Combat Manual Liao

BATTLETECH
Combat Manual
Liao
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Combat Manual Liao TOC1
Credits ................................................................................................................................................... 1
Force Building ........................................................................................................................................... 1
Force Building Terms............................................................................................................................. 1
Select Point/Battle Value Total ............................................................................................................. 2
Choose an Era ....................................................................................................................................... 2
Choose a Faction ................................................................................................................................... 2
Choose a Combat Command ................................................................................................................ 2
Unit Organizations ........................................................................................................................................2
Build a Company ................................................................................................................................... 4
Build Formations ................................................................................................................................... 4
Step 1: Choose Formation Type ..................................................................................................................4
Step 2: Choose Units for the Formation .......................................................................................................4
Standard Lances .................................................................................................................................... 4
Availability Lists ..................................................................................................................................... 4
Salvage, Birthrights and Negotiation ............................................................................................................4
Alternate Munitions.......................................................................................................................................2
What if I Just Want to Start Playing? ............................................................................................................2
Liao Availability Lists Table.................................................................................................................... 2
Late Succession Wars..................................................................................................................................2
Early Clan Invasion ......................................................................................................................................2
St. Ives Availability Lists Table ............................................................................................................... 2
Late Succession Wars..................................................................................................................................2
Early Clan Invasion ......................................................................................................................................2
Step 3: Select Skill and Modify PV/BV for the Unit ....................................................................................... 3
Step 4: Assign Special Pilot Abilities ............................................................................................................3
Special Command Abilities .................................................................................................................... 3
Determine Force Experience Level ....................................................................................................... 3
Choose Number and Assign Special Command Abilities ...................................................................... 3
Supplemental Mercenaries ................................................................................................................... 4
Liao Special Command Abilities ............................................................................................................ 4
New Special Command Abilities ..................................................................................................................4
New Special Pilot Abilities ............................................................................................................................ 4
Liao Lances (Formations) ...................................................................................................................... 4
New Lance (Formation) Types ..................................................................................................................... 4
Shock Cavalry Lance ...................................................................................................................................5
Urban Combat Lance ...................................................................................................................................5
Available MechWarriors ....................................................................................................................... 5

Rank First Name Last Name ........................................................................................................................ 5
Combat Commands ...................................................................................................................................... 6
Capellan Confederation Armed Forces ..................................................................................................... 6
Capellan Hussars ....................................................................................................................................... 6
Captain Carver McCool ................................................................................................................................ 6
Red Lancers ........................................................................................................................................... 6
Protectorate Guard ............................................................................................................................... 6
Blandford’s Grenadiers (Holdfast Guard post-3040) ............................................................................ 6
Capellan Reserves ..................................................................................................................................... 6
Justine’s Grenadiers.....................................................................................................................................6
Stapelton’s Grenadiers .................................................................................................................................6
Chesterton Reserves ................................................................................................................................. 7
Commander Mary “Hopscotch” Finn ............................................................................................................7
First Ariana Fusiliers.....................................................................................................................................7
Second Ariana Fusiliers ............................................................................................................................... 7
Captain Michael Dhawan ............................................................................................................................. 7
Ariana Grenadiers ........................................................................................................................................7
First Chesteron Voltigeurs ............................................................................................................................ 7
Second Chesterton Voltigeurs ...................................................................................................................... 7
Subcommander (later Commander) Ivan Wang ........................................................................................... 7
Third Chesterton Voltigeurs .......................................................................................................................... 8
Hamilton’s Highlanders ................................................................................................................................ 8
Mechwarrior Colin McBurnham ....................................................................................................................8
Lothar’s Fusiliers ..........................................................................................................................................8
Sung’s Cuirassiers .......................................................................................................................................8
Kingston’s Legionnaires ............................................................................................................................... 8
Confederation Reserve Cavalry................................................................................................................. 9
First Confederation Reserve Cavalry ...........................................................................................................9
Second Confederation Reserve Cavalry ......................................................................................................9
Third Confederation Reserve Cavalry ..........................................................................................................9
Fourth Confederation Reserve Cavalry ........................................................................................................9
Fifth Confederation Reserve Cavalry ...........................................................................................................9
Liao Reserves........................................................................................................................................... 10
Trimaldi’s Secutors ..................................................................................................................................... 10
Vincent’s Commandos ............................................................................................................................... 10
Shin Legions ............................................................................................................................................ 10
First Shin Legion ........................................................................................................................................ 10
Second Shin Legion ................................................................................................................................... 10
Third Shin Legion ....................................................................................................................................... 10

Sarna Reserves ........................................................................................................................................ 11
Lieutenant Alice Warren ............................................................................................................................. 11
Kamakura’s Hussars .................................................................................................................................. 11
Ishara’s Grenadiers .................................................................................................................................... 11
Major Choung Vong ................................................................................................................................... 11
Hurloc’s Hussars ........................................................................................................................................ 11
Freemont’s Cuirassiers .............................................................................................................................. 11
Tikonov Reserves .................................................................................................................................... 11
Kincaid’s Rangers ...................................................................................................................................... 11
Kerr’s Intruders ........................................................................................................................................... 11
Warrior Houses ....................................................................................................................................... 12
Warrior House Imarra ................................................................................................................................. 12
Warrior House Kamata ............................................................................................................................... 12
Warrior House Hiritsu ................................................................................................................................. 12
Warrior House LuSann ............................................................................................................................... 12
Warrior House Daidachi ............................................................................................................................. 12
Warrior House Fujita .................................................................................................................................. 12
Captain Paul Leiphart ................................................................................................................................. 12
Warrior House Matsukai ............................................................................................................................. 12
Warrior House Ijori ..................................................................................................................................... 12
Independent Regiments.......................................................................................................................... 13
Death Commandos .................................................................................................................................... 13
McCrimmon’s Light Cavalry ....................................................................................................................... 13
McGregor’s Armored Scouts ...................................................................................................................... 13
Preston’s Lancers....................................................................................................................................... 13
St. Ives Military Command ...................................................................................................................... 14
St. Ives Armored Cavalry ......................................................................................................................... 14
First St. Ives Lancers.................................................................................................................................. 14
Second St. Ives Lancers ............................................................................................................................ 14
Mechwarrior (eventually Major) Michael Jones .......................................................................................... 14
St. Ives Cheveau Legers ............................................................................................................................ 14
Justina’s Cuirassiers .................................................................................................................................. 14
Devon’s Armored Infantry ........................................................................................................................... 14
Stapelton’s Iron Hand ................................................................................................................................. 14
Cochrane’s Goliaths ................................................................................................................................... 14
Lieutenant Feyruzi Aimoad ......................................................................................................................... 15
Shepard’s Mounted Fusiliers ...................................................................................................................... 15
Lieutenant Patricia Wellseley ..................................................................................................................... 15
St. Ives Academy Training Group............................................................................................................... 15
Blackwind Lancers ..................................................................................................................................... 15
Tikonov Free Republic Army ................................................................................................................... 16
Republican Guards .................................................................................................................................. 16
First Republican Guards............................................................................................................................. 16
Second Republican Guards ....................................................................................................................... 16
Third Republican Guards ........................................................................................................................... 16
Fourth Republican Guards ......................................................................................................................... 16
Fifth Republican Guards............................................................................................................................. 16
Mercenary Annex .................................................................................................................................... 17
McCarron’s Armored Cavalry .................................................................................................................. 17
The Nightriders ........................................................................................................................................... 17
Barton’s Regiment ...................................................................................................................................... 17
The Wild Ones ........................................................................................................................................... 17
Leo’s Demons ............................................................................................................................................ 17
Rob’s Renegades ....................................................................................................................................... 17
Hampton’s Hessiens................................................................................................................................ 18
First New Hessen Irregulars ....................................................................................................................... 18
Second New Hessen Irregulars .................................................................................................................. 18
New Hessen Armored Scouts .................................................................................................................... 18
Ambermarle’s Highlanders ......................................................................................................................... 19
Bullard’s Armored Cavalry .......................................................................................................................... 19
Laurel’s Legion ........................................................................................................................................... 19
Lockhardt’s Ironsides ................................................................................................................................. 19
Rivaldi’s Hussars ........................................................................................................................................ 19
St. Cyr’s Grenadiers ................................................................................................................................... 19
Standard Lances .......................................................................................................................................... 20
Assault Lance........................................................................................................................................... 20
Battle Lance............................................................................................................................................. 20
Command Lance ..................................................................................................................................... 20
Fire Lance ................................................................................................................................................ 20
Pursuit Lance ........................................................................................................................................... 20
Recon Lance ............................................................................................................................................ 20
Striker Lance............................................................................................................................................ 20
Support Lance ......................................................................................................................................... 20
Urban Combat Lance .............................................................................................................................. 20
Availability List Tables ................................................................................................................................. 21

‘Mech ...................................................................................................................................................... 21
Liao - Late Succession Wars ................................................................................................................ 21
St. Ives – Late Succession Wars........................................................................................................... 21
Liao - Early Clan Invasion..................................................................................................................... 21
St. Ives - Early Clan Invasion ................................................................................................................ 21
Air ............................................................................................................................................................ 21
Liao - Early Clan Invasion..................................................................................................................... 22
Vehicle..................................................................................................................................................... 22
Combat Manual: Liao 1
Credits
Rules and Additional Writing: Joshua Franklin
Review/Playtest: Hussar2
The entire Combat Manual series as a whole involved much work from Geoff Swift (writing and creativity) and Ray
Arrastia (development, design and layout). Their work, along with the awesome art team (illustrations) and CamoSpecs
Online crew (painted minis) are sadly missing from this book. As well as the review and editing guys. I’m sure you’ll
notice all of those shortly.. However, I would be remiss in not mentioning them, as this series (and therefore this book)
wouldn’t exist without the work they did in making this series mean so much to myself, and probably whoever is taking
the time to read this Combat Manual: Liao, Lite (missing so much), Beta (as I’m the only one that’s read this so far, I’m
sure there will be some fixes to be made).
I’d also like to thank the MUL team for some important background work on listing combat commands. It gave me
a good start on each faction. I’d also like to thank everyone on the Sarna wiki for their work. It’s extremely helpful in
double checking at the end if I missed an unusual resource (Turning Point, etc) that I might have missed on a particular
command. Any errors are still my own, but there’d be a lot more and would have taken me much longer without them.
Combat Manual: Mercenaries, Combat Manual: Kurita, Combat Manual: Davion, Alpha Strike, Classic BattleTech, BattleTech, ’Mech, BattleMech,
MechWarrior and Topps logo are registered trademarks and/or trademarks of The Topps Company, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries.
The following rules allow players to build Liao Forces for their Alpha Strike games set in the Late Succession Wars
or Early Clan Invasion eras.
Force Building, when used in conjunction with the Alpha Strike Force Building rules (see p. 146, ASC), guides
players on the assembly of Liao Forces ranging from lances to companies to even larger Sub-Commands.
The Liao Special Command Abilities section expands on the Special Command Abilities (SCAs) from the Alpha
Strike Companion (see p. 44, ASC), and introduces several new abilities.
Two new types of Formations are included in Liao Lances, along with Standard Lances for players to “grab and
go” and field in quick pickup games, or for players who wish to ease into the Force Building rules. In similar fashion,
the MechWarriors listed in the Available MechWarriors section are provided for players to include in their Force,
regardless of the Combat Command the choose to field.
Force Building
Combat Manual: Liao uses the rules for Force Building as presented in the Alpha Strike Companion (see ASC pp.
146-157) and adds several new options. In addition to Point Values, Special Command Abilities and Formations (from
Alpha Strike and the Alpha Strike Companion), Combat Manual: Liao adds a system for creating a Liao-specific Force.
When building a Force, the Force Building Sheet (see p. XX) may be used to record each Formation choice. Each
sheet covers one company, with overall Force information noted in the upper boxed area. If a Force has multiple
companies, a different sheet will be required for each company, and the boxed information would be the same for each
company.
Force Building Terms

Unit: During gamplay, a Unit moves and attacks singly and is represented by a separate Unit Card. A Unit is
usually a single ’Mech, vehicle, etc, but infantry may include multiple soldiers operating as a single Unit.
Formation: The smallest organization of Units. For most Inner Sphere factions, this is a lance of 4 Units.
Formations known as Standard Lances meet certain criteria to fulfill specific roles on the battlefield, and in return grant
Bonus Abilities. Standard Lances available to all Factions are listed in Ground Formation Types (see p. 150, ASC).
Force: The combined Formations fielded by one player in an Alpha Strike game. A player may build a larger Force
before gameplay begins, such as a Force devised for a campaign, and then select a portion of that Force to meet the
requirements of a single scenario. However, the player’s Force is the Formations the player is fielding in that game
only.
Combat Command: A military group that trains and works together to receive access to Special Command
Abilities. Combat Commands are listed in the Liao Combat Commands chapter.
Sub-Command: A Combat Command is further broken down into Sub-Commands. Formations in a Sub-
Command share training so that they can receive the benefits of their Combat Command’s Special Command Abilities.
Era: A group of years defined by the Force Building rules as sharing common technology and historical events.
The chosen Era of a Force limits which Units are available to that Force.
Faction: Each Combat Manual details at least one Faction. Any Force built using rules contained in Combat
Manual: Liao are considered members of the Liao Faction. Factions may access Units from the general list and their
faction-specific list.
Availability List: A collection of Units from which a Force may be selected. An Availability List usually relates to a
particular Era, Faction, or Combat Command. The choice of Faction and Combat Command, combined with the Era of
play, determines the Availability Lists from which a Force may select Units, and whether or not an associated Faction
Points (FPs) cost is required to select a particular Unit.
Faction Points (FPs): Faction Points limit access to Availability Lists from which a Faction would not otherwise
be able to select Units. FP could be considered combat salvage, luck, political influence, favors, or simply money that
a Force expends to acquire Units not commonly available to their Faction (see Faction Points, p. XX).
Select Point/Battle Value Total

Point Values remain the balancing system for Alpha Strike, and Battle Value for BattleTech. The rules for Point
Values are described in Alpha Strike (see Force Balancing, p. 24, AS). Battle Values are found in the TechManual. As
you add Units to your Force, remember that the base Unit PV/BV may need to be adjusted for the Skill Rating of the
Unit.
Choose an Era
The selection of an Era affects which Factions are available, and also the general tech level and Units available to
a Force. Combat Manual: Liao lists options for the Late Succession Wars (3025-3049) and Early Clan Invasion (3050-
3054) eras.
Choose a Faction
The Faction is the House or Clan with which the Force is associated, and determines the Force’s available
equipment and its organization. Combat Manual: Liao includes options for the Liao Faction. The choice of Faction
determines the Standard Lances (see p. XX) and Availability Lists (see p. XX) from which a Force may be assembled.
Choose a Combat Command

Every Alpha Strike Force belongs to (or may be the entirety of) a Combat Command. These large military
organizations are usually regiments, or even brigades consisting of multiple regiments. The choice of Combat
Command bestows Special Command Abilities on a Force, and may also dictate the Skill Ratings assigned to Units in
later steps (see Force Composition below). A Combat Command may also provide special rules for Force Building,
such as giving access to or modifying FP costs of Units on certain Availability Lists, or requiring average weights for
constituent Formations. A selection of the Inner Sphere’s most famous or interesting Liao Combat Commands are listed
in the Liao Combat Commands chapter.
Unlisted Liao Forces: A Force may also be fielded from an unlisted Liao Combat Command. These forces are
generally militia, garrisons or the large number of unlisted conventional (non-‘Mech) commands. Doing so not provide
access to non-Liao Availability Lists or Unique Characters. (see p. XX).
Unit Composition: This entry for each Combat Command lists the organization, Unit types and average Size of
the Combat Command. If a player’s Force consists of one-half or more of the listed Unit Composition for a Combat
Command, then the Force must match both the Experience Level (average Skill Rating, see Determine Force
Experience Level, p. XX) and average Size of that Command, rounding normally, as well as any other specifications.
Many Commands list multiple Unit Compositions for different Unit types, including ’Mechs, vehicles, aerospace
fighters, infantry, and artillery. The composition for each Unit type is considered separately when determining if a
player’s Force must adhere to the Command’s Unit Composition. For example, if a Unit Composition lists one ’Mech
battalion, and a player’s force includes more than six ’Mech lances, then that Force’s ’Mech units must possess an
average Skill Rating and average Size that matches the Combat Command.
If a Command’s Force Composition does not list a particular Unit type, then that Unit type cannot be added to a
Force from that command. (See Sub-Command Formations and Supplemental Formations, p. XX, for an exception to
this rule.)
Unit Organizations
The Force Composition rules use standard terms in identifying the organization of the Force and the Unit types of
which it is composed.
BattleMech Organization
BattleMech Formations consist entirely of BattleMechs.
<<<begin table>>>
Standard Liao BattleMech Organization
Unit Component Formations Total Strength
Lance - 4 BattleMechs
Company 3 lances 12 BattleMechs
Battalion 3 companies 36 BattleMechs
Reinforced Battalion 4 companies 48 BattleMechs
Regiment 3 battalions + 1 command company 120 BattleMechs
Reinforced Regiment 4 battalions + 1 command company 156 BattleMechs
<<<end table>>>
Aerospace Organization
Aerospace Formations consist entirely of aerospace fighters; however, some desperate Liao commands may field
conventional fighters in place of aerospace fighters. They may also include fixed wing support vehicles (support vehicles
with the “a” movement type).
<<<begin table>>>
Standard Liao Aerospace Organization
Element - 2-3 aerospace fighters
Squadron 2-3 elements 6 aerospace fighters
Flight 2 squadrons 12 aerospace fighters
Wing 3 flights + command element 39 aerospace fighters
Fleet Regiment 3 wings + 2 command elements 123 aerospace fighters
<<<end table>>>
Armor Organization
Armor Formations can include any combat vehicle or support vehicle as well as conventional fighters. No more
than a third of an armor Formation may be conventional fighters .
If any Units in an armor Formation have the Infantry Transport (IT#) special ability, infantry Units may be included
in the armor Formation. No more than one-third of the total armor Formation may carry attached infantry Units, and
these infantry Units do not count toward the Component Formations of the armor Formation as long as they may be
carried by the transport, up to one infantry Unit per transport.
For example, a lance of Goblin Medium Tanks each have IT1. Sniper infantry have CAR1. The lance may include
the four Goblin Medium Tanks and four Sniper infantry.
Standard Liao Armor Organization

Lance — 4 vehicles
Company 3 lances 12 vehicles
Battalion 3 companies 36 vehicles
Reinforced Battalion 4 companies 48 vehicles
Regiment 3 battalions + 1 command company 120 vehicles
Reinforced Regiment 4 battalions + 1 command company 156 vehicles
Infantry Organization
Infantry Formations can include any infantry (or battle armor if available). They may also include conventional
fighters, combat vehicles and support vehicles. No more than a third of the infantry Formation may be non-infantry Unit
types.
If the Formation is a mechanized infantry Formation, then combat vehicles or support vehicles with the Infantry
Transport special ability (IT#) do not count toward the non-infantry Unit types limit of a Sub-Command or toward the
Component Formations of the infantry Formation, as long as the Force includes infantry they have the ability to transport
(IT# equal or more than the CAR# rating of the infantry). All of the infantry in a mechanized infantry organization should
either be mechanized or motorized infantry, or have vehicles capable of transporting them.
For example, a Maxim Heavy Hover Transport has IT3. A company of mechanized infantry could contain three
foot platoons of infantry (CAR3) and three Maxim transports.
Standard Liao Infantry Organization

Unit Component Formations Total Strength*
Company — 3 platoons (84 troops)
Battalion 3 companies + command platoon 10 platoons (308 troops)
Reinforced Battalion 4 companies + command platoon 13 platoons (364 troops)
Regiment 3 battalions + command platoon 31 platoons (868 troops)
Reinforced Regiment 4 battalions + command platoon 41 platoons (1,148 troops)
*Infantry Platoons vary in number of soldiers, so the total number of troops in an infantry Formation will vary
depending on the infantry type(s).
Artillery Organization
Artillery Formations can include Units with the Artillery special ability (ART). The battalion command lance can be
any ground Unit type. Some artillery organizations will include light vehicles or infantry as integrated spotters and recon.
These units replace artillery Units in the organization, but no more than one-third of the artillery Formation can be non-
artillery units.
Standard Liao Artillery Organization

Lance - 4 artillery Units

Company 3 lances 12 artillery Units
Battalion 3 companies + 1 command lance 36 artillery Units + 4 Units
Aviation Organization
Aviation Formations are composed of combat vehicles, support vehicles or conventional fighters with the VTOL or
Aerospace movement types, but which are not capable of operating in space (do not have the SPC special ability).
Standard Liao Aviation Organization

Lance - 4 vehicles
Company 3 lances 12 vehicles
Battalion 3 companies + 1 command lance 40 vehicles
Regiment 3 battalions + 1 command company 132 vehicles
Build a Company
Multiple Formations in a Force are grouped together as larger Formations, starting with companies. If enough
companies are fielded, those are in turn grouped into even larger Formations (see Force Building Basics, p. 146, ASC).
The Force Building Sheet (see p. XX) has space for the Force Building of a single company. Additional sheets are
required if building multiple companies. Several Force Building rules are limited per company: Faction Points, Rare
Units and multiples of the same variant for ’Mechs only (see Build Formations below). Specific Combat Command
requirements or limits may occur at organizational levels higher than the company level.
A Force does not need to include complete companies, but at least two complete Formations within a company
must be fielded and comply to their Sub-Command’s specifications prior to the start of play in order for the Force to
benefit from the Sub-Command’s Special Command Abilities or Special Rules.
Build Formations
The following steps are repeated for each Formation, which generally consists of three lances per company. A
company Formation may include fewer lances, or incomplete lances. However, if a Formation does not include the full
number of Units required prior to the start of the game, it does not receive any benefits for a Formation of its type. For
example, a lance could include two assault ’Mechs, but it would not receive the Bonus Abilities of the Assault Lance.
Step 1: Choose Formation Type

Formation Types are listed in Ground Formation Types (p. 150, ASC) and can be used by any Faction. The Combat
Manual series presents new and variant Formations related to each Faction. (see New Formation Types, p. XX). The
new Formations follow the same format as those in the Alpha Strike Companion. The Units included in Formations
must fulfill the requirements for that Formation to receive the Bonus Abilities listed.
Step 2: Choose Units for the Formation

There are two methods for filling out your Formation with Units: selecting Units from Availability Lists or using
ready-made Standard Lances. A player may mix the two methods, choosing some or all of their Formations from the
Standard Lances and then modifying them based on their Faction’s Availability Lists.
Standard Lances
Combat Manual:Liao includes a list of Standard Lances with Units already assigned. If a player selects a Standard
Lance and doesn’t wish to modify it, they may skip to Step 3 below.
Availability Lists
An Availability List details the Units that are readily available to a specific Faction in a specific Era; for example,
the Liao Late Succession Wars Availability List is a list of units available to Liao Forces in the Late Succession Wars
Era.
There are two Availability Lists available to all Liao forces: General and Liao. Liao Forces can choose Units from
either of these two Availability Lists, published in this Combat Manual. If building a Late Succession Wars Force, a
player is limited to the Late Succession Wars General and Liao Availability Lists. If building an Early Clan Invasion Era
Force, they may also use the Early Clan Invasion General and Liao Availability Lists.
The Units selected from the Availability Lists must meet any requirements for a Formation, if included in one, as
well as any Force Composition Rules for the Combat Command.
Salvage, Birthrights and Negotiation old survivors that may have changed hands
The armies of the Succession Wars multiple times. ’Mechs destroyed in battle
often fielded whatever technology is were fought over and, when possible,
available. A majority of Units were centuries- repaired and returned to service regardless
of who their previous owners were. Alternate Munitions

MechWarriors handed down their personal The following Alternate Munitions are
’Mechs as family heirlooms from generation available during the Late Succession Wars.
to generation, while family, feudal or national Artillery: Flechette, Illumination, Smoke
allegiances changed. Allies negotiated Autocannon: Flak, Tracer
agreements to share their military Bombs: Inferno, Torpedo
production. LRM/SRM: Heat-seeking, Smoke,
Force commanders can influence the Tandem Charge
units assigned to their force, either by Mines: Active, Command Detonated,
petitioning the Procurement Department, Vibrabomb
negotiating transfers with other forces, and
using salvage acquired in combat. In addition to the Late Succession Wars
Invariably, nearly any Unit could be Alternate Munitions, the following become
somewhere in a Great House’s army. available during the Early Clan Invasion.
Faction Points (FP) are a means of Artillery: Arrow IV Homing, Cluster,
maintaining the flexibility of the BattleTech Copperhead, Thunder (not Active)
universe while still encouraging Faction Bombs: Arrow IV Homing, Arrow IV
“flavor.” FP costs reflect the general ease or Non-Homing, Thunder
difficulty of acquiring a specific Unit. LRM/SRM: Thunder
Faction Points (FPs): Faction Points are generated and spent at the company level. A player receives 1 FP per
Unit in the company, up to 12 FPs. Each Unit costs from 0 to 5 or more FPs to add to a Force. A player may not share
FPs between different companies. A player cannot exceed 12 FPs per company,but does not have to spend any or all
of them. A Force with many leftover FPs will clearly appear to belong to its Faction, while a Force that spends all of its
FPs will show evidence of prior combat salvage, trade deals, or negotiations. Faction Points are not intended as a
Force-balancing system; rather, they help a Force maintain its Faction’s “flavor,” while allowing some leeway—
represented as the Force having acquired odd Units via trade and/or salvage.
A player should consult the Liao Availability Lists Table below for the Era chosen. Each Availability List has a
Faction Point Cost associated with selecting a Unit from that list. Units on the General and Liao Lists of the current era
are generally 0 FP. A player must use FPs to access another Faction’s Availability List, representing an alliance,
acquisition through trade or enemies, or through salvage. The list of Units belonging to the General and Liao Availability
Lists for the Late Succession Wars and Early Clan Invasion are found at the end of this book (see Liao Faction Lists,
pp. XX). Availability Lists for other Factions can be found in their respective Combat Manuals.
All Liao forces have Common Enemies of Late Succession Wars Marik and Davion, and Common Allies of Early
Clan Invasion Marik. The Liao Combat Commands chapter may have other Availability Lists included in the Combat
Command’s Special Rules, including any access to Clan Availability Lists in the Early Clan Invasion era. The FP cost
of selecting Units from Availability Lists of other Factions is affected if those Factions are Allies or Enemies of a player’s
Force.
Rare Units: A Unit with an * in the Availability Lists is considered Rare. A player may only have one of any particular
Rare Unit in a company. For example, the Assassin ASN-21 is rare, as is the Grasshopper GHR-5N. A player may
include one ASN-21 and one GHR-5N in a single company but cannot have two ASN-21s in the same company.
Multiple of the Same Variant (’Mech-only): BattleTech Forces tend to be ad-hoc, consisting of a mix of whatever
Units are available. A company may include more homogenous lances, but at a cost of additional Faction Points (FPs).
Each copy of the same Unit in a company costs 1 FP. This applies to specific Unit variants—two Thunderbolt TDR-5S
Units in the same company would cost an additional FP each, but a Thunderbolt TDR-5S and a Thunderbolt TDR-7M
would not. This rule only applies to BattleMechs.
Story Availability List: Ask where this one came from, and you’ll need a seat while you hear the story. Perhaps
a mechwarrior defected with his ‘mech. Perhaps each owner has had a string of bad luck, being salvaged by a
succession of owners. Perhaps it was found in a deserted Star League cache. Or maybe the means by which it was
acquired are noticeably illegal. Any Inner Sphere faction can access any of the following Availability Lists for 6 FPs.
The Inner Sphere: Davion, Kurita, Liao, Marik, Steiner, Mercenary, Wolf’s Dragoons. Star League cache: Star League.
Or the following may be accessed for 7 FPs. Star League cache: Star League Royal. Invading Clans (Early Clan
Invasion): Jade Falcon, Ghost Bear, Wolf, Smoke Jaguar, Nova Cat.
The Story Availability List can only be used once per company, regardless of which list it was then used to access.
Story Availability List cannot be used to access an Availability List for an era after the era chosen for the Force (a Late
Succession Wars Force cannot use Story Availability List to access a unit on an Early Clan Invasion Era Availability
List).
Unique Characters: Unique Characters (as presented in the Liao Combat Commands chapter or the Available
MechWarriors section below) do not cost FPs, have a set Skill Rating, an assigned Unit (often a unique Unit with
specified stats) and particular Special Pilot Abilities. The Unique Character must be used as-is; the character’s Unit,
Skill Rating, or Special Pilot Abilities may not be changed. One Unique Character may be included per Force. The
Unique Character(s) may only be selected from those listed among a Force’s Combat Command, or from the Available
MechWarriors section (see p. XX).
Supplemental Formations: A Force may add Supplemental Formations from its Faction, defined as Formations
that do not belong to its chosen Combat Command or Sub-Commands. These usually represent local militia, garrisons
or other attached forces. These Formations may not outnumber a Forces non-supplemental Formations, and they do
not benefit from a Force’s special rules. These supplemental Formations must be filled with Units from the General or
Liao Availability Lists (or the Liao Standard Lances), as they do not receive Faction Points or access to any other
Availability Lists.
What if I Just Want to Start Playing?

The Standard Lances (see p. XX and ASC, p. 150) are the quickest way. Just pick a few that match that the
desired way to play, or mix and match whatever sounds fun.
Even if players want to hand-pick their Units, there are a few simple points that can help ease Force building.
Faction Points: If Units are chosen from the Liao Faction List in the back of this book, ignore Faction Points.
They are ONLY needed if Units are added from another faction’s Availability List in other Combat Manuals. There’s
no Availability List so expensive that a player can’t have at least one Unit per company from any of the Availability
List to which they have access. Faction Points are for those wanting to push for a less “pure Faction” force.
Formation Requirements: Most Formations have an Ideal Role. Choosing a Unit with the preferred role can
meet Formation requirements for that Unit.
For example, Assault Lances have an Ideal Role of Juggernaut. Select four Juggernauts from the Liao Faction
List in this book, and that is a legal Liao Assault Lance. Pick four Brawlers for a Battle Lance and four Strikers for
a Striker Lance, and that is a full Liao company. Select Skill ratings to match up with the agreed PV limit, choose
Special Command Abilities from the formation’s Combat Command, and a complete Liao Force is ready to play.
Liao Availability Lists Table

Late Succession Wars
Liao Faction Lists (see pp. XX)
General – Late Succession Wars (0)
Liao – Late Succession Wars (0)
Allied Lists
Kurita – Late Succession Wars (2)
Enemy Lists
Davion – Late Succession Wars (3)
Marik – Late Succession Wars (3)
Early Clan Invasion
Liao Faction Lists (see pp. XX)
General – Late Succession Wars, Early Clan Invasion (0)
Liao – Late Succession Wars, Early Clan Invasion (0)
Allied Lists
Kurita – Late Succession Wars, Early Clan Invasion (2)
Marik – Early Clan Invasion (1)
Enemy Lists
Davion – Late Succession Wars, Early Clan Invasion (3)
St. Ives Compact – Late Succession Wars, Early Clan Invasion (3)
St. Ives Availability Lists Table

Late Succession Wars
St. Ives Faction Lists (see pp. XX)
St. Ives – Late Succession Wars (0)
Allied Lists
Davion – Late Succession Wars (2)
Early Clan Invasion

St. Ives Faction Lists (see pp. XX)
St. Ives – Late Succession Wars (0)
Allied Lists
Davion – Late Succession Wars, Early Clan Invasion (2)
Steiner – Early Clan Invasion (3)

Enemy Lists
Liao – Early Clan Invasion (3)
Step 3: Select Skill and Modify PV/BV for the Unit

For each Unit, select a Skill rating and adjust the Unit’s PV/BV for that Skill Rating, as described in Adjusting for
Skill (see p. 24, Alpha Strike).
Step 4: Assign Special Pilot Abilities

Up to one Unit per company may be assigned Special Pilot Abilities (see pp. 50-58, ASC). A Unique Character, if
any are included, does not count toward this limit. The number of Special Pilot Abilities and the total SPA cost is limited
by the Skill rating of that Unit (p. 49, ASC).
In addition, Standard Lances often bestow Bonus Special Pilot Abilities that must be assigned during Force building
(with the exception of a handful of Formation Bonus Abilities which specifically state that they are assigned during
gameplay). Some Combat Command entries include a Force Building Rules section that may affect which SPAs are
granted by a Formation’s Bonus Ability. For replacement purposes, each 2 points of Lucky (from the Battle Lance
Bonus Ability) counts as one SPA.
The Formation is now complete; repeat the above steps for any additional Formations. As companies are
completed, the company steps may be repeated until the Point Value maximum is reached.
Special Command Abilities

Special Command Abilities (see p. 44, ASC) apply to the overall Force. They reflect the preferred tactics and
specialization training of a Combat Command. The better trained a Force, the more Special Command Abilities the
Force can select.
Determine Force Experience Level

To find a Force’s average Experience Level, add together the Skill ratings for all Units in that Force, divide this
sum by the total number of Units, and round the result normally to the nearest whole number. Use that number to
determine the Force’s final Experience Level using the Point Value Skill Rating Table (p. 24, AS).
For example, a company of 12 ’Mechs includes four ’Mechs with a Skill rating of 4, three with a Skill rating of 3,
two with a Skill rating of 2, and three more with a Skill rating of 5. The sum of the company’s Skill ratings is 44 ([4 x 4]
+ [3 x 3] + [2 x 2] + [3 x 5] = 44). With 12 units in total, this yields an average Skill Rating of 3.67, which rounds normally
to 4. At a rating of 4, the Point Value Skill Rating Table defines the entire Force as having a Regular Experience Level.
Choose Number and Assign Special Command Abilities

All Forces created to represent Combat Commands in the Liao Combat Commands chapter automatically receive
one Special Command Ability (SCA). Veteran Combat Commands may select an additional Special Command Ability,
and Elite Combat Commands may select up to two additional Special Command Abilities.
The additional Special Command Abilities for Veteran and Elite Combat Commands, beyond the first SCA all forces
receive, cost 5% of the force’s Point Value (PV) or Battle Value (BV) if used. A force from an Elite Combat Command
using both additional SCAs (three total) would have 10% less PV/BV for units and units’ skills. A force from a Veteran
or Elite Combat Command may choose not to use some/all of its additional Special Command Abilities to avoid paying
the PV/BV cost.
After determining the number of Special Command Abilities a Force possesses, it may choose from either its
Combat Command and any parent Commands (usually the Brigade and including its Faction SCA if there is one).
Green Combat Commands may use their Combat Commands SCA (they may not use a parent Combat Command,
Brigade or Faction SCA). If the Combat Command does not list enough Special Command Abilities (including parent,
Brigade and/or Faction SCAs), the force receives no SCAs beyond those listed.
Players using an unlisted Liao Combat Command must roll randomly for each Special Command Ability. For each
SCA, roll 2d6 and consult the Special Command Ability Assignment Table below. Reroll duplicate results. Several
results require a second 1D6 roll to determine the type of specialization.
Special Command Ability Assignment Table

2 Banking Initiative
3 Firing Specialization (1-2 Sharp Shooters,3-4 Brawlers,5 Anti-Air Specialists,6 Ground Attack Specialists)
4 Overrun Combat
5 Enemy Specialization (1-2 Mercenaries/Pirates/Clans, 3-4 -Marik, 5-6-Davion)
6 Communications Disruption
7 Hopeless Battle
8 Tactical Specialization* (1-2 Attack/Breakthrough Scenario, 3-6 Defense/Hold the Line Scenario)
9 Environmental Specialists** (1 Woods, 2 Water, 3 Winter (Snow+Ice+Tundra), 4 Night, 5-6 Urban

(buildings+pavement+bridges)
10 Forcing the Initiative
11 Off-Map Movement
12 Environmental Specialists** (1-2 Hot, 3-4 Cold, 5 Low Gravity, 6 High Gravity)
Supplemental Mercenaries
Many of the big-time mercenary Combat Commands like to maintain their command integrity and fight the battle
on their own. But for every Wolf's Dragoons, there are a hundred no-name mercenary outfits willing to fight under any
terms that get them paid. Sometimes even Wolf's Dragoons will intentionally dispatch a smaller Force to supplement a
House Force—the Black Widow Company being perhaps the most famous example.
If you are building a Liao Force using this Combat Manual, up to one-third of your Formations may be Mercenaries.
The Mercenary Formations are built as if they were their own Force, using the appropriate Availability Lists.
Supplemental Mercenary Forces may not access the House Force’s Special Command Abilities. However, they
may roll for SCAs—or choose from those listed with Mercenary Combat Commands, if the usual requirements are
met—as if they were their own Force, at 1 Experience Level lower than usual (minimum Wet Behind the Ears/0 SCAs).
Mercenaries fielded as part of a House Force in this fashion receive are discounted 1 PV for every 10 PV spent on
them. They are also subject to Morale rules (see pp. 32-33, ASC), even if the Morale rules are not in use for the other
Forces.
Liao Special Command Abilities

For the purposes of the Combat Manuals, several terrains or environmental conditions have been combined into
a single Special Command Ability specialization. Players should generally be fairly lenient in deciding whether or not a
given map counts for the terrain. For example, a single tree does not constitute Woods, but several small areas (or one
large area) of forested terrain should be counted as Woods for the purposes of the SCA specialization.
New Special Command Abilities

In addition to the existing Special Command Abilities, the following new Special Command Abilities are available
for Liao Forces.
Fighting Withdrawal: A unit in this force has a +1 TMM (Target Movement Modifier) if all of their movement this
turn is directly toward their home edge. They may face any direction at the end of the movement. (Total Warfare)A unit
in this force may move backwards while using running/flank movement but have a +1 to-hit modifier any turn the unit
used this ability.
Harass: If an enemy force uses Off-Map Movement, the force with the Harass Special Command Ability may send
a single unit Off-Map to double the number of turns the enemy units take to move Off-Map. The harassing unit returns
the turn after the opposing enemy units.
Hold the Line: A unit in this force has a +1 TMM (target movement modifier) while Standing Still.
Hopeless Battle: Each 'Mech unit in this force receives one extra point of Structure. If a unit is reduced to only
this one point of Structure, it takes an Engine Critical Hit. Unless it already has an engine critical hit, and then it receives
two Weapon Hits instead. (Total Warfare - Each 'Mech unit in this force receives a bonus 5 points of Structure in the
Center Torso, 10 for a Heavy or Assault 'Mech.)
Revenge: If a unit in this force targets an enemy unit that destroyed a friendly unit the previous turn, there is a -1
to-hit modifier to the attack.
Speed Rush: If a unit in this force moves at least 8” away from their home edge during their Move, the unit cannot
be effected or targeted by an enemy Special Pilot Ability. Sniper SPA would not affect an attack against a Speed Rush
unit. Antagonizer cannot antagonize a Speed Rush unit.
Tactical Specialization (Off-Map Movement): The force with this SCA must also have select Off-Map Movement.
This force may begin the scenario with any number of units held in reserve, off-map. For every ‘Mech or combat vehicle
that remains in reserve, the force receives a +1 Initiative Modifier with a maximum of +3. At the beginning of any
Movement Phase after the first, the force may declare any number of units as entering the map as if ending Off-Map
Movement.
New Special Pilot Abilities
None Yet
Unit Type: Any
SP Cost: 1 to 4 points
Some text.
Total Warfare: Well yeah, how does this work in TW?.
Liao Lances (Formations)

New Lance (Formation) Types
In addition to the Standard Lances presented in the Alpha Strike Companion (pp. 150-159), the following new
Formations may be used.
Shock Cavalry Lance

Requirements: No Size 1 units. All units must have a Move of 8” or greater, and 75% of the Units must have Move
of 10” or greater.
Bonus Ability: Devastating Charge: Units in a Shock Lance may make a standard weapons attack, doing half
damage (rounded up), the same turn they make a Charge or Death From Above attack. The weapons attack must be
made against the same target as the Charge. Additionally, if the Charge hits, the attacker may move the target 2”
directly away from the attacker, with the attacker advancing to stay in base-to-base contact. If this move is not legal for
the target or attacker to perform, neither unit moves.
Urban Combat Lance

Requirements: At least 50% of the units in this formation must have jump movement or have the CI (Conventional
Infantry) or BA (Battle Armor) unit type. At least 50% of the units in this formation must have Move of 8” or less.
Ideal Role: Ambusher
Bonus Ability: You may assign up to 75% of the units in this formation the Street Fighter or Urban Guerrilla SPAs
(all units in the Formation must receive the same SPA).
Available MechWarriors
The following MechWarriors never committed to any one Combat Command. They can be used with any Liao
Combat Command which does not already include a Unique Character.
Rank First Name Last Name

PV:??(??)
Unit Type,Skill,TP,SZ,MV,TMM,S/M/L,OV,A/S,Specials
Mech Model (Pilot Name if custom),1,BM,1,8”,1,5/5,2/2/2,0,IF1
Special Pilot Abilities: Kick Ass, Take Names
Available To: If necessary, list which commands limited to, and when. Do not list if it’s just the combat command it’s
listed under, that’s assumed.
Combat Commands
Capellan Confederation Armed Forces
Special Command Abilities: Hopeless Battle
Common Enemies: Davion (Late Succession Wars, Early Clan Invasion), Marik (Late Succession Wars), St. Ives
Compact (Early Clan Invasion)
Common Allies: Kurita (Late Succession Wars, Early Clan Invasion), Marik (Early Clan Invasion)
Special Rules: All CCAF combat command have access to these SCAs and Availability Lists unless stated
otherwise.
Capellan Hussars
Special Command Abilities: Tactical Adjustments, Esprit de Corps
Captain Carver McCool

PV:14(16)
Wasp WSP-1A,3,BM,1,12”j,2,2/2,1/1/-,0
Special Pilot Abilities: Tactical Genius, Float Like A Butterfly (1)
Red Lancers
Experience Rating: Elite
Force Composition: Reinforced Heavy ‘Mech Regiment, Medium Aerospace Wing, Armor Battalion, Reinforced
Infantry Regiment, Artillery Battalion
Special Command Abilities: Zone of Control, Focus: Demoralizer, Off-Map Movement, Banking Initiative
Force Building Rules: May select any unit on any of their Availability Lists for 2 fewer FPs (0 FP minimum).
Protectorate Guard
Experience Rating: Regular
Force Composition: Reinforced Heavy ‘Mech Regiment, Medium Aerospace Wing, Armor Company, Infantry
Regiment Artillery Battalion
Special Command Abilities: Tactical Specialization (Defense), Hold The Line
Blandford’s Grenadiers (Holdfast Guard post-3040)

Experience Rating: Veteran
Force Composition: Reinforced Heavy ‘Mech Regiment, 2 Medium Aerospace Wing, Assault Armor Battalion,
Infantry Regiment Artillery Battalion
Special Command Abilities: Iron Will, Focus: Cluster Hitters
Capellan Reserves
Special Command Abilities: Enemy Specialization (Marik)
Justine’s Grenadiers
Force Composition: Reinforced Heavy ‘Mech Regiment, Medium Aerospace Wing, Armor Battalion, Infantry
Battalion, Artillery Battalion
Special Command Abilities: Hit and Run, Flankers
Force Building Rules: Disbanded in 3029.
Stapelton’s Grenadiers
Special Command Abilities: Off-Map Movement, Environmental Specialization (Night)
Chesterton Reserves
Special Command Abilities: Enemy Specialization (Davion)
Commander Mary “Hopscotch” Finn

PV:19(21)
Ostscout OTT-7 (Finn),3,BM,1,16”/14”j,3,2/3,1/1/-,0,ENE,PRB,RCN
Special Pilot Abilities: Human TRO, Terrain Master (Forest Ranger)
Ostscout OTT-7 (Finn) drop jump jet and armor for beagle active probe
First Ariana Fusiliers

Force Composition: Reinforced Medium ‘Mech Regiment, Medium Aerospace Wing, 2 Armor Regiments, 3
Infantry Regiments, Artillery Battalion
Special Command Abilities: Esprit de Corps, Environmental Specialization (Urban)
Second Ariana Fusiliers

Force Composition: Reinforced Medium ‘Mech Regiment, Medium Aerospace Wing, 2 Armor Regiments, Infantry
Regiment, Artillery Battalion
Special Command Abilities: Hit and Run
Captain Michael Dhawan

PV:31(43)
Catapult CPLT-C1 (Dhawan),1,BM,3,8”,1,5/5,2/3/3,0,IF1
Special Pilot Abilities: Sharpshooter, Range Master (Long)
Catapult (Dhawan) drops jump jets and downgrade LRMs for a PPC and additional heat sink
Available To: Second Ariana Fusiliers, Blandford’s Grenadiers (post-3028)
Ariana Grenadiers
Force Composition: Reinforced Heavy ‘Mech Battalion, Medium Aerospace Flight, 2 Armor Regiments, Infantry
Regiment, Artillery Company
Special Command Abilities: Overrun Combat, Focus (Weapon Specialist/PPC), Focus (Sniper)
First Chesteron Voltigeurs

Force Composition: Reinforced Medium ‘Mech Regiment, Light Aerospace Wing, Armor Regiment, Infantry
Special Command Abilities: Environmental Specialization (Water)
Second Chesterton Voltigeurs

Force Composition: Reinforced Heavy ‘Mech Regiment, Light Aerospace Wing, Armor Regiment, Infantry
Special Command Abilities: Off-Map Movement
Subcommander (later Commander) Ivan Wang

PV:33(36)|45(50)
Awesome AWS-8Q,3,BM,4,6”,1,8/6,3/3/3,0,ENE
Awesome AWS-8Q (Wang),3,BM,4,6”,1,8/6,4/4/4,0,ENE,TAG,MHQ2
AWS-8Q (Wang) switch to double heat sinks, add another PPC, TAG, and 2 tons of communications equipment
Special Pilot Abilities: Sniper, Hopper
Available To: Second Chesterton Voltigeurs, Kingston’s Legionnaires (post-3028)
Third Chesterton Voltigeurs

Special Command Abilities: Focus (Cluster Hitter), Environmental Specialization (Urban)
Hamilton’s Highlanders
Force Composition: 2 Reinforced Medium ‘Mech Battalions, Medium Aerospace Wing, Armor Regiment, Infantry
Regiment, 2 Artillery Companies
Special Command Abilities: Esprit de Corps, Off-Map Movement, Overrun Combat, Hit and Run
Mechwarrior Colin McBurnham

PV:27(33)|29(37)
Enforcer ENF-4R,2,BM,2,8”j,1,5/4,3/2/-,0,AC1/1/-
Thunderbolt TDR-9SE,3,BM,3,8”j,1,7/5,3/4/1,0,CASE,IF1
Special Pilot Abilities: Street Fighter, Blood Stalker
Available To: Hamilton’s Highlanders, Red Lancers (post-3029)
Lothar’s Fusiliers
Force Composition: Reinforced Light ‘Mech Regiment, Light Aerospace Wing, Armor Regiment, Infantry
Special Command Abilities: Tactical Adjustments, Banking Initiative
Sung’s Cuirassiers
Force Composition: Reinforced Heavy ‘Mech Regiment, Heavy Aerospace Wing, Heavy Armor Regiment,
Infantry Regiment, Artillery Battalion
Special Command Abilities: Focus (Antagonizer), Brawlers
Kingston’s Legionnaires
Force Composition: 2 Reinforced Medium ‘Mech Battalions, 2 Light Aerospace Flights, Armor Battalion, Infantry
Special Command Abilities: Revenge, Off-Map Movement
Confederation Reserve Cavalry

First Confederation Reserve Cavalry
Special Command Abilities: Banking Initiative, Sharpshooters
Second Confederation Reserve Cavalry

Force Composition: Reinforced Medium ‘Mech Regiment, Light Aerospace Wing, Heavy Armor Regiment,
Infantry Battalion, Artillery Battalion
Special Command Abilities: Environmental Specialization (Woods), Focus: Marksman
Third Confederation Reserve Cavalry

Force Composition: Reinforced Medium ‘Mech Regiment, Light Aerospace Wing, Reinforced Armor Regiment,
Infantry Battalion, Artillery Battalion
Special Command Abilities: Focus: Antagonizer
Special Rules: Duct Tape Repairs - At the beginning of play, 1 AS damage (5 point damage cluster in TW)/'mech
or combat vehicle in this force must be applied randomly amongst all 'mech and/or combat vehicle in this force. If there
are 6 'mechs and 5 combat vehicles in this force for a scenario, 11 damage (11 clusters of 5 damage) must be randomly
distributed among them at the beginning of play. This can cause critical hits and motive critical damage as if it were an
standard weapon attack from the front. The force pays 0 SP/c-bill costs for all combat vehicle and 'mech armor and
structure repairs.
Force Building Rules: Disbanded in 3029, rebuilt 3052.
Fourth Confederation Reserve Cavalry

Force Composition: Reinforced Medium ‘Mech Regiment, Heavy Aerospace Wing, Armor Regiment, Infantry
Special Command Abilities: Focus (Speed Demon), Intelligence Specialists
Fifth Confederation Reserve Cavalry

Experience Rating: Green
Force Composition: 2 Reinforced Heavy ‘Mech Battalions, 2 Light Aerospace Flights, Armor Regiment, Infantry
Battalion, 2 Artillery Companies
Special Command Abilities: Tactical Experts (Hidden Units), Focus (Forward Observer)
Liao Reserves
Special Command Abilities: Combat Drop Specialists
Trimaldi’s Secutors
Force Composition: Reinforced Medium ‘Mech Regiment, Medium Aerospace Wing, Armor Battalion, Infantry
Special Command Abilities: Rapid Strike
Vincent’s Commandos
Force Composition: 2 Reinforced Medium ‘Mech Battalions, 2 Heavy Aerospace Flights, Armor Regiment,
Infantry Regiment, 2 Artillery Companies
Special Command Abilities: Hit and Run
Shin Legions
Force Building Rules: Formed in 3030, Disbanded in 3033.
First Shin Legion

Special Command Abilities: Focus (Weapon Specialist), Environmental Specialization (Clear)
Second Shin Legion

Force Composition: Reinforced Light ‘Mech Regiment, Light Aerospace Wing, Armor Battalion, Infantry Battalion,
Artillery Battalion
Special Command Abilities: Hit and Run, Tactical Specialization (Attack)
Third Shin Legion

Force Composition: Reinforced Medium ‘Mech Regiment, Medium Aerospace Wing, Armor Battalion, Infantry
Special Command Abilities: Overrun Combat
Sarna Reserves
Special Command Abilities: Sharpshooters
Lieutenant Alice Warren

PV:35(39)|44(48)
Catapult CPLT-C1A,3,BM,3,8”j,1,5/5,2/2/-,0,ARTT-1
Catapult CPLT-C3,3,BM,3,8”j,1,7/5,2/2/-,0,ARTAIS-1,CASE
Special Pilot Abilities: Oblique Artilleryman, Jumping Jack
Catapult CPLT-C1A replace LRMs with Thumper artillery piece
Kamakura’s Hussars
Force Composition: 2 Reinforced Light ‘Mech Battalions, 2 Heavy Aerospace Flights, Armor Regiment, Infantry
Special Command Abilities: Speed Rush
Ishara’s Grenadiers
Force Composition: 2 Reinforced Heavy ‘Mech Battalions, 2 Medium Aerospace Flights, Armor Battalion, Infantry
Special Command Abilities: Environmental Specialization (Clear), Overrun Combat
Special Rules: If more than 1/3 of the force's units are in woods and/or buildings, -2 initiative modifier.
Major Choung Vong

PV:28(31)|28(31)
Vindicator VND-1R (Vong),3,BM,2,8”j,1,5/4,2/2/2,0,IF0*
Vindicator VND-3L,3,BM,2,8”j,1,5/4,2/2/2,0,CASE
Special Pilot Abilities: Demoralizer, Melee Specialist
Hurloc’s Hussars
Force Composition: 2 Reinforced Medium ‘Mech Battalions, 2 Light Aerospace Flights, Armor Regiment, Infantry
Special Command Abilities: Speed Rush
Freemont’s Cuirassiers
Special Command Abilities: Tactical Experts (Engineers)
Tikonov Reserves
Kincaid’s Rangers
Force Composition: 2 Reinforced Medium ‘Mech Battalions, 2 Medium Aerospace Flights, Armor Battalion,
Infantry Regiment, 2 Artillery Companies
Special Command Abilities: Hit and Run, Overrun Combat
Force Building Rules: Liao (Late Succession War) is only available as Ally, not as General Faction. Davion (Late
Succession War) available as General Faction (0 FPs). Moved to Periphery Guard 3030.
Kerr’s Intruders
Force Composition: Reinforced Assault ‘Mech Regiment, Medium Aerospace Wing, 2 Armor Regiments, Infantry
Special Command Abilities: Brawlers, Focus (Melee Master)
Warrior Houses
Special Command Abilities: Focus (Urban Guerilla)
Warrior House Imarra

Force Composition: Reinforced Medium ‘Mech Battalion, Infantry Battalion
Special Command Abilities: Off-Map Movement, Overrun Combat
Warrior House Kamata

Force Composition: Reinforced Heavy ‘Mech Battalion, Heavy Aerospace Flight, Infantry Battalion
Special Command Abilities: Intelligence Experts, Focus (Human TRO)
Warrior House Hiritsu

Force Composition: Reinforced Heavy ‘Mech Battalion, Infantry Battalion
Special Command Abilities: Banking Initiative, Tactical Experts (Infantry)
Warrior House LuSann

Special Command Abilities: Forcing the Initiative
Warrior House Daidachi

Force Composition: 2 Reinforced Medium ‘Mech Battalions, Medium Aerospace Wing, Infantry Battalion
Special Command Abilities: Zone of Control, Focus (Forward Observers)
Warrior House Fujita

Force Composition: Reinforced Heavy ‘Mech Battalion, Infantry Battalion
Special Command Abilities: Revenge
Captain Paul Leiphart

PV:35(39)
Cataphract CTF-1X (Leiphart),3,BM,3,8”,1,7/6,3/3/1,0,AC1/1/-
Special Pilot Abilities: Sharpshooter, Range Master (Long)
Cataphract CTF-1X (Leiphart) removes rear lasers for additional armor
Warrior House Matsukai

Special Command Abilities: Infiltrators, Tactical Specialization (Defense)
Warrior House Ijori

Special Command Abilities: Environmental Specialization (Urban)
Independent Regiments
Death Commandos
Force Composition: 2 Reinforced Medium ‘Mech Battalions
Special Command Abilities: Tactical Adjustments, Esprit de Corps, Forcing the Initiative, Off-Map Movement,
Overrun Combat, Banking Initiative
Force Building Rules: May select any unit on any of their Availability Lists for 2 fewer FPs (0 FP minimum).
McCrimmon’s Light Cavalry

Force Composition: Reinforced Medium ‘Mech Regiment, Medium Aerospace Wing, Armor Regiment, Infantry
Special Command Abilities: Focus (Speed Demon), Focus (Maneuvering Ace)
Force Building Rules: Destroyed 3029, rebuilt in 3031 as a Green Reinforced ‘Mech Battalion. Disbanded 3033.
McGregor’s Armored Scouts

Special Command Abilities: Focus (Oblique Attcker), Focus (Sandblaster)
Force Building Rules: Disbanded 3029.
Preston’s Lancers
Force Composition: Reinforced Medium ‘Mech Regiment, Light Aerospace Wing, Armor Battalion, Infantry
Special Command Abilities: Environmental Specialization (Mountains), Tactical Specialization (Defense)
St. Ives Military Command

The St. Ives Compact is a part of the Capellan Confederation until it splits as a separate realm in 3029. From it’s
founding and through the rest of the Early Clan Invasion era, the St. Ives Compact maintains its independence.
Through 3029, the following Combat Commands follow all rules as any other Liao Combat Command. After the
3029, they have their own Availability Lists.
St. Ives Armored Cavalry

First St. Ives Lancers
Force Composition: Reinforced Heavy ‘Mech Regiment, Light Aerospace Wing, 3 Armor Regiments, 2 Infantry
Battalions, Artillery Battalion
Special Command Abilities: Banking Initiative, Off-Map Movement
Second St. Ives Lancers

Force Composition: Reinforced Medium ‘Mech Regiment, Light Aerospace Wing, 2 Armor Regiments, Infantry
Special Command Abilities: Tactical Specialization (Off-Map Movement), Off-Map Movement
Mechwarrior (eventually Major) Michael Jones

PV:28(34)|32(38)
Vindicator VND-1SIC,2,BM,2,8”j,1,5/4,2/2/1,0,IF1
Blackjack BJ-3,2,BM,2,8”j,1,5/4,3/3/2,1,ENE
Special Pilot Abilities: Sharpshooter
St. Ives Cheveau Legers

Special Command Abilities: Enemy Specialization (Davion), Tactical Specialization (Defense), Environmental
Specialization (Woods)
Justina’s Cuirassiers
Force Composition: 2 Reinforced Heavy ‘Mech Battalions, 2 Light Aerospace Flights, Armor Battalion, Infantry
Special Command Abilities: Forcing the Initiative, Overrun Combat, Banking Initiative
Devon’s Armored Infantry

Force Composition: 2 Reinforced Heavy ‘Mech Battalions, 2 Heavy Aerospace Flights, Armor Regiment, Infantry
Special Command Abilities: Overrun Combat, False Flag
Stapelton’s Iron Hand

Force Composition: Reinforced Heavy ‘Mech Regiment, Medium Aerospace Wing, 3 Armor Regiments, 3 Infantry
Regiments, Artillery Battalion
Special Command Abilities: Tactical Specializatin (Defense), Environmental Specialization (Urban), Focus
(Street Fighter)
Cochrane’s Goliaths
Force Composition: 2 Reinforced Assault ‘Mech Battalions, Medium Aerospace Flight, 2 Armor Battalions,
Infantry Regiment, Artillery Company
Special Command Abilities: Focus (Animal Mimicry), Esprit de Corps
Force Building Rules: Disbanded 3028. At least half of the ‘Mech units for Cochrane’s Goliaths should be Goliath
GOL-1Hs. There is no additional FP cost for multiple Goliath GOL-1Hs for this combat command.
Lieutenant Feyruzi Aimoad

PV:28(34)|32(38)
Goliath GOL-1H (Aimoad),2,BM,4,6”,1,8/6,3/4/3,1,IF3,LRM1/2/2,SRM1/1
Special Pilot Abilities: Cluster Hitter, Oblique Attacker
Goliath GOL-1H (Aimoad) drop walk to 3, replace weapons with three LRM-15s, two SRM-6s, 15 heat sinks and
15.5 tons armor. 6 tons of ammo.
Shepard’s Mounted Fusiliers

Force Composition: 2 Reinforced Medium ‘Mech Battalions, 2 Medium Aerospace Flight, Armor Regiment,
Infantry Regiment, 2 Artillery Battalions
Special Command Abilities: Environmental Specialization (Urban), Focus (Melee Specialist)
Lieutenant Patricia Wellseley

PV:28(34)|32(38)
UrbanMech UM-R60L,3,BM,1,4”j,0,2/3,2/2/0,0,AC2/2/-
Blackjack BJ-3,2,BM,2,8”j,1,5/4,3/3/2,1,ENE
Special Pilot Abilities: Sharpshooter
St. Ives Academy Training Group

Force Composition: Reinforced Medium ‘Mech Battalion, 2 Armor Battalions, 2 Infantry Battalions
Special Command Abilities: None
Blackwind Lancers
Special Command Abilities: Off-Map Movement, Tactical Specialization (Off-Map Movement)
Tikonov Free Republic Army

The Tikonov Free Republic beomces a separate realm in 3029. It only maintains its independence for a short time,
joining the Federated Commonwealth in 3031 after the death of Pavel Ridzik.
Special Rules: Formed 3029, after 3031 part of the Federated Commonwealth.
Republican Guards
First Republican Guards
Force Composition: Light ‘Mech Regiment, Light Aerospace Wing, Armor Regiment, Infantry Regiment, Artillery
Battalion
Special Command Abilities: Hit and Run, Banking Initiative
Second Republican Guards

Force Composition: Heavy ‘Mech Regiment, Medium Aerospace Wing, Armor Regiment, Infantry Regiment,
Artillery Battalion
Special Command Abilities: Combat Drop Specialists, Tactical Specialization (Small Unit Actions)
Third Republican Guards

Force Composition: Medium ‘Mech Regiment, Medium Aerospace Wing, Armor Regiment, Infantry Regiment,
Artillery Battalion
Special Command Abilities: Intelligence Specialists, Flankers
Fourth Republican Guards

Artillery Battalion
Fifth Republican Guards

Battalion
Mercenary Annex
The following additional mercenaries served the Capellan Confederation at least some time during the Late
Succession Wars or Early Clan Invasion. Combat Manual: Mercenaries has the rules for creating Mercenary Combat
Commands, used with these additional mercenaries as well.
McCarron’s Armored Cavalry

Common Enemies: Davion (Late Succession Wars, Early Clan Invasion)
Common Allies: Liao (Late Succession Wars, Early Clan Invasion)
Special Command Abilities: Forcing the Initiative
The Nightriders
Force Composition: Medium ‘Mech Regiment, Light Aerospace Wing, Armor Regiment, Infantry Regiment,
Artillery Company
Special Command Abilities: Ground Attack Specialists, Harass
Barton’s Regiment
Artillery Company
Special Command Abilities: Overrun Combat, Banking Initiative, Hold the Line
The Wild Ones

Artillery Company
Special Command Abilities: Brawlers, Focus (Melee Specialist), Off-Map Movement
Leo’s Demons
Force Composition: Medium ‘Mech Regiment, Heavy Aerospace Wing, Armor Regiment, Infantry Regiment,
Artillery Company
Special Command Abilities: Banking Initiative (x3)
Rob’s Renegades
Artillery Company
Special Command Abilities: Hold the Line, Tactical Specialization (Defense)
Hampton’s Hessiens
Common Allies: Liao (Late Succession Wars), Davion (Early Clan Invasion)
Special Command Abilities: Off-Map Movement, Regional Specialization (New Hessen)
First New Hessen Irregulars

Force Composition: Light ‘Mech Regiment, Light Aerospace Wing, Heavy Armor Regiment, Infantry Regiment,
Artillery Company
Second New Hessen Irregulars

Force Composition: Light ‘Mech Regiment, Medium Aerospace Wing, Armor Regiment, Infantry Regiment,
Artillery Company
New Hessen Armored Scouts

Company
Force Building Rules: After 3031, in the employ of Davion.
Ambermarle’s Highlanders
Force Composition: Medium ‘Mech Regiment, Light Aerospace Wing, Infantry Battalion
Special Command Abilities: Tactical Experts (Hidden Units), Off-Map Movement, Focus (Guerilla Warfare)
Common Allies: Liao (Late Succession Wars, Early Clan Invasion)
Bullard’s Armored Cavalry

Force Composition: Medium ‘Mech Battalion, Armor Battalion, Artillery Company
Special Command Abilities: Hit and Run, Off-Map Movement
Common Allies: Liao (Late Succession Wars)
Common Enemies: Davion (Late Succession Wars)
Laurel’s Legion
Force Composition: Medium ‘Mech Battalion, Light Aerospace Squadron, Light Armor Battalion
Special Command Abilities: Fighting Withdrawal, Focus (Lucky:2)
Common Allies: Liao (Late Succession Wars), Davion (Early Clan Invasion)
Common Enemies: Davion (Late Succession Wars), Liao (Early Clan Invasion)
Force Building Rules: Formed in 3014. After 3028, employed by Davion.
Lockhardt’s Ironsides
Force Composition: Heavy ‘Mech Battalion, Armor Regiment
Special Command Abilities: Fighting Withdrawal, Focus (Lucky:2)
Common Allies: Liao (Late Succession Wars)
Rivaldi’s Hussars
Force Composition: Light ‘Mech Battalion, Light Aerospace Squadron
Special Command Abilities: Speed Fire
St. Cyr’s Grenadiers

Force Composition: Medium ‘Mech Battalion
Special Command Abilities: Hit and Run, Focus (Melee Master)
Standard Lances
The following Liao Standard Lances are provided for players who simply want to get straight into the action and
not delve into the Force Building rules. Standard Lances are provided for the Late Succession War and the Early Clan
Invasion Eras. More adventurous players may swap out one or more Units as long as the Formation’s requirements
are still met (see pp. 150-159, ASC).
Assault Lance
Late Succession Wars: Banshee BNC-3E, Hunchback HBK-4G, Stalker STK-3F, Vindicator VND-1R
Late Succession Wars (3023+): Charger CGR-1A5,, Hunchback HBK-4G, Stalker STK-3F, Vindicator VND-1R
Early Clan Invasion: Stalker STK-5M, Thunderbolt TDR-7M, Hunchback HBK-5M, Vindicator VND-3L
Battle Lance
Late Succession Wars: Centurion CN9-A, Warhammer WHM-6L, Marauder MAD-3L, Vindicator VND-1R
Early Clan Invasion: Cataphract CTF-3L, Warhammer WHM-7M, Orion ON1-M, Vindicator VND-3L
Command Lance
Late Succession Wars: Catapult CPLT-C1, Cyclops CP-10-Z, Thunderbolt TDR-5S, Stinger STG-3R
Late Succession Wars (3028+): Catapult CPLT-C1, Cyclops CP-10-Z, Cataphract CTF-1X, Raven RVN-1X
Early Clan Invasion: Cataphract CTF-3L, Catapult CPLT-C3, Cyclops CP-11-A, Raven RVN-3L
Fire Lance
Late Succession Wars: Catapult CPLT-C1, Archer ARC-2R, Crusader CRD-3L, Vindicator VND-1R
Early Clan Invasion: Catapult CPLT-C3, Crusader CRD-4L, Archer ARC-4M, Vindicator VND-3L
Pursuit Lance
Late Succession Wars: Clint CLNT-2-3T, Ostroc OSR-2C, Quickdraw QKD-4G, Vindicator VND-1R
Early Clan Invasion: Clint CLNT-2-3U, Ostroc OSR-3C, Quickdraw QKD-5A, Vindicator VND-3L
Recon Lance
Late Succession Wars: Wasp WSP-1L, Phoenix Hawk PXH-1, Stinger STG-3R, Spider SDR-5V
Late Succession Wars (3028+): Wasp WSP-1L, Phoenix Hawk PXH-1, Raven RVN-1X, Spider SDR-5V
Early Clan Invasion: Stinger STG-5M, Phoenix Hawk PXH-3M, Raven RVN-3L, Spider SDR-7M
Striker Lance
Late Succession Wars: Clint CLNT-2-3T, Wolverine WVR-6R, Flea FLE-15, Vindicator VND-1AA
Early Clan Invasion: Clint CLNT-2-3U, Flea FLE-17, Wolverine WVR-7M, Raven RVN-3L
Support Lance
Late Succession Wars: Catapult CPLT-C1, Firestarter FS9-H, Thunderbolt TDR-5S, Vindicator VND-1R
Early Clan Invasion: Catapult CPLT-C3, Thunderbolt TDR-7M, Raven RVN-3L, Vindicator VND-3L
Urban Combat Lance

Late Succession Wars: Vindicator VND-1R, Quickdraw QKD-4G, Flea FLE-15, UrbanMech UM-R60
Early Clan Invasion: Vindicator VND-3L, Quickdraw QKD-5M, UrbanMech UM-R63, UrbanMech UM-R63
Availability List Tables

See Combat Manuals Kurita or Mercenaries for Inner Sphere General Availability Lists.
Units marked with * below are Rare.
‘Mech
Liao - Late Succession Wars
*Cataphract CTF-0X
Cataphract CTF-1X
Cataphract CTF-2X
Catapult CPLT-A1
Charger CGR-1A5
*Champion CHP-2N
Catapult CPLT-C4
Crusader CRD-3L
*Highlander HGN-733
*Highlander HGN-733C
*Highlander HGN-733P
Locust LCT-1L
Marauder MAD-3L
Ostroc OSR-2L
Raven RVN-1X
Raven RVN-2X
Raven RVN-3X
Raven RVN-4X
UrbanMech UM-R60L
Vindicator VND-1AA "Avenging Angel"
Vindicator VND-1R
Warhammer WHM-6L
Wasp WSP-1L
St. Ives – Late Succession Wars

*Blackjack BJ-3X
Liao - Early Clan Invasion

BattleMaster BLR-2C
*Champion CHP-1N
Catapult CPLT-C3
Crusader CRD-4L
Cataphract CTF-3L
Clint CLNT-2-3U
Flea FLE-17
Locust LCT-1L
Raven RVN-3L
UrbanMech UM-R63
Vindicator VND-3L
St. Ives - Early Clan Invasion

Blackjack BJ-3
Victor VTR-9D
Air
Chippewa CHP-W5
Dragonfly Spotter Plane
Guardian Fighter
Guardian Fighter B
Medium Strike Fighter Crane
Transit TR-10
Transit TR-11
Transgressor TR-13
Transgressor TR-14 "AC"
Thrush TR-7
Yangtze (Planetlifter) Air Transport
Liao - Early Clan Invasion

Transgressor TR-13A
Vehicle
Bulldog Medium Tank (AC2)
Bulldog Medium Tank (LRM)
Bulldog Medium Tank
Brutus Assault Tank
Brutus Assault Tank (LRM)
Brutus Assault Tank (PPC)
Brutus Assault Tank (PPC 2)
Condor Heavy Hover Tank (Flamer)
Condor Heavy Hover Tank (Liao)
Condor Heavy Hover Tank
Hetzer Wheeled Assault Gun (AC10)
Hetzer Wheeled Assault Gun (Laser)
Hetzer Wheeled Assault Gun (LRM)
Hetzer Wheeled Assault Gun (Scout)
Hetzer Wheeled Assault Gun (SRM)
Hetzer Wheeled Assault Gun
*Ontos Heavy Tank (Fusion)
Ontos Heavy Tank (LRM)
Ontos Heavy Tank
Packrat LRPV PKR-T5 (SRM2)
Po Heavy Tank
Swift Wind Scout Car (ICE - Cargo)
Swift Wind Scout Car (ICE - Speed)
Swift Wind Scout Car (ICE)
Swift Wind Scout Car
Zhukov Heavy Tank

Combat Manual Liao

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BATTLETECH

Available MechWarriors ....................................................................................................................... 5

Third Shin Legion ....................................................................................................................................... 10

Availability List Tables ................................................................................................................................. 21

Force Building Terms

Select Point/Battle Value Total

Choose a Combat Command

Standard Liao Armor Organization

Standard Liao Infantry Organization

Standard Liao Artillery Organization

Lance - 4 artillery Units

Standard Liao Aviation Organization

Step 1: Choose Formation Type

Step 2: Choose Units for the Formation

of who their previous owners were. Alternate Munitions

What if I Just Want to Start Playing?

Liao Availability Lists Table

St. Ives Availability Lists Table

Early Clan Invasion

Steiner – Early Clan Invasion (3)

Step 3: Select Skill and Modify PV/BV for the Unit

Step 4: Assign Special Pilot Abilities

Special Command Abilities

Determine Force Experience Level

Choose Number and Assign Special Command Abilities

Special Command Ability Assignment Table

9 Environmental Specialists** (1 Woods, 2 Water, 3 Winter (Snow+Ice+Tundra), 4 Night, 5-6 Urban

Liao Special Command Abilities

New Special Command Abilities

New Special Pilot Abilities

Liao Lances (Formations)

Shock Cavalry Lance

Urban Combat Lance

Rank First Name Last Name

Captain Carver McCool

Blandford’s Grenadiers (Holdfast Guard post-3040)

Commander Mary “Hopscotch” Finn

First Ariana Fusiliers

Second Ariana Fusiliers

Captain Michael Dhawan

First Chesteron Voltigeurs

Second Chesterton Voltigeurs

Subcommander (later Commander) Ivan Wang

Third Chesterton Voltigeurs

Mechwarrior Colin McBurnham

Confederation Reserve Cavalry

Second Confederation Reserve Cavalry

Third Confederation Reserve Cavalry

Fourth Confederation Reserve Cavalry

Fifth Confederation Reserve Cavalry

First Shin Legion

Second Shin Legion

Third Shin Legion

Lieutenant Alice Warren

Major Choung Vong

Warrior House Imarra

Warrior House Kamata

Warrior House Hiritsu

Warrior House LuSann

Warrior House Daidachi

Warrior House Fujita

Captain Paul Leiphart

Warrior House Matsukai

Warrior House Ijori