If you've spent any significant time with Harebrained Schemes BattleTech since it launched you've undoubtedly had a sense that just as much of the game takes place in the MechLab as on the field. There are interesting tactical decisions to be made certainly and BattleTech packs a lot of detail into its combat encounters. But building your lance the right way and picking the missions best suited to your lance is just as important - if not more so - than proper positioning and timing in a fight.
This Mech Building guide should be considered just that: a guide. There aren't any real hard and fast rules when creating your lance because everything in BattleTech is situational. We'll go over a few general principles to bear in mind, but it's important to remember that these can always be superseded in certain circumstances.
BattleTech's latest expansion (and possibly final) is Heavy Metal, and with the two new 'mechs that came along in the free update, it adds a total of ten new Battlemech chassis to customize to your hearts' content. There are also new weapons and specialised hardware, so the design space for lances is now officially huge. The previous DLC was Urban Warfare which not only added the new Raven and Javelin mechs, but also changed the game's balance by weaving 'electronic warfare' in the form of interesting, battlefield-changing equipment. The Flashpoint expansion also added the Hatchetman, Crab, and Cyclops 'Mechs to the mix.
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BattleTech is Dead, Long Live BattleTech!
BATTLETECH: Flashpoint Review
Watch a whole glorious hour of BattleTech combat gameplay