the shape of things to come

At 6 tons (6,000 kilograms), Kevin’s
Hydra could mount up to 36 armor
points—counting its main gun
mount—according to the ProtoMech
Structure and Armor Table on p. 82.
Kevin decides that the Hydra will carry
decent enough armor, but leave more
room for weapons. He opts to install a
total of 29 armor points on the Proto,
with 10 points on the torso; 3 points each on the head,
the main gun and both arms; and 7 points on the legs
(10 + 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 + 7 = 29). The weight for 29 armor
points comes to 1,450 kilograms (50 kg per point x 29
points = 1,450 kg), leaving 2,300 unspent kilograms
(3,750 kg – 1,450 kg = 2,300 kg).
In the appropriate locations of the ProtoMech Armor
Diagram for his Hydra’s Record Sheet, Kevin blacks out
all extra white armor circles, leaving only those
assigned to each location.
Lara could install as many as 42 armor
points on her Delphyne-2 according to
the Structure and Armor Table on p. 82.
Such an eff ort would require investing
2,100 of her 4,600 unspent kilograms.
Instead, Lara decides on a nice, round
40 points, for an even cost of 2,000
kilograms (40 points x 50 kg per point
= 2,000 kg).
Lara applies 16 armor points to the torso and the
maximum number of points each to the head, each
arm and legs (6, 4 and 10, respectively). After blacking
out the appropriate amount of white armor dots on
her ProtoMech’s Record Sheet, Lara moves on, with
just 2,600 unspent kilograms remaining.
RH RA
Clan Blood Spirit ProtoMechs fl ank the remnants of a Clan Coyote star.
STEP 5: ADD WEAPONS,
AMMUNITION AND OTHER
EQUIPMENT
The weapons, ammunition and equipment that may be
mounted on a BattleMech are listed in the Weapons and Equipment
Tables shown on p. 341. In combat, these items function
the same way for ProtoMechs as they do for BattleMechs in
terms of heat, damage and range, and special abilities. Heat is
not tracked for ProtoMechs, though—as indicated above—all
energy weapons mounted on a Proto require enough sinks to
cover their heat values.
Given the smaller sizes of ProtoMechs, their Clan-only Technology
Base and any restrictions native to certain items (such
as MASC, which only BattleMechs may use), the range of items
that can be mounted on a ProtoMech is obviously limited.
ProtoMechs also carry ammunition diff erently, as is described
below. Remember that the total weight of a given ProtoMech
design’s structure, engine, cockpit, armor, weapons and other
components may never exceed the tonnage established for
the Proto in Step 1. Any leftover kilograms that cannot be
spent on other equipment (due to space constraints or other
factors) are considered “wasted” weight. (ProtoMechs may not
carry internal cargo.)
Weapons placed in the torso may have a forward or rearward
fi ring arc. Rear-fi ring weapons must be so noted when
installed on the design.
For special rules on any item, consult its entry under Weapons
and Heavy Equipment (pp. 200–273).
Weight: During construction, all weapons available to
ProtoMechs weigh the same as their BattleMech-mounted
kin (with the exception of missile launchers, which may be
mounted in individual tubes). Because Protos use a kilogram
PROTOMECH LOCATION RESTRIC-
TIONS TABLE
ProtoMech Location
Maximum Number
of Items*
Maximum Total
Weight of Items
Head 0 0
Torso 2** 2,000 kg**
Arms (Each) 1 500 kg
Legs 0 0
Main Gun 1 Unlimited
* Missile launchers composed of multiple tubes are counted as one weapon for purposes
of determining item quantities.
** Maximum weight of torso items is the weight of both items taken together; torso
weapons may also be mounted to the rear.
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
87