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Comparatively speaking, computing the cost for Classic
BattleTech units is one of the simplest processes in unit construction.
Expressed in C-bills, the cost of a unit represents the
manufacturing resources needed to produce it. While these
resources are technically a matter that will be handled more
completely in future rulebooks (such as Tactical Operations),
the calculations are provided here for the sake of completeness
and as a means of considering the less tangible aspects of “incharacter”
construction.
This section describes and demonstrates the process of
computing a unit’s cost in C-bills. In addition, for further aid
in developing era-specifi c units, this section covers the introduction,
extinction and reintroduction dates for all items and
equipment covered by this book, as well as their overall availability
ratings for the major eras of Classic BattleTech game play.
BASIC COST CALCULATIONS
In general, computing a unit’s C-bill cost is a simple matter of
summing up the costs for all of the unit’s structural components
(such as engines, control and motive systems, structure and
armor), plus the cost of all weapons and equipment added. Final
cost multipliers are then applied to the result, based on the unit’s
type, weight and—where applicable—Technology Rating.
Component Formulas
On occasion throughout the cost calculations process, the
designer may be asked to find an individual component’s
cost through a sub-formula, such as determining the cost of a
Early 3052, on the planet Satalice, two venerable enemies face off for what may be the last time.
BattleMech’s engine by multiplying a base value by the engine’s
rating and the ‘Mech’s weight. When encountering such component
formulas, care should be taken to ensure that the values used
are the exact ones required for the formula. Computing a BattleMech
engine’s cost using the engine weight instead of the ‘Mech’s
total weight, for example, can produce a wildly diff erent result.
Rounding
All costs computed in TechManual must not be rounded until
the end of the calculations process, after applying any fi nal cost
multipliers. At that point, costs should be rounded normally to
the nearest C-bill (rounding up at .50).
In the earlier stages of calculations, however, designers may
either leave all values unrounded, or—for more manageable
numbers—rounded normally to three signifi cant digits after the
decimal point (thus, a value of 1.4563 could be rounded to 1.456
with minimal impact on computations).
STRUCTURAL COSTS
The Structural Costs tables presented in this section are
separated by unit types to provide designers with the clearest
approach to finding the C-bill value of a unit’s base structure
(including framework, controls, engines, heat sinks and armor). To
fi nd a unit’s structural costs, simply refer to the most appropriate
Structural Costs table and sum up the combined values for all
appropriate equipment listed there. For instance, designers can
fi nd a BattleMech’s structural costs by locating the BattleMech
and IndustrialMech Structure Table, and then summing up the
costs for the ‘Mech’s cockpit, sensors, life support, musculature,
internal structure, actuators, fusion engine, gyro, jump jets (if any),
heat sinks and armor.