the shape of things to come

STEP 1: DESIGN THE CHASSIS
The fi rst step in IndustrialMech design is the creation of the
’Mech’s basic framework, or chassis. This step establishes some of
the most basic aspects of the IndustrialMech’s design, determining
what kind of ’Mech it is, its technology base, weight class and
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
IndustrialMechs may be constructed using either Clan or Inner
Sphere technology bases. ’Mechs built using either tech base may
not be built as OmniMechs.
David is designing an Industrial-
Mech that he has dubbed the CTL-3R2
CattleMaster. Because he plans to
use this ’Mech as a rancher/hunter, to
help control massive herds of exotic
beasts on Lyran and Free Worlds
League planets, he chooses an Inner
Sphere Technology Base.
Edward is designing a mid-size
HaulerMech that he has named the
Buster. Because he wishes to use certain
advanced technologies not
available to the Clans, he has chosen
an Inner Sphere Tech Base.
Geoff rey is designing a quadruped
CargoMech that he has chosen to
name the ATAE-70 Uni. As this will be
a Lyran-made cargo-hauler design,
he has chosen an Inner Sphere Technology
Base.
CHOOSE WEIGHT (TONNAGE)
Under these rules, IndustrialMechs may range from 10 to 100
tons in weight (measured in 5-ton increments). Within these limits,
the player may choose any tonnage. The total weight of the
IndustrialMech’s engine, weapons, armor and other components
may not exceed this amount, nor fall below it; under these rules,
any unspent weight left over after the creation process and not
devoted to cargo is classifi ed as wasted mass.
Total ’Mech
Tonnage
David decides his humanoid
CattleMaster will be a light IndustrialMech,
weighing in at 25 tons.
Edward’s Buster is intended to
handle small to medium cargo loads,
assisting in the loading and unloading
of DropShips. He decides on a
medium weight of 50 tons.
Geoffrey’s Uni is intended for
heavy lifting and hauling over rough
terrain. He decides his quad Work-
Mech will occupy the heavy weight
class at 70 tons.
ALLOCATE TONNAGE FOR INTERNAL STRUCTURE
All IndustrialMechs have an internal structure, which represents
their skeletons and joints. The weight of this structure depends on
the weight of the IndustrialMech. Unlike BattleMechs, Industrial-
Mechs are restricted to only one structure type: IndustrialMech
Standard. This structure takes up 20 percent of the Industrial-
Mech’s total weight (rounded up to the nearest half-ton), or twice
the weight of a standard BattleMech’s internal structure.
As with BattleMechs, the IndustrialMech’s total mass also
determines the number of internal structure points each location
receives. For IndustrialMechs 20 tons and over, these values
are identical to those found on BattleMechs (see the BattleMech
Internal Structure Table, p. 47). For IndustrialMechs in the 10-
and 15-ton range, use the IndustrialMech Ultra-Light Internal
Structure Table below. When using the blank ’Mech Record Sheet,
the designer should 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.
As with BattleMechs, 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 an IndustrialMech may
carry (called its Maximum Armor Factor) is directly determined by
the number of internal structure boxes it has. As with BattleMechs,
all IndustrialMech locations except the head may carry up to twice
the number of armor points per location as they have internal
INDUSTRIALMECH ULTRA-LIGHT INTERNAL STRUCTURE TABLE
Internal Structure Tonnage Internal Structure Circles
Industrial
Standard
Endo
Steel Head
Torso
(Center)
Torso
(Left/Right)
Arms
(Each)
Legs
(Each)
Maximum
Armor Factor
(biped/fourlegged)
10 2.0 NA 3 4 3 1 2 41/45
15 3.0 NA 3 5 4 2 3 55/59