the shape of things to come

Introduced: Pre-spacefl ight
The cutting torch mounted on a typical exoskeleton is an enhanced version
of the same technology used by technicians and engineers for more than a millennium.
Simply described, the torch is a highly adaptable energy-based cut-
Introduced: Circa 2715 (Star League)
Under normal operations, all battle armor and many exoskeleton designs
are completely sealed, intended to operate in hostile environments
under great strain. Normally, their life support endurance in such environments
is about twelve hours, but extended life support (ELS) equipment
can increase this operational time by adding supplemental compressedoxygen
reserves and air-recycling/purifi cation systems. This equipment
CUTTING TORCH
ting tool, which can also be used to weld metal parts together or cut through
even the advanced aerospace and battlefi eld materials used today. However,
the time this item requires to do its work properly, coupled with its extremely
short range, makes the cutting torch an ineff ective combat weapon.
Tech Base: Inner Sphere and Clan
Battle Armor Unit Restrictions: No restrictions
Game Rules: Cutting torches have no impact in Total Warfare game play. Their use will be covered in later publications.
Construction Rules: A battle armor suit (including exoskeleton and power armor designs) may mount multiple cutting torches, if desired.
Table Reference: Battle Armor Weapons and Equipment (Inner Sphere and Clan, pp. 346–348)
Introduced: Circa 2870 (Clans), 3051 (Inner Sphere)
The battle armor detachable missile pack (DMP) system enables any
suit-mounted missile launcher (including SRMs, advanced SRMs, MRMs,
LRMs or rocket launchers) to be jettisoned in battle (voluntarily or automatically
upon depletion of the launcher in question). Essentially an adap-
CUTTING TORCH
DETACHABLE MISSILE PACK MODIFICATION
tor that adds a little extra weight to the launcher itself, the Clan Elemental
suit already featured this technology when it fi rst appeared in the Inner
Sphere. Unfortunately, balancing issues have prevented Spheroid manufacturers
from matching their techniques one-for-one.
Tech Base: Inner Sphere and Clan
Battle Armor Unit Restrictions: No restrictions
Game Rules: Suits using Inner Sphere DMP missile launchers cannot jump or execute anti-’Mech attacks until their launchers are detached.
Construction Rules: A battle armor suit (including exoskeleton and power armor designs) may modify none, any or all of its missile launchers (including
those of modular design) with a detachable missile pack (DMP) adaptation. Doing so adds to the launcher weight, but not its equipment space.
Table Reference: Battle Armor Weapons and Equipment (Inner Sphere and Clan, pp. 346–348) Game Rules: Total Warfare, p. 225
Introduced: 2720 (Terran Hegemony)
The micro-scale version of the vehicular Guardian ECM suite, the
battlesuit ECM suite module provides stealth technology that is not so
much built into the suit’s armored “skin” as it is an area-eff ect jamming
fi eld. Active rather than passive, the battle armor ECM suite can disrupt
DETACHABLE MISSILE PACK (DMP)
ECM SUITE
ECM SUITE
sensors and communications to a range of fi fteen meters. The fi rst to
fi eld this technology beyond the Star League-era Nighthawk suits were
Word of Blake Militia forces, in a modifi ed form of the Free Worlds League’s
Achileus suit.
Tech Base: Inner Sphere and Clan
Battle Armor Unit Restrictions: No restrictions
Game Rules: Suits equipped with an ECM suite may continue to operate them until destroyed. Only one ECM suite per suit may be engaged at
one time.
Construction Rules: A battle armor suit (including exoskeleton and power armor designs) may carry any number of ECM suites desired.
Table Reference: Weapons and Equipment (Inner Sphere and Clan, pp. 346–348) Game Rules: Total Warfare, p. 228
EXTENDED LIFE SUPPORT
is fairly lightweight compared to most battlesuit gear, but because of its
bulk a battle armor suit or exoskeleton can carry only enough ELS gear to
double the normal life support time.
Of interesting historical note, ELS gear actually predates the development
of battle armor. The progenitors to this technology—the Star
League’s Mark XXI Nighthawk power armor—employed such gear to
extend their usage.
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