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MEGAMEK

HANDBOOK

v1.0

Credits: By Ladob

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Installing and Launching

MegaMek or MekWars Clients

MegaMek and the many MekWars servers come in zip files. You should use an appropriate unzipping utility to extract them.

[Hint] Make sure that you keep the directory structure in the zip file. If you are using WinZip, you should make sure that the "Use Folder Names" checkbox is checked.

[Note] You don't need to download and install MegaMek separately if you are going to play through a MekWars client like The Chaos March. Their .zips already come with MegaMek.

[Note] The different MekWars Servers use their own clients and should be unzipped on separate folders. For example, you can´t correctly connect to MMNet using the Shack's client.

Running MegaMek/MekWars

Java programs run in their own enviroment, called the Java Runtime Environment. Most modern systems have one installed by default.

On Windows

If you have the Sun JRE installed, double-click the .jar file to start MegaMek. Here is what the icon might look like. Note that if you have the "Hide extentions for known file types" option enabled in windows, it will not have the .jar extension shown. In the case of MekWars, click on MekWarsClient.jar. To start MegaMek using Microsoft's Java VM, run the MegaMek.bat file.

[Hint] Most MekWars Servers come with a .bat or .sh file to start directly. Megamek also has MegaMek.exe which works for Windows.

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On Mac OS X or Other Graphical Environments

Many graphical OSes, such as Mac OS X, allow you to double-click the .jar file to launch MegaMek. If this doesn't work, try running MegaMek from the command line.

From the Command Line

To do this using Sun Java, or most other implementaions, navigate to the directory containing the .jar file and run:

java -jar MegaMek.jar

If none of the above options work for you, Java is probably missing in your system. Here are links to obtain it.

Sun Java for Linux, Solaris, Windows : This is the preferred Java Runtime Environment.

Microsoft VM (Windows) : Microsoft no longer makes their VM available for seperate download. If you have Windows XP, then installing Windows XP SP1 should do the trick. If you have an earlier version of Windows, then you can download the latest version of the Microsoft VM through Windows Update.

Mac OSX 10.1 and above : Java updates are included in OS updates for 10.1 and above. You may get the lastest version through the System Update utility. There is no external way to update your Java VM.

Once you successfully launch MegaMek, you will be greeted with the Main Menu screen. If you’re using MekWars, you will need to login before (see the MekWars Handbook).

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The Main Menu

Here's an example of the main menu on windows.

At the top, you can see what version of MegaMek you're running. In this case, it's a development version (0.35.23 dev).

Host a New Game to start a game as host. People will be able to connect to you using the option below when they start MegaMek on their computers. Their versions must be exactly the same. You can also login here to start a game between yourself and the Bot (Computer).

Connect to a Game is used to join a game hosted by another player. You need to know the host´s IP adress or server name, as well as Port to be able to login.

Host a Scenario is similar to hosting a new game, except that you will first be prompted to select a scenario file. You may change camo or choose whether a player or the Computer (Bot) will be playing one or more of the teams.

Connect as a Bot is similar to connecting as a player, except that the AI opponent will control all that player's units in battle.

Load a Saved Game will prompt you to select a savegame file. The player loading a game hosts it, and then other players may connect using the same names they used in the game. Every turn, the game is automatically saved to "autosave.sav" so you can recover from crashes. You can manually save the game at any time with the "/save" command.

The Map Editor button, launches the map editor. You will have to restart MegaMek when you are done using the editor.

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The Pre-game Lobby

Here you can chat, specify what mechs you want to use, as well as configure their pilots, ammunition, deployment time, pilot skills and other details. When everybody has at least one unit, you may all hit I'm Done to start the game, those without units who click Done will be considered Observers. Most changes to the game parameters will cancel your ready status, so you should wait for everybody to finish their preparations. Most of the images below are clickable for a larger picture.

The unit list is on the upper left corner of the lobby panel. Clicking Add A Combat Unit... brings up the unit selector.

On the upper left, you can set the selection criteria for your browsing. Below that is a list of all available units that match the criteria. The two panels on the right give some information about the currently highlighted unit. Click Select Unit to add the currently highlighted unit, or Cancel to return to the lobby without adding a unit to your side. If you're using computer players (Bots), you can add units to them by changing the "player" name near the "Close" buttom.

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The units you chose can be saved for other games from the "Save Unit List" buttom. You may also add units from the "Create Random Army" buttom, or by "Load Unit List..." if you already prepared an army. If you're using many units, you may want to click on "Compact Display" to simplify the view.

Back in the lobby, you may highlight a unit in the list of those currently added, and view, configure or delete it. The dialog allows you to change a pilot's name and his/her piloting and gunnery skills. If the mech has ammuntion options available for it, they will be shown below the pilot stats. Other possible options include Delayed Deployment, Command Unit (and the initiative bonus it gives as long as it lives) as well pilot advantages and quirks. Connecting C3 systems or setting up some optinal rules settings (like Rapid Fire mode for MGs) is also done here.

To change general player settings, like starting position, "camo" (the color), team or to add mines and initiative bonuses you should click on the "Player Setup" area. Click on "Change Start" to call up the deployment area menu, below:

Double clicking on "Team" and "Camo" opens up those self-explainable options. Being on the same team as another player also gives some other benefits such as sharing C3 computers, Narc beacons and not being affected by each other's ECM.

Picking "No Team" means you are going it alone, even if other players pick "No Team" as well.

Clicking on a player’s name calls up the Mines/Initiative bonuses panel.

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On the Select Map screen you may choose the maps you want to useIt is also possible to add minefields and change planetary conditions, like wind and temperature.

You can change the number of boards and the basic map size by clicking on the "Map Size" buttom. Only the boards which have the same basic hexes side size (example, 16x17 by default) are shown on the maps area. You can also change the map conditions, like temperature, weather and so on on the "Planetary Conditions" buttom. If playing pure AeroTech in Space/Atmosphere you need to check the corresponding boxes. You may also choose to use a randomly Generated map, which can be of any size, its settings being defined on the buttom of the same name.

Below the map size inputs is a not-to-scale representation of how the boards are laid out relative to each other. The middle column lists the current maps and the rightmost column lists the available maps. To change a current map,select it in the middle column, select the map you want in the right column,and press the << button between the two columns. You may also select a map by clicking on its number in the map layout grid. When you select a map, (other than [SURPRISE] or [RANDOM]) you have the choice or rotating it 180 degrees (North becomes South, East becomes West, and vice versa) by clicking on the "Rotate Board" checkbox; the fact that the map is rotated will be shown in the middle column.

[SURPRISE] means that the server will pick a random map and not tell you what it has picked until the game starts. [RANDOM] means that the server will pick a map as soon as you hit the Okay button.

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In-Game Lobby

Here is an overview of the game screen. It is shown during the movement phase, but the elements are similar during other phases (click for a larger image).

The numbered parts are:

1. Main Window: It is currently showing the map (see below.) The report appears here during report phases.

2. Mech Display: This shows information on the currently selected unit. You may click the tabs at the top to access a variety of information about your mech. Of course, even though it is called the mech display, information for tanks and infantry are displayed as well.

3. Minimap: This is a smaller version of the game map. You may click on the minimap to pan around the main map. You may use the plus and minus (+/-) buttons to change the scale of the minimap.

4. Action Buttons: Click these to perform various actions in the game. The specific function of the buttons is explained in the documentation for that phase. The only general buttom is the "Done (Fire)" one, used to finish actions on a unit.

5. Chat Display: Shows the names of the players currently in the game. [ghost] next to a player's name means he/she is disconnected. The [observer] tag indicates that a player has no mechs in the fight. You can also see messages that have been sent. On the bottom you may type your own message. You can also enter certain server commands through the chat interface. Type "/help" for a list. If you type /t before any text, it will be shown only to your team members.

Hovering the mouse over the map board will display a tooltip with information on things under the mouse cursor. It will display information on hexes, units, and attacks represented by attack arrows.

Right+clicking will bring up a pop-up menu with a few options. You use this pop-up menu to view a unit in the Mech Display at any time. When it is your turn, you may use the menu to select a unit of yours. During the Firing and Physical phases, you may also use this menu to target a unit or a hex for attacks.

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Deployment Phase

Here's an example of the deployment phase display:

In this example, the player deploys North. The yellow-bordered area shows the valid deployment zone. Clicking inside this zone will deploy the first selected unit. You may choose another unit with the Next Unit button, and you may change the unit's facing with the Turn button. Click the Done button when you are ready to confirm the deployment.

If you are deploying a unit with sufficient cargo capacity, you may load an undeployed infantry unit into or onto it with the Load button. Here is an example of the load unit dialog:

Unload a loaded unit with the Unload button, if you've made a mistake. You may use the load and unload actions as much as you like, as long as you have available space for the units.

You may also want to deploy using Assault Drop, which enables the unit to be anywhere on the map, coming directly from a Dropship. It has a chance to fall on the wrong hex though. Notice that the Assault Drop option must be enabled in the Game Options.

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Movement Phase

The movement phase screen has many options:

The buttons let you change between different modes of movement, switch to another unit, or commit to your current path. You do not have to move the first selected unit first, you can click on "Next Unit" or just click on the unit itself on the small upper corner list to change to a different unit. Use the More... button to see more buttons.

Left-click on the map to specify a hex to move to. A path should appear on the board, showing your unit's path to the target hex. The numbers in the center represent how many movement points you will have to use to reach each hex. Cyan indicates walking, yellow running, and red jump movement. Dark grey sections of the path indicate where you have exceeded your movement capacity, or other illegal moves. The colors are configurable. Movement that requires a piloting skill roll will be marked with an asterix (*) and movement after such a roll will be in parentheses.

Here is an illustration showing a movement path. For display purposes, turning costs are counted towards movement to enter the next hex. Where

the mech leaves hex 0705, notice the yellow arrow followed by the grey continued movement path. This indicates that the mech would use its last movement point (number 6) to turn, and would then stop moving, as later moves along the path are invalid.

You can drag the mouse to see movement options for several different hexes. You may also choose to use "waypoints." By clicking hexes between the unit's current location and destination, you can delineate the exact path to be taken. You may click every hex along a path, or only hexes where you know the built-in pathfinder won't take the path you want.

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Pressing the Turn button and then clicking on the map allows you to change the unit's facing without moving. Since you automatically change facing while moving, this is best done at the end of any movement. You may also Shift+click to turn.

To back up, click the Back Up button before clicking a hex in the arc behind the unit. To jump, click the Jump button before the destination hex. Facing changes during jumps are free.

Prone units may change facing without getting up at the normal cost. To get up, click the Get Up button, at the beginning of your movement and then plot a path as you normally would. Facing changes immediately following getting up are free. To go prone intentionally, click the Prone button at the end of your movement.

If a mech fails to get up or falls during movement, control will be restored to you at the point that the mech fell. Any moves past the point in which the mech fell will be cancelled. You may re-plot a previous path or decide upon a new one.

Charging and death from above attacks are also declared during the movement phase. Click the Charge or D.F.A. button and then click on the mech you wish to target. If the attack is valid, it will be sent to the server immediately (but resolve during the physical attack phase.)

[Hint] If the program is not using the path you want for a charge or death from above attack, you may plot a path near the target using the appropriate type of movement and then use the Charge or D.F.A. button to complete the attack.

If a vehicle or Mek that has sufficient empty space starts a turn in the same hex as a friendly infantry unit, it can Load the unit as its first move of the turn. A vehicle or Mek that is already carrying an infantry unit can Unload the unit as its last movement of the turn.

The Esc key clears all current movement.

During a battle you are able to know which units moved already by hovering with the mouse above them: if they moved already a (Done) should be shown. An easier way is to just observe the mini-map, as moved units are shown in a darker shade than the others.

After the movement phase there may be a movement phase report. This is only triggered if there is something to report beyond simple movement (for example, damage from a fall).

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Weapons Fire Phase

The buttons at the bottom right of the screen allow you to fire your weapons, switch to another unit, or commit to your currently declared fire. Again, you do not need to declare fire for your first selected unit first.

There are several ways to declare your target. You may target another unit by clicking on it on the board (1). You may also right-click on it and select the Target [unit's designation] option from the pop-up menu. The third way is to cycle through targets with the Next Target button, which is quite practical to check the best to-hit values.

Targetting information for your current weapon should appear in the mech display window (2). To fire your current weapon at the target, press the Fire button at the bottom of the screen. To switch to another weapon, click on its name in the list at the top of the mech display window (3). You do not have to declare all your attacks against the same target. When all desired weapons have been

assigned to a target, press the Done button at the bottom of the screen.

[Hint] Using the default options, when you hit the Fire button for your last available weapon, all declared fire will be committed. See the Tips & Tricks section for information on how to change this option.

Note that fire is resolved in the order that it is declared, so if you feel that it is a good idea to fire weapons in a different order than they are listed, go ahead.

Secondary facing changes (torso or turret twists, arms flipping) are accomplished by pressing the Twist button and then clicking on the board. Shift+clicking also accomplishes this. Your unit will attempt to change its secondary facing in the direction specified. Since these facing changes must go before any weapons fire, they will cancel any declared fire for that unit, which must then be declared again using the new facing.

You can not switch to another unit after declaring some weapons fire. To switch to another unit, first cancel all current fire by hitting the Esc key.

Notice that many weapons may have different "modes"accomplished by selecting the weapon and clicking on the Mode buttom. Ex: LRMs may be set for Indirect Fire, Ultra Autocannons (or normal ones if the optional rule is enabled) to Rapid Fire, and so on.

[Hint] Press the Esc key to clear current weapons fire. The game currently has some problems with the keyboard focus, so it may help if you click on the map or on the weapons list before hitting Esc.

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Other Phases

Depending on the units selected and their positions up to three other phases may appear: Indirect Phase (for Artillery and TAG), Physical Phase (if units are capable of damaging someone or something in the near hex, or illuminating it) and finally an extra deployment phase, if there are reinforcements to arrive (units that have been configured to "Deploy Before Round X").

Of those Physical phase is the most common. To declare a physical attack, select your target on the board and click the button corresponding to the attack you want to make. If a physical attack type is unavailable, the button will be greyed out. Most physical attacks will bring up a confirimation dialog showing your targetting numbers. Hitting "Yes" will send your attack to the server and end your turn. Hitting "No" will return you to attack selection.

Please note that as a default, the game option "Skip ineligible during physical" is turned on. Using this option, units ineligible to make physical attacks due to being out of range, having made weapons attacks, or for any other reason, will be skipped. If all units are ineligible, the entire phase will be skipped.

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Report Phases

After each phase the server resolves all actions in the order they were declared. The results will be shown in a report. An example of a report phase is shown here:

Press the Done button when you have read the report. When all active players have pressed the Done button, the game will continue.

End of Game

There are three ways to end a game:

Last One Standing - When at an End Phase only one Team/Player has units on the field, and no reinforcements are expected, MegaMek automatically acknowledges the winner, finishing the game.

Victory Conditions (Preset) - If the game settings for Victory Conditions were turned on before the game, MegaMek checks at the End Phase whether those conditions where acchieved by any given Player/Team and informs the players. When a Team/Player has completed the minimum number of conditions necessary, the game is over.

Surrender/Mutual Agreement upon non-coded Victory Conditions - Players may also force game resolution if one of them surrenders or non-coded victory conditions are acchieved. Once the winner is agreed upon, one of the winning side players write on the chat area the command /victory. All losing players must then acknowledge their defeat through the /defeat command. Players must just hit Done until the End Phase comes to see results.

[Hint] If playing a scenario where units must flee to win, be careful to acknowledge victory before the last unit flees the field, or MegaMek will automatically consider the team with units on the field as winner. There is a small easter egg if both players destroy each other simultaneously...

The last screen will show which units where fully destroyed and which could be used as salvage, it also offers the possibility for players to save their armies as they were at the end of the battle in a MUL file (MegaMek Unit List). This enables players to run small campaigns as those files can be loaded on the Pre-Game lobby for future games, carrying damage, ammo used, pilot damage and so on with it. An easier way though to keep track of your hangar is to join one of the many MekWars campaigns.