House Rules Collection:
Scott Foster
A Compendium of House Rules



Hydraulics Multiplier
The hydraulics multiplier is multiplied times the core servos (all servos except pods)

Example:
If the total cost of the servos is 100 cp, then heavy hydraulics cost 10 (100*.1)=20



Internal Pod Servo
Pods can be mounted on or in any servo. They take up the same amount of spaces as they provide. Basically a cheaper version of Command Armor as they have no Kills.

If you attach a pod servo internally and then armor it, you have in effect, created a armored cargo module.

Example:
HS Torso (10 spaces) w/HS armor (5 SP)
MS Pod (8 spaces) w/HS armor (5 SP
Cargo Modulex8 (8 spaces, 8000kg/4 tons)
Cost: 36 CPs, Weight: 10 tons
Now the cargo is protected by two layers of armor, each with 5 SP.




Intelligent Weapons
You can have intelligent weapons. Figure out the cost multiple for the Internal Automation and then multiply your weapon's cost by that multiple.

Example:

Name     WA  RNG  DAM AMMO KILLS COST  EFF SPACE TOTAL WEIGHT NOTES
Plasma 
Cannon    1    11    8    -     8    12.0   2.0   8    14.0     4
IA                                    5.6   0.5   0     6.1     0
Totals                                            8    20.1     4
Internal Automation: Portfolio 1, Level 10, Skill-Mecha Beam

Formula: Portfolio (1) .4 x Skill Level (10) 1 =3D x .4
Weapon Multiple. Good for those shoulder/torso mounted weapons and the optional Extra Actions/Multiple Crew rule. Add Techno-Organic/Regenerating to a projectile weapon and have a blast! 



Laser Targeting
Add damage zero (Cost .5, Range 3) to the beam weapon table and you can create a laser targeting system.

Name      WA  RNG  DAM  AMMO  KILLS  COST  EFF  SPACE  TOTAL  WEIGHT  NOTES
Laser 
Targeter  +3   9    0    -      1     2.0  0.5    1     2.5    0.5
Formula: Damage (0): .5 x Range (300%): 2 x Accuracy (+3): 2 = 2 + Cost of weapon link
Add this to your favorite weapon or sensor package and get +3 Accuracy, unless they shoot the Laser targeting system. If added to sensor package, the laser targeting is only good for one target. Modified by smoke and anything else that modifies energy weapons. Note: The defending mecha gets a dodge roll on the laser targeting system, if hit, the weapon that is linked to the laser targeting automatically hits, thereby providing the +3 to strike.

Why Laser Targeting: This option is MUCH cheaper than the Targeting Computer option on page 24 of the Mekton Tactical Display. Yes, it is limited to just the weapon it is linked to (and I only permit it to be linked to one weapon, kind of like a laser scope) it has the advantage of adding +3 beyond the Maneuver Value.

For example, it your mecha has a MV of 0, the Targeting Computer doesn't help, whereas the Laser Targeter gives you the full +3 (to that weapon only.)

As far as making the weapon +3 WA, it usually costs too much and some weapons cannot be made +3 WA.

Example:
Heavy Cannon (WA+2, Dmg 10) Cost = 20 CP
Heavy Cannon w/Laser Targeter (Heavy Cannon WA0, Dmg10)=12.5 CP




Weapon Pod
Create a Pod Servo, stuff it with weapons, add armor and now you've got an armored weapon! Useful for those hand-carried weapons, or just for the added protection.

Example:

Servo  Level  Cost  Spaces  Armour  CP  Type  Total CP  Total Wt
Pod     MS      4     8       6     12   G       16     3(Empty, 3 tons for the Armor)
Add Projectile Weapon... 


Name    WA  RNG  DAM  AMMO  KILLS  COST  EFF  SPACE  TOTAL  WEIGHT  NOTES
Cannon   0   7    6     6     6    12.0  3.0    6     15.0    3     BV = 3
Ammo                   15     2     2.2  0.6    1      2.8   1.0    Standard
Totals                                         7.8    17.8   4.0

Now you've got a Heavy Bore cannon with: 

6 points of Gamma armor 

7 tons weight 

1 space free (takes up 8 spaces) 

Lets combine the preceding examples into a fearsome weapon...

Servo  Level  Cost  Spaces  Armour  CP  Type  Total CP  Total Wt
Pod     MS      4     8       6     12   G       16     3(Empty, 3 tons for the Armor)
Name    WA  RNG  DAM  AMMO  KILLS  COST  EFF  SPACE  TOTAL  WEIGHT  NOTES
Cannon   0   7    6    -      6    12.0  3.0    6    15.0     3     BV = 3
Ammo                   15     2     2.2  0.6    1     2.8    1.0    Standard
Laser   +3   9    0    -      1     2    0.5    1     2.5    0.5
Totals                                          8    19.9    4.5
Plus Weapon Link (Laser Targeting System to Heavy Cannon)= 2 CPs

Internal Automation: PF: 1 (Mecha Gunnery), Lvl: 10
Cost: 8.76 (21.9*.4) Spaces: 1
Subtotal:

Weapon Pod-16 

Cannon-19.9 

Weapon Link-2 

Internal Automation-8.76 

Total: 46.66 

Techno-Organic/Regenerating: x.67 

Stats:

Cost: 77.9 

Weight: 10.5 tons 

Spaces: 8.0 

An awful lot for a 6 kill weapon, but its an intelligent 6 kill weapon, with unlimited ammo, 6 points of Gamma Armor, and a total strike chance of 23+MV+D10! Don't forget the burst fire! You'd probably want to buy better ammo....