From: chem7l@jane.uh.edu (Corbit, Jim)
Subject: Re: Military Mechs?
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41    
Organization: University of Houston
Date: Tue, 28 Jul 1992 19:00:00 GMT

In article <1992Jul27.204836.8985@uoft02.utoledo.edu>
steiner@jupiter.cse.utoledo.edu (jason steiner) writes...
>chem7l@jetson.uh.edu writes:
>> 
>> Just to clear things up:

>> [Lots of stuff about how BattleTech is supposed to work deleted]> 

>[Mild flame attacking BTech technology deleted.]

>face it, BTECH is pure fantasy. it looks cool, it's fun to play, but
>any attempt to apply logic, engineering or design to the process is
>bound to show just how laughable the idea is.

I have never told anyone that BattleTech is remotely realistic, I was just 
trying to clear up some of the misconceptions I've seen on how the technology
is supposed to work. Personally, I like the game simply because it's fun.  If,
however, you want a bit more realism, here are some minor rules modifications
that add some realism:

1) Increase distances and timeframes by a factor of 6, i.e. hexes are 180 meters
   (instead of 60) across and combat rounds take 1 minute (not 10 seconds).
   This makes the ranges more reasonable.

2) Allow all weapons to fire more than once in each (longer) round, but with the
   same heat restrictions.  (This has the potential to make balistic weapons, 
   even the AC/2, MUCH more effective.)  Limit the total number of shots from a
   particular weapon to something like 3 or 5, double for Ultra ACs.

3) Drop the stacking rules.  (Warning:  This could clutter things up pretty
   badly.)

4) Cut the price of IC engines to 1/3 of their current cost and reduce their 
   weight to the same as the comparable fusion engine (including fuel reserve
   and drive equipment).  Also, cut the cost of normal missiles and ballistic 
   weapons to 1/2 or 1/3 of their current cost.

5) Allow no energy weapons on any vehicle that uses an IC engine.  This makes
   sense because energy weapons use a tremendous amount of energy, and internal
   combustion simply cannot burn that much gas that quickly, while fusion power
   can provide a great deal more energy.

6) Assume that there is such an extensive use of (more effective versions of)
   chaffe and flares that (standard) computer guidance systems are unreliable,
   and all direct fire weapons and missiles must be hand guided.  (I know, this
   isn't very realistic, and is really just a fudge, but it IS a game...)  ;)
   This would explain the importance of skill over equipment.

7) Assume that the heat output of a fusion engine is so great (as it truly would
   be) that a very large surface area is required radiate it.  Tanks are just 
   too compact for this unless you flatten them so much that they can't cross
   most terrain.  Thus, only 'Mechs and large immobile  structures (dropships, 
   jumpships, building power plants with cooling towers, etc.) can provide the
   surface area necessary.  (Note, this _takes advantage_ of the ungainly, 
   inefficient, tall, ugly structure of the BattleMech.)  (Again, I know, this
   is fudging, but it IS a game about 'Mechs.)

Overall, this pushes 'Mechs into the forefront as the most effective long-
duration weapons platform.  Only 'Mechs can mount energy weapons, and these
energy weapons don't need ammo.  Also, 'Mech engines don't need fuel like the
IC engines, making logistics support much easier.

This also leaves tanks in a more specialized role.  They need more logistical
support and they can only fire ballistic weapons, but they are actually about
as deadly as 'Mechs and FAR cheeper.  This makes them the perfect defense or
follow up force, while 'Mechs are the perfect strike/raiding force.  However,
tanks DO have large loads of gas (or something similar) and large loads of ammo,
so they ARE vulnerable to heat (read infernos).

Of course, most tanks and 'Mechs would have to be completely redesigned under
these rules, but they should be playable.  I don't know, because I find the game
pretty fun as it is, so I don't use them.  :)

> 
>jason "who, me? i play Centurion." steiner
> 

Jim Corbit
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.misc