I'll be the first person to advocate for an Alpha Strike box, but if we are going to approach new players, we ought to do so with clear, consistent rules.
I don't think they are, but now you've got me second-guessing.
As I see it, a ruler for combat and hex sides for movement would be consistent. They just wouldn't be exactly tne same. But players who can calculate movement costs and MP and heat should be able to recognise that counting hexes abd use of an edge achieve the same goal. You shouldn't be able to switch inside a match but so long as the rules are consistent within the game, then I don't see how it matters how the tange is calculated.
Would such a system work? Yes.
Would it be easy to explain in the rules? Yes
Would it speed up or improve gameplay? Potentially
Would it stop the use of hexes as a range system? No.
The system isn't without cost or drawback, but I don't think ruling out an idea just because it's never been done that way before is good either. I mean...whats tbe big objection here? That 6 hexes on the stick might be 7 on the board?
So what? It's a game aid. Make it a 15 hex ruler and save LRMs and hex counting for Advanced scenarios if you think its an issue.
Having said that...I think such an addition might be interesting, but ultimately it isn't one I see happening. Not because I don't think players can't handle it or purists might throw a fit...but because a ruler long enough to be useful would be too long gir a standard box.
And a string isn't glitzy enough ;)
A box set....IMO...should include 13 minis (8 IS vs 5 Clan), two high quality hardback maps, a universe guide, rule book and scenarios, up to 4 look up tables (1 per player), dice and cardboard cut outs for terrain snd tevord sheets
The rules should be focussed on Mech vs Mech.
The scenarios should present a range of battles....from 1 v1 to 4v4 to 8v5 to 4 player battle royale.
There should be an emphasis on factions
The Mechs should perhaps be designs created for the Box Set and used nowhere else, with weapons and armour designed to keep the game moving.
And/or available at a reasonable price separately.
And so on. It'd be very nice if the minis were DA style but isn't essential