Harebrained Schemes and Paradox released BATTLETECH on 24 April 2018. It is turn-based lance combat set in 3025, in a Periphery region called the Aurigan Reach, where you run a mercenary company for High Lady Kamea Arano against Director Santiago Espinosa's Aurigan Directorate. Four mechs drop per mission, five initiative phases resolve per round, and the MechLab makes you argue for every half ton. Three expansions followed: Flashpoint in 2018, Urban Warfare in 2019 and Heavy Metal later that year.
Picking the right build determines how your experience plays out. These builds are ranked by overall effectiveness, factoring in damage, survivability, gear requirements, and how well they scale into endgame. New to the game? Start with our beginner's guide first.
Quick Rankings
| Build | Tier | Playstyle | Core Gear |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light Mech scout | A | Balanced | Best available |
| Medium Mech skirmisher | A | Balanced | Best available |
| Heavy Mech line fighter | A | Balanced | Best available |
| Assault Mech brawler | A | Balanced | Best available |
| Sensor Lock spotter | A | Balanced | Best available |
For detailed meta rankings, see our BATTLETECH tier list.
A-Tier: Light Mech scout
Light Mech scout is a top-performing option in BATTLETECH.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | AC/20 Autocannon | The heaviest single-slug weapon available and the only one that reliably removes a medium mech's centre torso in one hit. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Five phase initiative order | Each round runs through five numbered phases, with the higher numbers resolving first. |
How to Play Light Mech scout
Light Mech scout focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this build works: AC/20 Autocannon does the damage and Five phase initiative order keeps it running, which is why this sits at the top of the list. See our weapons guide for detailed equipment breakdowns.
Pros:
- Highest overall performance
- Straightforward gearing path
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Popular pick, resources may be contested
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
A-Tier: Medium Mech skirmisher
Medium Mech skirmisher is a strong option in BATTLETECH.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | PPC | Does a bit of everything: solid focused damage, meaningful stability damage, long reach and an accuracy penalty applied to whatever it hits. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Evasion pips and Sensor Lock | Movement generates evasion chevrons that cut incoming hit chance, and every attack removes one whether it connects or misses. |
How to Play Medium Mech skirmisher
Medium Mech skirmisher focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this build works: Pair PPC with Evasion pips and Sensor Lock and the build stops depending on a good start, so it holds up across most content. See our weapons guide for detailed equipment breakdowns.
Pros:
- Most versatile option
- Straightforward gearing path
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Lower peak damage than S-tier
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
A-Tier: Heavy Mech line fighter
Heavy Mech line fighter is a strong option in BATTLETECH.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | LRM 20 | Indirect fire that only performs against a spotted or sensor locked target, spreading damage across locations while piling on stability. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Called shots on prone and shutdown targets | Attacks normally roll hit location from the firing arc. |
How to Play Heavy Mech line fighter
Heavy Mech line fighter focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this build works: Called shots on prone and shutdown targets covers the gap LRM 20 leaves open, so the build stays usable even when a fight goes badly. See our weapons guide for detailed equipment breakdowns.
Pros:
- Best survivability
- Straightforward gearing path
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Slower clear speeds
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
A-Tier: Assault Mech brawler
Assault Mech brawler is a specialized option in BATTLETECH.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | SRM 6 | Short range missiles trade reach for damage per ton and a high critical hit rate. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Heat and stability damage | Weapons fire builds heat, terrain adds more, and past the red line you get shutdown, ammunition explosions and injured pilots. |
How to Play Assault Mech brawler
Assault Mech brawler focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this build works: This one leans on Heat and stability damage rather than raw numbers, and SRM 6 is what makes that trade pay off. See our weapons guide for detailed equipment breakdowns.
Pros:
- Strong in group/team content
- Straightforward gearing path
- Excels in its niche
Cons:
- Weaker solo performance
- Requires deep game knowledge
A-Tier: Sensor Lock spotter
Sensor Lock spotter is a specialized option in BATTLETECH.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Medium Laser | One ton, no ammunition, decent damage, moderate heat. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Contract negotiation and salvage shares | Before every drop you slide payout against salvage rights. |
How to Play Sensor Lock spotter
Sensor Lock spotter focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this build works: Medium Laser and Contract negotiation and salvage shares pull in the same direction here, which separates this from the safer picks above. See our weapons guide for detailed equipment breakdowns.
Pros:
- Unique, rewarding playstyle
- Straightforward gearing path
- Excels in its niche
Cons:
- High skill floor, punishing when misplayed
- Requires deep game knowledge
Build Progression Path
- Start with Medium Mech skirmisher: the most forgiving option for learning the game
- Transition to Light Mech scout once you understand core mechanics and have access to AC/20 Autocannon
- Keep a Heavy Mech line fighter setup for content that keeps killing you
- Try Sensor Lock spotter for a fresh experience once you've mastered the basics
Follow our walkthrough for the optimal progression path through each area.
Gearing Tips
- Invest in your primary equipment first, since it gives the biggest power spike. See our weapons guide for rankings.
- Negotiation sliders are not symmetrical in value. Early in a campaign, salvage is worth far more than C-bills because a salvaged Shadow Hawk is worth several contracts of payout, while money only buys repairs you could have avoided.
- Three matching mech parts assemble a full chassis at the default setting. That means targeting the same enemy model repeatedly across contracts, and shooting legs rather than centre torsos, since a legged mech leaves more intact parts in the salvage pool.
- Don't spread upgrade resources across multiple builds until endgame
More BATTLETECH Guides
- BATTLETECH BATTLETECH Overview
- BATTLETECH Tier List
- BATTLETECH Walkthrough
- BATTLETECH Beginner's Guide
- BATTLETECH Tips & Tricks
- BATTLETECH Weapons Guide
- BATTLETECH Combat Guide
- BATTLETECH Boss Guide
- BATTLETECH Maps & Locations
- BATTLETECH Crafting Guide
- BATTLETECH Classes & Characters
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