Tis But a Scratch!

[Achtung Minen!]

When a ’Mech loses one leg... a standing ’Mech automatically falls.
...
In a subsequent turn, during the Movement Phase (Ground), the ’Mech may attempt to stand on its remaining leg... If the ’Mech manages to stand, it has a Walking MP of 1 and cannot run.

This rule has remained unchanged since at least 3rd Edition, if not earlier. Even the wording is basically the same. But since I first began playing Battletech decades ago, I have always found it the most ridiculous rule in the game. Just imagining these super cool giant robots literally pogo-ing across the battlefield while they shout over the intercoms "It's just a flesh wound!" Even standing on one leg seems ludicrous to me.

So why are there rules like this? Why not just say, leg is shot off, you're grounded for the rest of the game and can only fire arm weapons? Has anyone considered house ruling this before?

[Sartris]

because you should be rewarded for your bravery in attempting a 10+ to stand  ;)

this fits under the umbrella of can't flip only one arm and can only prop and fire if you have two arms. sometimes the absurdity makes for memorable games... though odds are you'll kill yourself trying to stand before you have a chance to imitate the black knight

and for the record, the most absurd rule in battletech is that a motorized platoon towing seven light AC/2 can enter a building and move up the stairs to higher levels.

[Iceweb]

The fact that a mech that is prone can't crawl forward a hex is what has always bothered me. 

Standing up with one leg is hard enough but when you pull it off you feel awesome.

[Precentor Scorpio]

I appreciated the fact that my  armless and legless mercury was a viable asset on the battlefield.   Being in light woods on level 2 hill was an addition bonus. Or is that additional bonuses. (Technically I wanted to be carried like a football)

[Empyrus]

The fact that a mech that is prone can't crawl forward a hex is what has always bothered me. 

Standing up with one leg is hard enough but when you pull it off you feel awesome.

Same here, y can't battletech crawl.
Another thing that always bothered me is that 'Mechs can't crouch, only go prone or stand. Like, crouching would be obvious way to gain stability and reduce stature while keeping nearly all weapons usable, unlike being prone.

I would assume these were omitted for sake of simplicity so long ago though. Like, prone is in because you can get knocked down, so it is using basically same rules but voluntarily. Crawling... well, i reckon people might've sacrificed speed to crawl everywhere, especially behind hills to avoid enemy fire.


I don't ever recall bothering to stand with one-legged 'Mech in BT, but i remember a computer game Titans of Steel where this was possible. 3% chance made it pretty epic, though the next shot knocked the titan down.

[Caedis Animus]

Actually, the "Hull Down" rule is basically the mech crouching. It also has the added bonus of making it so your battlemech can't fall down except in certain situations, such as losing your leg.

[Empyrus]

I guess another read-through through TacOps additional rules is in place. Mostly use the equipment rules...

[Kovax]

I see it as a significant difference between "leg destroyed" and "leg blown off".  In the former case, the joints are wrecked, nothing moves (or it moves freely whether you want it to or not), but the remains of the leg are still there, and you can put a ton or two of weight on it to help balance, even if it won't fully support you.  At that point, it's about the equivalent to the classic "mummy" walk: step, drag, step, drag....

In the "blown off" case, the 'Mech is now reduced to "pogo stick" movement, and should probably take a piloting skill roll each turn that it moves at all, although possibly with only a +1 modifier, not with the full +4 "leg destroyed" modifier.  In essence, you're making a series of tiny hops, not a giant one-hex leap on one leg, but there's not much margin for error in balancing.

[Iceweb]

I do love the idea of mummies in the BTU. 
They did zombies already why not other monsters? 

Still the idea of a mech limping along like a mummy makes me laugh. 
I can see a tech who has to replace legs often enough wrapping a mech up in bandages for a prank.

[garhkal]

The fact that a mech that is prone can't crawl forward a hex is what has always bothered me. 

Standing up with one leg is hard enough but when you pull it off you feel awesome.

Or roll over onto their back and then 'sit up'..

[MoneyLovinOgre4Hire]

I see it as a significant difference between "leg destroyed" and "leg blown off".  In the former case, the joints are wrecked, nothing moves (or it moves freely whether you want it to or not), but the remains of the leg are still there, and you can put a ton or two of weight on it to help balance, even if it won't fully support you.  At that point, it's about the equivalent to the classic "mummy" walk: step, drag, step, drag....

That's what a hip crit does.