History VideoGame / MechCommander

* EjectionSeat: Used to preserve Mechwarriors in the event that their Mechs are damaged beyond combat effectiveness. This allows them to save themselves and become available for the next mission, as opposed to just [[KilledOffForReal dying]] outright.

* HoldTheLine

* AwesomeYetPractical: The PPC (both the regular medium-range and the ER long-range variants) and the Large X Pulse Laser.

* DiscOneNuke: If you can actually salvage the 75 ton [[SeriesMascot Mad Cat]] (see WakeUpCallBoss), it becomes this. If you salvage it perfectly intact, it's closer to a Disc One Nuclear Arsenal, as the heaviest Mechs you can have at this point are 55 ton Inner Sphere Mechs with inferior technology.
** The devs released a "Mad Cat Patch" which gave you a fully armed Mad Cat A at the start of the campaign. Every one in awhile, when the stars properly align, you'll take the second Mad Cat intact too. The havoc this wreaks on the game's balance must be seen to be believed.

* SubsystemDamage: Mechs taking too much fire to their arms can lose them (and any attached weapons). A damaged leg causes Mechs to limp slowly, while disabling both legs leaves unable to do anything but fall over and hope for a repair truck.

* CanonImmigrant: The Hollander II 'Mech.

* SubsystemDamage: Mechs taking too much fire to their arms can lose them (and any attached weapons). Damaged legs cause Mechs to limp slowly.

* ExplodingBarrels: Massive gas storage tanks are a Mech-sized version of this. A few missions in the first game are very difficult unless you [[DefensiveFeintTrap lure an enemy]] into a field of gas tanks and set them off.

''[=MechCommander=]'' was released in 1998 and focused on Operation Bulldog, the Inner Sphere counter-offensive against Clan Smoke Jaguar, specifically the assault on Port Arthur. The player is in charge of Zulu Company of the First Davion Guards, and has to regroup their forces (scattered by a forced landing), fulfill their original objectives by harassing the Jaguars and preventing them from entrenching, and ultimately seize the starport so the main invasion force to land. An expansion pack, ''Desperate Measures'', continues Zulu Company's story as they hunt down a renegade Smoke Jaguar commander on Cermak, eventually culminating in a race to stop him before he can crack a Star League weapons vault for universally banned weapons of mass destruction. [[UpdatedRerelease The Gold edition]] has both campaigns available, as well as adding a few new features.

Several days into the Civil War, suspiciously well-equipped and organized bandits begin raiding Steiner's military outposts and stealing supplies. In response, Archon Katrina Steiner has hired your unit to deal with them, as she worries that Steiner reinforcements would spark another conflict on Carver V. The Davion commander agrees to this, as she believes you will simply pull out once the job is done. You have other plans...

* FailedASpotCheck: The Raven pilot in the opening cinematic of ''[=MechCommander=] 1'' declares that he "thinks" the area is clear of enemy Mechs: the page quote is his commander's response. He missed one...

->''"Don't '''think''', Mechwarrior. '''Find out'''."''
-->--'''[=MechCommander=] 1 Introduction'''

''[=MechCommander=]'' was released in 1998 and focused on Operation Bulldog, the Inner Sphere counter-offensive against Clan Smoke Jaguar, specifically the assault on Port Arthur. The player is in charge of Zulu Company of the First Davion Guards, and has to regroup their forces (scattered by a forced landing) in order to complete the campaign. An expansion pack, ''Desperate Measures'', continues Zulu Company's story as they hunt down a renegade Smoke Jaguar commander on Cermak. [[UpdatedRerelease The Gold edition]] has both campaigns available, as well as adding a few new features.

* EvaFins: The Inner Sphere ''[[AwesomeMcCoolName Awesome]]'' and ''[[NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast Mauler]]'' Mech designs (the former of which had the fins roughly a [[OlderThanTheyThink decade]] before Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion was released).

* EvaFins: The Inner Sphere ''[[AwesomeMcCoolName Awesome]]'' and ''[[NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast Mauler]]'' Mech designs (the former of which had the fins roughly a [[OlderThanTheyThink decade]] before NeonGenesisEvangelion was released).

* EvaFins: The Inner Sphere ''[[AwesomeMcCoolName Awesome]]'' and ''[[NamesToRunAwayFrom Mauler]]'' Mech designs (the former of which had the fins roughly a [[OlderThanTheyThink decade]] before NeonGenesisEvangelion was released).

** Although don't tell that to Panther, the schlub who was driving one in the opening cinematic and [[FailedASpotCheck missed a 75 ton Assault mech]]

The first game was released in 1998 and focused on Operation Bulldog, the Inner Sphere counter-offensive against Clan Smoke Jaguar, specifically the assault on Port Arthur. The player is in charge of Zulu Company of the First Davion Guards, and has to regroup their forces (scattered by a forced landing) in order to complete the campaign. An expansion pack, ''Desperate Measures'', continues Zulu Company's story as they hunt down a renegade Smoke Jaguar commander on Cermak. [[UpdatedRerelease The Gold edition]] has both campaigns available, as well as adding a few new features.

The second game was released in 2001 and switches to the perspective of a [[PrivateMilitaryContractors mercenary unit]] arriving on Carver V, formerly controlled by House Liao, in the midst of the [=FedCom=] Civil War, which has divided the [=FedCom=] force there into groups loyal to House Steiner or to House Davion. Now, Carver V is in an uneasy peace, as the former [=FedCom=] units are reluctant to engage former comrades, and Liao's battered forces are in no condition to force either one off.

** Also happens to your Mechwarriors as you progress through the missions, based on their Piloting and Gunnery skills, which are increased by getting shot at and shooting at, respectively. The ranks go from lowly [[NewMeat Green]] to [[AcePilot Ace]], and each level allows you to select a skill. Aces have access to some of the most over-powered skills in the game in addition to their maxed out Gunnery and Piloting stats.

* BadassNormal: Gunnery Sergeant Cash, your weapons' tech from the second game, used to be an ''infantryman'' in a universe where 20+ ton HumongousMecha are the norm.

* EnergyWeapons

* FragileSpeedster: ''[=MechCommander=] Gold's'' Inner Sphere ''Commando'' and ''Stiletto'', as well as the Clan ''Uller'' (Kit Fox) and ''Cougar'' Mechs.

* JackOfAllStats: The Inner Sphere ''Bushwacker'', designed with flexibility in mind.

* MightyGlacier: Heavy and Assault class Mechs in general tend to qualify, but invoked the most with the Inner Sphere ''Atlas'' and Clan ''Turkina'' in ''[=MechCommander=] Gold''.

The first game was released in 1998 and focused on Operation Bulldog, the Inner Sphere counter-offensive against Clan Smoke Jaguar, specifically the assault on Port Arthur. The player is in charge of Zulu Company of the First Davion Guards, and has to regroup their forces (scattered by a forced landing) in order to complete the campaign. An expansion pack, ''Desperate Measures'', continues Zulu Company's story, as they hunt down a renegade Smoke Jaguar commander on Cermak. Both are merged in the Gold edition.

* BadassNormal: Your weapons' tech from the second game used to be an ''infantryman'' in a universe where 20+ ton HumongousMecha are the norm.

** 'Mech designs that don't normally have jump jets in the original game get them here. [[spoiler: Including [[FinalBoss Colonel Renard's 100 ton Atlas.]] Yes, really.]]

* CanonImmigrant: The Hollander II 'mech.

* FragileSpeedster: ''[=MechCommander=] Gold's'' Inner Sphere ''Commando'' and ''Stilleto'', as well as the Clan ''Uller'' (Kit Fox) and ''Cougar'' mechs.

** The Clan ''Shadow Cat'', a very fast medium mech with respectable armament and armor for its weight class.

* SnipingTheCockpit: Your Mechwarriors can be on both the giving and receiving end of this. It's always shocking to see one of your Veteran pilots [[KilledOffForReal die]] (not ejecting) at [[OneHitKill near full-HP from a lucky shot by an enemy Mech]], especially on higher difficulties.
* SubsystemDamage: Mechs taking too much fire to their arms can lose them (and the attached weapon). Damaged legs cause Mechs to limp slowly.

** Also happens to your Mechwarriors as you progress through the missions, going from lowly [[NewMeat Green]] to [[AcePilot Ace]] by the endgame. Ace pilots get to choose a fourth skill from among some of the most over-powered in the game.

-->''"Don't '''think''', Mechwarrior. '''Find out'''."''
--->-- Mechcommander 1 Introduction

The first game was released in 1998 and focused on the Inner Sphere assault of the Clan Smoke Jaguar planet Port Arthur. The player is in charge of the Zulu Company of the First Davion Guards, and has to gather their forces (scattered by a forced landing) in order to complete the campaign. An expansion pack, ''Desperate Measures'', continued to follow Zulu Company as they hunted down a renegade Smoke Jaguar commander on the planet Cermak.

The second game was released in 2001 and switches to the perspective of a [[PrivateMilitaryContractors mercenary unit]] stationed on the planet Carver V. The campaign is divided into three parts, and the player alternately works for a different faction in each part: Steiner, Liao, and a group of rebels supported by Davion.

The second game also had it's source code released some time ago, and a relatively new overhaul called [[http://www.moddb.com/mods/mechcommander-omnitech Omnitech]] is being worked on.

* ArbitraryHeadcountLimit: A variation / justification: You can only bring a certain combined tonnage of 'Mechs into each mission. Which makes some sense, as mechs get transported long distances by drop (space)ships, which haven't exactly got infinite cargo capacity.
* AwesomeButImpractical: The Long Tom long-range artillery gun and Heavy Thunderbolt medium-range missile launcher, which can cause significant amounts of damage (and make [[TabletopGame/{{Warhammer 40000}} the loudest of booms]]) but are slow-firing, possess low ammunition and take up alot of room in weapon load-outs.
* AwesomeYetPractical: The PPC (both medium-range and ER long-range variants) and Large X Pulse Laser.
* BadassNormal: Your weapons' tech from the second game used to be an infantryman in a universe where 20+ ton HumongousMecha are the norm.
** And he gets all giggly when he gets his hands on Clan tech.
* BadassCrew
* BeamSpam: Still a very viable tactic as with MechWarrior, especially with Large X Pulse Lasers.
* CanonForeigner: 'Mech designs that don't normally have jump jets in the original game get them here. [[spoiler: Including [[FinalBoss Colonel Renard's 100 ton Atlas.]] Yes, really.]]

* DiscOneNuke: If you can actually salvage the [[SeriesMascot Mad Cat]] (see WakeUpCallBoss), it becomes this. If you salvage it perfectly intact, it's closer to a Disc One Nuclear Arsenal.
** No kidding. There are 2 separate sets of units, Inner Sphere and Clan, clan being flatly superior almost across the board. By the time you face the Mad Cat, the biggest mech you can get is a 55 ton Inner sphere mech, and the biggest enemy you've seen was a 35 ton clan mech. The Mad Cat is 75 tons, and in every Battletech incarnation is among the top 10% of available units. Hell, its considered one of the 2 most iconic units in the series, along with the Atlas. People who have never played any Btech-related game recognize this thing.

* EnemyDetectingRadar: Expected in this type of game, but the Inner Sphere ''Raven'' (a mech that comes with advanced sensors, electronic countermeasures and probes to detect powered-down mechs right off the bat) stakes its meal ticket on this trope.
--> The first thing you see is this being subverted. The introductory cutscene appears to feature a blind Raven pilot, as he calls "all clear" before being chewed out by his MissionControl, then it becomes clear that he managed to miss a 75 ton Mad Cat.
** Especially in the second game, effective sensor use is vital. Only a handful of units have sensors, and the quality of those sensors varies greatly.

* EvaFins: The Inner Sphere ''[[AwesomeMcCoolName Awesome]]'' and ''[[NamesToRunAwayFrom Mauler]]'' mech designs (the former of which had the fins roughly a [[OlderThanTheyThink decade]] before NeonGenesisEvangelion was released).
* ExplodingBarrels: Massive gas storage tanks are a mech-sized version of this. A few missions in the first game are very difficult unless you [[DefensiveFeintTrap lure an enemy]] into a field of gas tanks and set them off.
* FinishHim: [=MechCommander's=] intro. The exact phrase is said.

* FragileSpeedster: Mechcommander Gold's Inner Sphere ''Commando'' and ''Stilleto'', as well as the Clan ''Uller'' (Kit Fox) and ''Cougar'' mechs.
** The Clan ''Shadow Cat'' meanwhile approaches LightningBruiser territory.

* GeneralFailure: Jason Cho in the second game. You never actually see him fight, but in almost every mission briefing the Mandrissa tells you that he lost a battle.
* GeneralRipper: Colonel Renard from the second game.
* GlassCannon: From Mechcommander Gold, the Inner Sphere '''Hollander II'' and the Clan ''Vulture'' (Mad Dog).

* HeelFaceRevolvingDoor: You, in the second game. Justified due to being OnlyInItForTheMoney, and in the case of the rebels, revenge against Steiner and Liao for betraying you.
** Liao and the Mandrissa begrudgingly admit that they ''need'' you at their disposal - because you've trashed so many of their other forces whilst in the employ of House Steiner, and they somewhat-respect your capabilities. [[spoiler:You get RewardedAsATraitorDeserves when Renard demands the death of your unit in exchange for a treaty between Steiner and Liao.]]

* LightningBruiser: Along with the aforementioned ''Shadow Cat'' (a very fast medium mech with respectable armaments), the Clan ''Mad Cat'' (Timber Wolf) and ''Thor'' (Summoner) are no slouches either for a pair of Heavy mechs that frequently come armed with ER PPCs.
** The Timber Wolf (Mad Cat) is THE Lightning Bruiser of the Btech Universe. It has a slightly above average speed, is more heavily armored and/or better armed than almost anything in it's speed category. In MC Gold and MC2, it has no weaknesses.
** All clan heavies available in the second game, but yea, especially the Mad Cat.
* MacrossMissileMassacre: You'll likely be seeing this alot if you arm your mechs with huge numbers of LRMs, particularly in the first game where missiles don't arc up like they do in the second.

* MightyGlacier: The Heavy and Assault class Mechs tend to qualify, but invoked the most with the Inner Sphere ''Atlas'' and Clan ''Turkina'' in Mechcommander Gold.

* NonEntityGeneral: In both games, but particularly noteworthy in the second game, where [[EveryoneCallsHimBarkeep you are always referred to as "Commander"]].

* RealTimeWithPause: But wasn't always. The ability to issue orders while paused was actually added with [=MechCommander=] Gold and wasn't present in the original release.

* RPGElements: The mechwarriors under your command grow in skill as they see more combat, which is [[VideoGameCaringPotential one of the reasons to try to keep them alive]].
** In the second game, pilot customization is taken to the next level, allowing you to choose a new skill for each pilot every time they move up a rank. They very from weapon specializations to increased skill with sensors, to increased likelihood of a head hit. Furthermore, the skills you choose for the early rank-ups improve in later rank-ups (example: The Sensor skill, available at regular. Without it, sensors just give you a marker showing a unit is there. When you get it at regular, it lets the pilot differentiate between vehicles and mechs. At Veteran, the pilot can tell weight class. At Elite, can tell exact model.)
* ShowsDamage: Mechs taking too much fire to their arms can loose them (and the attached weapon) and crippled mechs limp slowly through the battlefield.
* SnipingTheCockpit: Your Mechwarriors can be on both the giving and receiving end of this. It's always shocking to see one of your Veteran pilots [[KilledOffForReal die]] (not ejecting) at [[OneHitKill near full-HP from a lucky shot by an enemy mech]], especially on higher difficulties.
** This gets really annoying if its your star pilot that you've been grooming the entire game.
* SubsystemDamage

* TookALevelInBadass: [[spoiler:A crappy rookie pilot from the first game, callsign "Rooster", returns near the end of the second game as an elite [=MechWarrior=].]]
** Also happens to your Mechwarriors as you progress through the missions, going from lowly [[NewMeat Green]] to [[BadAss Elite]] by the endgame.
*** If you successfully max out a pilot's stats, they achieve a fifth rank, making the progression Green, Regular, Veteran, Elite, Ace. Ace pilots get to choose a fourth skill from among some of the most over-powered in the game. Having played the game through several times, this troper have never been able to get more than 2 Aces in a single playthrough.
* WakeUpCallBoss: The third mission of the first game, when your force consists mostly of, and is mostly fighting, light 20-30 ton mechs, suddenly throws a 75-ton ''Mad Cat'' at you. (Hint: you're supposed to run from it (or take note of all the [[ExplodingBarrels fuel tanks]] it's running past). [[DiscOneNuke But if you can salvage it...]])

* ZergRush: Many of the missions have you facing off against massed groups of tanks and other vehicles.

* GlassCannon: From Mechcommander Gold, the Inner Sphere ''Catapult'' and ''Hollander II'' and the Clan ''Vulture'' (Mad Dog), though more pronounced with the Catapult (which is basically an [[MacrossMissileMassacre LRM carrier]] in mech form).

* ArbitraryHeadcountLimit: A variation: You can only bring a certain combined tonnage of 'Mechs into each mission.

* RealTimeWithPause

* AwesomeButImpractical: The Long Tom long-range artillery gun and Heavy Thunderbolt medium-range missile launcher, which can cause significant amounts of damage (and make [[Warhammer40K the loudest of booms]]) but are slow-firing, possess low ammunition and take up alot of room in weapon load-outs.

* ZergRush: Many of the missions have you facing off against massed groups of tanks and other vehicles.