the shape of things to come

Unit Types
The following unit types—legal for Total Warfare standard
rules play—may be constructed under these rules: conventional
fi ghters, aerospace fi ghters, Small Craft and DropShips.
In addition, Small Craft and DropShips are available in two
distinct shapes: aerodyne and spheroid. The choice of unit
type and shape establishes the unit’s weight range, whether
it may operate in atmosphere only (as opposed to in space
and atmosphere), whether or not it may be constructed as an
Omni, and even sets the base limit for any weapons installed
on the unit.
The Aerospace Unit Types Table (see p. 182) provides key
data that applies to aerospace unit design and game play.
Each of the unit types covered by these rules is listed in the
Unit Type column, along with its Weight Range (the minimum
to maximum weight at which such units may be built) and
any game play restrictions (such as areas in Total Warfare
game play where the unit may not operate). The Aerospace
Unit Record Sheet Table, meanwhile, determines which blank
Record Sheet the designer must use to record the construction
of a new aerospace unit from a given unit type.
Space
Unlike Combat and Support vehicles, aerospace units
derive their space limits (weapon slots) from their unit type
rather than their weight. For conventional and aerospace
fi ghters, this limit is set at 5 weapons per arc (Nose, Left Wing,
Right Wing and Aft). Though the use of certain armor types
may reduce this number, construction can never increase
this quantity.
Small Craft and DropShips—aerodyne and spheroid—have
a base limit of 12 weapons per arc (Nose, Left Wing, Right Wing
and Aft for aerodynes; Nose, Fore-Left, Fore-Right, Aft-Left, Aft-
Right and Aft for spheroids). Unlike fi ghters, these units may
expand these limits later on.
Beyond these weapon limits, aerospace units may mount
any number of non-weapon items, with some counting only
as weight and some counting as bays. Which items take up
weapon slots and which do not is explained in the appropriate
sections.
Robert wants to build a conventional
fi ghter for atmospheric dogfi ghting and
close ground support, which he will call
the ’Mechbuster.
Scott wants a fighter he can use in
space as well as in atmosphere. He
chooses to make an aerospace fi ghter
that he has dubbed the Sabutai.
Bruce wants a craft ideal for space
cruising and in-system passenger transport
for the wealthy elite and space
tourists. He chooses to create an aerodyne Small Craft,
and dubs his vessel the Astrolux Star Yacht.
Chris is looking to create a large
spacecraft for the Draconis Combine
that will challenge enemy fi ghters and
DropShips alike. He chooses to build a
Spheroid DropShip, and dubs this craft
the Nekohono’o.
Dawn plans to build a ProtoMech
transport vessel for Clan use, and selects
an aerodyne DropShip for her design,
which she names the Arcadia.
CHOOSE TECHNOLOGY BASE
Aerospace units may be constructed using Clan or Inner
Sphere technology bases. Units built with a Clan Tech Base
may use items and components available to the Clans. Units
made with an Inner Sphere Tech Base may use items and components
available to the Inner Sphere.
Aerospace fi ghters created using either tech base may be built
as OmniFighters. Conventional fi ghters, Small Craft and Drop-
Ships may not be constructed using modular technologies.
Civilian vs. Military
Regardless of technology base, DropShips and Small Craft
may also be constructed as either civilian or military designs.
Robert sees his ’Mechbuster as the
standard conventional fi ghter for Inner
Sphere planetary defense forces and
chooses an Inner Sphere Tech Base for
the craft. Because the Buster is not an
aerospace fi ghter, he cannot construct
it as an OmniFighter.
Scott decides to build his Sabutai for the
Clans and so picks a Clan Technology Base.
He also decides to enhance its fl exibility by
creating it as an OmniFighter.
Bruce’s Astrolux is not meant for
combat. He decides his civilian craft is
more appropriate for the Inner Sphere
and so chooses an Inner Sphere Tech
Base. Because it is a Small Craft and not an aerospace
fi ghter, Bruce may not make the Astrolux an Omni.
Because he already has an Inner
Sphere faction (the Draconis Combine) in
mind for his Nekohono’o, Chris decides
on an Inner Sphere Tech Base for his
DropShip. As a combat vessel, it automatically
qualifies for military construction standards,
but as a DropShip, it may not be built as an Omni.
Dawn’s Arcadia ProtoMech transport
will use Clan technology, and is by its
nature a military vessel. As it is not an
aerospace fighter, it may not be constructed
as an Omni.
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
183