MercTech

## Overview

MercTech is a gameplay overhaul mod that transforms Mechwarrior 5 into a Battletech simulator game. Many of the gameplay changes are inspired by the Battletech tabletop games or the massive amount of lore surrounding the Battletech IP. MercTech overhauls the mechlab to function closer to past titles while adding quite a few new mechanics to emphasize the difference between the variants of different mechs. MercTech also adds a new weapons workbench where the player can break down weapons into base components and then use those components to repair or upgrade other weapons.

Players starting a new campaign will be met with a plethora of options allowing them to customize their experience. This includes things like damage models, starting years, advanced difficulty, ammo management, and many other options. Along side this, a new campaign will skip the tutorial missions. This starts the player after the mission where Freeman joins as a pilot. Walking out into the hanger the player will be greeted with a starting lance of random mechs based on starting year and starting location.

Weapon mechanics have also been overhauled. Missiles will fire in a varying volley based on weapon quality. Lasers can become misaligned if they suffer a critical hit during combat. Ballistics have a chance of deflecting off armor and dealing less damage. PPCs can be charged to deal higher damage at the risk of damaging the weapon and many other changes.

## Installation Guide

1) Download the latest version of MercTech from either #stable-releases on Discord, Nexus, or Steam.

2) Download the latest versions of the dependency mods. Those mods are as follows:

Cockpit Glass Mod

MW5 Compatibility Mod

MW5 CAB

Mech Bundle

MercTech Clans

Additionally, there are optional mods to enhance effects:

MercTech Niagara

HFB - Hellfire and Brimstone

3) If you are downloading through Steam Workshop, your work is done! If not follow the next step

4) Extract the folder found immediately inside the .zip file into your Mods folder. The easiest way to find said folder is to open MW5, go to the mods menu, and hit "E". If you need to do this make sure you close the game before dropping the mods into the mods folder.

5) Launch the game, open the mods menu, and check the boxes for all the mods to activate them. Then, relaunch the game.

### Instructions for Managing Load Order

Load order is managed by each mod that has a preset load order to ensure everything running smoothly. If you are running a whole suite of mods and need to manage load order than we suggest that you use the Load Order Tool Set (LOTS) found here.

LOTS has several presets available for MercTech included.

Load orders for MercTech and it's dependencies are as follows.

Cockpit Glass Mod (Load Order 0)

MW5 Compatibility Mod (Load Order 0)

MW5 CAB (Load Order 1)

Mech Bundle (Load Order 2)

MercTech Compatibility Mod (Load Order 3)

MercTech V2 (Load Order 4)

MercTech Clans (Load Order 5)

### Other Great Mods that work with MercTech

*Important note: Most mods will break MercTech; if you do not see a mod on this list, test it first. Do not assume that it will work.*

PirateTech - adds more variety in mechs, weapons and other areas. PirateTech requires MercTech. (Nexus version of PirateTech, it is outdated DO NOT USE). PirateTech is available on the PT Discord server.

TTRules AI – You want the NoRescale version available on Nexus.

VonBiomes – New biomes Nexus and Discord.

330's Formation changer w. Rothe's Formations – change your lance formation. Available on Nexus.

330’s Pilot OverHaul for MT – make sure you download the MT version. Available on Nexus.

### Mods which are unnecessary/already included

Inferno Infantry

SMMO (Star Map Mouse Over - Mission Logos) -- Included in PirateTech, only needed if you don't use that.

### Some mods that don't work so well

Better Spawns - Causes crashes

Coyote's Missions - not very compatible

Prime8k Weapon Effects - Breaks MercTech Hard

Xenopax stuff generally isn't compatible

Xenopax Retrotech is most definitely not compatible

## Starting a New Campaign

It is recommended to start a new campaign when first installing Merctech. Many of the changes will introduce a slew of bugs and may entirely break existing saves. When you click on the new campaign button in game you will be greeted with an array of options to customize your campaign experience. These options range from modifying damage output of various weapons, to the size of mechs, to salvage mechanics. It can be overwhelming at first but here is a in depth look at each option and what they do.

### The Campaign Start Options Menu

At first, many options are going to be greyed out and locked. At the top of the menu is a drop down labeled "Preset". This menu contains several option setting templates based on level of desired difficulty. If you find yourself overwhelmed with the options and just want to start a game this is a good place to go.

If, however, you want to customize the campaign settings to taste select the custom option at the bottom of the drop down. This will unlock all available options.

Go to this page for a detailed breakdown of all the options in the campaign start menu.

## Gameplay Changes

Details of the Weapons in MerctechDetails of the Heat Mechanics in MerctechDetails of the Mechlab in Merctech