Name:  RISC Heat Sink Override Kit
Type (Category):  Equipment (Other)
Reference:  Interstellar Operations: Alternate Eras (p. 86)

Description:
RISC’s heat sink override kit was a somewhat dubious side project at best. Little more than a modification of the engine temperature sensors, backed up by a software patch, the override kit impairs the normal emergency shutdown process, slowing it down by a combination of false data reporting and mechanical inhibitors in the engine itself. Overall, this makes it easier for pilots to abort a heatinduced shutdown without overtly removing all safety protocols entirely, but accomplishes little else to boost the ’Mech’s performance. In fact, field tests of the system have demonstrated a chance for catastrophic engine damage as a result of an ill-timed override, a condition that can cripple the unit at a critical moment, when simply better heat management would have averted such a disaster.

Game Rules:
The heat sink override kit applies a –2 target modifier to the MechWarrior’s roll to avoid a shutdown from extreme heat levels. The kit only applies to shutdown avoidance checks, however, and has no effect on ammunition explosion checks, pilot damage from extreme heat, and the like.

In addition, on an unmodified shutdown-avoidance roll of 2, the heat sink override will catastrophically malfunction, causing damage to the unit’s engine. Resolve this effect as a critical hit check to the ’Mech’s center torso, applying 1 additional critical hit to the roll result. (Thus, a roll result of 7 or less will still cause 1 critical hit, while a roll result of 12 will inflict 4 critical hits, rather than 3.) All critical hits that result from an override kit malfunction are applied to the ’Mech’s engine, starting with the top-most undamaged engine slot and continuing downward. If all of the ’Mech’s center torso engine slots are marked off in this manner, the engine is considered destroyed and cannot be repaired. Excess engine critical hits from an override failure are not applied elsewhere, and have no further effect.

BattleMechsIndustrialMechs

Prototype Date:	3134
Production Date:	—
Extinction Date:	3139
Recovery Date:	—

BattleMech Specific Construction Rules

WEAPONS AND EQUIPMENT COMBAT AND CONSTRUCTION TABLE
RULES LEVEL PROGRESSION TABLE

Prototype Date:	3134
Production Date:	—
Extinction Date:	3139
Recovery Date:	—

IndustrialMech Specific Construction Rules

WEAPONS AND EQUIPMENT COMBAT AND CONSTRUCTION TABLE
RULES LEVEL PROGRESSION TABLE