Spikes

BattleMech Spikes

Description

Spikes have been used as decoration on BattleMechs for centuries, but had no effect in combat. The Federated Commonwealth changed that in 3051 when it introduced reinforced and strengthened Spikes capable of inflicting damage on enemy units in close combat. Based on the same engineering reports that gave birth to the Lyran Commonwealth's Hatchet, these experimental melee weapons have demonstrated their effectiveness in the Solaris arenas.

Handling

The Spikes used in the arenas serve two purposes:

1. They absorb some of the damage from an opponent's physical attacks.
2. They inflict additional damage when performing physical attacks.

In the up-close and personal fighting style most arena warriors employ, Spikes become very dangerous to their enemies. The only drawback to the combat ready Spikes is the increased weight and space they consume when compared to their decorative counterparts. Each cluster of Spikes takes up as much room as a Small Laser. If a warrior isn't going to engage in melee combat, then the Spikes become useless.

Bibliography

• Tactical Operations
• MapPack: Solaris VII