the shape of things to come

Introduced: Pre-spacefl ight
Unlike a personnel bay, which is intended to haul manpower for short
distances measured in hours, quarters are designed for long-term habitation,
particularly by the crew of larger spacecraft or truly large and semi
self-suffi cient vehicles, which can fi nd themselves in the fi eld for days,
weeks or longer. Roughly analogous to hotel accommodations, quarters
come in a variety of basic styles, from the communal bunk bed set-up
for crew quarters and the cramped basics of passenger steerage to more
luxurious and roomy fi rst- and second-class suites.
Introduced: Pre-spacefl ight
Used by military and commercial security concerns, as well as on
exploratory and survey missions, the typical remote sensor dispenser
(RSD) is normally found on Support Vehicles operating in defensive
areas or around the perimeter of a newly established landing/survey
site. Essentially a small cargo bay with a delivery system similar to a
miniaturized ‘Mech cocoon launcher, an RSD can carry up to thirty stan-
REMOTE SENSOR DISPENSER
dard-size, short-range remote sensors. Typically, these might include
infrared sensors, used to warn of approaching enemy troops and animals,
electromagnetic sensors to spot vehicular activity, or even seismic
sensors capable of detecting approaching BattleMechs or measuring
local tectonic activity—all of which can be monitored remotely by communications
equipment tuned to the proper frequencies.
Tech Base: Inner Sphere and Clan
Unit Restrictions: No restrictions.
Game Rules: The remote sensor dispenser has no impact in Total Warfare; its use will be covered in Tactical Operations.
Construction Rules: RSDs may be mounted in accordance with the unit’s applicable rules for installing weapons, ammunition and equipment.
Any unit with cargo space may devote tonnage to additional remote sensors as “ammo” at a rate of 30 sensors per half-ton.
Table Reference: Weapons and Equipment (Industrial, pp. 344–345)
Introduced: Circa 2420 (Terran Hegemony)
Though the hatchet was regarded as a great innovation in 3025, the
retractable blade—occasionally used by ExplorerMechs and AgroMechs
to tame stubborn undergrowth—actually predates the BattleMech.
Essentially a sheathed blade of industrial-grade steel or aluminum alloy
mounted on the IndustrialMech’s forearm, the retractable blade is eff ec-
REMOTE SENSOR DISPENSER
QUARTERS/SEATING
Seating, included here for completeness, is the equivalent of crew and
passenger quarters for smaller vehicles that also should not be confused
with the communal “bays” mentioned earlier. Unlike bays, seating is
designed for the solitary passenger, with a little elbow and leg room, and
maybe even some extras like a power port for rechargeable noteputers
and personal communicators. Pillion seating, which is less enclosed than
standard seating, is the kind of accommodation one might see on a hovercycle
or sidecar.
Tech Base: Inner Sphere and Clan
Unit Restrictions: BattleMechs, IndustrialMechs, ProtoMechs and fi ghters may not install quarters or seating. Combat Vehicles may not
install quarters.
Game Rules: Quarters and seating have no direct impact in Total Warfare; their use will be covered in future rulebooks.
Construction Rules: ‘Mechs, fi ghters, ProtoMechs and Combat Vehicles are too small to install quarters and incorporate their required minimum
crew seating automatically with their design (including drivers, gunners and such). Combat Vehicles may add seats to accommodate any crew over
and above the vehicle’s minimum crew needs (see Step 2 of Combat Vehicle core construction, p. 100, for more information on fi nding the Combat
Vehicle’s crew needs).
Small Support Vehicles must add seats for all crew and passengers. Medium-sized Support Vehicles may add seats and/or quarters for all passen-
gers and crew over the vehicle’s minimum
requirement (see Step 2 of Support Vehicle
core construction, p. 126, for more information
on finding the Support Vehicle’s
minimum crew needs).
Small Craft and DropShips must provide
quarters for all crew and passengers (except
for transport bay personnel).
The weight, equipment slot space (if
any) and capacity for all quarters and
seating types are shown in the Quarters/
Seating Table.
*Round all fractions up
Table Reference: Weapons and Equipment (Industrial, pp. 344–345)
QUARTERS/SEATING
Quarters Type
Weight (per
Quarters/Seat) Equipment Slot Space Capacity
Quarters, Crew 7 tons 1 slot per 20 quarters* 1 person Basic Quarters
Quarters, Steerage 5 tons 1 slot per 50 quarters* 1 person Basic Room
Quarters, 2nd Class 7 tons 1 slot per 20 quarters* 1 person Standard Suite
Quarters, 1st Class 10 tons 1 slot per 5 quarters* 1 person Luxury Suite
Seat, Pillion 25 kg 0 1 person external seat
Seat, Standard 75 kg 0 1 person internal seat
RETRACTABLE BLADE
tive against armored units, but was intended for softer targets, such as
foliage, loose earth and unarmored fl esh. In combat, a retractable blade
generally dishes out only slightly more damage than a standard punch,
which is what makes the dead-weight force of the hatchet so much
more formidable.
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