Updated 7. April 2025 by Sören Spieckermann
Physical Attacks in BattleTech and their implementation in Alpha Strike
The BattleTech series is known for its strategic battles between giant BattleMechs on the battlefield. While the focus is on long-range combat with ballistic, energy and missile weapons, close combat, i.e. physical attacks, plays a role that should not be underestimated. Especially in classic BattleTech games, close combat could be decisive in certain situations. But how has this concept been implemented in BattleTech Alpha Strike?
Close combat in classic BattleTech
In the classic version of BattleTech, there are a variety of melee attacks that mechs can use. These include:
- Punch: An attack using a mech’s arms to deal damage.
- Kick: Particularly effective against smaller mechs, as there is a risk that the target will go down.
- Charge (ramming attack): A risky but potentially devastating maneuver in which the attacking mech crashes into the enemy at full speed.
- DFA – Death from Above (jump attack from above): A spectacular attack in which a mech with jump jets lands on an enemy to deal massive damage.
Each of these attacks requires specific conditions and dice rolls, which makes the tactical use of Physical Attacks exciting.
Implementation in BattleTech Alpha Strike
In BattleTech Alpha Strike, the game system has been greatly streamlined to enable a faster pace of play. As a result, the complex melee combat mechanism from classic BattleTech has been significantly simplified. Nevertheless, melee combat remains an important part of the game. There are various melee combat methods:
- Standard Physical Attacks: A basic melee attack that all mechs can perform.
- Melee Physical Attacks: Stronger melee attacks that can be used by specially equipped melee mechs.
- Charge Attacks: A mech can attempt to ram its opponent at full speed, causing damage.
- Death from Above Attack: A mech with jump jets can attempt to jump onto an enemy and inflict massive damage.
Underlying rules
| Topic | Rulebook | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Attacks | BattleTech Alpha Commander’s Edition 7 | Page 45 and page 46. |
Strategic importance in Alpha Strike
Although Physical Attacks have been simplified, they still have a significant role on the battlefield. Some aspects that make them tactically interesting are:
- High damage: Particularly large mechs can cause considerable damage in close combat.
- Short Line of Sight: If the Line of Sight does not allow a ranged attack (e.g. blocked by a forest because both units are in the forest), then entering close combat can be a good alternative. Overweight mechs can cause considerable damage with a charge attack.
Conclusion
Physical attacks are an important part of the game in BattleTech, though often overlooked. While Classic BattleTech offers a variety of melee attacks with detailed rules, in Alpha Strike the system has been simplified to speed up the flow of the game. However, melee combat remains a valuable tactic, especially for larger mechs. Players of Alpha Strike should not underestimate melee attacks – they can be game-changing in the right situation!
