Difference between revisions of "BattleMech Manual"
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| + | {{Rules}} | ||
{{InfoBoxProduct | {{InfoBoxProduct | ||
| − | | image = | + | | image = BattleMech Manual 4th Print front cover.png |
| − | | name = BattleMech Manual | + | | name = BattleMech Manual<br />(4th printing) |
| − | | type = | + | | type = Rulebook |
| author = | | author = | ||
| − | | development = [[Keith Hann]]<br />[[Ray Arrastia]]<br />[[Randall N. Bills]]<br />[[Mary Kaempen]] | + | | development = [[Keith Hann]];<br />[[Ray Arrastia]],<br />[[Randall N. Bills]],<br />[[Mary Kaempen]] (Assistant Development) |
| − | | primarywriting = [[Randall N. Bills]]<br />[[Keith Hann]]<br />[[Chris Hart]] | + | | primarywriting = [[Randall N. Bills]],<br />[[Keith Hann]],<br />[[Chris Hart]] (Additional Writing) |
| pages = 150 | | pages = 150 | ||
| − | | cover = [[ | + | | cover = [[Alex Iglesias]] (4th printing) |
| interiorart = | | interiorart = | ||
| − | | illustrations = [[Ray Arrastia]] <br/>[[Doug Chaffee]] <br/>[[Matthew Cross]] <br/>[[Ken Fairclough]] <br/>[[Mark Hayden]] <br/>[[Alex Iglesias]] <br/>[[Alex Immerzeel]] <br/>[[Michael Kormarck]] <br/>[[Marco Mazzoni]] <br/>[[Florian Mellies]] <br/>[[Neil Roberts]] <br/>[[Anthony Scroggins]] <br/>[[Florian Stitz]] <br/>[[Franz Vohwinkel]] | + | | illustrations = [[Ray Arrastia]],<br/>[[Doug Chaffee]],<br/>[[Matthew Cross]],<br/>[[Ken Fairclough]],<br/>[[Mark Hayden (person)|Mark Hayden]],<br/>[[Alex Iglesias]],<br/>[[Alex Immerzeel]],<br/>[[Michael Kormarck]],<br/>[[Marco Mazzoni]],<br/>[[Florian Mellies]],<br/>[[Neil Roberts]],<br/>[[Anthony Scroggins]],<br/>[[Florian Stitz]],<br/>[[Franz Vohwinkel]] |
| publisher = [[Catalyst Game Labs]] | | publisher = [[Catalyst Game Labs]] | ||
| productioncode = [https://store.catalystgamelabs.com/collections/battletech/products/battletech-battlemech-manual E-CAT35010] | | productioncode = [https://store.catalystgamelabs.com/collections/battletech/products/battletech-battlemech-manual E-CAT35010] | ||
| − | | year = 2017 | + | | year = 2017 |
| ISBN10 = | | ISBN10 = | ||
| ISBN13 = | | ISBN13 = | ||
| Line 19: | Line 20: | ||
| era = | | era = | ||
| timeline = | | timeline = | ||
| − | | series = Core | + | | series = Core Rulebooks |
| precededby = [[Campaign Operations]] | | precededby = [[Campaign Operations]] | ||
| followedby = | | followedby = | ||
| Line 26: | Line 27: | ||
This book is not to be confused with the 1987 ''[[BattleTech Manual|Battle'''T'''ech Manual]]'' rulebook. | This book is not to be confused with the 1987 ''[[BattleTech Manual|Battle'''T'''ech Manual]]'' rulebook. | ||
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| − | |||
==Description== | ==Description== | ||
| − | The Manual is intended as a self-contained rulebook for players who wish to focus on [[BattleMech]] combat, with an emphasis on tabletop gameplay (as opposed to being a reference manual like previous core rulebooks). While it thus leaves out all other unit types, and was deliberately written to be as concise as possible and to eliminate rules vagaries, it is not intended to be a purely introductory product. It contains a few pieces of equipment from ''[[Interstellar Operations]]'', many pieces of equipment taken from ''[[Tactical Operations]]'', and a few of the optional rules found in that book and ''[[Strategic Operations]]''. No construction rules are included. In terms of product progression, it is meant to slot in between | + | The Manual is intended as a self-contained rulebook for players who wish to focus on [[BattleMech]] combat, with an emphasis on tabletop gameplay (as opposed to being a reference manual like previous core rulebooks). While it thus leaves out all other unit types, and was deliberately written to be as concise as possible and to eliminate rules vagaries, it is not intended to be a purely introductory product. It contains a few pieces of equipment from ''[[Interstellar Operations]]'', many pieces of equipment taken from ''[[Tactical Operations]]'', and a few of the optional rules found in that book and ''[[Strategic Operations]]''. No construction rules are included. In terms of product progression, it is meant to slot in between ''[[BattleTech: A Game of Armored Combat|A Game of Armored Combat]]'') and the full tournament ruleset of ''[[Total Warfare]]''. Its general layout matches that of the rulebook in ''A Game of Armored Combat''. |
New rules appearing in the book are limited to simplified rulesets for fire and smoke; artillery, mines, and airstrikes; and a few terrain or weather conditions. Additionally, the ''BattleMech Manual'' features a [[Design Quirks]] section that brings together all 'Mech-based quirks published to date, updates them, adds nine new ones, and then applies the result to an included list of all 'Mech units in the game released prior to ''[[Technical Readout: Prototypes]]'' (when quirks first began being added to each [[Technical Readout]] unit entry). As such, the ''BattleMech Manual'' provides an official quirk listing for all 'Mechs published prior to ''TRO: Prototypes'' (though it only lists quirks present on every example of a machine; quirks applicable only to individual variants were left out). | New rules appearing in the book are limited to simplified rulesets for fire and smoke; artillery, mines, and airstrikes; and a few terrain or weather conditions. Additionally, the ''BattleMech Manual'' features a [[Design Quirks]] section that brings together all 'Mech-based quirks published to date, updates them, adds nine new ones, and then applies the result to an included list of all 'Mech units in the game released prior to ''[[Technical Readout: Prototypes]]'' (when quirks first began being added to each [[Technical Readout]] unit entry). As such, the ''BattleMech Manual'' provides an official quirk listing for all 'Mechs published prior to ''TRO: Prototypes'' (though it only lists quirks present on every example of a machine; quirks applicable only to individual variants were left out). | ||
| − | While the rules were reworded and their layout changed, the base ruleset included in the ''BattleMech Manual'' matches the | + | While the rules were reworded and their layout changed, the base ruleset included in the ''BattleMech Manual'' matches that of the fifth printing and later of ''[[Total Warfare]]'', with later changes introduced in one being mirrored in the other as new printings of each are released. |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
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==From the Back Cover== | ==From the Back Cover== | ||
{{quote|'' | {{quote|'' | ||
| − | *''Standing from seven to sixteen meters tall, and weighing from twenty to one hundred tons'' | + | * ''Standing from seven to sixteen meters tall, and weighing from twenty to one hundred tons'' |
| − | *''Powered by an armored and shielded [[fusion reactor]]'' | + | * ''Powered by an armored and shielded [[fusion reactor]]'' |
| − | *''Skeleton of honeycombed, foamed aluminum core wrapped with stressed silicon carbide monofilament and sheathed by a rigid, titanium-steel shell'' | + | * ''Skeleton of honeycombed, foamed aluminum core wrapped with stressed silicon carbide monofilament and sheathed by a rigid, titanium-steel shell'' |
| − | *''Locomotion generated via bundles of polyacetylene-fiber [[myomer]] muscles'' | + | * ''Locomotion generated via bundles of polyacetylene-fiber [[myomer]] muscles'' |
| − | *''Protected by aligned-crystal steel over a layer of boron nitride impregnated with diamond monofilaments'' | + | * ''Protected by aligned-crystal steel over a layer of boron nitride impregnated with diamond monofilaments'' |
| − | *''Mounting a swath of powerful weapons from [[PPC|charged particle beams]] to [[laser]]s, missiles to [[autocannon|rapid-fire autocannons]]'' | + | * ''Mounting a swath of powerful weapons from [[PPC|charged particle beams]] to [[laser]]s, missiles to [[autocannon|rapid-fire autocannons]]'' |
| − | *''All at the command of the noble elite, the [[MechWarrior (pilot)|MechWarriors]]'' | + | * ''All at the command of the noble elite, the [[MechWarrior (pilot)|MechWarriors]]'' |
''The modern [[BattleMech]] is the end result of more than three thousand years of battlefield technology development. Combining awesome destructive power and unparalleled maneuverability, the BattleMech is perhaps the most complex machine ever produced. The undisputed master of thirty-first century warfare, the BattleMech seems destined to reign supreme for centuries to come.'' | ''The modern [[BattleMech]] is the end result of more than three thousand years of battlefield technology development. Combining awesome destructive power and unparalleled maneuverability, the BattleMech is perhaps the most complex machine ever produced. The undisputed master of thirty-first century warfare, the BattleMech seems destined to reign supreme for centuries to come.'' | ||
| Line 57: | Line 49: | ||
''—Excerpts from a promotional pamphlet originally distributed by [[Defiance Industries]] of [[Hesperus]], [[Lyran Commonwealth]], [[3007]]'' | ''—Excerpts from a promotional pamphlet originally distributed by [[Defiance Industries]] of [[Hesperus]], [[Lyran Commonwealth]], [[3007]]'' | ||
| − | Using the most up-to-date rules text, the ''BattleMech Manual'' has been designed from the ground up to cater to the ''BattleTech'' player wanting to engage in an all- | + | Using the most up-to-date rules text, the ''BattleMech Manual'' has been designed from the ground up to cater to the ''BattleTech'' player wanting to engage in an all-'Mech battle. Includes a variety of optional rules, terrain and more. |
Welcome to the most table-usage-friendly ''BattleTech'' rulebook ever published!}} | Welcome to the most table-usage-friendly ''BattleTech'' rulebook ever published!}} | ||
==Contents== | ==Contents== | ||
| − | *'''INTRODUCTION''' | + | <div class="desktop-3-col"> |
| − | ***Vs Total Warfare | + | * '''INTRODUCTION''' |
| − | ***Optional Rules | + | *** Vs. ''Total Warfare'' |
| + | *** Optional Rules | ||
** Game Terms | ** Game Terms | ||
*** 'Mech | *** 'Mech | ||
| Line 72: | Line 65: | ||
*** Target Number | *** Target Number | ||
*** Modified Target Number | *** Modified Target Number | ||
| − | *** Attacker Movement Modifier | + | *** Attacker Movement Modifier |
*** Target Movement Modifier | *** Target Movement Modifier | ||
*** Margin of Success/Failure (MoS/MoF) | *** Margin of Success/Failure (MoS/MoF) | ||
| Line 96: | Line 89: | ||
* '''PLAYING THE GAME''' | * '''PLAYING THE GAME''' | ||
** Deploying 'Mechs | ** Deploying 'Mechs | ||
| − | ** Sequence | + | ** Sequence Of Play |
*** Initiative Phase | *** Initiative Phase | ||
*** Movement Phase | *** Movement Phase | ||
*** Weapon Attack Phase | *** Weapon Attack Phase | ||
| − | *** | + | *** ''Alternate Initiative'' |
| − | *** | + | *** ''Moving Multiple 'Mechs'' |
| − | *** | + | *** ''Segmented Fire'' |
*** Physical Attack Phase | *** Physical Attack Phase | ||
*** Heat Phase | *** Heat Phase | ||
| Line 109: | Line 102: | ||
** Unequal Numbers Of 'Mechs | ** Unequal Numbers Of 'Mechs | ||
* '''MOVEMENT''' | * '''MOVEMENT''' | ||
| − | ** Movement | + | ** Movement Modes |
*** Standing Still | *** Standing Still | ||
*** Walking | *** Walking | ||
*** Running | *** Running | ||
| − | *** | + | *** ''Piloting Skill Rolls'' |
| − | *** | + | *** ''Movement Dice'' |
*** Jumping | *** Jumping | ||
*** Sprinting (Optional) | *** Sprinting (Optional) | ||
| Line 121: | Line 114: | ||
*** Ground Movement | *** Ground Movement | ||
*** Terrain | *** Terrain | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
*** Minimum Movement | *** Minimum Movement | ||
*** Immobile | *** Immobile | ||
| Line 131: | Line 122: | ||
*** Moving While Prone | *** Moving While Prone | ||
*** Standing Up | *** Standing Up | ||
| − | ** Movement | + | ** Movement In Water |
| − | ** Movement | + | ** Movement On Pavement |
*** Road Movement | *** Road Movement | ||
*** Bridge Movement | *** Bridge Movement | ||
| Line 140: | Line 131: | ||
*** Hidden 'Mechs | *** Hidden 'Mechs | ||
*** Lifting Items (Simplified) | *** Lifting Items (Simplified) | ||
| − | *** [[TAG]] Designation | + | *** [[Target Acquisition Gear|TAG]] Designation |
* '''COMBAT''' | * '''COMBAT''' | ||
| − | ** Line | + | ** Line Of Sight |
*** Levels and Height | *** Levels and Height | ||
*** Intervening Terrain | *** Intervening Terrain | ||
| − | *** Intervening 'Mechs | + | *** Other 'Mechs and LOS <!-- Intervening 'Mechs in earlier printings --> |
*** Water Hexes | *** Water Hexes | ||
** Firing Arcs | ** Firing Arcs | ||
| Line 156: | Line 147: | ||
** Attack Declaration | ** Attack Declaration | ||
*** Reversing (Flipping) Arms | *** Reversing (Flipping) Arms | ||
| − | *** | + | *** Expanded Arm Flipping (Optional) |
*** Torso Twists | *** Torso Twists | ||
** Firing Weapons | ** Firing Weapons | ||
*** Making the Attack | *** Making the Attack | ||
| − | *** G.A.T.O.R. | + | *** ''G.A.T.O.R.'' |
*** Base Target Number | *** Base Target Number | ||
*** Target Number Modifiers | *** Target Number Modifiers | ||
| Line 214: | Line 205: | ||
*** Lower Arm Actuator (Arm) | *** Lower Arm Actuator (Arm) | ||
*** Lower Leg Actuator (Leg) | *** Lower Leg Actuator (Leg) | ||
| − | *** Sensors (Head) | + | *** Sensors (Head) |
*** Shoulder (Arm) | *** Shoulder (Arm) | ||
*** Upper Arm Actuator (Arm) | *** Upper Arm Actuator (Arm) | ||
| − | *** Lower Leg Actuator ( | + | *** Lower Leg Actuator (Leg) |
| − | *** Weapons | + | *** Weapons And Equipment |
** Destroying A 'Mech | ** Destroying A 'Mech | ||
* '''HEAT''' | * '''HEAT''' | ||
| Line 224: | Line 215: | ||
*** Building Up Heat | *** Building Up Heat | ||
*** Dissipating Heat | *** Dissipating Heat | ||
| − | *** Recording Heat | + | *** Recording Heat Build-Up |
** Effects Of Heat | ** Effects Of Heat | ||
*** Movement | *** Movement | ||
| − | *** | + | *** Weapon Attacks |
*** Shutdown | *** Shutdown | ||
*** Ammunition | *** Ammunition | ||
| − | *** | + | *** Damage To MechWarriors |
* '''OTHER ACTIONS''' | * '''OTHER ACTIONS''' | ||
** Piloting Skill Rolls (PSR) | ** Piloting Skill Rolls (PSR) | ||
| Line 238: | Line 229: | ||
*** Domino Effect | *** Domino Effect | ||
** Falling | ** Falling | ||
| − | *** Location After a Fall | + | *** Location After a Fall |
*** Facing After a Fall | *** Facing After a Fall | ||
*** Falling Damage to a 'Mech | *** Falling Damage to a 'Mech | ||
| Line 270: | Line 261: | ||
*** Swamp (Simplified) | *** Swamp (Simplified) | ||
** Weather Conditions | ** Weather Conditions | ||
| − | *** Extreme Temperatures | + | *** Extreme Temperatures |
*** Fog | *** Fog | ||
*** Light | *** Light | ||
*** Rain | *** Rain | ||
| − | *** | + | *** Snow |
*** Wind | *** Wind | ||
| − | ** Fire | + | ** Fire And Smoke (Simplified) |
*** Wind Direction | *** Wind Direction | ||
*** Starting a Fire | *** Starting a Fire | ||
| Line 284: | Line 275: | ||
** Underwater Combat | ** Underwater Combat | ||
*** Attacking Underwater | *** Attacking Underwater | ||
| − | *** Hull Integrity | + | *** Hull Integrity And Breaches |
* '''URBAN COMBAT''' | * '''URBAN COMBAT''' | ||
** Building Types | ** Building Types | ||
| Line 290: | Line 281: | ||
*** Building Levels | *** Building Levels | ||
*** Basements | *** Basements | ||
| − | *** | + | *** ''Simplified Buildings'' |
** Movement Effects | ** Movement Effects | ||
| − | *** Moving | + | *** Moving Into Buildings |
| − | |||
*** Skidding | *** Skidding | ||
** Combat Effects | ** Combat Effects | ||
| − | *** Attacking | + | *** Attacking Buildings |
*** Attacking 'Mechs Inside Buildings | *** Attacking 'Mechs Inside Buildings | ||
*** Combat Within Buildings | *** Combat Within Buildings | ||
*** Collapse | *** Collapse | ||
| − | * | + | * '''SPECIAL CASE RULES''' |
| − | ** | + | ** Battlefield Support |
*** Before Play Begins | *** Before Play Begins | ||
*** During Game Play | *** During Game Play | ||
| Line 310: | Line 300: | ||
** Forced Withdrawal | ** Forced Withdrawal | ||
*** Crippling Damage | *** Crippling Damage | ||
| − | *** Broken | + | *** Broken Morale (Simplified—Optional) |
** Hidden 'Mechs | ** Hidden 'Mechs | ||
*** Point-Blank Shots | *** Point-Blank Shots | ||
| Line 317: | Line 307: | ||
*** Negative Design Quirks | *** Negative Design Quirks | ||
*** BattleMech Quirk Listing | *** BattleMech Quirk Listing | ||
| − | *** | + | *** ''Master Unit List'' |
| − | * | + | * '''WEAPONS AND EQUIPMENT''' |
** Basic Information | ** Basic Information | ||
** Weapon Types | ** Weapon Types | ||
| Line 334: | Line 324: | ||
*** [[ER Flamer]] | *** [[ER Flamer]] | ||
*** [[Heavy Flamer]] | *** [[Heavy Flamer]] | ||
| − | ** Gauss | + | ** [[Gauss Rifle]]s |
| − | *** | + | *** Gauss Rifle |
| − | *** Anti-Personnel Gauss Rifle | + | *** [[Anti-Personnel Gauss Rifle]] |
*** [[Heavy Gauss Rifle]] | *** [[Heavy Gauss Rifle]] | ||
| − | *** Hyper Assault Gauss Rifle | + | *** Hyper-Assault Gauss Rifle |
*** [[Improved Heavy Gauss Rifle]] | *** [[Improved Heavy Gauss Rifle]] | ||
*** [[Light Gauss Rifle]] | *** [[Light Gauss Rifle]] | ||
| − | *** Magshot Gauss Rifle | + | *** [[Magshot Gauss Rifle]] |
*** [[Silver Bullet Gauss Rifle]] | *** [[Silver Bullet Gauss Rifle]] | ||
** Lasers | ** Lasers | ||
| Line 352: | Line 342: | ||
*** Improved Heavy Laser | *** Improved Heavy Laser | ||
*** Pulse Laser | *** Pulse Laser | ||
| + | *** Re-engineered Laser | ||
*** Variable-Speed Pulse (VSP) Laser | *** Variable-Speed Pulse (VSP) Laser | ||
*** X-Pulse Laser | *** X-Pulse Laser | ||
| Line 375: | Line 366: | ||
*** Thunderbolt Missile Launcher | *** Thunderbolt Missile Launcher | ||
*** Torpedo (SRT, LRT, NLRT) Launcher | *** Torpedo (SRT, LRT, NLRT) Launcher | ||
| − | ** [[Narc Missile Beacon]] | + | ** [[Narc Missile Beacon]]s |
*** Narc Missile Beacon | *** Narc Missile Beacon | ||
| − | *** [[ | + | *** [[Improved Narc Missile Beacon|iNarc Beacon]] |
** Particle Projector Cannons | ** Particle Projector Cannons | ||
*** [[PPC]] | *** [[PPC]] | ||
| Line 407: | Line 398: | ||
*** Artemis IV Fire-Control System | *** Artemis IV Fire-Control System | ||
*** Artemis V Fire-Control System | *** Artemis V Fire-Control System | ||
| − | *** | + | *** C<sup>3</sup> Computer System |
| − | *** | + | *** C<sup>3</sup> Boosted System |
| − | *** | + | *** C<sup>3</sup>I Computer System |
*** ECM Suites | *** ECM Suites | ||
*** MRM “Apollo” Fire Control System | *** MRM “Apollo” Fire Control System | ||
| Line 425: | Line 416: | ||
*** [[Actuator Enhancement System]] (AES) | *** [[Actuator Enhancement System]] (AES) | ||
*** [[AMS|Anti-Missile System (AMS)]] | *** [[AMS|Anti-Missile System (AMS)]] | ||
| + | *** Laser Anti-Missile System (L-AMS) | ||
*** Armored Component | *** Armored Component | ||
| − | |||
*** [[CASE|Cellular Ammunition Storage Equipment (CASE)]] | *** [[CASE|Cellular Ammunition Storage Equipment (CASE)]] | ||
*** [[CASE II]] | *** [[CASE II]] | ||
*** [[Coolant Pod]] | *** [[Coolant Pod]] | ||
| − | * | + | * '''WEAPONS & EQUIPMENT TABLES''' |
** Weapon Types | ** Weapon Types | ||
| − | * | + | * '''COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS''' |
** Playing The Game | ** Playing The Game | ||
** Movement | ** Movement | ||
| Line 441: | Line 432: | ||
** Special-Case Rules | ** Special-Case Rules | ||
** Weapons and Equipment | ** Weapons and Equipment | ||
| − | * '''''RECORD SHEETS AND TABLES''''' | + | * '''INDEX''' <!-- third printing and later --> |
| + | * '''RECORD SHEETS AND TABLES''' | ||
| + | </div> | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Gallery== | ||
| + | <gallery> | ||
| + | BattleMech_Manual_Cover.jpg|''BattleMech Manual'' cover, 1st printing | ||
| + | BattleMech Manual 2nd Print front cover.png|''BattleMech Manual'' cover, 2nd printing | ||
| + | BattleMech Manual 3rd Print front cover.jpg|''BattleMech Manual'' cover, 3rd printing | ||
| + | BattleMech Manual 4th Print front cover.png|''BattleMech Manual'' cover, 4th-6th printings | ||
| + | </gallery> | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Development Notes== | ||
| + | * The Catalyst Game Labs Tumblr featured a series of posts explaining the concept and some of the design steps behind the ''BattleMech Manual'': [http://catalystgamelabs.tumblr.com/post/152663332826/battlemech-manual-development/ 1] [http://catalystgamelabs.tumblr.com/post/153793350216/battlemech-manual-development/ 2] [http://catalystgamelabs.tumblr.com/post/154168913031/battlemech-manual-development/ 3] [http://catalystgamelabs.tumblr.com/post/154476537421/battlemech-manual-development/ 4] [http://catalystgamelabs.tumblr.com/post/154739808086/a-dropship-load-of-battletech-action/ 5] | ||
| + | * An [https://bg.battletech.com/news/news-and-announcements/what-is-the-battlemech-manual/ article explaining what the Manual does and why] was posted to the official BattleTech website in January 2017. | ||
| + | * The Manual was prereleased as a Beta PDF version in January 2017. This 'Open Beta' version cost $10, but for the first month of its release was coupled with an electronic survey that gave a $5 coupon for use at the [[Catalyst Game Labs]] webstore. Purchasing the beta did not provide an automatic free upgrade to the final PDF release, unlike previous Catalyst beta offerings. The beta closed in July 2017.<br /> | ||
| + | * [http://catalystgamelabs.tumblr.com/post/158360190691/this-is-why-you-do-betas A follow-up article] detailing some of the results of feedback collected in the Beta to date was posted to the CGL official Tumblr in March 2017. As a result of user feedback, additional advanced equipment from ''Tactical Operations'' and ''Interstellar Operations'' was added to the final release. | ||
| + | * [http://bg.battletech.com/news/battlemech-manual-final-release/ A further follow-up article] published immediately following the book's final release detailed more of the specific changes made between the Beta and the final. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Printing Notes== | ||
| + | A second printing was announced on the official [[BT forums]] in December 2018, and was released in PDF on 22 January 2019. The reprint features errata corrections and further rewordings and clarifications, as well as new cover art.<ref>[https://bg.battletech.com/forums/index.php?topic=63672.msg1464159#msg1464159 MechCon 2018 Rundown post on BattleTech forum]</ref> A third printing was released on 17 March 2020: in addition to the usual errata corrections, this printing added an index. A fourth printing was released on 23 April 2021, featuring errata corrections as well as another change of cover art. An errata-corrected fifth printing was released on 7 February 2022, and an errata-corrected 6th printing on 6 October 2022. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Errata== | ||
| + | * CGL maintains an errata [https://bg.battletech.com/forums/index.php?topic=58133.0 forum thread] for this book as well as an errata document for download from their website's [https://bg.battletech.com/errata/ Errata section]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | * When the first printing had sold out and a second, updated printing was prepared, Keith "Xotl" Hann offered an [[w:PDF#Forms Data Format (FDF)|FDF]] document to go with the PDF release of the first printing that would include most of the changes included in the second printing. ([https://www.dropbox.com/s/794qs4gy145rs13/Battlemech%20Manual%201st%20printing.fdf?dl=0 Download link]) | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
<references/> | <references/> | ||
| − | + | ||
| − | [[Category: | + | [[Category:Rulebooks]] |
| − | [[Category: | + | [[Category:Digital Products]] |
Latest revision as of 20:54, 10 January 2024
 | This Product contains Rules This official BattleTech product is or contains either a rulebook or additional rules. For what official products are the latest and include the most up-to-date rules, please see this article |
| |
| BattleMech Manual (4th printing) | |
|---|---|
| Product information | |
| Type | Rulebook |
| Development | Keith Hann; Ray Arrastia, Randall N. Bills, Mary Kaempen (Assistant Development) |
| Primary writing | Randall N. Bills, Keith Hann, Chris Hart (Additional Writing) |
| Pages | 150 |
| Cover Artwork | Alex Iglesias (4th printing) |
| Illustrations | Ray Arrastia, Doug Chaffee, Matthew Cross, Ken Fairclough, Mark Hayden, Alex Iglesias, Alex Immerzeel, Michael Kormarck, Marco Mazzoni, Florian Mellies, Neil Roberts, Anthony Scroggins, Florian Stitz, Franz Vohwinkel |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Catalyst Game Labs |
| Product code | E-CAT35010 |
| First published | 2017 |
| MSRP | $39.99 |
| Content | |
| Content | Game Rules |
| Series | Core Rulebooks |
| Preceded by | Campaign Operations |
The BattleMech Manual is a hardcover BattleTech rulebook that covers game rules for BattleMechs (only) in a concise and clarified fashion.
This book is not to be confused with the 1987 BattleTech Manual rulebook.
Contents
Description[edit]
The Manual is intended as a self-contained rulebook for players who wish to focus on BattleMech combat, with an emphasis on tabletop gameplay (as opposed to being a reference manual like previous core rulebooks). While it thus leaves out all other unit types, and was deliberately written to be as concise as possible and to eliminate rules vagaries, it is not intended to be a purely introductory product. It contains a few pieces of equipment from Interstellar Operations, many pieces of equipment taken from Tactical Operations, and a few of the optional rules found in that book and Strategic Operations. No construction rules are included. In terms of product progression, it is meant to slot in between A Game of Armored Combat) and the full tournament ruleset of Total Warfare. Its general layout matches that of the rulebook in A Game of Armored Combat.
New rules appearing in the book are limited to simplified rulesets for fire and smoke; artillery, mines, and airstrikes; and a few terrain or weather conditions. Additionally, the BattleMech Manual features a Design Quirks section that brings together all 'Mech-based quirks published to date, updates them, adds nine new ones, and then applies the result to an included list of all 'Mech units in the game released prior to Technical Readout: Prototypes (when quirks first began being added to each Technical Readout unit entry). As such, the BattleMech Manual provides an official quirk listing for all 'Mechs published prior to TRO: Prototypes (though it only lists quirks present on every example of a machine; quirks applicable only to individual variants were left out).
While the rules were reworded and their layout changed, the base ruleset included in the BattleMech Manual matches that of the fifth printing and later of Total Warfare, with later changes introduced in one being mirrored in the other as new printings of each are released.
From the Back Cover[edit]
| “ |
The modern BattleMech is the end result of more than three thousand years of battlefield technology development. Combining awesome destructive power and unparalleled maneuverability, the BattleMech is perhaps the most complex machine ever produced. The undisputed master of thirty-first century warfare, the BattleMech seems destined to reign supreme for centuries to come. —Excerpts from a promotional pamphlet originally distributed by Defiance Industries of Hesperus, Lyran Commonwealth, 3007 Using the most up-to-date rules text, the BattleMech Manual has been designed from the ground up to cater to the BattleTech player wanting to engage in an all-'Mech battle. Includes a variety of optional rules, terrain and more. Welcome to the most table-usage-friendly BattleTech rulebook ever published! |
” |
Contents[edit]
- INTRODUCTION
- Vs. Total Warfare
- Optional Rules
- Game Terms
- 'Mech
- Four-Legged 'Mech
- Movement Points
- Target
- Target Number
- Modified Target Number
- Attacker Movement Modifier
- Target Movement Modifier
- Margin of Success/Failure (MoS/MoF)
- Armor Value
- Damage Value
- Location
- Slot
- Level
- Mapsheet
- Playing Area
- Scenario
- Components
- Counters
- Dice
- Mapsheets
- 'Mech Record Sheet
- Scale
- A Note on Realism and Scale
- Level
- The MechWarrior
- Skills
- Damaging A Warrior
- PLAYING THE GAME
- Deploying 'Mechs
- Sequence Of Play
- Initiative Phase
- Movement Phase
- Weapon Attack Phase
- Alternate Initiative
- Moving Multiple 'Mechs
- Segmented Fire
- Physical Attack Phase
- Heat Phase
- End Phase
- Victory Conditions
- Unequal Numbers Of 'Mechs
- MOVEMENT
- Movement Modes
- Standing Still
- Walking
- Running
- Piloting Skill Rolls
- Movement Dice
- Jumping
- Sprinting (Optional)
- Movement Basics
- Facing
- Ground Movement
- Terrain
- Minimum Movement
- Immobile
- Stacking
- Jumping Movement
- Prone BattleMechs
- Dropping to the Ground
- Moving While Prone
- Standing Up
- Movement In Water
- Movement On Pavement
- Road Movement
- Bridge Movement
- Skidding
- Reckless Movement
- Other Actions
- Hidden 'Mechs
- Lifting Items (Simplified)
- TAG Designation
- Movement Modes
- COMBAT
- Line Of Sight
- Levels and Height
- Intervening Terrain
- Other 'Mechs and LOS
- Water Hexes
- Firing Arcs
- Forward Arcs
- Left Side Arc
- Right Side Arc
- Rear Arc
- Arcs and Torso Twists
- Arcs and Reversing (Flipping) Arms
- Attack Declaration
- Reversing (Flipping) Arms
- Expanded Arm Flipping (Optional)
- Torso Twists
- Firing Weapons
- Making the Attack
- G.A.T.O.R.
- Base Target Number
- Target Number Modifiers
- Combat in Water
- Prone 'Mechs
- Specialized Attacks
- Rolling to Hit
- Ammunition Expenditure
- Hit Location
- Attack Direction
- Determining Hit Location
- Damage Resolution
- Physical Attacks
- Making A Physical Attack
- Different Levels
- Physical Attacks And Prone 'Mechs
- Physical Attacks And Water
- Charge Attacks
- Club Attacks
- Death From Above Attacks
- Kick Attacks
- Physical Weapon Attacks
- Punch Attacks
- Push Attacks
- Damage Resolution
- Line Of Sight
- DAMAGE
- Damage Resolution
- Step-By-Step Damage
- Damage Timing
- Hull Integrity And Breaches
- Location Destruction
- Transferring Damage
- Head Destruction
- Leg Destruction
- Torso Destruction
- Critical Hits
- Floating Criticals (Optional)
- Applying Critical Hits
- Critical Hit Effects
- Ammunition
- Arm Blown Off (Arm)
- Cockpit (Head)
- Engine (Torso)
- Foot Actuator (Leg)
- Gyro (Torso)
- Hand Actuator (Arm)
- Head Blown Off (Head)
- Heat Sinks
- Hip (Leg)
- Jump Jet/UMU (Leg/Torso)
- Leg Blown Off (Leg)
- Life Support (Head)
- Lower Arm Actuator (Arm)
- Lower Leg Actuator (Leg)
- Sensors (Head)
- Shoulder (Arm)
- Upper Arm Actuator (Arm)
- Lower Leg Actuator (Leg)
- Weapons And Equipment
- Destroying A 'Mech
- Damage Resolution
- HEAT
- Heat Points
- Building Up Heat
- Dissipating Heat
- Recording Heat Build-Up
- Effects Of Heat
- Movement
- Weapon Attacks
- Shutdown
- Ammunition
- Damage To MechWarriors
- Heat Points
- OTHER ACTIONS
- Piloting Skill Rolls (PSR)
- Making Piloting Skill Rolls
- Piloting Skill Roll Timing
- Displacement
- Domino Effect
- Falling
- Location After a Fall
- Facing After a Fall
- Falling Damage to a 'Mech
- Falling Damage to a MechWarrior
- Accidental Falls From Above
- Damaging a MechWarrior
- Dumping Ammunition
- TAG Designation
- Piloting Skill Rolls (PSR)
- THE BATTLEFIELD
- Planetary Conditions
- Terrain Types
- Clear
- Jungle, Light
- Jungle, Heavy
- Pavement
- Rough
- Rubble
- Sand
- Water (Depth 0)
- Water (Depth 1)
- Water (Depth 2)
- Water (Depth 3+)
- Woods, Light
- Woods, Heavy
- Terrain Modifications
- Ice (Simplified)
- Mud (Simplified)
- Smoke, Light
- Smoke, Heavy
- Snow, Deep
- Swamp (Simplified)
- Weather Conditions
- Extreme Temperatures
- Fog
- Light
- Rain
- Snow
- Wind
- Fire And Smoke (Simplified)
- Wind Direction
- Starting a Fire
- Effects of Fire
- Spreading Fire
- Extinguishing Fire
- Underwater Combat
- Attacking Underwater
- Hull Integrity And Breaches
- URBAN COMBAT
- Building Types
- Construction Factors
- Building Levels
- Basements
- Simplified Buildings
- Movement Effects
- Moving Into Buildings
- Skidding
- Combat Effects
- Attacking Buildings
- Attacking 'Mechs Inside Buildings
- Combat Within Buildings
- Collapse
- Building Types
- SPECIAL CASE RULES
- Battlefield Support
- Before Play Begins
- During Game Play
- Dropping 'Mechs (Simplified)
- Drop Times
- Arrival
- Ejection (Simplified)
- Forced Withdrawal
- Crippling Damage
- Broken Morale (Simplified—Optional)
- Hidden 'Mechs
- Point-Blank Shots
- Design Quirks
- Positive Design Quirks
- Negative Design Quirks
- BattleMech Quirk Listing
- Master Unit List
- Battlefield Support
- WEAPONS AND EQUIPMENT
- Basic Information
- Weapon Types
- Artillery
- Arrow IV Homing Missiles (Simplified)
- Autocannons
- Autocannon
- LB-X Autocannon (LB-X)
- Light Autocannon (LAC)
- ProtoMech Autocannon (PAC)
- Rotary Autocannon (RAC)
- Ultra Autocannon (UAC)
- Flamers
- Gauss Rifles
- Gauss Rifle
- Anti-Personnel Gauss Rifle
- Heavy Gauss Rifle
- Hyper-Assault Gauss Rifle
- Improved Heavy Gauss Rifle
- Light Gauss Rifle
- Magshot Gauss Rifle
- Silver Bullet Gauss Rifle
- Lasers
- Laser
- Binary Laser (Blazer) Cannon
- Chemical Laser
- Extended-Range (ER) Laser
- Extended-Range (ER) Pulse Laser
- Heavy Laser
- Improved Heavy Laser
- Pulse Laser
- Re-engineered Laser
- Variable-Speed Pulse (VSP) Laser
- X-Pulse Laser
- M-Pod
- Machine Guns
- Machine Gun (MG)
- Heavy Machine Gun (HMG)
- Light Machine Gun (LMG)
- Machine Gun Array (MGA)
- Missile Launchers
- Advanced Tactical Missile (ATM) Launcher
- Enhanced LRM Launcher (NLRM)
- Extended LRM Launcher (ELRM)
- Improved One Shot (I-OS) Missile Launcher
- Long Range Missile Launcher (LRM)
- Medium Range Missile (MRM) Launcher
- Multi-Missile Launcher (MML)
- One-Shot (OS) Missile Launcher
- Rocket Launcher (RL)
- Short Range Missile (SRM) Launcher
- Streak LRM (SLRM) Launcher
- Streak SRM (SSRM) Launcher
- Thunderbolt Missile Launcher
- Torpedo (SRT, LRT, NLRT) Launcher
- Narc Missile Beacons
- Narc Missile Beacon
- iNarc Beacon
- Particle Projector Cannons
- Plasma Weapons
- Rifles (Cannons)
- Special Munitions
- Autocannon Munitions
- Missile Munitions
- Narc / iNarc Pods
- Physical Weapons
- Claws
- Flail
- Hatchet
- Lance
- Mace
- Retractable Blade
- Sword
- Talons
- Vibroblade
- Electronics
- Active Probes
- Artemis IV Fire-Control System
- Artemis V Fire-Control System
- C3 Computer System
- C3 Boosted System
- C3I Computer System
- ECM Suites
- MRM “Apollo” Fire Control System
- Target Acquisition Gear (TAG)
- Targeting Computer
- Watchdog Composite Electronic Warfare System (CEWS)
- Structural Components
- Armor
- Cockpit Systems
- Engines
- Gyros
- Maneuverability Aids
- Structure
- Miscellaneous Equipment
- Actuator Enhancement System (AES)
- Anti-Missile System (AMS)
- Laser Anti-Missile System (L-AMS)
- Armored Component
- Cellular Ammunition Storage Equipment (CASE)
- CASE II
- Coolant Pod
- WEAPONS & EQUIPMENT TABLES
- Weapon Types
- COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS
- Playing The Game
- Movement
- Combat
- Damage
- Heat
- Other Actions
- Special-Case Rules
- Weapons and Equipment
- INDEX
- RECORD SHEETS AND TABLES
Gallery[edit]
BattleMech Manual cover, 1st printing
BattleMech Manual cover, 2nd printing
BattleMech Manual cover, 3rd printing
BattleMech Manual cover, 4th-6th printings
Development Notes[edit]
- The Catalyst Game Labs Tumblr featured a series of posts explaining the concept and some of the design steps behind the BattleMech Manual: 1 2 3 4 5
- An article explaining what the Manual does and why was posted to the official BattleTech website in January 2017.
- The Manual was prereleased as a Beta PDF version in January 2017. This 'Open Beta' version cost $10, but for the first month of its release was coupled with an electronic survey that gave a $5 coupon for use at the Catalyst Game Labs webstore. Purchasing the beta did not provide an automatic free upgrade to the final PDF release, unlike previous Catalyst beta offerings. The beta closed in July 2017.
- A follow-up article detailing some of the results of feedback collected in the Beta to date was posted to the CGL official Tumblr in March 2017. As a result of user feedback, additional advanced equipment from Tactical Operations and Interstellar Operations was added to the final release.
- A further follow-up article published immediately following the book's final release detailed more of the specific changes made between the Beta and the final.
Printing Notes[edit]
A second printing was announced on the official BT forums in December 2018, and was released in PDF on 22 January 2019. The reprint features errata corrections and further rewordings and clarifications, as well as new cover art.[1] A third printing was released on 17 March 2020: in addition to the usual errata corrections, this printing added an index. A fourth printing was released on 23 April 2021, featuring errata corrections as well as another change of cover art. An errata-corrected fifth printing was released on 7 February 2022, and an errata-corrected 6th printing on 6 October 2022.
Errata[edit]
- CGL maintains an errata forum thread for this book as well as an errata document for download from their website's Errata section.
- When the first printing had sold out and a second, updated printing was prepared, Keith "Xotl" Hann offered an FDF document to go with the PDF release of the first printing that would include most of the changes included in the second printing. (Download link)