the shape of things to come

ALLOCATE WEIGHT FOR INTERNAL STRUCTURE
Like BattleMechs and IndustrialMechs, all ProtoMechs have an
internal structure, which represents their bones and joints. The
weight of this structure depends on the weight of the ProtoMech.
A ProtoMech’s structure takes up 10 percent of its total weight
(100 kilograms per 1,000 kilograms). ProtoMechs do not have
access to alternate internal structure types, such as endo-steel.
The ProtoMech’s mass also determines the number of internal
structure points each of its location receives. The ProtoMech
Structure and Armor Table below lists these values by location,
with the structure points (the numbers outside the parentheses)
shown, along with the maximum potential armor value per location
(the numbers in parentheses). ProtoMechs have only fi ve
body locations (Head, Torso, Left Arm, Right Arm and a unifi ed
Legs location), with an optional sixth (Main Gun), versus the eight
internal locations found on BattleMechs and IndustrialMechs.
Internal structure points are noted on the ProtoMech Record
Sheet by gray-shaded circles. When working with the sheet, the
designer should mark out any excess gray-shaded circles (and
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only the excess gray-shaded circles) to indicate how many points
actually make up the internal structure in each hit location.
Like those of BattleMechs and IndustrialMechs, ProtoMech
internal structure points are fixed to their assigned locations,
based on the weight of the ProtoMech itself. These points may
not be redistributed elsewhere.
Quads: ProtoMechs cannot be constructed as quadrupeds
(quads).
Main Gun: At the designer’s option, a ProtoMech may or may
not have a main gun mount. The mount itself costs no additional
weight during construction, but any weapons and armor mounted
on that location would take up weight. If no main gun is mounted
on the ProtoMech, all armor and structure points for the main gun
should be blacked out on the unit’s record sheet.
Space: ProtoMech internal structure does not occupy any
spaces in the ProtoMech’s equipment slots. Establishing the
Proto’s structure therefore has no impact on its weapons and
equipment inventory.
Centaur ProtoMechs from Clan Blood Spirit’s Iota Galaxy lead the charge against a Clan Coyote Mad Cat and Rabid Coyote.
PROTOMECH STRUCTURE AND ARMOR TABLE
Total ProtoMech Tonnage Internal Structure Weight Head Torso
Internal Structure Circles (Max. Armor)
Arms
(Left/Right)
Legs
(Both)
Main
Gun*
Maximum
Armor Factor
(Without/With Main Gun)
2 200 kg 1 (3) 2 (4) 1 (2) 2 (4) 1 (3) 15/18
3 300 kg 1 (3) 3 (6) 1 (4) 2 (4) 1 (3) 17/20
4 400 kg 1 (4) 4 (8) 1 (4) 3 (6) 1 (3) 22/25
5 500 kg 1 (4) 5 (10) 1 (4) 3 (6) 1 (3) 24/27
6 600 kg 2 (5) 6 (12) 2 (4) 4 (8) 1 (3) 33/36
7 700 kg 2 (5) 7 (14) 2 (4) 4 (8) 1 (3) 35/38
8 800 kg 2 (6) 8 (16) 2 (4) 5 (10) 1 (3) 40/43
9 900 kg 2 (6) 9 (18) 2 (4) 5 (10) 1 (3) 42/45
*The main gun is an optional ProtoMech component, which provides no internal structure circles (or armor) when not installed.