Warfare in the 31st Century

The Exodus of the Star League Defense Force, coupled with the incredibly destructive wars between the Successor Houses has caused much of the knowledge gained over the past Millenium to be lost. Realizing that total warfare in an age where weapons of such massive destructive power are available would eventually doom the human race, the leaders of the Inner Sphere signed the Ares Conventions in 2412. The Ares Conventions are a series of rules to limit the scope of warfare in the Inner Sphere, and prevent the further loss of technology.

The Ares Conventions were designed to limit the ravages of
interstellar warfare. The accords specifically outlawed the use of
nuclear weapons and the strategy of orbital bombardments of
planetary targets, restricted the ability of military forces to wage
war against strictly civilian targets, and set up a commission representing
each of the major powers to look into possible violations
of the Conventions. Any such violation would be reported
to each signatory state. The unwritten but well-understood corollary
was that the other governments would take united action
against the violator, regardless of current political differences.
In the words of the immortal Blake, “only the Ares Conventions
and its strict codes of battlefield honor saved Man from
himself. Yet, these same codes also fostered the use of war to
resolve every disagreement. Not since the height of the almost
forgotten Terran Roman Empire had man fought so much for so
little reason.”
-House Davion Sourcebook

The spirit of the Ares Conventions, along with the rise of Feudal governments has also created class distinctions within most of the Inner Sphere. Warriors, especially Mechwarriors, are viewed (and view themselves) as a warrior nobility. In many ways a Mechwarrior in the 31st Century is much like a Knight or Samurai of the 13th Century. Battlemechs are passed from father to son (or daughter) as family swords and armor were in days gone bye.

Honor has once again become a very real thing among mankind, for good or ill. Most warriors would rather die than tarnish their reputation, and as such duels have become commonplace as a matter of individual conflict resolution. Courtesy towards an enemy is one of the highest trappings of honor.

What this means in the game:

Honorable Mechwarriors will not target a Prone or defenseless 'Mech. Likewise honorable Mechwarriors will not fire while prone.

Honorable Mechwarriors will not intentionally try to kill an enemy pilot by aiming for the head or shooting at a Mechwarrior trying to flee the battlefield on foot.

Honorable Mechwarriors will accept all surrenders and fair ransoms offered by an enemy, and expect the same in return.

Honorable Mechwarriors will not purposefully damage civilian homes or facilities, nor attack non-combatants of any kind.

Armor and Infantry are a lower class of warrior and not expected to follow such lofty rules. As a result Mechwarriors usually do not offer such courtesies to them.

Warriors (and units) that gain a reputation for dishonorable actions, can expect word of their infamy to spread quickly. Not only will they no longer be extended the courtesies of honor, they will likely be specifically targeted by honorable warriors who are shamed by their offensive behavior.