Author Topic: Phoenix, AZ Battletech in 2016  (Read 38155 times)

jackpot4

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Re: Phoenix, AZ Battletech in 2016
« Reply #30 on: 05 March 2016, 15:54:52 »
Do you post photos of your games at all?

Look up battletech tucson on facebook if you want to see what we have been doing.
« Last Edit: 05 March 2016, 16:28:28 by jackpot4 »
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Joel47

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Re: Phoenix, AZ Battletech in 2016
« Reply #31 on: 05 March 2016, 22:31:29 »
I haven't taken many photos recently, and the old stuff is on my down-because-it-was-hosted-at-my-last-job-and-they-finally-repurposed-that-server website. Searching back through my posts here:
http://bg.battletech.com/forums/index.php?topic=3404.msg91053#msg91053
http://bg.battletech.com/forums/index.php?topic=34654.msg815363#msg815363

And I'll attach a few from my website backup. The last one is what the hill for King of the Hill looks like, though I've gotten a bit better at building it -- that picture is from HexaCon 2004!
« Last Edit: 05 March 2016, 22:33:46 by Joel47 »

jackpot4

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Re: Phoenix, AZ Battletech in 2016
« Reply #32 on: 05 March 2016, 22:43:43 »
That's really nice terrain.  Did you guys build it or is it from a box set?
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Joel47

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Re: Phoenix, AZ Battletech in 2016
« Reply #33 on: 05 March 2016, 23:21:52 »
I bought mine, though the company, BattleHex, is no more. Ian, the other Demo Agent in Phoenix, liked the idea so he made his own from templates cut from mine. We like it because it's terrain, but it's still hexes -- and level hexes so 'mechs don't fall over. Also, they're 2" hexes, which gives enough room to go prone without running into adjacent units. (And 2" hexes are almost required for some of the larger minis these days.)

jackpot4

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Re: Phoenix, AZ Battletech in 2016
« Reply #34 on: 05 March 2016, 23:58:39 »
So as far as I know there isn't a catalyst demo team member in Tucson that i have heard of.  If I was interested in that, how would I go about doing it?
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Joel47

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Re: Phoenix, AZ Battletech in 2016
« Reply #35 on: 06 March 2016, 00:08:04 »
Ordinarily, I'd say, "Go to catalystdemos.com and start the application process; however, they're still rebuilding the site after the move (it was partially fixed, but it's completely down right now). So try PMing Worktroll on these forums.

You will need (if memory serves):
1. At least one store willing to host your games.
2. A decent collection of painted minis (the 30-ish you mentioned should be fine; my level of insanity is far beyond the requirements).
3. The willingness to run 6+ games per year.
4. When I applied it was required to write a scenario, but I'm not sure if that's still the case (when I applied, there was also something about "kill a woolly mammoth").

jackpot4

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Re: Phoenix, AZ Battletech in 2016
« Reply #36 on: 06 March 2016, 00:13:21 »
Does Catalyst issue out scenarios for games at all?  For running a game does that just mean a store is willing to set aside a block of time and space for Battletech?  Is there advertising or anything involved?
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Joel47

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Re: Phoenix, AZ Battletech in 2016
« Reply #37 on: 06 March 2016, 11:19:55 »
There are, occasionally, worldwide events that can be run with provided scenarios. The vast majority of the time, though, you'd just do what you've been doing -- running games that your players enjoy (with the addition of being ready to demo the game to interested potential new players).

To be an acceptable store for events it must have space for you to play (obvious, you'd think, but it has to be stated) and it must have Battletech stuff available for sale.

Advertising in the store is good, as well as posting here and on CatalystDemos.com. Just make sure interested players can find your games.

jackpot4

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Re: Phoenix, AZ Battletech in 2016
« Reply #38 on: 06 March 2016, 11:26:00 »
O ok, yeah, that's all stuff we do already!  Have you had a chance to check out our facebook page?

Are there perks to being part of the demo team?  I sent worktroll a PM so we will see what he has to say.
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Joel47

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Re: Phoenix, AZ Battletech in 2016
« Reply #39 on: 06 March 2016, 11:34:35 »
PDFs. Once you've completed a few events, you get access to all the core rulebooks and every record sheet compilation. Additionally, you get one credit per event usable for downloading a different PDF (not already included in the free stuff). You also get a discount for direct orders from Iron Wind Metals, though with the cost of shipping small orders it's only worth it if you save up.

I like your Facebook group; I'm thinking of doing one for Phoenix.

jackpot4

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Re: Phoenix, AZ Battletech in 2016
« Reply #40 on: 06 March 2016, 11:39:38 »
That's a pretty cool set up.  I'd be more than happy to join up with the team.  Are any convention type things that happen or invitations?

Are you big into fanfiction?  The guys have seemed to like that I do that.
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Joel47

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Re: Phoenix, AZ Battletech in 2016
« Reply #41 on: 06 March 2016, 12:00:57 »
You can volunteer to run demos and events at the big cons (GenCon, Origins); run enough and Catalyst will comp your badge. We're nowhere near well-funded enough to have our own conventions.  ;)

I don't go that far into it for my scenarios. I go through the "fluff", find an interesting battle, and set up scenario parameters based on that (e.g., factions, era, terrain layout, weather, etc.).

jackpot4

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Re: Phoenix, AZ Battletech in 2016
« Reply #42 on: 06 March 2016, 12:05:29 »
Well for now I'd just be small time at the local store haha. 

If I can get on with the team I'd be more than happy starting up demos on the weekends.  I've never been to a convention, have you?  Are there a lot of Battletech players there?
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Re: Phoenix, AZ Battletech in 2016
« Reply #43 on: 06 March 2016, 12:08:27 »
The local cons get a few, but there aren't any big local cons anymore. I'll be running games at MaricopaCon this summer. I haven't been to GenCon in years, but it (and Origins) are always well-attended by Battletech players.

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Re: Phoenix, AZ Battletech in 2016
« Reply #44 on: 06 March 2016, 12:24:33 »
Joel, what are the dates for Maricopa Con this year?

Thanks! Paul

Joel47

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Re: Phoenix, AZ Battletech in 2016
« Reply #45 on: 06 March 2016, 12:29:11 »
August 13-14. Note that, as badges are sold via the KickStarter that funds the con, there may not be badges for sale at the door.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jasony/maricopacon-2016-board-card-games-and-rpgs/description

jackpot4

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Re: Phoenix, AZ Battletech in 2016
« Reply #46 on: 06 March 2016, 12:36:01 »
Do you get a lot of players at maricopacon?  I may see about heading that way.... 
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Re: Phoenix, AZ Battletech in 2016
« Reply #47 on: 06 March 2016, 12:36:41 »
Thanks for the info, now to work logistics with Household 6.  :))

Joel47

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Re: Phoenix, AZ Battletech in 2016
« Reply #48 on: 06 March 2016, 16:35:08 »
Do you get a lot of players at maricopacon?

Small con, so only a few; it's mainly an RPG con. Plus my attendance has been spotty -- the first year of the con I got sick and couldn't run games on the second day. The second year I couldn't attend at all, as I was busy renewing my wedding vows for our 20th wedding anniversary. Last year I was only there one day because the second day was my wife's birthday. This year I plan on running Battletech on Saturday and some other games on Sunday. My Battletech games will probably be Alpha Strike so that they can fit into a single, two-hour slot.

jackpot4

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Re: Phoenix, AZ Battletech in 2016
« Reply #49 on: 06 March 2016, 16:57:08 »
Would you need someone else to help run a game to play regular Battletech?  Worktroll got back to me and let me know he would find who I should talk to as well.
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Re: Phoenix, AZ Battletech in 2016
« Reply #50 on: 06 March 2016, 17:17:18 »
http://bg.battletech.com/forums/index.php?topic=3404.msg91053#msg91053
http://bg.battletech.com/forums/index.php?topic=34654.msg815363#msg815363

 that picture is from HexaCon 2004!

Ah, those brought back some memories.
I see my Alacorn & LRM Carrier along w/ I think a Wolverine.  Was "The Pass" a campaign game?
That other thread had the Galatea battle that was fun, we should try something like that one again.
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"I don't shoot Urbanmechs, I walk up, stomp on their foot, wait for the head to pop open & drop in a hand grenade (or Elemental)" - Joel47
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Joel47

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Re: Phoenix, AZ Battletech in 2016
« Reply #51 on: 06 March 2016, 17:25:11 »
Would you need someone else to help run a game to play regular Battletech?  Worktroll got back to me and let me know he would find who I should talk to as well.

I doubt there would be enough players to support it. Is RinCon in Tucson going to happen this year? I keep meaning to go to that one, but, you know, life...  :'(

Was "The Pass" a campaign game?

No, much older than that. I don't have any more details, though, with both CatalystDemos and my site down.

jackpot4

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Re: Phoenix, AZ Battletech in 2016
« Reply #52 on: 06 March 2016, 17:31:14 »
To be honest, I have never been to rincon and know nothing about it, I'll ask at the local store.
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Joel47

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Re: Phoenix, AZ Battletech in 2016
« Reply #53 on: 08 March 2016, 14:31:30 »
BTW, there is a new demo agent in Tucson for Shadowrun running out of Isle of Games: http://www.wherevent.com/detail/Catalyst-Demo-Team-Running-the-Shadows-Session-2

jackpot4

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Re: Phoenix, AZ Battletech in 2016
« Reply #54 on: 08 March 2016, 14:41:15 »
That's pretty cool, I don't play shadow run so I'm not sure who is in  that group.
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Jim1701

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Re: Phoenix, AZ Battletech in 2016
« Reply #55 on: 09 March 2016, 02:13:38 »
Most or all of a team chooses stuff that's really light or really slow & heavy. Not a huge problem, but sometimes there's an objective that's going to be harder because everyone assumed someone else would bring stuff to handle it.

This be driving me bats for this weekend's scenario.  For the attacker especially a lot is going to hinge on who brings what and what side of the map they end up on.  I think this is the most challenging scenario to build a force for you've come up with in quite a while. 

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Re: Phoenix, AZ Battletech in 2016
« Reply #56 on: 09 March 2016, 23:30:05 »
Its been a while but I'm back, what did I miss?
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Joel47

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Re: Phoenix, AZ Battletech in 2016
« Reply #57 on: 10 March 2016, 10:02:02 »
This Saturday's game cancelled.
I'm sick with a stomach bug. Moving the game to April 9.
« Last Edit: 10 March 2016, 14:19:39 by Joel47 »

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Re: Phoenix, AZ Battletech in 2016
« Reply #58 on: 10 March 2016, 10:13:42 »
Well, Bollocks.  Hope you are feeling better soon.  The stomach bug is nasty but at least it tends to be over fairly quickly. 

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Re: Phoenix, AZ Battletech in 2016
« Reply #59 on: 10 March 2016, 11:31:15 »
That other thread had the Galatea battle that was fun, we should try something like that one again.
Ah yes, I remember that one.
One of my mechs got used as a landing pad.