Battlemech Configurations: Recon

Ok, so you're ready to begin your career in the Reconnaissance Division.  Good.  Today we're going to go over configuring your battlemechs for recon duty and how to get the most out of your chassis.  Recce duty is hard and unrewarding, but critical for a team victory.

First, some design points.

• Recon Mechs should achieve 100+ kph ideally.  However, if your lance is slower or heavier a speed of 70+ kph is still required to be effective.  Remember you'll need to keep your speed in your lance's speed band.
• Recon Mechs mount few weapon systems.  Engine and sensors taking up as much space as they do can inhibit the amount of tonnage you have available.  Also, light mechs tend to have fewer weapon hardpoints available to begin with.
• Strongly consider an ECM suite or Beagle Active Probe...perhaps both.
• Modules you should consider include Sensor Range, UAV and Capture Accelerators.

Ok, so with that in mind, how do you design a recon mech?  Team design is critical here, as it will dictate a lot of what you will be able to do practically, so always check with your team.  We've been fielding a light recon lance made up of several different light chassis with 110-150 kph.

Traditionally, you'll hear that recon mechs should focus on speed to the exclusion of other design considerations.  However, in Mechwarrior Online I've found that it's better to take the maximum armor available, and then focus on the engine and sensor systems when dealing with a light chassis.  A medium chassis recon build can probably forgo maximum armor in favor of a faster engine.  Weapons can then be considered, because if you get the gear you need you can wreak havoc with just a few tons of lasers.  With a single medium laser (or perhaps two) you can deal damage the entire match - if you even have to fire your weapons.

The lance should ideally contain 1-2 ECM's.  This is so coverage will be maximized, but also so one ECM can be in counter mode if need be.  Disrupting the enemy's ECM is a critical action that the recce squad should be prepared to perform.  When flying solo, your ECM can help out the front line immensely with just your presence nearby.

The Beagle Active Probe will help you pick up targets at further range.  Likewise, there are modules that can change how your sensors work, such as Sensor Range upgrades.  The UAV is a great one shot "reveal" for your team, and you can use it to monitor areas for a short time without being there.  All of these sensor upgrades work together as well, and makes 'electronic warfare' a viable battlefield role.

If your company includes LRM fire support, a TAG laser is always tonnage well spent.  NARC beacons are another option if you have a battery of fire support mechs.  However, this tonnage will be negated if no support mechs are available, so drop into the pubs at your own risk.

Whether your company prefers light or medium chassis, if you follow these design guidelines you'll have a strong mech for the recon position.  However, the position demands a certain amount of finesse from the pilot, and an uncanny sense for the battle around him.  You'll spend a lot of time looking at your battlemap, avoiding enemy contact and confirming both friendly and enemy positions, but every victory your intelligence and positioning grants your team will be worth it.