Biological Weapons
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Biological weapons can be a variety of elements, from chemical weapons, to viruses, to bacteria. In the world of Battletech, Bioweapons are categorized with 5 "tiers" of effect. Lower level classes usually being irritants such as tear gas, and higher level classes being true Weapons of Mass Destruction, capable of destroying entire star systems. All of these weapons, including tear gas are supposed to be banned under the Ares Conventions. This has not stopped them from being used. However, due to the indescriminate nature of this type of weapon, they are almost never used due to the long term effects of the class of weapon.
Class I
Class I bioweapons are "legal" weapons, intended to subdue or knockout targets. The effect of this type of weapon is immediate, usually short term, and often not lethal. While technically illegal under the Ares Conventions, they are commonly used by police, or in some cases, knock out gas used by spies.
Class II
Class II bioweapons are more dangerous versions of short term damaging weapons intended to incapacitate, but can easily kill targets if left untreated. This class usually causes severe internal damage or significant chemical burning to the outside of the target. This type of weapon is similar to a gas like Sarin or Mustard Gas.
Class III
Class III bioweapons are exceptionally dangerous fast acting weapons, usually nerve agents. These almost always kill on contact, and survivors usually have lasting permanent disabilities.
Class IV
Class IV weapons are typically engineered, slow acting bioweapons, usually designed to get into the water or food supply of a target, where it will affect the populace. These are usually poisons which won't show major effects until at least a day after infection. During this period, victims are still likely to be highly infectious when near other people. However, if left untreated, these weapons can be lethal to any victim who comes into contact with the toxins.
Class V
Class V weapons are similar to class IV weapons, except that infection almost always means death. This type of weapon is also used as an "area denial" type of weapon, as they are typically engineered to have extremely long lasting lifespans. They are designed to poison everything it comes into contact with, which will prevent habitation of the affected area for extremely long periods of time. This type of contagion is also highly infectious, and will typically travel person to person rapidly, unless proper precautions are taken to stop or minimize contamination.