MechWarrior Online Tactical Manual

Greetings, Gatekeepers!

Moving into the third year of our operation, we are seeing many updates to MechWarrior Online as a whole.  There have been numerous changes not only to the game, but to our organizational policies.  These changes have prompted a new presentation to cover the important information we continue to use in practicality on MWO.

We have revised our Tactical Guide to it's most basic elements to reflect the changes, both to the game and to the unit.  The new tutorial guides in MWO provide a lot of the things the certification & qualification programs used to provide, so there is no further use for extraneous material.  Many of the other elements of previous doctrine are out of date as well, so below is the comprehensive condensation of all our previous certifications.

---

Battlemech Designations

• Equipment Guidelines
• No XL engines except in Scout Battlemechs
• All Battlemechs must be capable of a speed of 60km.
• Artillery / Air Strikes should be carried on 75% of the unit.
• UAV Drones should be considered secondary consumable.
• Cool Shot Only battlemechs are allowed but should be deployed sparingly - check with Drop Commander.
• Line
• Heavy or Assault Battlemech
• Direct Fire Expressed Range of 400m
• Scout
• Light or Medium Battlemech
• Minimum Speed 100km
• Support
• Any Class Battlemech
• Escort, Close Support, Electronic Warfare or Hunter-Killers fit into this category.
• Artillery
• Any Class Battlemech
• Main Weapon Systems are LRM Racks.
• Invalid
• A Battlemech that fails to meet these requirements is Invalid.
• Invalid Battlemechs are subject to ridicule.

This categorization replaces all previously endorsed organizations.  Battlegroups should endeavor to build specialist lances with mission objectives in mind.  In addition, there is no longer a "preferred" battlemechs list.

---

Order Calls & Discipline

Phonetic Call Signs

These call signs are used to properly coordinate attacks against focus-fire targets, as well as many other battlefield tasks.  Identifying targets quickly and maintaining spatial awareness is critical.  Use the following alphabetical list to signal the position of enemy assets.

Correct nomenclature (or reasonable facsimile) should be used at all times, especially by officers.  The training we will provide will be group maneuvers, and using these callsigns is the number one way that is accomplished.

All Order Calls to be implemented by the battalion are listed and cursorily explained below.  All Gatekeepers will be trained in these, and all Command Staff will issue orders using these expressions.  Time will be greatly saved, as the commander can organize the map strategy without spending too much time explaining why he is issuing the orders.  Gatekeepers should immediately obey all order calls given by the Drop Commander, and with our fantastic discipline and drill method, these will all become second nature.

You are already familiar with the maneuvers and principles behind this list of commands, so don't feel intimidated by the number of calls.  The real challenge will be mastering the syntax of some of these expressions as a commander.  For most MechWarriors, these are easy to understand as they are pretty much self-explanatory (save for a few cases that are similar in title and execution).  As this method of command is implemented, you will see a dramatic increase in large unit efficiency and focus after just a few short drills.

The calls are organized into six different groups:

Command Calls
These calls are used by the Drop Commander to coordinate the unit's basic actions.

• Target Call
• Using the Phonetic Call Signs, the Drop Commander or Spearhead orders the unit to focus fire on an enemy unit.
• Syntax:  Target (Phonetic)
• Example:  "Target Alpha!"
• Grid Call
• Using the Phonetic Call Signs,  Gatekeepers designate a map section during command or response calls.
• Syntax:  Grid (Square / Range)
• Example:  "Company March Grid Charlie-Six!"
• Example:  "Exploitation, Face Grid Delta-Three to Delta-Five!"
• Standby
• Instructs unit to wait until further instruction.
• Syntax:  (Unit) Standby
• Example (as Command Call):  "All units, Standby."
• Example (as Response Call):  "Acknowledged - Standby."
• Report
• Instructs unit to use communication channel to convey requested information.
• Syntax:  (Pilot) Report
• Example (to Spotter):  "Blackhand, Report location and direction of enemy thrust!"
• Example (to Exploitation Echelon):  "You guys are getting hammered!  Torturous, Report situation!"
• Strike Mark
• Using the Phonetic Call Signs, the Drop Commander or Spearhead orders the unit to place a strike on an enemy unit or area of ground.
• Syntax:  Strike on (Phonetic) or (Description) (Grid)
• Example:  "Strike Mark on Alpha!"
• Example:  "Strike Mark on top of the ridge, Grid Echo-Seven!"
• Launch UAV
• Using the Phonetic Call Signs, the Drop Commander or Spearhead orders the unit to place a UAV in a specific grid area.
• Syntax:  Launch UAV on (Grid)
• Example:  "Launch UAV on Bravo-Six!"

Attack Movement Calls
This set of calls is used to coordinate and direct unit movement.

• March
• The march is the basic order to move and attack.  Gatekeepers are almost always "on attack", and the order to march is synonymous with "attack".
• Syntax:  (Unit) March (Grid)
• Example:  "Battalion March Grid Echo-Five!"
• Halt
• Commands unit to stop and hold position.  This can be an immediate call for a stop, or can be combined with other commands to designate a halt point for the unit.
• Syntax (immediate):  (Unit) Halt
• Example:  "Battalion Halt!"
• Example:  "Alpha Lance, Halt!"
• Syntax (designated):  (Unit) Halt at (Grid)
• Example (issuing new order):  "Attack Echelon, March Grid Bravo-Three and Halt."
• Example (modifying existing order):  "Exploitation Echelon, Halt at Charlie-Six."
• Face 
• Instructs unit to turn to face a grid section and provide covering fire to targets of opportunity while awaiting a target call.
• Syntax:  (Unit) Face (Direction or Grid)
• Example:  "Attack Echelon, Face Grid Delta-Seven!"
• Example:  "Battalion Face North."

Response Calls
These calls are used by any Gatekeeper addressed by the Drop Commander.  Note that usually this will be the only time anyone other than the Drop Commander speaks.

• Acknowledged (also:  Roger / Copy / Confirmed)
• When receiving an direct order (one given expressly to you or your unit), provide this response when executing that order.
• Syntax:  Acknowledgement (optional formality)
• Example:  "Acknowledged."
• Example:  "Roger that, Captain."
• Example:  "Copy that, moving to Grid Alpha-Four."
• Example:  "Order Confirmed, executing."
• Affirmative (also:  Affirm.)
• Reply in the positive.
• Syntax:  Affirmative
• Example:  "That's an affirmative."
• Negative - (also:  Neg.)
• Reply in the negative.
• Syntax:  Negative.
• Example:  "Negative."
• Example:  "That's a neg, Actual."
• Strike Down
• When a strike is activated, the activating Gatekeeper announces the type, along with the target.
• Syntax:  (Air) Strike Down on (Phonetic) or (Description) (Grid)
• Example:  "Air Strike Down on Alpha!"
• Example:  "Strike Down on the ridge!"
• Enemy Strike
• When an enemy strike is activated, the responding Gatekeeper announces the presence of the strike marker.
• Syntax:  Enemy Strike on (Phonetic) or (Description) (Grid)
• Example:  "Enemy Strike on Archangel!"
• Example:  "Enemy Strike on the street, Foxtrot-Five!"
• UAV Away
• When a UAV is launched from your battlemech, use this call to notify Command.
• Syntax:  UAV Away (Grid)
• Example: "UAV Away Bravo-Seven!"

Evasive Action Calls
This set of calls are utilized when the unit is knocked off attack footing by a cunning or disciplined enemy.

• Wave Off
• This instructs the unit to seek cover during a march advance and move to another grid to re-engage the same enemy formation.
• Syntax:  (Unit) Wave Off to (Grid)
• Example:  "Too many guns!  Wave off to Echo-Five!"
• Withdraw
• This instructs the unit to disengage and move to another grid.  The unit should immediately move to the designated area and await further orders.
• Syntax:  (Unit) Withdraw to (Grid)
• Example (to critically damaged unit):  "Kulu, Withdraw to Grid Echo-Four."
• Example:  "All units Withdraw to Grid Bravo-Three!"

Specialist Calls
These calls are used to implement Specialists within the drop unit.  Specialists are battlemechs equipped for certain tasks, and will be detailed further in their own section.  They are included here for the sake of completeness during reference.

• Jam 
• Instructs the Jammer to activate Counter Mode on ECM in a designated grid.
• Syntax:  (Specialist) Jam (Grid)
• Example:  "Shotokan, Jam Grid Charlie-Six!"
• Spot 
• Instructs the Spotter to get eyes-on, either a specific grid or direction.
• Syntax:  (Specialist) Spot (Grid or Direction)
• Example:  "Cid, Spot Grid Charlie-Five!"
• Escort 
• Instructs a unit to follow, protect and support another friendly unit.
• Syntax:  (Specialist) Escort (Unit)
• Example:  "Malpheas, Escort Capmerc!"
• Spearhead
• Instructs a unit to take point on the Attack Echelon.  After receiving this order, additional orders will need to be issued to coordinate the echelon's vector and approach.
• Syntax:  (Specialist) is Spearhead
• Example:  "Zhang Liao is Spearhead."

Maneuver Calls
This is a set of advanced calls that can be used to exploit numerous battlefield circumstances, resulting in the unit obtaining and retaining combat initiative over the enemy.

• Reverse Thrust
• Instructs the entire company to change attack vectors around an obstacle or cover to re-engage the enemy at a weaker point on their line.
• Syntax:  Reverse Thrust to (Grid)
• Example:  "Reverse Thrust to Grid Echo-Six!"
• Encircle 
• Instructs the company to perform an Encircle Maneuver at a grid call.  The direction of the encirclement is the portion of the circle that is closed last by the Exploitation Echelon.
• Syntax:  Encircle (Grid) (Direction)
• Example:  "Encircle Grid Delta-Four East!"
• Collapse 
• Instructs the company to disengage current combat and all move to the same grid call.  
• Syntax:  Collapse to (Grid)
• Example:  "All lances collapse to Grid Bravo-Four!"
• Flank 
• Instructs a unit to perform a flank maneuver on a designated grid call.  The direction called is the side of the company formation to flank from.
• Syntax:  (Unit) Flank (Grid) (Direction)
• Example:  "Alpha Lance, Flank Grid Charlie-Three North!"

---

Putting It Into Practice

Learn and utilize these command calls.  No longer will the Drop Commander need to worry about how to express his commands, and all Gatekeepers will appreciate the time we will gain in an engagement after the order calls are drilled and memorized.  We obviously don't expect you to learn it all at once.  With this codified list of order calls, we'll be able to direct our rage where it will hurt our enemies the most.  Do your best to make the Gatekeepers warmachine the most feared in the Inner Sphere!