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BattleTech Game Systems => Alpha Strike => Topic started by: Gian on 04 March 2024, 03:47:14

Title: Maximum VTOL Height
Post by: Gian on 04 March 2024, 03:47:14
Hi guys! Need a quick clarification.

What's the maximum height a VTOL can rise?

1) For example, if it has an MV of 26 inches and considering that going up a level requires 2 inches, is the maximum height 13 inches? Or 26 inches? I'm assuming it's 13 inches.

2) If a VTOL rises to its maximum height on Turn 1, can it go up again to its maximum on Turn 2?

Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.
Title: Re: Maximum VTOL Height
Post by: nckestrel on 04 March 2024, 09:01:27
There is no maximum VTOL elevation.  Elevation does not add to range (except in a very few specific very short range exceptions like physical attacks and area of effect templates).  So there's no need to say a VTOL can't fly over whatever buildings/terrain you have in play.
Title: Re: Maximum VTOL Height
Post by: Charistoph on 04 March 2024, 09:56:37
There is no maximum VTOL elevation.  Elevation does not add to range (except in a very few specific very short range exceptions like physical attacks and area of effect templates).  So there's no need to say a VTOL can't fly over whatever buildings/terrain you have in play.

And Aerospace units.
Title: Re: Maximum VTOL Height
Post by: nckestrel on 04 March 2024, 10:52:14
And Aerospace units.

Aerospace units do not use elevation.  Altitude is a separate rules mechanic.
Title: Re: Maximum VTOL Height
Post by: Charistoph on 04 March 2024, 10:54:05
Aerospace units do not use elevation.  Altitude is a separate rules mechanic.

Merely (poorly) pointing out that their Altitude does affect Range.
Title: Re: Maximum VTOL Height
Post by: nckestrel on 04 March 2024, 10:56:42
Merely (poorly) pointing out that their Altitude does affect Range.

No like button here, but yes, that is a major difference between VTOL's elevation and aerospace's altitude!
Title: Re: Maximum VTOL Height
Post by: psionics313 on 12 March 2024, 19:51:45
There is no maximum VTOL elevation.  Elevation does not add to range (except in a very few specific very short range exceptions like physical attacks and area of effect templates).  So there's no need to say a VTOL can't fly over whatever buildings/terrain you have in play.

Always seemed pointless to bother with elevation if it doesn't affect range. The only purpose of elevation then is "oops I crashed into the tree"
Title: Re: Maximum VTOL Height
Post by: Weirdo on 14 March 2024, 16:11:31
The only purpose of elevation then is "oops I crashed into the tree"

This is correct. VTOL elevation serves two purposes:

The first is to avoid hitting ground dangers like trees, hills, and mech fists.

The second is to see/shoot over ground features like trees and hills.
Title: Re: Maximum VTOL Height
Post by: I am Belch II on 15 March 2024, 14:59:44
I would assume with Hexes being 30 meters across that going up 6 meters per level about the same. VTOLS cant climb as fast as they move forward.
Title: Re: Maximum VTOL Height
Post by: NeonKnight on 15 March 2024, 17:39:15
I would assume with Hexes being 30 meters across that going up 6 meters per level about the same. VTOLS cant climb as fast as they move forward.

well....a hex may be 30m across, but it is not 30m tall, as 1 level=half the height of a Mech, and as per this thread:

https://bg.battletech.com/forums/index.php?topic=5751.0

Mechs are at most maybe 15m tall, so a level is maybe around 7.5 - 8m tall?

Further the service ceiling for an Apache Attack helicopter is around 6,000m, so in BT terms that would be (based on 7.5m per level) 800 elevation. And with a move of 26 (13 in TW rules), it would take a VTOL 61 turns to climb to that height just going straight up.