Battlemechs for Vor: the Maelstrom

This list is intended for use with FASA's Battletech mechs, but can be used with Heavy Gears, or similar. For example, the new, small-scale Gears could be used for the smaller mechs, and the old, large-scale mechs could be used for the larger ones. Note that the standard Battletech bases are good for the ordinary mechs, but you should affix the size: Large ones to a 50mm/ 2 inch cardboard base for use in VOR. White glue can work for this, since the light weight of the cardboard isn't to heavy for the limited adhesion to metal.

Mech Force
The Mech Force is a hegemony comprised of three, distinct races, banded together for survival against the other races of the Maelstrom. They are characterized by a distinctly similar technology, and outlook on war. The Ak'kith are incredibly tiny humanoids, roughly 6" tall, who use what is, to them, incredibly large mecha as machines of war, ranging from 6' to 14' tall. Though technically vehicles, the nature of their structure renders them closer to regular infanty, from the point of view of the various inhabitants of the Maelstrom.

The Shin are a formerly humanoid race, who became victims of a cardiovascular plage coupled with a crippling muscular disorder, after one of the nations of their homeworld unleashed a multitude of biological warfare agents. With their neurological systems the only biosystems untouched by the plagues, they designed cybernetic forms similar to their original humanoid forms, within which to house their brains and spinal column.

Finally, the third race, nicknamed the "Binies", have no means of communication other than direct transmission of binary code, thus their race-name is actually a 26 digit binary sequence that doesn't really translate to any verbal language. They are an artificialy intelligent race, originally the soldiers and allies of their creators, outlived the race that made them. Lonely, and seeking a more creative race to work alongside, they were the link that brought the Shin and Ak'kith together. It was the "Binies" technology that was used to build the Shin's cybernetic forms, and the Ak'kith's combat "mecha".

Since they have common weaponry, the full weapons list will follow the force descriptions. As well, since this list is designed to assist in the use of Battletech miniatures in the Vor system, suggested mechs for each type will be given for each troop type. However, this is not an all-inclusive list, and others may be used.

Basic Troops
Ak'kith Scout Mecha
Suggested Mecha: Just about any humanoid light mech. The Ak'kith Scout Mecha are used primarily for recon and infiltration missions. They are swift and nimble, but are usually piloted by rookie pilots, and are considered expendable.
MP:12 CC:2 RC:4 POW:3 BOD:3 BRN:4 GUT:5 LIF:1 AR:3 SIZ: M
Points Value: 19
Abilities: The Scout Mecha is armed with either a Medium Laser (14 pv), or a Light Cannon(14 pv).
Availability: Squads of 4-8
Binie Sniper
Suggested Mecha: Jackal or Hollander, or any light mech with a big honking gun.
These Binies are specially programmed and equipped for the purpose of lightweight sniping, as opposed to fire support. Their weapons are geared towards long and mid-range accuracy, and they focus on the elimination of enemy commanders and special individuals, as opposed to anti-vehicular sniping, despite the relative power of their main weapons. They operate in small teams, or in pairs.
MP:9 CC:2 RC:5 POW:2 BOD:3 BRN:4 GUT:5 LIF:1 AR:3 SIZ: M
Points Value: 26
Abilities: The Binie Sniper is armed with a Sniper Gauss Rifle.
Availability: Squads of 2-4
Binie Racer
Suggested Mecha: Raven, Jenner, or other non-humanoid, 2-legged light mech with tiny or no true arms.
These Binies are blazingly fast androids, designed to come to grips with short range enemy almost as soon as the enemy is spotted. They use a rapidly consumed extra "booster" in their leg myomars that enable them to reach extreme ground speed for very brief periods of time.
MP:12 CC:3 RC:4 POW:2 BOD:4 BRN:3 GUT:6 LIF:1 AR:2 SIZ: M
Points Value: 27
Abilities: Burst of Speed: Once per battle, the Racer can spend 1 MP to cover up to 5" of _clear_ ground.
Binie Snipers are either armed with a Dual Scattergun (11 pv), or a Rocket Pod (14 pv).
Availability: Squads of 4-8
Shin Ravagers
Suggested Mecha: Axeman, or any other medium or light mech with a close-combat weapon of any type.
The Ravagers are the close combat specialists of the Mech Force. Armed with hatchets, maces, and other low-tech weapons comprised of complex polymetallics, they seek to release their rage at being stuck in their robotic prisons upon the bodies of their enemies.
MP:10 CC:5 RC:3 POW:4 BOD:4 BRN:4 GUT:6 LIF:1 AR:4 SIZ:M
Points Value: 24
Abilities: Shin Ravagers are armed with some form of close-combat weapon (generic stats are below), and either a Medium Laser(14 pv), or Light Cannon(14 pv).
Availability: Squads of 3-6
Shin Troopers
Suggested Mecha: Any humanoid Medium Mech (such as a Griffon or Dervish)
The baseline troops of the Mech Force, Shin Troopers are the bulk of the Shin population, trained in basic combat, and armed with standard weaponry.
MP:10 CC:5 RC:5 POW:3 BOD:4 BRN:4 GUT:5 LIF:1 AR:4 SIZ:M
Points Value: 21
Abilities: Shin troopers can be armed with the following: Medium Laser (14 pv) or Light Cannon (14 pv). One of each squad can also be armed with either a Rocket Pod (14 pv), or can lose it's other weapon for a Heavy Beam Cannon (28 pv).
Availability: Squads of 3-6
Elites
Ak'kith Fire Support mecha
Suggested Mecha: Warhammer, Rifleman, Mad Cat, Marauder, Longbow, Catapult, any other mech with large cannons or missile pods for arms.
Akkith use these mechs as mobile artillery and anti-vehicular sniper units. Occasionally, they will be mounted with autocannons designed for anti-infantry use (best represented by a Rifleman).
MP:10 CC:2 RC:6 POW:3 BOD:5 BRN:4 GUT:6 LIF:2 AR:4 SIZ: L
Points Value: 34
Abilities: An Ak'kith may take two of the following weapons choices: Heavy Autocannon (22 pv), Heavy Beam Cannon (28 pv), Heavy Cannon (27 pv), Sniper Gauss Cannon (18 pv), or Heavy Rocket Packs (26 pv).
Availability: Squads of 2-4
Binie Assaulter
Suggested Mecha: Battlemaster, Banshee, any other large mech covered in guns.
The Assaulters are covered in as many as dozens of small, high caliber, short range weapons. When charging into the fray, they unleash a devastating hail of lasers, shells, and micro-rockets, with results that can be positively frightening.
MP:10 CC:2 RC:5 POW:4 BOD:5 BRN:3 GUT:7 LIF:2 AR:5 SIZ: L
Points Values: 59
Abilities: The Assaulter is armed with a huge array of various weapons, which overall count as the Assaulter Weapons Pack. They may also be armed with one of the following: Heavy Autocannon (22 pv), or Heavy Rocket Pack (26 pv)
Availability: Squads of 2-4
Shin Destroyers
Suggested Mecha: Axeman, any other large mech with a close-combat weapon.
Destroyers are like Ravagers, but prefer a huge cybernetic body to the smaller, faster designs of their smaller cousins. They operate in almost identical fashion. MP:10 CC:6 RC:3 POW:6 BOD:6 BRN:4 GUT:7 LIF:3 AR:6 SIZ: L
Points Value: 59
Abilities: They are armed with various forms of Close Combat Weapon, and can also carry a Heavy Cannon(27 pv), or Heavy Autocannon(22 pv).
Availability: Squads of 2-4
Shin Trompers
Suggested Mecha: Goliath, and other four-legged mechs (yes, the Scorpion, etc, are supposedly light mechs, but the figures are pretty big!)
The Trompers are the few Shin who accept their conversion, and have gone so far as to entirely reject humanoid form. They are more mobile than the Ak'kith Fire Support Mecha they are often assigned to work with, and are capable of jet-assisted jumps, often to the dismay of any on which they land.
MP:12 CC:3 RC:5 POW:5 BOD:5 BRN:4 GUT:6 LIF:2 AR:4 SIZ: L
Points Value: 60
Abilities: Jet Assisted Leap: This ability is treated exactly like the Growler Bull ability, "Mighty Leap", even down to the effects of landing on an opponant.
A Tromper may also be armed with one of the following: Sniper Gauss Rifle (18 pv), Heavy Rocket Pack (26 pv), or Heavy Beam Cannon (28 pv)
Availability: Squads of 2-4
Individuals:
Ak'kith Command Mech
Suggested Mecha: Marauder II, Galahad, any other mech with fins or radar or antenna, etcetera.
As a combination communications and command mech, these pilots and their vehicles are the leaders of any Mech Force detatchment, acting as the leader of a player's tabletop force.
MP:10 CC:6 RC:6 POW:5 BOD:6 BRN:6 GUT:7 LIF:3 AR:5 SIZ: L
Points Value: 113
Abilities: The Command Mech may be armed with one of the following: Sniper Gauss Rifle (18 pv), Heavy Beam Cannon (28 pv), or a Heavy Rocket Pod (26 pv)
Shin Doombringer
Suggested Mecha: Atlas or Grand Titan
The most beserk of all the Shin, they are also the largest of all the Mech Force. Huge, slow dreadnaughts, they lay down a curtain of fire as they inexorably advance. They have a huge array of weapons similar to the Binie Assaulters, but with considerably more firepower.
MP: 8 CC:5 RC:7 POW:4 BOD:7 BRN:4 GUT:7 LIF:4 AR:7 SIZ: L
Points Value: 93
Abilities: The Doombringer is armed with the monstrously powerful Doombringer Assault Pack.
Vehicles
Ak'Kath Dropship
Suggested model: Any flying model that looks like it could carry about ten or so small mechs.
The Ak'kath use these vessels to carry their lighter mecha, and their allies, into battle. It can carry one squad, or two small squads, totalling up to ten units.
Medium Flyer / Transport
MP:20 TC:2 RC:5 POW:7 BOD:6 LIF:3 AR:5(2)
Points Value: 100
Weapons: May be armed with either a Heavy Rocket Pack (26 PV), or a Heavy Autocannon (22 PV)
Arsenal
Close Combat Weapon:
Any form of axe or mace. 3 PV (MPC: +1, Pow: +1, AM: -1)
Medium Laser: A basic beam weapon. 14 pv {MPC: 4, UPT: 2, Range: 5(-)/10(+1)/20(-), Pow:3, AM:-2)
Light Cannon: Basically a standard rifle. 14 PV (MPC: 4, UPT: 2, Range: 5(+1)/10(-)/20(-1), Pow:4, AM:-1)
Sniper Gauss Rifle: An extremely long-range, good strength cannon. 18 PV (MPC: 6, UPT: 1, Range: 20(-)/40(+1)/60(-), Pow: 5, AM:-2)
Dual Scattergun: Basically, a form of shotgun. 11 PV (MPC: 5, UPT: 1, Range: Splash template Pow: 5, AM: 0)
Rocket Pod: A small rocket pod, firing a rapid-fire hail of armor-piercing rockets. 14 PV (MPC: 5, UPT: 1, Range: 6(-)/12(+1)/24(-), Pow: 4, AM:-2, autofire)
Heavy Beam Cannon: Any number of laser or particle weapons can be represented with this weapon. 28 PV (MPC: 6, UPT: 1, Range: 15(-)/30(+1)/45(-), Pow: 6, AM:-1, 2 dmg )
Heavy Autocannon: Rapid-fire and either air or water cooled, these weapons are formidable. 22 PV (MPC: 6, UPT: 1, Range: 15(+1)/30(-)/45(-1), Pow: 5, AM:-2, Autofire)
Heavy Cannon: A honking big, single shot cannon. 27 PV (MPC: 7, UPT: 1, Range: 10(+1)/20(+1)/30(-), Pow: 7, AM:-1)
Heavy Rocket Pack: A rack of large, high-explosive missiles. 26 PV (MPC: 6, UPT: 1, Range: 15(-)/30(+1)/45(-), Pow: 6, AM:-1, 2" blast radius)
Assaulter Weapons Pack The Assaulter is covered in dozens of small lasers, autocannons, and rocket launchers, all with a hard kick and short range. 22 pv (MPC: 5, UPT: 2, Range: 6(+1)/12(-)/-, Pow: 4, AM:-2, Autofire)
Doombringer Assault Pack Similar to the Assaulter, but the Doombringer is covered in more weapons of heavier firepower. 28 PV (MPC: 6, UPT: 1, Range: 5(-)/10(+1)/20(-), Pow: 5, AM:-2, 2 Damage, Autofire)