BattleTech - The Board Game of Armored Combat

BattleTech Game Systems => General BattleTech Discussion => Topic started by: Sartris on 11 February 2015, 11:31:40

Title: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Sartris on 11 February 2015, 11:31:40
Like for thousands of others, the intro box is one of the primary entrepôts into the BattleTech Universe. You’ve acquired a modest force of eight ‘Mechs (or ten if you went ham and also picked up the beginner box) and played a few games. So what now? How do you decide how to expand your experience in the face of thirty years of options? As it turns out, there are some natural inroads if you know where to look.

Though BattleTech is a game with an articulated and varied thematic periodization, the purpose of this guide is not to conform your interests to any specific era, but to provide scaffolded purchasing options based on what you already have. As you immerse yourself in the fiction of the BattleTech Universe, you will be able to make your own decisions about which era or eras you are most drawn to. Some enjoy employing the tech on the most bleeding edge while others have remained firmly ensconced in the same source material available in 1987. The key is to have fun.

This guide is primarily designed to help you take the first steps as someone unfamiliar with the myriad of options. I assume you, as a new player, are here for the giant, stompy robot action so the majority of my suggestions are geared toward 'Mech vs 'Mech combat. That said, I will provide some outlets for combined arms options. I have intentionally omitted discussion of Alpha Strike, the abstracted, faster-playing BattleTech ruleset and have also so shied away from A Time of War, the RPG system. I will leave promotion of the RPG system to someone who can do it justice with a more convincing sales pitch than I could provide.

Products listed in this document are available at store.catalystgamelabs.com or drivethrurpg.com.

If you are a returning player looking to get caught up on the changes to the game since you’ve been gone, I recommend the excellent primer prepared by mbear found here (http://tinyurl.com/y7cpna8c).

If you have any further questions, comments, insults, etc., feel free to reply to this thread.

CONTENTS
Code: [Select]
1. Further Reading
2. Navigating the Timeline
3. The Game Universe
4. Understanding The Product Line
5. Purchasing Guide
6. Resources and Freebies
7. Closing Thoughts

Further Reading
To avoid completely overwhelming with a multipost wall of text, I am in the process of creating more in-depth guides for a number of topics, should they interest you. I recommend reading this initial guide first and then coming back to look at more specific items – I have simply placed them here for faster access.

The Product Catalog (1984-Present) (https://tinyurl.com/ycsomjrs)
A Guide for Running Chaos Campaigns by Demo Agent strategoslevel3 (https://comstar.home.blog/2020/12/06/a-chaos-campaign-guide-to/)
Official Errata and Cover Image Changes for the Core Rules (https://bg.battletech.com/errata/)

NAVIGATING THE TIMELINE
The BattleTech Universe is vast and contains no less than twelve officially articulated eras. The complexity does not inherently increase in a linear fashion from one era to another, however. The Star League was more technologically advanced than the Succession Wars. Primitive gear came back into use during the Jihad alongside bleeding-edge prototypes. The key is to find what you find most enjoyable. Remember that the timeline was not developed in a linear fashion. The Universe was born in media res, grounded in the year 3025, with sourcebooks produced detailing various events through about 3030. 1989’s Twenty Year Update catapulted the timeline forward two decades, with the intervening years only receiving significant treatment after 2003. The Star League Era, originally portrayed as a lost Utopia received significant attention in 2012. I mention this to help explain why certain periods are much more “filled out” with Catalyst products than others. Many of the older sourcebooks books are available via PDF.

For a breakdown of modern (ie post-FASA) sourcebooks by era, check out my thread here (http://tinyurl.com/y83t8c8t). My FASA sourcebook index can be found here (http://tinyurl.com/y7tpv54s).

Code: [Select]
Age of War (2005-2570)
Star League (2571-2780)
The Succession Wars
     Early Succession Wars (2781-2900)
     Late Succession Wars - LostTech (2901-3019) <-- Beginner Box and GoAC Box fiction are set in this period
     Late Succession Wars - Renaissance (3020-3049)
Clan Invasion (3050-3061) <-- Clan Invasion Box fiction
FedCom Civil War (3062-3067)
Word of Blake Jihad (3068-3080)
The Dark Age
     Early Republic (3081-3100)
     Late Republic (3101-3130)
     Dark Ages (3131-3150) <-- MechWarrior Dark Age Miniatures Game
ilClan (3151+) <-- The current era

THE GAME UNIVERSE
With the success of the first manned jumpship in 2107, humanity gained the ability to leap from one star system to the next. Over the next four centuries, leap they would to every star they could reach. From this rapid and massive colonization effort sprung the embryos of the current interstellar empires. As these new protostates grew, they eventually grasped for the same resources and, predictably, descended into a brutal period known as the Age of War. During this series of bloody conflicts, the BattleMech emerged with the Terran Hegemony introducing the Mackie in 2439, changing warfare forever. All of humankind would eventually be brought under the banner of the Star League either by treaty or force by 2600.

The unified interstellar empire of man imploded upon itself in 2766 after the usurper Stephan Amaris murdered the ruling family of the Star League, seized control of the Terran Hegemony, and left the Successor Lords of the five client states to bicker amongst themselves for supremacy. In their mutual grab for power, they collectively rebuked the savior from the Amaris tyranny, General Alexandr Kerensky. Stilted, Kerensky chose self-exile and fled the Inner Sphere with the bulk of the Star League’s massive army rather than allow them to be cannibalized in what he believed would ultimately be a futile war. The subsequent First (2786-2821) and Second (2830-2864) Succession Wars unleashed savage destruction that killed untold billions and caused advanced technology to almost completely disappear by the mid-thirtieth century.

The Third Succession War (2866-3025), marked a period of low-intensity warfare, rife with border raids and reprisals but few major operations. In 3028, two of the five interstellar empires, the Federated Suns and Lyran Commonwealth formed an alliance and attempted to swallow another in the Capellan Confederation in numerically-consistent Fourth Succession War (3028-3030). About the same time, the legendary mercenary unit, the Gray Death Legion, uncovered a facility containing schematics for extinct Star League technologies on the planet Helm.

Through the 3030s and 3040s, each Successor State worked independently to bring lost technologies back into production and successfully made several breakthroughs thanks to the Helm Core’s data, with a complete recovery of Star League weapons and equipment by the late 3040s. While such weapon systems had been recovered in anticipation of doing further battle with each other, the Successor States’ ambitions of reuniting the Star League was thwarted in early 3050 with the sudden return of General Kerensky’s children, now reformed as the Clans – a hyper-militaristic society armed to the teeth with more advanced technologies than had ever been seen in the Inner Sphere. The warriors from beyond the periphery had come on a crusade to bring the now-sundered empire of man to heel under their own vision of the Star League.

In the moment of maximum crisis as planet after planet fell to the clan onslaught, ComStar, the mysterious and purportedly neutral steward of the network of Hyperpulse Generators that made interstellar communication possible, unveiled their secret army that had been hidden the shadows for centuries. Anastasius Focht, Precentor Marshal of ComStar’s hidden army, challenged the invading clans to a proxy battle for Terra on the planet of Tukayyid. Miraculously, the untested ComGuard army defeated the combined forces of the Clans and bought the Inner Sphere a fifteen-year reprieve.

But peace would not last that decade in a half. The Inner Sphere banded together once again under the auspices of the Star League and struck back against the Clans. Operations Bulldog and Serpent would see the destruction of Clan Smoke Jaguar – the former assaulting the Clan on their conquered Kuritan worlds, the latter taking the fight directly to the Clans’ homeworlds far beyond the Inner Sphere. But while the reborn SLDF’s combined armies marched to victory, not all was calm throughout the Inner Sphere. The Clans continued their onslaught above the truce line and often turned against each other with Clans Falcon and Wolf nearly bleeding each other to death. Houses Marik and Liao launched an assault on an unsuspecting Federated Commonwealth after the discovery of a horrible secret and caused the collapse of imperial order. The fanatical Word of Blake, inheritors of the techno-religious traditions of ComStar took Terra from the holy order. Worse, while Victor Steiner-Davion fought the Clans in their own space, his sister, Katrina, plotted to seize the throne of the Federated Commonwealth. On his return, the largest of the stellar empires marched quickly toward Civil War.

As you noticed earlier, there is substantially more history to the BattleTech Universe – nearly another century! But for simplicity’s sake I’m going to stop before the start of another major era (also I'm up against the post size limit). The material available for the above-outlined history will provide you with more than enough material to get to started.

If you would like a more in-depth history of the Inner Sphere to the year 3067, check out the Universe Guide (http://tinyurl.com/ycuep5xb). It’s a free PDF that had been included in the various iterations of the box set since around 2002.

UNDERSTANDING THE PRODUCT LINE
CORE RULES
Beginning in 2006 with Total Warfare, Catalyst began releasing the current generation of full rules. Each adds added layers of complexity to your games. Since their inception, these books have gone through varying levels of correction and revision. Below are the most current versions. See the errata page linked above which contains older covers to past printings.

(https://i.ibb.co/cgK4mZb/all-covers.png)

(https://i.ibb.co/xz5yp9R/BMM-4th.png)
BattleMech Manual:
Core Rules Option #1
* Rules for 'Mechs only
* Includes a number (but not all) of advanced weapons, equipment, and optional rules from Tactical Operations
* Quirks to customize your 'Mech's performance
* Abstract battlefield support system that makes adding artillery and airstrikes easier than ever.
* More clearly written and organized, taking lessons from the past fifteen years.

Total Warfare:
Core Rules Option #2
* In addition to 'Mechs, rules for most unit types including vehicles, aerospace, and infantry
* Total Warfare + Tactical Operations gives you the full spread of equipment and advanced rules (does not include quirks or the abstract support system)

TechManual
* Construction rules for BattleMechs, IndustrialMechs, Protomechs, combat vehicles, support vehicles, infantry, battle armor, and aerospace units.
* Formulas for BattleValue 2.0 if you’re the kind of lunatic that does that sort of thing by hand.

Tactical Operations: Advanced Rules
* Expanded rules for movement, combat, weather, and buildings
* Artillery, minefields, fire, and smoke
* Double-Blind rules
* Other miscellaneous rules

Tactical Operations: Advanced Units & Equipment
* The goto for rules and construction data on all advanced and experimental equipment that becomes more and more prevelant in the Jihad and beyond
* If you plan to play past around 3067, this volume is strongly recommended
* Advanced rules for gameplay and construction of support units like airships, large navel vessels, trains, and mobile structures

Strategic Operations: Advanced Aerospace
[NOTE: This is a revised volume. It no longer contains the BattleForce Rules]
* Rules for aerospace assets operating in space including warships, jumpships, dropships, and fighters
* Construction rules for those units and additionally for other spaceborne craft such as space stations and satellites
* Other miscellaneous rules that involve space operations like orbital insertions and boarding actions

Campaign Operations
* Rules for creating and running a force
* Full rules for formation building as seen in the Clan Box
* Rules for Special Pilot Abilities as featured on pilot cards
* Salvage, customization, and repair rules [moved from StratOps]
* Solar system creation rules
* Rules for running both map- and narrative-based campaigns
* Full Chaos Campaign Ruleset

Interstellar Operations: Alternate Eras
* A full account of technological advancement throughout the BattleTech timeline
* Rules for units and equipment found in specific eras of BattleTech history such as Land Air Mechs (LAMs), prototype equipment, and technological stepping stones

Interstellar Operations: BattleForce
* Rules for BattleForce, Strategic BattleForce and the Abstract Combat System to run large engagements encompassing dozens or hundreds of units
* Rules for the Inner Sphere at War - a total war simulation involving the conquest of entire nations

OTHER PRODUCT SERIES
The following products will help fill out the broad and varied BattleTech Universe. I have limited my discussion to products actively produced by Catalyst (or at least has received relatively recent support)

Brush Wars
The vast majority of conflicts in the BattleTech universe go largely uncovered beyond a mention or short passage in a sourcebook. The Brush Wars series plans to explore some of those important, but otherwise loosely filled out events.

Spotlight On
(https://i.ibb.co/CmVqg5H/SO.png)

Unit histories of some of the smaller, but more colorful outfits in BattleTech history. Each volume provides the unit's history, capabilities, and order of battle over time.

Technical Readouts (TROs)
(https://i.ibb.co/m5h4YD6/ETRO.png)
These represent the bread and butter of BattleTech books going back to the 1980s - a Janes-esque guide series for the BattleTech universe. Over a dozen saw print in various versions under multiple publishers. Since 2017, CGL has released a trio of era-focused, 'Mech-only volumes: Succession Wars, Clan Invasion, and Jihad. Each provides a selection of units from the original volumes. While TROs are not mandatory purchases, they act as a critical glue to the BattleTech Universe, giving some background and substance in an attempt to elevate BattleMechs beyond mere playing pieces. The original TROs are still available in PDF form if you desire a more complete experience - including other unit types.

Recognition Guide: ilClan
(https://i.ibb.co/DYZwTD7/RC.png)
Intended as a showcase for the new Kickstarter art, the 32 volume RecGuide series reintroduces a plethora of classic 'Mechs, vehicles, and battle armor, and adds new variants utilizing cutting-edge technology for the battlefields of the 32nd century. Each volume includes at least one brand new unit. Record sheets for all featured units and variants included.

Touring the Stars
(https://i.ibb.co/zxW6Lb9/TTS.png)
PDF-exclusive product highlights an eclectic mix of human-inhabited worlds across BT's history - both active and abandoned. Included in each writeup is a planetary history, ecology, seed ideas for a roleplaying group, and a planetary map for use with large-scale campaigns.

Turning Points
(https://i.ibb.co/Lgt57qy/TP.png)
Catalyst released the Chaos Campaign framework a dozen years ago (!!) as a flexible, streamlined, abstracted campaign system for tracking unit missions and resources. The Turning Points series of PDF campaigns allows for players to create random forces or insert their own units in a wide variety of conflicts throughout the BattleTech timeline. I have recommended several below for use with your games.

Maps
With MapPack: Grasslands, CGL renewed one of BattleTech's oldest product lines. Four sets have been released so far.

PURCHASING GUIDE
GAME ESSENTIALS
MapPacks
(https://i.ibb.co/xhVVvqn/allmaps.png)
Each contains between four and six double-sided maps providing unique options to expand your battlefield size and variety. Larger playing areas significantly impact how the game is played (for the better). 

BattleMats
(https://i.ibb.co/k65mPkn/bm.png)
Many maps released in MapPacks have been converted into 34x22 neoprene, rollable battlefields. Each is the equivalent to two maps touching along the long edge.

BattleTech Reinforcements: Clan Invasion
(https://i.ibb.co/zJSv6TK/ri.png)
This box brims with hundreds of standup counters representing all of the 'Mechs in the box set and Kickstarter as well as building counters to add some complexity. It also contains an exclusive map. Record sheets for all units are also included.

EXPANDING YOUR SUCCESSION WARS EXPERIRENCE
The Beginner Box and Game of Armored Combat box sets are placed near the end of the Third Succession War around the year 3025 – the original game setting. This period is marked predominantly by low-scale, small-unit actions as depicted in the average game of BattleTech. In order to seat your own experience within the rich universe, I have provided a number of options that require predominantly only the rules within the GoAC box.

Chaos Campaign: Succession Wars
(https://i.ibb.co/w4MzLPK/CCSW.png)
This free product set in the same era as the GoAC box set initiates players to the Chaos Campaign system used in a number of BattleTech products and provides a framework for basic, generic campaigns as well as suggestions for more interesting mission types and advance rules like minefields.

What you need: GoAC box, Record Sheets: Succession Wars, and (optional) Map Pack: Grasslands

House Arano: The Aurigan Coalition
(https://i.ibb.co/ZdcZyS1/HAAC.png)
Based on the source material from HBS's BattleTech video game, House Arano picks up where the game leaves off with the Restoration completed. Found within is a comprehensive description of Aurigan culture, society, and military strength along with profiles of major personalities. The book also contains a number of scenarios that are directly compatible with nothing but the GoAC box. Also included are descriptions and record sheets several new vehicles used in the 31st century periphery. Use of these combat units requires rules found in Total Warfare. Note: This product is currently only available on drivethrurpg.com as both a PDF and Print on Demand softcover.

Technical Readout: Succession Wars
(https://i.ibb.co/gWdC227/TROSW.png)
A compilation volume of designs from the Age of War in the 2500s through the Fourth Succession War, ending in 3030. These Mechs utilize a variety of technologies, including advanced equipment common during the Star League before the savage destruction of the early Succession Wars. Again, TROs aren’t required, but they give life and meaning to your combat units.

Record Sheets: Succession Wars
(https://i.ibb.co/B2LNrJd/RSSW.png)
Provides 293 record sheets for the 93 ‘Mechs within TRO: Succession Wars. A large number of them will not require any further rules than what you have with the box set. Others will require the BattleMech Manual or Total Warfare

Succession Wars-Based Turning Points
(https://i.ibb.co/Ns1DPwC/SWCC.png)
Using the rules from Chaos Campaign: Succession Wars, player can recreate specific historical battles from the Succession Wars era.

What You Need: GoAC box, appropriate record sheets.
 
If you plan to use vehicles, infantry or other combat units, Total Warfare is required.  Note that these volumes will recommend specific out-of-print maps and unit random acquisition tables (RATs) from other books to broaden your unit choices, or rules from Tactical Operations to simulate local planetary weather and terrain. Orbisonia and Tyrfing reference advanced variants that require rules in Total Warfare or the BattleMech Manual. They can be safely ignored without affecting the experience. Don't fret, all of this is optional and the Chaos Campaign rules will function normally without them.
 
Historical: Brush Wars
(https://i.ibb.co/vvZhf8y/HBW.png)
NOTE: This volume will be released in the near future under the title Brush Wars: Vol 1 as a print on demand title.
Brush Wars, among one of the best sourcebooks to depict events during the Late Succession Wars era, covers three “minor” but important conflicts: Anton Marik’s Revolt, The Andurien Succession Crisis, and the Ronin War.

Historical: War of 3039
(https://i.ibb.co/rHjkW5j/H3039.png)
Nearly a decade after pushing the Capellan Confederation to the brink of annihilation, Hanse Davion’s Federated Commonwealth struck its other primary foe: the Draconis Combine. Another unqualified victory for the Davion-Steiner partnership would mean all but total domination of the Inner Sphere. But the mysterious ComStar saw its own interests threatened – without relative parity between the five major states, their position would become precarious. It was then that the Inner Sphere discovered that ComStar was not only the keeper of HPG technology, but a vast reserve of Star League BattleMechs. Many of these found their way into Combine regiments. While only seeing the most minor coverage in the 20 Year Update, the War of 3039 stands as one of  the pivotal events preceding the Clan Invasion.

Era Report: 2750
(https://i.ibb.co/JdH2VgR/ER2750.png)
While the Box Set places you in the early thirty-first century, TRO: Succession Wars reaches back to far before that time during the height of the Star League’s empire. But the golden age of humanity was little more than a gilded prison. This guide gives an overview of the various member states of the League with their massive armies and foreshadows deeper issues that would lead to total collapse and apocalypse.  Also included is a Chaos Campaign framework for designing your own scenarios with era-specific rules.

ON TO THE CLAN INVASION
During the decade of relative détente after the War of 3039, the great powers of the Inner Sphere settled back into the pre-Fourth Succession War doldrums of border raids and reprisals. But a storm was gathering on the coreward horizon. The products highlighted below will help you dip your toe into one of the most consequential periods in BattleTech History.

Clan Invasion Box Set
(https://i.ibb.co/rxtr25N/cib.png)
The fastest way to get you into the 3050s. Included are rules for advanced equipment, a star of OmniMechs, record sheets for upgrades to Inner Sphere 'Mechs from the GoAC box, and Clan Elemental battle armor. The box also provides rules for clan dueling, force building, and how to use the Master Units List (MUL).

Technical Readout: Clan Invasion
(https://i.ibb.co/wgBBbCL/TROCI.png)
Kerensky's descendants returned to the Inner Sphere in 3050 to reunite the Star League of the Great Father by force. This volume provides a sampling of the forces used by both the Clans and the evolving resistance put up by the Great Houses between 3050 and 3062. 

Record Sheets: Clan Invasion
(https://i.ibb.co/7JB1M3D/RSCI.png)
Provides an additional 476 record sheets for the 93 mechs in TRO: Clan Invasion. Almost all require BattleMech Manual, Total Warfare, or the Clan Invasion Box Rules for use in your games.

Era Reports: 3052, 3062
(https://i.ibb.co/yV70Cm3/ER5262.png)
Each era report fleshes out the political and military situation alluded to in the various TROs. Also included are frameworks for designing unique campaigns in the relevant era via the Chaos Campaign referenced above.
ER:3052 and ER: 3062 could just as easily be named “Early Clan Invasion” and “Late Clan Invasion.” ER: 3052 focuses on the myriad of factions on both sides of the Inner Sphere-Clan conflict in the wake of ComStar’s improbable victory at the Battle of Tukayyid. 3062 checks in with the same stakeholders a decade later – all bracing themselves for the seemingly inevitable FedCom Civil War. Each volume gives a brief synopsis of how events have unfolded up to the date on the cover, an overview of the various factions, their leaders, and famous combat commands.

The Battle of Tukayyid
(https://i.ibb.co/Pm9QxyN/bot.png)
Originally planned as a PDF-only supplement along the lines of Chaos Campaign: Succession Wars, The Battle of Tukayyid has been expanded into a hardcover 200 page sourcebook and campaign book tracing the epic confrontation between the ComGuards and the seven invading Clans.

Clan Invasion-Era Turning Points
(https://i.ibb.co/nmXNYBv/CICC.png)
Like the Succession Wars, the Clan Invasion offers a variety of Turning Points campaign scenarios.

A Brief History Lesson
In my extraordinarily short summary above, I mentioned that after the Amaris Civil War of the 2760s and 70s, Alexandr Kerensky chose self-imposed exile from the Inner Sphere rather than allow his army to be cannibalized and chewed up by the House Lords. The descendants of those exiles returned with a vengeance in 3049 as the Clans. How did the SLDF-in-exile transform into the militant tsunami bent on total conquest?

(http://tinyurl.com/yab9ezu5)(http://tinyurl.com/y7qts38s)
(https://tinyurl.com/y929565s)

These three volumes briefly cover the arrival the SLDF in their new home, the brutal civil war and formation of a nascent Clan society, and the rise of hyper-advanced technology surpassing anything produced by the Star League.

Other TROs and Record Sheet Books
(https://i.ibb.co/LzgbkQn/otro.png)
(https://i.ibb.co/w4Cn7Hg/ors.png)
As previously mentioned, TRO: Succession Wars and TRO: Clan Invasion are compilation products made up of entries from several other TROs that have their own attendant record sheet volume (or volumes). Each contain additional variants for the units in TRO: Succession Wars or Clan Invasion, as well as a number of units not contained in those volumes. How do you know which to buy? Fear not, as I have compiled a list of what is found in each, including how many repeats are present. See the Google Sheet at

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1LOrwtB9SPp1twxqpcTf3iOn2jkRdPGka2DVii-jauoE/edit#gid=989503846

EXPANDING YOUR FORCES
CGL ran a very successful Kickstarter to fund a Clan Invasion expansion box set - as part of the stretch goals for this KS are individual Lance (Inner Sphere) and Star (Clan) packs stuffed with classic Clan and IS designs reimagined in the new style found in the GoAC box. All forcepacks from the Kickstarter can be found on the CGL store as well as retailers worldwide. A new mercenary-themed Kickstarter will launch this fall that will add up to around fifty additional 'Mechs and Vehicles.

(https://i.ibb.co/8435vNX/wave1fp.png)

Iron Wind Metals
(http://tinyurl.com/y4pettee)

Iron Wind Metals (http://ironwindmetals.com) produces the vast majority of BattleMechs in pewter. Most require between some and substantial assembly. You’ll need a hobby knife, a metal file, superglue, a pin vice, and a little patience. I started as an absolute beginner around 2009 and have since assembled over a thousand minis with my big clumsy hands so it’s certainly within your grasp.

European customers should check out Ral Partha Europe (https://tinyurl.com/4m9f3buc). Note that they have not added new sculpts since around 2005 so it is not great for new models.

Out of Print Box Sets and Alpha Strike Lance Packs
While both of these remain options, they are becoming exceedingly expensive and use sculpts far inferior to those of the Kickstarter.

The Free Option
Finally, if you’re desperate for playing pieces and don’t want to make any serious investments, I have devised several sets of paper standups. They are not ideal, but the price is right.
http://bg.battletech.com/forums/index.php?topic=53689.0

RESOURCES AND FREEBIES
Official Downloads (https://tinyurl.com/2a7en4bb):Chock full of freebies including the barebones Chaos Campaign rules, digital record sheets for all of the Kickstarter minis, quickstart rules for a variety of systems, printable tokens, and old (but still canon) Dark Age materials from the WizKids era.

www.MasterUnitList.info: An official total resource for virtually every canon BattleTech including faction availability by era.

www.Sarna.net: The BattleTech Wiki filled with thousands of articles big and small on countless aspects of the BattleTech Universe.

www.MegaMek.org: An unofficial computerized version of BattleTech you can play against other people all over the world or against a bot. It implements the vast majority of game rules, including advanced options and a plethora of unofficial rules. Make sure your Java installation is up to date.

MegaMekLab: An editor that allows you to design your own custom units and print record sheets for virtually all known BattleTech units. Find the newest versions of the MegaMek suite of programs here (http://www.megamek.org/downloads)

www.SolarisSkunkWerks.com: Popular 'Mech and vehicle design software recently taken up by a new dev team. As a user for several years before moving on to MML, I can attest to its quality.

Fletch's Sheets (https://flechs.net/sheets-twa/) - Online sheets with a twist - they allow for a certain level of interactive recordkeeping as you play. Interface is smooth and easy to use.

www.Mordel.net: Need full stats for a ‘Mech? Want a PDF of the record sheet? I don’t use it personally, but it’s a super high-quality effort that deserves a look.

Building, Fire, and Smoke Counters: Cutout counters for adding depth to your games. Link (http://tinyurl.com/y88k2a2f)

Xotl’s Random Force Tables: Among the finest, best researched fan-created tables produced, these random tables will help build faction-flavored forces for the first half of the 31st century. Link (http://bg.battletech.com/forums/index.php?topic=1219.0)

CLOSING THOUGHTS
I hope this helps. Suggestions for improving this document are always welcome. There is a lot to explore in this crazy universe. The pool is really deep if you want to dive that far. The key is to take on only what you're comfortable with and have fun.


Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Ithandir on 11 February 2015, 13:13:58
Thanks Sartris for taking the time to write this up. As a new player this is extremely helpful.
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: ColBosch on 11 February 2015, 17:07:58
Very nice!
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Hythos on 11 February 2015, 18:14:35
ALSO!  Get friends involved!
Register at http://www.catalystdemos.com/Players/Search.asp
and spread the word! :)
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Frabby on 12 February 2015, 02:25:27
Excellent introduction document!  O0
I have a few editorial suggestions that I will PM you later when I have more time. It's minor stuff really.
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: pheonixstorm on 12 February 2015, 02:44:37
What no Jihad? Well.. it IS the red headed stepchild no one wants to admit to  }:)
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Neko_Bijin on 12 February 2015, 08:56:21
I assume that FBI crawlerbot have sifted every byte of data on my computer for my 10 years of typing "Jihad" into message boards.  I'll bet there's even a Post-it note on a manilla file somewhere admonishing new hires to ignore the BattleTech crowd while dowsing for home-grown threats.
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: nckestrel on 12 February 2015, 09:40:29
What no Jihad? Well.. it IS the red headed stepchild no one wants to admit to  }:)

His goal was to expand from the Intro Box Set, set in the Succession Wars.  The Jihad does not come directly from the Succession Wars. 
Not only do I admit to the Jihad, I also like redheaded children and stepchildren.  I am one and wouldn't mind being the other.

Nevermind :).  After Sartis's post I see what was meant.
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Sartris on 12 February 2015, 09:50:01
His goal was to expand from the Intro Box Set, set in the Succession Wars.  The Jihad does not come directly from the Succession Wars. 
Not only do I admit to the Jihad, I also like redheaded children and stepchildren.  I am one and wouldn't mind being the other.

Indeed so. I mostly stopped at 3052-53 because of the large-scale influx of units in TRO 3055/58/60. I'm a big fan of the Jihad era, especially the later publications like Jihad Secrets, Final Reckoning, and The Wars of Reaving

Edit: Ha. I see what phoenixstorm was getting at. I had inadvertently left the Jihad out of the eras list at the beginning of the document. Whoops!
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: jackpot4 on 12 February 2015, 13:43:31
I assume that FBI crawlerbot have sifted every byte of data on my computer for my 10 years of typing "Jihad" into message boards.  I'll bet there's even a Post-it note on a manilla file somewhere admonishing new hires to ignore the BattleTech crowd while dowsing for home-grown threats.

LOL I had never thought about that.
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: elf25s on 12 February 2015, 23:20:30
LOL I had never thought about that.
i really needed that chuckle....
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Sartris on 15 February 2015, 23:36:10
added product series descriptions.
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Archer_Wirth on 04 April 2016, 21:00:30
LOL I had never thought about that.

LMBO
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: JadeHellbringer on 05 April 2016, 13:53:05
I assume that FBI crawlerbot have sifted every byte of data on my computer for my 10 years of typing "Jihad" into message boards.  I'll bet there's even a Post-it note on a manilla file somewhere admonishing new hires to ignore the BattleTech crowd while dowsing for home-grown threats.

I admit, working for a federal agency a few years ago and accidentally leaving "Dawn of the Jihad" on my desk one day resulted in a very pointed look from my boss.
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Nerroth on 05 April 2016, 15:26:33
If it's not too late to offer suggestions for the opening post, I might add that it may be worth adding in more data on the Star League-era Historical volumes than is currently listed.

Historical Reunification War and the two Historical: Liberation of Terra books are key to exploring the rise and fall of the Star League respectively, and I'd personally sooner recommend those three ahead of, say, Era Report: 2750.

Also, I was under the impression that FM:SLDF was set in 2765 (to match the various PDF-only Field Reports), rather than 2750.



On a side note, I wonder if it might also be worth mentioning the upcoming First Succession War book, or even the Empires Aflame PDF. The former will hopefully pick up where Historical: Liberation of Terra II left off, and show what the Exiles in Historical: Operation KLONDIKE were leaving behind. While the latter opens a window on an alternate timeline in which the course of events following the collapse of the Star League flowed in a very different direction...
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Sartris on 05 April 2016, 21:35:50
If it's not too late to offer suggestions for the opening post, I might add that it may be worth adding in more data on the Star League-era Historical volumes than is currently listed.

it's not too late, no. i had originally thought about including LoT I & II but decided against it because i was trying to give new player a basic intro to the Star League era, which ER 2750 provides. Also, truth be told, I hadn't read either of the Liberation of Terra volumes when I originally made this post

Quote
Also, I was under the impression that FM:SLDF was set in 2765 (to match the various PDF-only Field Reports), rather than 2750.

Still part of the star league era, and an overview of Man's greatest assembled army.


Quote
On a side note, I wonder if it might also be worth mentioning the upcoming First Succession War book, or even the Empires Aflame PDF. The former will hopefully pick up where Historical: Liberation of Terra II left off, and show what the Exiles in Historical: Operation KLONDIKE were leaving behind. While the latter opens a window on an alternate timeline in which the course of events following the collapse of the Star League flowed in a very different direction...

I'll let people find their way down their own counter-factual rabbit holes.
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Sartris on 04 May 2018, 06:43:59
i've done a total teardown of the original post and restructured it to account for the forthcoming Game of Armored Combat Box and the new BMM/TRO: Succession Wars paradigm. Any suggestions or fixes are welcome.
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Empyrus on 04 May 2018, 09:05:23
Nice introduction to BT overall.

Do check for "GAoC" though, you put that instead of "GoAC" at some points, like the Turning Points section. Confused me greatly ;D

While you've shied away from from post-Clan Invasion content, i'd make notes of the eras in general sense at least (eg Jihad: you get to fight with or against cybernetic pseudo-super villains), as they do offer different things from pre-Clan Invasion eras, and also note that they work fine with just BMM ruleset for most part.
Also i'd make note of the Dark Age specifically, highlighting its nature as the era were the story is on-going, and how it is adaptation of MWDA, should there be fans of that who'd like to relieve the time in different way.

For Europeans, i'd add note of that fantasywelt.de sells IWM minis here (lower shipping costs), and Ral Partha Europe is another option.
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Colt Ward on 04 May 2018, 16:36:28
I am wondering where the link to your youtube instructional video is . . . did I miss it?
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Sartris on 04 May 2018, 16:43:59
must be someone else. i've never made anything for youtube.
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Colt Ward on 04 May 2018, 18:10:55
Sorry, sort of joking . . . you have done a wonderful job, I just wonder about getting someone to do your write up as a promo video.
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Sartris on 04 May 2018, 19:18:42
the very last thing BattleTech's brand image needs is my ugly mushmouth pushing their product on youtube  :))
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: GRUD on 05 May 2018, 15:53:19
Sorry to be a Party Pooper, but the AS Lance Packs have apparently been OOP for a few years now, and the remaining stocks are about depleted.  I just heard that myself a couple of weeks ago.   :-\


STILL an Excellent way to build up a Force though, if you can lay hands on them!   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: ColBosch on 05 May 2018, 16:13:52
Sorry to be a Party Pooper, but the AS Lance Packs have apparently been OOP for a few years now, and the remaining stocks are about depleted.  I just heard that myself a couple of weeks ago.

I just checked eBay, and all the Alpha Strike Lance Packs are still available, most for as little as $8. A couple are at retail+shipping. They may be OOP, but there are plenty for sale.
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Sartris on 05 May 2018, 17:03:34
I just checked eBay, and all the Alpha Strike Lance Packs are still available, most for as little as $8. A couple are at retail+shipping. They may be OOP, but there are plenty for sale.

That’s why I kept them on the list, yeah
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: nckestrel on 05 May 2018, 20:32:17
99% of BattleTech products get one “print”.  Ie. everything is “out of print” as soon as it’s printed. The core rule books are the major exception (and intro box set).
That’s far different from “out of stock”, which varies depends on who’s stocking and what they’ve ordered.
For the core rule books, discussions of when/how to reprint start when their main warehouse for their primary distributor runs out. That’s the more “colloquial” definition of “out of print”. A game store asks for a book, the distributor doesn’t have any to send them. Has nothing to do with when it was actually printed.
At least, that’s my limited understanding of BattleTecj printings.
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Empyrus on 05 May 2018, 20:39:24
TROs apparently also get multiple printings, or used to, anyway.
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Mummelpuffin on 08 May 2018, 13:24:15
This is awesome.  Now, if only anyone I knew was at all interested in playing tabletop Battletech over just playing video games.  I got one of the out of print boxed sets and I've only really used it once.
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Colt Ward on 08 May 2018, 13:35:14
Well, you can always practice by MegaMek and play people all over the world- lol if they tell you where they are from!  It also exposes you to a lot of play styles and ideas.
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: garhkal on 08 May 2018, 16:42:20
Nice work, compiling all this info, inc the pics for the books/boxed sets!  Cudos! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Sartris on 31 January 2019, 12:27:25
shamelessly bumping this since the box set is actually out now. hopefully someone will find it useful
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Gigastrike on 31 January 2019, 12:45:04
What's the difference between the rulebook contained in the box set and the Battletech Manual?
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: nckestrel on 31 January 2019, 13:07:17
What's the difference between the rulebook contained in the box set and the Battletech Manual?

The A Game of Armored Combat ruleset covers the equipment used in the Succession Wars (standard lasers, LRMs, etc). The BattleMech Manual covers equipment throughout the eras.  Clan tech, Star league tech, advanced Inner Sphere tech from the 3060s on, etc.  Pulse Lasers, Gauss Rifles, Artemis fire control, triple-strength myomer, and more.

The BattleMech Manual also covers some additional options for rules, like artillery/aerospace support, design quirks, alternative initiative, simple fire and smoke, etc.  But the technology from other eras is probably the biggest difference.
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: NeonKnight on 31 January 2019, 13:20:17
Running a Game tomorrow, and this is the scenario:

You've Bought the Beginer's Box or the Game of Armored Combat and you want to throw down and see if you're better than you opponent!

Bring your box set to the game and use either of the two following 'mechs:

Griffin GRF-1S & Wolverine WVR-6R (Beginner’s Box Set)
 
Or
 
Wolverine WVR-6M & Shadow Hawk SHD-2H (Game of Armored Combat)

Will play in teams of 2 (4 mechs vs 4 mech) if we have numbers, otherwise will be 1 v 1


I've gone with the above because the BV is pretty much identical for the two combos. Using Pilots of 3/4, the two mech combo’s means anyone who has purchased either of the two new box sets can field the mechs, and the BV’s for both combos come in at 3248 vs 3249 respectively. This means regardless which box set someone has purchased leading up to this event is not precluded from participating.

I'll let folks know how it played out after tomorrow night.
 
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Colt Ward on 31 January 2019, 13:30:35
Does the BMM also have blank sheets in the back?  I have not looked.
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: NeonKnight on 31 January 2019, 13:36:11
Does the BMM also have blank sheets in the back?  I have not looked.

yes and No

No Blank mech Sheets, but blank game specific rules sheets
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Sartris on 31 January 2019, 13:40:44
blank sheets are in TM and IO. I assume they were omitted from BMM because there aren't any construction rules
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Bigkahuna on 31 January 2019, 14:49:33
Fantastic Information, greatly appriciated by the new guys like me.  Its unfortunate that some of the core books like the Battletech Manual and Total War books are out of print, one would have hoped that these things would be available with the new box set being out.

I do have one sort of question/comment, curious whar you guys think.

The new minis that came with the box set are excelent, great quality, plastic which in my humble opinion is really the way to go (metal is a deal breaker for me).  I noted however as i was looking to expand my mini collection that the quality, style and just general thickness of the other available minis is... well frankly just god awful.  I was actually shocked to see how bad they really are, in particular if you compare them to modern standards and the new box set.  Is it just me?

I guess the question is, will we see more along the lines of the box set?
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Colt Ward on 31 January 2019, 15:05:24
BMM and TW are supposed to be in a re-print so look for them.

Personally I was fine with the last set of plastic minis in the Lance Packs and previous box set of a few years ago . . . BUT there have been plastic stinkers before, so it depends on what you are comparing it to at this point.  As for looks . . . some of that is related to the art, the new Classics have art that is a bit bulkier and sometimes it will depend on the weight class of the mech.  Typically the light mechs have art that makes them more spindly and thus their minis do the same, your heavies and assaults will be thicker of course.

For information's sake, why is metal a deal breaker?
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Sartris on 31 January 2019, 15:21:14
Fantastic Information, greatly appriciated by the new guys like me.  Its unfortunate that some of the core books like the Battletech Manual and Total War books are out of print, one would have hoped that these things would be available with the new box set being out.

Both Total Warfare (5th printing was in fall 2018) and the BattleMech Manual (2017) are still available at reasonable prices on Amazon and Ebay. The BMM is getting a reprint soon. Is the new printing of TW in short supply already?

Quote
I do have one sort of question/comment, curious whar you guys think.

The new minis that came with the box set are excelent, great quality, plastic which in my humble opinion is really the way to go (metal is a deal breaker for me).  I noted however as i was looking to expand my mini collection that the quality, style and just general thickness of the other available minis is... well frankly just god awful.  I was actually shocked to see how bad they really are, in particular if you compare them to modern standards and the new box set.  Is it just me?

I guess the question is, will we see more along the lines of the box set?

there have been a lot of opinions about the quality of the old minis but i think most would argue that these are a galactic leap forward. how many in plastic we'll see is anyone's guess. CGL isn't a minis company and iirc under the license and / or agreements they're only able to put them into products like the new boxes - as opposed to just selling them ad hoc.
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Bigkahuna on 31 January 2019, 16:59:45

For information's sake, why is metal a deal breaker?

They chip, they are hard to glue together and break apart very easily, they are a pain to store and generally I find that their detail is almost always sub-par compared to plastic molds. 
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Colt Ward on 31 January 2019, 17:10:37
Cogent points . . . all I can say is the only metal mini out that duplicates any from the box sets is the Shadow Hawk-

From the store
(https://www.ironwindmetals.com/images/FactoryNews/20-5141-BW.jpg)

And now one from CamoSpecs-
(http://ironwindmetals.com/store/images/btmechs/20-5141.jpg)

I have not gotten the boxes yet- wife claimed the right, so I cannot say how the metal stacks up to the plastic.  But as Sartis said, I am not sure we will get any more (much as I want them) in CGL plastic.  If you are wanting plastic you might want to look into the Lance Packs, they were the previous best plastics.
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Bigkahuna on 31 January 2019, 17:24:26
Well the good thing is that 10 unique mini's plus the cardboard stand ups is plenty for playing the game, its a very good box that doesn't have that "incomplete" feeling so many starter mini sets from other companies have. So Im quite happy with it, but I have to say, if this company hopes to see Battletech grow and compete with some of the other games in the genre on a larger scale they definitely have to address the miniature issue they have and I definitely think they have one.  Pretty much compared to any other mini game out there they are severely outclassed.

For me personally I would have gotten into Battletech a long time ago, in fact I was seriously considering it with the last box set they put out which was at least using plastic minis but they were just soooooo ugly, I just couldn't make peace with it.  I mean I know the mini's and the game are separate things, you could play it with a half eaten Cheeto but most gaming circles that you would introduce a game to are going to judge the game by appearances initially and when your trying to bring the game to a group that is used to playing the Legion, Warhammer and the like, its a pretty hard sell if the mini's are ugly.  I think with this new box set I will be able to sell a few people on the game, but its not great news if there is no prospects in the near future for expansions with a higher quality then what we get out of the 3rd party companies like Iron Wind.  I looked through their entire catalog hoping to find a few mini's that might get a passing grade but to be frank, I didn't find a single one I thought was even close to good enough and their prices they charge for such poor quality is disturbing.
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Daryk on 31 January 2019, 17:32:28
Wait... metal chips these days?  Is it really so long ago that we used actual lead?
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: nckestrel on 31 January 2019, 17:52:44
I think there will be more plastic minis, but to will not be any time soon.  They are not holding off on releasing metal warhammers, archers, etc for nothing.   But they are dedicated to seeing the current box set stay in print first.
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Sartris on 31 January 2019, 18:00:49
(http://puu.sh/CFl2d/ca05c20b08.png)

Wait... metal chips these days?  Is it really so long ago that we used actual lead?

the paint tends to. i've put my minis through two big moves and the metal itself doesn't chip.
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Daryk on 31 January 2019, 18:02:36
Ah, ok... that makes MUCH more sense.  Thanks!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: carlisimo on 31 January 2019, 18:13:33
I had resisted my friends’ attempts to get me into Battletech for years because I wasn’t a fan of lot of the designs.  The new sculpts won me over and I finally got my boxed sets and a few metal IWM mechs.

Gotta say, I’m not a fan of the plastic material, or of the mechs being preassembled.  I’m sure it was the right decision overall, I’m just finding these minis difficult to work with.  Knives and files behave differently on it compared to the hard plastic and resins I’m used to, making mold line removal a bit of a challenge.  There’s also some shrinkage that’s most visible on the Griffin’s torso.  It’s ever so slightly concave.  And is the Awesome’s arm-mounted PPC supposed to be circular or oval in cross-section? 

That said, those issues are acceptable at this price point; they’re good value, and they still look great.  I’m just into the modeling side of things to the point where I’d be willing to pay more money and do more work to get a cleaner model.  So I’m looking forward to IWM’s renditions of these mechs, despite metal’s issues with paint chipping.
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Bigkahuna on 31 January 2019, 18:23:17
Yeah its not a problem with metal breaking off or anything, but the paint has a tendency to chip, even if you primer it really well.  This in on its own is not a huge issue, it just requires a bit of care, but to me personally minis just look better when they are bigger and plastic.  Makes them easier to make, easier to use.  The new minis in the box set are ideal and anyone looking to get into Battletech, I think this is a perfect way to start. 

Still though I think the developers could benefit from taking some lessons from popular and well received miniatures games that have come out in the last 5-7 years.  A lot has changed since the days of managing games like this, it kind of feels like Catalyst is stuck a bit too much in the past.  I mean I think its great that the game is so backwards compatible and so little has changed in the formula, but there are a few quality of life things they could do that would go a long way of bringing in more players.

Just some examples.

Tokens for tracking things
This is one place I think a lot of the modern mini games in particular from FFG have excelled at and even before my first game I added.

For example during movement, you always have to remember where you started from and how you were facing and in the heat of the moment of thinking about your move, I find we often lose track and it can lead to unwanted mistakes.  We added a triangle shaped (stress tokens for those that know) from X-Wing.  So when you start your move you throw down the token facing in the direction of the mech.  This way you can pick up the mini and count out your moves, fiddle about while you decide where you want to land and then its easy to track how many hexes you moved.  Simple token fixes it.

Tracking Attack and Defense modifiers
This is another thing everyone has a work around for (most use dice as the book recommends) but when you have a bunch of mechs bunched up in a small area this gets really messy really fast. 

Heat Tracking
I know that everyone uses clear plastic slips and white board markers, but why not include a simple heat tracker in the box.

Size of character sheet
This is another thing that is sort of bulky.  We find in a 4 on 4 mech game there are 8 character sheet at the table.. its a bit unwieldy, it would be nice to put some design thought into shrinking this and creating something that takes up less space.

Im not a designer so I suppose I dont have much advice to give but to me tokens, cards and simple game aids that compact the game, make it easier to track and clearer for the players is something that should be looked at not just for the benefit but just to make the game look more modern.  I find my friends so accustomed to modern miniature games like those from FFG kind of look down on Battletech for its rather dated persona and I think its unwarranted because if you ignore the minis and look of the game, despite it being 35 years old it really holds up as a fantastic tactical game and Im actually quite surprise at how little attention it gets in the market.  I really think with a bit of thought to its aesthetics it could have a real resurgence.  Certainly this last box set was a great approach but I really think they could do a lot more to attract new players even without addressing the mini issue, though I would say this should be on the top of the agenda.
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Bedwyr on 31 January 2019, 18:26:38
Just to characterize the market we fans see for you guys, super high-quality plastics and resins need high volume to make the price point drop. The box sets are unusual in that they're one of the common points of purchase for most fans. Ironwind fills out the other 98% of the miniature product line because spin-mold casting can accommodate small lots for several thousand units better than the expense of injection molds.

I just got into gunpla kits and deeply admire the mold quality and engineering (double-shot maneuverable joints, wow). But fans across multiple countries sustain the volume so much better. Same for Reaper and GW. We've seen plastic kits before and I wouldn't count them out as a business model, but that's up to the size of the BT market and Catalyst's business model.

Basically, if I had $20 million to sink into capital, I, too, could make some amazing models.


edit: and that's not to pooh-pooh your standards for good art design and manufacturing, but to help characterize just how huge these other companies are compared to CGL and their mini partner, IWM.
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Bigkahuna on 31 January 2019, 18:46:37
I had resisted my friends’ attempts to get me into Battletech for years because I wasn’t a fan of lot of the designs.  The new sculpts won me over and I finally got my boxed sets and a few metal IWM mechs.

Gotta say, I’m not a fan of the plastic material, or of the mechs being preassembled.  I’m sure it was the right decision overall, I’m just finding these minis difficult to work with.  Knives and files behave differently on it compared to the hard plastic and resins I’m used to, making mold line removal a bit of a challenge.  There’s also some shrinkage that’s most visible on the Griffin’s torso.  It’s ever so slightly concave.  And is the Awesome’s arm-mounted PPC supposed to be circular or oval in cross-section? 

That said, those issues are acceptable at this price point; they’re good value, and they still look great.  I’m just into the modeling side of things to the point where I’d be willing to pay more money and do more work to get a cleaner model.  So I’m looking forward to IWM’s renditions of these mechs, despite metal’s issues with paint chipping.

I really do believe that here is where the division of audience really is.  Many modern miniature games aren't getting their market shares and consumers from the classic stereotypical miniature gamer, but rather from the board gaming and role-playing renaissance taking place right now.  This market has exploded, where 10 years ago a board game was highly successful if it sold thousands of copies, they are now selling in the tens of millions.  Role-playing too has exploded thanks largely to the exposure of social media like Youtube.  I mean Critical Role on Youtube gets as many viewers as episodes of Game of Thrones and these markets are practically doubling every year.

Miniature games are a natural cross-over the market loves nostalgia.  Games like Magic The Gathering, Warhammer 40k, Dungeons and Dragons .. they are more popular and more people are playing them today then at any other time in their franchise history and I really do believe that Battletech is part of that old school legacy.  So many people grew up playing Battletech PC games and its as common to say "yea I played D&D back in the 80's" as it is for someone to say Battletech instead.

I really do believe this franchise has a great future, the success of the latest PC game has put the word out there, the new box set looks great.  I dont know, Im no business man or designer, but Im hearing the word Battletech in conversation a hell of a lot more right now then I can remember it ever happening in the last 20 years.  It seems to me that there is some real leverage here but I think the game really needs to cater to the potential audience and that really means dazzling them with toys and product availability which I think is kind of a problem right now. 

I mean I just bought the box set and the starter set and frankly me and my friends are ready for more and I kind of feel like there is not much to buy.  Many of the books are hard to get overseas where I live (Sweden), the existing old miniatures look really dated and the complexity level and depth of the game is really intimidating even though realistically its not anymore complicated then say X-Wing.  It took me several days of researching and reading just to figure out what all the different products are and how it all fits together, only to discover most of it is not available.

Im rambling here but just some thoughts really, Battletech is really exciting, it kind of feels like it should be getting more attention.

Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Colt Ward on 31 January 2019, 21:11:36
Gotta say, I’m not a fan of the plastic material, or of the mechs being preassembled.  I’m sure it was the right decision overall, I’m just finding these minis difficult to work with.  Knives and files behave differently on it compared to the hard plastic and resins I’m used to, making mold line removal a bit of a challenge.  There’s also some shrinkage that’s most visible on the Griffin’s torso.  It’s ever so slightly concave.  And is the Awesome’s arm-mounted PPC supposed to be circular or oval in cross-section? 

One of the Awesome's arms is supposed to be a stub- 1 PPC in each side torso and one in the arm.  There is a later version that has one in each arm as well, but that is not the one depicted.

To Bigkahuna- if you have not looked into it, there are a LOT of materials available as PDF and they have a higher release rate for PDF products.  Part of the pause right now is that there was a change in leadership which required the new team to get their feet solidly under them before they take off.  Also, typically we go into summer with new releases for the Cons.  As for tie ins, I think its March 1st we are going to get a official PDF covering the new HBS game to deal with the Arano Restoration and I think history.
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: ijewett on 01 February 2019, 00:14:47
So these released and were out of stock everywhere in about 5 min. Are there more incoming or will Battletech have no in store representation for another 5 years?
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Sartris on 01 February 2019, 00:18:09
https://bg.battletech.com/forums/index.php?topic=62399.0

probably a better place to ask the question and get an answer from someone with information that isn't speculation
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Colt Ward on 01 February 2019, 11:50:41
So Bigkahuna, rather than just looking at the new minis last night I actually handled one.  I think I see what you mean in that the plastic feels denser which I think lets it hold a bit more detail- but some of that is related to the art.  I look forward to worktroll's modification posts lol.
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: DaRedOne on 19 February 2019, 11:17:51
Well the good thing is that 10 unique mini's plus the cardboard stand ups is plenty for playing the game, its a very good box that doesn't have that "incomplete" feeling so many starter mini sets from other companies have. So Im quite happy with it, but I have to say, if this company hopes to see Battletech grow and compete with some of the other games in the genre on a larger scale they definitely have to address the miniature issue they have and I definitely think they have one.  Pretty much compared to any other mini game out there they are severely outclassed.


I strongly agree with this. I am in love with these new boxed sets and really, really hope to see more of them in the future. If anything, stuff like the old lance packs but with this new quality would be extremely welcome.

I also have a noob question: Where can I find Mech sheets like the ones from the rulebook? I would love to see the sheets for stuff like Assault mechs and more light mechs, as I plan on playing with them 'as they are' as opposed to fully customizing the mechs. I feel having the mechs have 'default' builds is better for a wargaming experience and incentivizes changing models rather than just writing stuff on a sheet.
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Sartris on 19 February 2019, 11:21:56
as luck would have it, a record sheet volume was just released today to compliment TRO: Succession Wars (which, in turn, is a compliment to the box set)

https://store.catalystgamelabs.com/collections/battletech/products/battletech-record-sheets-succession-wars

it has nearly 300 variants of the 93 mechs in that volume - that includes variants of the mechs in both the boxes
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: carlisimo on 19 February 2019, 13:31:23
as luck would have it, a record sheet volume was just released today to compliment TRO: Succession Wars (which, in turn, is a compliment to the box set)

https://store.catalystgamelabs.com/collections/battletech/products/battletech-record-sheets-succession-wars

it has nearly 300 variants of the 93 mechs in that volume - that includes variants of the mechs in both the boxes


Quote from: Catalyst Website
Note: This is a compilation volume. The entries in this PDF are reprinted--albeit with the current BattleTech logo--from Record Sheets: 3039 Unabridged, Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrade Unabridged-Clan & Star League, Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged, and Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged. Players who own those Record Sheets will find the same units presented in Record Sheets: Succession Wars.

This PDF is meant for people like me.  But... I know just enough to expect to see 3025 mentioned in the description, and I don’t.  What’s going on? 
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: nckestrel on 19 February 2019, 13:45:07

This PDF is meant for people like me.  But... I know just enough to expect to see 3025 mentioned in the description, and I don’t.  What’s going on?

3025 is a year, Succession Wars is an era that includes 3025.  Its more comprehensive.
There haven’t been any products labeled 3025 in decades. TR3039 replaced Tr3025 (and 3026).  TR Succession Wars is mech only, it includes 3039 (which included the old 3025), but also later entrees that backdated mechs to the SW era.
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Cache on 19 February 2019, 13:45:27
One of the Awesome's arms is supposed to be a stub- 1 PPC in each side torso and one in the arm.  There is a later version that has one in each arm as well, but that is not the one depicted.
I believe he's talking about the mis-shapen tip of the PPC. I noticed it as well, plus I'm not too impressed with the factory assembly. These plastics aren't perfect but they're on par with the metals.
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Sartris on 19 February 2019, 13:46:06
I see your confusion - the short answer - TRO: Succession Wars has designs introduced between the 2400s and the 3030s. 3025 fits in that range. the more advanced tech used by the Star League and its client states in the 2600-2800s gives you an opportunity to sample some of the equipment beyond the starter box without completely turning on the fire hose.

Circa 2009, the placement for the introtech era was moved slightly from 3025 to 3039 and created some better synergy with the franchise at the time -it was closer to more recent publications (like Historical: War of 3039 and Starterbook: Sword and Dragon) and sat right in the midst of the Helm Core technological revival (that really picks up post-3040) so starting a campaign with introtech could quickly transition to something more advanced in short order, if desired.  The new box returns the setting closer to its original 1985 start date - the short fiction in the boxes actually represents something of a rarity. The period between the end of the second succession war in 2864 and the end of the third in 3025 is very sparsely populated with much of anything.

Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: carlisimo on 19 February 2019, 14:35:54
There haven’t been any products labeled 3025 in decades. TR3039 replaced Tr3025 (and 3026). 

That clears it up, thanks!
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: maxvon_d on 01 March 2019, 05:57:46
Thanks so much, @Sartris, for compiling this intro to the world of Battletech products. This returning player (I lightly dabbled in the late 80's) found it most useful, and I've enjoyed the subsequent discussion in the thread. Couple of notes and a question:

1. Agree with the sentiment of many regarding the miniatures. I've been playing and painting (https://maxvond.wordpress.com/tag/infinity/page/1/) the likes of Corvus Belli's Infinity so the bar is set pretty high for me regarding sculpts. I won't lie, I've been itching to get back into Battletech but have been repulsed by the derpy looking mechs any time I got close. That is, until now. Thanks, Catalyst, for bringing out a starter set with the sort of mechs I've wanted to see stomping around the battlefield. Please, please continue with this design direction - yourself or with partners. :)

2. I'm UK-based and have struggled to source additional materiel for the game. I'd love to pick up the hardback Battletech Manual and Total Warfare to round out the ruleset I have in the GoAC box but can't find them for love nor money. I know there is/was talk of reprints but I can't tell if that actually happened and they subsequently sold out again or I just need to be patient. I've got a lot of enthusiasm for the game and I'm sure that's shared by many new and returning players, so I hope Catalyst can realise that opportunity.

And my question: having picked up the GoAC box and the Succession War record sheets PDF, I'd really like to play some narrative missions or mini campaign. What one product would you recommend? One of the Turning Points pdfs, perhaps?
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Colt Ward on 01 March 2019, 10:13:10
#1-  You might want to look at what is called the Primitives for some of the other 3025 mechs that have not been released with new minis.  I absolutely love the Thunderbolt 1C even if I feel its a bit too big- its all I use for TBolts on the board and its a mini that sits out on a shelf b/c I am happy with how it looks.  I need to check if I have the primitive Orion, I know a lot of people were loving that and it looked close to the 'later' versions.  If you are find advancing past 3025, then look at the 3145 mechs.  A lot of them were done by current line artists though I have to caution you that many had to be carried over from MWDA so there may be some goofy looks they were stuck with- like smokestacks.

#2-  Reprints are coming, personally I am buying more rule books as PDFs since I can carry them on my Kindle and mark them.

For linked campaign material . . . sort of depends on what era and factions you favor.  To relive some of the early key stories you might want to look at TP Misery- good old Dracs vs Dragoons.  The Era Reports also have mini-campaigns at the back of the books- for instance I think ER3052 has one for each of the Invading Clans.
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Sartris on 01 March 2019, 12:30:05
You have a few avenues to do narrative campaigns -

I think Turning Points: Galtor is a good place to start, not least because there is a legacy sourcebook available in PDF to give you a deeper background  (for some reason, most of the turning points scenarios are missing from the Cataylst store but you can get them on drivethrurpg.com).

http://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse.php?keywords=galtor&x=0&y=0&author=&artist=&pfrom=&pto=

both are on sale right now at drivethru for $3 each (about £4.50 total)

#1-  You might want to look at what is called the Primitives

yeah, the primitives look nice. The wasp, longbow, and thunderbolt are great. i'm also a fan of the Rifleman and Orion. The upcoming Emperor is going to be awesome.

Quote
For linked campaign material . . . sort of depends on what era and factions you favor.  To relive some of the early key stories you might want to look at TP Misery- good old Dracs vs Dragoons.  The Era Reports also have mini-campaigns at the back of the books- for instance I think ER3052 has one for each of the Invading Clans.

ER2750 and ER3052 both have full campaigns in the back, each with unique mission types for the era that can be modified to work for any force.

You may also want to check out Sword and Dragon - it's a full campaign set in 3049 for two players opposing each other. I'm not a fan of the prototype equipment within (since it piles on rules that both hamstring the weapons and force you to remember them). With that, I'd recommend using the normal weapons as found in TW or BMM or omit them entirely.
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Matti on 03 March 2019, 04:04:33
2. I'm UK-based and have struggled to source additional materiel for the game. I'd love to pick up the hardback Battletech Manual and Total Warfare to round out the ruleset  I have in the GoAC box but can't find them for love nor money.
I made search for Battletech Manual and I got BattleMech Manual. If that is what you mean, be advised it and Total Warfare are redundant. Difference between the two is Total Warfare is much thicker (nearly 400 pages) and covers rules for great variety of units while BM Manual covers only 'Mechs and little else. BattleMech Manual also has some rules from Tactical Operations (over 400 pages). BattleMech Manual is available on print from CGL Store. Total Warfare is available at least from Amazon sites (TacOps isn't).

Quote
And my question: having picked up the GoAC box and the Succession War record sheets PDF, I'd really like to play some narrative missions or mini campaign. What one product would you recommend? One of the Turning Points pdfs, perhaps?
Starterbook: Sword and Dragon. It goes well with the rules in A Game of Armored Combat and your chosen TRO. Is also a requirement to play some of the Historical Turning Points. Think of HTP series as DLC for thicker books (Starterbook, Starter, and Era Report series)
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: maxvon_d on 03 March 2019, 06:02:36
I made search for Battletech Manual and I got BattleMech Manual. If that is what you mean, be advised it and Total Warfare are redundant. Difference between the two is Total Warfare is much thicker (nearly 400 pages) and covers rules for great variety of units while BM Manual covers only 'Mechs and little else. BattleMech Manual also has some rules from Tactical Operations (over 400 pages). BattleMech Manual is available on print from CGL Store. Total Warfare is available at least from Amazon sites (TacOps isn't).

Sorry, yes, I meant the BattleMech manual. So, if I get Total Warfare there is little need to get the BMM? Wish the latest printing of Total Warfare was available here in the UK.

Thanks for the help, folks. I'll take a look at Galtor and Sword and Dragon.
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Sartris on 03 March 2019, 08:59:00
BMM has some of the more commonly used optional rules and equipment also found in Tactical Operations, which is the advanced rulebook. With TW and TO, you don’t need BMM.

BattleTech vs BattleMech manual is an easy slip to make - the original comprehensive rulebook was the BattleTech Manual back in 1987 and BMM is a play off that title
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: carlisimo on 04 March 2019, 12:35:06
Speaking of the BattleMech Manual… what is it supposed to look like?

Catalyst’s webstore shows it with the new Marauder cover.  I bought the PDF, downloaded it, and it had an older cover, with a Timberwolf. 
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Sartris on 04 March 2019, 12:44:30
marauder cover is the new one. odd that you're getting the old version as my link in my file library yields the new version
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Colt Ward on 04 March 2019, 13:07:16
I wonder if you are able to DL both.  When I got TechManual from DriveThru it offered different versions to DL, I originally was not paying attention and DL'd one with a older cover.
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: ussenterprise on 23 March 2019, 21:45:22
Until you mentioned it, I had absolutely no clue that my Assault Lance Pack is now worth $100+   ;D

Good thing I picked up all 8 lance packs back in the day.
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Sartris on 23 March 2019, 23:16:57
I've seen them go for between $50-100 recently - but sealed. haven't seen an opened one of late. most of the others run $15-30 NIB but you have to wait around for them to show up. Recon and Striker seem to be the only two that are constantly available.
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Chromatism on 03 May 2019, 07:41:57
Just a quick note! For those of us in the UK/Europe who might have missed it, www.ralparthaeurope.co.uk also do the line of pewter sculpts. Really excellent write up. I'll surely be using it to find my feet in the universe. Thanks!
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: SteelRaven on 05 May 2019, 23:41:25
Got my Map Pack at my FLGS the other day, great maps!
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: arcticfox on 13 May 2019, 12:39:47
This is just straight-up awesome.  As someone who's just getting back into the game after a very long hiatus, this is a great resource for understanding all the various different prints and covers and how they interrelate.  Thanks so much for doing this!
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Two Guns Blazing on 17 May 2019, 02:16:11
Well done Sartris!!! What you've complied on the first page is an excellent reference source, thanks for taking the time to do it!
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Colt Ward on 17 June 2019, 14:28:43
Definitely a good idea to reconsider the House Arano book as the next set after the Boxes- 4 or 5 scenarios using what is in a box and some of the new maps.
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Sartris on 17 June 2019, 14:31:07
i agree. going to have to get my hands on it before i figure out how
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Colt Ward on 17 June 2019, 14:34:24
To be honest, it looks like the 'next' thing but I need either a GoAC box or at least figure out what maps.

They only use the 9 mechs from the new box and the latest maps, I just think some are map pack.
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Sartris on 17 June 2019, 17:27:44
Interesting.

So

1) boxes
2) maps
3) house Arano
4) RS: SW
4a) tro: sw
5) free chaos campaign

Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Sartris on 18 June 2019, 10:30:37
i hold my breath every time i click save. the post size limit haunts me daily.
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Daryk on 18 June 2019, 15:19:20
 ???

Wrong thread, maybe?
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Cache on 18 June 2019, 15:21:20
???

Wrong thread, maybe?
Added to first post. It's getting quite lengthy.
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Daryk on 18 June 2019, 15:23:12
Ah, that makes sense... too bad he didn't reserve the first two posts...
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Bedwyr on 18 June 2019, 15:56:10
Yeoman's work as always.
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Sartris on 18 June 2019, 16:26:41
Ah, that makes sense... too bad he didn't reserve the first two posts...

i went as far as looking at my other posts made around the same time to see if there was one i could get moved to this thread that was made before the first reply. alas, i was about six hours too late.
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Daryk on 18 June 2019, 17:09:51
If all else fails, you can always make a new thread...  ^-^
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Sartris on 18 June 2019, 23:21:29
it may come to that. though the current restrictions have forced some creative editing, which is better in the end. it would be a 40,000 word textbook by now without a post size limit.
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: General308 on 22 July 2019, 22:16:20
I want  Pharraoh Beer.
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: T9FURY on 24 July 2019, 11:37:32
Great guide, looking through all the lore and data out there is pretty overwhelming, nice to see it all broken down into "this is what this book is for" guide. Now I have a god idea of what to buy next.
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Daryk on 24 July 2019, 17:34:05
And you only have one more post until you can stop proving your human when you post!  :)
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Marc C on 08 August 2019, 18:12:23
Very helpful. Thank you!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Ask Eklund on 15 January 2020, 05:56:18
Maybe include sarna.net under the freebies.
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Sartris on 15 January 2020, 18:18:02
That is indeed a glaring omission
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Insaniac99 on 17 January 2020, 15:50:46
Given that Solaris Skunk Werks is being updated again, perhaps you could add it as well?
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Daryk on 17 January 2020, 16:33:41
It wasn't on there already?  Sorry I missed that earlier...
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Sartris on 17 January 2020, 16:44:43
It probably was prior to the 2018 teardown but removed. I’ll put it back on when I’m on a not phone
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Insaniac99 on 17 January 2020, 16:55:50
Not a problem, the project laid dormant for a long time, thanks :-)
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Insaniac99 on 17 January 2020, 16:56:37
Oh and You might consider https://flechs.net/sheets-twa/
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Greatclub on 19 January 2020, 02:26:09
I'm surprised that 'wolf and blake' and the 3062 & 3145 era reports aren't mentioned.

wolf and blake in particular deserves a mention; it's far more advanced than S&D, but still a starterbook with a full campaign.
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Sartris on 19 January 2020, 09:18:35
This is a get you started guide that runs parallel with CGL’s current gen box offerings - not to go through the options for the entire line. I’ve also strayed perilously close to being inconcise

Most importantly there’s a character limit on the post. I can only cover so much

addendum: in the post-kickstarter revision i've been plotting out, ER 3062 will probably be included as TRO:CI takes you through to the FedCom civil war. the initial concern was that i didn't want a beginner guide opening up new players to TRO 3055/58/60/67 as they were just getting going.
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Sartris on 19 January 2020, 23:11:57
once we're closer to wave 1, i'm planning a moderate restructuring that places items into succession wars and clan invasion categories. items in [brackets] aren't available yet. how i expand things significantly without overflowing the cup will require some special sorcery. let me know if you have suggestions, but remember that this is not the landing spot for RPG, AS, or fiction. Minis will go under the expanding your forces section.

DRAFT
------
GAME ESSENTIALS (Items that will improve your game experience no matter what era you're playing)

MapPack: Grasslands
[MapPack: Tukayyid]
[MapPack: Alien Worlds]
Chaos Campaign: Succession Wars

SUCCESSION WARS

House Arano (only requires GoAC box)
TRO:SW, RS:SW
TRO:3039, RS:3039
Other SW TP (Mallory's World, Galtor, Misery, Death to Mercs, Vega 3039)
SB:Sword and Dragon

CLAN INVASION

[Clan Invasion Box]
TRO:CI, [RS:CI]
TRO:3050U, RS:3050U
Chaos Campaign: Tukayyid
ER:3052, 3062
Other CI TP (Glengarry, Luzerne, Falcon Incursion, Revival Trials, The Red Corsair)
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Insaniac99 on 20 January 2020, 11:23:03
how i expand things significantly without overflowing the cup will require some special sorcery. let me know if you have suggestions, but remember that this is not the landing spot for RPG, AS, or fiction. Minis will go under the expanding your forces section.

Two ideas come to mind.

The first, and probably least desired, is to pull the same trick they did on Kickstarter when faced with a character limit: Use those characters for image links that inform the user.  I assume that messes with accessibility though and is why I rank it lower.

Second: Create a new thread, reserving multiple posts (Perhaps with Moderator help) in order to have logical breakdowns and a TOC at the top that jumps to the different posts.

The only other one I have in mind is to find information that isn't "worth" having there and excise it for more important things and I don't advocate that.  I think the second option is the best long term solution.
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Daryk on 20 January 2020, 11:25:59
Simply using multiple posts in the same thread would seem to be the easiest way to go...
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Sartris on 20 January 2020, 14:42:46
do you want a 25,000 word product guide covering the entire line? this is how you get a 25,000 word product guide covering the entire line.
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Daryk on 20 January 2020, 15:04:50
You can do it in less than 25,000 words?   ???  :D
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Sartris on 20 January 2020, 15:07:58
the initial guide is about 4500 so far. i can definitely do the whole thing in six posts
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Daryk on 20 January 2020, 15:12:34
Well then... don't let me stop you!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: jwt708 on 03 April 2020, 12:09:40
Just wanted to take a moment and thank you for writing and updating your post. I'm a new player and this has been a tremendous help understanding everything...so thank you very much!
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Sartris on 03 April 2020, 12:34:08
i wrote it to be a helpful resource so i'm glad it's serving its purpose!
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: bobthecoward on 13 April 2020, 15:38:45

Has there been any printing updates to technannual, tactical, strat, interstellar, or campaign ops or are those all still using the old logos?

It might make sense to have a paragraph about old logo new logo? Or did I miss that?
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Daryk on 13 April 2020, 16:08:52
Tech Manual yes, the others not yet, but definitely heavily signaled by TPTB...
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Sartris on 13 April 2020, 16:13:16
also tacops, though it hasn't been released yet in print. the reprint of stratops was supposed to have the original BattleForce box cover, though they tptb have strongly hinted that remaining books will not be straight reprints but use material from them

also yes, i'll be adding them
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Daryk on 13 April 2020, 16:33:42
Not "yet in print" is exactly why I said "heavily signaled"...
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Sartris on 13 April 2020, 16:39:28
i didn't count TO as heavily signaled i guess. SO and AToW i would definitely put in that pile. TO is basically imminent since you could buy it as an addon on the kickstarter.
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Daryk on 13 April 2020, 16:46:23
Wait... they're going to reprint AToW??  ???
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Minemech on 13 April 2020, 16:49:27
 A good place to look for books out of print are charity bookstores. More particularly, the novels, but on occasion the sourcebooks. Bookstores specializing in older books may carry them from time to time.
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Sartris on 13 April 2020, 17:10:49
Wait... they're going to reprint AToW??  ???

eventually. maybe.
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Daryk on 13 April 2020, 17:15:12
Ah, ok... I'll put away the party hats...  :-\
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Sartris on 13 April 2020, 17:23:17
SO, AToW, and IO have the problem of being too large for the page count reduction mandate that got TO chopped into halves. i doubt they want to turn three books into six so it will be interesting to see what they include.
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Daryk on 13 April 2020, 17:45:34
If page count reduction is a priority, why on earth is the fiction in RULE books still on the table?
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Sartris on 13 April 2020, 18:37:05
That’s your hill
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Daryk on 13 April 2020, 18:42:49
One of them, yes...  :-\
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: traitorer on 14 April 2020, 19:37:48
This post is great and has answered quite a few of the questions I had. I'm sure I will have more but this helped. Thank you
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Daryk on 14 April 2020, 19:54:47
Welcome to the forum!   :)

The "prove you're human" stuff goes away after 10 posts... hope to see more of you around!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Sartris on 14 April 2020, 23:46:06
This post is great and has answered quite a few of the questions I had. I'm sure I will have more but this helped. Thank you

always good to get feedback (good or bad) from people. i've been in the thick of this for 25 years so i can really only theorize about what a person experiences when they dive into this crazy universe
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Greatclub on 15 April 2020, 13:43:39
My theory is that Destiny is the ATOW re-write.

ATOW is a very 'simulationist' early oughts game, and suffers a little now that lite rules are the big thing.
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Sartris on 15 April 2020, 13:49:05
i thought the same thing first when it was announced and then paging through it. tptb have said they would coexist but i'm not sure if they meant "forever"

i'm not familiar with either system enough to know this - would the AoTW stuff in the back of the TTS entries compatible with Destiny or would you have to recalibrate those? that seems like the surest way to ID whether something is up

edit - the TTS plothook section is literally called A Time of War Adventure Seeds. any change to that would be some fairly clear signaling
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Daryk on 15 April 2020, 16:45:14
I can only hope it's signaling AToW's continued survival.  Destiny has WAY too many problems to be a full replacement.  A "lite" version?  Could be... some day... AFTER a lot of work.  Rules that let Assassins reliably (as in, without taking any damage) kill Hunchbacks and Victors are just not right.
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Barnhill on 23 May 2020, 22:38:09
Jumping back in after a bit of an absence.  I have the first printing of Total Warfare I believe, is it worth updating to the newest version or is there an ERRATA list that exists somewhere?

Now to get to reading all the new stuff, man is there a lot to catch up on.
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Daryk on 23 May 2020, 22:41:04
Errata is posted here: https://bg.battletech.com/errata/

The TW errata specifically is up to v6.0.
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Barnhill on 23 May 2020, 23:00:55
Awesome, thanks for the reply.  And wow 56 page Errata.  Maybe it is worth it to just get a new PDF copy.  LOL
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Daryk on 24 May 2020, 03:12:39
Even with the new pdfs, you'll still want to check the errata...
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Sartris on 24 May 2020, 09:29:14
admittedly you have to worry about far fewer of the entries with the newer editions

also the PDF gets free updates to the newest version whenever they reprint the book (currently 6th printing)
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Barnhill on 24 May 2020, 14:54:43
I will look into that for sure. 

Thanks for all the info!
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Daryk on 24 May 2020, 18:36:45
Also: Welcome to the forum!  The "prove you're human" stuff goes away after 10 posts.  8)
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Sartris on 17 June 2020, 09:11:24
the currentness of my last update did not last long since tptb decided to open the floodgates on new stuff. the tacops split needs to be addressed as well as a minor, but not unimportant, change with the elimination of Historicals as a product category. also the lurch toward ilclan is back on - with the recguides and BMM as clear bridging tools to get people there.

going forward, some of the content of the main post is going to be split off into separate posts that will be placed in the fan articles section since i have done almost everything i can to economize character count under the hood. i'm not a fan of creating multiple posts at the top of anew thread option - it creates the same glaze-over effect as if there was no character limit and i was free to descend into total madness (and trust me, i would have). i've been teaching long enough to know that the typical reaction to reading is that people look at how much there is without examining whether they actually need to read it all. unlike my students, i can't threaten a graded assessment. the purpose has always been a quick and dirty intro, mercifully bound to the post size limit. i fear it already borders on too formidable for the casually interested. there's also something inside me that is hugely resentful of limitations, even if self-imposed.

so over the next several months as time allows i'm going to be writing some more in-depth dives into various aspects of the line. here are my initial ideas - feel free to suggest more. i ESPECIALLY want to hear from people who are relative newcomers. battletech is so old that in vet circles, people like me who came in after 4th edition in 1996 are still considered youngins. keep in mind these are resource guides, not how to play guides. someone else is going to have to write the manifesto on integrating combined arms, space combat, or roleplaying

*Products (including FASA stuff since most non-scenario pack sourcebooks are in pdf)
*Products II: Fiction
*Getting into the Clans
*Building an army (with a nod to rudimentary factional forcebuilding)
*The MUL and you
*Getting to 3150 without losing your mind
*Campaign Resources
*Alpha Strike
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Daryk on 17 June 2020, 14:28:00
Wait, what?  Historicals aren't a thing any more?  What are they now??
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Sartris on 17 June 2020, 14:46:41
uncategorized soucebooks. this actually happened a while back with first and second succession wars - they follow the historical product code but aren't called historicals.

the PoDs for Brush Wars and Wars of the Republic Era are being renamed Brush Wars vol 1 and 2 (with no Historical in the title)
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Daryk on 17 June 2020, 14:54:44
Ah, thanks for the clarification!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Sartris on 24 June 2020, 00:26:07
i've added the first supplemental piece (well about 75% of it). you'll see why i didn't want the multipost guide at the top of a new thread.
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: NovaChaser on 11 August 2020, 23:09:17
Wow, thanks for this awesome write up!!!!  So much of what I was looking for.
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Sartris on 11 August 2020, 23:39:57
you're the target audience so i'm super pleased it was useful. let us know if you have any questions
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: S2pidiT on 20 August 2020, 14:25:16
Well, I was trying to wait to receive stuff from the Clan Invasion Kickstarter, but now I've gone and purchased both the Beginner Box and AGoAC. Of course, this means I'll have to add additional force packs when Wave 2 opens up (was pretty even between IS and Clan mechs, but now it's tipped very much toward IS)...

Someone send help...  ;D

Sartris, thank you for the awesome write up! With the current situation, I'll be learning the rules playing Megamek. Hopefully I'll be able to play some real BT matches sooner than later!
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Sartris on 11 September 2020, 10:17:03
i've been tinkering with some additional supplementary stuff but am facing a bit of indecisiveness as i have no idea what The People™ want or need. the only things i'm definitively locked in on are 1) some kind of restructuring of the google doc i did for eras with "if you want X, check out Y" suggestions and 2) an MUL breakdown. both are in various stages of assembly

anything else i'm open to suggestions (especially from the primary targeted audience of this guide aka new and returning people)
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Plinythemechwarrior on 14 September 2020, 07:45:17
i've been tinkering with some additional supplementary stuff but am facing a bit of indecisiveness as i have no idea what The People™ want or need.
anything else i'm open to suggestions (especially from the primary targeted audience of this guide aka new and returning people)

Well, since you asked... :D

I'm a new player. I started a local group in June, we have 15 members (~9 active, 4 of those quite new).

I am struck by how hard it is to find concise info to give people. Your post is amazing, but IMO it's overwhelming for new people. A common complaint I get is, "where to start" because people feel like they're drinking from a firehose.

So, a one page synopsis for someone who knows nothing about Battletech. I know that's a big ask, but I think that's what's needed.
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Sartris on 14 September 2020, 15:03:28
it should be clear concise is not really in my toolbox   :))

there is a brief primer that was included in the boxes: https://bg.battletech.com/download/BattleTech%20Primer.pdf?x64300

was there something missing from this or explained insufficiently?
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Plinythemechwarrior on 16 September 2020, 09:50:31
it should be clear concise is not really in my toolbox   :))

Ha! Fair enough.

Quote
there is a brief primer that was included in the boxes: https://bg.battletech.com/download/BattleTech%20Primer.pdf?x64300
was there something missing from this or explained insufficiently?

On the contrary, nothing was missing whatsoever in that primer - which may be part of the problem!  ;D 16 pages is a lot to throw at someone.

I obviously don't have the answers to this - but maybe a small intro document (eg: one page executive summary) for the exquisite magnum opus you've put together?
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Sartris on 16 September 2020, 09:54:08
ok, that helps (and i don't think it's impossible). i'll ruminate on it
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: pat_hdx on 07 November 2020, 02:25:53
Just pointed a new Joiner to the FB main BT group to this. It really is a masterpiece. 
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: nova_dew on 22 March 2021, 09:03:18
Has the new version (2021 print) of Strat Ops and Campaign Ops been released yet?, I've seen there's errata posts up for both and the OP has the new art, but the shop has the old art and the old PDF's
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Sartris on 22 March 2021, 09:05:18
i think just to kickstarter backers who ordered it as part of their add-ons as far as i know
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: nova_dew on 22 March 2021, 09:16:48
i think just to kickstarter backers who ordered it as part of their add-ons as far as i know

Thanks, I was doing an update run of the PDF's and errata after maybe 4-6 years away and got very confused, hopefully I won't need to rebuy Strat Ops.
The Errata Download states for Tac Ops that "All entries will be included in the 2020 restructured two-volume reprint of Tactical Operations" does this mean the single copy version other than a cover update is no longer updated with errata and will need rebuying?
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Sartris on 22 March 2021, 09:17:53
for tacops, yes. they are considered new books for the purpose of errata and updates
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Daryk on 22 March 2021, 16:32:57
I thought StratOps was getting major surgery too?   ???

The question is will it show up like normal errata updates in DriveThruRPG, or do I have to buy it all over again?  I'm not unwilling (that COVER!   :drool:), but of course I'd hope it just magically appears in my downloads...
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Sartris on 22 March 2021, 16:46:53
i don't believe we haven't gotten any word on whether CO or SO purchasers will get free updates so i left that out.

technically speaking, the major surgery for SO was a major amputation. i'll end up getting a free pdf when i order the hardcover but i can understand if someone would be annoyed if they have to pay another $15 for a book that's about half of the one they already have.

CO i could see (and understand) paying for again because it was a substantial rebuild with much of the material getting a rewrite
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: nova_dew on 25 March 2021, 13:47:41
Errata for the Original Post;

Quote
Total Warfare:
Core Rules Option #2
* In addition to 'Mechs, rules for most vehicle types including vehicles, aerospace, and infantry
* Total Warfare + Tactical Operations gives you the full spread of equipment and advanced rules (does not include quirks or the abstract support system)

change "In addition to 'Mechs, rules for most vehicle types including vehicles, aerospace, and infantry" to "In addition to 'Mechs, rules for most unit types including vehicles, aerospace, and infantry"

might also be useful to have a link to ral partha europehttps://www.ralparthaeurope.co.uk/index.php/battletech (https://www.ralparthaeurope.co.uk/index.php/battletech) for those of us outside the USA
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Sartris on 26 March 2021, 09:49:14
fixed and added.

isn't there a german website that has a wider selection?
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: nova_dew on 27 March 2021, 04:27:10
fixed and added.

isn't there a german website that has a wider selection?

A quick google brings up FantasyWelt https://www.fantasywelt.de/Battletech-Miniatures (https://www.fantasywelt.de/Battletech-Miniatures) that sells the online exclusive stuff too
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Sartris on 04 December 2021, 23:11:44
101,000 views??  :o

hopefully it's helped more people than driven away  ;D

Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Daryk on 05 December 2021, 06:56:29
You did good work here!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Stormy on 05 December 2021, 12:32:00
It’s super useful, coming back.
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Sartris on 06 April 2022, 12:08:58
made a few adjustments - added some KS stuff now in retail and tried to get rid of any references to the KS being in progress.
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Daryk on 06 April 2022, 18:40:50
And that's why you are true HERO, good sir!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: EdwinHV on 03 June 2022, 21:46:41
Is there any rules for 4v4 with these 8 mechs? all the scenarios are like 7vs5 and stuff with the cut outs

Move over Warhammer, Warmachine, Bolt Action, ITS TIME FOR A PROPER MECH TO COME THROUGH! Just got the box armored combat set.

So the Awesome, Thunderbolt, wolverine, and Locust will be house Marik

what should the other 4 be?
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Weirdo on 04 June 2022, 13:18:26
Since you've got half your mechs all classy and the other four are all nice and generic, you could go for just about anyone.

Lore-wise, Marik shares a border with Houses Steiner and Liao. The Liaos like their Catapults, while the Steiners are the original builders of the Commando and like the Griffin so much that they have a pair of them standing guard on the Archon's throne room.

And of course if you don't find either of those appealing for any reason, there's absolutely nothing stopping you from painting them as a minor power, mercenary unit, pirate group, or even make up your own unit. Heck, you can even go with any of the more distant powers, because long-range strikes are always a thing. Hell, even a second Marik unit works just fine, because they're famous for uprisings and civil wars and feuding nobles love to throw underlings at each other. :thumbsup:
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: EdwinHV on 04 June 2022, 20:30:02
Free Worlds League - Awesome, Thunderbolt, Wolverine, Commando

Capellen Confederation - BattleMaster, Catapult, Shadowhawk, Locust

I looked up where the factories, and what factions those factories belonged in on sarna.net

Now I gotta just pick a scheme and decide on the insane amount of variation. The nice thing about painting Warhammer, WarMachine, Bolt Action, is everything is bigger and you can mass paint stuff. Mass painting desert WW2 soldiers is so easy. It's just tans and brown, but then you cant mix the 3 different browns and 3 different tans, and it gets tedious.

So I'm looking forward to taking time with each 'Mech.

And I'm looking forward to painting Chinese 'Mechs. Man the 'Mech customization in MWO is insane for the Draconis Combine.
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: jrvk777 on 30 September 2022, 22:37:26
Where would the new Vindicator's Alpha Strike card be included (if at all)? It's not in the Beginner Box.

Thanks in advance!  :)
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: nckestrel on 30 September 2022, 22:48:05
The Master Unit List (www.masterunitlist.info) has Alpha Strike Unit Cards for all canon units.  The VND-1R/VND-1AA Unit Card is also found in the Alpha Strike Succession Wars deck.
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Prospernia on 11 November 2022, 21:53:33
I picked up the Beginner box-set at a local hobby-shop; it's OK; I was expecting more since, I bought the original box-sets (Battltech and two Citytechs (and even Aerotech)).  I like the double-sided map.  Yes, the originals, and a clean white hex-map on the back, expecting use to draw our own maps, but we never did.  I like the counters; they seem more durable, but there wasn't as much and, the plastic-mechs are nice, but I do have a file-box full of miniatures, most aren't painted. It didn't come with dice, but I'm not going to cry about that as I have tons of d6s.

I went to Barnes and Nobles to check out their RPG-section (only D&D5e and Pathfinder, sigh, ); in the boxed-game section, they did have Battletech Inner-sphere and Battletech: Clan Invasion, which look interesting, but do I really want to rebuy all  the Battletech stuff I already have (A friend gave me Reinforcements II, so I have Clan Mech-counters).
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: I am Belch II on 24 March 2023, 13:41:51
I haven't been able to pick what force pack I want, will that happen later so we can pick what we bought?
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: BoyOfSummer on 25 March 2023, 08:53:39
After the end of the kickstarter period there will be a so called pledge manager.

That's where you can choose to your delight.
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: darkdaysdawn on 27 June 2023, 17:32:29
Excellent info.  Wish the book covers were clickable links to the store though.   ;)
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Sartris on 27 June 2023, 19:17:34
A good idea but the insidious post size limit foils that
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Daryk on 27 June 2023, 19:21:13
Perhaps a "reference" post with all the links (linked from the first post, even)? ???
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: _Cactus_ on 22 October 2023, 15:45:12
Many thanks for this Sartris. I just bought AGoAC and much to my surprise it contained a $20 voucher for the Catalyst store. Your analysis and summaries helped me settle on the 2039 TRO and record sheets. Contrary to your assumption this new player is very keen to include armoured vehicles alongside the 'mechs.
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Bedwyr on 23 October 2023, 11:24:45
Keep an eye out, then, for supplies of vehicle minis after the Kickstarter fulfillment is complete.
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: I am Belch II on 23 October 2023, 12:19:49
Keep an eye out, then, for supplies of vehicle minis after the Kickstarter fulfillment is complete.

I hope there are lot of extra Force packs and all packs for retail after the release.
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: _Cactus_ on 23 October 2023, 13:42:34
I hope there are lot of extra Force packs and all packs for retail after the release.
You can bet I am! One of my friends backed the Kickstarter so maybe I can play with some before the general release.
Title: Re: You bought the box set and are ready to expand your BT experience. Now what?
Post by: Bedwyr on 23 October 2023, 14:07:31
It'll be some months for production to settle out, but seeing the Clan KS packs in stores now, it will come.