the shape of things to come

terrain other than heavy woods and deep water using their
tracks. These Combat Vehicles often move more slowly than
others, with speeds for the typical tracked vehicle often
matching that of an equal-sized BattleMech.
VTOL: VTOLs are the lightest—and often the fastest—of
the Combat Vehicle motive types. They range up to a maximum
weight of 30 tons, and may traverse any terrain, so long
as they are fl ying over it and not through it. These units usually
are favored for reconnaissance work or infantry deployment,
but try to avoid combat as much as possible because their
armor is limited and their rotors are highly susceptible to
quick destruction.
Wheeled: Wheeled vehicles typically occupy the medium
speed ranges of ground vehicles; slightly faster than tracks,
yet often slower than hovercraft. These vehicles can weigh up
to 80 tons, and cannot negotiate rough terrain, woodlands or
deep waters at all. However, they are a favored battlefi eld unit
in open terrain and urban areas.
WiGE: Wing-in-Ground-Effect (WiGE) vehicles weigh as
much as 80 tons and are essentially a hybrid between hovercraft
and aircraft. These rare vehicles are fast, and favored
for transport operations, but require a burst of speed to attain
their low-level fl ight capabilities.
TECHNOLOGY BASE
In Total Warfare standard rules play, Combat Vehicles fall
into one of two available technology bases: Inner Sphere or
Clan. Inner Sphere vehicles may only use Inner Sphere equipment,
while Clan vehicles may only use Clan equipment. Some
Combat Vehicle structural components—notably internal
structure, controls, and heat sinks—are so similar between
the two that they are considered universal, and are available
to Clan and Inner Sphere technology bases.
Technology Rating
In the Weapons and Equipment Tables used for creating
Combat Vehicles and other units in this book, all items
receive a Technology Rating in addition to a tech base. This
rating (expressed as a series of letter grades that defi ne the
level of technology and its availability through the major
eras of Classic BattleTech history) helps to defi ne the item’s
level of sophistication and may be used to help standardize
the level of advancement the unit demonstrates for purposes
of era-based campaigning. Beyond this, however, an item’s
Tech Rating has no direct bearing on Combat Vehicle design.
See Costs and Availability (p. 274) for more information on
Tech Rating.
OmniVehicles
OmniVehicles—Combat Vehicles designed for rapid reconfigurations
between missions—are available to both Clan
and Inner Sphere technology bases. OmniVehicles use the
same construction rules featured here, but when an Omni is
made, the designer must fi rst establish its base confi guration.
This base confi guration includes the OmniVehicle’s chassis,
engines, control systems, armor, and—if desired—any additional
weapons, heat sinks and power amplifi ers that may be
considered “hardwired” into its design. The remaining weight
and space is then left open for “pods” that can mix and match
additional weapons and other components. “Fixed” equipment
must be allocated to the vehicle’s inventory per normal
rules and may not vary between alternative confi gurations of
the OmniVehicle. Also, a base OmniVehicle confi guration is
never considered a fi nished unit, and is generally not legal for
Total Warfare standard rules play (as such units are essentially
open frames of empty pods). Only the completed primary
and alternate confi gurations of an OmniVehicle (which must
always comply with the rules for constructing standard Combat
Vehicles) are considered legal for game play.
WEIGHT (TONNAGE)
Under these rules, Combat Vehicles use the tonnage standard,
and may—based on the motive type chosen—run the
gamut from 1 ton to 300 tons (increasing in increments of
1 ton).
Weight Classes
Combat Vehicles are broadly grouped into the same four
main weight classes BattleMechs use, based on their tonnage.
Because their tonnage maximum varies with motive types,
however, some Combat Vehicle types do not commonly
exist in some weight classes. Nevertheless, many designs in
these weight classes share similar features across the various
motive types.
Light vehicles (weighing 39 tons and under) typically sacrifi
ce armor and fi repower for speed. Because their engines and
structures are better suited for use as scouts and light security,
VTOLs and hovertanks often dominate this class, while
wheeled and tracked units often serve as urban scouts and
anti-infantry vehicles.
Medium Combat Vehicles (weighing 40 to 59 tons) usually
strike a balance between armor, speed and fi repower. Most
of these units are tailored for raiding, mobile attack missions
or infantry transport and support. Hovercraft and wheeled
vehicles usually shine in these roles, though newer technologies
have allowed even tracked vehicles to competitively enter
this arena.
Heavy Combat Vehicles (weighing 60 to 79 tons) usually
focus more on delivering solid firepower at a respectable
speed. Dominated by tracked and wheeled vehicle types,
these units tend to be heavy support vehicles, such as missile
carriers, and main battle tanks.
Assault Combat Vehicles weight 80 tons and up, and
typically possess minimal mobility, as most of their weight is
devoted to armor and weaponry. Though often barely faster
than conventional infantry, these vehicles make prime defensive
units and picket forces, and—in the right hands—can
boast enough fi repower to cripple a BattleMech.
Internal Space
In Combat Vehicle design, internal space is less defined
than it is for BattleMechs. Nevertheless, a direct correlation
exists between the weight of the vehicle and the amount
of weapons and other items it may carry. Thus, determining
weight also determines the internal space (weapon slots) a
Combat Vehicle receives.
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
95