Mech wheels



Mech Wheels are an optional system that replaces the mech's feet with the eponymous wheels. Only a single wheel-set is provided per leg, so the 'mech needs to be a Quad or Tripod for mounting them (bipedal mechs would not be wheel-stable).

History
In theory, wheels were designed to increase the speed of the mounting 'mech. In practice, the leg systems made the better transmission of power untenable. However, wheel systems were both lighter and smaller than walking systems, so they were deemed to have a use. In time, however, it became evident that there was no way the design could overcome the stability flaws. While wheels were usable, they weren't convenient in combat situations. The Jihad also demonstrated that inscrupulous forces could easily take advantage of wheeled mechs by knocking them down and kicking them in the ground. Thus, battlemech wheels eventually ceased production and became extinct. However, they found a niche in industrialmechs, where the danger of falling from receiving damaging impacts was minor, and tripod designs were more popular. In them, wheels continued to live on.

Timeline
Prototyped: 3047 (Draconis Combine) Production: 3055 (Capellan Confederation) Common: - Extinct: 3089 (except for IndustrialMechs)

Rules
 Mech wheels cost 0 C-Bills since they are actually cheaper than the regular foot components. They have the following effects on the 'mech: Thus, wheels free up 1 critical per leg as well as give a rebate in tons. However, their minus are that they change the movement to an inferior type, and make falling easier and getting up harder.
 * They reduce the total structure weight of the whole unit by 5% per leg (rounded up to the nearest .25 ton)
 * They replace the foot actuator and upper leg actuator with a single "wheels" slot. (normally leaving three consecutive free critical spaces in the legs)
 * They change the movement type to "Wheeled" (only type, can't walk)
 * They generate a +1 penalty on the "falling" and "getting up" piloting rolls.

Having wheels may have some advantages however, such as being able to use Primitive Booster Jets to temporarily increase speed.