the shape of things to come

15 points per critical space of explosive ammo in center
torso, legs or head, or not protected by CASE in its location
(Inner Sphere ’Mech with standard or light engines)
15 points per critical space of explosive ammo in arm
not protected by CASE in its location, or in the next location
inward on the Damage Transfer Diagram (Inner Sphere ’Mechs
with standard or light engines)
1 point per Gauss weapon critical space in center torso,
legs or head (Clan ’Mech)
1 point per Gauss weapon critical space in any location
(Inner Sphere ’Mech with XL engine)
1 point per Gauss weapon critical space in center torso,
legs or head, or not protected by CASE in its location (Inner
Sphere ’Mech with standard or light engine)
1 point per Gauss weapon critical space in arm not protected
by CASE in its location, or in the next location inward
on the Damage Transfer Diagram (Inner Sphere ’Mechs with
standard or light engines)
Next, MULTIPLY the current total by the ’Mech’s Defensive
Factor. A ’Mech’s Defensive Factor is based on the unit’s highest
potential target modifier (including bonuses for jump
capability, enhanced movement capability from MASC or triplestrength
myomer, and the maximum eff ects of stealth armor,
such as the modifi er for long range), as shown on the Defensive
Factors Table and Defensive Factor Modifi er Table (p. 315). The
fi nal result is the ’Mech’s Defensive Battle Rating (DBR).
STEP 2: CALCULATE OFFENSIVE BATTLE RATING
To calculate the Off ensive Battle Rating, fi rst calculate the
Base Weapon Battle Rating, and then adjust it by the ’Mech’s
Heat Effi ciency and Speed Factor. The fi nal result is the Off ensive
Battle Rating.
Calculate Base Weapon Battle Rating
The Weapon Battle Rating must be adjusted to take into
consideration the ’Mech’s heat effi ciency. To calculate ‘Mech
Heat Effi ciency, add 6 to the unit’s Heat Sink Capacity and
subtract the heat generated when the ‘Mech moves.
’Mech Heat Effi ciency = 6 + Heat Sink Capacity – Movement Heat
Heat Sink Capacity: Heat Sink Capacity denotes the
maximum number of Heat Points a ’Mech can dissipate in a
single turn. Each single heat sink can dissipate 1 point of heat.
Double-capacity heat sinks can dissipate 2 points of heat.
Movement Heat: Movement Heat is the amount of heat
generated when the ‘Mech moves in the most heat-intensive
manner possible (Running or Jumping at its maximum capacity)
during a single turn. ICE-powered IndustrialMechs do not
generate heat when moving and so always have a Movement
Heat Value of 0.
After fi nding the ’Mech Heat Effi ciency, next fi nd the total
heat that the ’Mech would generate if it fi red all its off ensive
weapons in a single turn. If this value is less than or equal to
the ’Mech Heat Effi ciency, then add up the BV of all weapons
and ammunition. Multiply by 2 the heat points generated by
Ultra autocannon, multiply by 6 the heat points generated by
rotary autocannon, reduce by half the heat points generated
by Streak SRMs and reduce to one-quarter the heat points
generated by one-shot weapons.
If the total heat generated by all off ensive weapons fi re is
greater than the ’Mech Heat Effi ciency, then the player should
adjust the BV of some weapons to refl ect the ineffi ciency of
the ‘Mech design. Follow the steps listed below:
• Consult the appropriate Weapon and Equipment Battle
Value tables (see pp. 317–319) to fi nd the weapon that generates
heat when fi red and has the highest Battle Value.
• If more than one weapon has the same BV, choose the
one which generates the least heat. If multiple weapons
of the same type are mounted, just choose one. Always
choose rear-mounted weapons over forward-fi ring ones
of the same type (see Rear-Firing Weapons, below).
• Add the full BV of the weapon, and add its Heat Value to
the running heat total, beginning at zero.
• If this new heat is less than or equal to the ‘Mech Heat Effi -
ciency, repeat the above steps. Otherwise, add half the BV
for the fi rst weapon that exceeds the unit’s Heat Effi ciency
and half the BV for all remaining weapons to the Base
Weapon Battle Rating, then continue to the next step.
• Always include the BV of weapons and equipment which
produce no heat and ammunition at full value (except for
the Excessive Ammunition rule described below).
Add Other Weapons and Equipment
Add the BV of all other weapons and equipment.
Regardless of whether any individual BV requires adjustment,
certain special circumstances can further modify
individual weapon BV values. These modifi ers are cumulative.
Rear Firing Weapons: Rear-firing torso-, leg- and headmounted
weapons (but not ammunition) count as half their
normal BV value. If the unmodified BV of forward-firing
weapons in those locations is less than the unmodifi ed BV of
rear-fi ring weapons, then halve the value of the forward-fi ring
torso-, leg- and head-mounted weapons instead. When
making heat adjustments to a weapon’s BV, switch the forward-
and rear-fi ring arcs in an identical manner.
Excessive Ammunition: To prevent excessive ammo from
distorting the Battle Value, the BV added for ammunition cannot
exceed the unmodifi ed BV of the weapon itself. If the BV
of the ammo exceeds the weapon BV, reduce the ammo BV to
match the unmodifi ed weapon BV. When a ’Mech carries several
weapons of the same model, total the BV for that model
and the ammunition carried before comparing the two BVs.
Combat Targeting Computer: All weapons linked to a
combat-grade targeting computer multiply their BVs by
1.25. Do not include ammunition when adjusting linked
weapon BVs.
IndustrialMech Targeting Systems: To modify an IndustrialMech’s
Adjusted Offensive Battle Rating, multiply the
rating by 0.9, unless the ‘Mech is equipped with an advanced
targeting system. IndustrialMechs so equipped do not receive
this multiplier.
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
303