The Pre-game Lobby

Here you can chat, specify what mechs you want to use, as well as configure their pilots, ammunition, deployment time as well as other details. When everybody has at least one mech, you may all hit I'm Done to start the game. Most changes to the game parameters will cancel your ready status, so you should wait for everybody to finish choosing their mechs and positions.

On the Configure Game screen you may also choose maps you want to use, declare starting positions, and change your player's team and color.It is also possible to add minefields and change planetary conditions, like wind and temperature.

Map Selection

The map selector dialog is accessed by pressing the Edit/View Map button under the map sizes.

You can change the dimensions of the map boards (in hexes) or the dimensions of the whole map (in boards.) All maps are loaded of the server. You can also change the map for Atmospheric or Space if using AeroTech units. All the map boards that MegaMek comes with are 16x17. Whenever you change either of these values, you will need to hit the "Update Size Settings" button to have the rest of the dialog reflect the new values. Some servers have other boards on other sizes. You may also choose to use a randomly Generated map, which can be of any size, its settings being defined on the buttom of the same name.

Below the map size inputs is a not-to-scale representation of how the boards are laid out relative to each other. The middle column lists the current maps and the rightmost column lists the available maps. To change a current map,select it in the middle column, select the map you want in the right column,and press the << button between the two columns. You may also select a map by clicking on its number in the map layout grid. When you select a map, (other than [SURPRISE] or [RANDOM]) you have the choice or rotating it 180 degrees (North becomes South, East becomes West, and vice versa) by clicking on the "Rotate Board" checkbox; the fact that the map is rotated will be shown in the middle column.

[SURPRISE] means that the server will pick a random map and not tell you what it has picked until the game starts. [RANDOM] means that the server will pick a map as soon as you hit the Okay button.

Deployment Positions

Deployment positions are listed in the upper middle. You can change yours by pressing the button marked Change Start. Click a compass direction to change your home map edge, or click Any to deploy anywhere on the map.

Team and Color

You can change your team and Color/Camo. Color changes the color of your mech markers on the main map screen. Selecting a team will allow you to claim team victory alongside other players on the same team, as well as using Tema Channel on the chat (write a /t before any text). Being on the same team as another player also gives some other benefits such as sharing C3 computers, Narc beacons and not being affected by each other's ECM.

Picking "No Team" means you are going it alone, even if other players pick "No Team" as well.

Adding Mechs and Other Units

The unit list is on the lower left of the lobby panel. Clicking Add A Mech below it brings up the mech selector.

Despite the name, you can add units of other types with the mech selector. On the upper left, you can set the selection criteria for your browsing. Below that is a list of all available units that match the criteria. The two panels on the right give some information about the currently highlighted unit. Click Select Mech to add the currently highlighted unit, or Cancel to return to the lobby without adding a unit to your side.

Back in the lobby, you may highlight a unit in the list of those currently added, and view, configure or delete it. You may also save a list of your units or load one.

The configuration dialog is as shown:

The dialog allows you to change a pilot's name and his/her piloting and gunnery skills. If the mech has ammuntion options available to it, they will be shown below the pilot stats. Other possible options include Delayed Deployment, Command Unit (and the initiative bonus it gives as long as it lives) as well pilot advantages and quirks.