BattleTech House Rules

Aerospace Firing Arcs

As the current firing arcs for fighters and aerodyne dropships and small craft make it pointless to have weapons mounted anywhere but Nose and Aft, and a glorified form of suicide to get on board an aerodyne dropship, fighter and aerodyne arcs are reverted to the original Aerotech arcs. (Note that fighters do not have Wing Aft arcs, and, while aerodyne dropships and small craft have them, most do not actually mount weapons there.)

Nose and Aft arcs

Right Wing and Left Wing Aft arcs

Left Wing and Right Wing Aft arcs

combined aerodyne firing arcs

(modifies Total Warfare, p.236)

Dropships on Ground Maps

The current rules for grounded dropships in combat are full of holes — a patch layered on top of rules not designed to support multiple-hex units — and do not reflect the diversity of vessels in common service. The rules that do exist are scattered across multiple sections of different books. In an effort to address these problems, here we have rules for dropships in ground combat — a combination of official rules collected from various sources, rules from older books that covered things that current rulebooks don't, and house rules to patch the gaps.

Dropship Templates

Dropships come in a variety of shapes and sizes, ranging from the 36.4m-diameter Confederate to the 277m-diameter Mammoth (the Behemoth, though more massive than the Mammoth, is both unable to land and actually slightly smaller in diameter than the Mammoth — though significantly longer), and they're large enough that their size differences are significant on the scale of 30-meter ground-map hexes and 6-meter Levels. The current rules ignore these major differences.

However, Dropships & Jumpships provided rough ground footprints for all the dropship classes in common service, and exact dimensions to more precisely refine those. Grounded dropships will use those footprints and heights rather than the generic roughly-Union/Leopard-sized footprints in Total Warfare.

Dropships have different heights, depending on the class. Elevations in Levels for each hex of the ship are marked on the dropship templates. This elevation is the height above underlying terrain, and is added to the Level of the dropship's center hex.

Some dropships overlap slightly into space beyond the hexes they technically occupy. Hexes do not count as dropship hexes unless they are a full hex with a marked Level on the template.

(modifies Total Warfare, p. 99, 249–250)

Dropship Ground Movement

Spheroid dropships cannot move on the ground, except to take off again.

Aerodyne dropships can taxi on the ground map (see Total Warfare, p.88). When doing so, they move as a ground vehicle with Cruising MP equal to half their Safe Thrust rating (rounded down). They cannot use Flank Speed. They have the terrain restrictions of a Wheeled vehicle. No hex of the dropship can move into or through a hex prohibited to Wheeled vehicles. They must pay the extra MP cost for any terrain hex that any hex of the dropship moves into.

If all dropship hexes remain on Pavement or Road hexes for their full movement, the dropship gains a bonus MP.

If legal terrain becomes forbidden terrain after the dropship has moved into it (e.g. Building hexes are not forbidden terrain for Wheeled vehicles, but almost any dropship entering almost any Building hex will reduce the hex to Rubble, which is forbidden to Wheeled vehicles), the dropship can still move out of that hex, but cannot move into it again.

When taxiing dropships change facing, they rotate around the rearmost hex on their centerline (the nose wheel is assumed to be the steerable one). If this causes dropship hexes to enter terrain hexes with an MP cost that the dropship did not occupy before, it must pay the MP cost for entering the hexes in addition to the 1 MP per hexside cost of changing facing.

Units with destroyed landing gear cannot taxi. Taxiing dropships do not produce damaging drive exhaust plumes.

Any non-dropship unit in a hex that an aerodyne dropship moves into suffers an immediate charge attack from the dropship. A dropship attempting to avoid running down a ground target can choose to make the charge attack as if its Piloting Skill were (12 - Piloting) rather than its actual skill, if that provides a worse TN.

If the charge attack is successful, the target unit takes 1 point of damage for each 10 tons the dropship masses (round up), in 5-point groups, and is shunted into a random adjacent hex that is not part of the charging dropship (Domino Effect may apply). 'Mechs must make a Piloting Skill roll to remain standing. The dropship takes 1 point of damage for each 10 tons the target masses (round up), in 5-point groups on the Nose or Aft chart (depending on if the dropship is moving forwards or backwards).

If the charge attack is unsuccessful, neither unit takes damage, but the target is still shunted into a random adjacent hex that is not part of the charging dropship (Domino Effect may apply), and 'mechs must make a Piloting Skill roll to remain standing.

Because dropships are so much more massive than typical ground units, the charge, whether successful or unsuccessful, does not end the dropship's movement.

If a dropship attempts to move into another dropship's hexes, it is resolved using the ordinary charge rules (Total Warfare, p.148) — declared during the Movement Phase, but resolved in the Physical Attack Phase.

If an aerodyne dropship taxis while another unit is on top of it, the other unit must make an immediate Piloting, Driving, or Anti-'Mech Skill check (as appropriate for the unit type) or fall into the nearest non-dropship hex (determine randomly if more than one), taking falling damage as appropriate for the difference in Level between the initial and final hexes. If it falls into a hex that the dropship is moving into, it receives a charge from the dropship, as above. If the unit makes the Piloting/Driving test, it remains in its hex on the dropship and moves with the dropship. Any movement the dropship makes is added to the other unit's for purposes of figuring the other unit's target movement modifier. A unit riding a moving dropship takes an additional +1 attacker movement modifier on top of any it may have generated itself.

If a dropship takes off while another unit is on top of it, the other unit automatically falls off and is completely destroyed by the drive exhaust.

Dropships and Other Units' Movement

Dropships completely fill their hexes. Except for infantry, other units cannot use ordinary movement to enter hexes occupied by dropships at ground level. Ordinary stacking rules apply to infantry — up to two units from each side can be in the hex, one of which is the dropship, and any others can only be infantry.

However, dropships are large enough to be treated as terrain. They can be climbed or jumped onto as if their hexes were Clear terrain hexes with Level equal to the dropship hex's elevation. Ordinary movement restrictions apply, which may make it difficult to actually get on top of a dropship, particularly spheroids, most of which are taller than even a highly mobile battlemech's jump capability. You cannot perform a DFA attack against a dropship; you simply land on top of it.

Also, most dropships have interior spaces designed to be accessible by smaller units, and while other units cannot move into them normally, they can board them through an appropriate door. (See Total Warfare, p.89–90 and Tactical Operations, p.188–189.)

Attacks by Grounded Dropships

Grounded dropships get a -2 modifier to hit when firing at ground targets. Dropships ignore modifiers for firing at multiple targets. Dropships cannot fire at targets on top of them. Taxiing aerodynes are moving at Cruise Speed, and so take a +1 attacker movement modifier.

Dropship weapons work differently than ground units' weapons. Rather than being fired as individual weapons, dropship weapons are grouped into bays by type, and the entire bay is fired as a single weapon. Dropship weapon bays all have the same range brackets (see table, below), and individual weapons' Aerospace Ranges determine only whether or not the weapon contributes its damage to the bay's total in that aerospace range bracket.

Damage also works differently for aerospace units, but how damage is taken is determined by the type of unit receiving the damage, not the type of unit delivering it, so when a dropship hits a ground unit with a weapons bay, the damage is delivered as if the ground unit had been hit by whichever of the weapons that make up the bay have enough Aerospace Range to reach it.

Dropships generate heat by firing arc. Any time a dropship fires any weapon or bay in an arc, it takes the full heat of all weapons in the arc, even if it chooses not to fire a particular bay (to conserve ammo, perhaps). Dropships do not track heat, however. They are simply not allowed to exceed their heat dissipation capacity by firing more arcs than they can handle the heat of. (Exception: A dropship with an arc that alone produces more heat than it can dissipate can fire that arc, if it fires nothing else. No canon dropship is actually designed this way, but it is at least theoretically possible that one might take enough heat sink damage for this to be relevant.)

Spheroids

Unless something has gone horribly wrong, spheroid dropships land with their main drive down, so their ordinary firing arcs are reoriented, with their Nose weapons pointed at the sky, their Aft weapons down at the ground beneath them, and their sides oriented vertically, giving each side's Fore and Aft weapons a 180° arc of fire around the dropship (see Total Warfare, p.252).

Spheroid dropships' forward Side weapons can engage ground targets, and trace LOS from the full elevation of any hex on the weapons' side of the dropship (including hexes on the centerline), and use range and terrain modifiers from the hex chosen. Note, however, that dropships block LOS through their hexes, and so LOS from a hex may be blocked by another dropship hex in front of it. There is a one-hex-wide dead zone adjacent to the dropship that the forward Side guns cannot depress far enough to hit, unless the target's elevation is higher than half the height of the dropship hex.

Spheroid dropships' Side Aft weapons can engage ground targets, and trace LOS from any hex on the weapons' side of the dropship (including hexes on the centerline), at half (round down) the dropship's highest elevation, or the elevation of the hex (whichever is lower), and use range and terrain modifiers from the hex chosen. Note, however, that dropships block LOS through their hexes, and so LOS from a hex may be blocked by another dropship hex in front of it. They have a one-hex-wide dead zone adjacent to the dropship, in which they cannot engage targets above the elevation of the weapons.

Nose weapons can only be fired at airborne aerospace targets or targets (such as VTOLs) flying above the dropship's hexes (not on its surface). Spheroid dropships can engage both airborne aerospace targets (with Nose weapons) and ground targets (with Side, Side Aft, and possibly Aft weapons) at the same time; they are the only units that can do so.

Aft weapons can only be fired at targets (necessarily infantry) on the ground in the dropship's hexes. The dropship has clear LOS to any units in their hexes

Aerodynes

Aerodyne units normally land belly-down, and so their firing arcs on the ground are the same as when they're airborne (but see Aerospace Firing Arcs, above). Grounded aerodynes cannot engage airborne aerospace targets, but can engage ground targets with all six arcs.

Aerodyne units' nose weapons trace LOS from the elevation of the dropship's frontmost centerline hex. Aft weapons trace LOS from the elevation of the dropship's rearmost centerline hex. Wing weapons, forward or aft, trace LOS from the highest elevation of the left or right side hex rows.

Attacks Against Grounded Dropships

Because of their sheer size, firing at grounded dropships gets the -4 modifier for firing at an immobile target, even if the dropship is capable of movement or actually moving (an aerodyne taxiing). Angle of attack modifiers do not apply, but a taxiing aerodyne gets defender movement modifiers as normal for its speed (if it's capable of moving fast enough to generate any, which most aren't).

Dropships block LOS through their hexes, and can provide partial cover as if they were elevated terrain.

Attackers can trace LOS to any of a dropship's hexes (but note that the dropship's own hexes may block LOS to hexes behind them), and use whatever range and terrain modifiers are most favorable. Dropships cannot have partial cover; if an attacker has LOS to any of the dropship's hexes at any Level, the attacker has LOS to the whole ship.

Hit locations for attacks against a spheroid dropship from on top of it are rolled on the Nose chart. Hit locations for attacks against an aerodyne from on top of it are rolled on the Above chart.

Damage works differently for aerospace units than for ground units, particularly for cluster weapons, and the damage method is determined by the type of unit receiving fire rather than the unit delivering it. As such, ground units firing on a dropship use the aerospace method of determining cluster hits. Rather than rolling on the Cluster Hits table, all cluster weapons do a fixed amount of damage, listed under Attack Value on weapon tables, allocated in 5-point groups, regardless of weapon type. For situations not covered by the basic Attack Value, such as a hit from an LB 10-X with Sandblaster, the weapon does damage as if the Cluster Hits table roll were a 7 plus the modifier.

If a dropship is caught in the blast of an area-effect weapon, such as a bomb or artillery shell, it takes damage only once, from the most damaging hex that applies, even if more than one dropship hex is inside the blast radius. Dropships can block the expansion of area-effect blasts (see Tactical Operations, p.184).

Construction

Ferro-Fibrous Armor Rounding

Ferro-Fibrous armor factors round normally, so as not to invalidate half of the Ferro-Fibrous designs published between 1989 and 2007.

Repairs, Replacement, and Maintenance

Tech Rating

Tech Rating Modifiers are not used, because literally everything is Tech Rating D or higher except for some types of foot infantry.

(modifies Strategic Operations, p.170)

Extra Time

Multipliers for taking extra time are ×2 for -1, ×3 for -2, or ×4 for -3.

(modifies Strategic Operations, p.182; this is actually official errata)

Repairs

A Technical Team may not attempt to repair the same part twice, nor may another team of the same or lower Experience Rating attempt the job, unless the team that made the failed attempt was an Elite Technical Team. Otherwise, only a Technical Team with a higher Experience Rating may attempt to repair the part after a failed attempt. If an Elite Technical Team fails to make the repair, they or another Elite Technical Team may make further attempts, at a cumulative +1 TN for each attempt, until a total of four attempts (by any Experience Rating Technical Team) have been made. If the fourth attempt fails, it is impossible and the part must be replaced.

(modifies Strategic Operations, p.181)

Replacement

A Technical Team may not attempt to replace the same part twice, nor may another team of the same or lower Experience Rating attempt the job, unless the team that made the failed attempt was an Elite Technical Team. Otherwise, only a Technical Team with a higher Experience Rating may attempt to replace the part after a failed attempt. If an Elite team fails to install a part, they or another Elite Technical Team may make further attempts, at a cumulative +1 TN for each attempt, until a total of four attempts (by any Experience Rating Technical Team) have been made. If the fourth attempt fails, the replacement part is destroyed during the installation attempt, but a new part may be obtained and installed.

(modifies Strategic Operations, p.181)

Maintenance

Maintenance has a -3 TN modifier. Add 1 to the MOS target for all good effects on the Maintenance Check Table.

(modifies Strategic Operations, p.172)

Medical Care

It takes 20 minutes for a medical team to make a healing check. Only one check can be made on any given person in a 24-hour period. (This works out roughly the same as standard rules given a full Maintenance/Repair Cycle, but allows for making checks during an abbreviated Maintenance/Repair Cycle.)

Natural healing takes 15 days.

(modifies Strategic Operations, p.187)

Random Damage Table

Utilize the random damage table to represent units that have been engaged in combat before the actual battle. For each unit roll 1d6 and divide the result by 2 rounding down. This result is the number of times to roll on the Random Damage Table for that unit. Roll 3d6 when consulting the Random Damage Table.

Character Creation

As random generation has commonly resulted in wildly uneven differences between players' MechWarriors, with some players getting all good-to-excellent MechWarriors while others got all average-to-terrible ones, rather than randomly rolling XP, everyone will start with similar experience levels.

Each player starts with set number of XP per character (default: 48+1d6), and may distribute these between their PCs in any way they like. Each PC shall be designated MechWarrior, armor commander, aerospace pilot, or infantry platoon leader, and starts with base skills (Gunnery, Piloting, Driving, and/or Anti-Mech, as appropriate for their unit type) at 8, and may use XP to buy down their base skills or purchase special abilities at the rates given below.

Note that buying an infantry platoon's Anti-Mech below 8 requires anti-mech training, which drastically increases the C-Bill cost of the platoon.

New or replacement personnel use the full Random Experience Rating Table from Total Warfare, p.273 (reproduced below for convenience), and may trade a single rank from one skill to buy special abilities at the rates given below.

Combat personnel gain 1 experience point at the end of each battle that they participate in.

Skills and Abilities

Combat unit crew may purchase skills and special abilities with experience points.

Abilities marked with an asterisk can be taken more than once, and the effects are cumulative. Abilities marked with a dagger can be taken more than once, but it must be for a different speciality each time.

General Skills and Abilities

These skills and special abilities are available to any unit type.

-1 Gunnery* (min. 0) = 8 points

Ambush Hunter = 3 points

If the unit begins the scenario hidden, and does not move during the turn it is revealed, it gains a -2 TN bonus on all attack rolls for the turn.

Blood Stalker = 4 points

Blood Stalker can be used on only one enemy unit per scenario. At the beginning of any turn, the Blood Stalker may designate a unit as his target. The Blood Stalker Ability applies a -1 To-Hit Modifier for all ranged attacks made by the warrior against his designated target. In exchange, however, any attacks directed against targets other than the one the Blood Stalker has designated suffer a +2 To-Hit Modifier. These modifiers last until the End Phase of the first turn after the designated target retreats, or is otherwise defeated or destroyed. Afterwards, the ability deactivates and the Blood Stalker modifiers no longer apply, and the ability cannot be used again during the scenario.

Edge* = 8 points

Allows a re-roll on a single die roll per scenario. Any die roll may be re-rolled, but the player must accept the results of the second roll. The player may also force his opponent to re-roll one of his die rolls. However this may only be used to affect rolls that directly affect the unit with the Edge ability. A unit with more than one point of Edge has as many re-rolls during a scenario as he has points of Edge and may choose to re-roll a re-roll so long as he has unused Edge points. Edge may be used to re-roll again rolls already re-rolled using Lucky, but Lucky may not be used to re-roll Edge re-rolls.

Enemy† = 5 points

This pilot displays exceptional skill when fighting a specific enemy. While fighting units of that enemy the pilot receives a +1 bonus to gunnery skill rolls. The enemy must be picked from the following: Specific Clan, Specific House Military, Mercenaries, Guerrillas, or Bandits/Pirates.

Forward Observer = 3 points

When this character spots for artillery (note: not LRM indirect fire), the artillery unit receives a -1 TN bonus on their artillery attack roll. When helping adjust fire, the Forward Observer applies an additional -2 TN modifier. The artillery attack does not take a penalty for the Forward Observer firing themselves while spotting.

Hot Dog (heat-tracking units only) = 4 points

All heat-effect Avoid TNs are reduced by 1.

Human TRO† = 5 points

The character must pick a class of unit ('mech, combat vehicle, aerospace fighter, etc.), and receives a +1 bonus on rolls to confirm critical hits against units of that class.

Lucky* = 2 points/rank (max 4 ranks)

For each rank of Lucky, the unit may re-roll one failed attack roll or Piloting Skill roll per scenario. The second roll stands, even if it fails or is worse than the first; the Lucky ability may not be used again on that particular roll (though Edge may). Lucky may not re-roll other types of roll, or force or allow re-rolls of other units' rolls. Lucky may not be used to re-roll rolls that Edge has already been used on, not even when it was another character's use of Edge.

Pain Resistance (non-infantry) = 4 points

Add +1 to consciousness rolls. Reduce pilot damage from ammunition explosions to one point. Reduce damage from failed ejection by 1. For combat vehicles, reduce by 1 turn the duration of Crew Stunned criticals (this means that the first such critical in a round has no effect), and reduce to +1 the Driving Skill penalty for Driver/Pilot Hit criticals.

Sixth Sense* = 1 points

The player must announce that he is using this ability at the beginning of the round, before initiative is rolled. For the remainder of that turn the unit with Sixth Sense moves last regardless of initiative rolls during that turn. This ability may be used once per scenario per point of Sixth Sense. If more than one unit declares the use of Sixth Sense in a turn, all Sixth Sense units move after all units that did not use Sixth Sense, but in initiative order among each other.

Tactical Genius* = 2 points/Lance

If the character with Tactical Genius is in overall command of the force, and the force's total size in Lance-level formations is equal to or less than the character's ranks in Tactical Genius, the character may re-roll their force's initiative roll once per turn. Unlike ranks of Tactics, points subcommanders may have spent on Tactical Genius do not contribute to the point total, and multiples of the force size do not grant additional re-rolls.

+1 Tactics* = 2 points/Lance

A unit adds their Tactics value to their initiative roll each turn if they are commanding their side. If a unit has bought Tactics for twice as many units as they are commanding they double their skill, or triple it if three times. A unit may not modify the initiative roll by more than 3.

Commanders of subformations, a maximum of one per lance, may contribute half their Tactics skill to the overall commander's total.

Two Guns (non-infantry) = 3 points

This pilot is skilled at attacking multiple targets. Reduce the penalty for attacking multiple targets by 1 for this pilot. This applies to the attack penalty for attacking while spotting.

Weapon Focus† (non-infantry) = 6 points

-1 to hit with the specific weapon chosen at the time of purchase. This weapon can be a physical weapon such as a hatchet or sword, but not "unarmed" physical attacks such as punching, charging, or DFA.

Weapon Specialist† (non-infantry, prereq. Weapon Focus in chosen weapon) = 6 points

-1 to hit with the specific weapon chosen at the time of purchase; stacks with Weapon Focus.

'Mech and Vehicle Skills and Abilities

-1 Piloting/'Mech* (min. 0) = 4 points

-1 Driving/Ground* (min. 0) = 4 points

-1 Piloting/VTOL* (min. 0) = 4 points

Artful Dodger (cannot have Stand Aside) = 2 points

This ability works identically to Stand Aside, except that the unit receives a +1 Piloting Skill modifer for every weight class lighter the opposing unit is, or a -2 modifier for every weight class heavier the opposing unit is.

No unit can have both Artful Dodger and Stand Aside.

Artilleryman† = 3 points

The Artilleryman selects one type of artillery piece (Long Tom, Sniper, Thumper, or Arrow IV). Effective range when firing that type of weapon is increased by 10% (rounded up), and scatter on a missed attack is reduced by 2 hexes (minimum 0).

Bootlegger (ground vehicle or VTOL) = 3 points

When moving at Flank Speed on any terrain that does not impose an MP cost for the vehicle to move through, the vehicle may choose to make a skid/sideslip (as appropriate for the motive type) test with an additional +2 TN penalty. On terrain where a skid/sideslip test would be required anyway, this takes the place of the regular test. If the test is successful, the vehicle may change facing by up to a number of hexsides equal to the straight-line distance moved before the test for a cost of only 1 MP. If the test fails, the vehicle spins out, suffering all the normal consequences of a failed skid/sideslip test, winds up facing a random direction (roll 1d6; 1 is the original direction of travel, and count around clockwise), and its movement ends.

Bullseye Marksman = 4 points

Allows the user to hit any desired location on a target. Must remain stationary and make no physical attacks. Resolve the attack as though the unit were equipped with a targeting computer. Can only use a single weapon and may not fire any other weapon during the same turn. If the unit is equipped with an actual targeting computer or otherwise able to make an aimed shot without this ability (e.g., against a shutdown 'mech), they receive a -2 TN bonus on the aimed shot if they fulfill the conditions for using Bullseye Marksman.

Controlled Fall ('mechs only) = 2 points

Whenever a 'mech would take damage from falling, and is able to make Piloting Skill checks (MechWarrior is conscious, 'mech is not shut down, etc.), it may make a Piloting Skill check to reduce the damage taken. The TN is equal to the TN of the check for avoiding MechWarrior damage. Damage is reduced by (0.01 × ['mech tonnage] × MoS), rounded down.

So, for example, if a 55-ton 'mech with Piloting 5 and no critical damage took 20 points of damage, and failed the resulting TN 6 Piloting Skill roll, it would get a second TN 6 Piloting Skill roll to reduce the falling damage. If it got a 10 on this second roll, it would reduce the falling damage by (0.01 × 55 × MoS 4), or 2.2 points, rounded down to 2, and would take only 4 points of damage from the fall.

If the optional rules for Piloting Skill rolls for taking damage (Tactical Operations, p.23) are in play, the weight class modifiers are subtracted from the Controlled Fall TN (so a light 'mech takes a -1 bonus to its TN, while an assault takes a +2 penalty). If the fall is from taking 20+ damage, the modifiers still apply to the initial TN, so they effectively cancel out, but lighter and more agile 'mechs do gain a benefit on falls for other reasons.

Falling damage can be reduced to 0, but not below. If the damage is reduced to 0, no Piloting Skill check for avoiding MechWarrior damage is required.

If the MechWarrior also has Hopper, and the Hopper bonus for avoiding pilot damage applies, it also applies to the Controlled Fall check.

Note that the damage reduction does not scale with gravity as falling damage itself does.

Cross-Country (ground vehicles only) = 8 points

A vehicle with a Cross-Country driver can pass through Water terrain as if it were 1 Depth shallower than it is, and can move through land terrain with the same terrain restrictions as a BattleMech. Moving through terrain the vehicle's motive type would ordinarily restrict it from costs twice the MP a BattleMech would pay (e.g., a hovercraft moving through Light Woods would pay 4 MP per hex, and a tracked vehicle climbing 2 Levels in one hex would pay 6 MP).A ground vehicle with a Cross-Country crew can change elevation up to 2 Levels per hex and enter certain types of terrain ordinarily restricted to its motive type. Ordinarily forbidden terrain types have twice the MP cost they would for a BattleMech.

Tracked:

Heavy Woods, Depth 1 Water, Light Jungle, Ultra Rough

Wheeled:

Light Woods, Depth 1 Water, Rough

Hover:

Light Woods

This ability does not apply if the vehicle enters the restricted terrain in an uncontrolled fashion, such as the result of a skid, sideslip, charge or push by another unit, etc. In such a situation, the usual rules for skidding into prohibited terrain (Total Warfare, p.63) apply.

This ability qualifies the vehicle for the +1 mobility bonus to Modified Movement Speed, and additionally exempts it from any motive-based terrain penalty.

Dust-Off (VTOLs only) = 5 points

A pilot with Dust-Off can move vertically, take off, land, or hover 1 Level above the ground in Light or Heavy Woods or Jungle terrain. Accomplishing this requires a successful Piloting roll for each movement made within the trees, with a TN penalty of +1 for Light Woods/Jungle, and +2 for Heavy Woods/Jungle. Failure results in a crash. This ability does not allow the VTOL to enter or leave a wooded hex without first rising above the Level of the trees, only to move vertically.

Fast Tracking = 2 points ('mechs)/3 points (vehicles)

This pilot is skilled at shifting his field of fire to focus on multiple targets. During the weapon attacks phase this pilot may fire any number of weapons and then twist his 'mech's torso to fire the remainder of his weapons. All normal penalties for firing on multiple targets still apply.

Vehicle crews may rotate the turret in between shots of multiple turret weapons.

Fist Fire (mechs only) = 5 points

To use this ability, the mech must have an arm with a functional shoulder, upper, and lower arm actuator, as well as at least one direct-fire energy or ballistic weapon in that arm. This arm may be used to deliver a punch or physical weapon attack, per standard physical attack rules, and doing damage accordingly. If the attack hits, the character may then fire one direct-fire energy or ballistic weapon mounted in that arm, per normal ranged attack rules, with an additional -1 to-hit modifier. If the weapon attack succeeds, the target takes the damage to the same location that the punch or physical weapon attack hit.

A mech can only make one Fist Fire attack in a turn, and cannot make any other physical attack - even a standard punch with the other arm - in the same turn. Per normal physical attack rules, a mech cannot make a Fist Fire attack with an arm from which any weapons - including the one designated for Fist Fire - fired in the Fire Phase. A Melee Master does get their bonus attack, but cannot use the arm that was used for Fist Fire to make it.

Ground Effect Master (VTOLs only) = 5 points

When it would ordinarily move into a hex at ground level (thus crashing), the VTOL can instead ride the air cushion of ground effect to rise 1 elevation level without expending MP, even if entering the hex is the result of an accidental sideslip. Note that this does not apply if the VTOL is already above the base level of the hex, but would crash because of taller obstacles (such as trees) in the hex.

If the VTOL spends its entire movement 1 level above the ground, it gains +1 Flank MP.

This ability does not qualify the unit for a mobility bonus to Modified Movement Speed, because it is superceded by the extra mobility bonus from VTOL movement.

Heavy Lifter (mechs only) = 1 point

The mech's maximum weight limits for lifting, carrying, dragging, and throwing are increased by 50%.

Home Ground† = 1 point

The pilot is highly familiar with a specific type of terrain. While fighting on that terrain the pilot enjoys a +1 bonus to Piloting or Driving skill rolls. Select terrain from the following: Wetlands, Wooded, Urban, Mountains, Hills, Flatlands, Coastal, or Badlands.

Hopper (mechs only) = 2 points

The mech does not automatically fall if a leg is destroyed, but may make a Piloting Skill check with all normal modifiers - including that for the missing leg - to remain standing. When standing with only one leg, the mech has 2 MP rather than 1. As per normal one-legged mech rules, these count as Running MP, and the mech must make a Piloting Skill roll to avoid falling at the end of any Movement Phase in which MP are expended. The MechWarrior also receives a -2 TN modifier on the Piloting Skill roll to avoid pilot damage from any fall due to leg destruction or attempted hopping movement.

Jumping Jack = 4 points

The attacker movement penalty for using Jumping movement is reduced to +2. This stacks with the reduction from Melee Specialist.

Maneuvering Ace ('mechs, hovercraft, or VTOLs only) = 5 points

-1 to Piloting or Driving rolls to avoid skidding or side-slipping. May perform the lateral shift maneuver, which normally is only available to quad 'mechs.

Melee Master ('mechs only, prereq. Melee Specialist) = 4 points

A MechWarrior may deliver one extra punch, kick, club, or physical weapon attack, so long as other restrictions on the attack are met.

Melee Specialist = 5 points

+1 point of damage from physical attacks. -1 to the unit's attacker movement modifier when making physical attacks. The attacker movement modifier can not drop below zero. The reduction of attacker movement modifier stacks with that from Jumping Jack.

Oblique Attacker = 4 points

The character can make indirect fire attacks without a spotter at an additional +2 modifier. When making an indirect-fire attack with a spotter, they do not take the +1 indirect fire penalty.

Path Finder† (ground units only)= 5 points

This pilot is skilled at finding the easiest path through a type of difficult terrain. The character must pick a terrain class: Rough/Rubble, Woods/Jungle, Hills/Elevation, Water, Pavement/Road, or Mud/Swamp. The MP cost imposed by entering the selected terrain type is reduced by 1 for one hex per Movement Phase. In the case of Path Finder: Pavement/Roads, this reduction is applied to the base cost of entering the hex, and can reduce the MP cost of entering the hex to 0. Except in the case of Path Finder: Pavement/Roads, no unit may use this ability on a terrain type that does not impose an extra MP cost on the unit's motive type (e.g., hovercraft may not use Path Finder: Water).

This ability qualifies the unit for the +1 mobility bonus to Modified Movement Speed when the Path Finder terrain is the scenario terrain type.

Sandblaster† = 4 points

The character must select a specific cluster weapon (as for Weapon Specialist), and when using that type of weapon, they receive a bonus on the Cluster Hits Table for any attack that hits: +2 at long range, +3 at medium range, and +4 at short range. This bonus does not stack with that from Artemis, Narc, or similar systems.

Sharpshooter (prereq. Bullseye Marksman) = 5 points

When making an Aimed Shot using Bullseye Marksman, if the shot strikes the desired location, the Sharpshooter gets to make a check for critical hit (in addition to any that might ordinarily apply) in that location.

Skid Steer (Wheeled and Tracked vehicles only) = 1 points

The pilot is skilled at using skidding to his benefit. The pilot may elect to take a +2 penalty to a skidding piloting check in order to slip steer. If successful the unit may move up to ½ the distance of a normal skid for its movement before the piloting roll without losing control. If the unit fails its piloting skill roll then it skids per normal rules. This ability is only available for Wheeled and Tracked vehicles.

Slugger ('mechs only) = 2 points

A MechWarrior with the Slugger ability can use improvised clubs one-handed.

Stand Aside (cannot have Artful Dodger) = 2 points

A unit with the Stand Aside ability can move through enemy-occupied hexes. To enter the hex, they must make a Piloting Skill roll with a +2 TN penalty. For every weight class by which the opposing unit outweighs it, it receives an additional +1 modifier. If it instead outweighs the opposing unit, it receives a -2 modifer for each weight class difference.

If the check succeeds, the unit can enter the hex at a cost of 1 additional MP, and continue its movement normally. If the check fails, if stacking rules allow it to enter the hex, it can do so, but, as per normal movement rules, cannot then leave it in the same Movement Phase. Otherwise, it loses half its remaining MP (rounded down), and cannot attempt to enter the hex again in the same Movement Phase.

This ability does not allow the unit to violate stacking rules. If for some reason use of this ability results in the unit being forced to end its movement in a hex that would violate stacking, it is moved back to the last hex it occupied that does not violate stacking rules, and its movement ends.

No unit can have both Stand Aside and Artful Dodger.

Speed Demon = 2 points

The unit adds +1 to Running/Flank MP if no weapon or physical attacks are made that turn.

This ability qualifies the unit for the +1 mobility bonus to Modified Movement Speed.

Street Fighter ('mechs only) = 4 points

A MechWarrior with Street Fighter may make physical attacks during the Weapon Attack Phase. This does not allow any additional attacks or otherwise change the requirements for making attacks; it only changes when the attack is resolved.

Swordsman ('mechs only) = 5 points

A Swordsman can use a physical weapon to make an Aimed Shot or Piercing Strike. These options cannot be combined in the same attack.

Aimed Shot:

The Swordsman may make an Aimed Shot with the weapon, as if it were a standard direct-fire energy weapon equipped with a targeting computer. The weapon's normal to-hit modifiers and other effects apply normally.

Piercing Strike:

The Swordsman may take an extra +2 to-hit penalty on their attack roll. If the attack hits, they get an critical hit check on the location hit, in addition to any they might normally receive, at -1 if the location is still protected by armor.

Terrain Master† (prereq. Path Finder in chosen terrain) = 5 points

A Terrain Master can choose a set of special abilities for a terrain type in which they already have Path Finder. These abilities stack with those granted by Path Finder. Path Finder's effects apply first. Movement penalty reduction cannot reduce the cost of entering a hex below 1.

Drag Racer (Tracked or Wheeled vehicles only, prereq. Path Finder: Pavement/Roads)

The unit receives +1 Cruise MP and +2 Flank MP as long as its movement is entirely on Pavement. (This bonus stacks with the ordinary +1 MP bonus ground vehicles receive for movement on pavement.) If the Drag Racer for some reason involuntarily leaves the Pavement during its movement (e.g., skidding), it loses the bonus, and if this means it has expended more MP than it has, its movement immediately ends. It also receives a -2 TN bonus to all Driving Skill checks made on Pavement. In addition, if moving at Flank speed, it can execute a drift into either of the forward-side hexes, as per a quad 'mech's lateral shift.

Forest Ranger (prereq. Path Finder: Woods/Jungle)

The movement penalty for moving into any Woods or Jungle terrain is reduced by 1, and the unit receives a -1 TN modifier to any Piloting Skill rolls for moving through Jungle terrain. In addition, if it stands still or uses only Walking/Cruising MP, the unit gains an additional +1 to-hit modifier for attacks directed against it when it is in a Woods or Jungle hex.

Frogman ('mechs only; prereq. Path Finder: Water)

The movement penalty for moving into any Water hex is reduced by 1, and a -1 TN bonus is applied to any Piloting Skill roll made in water, including underwater physical attacks.

Mountaineer (prereq. Path Finder: Hills/Elevation)

The movement penalty for making elevation changes is reduced by 1, and the Mountaineer gets a -1 TN bonus to any Piloting Skill check required for crossing such terrain (e.g., changing elevation while backing up).

Boulderer (prereq. Path Finder: Rough/Rubble)

The movement penalty for moving into any Rough or Rubble hex is reduced by 1, and a -1 TN bonus is applied to any Piloting Skill check required for crossing such terrain.

Swamp Beast (prereq. Path Finder: Mud/Swamp)

The movement penalty for moving into any Mud or Swamp hex is reduced by 1, and a -1 TN bonus is applied to any Piloting Skill check required for crossing such terrain, including checks to avoid bogging down. In addition, if the Swamp Beast uses Running or Flank movement, it may forego the movement penalty reduction to instead throw up a cloud of muck around it that grants it a +1 TN modifier against any attacks directed against it while it is in a Mud or Swamp hex.

This ability qualifies the unit for the +2 extra mobility bonus to Modified Movement Speed when the Terrain Mastery is the scenario terrain type. This supercedes the +1 mobility bonus from Path Finder.

Infantry Skills and Abilities

These skills and abilities are available only to infantry.

-1 Anti-Mech* (min. 0) = 4 points

The first rank taken in Anti-Mech skill requires spending the premium cost for Anti-Mech training (an additional 4× the base cost of the unit). Subsequent ranks do not require further expenditure.

Coordinated Fire* (infantry only) = 2 points

For each rank of Coordinated Fire, the infantry unit may increase or decrease the size of its damage clusters by 1 (to a minimum of 1, and a maximum of its total damage). This does not change the amount of damage done, merely the size of the groups in which it is applied.

For example, a rifle platoon that inflicts 7 damage would ordinarily deliver it in three 2-point hits and one 1-point hit. If said platoon had two ranks of Coordinated Fire, it could opt instead to deliver it as seven 1-point hits, the usual three 2-point hits and one 1-point hit, two 3-point hits and one 1-point hit, or one 4-point hit and one 3-point hit.

Foot Cavalry (foot infantry only) = 6 points

The infantry unit gains 1 MP. Units reduced to 0 MP by support weapons have 1 MP, and can move and fire. This effect stacks with Strong Back.

Modified Movement Speed is based on the platoon's new MP.

Strong Back (foot infantry only) = 4 points

The infantry unit does not take an MP penalty for carrying support weapons.

Modified Movement Speed is based on the platoon's new MP.

Urban Guerrilla (infantry only) = 2 points

On any Light or Heavy Urban map (see Map Tables), an Urban Guerrilla infantry platoon receives a +1 to-hit modifier for any weapon attacks made against them, and never counts as being in the open for the purposes of damage-doubling of vehicular weapons.

Aerospace Skills and Abilities

-1 Piloting/'Mech* (min. 0) = 4 points

Golden Goose = 6 points

Pilots with this ability receive a -1 TN bonus on air-to-ground strike attacks, and a -2 TN bonus on bombing attacks. If a bombing attack misses, the bomb scatter distances is reduced by 2 hexes (to minimum 0).

Ground-Hugger = 5 points

Pilots with this ability receive a -1 TN bonus on strafing and strike attacks.

When strafing, the strafing target area can be in two 1–3 hex lines along the fighter's flight path rather than a single 1–5 hex line.

Strike attacks can be delivered against up to two targets. Energy weapons may be fired at both targets; non-energy weapons at only one.

Leaf On The Wind = 4 points

The Thrust cost of any special maneuvers is reduced by 1, and the craft gains a -1 TN bonus for Piloting Skill checks to execute landings (including crash landings).

Shaky Stick = 4 points

When the craft makes air-to-ground attacks, any ground fire at it takes a +1 TN penalty.

Wind Walker = 2 points

The craft gains a -1 TN bonus for Piloting Skill checks to pass through the space/atmosphere interface.

Switching Weapon Specialist

For a smaller amount of points a Mechwarrior may switch their Weapon Specialist skill to a closely related weapon specialist skill as shown below. Each time this is done you must fight one battle without the Weapon Specialist bonus before the change takes effect.

For 1 point:

SRM-Any → Streak SRM-Any

Standard Laser → ER Laser

Standard PPC → ER PPC

For 2 points:

LRM-5 → LRM-10 → LRM-15 →  LRM-20

SRM-2 → SRM-4 → SRM-6

Auto-cannon → Ultra Auto-cannon

Auto-cannon → LB-X Auto-cannon

When buying up or down for missile launchers you must buy each intervening step. I.E. If you want to go from LRM-5 to LRM-20 you must pay the points for going to LRM-10 and LRM-15.

For going from SRM to Streak SRM you must transfer to the same size launcher. You can return to a previously bought point for free.

Technician Skills

Technicians earn 1 XP for each Repair Cycle they participate in (no more than one between any two combat scenarios). Technicians may spend experience points to improve their tech skill, or on the following abilities:

Fast Hands = 8 points

All repairs take 10% less time to make. Taking extra time is a multiplier of 1.75 instead of 2.

Junkyard Dog = 4 points

This tech's team does not suffer casualties on a roll of 2 when conducting salvage operations.

Master Scavenger = 6 points

Treat parts scavenged by this tech as if they were new. Also this tech may take two or more identical pieces of destroyed equipment and use them to have a better chance of salvaging one of them. For each identical piece of destroyed equipment this tech scavenges he gets a +1 bonus to make one of the items repairable.

For example, if after the battle your tech finds three destroyed medium lasers, he can choose to check to see if each medium laser is repairable at a +10, or he can scavenge one to see if one is repairable at a +9, or he can scavenge two to see if the third is repairable at a +8.

Mechanical Genius = 20 points

All repair modifiers are modified by -1.

Specialist† = 10 points

The tech receives a -2 TN bonus to repair jobs on a specific frame (e.g., Warhammers, Vedettes, Stukas), or to a specific class of repairs (e.g., BattleMech IS repairs, PPC repairs, heat sink replacement), chosen when the ability is taken. This ability can be taken multiple times, for a different frame or class of repairs each time. In cases where a frame and repair class specialization intersect, the bonuses stack, but only one bonus of each type can apply.

For the disappeared Engineer special ability, try Specialist: BattleMech Customization.

Workaholic = 10 points

Provides 25% more work time than normal.

Medical Skills

Medics gain 1 XP at the end of each Repair Cycle in which they make healing checks. There are no medical special abilities, so these can be used only for improving Medic skill, as so:

Support Personnel Skills

All support personnel other than technicians and medics gain 1 XP at the end of every contract/mission during which they provide services.

Support personnel can spend XP on special abilities, or to improve their support skill, at the same rates as Technicians.

Logistical Support Special Abilities

Connected = 4 points

Can perform an Expedited Search for 50% normal cost.

"It Fell Off A Truck" = 8 points

The TN penalty for locating high-tech parts and ammunition (but not units) is reduced by 1.

Master Haggler = 8 points

This character receives a ±2 bonus (whichever is beneficial to them) on rolls to determine the sale price of units and equipment bought or sold.

Human Resources Support Special Abilities

Eye For Talent = 5 points

Personnel located by this character receive a +2 bonus on the Random Experience Rating Table roll.

"I Know Just The Guy" = 8 points

Personnel located by this character can shuffle XP between their randomly generated skills and special abilities without restriction, like a PC in character generation.

Enemy Force Strength

Map Tables

*The Military Base is meant to be used with both parts. If one part is rolled the next map is automatically the other part. If the last map is the Military Base, re-roll ignoring any other results of Military Base.