the shape of things to come

must adhere to their basic rules when used, including adherence
to any requirements for paired mounting. Enough weight
should be left over after the design is completed to accommodate
the desired manipulator types; for example, a battle
armor that leaves only 45 kilograms unaccounted for after
construction may not use a 50-kilogram vibroclaw-enhanced
battle claw with its modular equipment adaptor, but it can
install a standard battle claw that weighs only 15 kg.
DETERMINING ANTI-’MECH AND
MECHANIZED BATTLE ARMOR CAPABILITIES
Once manipulators are chosen, the designer can determine
what the battle armor’s anti-’Mech and mechanized battle armor
capabilities are. These capabilities are determined not only by
the battle armor’s manipulators, but by its configuration as
well. To determine which capabilities battle armor may possess
by its weight class, consult the Battle Armor Capabilities Table
below, noting the battle armor’s weight class, body type and
minimum manipulator requirements. Battle armor that qualifi es
for a capability lists a “Yes” under that capability’s column (with
any special restrictions noted), while a “No” indicates the unit
cannot exercise that capability. If battle armor meets multiple
lines on this table based on its weight class, body type and
other features (such as the use of UMUs), the most restrictive
qualifi cations apply of all relevant classes, types and features.
Battle armor listed as qualifi ed for a given capability still may
not perform such tasks if it does not possess the required manipulators
to do so. Battle armor using modular equipment adaptors
that are otherwise qualifi ed for these actions by weight class and
features must install the proper manipulators in order to gain
these capabilities in a scenario. Otherwise, they are considered
incapable of executing anti-’Mech attacks or using Mechanized
Battle Armor rules. Note that battle armor which otherwise qualifi
es for these actions and does not met at least one of the listed
Battle Armor Weight
Class and Features
BATTLE ARMOR CAPABILITIES TABLE
manipulator requirements shown may not engage in Anti-’Mech
Attacks or use Mechanized Battle Armor rules.
Magnetic Clamps: A special item, available only to humanoid
battle armors using an Inner Sphere Tech Base, and even
then only up to those of Heavy weight class or lighter, is the
Magnetic Clamps system. This item allows a battle armor to
use Mechanized Battle Armor rules on even non-Omni units,
without meeting any other manipulator requirements. This
system weighs 30 kilograms and occupies 2 Weapon Slots (in
any one location). Magnetic Clamps may not be used on the
same battle armor as UMUs, and do not provide the ability to
engage in Anti-’Mech attacks unless the battle armor also
features the required manipulators to do so.
Believing that his Tunnel Rat industrial
exoskeleton can best benefi t from
maximizing its fl exibility, Keith decides
to equip the design with modular
equipment adaptors, and places one in
each arm. The adaptors weigh 10 kilograms
and occupy 2 weapon slots each,
leaving the Rat with 300 kilograms (320 kg – [2 Modular
Equipment Adaptors x 10 kg per adaptor] = 300 kg) and
no weapon slots in the arms (2 slots per arm – 2 slots
per Modular Equipment Adaptor = 0 slots per arm).
Keith also decides to install a default configuration for
these modular adaptors; he places a basic manipulator in the
exoskeleton’s left-arm adaptor and an industrial drill on the
right. These manipulators weigh 30 kilograms in total (0 kg for
the basic manipulator + 30 kg for the drill), leaving the default
Tunnel Rat confi guration with 270 unspent kilograms.
Checking the Battle Armor Capabilities Table, Keith
notes that his Tunnel Rat—as an exoskeleton that lacks
the minimum manipulator requirements—may not
Anti-’Mech Attacks
Mechanized
Swarm Leg Battle Armor
Minimum Manipulator Requirements*
Quad Body Type (Any) No No No Not Applicable
PA(L) / Exoskeleton Yes Yes Yes
2 Armored Gloves; 2 Basic Manipulators; or 1 Battle Claw
(Heavy or Standard)
Light Yes Yes Yes
2 Armored Gloves; 2 Basic Manipulators; or 1 Battle Claw
(Heavy or Standard)
Medium Yes Yes Yes 2 Basic Manipulators; or 1 Battle Claw (Heavy or Standard)
Heavy No No Yes 2 Basic Manipulators; or 1 Battle Claw (Heavy or Standard)
Assault No No No Not Applicable
Uses UMU Equipment No Yes** Yes† As Weight Class
Uses Magnetic Clamps ‡ ‡ Yes‡ None
*Basic Manipulator and/or Battle Claw requirements include such modifi cations with Vibro-Claws, Mine-Clearance, or Magnets.
**Only possible against targets in Depth 1+ Water.
†So long as all other requirements are met in terms of weight class, body type and minimum manipulator requirements
‡See Magnetic Clamps, above.
INTRODUCTION
CONSTRUCTION
BASICS
BATTLEMECH
CONSTRUCTION
INDUSTRIALMECH
CONSTRUCTION
PROTOMECH
CONSTRUCTION
COMBAT VEHICLE
CONSTRUCTION
SUPPORT VEHICLE
CONSTRUCTION
CONV. INFANTRY
CONSTRUCTION
BATTLE ARMOR
CONSTRUCTION
AEROSPACE UNIT
CONSTRUCTION
WEAPONS AND
HEAVY EQUIPMENT
INFANTRY WEAPONS
AND EQUIPMENT
COSTS AND
AVAILABILITY
BATTLE VALUE
INDEX
RECORD SHEETS
167