Trivia
Speed Shops won't modify the Javelin, Spider, Urbanmech, or Chameleon. The Wasp, Stinger, Locust, and Commando all get two modifications each, all worth the money.
If you have no mech at all and need a free one, you can rent an Arena mech, shoot out the thinnest section of the Western grandstands (oh, the carnage!), and run away - however, you'll lose any mechs that were in the garage, and Starport will never let you back in, so make sure you're desperate. Also, if you have Rex and your Expert Tech with you, this can be your chance to get the only Urbanmech in the game! Yes, it's a slug of a mech, but that AC10 is the longest-ranged and deadliest gun in CHI (without hacking). Here's how: rent a mech, check the opponent, and reload if it's not the Urbanmech (the chances of the Urbie appearing are about 1 in 100). Head West, hiding to avoid the AC10 shots. Shoot out the bleachers, then run outside, but stay next to the outer Arena wall; if you get too far from the outer wall, the "steal a mech" dialogue plays. Wait until the Urbie comes to you (coax it out gently), then kill it. With EXTEME luck, you might be able to salvage it, since neither Rex nor Russ will have a mech after your little gore-fest in the stands. The chances are VERY low, but it's been done. The Urb can't be modified, but why would you want to?
Trivia note: all Level 1 (3025) BattleTech weapons are in the game's database, though few of them are used; with a hex editor, luck, and/or patience, you can have AC20s, LRM15s, and all the other goodies mounted on your mechs, plus you can have all 12 members and tons of cash. Otherwise, having a party as big as the one on the back of the box is impossible.
Game shipped with a round lapel pin that was the Crecent Hawk's Insignia.
Contributed by
Tony Van (2707) on Jan 24, 2000.
For the first few months after the game came out, players who solved BattleTech I: CHI (enduring the laborious card key door unlocking sequence to reach the final room of the secret base) received a code they could mail to FASA for a Ral Partha miniature of the Land-Air-Mech (half-plane robot) that you discover at the end. I found the code and mailed it in and I have the unopened mech miniature at home!
