Optional Rules Compendium

This is a compilation of "house rules" for the BattleTech gaming system. These rules come from different sources and might not be used by your GM. If your gaming group does not use a GM, then rules can be adopted by general consensus of the players. Please note that some of these rules may conflict with each other; this list is meant to complement existing rules.  This list is based on FASA's BattleTech, not the newer version by FanPro (Classic BattleTech).
Use of the phrase "House Rules" in no way implies that the sequenced garbage played in dance clubs in the early 1990's was even music, let alone any good.

Actuators* Armour* Critical Spaces* Conventional Aircraft* Damage and Repair* Endo Steel* Ferro Fibrous* Hatchets* Heat Sinks* Misc.* Physical Combat* ProtoMechs* Quads* Weapons and Equipment
Dropships | Warships
VehiMechs | Centaurs | Spiders

Endo Steel

Critical Spaces

(unofficial)
Battlemechs constructed from Endo Steel must spread the Endo Steel critical spaces evenly. For Clan 'mechs, place one Endo Steel critical space in the major areas (torsos, arm, legs). Inner Sphere 'mechs must place 2 Endo Steel critical spaces in each major area (torsos, arm, legs). The head does not and cannot take an Endo Steel critical space, since it is not constructed of Endo Steel.
(Variation) Inner Sphere units may place only 1 Endo Steel critical space in each leg to make room for jump jets, but the other 2 critical spaces must be placed exactly opposite each other (right or left, torso or arm) This space may not be used for weapons.

Damage

(unofficial)
Critical hits to Endo Steel locations can cause damage to the internal structure.
SYSTEM I: Roll 1d6 damage and apply to internal structure (not armour). Excess damage transfers (per transfer diagram) to next internal structure location. This may or may not cause another critical hit, at GM's option.
SYSTEM II: Apply 1 point of damage to internal structure and re-roll critical hit location. Re-roll future critical hits to this slot, as per damaged equipment.

Patchwork Armour

see Armour

Repair

(unofficial)
Since Endo Steel is a lighter, bulkier metal, 'mech utilizing Endo Steel construction should be easier to repair in the field. Endo Steel 'mechs, however, may suffer from a shortage of compatible replacement parts.

Endo Steel 'mechs receive a +1 (bonus) to Internal Structure repairs and Limb Blown Off repairs. They may also receive a +1 (bonus) to Destroyed Section repairs at the GM's discretion.
This is a +1 bonus to the dice roll or a -1 bonus to the difficulty.

Normal 'mechs may mount limbs and other internal components from 'mechs constructed of Endo Steel. BattleMechs constructed of Endo Steel cannot support the heavier internal components of normal 'mechs. Both Clan and Inner Sphere Endo Steel constructed 'mechs may utilize each others parts.

'Mechs that mix Clan Endo Steel and Inner Sphere Endo Steel or mix normal Internal Structure with Endo Steel in two or more locations, suffer a +1 penalty to piloting skill rolls due to the mismatched weight.

To submit a rule for posting, e-mail Koichi (please include "BattleTech" in the subject line)

This list was compiled by Jason Caesar and Koichi Ishitandai

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