IlClan Delayed for Reformat

[HABeas2]

From the content of the intro to TRO Succession Wars, it looks like many elements of Herb's Great Leap Forward plan will be retained.  If they keep all of it, that opens the way for a simplified, streamlined rule set covering Rebel vs. Clan Empire fights, while the full existing rules can still be used for when old tech is used in the arenas.  (Caveat - I've seen nothing official on the 3250 setting, but the intro text in the TRO tracks strongly with what was teased about Herb's 3250 plans back when.)

I wouldn't count on any of that.

- Herb

[Mendrugo]

I wouldn't count on any of that.

- Herb

Fair enough, but the intro to TRO Succession Wars refers to "employment of these older BattleMechs in the arena system," which was a feature of your setting, as well as references to a "modern" tech base kept off limits to the freebirth masses.

[Natasha Kerensky]

But his other comments about leaving loose ends make it sound more like Interstellar Players 4: IlClan.

Ugh... no.  Just no.

[ColBosch]

Ugh... no.  Just no.

Funny, because I have the exact opposite reaction.

[HABeas2]

Fake enough, but the intro to TRO Succession Wars refers to "employment of these older BattleMechs in the arena system," which was a feature of your setting, as well as references to a "modern" tech base kept off limits to the freebirth masses.

Did I say that they'd be arena units in an official capacity? I don't recall that. Or is this something you picked up from my FB leaks?

- Herb

[Red Pins]

Funny, because I have the exact opposite reaction.

Well, I don't.

[ANS Kamas P81]

Fake enough, but the intro to TRO Succession Wars refers to "employment of these older BattleMechs in the arena system," which was a feature of your setting, as well as references to a "modern" tech base kept off limits to the freebirth masses.

And we have no idea how big that setting is, and whether that's across the entire Inner Sphere or within this tiny little nationstate pretending to be relevant with the Loremaster extolling the Dear Leader's internal policy that no other country bothers to pay attention to.

[Alex Keller]

So... Do we have any kind of time frame for when we can expect the next plot/sourcebook to come out?

[Red Pins]

Per standard policy (which they must kinda realize they should have followed after saying, "out in 2017"), no, not to my knowledge.

I'd be happy to be wrong, though.

[Alex Keller]

Hey, I have no problem with them saying "out in 2017" as long as they explain delays. I just hate the standard "you'll know when it's out" type of statement

[marauder648]

And we have no idea how big that setting is, and whether that's across the entire Inner Sphere or within this tiny little nationstate pretending to be relevant with the Loremaster extolling the Dear Leader's internal policy that no other country bothers to pay attention to.

Thats kind of what I think the IlClan thing would be.  Perhaps back in the 3050's the whole idea of IlClan made sense, but now you've had the Clans in the Inner Sphere change so much that I doubt they would listen to any one in particular if they managed to grab terra and then go "We are the IlClan! You will follow us now!" 

The foxes are free merchants and would probably see it as a buisness opportunity, the Dominion is a Successor State more than a Clan, both Falcons and Wolves HATE each other so wouldn't listen to the other if they grabbed it and the Horses are seemingly content where they are.

So for all we know this IlClan thing could be, as you said, a kind of re-captured Hegemony, who then yell at everyone to obey them, get promptly ignored or snubbed and then start acting like Space North Korea and be all "We're relevant!"

[ColBosch]

That doesn't seem to fit with the bits we've seen so far from 3250.

[marauder648]

The problem is, we don't know and we're then just assuming based on some incredibly limited evidence.  To me the whole thing about the ilClan in the modern era is utterly irrelevant save for bragging rights as the other Clans have changed so much that they won't accept it or will challenge it. They won't bend the knee.

[I am Belch II]

I will be happy when it comes out, whenever that is.

[marauder648]

I will be happy when it comes out, whenever that is.

Seyla

[SCC]

Fake enough, but the intro to TRO Succession Wars refers to "employment of these older BattleMechs in the arena system," which was a feature of your setting, as well as references to a "modern" tech base kept off limits to the freebirth masses.

Did I say that they'd be arena units in an official capacity? I don't recall that. Or is this something you picked up from my FB leaks?

- Herb

Gotta go with Herb here, what I remember being said was that there would be a single, unified, tech base. Which would point in the opposite direction.

[Maingunnery]

Gotta go with Herb here, what I remember being said was that there would be a single, unified, tech base. Which would point in the opposite direction.

It seems that outside the arena, that there would be a unified tech base.

[SCC]

The statement was along the line of: 'One tech base, period', so a different one for using in the arena's would be a no-go

[Maingunnery]

The statement was along the line of: 'One tech base, period', so a different one for using in the arena's would be a no-go

That interpretation would have always have been impossible to implement.

[Orwell84]

Disappointed with the delay, but not really surprised and I will be grateful when we finally see it. If the writers feel the current version just won't justify the expense, then I'll assume they know what they're talking about. Unlike a certain bestselling fantasy author, at least there won't be spoilers from an accompanying TV series :D

[Robroy]

I get you, but BattleTech needs new players right now. The BattleMech Manual, TR: Succession Wars, and the new intro products are absolutely critical for giving folks something to start with.

Hard for new players to get into a game with half the rule books out of print. I am a returning player and I find it frustrating that three of the books I want go for hundreds of dollars.

[Mendrugo]

Unlike a certain bestselling fantasy author, at least there won't be spoilers from an accompanying TV series :D

3049

Somerset

House Steiner watches the Periphery border, for every Lyran schoolchild knows their Words in their heart...

Kerensky is Coming!

(Psst - don't dare to refuse his batchall)

[Moonsword]

Ladies and gentlemen, please remain civil in here.  Delays of ilClan and the entire subject matter can be a bit contentious, so please choose your words with care and be aware that how you come across may not be nearly as pleasant as you think it is.

Let's also try to stay on topic but please do not attempt to guide other posters yourselves.  As ever, if you feel something is against the rules or needs moderator attention, please use the "Report to moderator" link on the post to get our attention.

[William J. Pennington]

If the producers of a product feel something needs more work, that is their call. Its not like they don't know there is some eagerness for the product. But better a delay to release a very good, eagerly anticipated product than timely release a eagerly anticipated, but  disappointing product that fell short of its potential. In the end, quality is more important that timely release. You really don't here many people saying "Well, this is crap, but it came out on time, so I'm not going to complain" when it comes to gaming products.

Maybe its getting older and having less energy to burn, but I'vew lost the feel for needing explanations that wont really change how I feel upon getting them, and I've lost all interest in speculation. Maybe its just the dad in me, but my reaction is just that of a road trip: We'll get there when we get there.

In the end, its nothing I  can't enjoy battletech without. Its a nice to have, not a necessity, and I look forward to it whenever it does arrive.

[Fear Factory]

In all honesty, shouldn't we be used to delays at this point?  Necessary or not?  IMO, ilClan is necessary because it advances the story that has been dormant for a long time.  I guess if they need more time then they need more time.  No sense in expecting more.

My suspicions?  BattleTech is on the back burner for Dragonfire since that's where the money is.

[Sartris]

Hard for new players to get into a game with half the rule books out of print. I am a returning player and I find it frustrating that three of the books I want go for hundreds of dollars.

With all of the hand-wringing about the box set scarcity, this is an equally difficult issue. I'm glad BMM is hitting the shelves soon. It's the hidden cost to having a giant core book line that no one saw coming.

You really don't here many people saying "Well, this is crap, but it came out on time, so I'm not goign to complain" when it comes to gaming products.

Ain't that the damn truth

In all honesty, shouldn't we be used to delays at this point?  Necessary or not?  IMO, ilClan is necessary because it advances the story that has been dormant for a long time.  I guess if they need more time then they need more time.  No sense in expecting more.

My suspicions?  BattleTech is on the back burner for Dragonfire since that's where the money is.

Based on the scope of the DF project and the need to meet likely external deadlines by WotC, that isn't far fetched

[Fear Factory]

Based on the scope of the DF project and the need to meet likely external deadlines by WotC, that isn't far fetched

Yep.  They have deadlines now, and they can barely make their own deadlines for their own products.

EDIT:  If this is the case they would obviously go for the deadlines that give steady cash flow.  Can't argue with that.

[Red Pins]

My suspicions?  BattleTech is on the back burner for Dragonfire since that's where the money is.

I'll keep mine to myself, thanks.  But, I'll agree deadlines with another company could be a factor.

[Gaiiten]

Where is the source for this?

Does Reformat means rewriting?
----

Not as bad as it sounds firstly, IMHO. It has been so long delayed for now that I look forward till it will be published, but hardly wait feverishly now.

Fever will rise when publication gets serious, however.  ;D

[BrokenMnemonic]

If ilClan is the book that's going to define the next time period, then it's going to set the tone for BattleTech for a while - probably years - as well as the mood and theme that the current line developers want to set for BattleTech. Given it's importance as a framing piece, I'd much rather that it's delayed until the guys in charge are completely happy with it and ready to build outward on it, than have it rushed out early. I'm maybe more relaxed than I might be for other books, because I honestly really don't care that much about the Clans and because there are so many other books I'm still chewing through and thinking about, but I think no matter how frustrating it might be to keep waiting, it's better to wait than to be disappointed in the longer term.