Author Topic: Army Reports 3025: FWLM, DCMS, AFFS, LCAF and CCAF!  (Read 85988 times)

worktroll

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Army Reports 3025: FWLM, DCMS, AFFS, LCAF and CCAF!
« on: 30 January 2011, 17:02:59 »
A while back, I came to the conclusion that it would be useful to have "transition" products aimed at people who are coming from other games with a more formal organisation - army lists, codexes, that sort of thing. BattleTech is a huge, sprawling universe - one of its main attractions, IMHO - but in all fairness if you're not used to that frredom, if you dont' have access to the mass of back-story and fluff, it can be a bit overwhelming.

Now the free downloads available on this site are amazing resources, but even then, they're also a little overwhelming to someone new to the game. And I've seen a fair number of posts to the effect of "How can I find out a bit more about the (Draconis Combine, Free Worlds League, etc etc)?" or "Which house will suit me and my style of playing best?". So I decided to create something myself to cover this gap. Thus were born the Army Reports.

Basically, they're digests of the 3025-era House Books. They give a brief summary of each state and its leader, their interstellar relations, and then their military, along with a map of the realm produced by forum member Blacknova. The information is all taken from canon sources - I kept the editing to an absolute minimum, and supplemented lightly from other sources like the Field Manuals or scenario books where appropriate. Then, they provide highlights of ten notable - or representative - regiments, including unit mottos and paint schemes, along with beautiful pictures of CamoSpecs minis belonging to some of the units. Finally, they include Random Assignment Tables (RATS) allowing people to quickly "roll up" random representative units, and a larger list covering common & uncommon 'Mechs and vehicles serving in that state's armed forces, all with BV2 point values and a brief section on balancing games using BV2.

Five have been completed so far:

Army Report: Free Worlds League Military, 3025
Army Report: Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery, 3025
Army Report: Armed Forces of the Federated Suns, 3025 (now v1.1!)
Army Report: Lyran Commonwealth Armed Forces, 3025 (now v1.2!)
Army Report: Capellan Confederation Armed Forces, 3025 (new!)

Sorry folks - above links are dead, please use these for the moment!
Army Report: Free Worlds League Military, 3025
Army Report: Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery, 3025
Army Report: Armed Forces of the Federated Suns, 3025
Army Report: Lyran Commonwealth Armed Forces, 3025
Army Report: Capellan Confederation Armed Forces, 3025

(I'd appreciate if someone tries to access the new links, and let's me know if they're all good now. Thanks!)

Three more are planned: the Periphery, Mercenaries, and ComStar. The series is currently on hold because I need a break ...

Note: these aren't be-all, end-all books. They're introductions. It's unlikely that I'd do 3050 versions - the Field Manuals do a better job in depth, and I do think there are advantages in starting people off in the 3025 era, even if they move on to play 3050s right away.

Anyway, enough of me - please feel free to d/l them, read them, share them freely. I have permission to use the canon material I have as long as it's freely distributed with all the Catalyst registered names & details still on, so by all means share them with your friends, print them out, make them available at games, etc.

Always open to suggestions, within my stated goals, and more than happy to talk about how I did them.

Cheers,

Worktroll
« Last Edit: 25 January 2016, 18:18:56 by worktroll »
* No, FASA wasn't big on errata - ColBosch
* The Housebook series is from the 80's and is the foundation of Btech, the 80's heart wrapped in heavy metal that beats to this day - Sigma
* To sum it up: FASAnomics: By Cthulhu, for Cthulhu - Moonsword
* Because Battletech is a conspiracy by Habsburg & Bourbon pretenders - MadCapellan
* The Hellbringer is cool, either way. It's not cool because it's bad, it's cool because it's bad with balls - Nightsky
* It was a glorious time for people who felt that we didn't have enough Marauder variants - HABeas2, re "Empires Aflame"

Rainbow 6

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Re: Army Reports 2035: FWLM, DCMS & AFFS
« Reply #1 on: 30 January 2011, 17:19:06 »
Nice to see these back  :)

Might want to change the date in the title though  ;)

Arkansas Warrior

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Re: Army Reports 2035: FWLM, DCMS & AFFS
« Reply #2 on: 30 January 2011, 17:19:56 »
Lysdexic there WT?   ;)
 
 
Thanks for the articles though.  Good stuff.
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arcangelS7

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Re: Army Reports 3025: FWLM, DCMS & AFFS
« Reply #3 on: 30 January 2011, 21:02:53 »
Excellent work! A near perfect introductory product, but I think it needs just one more little thing: record sheets. Not for every mech in the book (or any of the vehicles), but just for a few of the more common ones in each weight class that are not in the boxed set. That way new player can start building more thematic forces before going to TRO3039.
For Example: add a sheet for the Locust, Wasp, Stinger, Wolverine, Orion, Archer, Thunderbolt, Stalker, and Battlemaster to the Marik book, Locust, Wasp, Shadow Hawk, Griffin, Phoenix Hawk, Crusader, Archer, Stalker and Longbow to the Kurita book, Locust, Wasp, Stinger, Phoenix Hawk, Centurion, Crusader, Archer, Rifleman, Stalker and Victor to the Davion book. Just the mechs in the 6, 7 and 8 rolls that aren't in the intro-set.

Also, would you be able to do a book for Mercenaries? With history for most of the major companies (Wolf Dragoons, Kell Hounds, Eridani Light Horse, Northwind Highlanders, Big MAC, etc.) and either a general mercenary/pirate RAT?

worktroll

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Re: Army Reports 3025: FWLM, DCMS & AFFS
« Reply #4 on: 30 January 2011, 21:29:19 »
Not impossible, but depends on how much time work & Leviathans give me (currently fighting my way to La Paz). Thanks for the kind words!

W.
* No, FASA wasn't big on errata - ColBosch
* The Housebook series is from the 80's and is the foundation of Btech, the 80's heart wrapped in heavy metal that beats to this day - Sigma
* To sum it up: FASAnomics: By Cthulhu, for Cthulhu - Moonsword
* Because Battletech is a conspiracy by Habsburg & Bourbon pretenders - MadCapellan
* The Hellbringer is cool, either way. It's not cool because it's bad, it's cool because it's bad with balls - Nightsky
* It was a glorious time for people who felt that we didn't have enough Marauder variants - HABeas2, re "Empires Aflame"

mikecj

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Re: Army Reports 3025: FWLM, DCMS & AFFS
« Reply #5 on: 30 January 2011, 21:55:21 »
Awesome books- nice clear introductions!
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Re: Army Reports 3025: FWLM, DCMS & AFFS
« Reply #6 on: 30 January 2011, 22:34:57 »
Great to see this return.
Looking forward to the next two.
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greywolf79

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Re: Army Reports 3025: FWLM, DCMS & AFFS
« Reply #7 on: 31 January 2011, 00:55:29 »
Awesome work!!! I love it. I am sooo looking forward to seeing the rest of the houses done up, and if you do more I am sure they will be great too. I have been needing resources like these for some ideas I have but have been unable to spend the time myself doing it. Thanks!
GreyWolf.


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Re: Army Reports 3025: FWLM, DCMS & AFFS
« Reply #8 on: 02 February 2011, 10:17:32 »
...Found you again!  Great books, Worktroll!
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The New Clans:Volume One
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Demos

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Re: Army Reports 3025: FWLM, DCMS & AFFS
« Reply #9 on: 02 February 2011, 10:42:11 »
Great Books!  [notworthy]
Personally I'd like to see the 3025 TO&E for each military. First to see the size of the army as well as the structure of the military (e.g. PDZ in FS, Theater in LC, District in DC, and so on).

Also the section Modifying the BV of a unit (e.g. p. 23 in House Kurita) should be updated to the adjusted Skill improvements (e.g. 1,38 vs. 1,50 for Regular to Veteran).
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HeirophantX

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Re: Army Reports 3025: FWLM, DCMS & AFFS
« Reply #10 on: 02 February 2011, 16:14:28 »
Great books and PERFECT to hand to my son and say "this is what a Kurita Army looks like" in read-in-one-sitting format.  Plus, useful tables!

If, one day you decide to do Liao and Steiner ...

 [notworthy]

worktroll

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Re: Army Reports 3025: FWLM, DCMS & AFFS
« Reply #11 on: 02 February 2011, 16:39:30 »
I'd love to, but work and Levs keep me from having much spare energy ...  :(
* No, FASA wasn't big on errata - ColBosch
* The Housebook series is from the 80's and is the foundation of Btech, the 80's heart wrapped in heavy metal that beats to this day - Sigma
* To sum it up: FASAnomics: By Cthulhu, for Cthulhu - Moonsword
* Because Battletech is a conspiracy by Habsburg & Bourbon pretenders - MadCapellan
* The Hellbringer is cool, either way. It's not cool because it's bad, it's cool because it's bad with balls - Nightsky
* It was a glorious time for people who felt that we didn't have enough Marauder variants - HABeas2, re "Empires Aflame"

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Re: Army Reports 3025: FWLM, DCMS & AFFS
« Reply #12 on: 03 February 2011, 13:16:11 »
Thank you for reposting these.
User formally known as Snowfire
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wolftech

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Re: Army Reports 3025: FWLM, DCMS & AFFS
« Reply #13 on: 03 February 2011, 13:40:55 »
They're cool - I really like these Reports!  [rockon]

Lord Cameron

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Re: Army Reports 2035: FWLM, DCMS & AFFS
« Reply #14 on: 03 February 2011, 14:20:16 »
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Re: Army Reports 3025: FWLM, DCMS & AFFS
« Reply #15 on: 04 February 2011, 04:27:27 »
These kick-ass,,,we bow to your greatness,and wait patiently for the others   [notworthy]
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Red Pins

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Re: Army Reports 3025: FWLM, DCMS & AFFS
« Reply #16 on: 04 February 2011, 14:32:59 »
...Just post start a thread when the next ones are ready.  I'll want it for my collection of fan books.
...Visit the Legacy Cluster...
The New Clans:Volume One
Clan Devil Wasp * Clan Carnoraptor * Clan Frost Ape * Clan Surf Dragon * Clan Tundra Leopard
Work-in-progress; The Blake Threat File
Now with MORE GROGNARD!  ...I think I'm done.  I've played long enough to earn a pension, fer cryin' out loud!  IlClan and out in <REDACTED>!
TRO: 3176 Hegemony Refits - the 30-day wonder

Lord Cameron

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Re: Army Reports 3025: FWLM, DCMS & AFFS
« Reply #17 on: 04 February 2011, 19:35:58 »
I'd love to, but work and Levs keep me from having much spare energy ...  :(

WT, there are a few corrections that could be made, should discussions be on this thread, or a new one?
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Re: Army Reports 3025: FWLM, DCMS & AFFS
« Reply #18 on: 04 February 2011, 19:39:57 »
Great job  [notworthy] [notworthy]

Can't wait for Liao  ;)

worktroll

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Re: Army Reports 3025: FWLM, DCMS & AFFS
« Reply #19 on: 04 February 2011, 20:34:19 »
WT, there are a few corrections that could be made, should discussions be on this thread, or a new one?

Please feel free to list anything here! However, be aware:
1) I tended to leave the 1980s grammar how it was, with only very minor corrections
2) Matters of fact will be viewed in terms of a 3025 viewpoint; I've tried to keep a balanced view (for example, removing the steaming man-love from the HB:Davion while retaining the flavour).

W.
* No, FASA wasn't big on errata - ColBosch
* The Housebook series is from the 80's and is the foundation of Btech, the 80's heart wrapped in heavy metal that beats to this day - Sigma
* To sum it up: FASAnomics: By Cthulhu, for Cthulhu - Moonsword
* Because Battletech is a conspiracy by Habsburg & Bourbon pretenders - MadCapellan
* The Hellbringer is cool, either way. It's not cool because it's bad, it's cool because it's bad with balls - Nightsky
* It was a glorious time for people who felt that we didn't have enough Marauder variants - HABeas2, re "Empires Aflame"

Drufause

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Re: Army Reports 3025: FWLM, DCMS & AFFS
« Reply #20 on: 04 February 2011, 22:39:04 »
Yay Army Report
Combat Command Counters Thread
http://www.classicbattletech.com/forums/index.php?topic=191.0
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worktroll

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Re: Army Reports 3025: FWLM, DCMS & AFFS
« Reply #21 on: 05 February 2011, 03:02:18 »
Just received Blacknova's proofing comments on the text of AR:LCAF ...
* No, FASA wasn't big on errata - ColBosch
* The Housebook series is from the 80's and is the foundation of Btech, the 80's heart wrapped in heavy metal that beats to this day - Sigma
* To sum it up: FASAnomics: By Cthulhu, for Cthulhu - Moonsword
* Because Battletech is a conspiracy by Habsburg & Bourbon pretenders - MadCapellan
* The Hellbringer is cool, either way. It's not cool because it's bad, it's cool because it's bad with balls - Nightsky
* It was a glorious time for people who felt that we didn't have enough Marauder variants - HABeas2, re "Empires Aflame"

Rainbow 6

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Re: Army Reports 3025: FWLM, DCMS & AFFS
« Reply #22 on: 05 February 2011, 08:25:55 »
Excellent news  [notworthy]

wackrabbit

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Re: Army Reports 3025: FWLM, DCMS & AFFS
« Reply #23 on: 05 February 2011, 08:36:52 »
Just received Blacknova's proofing comments on the text of AR:LCAF ...

Nice, another fine addition to the house book 'lite' series. Keep 'em coming!
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Re: Army Reports 3025: FWLM, DCMS & AFFS
« Reply #24 on: 05 February 2011, 08:40:33 »
Well done Worktroll. Thank you.
We hear that there are tumults and riots in Rome, and that voices are raised concerning the army and the quality of our soldiers. Make haste to reassure us that you love and support us as we love and support you, for if we find that we have left our bones to bleach in these sands in vain, then beware the fury of the legions.


Sartris

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Re: Army Reports 3025: FWLM, DCMS & AFFS
« Reply #25 on: 07 February 2011, 11:31:25 »
awesomeness!

You bought the box set and are ready to expand your bt experience. Now what? | Modern Sourcebook Index | FASA Sourcebook Index | Print on Demand Index
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Sartris

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Re: Army Reports 3025: FWLM, DCMS & AFFS
« Reply #26 on: 07 February 2011, 11:47:54 »
Please feel free to list anything here! However, be aware:
1) I tended to leave the 1980s grammar how it was, with only very minor corrections
2) Matters of fact will be viewed in terms of a 3025 viewpoint; I've tried to keep a balanced view (for example, removing the steaming man-love from the HB:Davion while retaining the flavour).

W.

Army Report - House Davion 1.0

Pg 18, 1st paragraph
Quote
The following rules are optional, and may be used when creating House Kurita-themed units for the 3025 era.

Pg 20 - Top of the page
Quote
The following units are provided as examples of typical Free Worlds League BattleMech forces in 3025.

Pg 24 - End of the Example paragraph halfway down the second column
Quote
... or for a King Crab KGC-0000, which is not available to Marik MechWarriors.

Pg 28 - Where to go from here
Consider changing the Intro Box set graphic to the 25th Anni box set pic
Change the old RS 3039 graphic to that of the new 3039u.

Thanks again for sharing!

You bought the box set and are ready to expand your bt experience. Now what? | Modern Sourcebook Index | FASA Sourcebook Index | Print on Demand Index
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worktroll

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Re: Army Reports 3025: FWLM, DCMS & AFFS
« Reply #27 on: 07 February 2011, 17:30:34 »
Many thanks, Sartris - AR:AFFS v1.1 now posted (see top of thread!)

And AR:LCAF now in its own thread - share and enjoy!

W.
* No, FASA wasn't big on errata - ColBosch
* The Housebook series is from the 80's and is the foundation of Btech, the 80's heart wrapped in heavy metal that beats to this day - Sigma
* To sum it up: FASAnomics: By Cthulhu, for Cthulhu - Moonsword
* Because Battletech is a conspiracy by Habsburg & Bourbon pretenders - MadCapellan
* The Hellbringer is cool, either way. It's not cool because it's bad, it's cool because it's bad with balls - Nightsky
* It was a glorious time for people who felt that we didn't have enough Marauder variants - HABeas2, re "Empires Aflame"

Lord Cameron

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Re: Army Reports 3025: FWLM, DCMS & AFFS
« Reply #28 on: 07 February 2011, 23:16:41 »
Please feel free to list anything here! However, be aware:
1) I tended to leave the 1980s grammar how it was, with only very minor corrections
2) Matters of fact will be viewed in terms of a 3025 viewpoint; I've tried to keep a balanced view (for example, removing the steaming man-love from the HB:Davion while retaining the flavour).

W.

OK, starting with the FWL (what else  ;D )
Your province listing has incorrect #s of worlds, Oriente does not have 40, Andurien does not have 33 etc etc. Those numbers are actually number of seats. While each independant worls is guaranteed one seat in Parliament, the major worlds have many seats per world. Andurien should have just 12 worlds, and Oriente 15.  ;)
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worktroll

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Re: Army Reports 3025: FWLM, DCMS, AFFS, LCAF and CCAF!
« Reply #29 on: 22 February 2011, 18:35:36 »
And now, 5 for 5! Share and enjoy.

W.
* No, FASA wasn't big on errata - ColBosch
* The Housebook series is from the 80's and is the foundation of Btech, the 80's heart wrapped in heavy metal that beats to this day - Sigma
* To sum it up: FASAnomics: By Cthulhu, for Cthulhu - Moonsword
* Because Battletech is a conspiracy by Habsburg & Bourbon pretenders - MadCapellan
* The Hellbringer is cool, either way. It's not cool because it's bad, it's cool because it's bad with balls - Nightsky
* It was a glorious time for people who felt that we didn't have enough Marauder variants - HABeas2, re "Empires Aflame"