Discussion: Lancer Abilities & Equipment

While the traditional tools of Mechwarriors have only changed incrementally in recent centuries, modern day Lancers utilize advanced technologies that allow them to reach almost superhuman performance.

NOTE: a Bonus Ability is essentially a "free" Ability that does not count towards your maximum of 52 XP in Abilities.

Enhanced Imaging Displays
EIDs are a modular heads-up display that utilizes state-of-the-art virtual reality holograms and images to simplify complex readouts and battlefield information. By the 34th century, all Lancers utilize EID technology in their cockpits. This allows them a heightened level of situation awareness and allows them to respond faster than even your best Mechwarrior. As Lancers frequently operate in combat where they are outnumbered, EIDs are an essential piece of equipment for their survival.
http://www.sarna.net/wiki/Enhanced_Imaging_Display

• Comes standard for all LancerMechs
• Can be added to any mech with ANY Equipment upgrade.
• Bonus Quirk = Improved Sensors

Lancer Power Armor
This is a slightly slimmed down and more expensive version of Power Armor (Light) specifically designed to allow a Lancer to wear it into a cockpit. It offers roughly the same ballistic protection as standard PA(L)s, but also replaces the need of a standard neural helmet. However, it does not come with any additional sensors like most standard PA(L)s; a mech's systems are expected to supplement this. The armor does have basic life support, but without being connected to a larger system only lasts a couple of hours. As Lancers are often their most vulnerable outside their mechs, LPAs are very popular among those who can afford them.
http://www.sarna.net/wiki/Nighthawk

• Requires 400k C-bills
• Bonus Quirk = Improved Life Support
• If the pilot takes damage that would kill them, roll 1d6. If they roll a 6, they are put at Death's Door (not killed, just wounded).
• see PA(L) rules for details

Advanced Lancer Power Armor
These are advanced models with features more similar to normal PA(L)s (such as the one used by the Green Knight). However, they are rare and too big to fit within a standard cockpit (requiring the use of cockpits mounted in the torso). Affectionately referred to as "ALPhAs", these suits are prized by their owners for their superior quality and capabilities.

• ALPhAs can only be acquired as a mission reward
• Requires 800k C-bills (for fitting) and a Torso Mounted Cockpit
  
• Players may sell their LPA to reduce fitting cost by 200k
• Bonus Quirk = Improved Life Support
• Bonus Ability = Pain Resistance
• If the pilot takes damage that would kill them, roll 1d6. On a 4 or higher, they are put at Death's Door (not killed, just wounded).
• see PA(L) rules for details

Torso Mounted Cockpit
For those looking for better safety inside the cockpit, the TMC is an excellent, though expensive solution. The expense usually limits its use to veteran Lancers, but anyone with significant funding has access to it. However, because it can reduce situation awareness without Neural Interfacing and makes life support systems more vulnerable, some pilots prefer to not use it.
http://www.sarna.net/wiki/Torso_Cockpit

• Requires "Overhaul" upgrade package

Drone Hybridization
In rare cases, Lancers have been known to slave a small AI system to their mech. They typically use this to give their mech some basic means to defend itself even when unoccupied. It has also been used as a tool of convenience; allowing the mech to be moved or repaired without the Lancer needing to be physically present. They have even been known to utilize an "on-call" ability that allows the Lancer to essentially call in their mech from anywhere within transmitting range. Due to the small size of these AI systems, they do not have the same combat capabilities as a dedicated drone unit and should not be relied on for that role. These systems are also quite expensive and because of their limited function, most Lancers put off installing them until other upgrades have been made.

• Requires "Experiment" upgrade package + 500k C-bills
• Bonus Quirk = Remote Deployment

Targeting Computers
Essentially the same as the Clan versions from centuries ago, what has changed is their proliferation to every major faction among the Inner Sphere. Still, they are large and expensive pieces of equipment to maintain. Because of this, their use is still only common among elite forces. Lancers use these extensively, but not always.
http://www.sarna.net/wiki/Targeting_Computer

• Requires "Experiment" upgrade package

Neural Interfacing
The true mark of an Elite Lancer, modern NI is the culmination of centuries of research attempting to allow pilots to become more "one with their machine". This technology was first successfully used by the Clans and was further developed by the Word of Blake. However, it remained dangerous, unpredictable, and largely taboo until centuries later when drone technology became more publicly accepted. By the 34th century, while rare cases of "Mechwarrior Madness" still persist, the technology has become safe enough to see fairly widespread use. Still, the technology is expensive and requires significant cybernetic augmentation so it is seldom used outside special forces. Safer versions also require the utilization of a Torso Mounted Cockpit which has room for additional neurological buffers. Still, for those with the funding and willpower to effectively utilize it, NI is a powerful tool on the battlefield and can turn normally lumbering warmachines into dancing gods of death.
http://www.sarna.net/wiki/Enhanced_Imaging_Neural_Implant
GM NOTE: rules are stated strangely so I have included what it does here:

• Requires 32 XP + 2 million C-bills
• Bonus Ability = EI Implant
• with Torso Mounted Cockpit = roll 2d6 after every mission:
  • on a result of 3 = pilot gains -1 penalty to Initiative Bonus next mission
    
  • on a result of 2 = pilot loses one level in Tactics (cannot drop below Level 0) and gains Trait - Mechwarrior Madness
• w/out Torso Mounted Cockpit = roll 2d6 after every mission:
  • on a result of 4 = pilot gains -1 penalty to Initiative Bonus next mission
  • on a result of 3 = pilot loses one level in Tactics (cannot drop below Level 0) and gains Trait - Mechwarrior Madness
  • on a result of 2 = pilot permanently gains a -1 penalty to Initiative Bonus
• Mechwarrior Madness: whenever a character's total for Commander + Initiative Bonus reaches zero or less, they cannot use Leadership or Negotiation skills
• NI removal = 1 million C-bills; any lingering negative side effects of NI will persist after removal.

 

GM NOTE: ALL new player characters have the Enhanced Imaging Display upgrade automatically equipped to their starting mech. The rest will be left up to the player to acquire.

 

ChemJel Armor and Auto-Repair Systems
For centuries HarJel was a closely guarded secret of the Clans. This wonderous material allowed their armor a certain degree of self-sealing properties that made their forces less vulnerable to liquid environments and the vacuum of space. Unfortunately, the material was extremely rare and so for a long time was limited for use only in their battle armor and aerospace forces. However, by 3067, the material had proliferated and become common enough to be used even by elite Inner Sphere battlemech forces. Unfortuantely, even then the material was still costly to supply, equip, and maintain. Centuries past and while new sources were found to supply increasing demands for HarJel, scientists had failed to synthesize a cheaper or more effective alternative.
http://www.sarna.net/wiki/HarJel

By accident, that all changed at the dawn of the 34th century. By chemically bonding a molecular variation of HarJel to standard battlemech armor, scientists had managed to create a lesser form of sealing armor that had none of the bulkiness of normal HarJel armor. While it lacked the instant self-sealing properties of the original HarJel, it allowed moderately damaged armor to be repaired far faster than ever before; essentially sealing up holes in armor like organic skin. This "ChemJel" had only one major drawback: it required a liquid foam catalyst agent to trigger the self-repair.

This catalyst must be applied externally and storage for it is too bulky to be carried on the same unit. To start the chemical reaction, the armor must be sprayed with the catalyst agent and allowed to harden for roughly 45 minutes. Still, this is a small price for the autonomy it offers. Without the need for a slower and vulnerable repair vehicle, Lancers that avoid taking serious damage can rely entirely on disposable automated droppods as their source for repairs and rearming.

• Can be equipped with an Armor Upgrade.
• Works only with standard and Ferro-Fibrous armor.
• Allows for a one time use auto-repair that replaces up to 50% hp (rounding up) for each armor section between missions.
• Has no affect on internals.
• Ideal for linked missions (missions that must be taken in a specific order without retreating to safety)

 

yes

 

PLACEHOLDER

Lancers are known for using a variety of on-board sensor equipment to give them a tactical edge in battle. Beyond advanced sensors such as BAP, they are also known to use deployable sensor drones. Here are two examples:

Drone Carrier Equipment (2 tons, 1 crit = x2 UAV drones)
http://www.sarna.net/wiki/Drones_(Recon_Combat_Vehicle)

Remote Sensor Dispenser (.5 tons, 1 crit = x4 remote sensors)
http://www.sarna.net/wiki/Remote_Sensor_Dispenser