Mechwarrior Dictionary

This page is about the various language and expressions used by pilots in the battletech universe. In short, slang. Often people use these terms in game so for those confused, especially new people to battletech this should help translate and explain some phrases for you.

## Inner Sphere Terms

General Inner Sphere terms used by all to describe things such as unit formations, resources, general equipment, etc.

### C-Bills

Shortened form of ComStar-Bill, the currency used to pay for use of the Order's HPG network. Thanks to ComStar's neutrality and the Inner Sphere wide reach of the HPG network, C-Bills are the de-facto unit of exchange between the Great Houses, as well as the preferred form of payment for interstate merchants and mercenaries.

### H-Bills

Shorted form of House-Bills, an umbrella term for the currencies of the various Great Houses.

### Lance

A standard squad of 'Mechs. A Lance normally consists of 4 'Mechs.

### Company

A standard unit that usually consists of three lances. (12 'Mechs)

### Battalion

A military unit that usually consists of three companies. (36 'Mechs)

### Regiment

A military unit that usually consists of three battalions.

### Lostech

Contraction of Lost Technology, referring to equipment that was considered lost during the Succession Wars which was readily available during the time of the Star League.

### PPC

Used to abbreviate Particle Projector Cannon

### ER

Abbreviation for "Extended Range." Term is found at the start of other weapons such as "ER Large Laser" or "ER PPC."

### Hyperpulse Generator

Shortened to HPG, the Hyperpulse Generator is the primary means of interstellar communications across the Inner Sphere. ComStar maintains and controls the HPG network, with HPG stations on virtually every Inner Sphere world.

### DropShip

Interplanetary spacecraft which attach and travel between star-systems aboard JumpShips, DropShips are generally capable of take-off and landing on planets.

### JumpShip

Interstellar spacecraft which perform hyperspace jumps between star-systems, JumpShips can only function at points minimal gravity on the outer limits of a system, thus the requirement for DropShips to transport people and material in-system.

**House Terms**

## Steiner Terms

### Lyran Recon Lance

Joke term referring to LCAF heavy or assault weight lances, born of the heavier average weight of House Steiner's military forces.

### Social General

Term referring to Lyran military officers who have obtained their rank and position through networking as opposed to martial talent, emblematic of the reputation of LCAF's somewhat bloated and ineffective command structure.

## Federated Commonwealth

Offical BattleTech terms regarding the Federated Commonwealth

### Archon-Prince

Title combination of House Steiner and House Davion; its the Head of State for the Federated Commonwealth.

### Fed-Com

Shortened slang term for Federated Commonwealth.

## Liao Terms

### Chancellor

Head of state of the Capellan Confederation.

## ComStar Terms

Official BattleTech terms regarding ComStar

### Acolyte

The lowest rank in ComStar, roughly equivalent to labourer.

### Adept

The second rank in ComStar, Adepts are the organization's working technicans.

### Blessed Blake

Deified term for ComStar founder Jerome Blake.

### Blessed Order

Internal term used to refer to ComStar itself

### First Circuit

Originally named for the HPG network's First or Prime Circuit of Class A stations, the political First Circuit serves as ComStar's ruling and decision making council.

### Level I

The smallest ComStar military formation, consisting of either a single BattleMech, armored vehicle or aerospace fighter, or single infantry squad.

### Level II

A ComStar military formation consisting of six Level I units, referred to as a demi-company.

### Level III

A ComStar military formation consisting of six Level II units, referred to as a battalion.

### Level IV

A ComStar military formation consisting of six Level III units, referred to as a division.

### Level V

A ComStar military formation consisting of six Level IV units, referred to as an army.

### Precentor

The third rank in ComStar, Precentors serve as the managers of its branches and divisions, HPG stations, Com Guard Level IV's.

### Precentor Martial

The overall commander of ComStar's military forces, the Com Guards.

### Precentor ROM

The head of ComStar's shadowy inteliegence arm ROM.

### Primus

The political and spiritual leader of the Order, the Primus is effectively the head of state of ComStar.

### The Word of Blake

Document supposedly written by ComStar founder Jerome Blake outlining his claimed vision of the future, detailing the collapse of Inner Sphere into war and ComStar's role as the preserver of knowledge and salvation of humankind. The Word of Blake is required reading for all ComStar members.

## Mercenary Terms

### Alpha Strike

Term for describing firing all weapons at once.

### Light Mech

Term used to describe mechs weighing in the 20-35 ton category.

### Scout Mech

Sometimes incorrectly used to label light mechs, but generally any mech designed for recon duty.

### Medium Mech

Term used to describe mechs weighing in the 40-55 ton category

### Heavy Mech

Term used to describe mechs weighing in the 60-75 ton category

### Assault Mech

Term used to describe mechs weighing in the 80-100 ton category

## Mechwarrior Terms

In game terms, slang often used by players.

### Lyran Recon Lance

Used to describe a House Steiner Scouting lance....usually consisting of about four **100 ton** Atlas Assault Mechs.

### Poptarts

People who use 'Mechs designed with jump jets to leap up, fire then fall back behind cover.

### Boats

'Mechs that use pretty much only one class of same grouped weapons, for example all PPC or MG's.

### Goats

Recent term introduced into MechWarrior world. Used to describe pilots who hang near hill tops using "Boat" mechs to snipe or rain LRMs.

### Fatties

Slang term for large cumbersome Assault Class Mechs.

### Unseens

Used to describe Mechs or equipment that was used from other mech or mecha franchises that was removed following complaints from Harmony Gold.

### Reseens

Mechs that were taken from other franchises that have been redesigned in order to avoid copyright infringement.

### Gaussling

A name for a Raven-4X mounting a Gauss Rifle.