We lost the welcome back post when the forums were hacked a while ago. This is my attempt to re-create it. Suggestions and feedback are welcome.Note: Several of the links in this post aren't working because CGL is updating the main site. Sorry about that. As soon as the links are in place I'll update the post.
NOTE: No link in this post is endorsed by Catalyst Game Labs.
NOTE 2: If you want to translate this post and put it on your own site, please feel free to do so. All I ask is that you link back to this post. Thanks!
If you're a
new player who bought the Introductory Boxed Set and need to know what to buy next, have a look at Sartis' excellent
Topic: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what? post.
Welcome back! BattleTech is still alive and kicking. There have been a few changes, but not many. Here are answers to the most common questions returning players have:
TIMELINE1. What's happened since I last played?
There's no quick answer to that since only you know when you last played. Each of the Eras (below) have a timeline that you can read. A complete overview of the
Jihad timeline, which just wrapped up, can be found in
Jihad: Final Reckoning on pages 41-62 (I think). As of June 12, 2018, we've had the Republic of the Sphere be founded and effectively destroyed, taking the timeline to 3150.
Skiltao was kind enough to put together
this image that displays the history of BattleTech. At least one returning player found it enormously helpful.
2012 was described as the "Year of the Star League" in a few BattleChats, and we received a lot of information about that time period. Due to the oddities of the world, the Year of the Star League has actually lasted into 2013, with a lot of new products. (Actually it looks like this is going to last into 2014, with several 2765 products being released.)
2. What are these "Eras" I keep hearing about?
Catalyst has divided the BattleTech history into
several specific eras to help people orient themselves.
- Star League era - Covers the Star League as well as earlier time periods like the Age of War. Roughly 2315-2780.
- Succession Wars era - This is the setting of the earlier BattleTech universe. Roughly 2781-3049.
- Clan Invasion era - This introduced the Clans (obviously). Roughly 3049-3061.
- Civil War era - The FedCom Civil War shatters the Federated Commonwealth. Roughly 3062-3067.
- Jihad era - The Word of Blake, a militant splinter faction of ComStar, punishes the Inner Sphere for betraying their ideals. Roughly 3068-3079.
- Dark Age era - Covers the Republic of the Sphere time period and the Dark Age proper. Roughly 3080-3145 (and later).
As of July 2011, the Jihad era is winding down and the Dark Age era is starting. Note that these eras apply to all locations in the BattleTech universe, so
Operation KLONDIKE takes place during the Succession Wars era, even though the Clans aren't in the Inner Sphere at this time. (The eras also let you know when you can skip a product because it's not relevant to you. If you only play during the Clan Invasion, don't buy Star League stuff.)
3. How can I catch up quickly?
If the overview provided by the Master Timeline isn't detailed enough you may want to read the Era Digests, Era Reports, and Historicals.
- Era Digests - A "Cliff's Notes" version of history, these are 35-40 page overviews of a particular Era and the important events that happened in it. The Golden Century and Age of War are covered.
- Era Reports - Designed for people returning to the game, instead of focusing on one faction these documents provide an overview of every faction as of a certain year. Includes every major conflict faced by the faction and information about the people and units that participated. Approximately four times the size of an Era Digest. Currently one exists for 3052 and 3062.
- Historicals - These are overviews of large operations that were glossed over originally. The founding of the Clans is covered in Historical: Operation KLONDIKE, while the Reunification War and early Star League are examined in Historical: Reunification War. Historical: War of 3039 covers the War of 3039, while Historical: Brush Wars covers Anton Marik's Revolt, the Andurien Secession, and the formation of the Free Rasalhague Republic.
Here's the "straight from Herb" description:
It is essentially thus:
Historicals - Print book. Military focus, aimed at recounting the events of a single war, often with deployment tables and maps. Rules chapter may provide new equipment and Record Sheets.
Era Report - Print book. Generalized focus, covering the broader aspects of the age in question, including any conflicts of interest. Tracks included to seed campaigns set in the age (because Tracks are largely built for player use, rather than fixed scenarios, they are not considered "historical" per se). Rules chapter covers key characters, noteworthy military commands, and role-playing support, but no new equipment is introduced or statted out.
Era Digest - PDF-exclusive. Small-scale version of the Era Reports, but covering eras of play deemed less popular and/or less conducive to full-print treatment. No Tracks presented. Rules chapter includes role-playing support, and a few new units appropriate to the age, with Record Sheets.
Hopefully, that helps.
Thank you,
- Herbert Beas
Background for each era is available in these products:
- Star League era: Era Digest: Age of War, Historical: Reunification War, Era Report: 2750, Field Manual: SLDF, Historical: Liberation of Terra, Volume 1, Historical: Liberatin of Terra, Volume 2. CGL has also released two 2765 Field Reports and there are supposed to be more. Here's the list of 2765 Field Reports.
- Succession Wars era: Tons and tons of stuff, but Era Digest: Golden Century and Historical: Operation Klondike provide info on what the Clans were doing during the Succession Wars. The House Books are available for download from
Downloads page. These books were replaced by the Field Manual and Handbook series[/url]. (The House Books are available at Sarna.net.) Also First Succession War and Second Succession War sourcebooks. - Clan Invasion era: Era Report: 3052 and Era Report: 3062.
- Civil War era: Described in FedCom Civil War.
- Jihad era: General status of each faction can be found in the Field Report PDF series. Detailed information is available in Blake Ascending, Jihad Secrets: The Blake Documents, Jihad Hot Spots: 3072, Jihad Hot Spots: 3076, Jihad Hot Spots: Terra, Jihad: Final Reckoning, Masters and Minions: The StarCorps Dossiers, Field Reports series, Objectives series, and the Clan-specific sourcebook The Wars of Reaving.
- Dark Age era: This information is currently being produced. Some info is in Field Manual: 3085, but CGL has released Era Report: 3145, Field Manual: 3145, and TRO: 3145 (via eight faction specific PDF files and a print book). We've also got the Historical: Wars of the Republic Era and Era Digest: Dark Age. CGL has said they'll be producing an ilClan sourcebook. Some background can be found in the Dark Age section of the Downloads page. See the section at the bottom. It holds all the information available from WizKids. There are also two Dark Age Turning Points documents that provide some data: Dark Age Turning Points: Liao and Dark Age Turning Points: Vega.
There are also some older sourcebooks available from the
Catalyst Web Store.
GAMEPLAY CHANGES1. What's changed in Total Warfare?
The highlights:
- Physical attacks now use Piloting skill.
- Infernos, Flamers and Plasma weapons were overhauled. (And in the case of Plasma weapons, introduced.)
- Tanks and infantry now have updated rules that make them more effective on the battlefield. (No more wiping out an infantry platoon in one round.)
- Pulse lasers, Ultra ACs, and Rotary ACs cannot use Targeting Computers to make an aimed shot, but they do get the -1 to hit modifier.
- Partial cover rules have changed.
- Artillery and Mines are now at the Advanced Level, so you probably won't see them in tournaments.
- Some former Level 3 equipment has been moved to Total Warfare and is now Tournament Legal. (I'll let you explore the book to see for yourself.)
- Anti-Missile Systems have changed slightly.
Of course you could also look at the
Classic BattleTech Quick-Start Rules (PDF). The best part:
It's free!These two documents do a nice job of summing up the changes:
Compentium to BMRr Changes Total Warfare Changes. (Thanks to ColBosch and MadCapellan for making them, and
Xotl for hosting them.)
2. What do I really need to play?
Your record sheets, dice, and Total Warfare or the BattleMech Manual. (Don't worry about Total Warfare being huge compared to the other rulebooks. Most of the page count comes from providing examples to clarify things and fiction that introduces each section.) You can buy the
]BattleTech Beginner Box or
BattleTech: A Game of Armored Combat when they'r e released and get started that way. If you have minis, great! If you don't have minis, no problem. Just use LEGO figures or some other proxy/stand-in for the 'Mechs you want to use. I've even used slips of paper. There are some "cardstock" 'Mech standups available at
Pryde Rock Industries. Forum member Sartis has also
created a bunch of nice paper standups.
Tactical Operations includes new weapons, terrain types, and support vehicles. It's neat to have, but not required for gameplay.
Strategic Operations includes advanced AeroSpace combat and units (WarShips, Space Stations) and BattleForce. Again, neat to have and vital if you're a hard core AeroTech fan, but not required.
Interstellar Operations includes a complete list of every weapon ever made in the BattleTech universe and several new unit types. Like Tactical Operations, it's neat to have but not required.
One excellent resource is the
BattleTech: Core Rulebooks Primer (PDF). This free PDF file explains how the core books (Total Warfare, Tactical Ops, etc.) all interact. Very helpful when you're trying to figure out what you need. Ben Rome put together
a draft Tactical Guide you might find useful. It's in six parts but it's still fairly short. (That link has them in reverse chronological order.)
3. Where is AeroTech?
Apparently AeroTech never sold well, so CGL incorporated it into Total Warfare (gameplay rules), TechManual (Construction of DropShips, AeroSpace and Conventional Fighters), and Strategic Operations ("advanced" AeroTech gameplay, JumpShip/WarShip construction).
4. What is Alpha Strike?
Alpha Strike is a "...new, fast-playing form of the BattleTech game of futuristic, armored combat." It's intended to appeal to tabletop miniatures wargamers who play Flames of War, Warhammer, Warhammer 40K, Warmahordes, etc. It uses BattleForce style stats and provides rules for using BattleTech units on hexless mapboards. Several long time BattleTech players are thrilled with it because it eliminates a lot of paperwork and plays pretty quickly. (See the
Alpha Strike Forum for more info.)
RULES LEVELThe old Level 1, Level 2, Level 3 designations have been replaced. Instead we now use these levels:
- Quick Start- This level basically cuts off the bottom half of a 'Mech record sheet (no Internal Structure or Critical Hit table) to introduce new players to the mechanics of movement, weapons fire, etc. without overloading them. Keeps the action moving. Information included in the 25th Anniversary Introductory Box Set.
- Introductory - This is roughly equivalent to the old Level 1 rules. Features Succession Wars era technology. Information included in the 25th Anniversary Introductory Box Set.
- Tournament Legal - The new baseline, this equipment can be used at a tournament, home game, or anywhere else.
- Advanced - This equipment cannot be used at a tournament, but has entered production in the universe. Mostly found in Tactical Operations.
- Experimental - This equipment cannot be used at a tournament. It hasn't entered regular production. Mostly found in Tactical Operations.
NOTE: After 3090, several technologies that were considered Advanced or Experimental were redesignated Tournament Legal. See
Technical Readout: Prototypes and
Technical Readout: 3145for more information. Note that this only applies to eras after 3090, so Star League, Succession Wars, and Clan Invasion campaigns aren't affected.
TECHNICAL READOUTS AND RECORD SHEETS1. Can I use my old record sheets? Yes.
2. Can I use my old Technical Readouts?
Yes, but there've been a couple changes that may affect the units inside them. (TRO's with "Upgrade" or "Reprint" in the title typically have these fixed units in them.) Ferro-fibrous armor now rounds DOWN, not up. Several units were affected by this. The easiest way to deal with it is to purchase the updated Record Sheets package.
Blackjack Jones has created a list of the affected 'Mechs and vehicles, and what changes were made. That list was in this post, but I needed more room so it was split off into the
'Mechs and Vehicles affected by Ferro-Fibrous and Fractional Accounting changes post.
3. How to the older TRO's relate to the newer TROs?
This table shows how the TRO's relate to each other. (If there's a blank entry under
Record Sheets it means that no record sheets have been released for that product. Search the main
Books Page for the latest information.) Also, if the title isn't linked, you'll need to search a site like
DriveThruRPG.com to get the file since it's not in Catalyst's online store at the moment.
| FASA/Fanpro TRO (Older) | Catalyst TRO (Current) | Record Sheets |
| 2750 | 3039 (SLDF Mechs w/Succession Wars era tech) | Record Sheets: 3039 Unabridged |
| 2750 | 3050 Upgrade (All Mechs, vehicles, AeroSpace Fighters, most with Star League era tech) | Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrade, Inner Sphere,
Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrade, Clan & Star League |
| 2750 | 3057 Revised (DropShips, WarShips) |
| DropShips and JumpShips | 3057 Revised (DropShips, WarShips, Small Craft) |
| 3025/3025 Revised | 3039 | Record Sheets: 3039 Unabridged |
| 3025 (DropShips) | 3057 Revised |
| 3025 (LAMs) | 3085 | Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged - The Cutting Edge |
| 3026/3026 Revised | 3039 | Record Sheets: 3039 Unabridged |
| 3026 Revised (Some vehicles) | 3075 | Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged |
| 3050/3050 Revised | 3050 Upgrade | Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrade, Inner Sphere,
Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrade, Clan & Star League |
| 3055 | 3055 Upgrade | Record Sheets: 3055 Upgrade Unabridged |
| 3057 | 3057 Revised |
| 3057 (Omnifighters) | 3055 Upgrade |
| 3058 | 3058 Upgrade | Record Sheets: 3058 Update Unabridged (Clan & Star League),
Record Sheets: 3058 Update Unabridged (Inner Sphere)
|
| 3060 | 3060 Reprint | Record Sheets: 3060 Unabridged |
| 3067 | 3067 Reprint | Record Sheets: 3067 Unabridged |
| Vehicle Annex | Technical Readout: Vehicle Annex, Revised (PDF) |
| Project Phoenix | 3085 | Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged - Project Phoenix |
4. What's an Experimental TRO?
The
Experimental TRO series is a list of PDF only products that showcase how to use experimental and advanced equipment from Tactical Operations. The XTRO: Primitives series also shows a lot of 'Mechs and vehicles from the Age of War. Pretty neat stuff. The TRO:Prototypes product has a lot of these units as well.
5. The construction rules aren't in Total Warfare! What gives?
The construction rules for all of the basic combat units can be found in the TechManual.
6. Is there any software that I can use to make my own record sheets/units?
There are several options:
7. Where can I find unit availability information? What is the MUL?
Unit availability information can be found by searching the
Master Unit List (a.k.a. the
MUL). It's a website that lists many of the 'Mechs, Fighters, tanks, etc. available to the various factions. (This site is a work in progress, so don't be surprised if you can't find a particular unit. CGL is adding content as they're updating the TRO's and Record Sheets, so it may take a while to be complete.)
8. Where can I find Random Assignment Tables?
Most products have one, but they're not comprehensive. Xotl has put together a nice set of RATs for 3025 and 3050. You can find them in the
Topic: 3025-3050 Faction Assignment & Rarity Tables thread.
THE UNSEENA long drawn out mess regarding images that is thankfully behind us now. This section is here for historical purposes only.
1. What are The Unseen?
To make a long story short
The Unseen are the 'Mechs from the original boxed set, specifically the ones that were first seen in Robotech/Macross. (The
Warhammer,
Archer,
Rifleman,
Wasp,
Stinger,
Phoenix Hawk,
Marauder,
Marauder II,
Crusader, and the LAMs.) Apparently FASA used these images without securing the proper rights to the images and the owner of these images sued FASA. FASA lost and had to pull the images.
1.1 What are the Reseen?
On the heels of the Unseen problem, FanPro (Catalyst's predecessor) commissioned new artwork to bring the Unseen back into the universe. They did this because the Unseen were the "core designs" used by many players. These new designs were introduced in Technical Readout: Project Phoenix. These new 'Mechs were referred to as the
Reseen, and represent "evolved" versions of the Unseen.
1.2 Where can I learn more about this? Where can I get the long story instead of the short one?
The Unseen - a Reseen IIC ExplanationCOMPUTER GAMES1. Why aren't there CGL-branded BattleTech computer games?
A simple reason: CGL doesn't own the electronic rights to BattleTech. Microsoft does. They licensed these to Smith and Tinker, who's working with Piranha to develop a game.
MechWarrior Online has been released. Harebraned Schemes has also released
BattleTech on Steam, GoG, and Humble.
2. Those are cool but don't have options I want. How can I get my BT fix?
The best option (IMHO) is MegaMek. It's faithful to the board game, so if you like the tactical perspective rather than the first person perspective used in the MechWarrior franchise, you're in luck. There's more info at the MegaMek site,
http://megamek.info/.
MechCommander, MechCommander Gold, and MechCommander 2 used to be available for free download, but I can't find valid links anywhere. (Though Microsoft has made the
MechCommander Source Code available for download so if you're a programmer you can use that as a starting point.)
WHERE CAN I GET AWESOME MAPS FOR THE INNER SPHERE?There's a map at the end of the Field Reports that shows the relevant realm. These maps are duplicated at the end of the Objectives series as well. These products cost just under $5 each.
For free images, the best place to get them is from Øystein's web site. He has
pre-Dark Age maps and
Dark Age era maps available.
WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATIONThere are several posts and websites that have more information and resources people have found useful. Some of the most popular are:
- Topic: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?- Sartis' post on what to buy after getting the Introductory Boxed Set.
- Catalyst Game Labs online store
- Camo Specs Online- This CGL affiliated site not only has paint schemes on miniatures, but shows you how to add them yourself. (Most of the minis in the core rulebooks came from CamoSpecs Online.)
- www.catalystdemos.com- This site allows you to find other players and official events in your area.
- Master Unit List (a.k.a. the MUL)- It's a website that lists many of the 'Mechs, Fighters, tanks, etc. available to the various factions. (This site is a work in progress, so don't be surprised if you can't find a particular unit. CGL is adding content as they're updating the TRO's and Record Sheets, so it may take a while to be complete.) (Yes, I already mentioned it once. It's that important to me.)
- Sarna.net-The BattleTech Wiki has lots of good stuff. (Full disclosure, I'm an Admin over there. Explains the userbar in my signature.)
- Solaris7.com
- Ourbattletech.com-"OurBattleTech.com is all about fostering Creative BattleTech Development. That means we're here to help you create, develop and foster your BattleTech hobby. Whether it is a full blown Alternate Universe or short story, this website exists to help bring your ideas to life."
- Inner Sphere Atlas
- BattleTech Player Database
- HPG Station-A German site run by DarkISI. "Including news (US & German), miniature construction guides, short stories... and whatever else we want to publish."
Revision History2011/12/02 - Updated Record Sheet links to point to BattleCorps.com.
2011/12/27 - Added timeline info
2012/01/04 - Added QuickMech to software section
2012/01/06 - Added skiltao's BattleTech timeline image (Sorry it took so long!)
2012/01/31 - Added Blackjack Jones' list of units affected by fractional accounting and ferro-fibrous armor change.
2012/01/31 - Added link to
Experimental TRO product page.
2012/02/07 - Added more vehicles to Blackjack Jones' list of vehicles affected by fractional accounting and ferro-fibrous armor change.
2012/02/07 - Found that the Master Timeline link was invalid and indicated that with
strikethrough text.
2012/02/13 - Fixed broken link to Xotl's Rarity Tables.
2012/03/20 - Updated Unseen and Reseen per Frabby's suggestion.
2012/03/21 - Added Herb's description of Historicals, Era Reports & Era Digests. Updated links to various products in "Eras" section.
2012/07/23 - Added links to Field Manual SLDF and Era Report 2750.
2012/08/03 - Added links for Unseen discussion.
2012/12/03 - Added MechWarrior Tactics link, link to Record Sheets 3067 Unabridged.
2012/12/07 - Updated several product links. Updated House Book locations. Added "Preseen" comment. Added link to HPG Station.
2013/01/25 - removed external links to Unseen issue.
2013/03/04 - Added Liberation of Terra, 2765 Field Reports, DATP info to post per Nerroth's suggestion. Added TRO:VA Revised link.
2013/03/05 - Tweaked Dark Age era information.
2013/03/22 - Added link to Ben Rome's tactical guide per Pa Weasley's suggestion.
2013/04/23 - Moved Blackjack Jones' list of 'Mechs and vehicles into its own post to allow more source updates. Updated links and info RE: Era Report 3145 and TRO:3145. Removed link to MekTek MechWarrior 4 because it's no longer available.
2013/04/24 - Removed link to MechWarrior: Living Legends as it's no longer available.
2013/06/20 - Added link to Ourbattletech.com
2013/12/30 - Updated links to FM3145, TRO3145
2013/12/31 - Updated more links, added info RE: FR2765, links to Eras and updated Timeline note.
2014/07/23 - Added links to "Compendium to BMRr Changes.pdf" and "Total Warfare Changes.txt"
2015/02/13 - Added link to Sartis' "Next purchase after boxed set" post
2016/07/20 - Added link to Sartis' "Papertech III: The Search for Cheap Counters" post
2016/09/12 - removed Sartis' "next purchase after boxed set" post
2017/01/02 - Updated links to Xotl's Total Warfare differences documents.
2018/06/12 - Updated the timeline and computer games section per plutonik's comments. Updated links that were going to BattleCorps.
