Difference between revisions of "Dual Cockpit"

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==Description==
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== Description ==
 
A '''Dual Cockpit''', also called '''Dual Cockpit Combat (DCC) System''', is a non-standard cockpit layout for [[BattleMech]]s that splits 'Mech operation between two operators, usually a pilot and a gunner. It should not be confused with the [[Command Console]], which provides two complete, independent sets of controls.
 
A '''Dual Cockpit''', also called '''Dual Cockpit Combat (DCC) System''', is a non-standard cockpit layout for [[BattleMech]]s that splits 'Mech operation between two operators, usually a pilot and a gunner. It should not be confused with the [[Command Console]], which provides two complete, independent sets of controls.
  
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'Mechs known to mount a Dual Cockpit include the RVN-1XL DC ''[[Raven]]'' and the DRG-1GKDC ''[[Grand Dragon]]''<ref>found in the record sheet included with'' Arena-Planet Solaris VII ''(the German edition of ''Solaris VII: The Game World'')</ref> (''neither of which meets the criteria for [[Canon]], however, as they were never published in an English language source''); there are no (other) regular 'Mech models known to feature a Dual Cockpit. Instead, it is usually installed as a refit.
 
'Mechs known to mount a Dual Cockpit include the RVN-1XL DC ''[[Raven]]'' and the DRG-1GKDC ''[[Grand Dragon]]''<ref>found in the record sheet included with'' Arena-Planet Solaris VII ''(the German edition of ''Solaris VII: The Game World'')</ref> (''neither of which meets the criteria for [[Canon]], however, as they were never published in an English language source''); there are no (other) regular 'Mech models known to feature a Dual Cockpit. Instead, it is usually installed as a refit.
  
All [[Successor State]]s have developed certain typical Dual Cockpit refits in accordance with their respective military style<ref>Mechwarrior Companion  p. 53</ref>; these could arguably be regarded as subvariants of the respective 'Mech:
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All [[Successor State]]s have developed certain typical Dual Cockpit refits in accordance with their respective military style<ref name="MWCp53">''MechWarrior Companion'', p. 53, "Running The Game"</ref>; these could arguably be regarded as subvariants of the respective 'Mech:
  
*[[Federated Suns]]/[[Federated Commonwealth]]:  
+
* [[Federated Suns]]/[[Federated Commonwealth]]:<ref name="MWCp51+">''MechWarrior Companion'',  pp. 51-52, "House Conversions"</ref>
 
:BLR-1G or BLR-3M ''[[BattleMaster]]'' (removing one [[heat sink]])
 
:BLR-1G or BLR-3M ''[[BattleMaster]]'' (removing one [[heat sink]])
 
:The AFFC uses these modification to bring the officer to the front. The assault 'Mech provides enough protection and mobility for the CO during larger engagements.
 
:The AFFC uses these modification to bring the officer to the front. The assault 'Mech provides enough protection and mobility for the CO during larger engagements.
  
*[[Draconis Combine]]:
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* [[Draconis Combine]]:<ref name="MWCp51+"/>
 
:DRG-5K ''[[Grand Dragon]]'' (removing one [[medium laser]])
 
:DRG-5K ''[[Grand Dragon]]'' (removing one [[medium laser]])
 
:WHM-6R ''[[Warhammer]]'' (removing two [[small laser]]s)
 
:WHM-6R ''[[Warhammer]]'' (removing two [[small laser]]s)
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:The DCMS has a strange relation to these modification, because the warriors fight for their own honor and with the support task it is difficult to find some place for their usefulness.
 
:The DCMS has a strange relation to these modification, because the warriors fight for their own honor and with the support task it is difficult to find some place for their usefulness.
  
*[[Lyran Commonwealth]]/[[Lyran Alliance]]:
+
* [[Lyran Commonwealth]]/[[Lyran Alliance]]:<ref name="MWCp51+"/>
 
:ZEU-6S ''[[Zeus]]'' (removing one medium laser)
 
:ZEU-6S ''[[Zeus]]'' (removing one medium laser)
 
:ZEU-9S ''Zeus'' (removing one heat sink)
 
:ZEU-9S ''Zeus'' (removing one heat sink)
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:The LCAF prefer heavy machinery above all. With the manufacturing capabilities of this state it is easy to modify a machine for the '[[Social General]]'.
 
:The LCAF prefer heavy machinery above all. With the manufacturing capabilities of this state it is easy to modify a machine for the '[[Social General]]'.
  
*[[Free Worlds League]]:
+
* [[Free Worlds League]]:<ref name="MWCp51+"/>
 
:ON-1V or ON-1M ''[[Orion]]'' (removing one ton of [[SRM]] ammunition)
 
:ON-1V or ON-1M ''[[Orion]]'' (removing one ton of [[SRM]] ammunition)
 
:MAD-3M or MAD-5D ''[[Marauder]]'' (removing one heat sink)
 
:MAD-3M or MAD-5D ''[[Marauder]]'' (removing one heat sink)
 
:Having lost many battles because they lost their leader in combat, the FWLM uses the dual cockpit to give protection to the CO.
 
:Having lost many battles because they lost their leader in combat, the FWLM uses the dual cockpit to give protection to the CO.
  
*[[Capellan Confederation]]:
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* [[Capellan Confederation]]:<ref name="MWCp51+"/>
 
:CP10-Z ''[[Cyclops]]'' (removing one ton of [[autocannon]] ammunition)  
 
:CP10-Z ''[[Cyclops]]'' (removing one ton of [[autocannon]] ammunition)  
 
:CP11-A ''Cyclops'' (removing one ton of [[gauss rifle]] ammunition)
 
:CP11-A ''Cyclops'' (removing one ton of [[gauss rifle]] ammunition)
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:The CCAF demands from their officer corps to lead by example, and commanders thus frequently find themselves in the thick of battle, where a Dual Cockpit may prove helpful.
 
:The CCAF demands from their officer corps to lead by example, and commanders thus frequently find themselves in the thick of battle, where a Dual Cockpit may prove helpful.
  
==Notes==
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== Notes ==
 
* The [[Clans]] do not use the Dual Cockpit.  
 
* The [[Clans]] do not use the Dual Cockpit.  
 
* The ''[[Battlemaster]]'' operated by the [[Red Corsair]] featured a [[Command Console]], not a Dual Cockpit.<ref>as per her BattleMech's stat sheet in ''[[Operational Turning Points: The Red Corsair]]'', p. 29</ref>
 
* The ''[[Battlemaster]]'' operated by the [[Red Corsair]] featured a [[Command Console]], not a Dual Cockpit.<ref>as per her BattleMech's stat sheet in ''[[Operational Turning Points: The Red Corsair]]'', p. 29</ref>
  
==Canonicity==
+
== Canonicity ==
 
* The [[canon]]icity status of the Dual Cockpit as a technology is somewhat unclear following a possibly misleading remark from the [[Line Developer]] that he considers it "effectively merged into the Command Console" system rules-wise.<ref>in [http://www.classicbattletech.com/forums/index.php/topic,39776.0.html this] thread on the [[CBT forum]]s</ref>  
 
* The [[canon]]icity status of the Dual Cockpit as a technology is somewhat unclear following a possibly misleading remark from the [[Line Developer]] that he considers it "effectively merged into the Command Console" system rules-wise.<ref>in [http://www.classicbattletech.com/forums/index.php/topic,39776.0.html this] thread on the [[CBT forum]]s</ref>  
* Even after the introduction of [[Tactical Operations]], which omits the Dual Cockpit and is said to overrule earlier rulebooks, the Dual Cockpit was mentioned in the [[Technical Readout: 3075]] discussing ''BattleMaster'' variants.<ref>[[Technical Readout: 3075]], p. 169</ref> However, said variants use command consoles according to [[Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged]].<ref>''Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged'', p. 183-184</ref>
+
* Even after the introduction of [[Tactical Operations]], which omits the Dual Cockpit and is said to overrule earlier rulebooks, the Dual Cockpit was mentioned in the [[Technical Readout: 3075]] discussing ''BattleMaster'' variants.<ref>''Technical Readout: 3075'', p. 169, "SLDF Royal Units"</ref> However, said variants use command consoles according to [[Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged]].<ref>''Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged'', pp. 183-184</ref>
  
==Rules==
+
== Rules ==
 
<div class="gamerules">
 
<div class="gamerules">
===Game Rules===
+
=== Game Rules ===
 
'''OLD:''' According to [[MechWarrior Companion]], Dual Cockpit rules are [[Rules Level/Level 3|Level Three rules]], and thereby not legal for standard tournament play. This was superseded by the aforementioned publications which neither mention nor denounce the Dual Cockpit.  
 
'''OLD:''' According to [[MechWarrior Companion]], Dual Cockpit rules are [[Rules Level/Level 3|Level Three rules]], and thereby not legal for standard tournament play. This was superseded by the aforementioned publications which neither mention nor denounce the Dual Cockpit.  
  
In game terms, the Dual Cockpit occupies two critical hit slots: Besides the standard cockpit slot (slot #3 in the head hit location), which houses the pilot, it also occupies slot #4 there to house the gunner. They must be marked as pilot or gunner cockpit, respectively.<ref>Mechwarrior Companion  p. 51</ref>
+
In game terms, the Dual Cockpit occupies two critical hit slots: Besides the standard cockpit slot (slot #3 in the head hit location), which houses the pilot, it also occupies slot #4 there to house the gunner. They must be marked as pilot or gunner cockpit, respectively.<ref name="MWCp50+">''MechWarrior Companion  pp. 50-51, "Combat - Rules"</ref>
  
 
When used by a team of MechWarriors, the Dual Cockpit significantly increases combat performance:
 
When used by a team of MechWarriors, the Dual Cockpit significantly increases combat performance:
 
*A Piloting Skill roll to avoid falling is required only after suffering 30 points of damage in a round (instead of 20);
 
*A Piloting Skill roll to avoid falling is required only after suffering 30 points of damage in a round (instead of 20);
 
*Improved evasion capability grants better movement modifiers to hit a unit equipped with Dual Cockpit;
 
*Improved evasion capability grants better movement modifiers to hit a unit equipped with Dual Cockpit;
*Similarly, modifiers to own fire from own movement are less severe and a secondary target may be fired at with no penalty.<ref>Mechwarrior Companion  p. 50</ref>
+
*Similarly, modifiers to own fire from own movement are less severe and a secondary target may be fired at with no penalty.<ref name="MWCp50+"/>
  
A separate skill from the usual 'Mech pilot/Gunnery skills must be learned to operate a 'Mech from a Dual Cockpit in conjunction with another pilot. A MechWarrior team without the Dual Cockpit Operation skill at high enough level loses effectiveness. And the skill only applies to a single pilot/gunner team, to change teams requires relearning the skill over again and training it back up to a level that the pilot/gunner gains the Dual Cockpit advantage again.<ref>Mechwarrior Companion  p. 50</ref>
+
A separate skill from the usual 'Mech pilot/Gunnery skills must be learned to operate a 'Mech from a Dual Cockpit in conjunction with another pilot. A MechWarrior team without the Dual Cockpit Operation skill at high enough level loses effectiveness. And the skill only applies to a single pilot/gunner team, to change teams requires relearning the skill over again and training it back up to a level that the pilot/gunner gains the Dual Cockpit advantage again.<ref name="MWCp50+"/>
  
 
For the purpose of determining [[Battle Value]], a Dual Cockpit counts for four times the tonnage of the 'Mech it is installed in.{{cn}}
 
For the purpose of determining [[Battle Value]], a Dual Cockpit counts for four times the tonnage of the 'Mech it is installed in.{{cn}}
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Dual Cockpit rules are not included in [[Tech Manual]], and thereby not legal for standard tournament play units.<ref>''Tech Manual''</ref>
 
Dual Cockpit rules are not included in [[Tech Manual]], and thereby not legal for standard tournament play units.<ref>''Tech Manual''</ref>
  
Neither are they in [[Tactical Operations]], and hence not available under current [[Advanced Rules]]/[[Experimental Rules]].<ref>''Tactical Operations''</ref>
+
Neither are they in [[Tactical Operations]], and hence not available under current [[Advanced Rules]]/[[Experimental Rules]].
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
==References==
+
== References ==
 
<references/>
 
<references/>
  
==Bibliography==
+
== Bibliography ==
*''[[BattleTechnology#Issue 17]]''
+
* ''[[BattleTechnology#Issue 17]]''
*''[[Heir to the Dragon]] (novel)''
+
* ''[[Heir to the Dragon]] (novel)''
*''[[MechWarrior Companion]]''
+
* ''[[MechWarrior Companion]]''
*''[[Natural Selection]]''
+
* ''[[Natural Selection]]''
*''[[Solaris VII: The Game World]]'' (German edition)
+
* ''[[Solaris VII: The Game World]]'' (German edition)
  
 
[[Category:Technology|Dual Cockpit]]
 
[[Category:Technology|Dual Cockpit]]

Revision as of 16:00, 29 April 2016

Description

A Dual Cockpit, also called Dual Cockpit Combat (DCC) System, is a non-standard cockpit layout for BattleMechs that splits 'Mech operation between two operators, usually a pilot and a gunner. It should not be confused with the Command Console, which provides two complete, independent sets of controls.

The MechWarriors forming a team in a Dual Cockpit must synchronize their neurohelmets, a complex process which requires both team members to be in the cockpit. If one team member is taken out, the other can assume control of the entire 'Mech, but loses all advantages of the Dual Cockpit and operates less effectively than he would in a regular cockpit.

The Dual Cockpit is a very rare piece of equipment. It weighs 4 tons (i.e. 1 ton more than a regular cockpit) and upgrading a 'Mech in this fashion costs approximately 200,000 C-bills.

Dual Cockpit 'Mechs

'Mechs known to mount a Dual Cockpit include the RVN-1XL DC Raven and the DRG-1GKDC Grand Dragon[1] (neither of which meets the criteria for Canon, however, as they were never published in an English language source); there are no (other) regular 'Mech models known to feature a Dual Cockpit. Instead, it is usually installed as a refit.

All Successor States have developed certain typical Dual Cockpit refits in accordance with their respective military style[2]; these could arguably be regarded as subvariants of the respective 'Mech:

BLR-1G or BLR-3M BattleMaster (removing one heat sink)
The AFFC uses these modification to bring the officer to the front. The assault 'Mech provides enough protection and mobility for the CO during larger engagements.
DRG-5K Grand Dragon (removing one medium laser)
WHM-6R Warhammer (removing two small lasers)
WHM-7M Warhammer (removing one medium laser)
The DCMS has a strange relation to these modification, because the warriors fight for their own honor and with the support task it is difficult to find some place for their usefulness.
ZEU-6S Zeus (removing one medium laser)
ZEU-9S Zeus (removing one heat sink)
AS7-D or AS7-K Atlas (removing one ton of LRM ammunition)
The LCAF prefer heavy machinery above all. With the manufacturing capabilities of this state it is easy to modify a machine for the 'Social General'.
ON-1V or ON-1M Orion (removing one ton of SRM ammunition)
MAD-3M or MAD-5D Marauder (removing one heat sink)
Having lost many battles because they lost their leader in combat, the FWLM uses the dual cockpit to give protection to the CO.
CP10-Z Cyclops (removing one ton of autocannon ammunition)
CP11-A Cyclops (removing one ton of gauss rifle ammunition)
WHM-6L Hot Hammer (removing one flamer)
WHM-7M Warhammer (removing one medium laser)
The CCAF demands from their officer corps to lead by example, and commanders thus frequently find themselves in the thick of battle, where a Dual Cockpit may prove helpful.

Notes

Canonicity

  • The canonicity status of the Dual Cockpit as a technology is somewhat unclear following a possibly misleading remark from the Line Developer that he considers it "effectively merged into the Command Console" system rules-wise.[5]
  • Even after the introduction of Tactical Operations, which omits the Dual Cockpit and is said to overrule earlier rulebooks, the Dual Cockpit was mentioned in the Technical Readout: 3075 discussing BattleMaster variants.[6] However, said variants use command consoles according to Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged.[7]

Rules

Game Rules

OLD: According to MechWarrior Companion, Dual Cockpit rules are Level Three rules, and thereby not legal for standard tournament play. This was superseded by the aforementioned publications which neither mention nor denounce the Dual Cockpit.

In game terms, the Dual Cockpit occupies two critical hit slots: Besides the standard cockpit slot (slot #3 in the head hit location), which houses the pilot, it also occupies slot #4 there to house the gunner. They must be marked as pilot or gunner cockpit, respectively.[8]

When used by a team of MechWarriors, the Dual Cockpit significantly increases combat performance:

  • A Piloting Skill roll to avoid falling is required only after suffering 30 points of damage in a round (instead of 20);
  • Improved evasion capability grants better movement modifiers to hit a unit equipped with Dual Cockpit;
  • Similarly, modifiers to own fire from own movement are less severe and a secondary target may be fired at with no penalty.[8]

A separate skill from the usual 'Mech pilot/Gunnery skills must be learned to operate a 'Mech from a Dual Cockpit in conjunction with another pilot. A MechWarrior team without the Dual Cockpit Operation skill at high enough level loses effectiveness. And the skill only applies to a single pilot/gunner team, to change teams requires relearning the skill over again and training it back up to a level that the pilot/gunner gains the Dual Cockpit advantage again.[8]

For the purpose of determining Battle Value, a Dual Cockpit counts for four times the tonnage of the 'Mech it is installed in.[citation needed]

Dual Cockpit rules are not included in Tech Manual, and thereby not legal for standard tournament play units.[9]

Neither are they in Tactical Operations, and hence not available under current Advanced Rules/Experimental Rules.

References

  1. found in the record sheet included with Arena-Planet Solaris VII (the German edition of Solaris VII: The Game World)
  2. MechWarrior Companion, p. 53, "Running The Game"
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 MechWarrior Companion, pp. 51-52, "House Conversions"
  4. as per her BattleMech's stat sheet in Operational Turning Points: The Red Corsair, p. 29
  5. in this thread on the CBT forums
  6. Technical Readout: 3075, p. 169, "SLDF Royal Units"
  7. Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged, pp. 183-184
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 MechWarrior Companion pp. 50-51, "Combat - Rules"
  9. Tech Manual

Bibliography