Wrecking Ball

The Wrecking Ball is a piece of construction equipment that is rarely seen on the battlefield. Though it has been used by the arena fighters on Solaris, the lack of range and interference with other equipment mean it's not popular with the regular armies of the Inner Sphere. Instead the Wrecking Ball is usually found on IndustrialMechs and support vehicles that are used for demolition.

Essentially nothing more than a massive rock at the end of a chain, the Wrecking Ball uses its weight and momentum to build up energy during a swing. This energy is then imparted to the targeted building, causing it to collapse. Occasionally this item is used in combat (as a less effective version of the Flail) by ConstructionMechs and DemolitionMechs that have been pressed into emergency service. In addition to the lack of range a Wrecking Ball is inherently difficult to control and can actually inflict damage on the unit mounting it, either by a reversed blow or by pulling the unit off balance and causing it to fall. In any event, the Wrecking Ball is better suited for demolition than combat.

Game Rules
In game play the Wrecking Ball imposes a +1 to hit modifier. In addition if the player rolls a 2 on the to-hit roll, the Wrecking Ball misses the target and slams into the attacking unit itself. This self-inflicted attack causes half the normal damage (4 points) and is allocated against the Front Hit Location Table. After this damage is allocated, the controlling player must make a successful Piloting skill roll or the wildly-moving Wrecking Ball causes the 'Mech to fall, inflicting normal falling damage.

A Support Vehicle carrying a Wrecking Ball can make a single physical attack on any target in the Wrecking Ball's arc. This attack incurs a +2 to-hit penalty in addition to the standard movement and terrain modifiers. If successful, the Wrecking Ball inflicts full damage. 'Mechs hit by the Wrecking Ball use the standard hit location table, and must make a successful Piloting roll as if the 'Mech had been charged.

Against a building, a Wrecking Ball inflicts its base damage plus 4D6 points.

Bipedal 'Mechs can carry a Wrecking Ball in each arm, but must remove the hand actuator to do so. Quad 'Mechs cannot mount a wrecking ball. A Wrecking Ball may not be mounted in any area that mounts a Chainsaw, Dual Saw, Pile Driver, Mining Drill, Rock Cutter, Combine, or Backhoe.

Support Vehicles can only carry a Wrecking Ball in the Turret location, and only if none of the prohibited construction equipment types listed above are already present.