Author Topic: Infantry and special SRM ammunition  (Read 1768 times)

Wereling

  • Master Sergeant
  • *
  • Posts: 323
  • Professional Fool
Infantry and special SRM ammunition
« on: 07 February 2019, 15:42:48 »
I'm feeling a bit thick, and I can't seem to find the rules. I know infantry can use inferno SRMs, but are there other specialty ammunition types they can use? I can't seem to find the rules on this.

Colt Ward

  • Lieutenant General
  • *
  • Posts: 28960
  • Gott Mit Uns
    • Merc Periphery Guide- Bakunin
Re: Infantry and special SRM ammunition
« Reply #1 on: 07 February 2019, 15:46:33 »
Have to look it up in TM or TacOps, I cannot remember which . . . its why I got sad that for some reason BA SRMs cannot be loaded with NARC?  Very sad.
Colt Ward
Clan Invasion Backer #149, Leviathans #104

"We come in peace, please ignore the bloodstains."

"Greetings, Mechwarrior. You have been recruited by the Star League to defend the Frontier against Daoshen and the Capellan armada."

Wereling

  • Master Sergeant
  • *
  • Posts: 323
  • Professional Fool
Re: Infantry and special SRM ammunition
« Reply #2 on: 07 February 2019, 15:49:10 »
Have to look it up in TM or TacOps, I cannot remember which . . . its why I got sad that for some reason BA SRMs cannot be loaded with NARC?  Very sad.

I'm actually more concerned with conventional infantry than battlearmor.

Colt Ward

  • Lieutenant General
  • *
  • Posts: 28960
  • Gott Mit Uns
    • Merc Periphery Guide- Bakunin
Re: Infantry and special SRM ammunition
« Reply #3 on: 07 February 2019, 15:50:48 »
Sure, but the rules are in the same area IIRC b/c they fall under BA/Infantry and use the same types I think.
Colt Ward
Clan Invasion Backer #149, Leviathans #104

"We come in peace, please ignore the bloodstains."

"Greetings, Mechwarrior. You have been recruited by the Star League to defend the Frontier against Daoshen and the Capellan armada."

Weirdo

  • Painter of Borth the Magic Puma
  • Catalyst Demo Team
  • Major General
  • *
  • Posts: 40758
  • We can do it. We have to.
    • Christina Dickinson Writes
Re: Infantry and special SRM ammunition
« Reply #4 on: 07 February 2019, 16:12:20 »
The rules are specific. Inferno is the only alternate ammo available to infantry, conventional or BA.
My wife writes books
"Thanks to Megamek, I can finally play BattleTech the way it was meant to be played--pantsless!"   -Neko Bijin
"...finally, giant space panties don't seem so strange." - Whistler
"Damn you, Weirdo... Damn you for being right!" - Paul
"...I was this many years old when I found out that licking a touchscreen in excitement is a bad idea." - JadeHellbringer
"We are the tribal elders. Weirdo is the mushroom specialist." - Worktroll

Wereling

  • Master Sergeant
  • *
  • Posts: 323
  • Professional Fool
Re: Infantry and special SRM ammunition
« Reply #5 on: 07 February 2019, 16:19:27 »
The rules are specific. Inferno is the only alternate ammo available to infantry, conventional or BA.

OK thank you. I thought so, but I couldn't find any actual printed material to prevent them from using, say, tandem-charge warheads.

RifleMech

  • Major
  • *
  • Posts: 4444
Re: Infantry and special SRM ammunition
« Reply #6 on: 07 February 2019, 16:23:26 »
There are more ammo types in A Time Of War and I think its Companion. What types and what damage they do I'm not sure as I'm away from my books at the moment.

Kit deSummersville

  • Precentor of Lies
  • Freelance Writer
  • Lieutenant Colonel
  • *
  • Posts: 10397
  • The epicness continues!
    • Insights and Complaints on Twitter
Re: Infantry and special SRM ammunition
« Reply #7 on: 07 February 2019, 16:43:25 »
The rules are specific. Inferno is the only alternate ammo available to infantry, conventional or BA.

Infantry firing tear gas at one another would be...a gas.
Looking for an official answer? Check the Catalyst Interaction Forums.

Freelancer for hire, not an official CGL or IMR representative.

Everyone else's job is easy, so tell them how to do it, everyone loves that!

Millard Fillmore's favorite BattleTech writer.

Wereling

  • Master Sergeant
  • *
  • Posts: 323
  • Professional Fool
Re: Infantry and special SRM ammunition
« Reply #8 on: 07 February 2019, 20:48:48 »
I was mostly thinking about how effective tandem charge would be as an ATGM. Or how infantry laying down smoke could be useful. Or using semiguided LRM infantry and spotters would be fun.

Colt Ward

  • Lieutenant General
  • *
  • Posts: 28960
  • Gott Mit Uns
    • Merc Periphery Guide- Bakunin
Re: Infantry and special SRM ammunition
« Reply #9 on: 07 February 2019, 22:13:05 »
LRM infantry is a different missile than Mech or even BA LRMs IIRC.
Colt Ward
Clan Invasion Backer #149, Leviathans #104

"We come in peace, please ignore the bloodstains."

"Greetings, Mechwarrior. You have been recruited by the Star League to defend the Frontier against Daoshen and the Capellan armada."

AdmiralObvious

  • Master Sergeant
  • *
  • Posts: 223
Re: Infantry and special SRM ammunition
« Reply #10 on: 07 February 2019, 22:21:06 »
I mean, the SRM is basically already a HEAT payload if you aren't using inferno fuel. The major difference that tandems have is that there are two charges.

The LRM is (apparently) smaller version of a SRM which trades the payload for fuel.

Extra missile types would he neat to have cannonically though, I agree. The issue is that they'd be mostly ineffective in the CBT ruleset if we're going by the Universal Ordnance table, since the largest man portable payload is a class C explodey thing. Unless we get into small scale artillery.

If you go by RPG rules, you can give infantry NARC weapons if you wanted to as well. It just doubles the price of the launcher and the payloads which are supposed to be guided to it.
« Last Edit: 07 February 2019, 22:23:09 by AdmiralObvious »

Colt Ward

  • Lieutenant General
  • *
  • Posts: 28960
  • Gott Mit Uns
    • Merc Periphery Guide- Bakunin
Re: Infantry and special SRM ammunition
« Reply #11 on: 07 February 2019, 22:45:35 »
I was wanting to use the Tufana along with Grenadier squads . . . having NARC loads would make the already deadly Grenadiers even more dangerous.
Colt Ward
Clan Invasion Backer #149, Leviathans #104

"We come in peace, please ignore the bloodstains."

"Greetings, Mechwarrior. You have been recruited by the Star League to defend the Frontier against Daoshen and the Capellan armada."

Hellraiser

  • Colonel
  • *
  • Posts: 13013
  • Cry Havoc and Unleash the Gods of Fiat.
Re: Infantry and special SRM ammunition
« Reply #12 on: 07 February 2019, 22:54:05 »
This rule really bothers me because we have fluff specifically mentioning that infantry can use alternate munitions.


The Grenadier is fluffed as NARCing for Hauberk LRM barrages.
While the TAG Infantry is fluffed as using TAG for SG-LRM infantry barrages.

It would be nice to see the basic TW options get added to Infernos to match the fluff from the TROs.
3041: General Lance Hawkins: The Equalizers
3053: Star Colonel Rexor Kerensky: The Silver Wolves

"I don't shoot Urbanmechs, I walk up, stomp on their foot, wait for the head to pop open & drop in a hand grenade (or Elemental)" - Joel47
Against mechs, infantry have two options: Run screaming from Godzilla, or giggle under your breath as the arrogant fools blunder into your trap. - Weirdo

Colt Ward

  • Lieutenant General
  • *
  • Posts: 28960
  • Gott Mit Uns
    • Merc Periphery Guide- Bakunin
Re: Infantry and special SRM ammunition
« Reply #13 on: 07 February 2019, 23:03:10 »
Well, there IS a Grenadier 'NARC' and I did not check LRMs for that type of load- it might be by the rules.  I only know specifically Inferno (which also has a special case issue) but I want to say there was one more option.
Colt Ward
Clan Invasion Backer #149, Leviathans #104

"We come in peace, please ignore the bloodstains."

"Greetings, Mechwarrior. You have been recruited by the Star League to defend the Frontier against Daoshen and the Capellan armada."

Kojak

  • Major
  • *
  • Posts: 4610
  • Melancon Lives!
Re: Infantry and special SRM ammunition
« Reply #14 on: 08 February 2019, 03:04:04 »
The rules are specific. Inferno is the only alternate ammo available to infantry, conventional or BA.

It is a silly rule, and thanks to MegaMek one I will continue to vigorously ignore.


"Deep down, I suspect the eject handle on the Hunchback IIC was never actually connected to anything. The regs just say it has to be there."
- Klarg1

StoneRhino

  • Captain
  • *
  • Posts: 2269
Re: Infantry and special SRM ammunition
« Reply #15 on: 08 February 2019, 03:15:34 »
Random question, can LRM infantry fire indirectly?  :))

Elmoth

  • Major
  • *
  • Posts: 3414
  • Periphery fanboy
Re: Infantry and special SRM ammunition
« Reply #16 on: 08 February 2019, 03:33:16 »
I can't see why not.
The launcher will have at least a modficum of electronics to allow for it, even if the precvision might not be as high as a shot from a dedicated platform like a tank, turret or mech.

StoneRhino

  • Captain
  • *
  • Posts: 2269
Re: Infantry and special SRM ammunition
« Reply #17 on: 08 February 2019, 05:05:30 »
I can't see why not.
The launcher will have at least a modficum of electronics to allow for it, even if the precvision might not be as high as a shot from a dedicated platform like a tank, turret or mech.

I don't see why not as well. I just don't recall seeing a rule that suggests that they can, nor one that suggests that they cannot. :/

Elmoth

  • Major
  • *
  • Posts: 3414
  • Periphery fanboy
Re: Infantry and special SRM ammunition
« Reply #18 on: 08 February 2019, 05:24:33 »
The indirect fire for LRM rule shoudl specify if they can or can't then. If it just talks about LRM firing indirect, without saying who can specifically, they qualify to do it.

pheonixstorm

  • Major
  • *
  • Posts: 5548
Re: Infantry and special SRM ammunition
« Reply #19 on: 08 February 2019, 07:17:10 »
Infantry mortars can, I know that much.

Weirdo

  • Painter of Borth the Magic Puma
  • Catalyst Demo Team
  • Major General
  • *
  • Posts: 40758
  • We can do it. We have to.
    • Christina Dickinson Writes
Re: Infantry and special SRM ammunition
« Reply #20 on: 08 February 2019, 08:48:07 »
LRM infantry cannot. Mortar infantry can.

I was wrong. There is no such restriction against LRM troops. Both can fire indirectly, though mortar troops require TacOps to do so.
« Last Edit: 08 February 2019, 09:24:44 by Weirdo »
My wife writes books
"Thanks to Megamek, I can finally play BattleTech the way it was meant to be played--pantsless!"   -Neko Bijin
"...finally, giant space panties don't seem so strange." - Whistler
"Damn you, Weirdo... Damn you for being right!" - Paul
"...I was this many years old when I found out that licking a touchscreen in excitement is a bad idea." - JadeHellbringer
"We are the tribal elders. Weirdo is the mushroom specialist." - Worktroll

Daryk

  • Lieutenant General
  • *
  • Posts: 37060
  • The Double Deuce II/II-σ
Re: Infantry and special SRM ammunition
« Reply #21 on: 08 February 2019, 17:49:27 »
*snip*
Extra missile types would he neat to have cannonically though, I agree. The issue is that they'd be mostly ineffective in the CBT ruleset if we're going by the Universal Ordnance table, since the largest man portable payload is a class C explodey thing. Unless we get into small scale artillery.
*snip*
The "Grenade Launcher, Heavy Auto" uses Class D ordnance (AToW, page 273).  Granted, elementals technically carry things heavier than those generally described as "man portable", but it's still on the Infantry Weapons table (vice BA).  I've mentioned this up in errata, but haven't seen a response.  Personally, I'm more than a little amazed at the thought of "grenades" that size being burst fired by someone not in battle armor.

Weirdo

  • Painter of Borth the Magic Puma
  • Catalyst Demo Team
  • Major General
  • *
  • Posts: 40758
  • We can do it. We have to.
    • Christina Dickinson Writes
Re: Infantry and special SRM ammunition
« Reply #22 on: 08 February 2019, 17:53:27 »
I'm reasonably certain that weapon is tripod-mounted when conventional infantry use it. I don't think even 80s action flicks have tried to make a human carry one unaided... :o
My wife writes books
"Thanks to Megamek, I can finally play BattleTech the way it was meant to be played--pantsless!"   -Neko Bijin
"...finally, giant space panties don't seem so strange." - Whistler
"Damn you, Weirdo... Damn you for being right!" - Paul
"...I was this many years old when I found out that licking a touchscreen in excitement is a bad idea." - JadeHellbringer
"We are the tribal elders. Weirdo is the mushroom specialist." - Worktroll

Daryk

  • Lieutenant General
  • *
  • Posts: 37060
  • The Double Deuce II/II-σ
Re: Infantry and special SRM ammunition
« Reply #23 on: 08 February 2019, 18:03:23 »
LOL... given that Predator had a "man portable (no, really)" minigun, I wouldn't put it past them...  ;D

Colt Ward

  • Lieutenant General
  • *
  • Posts: 28960
  • Gott Mit Uns
    • Merc Periphery Guide- Bakunin
Re: Infantry and special SRM ammunition
« Reply #24 on: 08 February 2019, 22:15:34 »
I'm reasonably certain that weapon is tripod-mounted when conventional infantry use it. I don't think even 80s action flicks have tried to make a human carry one unaided... :o

The Mk 19 is typically a 3 man carry for any distance . . . 2 on the weapon, 1 on the tripod- just for speed.
Colt Ward
Clan Invasion Backer #149, Leviathans #104

"We come in peace, please ignore the bloodstains."

"Greetings, Mechwarrior. You have been recruited by the Star League to defend the Frontier against Daoshen and the Capellan armada."

StoneRhino

  • Captain
  • *
  • Posts: 2269
Re: Infantry and special SRM ammunition
« Reply #25 on: 09 February 2019, 00:22:58 »
LRM infantry cannot. Mortar infantry can.

I was wrong. There is no such restriction against LRM troops. Both can fire indirectly, though mortar troops require TacOps to do so.

Was there a particular page or post that clarified that?  :)