Difference between revisions of "Dual Cockpit"

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A '''Dual Cockpit''' is a non-standard cockpit layout for [[BattleMech]]s that splits 'Mech operation between two people, a pilot and a gunner. (It should not be mixed up with the [[Command Console]], which provides two complete sets of controls for two people.)
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==Description==
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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.
  
The Dual Cockpit weigths 4 tons (i.e. 1 ton more than a regular cockpit) and costs approximately 200,000 [[C-bill]]s.
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The [[MechWarrior (pilot)|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.
  
'Mechs known to mount a Dual Cockpit include the ''RVN-1XL DC [[Raven]]'' variant; the ''[[Battlemaster]]'' operated by the Red Corsair (in the novel [[List of BattleTech novels#Natural Selection|Natural Selection]]) was also expressly described to feature a Dual Cockpit.
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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-bill]]s.
  
===Associated Rules===
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== Dual Cockpit 'Mechs ==
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.
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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.
  
For the purpose of determining [[Battle Value]], a Dual Cockpit counts for four times the tonnage of the 'Mech it is installed in.
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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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*[[Federated Suns]]/[[Federated Commonwealth]]:
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:BLR-1G or BLR-3M ''[[BattleMaster]]'' (removing one [[heat sink]])
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: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.
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*[[Draconis Combine]]:
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:DRG-5K ''[[Grand Dragon]]'' (removing one [[medium laser]])
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:WHM-6R ''[[Warhammer]]'' (removing two [[small laser]]s)
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:WHM-7M ''Warhammer'' (removing one medium laser)
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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.
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*[[Lyran Commonwealth]]/[[Lyran Alliance]]:
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:ZEU-6S ''[[Zeus]]'' (removing one medium laser)
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:ZEU-9S ''Zeus'' (removing one heat sink)
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:AS7-D or AS7-K ''[[Atlas (BattleMech)|Atlas]]'' (removing one ton of [[LRM]] ammunition)
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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]]'.
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*[[Free Worlds League]]:
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:ON-1V or ON-1M ''[[Orion]]'' (removing one ton of [[SRM]] ammunition)
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:MAD-3M or MAD-5D ''[[Marauder]]'' (removing one heat sink)
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:Having lost many battles because they lost their leader in combat, the FWLM uses the dual cockpit to give protection to the CO.
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*[[Capellan Confederation]]:
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:CP10-Z ''[[Cyclops]]'' (removing one ton of [[autocannon]] ammunition)
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:CP11-A ''Cyclops'' (removing one ton of [[gauss rifle]] ammunition)
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:WHM-6L ''[[Warhammer|Hot Hammer]]'' (removing one [[flamer]])
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:WHM-7M ''Warhammer'' (removing one medium laser)
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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.
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==Notes==
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* The [[Clans]] do not use the Dual Cockpit.
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* 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>
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==Canonicity==
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* 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>
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* 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>
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==Rules==
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<div class="gamerules">
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===Game Rules===
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'''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.
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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>
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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);
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*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>
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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>
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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>
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Neither are they in [[Tactical Operations]], and hence not available under current [[Advanced Rules]]/[[Experimental Rules]].<ref>''Tactical Operations''</ref>
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</div>
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
*[[Solaris VII: The Game World]]
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<references/>
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==Bibliography==
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*''[[BattleTechnology#Issue 17]]''
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*''[[Heir to the Dragon]] (novel)''
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*''[[MechWarrior Companion]]''
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*''[[Natural Selection]]''
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*''[[Solaris VII: The Game World]]'' (German edition)
  
[[Category:Technology]]
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[[Category:Technology|Dual Cockpit]]

Revision as of 01:06, 26 July 2014

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.[4]
  • 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.[5] However, said variants use command consoles according to Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged.[6]

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.[7]

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.[9]

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.[10]

Neither are they in Tactical Operations, and hence not available under current Advanced Rules/Experimental Rules.[11]

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
  3. as per her BattleMech's stat sheet in Operational Turning Points: The Red Corsair, p. 29
  4. in this thread on the CBT forums
  5. Technical Readout: 3075, p. 169
  6. Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged, p. 183-184
  7. Mechwarrior Companion p. 51
  8. Mechwarrior Companion p. 50
  9. Mechwarrior Companion p. 50
  10. Tech Manual
  11. Tactical Operations

Bibliography