(I believe I posted something on this up on the original BT page before it was ruined)
An Idea I had, a very long time ago – long before 3050TRO – it was back in the 2750TRO era, was a system to allow players more flexibility with Mech designs. If we were playing SL/1st Secession War then I could see all the Mechs being “standard†factory variants, but the original feel of the game was supposed to be ‘Road Warrior meets Macross’. giant Mecha hodgepodge together as parts become available, whatever to keep them on the field. This is the basis of he 3rd & 4th wars as well as 3039 (& now 'Jihad'), it is furthered by the field upgrade kits that were supposed to be produced (primarily by the FWL) and distributed across the IS to upgrade 3025 Mechs with 3050 tech. We never even saw these Mech variants. Anyway:
My Idea was what I called the Weapon Variant Pods or WVP, not really a “Pod†in the Omni-Clan sense but instead of listing each Mech with a set of specific weapons or equipment they would have various section listed as WVPs (WVP1 or WVP2A etc…) with a list in the book on what equipment was available for that slot, and players would specify before a game.
For example:
WVP1 was 1tn 2crits on the sheet and would have 4 lists available:
3025: 1xML, 1xFlamer, 2xSL, 2xMGs, 1xHS, 1tn ammo (for any other weapon carried) OR 1xMG+1/2tn (100rounds) of ammo.
2750/3050: as 3025 (except HS if Mech has doubles) OR 1xSPL, 1xTAG, 1xC3-Slave
3060+: as 2750/3050 OR 1xER-ML, 2xER-SL
OR
‘WVP1C’ (Clan): as 3025 (Clan versions except MG+Ammo) OR 1xER-ML, 2xER-SL, 1xSPL, 1xTAG, 1xAP, 1xECM, 2xA-Pod OR 1xHS-or-DHS (of type used – generally DHS for Clans) (added after Clans)
There would also be a WVP1A which is the same but takes 3 crits, so DHS (if carried) is included for IS and 2xMG+1/2tn of ammo is included for the Clans WVP1AC (or L-MGs after 3060)
These would go up to WVP7s (7tn/4crits – 1xPPC, 1xER-PPC , 1xLPL, 1xLRM-10+2tns of ammo{any}(if no ART-IV has been chosen elsewhere), 1xLRM-10+ART-IV+1tn of ammo{any}(if no launcher without ART-IV has already been chosen elsewhere), 1xLL+2xML, 1xER-LL+2xER-ML , OR 1xER-LL+1xMPL)
So you couldn’t have “any†configuration, but the players would have more flexibility, there is no option for 3MLPs+1SPL, this slot is intended for a single large weapon, not a bunch of little weapons, and there is no 12-15tn slots, something as big as a AC-10 or GR is an integral part of the Mechs weaponry and such a change would constitute an actual variant mod, as opposed to upgrading the old PPCs to ER or replacing it with a LPL or ER-LL and a few light weapons.
So the standard 3025 Locust would have 1xWVP1 in the CT and 1xWVP1A in each arm which would allow a player to choose (depending on the time frame) 1xML in the CT + 1xMG+1/2 ton of ammo in each arm (standard config except that the ammo in the CT is split between the arms) or they could upgrade to (in 3060+) 1xER-ML in each (15 heat but lots of fire power) or a more conservative (and closer to original intent) 1xER-ML in the CT and 1xSPL in each arm (9 heat+ walk and it could take it). This would allow for more choices in other situations since you could choose a C3Slave for your Locust if your trying to form a unit (more like what’s in the books with the C3s being retrofitted not purpose built) some Mechs may receive a WVP5A which is 5tn 5 crits and can accommodate 1xLL, 1xER-LL, 1xLRM-10(if no ART-IV has been chosen), 2xLRM-5s+1tn of ammo or a C3-Master (in3050+).
I have lists at home (somewhere) but think this would restore the gritty piecemeal nature that the originators intended for BattleTech, rather than the “I’m part of a well-supplied standard army, fix my Mech up to spec†that Robotech implies. Not to mention that 'blind sheet' games would become more viable since the other players couldn't be completely sure what there opponent picked (assuming a GM to verify).
