DangerBoats
This mod works with the 1.1beta released on 6/18.  However, the changes to LLs and MLs will need investigating to determine whether a mix is optimal.

There is general agreement that with the current release, not all weapons are balanced.  This mod does not attempt to determine the perfect balance of damage, weight, heat for each weapon.  Instead, it accepts that autocannons, large lasers, and PPCs suck -- and minimaxes some new 'Mech variants.

There are three DB roles: SRM, ML, and LRM.    In addition to their weapon of choice, a careful balance is chosen between jumpjets, heatsinks, and enough armor to make them nigh-invulnerable.


Installation
Install BTML and ModTek if you do not have these yet. Extract the "DangerBoats" folder from the rar to "BATTLETECH\Mods\".

General Details
The following json files are changed:

• mech/*                                                                                 new mech variants
• chassis/*                                                                             there's a technical reason why this directory exists
• simGameConstants/simGameConstants.json       start with a DangerBoat lance            
  

New 'Mech Variants
Panther PNT-DB                delivers 4 MLs where you need it when you need it
Hunchback HBK-DB        delivers 7 MLs where you need it when you need it
Thunderbolt TDR-5DB     delivers 7 MLs where you need it when you need it
Grasshopper GHR-DB     delivers 7 MLs where you need it when you need it
Blackknight BL-6-DB       delivers 8 MLs where you need it when you need it

Shadowhawk SHD-DB     in your face with 12 SRMs where you need it when you need it
Jagermech JM6-DBS       in your face with 18 SRMs where you need it when you need it

Centurion CN9-DB            rains down 30 LRMs where you need it when you need it
Jagermech JM6-DB         rains down 40 LRMs where you need it when you need it
Orion ON1-DB                     rains down 45 LRMs where you need it when you need it


Game Play Notes
A DangerBoat lance consists of one LRM boat, one SRM boat, and two ML boats.  Your typical offensive turn should be:
1. LRM boat destabilizes a target enemy mech
2. SRM boat pushes it over
3. ML boats blow off the legs or center torso (depending on strategic vs salvage situation)

For defence, never walk when you can jump.  When facing many mechs, have one LM Boat tank by jumping the maximum and then bracing instead of firing.

The "called shot" skills at Tactics 6 and Tactics 9 will be a big help, as will Bulwark on your tank.  Your LRM Boat mechwarrior will benefit from the indirect fire skills on the Tactics line.

These 'Mechs will run hot, especially if you jump your maximum range.  If you find this troublesome, replace some MLs with heatsinks, or SRMs with smaller SRMs.  Removing armor is not advised.


Future Versions

• All DangerBoat 'Mechs can be found in the MechLab and used for skirmishes.  However, I do not know whether the campaign game will use these mechs.  Until then, you would have to salvage the base chassis, and use your facilities on the Argo to recreate the variant.
• Some 'Mechs are so bad that they should be written out of the game.  I'm looking at you, Cicada, Victor, Banshee, and Zeus. 
  

If you are a modder and know how to make this happen via Modtek, please post how.


Additional Recommended Mods
My other mod: 

• NoCampaign                            start with the Argo and an unlocked map
  

The following mods are UI tweaks which do not impact gameplay

• BetterSorting                             sort the inventory in the shop to put things you want to buy at top
• ContractSort                              sort the 10 possible contracts
• CommanderPortraitLoader   yay, custom avatars
• BTMLColorLOSMod                  different LOS lines for indirect vs direct fire
• ExtendedInformation              more statistics
• RealHitChance                           accurate to-hit chances
• CamZoom                                    a higher perspective on the battlefield
  

If you use this, you'll need to customize its mod.json to start with the DB lance.

• RandomCampaignStart         begin with random mechs and mechwarriors
  

The following will impact gameplay.  (Obviously, in a way which I like...)

• BasicPanicSystem                    mechwarriors "punch out" when outnumbered
• LessHeadInjuries                       machine guns are no longer uber
• PermanentEvasion                    I modified settings.json so that only lights retain evasion pips