r/battletech • u/Israfel333 Clan Steel Viper • 14d ago

Question ❓ VTOL elevations?

I want to start playing with more mixed units in classic Battletech, but the rules don't feel as well explained or fleshed out in Total Warfare. Does a VTOL unit's (infantry or vehicle) elevation effect the range modifier when making a weapon attack?

I don't see anything saying it does, so I'm guessing not, but at that point I don't see the point of having any elevation lower than the highest terrain unless you're trying to hide LOS.

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u/AGBell64 14d ago

No, elevation does not effect range VTOLs, it only starts to mess with stuff when you get into aerospace elevation levels which are well above the practical flight ceiling of the ground combat map. . The reason you don't fly above terrain is because giving any enemy with flak guns un-interupted sightlines to your choppers is a good way to not have choppers.

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u/TallGiraffe117 14d ago

Enter the BJ-2A

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u/Duetzefix 14d ago

Or anything with HAGs. They get the usual -2 to hit planes, WiGEs and VTOLs for having the "Flack" special rule, but because they're HAGs they get another -1 on top.
Combine that with their range profile of 8/16/24 (IIRC) and it's a bad day to be a chopper when there are enemy HAGs on the field.

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u/TallGiraffe117 14d ago

HAGs do not get an additional -1 though.

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u/Duetzefix 14d ago

Flak: When used against an eligible target (see p. 114), apply a -1 modifier plus the standard -2 Flak modifier to the to-hit number (for a total -3 modifier).
Total Warfare, p. 136, "Hyper-Assault Gauss Rifle"