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BattleMech Tactics
Before firing a laser, commanding a lance, or accepting a contract, a mercenary
should become intimately familiar with his or her BattleMech-the conduit of offensive
power and fortress of defensive might. A mercenary should study the ins-and-outs
of the BattleMech, learn to manage its most important systems, and master the combat
techniques required to defeat all potential threats.
This chapter covers indispensable BattleMech tactics that all aspiring mercenaries
must know. You'll discover the importance of the BattleMech's heads-up display,
and the challenge of maintaining a safe heat level in your mobile fortress. Combat
techniques also are featured, with specific long- and short-range battle tips to
get a mercenary started in those challenging contract missions. We also provide
complete coverage of lancemates -their uses in combat and their names, skills, hiring
prices, and weekly upkeep.
'Mech Management
Understanding your heads-up display, and monitoring your 'Mech's heat level, will
increase your chances of survival as much as expert weapon and piloting techniques.
The Heads-Up Display
Your BattleMech's heads-up display (HUD) is giving you a wealth of vital information.
At a single glance, you can determine the number of enemy units in the area, current
damage levels of lancemates, the quantity of ammunition remaining to you, and your
current heading and Nav point. Here are some tips on using various functions in
your BattleMech's HUD.
Sensors: The 'Mech's radar display is located at the bottom center
of the HUD. It's used to locate friendly, neutral, and enemy targets up to a thousand
meters away. You can switch your sensors to "passive," which decreases their range
to 250 meters, but also masks your signature to enemy sensors. Improve sensor range
with BAP (Beagle Active Probe), and inhibit the enemy's ability to detect you with
the Guardian ECM (electronic countermeasures). Your radar also indicates the location
of Nav points, and indicates which enemy target has hit your 'Mech with weapons
fire!
Target damage indicator: A targeted object (vehicle, building,
'Mech, etc.) appears in the lower left area of the HUD. Monitor the target damage
indicator when battling an enemy 'Mech. The indicator reveals damage both to the
enemy 'Mech's body parts and weapon systems.
Lancemate damage indicator: Current lancemates are shown in the
upper left portion of the HUD. The lancemate damage indicator starts out green,
indicating good health, and changes to yellow, then red, then black, as more damage
is sustained. When a lancemate's damage indicator turns red, consider ordering a
shutdown in an effort to preserve the 'Mech and lancemate.
Weapon grouping and status indicator: This indicator is at your
upper right on the HUD. By default, weapons are grouped by type, but your display
can be reconfigured in the MechLab. This area also indicates whether or not a weapon
is recharging, and displays your current ammunition levels.
Targeting reticle: The targeting reticle, in the center of your
display, points wherever your BattleMech faces, and indicates the bull's-eye for
whatever weapon you're planning to fire.
A red reticle indicates you are targeting an enemy or objective target, a blue reticle
indicates you are targeting an allied target, and a green reticle indicates you
are targeting a harmless or neutral target. The area around the reticle also indicates
the position of the current target.
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Cyberlore Tip - Pay a lot of attention
to which parts of your 'Mech are damaged. Sometimes one side of your torso will
get badly mauled, and you'll survive longer if you try to "hide" that part of your
'Mech. If your left torso is red and blinking, try to make sure your opponents never
get a clear shot on it. Just turn to fire, then turn back away. By favoring one
side or another, you can really increase your durability, and that helps a great
deal both in the campaign and in multiplayer games.
- Ferret Baudoin, Designer
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Heat Management
Other than avoiding structures and the edges of cliffs, and combating enemy BattleMechs,
your chief concern should be managing your 'Mech's heat levels. Heat, generated
primarily by the 'Mech's own weapons, forces a pilot to monitor the rate of fire
carefully. Moderate heat also is generated by Jump Jets, and by ordinary movement,
especially at high speed. This is not noticeable by itself-all 'Mechs can dissipate
heat faster than it can be built up from running and Jump Jetting. But a small effect
would be noticed if you're also firing several weapons while performing those actions.
Excessive heat causes several 'Mech problems, including loss of torso twist and
movement speed, static on the HUD, and temporary shutdown.
Here are some tips on managing your BattleMech's heat levels, to avoid problems
and potential shutdown. Add more heat sinks: If you're having trouble keeping your
'Mech's heat level under control, consider adding more heat sinks between contracts.
- Remove "hot" weapons: Head to the MechLab and reconfigure your 'Mech's arsenal if
you can't keep cool. Beam weapons generate the most heat (and the larger the weapon,
the more heat produced). Consider switching to cooler weapons such as smaller beam
weapons, ballistic weapons, or missiles.
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Tip - Heat sinks operate more or less
efficiently, depending on the planet. For instance, on desert planets, heat sinks
are less efficient and your 'Mech will generate heat much more quickly. A planet's
heat-sink efficiency is revealed on the Star System screen. Use the value to determine
how many heat sinks to use in equipping your lance's BattleMechs.
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- Coolant: Flush coolant (available in limited supply on each BattleMech) to dissipate
heat (defaults to the "F" key). Use it sparingly, and only if your 'Mech's heat
has reached forcedshutdown level.
- Fire weapons separately: Firing all of your 'Mech's weapons simultaneously generates
the most heat. Group your weapons and fire them individually to allow time for heat
to dissipate between volleys.
- Hit-and-run: Instead of firing constantly, perform hit-and-run attacks. Fire your
weapons, then retreat to allow the 'Mech to cool briefly.
- Battle in water: Stand in rivers or lakes to conduct your battles in water. The
liquid improves heat-sink efficiency and will keep your 'Mech slightly cooler.
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Special thanks to Sybex
Strategy Guides
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