Forest in BattleTech Alpha Strike

Updated 5. May 2025 by Sören Spieckermann

The “Forest” terrain type in Battletech Alpha Strike: advantages and disadvantages in focus

Forests are a key feature of many Battletech Alpha Strike battlegrounds and offer both tactical advantages and challenges. This type of terrain plays a central role in planning movement, positioning and firefights between mechs. In this blog post, we take a detailed look at the advantages and disadvantages of this terrain type in the context of Battletech Alpha Strike, as well as the specifics that players should be aware of when using this terrain type.

What is a forest in Battletech Alpha Strike?

In Battletech Alpha Strike, forests are a form of heavy terrain that can block mechs’ lines of sight, impede movement and affect attacks. There are three main categories of woods when played according to the Commander’s Edition rules (CM page 137): light woods, medium woods and ultra-heavy woods . In the Quick-Start Rules, there is only one type of forest (corresponding to the light forest). These forest types differ in their effect on lines of sight and movement penalties:

• Light Forest: Provides cover and minimally reduces line of sight, but only slightly hinders movement (+1 per inch of movement). Targets that are in a light forest get a small bonus to TMM of +1 when fired upon. Six inches of light forest blocks line of sight. Not passable for some units with special drive types. (e.g. hovercrafts or wheeled vehicles).
• Medium Forest: Causes a moderate reduction in line of sight and hinders movement more significantly (+2 per inch of movement). Targets that are in a medium forest get a +2 bonus to TMM when fired upon. Three inches of medium forest blocks line of sight. Only battlemechs and infantry can move through this type of forest.
• Dense Forest: Blocks lines of sight almost completely and causes higher movement penalties (+3 per inch of movement). Targets that are in a dense forest get a +3 bonus to TMM when fired upon. Two inches of dense forest blocks line of sight. Only infantry can move through this forest

Update 05.05.2025: If a BattleMech stands in the forest and shoots at a target outside the forest, it gets a +1 modifier if the mech that shoots has more than two inches to the edge of the forest from which it fires.
Page 43 of the Alpha Strike Commanders Edition Edition 7 states: Woods: Add a +1 modifier to an attack’s Target Number if the target occupies wooded terrain, or if the line of sight passes through intervening wooded terrain . Add a +1 modifier to an attack’s Target Number if the line of sight has intervening wooded terrain more than 2″ away from the attacker, or if the target occupies Woods terrain.

Advantages of forests

Forests can be a valuable resource for tactical maneuvers. The advantages are:

1. Cover from fire:
   • A mech standing in a forest area benefits from a bonus to its defense values. Enemy attacks become more difficult, which is particularly helpful for weaker armored or damaged mechs.
2. Block lines of sight:
   • Forests can interrupt lines of sight, which means that enemy units have no direct shot at hidden mechs. This creates space for tactical movements.
3. Limitation of attacks:
   • Opponents firing in or through forests often have difficult conditions. (e.g. when a spotter has to look through a dense forest for indirect fire )

Disadvantages of forests

As beneficial as forests can be, they also bring challenges:

1. Restricted movement:
   • Mechs that run through forests often pay a movement penalty. This can be particularly critical for heavy and slow units, as it further restricts their flexibility. Dense forests increase this effect.
2. Block lines of sight for allies:
   • The same cover that protects a mech from enemy fire can also block lines of sight for allied ranged weapons. This makes it more difficult to set up a coordinated line of fire.
3. Danger from melee attacks:
   • Forests offer protection from ranged combat, but make units more vulnerable to melee attacks, as attackers approach from cover.
4. Impact on the hit throw
   • If the firing mech is more than 2 inches inside the forest, it also receives +1 as a hit roll bonus. However, if it is only at the edge of the forest, at a distance of less than 2 inches from the edge of the forest, the bonus does not apply.

Tactical tips for using forests

• Make optimal use of cover: Light and medium mechs should use forests to strengthen their defense and minimize enemy fire.
• Skillful positioning: Place support units so that they can fire effectively despite line of sight restrictions. This often requires creative movement or the use of height differences.
• Deploy melee units: Use forests to bring heavy melee units into range.
• Calculate movement: Plan your movements through forests carefully to avoid unnecessary deductions from your speed.

Final thoughts on the subject of forests

In Battletech Alpha Strike, forests are far more than just a visual enrichment of the battlefield. Their tactical advantages and disadvantages can be decisive for the outcome of a battle. Players who strategically adapt their movements and attacks to the characteristics of forests can gain a significant advantage – or maneuver themselves offside if they underestimate the challenges of this type of terrain. By incorporating the special features of forests into your strategy, you can surprise your opponent and shape the battlefield in your favor.

You can find a good video on the topic in BattleTech Alphastrike here: https://youtu.be/YnTslz6WxjM?si=SDftSmgb0hc2_56h

Underlying rules