CONFIGURATION: The starting point of all operational success. Selecting the most effective weapons and systems to accomplish specific operation goals is at the heart of battlemech configuration. Not all weapons are suited towards all environments, neither are all battlemechs suitable for particular weapons systems, though they may have the capability to configure them.

For maximum operational success, configurations are built from the ground up, with each section being built upon the previous one. Weakness in any section will result in an ineffective design, making strategic objective more difficult to attain. To prevent such conflict in battlemech design, each pilot must determine the following in order:

A fully configured mech, along with it's pilot IS A COMPLETE WEAPON SYSTEM !. All parts, including the pilot must work together for maximum effectivness. It is contingient upon each individual pilot to learn the skills necessary to deploy their weapons in a way which benefits team objectives.

1. MISSION: Exists to further military objectives - Mission requirements are the top priority in any design configuration. The requirements of all missions are unique, and each needs to be considered separately for maximum efficiency. The same sniper configuration used in Dust Bowl, might not be the best choice for Palace Gates, so plan accordingly.

Missions are as diverse as the environments within which they take place, plus individual duties within missions require special consideration as well. The best policy is to optimize a weapons system that performs extremely well in the mission it is selected to perform. Once a specific duty is assigned or chosen, build a weapon system that best enables mission success, and highlights personal strengths.

It requires great skill to be able to recognize the strengths and limits of a chosen configuration, and pilot the mech in an effective manner to complete the assigned mission.

Effective configuration is not difficult if you follow these few basic guidelines in their listed order of priority. Failure to maintain the heirarchy will result in a design not fully optimized for it's particular function.

2. WEAPONS: Exist to carry out mission objectives - After mission requirements are determined, weapons selection comprises the next stage of configuration. It is the weapons that must be deployed and utilized to enable the mission objectives to be met.

Weapons can be useful for a variety of functions, but primarily are designed to destroy opposing forces and structures. They are usually classified into groups, such as Energy, Ballistic and Missile types.

Weapons are installed in the order of their priority, placing heavier weapons first seems to enhance their survivability, though this is unproven. The Clan LBX 10's have good range and do exceptional damage for their size and weight, they are quite capable of killing out to their maximum range, despite their characteristic scattershot effect.

   The Medium ER Lasers are often overlooked by pilots, but have a range nearly equal to the LBX 10's, generate good damage for their size and are an outstanding complimentary weapon, especially in groups. If heat becomes a concern, mix them with IS Medium Lasers, which run much cooler, and have nearly equal damage values, at a cost of some range.

   Notice that no weapons are loaded into the left torso, this is done for 2 reasons. First, it is the weak side of the chassis, with only 1 Omni slot available. Second, with no weaponry to protect, the armor can be used in more critical areas, such as the weapons heavy right torso.

   The Streak SRM 6's reload quickly and will cascade into the target, disrupting aim. They also generate good damage and are especially effective in destroying components.

3. CHASSIS: Exists to satisfy weapon requirements - The chassis is nothing more than a weapons platform, designed to enable weapons to be deployed and used. Together, the weapon and platform create a "weapon system", and the separate elements should compliment each other.

Usually classified by weight, the larger types have greater capacity for weapons, but mobility and performance suffer. Lighter chassis have the speed and agility to deploy with remarkable speed and agility, but carry much less firepower.

This Thor is optimized for close range combat and excels in urban environments or those where sufficient cover is available to close ranks with the enemy.

   Limiting speed enhances turn radius and maneuverability in close confines, and frees up valuable tonnage for weapons. The Laser Anti Missile System (LAMS) should be considered standard equipment for most any configuration. Extra heat sinks are not usually necessary with careful heat management though in hotter climates armor or weaponry may have to be sacrificed to allow their installation.

3A. WEAPONS GROUPING : Weapons are further divided into performance groups, usually classified by range. All have strengths and weakness according to their type. Grouping weapons effectively magnifies their destructive potential. Group short range weapons together, and avoid their use unless necessary. Keeping all long range weapons in the same group can save ammunition and heat build up by restricting their use to appropriate situations.

Make selections based upon the mission requirements, and avoid corrupting a configuration through the addition of unneeded or ineffective weapons. Mechs optimized for long range combat do not usually require short range weapons, the weight and resources these weapons require could better be used to enhance the primary weapon effectiveness. Be aware that the tactical situation can quickly change however, and enemy counter-action might force even long range fire support units to defend themselves in close combat.

The LBX 10's are the primary offensive weapon and are placed in Group 1, the shorter range ER Medium Lasers and Streak Missiles are placed in Group 2. This allows for effective heat management by avoiding the secondary weapons until heat has dropped to safe levels.

4. ARMOR AND EQUIPMENT: Exist to enhance weapons system performance - A weapons system which is not survivable is of little use to a battlefield commander, and is more often a hindrance to the mission. Equipment choices are valuable additions to a basic configuration that increases effectiveness or survivability.

Armor is the primary form of protection, and is available in 3 types. Reactive is more effective against ballistic weapons, but offers no special protection versus missiles, and is vulnerable to energy weapons. Reflective is very effective versus energy, less so towards missiles, and weak against ballistics. Ferro-Fibrous is a balanced armor, giving basically equal protection against all weapons, and is the most weight efficient.

Equipment such as Jump Jets enhance the mobility of a chassis, while ECM can conceal it from sensors. AMS and Laser AMS will provide automatic protection against long range missile attacks, thereby increasing survival rates through damage reduction. Enhanced Optics and BAP (Beagle Active Probe) greatly enhance the effectiveness of long range fire support and sniper configurations. Advanced Gyros stabilize the chassis, enhancing it's capability during intense combat or maneuvering and assisting in knockdown prevention.

Ferro-Fibrous Armor is chosen due to the wide variety of weapons types encountered in the city, and is balanced throughout the chassis. A bit of minor tweaking can be valuable when tackling opponents known to target legs, though with 1.4 tons per leg, they will take considerable damage before suffering a crippling blow. Also, crippled mechs with all their weapons intact make extremely stable weapons platforms are to be respected as deadly threats.

With no weaponry, the left torso is lightly armored, allowing the maximum values to be placed in the arms and right torso, where the bulk of offensive firepower is located. Furthermore, the 2 ER Medium Lasers, with greater destructive potential than the I.S. versions. are placed in the more heavily protected right torso rather than the arms.