Author Topic: TRO 3039 purpose (Read 32735 times)

deathfrombeyond · « **on:** 26 January 2011, 20:43:20 »

I just got TRO 3039 with the assumption that there'd be many of the non Phoenix units I'm familiar with from TROs 3025, 3026, with significantly differing fluff and a smattering of new prototypes that never made it to production or designs that debuted after 3025 but before 3050, like the Wolfhound . To me, the significantly differing fluff and the smattering of new prototypes were why I was buying 3039.

What I got seems to be a reprint of TRO 3025 and 3026 with notable pilot entries. And a Phoenix section at the end. And apparently no designs that debuted from 3027-3038, like the Wolfhound and the Daboku.

To me, this isn't the same as significantly differing fluff and a sprinkling of new prototypes.

Is there anything besides the notable pilot entries that isn't already mentioned in previous TROs? If not, 3039 feels like a complete waste of page space.

Nibs · « **Reply #1 on:** 26 January 2011, 21:03:44 »

I thought the Wolfhound and Daboku were in there? I'm confident that they're in my copy.

ItsTehPope · « **Reply #2 on:** 26 January 2011, 21:06:55 »

Quote from: Nibs on 26 January 2011, 21:03:44

I thought the Wolfhound and Daboku were in there? I'm confident that they're in my copy.

The index of units on Sarna indicates as much

greatsarcasmo · « **Reply #3 on:** 26 January 2011, 21:10:24 »

I thought the whole reason for TRO:3039 was that Catalyst had run low on TRO:3025 and 3026 from the FASA/FanPro days and rather then reprint those two, merged them into 3039. As well as the 'mechs from TRO 2750.

Annnddddddd...
Starting on p. 223 is the "First in Centuries" section. WLF-1 is on p.226-227 and Daboku p.234-235

Nibs · « **Reply #4 on:** 26 January 2011, 21:11:27 »

Yep. Raven, Wolfhound, Hatchetman, Cataphract, Hatamoto-Chi, Daboku, and Sai are all under the heading "First in Centuries...".

ColBosch · « **Reply #5 on:** 26 January 2011, 21:16:09 »

Also, the fluff and stats were extensively reviewed with many old mistakes corrected, such as the Zeus predating the Mackie.

Alex Keller · « **Reply #6 on:** 27 January 2011, 00:38:03 »

Honestly, TRO 3039 is the best product to give someone new to battletech. So if you're going to start someone down the path, that's where you'd want to begin.

deathfrombeyond · « **Reply #7 on:** 27 January 2011, 02:44:00 »

Whoops.

I was expecting the Wolfhound, et al. to be listed continuously with the Succession Wars designs, not in their own section.

Crunch · « **Reply #8 on:** 27 January 2011, 04:06:21 »

And the fluff has been updated to 3039 so on mechs like the Valkyrie you get a slightly better look at the mid 30s to beginning of the clan invasion.

CPLT-C1 · « **Reply #9 on:** 27 January 2011, 11:33:28 »

I love how comprehensive that book is. It's great for modern day Periphery gaming with all of the vehicles and older mechs, for earlier era play you have almost all of the units in one book, including the Unseen!

Dirk Bastion · « **Reply #10 on:** 27 January 2011, 16:29:33 »

The art is mismatched, though, which I find kind of jarring.

CPLT-C1 · « **Reply #11 on:** 27 January 2011, 17:12:05 »

Quote from: Dirk Bastion on 27 January 2011, 16:29:33

The art is mismatched, though, which I find kind of jarring.

I hadn't noticed. What was mismatched?

Dirk Bastion · « **Reply #12 on:** 27 January 2011, 17:30:24 »

The blocky art stile of the original 3025 mechs and tanks with the more fluid style of the others.

deathfrombeyond · « **Reply #13 on:** 27 January 2011, 17:43:51 »

Quote from: Dirk Bastion on 27 January 2011, 17:30:24

The blocky art stile of the original 3025 mechs and tanks with the more fluid style of the others.

That, and everything in that book seemed to be redrawn except for the 3025 'Mechs and tanks.

Why did the Hatchetman line art magically change from TRO 3025 to 3039, when the Clint and the Javelin didn't?

Face · « **Reply #14 on:** 27 January 2011, 23:36:59 »

Am I alone in being a bigger fan of the older "block-style" artwork? I don't like the smooth and flowing newer style designs. I guess I like my stompy to be rough and boxy. Hmmm.

CPLT-C1 · « **Reply #15 on:** 27 January 2011, 23:39:20 »

Quote from: Dirk Bastion on 27 January 2011, 17:30:24

The blocky art stile of the original 3025 mechs and tanks with the more fluid style of the others.

You know you're right... I actually kind of like the blocky art but that's probably just nostalgia.

I kind of like the idea that lostech mechs were curvy 50s style, low-tech were blocky and high tech was angular.
Doesn't look like that's been consistent across products though.

Top Sergeant · « **Reply #16 on:** 28 January 2011, 17:09:46 »

Quote from: Face on 27 January 2011, 23:36:59

Am I alone in being a bigger fan of the older "block-style" artwork? I don't like the smooth and flowing newer style designs. I guess I like my stompy to be rough and boxy. Hmmm.

For the most part I agree.

avon1985 · « **Reply #17 on:** 30 January 2011, 07:48:14 »

I think the TRO 3039 is one of the best TROs done. The only thing I wish was they would have put in the Merlin and the Chameleon mechs. I know why they didn't but sense the whole book is a reprint in some ways anyway those two mechs I think would have rounded out the book nicely.

CPLT-C1 · « **Reply #18 on:** 31 January 2011, 11:43:02 »

Quote from: Face on 27 January 2011, 23:36:59

Am I alone in being a bigger fan of the older "block-style" artwork? I don't like the smooth and flowing newer style designs. I guess I like my stompy to be rough and boxy. Hmmm.

I agree, being a child in the 80s I think made me a fan of that 'industrial' feel.

These are Kick-^&& cold war machines, not iPods!

Sellsword · « **Reply #19 on:** 31 January 2011, 13:17:15 »

TRO 3039 isn't really necessary if you have been in the game since the 80's, early 90s and own 3025, 3026.

In fact, I was initially ticked that Catalyst wasted their time on 3039 when all new material could be produced instead. However I was wrong.

I never pull out the other TROs any more. 3039 is my go to TRO. It is nice having all the information together in one place. Plus it was the right thing to do for new players coming into the game. It makes a great starting point.

The only real new information to be gleaned from this TRO for older players are the Aerospace Fighter variants and upgrades. If you don't use Aero units and you all ready have the other books, there isn't much need to bother with it.

FedSunsBorn · « **Reply #20 on:** 11 February 2011, 22:10:08 »

Quote from: Face on 27 January 2011, 23:36:59

Am I alone in being a bigger fan of the older "block-style" artwork? I don't like the smooth and flowing newer style designs. I guess I like my stompy to be rough and boxy. Hmmm.

I like both styles but I am definitely more a fan of the blocky style over the almost smooth Anime look of some of the newer designs. Of course, I grew up with watching 80's Transformers, GI Joe and *ahem* Robotech (before I knew about Battletech) so I will always like that style of design.

five_corparty · « **Reply #21 on:** 12 February 2011, 14:35:11 »

Quote from: Sellsword on 31 January 2011, 13:17:15

It is nice having all the information together in one place. Plus it was the right thing to do for new players coming into the game. It makes a great starting point.

bought a copy for my nephew, and he loves it. It's a great supplement to the basic game. And I do find when I need a fact on older Mechs, that's the PDF I open first- AND I don't have to put more wear and tear on my vintage books. Soooo, I'm a fan, though intially, like others, I was "??"

jklantern · « **Reply #22 on:** 13 February 2011, 15:36:15 »

Quote from: Face on 27 January 2011, 23:36:59

Am I alone in being a bigger fan of the older "block-style" artwork? I don't like the smooth and flowing newer style designs. I guess I like my stompy to be rough and boxy. Hmmm.

Nah, I like most of the older art from 3025 better than a lot of the newer art in 3039. (There might be an exception here or there).

Jackmc · « **Reply #23 on:** 13 February 2011, 16:02:56 »

I find it amusing that old hands are getting pissed about TRO3039 when TPTB specifically told us that it wasn't aimed at us but rather the new gamers.

-Jackmc

jklantern · « **Reply #24 on:** 13 February 2011, 16:23:07 »

Quote from: Jackmc on 13 February 2011, 16:02:56

I find it amusing that old hands are getting pissed about TRO3039 when TPTB specifically told us that it wasn't aimed at us but rather the new gamers.

-Jackmc

Don't get me wrong, I love TRO 3039. I never had TRO 26 or the original 25 with the Unseen Mechs. I don't like some of the art as much, but it is definitely one of my favorite TROs.

worktroll · « **Reply #25 on:** 13 February 2011, 17:07:57 »

Quote from: five_corparty on 12 February 2011, 14:35:11

bought a copy for my nephew, and he loves it.

No other justification needed. [notworthy]

W.

Alex Keller · « **Reply #26 on:** 13 February 2011, 19:09:50 »

Quote from: jklantern on 13 February 2011, 16:23:07

Don't get me wrong, I love TRO 3039. I never had TRO 26 or the original 25 with the Unseen Mechs. I don't like some of the art as much, but it is definitely one of my favorite TROs.

I just printed out minimized versions of the unseen art, cut them into small squares and taped them over the reseen pictures. Works really well.

Kit deSummersville · « **Reply #27 on:** 19 February 2011, 10:45:26 »

Quote from: deathfrombeyond on 26 January 2011, 20:43:20

Is there anything besides the notable pilot entries that isn't already mentioned in previous TROs?

All of the text for TRO 3039 is new. Some of the information may carry over, but it was entirely new writing.

And there are a few upgrades to Star League tech sprinkled in it. ;)

nckestrel · « **Reply #28 on:** 19 February 2011, 13:04:39 »

Quote from: FedSunsBorn on 11 February 2011, 22:10:08

I like both styles but I am definitely more a fan of the blocky style over the almost smooth Anime look of some of the newer designs. Of course, I grew up with watching 80's Transformers, GI Joe and *ahem* Robotech (before I knew about Battletech) so I will always like that style of design.

I've heard this before and don't get it. GI Joe, Transformers and Robotech were all ripped from Japanese designs. They are anime (at least the vehicle/robot designs/art)..

FedSunsBorn · « **Reply #29 on:** 19 February 2011, 13:27:21 »

Quote from: nckestrel on 19 February 2011, 13:04:39

I've heard this before and don't get it. GI Joe, Transformers and Robotech were all ripped from Japanese designs. They are anime (at least the vehicle/robot designs/art)..

You are correct. I should have said "modern" anime which is usually alot more curvy, thin and somewhat less "tank-like" then their older 70's/80's versions and models.