Retractable Blade

The Retractable Blade, introduced circa 2420, is a melee weapon used by BattleMechs.

History

Originally designed by the Terran Hegemony for use with AgroMechs, the Retractable Blade was implemented by the Word of Blake for their Celestial series OmniMechs. During the Jihad, the technology was dispersed throughout the Inner Sphere. [1]

Rules

Game Rules

The Retractable Blade weighs one ton per every twenty tons the 'Mech weighs, rounded up, plus 0.5 tons. The blade takes up a number of critical spots equal to one per every twenty tons the 'Mech weighs, rounded up, plus one. The blade does one point of damage for every ten tons the 'Mech weighs, rounded up.[2]

Dark Age Game Rules

In MechWarrior: Age of Destruction, it is considered Heavy Gear and costs twenty-two points. It attaches to "Damage". As an option, when this unit succeeds at a close combat attack using its primary damage value, it gets +1 to its primary damage value for this attack.

Tactical Operations: Advanced Rules

When punching with a retracted blade the user can choose to extend the blade; with the chance to score a critical on the location but also with the risk of breaking the blade. [3]

References

  1. TechManual, p. 236, "Retractable Blade"
  2. TechManual p. 237, "Retractable Blade"
  3. Tactical Operations: Advanced Rules p. 102, "Retractable Blade"

Bibliography