In BattleTech Alpha Strike, there is no direct numerical bonus to attacking (such as a -1 modifier to the target number) just because a unit is higher than its target. This is a major difference to other game systems.
However, there are important tactical advantages and rules regarding the height level that affect the combat phase:
- Ignoring partial cover (Firing Downhill): If an attacker fires downhill from a higher position and its line of sight (LOS) begins above the target mech’s build height, the attacker ignores the target’s Partial Cover bonus. Normally, a target receives a +1 penalty to the attacker’s hit roll if it is in partial cover; this penalty does not apply to the higher attacker.
- Better lines of sight (Vantage Point): Units on hills or building rooftops have a better vantage point to draw lines of sight across intervening terrain or buildings that would block the view of units at ground level.
- Influence on physical attacks: For melee attacks (close combat), a height difference is added to the horizontal distance. For example, if a mech is standing on a hill and the height difference together with the distance is more than 2 inches, a melee attack cannot be performed.
To summarize: height does not directly improve your aiming ability, but it does help you to see over obstacles and nullify enemy cover advantages.
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