I was reading and responding to the thread on how I would have redesigned Mechwarrior Clix and I had a brainstorm. I always wanted to get into battletech, but I lack the time, skill, and patience needed to collect, assemble, and paint miniatures. This is why I got into MW:DA instead. My recommendation for Battletech would be that they should steal the idea of pre designed miniatures for new players of Battletech (and not just in the Beginners set). Come out with boosters that have infantry, vehicles, and a mech, and have a base paint job for each faction in Battletech.What would you say Battletech should steal from Mechwarrior Clix?
I think you are missing the point of battletech, frankly and respectfully.
Play the game however you want, make your game whatever you want it to be, by all means.
But the pre-painted and random booster aspects are what alienated many, many players when Dark Age came out, with the style and poor quality control being a close second.
My pet peeve was the loss of customization, but I LOVED the idea that I could pick and choose and buy what I wanted. Paint? Could care less. Someday, when I have time. But building relaxes me and I enjoy it. I currently have over 1000 minis and two are painted more than a base coat; Second hand Daishis in my OPFOR box. People get way too intimidated by the artists among us and too hung-up on the 40K-esc culture of "paint to play". It's one part of an amazing game; take the time, learn how, or don't.
But seriously? Boosters? TBH I think that's right up there with putting out new core rules every year or less; it's a cash grab. I don't WANT to buy $200+ worth of crap I don't want for the one mini that I do. It's discouraging and a waste of my time and money. Instead of paying that money for minis you don't want, if you're hung up on it, pay a painter to paint up the mini you do want, the way you want it.
There is a time and place for boosters and that time and place is RPGs. Seriously; the tech and price tag of click minis, minus the clicker is perfect for RPGs, where having a mass collection of random PC-figures and uber-common faceless hordes of orcs, stormtroopers, zombies, ect is a bonus! This is why I buy them from my FLGS for .50 cents each, or less and have a drawer full of them for games. Booster= 1 "monster", 3 PC/NPCs and 5 mooks. $12 each and done.
What should battletech steal from clickytech? PLASTIC. Not what Wizkids used, but the kind of materials and techniques that are coming out now from the small-scale manufacturers; highly detailed miniatures...IN PLASTIC. It can be done, it is being done and sooner or later, if the mini-side wants to stay viable, then the investment must be made.