(Answered) LAM in AirMech mode TMM

[MechMike]

I've reviewed two previous questions:

2015: https://bg.battletech.com/forums/alpha-strike/shooting-at-lams-in-airmech-mode/msg1087447/#msg1087447

2022: https://bg.battletech.com/forums/alpha-strike/lam-rules-questions/

The 2022 response seems to contradict the previous one to a significant extent.  The salient bit of the rules seems to be AS:EC 5th pp 177:

"Target Movement Modifiers: Attacks against LAMs use the target movement modifiers appropriate to their current mode of operation. Add an additional +1 modifier to LAMs in AirMech mode."

This seems to mean that a Stinger LAM (36g) should have a TMM of 5 in AirMech mode.  The 2015 answer supports this but the 2022 seems to base the TMM on the BattleMech mode (which would be 2 - 12j).

The table on pp44 contains no entry for an "airborne Battlemech" (only airborne WIGE), which is where the second part of the pp177 quote comes in for the additional +1 for being a LAM in AirMech mode.

So iaw the 2022 answer, a Stinger would have a TMM of 4 (2 for the 12j, +1 for LAM in Airmech, +1 for airborne WIGE), but the  2015 answer (and my read of the current rules) both give you a TMM of 6:

2015: 5 for the 30"g  +1 for being considered a WIGE
My read: 5 for the 36"g +1 for being an AirMech LAM

The 2022 solution seems to deprive you of any credit for speed, and looks like it double-dips on the WIGE / airborne modifier. 

[nckestrel]

A LAM in AirMech mode gets +1 for being an AirMech and +1 when airborne.  An AirMech using WiGE movement, so it is an airborne WiGE.
A STG-A5 Stinger LAM has a TMM of 2.  In BattleMech mode, it has TMM 2.
in AirMech mode, it has +1 TMM, for a TMM of 3.  If it's then airborne (which is almost always will be), there's a +1 to targeting airborne WiGE.  Not that a unit type modifier is not the TMM (so precision wouldn't take it into account). Not really relevant to this example, but noting that the +1 for targeting airborne WiGE and +1 TMM for being in AirMech mode are not the same modifier.

Another note, the 2015 ruling is pre-AS:CE, which disconnected TMM from MV (during gameplay). The 36"g MV of a Stinger AirMech is not part of the TMM calculation.  The TMM on the unit card, and whether it is in AirMech mode and/or currently airborne are the factors for TMM. 

[MechMike]

A LAM in AirMech mode gets +1 for being an AirMech and +1 when airborne.  An AirMech using WiGE movement, so it is an airborne WiGE.
A STG-A5 Stinger LAM has a TMM of 2.  In BattleMech mode, it has TMM 2.
in AirMech mode, it has +1 TMM, for a TMM of 3.  If it's then airborne (which is almost always will be), there's a +1 to targeting airborne WiGE.  Not that a unit type modifier is not the TMM (so precision wouldn't take it into account). Not really relevant to this example, but noting that the +1 for targeting airborne WiGE and +1 TMM for being in AirMech mode are not the same modifier.

Thanks for ther answer - that clears it up.  I think I was using Classic thinking where it was NOT a WiGE because it's still a Battlemech.

[MechMike]

Just to confirm - it appears that LAMs "are" WiGEs in AS (whereas in Classic they behave like one but strictly aren't). Does this therefore mean that Flak special / ammo is usable against a LAM in Airmech mode? 

[nckestrel]

Yes, it's airborne.