This article is an index of all existing Special Pilot Abilities from a variety of sources, including Campaign Operations, MechWarrior Cards from Force Packs and campaign books. I have also include some house rules SPA’s and some suggested errata’s to balance the more powerful SPA’s that are a little game unbalanced.
No copyright material is contained in this article. All rules can be found in the referenced rule book or MechWarrior card.
There is also information at https://www.sarna.net/wiki/Special_Pilot_Abilities
Unit Type Codes:
- BM BattleMech
- BM(Q) BattleMech Quad
- BA Battle Armor
- CV Combat Vehicle
- VT VTOL
- AF Aerospace Fighter
- CF Conventional Figher
- CI Conventional Infantry
- AR Artillery
- DS DropShip
- SC Small Craft
Book Reference Codes:
- CO Campaign Operations
- TR Tamar Rising
- EA Empire Alone
- DD Dominions Divided
| Ability | Cost | Unit Type | Reference | Notes |
| Animal Mimicry | 2 | BM(Q) PM | CO p72 ASCE p 92 | |
| Antagonizer | 3 | ANY | CO p73 ASCE p 92 | Aren Helmer (Warhawk) Corijan Holmes (Annihilator) Davis McCall (Rifleman) Gabrielle Carcas (Crockett) Mio Radick (Pack Hunter) |
| Blood Stalker | 2 | ANY | CO p73 ASCE p 93 | Colleen Moran (Sanitaire) Robert Otek (Valkyrie) Scotty Rosek (Thunderbolt) Evangeline Cantwell (UrbanMech) Jamie Wolf (Archer) Rishaan Thakur (Crab) |
| Cluster Hitter | 2 | ANY | CO p73 ASCE p 93 | Katherine (Timber Wolf) Marlisa Buchanan (Annihilator) Jamie Wolf (Archer) |
| Combat Intuition | 3 | ANY | CO p73 ASCE p 93 | Kevin Street (Atlas) Tina Nostra (Fire Falcon) Greyson Death Carlyle (Marauder) |
| Cross-Country | 2 | ANY | CO p73 ASCE p 93 | |
| Demoralizer | 3 | ANY | CO p74 ASCE p 93 | Yurika Suzume (Wasp) Natasha Kerensky (Dire Wolf) Jamie Wolf (Archer) |
| Dodge | 2 | ANY | CO p74 ASCE p 95 | Dieter Shackle (Griffin) Maxim Vasiliev (Awesome) Arthur Rutherford (Awesome) Scotty Rosek (Thunderbolt) |
| Dust-Off | 2 | VT CF AF DS SC | CO p74 ASCE p 95 | |
| Eagle’s Eyes | 2 | ANY | CO p74 ASCE p 95 | Darrick (Timber Wolf) Mackenzie Cross (Stinger) Ismav Sauveterre (Mongoose) |
| Environmental Specialist (Type) | 2 | ANY | CO p74 ASCE p 95 | |
| Evasive Maneuver | 2 | CV (Ground) | TR p109 | |
| Fist Fire | 2 | BM PM | CO p75 ASCE p 96 | Jennifer Whitmore-Smythe (Archer) Braxton Ishikawa (Panther) |
| Float Like a Butterfly | 1-4 | ANY | EA p117 | |
| Forward Observer | 1 | ANY | CO p75 ASCE p 96 | Maconaquea Akerlund (Wolverine) Zhong Shui (Marauder) Rebecca Adenauer (Annihilator) Cletus Dumas (Mongoose) Sora Okamoto (Jenner) |
| Foot Cavalry | 1 | CI (Foot) | CO p75 ASCE p101 | |
| Golden Goose | 3 | VT AF CF SC | CO p75 ASCE p 96 | |
| Ground Hugger | 2 | VT AF CF SC | CO p75 ASCE p 96 | |
| Head Hunter | 2 | ANY | TR p113 ASCE p 96 | Rebecca Green (Warhammer) |
| Heavy Horse | 2 | CI (Mounted) | CO p75 ASCE p101 | |
| Heavy Lifter | 1 | BM | CO p76 ASCE p 97 | |
| Hopper | 1 | BM | CO p76 ASCE p 97 | Shigeru Kikuchi (Wasp) Zaire Danielson (Warhammer) Titania K. Duvall (Rifleman) |
| Hot Dog | 2 | BM AF | CO p76 ASCE p 97 | Gavin (Nova) Jacob Benfield (Archer) Slavomir Kladivo (Awesome) Wade Fitzwarin (Awesome) Bobby Ell (Blackjack) Uthman Obeid (Guillotine) Justus Rodriguez (Hellion) Rokuro Samuels (Jenner) |
| Human TRO (Type) | 1 | ANY | CO p76 ASCE p 97 | Arlene Pellegrino (Wraith) Maconaquea Akerlund (Wolverine) Tracy Maxwell Kent (Phoenix Hawk) Clyme (Timber Wolf) Roger Biernsbacher (Lancelot) Alex (Packhunter) Tucker Clarke (Battle Cobra) |
| Inspiring Command | 1-4 | ANY | EA p114 | Greg Oliphant (Banshee) |
| Iron Will | 1 | ANY | CO p76 ASCE p 97 | Greg Oliphant (Banshee) Natasha Kerensky (Dire Wolf) Torvald Stendahl (Annihilator) Jamie Wolf (Archer) Enar Helmer (Turkina) Hammond (Battle Cobra) |
| Judo | 3 | BM PM BA | DD p133 | |
| Jumping Jack | 2 | BM PM | CO p76 ASCE p 97 | Suggested Errata Gabriel Kwan (Blackjack) Mackenzie Cross (Stinger) Herman Schtiles (Crockett) Tamin Gurdel (Kodiak) |
| Light Horseman | 2 | CI (Mounter) | CO p76 ASCE p101 | |
| Lucky | 1-4 | ANY | CO p77 ASCE p 97 | Suggested Errata Tracy Maxwell Kent (Phoenix Hawk) Sawako Maki (Rifleman) Natasha Kerensky (Dire Wolf) Arthur Blankenship (Archer) Benjamin Chistu (Fire Falcon) Wendy Brandt (Wolfhound) Greyson Death Carlyle (Marauder) |
| Manoeuvring Ace | 2 | ANY Non Infantry | CO p77 ASCE p 97 | Lebeau T (Sagittaire) Kimberly Michelle (Wasp) Afonso Nascimento (Locust) Devon Coyne (Locust) Titus Daniels (Longbow) Felix Breen (Hellion) Inara (Turkina) Tucker Clarke (Battle Cobra) |
| Marksman | 2 | ANY | CO p77 ASCE p 97 | Lately (Fire Moth) Zhen Zheng (Locust) David Kendal (Thunderbolt) Arthur Rutherford (Awesome) Kirax (UrbanMech) Brixleigh Ball (Timber Wolf) Roger Biernsbacher (Lancelot) Alison Young (Blackjack) |
| Melee Master | 2 | BM PM | CO p77 ASCE p 98 | Maxim Vasiliev (Awesome) Peni (Howler) |
| Melee Specialist | 1 | BM PM | CO p77 ASCE p 98 | John Samuels (Axman) Peni (Howler) |
| Multi-Tasker | 2 | ANY | CO p78 ASCE p 98 | Ariana Winston (Cyclops) Cassius McMillian (Atlas) Anthony Ryan (Locust) Wade Fitzwarin (Awesome) Zhong Shui (Marauder) Anichka Martin (Longbow) Malik Bunaa (Lancelot) |
| Natural Grace | 3 | BM PM | CO p78 ASCE p 98 | Callista (Nova) Garrett Cedeno (Catapult) Saxon Pierce (Blackjack) |
| Oblique Artilleryman | 1 | ANY | CO p78 ASCE p 98 | |
| Oblique Attacker | 1 | ANY | CO p78 ASCE p 98 | Suggested Errata Robert Gregg (Archer) Titus Daniels (Longbow) Michael Strake (Archer) |
| Ranger Master | 2 | ANY | CO p78 ASCE p 98 | Drake Hawkins (Griffin) Sawako Maki (Rifleman) Hal Blumberg (Blackjack) Alex (Packhunter) Inara (Turkina) |
| Ride the Wash | 4 | Any Airborne | CO p79 ASCE p 98 | |
| Sandblaster (Type) | 2 | ANY | CO pg79 ASCE p 99 | Sigtrygg Poulsen (Griffin) Cole (Archer) Evangeline Cantwell (UrbanMech) Jamie Wolf (Archer) Bria Snuka (Kodiak) |
| Shaky Stick | 2 | Any Airborne | CO p79 ASCE p 99 | |
| Sharpshooter | 4 | ANY | CO p79 ASCE p 99 | Wassim Naifeh (Rifleman) |
| Slow but Steady | 2 | ANY | TR p112 | |
| Slugger | 1 | BM | CO p80 ASCE p 99 | Mervyn Schmidlap (Cyclops) Sara Beth (Phoenix Hawk) |
| Sniper | 3 | ANY | CO p80 ASCE p 99 | Yarbrough (Thunderbolt) Sicily (Pouncer) Kristen Raven (Warhammer) Jezebel Youngblood (Phoenix Hawk) Anichka Martin (Longbow) Stacy Church (Timber Wolf) Harry Fraser (Flashman) |
| Speed Demon | 2 | Any | CO p80 ASCE p 99 | Mervyn Schmidlap (Cyclops) Milla (Nova) Slavomir Kladivo (Awesome) Claire Hemphill (Timber Wolf) Nathan Hollyfeld (Wolfhound) |
| Stand Aside | 1 | ANY | CO p80 ASCE p 99 | |
| Street Fighter | 2 | BM PM | CO p80 ASCE p 99 | John Samuels (Axman) Desares Lovelace (Banshee) |
| Sure Footed | 1 | BM IM PM | ASCE p100 | |
| Swordsman | 2 | BM PM | CO p80 ASCE p100 | |
| Tactical Genius | 3 | ANY | CO p80 ASCE p100 | Adam Steiner (Axman) Ariana Winston (Cyclops) Salazar Tsakalotos (Thunderbolt) Lashta Scott (Warhawk) Johnny Clavell (Rifleman) Jamie Wolf (Archer) Ella (Howler) Greyson Death Carlyle (Marauder) |
| Terrain Master (Type) | 3 | Various | CO p81 ASCE p100 | Night Stalker Andrea Riche (Blackjack) Okubo Henderson (Shadow Hawk) Forest Ranger Krell Magnus (Pouncer) Jason Alan (Wraith) Argos Nascimbeni (Blackjack) Mountaineer Colin Bargiel (Flashman) Bjorn Miyazaki (Panther) |
| Urban Guerrilla | 1 | CI, BA | CO p82 ASCE p101 | |
| Weapon Specialist (Type) | 3 | ANY | CO p82 ASCE p101 | Sigtrygg Poulsen (Griffin) Zaire Danielson (Warhammer) Kwame Abeiku (Guillotine) Stewart Baibars (Crab) Travis Wan (Blackjack) Enar Helmer (Turkina) |
| Wind Walker | 2 | Any Airborne | CO p82 ASCE p101 | |
| Zweihander | 2 | BM | CO p82 ASCE p101 |
Suggested Errata
These SPA’s seem particularly unbalanced in game play. These are some suggested errata. These errata’s are NOT OFFICIAL.
Jumping Jack (2 SPA)
When jumping you receive a +2 to hit modifier instead of the normal +3 modifier
Lucky (1-4 SPA)
You may re-roll one dice roll, or force your opponent to reroll one dice roll . You must announce this straight after that dice roll is made. This ability can be taken more than once. If both players have Lucky, the second player could cause a re-roll again. This can’t be used to effect initiative dice or hull breaches.
Oblique attacker (2 SPA)
You ignore the +1 on all attack rolls for indirect fire. [Unlike the Campaign Ops version – this DOES NOT allow you to fire indirectly without a spotted]
Range Master (Medium or Long) (2 SPA)
Choose one range band. Recieve a -1 to hit for direct fire attacks in that range band.
New SPA’s (House Rules)
BackStabber (2 SPA)
Unit Type: Any
This pilot receives a -1 TN on all ranged and physical attacks that hit in the rear.
Cargo Lifter (1 SPA)
Unit Type: BM
This pilot receives a -1 TN on all Pilot Skill Rolls to pick up objects and cargo.
Flanker (2 SPA)
Unit Type: Any
This pilot receives a -1 TN on all ranged and physical attacks that hit in the left or right side.
FREQUENT FLYER (1 SPA)
Unit Type: BM AF CF
If the MechWarrior/Pilot needs to eject, the Piloting Skill Roll is at -2 and for a BattleMech it may land one hex further away.
Honor Bound (1 SPA)
Unit Type: Any
At the start of a turn, you may declare a challenge against one opponent. You receive a –1 to all attack rolls but may not attack any other target, even if you are attacked by them. Like with Clan honour this effect is negated if on three separate turns the target is either out of Line of Sight or out of usable weapons range for the attackers ‘Mech. This ability can only be used once per scenario. This is a favoured ability for honourable Draconis Combine Tai-i (Captains).Â
IRON LEADERSHIP (3 SPA)
Unit Type: Any
Acts in the same way as Iron Will but effects all friendly units in 3 hexes that are part of the same formation
Inspiring Words (1-3 SPA)
Unit Type: Any
After rolling initiative, you may apply a +1 bonus to the roll. This ability may be used once per scenario but may be taken multiple times to increase the bonus.
Kip-Up (2 SPA)
Unit Type: Any
Receive a –1 to Piloting Skill Rolls to stand and it only costs 1 MP.
Lead from the front (2 SPA)
Unit Type: Any
If your unit is at less range to any enemy than between any other friendly and enemy Mech you get a –1 to attack rolls.
Phantom (3 SPA)
Unit Type: Any Ground
At the start of this units movement, if the unit is not in Line of Fire of any opposing unit, and there is in a rough, rubble, woods or jungle hex within walking distance then the unit may hide in one of those hexes. Secretly record the units location, remove it from the table and treat it now as it is in Hidden Deployment.
Toughness (1-3 SPA)
Unit Type: Any
You receive a +1 to all consciousness rolls. This ability may be taken multiple times.
Tread Lightly (1 SPA)
Unit Type: Any
When rolling for minefield explosions apply a -1 to the roll.
Up-Close and Personal (Weapon System) (1 SPA)
Unit Type: Any
Choose one weapon system type. Reduce the minimum range of one weapon system by 1.
ComStar 