Difference between revisions of "Supercharger"
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| + | A '''Supercharger''' is a device which temporarily exceeds the normal safe operating levels of an engine to boost the ground speed of [[Combat Vehicle]]s, [[Support Vehicle]]s, [[IndustrialMech]]s and [[BattleMech]]s. While this compromises safety with an increasing chance of critical engine damage, in any field such as racing or war where there is a need for speed, people are willing to throw safety to the wind for a performance boost. <ref name=MT-92>''Maximum Tech'', p. 92 "Equipment - Supercharger"</ref> <ref name=TO-345>''Tactical Operations'', p. 345 "Advanced Weaponry and Equipment - Supercharger"</ref> | ||
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==Description== | ==Description== | ||
| − | + | Despite the wide differences in underlining technology, with [[internal combustion engine]] superchargers injecting chemicals into the fuel mix while [[Fusion Engine]] superchargers temporarily drop the limiters that keep the engine output from damaging the shielding, both produce almost identical end-results, boosting ground speed by as much 125%<ref name=MT-92/> <ref name=TO-345/> | |
| − | + | Because [[BattleMech]] superchargers use an entirely different method of increasing performance than that used by [[MASC]], both devices can be used at the same time for a cumulative speed boost in exchange for considerably higher odds of a catastrophic failure. <ref name=MT-92/> <ref name=TO-345/> | |
| − | + | While an unusual if experimental add-on for centuries, the technology achieved a mainstream level of acceptance and refinement during the [[Word of Blake]] [[Jihad]], with manufacturers within both the [[Inner Sphere]] and [[Clan]]-space regularly producing superchargers from [[3078]] on. <ref name=TROP-207>''Technical Readout: Prototypes'', p. 207 "Jihad Technology Advancement Table - Supercharger"</ref> | |
==Rules== | ==Rules== | ||
<div class="gamerules"> | <div class="gamerules"> | ||
===Game Rules=== | ===Game Rules=== | ||
| − | + | Operating similarly to MASC, when a player first activates a supercharger, they roll 2D6. On a result of 3+, the supercharger operates normally, allowing the unit to move at twice its Cursing or Walking MP speed (adjusted for modifiers such as damaged leg actuators, etc.) for that turn. On a failed activation roll, unlike MASC the critical hits are applied directly to engine for 'Mechs and to motive systems first and then destroying engine after immobilization. The Supercharger is automatically destroyed upon failure. Each consecutive turn the supercharger is used, the target number increases by 2, each turn the player ceases to use the supercharger the target number is reduced by 1. <ref name=MT-92/> IndustrialMechs and Support Vehicle apply an additional -1 modifer to the activation roll under TO rules. <ref name=TO-345/> | |
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| + | The supercharger weighs one-tenth of the unit's engine weight (rounded up to the nearest half-ton) and occupies 1 critical slot on 'Mechs and one item location on vehicles. 'Mech carrying a supercharger must mount the system in a location that contains engine slots, either the center torso on standard engines or additionally the left or right torsos for [[Light]] and [[XL Engine]]s. <ref name=TO-344>''Tactical Operations'', p. 344 "Advanced Weaponry and Equipment - Construction Rules - Supercharger"</ref> Superchargers can be pod-mounted by [[OmniMech]]s and [[OmniVehicle]]s. <ref name=MT-92/> | ||
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| + | 'Mechs carrying both a Supercharger and MASC can use both devices within the same round for a cumulative speed boost, making separate activation rolls for each, receiving a Running MP equal to 2.5 its normal Walking MP rounded up. <ref name=TO-345/> (Previously 3 times its normal Walking MP under MaxTech) <ref name=MT-92/> | ||
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</div> | </div> | ||
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*''[[Maximum Tech]]'' | *''[[Maximum Tech]]'' | ||
*''[[Tactical Operations]]'' | *''[[Tactical Operations]]'' | ||
| − | + | *''[[Technical Readout: Prototypes]]'' | |
[[Category:Technology]] | [[Category:Technology]] | ||
Revision as of 04:53, 11 October 2012
A Supercharger is a device which temporarily exceeds the normal safe operating levels of an engine to boost the ground speed of Combat Vehicles, Support Vehicles, IndustrialMechs and BattleMechs. While this compromises safety with an increasing chance of critical engine damage, in any field such as racing or war where there is a need for speed, people are willing to throw safety to the wind for a performance boost. [1] [2]
Description
Despite the wide differences in underlining technology, with internal combustion engine superchargers injecting chemicals into the fuel mix while Fusion Engine superchargers temporarily drop the limiters that keep the engine output from damaging the shielding, both produce almost identical end-results, boosting ground speed by as much 125%[1] [2]
Because BattleMech superchargers use an entirely different method of increasing performance than that used by MASC, both devices can be used at the same time for a cumulative speed boost in exchange for considerably higher odds of a catastrophic failure. [1] [2]
While an unusual if experimental add-on for centuries, the technology achieved a mainstream level of acceptance and refinement during the Word of Blake Jihad, with manufacturers within both the Inner Sphere and Clan-space regularly producing superchargers from 3078 on. [3]
Rules
Game Rules
Operating similarly to MASC, when a player first activates a supercharger, they roll 2D6. On a result of 3+, the supercharger operates normally, allowing the unit to move at twice its Cursing or Walking MP speed (adjusted for modifiers such as damaged leg actuators, etc.) for that turn. On a failed activation roll, unlike MASC the critical hits are applied directly to engine for 'Mechs and to motive systems first and then destroying engine after immobilization. The Supercharger is automatically destroyed upon failure. Each consecutive turn the supercharger is used, the target number increases by 2, each turn the player ceases to use the supercharger the target number is reduced by 1. [1] IndustrialMechs and Support Vehicle apply an additional -1 modifer to the activation roll under TO rules. [2]
The supercharger weighs one-tenth of the unit's engine weight (rounded up to the nearest half-ton) and occupies 1 critical slot on 'Mechs and one item location on vehicles. 'Mech carrying a supercharger must mount the system in a location that contains engine slots, either the center torso on standard engines or additionally the left or right torsos for Light and XL Engines. [4] Superchargers can be pod-mounted by OmniMechs and OmniVehicles. [1]
'Mechs carrying both a Supercharger and MASC can use both devices within the same round for a cumulative speed boost, making separate activation rolls for each, receiving a Running MP equal to 2.5 its normal Walking MP rounded up. [2] (Previously 3 times its normal Walking MP under MaxTech) [1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Maximum Tech, p. 92 "Equipment - Supercharger"
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Tactical Operations, p. 345 "Advanced Weaponry and Equipment - Supercharger"
- ↑ Technical Readout: Prototypes, p. 207 "Jihad Technology Advancement Table - Supercharger"
- ↑ Tactical Operations, p. 344 "Advanced Weaponry and Equipment - Construction Rules - Supercharger"