Welcome,​ ​MechCommander! 2 

Getting​ ​Started 3 

System​ ​Requirements 4 

Can’t​ ​Run​ ​the​ ​Game? 5 

Mouse​ ​&​ ​Keyboard​ ​Controls 6 

Combat​ ​Overview 7 

Initiative​ ​Turn-Order 11 

Weapon​ ​Types 12 

Standard​ ​Actions 13 

Defenses 14 

Vulnerability​ ​States 15 

MechWarrior​ ​Abilities 16 

Fury​ ​&​ ​Focus 17 

Footage​ ​&​ ​Screenshot​ ​Capture​ ​Tools 18 

Known​ ​Issues 19 

Reporting​ ​a​ ​Bug 19 

   

Manual​ ​Version​ ​1.08​​ ​—​ ​Last​ ​Updated:​ ​August​ ​18,​ ​2017 

For​ ​a​ ​full​ ​list​ ​of​ ​changes​ ​made​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Backer​ ​Beta,​ ​see:​ ​Backer​ ​Beta​ ​Changelog 
Welcome,​ ​MechCommander! 
Welcome​ ​to​ ​the​ ​BATTLETECH​ ​BACKER​ ​BETA​. 
From​ ​all​ ​of​ ​us​ ​at​ ​Harebrained​ ​Schemes,​ ​we​ ​thank 
you​ ​for​ ​your​ ​support​ ​and​ ​we​ ​hope​ ​you​ ​enjoy​ ​this 
early​ ​look​ ​at​ ​BATTLETECH​ ​combat!  
 
This​ ​Backer​ ​Beta​ ​contains​ ​Single​ ​Player​ ​Skirmish 
vs.​ ​AI,​ ​5​ ​arena​ ​maps,​ ​21​ ​’Mech​ ​chassis​ ​(33 
variants)​ ​and​ ​11​ ​MechWarriors.​ ​After​ ​a 
forthcoming​ ​update,​ ​it​ ​will​ ​also​ ​contain​ ​1v1 
Online​ ​&​ ​LAN​ ​Multiplayer.​​ ​It​ ​does​ ​not​ ​include 
MechLab​ ​or​ ​any​ ​elements​ ​of​ ​the​ ​story​ ​campaign.  
 
Please​ ​note​ ​that​ ​while​ ​we​ ​will​ ​update​ ​the​ ​Beta​ ​as 
needed​ ​to​ ​fix​ ​high-impact​ ​and​ ​game-breaking 
bugs,​ ​we​ ​have​ ​no​ ​plans​ ​to​ ​update​ ​the​ ​Backer 
Beta​ ​with​ ​additional​ ​features​ ​or​ ​content​ ​beyond 
the​ ​scope​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Beta​ ​Kickstarter​ ​reward.​ ​This​ ​is 
a​ ​targeted​ ​Beta​ ​to​ ​get​ ​data​ ​on​ ​BattleTech​ ​combat 
with​ ​our​ ​Backers,​ ​not​ ​an​ ​Early​ ​Access​ ​game 
release.  
 
You​ ​should​ ​expect​ ​the​ ​Beta​ ​to​ ​close​ ​at​ ​some​ ​point​ ​during​ ​the​ ​run​ ​up​ ​to​ ​the​ ​launch​ ​of​ ​the​ ​game 
so​ ​we​ ​can​ ​focus​ ​on​ ​the​ ​shipping​ ​version​ ​without​ ​the​ ​need​ ​to​ ​maintain​ ​the​ ​beta​ ​version.​ ​We’ll 
make​ ​sure​ ​it’s​ ​up​ ​for​ ​at​ ​least​ ​a​ ​month​ ​after​ ​multiplayer​ ​gets​ ​added,​ ​however. 
 
We’re​ ​incredibly​ ​excited​ ​to​ ​put​ ​this​ ​early​ ​look​ ​at​ ​the​ ​game​ ​into​ ​your​ ​hands.​ ​Of​ ​course,​ ​this​ ​is​ ​an 
early​ ​Beta,​ ​not​ ​a​ ​finished​ ​product.​ ​You​ ​WILL​ ​encounter​ ​bugs,​ ​missing​ ​features,​ ​and​ ​balance 
issues.​ ​This​ ​is​ ​where​ ​we​ ​need​ ​your​ ​help!​ ​Please​ ​provide​ ​your​ ​feedback​ ​via​ ​the​ ​survey​ ​prompt 
at​ ​the​ ​end​ ​of​ ​each​ ​battle​ ​you​ ​complete. 
 
It’s​ ​been​ ​a​ ​fantastic​ ​journey​ ​with​ ​all​ ​of​ ​you​ ​since​ ​the​ ​Kickstarter​ ​campaign​ ​closed​ ​at​ ​the​ ​end​ ​of 
2015,​ ​and​ ​this​ ​release​ ​is​ ​the​ ​first​ ​step​ ​on​ ​the​ ​road​ ​to​ ​launching​ ​the​ ​full​ ​game​ ​later​ ​this​ ​year. 
Thanks​ ​for​ ​your​ ​help,​ ​and​ ​we’ll​ ​see​ ​you​ ​on​ ​the​ ​battlefield! 
 
--​ ​Mike,​ ​Jordan,​ ​Mitch,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​BATTLETECH​ ​Team 
 
 

2 
Getting​ ​Started 
A​ ​Steam​ ​Key​ ​for​ ​the​ ​BATTLETECH​ ​Backer​ ​Beta​ ​will​ ​be​ ​added​ ​to​ ​your​ ​BackerKit​ ​account​ ​if​ ​you 
have​ ​backed​ ​BATTLETECH​ ​at​ ​the​ ​“MechWarrior”​ ​level​ ​or​ ​above.​ ​You​ ​can​ ​go​ ​directly​ ​to​ ​your 
BackerKit​ ​account​ ​and​ ​click​ ​on​ ​Get​ ​Your​ ​Digital​ ​Rewards​​ ​to​ ​find​ ​your​ ​key.  
 
IMPORTANT:​​ ​With​ ​over​ ​25,000​ ​keys​ ​to​ ​distribute,​ ​this​ ​can​ ​take​ ​some​ ​time.​ ​When​ ​your​ ​Beta​ ​key
lands​ ​in​ ​your​ ​account,​ ​you​ ​will​ ​get​ ​a​ ​notification​ ​email​ ​directly​ ​from​ ​BackerKit​.​ ​We
appreciate​ ​your​ ​patience!  
 
Note​ ​that​ ​this​ ​is​ ​a​ ​Steam​ ​key​ ​for​ ​the​ ​Backer​ ​Beta​ ​only,​ ​NOT​ ​a​ ​Steam​ ​key​ ​for​ ​the​ ​launch​ ​version​ ​of 
the​ ​game.​ ​BATTLETECH​ ​launch​ ​product​ ​keys​ ​for​ ​the​ ​platform​ ​you​ ​chose​ ​for​ ​your​ ​Kickstarter 
Reward​ ​(GoG,​ ​Humble,​ ​or​ ​Steam)​ ​will​ ​be​ ​fulfilled​ ​separately​ ​when​ ​the​ ​game​ ​launches. 
 
 
 
Don’t​ ​remember​ ​your​ ​BackerKit​ ​info?​​ ​Go​ ​to​ ​https://battletech.backerkit.com/​​ ​and​ ​follow​ ​these 
instructions​ ​to​ ​recover​ ​your​ ​account: 

1. Enter​ ​the​ ​email​ ​address​ ​you​ ​used​ ​to​ ​back​ ​the​ ​game​ ​and​ ​click​ ​on​ ​Get​ ​My​ ​Survey. 

 
2. Click​ ​on​ ​the​ ​link​ ​to​ ​your​ ​account​ ​in​ ​the​ ​email​ ​sent​ ​to​ ​you​ ​by​ ​BackerKit. 
3. Click​ o​ n​ ​Get​ ​Your​ ​Digital​ ​Rewards​. 
4. Redeem​ ​your​ ​key​ ​in​ ​your​ ​Steam​ ​account.​ ​(New​ ​to​ ​Steam?​ ​Follow​ ​these​ ​steps.​) 
 
Haven’t​ ​answered​ ​your​ ​survey?​​ ​BackerKit​ ​will​ ​require​ ​you​ ​to​ ​do​ ​that​ ​before​ ​giving​ ​you​ ​access 
your​ ​Beta​ ​key.​ ​If​ ​you​ ​have​ ​any​ ​questions​ ​or​ ​issues​ ​with​ ​your​ ​BackerKit​ ​account,​ ​contact​ ​us​! 
 
Backed​ ​at​ ​a​ ​lower​ ​Reward​ ​Tier?​​ ​Until​ ​two​ ​weeks​ ​before​ ​the​ ​close​ ​of​ ​Beta,​ ​you​ ​can​ ​contact​ ​us​​ ​to 
upgrade​ ​your​ ​pledge​ ​to​ ​the​ ​MechWarrior​ ​level​ ​and​ ​gain​ ​Beta​ ​access. 
 
Not​ ​a​ ​Backer​ ​yet?​​ ​You’re​ ​not​ ​too​ ​late!​ ​Until​ ​two​ ​weeks​ ​before​ ​the​ ​close​ ​of​ ​Beta,​ ​you​ ​can​ ​head 
here​ ​to​ ​become​ ​a​ ​Late​ ​Backer​ ​at​ ​the​ ​MechWarrior​ ​level​ ​and​ ​gain​ ​Beta​ ​access. 
https://battletech.backerkit.com/hosted_preorders 
 
 
 
   

3 
System​ ​Requirements 
Only​ ​16:9​ ​and​ ​16:10​ ​display​ ​aspect​ ​ratios​ ​are​ ​officially​ ​supported,​ ​from​ ​720p​ ​(1280​ ​x​ ​720)​ ​up​ ​to 
4k​ ​(3840​ ​x​ ​2160).​ ​Note​ ​that​ ​while​ ​the​ ​below​ ​are​ ​the​ ​system​ ​requirements​ ​for​ ​the​ ​Backer​ ​Beta, 
they​ ​may​ ​change​ ​for​ ​the​ ​launch​ ​title​ ​as​ ​we​ ​continue​ ​to​ ​improve​ ​performance. 
 

  Minimum  Recommended 

WIN  OS​:​ ​Windows​ ​7​ ​or​ ​Higher​ ​(64-bit)  OS​:​ ​Windows​ ​7​ ​or​ ​Higher​ ​(64-bit) 
Processor​:​ ​Intel​ ​Pentium​ ​Core​ ​i3​ ​3210  Processor​:​ ​Intel​ ​Pentium​ ​Core​ ​i5​ ​3450 
3.20GHz​ ​or​ ​AMD​ ​FX​ ​4300​ ​3.8GHz  3.10GHz​ ​or​ ​AMD​ ​FX​ ​6300​ ​3.5GHz 
Memory​:​ ​8​ ​GB​ ​RAM   Memory​:​ ​16​ ​GB​ ​RAM 
Graphics​:​ ​NVIDIA​ ​GeForce​ ​660​ ​GTX​ ​or  Graphics​:​ ​NVIDIA​ ​GeForce​ ​GTX​ ​950​ ​or 
AMD​ ​Radeon​ ​HD​ ​7850  AMD​ ​Radeon​ ​HD​ ​7900​ ​Series 
DirectX​:​ ​Version​ ​11  DirectX​:​ ​Version​ ​11 
Network​:​ ​Broadband​ ​Internet​ ​connection  Network​:​ ​Broadband​ ​Internet​ ​connection 
Storage​:​ ​7​ ​GB​ ​available​ ​space  Storage​:​ ​10​ ​GB​ ​available​ ​space 
Sound​ ​Card:​​ ​DirectX​ ​9​ ​sound​ ​device  Sound​ ​Card​:​ ​DirectX​ ​9​ ​sound​ ​device 

MAC  OS​:​ ​OS​ ​X​ ​Mavericks   OS​:​ ​OS​ ​X​ ​El​ ​Capitan 
Processor​:​ ​Intel​ ​2.5​ ​Ghz​ ​Mid​ ​2011  Processor​:​ ​Intel​ ​2.9GHz​ ​Late​ ​2013 
Graphics​:​ ​Radeon​ ​HD​ ​6970M  Graphics​:​ ​Nvidia​ ​GeForce​ ​GTX​ ​775M 
Memory​:​ ​8​ ​GB​ ​RAM  Memory​:​ ​16​ ​GB​ ​RAM 
Network​:​ ​Broadband​ ​Internet​ ​connection  Network​:​ ​Broadband​ ​Internet​ ​connection 
Storage​:​ ​7​ ​GB​ ​available​ ​space  Storage​:​ ​10​ ​GB​ ​available​ ​space 
Sound​ ​Card​:​ ​On​ ​Board​ ​Audio  Sound​ ​Card​:​ ​On​ ​Board​ ​Audio 

 
 
   

4 
Can’t​ ​Run​ ​the​ ​Game? 
If​ ​you’re​ ​unable​ ​to​ ​run​ ​the​ ​game​ ​at​ ​all,​​ ​please​ ​follow​ ​the​ ​directions​ ​below​ ​and​ ​contact​ ​us​​ ​with 
the​ ​requested​ ​files​ ​attached​ ​and​ ​a​ ​short​ ​description​ ​of​ ​what​ ​happens.​ ​IMPORTANT:​​ ​This​ ​is​ ​not 
how​ ​to​ ​report​ ​a​ ​bug​ ​within​ ​the​ ​game​ ​ ​-​ ​see​ ​Reporting​ ​a​ ​Bug,​ ​p.18​​ ​for​ ​that. 
 

WIN  1. From​ ​wherever​ ​BattleTech.exe​ ​is​ ​installed​ ​on​ ​your​ ​system,​ ​go​ ​into​ ​the 
BattleTech_Data​ ​directory​ ​and​ ​locate​ ​output_log.txt​ ​and​ ​attach​ ​it​ ​to​ ​your​ ​message. 
This​ ​file​ ​is​ ​very​ ​helpful. 
2. From​ ​wherever​ ​BattleTech.exe​ ​is​ ​installed,​ ​if​ ​there​ ​is​ ​a​ ​timestamped​ ​directory​ ​next 
to​ ​BattleTech.exe​ ​or​ ​in​ ​the​ ​Dumpbox​ ​directory​ ​that​ ​match​ ​the​ ​time​ ​of​ ​your​ ​error, 
please​ ​zip​ ​up​ ​the​ ​directory​ ​and​ ​attach​ ​it​ ​to​ ​your​ ​message. 
3. Additionally,​ ​send​ ​your​ ​DxDiag​ ​file​ ​if​ ​possible.​ ​Press​ ​the​ ​Windows​ ​key​ ​or​ ​open​ ​the 
start​ ​menu​ ​and​ ​type​ ​in​ ​"dxdiag". 
4. Press​ ​the​ ​"Save​ ​all​ ​information"​ ​button​ ​and​ ​attach​ ​the​ ​generated​ ​file​ ​to​ ​your 
message. 
5. Contact​ ​us​​ ​with​ ​the​ ​title:​ ​“​BT​ ​Beta​ ​Won’t​ ​Run​ ​-​ ​WIN”​​ ​and​ ​a​ ​short​ ​description​ ​of 
what​ ​happens.​ ​Please​ ​make​ ​sure​ ​all​ ​of​ ​the​ ​above​ ​files​ ​are​ ​attached! 

MAC  1. The​ ​game​ ​log​ ​file​ ​is​ ​located​ ​at:​ ​Macintosh​ ​HD​ ​>​ ​Users​ ​>​ ​{name}​ ​>​ ​Library​ ​>​ ​Logs​ ​> 
Unity​ ​-​ ​please​ ​locate​ ​Player.log​ ​and​ ​attach​ ​it​ ​to​ ​your​ ​message.  
2. From​ ​wherever​ ​BattleTech​ ​is​ ​installed,​ ​if​ ​there​ ​is​ ​a​ ​timestamped​ ​directory​ ​next​ ​to 
BattleTech.exe​ ​or​ ​in​ ​the​ ​Dumpbox​ ​directory​ ​that​ ​match​ ​the​ ​time​ ​of​ ​your​ ​error, 
please​ ​zip​ ​up​ ​the​ ​directory​ ​and​ ​attach​ ​it​ ​to​ ​your​ ​message.  
3. Press​ ​the​ ​Mac​ ​icon. 
4. Select​ ​the​ ​"About​ ​This​ ​Mac". 
5. A​ ​window​ ​will​ ​open,​ ​press​ ​the​ ​"System​ ​Report..."​ ​button.  
6. A​ ​new​ ​window​ ​will​ ​open.​ ​Select​ ​"File"​ ​->​ ​"Save"​ ​and​ ​attach​ ​this​ ​file​ ​to​ ​your​ ​message. 
7. Contact​ ​us​​ ​with​ ​the​ ​title:​ ​“​BT​ ​Beta​ ​Won’t​ ​Run​ ​-​ ​MAC”​​ ​and​ ​a​ ​short​ ​description​ ​of 
what​ ​happens.​ ​Please​ ​make​ ​sure​ ​all​ ​of​ ​the​ ​above​ ​files​ ​are​ ​attached! 

 
   

5 
Mouse​ ​&​ ​Keyboard​ ​Controls 
WASD  Move​ ​camera 

Q/E  Rotate​ ​camera​ ​left/right. 

Right-click​ ​+  Freely​ ​tumble​ ​camera. 

drag 

Scroll​ ​wheel  Zoom​ ​in/out. 

PgUp​ ​/​ ​PgDn  Rotate​ ​camera​ ​up/down. 

Middle-click  Auto-pan​ ​camera​ ​to​ ​selected​ ​spot​ ​on​ ​map. 

Left-click  Select​ ​destination,​ ​attack​ ​a​ ​’Mech,​ ​or​ ​confirm​ ​action. 

Right-click  View​ ​details​ ​for​ ​any​ ​friendly​ ​or​ ​enemy​ ​unit​ ​in​ ​the​ ​targeting​ ​computer,​ ​or 
right-click​ ​a​ ​MechWarrior​ ​portrait​ ​to​ ​expand​ ​their​ ​stats. 

TAB  Switch​ ​between​ ​available​ ​’Mechs,​ ​or​ ​when​ ​in​ ​firing​ ​mode,​ ​switch​ ​between 
available​ ​enemy​ ​targets. 

1​ ​-​ ​9  Select​ ​movement​ ​mode​ ​or​ ​pilot​ ​ability. 

Minus  Brace​ ​(End​ ​turn.)​ ​Note​ ​that​ ​the​ ​UI​ ​incorrectly​ ​displays​ ​this​ ​hotkey​ ​as​ ​“s”. 

Portrait​ ​click  Single-click​ ​to​ ​“find”​ ​your​ ​‘Mech​ ​if​ ​it’s​ ​offscreen.​ ​Double-click​ ​to​ ​center 
camera​ ​on​ ​selected​ ​‘Mech. 

V  Cycle​ ​through​ ​available​ ​Melee​ ​targets,​ ​when​ ​Moving​ ​(or​ ​DFA​ ​targets,​ ​when 
Jumping.) 

ESC  “Back​ ​up”​ ​to​ ​previous​ ​mode​ ​or​ ​selection.​ I​ n​ ​general,​ ​ESC​ ​backs​ ​out​ ​of 
everything.​​ ​If​ ​you​ ​select​ ​a​ ​unit,​ ​then​ ​change​ ​your​ ​mind​ ​and​ ​want​ ​to 
Reserve​ ​it,​ ​ESC​ ​will​ ​de-select​ ​it​ ​(unless​ ​you’ve​ ​already​ ​taken​ ​an​ ​action​ ​with 
it).​ ​If​ ​you’re​ ​in​ ​firing​ ​mode​ ​and​ ​don’t​ ​want​ ​to​ ​be,​ ​ESC​ ​will​ ​exit.​ ​If​ ​you​ ​don’t 
have​ ​a​ ​unit​ ​selected,​ ​ESC​ ​will​ ​bring​ ​up​ ​the​ ​exit​ ​game​ ​popup.​ ​Note​ ​that​ ​this 
will​ ​be​ ​replaced​ ​by​ ​an​ ​in-game​ ​menu​ ​for​ ​launch. 

 
   

6 
Combat​ ​Overview 
This​ ​Manual​ ​is​ ​a​ ​rough​ ​substitute​ ​for​ ​an​ ​in-game​ ​tutorial,​ ​which​ ​has​ ​not​ ​been​ ​implemented​ ​yet. 
We​ ​highly​ ​recommend​ ​reviewing​ ​the​ ​following​ ​sections​ ​before​ ​playing​ ​your​ ​first​ ​skirmish! 
 

BATTLEMECHS 

In​ ​BATTLETECH,​ ​you​ ​command​ ​a​ ​Lance​ ​of​ ​four​ ​‘Mechs​ ​piloted​ ​by​ ​brave​ ​MechWarriors​.​ ​‘Mechs 
are​ ​giant​ ​machines​ ​of​ ​war,​ ​each​ ​with​ ​a​ ​variety​ ​of​ ​weapons​ ​and​ ​capabilities.​ ​‘Mechs​ ​have​ ​many 
body​ ​Locations​​ ​which​ ​can​ ​take​ ​damage​ ​independently​ ​and​ ​be​ ​destroyed.​ ​Each​ ​location​ ​has 
Armor​,​ ​which​ ​protects​ ​Internal​ ​Structure​.  

● A​ ​Location​ ​generally​ ​won’t​ ​take​ ​Structure​ ​damage​ ​until​ ​all​ ​of​ ​its​ ​Armor​ ​is​ ​destroyed.  
● When​ ​a​ ​Location’s​ ​Internal​ ​Structure​ ​is​ ​gone,​ ​the​ ​Location​ ​itself​ ​is​ ​destroyed​ ​and​ ​all​ ​of 
the​ ​internal​ ​components​ ​and​ ​weapons​ ​on​ ​that​ ​Location​ ​are​ ​also​ ​destroyed.  
● The​ ​Locations​ ​on​ ​a​ ​‘Mech​ ​are:​ ​Head​,​ ​Center​ ​Torso​,​ ​Left​ ​Torso​,​ ​Left​ ​Arm​,​ ​Left​ ​Leg,​​ ​Right 
Torso​,​ ​Right​ ​Arm​,​ ​and​ ​Right​ ​Leg​.  
● A​ ​‘Mech​ ​will​ ​“die”​ ​(cease​ ​being​ ​a​ ​combatant​ ​for​ ​this​ ​fight)​ ​if​ ​its​ ​Head,​ ​Center​ ​Torso,​ ​or 
both​ ​Legs​ ​are​ ​destroyed. 
 

 
 

MECHWARRIORS 

MechWarriors​ ​are​ ​the​ ​brave,​ ​squishy​ ​center​ ​of​ ​your​ ​‘Mechs​ ​on​ ​the​ ​battlefield.​ ​MechWarriors 
each​ ​have​ ​four​ ​Skill​ ​ratings​ ​from​ ​1-10:  

Gunnery​ ​determines​ ​ranged​ ​attack​ ​to-hit​ ​%.​ ​(See​ ​p.8) 

Piloting​ ​determines​ ​Melee​ ​and​ ​Death-From-Above​ ​attack​ ​to-hit​ ​%.​ ​(See​ ​p.9) 
Tactics​ ​determines​ ​your​ ​line-of-sight​ ​(LOS)​ ​distance,​ ​information​ ​gained​ ​from 
radar​ ​blips,​ ​and​ ​your​ ​accuracy​ ​with​ ​Indirect​ ​Fire​ ​and​ ​Called​ ​Shots.​ ​(See​ ​p.9) 
Guts​ ​determines​ ​how​ ​much​ ​heat​ ​you​ ​can​ ​build​ ​up​ ​before​ ​Overheating.​ ​(See​ ​p.9) 
 
MechWarriors​ ​also​ ​have​ ​powerful​ ​MechWarrior​ ​Abilities​ ​based​ ​on​ ​their​ ​skills​ ​-​ ​in​ ​the​ ​Beta,​ ​each 
MechWarrior​ ​has​ ​two​ ​abilities.​ ​(See​ ​MechWarrior​ ​Abilities,​ ​p.15​) 
7 
CAMERA 

Use​ ​WASD​ ​keys​ ​to​ ​pan,​ ​mousewheel​ ​to​ ​zoom,​ ​and​ ​hold​ ​R-Mouse​​ ​to​ ​freely​ ​tumble​ ​the​ ​camera. 
Mouse​ ​edge-panning​ ​is​ ​also​ ​enabled​ ​by​ ​default. 
 

MOVEMENT 

Left-click​ ​once​ ​on​ ​a​ ​terrain​ ​dot​ ​to​ ​set​ ​your​ ​desired​ ​position​,​ ​which​ ​will​ ​lock​ ​your​ ​movement 
indicator​ ​in​ ​place.​ ​Then​ ​move​ ​the​ ​mouse​ ​cursor​ ​out​ ​and​ ​hover​ ​around​ ​to​ ​set​ ​your​ ​desired 
rotation​.​ ​Left-click​ ​a​ ​second​ ​time​ ​to​ ​confirm​ ​your​ ​rotation​ ​and​ ​execute​ ​the​ ​move.​ ​Note​ ​that 
‘Mechs​ ​have​ ​a​ ​limited​ ​turning​ ​radius​ ​-​ ​the​ ​farther​ ​you​ ​move,​ ​the​ ​less​ ​rotation​ ​you’ll​ ​be​ ​able​ ​to 
set​ ​for​ ​your​ ​destination.​ ​(For​ ​more​ ​about​ ​movement,​ ​see​ ​Standard​ ​Actions,​ ​p.12​.) 
 

 
 

HEAT 

‘Mechs​ ​gain​ ​Heat​ ​with​ ​every​ ​action​ ​they​ ​take,​ ​but​ ​particularly​ ​from​ ​firing​ ​weapons​ ​and​ ​from 
using​ ​jump​ ​jets.​ ​At​ ​the​ ​end​ ​of​ ​each​ ​turn,​ ​‘Mechs​ ​dissipate​ ​a​ ​certain​ ​amount​ ​of​ ​heat​ ​(based​ ​on 
the​ ​functional​ ​heat​ ​sinks​ ​they​ ​have​ ​in​ ​their​ ​various​ ​Locations.)  

● When​ ​‘Mechs​ ​get​ ​too​ ​hot,​ ​they​ ​start​ ​OVERHEATING,​ ​and​ ​take​ ​Internal​ ​Structure​ ​damage. 
Heavier​ ​‘Mechs​ ​take​ ​more​ ​structure​ ​damage​ ​per​ ​location​ ​from​ ​OVERHEATING.  
● When​ ​a​ ​‘Mech’s​ ​Heat​ ​bar​ ​fills​ ​up,​ ​it​ ​shuts​ ​down.​ ​SHUTDOWN​ ​‘Mechs​ ​require​ ​a​ ​full​ ​turn​ ​to 
restart​ ​and​ ​are​ ​vulnerable​ ​to​ ​Called​ ​Shots​​ ​(see​ ​p.9)​ ​-​ ​so​ ​manage​ ​your​ ​heat​ ​carefully!  
● While​ ​in​ ​Firing​ ​Mode,​ ​before​ ​committing​ ​to​ ​an​ ​attack,​ ​your​ ​heat​ ​bar​ ​will​ ​show​ ​how​ ​much 
heat​ ​the​ ​attack​ ​WILL​ ​generate​.​ ​Some​ ​‘Mechs​ ​are​ ​more​ ​heat​ ​efficient​ ​than​ ​others,​ ​and 
firing​ ​all​ ​of​ ​your​ ​weapons​ ​is​ ​often​ ​not​ ​the​ ​best​ ​decision.​ ​Toggle​ ​weapons​ ​off​ ​via​ ​the 
weapon​ ​panel​ ​in​ ​the​ ​lower-right​ ​to​ ​conserve​ ​heat. 
● If​ ​you’re​ ​running​ ​hot,​ ​try​ ​standing​ ​in​ ​water​ ​-​ ​you’ll​ ​dissipate​ ​150%​ ​as​ ​much​ ​heat​ ​while 
standing​ ​in​ ​water. 
 
8 
STABILITY 

When​ ​‘Mechs​ ​take​ ​damage,​ ​they​ ​can​ ​also​ ​take​ ​Stability​ ​Damage. 
Past​ ​a​ ​threshold​ ​of​ ​Stability​ ​Damage,​ ​‘Mechs​ ​become​ ​UNSTEADY. 
UNSTEADY​ ​’Mechs​ ​will​ ​fall​ ​and​ ​become​ ​PRONE​ ​if​ ​their​ ​yellow 
Stability​ ​Damage​ ​bar​ ​fills​ ​up.  

● PRONE​ ​‘Mechs​ ​are​ ​vulnerable​ ​to​ ​Called​ ​Shots​​ ​(see​ ​p.9),​ ​lose​ ​1​ ​Initiative,​ ​and​ ​must​ ​spend 
part​ ​of​ ​their​ ​next​ ​move​ ​standing​ ​back​ ​up. 
● UNSTEADY​ ​lasts​ ​until​ ​the​ ​next​ ​time​ ​the​ ​‘Mech​ ​uses​ ​the​ ​Brace​ ​(End​ ​Turn)​ ​action,​ ​or​ ​loses 
enough​ ​Stability​ ​Damage​ ​by​ ​standing​ ​still​ ​or​ ​executing​ ​normal​ ​moves. 
 
● The​ ​best​ ​ways​ ​to​ ​deal​ ​Stability​ ​Damage​ ​are​ ​attacking​ ​with​ ​Missiles​ ​(LRMs​ ​and​ ​SRMs), 
PPCs,​ ​and​ ​with​ ​Melee​ ​and​ ​Death​ ​From​ ​Above​ ​attacks. 
 

RANGED​ ​ATTACKS 

Use​ ​the​ ​Weapon​ ​Panel​ ​in​ ​the​ ​lower-right​ ​of​ ​the​ ​HUD​ ​to​ ​toggle​ ​weapons​ ​on​ ​and​ ​off.​ ​The​ ​Weapon 
Panel​ ​will​ ​also​ ​indicate​ ​whether​ ​weapons​ ​are​ ​in​ ​range​ ​or​ ​not,​ ​and​ ​what​ ​their​ ​individual​ ​chances 
to​ ​hit​ ​are.  
 

Clear​ ​Shot  Obstructed​ ​Shot  Indirect​ ​Shot  No​ ​Shot 

If​ ​you​ ​Move​ ​or​ ​Jump  If​ ​you​ ​Move​ ​or​ ​Jump  If​ ​you​ ​Move​ ​or​ ​Jump  If​ ​you​ ​Move​ ​or​ ​Jump 
here,​ ​one​ ​or​ ​more​ ​of​ ​your  here,​ ​one​ ​or​ ​more​ ​of​ ​your  here,​ ​you​ ​won’t​ ​have  here,​ ​you’ll​ ​have​ ​LOS​ ​to 
weapons​ ​will​ ​be​ ​able​ ​to  weapons​ ​will​ ​be​ ​able​ ​to  direct​ ​LOS​ ​to​ ​this​ ​target,  this​ ​target,​ ​but​ ​won’t​ ​be 
fire​ ​on​ ​the​ ​target.  fire​ ​on​ ​the​ ​target​ ​at​ ​a  but​ ​your​ ​LRMs​ ​will​ ​be  able​ ​to​ ​fire​ ​on​ ​it​ ​(either 
to-hit​ ​penalty,​ ​because  able​ ​to​ ​fire​ ​indirectly​ ​at​ ​it  because​ ​the​ ​target​ ​is​ ​out 
intervening​ ​terrain​ ​or  (because​ ​another​ ​unit​ ​in  of​ ​range,​ ​or​ ​outside​ ​your 
‘Mechs​ ​are​ ​partially  your​ ​Lance​ ​has​ ​LOS​ ​to  firing​ ​arc.) 
blocking.  it.) 

 
When​ ​looking​ ​at​ ​a​ ​target​ ​on​ ​the​ ​battlefield,​ ​the​ ​number​ ​of​ ​brackets 
around​ ​the​ ​target​ ​indicates​ ​how​ ​many​ ​weapons​ ​are​ ​in-range​ ​to​ ​that 
target.​ ​Gold​ ​brackets​ ​indicate​ ​weapons​ ​that​ ​have​ ​optimal​ ​range​ ​to​ ​a 
target,​ ​meaning​ ​they​ ​will​ ​have​ ​a​ ​better​ ​chance​ ​to-hit. 
9 
Ranged​ ​attacks​ ​in​ ​BATTLETECH​ ​are​ ​based​ ​on​ ​two​ ​numbers:​ ​Your​ ​MechWarrior’s​ ​Gunnery​ ​Skill, 
and​ ​the​ ​Difficulty​ ​of​ ​the​ ​attack.​​ ​A​ ​variety​ ​of​ ​factors​ ​contribute​ ​to​ ​shot​ ​Difficulty,​ ​including 
EVASIVE​ ​charges,​ ​range,​ ​obstruction,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​size​ ​category​ ​of​ ​the​ ​target​ ​‘Mech.​ ​Your​ ​base 
chance​ ​to​ ​hit​ ​with​ ​a​ ​ranged​ ​attack​ ​is​ ​65%​ ​+​ ​2.5%​ ​per​ ​point​ ​of​ ​Gunnery​ ​skill.​ ​This​ ​is​ ​then​ ​reduced 
for​ ​each​ ​point​ ​of​ ​Difficulty.​ ​The​ ​first​ ​10​ ​points​ ​of​ ​Difficulty​ ​reduce​ ​your​ ​chance​ ​to​ ​hit​ ​by​ ​5%​ ​each. 
All​ ​points​ ​past​ ​10​ ​reduce​ ​your​ ​chance​ ​by​ ​2%​ ​each.  
 

CALLED​ ​SHOT 

When​ ​the​ ​target​ ​of​ ​your​ ​ranged​ ​attack​ ​is​ ​PRONE​ ​or​ ​SHUTDOWN,​ ​you​ ​can​ ​make​ ​a​ ​Called​ ​Shot 
on​ ​that​ ​target.​​ ​(The​ ​interface​ ​will​ ​appear​ ​automatically​ ​in​ ​firing​ ​mode.)​ ​This​ ​allows​ ​you​ ​to​ ​select 
a​ ​Location​ ​on​ ​the​ ​target​ ​’Mech​ ​to​ ​be​ ​the​ ​focus​ ​of​ ​your​ ​attack.​ ​Called​ ​Shots​ ​use​ ​your 
MechWarrior’s​ ​Gunnery​ ​skill​ ​to​ ​determine​ ​chance​ ​to-hit,​ ​but​ ​your​ ​MechWarrior’s​ ​Tactics​ ​skill 
determines​ ​how​ ​likely​ ​your​ ​attacks​ ​will​ ​be​ ​to​ ​hit​ ​the​ ​selected​ ​Location​ ​on​ ​the​ ​target. 
 

POSITIONING​ ​&​ ​FLANKING 

Positioning​ ​is​ ​a​ ​critical​ ​part​ ​of​ ​commanding​ ​your​ ​‘Mechs​ ​effectively​ ​on​ ​the​ ​battlefield.​ ​When 
firing​ ​on​ ​a​ ​target,​ ​you​ ​can​ ​hit​ ​its​ ​Front​,​ ​Left​,​ ​Right​,​ ​or​ ​Rear​ ​Arc​ ​depending​ ​on​ ​your​ ​position 
relative​ ​to​ ​the​ ​target’s.​ ​(Indicated​ ​by​ ​the​ ​red​ ​arc​ ​at​ ​the​ ​base​ ​of​ ​the​ ​target.)​ ​This​ ​arc​ ​determines 
which​ ​Locations​ ​on​ ​the​ ​target​ ​your​ ​attack​ ​will​ ​be​ ​able​ ​to​ ​damage.​ ​A​ ​Left-Arc​ ​attack,​ ​for​ ​example, 
cannot​ ​damage​ ​the​ ​Right​ ​Arm.​​ ​If​ ​you’ve​ ​been​ ​dealing​ ​damage​ ​consistently​ ​to​ ​one 
Arc​ ​of​ ​an​ ​enemy​ ​‘Mech,​ ​it’s​ ​a​ ​good​ ​idea​ ​to​ ​try​ ​to​ ​continue​ ​dealing​ ​damage​ ​to​ ​the 
same​ ​Arc.​ ​This​ ​will​ ​maximize​ ​your​ ​chance​ ​of​ ​punching​ ​through​ ​Armor​ ​and 
damaging​ ​the​ ​Structure​ ​of​ ​Locations​ ​on​ ​that​ ​side​ ​of​ ​the​ ​‘Mech. 
 
‘Mechs​ ​generally​ ​have​ ​much​ ​weaker​ ​rear​ ​armor​ ​than​ ​front​ ​armor,​ ​and​ ​Rear-Arc​ ​shots​ ​ignore 
Defenses​ ​such​ ​as​ ​Cover​ ​and​ ​Guarded​ ​(see​ ​Defenses,​ ​p.13​).​ ​Moving​ ​or​ ​jumping​ ​behind​ ​an 
enemy​ ​to​ ​get​ ​a​ ​Rear-Arc​ ​shot​ ​is​ ​often​ ​an​ ​effective​ ​way​ ​to​ ​gain​ ​the​ ​upper​ ​hand.​ ​Just​ ​be​ ​careful 
that​ ​you​ ​don’t​ ​expose​ ​your​ ​rear​ ​arc​ ​to​ ​different​ ​enemy​ ​‘Mech​ ​in​ ​turn​ ​by​ ​doing​ ​so! 
 

MELEE​ ​&​ ​DEATH​ ​FROM​ ​ABOVE 

Melee​ ​attacks​ ​are​ ​full-turn​ ​actions​ ​that​ ​can​ ​be​ ​used​ ​to​ ​break​ ​or​ ​ignore​ ​enemy​ ​Defenses​​ ​(see 
the​ ​Defenses,​ ​p.13​)​ ​and​ ​deal​ ​significant​ ​amounts​ ​of​ ​damage​ ​when​ ​they​ ​connect.​ ​They​ ​deal​ ​the 
most​ ​Stability​ ​Damage​ ​in​ ​the​ ​game,​ ​and​ ​are​ ​a​ ​great​ ​option​ ​when​ ​you’re​ ​running​ ​hot​ ​and​ ​want​ ​to 
avoid​ ​firing​ ​weapons​ ​in​ ​order​ ​to​ ​cool​ ​down.​ ​However,​ ​they​ ​can​ ​also​ ​leave​ ​you​ ​exposed!​ ​In 
general,​ ​heavier​ ​‘Mechs​ ​deal​ ​more​ ​Melee​ ​damage,​ ​but​ ​this​ ​varies​ ​from​ ​‘Mech​ ​to​ ​‘Mech.  
 
Execute​ ​Melee​ ​attacks​ ​against​ ​targets​ ​via​ ​the​ ​gold​ ​brackets​ ​in​ ​Move​ ​mode,​ ​or​ ​execute​ ​risky 
Death​ ​From​ ​Above​​ ​attacks​ ​from​ ​Jump​ ​mode​ ​(warning:​ ​Death​ ​From​ ​Above​ ​deals​ ​damage​ ​to​ ​your 
own​ ​‘Mech’s​ ​legs!)​ ​These​ ​both​ ​use​ ​your​ ​MechWarrior’s​ ​Piloting​ ​skill​ ​to​ ​determine​ ​chance​ ​to-hit. 

10 
Initiative​ ​Turn-Order 
At​ ​mission​ ​start,​ ​you're​ ​able​ ​to​ ​move​ ​your​ ​entire​ ​team​ ​simultaneously​ ​until​ ​contact​ ​is​ ​made​ ​with 
an​ ​enemy​ ​unit.​ ​This​ ​continues​ ​until​ ​you​ ​make​ ​contact:​ ​as​ ​soon​ ​as​ ​you​ ​see​ ​an​ ​enemy​ ​on​ ​your 
sensors​ ​(what​ ​we​ ​call​ ​a​ ​‘blip’),​ ​we​ ​switch​ ​over​ ​to​ ​combat​ ​movement,​ ​where​ ​each​ ​player​ ​takes​ ​a 
turn​ ​moving​ ​just​ ​one​ ​‘Mech. 
 
Each​ ​combat​ ​round​ ​is​ ​divided​ ​into​ ​5​ ​Phases,​ ​and​ ​which​ ​Phase​ ​each​ ​’Mech​ ​can​ ​act​ ​on​ ​depends 
on​ ​the​ ​size​ ​of​ ​the​ ​‘Mech.​ ​Lighter​ ​‘Mechs​ ​can​ ​act​ ​earlier​ ​in​ ​a​ ​round,​ ​while​ ​heavier​ ​‘Mechs​ ​are 
forced​ ​to​ ​act​ ​later​ ​in​ ​the​ ​round.  
 

 
 
Here​ ​you​ ​can​ ​see​ ​that​ ​the​ ​player​ ​has​ ​one​ ​‘Mech​ ​that​ ​can​ ​act​ ​in​ ​Phase​ ​4,​ ​while​ ​the​ ​enemy​ ​has 
two.​ ​In​ ​Phase​ ​3,​ ​the​ ​player​ ​has​ ​two​ ​‘Mechs,​ ​while​ ​the​ ​enemy​ ​has​ ​one. 
 
The​ ​game​ ​will​ ​always​ ​try​ ​to​ ​trade​ ​off​ ​acting​ ​between​ ​you​ ​and​ ​your​ ​opponent,​ ​until​ ​one​ ​side​ ​runs 
out​ ​of​ ​‘Mechs​ ​in​ ​the​ ​current​ ​Phase.​ ​When​ ​that​ ​happens​ ​(like​ ​in​ ​Phase​ ​3)​ ​the​ ​side​ ​with​ ​‘Mechs 
remaining​ ​will​ ​get​ ​to​ ​use​ ​all​ ​of​ ​them​ ​in​ ​a​ ​row. 
 
After​ ​the​ ​end​ ​of​ ​Phase​ ​1,​ ​a​ ​new​ ​round​ ​begins​ ​at​ ​Phase​ ​5.​ ​(Or​ ​the​ ​first​ ​Phase​ ​that​ ​either​ ​side​ ​has 
units​ ​available​ ​for.) 
 
An​ ​interesting​ ​thing​ ​happens​ ​when​ ​you​ ​Reserve​ ​your 
‘Mechs.​ ​You​ ​don’t​ ​have​ ​to​ ​act​ ​with​ ​your​ ​‘Mechs​ ​when 
it’s​ ​your​ ​turn.​ ​You​ ​can​ ​instead​ ​reserve​ ​ALL​ ​of​ ​your 
remaining​ ​‘Mechs​ ​for​ ​the​ ​current​ ​Phase​ ​down​ ​to​ ​the 
next​ ​lower​ ​Phase.​ ​So​ ​if​ ​you​ ​had​ ​two​ ​light​ ​‘Mechs​ ​that 
could​ ​act​ ​in​ ​Phase​ ​4,​ ​you​ ​might​ ​reserve​ ​them​ ​down​ ​to​ ​Phase​ ​3,​ ​just​ ​so​ ​you​ ​could​ ​see​ ​what​ ​your 
enemy​ ​was​ ​going​ ​to​ ​do​ ​first.​ ​You​ ​can​ ​reserve​ ​all​ ​the​ ​way​ ​down​ ​to​ ​Phase​ ​1,​ ​if​ ​you​ ​want!​ ​But​ ​you 
have​ ​to​ ​act​ ​in​ ​Phase​ ​1,​ ​before​ ​the​ ​end​ ​of​ ​the​ ​round;​ ​you​ ​can’t​ ​keep​ ​on​ ​reserving​ ​right​ ​into​ ​the 
next​ ​round​ ​entirely. 
 
Knowing​ ​when​ ​to​ ​act​ ​and​ ​when​ ​to​ ​reserve,​ ​and​ ​how​ ​to​ ​use​ ​those​ ​two​ ​things​ ​together​ ​to​ ​get​ ​the 
jump​ ​on​ ​the​ ​enemy,​ ​is​ ​a​ ​key​ ​element​ ​of​ ​the​ ​tactics​ ​of​ ​BattleTech. 

11 
Weapon​ ​Types 
ENERGY​​ ​-​ ​The​ ​simplest​ ​weapons​ ​are​ ​the​ ​energy​ ​weapons​.​ ​Energy​ ​weapons​ ​don’t​ ​require​ ​any 
ammunition,​ ​ ​but​ ​generate​ ​a​ ​lot​ ​of​ ​heat.​ ​The​ ​basic​ ​energy​ ​weapons​ ​are​ ​the​ ​medium​ ​lasers​ ​and 
large​ ​lasers​,​ ​but​ ​the​ ​real​ ​king​ ​of​ ​this​ ​type​ ​is​ ​the​ ​Particle​ ​Projector​ ​Cannon​ ​(​PPC)​:​ ​huge​ ​damage 
and​ ​long​ ​range,​ ​but​ ​also​ ​massive​ ​heat.  

● Medium​ ​and​ ​large​ ​lasers​ ​get​ ​a​ ​small​ ​bonus​ ​to​ ​accuracy​ ​over​ ​other​ ​weapons. 
● The​ ​PPC​ ​is​ ​able​ ​to​ ​deal​ ​a​ ​moderate​ ​amount​ ​of​ ​stability​ ​damage​ ​upon​ ​impact,​ ​and​ ​also 
applies​ ​the​ ​Sensors​ ​Impaired​​ ​effect​ ​to​ ​the​ ​target​ ​(+1​ ​Difficulty​ ​to​ ​attacks​ ​for​ ​one​ ​round.) 
 
BALLISTIC​​ ​-​ ​The​ ​ballistic​ ​weapons​ ​are​ ​familiar;​ ​they’re​ ​similar​ ​to​ ​modern​ ​guns.​ ​There​ ​are​ ​four 
different​ ​classes​ ​of​ ​autocannon:​ ​the​ ​AC/2​,​ ​the​ ​AC/5​,​ ​the​ ​AC/10​​ ​and​ ​the​ ​AC/20​.​ ​The​ ​numbers 
indicate​ ​how​ ​powerful​ ​the​ ​weapon​ ​is;​ ​the​ ​AC/2​ ​does​ ​comparatively​ ​light​ ​damage,​ ​but​ ​has 
enormous​ ​range,​ ​while​ ​the​ ​AC/20​ ​does​ ​absolutely​ ​crushing​ ​damage​ ​(it’s​ ​the​ ​most​ ​damaging 
weapon​ ​in​ ​the​ ​game!)​ ​but​ ​has​ ​very​ ​short​ ​range.  

● Ballistic​ ​weapons​ ​generate​ ​less​ ​heat,​ ​but​ ​use​ ​ammunition. 

● That​ ​ammo​ ​can​ ​run​ ​out​ ​or​ ​even​ ​be​ ​damaged​ ​by​ ​enemy​ ​fire​ ​and​ ​explode,​ ​causing 
additional​ ​internal​ ​damage​ ​to​ ​that​ ​location​ ​on​ ​your​ ​‘Mech.  
● All​ ​ballistic​ ​weapons​ ​deal​ ​some​ ​stability​ ​damage​ ​relative​ ​to​ ​their​ ​class​ ​as​ ​well. 
● Ballistic​ ​weapons​ ​incur​ ​a​ ​“Refire​ ​Penalty”​ ​to​ ​their​ ​to-hit​ ​when​ ​fired​ ​multiple​ ​turns​ ​in​ ​a 
row. 
 
MISSILE​​ ​-​ ​Missile​ ​weapons​ ​come​ ​in​ ​two​ ​flavors,​ ​long-range​ ​missiles​ ​(​LRM​)​ ​and​ ​short-range 
missiles​ ​(​SRM​).​ ​Missile​ ​batteries​ ​have​ ​a​ ​number​ ​next​ ​to​ ​them;​ ​this​ ​tells​ ​you​ ​how​ ​many​ ​missiles 
will​ ​fire​ ​when​ ​you​ ​use​ ​it.​ ​The​ ​LRM-10​ ​fires​ ​ten​ ​long-range​ ​missiles;​ ​the​ ​SRM-2​ ​fires​ ​just​ ​two 
short-range​ ​missiles.​ ​It’s​ ​best​ ​to​ ​think​ ​of​ ​SRMs​ ​as​ ​shotguns:​ ​a​ ​lot​ ​of​ ​damage​ ​delivered​ ​up​ ​close. 
LRMs​ ​do​ ​less​ ​damage​ ​per-missile,​ ​but​ ​come​ ​in​ ​bigger​ ​launchers​ ​and​ ​can​ ​fire​ ​extremely​ ​far.  

● LRMs​ ​also​ ​can​ ​fire​ ​at​ ​targets​ ​that​ ​you​ ​don’t​ ​have​ ​a​ ​direct​ ​line-of-sight​ ​(LOS)​ ​to,​ ​which 
you’ll​ ​recognize​ ​by​ ​the​ ​curved​ ​arc​ ​shape​ ​of​ ​the​ ​red​ ​line​ ​of​ ​fire.  
● Missiles​ ​deal​ ​more​ ​Stability​ ​Damage​ ​than​ ​the​ ​other​ ​weapon​ ​types​ ​do.  
● The​ ​larger​ ​the​ ​size​ ​number​ ​of​ ​a​ ​launcher,​ ​the​ ​faster​ ​it​ ​chews​ ​through​ ​ammo. 
 
SMALL​​ ​-​ ​The​ ​final​ ​category​ ​of​ ​weapon​ ​is​ ​small​ ​weapons.​ ​This​ ​includes,​ ​the​ ​machine​ ​gun​,​ ​the 
small​ ​laser​,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​flamer​.​ ​They​ ​have​ ​extremely​ ​short​ ​range​ ​and​ ​low​ ​damage,​ ​but​ ​they​ ​also 
have​ ​a​ ​special​ ​feature:​ ​unlike​ ​larger​ ​weapons,​ ​they​ ​can​ ​be​ ​fired​ ​when​ ​you​ ​melee​ ​attack​ ​an 
enemy.​ ​If​ ​you’re​ ​close​ ​enough,​ ​they​ ​can​ ​also​ ​be​ ​fired​ ​as​ ​normal​ ​ranged​ ​weaponry.  

● Machine​ ​guns​ ​are​ ​excellent​ ​at​ ​dealing​ ​critical​ ​hits​ ​to​ ​exposed​ ​structure. 
● Small​ ​lasers​ ​deal​ ​good​ ​raw​ ​damage​ ​relative​ ​to​ ​their​ ​heat​ ​generation. 
● Flamers​ ​can​ ​decrease​ ​the​ ​performance​ ​of​ ​opponents​ ​by​ ​raising​ ​their​ ​heat​ ​levels,​ ​and 
even​ ​shut​ ​them​ ​down,​ ​but​ ​come​ ​with​ ​a​ ​very​ ​limited​ ​amount​ ​of​ ​ammo. 

12 
Standard​ ​Actions 
These​ ​are​ ​standard​ ​actions​ ​that​ ​all​ ​‘Mechs​ ​can​ ​perform. 
 

Attack  Fire​ ​selected​ ​weapons​ ​at​ ​any​ ​target​ ​within​ ​your​ ​‘Mech's​ ​current 
firing​ ​arc. 
 

Move  Execute​ ​a​ ​normal​ ​move,​ ​gaining​ ​EVASIVE​ ​charges​ ​based​ ​on 
distance​ ​(+2​ ​Difficulty​ ​to​ ​hit​ ​this​ ​unit​ ​with​ ​ranged​ ​attacks​ ​per 
  EVASIVE​ ​charge)​.​ ​May​ ​also​ ​use​ ​to​ ​initiate​ ​a​ ​Melee​ ​attack​ ​on 
nearby​ ​enemies. 

Reverse  Reverse-move​ ​at​ ​a​ ​slower​ ​speed​ ​to​ ​a​ ​nearby​ ​location,​ ​and​ ​set​ ​a 
new​ ​facing​ ​for​ ​this​ ​'Mech. 
 

Sprint  Use​ ​this​ ​'Mech's​ ​entire​ ​turn​ ​to​ ​move​ ​farther,​ ​gaining​ ​EVASIVE 
charges​ ​based​ ​on​ ​distance​ ​(+2​ ​Difficulty​ ​to​ ​hit​ ​this​ ​unit​ ​with 
  ranged​ ​attacks​ ​per​ ​EVASIVE​ ​charge).​ ​Cannot​ ​Sprint​ ​if 
UNSTEADY,​ ​or​ ​if​ ​a​ ​leg​ ​is​ ​destroyed. 

Jump  Execute​ ​a​ ​jump​ ​move,​ ​gaining​ ​EVASIVE​ ​charges​ ​based​ ​on 
(requires  distance,​ ​plus​ ​one​ ​additional​ ​charge​ ​(+2​ ​Difficulty​ ​to​ ​hit​ ​this 
  Jump​ ​Jets)  unit​ ​with​ ​ranged​ ​attacks​ ​per​ ​EVASIVE​ ​charge).​ ​May​ ​also​ ​use​ ​to 
initiate​ ​a​ ​Death-From-Above​ ​attack​ ​on​ ​nearby​ ​enemies. 

Brace​ ​(End  Remove​ ​all​ ​stability​ ​damage​ ​and​ ​end​ ​your​ ​turn.​ ​Gain​ ​GUARDED 
Turn)  (50%​ ​damage​ ​reduction​ ​against​ ​ranged​ ​attacks​ ​to​ ​the​ ​front 
  and​ ​side)​ ​and​ ​ENTRENCHED​ ​(50%​ ​stability​ ​damage​ ​reduction.) 

Melee  Melee​ ​attack​ ​using​ ​Piloting​ ​skill​ ​to​ ​hit.​ ​Ignores​ ​EVASIVE.​ ​Hit 
removes​ ​GUARDED,​ ​deals​ ​damage​ ​and​ ​stability​ ​damage.​ ​To 
  Melee,​ ​select​ ​a​ ​target​ ​within​ ​range​ ​while​ ​in​ ​Move​ ​mode,​ ​then 
select​ ​a​ ​melee​ ​attack​ ​position. 

Death​ ​From  Jump​ ​attack​ ​using​ ​Piloting​ ​skill​ ​to​ ​hit.​ ​Ignores​ ​EVASIVE.​ ​Hit 
Above  removes​ ​GUARDED,​ ​deals​ ​significant​ ​damage​ ​and​ ​stability 
  (requires  damage.​ ​Attacker​ ​incurs​ ​leg​ ​damage​ ​and​ ​stability​ ​damage.​ ​To 
Jump​ ​Jets)  DFA,​ ​select​ ​a​ ​target​ ​within​ ​range​ ​while​ ​in​ ​Jump​ ​mode,​ ​then 
select​ ​a​ ​DFA​ ​attack​ ​position. 

13 
Defenses 
A​ ​savvy​ ​MechCommander​ ​is​ ​aware​ ​of​ ​how​ ​to​ ​effectively​ ​use​ ​and​ ​counter​ ​the​ ​following​ ​defensive 
effects​ ​on​ ​the​ ​battlefield.​ ​Beyond​ ​using​ ​terrain​ ​to​ ​block​ ​line-of-sight,​ ​ending​ ​a​ ​’Mech’s​ ​turn​ ​with 
one​ ​or​ ​more​ ​of​ ​these​ ​Defenses​ ​is​ ​an​ ​effective​ ​way​ ​to​ ​increase​ ​its​ ​survivability.  
 
Likewise,​ ​knowing​ ​when​ ​to​ ​hold​ ​your​ ​fire​ ​against​ ​a​ ​GUARDED​ ​target​ ​-​ ​or​ ​when​ ​to​ ​counter​ ​it​ ​with​ ​a 
Melee​ ​attack​ ​-​ ​is​ ​key​ ​to​ ​maximizing​ ​the​ ​damage​ ​you’re​ ​able​ ​to​ ​deal​ ​each​ ​turn. 
 

Cover  25%​ ​damage​ ​reduction​ ​against​ ​ranged​ ​attacks​ ​to​ ​the​ ​front​ ​and 
side.​ ​Does​ ​not​ ​stack​ ​with​ ​GUARDED.​ ​Typically​ ​gained​ ​by 
  standing​ ​in​ ​Forest​ ​areas. 

Guarded  50%​ ​damage​ ​reduction​ ​against​ ​ranged​ ​attacks​ ​to​ ​the​ ​front​ ​and 
side.​ ​Does​ ​not​ ​stack​ ​with​ ​COVER.​ ​Countered​ ​(removed)​ ​by​ ​any 
  Melee​ ​attack.​ ​Typically​ ​gained​ ​by​ ​using​ ​the​ ​Brace​ ​(End​ ​Turn) 
Action,​ ​or​ ​from​ ​the​ ​Bulwark​ ​MechWarrior​ ​Ability. 

Evasive  The​ ​farther​ ​this​ ​unit​ ​moved​ ​(by​ ​any​ ​type​ ​of​ ​movement),​ ​the 
(1-6)  more​ ​EVASIVE​ ​charges​ ​it​ ​receives,​ ​up​ ​to​ ​a​ ​maximum​ ​of​ ​6.​ ​Each 
  EVASIVE​ ​charge​ ​adds​ ​+2​ ​Difficulty​ ​to​ ​hit​ ​this​ ​unit​ ​with​ ​ranged 
attacks.​ ​Each​ ​unit​ ​that​ ​attacks​ ​an​ ​EVASIVE​ ​‘Mech​ ​causes​ ​it​ ​to 
lose​ ​one​ ​EVASIVE​ ​charge​ ​-​ ​even​ ​if​ ​the​ ​attack​ ​misses.​​ ​The 
EVASIVE​ ​state​ ​is​ ​lost​ ​when​ ​the​ ​‘Mech​ ​has​ ​no​ ​EVASIVE​ ​charges 
remaining,​ ​or​ ​becomes​ ​UNSTEADY.​ ​The​ ​EVASIVE​ ​state​ ​is 
ignored​ ​by​ ​Melee​ ​attacks. 

Entrenched  50%​ ​stability​ ​damage​ ​reduction​ ​from​ ​all​ ​attacks.​ ​Typically 

gained​ ​by​ ​using​ ​the​ ​Brace​ ​(End​ ​Turn)​ ​Action. 
 

 
   

14 
Vulnerability​ ​States 
There​ ​are​ ​several​ ​major​ ​vulnerability​ ​states​ ​that​ ​you​ ​will​ ​see​ ​on​ ​units​ ​in​ ​the​ ​game.​ ​Paying​ ​close 
attention​ ​to​ ​your​ ​own​ ​vulnerabilities,​ ​and​ ​taking​ ​advantage​ ​of​ ​your​ ​opponent’s,​ ​can​ ​spell​ ​the 
difference​ ​between​ ​victory​ ​and​ ​defeat. 
 

Unsteady  This​ ​unit​ ​is​ ​vulnerable​ ​to​ ​being​ ​knocked​ ​PRONE,​ ​and​ ​cannot 
Sprint.​ ​Removed​ ​by​ ​BRACE,​ ​or​ ​losing​ ​enough​ ​Stability​ ​Damage 
  through​ ​normal​ ​movement​ ​or​ ​standing​ ​still. 

Prone  Called​ ​Shots​ ​can​ ​be​ ​made​ ​against​ ​this​ ​unit.​ ​On​ ​its​ ​next​ ​turn,​ ​it’s 
Initiative​ ​is​ ​lowered​ ​by​ ​1,​ ​and​ ​it​ ​will​ ​suffer​ ​a​ ​movement​ ​and 
  to-hit​ ​penalty​ ​after​ ​standing​ ​back​ ​up. 

Sensor  This​ ​unit​ ​is​ ​Sensor​ ​Locked​ ​until​ ​end​ ​of​ ​round,​ ​making​ ​it​ ​visible 
Locked  to​ ​both​ ​sides​ ​regardless​ ​of​ ​normal​ ​visibility.  
 

Overheating  This​ ​unit​ ​takes​ ​structure​ ​damage​ ​each​ ​turn​ ​while​ ​Overheating, 
and​ ​is​ ​close​ ​to​ ​shutting​ ​down. 
 

Shutdown  This​ ​unit​ ​is​ ​easier​ ​to​ ​hit,​ ​and​ ​Called​ ​Shots​ ​can​ ​be​ ​made​ ​against 
this​ ​unit.​ ​It​ ​must​ ​use​ ​its​ ​entire​ ​next​ ​turn​ ​to​ ​restart. 
 

 
   

15 
MechWarrior​ ​Abilities 
These​ ​are​ ​special​ ​actions​ ​or​ ​passive​ ​attributes​ ​that​ ​your​ ​MechWarriors​ ​will​ ​provide​ ​to​ ​your 
‘Mechs.​ ​In​ ​the​ ​Beta​ ​build,​ ​each​ ​MechWarrior​ ​has​ ​two​ ​abilities.​ T
​ hese​ ​abilities​ ​are​ ​an​ ​important 
part​ ​of​ ​your​ ​Lance​ ​selection​ ​-​ ​choose​ ​wisely! 
 

Multi-Target  Fire​ ​weapons​ ​at​ ​up​ ​to​ ​three​ ​separate​ ​targets​ ​within​ ​your 
‘Mech's​ ​current​ ​firing​ ​arc.​ ​Multi-target​ ​is​ ​still​ ​a​ ​work-in-progress.  
 
Step​ ​1:​​ ​After​ ​selecting​ ​Multi-Target,​ ​select​ ​up​ ​to​ ​3​ ​enemies 
within​ ​firing​ ​range​ ​by​ ​left-clicking​ ​them​ ​on​ ​the​ ​battlefield.​ ​Step 
2:​​ ​Click​ ​weapons​ ​on​ ​your​ ​weapon​ ​panel​ ​to​ ​cycle​ ​them​ ​between 
the​ ​selected​ ​targets​ ​(or​ ​to​ ​turn​ ​them​ ​off.)​ ​Step​ ​3:​​ ​Click​ ​the​ ​FIRE 
button​ ​to​ ​execute,​ ​or​ ​ESC​ ​to​ ​back​ ​out​ ​of​ ​the​ ​mode. 

Breaching  PASSIVE:​ ​When​ ​attacking​ ​with​ ​a​ ​single​ ​weapon:​ ​Ignore​ ​COVER 
Shot  and​ ​GUARDED​ ​on​ ​the​ ​target. 
 

Evasive  PASSIVE:​ ​This​ ​unit​ ​generates​ ​an​ ​extra​ ​EVASIVE​ ​charge​ ​from 
Move  movement​ ​actions​ ​(up​ ​to​ ​the​ ​maximum​ ​of​ ​6). 
 

Angel​ ​of  PASSIVE:​ ​Your​ ​jump​ ​distance​ ​is​ ​increased​ ​by​ ​25%.​ ​You​ ​take 
Death  50%​ ​less​ ​damage​ ​when​ ​executing​ ​Death​ ​From​ ​Above​ ​attacks 
  and​ ​do​ ​not​ ​become​ ​UNSTEADY. 

Sensor​ ​Lock  ACTION:​ ​Select​ ​a​ ​target​ ​within​ ​sensor​ ​range​ ​to​ ​reveal​ ​it​ ​until​ ​the 
end​ ​of​ ​the​ ​current​ ​round​ ​and​ ​remove​ ​two​ ​of​ ​its​ ​EVASIVE 
  charges. 

Master  PASSIVE:​ ​'Mechs​ ​piloted​ ​by​ ​this​ ​MechWarrior​ ​gain​ ​+1​ ​Initiative, 
Tactician  and​ ​remove​ ​one​ ​bar​ ​of​ ​stability​ ​damage​ ​when​ ​Reserving. 
 

Bulwark  PASSIVE:​ ​You​ ​gain​ ​GUARDED​ ​when​ ​remaining​ ​stationary​ ​(50% 

damage​ ​reduction​ ​against​ ​ranged​ ​attacks​ ​to​ ​the​ ​front​ ​and 
  side.)​ ​Rotation​ ​does​ ​not​ ​count​ ​as​ ​movement. 

16 
Fury​ ​&​ ​Focus 
The​ ​red​ ​meter​ ​to​ ​the​ ​left​ ​of​ ​your​ ​MechWarrior​ ​portraits​ ​represents​ ​your​ ​Lance’s​ ​fury​ ​and 
adrenaline​ ​on​ ​the​ ​field.​ ​Fury​ ​is​ ​gained​ ​when​ ​your​ ​'Mechs​ ​become​ ​heavily​ ​damaged​ ​and 
destroyed.​ ​You​ ​will​ ​also​ ​gain​ ​some​ ​Fury​ ​at​ ​the​ ​start​ ​of​ ​each​ ​turn. 
 

 
 
When​ ​your​ ​Fury​ ​meter​ ​fills​ ​completely,​ ​you​ ​gain​ ​“Focus”​ ​buttons​ ​above​ ​your 
MechWarrior​ ​portraits.  

● You​ ​can​ ​choose​ ​to​ ​use​ ​this​ ​right​ ​away,​ ​or​ ​wait​ ​until​ ​later​ ​-​ ​however​ ​you 
won’t​ ​be​ ​gaining​ ​any​ ​new​ ​Fury​ ​while​ ​waiting. 
● Clicking​ ​one​ ​of​ ​these​ ​Focus​ ​buttons​ ​will​ ​give​ ​that​ ​MechWarrior​ ​the 
Focused​ ​buff​ ​for​ ​one​ ​turn. 
● Your​ ​Fury​ ​meter​ ​now​ ​empties,​ ​and​ ​can​ ​start​ ​filling​ ​back​ ​up​ ​again. 
 

Focused  A​ ​powerful​ ​buff​ ​for​ ​a​ ​unit​ ​for​ ​exactly​ ​one​ ​turn.​ ​When​ ​attacking, 
this​ ​unit​ ​ignores​ ​COVER,​ ​GUARDED,​ ​and​ ​EVASIVE,​ ​and​ ​all 
  attacks​ ​not​ ​inside​ ​minimum​ ​range​ ​have​ ​a​ ​95%​ ​chance​ ​to​ ​hit. 

 
Each​ ​time​​ ​either​ ​player​​ ​uses​ ​Focus,​ ​the​ ​rate​ ​of​ ​Fury​ ​gain​ ​for​ ​both​ ​players​ ​increases​ ​-​ ​Fury 
meters​ ​fill​ ​quicker.​ ​This​ ​effect​ ​is​ ​cumulative. 
 
   

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Footage​ ​&​ ​Screenshot​ ​Capture​ ​Tools 

Ctrl​ ​+​ ​Shift​ ​+​ ​I   Toggles​ ​the​ ​Debug​ ​/​ ​Fly​ ​Camera 

Ctrl​ ​+​ ​Shift​ ​+​ ​U  Toggles​ ​through​ ​All​ ​/​ ​InWorld​ ​/​ ​None​ ​for​ ​UI 

Left​ ​Ctrl​ ​+​ ​K  Takes​ ​a​ ​4k​ ​screenshot​ ​with​ ​no​ ​UI​ ​(Note​ ​that​ ​screenshots​ ​will 
always​ ​be​ ​4k​ ​regardless​ ​of​ ​current​ ​screen​ ​resolution.) 

Left​ ​Ctrl​ ​+​ ​Left​ ​Shift​ ​+​ ​K  Takes​ ​a​ ​4k​ ​screenshot​ ​with​ ​the​ ​entire​ ​UI 

Left​ ​Ctrl​ ​+​ ​Right​ ​Shift​ ​+​ ​K  Takes​ ​a​ ​4k​ ​screenshot​ ​with​ ​just​ ​the​ ​inworld​ ​UI​ ​(WIP) 

 
Screenshot​ ​Save​ ​Location 

WIN:​​ ​C:\Users\<USER>\AppData\LocalLow\Harebrained​ ​Schemes 

MAC:​​ ​Users\<USER>\Library\Application​ ​Support\Harebrained​ ​Schemes\BattleTech 
 
Note​ ​that​ ​there​ ​is​ ​a​ ​bug​ ​where​ ​screenshots​ ​from​ ​each​ ​new​ ​play​ ​session​ ​will​ ​override 
screenshots​ ​from​ ​previous​ ​sessions​ ​-​ ​so​ ​if​ ​you​ ​want​ ​to​ ​keep​ ​your​ ​screenshots,​ ​move​ ​them​ ​out 
of​ ​this​ ​folder​ ​before​ ​starting​ ​a​ ​new​ ​game! 
 
You​ ​can​ ​also​ ​plug​ ​in​ ​an​ ​XBOX​ ​Controller​ ​to​ ​control​ ​the​ ​camera​ ​with​ ​a​ ​controller.​ ​You’ll​ ​want​ ​to 
toggle​ ​the​ ​debug/fly​ ​camera​ ​with​ ​Ctrl+Shift+I​ ​when​ ​using​ ​the​ ​controller. 

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Known​ ​Issues 
● The​ ​BATTLETECH​ ​Launcher​ ​allows​ ​you​ ​to​ ​select​ ​unsupported​ ​Resolutions.​ ​Supported 
resolutions​ ​are​ ​standard​ ​16:9​ ​and​ ​16:10​ ​resolutions​ ​from​ ​1280​ ​x​ ​720​ ​up​ ​to​ ​4k.​ ​For​ ​all 
other​ ​aspect​ ​ratios,​ ​results​ ​may​ ​vary! 
● The​ ​selected​ ​Mood​ ​for​ ​a​ ​map​ ​will​ ​very​ ​occasionally​ ​fail​ ​to​ ​initialize​ ​correctly​ ​-​ ​just​ ​try​ ​it 
again​ ​if​ ​this​ ​happens​ ​and​ ​it​ ​should​ ​work. 
● OSX​ ​only​:​ ​Water​ ​may​ ​not​ ​render​ ​correctly​ ​(it​ ​can​ ​appear​ ​entirely​ ​black.) 
● OSX​ ​only​:​ ​Using​ ​ESCAPE​ ​to​ ​exit​ ​a​ ​match​ ​can​ ​cause​ ​the​ ​game​ ​to​ ​lock​ ​up. 
● AI​ ​occasionally​ ​fails​ ​to​ ​re-engage​ ​after​ ​all​ ​LOS​ ​has​ ​been​ ​lost. 
● UI​ ​incorrectly​ ​indicates​ ​that​ ​“s”​ ​is​ ​the​ ​hotkey​ ​for​ ​Brace​ ​(End​ ​Turn).​ ​Actual​ ​hotkey​ ​is​ ​the 
Minus​ ​key​ ​(“-”). 
● In​ ​the​ ​Settings​ ​Menu,​ ​once​ ​a​ ​keybinding​ ​has​ ​been​ ​set,​ ​it’s​ ​not​ ​currently​ ​possible​ ​to​ ​delete 
it​ ​completely.​ ​ ​A​ ​workaround​ ​is​ ​to​ ​just​ ​assign​ ​a​ ​different​ ​key​ ​to​ ​the​ ​setting.  
● After​ ​upgrading,​ ​if​ ​the​ ​Main​ ​Menu​ ​screen​ ​appears​ ​in-combat,​ ​try​ ​restarting​ ​the​ ​game. 
 

Reporting​ ​a​ ​Bug 

1. Check​ ​the​ ​known​ ​issues​ ​list​ ​above.​ ​If​ ​your​ ​issue​ ​is​ ​already​ ​mentioned,​ ​there​ ​is​ ​no​ ​need​ ​to 
report​ ​it. 
2. Check​ ​the​ ​“Known​ ​Issues”​ ​section​ ​of​ ​the​ ​BATTLETECH​ ​Community​ ​Forum​ ​at 
https://community.battletechgame.com/ 
3. If​ ​you​ ​have​ ​encountered​ ​an​ ​uncommon​ ​bug​ ​(one​ ​you​ ​think​ ​won’t​ ​be​ ​found​ ​with​ ​standard 
testing),​ ​please​ ​provide​ ​as​ ​much​ ​detail​ ​as​ ​possible​ ​in​ ​the​ ​form​ ​below.​ ​Thank​ ​you! 

Report​ ​a​ ​BATTLETECH​ ​Backer​ ​Beta​ ​Bug 

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