So, after the discussion Wierdo brought up about the Elias, I went looking at the rules.
Now the Elias n the table on Page 170, says it does 10 base damage.
It further states on page 170:
Ground Zero Hex: The Ground Zero Hex is defined as the target
hex where a nuclear device strikes. If the attack is delivered as an air
burst, the actual center of the detonation takes place on the Low
Altitude map, in the hex centered above the ground map, but close
enough in height to maximize its effect radius on the ground. Thus,
a Ground Zero Hex on a BattleTech game board must be determined
upon detonation of the air-burst as well, and is considered the ground
point located most directly below the center of the air burst.
Any units and or buildings located within the Ground Zero Hex are
completely annihilated if they do not possess enough armor (or CF
points) to withstand the weapon’s Impact Damage value in any single
hit location.
Ok, fair enough, for 99.9% of the mechs out there, this will kill them outright (9 head armor is less than 10).
BUT...what about a mech like the Omega, Orca or Ares? These large mechs have minimum 12 Armor in the Head (and more in other locations), so, IF an ELIAS was detonated in their hex, how much damage do they take?
10 points in a 5 point clusters, or would it be 10 points to all locations, as the GROUND ZERO rule states if the 10 points is enough to breach any location a unit is destroyed? The only way I can think of for the latter to happen is all locations take the damage, otherwise it is a smart damage seeking the head of one mech, but the weakened back armor of another.
