Overview

BattleTech: CityTech is an expansion to the BattleTech board game that introduces urban combat rules, vehicles, infantry, and buildings. Set in the BattleTech universe of the 31st century, CityTech adds tactical complexity by allowing battles in city environments where buildings provide cover, vehicles supplement BattleMech forces, and infantry can hold critical positions. The game is playable as a standalone or combined with the base BattleTech rules.

Components

• 24 color cardboard playing pieces (vehicles and ‘Mechs)
• 12 plastic stands
• 47 color armor playing pieces
• 24 infantry playing pieces
• 160 building pieces
• 2 hex maps (urban terrain)
• Record sheets (hit location and damage tracking)
• 48-page rulebook
• 2 dice (d6)

Setup

1. Select a scenario or create a custom battle.
2. Place one or both hex maps, adding building pieces to designated hexes for urban terrain.
3. Each player selects their force (BattleMechs, vehicles, infantry) within the agreed-upon Battle Value or tonnage limit.
4. Fill out record sheets for each unit.
5. Deploy units according to the scenario setup.
6. Determine initiative.

Turn Structure

Each turn follows the standard BattleTech sequence:

1. Initiative Phase: Each player rolls 2d6; highest roller chooses to move first or second.
2. Movement Phase: Players alternate moving units one at a time.
3. Weapon Attack Phase: All units declare and resolve weapon attacks simultaneously.
4. Physical Attack Phase: Adjacent ‘Mechs may perform physical attacks (punches, kicks, charges).
5. Heat Phase: Track heat buildup for ‘Mechs.
6. End Phase: Check for pilot consciousness, ammunition explosions, etc.

Actions

Movement

• Walking: Move up to walking MP; +1 to-hit modifier for attackers.
• Running: Move up to running MP (1.5x walk); +2 to-hit modifier.
• Jumping: BattleMechs with jump jets can jump over terrain; +3 to-hit modifier.
• Vehicles: Move according to type (tracked, wheeled, hover, VTOL), each with different terrain costs.
• Infantry: Move slowly but can enter and hold buildings.

Weapon Attacks

• Declare a target for each weapon on your unit.
• Calculate to-hit number: base gunnery skill + range modifier + movement modifier + terrain modifier.
• Roll 2d6; equal or exceed the to-hit number to hit.
• Determine hit location on the target’s record sheet.
• Apply damage to armor and internal structure.

Building Rules (CityTech-specific)

• Buildings have Construction Factor (CF) ratings representing durability.
• Weapons fire can damage or collapse buildings.
• Units inside buildings receive cover bonuses.
• Collapsing buildings damage units inside and in adjacent hexes.
• ‘Mechs can deliberately demolish buildings.

Vehicle Rules (CityTech-specific)

• Vehicles have four facings (front, left, right, rear) with different armor values.
• Vehicles cannot torso-twist like ‘Mechs.
• Critical hits can disable vehicles (engine, motive system, turret).
• Vehicle types: tanks, hovercraft, VTOLs, wheeled vehicles.

Infantry Rules (CityTech-specific)

• Infantry platoons act as single units.
• Infantry can occupy buildings for defensive bonuses.
• Infantry are vulnerable in the open but effective in urban environments.
• Anti-‘Mech infantry attacks can target legs and cause critical damage.

Scoring / Victory Conditions

Determined by the selected scenario. Common objectives include:

• Destroying all enemy units
• Holding specific buildings or hexes for a number of turns
• Escorting a unit across the map
• Inflicting more damage than received (Battle Value comparison)

Special Rules & Edge Cases

• Heat management: BattleMechs generate heat from movement and weapons fire. Exceeding heat limits causes shutdowns, ammo explosions, or movement penalties.
• Building collapse: When a building’s CF reaches 0, it collapses. Units inside take damage; units in adjacent hexes may be affected by rubble.
• Rubble: Collapsed buildings create rubble terrain that slows movement but provides partial cover.
• Level 2 rules: The second edition added Clan technology, expanded vehicle types, and additional urban terrain rules.
• Combined play: CityTech units and rules integrate directly with standard BattleTech for combined arms scenarios.
• Record sheet tracking: Each unit has a detailed record sheet for tracking armor, internal structure, critical hits, and ammunition.

Player Reference

Unit Type	Strengths	Weaknesses
BattleMech	Versatile, tough, mobile	Heat management, expensive
Vehicle	Cheap, good firepower	Less durable, limited facing
Infantry	Hold buildings, cheap	Slow, fragile in open

To-Hit = Gunnery Skill + Range + Movement + Terrain modifiers

Roll 2d6 >= To-Hit to score a hit