CORE CONSTRUCTION RULESCover Artist: Doug Chaffee

First Publication: Tactical HandbookYear: 1994

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©2007-2020 The Topps Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. BattleTech TechManual, Classic BattleTech, BattleTech, BattleMech, ’Mech, and the Topps logo are registered trademarks and/or trademarks of The Topps Company, Inc. in the United States and/or other

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How does a MechWarrior interface with a How does a MechWarrior interface with a BattleMech? How does a ProtoMech really work? BattleMech? How does a ProtoMech really work? When was the Gauss rifle or the Particle Projector When was the Gauss rifle or the Particle Projector Cannon developed? Or how can I just make my Cannon developed? Or how can I just make my own, cool and unique BattleMech design? If own, cool and unique BattleMech design? If you’ve ever been plagued by these questions, you’ve ever been plagued by these questions, then get on your coveralls and make sure you’ve then get on your coveralls and make sure you’ve got your astech certification, because you’re got your astech certification, because you’re about to dive into about to dive into BattleTechBattleTech construction! construction! A companion volume to A companion volume to Total WarfareTotal Warfare™, the ™, the BattleTech TechManualBattleTech TechManual™ combines all the ™ combines all the construction rules for the various units presented construction rules for the various units presented in that core rules set. Streamlined and updated, in that core rules set. Streamlined and updated, it contains all the core weaponry and equipment it contains all the core weaponry and equipment from previous rules set, as well as the newest, from previous rules set, as well as the newest, bleeding edge technologies. More than just a bleeding edge technologies. More than just a rulebook, however, the rulebook, however, the TechManualTechManual presents presents numerous sourcebook-style treatises, providing numerous sourcebook-style treatises, providing the in-universe context for these units and the the in-universe context for these units and the technologies of their development. A must have technologies of their development. A must have resource for any resource for any BattleTechBattleTech aficionado! aficionado!

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INTRODUCTION Fiction 8 Fiction Vs. Rules 8 Fiction Vs. Art 9 Components 9 Units 9 Other Units 13

THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME 14

CONSTRUCTION BASICS Weight (Mass) 18 Unused Weight 18 Conventional Infantry 18 Space (Criticals) 18 BattleMechs and IndustrialMechs 18 Battle Armor 19 Combat Vehicles and Aerospace Units 19 Conventional Infantry 19 ProtoMechs 19 Support Vehicles 19 Technology Base 19 Shared Technology 19 ProtoMechs 19 Support Vehicles 19 Other Units 19 Omni Technology 19 Allowed Units 20 Prohibited Units 20 Weapons and Ammunition 20 Heavy Weapons 20 Medium Weapons 20

Light Weapons 20 Battle Armor Weapons 20 Conventional Infantry Weapons 21 Ammunition 21 Cost and Battle Value 21 Cost 21 Battle Value (BV) 21 Rounding and Percentages 21 General Rounding (Up, Down and “Normally”) 21 Rounding and Weight 22 Rounding and Space 22 Rounding and Armor/Internal Structure 22 Rounding and Costs/Battle Value 22 Percentages 22 Record Sheets 22 Record Sheet Types 22 Record Sheet Basics 22 ’Mech Record Sheet 24 ProtoMech Record Sheet 25 Vehicle Record Sheets 26 Battle Armor Record Sheet 27 Conventional Infantry Record Sheets 27 Aerospace/Airship Record Sheets 28

BATTLEMECH TECH: A PRIMER 30

BATTLEMECH CONSTRUCTION BattleMech Basics 44 Technology Base 44 Weight 45 Space 45 The Design Process 45 Step 1: Design the Chassis 46

On December 26, 3067, the Wolf’s Dragoons are the first to feel the full fury of the Word of Blake Jihad.

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INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION

BATTLEMECH BATTLEMECH CONSTRUCTIONCONSTRUCTION

INDUSTRIALMECH INDUSTRIALMECH CONSTRUCTIONCONSTRUCTION

PROTOMECH PROTOMECH CONSTRUCTIONCONSTRUCTION

COMBAT VEHICLE COMBAT VEHICLE CONSTRUCTIONCONSTRUCTION

SUPPORT VEHICLE SUPPORT VEHICLE CONSTRUCTIONCONSTRUCTION

CONV. INFANTRY CONV. INFANTRY CONSTRUCTIONCONSTRUCTION

BATTLE ARMOR BATTLE ARMOR CONSTRUCTIONCONSTRUCTION

AEROSPACE UNIT AEROSPACE UNIT CONSTRUCTIONCONSTRUCTION

COSTS AND COSTS AND AVAILABILITYAVAILABILITY

BATTLE VALUEBATTLE VALUE

INDEXINDEX

RECORD SHEETSRECORD SHEETS

WEAPONS AND WEAPONS AND HEAVY EQUIPMENTHEAVY EQUIPMENT

INFANTRY WEAPONS INFANTRY WEAPONS AND EQUIPMENTAND EQUIPMENT

CONSTRUCTION CONSTRUCTION BASICSBASICS

Choose Technology Base 46 Choose Weight (Tonnage) 46 Allocate Tonnage for Internal Structure 46 Step 2: Install Engines and Control Systems 48 Install Engine 48 Add Gyroscope 50 Determine Jump Capability 51 Add Cockpit 52 Special Physical Enhancements (MASC/TSM) 52 Step 3: Add Additional Heat Sinks 53 Step 4: Add Armor 54 Step 5: Add Weapons, Ammunition and Other Equipment 57 Step 6: Complete the Record Sheet 59 OmniMechs 59

INDUSTRIALMECHS: TARGET OF OPPORTUNITY? 60

INDUSTRIALMECH CONSTRUCTION IndustrialMechs Basics 64 Technology Base 64 Weight 64 Space 65 Designing IndustrialMechs 65 Step 1: Design the Chassis 66 Choose Technology Base 66 Choose Tonnage 66 Allocate Tonnage for Internal Structure 66 Step 2: Install Engines and Control Systems 67 Install Engine 67 Add Gyroscope 69 Determine Jump Capability 69 Add Cockpit 69 Special Physical Enhancements (Environmental Sealing, Industrial TSM) 70 Step 3: Add Heat Sinks 71 Step 4: Add Armor 72 Step 5: Add Weapons, Ammunition and Other Equipment 74 Step 6: Complete the Record Sheet 75

PROJECT: PROTOMECHS 76

PROTOMECH CONSTRUCTION ProtoMech Basics 80 Technology Base 80 Weight 80 Space 80 Designing a ProtoMech 81 Step 1: Design the Chassis 81 Choose Weight 81 Allocate Weight for Internal Structure 82 Step 2: Install Engines and Control Systems 83 Install Engine 83 Determine Jump Capability 84 Add Cockpit 85 Special Physical Enhancements (ProtoMech Myomer Booster) 85 Step 3: Add Heat Sinks 86 Step 4: Add Armor 86 Step 5: Add Weapons, Ammunition and Other Equipment 87 Step 6: Complete the Record Sheet 89

THE MECHANIZED BATTLEFIELD 90

COMBAT VEHICLE CONSTRUCTION Combat Vehicle Basics 94 Movement (Motive) Type 94 Technology Base 95 Weight (Tonnage) 95 Designing Combat Vehicles 96 Step 1: Design the Chassis 96 Choose Motive Type 96 Choose Technology Base 97 Choose Weight (Tonnage) 97 Allocate Tonnage for Internal Structure 98 Step 2: Install Engines and Control Systems 100 Install Engine 100 Add Lift/Dive Equipment or Rotors 102 Determine Jump Capability 103 Add Control Systems 103 Special Physical Enhancements 103 Step 3: Add Heat Sinks 104 Step 4: Add Armor 105 Step 5: Add Weapons, Ammunition and Other Equipment 107 Step 6: Complete the Record Sheet 109 OmniVehicles 109

HOT PRODUCTS OF 3067 110

SUPPORT VEHICLE CONSTRUCTION Support Vehicle Basics 116 Movement (Motive) Type 116 Technology Base 117 Weight (and Size) 117 Designing a Support Vehicle 118 Step 1: Design the Chassis 118 Choose Motive Type 118 Choose Technology Base 119 Choose Weight (Tonnage) 119 Allocate Weight for Internal Structure 121 Step 2: Install Engines and Control Systems 126 Install Engine 126 Determine Fuel Capacity 128 Determine Structural Integrity (Airships/Fixed-Wings Only) 130 Add Lift/Dive Equipment or Rotors 131 Determine Jump Capability 131 Add Control/Crew Systems 131 Special Physical Enhancements 133 Step 3: Add Heat Sinks 133 Step 4: Add Armor 134 Step 5: Add Weapons, Ammunition and Other Equipment 136 Step 6: Complete the Record Sheet 139 Support OmniVehicles 139

BOOT CAMP BASICS 140

CONVENTIONAL INFANTRY PLATOON CONSTRUCTION

Conventional Infantry Basics 144 Motive Type 144 Technology Base 145

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WEAPONS AND HEAVY EQUIPMENT About This Section 200 Weapons and Equipment 201 Heavy Equipment 201 Active Probe 204 Anti-Missile System 204 Anti-Personnel Pods (A-Pods) 204 Armor 205 Artemis IV Fire Control System 206 Autocannon 207 Bay Door 209 C3 Computer 209 Capital Missile Launchers 210 Cellular Ammunition Storage Equipment (CASE) 210 Cockpit/Control Systems 210 Communications Equipment 212 Concealed Weapon (Modification) 213 ECM Suite 213 Ejection Seat 213 Engines 214 Environmental Sealing 216 Escape Pod 216 External Stores Hardpoint 216 Field Kitchen 217 Fire Control Systems 217 Flamers 218 Gauss Rifle 218 Gyros 219 Hatchet 220 Heat Sinks 220 Internal Structure 224 Jump Jets 225 Laser 226 Lifeboat 227 Look-Down Radar 227 Machine Gun 228 MASH Equipment 228 Missile Launchers 229 Myomer Accelerator Signal Circuitry (MASC) 232 Narc Missile Beacon 232 Paramedic Equipment 233 Particle Projector Cannon (PPC) 233 Plasma Weapons 234 Pintle Mount 235 Power Amplifiers 235 Quarters/Seating 236 Remote Sensor Dispenser 236 Retractable Blade 236 Searchlight 237 Screen Launcher 237 Sword 237 Target Acquisition Gear (TAG) 238 Targeting Computer 238 Transport Bays 239 Triple Strength Myomer 240 Turret Mount 241 Industrial Equipment 241 Backhoe 241 Bridgelayer 242 Bulldozer 242 Chainsaw 242 Combine 243 Dual Saw 243 Dumper 243 Extended IM Fuel Tanks 244 Heavy-Duty Pile Driver 244 Ladder 245 Lift Hoist/Arresting Hoist 245 Manipulator 245 Mining Drill 246

Designing Infantry 145 Step 1: Establish Platoon Type 145 Choose Motive Type 145 Choose Technology Base (Affiliation) and Size 146 Step 2: Establish Platoon Weaponry 148 Infantry Weapon Statistics 148 Choose Primary Infantry Weapons 150 Choose Secondary (Support) Infantry Weapons 150 Determine Final Range and Damage Values 152 Step 3: Complete the Record Sheet 154 Platoon Nomenclature 154 Infantry and Cargo Transportation 154

BATTLE ARMOR BASICS 156

BATTLE ARMOR CONSTRUCTION Battle Armor Basics 160 Technology Base 160 Weight 161 Weapon Space 161 Designing Battle Armor 161 Step 1: Design the Chassis 162 Choose Technology Base 162 Choose Weight 162 Allocate Weight for Internal Structure 162 Step 2: Install Motive Systems 164 Determine Ground Movement 164 Determine Non-Ground Movement 164 Special Physical Enhancements (Jump Booster and Partial Wing) 165 Step 3: Add Manipulators 166 Determining Anti-‘Mech and Mechanized Battle Armor Capabilities 167 Step 4: Add Armor 168 Step 5: Add Weapons, Ammunition and Other Equipment 170 Step 6: Complete the Record Sheet 172 Modular Technology 173 Formations 173

AEROTECHNOLOGY 174

AEROSPACE UNIT CONSTRUCTION Aerospace Fighter Basics 180 Unit Type and Shape 180 Choose Technology Base 181 Weight (Tonnage) 181 Space 181 Designing Aerospace Units 182 Step 1: Design the Chassis 182 Choose Unit Type and Shape 182 Technology Base 183 Choose Weight 184 Step 2: Install Engines and Control Systems 184 Install Engine 184 Determine Fuel Capacity 186 Determine Structural Integrity 187 Add Control/Crew Systems 188 Special Physical Enhancements (Conventional Fighter VSTOL) 190 Step 3: Add Armor 190 Step 4: Add Heat Sinks 193 Step 5: Add Weapons, Ammunition and Other Equipment 194 Step 6: Complete the Record Sheet 198 OmniFighters 199

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INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION

BATTLEMECH BATTLEMECH CONSTRUCTIONCONSTRUCTION

INDUSTRIALMECH INDUSTRIALMECH CONSTRUCTIONCONSTRUCTION

PROTOMECH PROTOMECH CONSTRUCTIONCONSTRUCTION

COMBAT VEHICLE COMBAT VEHICLE CONSTRUCTIONCONSTRUCTION

SUPPORT VEHICLE SUPPORT VEHICLE CONSTRUCTIONCONSTRUCTION

CONV. INFANTRY CONV. INFANTRY CONSTRUCTIONCONSTRUCTION

BATTLE ARMOR BATTLE ARMOR CONSTRUCTIONCONSTRUCTION

AEROSPACE UNIT AEROSPACE UNIT CONSTRUCTIONCONSTRUCTION

COSTS AND COSTS AND AVAILABILITYAVAILABILITY

BATTLE VALUEBATTLE VALUE

INDEXINDEX

RECORD SHEETSRECORD SHEETS

WEAPONS AND WEAPONS AND HEAVY EQUIPMENTHEAVY EQUIPMENT

INFANTRY WEAPONS INFANTRY WEAPONS AND EQUIPMENTAND EQUIPMENT

CONSTRUCTION CONSTRUCTION BASICSBASICS

COSTS AND AVAILABILITY Basic Cost Calculations 274 Structural Costs 274 Weapons and Equipment 282 Final Unit Costs 284 Availability 286 Availability Ratings 286 Introduction and Extinction Dates 287 Determining a Unit’s Final Availability 288

BATTLE VALUE Calculating ’Mech BV 302 Step 1: Calculate Defensive Battle Rating 302 Step 2: Calculate Offensive Battle Rating 303 Step 3: Calculate Final Battle Value 304 Calculating ProtoMech BV 306 Step 1: Calculate Defensive Battle Rating 306 Step 2: Calculate Offensive Battle Rating 306 Step 3: Calculate Final Battle Value 306 Calculating Vehicle BV 307 Step 1: Calculate Defensive Battle Rating 307 Step 2: Calculate Offensive Battle Rating 307 Step 3: Calculate Final Battle Value 307 Calculating Conventional Infantry BV 309 Step 1: Calculate Defensive Battle Rating 309 Step 2: Calculate Offensive Battle Rating 309 Step 3: Calculate Final Battle Value 309 Calculating Battle Armor BV 310 Step 1: Calculate Defensive Battle Rating 310 Step 2: Calculate Offensive Battle Rating 310 Step 3: Calculate Final Battle Value 310 Calculating Aerospace BV 311 Step 1: Calculate Defensive Battle Rating 311 Step 2: Calculate Offensive Battle Rating 311 Step 3: Calculate Final Battle Value 313 Constructing a Battle Force 315 Target Acquisition Gear (TAG) 315 Command, Control, and Communications (C3) 315 External Stores 315 Skill Ratings 315 Battle Value Charts and Tables 315 Weapons and Equipment Battle Value 317

INDEX

RECORD SHEETS

TABLES

Nail/Rivet Gun 246 Refueling Drogue/Fluid Suction System 247 Rock Cutter 247 Salvage Arm 248 Spot Welder 248 Sprayer/Light Fluid Suction System 248 Tracks 249 Wrecking Ball 249 Battle Armor Equipment 250 Active Probe 252 Armor 252 Bomb Rack 253 Camo System 253 Cutting Torch 254 Detachable Missile Pack (DMP) 254 ECM Suite 254 Extended Life Support 254 Flamer 255 Fuel Tank 255 Gauss Rifle 255 Grenade Launcher 256 HarJel 256 Heat Sensor 256 Improved Sensors 257 Jump Jets/Jump Pack 257 Jump Booster 257 Laser 258 Laser Microphone 258 Machine Gun 258 Magnetic Clamps 259 Manipulators 259 Missile Launchers 261 Mission Equipment 262 Modular/Turret Mounts 262 Mortar 263 Narc 263 Needler (Firedrake) 266 Parafoil 266 Partial Wing 266 Particle Projector Cannon (Support) 267 Plasma Rifle (Man-Portable) 267 Pop-Up Mine 267 Power Pack 268 Recoilless Rifle 268 Remote Sensor Dispenser 268 Searchlight 269 Shotgun Microphone 269 Space Operations Adaptation 269 Squad Support Weapon 270 TAG (Light) 270 Underwater Maneuvering Units (UMU) 270 VTOL Equipment 271 Weapons, Anti-Personnel 271 Conventional Infantry Equipment 272 Motive Systems 272 Armament 272

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