Battletec Issue #4

1 I was also wondering about something.
2ou have a section for 3/ech of the /onth3, but what about 4ehicles, Aerospace 5ighters, .ropships, 'arships ("umpships are ust T66666666 boring-7 I reali8e this is asking for a lot, but it might offer a little break from /echs occasionally& Anyway, ust a thought. 6ne more thing, have you thought about having a monthly contest for /ech designs7 /aybe each month pick a weight class and print two designs that are sent in to you7 ,tart with a light design, then a medium design, etc etc, then after you get six of each design pick a 3!est of !est3 for the year7 Then each year change the era the /ech must be designed in9 %1:;, %1;1, %1;;, %1<:, etc. ('hat can I say, I'm excited. It's good to see another publication about !attleTech&- 'ell, I better get going, I have rambled on for too long and the sun is coming up soon& 6nce again thanks for bringing !attleTech alive again& =arry =eslie a.k.a. Highball /ust this er" issue, -he 4ehicle War'Boo* ma*es its de#ut. -han*s for all the great ideas, 5arr". Writing a new ehicles fluff te6t is a nice #rea* from tr"ing to ma*e !u#lished +toc* Mech re iews interesting. Who e er wishs to contri#ute, with a few columns from moi, re!resent the entire staff 0seems to #e a#out two'three !eo!le !er issue2. (owe er, I 7$ drin* +amuel %dams80or Guinness when I want that 3scum from the #ottom of an oa* *eg taste. 2 %s for the 3Best of the #est, well, thats something thats highl" su#9ecti e to the #attlefield terrain and "our tactical st"le. (owe er, !lease feel free to throw "our fa orite designs this wa" for world'wide e aluation 0and I do mean world, I 9ust got a letter from a gu" in (ungar"8see #elow2. I am interested in getting a copy of BattleTec #1. I tried going through Telethons web site but I !ept getting a message saying that the page could not be displayed. I would be e"er so grateful it you could send me a copy. I don#t !now if you got a copy of $eiths article %&i Tech Battletech% that I transcribed' so I#"e attached a copy. Than!s
INCOMING! (Letters to the editor)

[Editors Note: I got a large amount of mail after Issue #3 was out for a while. Much of it was concerning WEB RPG and the files, so I e included a re!l" #elow with a lot of what Im ho!ing will #e hel!ful information. $n a side note, the author of the Opening Shots %rticle had someone come u! to him at school and challenge his &'3 &om!an". (eh, I guess the maga)ine is reall" getting around, mostl" than*s to sites li*e +olaris ,. -han*s, +*"'high. ] Even though I have only briefly looked over the first issue I must say I am extremely impressed by this work. I am only dissappointed that I haven't had time to read it all the way through, or the other two issues that are out. The scenarios are excellent, and the stories behind them really add a bit of life to them. Anyway, I ust thought I would take a brief moment to compliment you on all the hard work that you have put into these issues. Thank you for providing me with something new and entertaining for !attleTech. "ohn #oodman -han*s for the generous !raise, /ohn. %fter noting the demise of se eral !eriodicals and a lac* of interesting lead'in #ac*grounds 0if that ma*es sense12 in the official scenario !ac*s 0the last good scenario !ac* IM($ was 3-he Battle for -w"cross2, I felt !la"ers were a#out due for some interesting stuff. Glad "ou li*e the effort so far. I ust got home from work, downloaded !attletec $%, and read it& It was really great, especially the 'olverine profile (T)A*+,&-. The content is again fantastic and you deserve a round of drinks for you A*. your staff& I know that you are looking for contributions for your site and want to help out in some way& I have a lot of the !attleTech stuff typed into my computer and would be more than willing to send you everything I have. All the text files are written in either 'ord or Excel. The database files are written using /icrosoft 'orks 0.1, but I'm trying to transfer everything to /icrosoft Access.
BattleTech is a (egistered Trademar! of )*+* ,orporation. -riginal BattleTech material ,opyright by )*+* ,orporation. *ll (ights (eser"ed. .sed without permission. *ny use of )*+* ,orporation#s copyrighted material or trademar!s in this file should not be "iewed as a challenge to those copyrights or trademar!s. The sole purpose of this publication is to raise the le"el of popularity' and awareness of Battletech
4 +te"en ( -ell :eith I reall" en9o"ed reading his wor*. If hes of a mind for it, I wouldnt mind !utting it in here as a er" large article. ;ou can find all four issues at< http/00www.iser".net012eff!wrb0Issue1.3ip http/00www.iser".net012eff!wrb0Issue4.3ip http/00www.iser".net012eff!wrb0Issue5.3ip http/00www.iser".net012eff!wrb0Issue6.3ip &i 7eff' 8y name is (obert Brim' I go by *tticus Longwal!er. I ha"e been reading your issues since you started and I lo"e them' as do anyone else I send them to. I noticed some people are already loo!ing ofr bac! issues (!ind of ama3ing when you only ha"e 5 issues total). 9hat I would li!e to propose to you is this/ I would li!e to ta!e your e 3ine' and ha"e it as a web page on the news site I am running (http/00news.ma:gaming.net). -f course e"eryone would still ha"e your downloadable "ersion a"ailable' I am not as!ing for e:clusi"e co"erage. / ) 9hat would this accomplish; 9ell' what I am wanting to do is pro"ide an online way for people to "iew your e3ine without ha"ing to download a file (2ust an alternati"e for those e:tremely paranoid about "iruses macro and otherwise)' and pro"iding a place to ha"e the bac! issues a"ailable for download and online "iewing. -f course we would not ta!e any credit whatsoe"er for your wor!... it remains yours and yours alone. I am also offering my editing ser"ices' as I am an editor. If you are interested in any of this' please let me !now. (obert Brim (longwl!r<ma:gaming.net) =.+. I ha"e a personal site at http/00www.mercs5>??.com01atticus that I feel is e@ual to if not better than chaos march#s. (el! "ourself. -hat goes for e er"one else, as well. -his e')ine was meant to #e read #" e er"one who li*es #attletech. %ll the distri#ution we can get will hel! !romote our ho##". /ust share "our ad ertising dollars from adds on "our site with a charit", since this mag cant #e used to ma*e mone". &i 7eff I read your newsletter and was interested in the 9AB(=B. It is a real nice program and wor!s real well. I was also interested in the maps and mechs that you made and would li!e to chec! them out. If you could send me the .(L to download them from' I would really appreciate it. Than!s for the info Ian 8oore =+ Cour newsletter is great. ;our wish is m" command. +o let it #e written, so let it #e done. DEDITORS NOTE: http/00www.iser".net012eff!wrb09ABBTA,&8a sterE4>folders.3ip -he =R5 a#o e is the master folder full of the ma!, minis and terrain folder and the dice macros. -hese files cannot #e iewed e6ce!t in WEB RPG, as the" are /a a s!ecific files. =n)i! them to "our WEB RPG folder. $nce "ou are in WEB RPG, go to the file tree that is on the left of the chat room 0oh "es, there>s chat2 and right clic* 0command clic* for Mac2 on the item called >Wor*#ench ?older>, then choose load. -hat will let "ou load from "our hard dri e the folders. NOTE: -hese master #attletech files are er" large in #andwidth and can lag "our game out. I suggest "ou o!en the file when "our alone in WEB RPG room, select the mechs, ma!s and minis "ou need for an u!coming game, sa e them to a new folder and sa e that folder to "our hard dri e under the game>s name. -hat wa", when "ou>re read" on game da", "ou wont ha e those ma9or lag folders full of unneeded ma!s for the scenario. WEB RPG is great, #ut this ersion can free)e or crash with /a a memor" errors at times. (owe er these are infre@uent unless "ou ha e man" things in the file tree and ha e man" users in the room. -he new ersion is su!!osed to #e much friendlier, and is due out the ABth of March ACCC. -o that end, I suggest "ou sa e the #attlefield ma! to "our hard dri e after e er" full mo ement !hase 0or mid !hase if a huge fight2.
5 :ee! I&D o!en so "ou can communicate if one !erson free)es. HINT< if the game seems to free)e #ut "our mouse mo es, touch the JRE #utton on "our Windows tas*#ar, that will usuall" unfree)e it after a second. JRE is a dos #o6 that a!!ears and must sta" o!en 0minimi)ed usuall"2 for WEB RPG to run. $nce "ou ha e a mini and ma! selected, dou#le' clic* the mini. %fter a few seconds it will o!en and show "ou E mechs facing the arious sides of a he6. Merel" ta! a new facing image with a clic* from "our mouse, go to the #oard and choose !aste to !ut it in the he6 "ou want. 7elete the old facing and "ou ha e mech mo ement. ;our o!!onent0s2 will see the image on their ma! too, and can watch "ou mo e it. $n the ma! itself is a #utton called tool#o6. -his controls the wa" images show u! 0so "ou can !ut mech images o er terrain, and not under...these are alread" !rett" much ta*en care of on the master'ma!s I e made, so dont reall" mess with this o!tion until "ou e decided to ma*e a ma! of "our own2. Miniatures can #e in /PEG or GI? format. $nl" use /PEG if "ou dont !lan on using the trans!arenc" wand to ma*e things li*e white #ac*grounds around mechs disa!!ear. /PEG is often smaller, though, so its hand" if "ou !lan on 0G$7 ?$RBI72 illegall" scanning ?%+% #attletech ma!s into WEB RPG files. $nce "ou ha e a miniature and all its facings made, 0F$-E< GC degrees free rotation in a !aint !rogram will ma*e mechs face the correct angle for the non' u!Hdown he6 sides2, !ost them to "our we# site. -hen o!en WEB RPG, 3co!" the #lan* mini I threw into the Mech Master Mini folder, right clic* on it to 3Pro!erties, and !lace the =R5 of "our miniature from "our site in the a!!ro!riate slot. $nce "ou 3sa e, "ou can now use "our mini as a !la"ing !iece. $ne last note< 3+a ing a !ro!ert" of an" mini while on WEB RPG with a 3sa e #utton means "ou onl" sa ed it for that session. -o trul" sa e ma!s and an" folders "ou made, "ou must right clic* on them and choose the +%4E o!tion...that will let "ou sa e the files to "our hard'dri e. ;ou can also right clic* a mech on the ma! and choose isi#ilit". -his lets "ou hide a unit 0great for hidden unit set u!2. (owe er, the room host can alwa"s see all images, so if "ou are going to use hidden images, #est "ou host the game. If he sa es the ma! and o!ens it in his own room, he can see the hidden units, so #eware. .F 9-9GGGGG 7ust found the #3ine' Issue # 5. I#m drooling o"er it. I found it in a roundabout manner and can#t locate any of the pre"ious issues (if they are a"ailable on line). *re they and would you point me as to the direction or address to loo!; Cour fanG A. &aste (eh. 7ont ruin "our com!uter...drool tends to do that. +ee the a#o e re!l" for the =R5 to #ac* issues. Ill ha e an official Battletec site when I get off m" ass and ma*e one8 &ey dude...I am producing a new web page called =(I and my mission is to let people get from me (or ha"e a lin! so they can get it) any program designed to ma!e Battletech easier to play. I can easily place a lin! to 9AB (=B' but I ha"e hesitated because I don#t ha"e any battletech files for it and don#t !now where to find them. 9ould I be able to %obtain% any of your files and post them on my site; 8y site addy is/ http/00www.crosswinds.net01medron0 Than! you "ery much. I en2oy reading Battletec...now when is that 9arhammer re"iew coming....H ) 8edron =ryde +teel ,ommand League scl.steelcommand.com +ee the a#o e instructions. Fice site, #" the wa". Electronic &ard#oard1 Iear sir 7ust a little note of than!s for your hard wor! on your battletech newsletter. &ow can a true fan get the two bac! issues; $eep up the good wor!...hell...)*+* should be paying you.
6 Lt. $en Taube ?rom "our mouth to ?%+%s wallet. %ctuall", I do ha e an idea for a su#mission for a ?%+% Battletech !ro9ect, #ut with eight !ro9ects !er "ear, ma6imum, new#ie su#missions ha e a#out as much chance of sur i ing as a fart in a whirlwind. +till, theres no hurt tr"ing8F"stul did thin* the WEB RPG screen shots I sent him were interesting8 &ey 7eff' I wanted to remind you that I#m the same guy who wrote that flawed (ai2in re"iew. 8y web site; It#s called Iefiance Industries of &esperus II located at http/00msnhomepages.tal!city.com0hobbyct0btech fan0 =erhaps you could re"iew it for Issue #6. Issue 5 is greatG I 2ust wish I#d had the chance to correct that re"iew of the (ai2in. Than!s' 7onathan Aaster +orr" a#out the missing credits, /on. Ill amend the Issue #3 IIP when I ha e the time. 0Which will also include adding the legal mum#o'9um#o so this mag dont get sh't'canned #efore it ta*es off. Ill chec* out "our site as well. -han6. Iear 7eff' I am a subscribed guy on +olarisJ' although with a different name (+,. Les +nu!a). I am from &ungary' Aurope. I play' read and organi3e Battletech. I would li!e to share my first Battletech e:perience with you and your readers of Battletec (BT9/ I li!e it "ery muchG). &ereby I attached the article I wrote on it in a 3ipped 9ord file. (egards and Lasers upG Fice to see our fellow warriors in Euro!e are in to #attletech. I e seen a few German sites, #ut this is the first I e heard from (ungar". -han*s for the 3$!ening +hots material. B#day' I#m writing for two reasons. )irstly' to congratulate you on the incredible #3ine. +econdly' with a few @uestions regarding playing Battletech on 9eb(=B. (ecently' while casually surfing the net' I chanced bac! upon +olaris J. Lo and behold' an e:cited news post announced the arri"al of Issue 5 of Battletec. %9hat#s this; I thought to myself. I downloaded it out of curiosity and to my surprise' it was a @uality piece of publishing. I @uic!ly sought out the first two issues and saw that they were of a similar @uality. 7eepers' I thought to myself' this is the best thing since I led two stars of ,lan mechs into a BIB 8IKA)IALI. The results were the same' my world was suddenly filled with a lot of heat and e:citement. I#m eagerly awaiting Issue 6 and the bundle of 2oy that it will most assuredly bring. Kow' to the second @uestion/ I#"e downloaded the 9eb (=B and installed it. It wor!s fine but me and a few mates who wish to play Btech online are wondering how we get this to wor! for us; Cou mentioned something about some mini#s; 9hat are these and where; $eep up the good wor! and #8ay the spirit of $erens!y be with you always% * )an. I ta*e it "ou hail from 7own'=nder . -han*s for all the great comments. Read the a#o e last few letters for details on the minis. Ma"#e Ill see "ou gu"s online sometime, if the time difference !ermits. %s for good wor*, Ill *ee! the torch #urning if "ou *ee! reading #" it.
Opening Shots:
Hungry Bears from Hungary +,pt. ,rane Tseng 451st Battle .nit ,lan Bhostbear 8y first B#Tech games I#"e always been a great fan of 8ech9arrior 4' Bhost Bear Legacy' 8ercenaries' and 8ech9arrior 5/ =irate#s 8oon. I tried to find
? someone to play with' to share ideas and e:periences. -ne day in the office I#"e been surfing the web and found a &ungarian B#Tech mailing list started recently. I subscribed to it. *fter reading some incoming mails I found that I dropped into a B#Tech Board Bame )an society. Kice guys' although under my solahma age of 5>. I as!ed them about the board game since I ha"e ne"er heard about it. They !indly e:plained me the basic rules' so I went out and bought a Bo:ed +et Ko.1. Kow I had a basic understanding on the rulesG I also as!ed one of my colleagues if he wanted to play along. *fter ma!ing a good appointment we met in my (now former) bachelor flat. 9e rolled out one of the maps' chose two #8echs (to be honest we both prefer the ,lans' so we used two ,lan machines)' too! out our #8echsheets and started to play. -f course we made mista!es' li!e/ the damage suffered player rolled where the damage was ta!en we did not bother on piloting0gunnery s!ills' etc. *fter the first successful battle (actually the ne:t day) we were in"ited to the moderator of the mailing list to play against real B#Tech players. That was funG 9e created our first #mechs with the B8I. +ince we were all ,lanners' we played three scenarios/ (oo!ies (that#s us) "s. AlitesH Trial of =osition for my colleague (&e wanted to 2oin the ,lan 7ade 9olf. &e had no ran!' so we set up him a To=) and a Trial of (efusal against the accusation of being a 7ade 9olf. Katurally the scenarios too! place in re"ersed order... The first Trial (of (efusal) too! place in a Ia"ion +olarisJ arena. * roo!ie (me) and a +tar ,aptain (the list moderator) were the raisers of the issue' +omC (my colleague) and another guy with long B#Tech e:perience were the challengers of the statement. 9e were with a +ummoner and a Iire 9olf' they were with a 9arhammer II, and a 9arhaw!. They lost... 8y luc!y' "irgin hands... The second trial (for +omC#s position in the ,lan 7ade 9olf H L) was a misery for him. +omC dro"e a +tormcrow' I dro"e a +tormcrow either. The other testers dro"e a 8ad Iog and a 9arhaw!. In the third round I hit +omC with my +(8M in the head. &e fell' got unconscious' lost the trial. *fter introducing the Ter (ocha! rule (he had another opportunity) +omC started again. $illed my #8ech' but got !illed by the 8ad Iog. &e earned the 8ech9arrior ran!. The scenario too! place in the Liao +olaris J arena (a dungeon). This was (oo!ies "s. Alites. I dro"e a +tormcrow with my fa"orite .*,04>' +omC the +ummoner with A( ==,. The enemy/ I don#t remember' nearly the same weight. +ince the ,lan (-A was not introduced' we could play well. 9e shared the opponents with +omC' after shooting on one we changed. It was funG 9e won. *fter the last shots' +omC betrayed me and hit me with his A( ==, from 6 he:es into my head. I blasted... Kow I am a +tar,aptain in the ,lan Bhost Bear. 8y fa"orite #8echs are the +ummoner' +tormcrow' A:ecutioner and the mighty 9arhaw!. I lead a special unit called the 451st Battle .nit (%9ho lost in the +torm%)' we are stationed on the planet 7alt3' in the 9isty: system. Bood &unting' 8ech9arriorsG +,pt. ,rane Tseng 451st Battle .nit ,lan Bhostbear
The Vehicle
ar!Boo"
This new feature will highlight new "ehicle designs being produced across all holding in the Inner +phere and ,lan space. +ubmissions to this feature should ha"e a good bac!ground and fluff te:t to e:plain what purpose the "ehicle ser"es.
PROWLER Scout Tank Inner-Sphere Level 2 Vehicle Weight: 35 Tons Movement: Tracked Cr ise: ! "lank: ##
$ngine: 2%5 &L Control: *o+er ,mpli-iers: Li-t $. ipment: /eat Sinks: #5 Internal Str ct re: T rret: ,rmor: ?erro'?i# pts(1 Armor Distribution "ront: #! Sides: #52#5 3ear: #) T rret: #5
'() 2() )() )() 5() 3(5 )(5 %() 0!2
the new tan!s into their standard tactical protocol. In short order' the Prowler pro"ed its "alue as part of , 5 e@uipped companies' speciali3ing in lances where the =rowler was teamed with the new O-Bakemono *rrow IN battlemech. CAPABILITIES: 8ost "ehicle production companies tend to stay away from massi"e heat generating weapons' due to the difficulty in balancing weight specifications and combat ability. Co 7imbo built the Prowler with nothing but energy weapons' incorporating the )lash )ire 8ar! 4 A:tended (ange large laser. The famed 8artel medium laser was chosen for the front mounted secondary weapon almost all tan!s carry. This allows the tan! to roam far from support and supply bases' gi"es the scout remar!able range and a punch most targets cant ignore. The Burrows I"es A:tra Light engine is incredibly @uiet' and the soft dura plast mountings inside the tan!s trac! guards ma!e the Prowler as stealthy as a tan! can get. The addition of the Buardian A,8 allows the tan! to hide e"en from units e@uipped with *cti"e =robes. ,on"ersely' enemy recon units find it difficult to hide from a Prowler' due to its own acti"e probe. Typically' a solitary Prowler will scout a hostile area' locate buildings or other targets and hide. The ad"anced sensors allow the Prowler to then call in *rrow IN rounds from its company once dar!ness has fallen. In order to fend off light mechs and other scout "ehicles' the Prowler relies on its considerable speed and e:cellent armor. If engaged by faster units' such as ho"ercraft and NT-Ls' I,8+ tactical doctrine ad"ises finding co"er in areas these units cannot tra"erse' such as wooded terrain and buildings. The A( Large Laser usually allows the Prowler to effecti"ely engage pursuing units' while !eeping its distance at flan! speed. 9hile highly effecti"e for its design purpose' the Prowler does suffer from many of the same dilemma that plague most reconnaissance "ehicles. Iue to its e:tended time in the field' space aboard the Prowler is a premium. ,rew comfort in the tiny tan! was definitely a secondary consideration. *lso' the
Weapons & Ammo: $3-Large Laser 0T rret1 5() Medi m Laser 0"ront1 #() T,4 C-3 Slave 5eagle *ro7e 4 ardian $CM
,-+T/ BN/ ,(A9/ 5 OVERVIEW: The Prowler was designed to fill the roll of an ad"anced technology forward spotter and scout tan! with the additional ability to counter enemy scout units e@uipped with probe e@uipment. Co 7imbo Anterprises of Baltor 5 presented their proposal the I,8+ =rocurement Beneral. The new way of thin!ing inspired by ,oordinator $urita within the ,ombine military permitted the =rocurement Beneral to study the design proposal and led to a remar!ably @uic! order for 5>> of the stealthy little tan!s. Co 7imbo had already started retooling one of their ho"ercraft lines to produce the tan!' and the first Prowler rolled off the assembly line si: months before -peration Bulldog' precisely enough time for the ,ombine units to integrate
0T rret1 #() 05od61 #() 05od61 #(5 05od61 #(5
J cooling and "entilation systems are "ery dated' being of the least e:pensi"e !ind in order to !eep the o"erall cost of the "ehicle down. The ad"anced electronics aboard a Prowler are "ery e:pensi"e' ma!ing an otherwise a"oidable loss of one tan! unacceptable. -ften' only the most e:perienced crews are assigned a Prowler' since the ,ombine demands the e:pensi"e tan! return in the shape it was issued.
HISTORY: The Benyosha' (yu!en' Balledon (egulars and the =roserpina &ussars ha"e all recei"ed Prowlers. -n *sgard' the Benyosha used the tan!s scout abilities to screen suspected +mo!e 7aguar staging areas. -n Ado' the (yu!en sa"aged the Jth 7aguar Iragoons with preliminary *rrow IN stri!es' many of them tagged in by Prowler crewmen. -f the ?M Prowlers that were part of -peration Bulldog and its follow up wa"es' only 11 scout tan!s were lost to clan enemies' despite the ha3ardous nature of their duties. This is a sound testament to the durability of this "ersatile little tan!.
Small #nit $ctions All or nothin !

OI must protest' +tar ,ommander. 9e are far from our designated posting. This is a serious breech of conduct.P &is subordinates "oice was beginning to grate on +tar ,ommander (oa!s ner"es. )or the last two hours' 8echwarrior Bora! had ta!en e"ery opportunity to remind his commander of the unorthodo: actions the solahma star was engaged in. O*re you a warrior' Bora!' or an old woman to carry on so; )or the last time' I am in command of this star. Cou are merely to follow my orders. Is that understood;P To be truthful' (oa! would 2ust as soon settle the matter in a ,ircle of A@uals here and now' rather than listen to more of Bora!s complaints. True' Bora!s mech was e:actly the same type as his commanders and the rest of the star' a Hunchback IIC' but it was
the warrior who made all the difference in such e"en matched battles. (oa! !new he and the others were all past their prime' but e"en now he was still more of a warrior than Bora! had e"er been' e"en in the spring of Bora!s youth. *fter a moment' Bora! continued. OCes' my o"!han. I merely wished to gi"e you e"ery opportunity to change our present course.P O-f course. *ny good warrior would do the same. But we must considerH there are Inner +phere warriors on this planet. ,ommand trac!ed a Leopard class dropship that de"iated from the main enemy forces course' possibly due to engine trouble incurred in the atmospheric battle. If that is so' there is only one place they can land with any hope of success' and that is on the flat ridge one !ilometer from our present position. 9e will find the enemy ship' engage any enemy combat "ehicles' and capture the dropship. This will bring us the honor that has eluded us in the past.P OBut what of our orders to guard the ammunition bun!er; It may be that the Leopard suffered no trouble and the depot is its assigned target. Is it wise to lea"e our posts and hunt these raiders; 9hat if they are e"en now brea!ing into two groups and circum"enting our formation;P It was entirely possible Bora! was correct. But they were all old warriors' deemed almost useless to their clan. Kone had e:hibited any proficiency at teaching and so were denied e"en a roll in training future sib!os. In another year' e"en the honorless Hunchback II-C mechs would be forbidden them' and they would ha"e to find a place among the common foot soldiers' therein to wait for a death without meaning. To that end' (oa! decided it was not e"en worth calling his decision a gamble. There was simply no other choice that offered the aged clansmen a chance for glory or honor. )or' if the raiders were truly attempting to destroy the
S ammunition depot' they would bring mechs both lighter' faster and with L(8 support to rain destruction on the depot from the safety of the thic! 2ungle. The slower Hunchbacks would ha"e no chance at successfully defending the site' and further dishonor would be heaped upon the solahma warriors. O+tar ,ommander' I am pic!ing up a large reading on my magnetic scanner. It can only be the Leopard' sir.P 8echwarrior $unit reported from his right point position. O*ff' $unit. *ll points go to Qhot status with all weapons. =attern QC. Anter the clearing at top speed.P The fi"e Hunchback II-C battlemechs smashed through the forest as fast as the foliage would allow them. *s the lead two mechs in the QC formation bro!e out onto the plain' the left Hunchback was met with a trio of glowing particle beams. The ?> ton machines headlong momentum was instantly nullified and o"ercome. The ra"aged Hunchback stopped as if it had run headlong into a granite cliff face. *nother half second and the clan battlemech was pushed bac! and down by the beams hellish impact. (oa! could not be certain' but the lightly armored Hunchback most li!ely had ta!en serious internal damage. O(ight lead' what is the composition of enemy formation;P A"en as he re@uested the right QC Hunchbacks e"aluation' (oa! slammed the 2ump pedals down to the floor of his mechs coc!pit' bracing as the 2ets powerful thrust "aulted his mech up through the forest canopy' o"er treetops and abo"e the edge of the clearing. )rom his altitude' (oa! could see the smo!ing and damaged hull of the Leopard. Between his ad"ancing troops and the dropship stood two Inner +phere battlemechs and a Qlance of hea"y tan!s. *s he started to descend into the meadow' (oa! smiled. &e had been right. Li"e or die today' his peers must honor his decision to bring the fight to the enemy. SIT"ATION: The Devils Brigade mercenary unit suffered considerable damage in its first and only attempt at raiding Bhost Bear worlds when it attempted to raid 7e3ers!o. The unit met stiff fighter resistance during its burn in planet. The units Leopard class dropship' modified to carry a lance of hea"y "ehicles and two mechs' was forced to belly land in a field surrounded by dense 2ungle terrain. The dropships occupants' the Ie"ils Brigades L R guard' sur"i"ed the Qlanding with no damage. .nfortunately' the Inner +phere unit ditched close to a hidden ammo depot and a star of old mechwarriors who garrisoned the site and who were close to forced retirement. The mercenaries had barley debar!ed the remains of their dropship when they were set upon by glory hungry clan enemies bent on death in battle. SET"P: Lay out two fairly open terrain maps with minimal hills' long edge to long edge. Iesignate one map as north' the other as south. Treat all water he:es as clear terrain. There is other no special terrain or weather conditions for this scenario. ATTAC#ER: The attac!er is a solahma star of ,lan Bhost Bear 461st =B, mechwarriors piloting Hunchback II-C battlemechs. *ll fi"e clan battlemechs enter from the southern maps bottom long edge on Turn #1. The clan mechwarriors may not retreat from this battle.
Solahma Star:
+tar ,omm (oa! (B/ 50=/ 6) Hunchback II-C 89 Berri' (B/ 60=/ ?) Hunchback II-C 89 Bora! (B/ 60=/ ?) Hunchback II-C 89 (i!tor (B/ 60=/ ?) Hunchback II-C 89 $unit (B/ 60=/ ?) Hunchback II-C *ll clan warriors follow Le"el 1 the rules of engagement for this battle' hoping to gain as much honor as possible. *part from other factors' this means the Hunchbacks may perform no physical attac!s on their enemies. )urthermore' to capture daring gun camera footage as e"idence of their worthiness' these solahma warriors include "ehicles in the dueling' and will not fire at a tan! with more than one clan battlemech each turn. De$ender:
The defender is the Landing Rone +ecurity Alement of QThe Ie"ils Brigade mercenary battalion' composed of two 5>4? tech battlemechs and 6 hea"y mi:ed tech "ehicles. The Iefender sets up first anywhere on the north map. The defender may not use hidden units. The Leopard has landed to the north of the northern map. The Leopard dropships power systems are not functioning and no weapons may be fired in support of Inner +phere units.
Mech of the Month Mad Cat/Timber Wolf

I"e played battletech almost from its inception' and was aware of it bac! when it was Battle Iroids (curse Lucas and his trademar!sG)' but had no idea what the game was destined to become' or that I would play it. In that time' I"e battled in many games "s. some great' and some not so great' players. 8any had their homemade mechs' and some used stoc!s. Kow' I"e seen e"ery type of mech imaginable (from massi"e engined' weaponless and armorless nu!e rules suicide mechs to old tech 405 8= mediums)' but none really struc! me as being the epitome of what a mech should be. That is' until I got groin !ic!ed by a $ad Ca%. I dont care what anyone says. *part from the targeting computer U pulse stoc!s li!e the &urkina QB' #iper and 'oshawks (some would call them munchy)' theres no other stoc! mech out there that has the power and "ersatility' or has inspired the dread of the $ad Ca%. +ome mechs might do more damage (the (igh% ')r' etcVthe $adca%s pod space is no bigger than the #ul%ure and actually smaller than the Lokis) and some might be faster' but none of them combine such speed' fire power and 8*++INA amounts of armor li!e this nightmare. The soldiers comment in the 9olf ,lan sourceboo! (O9hats it li!e fighting the 9olf; Imagine Lightning with legs' catastrophe with genius or 2ust plain hell on wheelsP) must ha"e been ta!en after the guy saw a $ad Ca% in action. 9ithout a luc!y as hell shot' you 2ust cant ta!e down this mech before it dishs out horrible damage to your units. I can remember opening up the T(-/ 5>?> first printing after Id read Lethal &eritage. O9heres that $ad Ca%; The one that bagged =helan; $ic! **G Loo! at the co"er. !O!G OLook at the weapons this thing carriesGP etc' etc. VARIANTS:
Landing 8one Sec rit6 Mech $lement

Lt. Le::ana Rattlin (B/ 50=/ 6) *9+ ST wesome +gt. *ries +tanaslo" (B/ 60=/ ?) 9N( M8 !olverine
Landing 8one Sec rit6 Vehicle $lement

+gt. Bruba!er (B/ 60=/ ?) Challenger &ea"y Tan! ,rp. Adic! (B/ 60=/ ?) licorn &ea"y Tan! ="t. 7ones (B/ 60=/ ?) "ommel &ea"y Tan! ="t. =eacoc! (B/ 60=/ ?) #onLuckner &ea"y Tan! VICTORY CONDITIONS: The ,lan warriors are fighting for honor. Aach destroyed I.+. "ehicle or mech earns the clan players 1 "ictory point. *ny breach of Le"el 1 clan engagement rules remo"es t%o "ictory points. The Inner +phere warriors earn 1 "ictory point for each clan mech destroyed. Iefeating a clan unit in a Rellbrigen duel nets the I.+. warrior an additional "ictory point abo"e that gained for destroying the unit. *ny Inner +phere unit that retreats off the map reduces the Inner +pheres "ictory point total by one point per unit that flees. The side with the highest "ictory points at the end of Turn #1? (or the turn where all of one sides units are destroyed or flee DI.+. onlyF) wins the scenario. VARIANTIONS: If the ,lan unit is ha"ing an impossible time winning' mo"e the engagement rules to Le"el 5' or drop their Bunnery0=iloting +!ill to that of standard clan warriors (B/ 50=/ 6). ,on"ersely' if the Inner +phere side is getting turned into fertili3er repeatedly' replace any two "ehicles with medium or light class mechs.
1> I normally sa"e the "ariants for smaller indi"idual re"iews after the most common "ersion is re"iewed and some tactics discussed. &owe"er' Im not going to do that with the $ad Ca%' mostly because its been my e:perience that the =rimary $ad Ca% is hardly e"er played (as opposed to e"eryones fa"orite' the Q*Vslap me if Im totally off on this point). *lso' the "ery nature of the -mni mech means there is no set tactic for their use' since they are easily refitted with new weapons in a "ery short time due to modular weapons systems. Therefor' tactics will follow -mni mechs after a "ariant designation. &AD CAT PRI&ARY/ This mech was the first -mni to appear in the no"els' and is a good fighter at e"ery range. Twin A( Large Lasers pro"ide the best sting in the game o"er 45 he:' and let you inflict damage "irtually anywhere on the battlefield (&ey' who I-+AKT remember their first game when someone told them they were in range 4? he:es away; I !now m) 2aw dropped and I demanded proof from the weapons chart). The closer ranged weapon pac!age seems an odd mi: to me' but it reinforces the already potent ranged damage style this mech is geared toward. * weapons engagement en"elope that can stri!e at fi"e (4?04101?01405) increments seem highly unusual compared to the ma2ority mechs that ha"e two or three range ma:imums (i.e. *rcher at 410W' Battlemaster at 1S0W05 etc). The =rimary is a tough fighter' but suffers se"eral flaws. Li!e the #ul%ure' the twin L(8 4> rac!s ha"e a measly si: shots each. Iropping a medium laser for one more ton would ha"e 2ac!ed up the load to W shots for the $ad Ca%s two most powerful weapons. Li!ewise' that e:tra ton would ha"e allowed greater fle:ibility with ammo types' allowing you to pummel those dishonorable I.+. free births with some of their own medicine' li!e +warm and Thunder munitionsVthe =rimary also suffers from ma2or heat problems when it fires more than half its weapon compliment. +till' with the ability to indirect fire and some of the best effecti"e ranged weaponry in the game' theres no place to hide from the primary. Pri'(r) TACTICS/ $eep your range and use your speed to wear down those hordes of free birth anti@ue mechs. &old the L(8 barrage till you need a ma: of S to hit (might re@uire you to sit still' say' behind co"er). -nce the ammo runs dry' close to 1? he:es' which will put you in mediums for the twin A( large and long for the mediums. 8ost li!ely' your foes will be at long range at 1?. 9hen the foes sufficiently wea!' go get him. ALPHA: *h. Truly' the $ad Ca% Q* is the (olls (oyce of battlemechs. The O*P "ariant pac!s serious long range firepower' and the heat sin!s to use it. Twin A( ==,s will allow you to chop heads faster than a e:ecutioner on (iddilen. *nd it only gets worse for the enemy in close when you hose him down with deadly accurate triple medium pulse lasers. Those nice holes the ==,s and pulses left are ripe for follow up hits from the Q*s +trea! +(8 M. * massi"e 41 double heat sin!s !eep you smiling while most of the firepower tenderi3es your opponent' but e"en these wont control the smell of scorched wiring if you fire e"erything and run. *nother good point for the Q* (all the $ad Ca% types' in fact) is the tendency to spread the weapons around the chassis. This lets you a"oid the armless X weaponless problems many clan machines suffer.
*A TACTICS: Though the Q* has powerful ranged attac!s' it is K-T the primary and should not fight the same. The Q* wor!s best at medium ranges' where its most accurate weapons' the 5 pulse lasers' can offset the range penalties and still add lethal damage to the ==, attac!s. If you plan on getting somewhere and cooling down' throw in the old +trea! attac! as you go. If they dont loc!' then you dont get any hotter anyway. This is the mech to ta!e when youre in doubt of the opposition. Lights and mediums are
11 hit able with the pulses' and the hea"ies and assault are meat for the ==,s. S+S: 9hy bother piloting anything else under S> tons; *B V(ri(nt: 9ell' e"en the ,lans are not immune to ma!ing at least one unwanted stepchild of a mech series' and the QB $ad Ca% curls my guts to loo! at. -mni mech designers usually load up all the &eat +in!s they can cobble into the mechs engine' since the production models chassis is unchangeable once the initial components are hammered together. )or some mechs' li!e the &hor' this is an ad"antage. Li!ewise' for W>E of the $ad Ca%s. The #B#' howe"er' ta!es poor ad"antage of the 1? base heat sin!s. *t least' poor if you dont plan on ta!ing engine hits right away. *t a full run' this thing generates a mere 44 heat if all its weapons fire. Iont fire the small pulse and this thing is impossible to o"erheat e"en if you ta!e two engine crits. That might seem great' but when you loo! beyond the gauss rifle# low heat' there# a reason for this. 8ost of this mechs weapons plain suc!. 9hat bi3arre thin!ing went into this "ariant; * gauss rifle is always nice' but the paltry S rounds the brain dead designer Qgenerously allotted you seldom ma!e it worth the weight on the QB. Then you get the 2oy of watching a tiny swarm fire out from your L(8 1>. But the single ton of ammo you ha"e for this weapon 9ILL do more damage' because they wasted a two tons arming the L(8 and the laughable +(8 6 with *rtemis IN ),+s. &eh. +hould ha"e went with an e:tra ton of gauss if you as! me (but who did' right;). The one sa"ing grace of this mech is the large pulse laser housed in the left arm. *t least that will augment the gauss for S turnsV -n its own' the QB might ma!e a respectable weapon system to ta!e to that Trial of Brie"ance youre going to ha"e to go through after calling the QB designers fa"orite mech a pile of dung within his ear shot. -therwise' ta!e an +ller =rimary before you climb aboard this ill concei"ed -mni mech (wrec!;). *B T(,ti,s: Though the name of this "ariant also stands for its @uality grade' you can still do considerable damage before your ammos depleted and those 6 *%ingers tear you up. 9atch for enemies coming at you from the gauss arms flan!' as the lin!ed pulses on the other arm will shoo them away from that flan!. =lay the range game before youre bone dry' then close to where the (gulp) small pulse can annoy them after their Inner +phere *8+ totally destroys your +(8 6 spread. -ther than that' try e2ectingV S+S: Bet the hammer out so you can smash all your Battletech minis to "ent all that anger generated by the laughter of your Inner +phere foes... *C V(ri(nt: The Q, comes across as a =oor 8ans =rimary. It downgrades the L(8s' !eeps the scorching A( large lasers' and throws out almost all the good close in crap in e:change for an .ltra *, ?. =ardon me' but it stri!es me that changing out a lot of good hitting stuff for a weapon that a"erages fi"e damage' can 2am' and suffers a minimum range' boarders on retardation. True' the ,lans lo"e nothing more than a good ranged fight' but the mediums ga"e the =rimary a much more powerful bite at almost the same range. Kot to mention the fact this "ariant must be the one thats responsible for putting more ,lan warriors in the sic!bay with heat stro!e than any other ,lan machine this side of the *uper (ova. The L(8s will last a bit longer than the =rimarys' though they a re not practical to fire in con2unction with the A( large lasers. They could ha"e done wonders putting the A(s in separate arms as well. Than! god they spent the , Bills to throw in the ,T A( medium. *s it is' if youre piloting one of these' watch out for cunning warriors ta!ing ad"antage of your right flan! with the right arms .ltras minimums.
*C T(,ti,s:
14
Theres little to distinguish this "ariant#s tactics from the QBs. =erhaps the best tactic is to tell your s%ravag ,.-. you want an Q*V S+S: 8aybe earplugs will stop yet more laughter... *D V(ri(nt: *t first glance' this machine seems to pac! about the same punch as the Q*' and theres no doubt the QI can put 2ust as much of an arse whupping on you if you get too close. 9hile not as accurate at medium ranges as the Q*' the horde of +trea!s that successfully loc! you are sure to generate a few sna!e eye crits. *nd dont e"en tal! about how fast this thing will chew up "ehicles. Its also a bad idea to approach this thing from behind' as two of the four +trea! Ms are aimed rearward. 9ith plenty off ammo to spare (6? shots)' youll be firing roc!ets at people all day (hey' your bound to miss a few loc! on rolls' so the launchers will last longer than the 1> 14 rounds the ammo suggests). This is especially nice with the new any arc firing rules they re instituted in the B8(. )or ranged !illing power' those scary twin particle cannons can gi"e your target his final headache. 9atch the heat' though. The QI is unforgi"ing of poor heat management' and ammo e:plosions are ne"er fun' e"en for the ,lans. *D T(,ti,s: This design is murder at any range' pro"ided the rolls are M or less to hit' since strea!s that dont loc! are effecti"ely worthless. 7ust dont get an itchy trigger finger if you"e got Ales mounted o"er the +(8 portsV If youre worried about lots of "ehicles or being surrounded' maybe the QIs all around fire will ma!e you feel better. S+S: * must ha"e for missile and crit roll frea!s. (an!s right up there with the 6 LB 1>Y *, nnihila%or for slowing down a game with a lot of small damage' crit producing rolls...also ma!es life tough for those Inner +phere tan!ers...
*H V(ri(nt: )irst' let me say Im not at all impressed with &ea"y Lasers. These things belong on obsolete second line assault mechs' not the front line fighters. +till' a head chopper is a head chopper' e"en if you suffer an automatic Z1 penalty. The #&# carries a large &ea"y laser in each arm. .nfortunately' the 1S double heat sin!s 2ust don#t allow you to mo"e and fire both with out a hi!e up &eat Trail. The #Bood# news; Cou get two nice L(8 4>#s and all the ammo you can stomach. 9ith the A( small added as an after thought' you can do great long and mid ranged damage. The four tons of L(8 ammo let you pac! a few custom rounds for thundering or swarming the your unwashed I.+. cousins. -H- T(,ti,s: (ange' range' rangeG If they get smart alec!y and come in close' hold your ground and gi"e them a double dose of &ea"y Laser &ead ,hoppin#...pro"ided you don#t miss because of the 1. Kot the best $ad Ca% to ha"e by any means' but a tyrant that still demands respect' especially in prolonged ranged firefights. S+S: *nything in a pinch. *nd you#re sure to do all the pinching if you ha"e a hot pilot and the enemy can#t stay out at 1M he:es for some reason... *S V(ri(nt: -uch. I"e got mi:ed feelings about this mech. I lo"e it' but I also !now its an ammo bo: that can o"erheat if used wrong. *part from the Q=ryde &imber !ol, (too personal a mech to be called a true "ariant for re"iew purposes) that appeared in QTu!!ayid (or the one in the 8)/ .$ scenario pac!' QInbound used by the same )alcon)' the Q+ is the sole published "ariant that mounts 2ump 2ets. *nd it sure as hell has enough pulses to !eep hitting when you use the 2ets. 9hat ama3ed and annoyed me was the use of far too many +(8 M launchers. Two would ha"e been more than enough. In fact' an anti missile system or two and a *cti"e =robe or
15 A,8 would ha"e wor!ed wonders for a "ariant supposedly designed for city fighting. *S T(,ti,s: Cou sure dont want this thing getting anywhere behind you' which is e:actly the tactic to use most often with this beast. I"e used this "ariant the most when my commander needed maneu"erability his Q* couldnt pro"ide' and apart from the heat' I"e ne"er been disappointed. The Q+ is the best in fighter of the $ad Ca% series. Iont waste time sniping with the single large pulse unless the battles really small. The intimidation factor of this 2umping arsenal is enough to ma!e "eteran players act with unusual caution when fighting against the Q+ in the city or other mo"ement impeding areas. Im sure +olaris warriors would !ill their mothers (and their ri"als mothers as wellVwhat the hell' theyd probably do it for a Cicada) for a chance to compete in a ,lass ? arena with a $ad Ca% Q+. 9hen engaging other brawlers li!e the ')r with the .ltra 4>' hang bac! and fight a pulse war. .se that e:tra 1 2ump 8= to ma!e him fight on your terms. If hes loaded for long range' close to where 2ets and +(8s will ma!e a difference. I managed to ta!e down a certain players commanders Bhost Bear $asakari Q, with this baby the first time I got behind him. The Q* wouldnt ha"e let me get there. S+S: * great weapons load out on a highly mobile' hea"ily armored beast. Bait for rangers' though' so demands constant co"er. Ho.se R.les: 9ell' there#s not much to write about for the &ouse (ules for the newer T(-s. Cou can well imagine the $ad Ca% suffers few disad"antages and en2oys many ad"antages (unless you belie"e that bun! about not being able to !eep up with its star mates. Cou !now the one...it#s in the fluff te:t for that awful mech touted as the 8ad ,at#s replacement...) OVERALL RATIN/S0$ro' 121345: &(d C(t Pri'e: &(d C(t -A-: &(d C(t -B-: &(d C(t -C-: 6 &(d C(t -D-: &(d C(t -H-: &(d C(t -S-: 6 6 6 : 6 6 6 7 8 9 7 ; <
D[(o%e %ha% %his ra%ing is based on an over-all comparison o, mechs ,rom a similar %ech era. lso bear in mind %ha% %he ra%ing applies %o mechs o, roughl) %he same weigh% class. -.ra%ed mech o, heav) design migh% or migh% no% be a ma%ch ,or a -.- ra%ed medium mech. &he number ra%ing ,rom %his ga/e%%e is no% mean% %o replace B#0 bu% %o provide %he reader wi%h some ,eel o, how %he mech s%acks up when comparing i%s inheren% s%reng%hs and weaknesses.F
The %th
ar
'ies% Peninsula Dam 1awich00 Capellan Con,edera%ion 23456 $0 7ul) .%h0 8293 Cou !now the feeling you get when things are T-- @uiet; 9ell' thats about how I feel right now. The place is supposed to be crawling with tan!s' but Ill be damned if I can see any. 9ere here on $awich as part of the infiltration force thats supposed to soften the ,apellans for a bigger main thrust. 9ith all that such missions entail' its no surprise were supposed to blow a large dam to isolate the militias ground tan!s. +ome fool Liao ordered them to wait here on the Biest =eninsula. 9hat the hell was he thin!ing; Cou ne"er bottle up your ground pounders li!e that. 9e blow the dam' and his forces are trapped on the small tip of this planets biggest continent. 9ell' after a &*L- night drop with chaff pods and ungodly A,8' we pretty much landed right where we were supposed to. That dam stood out li!e a neon sign' all big and ghostly white in the moonlight. Timors lance is scouting the approach right now' but so far its a ca!ewal!. Thats whats got me spoo!ed. *h. Timors hailing on tight beam. O9hats up' =robe 1;P
16 O&eh. Cour gonna love this. The targets garrisoned by all of a whopping four *corpion light tan!s.P I almost laughed' if it hadnt been the real deal. *corpions are as low as you can get in the tan! crew profession. .nder gunned' under armored and slow as hell' youre days were pretty much numbered if you got shac!led with *corpion duty. * lot of malcontents ended up there' and a lot died there. OI dont !now' Tim. Cou get any other readings; *nything; I mean bac!ground static' too. *nything at all;P OKada' boss. The *corps are it as far as my snoop gear can tell. But infantry are hard to spot with an) sensor gear. *nd this would be the place to use them.P I had to agree with thatVthere were a lot of places for boot sloggers to hun!er down around the area. Lots of boulders that were drained clear of their sediment due to run off from the dam. O(iggs' you got that satellite lin! hoo!ed in yet;P OCeah boss. The "alleys real prettyV hehe. &ell' I might build a house up there on O OThats enough. 7ust patch me in.P The feed too! a second' but pretty soon a morning "isual of our location popped in. Than! god for geo sync orbit satellites. The morning sun negated any thermal blur we might ha"e made' so "isual was all there was. I can barely ma!e out our units and I !now right where we are. +till' something bugged me. O(iggs' can you gi"e me access to past "isuals; Li!e midnight or there about;P O9hat for;P O7ust do it' damn it. Thats an order.P I growled. 9ithin another two minutes some stills flashed on my "is bo:. Kothing. OBi"e me thermal.P BingoG )our large red plumes' which could only be mech fusion engines' and a bunch of smaller yellow ones dotted the screen. The little ones were definitely infantry. 9here the plumes from the mechs stood' there were now suspiciously large boulders or other flotsam from the dams run off. O-!ay' peopleG Irop your c\!s and grab your soc!s. Liaos on to us and its game timeG I yelled' =atch in to channel >> 5. *ssigning you each your targets as you downloadV.P
SIT"ATION: Alements of +pecial *ctions .nit Bravo were assigned to eliminate Target #6 before the opening in"asion of $awich. Target #6 was a large dam constructed on the )u +haun (i"er built to pro"ide hydrodynamic power and irrigation control to the peninsulas lowlands. 8aneu"ering through a highly dangerous night drop with hea"ily shielded battlemech drop pods' the +*. successfully na"igated the drop almost on top of their ob2ecti"e. .nusual caution on the +*.s leaders part pre"ented disaster. It was later learned that a 8as!aro"!a sleeper agent had managed to get word to &ouse Liao of the mission prior to the +*.s landing. 9hat was supposed to be a ,apellan ambush was @uic!ly turned around by the crac! +*. mechwarriors. SET"P: Lay out two fairly open terrain map sheets' short edges touching. 9 Iam Adge
Iesignate a short end as east. That end is completely bloc!ed by the le"el 1> high dam. The north and south edges (the long sides of the maps) are also bloc!ed by le"el 1> "alley walls. Lay out 1? counters representing boulder piles. Treat these as Le"el 1 rough he:es. *ll woods he:es are considered light. The defender sets up first. The attac!er enters from the west on Turn #1. ATTAC#ER: The *ttac!er is +*. Bravo' one of se"eral insurgent units that recei"ed little notoriety (though their commanders said an) notoriety was too much) after the war. These s!illed mechwarriors are also trained demolitions e:perts and ha"e e:tensi"e e:perience in Blac! -pps. Co''(nd L(n,e:
1? may start in any space. The Liao battlemechs may not open fire until one of their number is first fired on' any unit comes within 1> he:es of their position' any other friendly non mech unit (including the dam) is fired at by the Ia"ion force' or four rounds ha"e elapsed. Third Con$eder(tion Reser>e C(>(lr): ,apt. Tong Luew ,T) 1Y Ca%aphrac%(B/ 40=/ 5) +gt. =ra: Irew 8*I-5L $arauder (B/ 50=/ 6) 89 LinCue ,KT W*& Cen%urion (B/ 60=/ ?) 89 Irons ,=LT ,1 Ca%apul% (B/ 60=/ ?) Vehi,le L(n,e ?1: Lt. =ierce +gt. Brown ="t. Bates ="t. 9hune He%/er !. He%/er !. He%/er !. He%/er !. .'. .'. .'. .'. (B/ 50=/ 6) (B/ 60=/ ?) (B/ 60=/ ?) (B/ 60=/ ?)
,.-. ((ame Classi,ied) NT( WB #ic%or (B/ 40=/ 5) *gent Breen B() 1K 'ri,,in (B/ 50=/ 6) *gent (ed B&( ?& 'rasshopper(B/ 50=/ 6) *gent Blue &,T 5) Ha%che%man (B/ 50=/ 6) RECON LANCE: Lt. 9hite =Y& 1I Phoeni: Hawk (B/ 40=/ 5) *gent 9hite NL$ T* #alk)rie (B/ 50=/ 6) *gent Brown +TB 5( *%inger (B/ 40=/ 5) *gent Blac! L,T 1N Locus% (B/ 50=/ 6) The (econ lance enters the western edge of the map on Turn #1. The ,ommand lance enters the western edge on Turn #5. The +*.s goal is to destroy the dam. To accomplish this' a total of 6>> pts of damage must be inflicted to one he:. Three rounds after this is accomplished' the dam collapses and all units on the dam map are destroyed' on round ? after the destruction' all units who ha"e not retreated off the west edge are considered destroyed. DE=ENDER: The defender is &ouse Liao#s Third ,onfederation (eser"e ,a"alry' assigned to ambush the Ia"ions. The Liao player sets four counters on the map' representing his Qhidden battlemechs. 9rite down the type of mech on the bottom of the counter and place each on a rubble he: at least 1> he:es away from any other Liao battlemech' but do not re"eal the model to the Ia"ion player. Thus' the Ia"ions !now the location of the battlemechs' but not what mech is in each location. 9hat the Ia"ions do K-T !now is the location of four He%/er !heeled ssaul% 'uns' or the foot platoons of infantry (5 +(8' 5 8B) hidden among the roc!s. Because of the nature of the ambush' the He%/ers are only considered to be in impro"ed positions while in their starting he:es. If and when the He%/ers lea"e their starting rough he:' that he: will again fall under normal terrain restrictions (i.e. the &et3ers may not mo"e bac! into their starting he:' as it is now a normal rough he:). The lance of *corpion Light Tan!s starts ad2acent to each other two he: rows away from the dam. He%/ers may start in any rough he: (including those containing mechs or infantry). Infantry
Vehi,le L(n,e ?@: Lt. Lee *corpion Light Tan! +gt. Taigu *corpion Light Tan! ="t. 7eebs *corpion Light Tan! ="t. $indel *corpion Light Tan! In$(ntr) Co'A(n): 5 =latoons of +(8 Infantry 5 =latoons of 8B Infantry Vi,tor) Conditions: The Ia"ions win a decisi"e "ictory if they destroy the dam and escape with at least four functional mechs. They win a minor "ictory if they destroy the dam and retreat with less than four mechs. *ny other result is a failure (the bridge must be destroyed to achie"e any !ind of a "ictory). The Liao player can only win a ma2or "ictory' and only by successfully defending the dam. Loses to the Liao forces are irrele"ant if they can !eep the Ia"ions from destroying the dam' so there is no minor "ictory possible for the ,apellan player. (B/ 40=/ 5) (B/ 60=/ ?) (B/ 50=/ 6) (B/ 60=/ ?)
1M rebounded from the crimson and yellow +mo!e 7aguar symbol embla3oned on the floor. )rom this location' a person#s 2udges could only be "aguely seen in the red glow gi"en off of each council member#s data screen. A"en the area to the rear of an accused person offered no sanctuary' for two 7aguar Alementals' unarmored but no less impressi"e' guarded the great doors to the council. These fearsome bailiffs were only e"ident after a person wal!ed into the hall' their strategic locations a warning the person on trial should not attempt a hasty egress' especially without the council#s permission. Blancing at his chronometer' 7in stood with a gesture for silence. *ngrily' she scanned the room. %It is past the appointed timeG +tar ,aptain Torc further dares to show his slight regard for our customs' e"en before this tribunalG I immediately call for % Before 7in could finish her rhetoric' the chamber doors opened with authority' catching e"en the battle seasoned Alementals off guard. In strode yet another Alemental' this one' howe"er' was fully armored in his fearsome power suit. The bright red unit designation %6th% could clearly be seen on the suit#s shoulder guards. ,lasped in the suit#s talon li!e right claw was a small blac! bo:' a portable comm de"ice that would pro2ect holo images from the distant battlefield to any area without a proper holo tan!. *ll of the council had risen at the armored trooper#s entrance. %9hat is the meaning of this outrage' elemental;%' 7in snarled' % Cou !now well that no form of battle gear is to be brought into this courtG% The giant seemed to study the other 7aguar warriors' pausing only briefly when it noticed the Ko"a ,at warrior. Then' with almost gingerly grace' it set the comm bo: on the council floor' and stepped bac! a pace. *fter a brief flic!er' a holo image sprang into being abo"e the bo:' distorting and then fully filling one third of the hall. %Breetings' Bala:y ,ommander. I trust I am not too late;% The image of +tar ,aptain Torc ga"e the slightest sarcastic smile. %-utrageousG# 7in growled' with such "igor she nearly plummeted the fifteen feet to the hall#s floor. %+tar ,aptain Torc' I demand that you
Campaign CO&N'&:
-he following series of #attles were actuall" fought in m" house cam!aign. ?orgi e an" ma9or de iations from 3official sources "ou ma" find. -he current series deals with a -.o.%. we !la"ed out among the +mo*e /aguars, of which one faction was assisted #" &lan Fo a &at 0no, the" hel!ed the #ad gu"s2. Dropship -7aguar Pride-0 &ur%le Ba) *moke 7aguar Occupa%ion ;one 5 December0 8263 Bala:y ,ommander 7in 8ehta leaned bac! into the comfortable 2udge#s seat' a smug grin etched across her scarred face. +he thumbed the blac! medallion' the 7aguar ,lan#s mar!er for Ie3gra' between her thumb and forefinger. *ssembled around the half crescent bench' similar to the one found in the audience chamber of the Brand ,ouncil' were other shadowy shapes. 8ehta !new them all' and whether she admired' hated or feared them' they' li!e herself' were all true born' blood named warriors of ,lan +mo!e 7aguar. *ll sa"e one. 9hile she held nothing but contempt for ,lan Ko"a ,at' 7in was than!ful for one of their warriors. *fter all' it was +tar ,aptain =rice &ardo had brought the necessary e"idence needed to ma!e tonight#s pleasant di"ersion possible. A"en so' two empty chairs separated the Ko"a ,at warrior from his nearest 7aguar counter part. 7in scanned the dar!ened chamber' watching the shapes @uietly confer in a do3en conferences. *ll !new the outcome of this Trial of Brie"ance e"en before e"idence would be presented. The 6th 7aguar Iragoons would be labeled Ie3gra...disgraced.. and it#s members disbanded and sent to separate garrison units' or e"en better' if 7in could ma!e it possible' relegated to non warrior castes. 7udging by the significant amount of hostility present in the chamber' the Bala:y ,ommander thought the latter highly possible. The interior of the room had been deliberately designed to ma!e accused persons feel isolated and small. * single shaft of light beamed down onto the chamber#s central floor' below the council bench. The only reflection in the room
1J surrender yourself to your subordinates immediately. This stunt of yours will cost you dearlyG Cour command' certainly. =erhaps e"en your lifeG% 7in was li"id' effusing each syllable with hatred' and the warriors in the chamber echoed her feelings with curses. %I am afraid not' Bala:y ,ommander. I ha"e no intention of losing anything' specially to a pride of mewing !ittens such as yoursel"es. I ha"e been aware of this concentrated effort to abolish the 6th 7aguar Iragoons e"en before Lyndel +howers was !illed. I ha"e neither the patience nor the desire to play the silly games Apsilon Bala:y#s upper echelon has been noted for. =ass whate"er 2udgments you wish gentlemen. I will follow it up with the proper demand for a Trial of (efusal. I merely wished to ma!e my presence felt' beseeching any true warriors present to study the 6th#s impressi"e battle honors. Ta!e this into account when you "ote for the Trial odds.% 7in had grown coldly calm' slowly sha!ing her head. %Ko' +tar ,aptain. This goes beyond any mere Trial of Brie"ance. Cour effrontery cannot go unpunished. Because of your unit#s continuos disregard for orders' your unauthori3ed dalliances into Ko"a ,at space' and your failure to completely destroy the $urita mercenary unit you ha"e continuously struggled against' I must now call not for a Trial of (efusal' or e"en *bsorption' but a Trial of *nnihilationG &ow "ote we all;% 7in turned to the council' hurrying the "ote faster than strict protocol re@uired. The image of Torc waited patiently for the tally' his face unreadable. *fter reading the total' 7in slowly turned toward the hologram. * smile broadened across her face' the leer of a shar!. %It is unanimous. Cou and your unit shall be destroyed' +tar ,aptain Torc. I will dispatch our nearest units. Cou will not escape.% Torc regarded 7in with the loo! an unimpressed instructor gi"es a sib!o member who fails his first mech wal! e:ercise. %I ha"e already told you' 7in 8ehta' I do not plan to do anything you suggest. 8y forces are already in place. *s I am the hunted' it is my right to choose the time and location of the Trial. I will communicate their positions and disposition immediately.% The image started to fade' then sprang to life again. %-ne last thing' +tar ,ommander. The mercenaries you spea! of...they fought with honor. They displayed more s!ill than any unit we ha"e battled' Inner +phere or clan. They were the best. They could not destroy us. Keither will you. (emember this well' 7in. If you set down on &ano"er' I will turn your omni mech into your funeral pyre. Bargained well and done' Bala:y ,ommander. +tar ,aptain Torc out.% The image faded' and the Iragoon elemental pic!ed up the bo:' saluted' about faced and e:ited the chamber amidst shouts and curses. .ndaunted' 7in turned to the assembled warriors. %+ons and daughters of the 7aguar' and the wronged unit of our brother in ,lan Ko"a ,at' let the bidding begin...% (or%hern ou%pos% <=90 Hanover *moke-7aguar Occupa%ion ;one =9 December0 8263 +now blew o"er the canopy of +tar ,ommander Blarney#s !arhawk' hissing li!e the serpent he thought of as he watched it slither in the wind#s touch. &e settled bac! into the -mni mech#s command couch' staring pensi"ely at the primary monitor. %It is getting worse' as predicted. *ff' bondsman Bimp;P There was a brief pause' then slight static impinged on Bimps reply/ %*ff' +tar ,ommander. I am ha"ing difficulty e"en maintaining a sensor loc! on the 8iner 8ech decoys. 8y last data lin! with the weather satellite indicated a significant increase in intensity in our sector. In a few moments' we will be in the heart of a bli33ard.% Blarney listened to the wind a moment more. &e !new the opposing Jth 7aguar Iragoons were e:cellent warriors' but e"en he was s!eptical the enemy would attempt a combat drop in such se"ere conditions. * well clothed man would last no more than an hour in the gale outside' and with the scant garments all mechwarriors wore' e2ection in the middle of combat here would be the same as dying in an e:ploding mech. Blarney e:amined the 6th#s battle strategy again. &is star had had o"er a wee! to plan their defense' and not one hour had been lost. -utpost
1S #14 was located far abo"e the *rctic ,ircle of &ano"er' an en"ironment enshrouded year round with deep snow and hurricane force winds. +urprisingly' the horseshoe shaped "alley where -utpost #14 was located allowed small clumps of hardy indigenous trees to ta!e seed' especially near the base of the bowl' were conditions were 2ust slightly more hospitable. The former $uritan residents had car"ed a series of mines out of the granite of the "alleys central slope. Blarney had used the 8iner 8echs to car"e ten meter deep trenches from the scattered clumps of trees to the fang li!e mouth of the ca"e. There were small inclines in the trenches that led from the pines' concealing the 6th#s -mnis below the waist. The trees effecti"ely co"ered the tops of the war machines' especially after snow had formed drifts o"ernight. +turdy wooden plan!s co"ered the trenches' pre"enting snow from filling them. These in turn had been sown with small demolition e:plosi"es that would clear away the plan!s and allow the 6th#s mechs free mo"ement through the deep snows. The three biggest mechs of the star' Bimp#s bird li!e $arauder IIC' mech warrior )o33y#s &urkina and Blarney#s own !arhawk were strung out in a hidden line at appro:imately 1?> meter inter"als' pro"iding the assault mechs with interloc!ing fields of fire. The two -mnis were configured with energy weapons to ta!e ad"antage of the frigid temperatures. A"en the $arauder would gain from the cold' firing all it#s weapons that warmer temperatures would ha"e prohibited. In addition' each assault mech was assigned a point of Alemental battle armor' painted in the traditional winter camouflage. 9ithin the mouth of the mine' which was also rigged with demolition charges' +tar ,ommander =yra waited in ambush' her (igh% ')r configured for lethal close in battle. 8echwarrior Ionnel#s *%orm Crow' with a similar weapons pac!age' waited in the shadows to the left of the mine#s mouth. Two more points of Alementals had also concealed themsel"es in the in!y blac!ness. The plan called for the 6th Iragoons to hold their fire until all three outer ring mechs could concentrate their fire on a single enemy' more than once if possible' and then fade out of sight toward the mine entrances. Between the 6th#s mechs and the perimeter fence surrounding the compound was a "ast field of thic! whiteness' snow drifts nearly as deep as a mech#s hip. +uch terrain was impossible to na"igate at anywhere near a mech#s ma:imum speed' and e"en the lightest machine could become hopelessly bogged down if the pilot were foolish. The hea"iest mechs would suffer e"en more. +uch slow mo"ing units made e:cellent targets. The interior of the base itself was constructed of half a do3en reinforced buildings' surrounding a large propane and diesel tan!0generator. *n icy road led off into the howling winds and white no mans land on the opposite side of the compound. The base#s ho"ercrafts' the most feasible "ehicles for such en"ironments' were stac!ed li!e cordwood outside the main gate' effecti"ely bloc!ing easy access to the base. The conditions could hardly be better for the 6th#s battle plan. Kow' all that was missing were the Jth#s mechs to shoot up. Blarney permitted himself a smile. &is star mates were a "ery deadly composite of warriors' and he had en2oyed many successes with them since the +mo!e 7aguar clan had began the in"asion' but somewhere in the bac! of his mind' he felt an ominous foreboding. .n clan li!e as it may ha"e been' the +tar ,aptain seemed to be suffering the most se"ere case of pre battle 2itters he had e"er e:perienced. Twice' he felt the urge to ha"e the unit stand down' intending to site the weather as a logical reason pre"enting the coming battle. Both times' he suppressed the feelings with an almost super human effort. QI have seen %oo man) ba%%les %o be labeled a coward. I do no% unders%and m) unease now# he thought. +uddenly' the 8.*.I. flashed repeatedly on the !arhawks tactical display screen' dispelling his gloomy thoughts. %Iragoons' it seems the Jth intends to show after all. (emember' this is a trial of annihilation. Iueling rules do not apply. +tic! to the battle plan.% * series of affirmati"es s@uelched through Blarney#s comm set. +tar ,ommander =yra and 8echwarrior Ionnel also ac!nowledged from within the ca"es. Blarney studied his mechs screens' attempting to decipher the location of the approaching enemy. &e frowned for a moment' perple:ed by the readout.
1W %Iragoons' apparently at least half of the Jth ha"e decided to drop regardless of weather conditions. I mar! four mechs entering the lower atmosphere. ,haff from their re entry cocoons is wor!ing. Ko I.I. yet. I also read three more ground bound mechs entering sensor range beyond the other side of the compound.% %*ff' +tar ,ommander. +ensors relate two mediums and one hea"y mech. * Hun%sman' Black P)%hon' and one design I am unfamiliar with. Its seismic "ibrations place it between forty and fifty tons. +now cushioning ma!es e:act weight imprecise% %,onfirmed' bondsman Bimp. It seems we are enough of a disgrace to send an obsolete mech li!e the QP)%hon against us. 9e will teach these +urats the meaning of humility.% -ut of the blowing mists' the four dropping mechs appeared li!e misty apparitions. Aach pilot compensated for the gale winds with masterful' almost unnatural' precision. The lead mech' another !arhawk' landed with a muffled Qwhump in the thic! snow surrounding a copse of trees one hundred meters from the road' and its star mates followed suit' landing less than fifty meters apart. Blarney had to admire s!ill that could manage a close order combat drop in such conditions. )rom across the compound' other gloomy figures emerged from the swirling whiteness. The bird li!e silhouette of the deadly Black P)%hon was the most identifiable. The hea"y mech smashed through a wall of snow surrounding the icy roadway' turned toward the main gate and its pile of ho"ercraft' and promptly fell foreword as the pilot lost his balance on the une:pectedly icy pa"ement. (eco"ering @uic!ly' the mech carefully rose to its feet' now heading for the perimeter fence with noticeably more caution. Three steps from the barrier' the P)%hons star mates opened fire' reducing the obstruction to molten slag that hissed when it touched the snow. The Black P)%hon continued foreword without brea!ing stride and entered the compound' it#s arms trac!ing bac! and forth' co"ering any places an enemy mech could possibly hide. 9hen no attac!er materiali3ed' the machine waited for the other members of its force to arri"e. In short order' a Hun%sman' (ova and the two swiftest mechs' a *%orm Crow and a new !ar-!ol, -mni mech' safely na"igated the perimeter. The s@uads of battle armor attached to each of these machines made no attempt to deploy. The Jth#s two most powerful mechs' the 9arhaw! and a &imber !ol,' had a rougher go of it. The snowdrifts played ha"oc with the hea"ier machine#s ad"ance' causing them to fall a good distance behind their companions. 9ith an almost casual motion' the gun pods that were the &imber !ol,s hands came up. Twin streams of charged particles lashed out li!e lightening bolts' tearing through and igniting the huge propane tan! near the center of the encampment. * monstrous fireball rose up as super hot tongues of flame lashed out' engulfing three of the buildings in a bla3ing firestorm. The ad2oining diesel tan! blew as well' showering the area in petroleum. %It would appear the Jth can only ma!e war on buildings.% an anonymous "oice blurted o"er the 6th#s channel. %Io not 2est yet' mechwarrior. Kote that the Jth#s lightest mechs carry points of Alementals. They will be dangerous should they ma!e it to the mines. It seems the bidding for this force was won by the Ko"a ,ats. The unusual mech you detected bears their mar!ings' and appears to be directing the Jth#s actions.% *s Blarney spo!e' the entire force of enemy mechs fired and reduced the closest building to a heap of burning rubble. %-b"iously' they suspect entrenched Alementals.%' Bimp noted. Kow with a contemptuous gait' the (ova bolted forward along the inner fence line. The !ar-!ol, to the right of the fifty ton machine also ad"anced' 2ogging toward the middle of the camp. The (ova continued forward' s!irting the outer edges of the burning buildings' until it caught direct sight of a trio of 8iner 8echs. Instantly' both arms of the clan machine came up and a do3en medium class lasers tore into the closest 8iner. 9ith no armor to spea! of' and only a huge mining drill in the right arm' the 8iner 8ech could hardly resist such a furious assault. The industrial machine seemed to hunch o"er in pain for the briefest moment' before its upper torso suddenly erupted into a shower of ruined metal.
4> In less than two seconds' the entire upper body of the machine had been reduced to "apor. The legs remained standing for only a second longer' before crashing into the burning building in front of them. The !ar-!ol, rounded the opposite corner of the same building and paused' as if trying to understand what had occurred. .nfortunately for the !ar-!ol,' both he and Jth Iragoon (ova had 2ust entered the primary weapon range of all three of the hidden 6th Iragoon assault mechs. +tar ,ommander Blarney brought the !arhawk#s @uad ==,s up and foreword. The high winds pre"ented any chance of a hit with missile fire' so only the ==,s were on line. %This one is mine' 6th. +a"e your fire for the (ova.% *s soon as the golden dot in his sights pulsed' all four particle beams coalesced on the hapless !ar-!ol,. (ange and conditions pre"ented all four from hitting their mar!' but the two beams that connected both struc! home dead center on the medium weight machine. The first stripped the )erro fibrous armor away li!e a whiplash across bare s!in' and the second cored straight through the engine and gyro' blowing a gold rimmed hole out the mech#s bac! armor' rudely dislodging the Alemental trooper who clung there. Li!e an e:hausted man' the monstrous machine seemed to go limp' then simply collapsed in on its self. *s if they were fleas lea"ing a burning dog' the other Alementals leaped away into the snowV three month period' the 6th returned to its posting on &ano"er' there to complete final tas!s before departing clan space completely. The Ko"a ,ats' howe"er' sent a courier into +mo!e 7aguar territory' demanding that the 7aguar upper echelon do something about the raids. This action completely flabbergasted the 7aguar command' which had no idea what the 6th had been up to. (ather than laugh at or deride the Ko"a ,at emissary' as would ha"e been the case if any other 7aguar unit was concerned' 7in 8ehta used the raids as an e:cuse to deal with the upstart unit once and for all. SET"P: K-TA4 &he ,ollowing scenario is ver) de%ailed. Ine:perienced pla)ers ma) wish %o simpli,) i%. &his scenario works bes% when %he a%%acker does no% know where %he de,ender-s uni%s are or %ha% Ishi)ama *olaris maps are going %o be used. Lay out two battletech maps' with the white sides facing up. The smaller four maps are Ishiyama maps from the +olaris Bo:ed +et. These should be set so that the southwestern small map has the small la!e on it and what can pass as a mine opening. *ll the Ishiyama maps should be lin!ed to at least two of their smaller !in. If these are una"ailable' use any hill maps but consider all hills to the solid roc! of mind shafts. Le"el > terrain has a ceiling 4 le"els o"erhead' ma!ing 2umping here impossible for non Alementals. There is an underground la!e on the southwestern small map' with a small bridge that must be crossed to enter the ca"erns. This la!e is Le"el 1 deep' and both the ca"e entrance and this bridge are rigged with e:plosi"es (the bridge has a ,) of ?>). The tunnel entrance here can be collapsed as long as a friendly unit has L-+ to the opening. *ny mech caught in the collapse (i.e. in the he:) on a weapons fire phase when the opening is detonated will ta!e 4> damage in ? pt clusters to the front chart. > CH elemental in the he: ta!es ? points of damage. Buried mechs and Alementals can free themsel"es in 4 turns. )iring at a buried Alemental or mech is at a ]4 bonus to hit.
SIT"ATION: (ogue 6th +mo!e 7aguar Iragoons ha"e determined they would be better ser"ed brea!ing off from their poorly managed ,lan' when it was determined that certain high ran!ing personnel were determined to destroy the unit for past slights incurred by the unit#s dead former commander. +tar ,aptain Torc #mis 2umped# his unit into Ko"a ,at space during war e:ercises. 9hat followed were se"eral Trials of =ossession for ,lan Ko"a ,at 2ump ship and drop ship assets' as well as raids on Ko"a ,at supply depots. *fter successfully completing these initial raids o"er a
41 side of the maps on Turn #1. Alementals may not combat drop in this scenario. 7th B( .(r Dr( oons +t.,pt. Bemire +howers (B/ 40=/ 5) $asakari Q, 89 Iit3 (B/ 40=/ 5) $ad Ca% Q*
89 +ancho 89 $urn 89 +amo (B/ 50=/ 6) ")oken Q, (B/ 50=/ 6) #iper (B/ 50=/ 6? BlackHawk =rimary
N
=lace M 4 he: Le"el 4 buildings in the center of the two large maps. These are 8edium and each has 6> ,). * 1? he: s@uare chain fence surrounds the compound. * 5 he: wide plowed road leads from the center of west fence side to the edge of the board. *nyone stepping on this slic! path is not sub2ect to bog down (see below) but must ma!e a piloting s!ill chec! when running on any part of it' or a =ilot ,hec! at ]1 penalty when 2umping onto it. There are W light wood he:es within 5 he:es of the Aast edge of the eastern map. The 6th Iragoons may use these woods as hiding places. *ssume there is a direct line from these woods to the mouth of the ca"erns. *ny fire at mechs in these trenches is at partial co"er. 8echs in the trenches are not sub2ect to bog down. .nits that tra"el cross country are sub2ect to bog down. The defender has four 8iner 8ech decoys to place where"er he wishs. 8iner 8echs ha"e no weapons' though they can be used to lure the 6ths enemies into "ulnerable positions. These units should be placed on the board with dummy counters. Io not re"eal a 8iner 8echs true nature until an enemy unit has L-+ and is within 1> he:es of the dummy counter. This scenario also uses &igh 9inds and ,old 9eather. *ll long range weapons fire is at Z4. *ll medium range fire is at Z1. *ll 8issile 9eapons are at Z6 to missile hit chart. * result less than 4 mean no missiles hit. +trea!s use the normal charts for regular +(8s to determine how many hits. Aach mechs heat sin!s shunt ?>E greater heat. (4> I&+ would negate M> heatG) 8echwarriors out in the cold ta!e 1 pilot hit each round (and must ma!e a consciousness roll) until a friendly unit mo"es into their he:. ATTAC#ER: The attac!ers are elements of the Jth 7aguar Iragoons and 66th Ko"a ,at ,a"aliers. &alf of these mech units may ma!e a combat drop anywhere on the map. Kormal descent rolls are made with a ]4 modifier due to the storm. *ll non dropping mechs may enter from the western
=, -wen ] 6 Alementals (8ounted on BlackHawk =) =, Thiger ]6 Alementals (8ounted on ")oken) CCth No>( C(t C(>(liers +t.,pt. (e3o 9irth (B/ 10=/ 5) (ibori-(in QB 89 Bangue (B/ 50=/ 6) !ar-!ol, =rimary De$ender: The defenders are elements of the rouge 6th 7aguar Iragoons. +eeing that their clan had become a per"ersion of what the 7aguar stood for' this unit has decided to follow its own "ision of the clan way. To a"oid endless pursuit' the unit has decided to fight for what it belie"es in. If successful' the unit will be relati"ely free of harassment as it ma!es its way out of ,lan space' since the Trial will confirm their decision. Cth B( .(r Dr( oons +tar ,om. Blarney 89 Bimp 89 )o33y +t. ,om. =yra 89 Ionnell (B/ 40=/ 4) $asakari =rimary (B/ 40=/ 5) $arauder IIC (B/ 50=/ 5) &urkina QB (B/ 40=/ 5) (igh% ')r Q* (B/ 40=/ 6) ")oken Q*
=, &igen ] 6 Alementals =, 7arrs ] 6 Alementals =, Togen ] 6 Alementals Vi,tor) Conditions: This is a Trial of *nnihilation. The last sur"i"ing mech wins. &istorically' since the campaign was open ended' the Jth Iragoon players managed to limp the #iper away with a water filled left leg that breached when the bridge collapsed and he hit the icy la!e. The 6th suffered the loss of the $asakari from a coc!pit hit. In all other aspects' it was a crushing defeat for the Ko"a ,ats and the Jth. * minor note is the replacement of the players custom Lightning -mni mech with the !ar-!ol,' for which I ha"e statistics. The (ibori-(in also replaced a mech called the (adius' again for which I ha"e no statistics' though I
44
recall the weights were similar. The pilot names ha"e been changed to protect the (yan' the goofy player. I dont thin! +tar Tre! fans would cotton to my head shooting of a clan warrior named +tar ,ommander 9orfV SAe,i(l ED.iA'ent:
9,M$: W,3-W:L" 0Ma*o1 :mni-mech T:99,4$: 5) T$C/9:L:4; L$V$L: Level 2 0Clan1 W,L<: ! 3=9: ## 0#%1 >=M*: ) $94I9$: 35) &L #5() 4;3:: %() /$,T SI9<S: #) 02)1 ?() I9T$39( ST3=CT=3$: ST$$LB ,3M:3: #C% pt( @"$33:-"I5B /: CT2031: ST2031: ,3M: L$4: ' 232? #C2? #5 23
'A( WEAPO S$E%&IP"E TF! Streak S3M C 3, Streak S3M C L, $3 Med( Laser 3, $3 Med( Laser L, ,MS / S3M ,mmo 3, S3M ,mmo L, ,MS ,mmo CT > mp >ets 031 3T > mp >ets 031 LT > mp >et 5V: 2D #)' E: #CD #C5D C2C
3() 3() #() #() )(5 #() #() #() #(5 #(5 CT
)(5
2(5 @$9A:?(5
')( WEAPO S$E%&IP"E TF! L3M-#5 3, L3M-#5 L, $3 Med( Laser / $3 Med( Laser CT ,rtemis IV "CS 3, ,rtemis IV "CS L, L3M ,mmo 0#C1 L3M ,mmo 0#C1 5V: #D'%3 E: #5D !')D C2C 'C( WEAPO S$E%&IP"E TF! Medi m * lse Laser / Medi m * lse Laser 3, Medi m * lse Laser 3, Medi m * lse Laser L, Medi m * lse Laser L, ,MS CT ,MS CT Targeting Comp ter 3T ,MS ,mmo 02%1 Ao 7le /eat Sink 5V: 2D #'' E: #%D ')5D C2C
3() 3() #() #() #() #() 3, L,
2() 2()
FIXED LOCATIO S! &2 M,SC LL 02() tons1D 3 $ndo L,D % $ndo LTD 3 "erro 3,D % "erro 3TD 2 &L per Side Torso PRI"AR# WEAPO S$E%&IP"E T! Large * lse Laser 3, C() Large * lse Laser L, C() $3 Med( Laser / #() $3 Med( Laser CT #() Ao 7le /eat Sink 0#1 3L #() 5V: #D?22 E: #%D ?#3D !5#
2() 2() 2() 2() 2() )(5 )(5 2() LT LT
#() #()
45 The #I% "ariant of the !ar-!ol, uses the rarely seen .ltra *, 1> and a trio of A( medium lasers. This machine suffers from limited ammunition and limited punch with the three lasers' and is thus seldom used. DeAlo)'ent: +o far the !ar-!ol, has been spotted with ,lan 9olf' ,lan Ko"a ,at and the late +mo!e 7aguar ,lan. It is un!nown if other clans field this design. B(ttle Histor): The !ar-!ol, #s of the 5?1st Battle ,luster of ,lan 9olf were instrumental in helping recon stars scout out 7ade )alcon positions during the (efusal 9ar. Iuring the battle of Bresno =ass on 9otan' +tar ,ommander *ce: destroyed two Hellhound battlemechs and se"erely crippled a (igh% ')r before his !ar-!ol, was destroyed. &is "aliant action earned a brief mention in the 9olf ,lan (emembrance' as the recon mechs of his star returned "ital information about )alcon mech locations and disposition. V(ri(nts: Kone' although the +mo!e 7aguars ha"e re named the mech the Iron &iger.
'D( WEAPO S$E%&IP"E TF! $3 Medi m Laser / $3 Medi m Laser CT $3 Medi m Laser CT =ltra ,C-#) 3, =ltra ,C ,mmo 02)1 3,
#() #() #() #)() 2()
([ (o lower arm@hand ac%ua%ors. &he -D- is missing %he ac%ua%ors in i%s " onl).) OVERVIEW: The ,lans call this new design' first introduced in 5>?M' the !ar-!ol,. The Inner +phere has dubbed it the $ako' due to its incredible bursts of speed. It first made its appearance in ,lan 9olf along side the Aenris omnimech' acting as fire support for fast recon and flan! stars. )ast' hea"ily armed and armored' the 8a!o fills se"eral design gaps its sister mech suffers. The 9olf ,lan designation for this mech is the 9ar 9olf. C(A(Eilities: The =rimary "ariant of the !ar-!ol, is the most common' relying on energy weapons to let the mech run far afield in its assigned duties. Twin Large pulse Lasers let the !ar-!ol, pro"ide accurate co"er fire for its recon brethren' pro"iding a punch most other recon machines cannot match. The #*# "ariant is a dedicated city fighter' e@uipped with a host of short range weapons and 2ump 2ets. The support "ersion of the !ar-!ol, pro"ides accurate L(8 fire' o"er thirty missiles in a barrage. *rtemis )ire ,ontrol increases the accuracy of these missile attac!s. Twin A( medium lasers act as standoff weapons when the missiles run out. The #,# Nariant is pure close attac! mech' utili3ing ? medium pulse lasers sla"ed to an ad"anced targeting computer and sporting twin anti missile systems to swat down infantry and "ehicle missile attac!s. In addition' this mech has the feared arm flip capability.
($&TING SHOTS:
9ell' that#s another Issue under the bridge. Ke:t month will see the return of the 9eb +ites column...you should ha"e enough of them to browse o"er in the letters column till then. I#d li!e to ta!e the time to say than!s to all the letter writers. They inspire this stuff li!e nothing else. Irop me a line and share your thoughts about anything mech related. *s always' I could use some good
46 mech re"iews' scenarios and "ehicle submissions. Till then' may you ne"er recei"e a point blan! shot from a hidden #iper in your rear arc...
*%einer de,enders on *ude%on in %he earl) da)s o, %he invasion0 awai%ing ano%her %hrus% b) %he Aalcons...

Battletec Issue #4

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Battletec Issue #4

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1 I was also wondering about something.

INCOMING! (Letters to the editor)

'() 2() )() )() 5() 3(5 )(5 %() 0!2

0T rret1 #() 05od61 #() 05od61 #(5 05od61 #(5

Small #nit $ctions All or nothin !

Mech of the Month Mad Cat/Timber Wolf

Landing 8one Sec rit6 Mech $lement

Landing 8one Sec rit6 Vehicle $lement

3() 3() #() #() #() #() 3, L,

2() 2() 2() 2() 2() )(5 )(5 2() LT LT

#() #() #() #)() 2()

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