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General BattleTech Discussion / Re: Is it time to consider a reformatting/rewriting of the Core Rulebooks?
« Last post by Charistoph on Today at 10:30:53 »I'm an Alpha Strike player, not BattleTech, so I'm used to how that rulebook is laid out which is the way I'm describing. Rules for individual unit types are included under the main categories like I've described so to me, that makes sense when reformatting the BattleTech rules. The BattleMech Manual has the same layout (Intro, Movement, Combat, Damage, Heat) so I would expect anything new that replaces or updates Total Warfare will follow the same format as these two rulebooks.
Ultimately it sounds like we are both on the "Total Warfare needs an update" side of the question.
We are on the same side that it needs an update. The biggest questions are the approach and how much should be included or excluded.
The Battlemech Manual can afford to keep things simple because it's only dealing with a single unit type, not 4-7, each with their own sub-unit types.
Alpha Strike is similar as the biggest differences between "ground" units are how they react to HEAT, their Critical Hits table, and Vehicle Motive Checks. Those Critical Hits even have the same affect across the board no matter which unit type you're dealing with.
Classic is notably different in this regard. A Critical Hit on a Vehicle could mean that the Crew is just Stunned, or the Stabilizer on one side is now out. Specific Location Hits on a Vehicle mean that the Motive System may also be damaged. Infantry take Damage considerably different, taking far less Damage from Heavy Weapons, and often taking more from Burst-Fire Weapons. Protomech Pilots take a Hit every time their Internal Structure is damaged. Hovercraft and VTOLs have a chance to sideslip if they do a turn while Flanking.
So there is a LOT that goes in to the crunchiness of Classic Battletech that one rulebook can't quite fit. It's doable to fit a lot in to one book, but you have to set limits or it will literally break its own binding before a year is out.
I like the BMM. I think setting up a Manual series so that you only have to bring what you use would be a good idea.