Rules: Picking Up External Cargo, Towing, and Dragging

Packing, Dragging, Dragging—Making Smart Use of Cargo and Rescue Rules in Alpha Strike

Anyone playing BattleTech Alpha Strike who thinks the battlefield is just about shooting each other down is missing out on a huge part of the game’s tactical potential! Whether it’s evacuating a valuable mission objective before the enemy does, recovering a destroyed vehicle from the line of fire, or hauling away an enemy mission objective: the optional rules for cargo and recovery add a tremendous amount of depth to your battles.

In this post, I’ll show you—based on my experience at the gaming table—exactly how the mechanics for Picking Up External Cargo, Towing, and Dragging work and how to use them most effectively in a tactical sense.

1. Picking Up External Cargo – When Mechs Become Freighters

Carrying external cargo is the classic solution when you need to transport crates, fuel cells, or even inactive or damaged Mechs.

An Overview of the Most Important Rules

• Carrying Capacity: Ground units (Mechs, ProtoMechs, vehicles) can carry cargo up to their own Size class. A Size 3 Heavy Mech can therefore transport an object up to Size 3.
• TSM Bonus: If your unit has the Triple-Strength Myomer (TSM) special ability, its effective size capacity doubles (up to a maximum of Size 5).
• Loading: During the Movement Phase, Mechs and ProtoMechs must move into base-to-base contact with the cargo and may not attack during that round. The cargo is considered loaded at the end of the round (End Phase). Vehicles require 1 full additional round in base-to-base contact without attacking to load the cargo.

💡 Info Box: Movement and Combat Restrictions on Cargo

• Cargo <= 1/4 of the ship’s size: Movement speed decreases by 1/3 (rounded down to the nearest inch).
• Cargo >, 1/4 of the ship’s size: Movement rate is halved.
• Bulky Cargo (LG/VLG/SLG): Reduces movement to a minimum of 1” per round. Jumping is completely prohibited!
• No attacks of their own: Anyone carrying cargo may not shoot or attack.
• Cargo as a Shield: If the carrier unit is attacked, the cargo absorbs 1D6 damage points (up to a maximum equal to the total damage suffered).

2. Towing – Safe Towing Using a Trailer Hitch

If you want to move vehicles quickly and safely without risking damage, targeted towing using a trailer hitch is the best option.

How Towing Works

• Requirements: The towing unit must have the ” HTC ” special ability. The towed object must be a wheeled or tracked vehicle (or a trailer) and must also have the ” HTC ” special ability.
• Procedure & Positioning: Coupling and uncoupling follow the same procedures as those for picking up external cargo. While in motion, the trailer is always in base contact directly behind the tractor unit.
• Targets for the Opponent: For rules purposes, both units remain separate and can be targeted individually. However, both units use the Target Movement Modifier (TMM) based on the towing vehicle’s reduced movement rate.

3. Dragging – The Rough Method for Emergencies

What do you do if you need to tow cargo or a broken-down vehicle but don’t have a “ HTC ” hitch? Then you just drag it!

Risks and Unloading

• Risk of damage to the cargo: Because the object is being dragged across the ground unprotected, the material suffers damage. For every 2” traveled, you must make a 2D6 roll against the skill value of your pulling unit. Terrain penalties (e.g., +1” for Ultra Rough) increase this Target Number Modifier by +1. If the roll fails, the dragged object immediately takes 1 point of damage!
• Unloading:
  • Hasty Drop: Costs no movement, but immediately inflicts 1 point of damage on the cargo (exception: wheeled or tracked vehicles remain undamaged).
  • Careful Drop: Costs 2” of movement, but leaves the object completely undamaged.

4. Practical Tactical Tips for Your Gaming Table

1. Use as a “bullet trap”: In rescue missions, the cargo your unit is carrying protects it by absorbing 1D6 damage. But keep in mind that the damage can also destroy the cargo!
2. Choosing transport units: A fast Medium Mech with high base movement is fantastic as a freighter for light objects, since subtracting 1/3 of its movement still leaves it fast enough to reach its own edge. Or you could just use a Charger Mech 🙂
3. Only drive on clear terrain: Whenever possible, avoid driving over difficult terrain (rough, rubble). The modifier to the skill check can quickly lead to you wrecking the mission objective yourself along the way.
4. Use cover: Since units usually lose their TMM when moving or carrying items due to reduced movement, you should plan your route strictly through forests or behind hills.

My Conclusion

The rule expansions for cargo, towing, and dragging add tremendous dynamism to scenario games. They force us to evaluate units not only based on their damage output, but also on their utility, size, and special abilities such as “ HTC ” or “ TSM.” Those who master cargo mechanics often win missions not by destroying the enemy, but through clever management on the battlefield.

Sören Spieckermann

Ich bin Sören Spieckermann, der Kopf hinter mechstrategen. Seit Jahren faszinieren mich taktische Tabletop-Schlachten und die strategische Tiefe von Mechs. Ob schnelle Gefechte in Halo: Flashpoint oder epische Schlachten bei BattleTech Alpha Strike – hier teile ich meine Erfahrungen und Taktiken mit dir. Mein Ziel? Sowohl Einsteigern den Start zu erleichtern als auch alten Hasen neue Impulse für das nächste Match zu geben.