the shape of things to come

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Internal structure is a common term in today’s ’Mech and vehicle design circles. In general, it refers to the underlying framework of a BattleMech, IndustrialMech, ProtoMech or Combat/Support Vehicle. In aerospace parlance, this same concept is known as “structural integrity,” and is loosely defi ned as an aircraft’s or aerospace fi ghter’s airframe, or the framework of larger aerospace craft, such as DropShips and other capital ships. The internal structure or structural integrity of a ’Mech, vehicle or fi ghter is the part of the unit that holds all other parts together—the skeleton, as it were (though ’Mech designs incorporate actuators and myomers as part of this package as well). If damage aff ects these areas, the unit is generally considered compromised—often terminally so—and so very few vehicles are ever sent into the fi eld without at least some armor protection to avoid damage to the structure itself, be it from weapons fi re or simple wear and tear. AEROSPACE STRUCTURE (STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY) Introduced: Pre-spacefl ight (conventional aircraft), 2020s (aerospace craft/spacecraft) Whether discussing an aircraft or aerospace fi ghter’s airframe or the inner framework of a DropShip, the structural integrity (SI) of an aerospace craft serves as its primary means not only for mounting armor, engines and equipment, but also ensuring that the entire collection can withstand the g forces expected of the craft without coming apart. Smaller aerospace vehicles, such as fi ghters, actually wed their airframe design into the armor itself, essentially rendering the skeleton of the craft inseparable from its protection against weapons fi re, but larger vessels—including Small Craft—devote extra tonnage to reinforcements and the like. ENDO-STEEL INTERNAL STRUCTURE Introduced: 2487 (Terran Hegemony) Extinct: 2850 (Inner Sphere) Recovered: 3035 (Draconis Combine) Endo-steel internal structure was designed especially for use in BattleMech skeletons, about the only form of unit fl exible enough to effi - ciently employ it. Using zero-G manufacturing techniques that uniformly blend an exotic steel alloy, the process produces ’Mech “bones” that are INTERNAL STRUCTURE twice as strong per unit of weight as standard structural materials, but with a signifi cant increase in overall bulk made necessary by larger-diameter segments. The processes to create this type of ’Mech structure were lost during the early Succession Wars, when military orbital factories became favored targets for raiders. The Draconis Combine, however, managed to recover the techniques shortly before the War of 3039, and debuted them on such newly deployed units as their Hatamoto series. Clan endo-steel, of course, is more refi ned, allowing for a reduced loss of internal space, but even this reduction cannot overcome the limitations that prevent the use of this innovation in non-’Mech units. INDUSTRIALMECH STRUCTURE Introduced: 2350 (Terran Hegemony) The IndustrialMech skeleton diff ers very little from that of the standard BattleMech, but is composed of heavier, somewhat less effi cient materials and bulkier myomer bundles. The resulting chassis is less resilient under weapons fi re, but better suited for the stress of regular sustained labor rather than physical combat. As a result, the frame of a typical IndustrialMech weighs about twice as much as that of a comparable BattleMech. Over the years, a few performance-obsessed designers have attempted to overcome the weight issues associated with IndustrialMech chassis by using BattleMech skeletons—even endo-steel, when available—to lighten the load. This approach, however, is simply a cheat on the construction standards that have applied to ’Mech manufacturing industries since the Age of War, as it eff ectively builds a IndustrialMech as a BattleMech. Put simply, any ’Mech chassis built using industrial structure is formally classifi ed as an IndustrialMech (and subject to the design standards of said vehicles). Conversely, any built using BattleMech skeletons are offi cially regarded as BattleMechs. The trials of the Succession Wars and the expediency of keeping military and industrial standards separate for various logistical reasons have combined over the centuries to reinforce these eff ectively arbitrary standards, so that even today the two classes practically never mingle. It is simply easier (and cheaper) to produce IndustrialMechs to IndustrialMech standards, and leave the more expensive and durable BattleMech skeletons where they belong. Tech Base: Inner Sphere (BattleMech [Standard and IS endo-steel], IndustrialMech, Combat Vehicle, Support Vehicle, fi ghter, Small Craft and DropShip); Clan (BattleMech [Standard and Clan endo-steel], IndustrialMech, ProtoMech, Combat Vehicle, Support Vehicle, fi ghter, Small Craft and DropShip) Unit Restrictions: See chart Table Reference: See chart Game Rules: Internal structure/structural integrity is considered structural and cannot be “deactivated” during combat through engine shutdown or pilot/crew injury. Construction Rules: The chart below indicates the availability of the featured internal structure/structural integrity types to particular unit types, as well as their construction rules page references and main weight (and points) tables. ‘Mech internal structures that occupy critical space may break up their slots and spread them across the overall design to make room for other components; OmniMechs may not move these spaces around once they are determined for the base design. Table Reference: See Chart INTERNAL STRUCTURE Structure Type Unit Availability Construction Rules Reference Weight/Points Table BattleMech (Standard) BM p. 46 ‘Mech Structure BattleMech (Endo-Steel) BM p. 46 ‘Mech Structure IndustrialMech IM p. 66 ‘Mech Structure ProtoMech PM p. 82 ProtoMech Structure Combat Vehicle CV p. 98 Vehicle Structure Support Vehicle SV p. 121 Vehicle Structure Fighter (Structural Integrity) CF, AF p. 187 Aerospace Structure Small Craft/DropShip (Structural Integrity) SC, DS p. 187 Aerospace Structure Key: BM=BattleMechs, IM=IndustrialMechs, PM=ProtoMechs, CV=Combat Vehicles, SV=Support Vehicles, CF=Conventional Fighters, AF=Aerospace Fighters, SC=Small Craft, DS = DropShips i
PROTOMECH STRUCTURE Introduced: 3060 (Clan Smoke Jaguar) When it comes to internal structure design, ProtoMech technology, while quite compact in most aspects, differs very little from that of standard BattleMechs. Proportionately identical to standard BattleMech internal structure, only the small size of these units prevents their use of bulkier endo-steel technology. STANDARD STRUCTURE Introduced: 2439 (Terran Hegemony) The fi rst true BattleMech chassis was, of course, that used on the Terran Hegemony’s pre-Star League Mackie design. Though the Mackie’s structure was heavier than modern designs—more in line with industrial structure, in fact—the techniques that went into its development would lead standard BattleMech internal structure to its apex of weight effi ciency in less than forty years’ time. Indeed, today’s standard internal structures—though they may look diff erent from ’Mech to ’Mech—are built to those same refi ned specifi cations that keep them functional, durable and relatively compact. COMBAT VEHICLE STRUCTURE Introduced: Pre-spacefl ight Combat Vehicle chassis (which cover most conventional fi ghting vehicles from wheeled, tracked and hover tanks to VTOLs, combat Introduced: 2471 (Terran Hegemony) Found occasionally on BattleMechs, some ProtoMechs and a few rare fusion-/fi ssion-powered IndustrialMechs, jump jets are an emergency short-range motive system that allow such units to quickly overcome restrictive terrain such as built-up areas, thick woodlands or even radical elevation shifts. Structurally placed deep within the framework of a given ’Mech, only the exhaust ports of these powerful thrusters are exposed through apertures in the rear torsos and legs, which makes them diffi cult to damage in combat. This “deep installation” prevents most jump-capable units from losing their enhanced maneuverability altogether in battle. While functionally similar to the fusion-powered thrusters of aerospace fi ghters, jump jets lack the added boost provided by aerospace reaction mass that would otherwise allow for sustained thrust, and also cannot maintain the high levels of heat a constant burn would generate. Thus, these jets can only be engaged for a few seconds at a time—long enough to make a short leap, but not enough for true fl ight. Regardless, ever since their fi rst appearance on the venerable Wasp design, jump jets have become a common sight on BattleMechs, JUMP JETS watercraft and even the rare battlefi eld wing-in-ground-eff ect units) provide a framework reinforced for combat, yet open for ease of engineering. Able to be built around its component weapons and equipment—rather than having components forced into the specifi c and stability-challenged three-dimensional parameters of a BattleMech design—Combat Vehicle structure emphasizes fl exibility as well as strength and simplicity. Modern military practices and production quality have produced Combat Vehicle chassis that are proportionately comparable to standard BattleMech internal structure when it comes to chassis-to-overall tonnage. SUPPORT VEHICLE STRUCTURE Introduced: Pre-spacefl ight What Support Vehicles lack in military effi ciency they more than make up for in variety. Support Vehicle chassis designs may include everything from your personal motorcycle, car or ultra-light aircraft to commercial trucks, tractors and cargo jets. All these vary greatly in terms of internal structure or airframe design. Factors such as the vehicle’s function, its design modifi cations and the level of the producing facility’s modernization can all aff ect how much of the overall weight and chassis design goes into the internal structure alone. Indeed, at last count, there were an estimated minimum of 120 diff erent (and broadly distinct) chassis design standards alone for wheeled vehicles massing 100 tons and under. JUMP JETS deployed for every reason from a reconnaissance aid to an emergency booster for more mobility-handicapped units. PROTOMECH JUMP JETS Introduced: 3060 (Clan Smoke Jaguar) Because so much of jump jet effectiveness hinges on the size and mass ratios between the thrusters and the ’Mechs they lift, the Clan version of standard BattleMech jump jets does not signifi cantly diff er from those of Spheroid brands like Chilton, Luxor Load Lifter and Rawlings. With the advent of much lighter and more compact ProtoMech designs, however, a new breed of jump jets was born to address the unique features of Proto construction. These smaller ProtoMech jump jets are far more akin to the jump packs used by battle armor than they are to ’Mech-scale jets. IMPROVED JUMP JETS [Introduced: 3069 (Clan Wolf and Clan Wolf [in-Exile]) Habeas’ minimalist analysis here hardly addresses the fact that jump jet design and technology has varied little despite almost six centuries Tech Base: Inner Sphere (Standard and Improved) and Clan (Standard, Improved and ProtoMech) Unit Restrictions: Standard and Improved jump jets are limited to BattleMechs. IndustrialMechs powered by Fission or Fusion engine types may only use Standard jump jets. ProtoMechs may only use ProtoMech jump jets. All other units may not install jump jets. Construction Rules: BattleMechs and IndustrialMechs powered by Fission or Fusion engines may only install jump jets in the Leg and Torso locations; ProtoMechs that install ProtoMech jump jets need not state their locations. The chart below indicates the availability of the featured jump jet types to particular unit types, as well as their construction rules page references. Jump jets of diff erent types may not be combined on a single unit. ProtoMechs, IndustrialMechs and BattleMechs using Standard jump jets may not install more jump jets than Engine Type Unit Availability Construction Rules Reference they have Walking MP, and BattleMechs using Improved Standard Jump Jets BM, IM p. 51 (BM), 69 (IM) jump jets may not install more Improved jump jets than Improved Jump Jets BM p. 51 they have Running MP. The critical slots for jump jets on ‘Mechs may not be broken up, but each jet may be placed ProtoMech Jump Jets PM p. 84 in a separate location, as desired (so long as the location is a leg or torso section). Key: BM=BattleMechs, IM=IndustrialMechs, PM = ProtoMechs Table Reference: See Chart Game Rules: Total Warfare, p. 53 i 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 225
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35103
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CLASSIC BATTLETECH BATTLETECHTM TEC
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Choose Technology Base 46 Choose We
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Nail/Rivet Gun 246 Refueling Drogue
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To David Stansel-Garner for being t
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The one exception is the Equipment
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Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL)
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Battle Armor Aerospace Fighter Conv
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CLAN JADE FALCON OCCUPATION ZONE EC
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FREE RASALHAGUE REPUBLIC ECONOMY Ca
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BATTLE ARMOR Battle armor (battlesu
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each full four missiles (regardless
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ange brackets, and so instead of li
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on the ’Mech, including the rear
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BATTLE ARMOR RECORD SHEET Each Batt
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AIRSHIP DATA Type: Name: Tonnage: T
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Distinguished members of the media,
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sible. The relatively recent develo
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cancels the gyroscopic problems. On
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vert a standard into an XL—such a
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orbit. But even when working for sh
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neurohelmets typical of the Success
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on blind, crushing feet to create g
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WEIGHT BattleMechs use the tonnage
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Total ’Mech Tonnage BATTLEMECH IN
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Non-Fusion Engines Fusion Engines E
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Andrew has chosen a standard gyro f
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The placement of these critical slo
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the Base Armor Multipliers shown fo
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Chas distributes his armor points a
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ight side torso and the adjacent ce
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In light of these events, this grou
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preliminary phases, we will still n
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Light IndustrialMechs weigh 35 tons
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structure circles in that location,
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ADD GYROSCOPE Like BattleMechs, Ind
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STEP 3: ADD HEAT SINKS Though not a
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Edward sees no great need to spend
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power amplifi ers to supply the nee
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MEETING AGENDA Project Details Proj
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loads. The lower- to medium-size Pr
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Light ProtoMechs weigh 3 tons (3,00
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John’s Siren-4 weighs 3 tons (3,0
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do not record internal space the sa
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At 6 tons (6,000 kilograms), Kevin
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With only 25 kilograms left (275 kg
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derstand the technologies employed
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able, accurate weapon. Given the Ch
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terrain other than heavy woods and
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Michael wants to design a fast and
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Units built as Trailers do not requ
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ing required, or consider the engin
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DETERMINE JUMP CAPABILITY Combat Ve
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STEP 4: ADD ARMOR Armor helps prote
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STEP 5: ADD WEAPONS, AMMUNITION AND
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the 23.5 tons he had after armoring
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PTI’S HOT PRODUCTS: 3067 (SUPPORT
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HOVERCRAFT Units in this category m
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WHEELED VEHICLE The wheeled support
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VTOL: VTOLs are one of the lightest
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Motive Type design like Simon’s.
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Base Chassis/Engine Values In addit
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Choose Chassis Modifi cations For m
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MD Sheet, Simon blacks out all of t
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SUPPORT VEHICLE ENGINE TABLE SUPPOR
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half-ton (32 tons [engine weight] x
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Christine’s Dixon is a 300-ton Ai
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total crew/passenger seat weight to
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chassis modifi cation, which enable
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tion is devoted to one or more of t
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Because these minimum crew needs ar
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13 August 3068 This is my diary. I
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the forming clouds. The recruits on
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Hovercraft-based mechanized infantr
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CONVENTIONAL INFANTRY FORMATIONS (B
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energy, “M” for Missile and “
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Secondary Weapon Limits The use of
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Oversized Platoons Even though over
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Motive Type CONVENTIONAL INFANTRY W
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ZM: Good morning, campers! They cal
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Weapons break down into your usual
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WEIGHT Battle armor, power armor an
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BATTLE ARMOR STRUCTURE WEIGHTS TABL
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BATTLE ARMOR NON-GROUND MOTIVE SYST
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must adhere to their basic rules wh
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Keith decides to provide his Tunnel
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The weight for these extra magazine
Page 175 and 176: MODULAR TECHNOLOGY When completing
Page 177 and 178: a squad of meat bags in the back, a
Page 179 and 180: laser-guided targeting system. All
Page 181 and 182: secondary control stick instead. On
Page 183 and 184: TECHNOLOGY BASE In Total Warfare st
Page 185 and 186: Unit Types The following unit types
Page 187 and 188: Base Engine Rating and Movement For
Page 189 and 190: True to Clan style, Scott sees his
Page 191 and 192: ays, ’Mech bays and so forth—ne
Page 193 and 194: (see p. 192). To determine the armo
Page 195 and 196: DropShip and not a fi ghter, it los
Page 197 and 198: combat. Unlike fi ghters, however,
Page 199 and 200: As neither quarters nor cargo bays
Page 201 and 202: fi ghter, aerodyne Small Craft, sph
Page 203 and 204: WEAPONS AND EQUIPMENT The modern ba
Page 205 and 206: • SMALL PULSE LASER • [PAGE 226
Page 207 and 208: Clan Wolf-in-Exile finally succeede
Page 209 and 210: Interestingly enough, the Clan vers
Page 211 and 212: Introduced: Pre-spacefl ight Bay do
Page 213 and 214: ’MECH COCKPIT Introduced: circa 2
Page 215 and 216: Introduced: Pre-spacefl ight While
Page 217 and 218: AEROSPACE ENGINES (FUSION/TURBINE)
Page 219 and 220: Introduced: Pre-spacefl ight Seen a
Page 221 and 222: HYPER-ASSAULT GAUSS RIFLE [Introduc
Page 223 and 224: DOUBLE HEAT SINKS Introduced: 2567
Page 225: • AUTOCANNON • [PAGE 208] • U
Page 229 and 230: STANDARD LASERS Introduced: circa 2
Page 231 and 232: Today’s vehicular-scale missile l
Page 233 and 234: Inferno SRMs: An enhancement of an
Page 235 and 236: and communications. This impairs th
Page 237 and 238: Capellan engineers soon realized, h
Page 239 and 240: Tech Base: Inner Sphere and Clan Un
Page 241 and 242: Introduced: Pre-spacefl ight Even b
Page 243 and 244: during the mid-3040s. Even thicker
Page 245 and 246: Introduced: Pre-spacefl ight Combin
Page 247 and 248: Introduced: Pre-spacefl ight Extend
Page 249 and 250: Introduced: Pre-spacefl ight Mid-ai
Page 251 and 252: Tech Base: Inner Sphere and Clan Un
Page 253 and 254: • MICRO GRENADE LAUNCHER • [PAG
Page 255 and 256: FIRE RESISTANT Introduced: 3058 (Cl
Page 257 and 258: Tech Base: Inner Sphere and Clan Ba
Page 259 and 260: Introduced: Circa 2890 (Clans), 305
Page 261 and 262: Introduced: 3062 (Capellan Confeder
Page 263 and 264: The “big gun” of most battle ar
Page 265 and 266: the standard modular weapon mount,
Page 267 and 268: • SINGLE-SHOT SRM LAUNCHER • [P
Page 269 and 270: Introduced: 2436 (Draconis Combine)
Page 271 and 272: Introduced: Pre-spacefl ight Battle
Page 273 and 274: Introduced: 3060 (Clan Cloud Cobra)
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Conventional Infantry Conventional
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Robert wants to fi nd the costs for
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PROTOMECH STRUCTURAL COSTS AND AVAI
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BATTLE ARMOR STRUCTURAL COSTS AND A
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AEROSPACE UNIT STRUCTURAL COSTS AND
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The combined structural and weapons
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AVAILABILITY CODES TABLE Code Avail
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Michael determines that his Hephaes
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HEAVY WEAPONS AND EQUIPMENT (CONT)
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Weapon / Item Cost Availability IND
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Weapon / Item Cost Availability HEA
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ADDITIONAL BATTLE ARMOR WEAPONS AND
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Weapon / Item Cost CONVENTIONAL INF
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Weapon / Item Cost CONVENTIONAL INF
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15 points per critical space of exp
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CALCULATING THE BV OF: A TOYAMA TYM
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Add 1 to the result if the ProtoMec
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CALCULATING THE BV OF: A HEPHAESTUS
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Squad Support Weapon: The BV of a S
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CALCULATING THE BV OF: A MECHBUSTER
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DEFENSIVE FACTORS TABLE Target Modi
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WEAPONS AND EQUIPMENT BATTLE VALUE
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Weapon BV Archaic Weapons* Bow (Com
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DropShips, 175-76 fi ghters, 178-79
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Quarters, 236 • R • Range base,
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CLASSiC FOUR-LEGGED ’MECH RECORD
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CLASSiC VEHICLE DATA Type: Movement
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CLASSiC VEHICLE DATA Type: Movement
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LARGE GROUND SUPPORT VEHICLE RECORD
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CLASSiC CONVENTIONAL INFANTRY: PLAT
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CLASSiC FIGHTER DATA Type: Cost: NO
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CLASSiC CRAFT DATA Type: Thrust: Sa
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CLASSiC DROPSHIP DATA Type: NOTES A
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Space Column Unit Type M BattleMech
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clan HEaVY WEaPOnS anD EQUIPMEnT Ta
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INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT TABLE (CONT) H
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Weapon / Item Damage Range Min/sht/
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CONVENTIONAL INFANTRY WEAPONS Weapo
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CONVENTIONAL INFANTRY WEAPONS (CONT
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