly assembled Wolf
ground. It boasts maximum Ferro-fibrous armor
Clan ‘Mechs sit around awaiting pilots. With
for its weight class, and enough pod space,
these AI units, it will be possible to activate these
provided partly by the use of lightweight Endo-
machines for battle.
Steel internals, to mount jump jets or a variety of
This system does have its flaws, however. The
powerful weapons configurations, a total of 16.5
first is that it is monumentally stupid tactically,
tons.
and usually requires a nearby human to “lead it
Since only about twenty of these ‘Mechs have
by the hand”, designating targets and giving
been encountered on the field of battle, there is a
tactical instructions. It is an excellent shot and
limited amount of information available on its
only half bad at piloting, but it cannot operate on
pod configurations. The most common weapons
its own. This flaw is what lead to the recovery of
configuration found on this ‘Mech is apparently
this system on what was apparently its trial run.
an attempt to compete with the primary variant
Four of these AI-equipped ‘Mechs were
of the popular Nova OmniMech.
arrayed against my sibkin’s command Star, lead
While it mounts 4 less medium-sized 5cm
by a single “real” Mechwarrior. This human pilot
lasers than the Nova, the Desperate Wolf can
fell to Grant’s ER PPCs, leaving the AIs without
employ them more effectively. It carries 16
a command unit, at which point they deactivated,
double heat sinks, which should allow the firing
unable to continue the battle. The Watch thinks
of six lasers under most conditions and all eight
that this lackluster performance may lead to a
as an emergency maneuver.
limiting of these devices’ deployment.
The Prime configuration also mounts five jump
The second piece is a variation on an old
jets, equaling the Nova’s jump capability, and
favorite, a PPC designed to take back the role of
keeping the other ‘Mech clearly outmaneuvered
the hard-hitting long-range support weapon from
with its superior ground speed.
lasers. This PPC suffers a slight drop in damage
The second most common configuration
potential to include more powerful focusing
attempts to exploit the new XXR-PPC system. It
coils, raising its range to nearly 800 meters, thus
[email protected]
13
packs in two of the super-range particle guns and Internal Structure: Endo Steel 2.5
14 double heat sinks, nearly enough to handle the Engine: 350XL 15.0
heat output from firing these weapons. A small Walking MP: 7
3cm laser rides in the head as a last-ditch Running MP: 11
weapon. Heat Sinks: 10[20] 0.0
The last variant with which we are familiar Gyro: 4.0
employs one of the new Automated Warfare Cockpit: 3.0
Units. This was, in fact, the only ‘Mech known Armor: Ferro-Fibrous (169) 9.0
to deploy this system. For weaponry, it carries
one of the new XXR-PPCs, an advanced Internal
targeting computer, 2 mid-sized 5cm lasers and a Armor
small 3cm laser. The addition of 5 double heat Structure
sinks keeps the ‘Mech cool, even when firing all Value
of its weapons. Head 3 9
Center Torso 16 24/8
Game Rules: R/L Torso 12
18/6
AWU: R/L Arm 8 16
This system replaces the Mechwarrior, but not RL Leg 12 24
the cockpit, of the OmniMech on which it is
mounted. It must be placed in the unfilled slot of Weight and Space Allocation
the head to function properly, and the destruction
of either the AWU or the cockpit critical slot will
Location Fixed
render the ‘Mech inoperative. Spaces Remaining
The AWU has an effective Gunnery Skill of 1 Head 1
and Piloting skill of 4. AWU-equipped units Center Torso 2
always move first and declare fire first. They Right Torso 2 XL, 7 Ferro 3
may not move or declare fire unless a friendly Left Torso 2 XL, 7 Endo 3
Mechwarrior is still alive on the field and Right Arm 8
conscious. Left Arm 8
Right Leg 2
Tonnage: 1 Left Leg 2
Critical Slots: 1
Primary Weapons
XXR-PPC Configuration
Tonnage: 6 Weapons and Ammo Location
Critical Slots: 2 Critical Tonnage
Damage: 12 4x ER Medium Laser RA 4 4
Heat: 15 2x Double Heat Sink RA 4 2
Short Range: 1-8 Double Heat Sink RT 2 1
Medium Range: 9-17 Jump Jet RT 1 0.5
Long Range: 18-26 4x ER Medium Laser LA 4 4
2x Double Heat Sink LA 4 2
Desperate Wolf Double Heat Sink LT 2 1
Jump Jet LT 1 0.5
Type: Desperate Wolf (50-Ton Jump Jet CT 1 0.5
Clan Level 3 Omni) Jump Jet RL 1 0.5
Jump Jet LL 1 0.5
Equipment Mass
[email protected]
14
Alternate Configuration A Mass: 800,000 tons

Length: 775 meters
Weapons and Ammo Location Sail Diameter: 1,390 meters
Critical Tonnage Safe Thrust: 5
XXR PPC RA 2 6
Max. Thrust: 8
2x Double Heat Sink RA 4 2
XXR PPC LA 2 6 Fuel Capacity: 2,500 tons
2x Double Heat Sink LA 4 2 Tons/Burn Day: 39.52
Small Laser H 1 0.5 Sail Integrity: 5
KF-Drive Integrity: 16
Alternate Configuration B Structural Integrity: 65
Heat Sinks: 2,472 (4,944)
Weapons and Ammo Location Armor: 1,040 points
Critical Tonnage Fore: 190
XXR PPC RA 2 6
Fore-Sides: 175
2x Double Heat Sink RA 4 2
Targeting Computer RT 2 2 Aft-Sides: 175
2xER Medium Laser LA 2 2 Aft: 150
ER Small Laser LA 1 0.5 Dropship Capacity: 6
2x Double Heat Sink LA 4 2 Grav. Decks: 2 (1-75m, 1-65m)
Double Heat Sink LT 2 1 Escape Pods: 78
AWU H 1 1 Lifeboats: 54
Crew: 439
Cargo Capacity: 8,758 tons
The Naval yard: Armament:

12 Maxell-45 Series Naval
Lightning Class Light Lasers
Cruiser and Franklin class 10 Fusigon-2a Naval Particle
destroyer Projectile Cannons
10 Scarborough-30 Series
Naval Autocannons (2,000 rounds)
[By Larry Leslie]
3 Poland-1d Series Naval
Gauss Cannons (1,200 rounds)
[Every once in a while a reader
2 Poland-2c Series Naval
throws me an article that
Gauss Cannons (800 rounds)
doesn't fit in the usual features.
8 Maelstrom AR-10b Missile
These are the first warships,
Launchers
using AeroTech 2 rules I've
40 Barracuda Anti-Ship
received. They have some great
Missiles
fluff, so here's a treat for you
40 White Shark Anti-
Space Battle fans. Thanks,
Ship Missiles
Larry.]
40 Killer Whale Anti-
Ship Missiles
Lightning Class Light Cruiser 64 Diverse Optics Sunbeam
Technology Base: Star League ER Large Lasers
Class: CL 64 Martell Medium Lasers
[email protected]
15
48 Defiance P8M Laser Anti- being produced would work for this
Missile Systems baby. We would have to have an
Other Cargo: engine designed from scratch. We
6 Small Craft turned to the Rolls Royce factories
18 Aerospace Fighters orbiting Earth. They were more than
Crew: 446 interested about producing engines
75 Officers for this “hotrod” of a warship.
371 Enlisted While Rolls Royce began engine
24 Aerospace Pilots design, we started on the rest of
48 AeroTechs the ship. Weaponry was going to be
4 Platoons Jump Infantry interesting for this ship. The
Ship Notes: Lightning's designed speed would
Armor–Lamellor Ferro- allow her to get into any firing
Carbide position she wanted and disengage
Lithium-Fusion Batteries from the enemy at will. Therefore,
Detachable jump sail for armament we decided to give
Portable HPG the ship a respectable long-range
8 Hangar Doors punch.
10 Cargo Doors Giving the ship two of Poland’s 2c
Naval Gauss Rifles and five of
Cost: $32,002,192,000.00 Poland’s 1d Naval Gauss Rifles
BV: 153,507 would guarantee that even this
speed demon would be able to hurt
a targeted ship before it could close
Ship History to short range. For close in
From the journal of Senior weaponry we gave the Lightning ten
Engineer Kevin Pritz, December 18th Scarborough-30 Series Naval
2766. autocannon.
We liked these cannons because
“When the Star League their great range, for an
Procurement Department gave us autocannon, would once again
the specifications for the ships it allow the Lightning to inflict
wanted us to design, I took damage as she rapidly approached.
particular interest in the Wanting to round the ship out we
specifications it wanted on of the next concentrated on her energy
new Light Cruisers. This ship was to weaponry. Once again range was of
be fast, and I mean FAST. No primary concern. Deciding to go
warship has ever been built with with a mix of laser and particle
this kind of speed. We where never weapons, we gave the Lightning
told why it had to be so fast, but we fourteen Magna-45 Naval Lasers
where determined to meet or and ten Fusigon-2a Medium Naval
exceed these specifications. Particle Projectile Cannons. (Once
At once we started looking at the again the range of the weapons
engine design. No engines currently where of the utmost importance.)
[email protected]
16
Lastly, we gave the ship a specifications into the computers

respectable amount of laser anti- and ran the first tests, and we
fighter weaponry to keep the pesky where astonished. This ship could
little fighters away. With the move and maneuver.
armament out of the way we looked Rolls Royce had surprised us and
at the armor. The original added special thrusters and vector
specifications called for a light thrusting vanes to the engines,
armor load, but we had other plans. which allowed her to turn on a
(What good is a fast ship if it dies dime! This ship could probably
from the first close range exchange outrun even one of the Caspers of
of fire?) We decided to go with as the SDS protecting the Hegemony.
much armor as she could carry. (Makes ya wonder). Well Christmas
We could do this by sacrificing is in a week and it will be a nice
some of the aerospace fighter break from all this busy work.
contingent. The one wing would be I think my team deserves this
more than enough to protect this break after designing a ship like
ship (if they could keep up!). Of this one, a nice long break. I guess I
course some sacrifices had to be should log off and go home to start
made with the Lightning. She had a my long awaited vacation.
very small cargo bay, but this was Production of this gem starts in
considered to be a small problem as February. Merry Christmas!”
she still could carry a supply
dropship. The other item of concern Construction Information
was her fuel supply. KF Drive – 362,000 tons
While she carries an ample supply Jump Sail – 70 tons
of fuel when compared to earlier Engine (738 Heat Sinks) – 240,000
Star League warships, we would tons
have liked to give her at least twice Fuel – 2,500 tons
her current allotment. But again Fuel Pumps – 50 tons
there is always the option to carry a Structural Mass – 52,000 tons
dropship with extra fuel. While Bridge – 2,000 tons
neither of these two items would Heat Sinks – 1,734 tons
hamper the ships combat Armor – 1,040 tons
capabilities, it would keep its Docking Hardpoints: 6,000 tons
endurance range limited more than Grav Decks: 100 tons
we would have liked. Lithium Fusion Battery: 8,000 tons
By the time we where done with M/F/V/E Cubicles: 3,900 tons
the designs, Rolls Royce had arrived Crew: 3,822 tons
with the new engines and a Others: 50 tons
prototype! And what a beauty it (HPG - 50 tons)
was. They called the prototype Escape Pods/Lifeboats: 924 tons
“Gonzales” after a popular Cargo: 8,758 tons
animated mouse of the 20th century. Fire Control Computer: 9,255.6 tons
Then we programmed all the Weapons: 97,796 tons
[email protected]
17
AR-10b x2 (5 Barracuda, 5 White

Weapons Shark, 5 Killer Whale each)
12 NL/45 ER L Laser x8
10 M-NPPC M Laser x8
2 MED N-GUASS (800 shots) Laser AMS x6
3 LT N-GUASS (1200 shots)
10 NAC-30 (2000 shots) Aft
8 AR-10 (40 KW, 40 WS, 40 BC) NL/45 x2
64 ER L LASER NL/45 x2
64 M LASER M-NPPC
48 LASER ANTI-MISSILE LT N-Gauss (400 shots)
ER L Laser x8
Nose M Laser x8
NL/45 x2 Laser AMS x6
M-NPPC
M N-Gauss x2 (800 shots)
ER L Laser x8 Franklin Class Destroyer
M Laser x8
Laser AMS x6 Technology Base: Star League
Class: DD
Fore Right/Left Mass: 652,000 tons
NL/45 x2 Length: 622 meters
M-NPPC Sail Diameter: 1,300 meters
Safe Thrust: 4
LT N-Gauss (400 shots)
Max. Thrust: 6
NAC/30 Fuel Capacity: 3,000 tons
AR-10b x2 (5 Barracuda, 5 White Tons/Burn Day: 39.52
Shark, 5 Killer Whale each) Sail Integrity: 4
ER L Laser x8 KF-Drive Integrity: 14
M Laser x8 Structural Integrity: 85
Laser AMS x6 Heat Sinks: 2,610 (5,220)
Armor: 1,108 points
Fore: 185
Right/Left Broadside
Fore-Sides: 185
M-NPPC x3
Aft-Sides: 185
NAC/30 Aft: 183
NAC/30 Dropship Capacity: 2
NAC.30 Grav. Decks: 1 (65m)
ER L Laser x8 Escape Pods: 69
M Laser x8 Lifeboats: 48
Laser AMS x6 Crew: 413
Cargo Capacity: 18,830 tons
Armament:
Right/Left Aft
17 Trondell-55 Series Naval
NL/45 x2
Lasers
NAC/30 12 Fusigon-2a Naval Particle
Projectile Cannons
[email protected]
18
10 Pontiac-25 Series Naval engineers used the new Rolls Royce

Autocannons (1,000 rounds) Gryphon engines.
4 Poland-2c Series Naval Gauss This decision was made after
Cannons (800 rounds)
unsuccessfully trying a two-engine
4 Maelstrom AR-10b Missile
configuration using the Rolls Royce
Launchers
40 Barracuda Anti-Ship Kraken engines. The engineers
Missiles decided the additional crew
40 White Shark Anti-Ship required manning three engines
Missiles plus the survivability of a three-
40 Killer Whale Anti-Ship engine design made it worth the
Missiles additional cost. The next item
48 Cyclops XIIa ER Large Lasers addressed was the ships armament.
36 Martell Medium Lasers
Realizing no destroyers previously
40 Martell Model Xa Laser Anti-
built had any real long rang punch;
Missile Systems
Other Cargo: it was decided to place a battery of
4 Small Craft the latest medium naval grade
12 Aerospace Fighters Gauss Rifles in the ships nose. This
Crew: 386 (513 total including pilots, would give the ship a respectable
techs, infantry) "bite" until it closed with enemy
68 Officers ships. It was also decided to
334 Enlisted increase the ships laser and PPC
16 Aerospace Pilots
armament in size and numbers.
32 AeroTechs
3 Platoons Jump Infantry
This would again allow the ship to
Ship Notes: snipe at its opponent until its
Armor – Lamellor Ferro-Carbide deadly autocannon where brought
Lithium Fusion Batteries to bear. Even though the Franklin
Detachable jump sail has two less autocannon that the
Portable HPG Essex, those remaining where
4 Hangar Doors upgraded to the Whirlwind-25
8 Cargo Doors series, allowing for the same
damage curve as the Essex. Lastly,
Cost: $16,067,657,250.00
BV: 147,147
the addition of four Maelstrom AR-
10 missile racks gives the Franklin
the ability to use the missile most
Ship History appropriate for any situation.
The Franklin Class was designed The last thing our engineers
to replace the Essex Class improved upon was the Franklin’s
Destroyers. The most notable armor. This is where it all counts.
changes where in speed, armament The ability for a ship to survive is
and armor. Realizing the need to directly linked to how well its armor
increase the destroyer’s speed so holds up to the enemies pounding!
the ship would be able to screen Di Tron engineers decided to spare
and protect the other high-speed no expense in this area.
ships on the drawing boards, Di Tron
[email protected]
19
The Lamellor Ferro-Carbide was 40 Laser AMS

chosen and the ships frame was
plated with as much as it could Nose
hold. This would practically NL/55
guarantee the ship could weather Med N-Gauss (200 shots)
the storm of enemy fire while Med N-Gauss (200 shots)
chewing up the enemy’s armor first. AR-10 (10 Barracuda, 10 White
The new Star League was pleased Shark, 10 Killer Whale)
with the simulations results of the ER L Laser x6
ship class and the first two ships M Laser x6
are scheduled to be started in Laser AMS x5
November of 2766, with trails
scheduled in December 2767. Fore Right/Left
NL/55 x2
Construction Information NAC/25 x2 (200 shots)
KF Drive – 295,030 tons AR-10 (10 Barracuda, 10 White
Jump Sail – 62.6 tons Shark, 10 Killer Whale)
Engine (604 Heat Sinks) – 156,480 ER L Laser x6
tons M Laser x4
Fuel – 3,000 tons Laser AMS x5
Fuel Pumps – 60 tons
Structural Mass – 55,420 tons Right/Left Broadside
Bridge – 1,630 tons NL/55 x2
Heat Sinks – 2,006 tons NL/55 x2
Armor – 1,108 tons Med NPPC x2
Docking Hardpoints: 2,000 tons Med NPPC x2
Grav Decks: 50 tons NAC/25 x2 (200 shots)
Lithium Fusion Battery: 6,520 tons ER L Laser x6
M/F/V/E Cubicles: 2,600 tons M Laser x4
Crew: 3,450 tons Laser AMS x5
Others: 50 tons (HPG)
Escape Pods/Lifeboats: 820 tons Right/Left Aft
Cargo: 18,830 tons NL/55 x2
Weapons: 99,356 tons Med NPPC x2
Additional Fire Control: 3,528.3 tons NAC/25 (200 shots)
ER L Laser x6
Weapons M Laser x4
15 NL/55 Laser AMS x5
12 Med NPPC
10 NAC-25 (1000 shots) Aft
4 Med N-Gauss (800 shots) Med N-Gauss (200 shots)
4 AR-10 (40-KW, 40-WS, 40-BC) Med N-Gauss (200 shots)
48 ER L Laser AR-10 (10 Barracuda, 10 White
36 M Laser Shark, 10 Killer Whale)
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20
ER L Laser x6 structure is the cornerstone of success for any

M Laser x6 military endeavor.'
Laser AMS x5 He gave her a sour look.
" You do not believe that we should let the
Capellans handles this as an internal matter? Do
Darkest Dawn you honestly believe if we destroy this gas we
will not see it again?", Matthew retorted still
[By Apo.] defiantly " 'Mam, You and I both have a duty to
protect all personnel under our command. This
Over the past days the terrifying series of mission will result in high casualties even if, on
Thugee nerve agent attacks, now being called the remotest of chances, it is successful!"
'Black May', had struck several worlds in the 'He does not know when to quit!'
Compact. The results were similar to those of the She held him with a dangerous gaze.
"Black death" plague described in literature so "You and I have a duty to protect the ST. IVES
many years ago. Most of the attacks were against COMPACT! Do not forget that you are Jansi, a
military and political targets. Some, however, warrior! I am willing to lay down my life to put
were against civilians and that infuriated Major an end to these 'Black May' attacks. If we let just
Sandy Nogratis to no end. one shipment of this gas off world, thousands of
On Tage after a series of chemical attacks people, perhaps hundreds of thousands, will be
against her unit, an intensive investigation killed..."
revealed the location of a production factory for Matthew started to reply but she cut him off.
the so-called 'Black May' bio-agent. It was "Enough! You have your orders, Major. Tell me
operating on one of the moons of Gei-Fu, a now if you are unable to follow them, and I will
planet that rested near the border of the contested find a warrior loyal to Candice Liao who will!"
Xin Sheng worlds and Capellan space.
The losses the 5th TTTT faced on Tage had Setup:
weakened the unit's fighting strength severely. If
the need to stop these terror attacks were not Place 2 maps end to end long ways. Designate
urgent, Sandy's unit would not be burning down one as the southern map and one as the northern
to Gei-Fu's 2nd moon at the moment. map. Place 4 heavy buildings (CF 50) counters
Unfortunately for her, her first officer, Matthew anywhere on the northern map, within 3 hexes of
Si'Taga did not see the situation as she did. at least one other building.
"Commander I must officially protest to this
mission. We simply do not have the operational Deployment:
strength to complete our objectives." He snapped
at her from across her Command Office's desk. Attacker: Player 1 will start moving from the
'Matt has been openly vocal in his opinion, southern edge turn 1. Player 1 may also choose
sowing doubt in anyone who will listen. He is to combat drop up to 4 units, anywhere on the
compromising the chain of command, and map.
seriously damaging the morale of this unit.
Worse, he is making disbeliveers out of my Defender: Player 2 can deploy units within 5
warriors!' hexes of the buildings, but they are powering up
"Matthew you have already made this protest, and cannot attack or move, thought they may
and it has already been denied...." With a slight dodge in their hex. Player 2's units will not count
pause she thought,' I should inform him that as immobile targets on Turn #1.
another such outburst will get him relieved of
command, but I don't want to compound the Situation:
damage he's already done to the delicate threads
of balance holding everyone together. I must give The 5th TTTT suffered horribly on Tage. Many
them a sense of purpose, and a unified command Officers were lost to the 'Black May' gas while
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21
many 'Mechs were lost to the follow-up strikes

afterwards. The 5th's Union class dropship is Power Armor:
seemingly dropping on Gei Won, however the Power armor is unaffected except that the 7th
dropship captain is going to deviate from this point of damage will kill a Fa Shih trooper.
course to make a strike on its moon.
Attacking forces (5th TTTT):
The Thugee force that defends the planet *
happens to be one of the most elite and well-
equipped units of the 'Black May' terrorist Major Angelina LLyanova (2/3) AWS-9M Awesome
groups. Mech Warrior Roger Pitts (3/4) BJ-OP Blackjack OmniMech
Mech Warrior Randal Yat-si (3/4) GHT-5H Grasshopper
Mech Warrior Jill Hodges (4/5) GAL-1GLS Gallow Glas
Victory Conditions:
Captain Jacques Calais (3/4 ) CST-1Z Cestus
Attacker: Player 1 has to destroy all of the 4 Mech Warrior Lo Ton TiTaga (2/3) SDR-5V Spider
Mech Warrior Si-Shi Pierce (3/4) THR-1L Thunder
structures that represent production and storage Mech Warrior To Gan Chao (3/4) CTF-3L Cataphract
facilities. Without these structures the Thugee
will die on the planet. Infantry Section:
Jump Infantry Laser Anti-Mech Trained
Jump Infantry Laser Anti-Mech Trained
Player 2: Player 2 Has to repel the attacks
Aerospace Fighter Lance
Special Rules Lucifer Heavy Aerospace Fighter (3/4)
Gei-Wu's only moon has a gravity of 0.7. This Lucifer Heavy Aerospace Fighter (4/5)
will modify a 'Mechs speed and jumping ability.
 Even with Matthew's speech, his unit is still
Consult special case rules in the BMR. Also,
not confident. To represent this, the 'Forced
because the planet has an extremely low
Withdrawal' rules are in effect (see the
temperature and relatively no atmosphere, use
campaign game rules later in this issue for
vacuum and extreme temperature rules. In
these effects).
addition, the fighting occurs on the dark side of
 Special Abilities: As described in Field Manual
the moon, so add a +2 modifier to all shots. Capellan Confederation the Janissaries may bank
Some 'Mechs are equipped with Spotlights. initiative
Defending Thugee forces

Environmental Conditions on BattleMechs: (Murdering Angles)
('Mechs with a @ symbol mount spotlights)
BattleMechs will have there movement rates
Sao-Shao (2/2) MR-V2 Cerberus
increased 30%. At -70 c all mechs will dissipate
Sao-Wei Petrovitch (2/2) Y-H9G Yu Hang
4 extra points of heat. However, every successful Sao-Wei Ti-Wyn (2/3) EMP-6A Emperor
hit to a player's armor must take a breaching role. Thugee #1(1/3) CPTL-C5 Catapult
On a result of 10 or greater the section is
Thugee #2 (2/2) MNS-1OP Men Shen @
breached and is considered destroyed, though Thugee #3 (2/3) SYU-2B Sha Lu
there are no ammo explosions and all critical Thugee #4 (2/3) STH-1D Stealth @
slots can absorb critical hits normally. Thugee #5 (3/4) HEL-3D Helios
Thugee #6 (3/3) HUR-WO-R4L Huron Warrior

Infantry: Thugee #7 (2/3) ANV-3M Anvil
Thugee #8 (2/2) WR-DG-02FC War Dog
Infantry wear space suits, the suits protect them Zhong-Shao Ni Gitsa (1/2) LHU-2B Lao Hu
from the environment, but make them extra
vulnerable to weapons fire. They receive 2x
normal damage along with any other normal Fa Shih *
modifiers. Fa Shih *
Foot Infantry Platoon (Laser)
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22
Foot Infantry Platoon (Laser) will experience an immediate 300 percent

performance increase as the special Myomer
*Battle Armor may not pre lay mines as they were caught off
guard kicks into overdrive.
To survive the nasty hell of close quarter
NOTE: Those without Field Manual: Capellan fighting, the Headhunter has been armored to
Confederation may not have the stats for the Sha near maximum. Twelve and a half tons of time
-lu or the Lao-Hu. These 'Mechs could be proven ArmorScale protects the sensitive inner
swapped with a Thunder and a Raven. The Lao workings of the Headhunter from damage. Also,
Hu is simply a 5/8 mech with LBX20 +3 tons by personal request of prototype test pilots, the
ammo, LRM15 +2 tons of ammo, ER-Large Headhunter has been fitted with a full head
Laser. The Fa Shih Battle Armor can be switched ejection system to keep the pilot safe in hostile
with standard Battle Armor as it has few terrain and hostile territory.
advantages over it in this scenario anyway. (With In addition, for the regrettable times that a
the exception that it can mount any mech, not Headhunter must close with a distant opponent
just an OmniMech.) with no possible obstacles to hide behind, a
Hermes 360 XL engine provides Headhunter
Victory Conditions: with the highest possible speed curve for a 60 ton
mech. Also, six Curtas StarRider II jump jets
Attacker: give the Headhunter plenty of room to maneuver
Every building Destroyed +4 VP with a 180 meter jump radius.
Every Thugee 'Mech Destroyed +1 VP The weapon compliment was carefully selected
to produce the necessary waste heat that the
Defender: Myomer need to be most efficient, while still
Every mech Destroyed 1 VP. remaining effective when heat levels begin to
interfere with the targeting computers. Being a
The force with the highest victory points at the end of close-in fighter, there was no question to use
Turn #12 wins. pulse laser systems. The four Martel Spitfire
Medium Pulse Lasers have been built into the
Headhunter’s torso, two to a side, in order to
The Design bay keep both of the ‘Mech’s arms free for the
devastating melee attacks that the head Hunter
Operation Bulldog saw some of the most was designed to deliver.
vicious city fighting in the history of the Inner One of the unique systems being introduced
Sphere. It has been rumored that Victor Ian with the Headhunter is the Angst City/Range
Steiner-Davion himself laid down the Strategic Terrain Tactical Cartography Computer.
specifications for the HD1-HNTR Headhunter The targeting computer was designed by
after seeing a Berserker in action. The apparent scientists at the NAIS with help from members
loathing that the Smoke Jaguar warriors saw for of Team Banzai to aid a Headhunter pilot in the
this honorless Inner Sphere design was obvious, tricky game of city fighting.
as was their tendency to underestimate its The computer takes information from both the
effectiveness. Active Probe and the Mag-Scan and filters it.
Anything metal that doesn’t move is seen in the
Capabilities: 360 view as a blue wire-frame, while anything
Because of its intended role as a close-quarters that does move is seen as a red wire-frame
fighter, the Headhunter was designed with speed augmented by the ‘Mech’s thermal sensors. In
and armor as top priorities, and weapons second. addition, the ITC’s memory core is large enough
The Headhunter's secret weapon is the Triple to record over 500 square miles of metallic
Strength Myomer that comes installed as terrain.
standard equipment. When the ‘Mech’s heat is When returning to an area already in the
about to enter the red zone a head hunter pilot computer’s memory, it will show objects that
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23
have changed location by more than 10% in a Myomer and the relocation of the Endo Steel
purple wire-frame, and what they used to look bulk in the legs to the vacancy in the center torso
like in green. and the head in exchange for the new Capellan
It is very hard to mug a Headhunter that is Stealth Armor System. Also, in order to even out
familiar with his surroundings, and harder to find the mass, the two medium pulse lasers in the
one. The tried and tested Guardian Electronic right torso are removed and replaced with a large
Counter Measure suit is making an appearance in pulse laser.
the Headhunter as well. With a possible top The second re-fit package, the HD1-HNTR-D,
speed of 118.8 kph, BattleMech tacticians have drops a half-ton of armor and the Guardian ECM
suggested allowing the Headhunter to to make room for the new NAIS Targeting
accompany scout ‘mechs for its electronic Computer.
warfare capabilities.
In addition, if it weren’t for the inherent [Note for mixed-tech freaks: If you equip it with clan endo
steel, you can add the Stealth Armor and keep the TSM and
difficulty of such missions, Fed Com military all the jump jets. Just a ‘heads up.’]
command has almost been eager to test the
Headhunter in a guerilla campaign. Its
HD1-HNTR Head Hunter
significant amounts of armor and reliance on
melee and laser weapons should, in theory, make
it an excellent guerilla fighter. The only Mass: 60 tons
drawback is, unfortunately, its XL class engine Chassis: Alshain Type D-Endo Steel
that lowers the survivability in said campaigns Power Plant: Hermes 360 XL
by an unacceptably large margin.
Cruising Speed: 64.8 km/h
Deployment: Maximum Speed: 97.2 km/h
Because of the hatchet mounted on the Jump Jets: 6 Curtas StarRider II
Headhunter’s right arm, most of the prototype Jump Capacity: 180 meters
testing has been done in simulator pods. Armor: Armorscale
However, the Headhunter has proven itself at Armament: 4
every turn. The only production models made so 1 Team Banzi Vibro Hatchet
far have been used by the Davion Heavy Guards
4 Martel II Spitfire Medium Pulse
RCTs during combat missions in the Chaos
March, and the occasional quick raid into the Lasers
Clan Occupation Zone by other Federated Suns 1 Guardian Electronic
forces. Countermeasure System
One quote from a Headhunter Mechwarrior in 1 Beagle Active Probe
the Davion Heavy Guards was “They’re hard to Manufacturer(s): 1
snipe when you get up to a full run, and they can Argile Technologies of Skye
munch anything with a minimum effective range
Communications System: Sony City
if they let you get into melee.”
It is almost certain that even if the Headhunter Burst AD-C2
stumbles into some unforeseen tactical problem Targeting & Tracking System: Angst
that regulates it to pure garrison duty, it will at CityRange STTCC
least be a Solaris VII favorite for a long time to
come.
Overview:
Variations:
Two variations have been considered, but Type: HD1-HNTR Headhunter
unfortunately will probably never bear fruit. The Technology Base: Inner Sphere
HD1-HNTR-C modification package requires the Level 2
removal of three jump jets, the Triple Strength
Tonnage: 60
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24
keep the battles viable, without falling into abstract

combat.
Equipment Mass
The following rules should be considered a Beta set.
Int. Struc.: Endo Steel 3.0 Feedback and play testing (going on this month) will
Engine: 360 XL 16.5 surely result in changes.
Walking MP: 6
Miniatures for WEB RPG and Screen Shots of the
Running MP: 9 system in action are available with an email to me at
Jumping MP: 6 [email protected] . A sample screen shot can be
Heat Sinks: 10 [20] 0.0 found at
Gyro: 4.0 http://www.iserv.net/~jeffkwrb/Example.jpg
A steiner/kurita minis folder is here:
Cockpit: 3.0
http://www.iserv.net/~jeffkwrb/Steiner/
Armor Factor: 200 12.5 http://www.iserv.net/~jeffkwrb/Kurita/
Internal Armor A few generic (not close to all) icons for the game can
Struct. be found here:
http://www.iserv.net/~jeffkwrb/MyBattleIcons.gif
Value
Head: 3 8
Center Torso: 20 30
CT (Rear): 10
Phrases: The word 'unit' without capitol U refers
R/L Torso: 14 20
to all battlefield formation types. A Unit is any
R/L T (Rear): 8 force smaller than a Battlegroup, but larger than
R/L Arm: 10 20 a single vehicle or mech, which is called an
R/L Leg: 14 28 Element. The term World-Map and Continent
map are synonymous and refer to the 86
BV: 1332 Cost: 15,572,160 kilometer hex map the non-BattleTech map is set
Weapons/Ammo Location Critical on. Chits and Icons are interchangeable and
Mass represent playing pieces in general.
Hatchet RA 4 4.0
The 12-Hour Strategic Turn:
Med. Pulse Laser RT 1 2.0 Each 'Turn' of the game is broken down into 1-
Med. Pulse Laser RT 1 2.0 hour Phases. Units will spend one of their
Med. Pulse Laser LT 1 2.0 movement points when their turn comes up in the
Med. Pulse Laser LT 1 2.0 Strategic Turn. How often your particular
Beagle Active Probe RT 2 1.5 Battlegroup, unit or Element gets to move
Guardian ECM Suite LT 2 1.5 depends on the maximum speed it can go, and
whether you chose to move at
2 Jump Jets RT 2 2.0
Walk/Cruise/Thrust or Run/Flank/Over-Thrust
speed.
For example: If you have a Lance that has a
Continent Map BattleTech walk of six, and you chose to use Walk speed for
Campaign Rules the 12-hour turn, your unit would move one map
hex (terrain permitting-see below) every other
Ever wanted to run a big campaign, where you can phase on the movement chart (I.E. phases
maneuver forces and fight a series of battles that were
2/4/6/8/10/12). A Walk4/Run6 Lance that chose
part of a bigger picture? Here's my attempt (?) at
making such a game feasible without simplified battle to move Walk speed 4 would move on phases
rules. Forces can be moved on a continental scale and 3/6/9/12. Aerospace fighters move as many
then drop down into BattleTech scale engagements. hexes as they have MP to spend, to a maximum
This system falls between BattleForce and BattleTech of 12 (see Battle-Space). (A 6 Thrust fighter
in size, aiming at Battalion-sized actions in order to would cover 6 world-map hexes every phase).
Hours
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25
Note: Dropships are used to transport troops

Move 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
1 X
2 X
3
4 X
X
X
X
X
from in-system jump-ships to the surface of their
5
6 X
X
X
X
X
X
X
target objectives. For purposes of using these
7
8
X
X X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
behemoths to move troops from point A to point
9 X X X X X X
10
11
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X X
X
X
X
X
B, dropships are considered to have two landings
12
13
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
XX
X
X
X
X
X
X
and two liftoffs available (due to fuel). The initial
14
15
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
XX
X
X
XX
X
X
X
X
XX
X
X landing is included in this total, so basically, a
16
17
X
X
X
X
XX
XX
X
X
X
XX
XX
X
X
X
X
XX
XX
X XX dropship may load troops and move them to one
18 X X X XX X XX X XX X XX
19 X
X
X XX X X XX XX XX X
location anywhere on the map.
20 X
X
X XX X XX XX X XX XX
The next time the ship lifts off, it will burn for
X
a waiting jump-ship. Loading troops on a
dropship takes one phase. Unloading can be done
the phase the dropship touches down. Dropships
Unit Setup/Opening Turn (or that land in hexes with enemy units
'Dropship's inbound!) automatically unload their troops before fighting
Unless playing a game where the GM pre-sets begins. Dropships move at a speed of 6 on the
the starting location of opposing forces, an turn chart when ferrying troops.
attacker will normally enter 'in-system' in his Capturing an enemy dropship:
dropships. Players are free to fight out the trip Dropships are essentially flying
with BattleSpace rules, use the quick and dirty fortresses. They also automatically get to unload
rules at the end of this set page, or forego and use any troops onboard, which must be
dropship resistance. defeated before any attempt at taking the
The defender will set up his units in secret. dropship takes place. This battle is fought before
After this is done, the attacking unit places his any dropship capture attempt may be made. In
dropship trajectory chit (puts his dropships chit order to play a fast resolution (and for those
on the world map). After these destinations are in without the dropship statistics from older
revealed, the defender reveals all units not battletech editions), this very simplified version
designated as Concealed or Recon units (that are may be used.
by themselves in a hex) any placing 'Unknown' When an enemy unit enters a dropship's hex,
chits to represent these forces. the base chance to capture the ship (provided the
The defender may now get a free 12-hour turn dropship does not burn for orbit, easily done
to move any units before the dropships of the before any unit enters the dropship's hex) is
enemy finally set down. If so inclined after the based on the dropship type. 12+ (on 2d6) for an
defender gets his free move, the attacker may Overlord, 10+ for a Union and 9+ for a Leopard
choose to do a combat drop up to a full 2 hexes (CV included). These include the Clan versions
from his dropships touch-down LZ. The dropship of these dropships.
continues on to its LZ and the dropping units Each FULL lance or Star (regardless of
(power armor, infantry (any type) or mechs only. weight/type) that engages a dropship reduces this
Vehicles and repair/supply chit forces cannot number by 1. However, every attacking Element
not combat drop) must make a Force drop roll must roll a target threshold of 9+, or it is
for the entire unit to land in the same world hex, destroyed in the assault. 1 for each full lance or
and then individual elements must make their star that attacks reduces this threshold, to a
drop and landing rolls (as per special case rules minimum of 4+.
in the BMR). Any unit that fails the Force drop Win or lose, the attacker must STILL roll for
roll will scatter as normal. However, these scatter each Element he used in the assault. An attacker
results are in WORLD MAP hexes. Scattering must have at least one surviving unit to
can result in a unit touching down more than two successfully capture the dropship. If an attacker
hexes from its intended LZ. Normal ground fails to capture the dropship, the attacking unit
movement now begins after drop rolls (and any automatically retreats back to his previous hex.
damage) are completed.
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26
Example: Chin's Company attacks a Leopard Heavy = 205-280 Tons

dropship. The base chance to capture the ship is Assault = 285-400 Tons
9+, -3 for the attacker using 3 lances. The
attacker would need a 6+ on 2d6. Each unit in Battalion size was left out of this system, due
Chin's Company must make a survival roll of 6+ to the unwieldy nature of such fights (and we're
or be destroyed. If all of Chin's Company is pushing it with Battlegroup sizes as it is). An
wiped out, the dropship cannot be captured. Inner Sphere Aerospace fighter Unit is known as
Dropships can hold different sized forces a Flight (two craft) or a Squadron (6 craft), or a
depending on their type. One Supply/Repair chit Wing (12 craft…happy, bob?). Clan Aerospace
per Company or Trinary is also included aboard. Units are Points (2 Fighters) or anything up to or
In most cases, two vehicles may be substituted including a Star (10 fighters).
for a mech. The carrying capacity is as follows:
At the start of each 12-hour Strategic Turn,
Overlord/(C): 36 BattleMechs + 6 Aerospace each Battlegroup, Unit or Element will be
Fighters/45 OmniMechs + 10 OmniFighters declared as moving at Walk/Cruise/Thrust or
Run/Flank/Over Thrust speed. Once declared,
Union/(C): 12 BattleMechs + 2 Aerospace these speeds cannot be altered for the 12-hour
Fighters/15 OmniMechs + 5 OmniFighters Strategic Turn. Running lets your units cover
more ground. However, Running/Flanking/Over
Leopard: 4 BattleMechs (or 8 light Thrusting units CANNOT notice ADJACENT
(150tons) vehicles) + 2 Aerospace Fighters Concealed forces, even when the running unit
has a Probe, and running units detect enemy
Leopard CV: 6 Aerospace Fighters recon units only on a '1' (see below).
Any force that runs must use walking speed the
Broadsword (Clan only): 5 OmniMechs following 12-hour Strategic Turn. Units will be
moved on the map when an 'X' appears in the
Moving Units & Unit Composition: hour block for their particular speed. Some
Battlegroups move at the speed of their slowest extremely fast units may move two hexes in their
Unit. Units move according to their slowest turn. If two units enter a hex on the same turn,
Element's maximum speeds. Different sized the unit with the fastest movement rate
Units for Inner Sphere forces include Lance (4 automatically enters the hex first. Units of equal
BattleMechs [or other Elements]) Company speed enter the hex at the same time.
(anything from 5-12 BattleMechs [or other
Elements]), and Battlegroup (anything over 12 Mechanized Battle Armor: Elementals and
Mechs or other types of Elements, up to 24 Inner Sphere Power Armor may be mounted on
Elements). OmniMechs. These units use the movement
The Clans use Point (1 OmniMech or two phase of, and move with, whatever Element they
Aerospace Fighters, or two vehicles or 5 are attached to. Should they drop off in a world
Elementals), Star (5 Points of any type), Binary map hex, their movement immediately reverts to
(2 Stars), Trinary (3 Stars) and Battlegroup (up to their regular speed.
5 Stars). Battlegroups may NEVER be larger The Battle Armor unit may move when its next
than two Companies for Inner Sphere, or 5 Stars normal movement phase occurs, even if this
for Clans. This will make tracking of groups means they move in two consecutive phases
easier overall on the big map. The Lance icons (Example: A speed 8 OmniMech moves its
are labeled by type, though this type is based on normal hex and drops a squad of Elementals in a
overall weight, NOT mech type. Lance/Star hex on Phase 3 of the 12-hour Turn. In phase 4
weights are based on the following tonnage: the Battle Armor may move normally for the rest
of the turn. Battle Armor may only be dropped
Light = 0-130 tons off or picked up once per phase.
Medium = 135-200 Tons
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27
Infantry: * Players may wish to use bog-down effects if

Normal infantry may be mounted on vehicles engaging in BattleTech combat in these world
and transported at much greater speed than their hexes.
normal movement allows. Refer to Infantry **Ground Vehicles may move 2 hexes per
Carriers section in the BMR. Infantry that enter a movement point on the World Map when going
hex containing a concealed unit may not be from road hex to road hex. Using roads that cut
dropped off a carrier until at least one enemy unit through terrain with a higher cost than 1
appears on the BattlTech maps. (This will keep a movement point negates this ability in those
Infantry Carrier player from automatically hexes, but any such hex only costs 1 movement
dropping of his infantry just because he knows point for ANY type unit to move through it.
the BattleTech game board will be used). Urban areas seldom affect the movement cost of
a hex, usually because they are limited in size,
Movement and Terrain: and the roads within their area make traveling
Hexes that hold unusual terrain effect a unit's fairly easy.
movement. In all cases where a force moves into
a hex that costs more than normal, that force Recon Unit Movement:
IMMEDIATELY enters the hex, then spends the Recon units are designated before the start of
required time there before it can leave. Example: the game. These highly specialized forces train
a world-map Jungle Hex requires 3 MP to together and have the ability to move undetected
traverse. If a unit wishes to enter that hex, it on the map. If the mechs that compose this force
spends one movement point and enters the hex are ever traded out to other lances, the recon
immediately. Its next two movement points must element loses all of its stealthy abilities for the
be spent in that hex. The type of force also rest of the game, even if two separate recon
modifies movement as follows: forces are meshed together into one Lance. Note
that joining a Battlegroup does NOT affect a
A) Forces that are ALL composed of recon unit's abilities. The designated recon unit
jumping Elements reduce the must meet the following criteria:
terrain cost by 1 pt., with the
exception of Desert, Arctic, Swamp A) It must be designated before game play.
and Jungle terrain. These types of B) It must have a movement rate of at least 5
terrain often cause units to bog- Walk for every Element within. This does
down, and are just as time- not include damage sustained later in battle.
consuming to cross for jumping This modifier does mean that normal
units as a non-jumping force. Elemental or other non-scout battle armor
B) V.T.O.L. and Aerospace Units pay cannot be used as recon units per se.
1 pt per hex, regardless of terrain. C) The unit cannot be larger than Lance sized.
Individual mechs can be classified as recon
C) Hovercraft Units pay 1 pt. for units prior to the opening round of play, but
passing through desert, swamp and lose that ability if grouped with other mechs,
arctic hexes. even other recon Elements. Infantry
Platoons and Battle Armor specifically
termed as scout armor may be used as recon
World Map Movement Modifiers: units. In this case, the entire platoon of
Terrain: Cost: unarmored infantry, squads of Inner Sphere
Open/Clear: 1 power armor, or points of Elementals must
Hills/Broken 2 be used. Battle Armor may not be broken up
Desert */Swamp */Mountain: 3 into single element recon units, unless they
Arctic */Jungle: 4 sustain battle damage that drops them down
Road/Urban: 0** to less than full trooper counts. Note that
Scout battle armor and platoons also loses
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their recon abilities if forced to merge, even 1) All units are visible on the world map, with
with other recon units of the same type. two exceptions: Concealed units and Recon
D) Recon Units and individual Elements move units. Detail about a visible unit marker is very
on the map, though enemy forces do not limited, however.
know their location until the recon unit is 2) Units will use Four types of Basic Markers:
spotted. An enemy unit that moves adjacent Battlegroup, Company, Lance, and UKNOWN.
to, or a recon that moves into an adjacent 3) When two units come into adjacent hexes on
hex next to an enemy unit, gives a 2 in 6 the map, the following information is revealed:
chance of the recon unit being spotted by the 3a) # Of Lances/Stars in the enemy
enemy force. Enemy units with Active hex(s).
Probes spot the recon unit on 1-3 on 1D6
(rolled by the GM). A Recon unit with a 3b) Each Lance/Star Weight
ECM Suite drops the chance back to 1-2 vs. Designation (Light, Medium, Heavy,
probe units, and 1 only, vs. non-probe units. Assault)
These modifiers apply to the recon Element
or Lance only, not to any other units, 3c) Exact mech types are NEVER
friendly or otherwise, in the recon unit's hex. revealed to the enemy, unless that
If the Recon Unit is spotted, a Lance marker enemy has an Active Probe.
of the appropriate type is placed in the hex,
as well as a recon chit. 3d) If the scanning unit has a Probe, the
E) Recon Units that travel with Battlegroups GM will roll 1d6 for each mech in the
are automatically spotted (a '?' marker is scanner.
added) when the Battlegroup moves or an
enemy unit enters a hex adjacent to the On a result of 4 or less, that particular mech
Battlegroup. type is revealed (and the GM sends this
F) No more than 1 Element in four may be a information to the scanning player.) The target of
recon unit. These are usually grouped in this scan will not be made aware of what unit
recon Lances for firepower and safety types were detected successfully. He WILL know
during their assigned roles, prior to the open a Probe has scanned his unit. If the defending
turn of the game. unit contains a ECM of any type, the probe is
automatically unsuccessful. In this case, the
probe unit will know it is blocked. At the star of
the came, ECCM may be used, if all players
Artillery: agree (see Maximum Tech).
Artillery may be used in the hex a battle takes
place, or fired from an adjacent hex. Arrow IV 6) Concealed units are not spotted unless an
units can only be used in the same world hex as adjacent enemy unit detects them. Concealed
the battle, and as such, normal battletech map units represent forces that are set up prior to an
ranges are used. Any other artillery piece may attacker's landing, in order to ambush an enemy
fire into a world map hex where there are on the world map or hide stockpiles of supplies.
friendly units to direct fire (including aircraft in Concealed units are spotted with a roll of 1-2 on
the hex). 1d6 (rolled by the GM); checked each turn a
In this case, treat shell flight time to the target hostile unit on the world map spends adjacent to
as being at the maximum range for the artillery them.
piece in question (20 maps for a Long Tom, for Running enemy units cannot detect Concealed
example). If an artillery unit spends at least one units unless they enter the Concealed unit's hex.
hour in a hex, it can use up to 5 pre-designated Enemy units equipped with Probes will detect
hexes in any nearby hexes where fights ensue. Concealed units on 1-5 (on 1d6). Like the
normal BattleTech board game, any Concealed
Spotting Units: unit that moves becomes apparent on the world
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map. Unlike normal BattleTech, world-map and Clear terrain hexes may be landed in. All
Concealed units get a modifier to initiative when other terrain results in a crash.
the regular BattleTech game begins, in addition
to using 'Hidden units' rules in the regular game. H.Q. Chits:
The first three rounds of a BattleTech Each force in a campaign game normally has
engagement with a Concealed unit, the one H.Q. chit, representing an Element dedicated
Concealed force gains +2 to its Initiative Roll. to Command, Control and Communications. This
All World-Map Concealed units are placed takes the form of a Mobile HQ (described in
before the game begins, and cannot move 3025). If this chit is ever destroyed or captured,
without revealing its presence, unless the the owning force suffers a -1 to all types of
Concealed unit is a Recon unit. Fighters may Initiative for the rest of the game.
start out concealed at hidden runways.
Engaging the enemy:
'Digging In': This comes as a result of a unit standing its
A force that spends two hours or more (not ground against an aggressor, an aggressor
movement points) in one location can 'Dig In'. chasing a unit into impassable terrain, or two
This allows the half the Elements of the force to units stumbling into each other's hex while using
use 'Hidden units' rules when normal BattleTech hidden movement (i.e. recon).
combat begins, and also lets the unit in question In the event two units try to enter each other's
use 'Improved Positions' as noted in the BMR. hex because they move on the same phase, the
'Digging In' does NOT allow you to leave any faster unit will enter the other units hex first and
Elements hidden on the world map when their the fight will take place there. If both units are
parent force leaves the hex. The Hidden unit the same speed, the GM or players will dice for
benefit only applies to normal BattleTech game 'hex initiative'. The winner gets to pick which
play, and is NOT the Concealed ability noted in hex the battle takes place in.
6) above. Units can start out both Concealed and Normally, combat is pretty much a straight up
'Dug In'. situation, where forces enter the battletech map
on opposite sides. However, allied units may
sometimes try and enter an enemy's continent
Stacking: map hex from opposite directions, in a
As each hex is roughly 86 Kilometers in size, coordinated attack. This is far from simple, and
virtually any amount of units may be stacked in a the force with more than one unit may not have
world map hex. them successfully arrive on Turn #1 of a
BattleTech fight. When multiple forces try to
engage from different directions, roll on the chart
Fuel: below:
Aerospace Fighters burn 1/4 ton of fuel per hex
travel on the world map. I.C.E. vehicles may Result of 2d6 roll. Roll once for EACH
travel as many hexes as they have Cruise individual force Element/Unit/Battlegroup:
movement points before they must refuel.
Refueling may only be done in cities or in hexes 2 Unit does not arrive for the fight at all (the sole
containing fuel depots or if the force has a fuel force must fight out the battle or retreat)
vehicle with it. 3 Unit in question enters the game 3d6 turns after
the battle starts.
Runways: 4 Unit in question enters the game 2d6 turns after
Aerospace fighters use runways to take off and the battle starts.
land. There is no piloting roll required for this. If 5 Unit in question enters the game 1d6 turns after
an aerospace fighter needs to land in a non- the battle starts.
runway hex, it is necessary to make a piloting 6 Unit arrives at same time as allies.
roll, modified by damage. Only Runway, Urban 7 Unit arrives at same time as allies.
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8 Unit arrives at same time as allies. will fight/surrender (or disengage using the
9 Unit in question enters the game 1d6 turns after terrain, see below). For simplicity's sake, it is
the battle starts. impossible for a slower ground unit to retreat
10 Unit in question enters the game 2d6 turns from a faster unit (of ANY type) in clear/open
after the battle starts. terrain, or for slower aircraft to escape faster
11 Unit in question enters the game 3d6 turns aircraft.
after the battle starts. All types of fleeing units that are faster can
12 Unit does not arrive for the fight at all (the automatically disengage (However, see 'Effects',
sole force must fight out the battle or retreat) below) from slower pursuers. No ground force
can disengage from an aerospace (not VTOL)
Units that arrive late enter the board from the unit, though they can hide in water or
direction they entered on the world map. If two underground if the opportunity presents itself and
or more forces were trying to enter a hex that terrain type is in ground unit's hex.
containing a faster unit who was leaving the hex There is a possibility to escape ground pursuers
to engage one of the forces, then the secondary in any other type of terrain besides clear. The
force automatically misses the fight. This is also base chance evade is 7+ on 2d6, rolled by the
the case where all units have equal speeds, but GM or the players if no gm is present and the
the outnumbered unit wins initiative and is not in players wish to resolve combat from a failed
the mood for a fight against more than one force. disengagement attempt.
If a pursuing unit is faster, each movement
Map Selection: point above the pursued unit's flank speed will
Maps for the battletech game are chosen at add 1 to this roll. Terrain in the current hex will
random, unless: subtract from this roll as follows:
1) The defender was in the hex at least an hour
(the previous phase) before the attacker, Jungle Hex: -5
AND did not try to leave it this phase. He Woods/Urban Hex: -3
may then choose to fight on ground of his Swamp/Ocean/River/Lake Hex: -2
own choice. He may NOT use BattleTech Mountains/Hills Hex: -1
rules for hidden units unless he has met the Desert/ Snow Hex: +1
'Dug In' requirements (i.e. the unit must be
in its hex at least two hours). Pursuing Unit has a Probe: +2 (ignore this in
2) The fight takes place in a very specific water/river hex)
location, such as a city. The GM prior to the Pursued Unit has an ECM Suite: -2
start of the game will assign specific maps to Pursued Unit is an Infantry Platoon/Power armor
such areas, or at random if there is no GM. squad: additional -1, ignore enemy probe bonus
Once these specific areas are assigned, they as well.
do not change for the remainder of the Pursued Unit is a Designated Recon Lance or
campaign. Element, not attached to a friendly unit: -1
Disengagement takes place during the night or in
Disengaging: inclement weather: -1
If a normal BattleTech engagement goes
poorly, a prudent commander may wish to exit Pursued Unit is a vehicle unit on a road hex: no
his troops off his (and ONLY his) side of the modifiers to the roll, but add +1 to the vehicles
BattleTech Map (or screen edge, as the case may total flank speed for purposes of disengagement
be with WEB RPG). When all units that are able (a 4/6-tank unit in a clear-terrain continent map-
to flee have left the board, these rules come into hex with a road
play)
Whenever two hostile forces are in the same Example: A Clan Heavy star is chasing an
hex, there are two possible results. Either the Inner Sphere Heavy Lance. The units are battling
faster unit will choose to disengage, or the forces in a planetary woods hex. The running speed of
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the Clan unit is 8. The IS Lance has a run of 6. 3) Any hex you moved to when disengaging
After getting his ass severely beat by the Clan requires you spend the movement points for
warriors, the IS commander manages to get most entering that hex before you leave (which
of his battered unit off the BattleTech map on the could mean enemy forces are moved to flank
Inner Sphere declared side. your line of retreat if they have a lot of clear
Not wishing to give up the prize, the Clan terrain they can run through). This is the
player announces his intention to "pursue you reason a unit may not retreat twice in one
until I corner you free birth mercenaries!' The phase.
GM (or the players if the GM is elsewhere) 4) The unit that was successfully evaded must
calculates the success threshold for disengaging. finish spending its required movement
The base chance to elude the Clan player's points for the hex it entered before it may
forces is 7+. Because the Clan machines are 2 continue pursuing the retreating force.
movement points faster at a run than their Inner
Sphere prey, the chance to elude them goes up to Salvage:
9+. The woods terrain adds a -3, so the Inner Any Element that takes enough damage to be
Sphere unit would now need a final score of 6+ rendered immobile, or an Element that is
to escape their pursuers. If the situation had been abandoned for some reason, produces a Salvage
reversed, the clan warriors could automatically Marker in the hex where it is left. Units that have
disengage. not suffered complete destruction of their center
torso Internal Structure, have not suffered an
Special Disengagement Cases: ammo/fuel explosion or meets any other criteria
Units that have suffered enough damage to for 'truly destroyed in the BMR, can eventually
slow their machines to a point equal to or below be repaired if a Repair Chit can make it into their
pursuers movement rates must roll a hex.
disengagement check as normal. This unit may As long as whatever critical that rendered the
be abandoned to fend for themselves, at the Element immobile is fixed, that Element can
discretion of the retreating commander. move on its own under the control of whatever
player fixed it.
Effects of Disengaging: Only a pilot with the appropriate skills can
Successfully retreating from combat is a reward move a unit. Aerospace fighter pilots may not
in its own right, but there are some problems move a BattleMech. The sole exception to this is
with it: ground vehicles. The vehicle must have enough
1) Disengaging units automatically retreat back crewmen to operate it. These can be taken from
to the hex they occupied previously before normal vehicle crews who have lost their
entering the hex where the battle took place. vehicles in battle (with appropriate skill levels),
This could mean the unit is forced back into or from infantry units. In the latter case, the crew
high cost terrain, or even that the unit may is automatically Green (4/6).
be boxed in against some impassible terrain, Aerospace fighters that crash, any other unit
such as Deep Ocean or unappeasable that meets the 'truly destroyed' description in the
mountains. BMR, and power armor reduced to 0 points,
2) Furthermore, a unit may only retreat once cannot be salvaged.
during any given one-hour turn. If your
forced retreat along your former path means Repairing/re-supplying forces:
you enter a hex now occupied by the enemy, After a fight, the commander of a force might
you have little choice but to fight it out or find it wise to repair or reload his units. The
surrender. Furthermore, you suffer a -1 proper chit must be in the hex in question. I.e.,
penalty to initiative for the first five rounds you can't reload from a hex with only a repair
of any BattlTech fight that takes place in the chit in it. A Supply icon must be there, and vice-
hex you retreated to. versa. To simplify the process (and avoid
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incredible amounts of record keeping), the repair supply battle armor due to bidding
effects for units are as follows: limitations.
Each hour (not move point) spent in a hex

marked with a repair chit, each Element of a Supply/Repair Chit Special Notes:
force may do one (and ONLY one) of the 1) A force receives a limited number of Supply
following: Icons (called 'chit's) and Repair chits,
usually one each per Company or Binary (10
A) Repair all Internal Structure to ONE location clan Points). Unless these chits start the
on a mech, vehicle or fighter. game Concealed, or are assigned to a
B) Repair all armor points to ONE location on a Battlegroup or Company, they are
mech, vehicle or fighter. Step A above must automatically placed on the world map prior
be completed before armor to the specific to the start of the game, with their unit type
location can be repaired. revealed.
C) Reload all ammo-based weapons. (only in a Only the defender may start the game with
hex with a Supply Icon) Concealed supply chits. These Concealed
D) Change an OmniMech configuration. Step A chits are smaller than normal supply chits,
above must be completed before this is however (see below). An attacker supplies
completely allowed. A partial change is and repair chit's start in the hex their drop
allowed, but the configuration that has landed in. A force's chits (either type) cannot
weapons in a damaged location cannot be increased during the game, without
mount those weapons in that area, and to capturing an enemy's chit.
maintain proper weight and simplify If a force's entire supply chit allotment is
bookkeeping, all weapons that still function captured or destroyed, that force may not
in the damaged area MUST be stripped out. reload ammo weapons or replenish troop
IF THE NEW VARIANT HAS AMMO numbers. If all the Repair chits are gone, the
BASED WEAPONS, THIS CAN ONLY BE force may not repair internal structure,
DONE IN A HEX THAT HAS BOTH armor or damaged weapons. Supply chits are
REPAIR AND RE-SUPPLY ICONS. either weapons/ordinance, or refueling
Otherwise, the ammo weapons will be trucks (see below). A wise commander will
added, without any ammo. An OmniMech allot his supply chits with care, if he's using
may load ammo for the weapons if it later I.C.E. vehicles.
enters a Supply hex. 2) An enemy can capture a supply or repair chit
E) Refuel an I.C.E. vehicle. (only in a hex with by entering the chit's hex. If no friendly
a Supply Icon) force is in the supply chit's hex, it
F) Pilots may repair a Pilot Hit for each FULL automatically surrenders. Aerospace units
12 hours spent in a M.A.S.H. hex or an may not capture chits in this way.
urban hex that is controlled by friendly 3) The supply/repair unit's player can destroy
forces (representing hospitals). M.A.S.H. his own chits. This can only be done if an
vehicles use the statistics found in the TRO: enemy unit is NOT adjacent to the supply
3025. unit hex. Once destroyed, neither force can
G) Infantry that enter a re-supply hex may bring utilize the chit in the future (it is removed
their numbers back up to full platoon from the map).
strength. However, this can only be done 4) Chits can be used for 5 individual phases
once per game, per infantry unit. Battle each or 3 individual phases if it started the
armor may not be replenished this way. game Concealed, before the chit's
Being fairly rare and highly trained, there is supplies/repair materials are exhausted and
no ready supply of battle armor troops the chit is removed from play. ('Phases 'were
available. Clan units will not be able to reused instead of 'times', to alleviate
bookkeeping that would be generated by
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tracking individual lances and even Refueling trucks may restock at any urban
individual Elements. hex they enter, which takes one hour, and
Simply put, any units in the hex can use thus may be reused indefinitely. Fuel Trucks
the chit that phase. After the elapse of that may never operate as single Elements,
hour, one 'use' of the chit is gone). Refueling unless their group has been reduced by
truck chits may be used five phases before attrition (They stay together for tracking
they must enter an urban hex to re-supply world map movement purposes).
themselves (see below). Each type of chit 8) Refueling trucks and transport chits become
will have a number for its WEB RPG label. merged with a Battlegroup automatically
This represents the remaining uses left when they enter the Battlegroup's hex.
therein. (Which is good, since they then get SOME
5) Enemy units may attack guarded protection from aerospace attacks).
supply/repair chit hexes. Each use left in a
non-mobile chit represents one 30 CF The Battlegroup:
building (also called a ' stockpile' or 'repair Why would anyone wish to group his forces in
gantry'), or if a mobile unit, J-27 transports. a Battlegroup that means the entire force may
Destroying a stockpile/repair gantry or move as slow as the force's slowest Element?
Transport reduces that chit's available usage Being in a Battlegroup offers several advantages:
by 1. Note that 'Usage' includes re-supplying
ammo, repairing weapons, internal 1) All units assigned to a Battlegroup arrive on
components and armor, and assembling the field of battle at the same time.
extra infantry. (Hey, light mechs used as 2) Units such as repair/refuel chits get the
raiders now have a real use!) benefit of real firepower protection.
6) If a player wants to move a supply/repair 3) Ambushes from concealed units might prove
stockpile, he places a mobile chit in the to be unwise for the attackers.
stockpile hex. It takes a full hour to load up 4) Moving a vehicle Battlegroup on a road
the stores, and the hex may not service any means large amounts of vehicles can move
units for repair or reload during this time. faster than normal.(true, any vehicle on a
Any Concealed stockpiles automatically road moves faster, but the tactical flexibility
become visible on the world map when this of having a large BG that can move fast
happens. cannot be overlooked).
Repair/Supply chits from attackers
ALWAYS start in a dropship LZ, but they Finishing the Campaign:
can move with a battle group and not reveal
their chit for what it is (it remains The campaign ends when any of the following
'unknown'), like any other unit. In such occurs:
cases, a repair/supply chit may start the 1) All objectives are secure, and both parties
game already loaded and does not have to agree it is reasonable to assume the defender
spend an hour loading up. has no chance of winning.
7) Refueling trucks use fusion engines, so their 2) The Attacker feels that there is no point in
range in unlimited. They are 20 ton wheeled continuing (he cannot win) the game and
vehicles, work in a group of five (or chooses to withdraw off-planet.
fractions thereof), have a speed of 4/6 and 3) The Attacker reaches all of his objectives in
have 10 pts of armor on all facings. Any a Time-Limit game.
internal hit will cause the fuel to detonate 4) The defender holds out in a game where he's
with the same effect as a Long Tom artillery waiting for reinforcements.
explosion, doing 20 points of damage in 5) One side is completely destroyed.
their hex, and ten points of damage to all 6) One side abandons the game for any other
surrounding hexes. (Hint: don't park them reason.
together on the BattleTech map).
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OPTIONAL RULES: attack uses of the aerospace fighter, defenders

may wish to forego this risky proposition.
I suggest these rules only be used once people
have a good understanding of the game. Delayed Movement:
Units may delay their phased movement when
Quick and Dirty Aerospace strafe rules it becomes their turn to move. The unit may
against unguarded supply/repair Chit hexes: immediately move in any following phase, even
In order not to bother with setting up a before faster units that normally go in the new
BattleTech game to watch an Aerospace fighter phase. Such units should have a 'holding' label on
slaughter a bunch of fuel trucks, J-27's or the map to keep track of this action. If the
immobile stockpiles, these rules can be used. It is delaying unit has another phase where it would
assumed that the ground targets are busy evading normally move come up before spending the
(if mobile) and keeping away from each other. held point, the held point is lost.
The controlling player of the fighter declares Example: It is Phase 6 of a 12-hour turn. A
how many 'passes' he will make in the hex. Each player wants his speed-6 hover armor lance to
pass uses one ton of fuel. All ground targets in hold off attacking until a friendly Unit arrives.
the hex roll 2d6. On a 9+, that unit survives. He places a 'holding label on the hover chit. The
Each 'killed' unit drops the chit's value as noted hovercraft foregoes its action in Phase 6 and may
above under supply/repair chits. Aerospace be used in phase 7. If the Hover armor does not
fighters may not capture mobile chits in this way. move in Phase 7, it loses the movement point
(i.e. it can't move 2 hexes when its normal
Limited Intelligence: movement in turn 8 comes up).
Normally, satellites and other means allow a
force to track the general location of a normal Forced Withdrawal:
battlefield unit (thus the chits for all units are on Some BattleTech scenario packs introduced the
the continent map). With limited intelligence, concept of forced withdrawal. Units that are
NO chits for either side start out on the board, forced to withdraw move toward their edge of
and dropship LZs are kept secret. This type of the board at the fastest speed possible. In the case
game demands a GM. It also makes engagements of BattleMechs, no retreating unit must run or
hard to predict for location. jump if it has suffered a gyro or leg actuator
critical hit. Retreating units may fire at any
Short and Dirty Space Fights: enemy in their foreword arc along the path of
Defending players can attack incoming their retreat, but may not charge or Death From
dropships in the hopes of destroying them. The Above.
base chance to destroy a dropship is 12+ on 2d6. Units forced to withdraw from the BattleTech
Each star of clan fighters or squadron of IS map may return to the continent map hex if their
fighters drops the threshold one pt. One roll is side wins the fight for the hex. If the entire unit
made. If successful the dropship breaks up and withdraws, it is considered to have retreated as
flames in orbit (all on board are dead). the normal retreat rules. A unit that is forced to
Each point below the target threshold kills 2 withdraw and is then engaged in another fight
attacking fighters. No more than 3 stars or 3 immediately in its new hex cannot withdraw and
squadrons may attack the dropship in any given does not suffer forced withdraw effects (i.e. it
hex. Win or lose, the fighters must return to their can fight to the end) as explained under
bases for refueling. If the dropship survives, it disengaging.
continues on its landing course. Defending A mech, vehicle or infantry unit that takes
fighters ADD to the roll per defending star or major damage under these rules will retreat off
squadron. These fighters are not targeted by the the owning player's side if:
dropship-attacking defenders, and suffer no
losses. Losses to the defender from a failed BattleMech:
dropship attack remain. Owing to the ground 1) The unit loses a limb.
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2) The unit takes a gyro hit. 1) The unit loses 2/3rd's (rounded up) of its
3) The unit takes 2 engine hits. armor to any location.
4) The unit takes a life support or sensor hit. 2) The unit suffers a control system critical.
5) The unit loses half it weapons (rounded up). 3) The unit loses half its total number of
6) The unit loses half its internal structure. * weapons (rounded up).
7) The unit suffers an ammo explosion.
Units that are forced to withdraw will flee
the moment they make contact with an enemy if
*Tonnage IS lost before forced to they are unfortunate enough to get in a fight in
withdraw another phase (if the unit gets ambushed on the
20 17 way to the repair chit, for example). Contact
25 22 means the moment an enemy mech appears
30 26 anywhere on a battletech map. (if an enemy force
40 34 is hidden using 'Hidden units', they are not
45 38 'contacted' until one fires on someone).
50 42
55 46 Turn Sequence:
60 50 1) Players assign Designated recon units.
65 52 2) Players assign ammo types to each unit.
70 54 3) Players assign units to Battlegroups, if
75 57 desired.
80 61 4) Defending player places Concealed/Recon
85 65 units on map. Also lay out any concealed
90 69 airfields (for aerospace fighters). Recon
95 73 units assigned to a Battlegroup are placed
100 76 with the '?' marker in step 5.
5) Defending player places normal units on
Example: A 20 ton mech would be forced to flee map with '?' counters. Repair/Supply chits
as soon as it took its 17th pt of IS damage. that are NOT part of a Battlegroup are
placed with their counters revealed.
6) Attacking unit places Drop Ship Landing
Markers.
Vehicles: 7) Defender gets one free 12-hour move of any
1) The unit loses all armor in one location. * units. Concealed units that move during this
2) The unit loses half (rounded up) of its phase are placed on the map. Supply/Repair
maximum cruise speed. units that become mobile are automatically
3) A VTOL suffers a rotor hit that does not revealed, unless they join a Battle group in
destroy the rotor their hex. Recon units are not revealed when
(*Crew of vehicles that were rendered immobile they move.
must abandon the vehicle at this point) 8) Defending player may engage dropship with
BattleSpace or AeroTech rules before they
Infantry: make planet fall.
Clan Battle Armor: when the 3rd Elemental from 9) Attacking player may Combat Drop mechs,
a Clan star is destroyed. Infantry types and power armor within two
IS Power Armor: when the 2nd trooper is killed. hexes of his intended LZ. A failed drop roll
Foot/Motorized Infantry: when the 14th soldier is can result in the unit becoming widely
killed. scattered.
Jump Infantry: when the 11th soldier is killed. 10) Players note all units' movement rates for
upcoming 12-hour turn. Units that ran the
Aerospace Fighters: last 12-hour turn may only walk this
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upcoming turn. Power Armor /Infantry Units 14) Fleeing Elements slower than their pursuers
are loaded onto OmniMechs/Infantry may attempt to disengage, if not in a Clear
Carriers hex.
11) Players now use the Phase chart for 15) Units in repair/supply hexes may draw on
movement. the stockpiles. Reduce the # of available
A) In an open game, initiative is rolled uses in the repair/supply chit by 1,
and movement alternates (provided regardless of how many units utilize it.
the unit in question moves on that Repairing/reloading takes place after all
particular hour-phase). battles for the hex, if it is attacked.
B) In a GM-controlled game, all 16) Units that have spent at least two back to
movement is made on each player's back phases in a hex are now declared 'Dug
private map. In' if the owning player so wishes.
C) Vehicle forces on a road map may 17) Continue steps 10-16 until the campaign
move two hexes. draws to a close.
D) Aerospace fighters move one world
hex per phase.
E) Running units cannot detect adjacent Tracking Units:
Concealed units. A large game can get very complicated. At a
F) Probe checks are rolled. Players roll minimum, the following info for each chit should
for each hex in open game. Gm will be tracked:
roll for hexes with hidden units in 1) Numbers should label chits marked with
hidden game. 'Unknown'.
12) Recon units roll detection chances (Open 2) Under each Battlegroup/Company/Lance:
Game). Gm rolls detection (hidden game). A) Chit's speed (top speed for
13) Battles are conducted on BattleTech maps. walk/cruise/thrust of slowest Element
ALL battles for a phase must be completed
before starting a new phase.
B) contained in the unit, and also the fastest Run/Flank/Over-thrust of the slowest unit.
C) Each type of Lance in the Chit. These lances are also numbered.
D) A 'D-I' symbol should be put on the chit on the world map if it is 'Dug-In'.
Example: A Heavy Lance chit with a 4/6 speed that is dug in would have the lance number, speed and D-I
as a label (see below)
If an enemy unit were adjacent, the chit would look like this:
A typical Excel Tracking sheet might be set up like this (the lance number corresponds to the '?' chit on the
world map):
6TH Arkab Movement Turn 1
Legion
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37
Lance # Battalion HQ
1(heavy) Dragon G:4/P:5 Speed 4/6 60 Ran
Warhammer G:4/P:5 70
Rifleman G:4/P:5 60
Grasshopper G:4/P:5 70
2 (heavy) 1st Company

Grasshopper G:4/P:5 Speed 4/6 70 Concealed
Griffin G:4/P:5 55
Panther G:4/P:5 35
3 (heavy) Grasshopper G:4/P:6 Speed 4/6 70 Walked

Griffin G:4/P:8 55
Panther G:4/P:9 35
4 (heavy) Thunderbolt G:4/P:5 Speed 4/6 65 Dug In

Catapult-K G:4/P:5 65
Ostroc G:4/P:5 60
Dragon G:4/P:5 60
2nd Company
5/RECON Wasp-K G:4/P:5 Speed 6/9 20 Walked
Light Wasp G:4/P:5 (all Jump) 20
Stinger G:4/P:5 20
Spider-K G:4/P:5 30
BATTLEGROUP ALPHA: Lances 1/2/3/5 (etc)
PARTING SHOTS:
Well, that wraps up our biggest issue to date. Thanx to all of you
out there who submitted stuff for this issue. As is obvious from
our loyal reader's observations, there's no exact time table for
getting these issues out, though a two month wait is the
minimum to be expected. We all know life (and great new
computer games) ruin a lot of our plans, so bear with me as I get
ready to tackle Issue #7. Anyone out there got an idea or two for
the grand event, Issue #10? Email me at [email protected] with
some thoughts. 'Till next time, readers…'keep your back to the
wind, your eye on the horizon, and keep your powder dry'.
[email protected]

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1

Opening shots I just purchased AeroTech 2 and read

Good luck with the back-up! Armor Distribution

I started posting the 'zine in RTF Weapons & Ammo:

The smirk of Kirkoff's face came through on Situation:

The Dasher B is an effective combat design, 'D' Variant:

4th Jaguar Dragoons:

Pvt. Smith (3/4) PTR-4D Penetrator Armor: Ferro-Fibrous (182) 9.5

SPECIAL EQUIPMENT: BV: 2,430

Razor-Hawk Daishi Artillery Variant:

Heat Sinks: 13[26] 3.0

making it the longest range energy weapon in

Alternate Configuration A Mass: 800,000 tons

The Naval yard: Armament:

Lastly, we gave the ship a specifications into the computers

AR-10b x2 (5 Barracuda, 5 White

10 Pontiac-25 Series Naval engineers used the new Rolls Royce

The Lamellor Ferro-Carbide was 40 Laser AMS

ER L Laser x6 structure is the cornerstone of success for any

many 'Mechs were lost to the follow-up strikes

Defending Thugee forces

Thugee #6 (3/3) HUR-WO-R4L Huron Warrior

Foot Infantry Platoon (Laser) will experience an immediate 300 percent

keep the battles viable, without falling into abstract

Note: Dropships are used to transport troops

Example: Chin's Company attacks a Leopard Heavy = 205-280 Tons

Infantry: * Players may wish to use bog-down effects if

Each hour (not move point) spent in a hex

OPTIONAL RULES: attack uses of the aerospace fighter, defenders

2 (heavy) 1st Company

3 (heavy) Grasshopper G:4/P:6 Speed 4/6 70 Walked

4 (heavy) Thunderbolt G:4/P:5 Speed 4/6 65 Dug In

BATTLEGROUP ALPHA: Lances 1/2/3/5 (etc)

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