Rock Cutter

Rock Cutter
Production information
Type Melee Weapon
Tech Base Inner Sphere
Year Availability Pre-Spaceflight[1]
Availability Ratings D[2]/D[2]/D[2]
Technical specifications
Heat 0[3]
Damage 5[3]
Minimum Range 0
Short Range 0
Medium Range 0
Long Range 0
Tons 5[3]
Critical Slots 5[3]
Space Slots 1[3]
Ammo Per Ton N/A
Cost (unloaded) 100,000[2]
BV (2.0) 6[4]

Description

The Rock Cutter is a piece of mining and construction equipment that is rarely seen on the battlefield. The Rock Cutter is usually found on IndustrialMechs that are used either for mining and demolition. A few Solaris fighters have tried using Rock Cutters in combat, but the awkward nature of the tool makes it a poor substitute for a Sword or Hatchet.[1]

The Rock Cutter looks something like a Chainsaw, but instead of single teeth for cutting down trees, the Rock Cutter uses a chain equipped with industrial diamond cutting teeth. These teeth allow the Rock Cutter to easily slice into hardened materials. The mechanisms used to spin the chain and the friction built up by the cutting teeth make this one of the few pieces of industrial equipment that builds up heat. The Rock Cutter isn't as accurate as a Mining Drill, but in open pit mines it does a good job of slicing away materials.[1]

Rules

Game Rules

In game play the Rock Cutter inflicts 5 points of damage to combat units and 5+3D6 damage to buildings.[5] The awkward nature of the Rock Cutter means it imposes a 1 point to-hit penalty.[6]

Bipedal 'Mechs can carry a single Rock Cutter in each arm, but must remove the hand actuator to do so. Quad 'Mechs must mount the Rock Cutter in the side torsos, but can only mount one in each location. Combat and Support Vehicles may mount a Rock Cutter in the Front, Back, or Turret locations. A Rock Cutter may not be mounted in any area that mounts a Chainsaw, Dual Saw, Pile Driver, Mining Drill, Wrecking Ball, Combine, or Backhoe.[1]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 TechManual, p. 247, "Rock Cutter"
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 TechManual, p. 293, "Industrial Equipment (Cont)"
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 TechManual, p. 344, "Industrial Equipment Table"
  4. TechManual, p. 317, "Inner Sphere Weapons And Equipment BV Table"
  5. Total Warfare, p. 140, "Combat - Rock Cutter"
  6. Total Warfare, p. 146, "Physical Weapon Attacks Table"

Bibliography