Battlemech Configurations: Fire Support

The purpose of the Fire Support 'mech is self-explanatory - to provide tactical firepower for their lance or company.  We've ran several successful Fire Support lances for extended durations, and this tactica explores the design of both missle platforms and long-range direct fire.  Our full company will probably have an entire lance devoted to this role, so take to heart the lessons imparted herein.

First, the Fire Support design principles:

• Any class chassis can perform a Fire Support duty.
• Include at least one long range (500m +) main weapon system.  This weapon system should be the focus of your design.
• Armor and speed are secondary concerns, and should be sacrificed to optimize your main weapon system.
• Support systems are critical to the design, including defensive weaponry.

With those broad strokes out of the way, Fire Support 'mechs fall into three basic categories:  Direct Fire, Missile Artillery or Support Platform.  These are differentiated not only by the disparity in weapon systems, but also by the associated lance / company tactics.  For instance, Direct Fire Support 'mechs tend to fare better on their own in a solo drop than a dedicated Missile Artillery Platform due to not having a close team-mate with a Support Platform.

Direct Fire Support 'mechs, also known as "snipers", mount long range energy and ballistic weapons.  They need a clear line of sight, and function best when able to wail away at range against the enemy line while the enemy are tangled with the company's Front Line 'mechs.  Large lasers, PPC's, Gauss Rifles and the smaller autocannons are the favored tools of this design.  Frequently mounting double heatsinks to help with the heat generated by long range energy weapons, Direct Fire 'mechs tend to have more defensive weapons as well.

Missile Artillery Platforms mount long-range missiles as the primary weapon.  This group is organized differently than the other lances the company may perform, so it's important to design your 'mech with this team aspect in mind.  In general, a volley of at least 15 missiles is necessary for lighter chassis, it's not uncommon to see larger dedicated missile platforms with volleys of 40 or more.  Even though you'll most likely have a dedicated spotter in the LCC, it's still a good idea to mount a TAG laser or ECM if available.  Artemis systems are necessary as well, and a variety of modules exist to augment missile tracking effectiveness such as Advanced Target Decay.

Support Platforms are 'mechs dedicated to targeting and target masking.  Usually this is a light chassis, as in the case of House Liao's Ravens.  However, there are a few medium mechs that are also designed with this is mind.  ECM is an advantage here, as the Support Platform can mask the presence of several Fire Support 'mechs in their lance.  TAG lasers are useful if your lance has Missile Artillery, and this is the best position for a NARC missile beacon.  UAV's become exceedingly useful here as well, since smaller Support Platforms generally have more maneuverability than the larger batteries.  This allows them to place the UAV to maximum effectiveness without as much fear of exposing themselves for too long.

CASE will find its' way into most builds, since Fire Support 'mechs tend to lean heavily on ammo reserves.  Some of the larger missile batteries will carry thousands of rounds into battle, so don't be afraid to protect yourself from ammo explosions.  Likewise, it's probably not a good idea to use an XL engine on a Fire Support 'mech unless it's a light - especially if you're carrying ammo in your chest.

Fire Support 'mechs deal most of the damage, most of the time.  That's what they are designed for.  Ideally, your team-mates will protect you with Close Support 'mechs while you in turn support the Front Line with debilitating suppressive fire.  As we routinely field large Missile Artillery Batteries with dedicated spotters, it's a vital part of the company.