the shape of things to come

STEP 1: DESIGN THE CHASSIS
The first step in battle armor, power armor or exoskeleton
construction is the creation of the battle armor’s framework, or
chassis. This step establishes some of the design’s most basic
aspects, determining its tech base, weight class and body type
(humanoid or quad). These choices will restrict the designer’s
access to certain equipment, and will also determine the weight
of the battle armor’s internal structure and controls.
CHOOSE TECHNOLOGY BASE
Battle armor (and its kin) may be constructed using Clan or
Inner Sphere technology bases. Battle armor designed using
either technology base may incorporate modular components.
Keith is designing the Tunnel Rat, an
industrial exoskeleton intended for mining
and digging operations. He decides
this battle armor design will use an Inner
Sphere Technology Base.
Lou chooses the Clan Technology Base
for his battle armor design. He decides to
name his battle armor the Sylph.
Max wants to develop the last word in
Inner Sphere stealth technology for the
Word of Blake. Choosing an Inner Sphere
Technology Base, he calls his battle armor
the Purifi er.
Peter chooses an Inner Sphere Technology
Base for his battle armor as well. He
sees this battle armor—the Fenrir—as a
fearsome mobile weapons platform.
CHOOSE WEIGHT
Battle armor may weigh anywhere from 80
to 2,000 kilograms (measured in full-kilogram increments). Within
these limits, the designer may choose any weight desired. The
total weight of the battle armor’s chassis, weapons, armor and
other components may not exceed this amount. Any unspent
tonnage left after the creation process is considered wasted
or—if space permits—may be used to determine the capacity of
any modular mounts or cargo spaces, such as AP weapon mounts
and mission equipment items.
Because the core components of a battle armor design vary by
weight class, rather than the battle armor’s target number of kilograms,
the designer may defi ne the suit’s class—rather than its
actual weight—at this point. This enables the designer to establish
a minimum and maximum possible weight limit for the battle
armor, within which any fi nal kilogram weight total may be con-
sidered acceptable. The Battle Armor Structure Weights Table (see
p. 163) defi nes these weight classes by their minimum and maximum
kilogram weights under the Total Suit Weight column.
As an exoskeleton, Keith’s Tunnel Rat—in
accordance with the Battle Armor Structure
Weights Table—has a range of 80 to 400
kilograms to work with.
Lou chooses a light battle armor weight
class for his Sylph, providing a weight
range of 401 to 750 kilograms.
Max has a standard medium-weight
range in mind for his Purifi er. According to
the Battle Armor Structure Weights Table,
that means he’s looking for his suit to fall
anywhere from 751 kilograms to a maximum
of 1,000.
To maximize his armor and weapon
options, Peter chooses the assault weight
class for his Fenrir, which offers him a
weight range of 1,501 to 2,000 kilograms.
ALLOCATE WEIGHT FOR INTERNAL STRUCTURE
Like most units, battle armor (including power armor and
exoskeletons) has an internal structure, which represents its
framework, joints and control systems—including the weight
of the controlling trooper. The weight of this structure (chassis
weight) depends on the tech base and weight class of the
battle armor itself. This chassis weight is summarized in the Battle
Armor Internal Structure Weight Table (see p. 163), along with the
amount of weapon slots available to the battle armor, based on its
body type (humanoid or quad).
Unlike ’Mechs, ProtoMechs and vehicles, the chassis weight
for a suit of battle armor does not provide a certain number of
internal structure points. Regardless of their weight and class, all
suits constructed under these rules receive only 1 point of internal
structure, which represents the trooper inside.
Technology Base: Inner Sphere battle armor (including exoskeletons
and power armor) may only be constructed using an
Inner Sphere chassis weight. Battle armor made with a Clan Tech
Base must use a Clan chassis weight if they are built for combat at
a weight of 401 kilograms or more. Clan-made battle armor chassis
(including those for power armor) run heavier due to HarJel
technology, a feature the Clans do not consider economical on
exoskeleton designs intended for industrial use only. Thus, Clanmade
exoskeletons designed for industrial work only may—at the
designer’s option—use an Inner Sphere chassis weight instead.
Body Type (Humanoid/Quad): Light, medium, heavy and
assault-class battle armor may be constructed as quadrupeds
(quads). Exoskeletons and PA(L) suits may only be constructed
with a humanoid body type.