the shape of things to come

The above design process is a mere framework for designing
a BattleMech. The actual process—particularly after the chassis,
engine and control systems are determined—can involve a bit
more fl exibility as weapons, armor and heat sinks are balanced
for their best fi t in terms of weight and space. For instance, some
designers might wish to assign armor as soon as they have chosen
the engine and chassis, perhaps to maximize the ’Mech’s
protection before dealing with heat sinks and weapons. Others
may want to choose weapons before adding more heat sinks, to
see how many might be needed in addition to those that come
free with the engine.
To assist in this eff ort, the designer may fi nd it useful to make
copies of the ’Mech Record Sheet (in the back of this book), to
visually arrange the placement of weapons and equipment while
tracking the use of tonnage on a piece of scratch paper. Alternatively,
designers with access to the HeavyMetal Pro software can
use it to develop their BattleMechs on their PCs.
STEP 1: DESIGN THE CHASSIS
The fi rst step in BattleMech design is the creation of the ’Mech’s
basic framework, or chassis. This step establishes some of the most
basic aspects of the BattleMech’s design, determining what kind
of ’Mech it is, its technology base, its weight and the design type
(biped or four-legged). These choices will restrict the designer’s
access to certain equipment, and will also determine the weight
and bulk of the ’Mech’s internal structure.
CHOOSE TECHNOLOGY BASE
BattleMechs may be constructed using Clan or Inner Sphere
technology bases. ’Mechs designed using either technology base
may be built as OmniMechs.
Andrew is designing a BattleMech that
he has dubbed the MON-66 Mongoose.
Because he plans to create this design
for an old Star League-era game, before
the time of the Clans, he chooses an Inner
Sphere technology base, and notes that
the design will not be an OmniMech.
Brent is designing a BattleMech, which
he has named the Gladiator (Clan name:
Executioner). He has chosen the Clan
technology base for this design, and has
elected to make it an OmniMech.
Chas is designing a four-legged BattleMech
that he has chosen to name the
BGS-1T Barghest. As this will be a modern
Lyran-made design, he has chosen an
Inner Sphere technology base, and has
opted not to make it an Omni.
CHOOSE WEIGHT (TONNAGE)
Under these rules, BattleMechs may measure 20 to 100 tons in
weight (increasing in 5-ton increments). Within these limits, the
player may choose any tonnage. The total weight of the BattleMech’s
engine, weapons, armor and other components may not
exceed this amount. Nor should it fall below; under these rules,
any unspent weight left over after the creation process is classifi
ed as wasted tonnage.
Andrew decides his Mongoose will be
a lightweight scout. Light BattleMechs
weigh between 20 and 35 tons, so he
chooses to set his Mongoose at 25 tons.
Brent’s Gladiator is to be a mass of
devastating fi repower few can withstand.
Choosing the assault weight class, Brent
decides this ’Mech will weigh in at 95
tons—nearly the heaviest mass possible.
Chas chooses a heavy weight class for
his Barghest, giving him a range of 60 to
75 tons to choose from. He selects a total
mass of 70 tons for his machine.
ALLOCATE TONNAGE FOR INTERNAL STRUCTURE
Every BattleMech has an internal structure, which represents
its skeleton and joints. The weight of this structure depends on
the weight of the BattleMech, as well as on whether the designer
chooses a standard or endo-steel frame. Standard structure
weighs 10 percent of the BattleMech’s total weight, while endosteel
weighs half as much (rounded up to the nearest half ton).
The BattleMech’s total mass also determines the number of
internal structure points each location receives. When using the
blank ’Mech Record Sheet, the designer must mark out any excess
circles on the Internal Structure Diagram, leaving behind only the
number of circles in each location equal to the number of internal
structure points in that location.
BattleMech internal structure points are fi xed to their assigned
locations, based on the weight and body type of the ’Mech itself.
These points may not be redistributed elsewhere.
The maximum amount of armor points a BattleMech may carry
(called its Maximum Armor Factor) is directly determined by the
number of internal structure points per section. All locations
except the head may carry a maximum of twice the number of
armor points as they have internal structure points, including
any armor placed in rear locations (see Add Armor, p. 54). All head
locations may receive a maximum of 9 armor points.
The BattleMech Internal Structure Table at right provides the
mass of internal structure (standard and endo-steel) for all legal
BattleMech tonnages, as well as the number of internal structure
circles each location must have. Also provided (for designer refer-