2. Uhm, I don't think that is how Snubbies work. The damage is range dependent but I've never heard of the HEAT being so.
You’re right. Brain fart on my part. That gives the design even fewer choices to activate TSM. It has to turn off a couple freezers, alpha strike, and walk to activate. That’s the only way to hit 9 overheat. No running or standing — those are even numbers. The implication is that if you want to punch/kick with TSM, you have to telegraph it to your opponent by turning off freezers and have started within 4 hexes or less (terrain aside) of the target the prior turn. Most opponents paying attention will catch that.
And to keep TSM activated the following turn, no walking is allowed. Now you have to stand still or run to hit 9 overheat because you need even numbers to maintain the odd-numbered 9 overheat from the prior turn, regardless of what weapons you fire or freezers you turn off. If the target (or a new target) doesn’t stay right next to you or move/appear 7+ (cause now you’re 5/8 speed) hexes away (terrain aside), you’re outta luck for TSM melee attacks the next turn.
Again, for want of a small laser that could face to the rear for WYSIWYG — and there’s actually a crit slot in the head for it and the design can certainly spare a half-ton of the maximally thick ballistic-reinforced armor — the TSM is needlessly constrained. It feels like the designer didn’t bother to read/understand TSM rules, which is frustrating because otherwise the design could be a real challenging nut to crack. I don’t mind these kind of forehead smack designs in XTROs, but I wish they’d stay out of TROs/RGs.