Name:  'Mech Mortar/1
Type (Category):  Weapon (Missile)
Reference:  Tactical Operations: Advanced Units & Equipment (p. 136)

Description:
A rather old-fashioned concept, more akin to short-range artillery than a dedicated anti-vehicle weapon system, ’Mech-based mortars never really caught on through the centuries, especially thanks the existence of more effective missile launchers, and had largely vanished from Inner Sphere battlefields by the mid-29th century. Regardless, some agencies—noting these weapons’ immunity from anti-missile fire—have explored their potential as a suppression-fire alternative to LRMs, reviving the concept for modern times.

Game Rules:
Though their damage effects vary with the mortar types chosen, ’Mech Mortars otherwise operate in the same fashion as LRMs, and may be fired directly or indirectly per the standard game play rules. If fired indirectly, ’Mech Mortars follow all of the standard rules for LRM Indirect Fire, but do not require a completely blocked line of sight or a spotter to execute (though an additional +2 to-hit modifier applies if no spotter is present, reflecting the general lack of guidance systems on the mortar shells). If fired directly, a +3 to-hit modifier applies to the ’Mech Mortar attack because the shells still fly in an arcing trajectory towards the target.

’Mech Mortars may only be fired by ground-based units. Airborne units may not fire ’Mech Mortars, nor may ’Mech Mortars be fired while submerged.

Anti-Missile Systems (including Standard and Laser types) may not engage incoming ’Mech Mortar flights.

BattleMechsIndustrialMechsCombat Vehicles

Prototype Date:	~2526
Production Date:	2531
Extinction Date:	2819
Recovery Date:	3043

WEAPONS AND EQUIPMENT COMBAT AND CONSTRUCTION TABLE * See rules for this equipment

RULES LEVEL PROGRESSION TABLE
AMMUNITION COMBAT AND CONSTRUCTION TABLE
ALPHA STRIKE WEAPON CONVERSION TABLE
Special Unit Abilities

MegaMek Output → Weapon List:  'Mech Mortar 1
MegaMek Output → Critical Slot:  IS Mech Mortar-1
Record Sheet Output → Critical Slot:  'Mech Mortar/1

Prototype Date:	~2835
Production Date:	2840
Extinction Date:	—
Recovery Date:	—

WEAPONS AND EQUIPMENT COMBAT AND CONSTRUCTION TABLE * See rules for this equipment

RULES LEVEL PROGRESSION TABLE
AMMUNITION COMBAT AND CONSTRUCTION TABLE
ALPHA STRIKE WEAPON CONVERSION TABLE
Special Unit Abilities

MegaMek Output → Weapon List:  'Mech Mortar 1
MegaMek Output → Critical Slot:  Clan Mech Mortar-1
Record Sheet Output → Critical Slot:  'Mech Mortar/1

Prototype Date:	~2526
Production Date:	2531
Extinction Date:	2819
Recovery Date:	3043

WEAPONS AND EQUIPMENT COMBAT AND CONSTRUCTION TABLE * See rules for this equipment

RULES LEVEL PROGRESSION TABLE
AMMUNITION COMBAT AND CONSTRUCTION TABLE
ALPHA STRIKE WEAPON CONVERSION TABLE
Special Unit Abilities

MegaMek Output → Weapon List:  'Mech Mortar 1
MegaMek Output → Critical Slot:  IS Mech Mortar-1
Record Sheet Output → Critical Slot:  'Mech Mortar/1

Prototype Date:	~2835
Production Date:	2840
Extinction Date:	—
Recovery Date:	—

WEAPONS AND EQUIPMENT COMBAT AND CONSTRUCTION TABLE * See rules for this equipment

RULES LEVEL PROGRESSION TABLE
AMMUNITION COMBAT AND CONSTRUCTION TABLE
ALPHA STRIKE WEAPON CONVERSION TABLE
Special Unit Abilities

MegaMek Output → Weapon List:  'Mech Mortar 1
MegaMek Output → Critical Slot:  Clan Mech Mortar-1
Record Sheet Output → Critical Slot:  'Mech Mortar/1

Prototype Date:	~2526
Production Date:	2531
Extinction Date:	2819
Recovery Date:	3043

Combat Vehicle Specific Construction Rules

WEAPONS AND EQUIPMENT COMBAT AND CONSTRUCTION TABLE * See rules for this equipment

RULES LEVEL PROGRESSION TABLE
AMMUNITION COMBAT AND CONSTRUCTION TABLE
ALPHA STRIKE WEAPON CONVERSION TABLE
Special Unit Abilities

MegaMek Output → Weapon List:  'Mech Mortar 1
MegaMek Output → Critical Slot:  IS Mech Mortar-1
Record Sheet Output → Critical Slot:  'Mech Mortar/1

Prototype Date:	~2835
Production Date:	2840
Extinction Date:	—
Recovery Date:	—

Combat Vehicle Specific Construction Rules

WEAPONS AND EQUIPMENT COMBAT AND CONSTRUCTION TABLE * See rules for this equipment

RULES LEVEL PROGRESSION TABLE
AMMUNITION COMBAT AND CONSTRUCTION TABLE
ALPHA STRIKE WEAPON CONVERSION TABLE
Special Unit Abilities

MegaMek Output → Weapon List:  'Mech Mortar 1
MegaMek Output → Critical Slot:  Clan Mech Mortar-1
Record Sheet Output → Critical Slot:  'Mech Mortar/1