View source for Physical Attacks

[[Image:MechMelee.jpg|thumb|right|When normal weapons are damaged or run dry, physical attacks allow a 'Mech to continue the fight]]
'''Physical Attacks''' allow a [[BattleMech]] to deal damage to an opponent when in melee range with them, either by choice or accident.  Depending on how they are constructed, 'Mechs can make physical attacks in a number of ways.  They can use one or both arm [[actuator]]s to punch an opponent, or both arms to push them over, or kick an opponent with one of their legs.  If equipped with hand actuators a 'Mech can also pick up another physical object and use it as a club against a opponent.  If a 'Mech can build up enough speed it can charge into an opponent, using its entire mass to deliver potentially devastating damage (though likely receiving some injury in return).  Finally, 'Mechs equipped with [[jump jet]]s can perform aerial attacks such as a [[Jump-Kick]] or [[Death from Above]].<ref name=BMRp39f>''BattleTech Master Rules'', pp. 39–41</ref><ref>''Technical Readout: 3025'', p. 10</ref>

Prior to the [[thirty-first century]], few 'Mechs were designed specifically with melee combat in mind; if a 'Mech were to pick up something to use as a club, it was just as likely to be one of its own limbs which had been blown off.<ref name=BMRp39f/>  The first 'Mech to be purpose-built for melee combat was the ''[[Hatchetman]]'', introduced in [[3023]], wielding a giant 'Mech-sized [[Hatchet]].<ref>''Technical Readout: 3025'', p. 48</ref>  In the years since then many different types of [[Melee Weapon]]s have been introduced, as have a number of [[:Category:Melee_BattleMechs|melee-focused BattleMechs]].

==References==
<references/>

==Bibliography==
*''[[BattleTech Master Rules]]''
*''[[Technical Readout: 3025]]''

[[Category:Strategic and Tactical Doctrines]]