BattleTech - The Board Game of Armored Combat
BattleTech Game Systems => General BattleTech Discussion => Topic started by: Cubby on 01 August 2018, 07:33:44
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They're finally here! This is your place to talk all things boxed set.
https://bg.battletech.com/news/first-look-miniatures-from-upcoming-boxed-sets/ (https://bg.battletech.com/news/first-look-miniatures-from-upcoming-boxed-sets/)
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first?
Anyway, I look forward to seeing these in stores and examining the box when our GenCon attendees return.
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I just noticed that the maps look like they have a sheen on them in the stock photos.
Are they not just regular paper, like the old school map sheets?
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Nice to know that each box will have a different short story.
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I just noticed that the maps look like they have a sheen on them in the stock photos.
Are they not just regular paper, like the old school map sheets?
I think probably the same paper stock as the other recent box sets, so yes. Shiny.
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I just noticed that the maps look like they have a sheen on them in the stock photos.
Are they not just regular paper, like the old school map sheets?
I think (and hope) the Anniversary Edition and the Hex Packs (and the German Kartensets) have established a new standard here. One that I quite like, I might add.
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I think (and hope) the Anniversary Edition and the Hex Packs (and the German Kartensets) have established a new standard here. One that I quite like, I might add.
Not sure what you mean. The new box set maps are not the game-board type cardstock. They're "paper," although I won't know more about exactly what kind of substance that means until later tonight.
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The third edition maps and old map sets were zero gloss with a coarse stock.
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Any idea when DriveThruRPG will get them?
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Any idea when DriveThruRPG will get them?
Not at this time, since I don't have an idea when anyone else will get them. They're still in the production process.
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What online stores sell these in Europe?
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What online stores sell these in Europe?
I know only about Fantasywelt.de that has them for pre-order.
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So what are the buying options for people in Canuckistan? Any suppliers or online vendors people know about?
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What online stores sell these in Europe?
I'm in Sweden and use alphaspel.se as they carry most BT stuff. Both boxes are up for preorder. Shipping about 13 euro to most of the mainland.
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I had a dream last night that I bought a scalped box for $150 and woke up sad
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I had a dream last night that I bought a scalped box for $150 and woke up sad
Don't do this. Please. Even if this were all that were going to be printed, do not ever encourage the GenCon scalpers.
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Don't do this. Please. Even if this were all that were going to be printed, do not ever encourage the GenCon scalpers.
1) it was a *bad* dream
1a) I don’t have that kind of cash
2) I’m not desperate to get it before it is widely distributed
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Don't do this. Please. Even if this were all that were going to be printed, do not ever encourage the GenCon scalpers.
Especially considering at the price the scalpers want, you could get two boxes with a little patience. ^-^
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Especially considering at the price the scalpers want, you could get two boxes with a little patience. ^-^
Two of the standard boxes, an Introductory boxed set, and lunch. :D
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Two of the standard boxes, an Introductory boxed set, and lunch. :D
And who doesn't like lunch?
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i spotted a beginner box for $150 and died a little on the inside
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This is a continuous issue. If GenCon is to be the place where everything debuts, there should be a hard limit of (example) "two per customer." Considering there are demos there and people helping new players learn the rules, it's a big turn-off to be told "sorry, we're out!" when a prospective player is trying to get into the game.
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i spotted a beginner box for $150 and died a little on the inside
Don’t feed the scalpers. I’ve got my receipts from Aries Games, so I’m good.
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This is a continuous issue. If GenCon is to be the place where everything debuts, there should be a hard limit of (example) "two per customer." Considering there are demos there and people helping new players learn the rules, it's a big turn-off to be told "sorry, we're out!" when a prospective player is trying to get into the game.
They really need to stop flying in a few samples to sell at Gen Con, if the bulk hasn't arrived, display samples only.
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They really need to stop flying in a few samples to sell at Gen Con, if the bulk hasn't arrived, display samples only.
That won't work, even global demand will feed scalpers.
Also getting these samples out is important for marketing.
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They really need to stop flying in a few samples to sell at Gen Con, if the bulk hasn't arrived, display samples only.
So, sell none versus sell a bunch and get people excited about it?
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They really need to stop flying in a few samples to sell at Gen Con, if the bulk hasn't arrived, display samples only.
Agreed. But that will never happen.
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Box Set Plastics Reviewed by CSO:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJBdST6VJUg (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJBdST6VJUg)
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So, I heard that 35th anniversary is next year.
Last intro box came with the 25th anniversary afaik.
I hope this intro box will stay available longer.
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So, I heard that 35th anniversary is next year.
Last intro box came with the 25th anniversary afaik.
I hope this intro box will stay available longer.
That was the second iteration with the hammerhands on the cover(it was more a 29th anni box due to delays). The third version had the atlas and was released in 2013. Prices have been unreasonable on the secondary market for about two to three years now.
The old box was a loss leader, meaning it sold at a loss with the hope of drawing people in and boosting sales. That obviously was ineffective. The new box with eight minis is apparently priced to be more self-sustaining for future printings (fewer minis, paper maps help). Hopefully it works out
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They really need to stop flying in a few samples to sell at Gen Con, if the bulk hasn't arrived, display samples only.
Ok, the downbsides: you forfeit excitement. Avoid products begin taken back to groups and fueling the appetites of ohers as the normal distribution chain works out. You choose not to have any exciting major cons releases..just displays. No one goes to Con to see a display.
That idea in effect tells fans "Don't bother coming to our booth at a Con, we wont have anything new for you that you couldn't already get."
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That idea in effect tells fans "Don't bother coming to our booth at a Con, we wont have anything new for you that you couldn't already get."
Something which was true Friday, Saturday and Sunday. And they paid a premium for that.
This could be been made slightly less crap if they did 1 box per sale, and rationed sales to 50/50/100 each da, two things they seem incapable of doing.
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The new box with eight minis is apparently priced to be more self-sustaining for future printings (fewer minis, paper maps help). Hopefully it works out
Hopefully it will.
Being unable to just point people at a beginner product has severly hurt the influx of new players in my region. It usually goes "Total Warfare, a Technical Readout and four (metal) mechs cost WHAT together?" and then many people look into other games. :(
As for cons, it's perfectly fine that boxes are sold at cons. A one/two per person (maybe per day) limit on buys would be good too, with 'no limits' buying on the later half of the last day to ensure all stock is gone.
What I believe could have been handled better was the timing - on a convention, you've got to show your product from the best side to look better than the competition. Instead of rushing production, causing quality issues, CGL could have focussed on making the beginner box available in the required quality and could then have released the COAG box at another con.
Then again, I've yet to see a non-FASA release of an intro box go right. ;)
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The old box was a loss leader, meaning it sold at a loss with the hope of drawing people in and boosting sales. T
Unfortunately, as I understand it, not the case. I'm sure I've seen posts by TPTB to this effect.
Logically, CGL isn't big enough to do that as a planned activity (don't talk about Leviathans, that was not planned to be as expensive as it ended up being thanks to fun & games by the manufacturer.)
Not saying they made a gold bar per box, but not a loss leader.
W.
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Unfortunately, as I understand it, not the case. I'm sure I've seen posts by TPTB to this effect.
Logically, CGL isn't big enough to do that as a planned activity (don't talk about Leviathans, that was not planned to be as expensive as it ended up being thanks to fun & games by the manufacturer.)
Not saying they made a gold bar per box, but not a loss leader.
W.
I distinctly remember posts to the effect that the older boxes were in fact either loss leaders or very close to it.
That's actually where I learned the term loss leader. :D
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I distinctly remember posts to the effect that the older boxes were in fact either loss leaders or very close to it.
That's actually where I learned the term loss leader. :D
https://bg.battletech.com/forums/index.php?topic=60405.msg1389003#msg1389003
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I stand corrected.
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Ok, the downbsides: you forfeit excitement. Avoid products begin taken back to groups and fueling the appetites of ohers as the normal distribution chain works out. You choose not to have any exciting major cons releases..just displays. No one goes to Con to see a display.
That idea in effect tells fans "Don't bother coming to our booth at a Con, we wont have anything new for you that you couldn't already get."
Nothing stops Gencon from being where a new product drops, but CGL's current method of handling it is really poor, if it's so import you have to stop everything else for it and have new product, the pipeline should be better set up to have said new product available.
Plus every dollar a scrapper makes above purchase is a dollar that CGL doesn't get.
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Plus every dollar a scrapper makes above purchase is a dollar that CGL doesn't get.
But CGL already made their money when the scalper bought it; same as any brick and mortar store selling above msrp.
The only reason this may hurt CGL is people blowing money on scalped product instead of spending on a normal priced one.
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Double post: a UK games company just released the prices for their mech combat game; ‘starter set’ $290.
Sooo... Battletech:)
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So they are buying the scalper set and then getting their profit? It would be interesting if you dropped them a note to find out if they realized it would come out cheaper in a few months?
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Double post: a UK games company just released the prices for their mech combat game; ‘starter set’ $290.
Sooo... Battletech:)
So they are buying the scalper set and then getting their profit? It would be interesting if you dropped them a note to find out if they realized it would come out cheaper in a few months?
He's talking about a completely different game.
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Ah, I misread that . . . I know the dollar vs the pound has come down since I visited the UK but that number was still pretty large in my head.
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Ah, I misread that . . . I know the dollar vs the pound has come down since I visited the UK but that number was still pretty large in my head.
Sorry for the confusion; broken down for clarity:
1st thought. Don’t feed the scalper.
2nd thought: there is a UK game co that has a game set in the grim darkness of the far future, and the starter set is $290. STARTER. SET. Compared to $80 if you REALLY go nuts and buy both the starter and the ‘big’ Battletech boxes.
I’ll be sticking with Battletech.
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Something which was true Friday, Saturday and Sunday. And they paid a premium for that.
This could be been made slightly less crap if they did 1 box per sale, and rationed sales to 50/50/100 each da, two things they seem incapable of doing.
I guess "they" don't get it. Who exactly are they so you can call it point made already?
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I guess "they" don't get it. Who exactly are they so you can call it point made already?
You think it would improve anything?
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You think it would improve anything?
Sure. Why not? I'm guessing its not HG or Herb...
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Sure. Why not? I'm guessing its not HG or Herb...
It's the people running the booth. Duh.
But no, I don't think this'll change anything. It hasn't in years, why now?
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They got product to the con though. Only thing to do from this point on is just make sure that next year with loads of prep time that everything is ready.
I honestly think that the updated mechs will make a big difference.
Not much to do beyond that except maybe manufacture social proof. Pay young people to demo the product. Send some boxes out to youtubers or something.
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They got product to the con though. Only thing to do from this point on is just make sure that next year with loads of prep time that everything is ready.
Dates for Gen Cons have been set through 2022, so here's hoping.
Not much to do beyond that except maybe manufacture social proof. Pay young people to demo the product.
I have a marketing budget?
But seriously, organic reach like what you're describing is fine, but IMO it can't be the basis of a modern marketing strategy in the gaming industry. Part of one, sure. But when people say things like, "I see all these ads on Facebook for Fantasy Flight Games, CGL should send demo teams out to stores to promote BT like it's 1994," those aren't the same thing at all.
I digress.
Send some boxes out to youtubers or something.
There's a list of individuals in the gaming blog/media space who receive review copies of certain items. Standard practice.
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Hello! First post here.
I played lots of MechWarriors Clix for a few years when the game came out. When the fad died down locally I was sidetracked into 40k for years, then Warmachines and finally Infinity. Each time I would look at BattleTech but evil store clerks would direct me to other games...
This time around I'm buying the «BattleTech: A Game of Armored Combat» box.
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Hello! First post here.
I played lots of MechWarriors Clix for a few years when the game came out. When the fad died down locally I was sidetracked into 40k for years, then Warmachines and finally Infinity. Each time I would look at BattleTech but evil store clerks would direct me to other games...
This time around I'm buying the «BattleTech: A Game of Armored Combat» box.
Hey! Welcome to the forums! We're glad to have you.
I am excited for you and the adventures you will craft for yourself and your friends in the Inner Sphere and beyond. :)
Let us know if you have any questions! We all love to help.
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Hello! First post here.
I played lots of MechWarriors Clix for a few years when the game came out. When the fad died down locally I was sidetracked into 40k for years, then Warmachines and finally Infinity. Each time I would look at BattleTech but evil store clerks would direct me to other games...
This time around I'm buying the «BattleTech: A Game of Armored Combat» box.
Welcome!
Enjoy the comradery, the debate and the shared love for this great game. If you have any questions, just post them and someone will answer them! Have fun and don't be a stranger!
Craig
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Sure. Why not? I'm guessing its not HG or Herb...
Sorry, what the heck was this about again?
- Herb
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I got the beginner's box and BattleTech A Game of Armored Combat today.
The quality of everything is absolutely amazing. Even the packaging is great. They are also the best plastic miniatures I've run into. I'm super impressed.
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Can you post close-up high-res pics of the miniatures? It'll solve the question of 'melted looking' that the video seems to show; we're hoping it's just a mix of video encoding and youtube compression.
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I'm guessing there's some sub-surface scattering going on too; that's the reason reaper's bones plastic looks to crap until you get the first coat on.
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https://photos.app.goo.gl/VfaLuLommewbhcHe8 (https://photos.app.goo.gl/VfaLuLommewbhcHe8)
https://photos.app.goo.gl/CRUWxbroEvquRVZK9 (https://photos.app.goo.gl/CRUWxbroEvquRVZK9)
From left to right.
Mad Cat. Citytech 2nd edition.
Awesome - Introductory Box Set 3500 D.
Awesome - Introductory Box Set 3500 B
Awesome - Introductory Box Set 3500 A
It isn't even close. The new Mini's like the 1992 American Basketball Olympic Dream Team and the old Mini's are like.... Ireland or something. I don't know? who sucks at Olympic basketball?
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Also quick correction, the final awesome isn't from 3500 A it's from 3500.
That weird yellow stuff on it's arm? (even the outside of his arm) the glue they put it together with in manufacturing. Yuck.
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Any chance of an estimate on a street date for the rest of us peasants? :)
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October was the general estimate given at GenCon.
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October? Oh my birthday month :) yay!
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October was the general estimate given at GenCon.
That is really exciting. NeonKnight was kind enough to pick me up a Starter set and I just gave it to my Brother-in-Law as an early Christmas Present. In October I'll pick up another one for myself!
Great time to be a BattleTech fan!
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I have a question: Is the Game of Armored Combat boxed set available for local game stores to order?
I asked if my FLGS could order a box for me, but they said they were not able to find a listing from their distributor to pre-order.
I'd love for my local store to start carrying more Battletech, if anyone has any info I can pass along to them, I'd really appreciate it, please. Thanks!
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I have a question: Is the Game of Armored Combat boxed set available for local game stores to order?
I asked if my FLGS could order a box for me, but they said they were not able to find a listing from their distributor to pre-order.
I'd love for my local store to start carrying more Battletech, if anyone has any info I can pass along to them, I'd really appreciate it, please. Thanks!
The question is really does your game store's distributor have it for order. Eg: aliance. I believe they currently do, as I was able to order from a flgs, and that was in July.
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I should check into this myself. I was lucky enough to score copies of the new box sets and will try to demo them at one of the two local shops on Sunday.
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Any information on what distributors are carrying the Game of Armored Combat would be welcome to pass along to my FLGS.
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Any information on what distributors are carrying the Game of Armored Combat would be welcome to pass along to my FLGS.
This is very country specific, so please post what country you are looking for. In the US and Canada, alliance would be the typical one I would think. Whomever they get their existing catalyst products from.
Some distributors won't take it until they have a street date, so that means maybe a 1 month lead time
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USA.
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Hope for a soon release of Marauder and Warhammer as new lance/command pack :)
What else is left? Phoenix Hawk and lesser Wasp/Stinger?
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Will we be able to mail order the box sets directly from Catalyst or another venue.
Thanks
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What I don't want to see is that in middle September the estimate release date moves to November.
Man, in the first interviews they say Summer, and the delays began, at this point, it's very disappointing, It's 2018 and you have them to the Con, seriously you cannot carry this better?
Some people cannot waste the money to a thousand km travel only for a Con, this kind of delays are amazing...
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What I don't want to see is that in middle September the estimate release date moves to November.
Man, in the first interviews they say Summer, and the delays began, at this point, it's very disappointing, It's 2018 and you have them to the Con, seriously you cannot carry this better?
Some people cannot waste the money to a thousand km travel only for a Con, this kind of delays are amazing...
Never dealt with China production, have you?
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Never dealt with China production, have you?
Corrected. This is exacerbated by overseas production and shipping, but delays can happen to anything. I really wish more people understood just how much work there is on the back end when manufacturing and distributing literally anything.
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Never dealt with China production, have you?
China, Russia or Ukrania, you can choose, I don't like big delays neither excuses.
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On the other hand it’s a box of plastic so I’ll deal if the boat gets delayed
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Unfortunately CGL has a bit of a reputation problem. They have delayed or cancelled too many projects at this point. While unfair given the new management team’s current policy of transparency and obvious movement again on the product front, comments like the ones from KhanPhelanWard shouldn’t come as a surprise. It’s going to take a long while for some customers to trust CGL again.
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Unfortunately CGL has a bit of a reputation problem. They have delayed or cancelled too many projects at this point. While unfair given the new management team’s current policy of transparency and obvious movement again on the product front, comments like the ones from KhanPhelanWard shouldn’t come as a surprise. It’s going to take a long while for some customers to trust CGL again.
What projects?
Craig
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China, Russia or Ukrania, you can choose, I don't like big delays neither excuses.
;D ;D ;D
Unfortunately CGL has a bit of a reputation problem. They have delayed or cancelled too many projects at this point. While unfair given the new management team’s current policy of transparency and obvious movement again on the product front, comments like the ones from KhanPhelanWard shouldn’t come as a surprise. It’s going to take a long while for some customers to trust CGL again.
No, his comment isn't a surprise, but it's still hilarious. Look, I'm not even a Catalyst customer anymore. Shattered Fortress was such a disappointment that I'm in the process of selling literally my entire BattleTech collection. But even so, getting all "I don't like excuses" on a webforum because your new toy - which you haven't even paid for - is late is ridiculous. Delays happen, and I'm sure the guys at CGL want your money as quickly as you want to give it to them. And trust? Who cares about trust, it's a TOY COMPANY. When the product comes out, you'll be able to buy it. Until then, you've got plenty of other entertainment options.
*shakes head* Hilarious.
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What projects?
Craig
How about the teased succession wars board game? Or the clan Goliath scorpion pdf? Or the pushed back milestones? Just a few off the top of my head. It’s been 5+ years without a consistent release schedule. When CGL announces a product my initial reaction is To wonder when or if that product is going to actually arrive or if a new management team is going to cancel the product or change the product. From the outside looking in CGL has not been the most stable, communative or productive company lately. There is another thread on CGL getting involved in Kickstarter. TBTB I think rightfully have nixed that idea for the time being but would you actually send money CGLs way to fund a kickstarter project? I wouldn’t. I’m not sure they would follow through on their ideas. It appears that CGL is on the upswing. There are a lot of projects pending but I personally, and I suspect others too, need to see a constant flow of products. It doesn’t have to be a lot but it needs to be consistent and in a reasonable amount of time. For me that means within 6 months of announcing a product. Could be longer or shorter for some people.
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;D ;D ;D
No, his comment isn't a surprise, but it's still hilarious. Look, I'm not even a Catalyst customer anymore. Shattered Fortress was such a disappointment that I'm in the process of selling literally my entire BattleTech collection. But even so, getting all "I don't like excuses" on a webforum because your new toy - which you haven't even paid for - is late is ridiculous. Delays happen, and I'm sure the guys at CGL want your money as quickly as you want to give it to them. And trust? Who cares about trust, it's a TOY COMPANY. When the product comes out, you'll be able to buy it. Until then, you've got plenty of other entertainment options.
*shakes head* Hilarious.
It might be just a “toy company” but I wouldn’t under estimate the value of connecting with your customer base. The problem is when products get delayed for extended periods of time will I want to buy them? As you say there are other entertainment options out there. Maybe trust isn’t the right word. Follow through and consistency? I think khanPhelanWard is over reacting but I also think that CGL and Battletech have an image problem that I think a few solid years of releases will fix
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When CGL announces a product my initial reaction is To wonder when or if that product is going to actually arrive or if a new management team is going to cancel the product or change the product.
Which is the key reason I cleaned up the Coming Releases page earlier this year, and have an unofficial policy that I'd rather not put anything new up on that page until it's in layout. That's the point at which I'm personally convinced it'll happen. But that's also pretty late in the production process. And it doesn't always work--for example, TRO: CI is up on that page now, simply because the reveal of its cover at Gen Con without any supporting information left customers with too many questions.
From the outside looking in CGL has not been the most stable, communicative or productive company lately.
And remember that I'm ultimately just a go-between. A well-intention go-between with a fancy beemer, but still. For example, I asked earlier this week for any production updates or street dates on these boxes, and haven't heard much back. Only so much I can do, I guess.
There are a lot of projects pending but I personally, and I suspect others too, need to see a constant flow of products.
I'm still hopeful about getting the mini-PDFs back on a regular schedule; there's been some movement behind the scenes toward that goal, but there needs to be more.
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Which is the key reason I cleaned up the Coming Releases page earlier this year, and have an unofficial policy that I'd rather not put anything new up on that page until it's in layout. That's the point at which I'm personally convinced it'll happen. But that's also pretty late in the production process. And it doesn't always work--for example, TRO: CI is up on that page now, simply because the reveal of its cover at Gen Con without any supporting information left customers with too many questions.
And remember that I'm ultimately just a go-between. A well-intention go-between with a fancy beemer, but still. For example, I asked earlier this week for any production updates or street dates on these boxes, and haven't heard much back. Only so much I can do, I guess.
I'm still hopeful about getting the mini-PDFs back on a regular schedule; there's been some movement behind the scenes toward that goal, but there needs to be more.
And I actually appreciate the changes and the openness with which the new management team is conducting their business. I just think there is a lot of bitterness left over from the time jump debacle, subsequent firings, personnel changes, Ilclan delays and 5+ years of product release doldrums. Battletech may be just a game but many people take it very seriously. Probably too seriously.
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Corrected. This is exacerbated by overseas production and shipping, but delays can happen to anything. I really wish more people understood just how much work there is on the back end when manufacturing and distributing literally anything.
People are also failing to understand that the box sets at Gen Con were RUSHED via air-delivery from China, meaning CGL had to pay a LOT more for shipping than the rest of the production run will cost them. I never asked anyone, but I doubt they made much profit off what they sold at GC, and they may have LOST money. xp
But yeah, kids are still gonna whine and cry over what THEY didn't get. ::) I can see the day when BT "Fans" start demanding that CGL pay THEM to take the products off CGL's hands. :P
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People are also failing to understand that the box sets at Gen Con were RUSHED via air-delivery from China, meaning CGL had to pay a LOT more for shipping than the rest of the production run will cost them. I never asked anyone, but I doubt they made much profit off what they sold at GC, and they may have LOST money. xp
But yeah, kids are still gonna whine and cry over what THEY didn't get. ::) I can see the day when BT "Fans" start demanding that CGL pay THEM to take the products off CGL's hands. :P
Because CGL does this every year and they never rush enough product from China.
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Because CGL does this every year and they never rush enough product from China.
This sentence is hilarious and also sad.
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People are also failing to understand that the box sets at Gen Con were RUSHED via air-delivery from China, meaning CGL had to pay a LOT more for shipping than the rest of the production run will cost them. I never asked anyone, but I doubt they made much profit off what they sold at GC, and they may have LOST money. xp
But yeah, kids are still gonna whine and cry over what THEY didn't get. ::) I can see the day when BT "Fans" start demanding that CGL pay THEM to take the products off CGL's hands. :P
Part of CGLs job is managing customer expectations. Up until recently they’ve done, to put it kindly, a poor job of it. They are not going to please everyone and some people will continue to “whine and cry” no matter what happens but if the same complaints happen year after year (does this one happen year after year?) from different groups of people, maybe CGL needs to try to address the concerns of their customer base. The tricky part is trying to weed out the legitimate complaints from pure fan boy whining.
Personally I don’t have a problem with CGL special shipping something in for a con. I think it’s good exposure for the company just to have the product but there maybe something to the point that a little more planning behind the scenes might end the need of the special shipments.
And I know you are being sarcastic but the last thing that battletech needs is to play the blame the customer game.
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People are also failing to understand that the box sets at Gen Con were RUSHED via air-delivery from China, meaning CGL had to pay a LOT more for shipping than the rest of the production run will cost them. I never asked anyone, but I doubt they made much profit off what they sold at GC, and they may have LOST money. xp
Almost certainly, but that's every con. Conventions don't generally profit a company, as it basically costs more in fees, booth equipment, room rentals, and shipping of inventory...than what they could ever make in sales. Toss in rush orders on product that wasn't quite ready for full-scale production and...yeah, cons are loss leaders.
- Herb
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Almost certainly, but that's every con. Conventions don't generally profit a company, as it basically costs more in fees, booth equipment, room rentals, and shipping of inventory...than what they could ever make in sales. Toss in rush orders on product that wasn't quite ready for full-scale production and...yeah, cons are loss leaders.
- Herb
My point, or maybe desire, is that CGL better manages things so that they don't need to rush ship things from China, because it seems that every GenCon they rush to ship a small number of new books from China which sell out seemingly instantly and then the rest don't arrive for several months. It might mean going a GenCon without some shiny new book to drop, but in the long run it's probably for the better as the current system generates a decent amount of negative PR.
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Going to GenCon without a shiny new book or product is going to see these forums burning down in a matter of hours. Rushing product to make a new release might as well be a fact of life, because it takes both time and effort to release new product, and that time and effort comes from a very finite pool.
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My point, or maybe desire, is that CGL better manages things so that they don't need to rush ship things from China, because it seems that every GenCon they rush to ship a small number of new books from China which sell out seemingly instantly and then the rest don't arrive for several months. It might mean going a GenCon without some shiny new book to drop, but in the long run it's probably for the better as the current system generates a decent amount of negative PR.
Going to GenCon without anything "shiny new" is a great way to start rumors of the company's imminent demise. CGL simply will not do that. In my whole time with them, GC prep always came down to the wire and we ALWAYS needed to emergency ship something. So, the history does not exactly work in favor of your desires.
But, hey, what do I know these days?
- Herb
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hello again,
When the box sets are released will we be able to mail order from Catalyst direct or another vendor?
Thanks
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hello again,
When the box sets are released will we be able to mail order from Catalyst direct or another vendor?
Thanks
Pretty sure before next GenCon.
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hello again,
When the box sets are released will we be able to mail order from Catalyst direct or another vendor?
Thanks
The boxes are set to be a general retail release, so they should be available in stores, from web retailers and direct from CGL
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Going to GenCon without anything "shiny new" is a great way to start rumors of the company's imminent demise. CGL simply will not do that. In my whole time with them, GC prep always came down to the wire and we ALWAYS needed to emergency ship something. So, the history does not exactly work in favor of your desires.
Point is: that's a crap way to run a business.
It doesn't have to be that way. People act like it's avoidable. I assure you: it's not.
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And back on track. For now, the conversation regarding the shipping of box sets is over.
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Just gonna butt in here for a second.
I keep seeing references to “new” management and their “transparency” and generally better communications and such.
No. That’s all thanks to the thankless Herculean efforts of Cubby.
He deserves the lions share of the credit, but I’ll also add Chris C. and Amy D. for keeping our day-to-to social media responsive, as well as all our product developers for working with Cubby.
For “new” management, myself included, it’s business as usual and you shouldn’t attribute any of this to us. Me, I’m incredibly thankful for his help.
Wish I had some dates for y’all, but I don’t. The box sets are physically being produced as we speak, and when there is some more solid information we’ll let you know.
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Point is: that's a crap way to run a business.
It doesn't have to be that way. People act like it's avoidable. I assure you: it's not.
I am probably not allowed to comment further on that.
- Herb
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Just gonna butt in here for a second.
I keep seeing references to “new” management and their “transparency” and generally better communications and such.
No. That’s all thanks to the thankless Herculean efforts of Cubby.
He deserves the lions share of the credit, but I’ll also add Chris C. and Amy D. for keeping our day-to-to social media responsive, as well as all our product developers for working with Cubby.
For “new” management, myself included, it’s business as usual and you shouldn’t attribute any of this to us. Me, I’m incredibly thankful for his help.
Wish I had some dates for y’all, but I don’t. The box sets are physically being produced as we speak, and when there is some more solid information we’ll let you know.
Aw, shucks. Thanks, buddy.
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Just gonna butt in here for a second.
I keep seeing references to “new” management and their “transparency” and generally better communications and such.
No. That’s all thanks to the thankless Herculean efforts of Cubby.
He deserves the lions share of the credit, but I’ll also add Chris C. and Amy D. for keeping our day-to-to social media responsive, as well as all our product developers for working with Cubby.
For “new” management, myself included, it’s business as usual and you shouldn’t attribute any of this to us. Me, I’m incredibly thankful for his help.
Wish I had some dates for y’all, but I don’t. The box sets are physically being produced as we speak, and when there is some more solid information we’ll let you know.
Cubby, you're my hero :) :smitten:
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Almost certainly, but that's every con. Conventions don't generally profit a company, as it basically costs more in fees, booth equipment, room rentals, and shipping of inventory...than what they could ever make in sales. Toss in rush orders on product that wasn't quite ready for full-scale production and...yeah, cons are loss leaders.
- Herb
Seems like a no win situation then. At Origins this year Paizo didn't have a booth, despite the HUGE Pathfinder turn out. I was wondering "How can they not have a booth? You liked our games? Well, uh, head on down to the convention floor, I'm sure somebody is selling it, somewhere." Still always good to have some insight.
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My point, or maybe desire, is that CGL better manages things so that they don't need to rush ship things from China, because it seems that every GenCon they rush to ship a small number of new books from China which sell out seemingly instantly and then the rest don't arrive for several months.
I've been going to GC since 2011, and aside from dice and shirts, I don't recall them selling out of anything else. I guess the best thing for CGL would be to not bother rushing ANYTHING to GC, and just release everything when the entire production run is available.
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I've been going to GC since 2011, and aside from dice and shirts, I don't recall them selling out of anything else.
Well, despite your not having seen it, they do. Often. Of many items. Every year.
I guess the best thing for CGL would be to not bother rushing ANYTHING to GC, and just release everything when the entire production run is available.
Can you please explain why not selling items that are available directly (no distributor or retailer cuts) to people who want them and have money is a better business decision? ???
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Seems like a no win situation then.
Such is their lot.
- Herb
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I'm new to this game and not «frothing at the mouth» but eagerly waiting for the 2 new boxes which I will buy from my local store because I still believe in brick & mortar. I read the official news on Catalyst's website. I did my research using FB Groups, G+ Groups and this forum. Its quite easy to do and everyone has been very helpful.
As for promotion of the new boxes its not like in the 90s. I for one have made several posts in local FB wargaming groups. I suspect many people have done the same. These posts have created interest in new and veteran players. I'm hoping we can get a group of players going in October when the boxes hit the selves.
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I for one have made several posts in local FB wargaming groups. I suspect many people have done the same. These posts have created interest in new and veteran players. I'm hoping we can get a group of players going in October when the boxes hit the selves.
Much appreciated! That's as much as we can ask any customer to do. Plus, it has the benefit of hopefully giving you some people to play with regularly.
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I asked my local store when they were going to get the new boxes and I got a collection of blank stares... 😁 since they sold their last intro box two years ago, they hadn't been paying any attention to current Battletech progress and one of them assumed Battletech had just quietly disappeared. I told them about the new boxes and they googled the pics and other info and about the new timeline books. They got all excited and plan to stock the new stuff this fall. 😊 they want to demo the boxes and organize a "Solaris League" like the olden days.
Hopefully the new sets will get the fires of war re-lit for Battletech, at least locally! As fans, it's our duty to stoke the hype-train!!! :thumbsup:
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I mentioned the upcoming Box Sets to the owners of my local gaming shop. And, of course, I told my friends to mention it as well. It must have piqued their interest as they wrote me back to tell me they couldn't get it yet, but they would let me know when they can manage to get it in stock. I also noted, DragonFire suddenly appeared after I mentioned Catalyst Game Labs too ;) Come on CGL, get these things out the door!
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I've been talking with the lady at my game store about the new box sets, off and on, because I asked if I could preorder them a few months ago. The last time I was there, she brought up that they had some for sale at Gen Con. Very cool that she's been keeping an eye on them!
The guy behind me in line seemed surprised, but excited to hear that they were coming out with new sets. Apparently he had a passing interest in BT in years past. So there's definitely a growing interest locally!
Anyway, we are duty bound to stoke the fires of the hype train! :thumbsup:
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Can you please explain why not selling items that are available directly (no distributor or retailer cuts) to people who want them and have money is a better business decision? ???
Because that way there are no long rants by BT "Fans", whining and crying about how CGL is doing this or that wrong for not catering to their every whim.
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Pissing off your distributors is not a viable business strategy.
Edit:
To expand on this, there have been several cases where companies have tried to go direct and get rid of distributors, the problem is that after an initial surge, the distributors refused to do business with them, and they fell soon after.
IRL The computer retailed NCIX in Canada tried to eliminate the distributor and go direct to manufacturers. After the distributors found out about this, they demanded cash up front for goods (Normally that would be NET30 or NET60 items), which helped bankrupt NCIX, and they never had stock because they needed money to order it.
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Passing off your distributors is not a viable business strategy
This.
“Eliminating the middle man, never as simple as it sounds. About 50% of the human race is middlemen and they don’t take kindly to being eliminated.”
– Mal Reynolds, Firefly
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Update on New BattleTech Box Sets
With convention season behind us, the Catalyst team wanted to provide an update on two hotly-anticipated BattleTech products, the “BattleTech Beginner Box” and “BattleTech: A Game of Armored Combat” boxed sets.
Just before PAX West, we were surprised to learn we would not be receiving additional rush-delivered copies of the two boxed sets. What’s more, despite being in near-constant contact with the overseas manufacturer throughout August, it is clear they have not shipped the production runs as expected.
As such, we wanted to let customers and retailers alike know that the two products will not be available by the end of the third quarter of 2018 as we’d planned. While this news is as disappointing to our team as it is to you, we wanted to ensure you had the most up-to-date information possible.
We continue to work with the manufacturer to get both box sets in stores as soon as possible. Once the production run ships and clears customs, we will have a reasonable estimate for a release date of the two products.
Until then, we appreciate your patience and understanding, and your continued support of BattleTech.
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WOW I'M SHOCKED! :o
Whatever. Wouldn't be a BattleTech product if it wasn't delayed until the hype is gone. Won't even be surprised if we don't get it one year from now.
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Third quarter is ending soon anyway. As long as they make it in time for Christmas, it shouldn't be THAT big a deal. Fourth fiscal quarter starts in October so no one should be lighting their hair on fire.
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NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO....
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*sighs* Even though I should be used to this due to two KS projects I backed having the exact same issue at the moment. It's still extremely disheartening. Thank you for being up-front and keeping us up to date, though. That is greatly appreciated.
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They’ll get here eventually. The cynical fatalism at this point is as tired as a meme from 2010
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The cynical fatalism at this point is as tired as a meme from 2010
I wish the rest of the internet would realize that.
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I was with Brent at pax. They found out the Tuesday before pax that after being told for weeks the it was the next job in queue.
Queue posted off people. The trade war stuff is causing Chinese manufacturers to play around with orders.
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Obviously that’s about as far as we can go into that without encroaching on rule 4. Whatever the case grown men will have to find ways to cope without their toys for a bit
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Obviously that’s about as far as we can go into that without encroaching on rule 4. Whatever the case grown men will have to find ways to cope without their toys for a bit
Lol I know right? I WANT MY DANG TOYS! :D
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Update on New BattleTech Box Sets
With convention season behind us, the Catalyst team wanted to provide an update on two hotly-anticipated BattleTech products, the “BattleTech Beginner Box” and “BattleTech: A Game of Armored Combat” boxed sets.
Just before PAX West, we were surprised to learn we would not be receiving additional rush-delivered copies of the two boxed sets. What’s more, despite being in near-constant contact with the overseas manufacturer throughout August, it is clear they have not shipped the production runs as expected.
As such, we wanted to let customers and retailers alike know that the two products will not be available by the end of the third quarter of 2018 as we’d planned. While this news is as disappointing to our team as it is to you, we wanted to ensure you had the most up-to-date information possible.
We continue to work with the manufacturer to get both box sets in stores as soon as possible. Once the production run ships and clears customs, we will have a reasonable estimate for a release date of the two products.
Until then, we appreciate your patience and understanding, and your continued support of BattleTech.
Will they have copies at Mechcon this year?
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Will they have copies at Mechcon this year?
They're gonna try.
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Update on New BattleTech Box Sets
With convention season behind us, the Catalyst team wanted to provide an update on two hotly-anticipated BattleTech products, the “BattleTech Beginner Box” and “BattleTech: A Game of Armored Combat” boxed sets.
Just before PAX West, we were surprised to learn we would not be receiving additional rush-delivered copies of the two boxed sets. What’s more, despite being in near-constant contact with the overseas manufacturer throughout August, it is clear they have not shipped the production runs as expected.
As such, we wanted to let customers and retailers alike know that the two products will not be available by the end of the third quarter of 2018 as we’d planned. While this news is as disappointing to our team as it is to you, we wanted to ensure you had the most up-to-date information possible.
We continue to work with the manufacturer to get both box sets in stores as soon as possible. Once the production run ships and clears customs, we will have a reasonable estimate for a release date of the two products.
Until then, we appreciate your patience and understanding, and your continued support of BattleTech.
It is unfortunate to hear about this but I am thankful for letting us know. I feel more confident at CGL because of yours hard work at providing us information. Still hoping to get them this year in Europe.
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It sucks but Im sure its not the first time this has happened, and it wont be the last.
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Disappointed. I've drummed up interest locally on social media. Veterans and new players were getting ready to buy and play... reading comments on the FB groups and this forum I see this is a chronic problem. I'll invest my money in Aristeia by Corvus Belli instead. I bought the starter last month and its a fun game with solid support.
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The comments on Facebook are often spurious.
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I have my Wolverine. I'll be patient. :-D
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They're gonna try.
That’s just tragically sad. You miss the window to tie-in to the HBS game, then miss your targeted release window of an entire quarter, and then cannot promise you’ll make it for 4th qtr or have product for the BattleTech convention.
That’s just a load of sadness in a depression bucket.
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That’s just tragically sad. You miss the window to tie-in to the HBS game, then miss your targeted release window of an entire quarter, and then cannot promise you’ll make it for 4th qtr or have product for the BattleTech convention.
That’s just a load of sadness in a depression bucket.
It's unfortunate, but sounds like it's issues beyond their control.
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I for one will be patient. They aren't the only ones getting hit with this BS.
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It's unfortunate, but sounds like it's issues beyond their control.
While that may be true, it’s just par for the course with the reputation that CGL has.
I want it to come out. I want it to do well. I want it to encourage more releases like it. I want it to grow the community.
I know you all are frustrated in your own ways.
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From my gaming experience I EXPECT shipments from China to be delayed now. I'm pretty sure you just add 60 days to whatever the manufacturer tells you, and start from there. These factories oversell their efficiency to get your business, and they know a US or European company can't do Jack about it when they inevitably fail to deliver on time. It's dirty business but that's how they work.
I'm patient. Mostly. Once they do hit the shelves I might trample children to get the fist set, though.... 😉
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I'm patient. Mostly. Once they do hit the shelves I might trample children to get the fist set, though.... 😉
My two year old has a lightsabre. I wouldn't try it, if I were you ;)
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I'm new to the board (this is my second post - I've been lurking/reading for about a month, but never found any specific place to make an introduction - so, Hi everybody, I'm Sam). But more than that I'm "new" to BattleTech, or rather I played BattleTech as a kid in the late 80s/early 90s, then drifted away, and just got interested in getting back in recently. I'd also played Warhammer Fantasy during that same timeframe, and a few years ago some of my friends that I play RPGs with talked about getting into Warhammer, and a few months (and a couple hundred dollars later) and I had a new Skaven army.
From there I branched out into other miniature wargames, from historicals to scifi skirmish. This year I painted up a Custodes army for the new edition of 40K. During that time I flipped through BattleTech boos at my FLGS occasionally, but never took the plunge. Then Adeptus Titanicus was announced. I got kinda excited about that, it evoked my childhood love of giant robot battles. But then the prices were revealed. I mean, I shouldnt have been surprised by that point, GW has rhymed with "price gouging" for years, but $300 for a boxed set with 8 minis, 6 of them the size of Space Marines? That was more than I could stomach.
But I guess that left me with a giant-robot-sized hole in my imagination, and that's when I really started thinking about BattleTech again. I ended up finding a copy of the original 3025 TRO for cheap in good condition on Ebay. Than was like a double dose of pure nostalgiaa, igniting my childhood passion again. Then I purchased an original Atlas mini (I seem to be addicted to buying Atlas minis for some reason, I now have 5 of them). And of course I looked into getting into the game and discovered Catalyst's "coming soon" page, showing the new Introductory and Starter boxes. GenCon came right after, and I got to see Youtube videos. My excitement was mounting. I found out Mechcon was being held in my hometown in December, and I started buying up more and more old books to get myself back into the fluff. Grabbed a copy of the Star League sourcebook, Comstar, the first two Stackpole trilogies. Then discovered Alpha Strike, which seemed like the perfect way to introduce my gaming circle.
But it was at this point that I noticed something odd. I'd downloaded the free preview PDF of Alpha Strike, but the actual book was no where to be found online. On Ebay it was selling for silly prices. Luckily one of the local gaming stores in my area turned out to have a copy, but I'm still trying to get a hold of the AS Companion for less than a hundred dollars. "Why are these out of print?" I wondered. I guessed it was because the new "Commander's Edition" was slated to be released soon, but even so, that seemed odd to me for a game company. I mean, you could still find copies of D&D 4th edition on the shelves of any gaming store up to and even after 5th edition came out.
But then I found it wasn't just Alpha Strike. Not counting the new printing of total War, (which I only just this week managed to order a copy of), it appears none of the core rulebooks for BattleTech are in print. I can't even find a copy of the TechManual on Ebay. Sure, there are PDFs, but I'm old school. I want a physical copy. And PDFs arent on gamestore shelves inviting new players.
Regardless, though, I was excited for the release of the new boxed sets. And then this delay. It's fine, it's understandable. CGL had, as a business, a projection and an intention, and things got delayed. OK, fine. But that leaves me as someone hghly motivated to get back into this game with no way to go out and buy a starter set of rules. And I have to think, that's not an isolated scenario.
And all that seems very odd to me. Why , at the very least, were the core rules of the game not kept in print? Even doing a Print on Demand service through DriveThru or LuLu just seems elementary to me. I mean, it seems like I'm exactly in the position that CGL would want for a fan, interested in the game, wanting to throw money at them, but just sitting here twiddling my thumbs.
I can, obviously, go the Oldhammer route. Pick up an earlier boxed set (but not any of the ones CGL put out, because apparently those are worth $200+ on the secondary market). I grabbed all the Alpha Strike plastic mini boxed sets for $5 a piece on clearance. It's just weird to me that I cant walk into a local game store (or at least an online retailer) and order a copy of the TW or the Techmanual or the AS Companion. And that's not even considering any of the further supplements like Combat Manual: Mercenaries or any of the House Handbooks.
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With a little patience, all of that may change.
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Sad but they both look great and worth the wait! :thumbsup:
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Hi and welcome.
To the essential question “why don’t they have game essentials in circulation?”
We don’t know. A combination of capital outlay and workflow logjams? Supply of box sets and core rulebooks has been critical for a while and they’ve been working on the new box for the better part of a year and secondary market prices were ridiculous even broke that. Some items like the AS or A Time of War companion I don’t know will ever get a reprint. I don’t know if techmanual has ever seen a reprint since it was first released in 2007. That said, I don’t know if ridiculous prices are the result of a small number of people willing to pay double to quintuple msrp or a broader demand that would justify reprints. All we have is anecdotal observations.
The good news: the BattleMech Manual (TW + bits of equipment and rules from tactical operations that focuses on just mechs) can still be had. The first four core rulebooks are seeing reprints - TW should be making its way around soon. TechManual, Tactical Operations, and Strategic Operations will follow. The Alpha Strike Commander’s edition will help. Era rather than year-based TROs (succession wars out now, clan invasion announced) plus new maps will offer somewhat of an easier entry.
While that may be true, it’s just par for the course with the reputation that CGL has.
I want it to come out. I want it to do well. I want it to encourage more releases like it. I want it to grow the community.
I know you all are frustrated in your own ways.
And that’s where we’ll have to cross our fingers and hope they do better with release windows going forward. Because people like me who are willing (or maybe dumb enough) to wait it out are probably not enough of a constituency to keep the business afloat long term. People move on when they can’t get something they want in a timely or affordable fashion and I don’t blame them.
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As such, we wanted to let customers and retailers alike know that the two products will not be available by the end of the third quarter of 2018 as we’d planned.
That's bad news - but still new news.
We have been waiting for years, what's a few more weeks?
Peanuts. :)
At least stuff doesn't have to be shipped in from another star system:
Starport tech: "What took you so long? We expected you last year!"
Drop ship crewman: "It is kind of a long story."
Starport tech: "You just had to stop by the canopian pleasure circus on the way, didn't you?"
Drop ship crewman: (blank stare)
Starport tech: "Woah, that bad? I'm all ears."
Drop ship crewman: "Well, first the **** MULE wouldn't lift properly, so we had to check all the ****** systems and missed the jumpship with the delay. Then, after hanging around the jump point a few weeks and hitching a ride on another ship, we finally make the jump. What happens?"
Starport tech: "Let me guess - next jump ship was late?"
Drop ship crewman: "Naw, the bugger showed up just on shedule. But what did we get? ***** misjump, that's what! Had to wait another ********* month for a passage to the system we wanted to go."
Starport tech: "At least you didn't end up with the birds."
Drop ship crewman: "What?"
Starport tech: "Just an old saying. Go on."
Drop ship crewman: "So, as we arrive, what's the next thing that happens? Jump ship leaves, we're all alone again. Except we're not alone. ***** pirates hiding behind a moon. I would've thought stuff like that happens only in the ******* trivids! Anyway, captain orders full thrust, we go for the planet. ****** Pirates start closing in. They're getting closer. And closer. Suddenly - contacts from the planet, closing in."
Starport tech: "More pirates?"
Drop ship crewman: "That's what we thought at first. Turns out the planetary militia send some fighters to help. So we turn around for the braking and fire our engines. The fighers pass us by and go for the boogies. Suprise the pirates right out of our sensor shadow."
Starport tech: "And then?"
Drop ship crewman: "T'was a fierce fight. We couldn't bring our own ******* guns to bear, cause we would've risked hitting friendlies. Know what's the worst? The waiting. The **** waiting kills you. Finally the ****** pirates bugger off back to whatever ********* they came from. Militia escorts us planetside. We went drinking with the guys and gals from the militia. I don't really remember what else happened that night. Too ****** much drinks."
Starport tech: "Must've been one hell of a hangover. What happened next?"
Drop ship crewman: "Had to make a few repairs over the next weeks, then left again. We finally made the jump to this system. And just as we land and think it's all over, the ***** engines give up. I swear, that ***** dropship is cursed or something!"
Starport tech: "Told you not to buy ships from that guy."
;) :)
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Question about the two new box sets.
Which map sheets belong in which? A kind person picked up both sets for me at GenCon. All 3 mapsheets were in one box, as they were given separately when people purchased them.
Does Map sheet 1 go in the Beginner's box? It looks like it would. I'm headed back out to my in laws house this weekend, and want to bring the right mapsheet to him.
Best,
Mad
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Question about the two new box sets.
Which map sheets belong in which? A kind person picked up both sets for me at GenCon. All 3 mapsheets were in one box, as they were given separately when people purchased them.
Does Map sheet 1 go in the Beginner's box? It looks like it would. I'm headed back out to my in laws house this weekend, and want to bring the right mapsheet to him.
Best,
Mad
The one that doesn't have hills is the beginner map.
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From the back of the AGAC box, maps 2 and 3 go with that, so I expect map 1 goes with the beginner box.
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Thanks! I'll divide them up that way and give my Brother in Law Map #1 for his Beginner's Box Set.
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There are already two listings on Amazon for the starter box for 29.99 lol
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Hi, after an almost 10 year vacation, the latest battletech videogame has once again renewed my interest for tabletop...
I have the 2006 intro box set but was looking to get a more up to date rule book. Im going to get the new 2018 box set which will contain all the latest rules but my question is regarding the more recent 2017 Battletech Battlemech Manual. Is it worth purchasing this as well or should I just wait for the new box set to drop in a couple of months?
Cheers H
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I do not have the latest box sets but if it is like the others you get a simplified set of rules. The BM Manual is a rather complete set of rules for just battlemechs, if you want to play with tanks, BA and other things under the basic ruleset then TW would be a better option. You can get PDF now if that works or wait for the latest version of TW to drop.
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Hi, after an almost 10 year vacation, the latest battletech videogame has once again renewed my interest for tabletop...
I have the 2006 intro box set but was looking to get a more up to date rule book. Im going to get the new 2018 box set which will contain all the latest rules but my question is regarding the more recent 2017 Battletech Battlemech Manual. Is it worth purchasing this as well or should I just wait for the new box set to drop in a couple of months?
Cheers H
The box sets will only come with basic rules. You will want to get the Battlemech Manual (if all you care about is mechs) or Total Warfare (If you want to bring out vehicles, infantry, aerospace as well) for the full rules.
eg: What is in the new box set would only get you to the succession wars period in terms of rules, and only for mechs. For anything Clan Invasion and later (or star league), you will need one of the other aforementioned products.
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The biggest shame of the whole affair is that there just isn't an American company that could produce the products here. Sure the production cost would be higher but if it was produced here I am sure the higher cost would be offset by the potential lost revenue that these delays cause.
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eg: What is in the new box set would only get you to the succession wars period in terms of rules, and only for mechs. For anything Clan Invasion and later (or star league), you will need one of the other aforementioned products.
Not quite accurate.
The box sets will come with two versions of the rules, but neither has all of the 'Mech-based rules.
The "BattleTech Beginner Box" has very basic rules, just enough to let new players get a taste of moving and shooting with 'Mechs, without getting mired in some of the elements that can be confusing to someone playing for the very first time. For example, things like Levels of terrain are not part of these rules.
The "BattleTech: A Game of Armored Combat" box adds more complexity, but not everything--I don't have the file available at the moment, but I recall it being somewhat less than the previous box set's rulebook.
The "BattleMech Manual" has the full 'Mech-only rules. It's a great book, and the layout of the rules has been fully revamped from what you'll remember. It's the easiest-to-follow version of the core 'Mech rules ever printed, by far. (And the rules in the two new boxes have a layout scheme to match.)
"Total Warfare" is the full, standard BattleTech rules including infantry, vehicles, and more. You'll want the recent fifth printing, which incorporates all existing errata. (It's the one with the gray old-school Atlas on the cover.)
The products are intended to stack in that order, so that a newer player has a better pathway into the game without having to choose only between an Intro-level box with rules that don't always feel "intro," or a $40 tome that has a lot of elements to it.
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Ok thanks everyone I think that fully answers my questions.
I will pick up a copy of the Battlemech Manual as all I want is Mech combat. Its only 9 dollars as a pdf.
I had a look through the TW manual and found it really confusing, everything feels jumbled together and I was skipping lots of info due to it covering literally everything.
Sounds like the starter box (the bigger one) will still be stripped down, which may or may not appeal to me, just depends whats missing.
I will be getting it anyway because, well... the new minis look fantastic and im hoping it does well so we get clan mechs in the same format.
I actually found watching a load of tutorial videos much easier to re-learn the game, along with having an old manual in front of me.
I watched a series by andrew J on youtube which was great.
Is there an official "how to play" about anywhere?
Since reading the rules can be quite a challenge to get through, id have thought nowdays this would be the obvious way to engage a player base?
I play 40k, Necromunda and Blood Bowl and GW seem to knock it out the park on "how to" guides, which wasnt always the case but they have done a stellar job of late.
Obviously they probably have a much bigger budget, but then again how much does it cost to create an official (or unofficial) how to play?
Anyways, looking forward to a game in the not too distant future...
Cheers
H
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Are you talking like a pared-back walkthrough? We have a Quick Start guide that's downloadable.
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No, seems to be talking about video running through turns with case examples.
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No, seems to be talking about video running through turns with case examples.
Which is something I know CDT and OrangeWoman have wanted for awhile. I've kicked around the idea as well, because I have video experience and access to some equipment. But it's trickier to produce than you'd think, and it needs to be good. HD video, solid audio and lighting work, good editing and graphics, engaging hosts. It'd be going out as a company production so it cannot look like a 1992 infomercial.
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Which is something I know CDT and OrangeWoman have wanted for awhile. I've kicked around the idea as well, because I have video experience and access to some equipment. But it's trickier to produce than you'd think, and it needs to be good. HD video, solid audio and lighting work, good editing and graphics, engaging hosts. It'd be going out as a company production so it cannot look like a 1992 infomercial.
With an a-ha style backbeat. :)
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I want to say someone had done one on youtube years ago, but it would not be as nice as what you are talking about.
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With an a-ha style backbeat. :)
Narrator: "... and now I declare my attack on the opponents jenner."
Opponent: "I'll take you on"
..music fades in... taaaaakeee onnnn meeee...... taaaaake meeeeee onnnn.......
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Narrator: "... and now I declare my attack on the opponents jenner."
Opponent: "I'll take you on"
..music fades in... taaaaakeee onnnn meeee...... taaaaake meeeeee onnnn.......
That works too, though I was thinking more along the lines of generic 80s weapons contractor announcer "delivering the performance of tomorrow, today!" with boom tsss boom tsss thing going on over video of a missile actually hitting something reliably.
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I think the tutorial videos would be a worthwhile investment.
I say its easy to do but actually technology wise its easy to do. Producing the content and delivering it in a cohesive manner thats easy to follow, looks up to date and is narrated well is the difficult part.
The only good thing is theres so many good examples of how to do it well I dont think it would be an issue.
As mentioned before I watched the Andrew J tutorials. In terms of narration and getting the rules across I thought he did an excellent job with well thought out examples and a good flow throughout. The problem was the audio, camera and to some extent the editing and location that let it down.
It'd be great if you could do something before the new starter boxes.
80s music is a must!!! ;D
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Anthony Wilson has good unofficial tutorial videos for new players to watch as well. And I agree that having good tutorials would help Battletech a lot. The game is much less complicated than it seems, if you have a good explanation of how the elements work.
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My Battlemech Manual arrived yesterday and I managed to find the 2006 box set which is in mint condition so I cleaned up the mechs and base coated em all last night with a GW leadbeltcher spray. Already look loads better. Shouldnt take too long to get them looking decent just need some more texture paint for the bases and im all set.
Had a read back through the Inner Sphere fluff from the box set. Looking forward to a game again now.
The new minis in the box set look amazing cant wait to get them painted up later this year!
Cheers H
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Frankly, it's disingenuous to name this thread "New Release." Please change it back to "Coming Soon" to avoid all the confusion that comes with thinking you can actually order this product.
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The title isn't disingenuous at all. When it was started the game WAS available for sale at Gen Con. It is STILL available for Pre-order through certain vendors. I've ordered 1 of each through Aries Games & Miniatures. I'm not out a single penny. When Aries gets it, THEN they'll charge me for it, and I'll receive it when it gets here. Whenever that is. Until then, the sky is NOT falling, and I'll continue to laugh at those crying about it. ;D
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I'm waiting patiently, when it arrives I have a few people willing to learn and play. At the very least it will make the chore list with the roommate interesting 😉.
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Yeah folks theres nothing negative about this new box set. The delay is a moot point. Its litrally a few weeks in the scheme of things. A nice Xmas pressie im hoping! :) Would love to hear an update though... nudge nudge...
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There's a few people where I play who say they'll give it a go when the box set comes out. Any idea when that'll be so I can try to plan ahead?
Things still on the rails and no news is good news, or is it looking like christmas is going to be missed?
*Not really expecting a reply*
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The last update detailed all the upcoming releases. It was dissapointing to have no update on a date for the box sets. They must be having some real issues with either quality of the product or the manufacturing outsource they used in China. Im expecting probably Feb March 2019 now.
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Gencon next year so they can sell out...
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If you are expecting anything from China these days, expect very long delays... :-\
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I placed my order. I’m ok with the delay. Perspective: I backed that Robotech Kickstarter. I’m a patient man.
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There was an article on NPR's Marketplace discussing how China is slowing down custom's clearance for shipping goods in retaliation for the tariffs. So who knows when it will come out despite the boxes being printed.
Point of order: if this breaches forum rules let me know. Just stating the facts whereas I believe discussing politics would be weighing whether the tariffs are a good or bad thing. But if this is a no-go, delete as needed.
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Point of order: if this breaches forum rules let me know. Just stating the facts whereas I believe discussing politics would be weighing whether the tariffs are a good or bad thing. But if this is a no-go, delete as needed.
No, you're fine. Factual information that's relevant. It goes wrong when someone decides to respond with an "->Opinion<-" or a "->Sarcastic Quip<-" about it that we start getting antsy.
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BattleTech Boxed Sets Update #2 - Oct. 30, 2018
No tricks this Halloween, but a small treat for BattleTech players - we've got some new information about the much-anticipated "BattleTech Beginner Box" and "BattleTech: A Game of Armored Combat" boxed sets.
We have confirmed that the full run of both sets has been printed, and shipped from China on Tuesday, Oct. 30. They're making their way across the high seas, and are expected in port on the East Coast of the United States on Nov. 26. After about a week to clear customs, they're scheduled for arrival at our distributor on Dec. 3. At that point, we should be able to offer a more specific street date for these products.
Remember that these dates are estimates only--things like weather and other physical delays can and do occur in maritime shipping. We'll keep you updated as we continue to track the shipment's progress.
In the meantime, we recently announced a full slate of mini-PDF products to tide you over. The next one, Touring the Stars: Hall will be out Nov. 9--check out the full slate here (https://bg.battletech.com/books/upcoming-releases/)!
(https://image.ibb.co/f3MFSf/Update-No-2-Twt-IG.jpg) (https://imgbb.com/)
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A welcome surprise.
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Very cool! But suddenly getting panic attacks about this ending up like the new Dethklok album in that Metalocalypse episode.
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Good to hear! :thumbsup:
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Someone go to Bass Pro Shop and get that boat the biggest outboard motor they carry!
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Bear in mind, these ships are slow enough that they must pass a morale check before engaging the supercharger that gets them up to 1MP. :)
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Bear in mind, these ships are slow enough that they must pass a morale check before engaging the supercharger that gets them up to 1MP. :)
if the captain rolls snakeyes on the supercharger activation, I'm chartering a helicopter to fly out and fight him
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Would that make you an air pirate?
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Would that make you an air pirate?
probably as i'd try to make off with some of the product
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Would that make you an air pirate?
(https://media.giphy.com/media/B3WgvUs7yeqAg/giphy.gif)
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Would that make you an air pirate?
*Dusts off a copy of Crimson Skies* Aye!
Though, I seriously hope we get these in time for Christmas. My wife has a helluva time getting me something I want before I buy it for myself...
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Very good news, just in time for Christmas! :thumbsup:
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I've had pre-orders in for both sets for a good while now at my FLGS, stopped by yesterday to confirm they still had them in the system and update them as to the expected arrival time.
One interesting thing I've noticed though is that while the distributor (Alliance) has the Beginner Box in their system already, and has for some time, they don't have the Game of Armored Combat box. I'm not sure if this means anything, I just thought it was odd.
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It’s going to be the 3rd this week! I’ve never been this excited for a Monday!
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I am having trouble finding these boxes in Canada, are they out yet? I heard the beginners box should be available now and then the main box about a month later?
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The Beginner Box should hit distributors around now. When it gets to stores is another matter.
In general, start looking. But at this point the precise times are going to be all over. U.S. will see it first, Canada et al typically to follow.
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The Beginner Box should hit distributors around now. When it gets to stores is another matter.
In general, start looking. But at this point the precise times are going to be all over. U.S. will see it first, Canada et al typically to follow.
And, I just put in a pre-order with my FLGS for five of these beauties :)
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Is there a link to download a PDF of the new Mech Record Sheets that come with the new boxset?
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BattleTech Boxed Set Update #3 and Shattered Fortress Availability
We're pleased to announce that the full print runs of the "BattleTech Beginner Box" and "BattleTech: A Game of Armored Combat" reached our fulfillment center as scheduled on Dec. 3
After a week of discussions with that partner company, we can confirm that the Beginner Box has moved into the distribution pipeline and could appear on store shelves as soon as this Friday, Dec. 14, with full availability likely during the week of Dec. 17. This distribution is taking place by special agreement outside the company's normal ordering and street date schedule, an effort to get the Beginner Box to the public as soon as possible and before the holidays. However, local availability in your area may vary as this unique distribution process unfolds.
Following the fulfillment center's planned shutdown for the winter holidays, the "BattleTech: A Game of Armored Combat" boxed set will have a street date of Wednesday, January 23. Both box sets should be available via your local game store's order form, and both will become available via the Catalyst Game Labs webstore on January 23.
In addition, due to a miscommunication regarding scheduling, "Shattered Fortress" will have a street date of Wednesday, January 23 rather than the previously-announced date of November 28. The full print run of that sourcebook has been received by the fulfillment center and is available now through the Catalyst Game Labs store (https://store.catalystgamelabs.com/collections/battletech/products/battletech-shattered-fortress-book-only). However, all orders for that product placed through the Catalyst store will be fulfilled and shipped immediately--many customers have already ordered and reported receiving their copies.
We hope you enjoy these long-awaited products and have a very happy holiday season.
(https://i.ibb.co/xD0hyD1/BT-Beginner.jpg) (https://ibb.co/vHG1bH3)
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(https://media.giphy.com/media/11ms6vNvALKmic/giphy.gif)
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(https://media.giphy.com/media/11ms6vNvALKmic/giphy.gif)
I applaud your taste in movies, good sir :)
This is excellent news!
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So I am slightly new to Battletech and I am confused on how to get started with the tabletop. Is there a difference between the board game and tabletop or am I confusing myself lol. And which boxed set would I buy if I wanted to play Battletech Tabletop. Sorry if this is a dumb question.
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So I am slightly new to Battletech and I am confused on how to get started with the tabletop. Is there a difference between the board game and tabletop or am I confusing myself lol. And which boxed set would I buy if I wanted to play Battletech Tabletop. Sorry if this is a dumb question.
Battletech is a hybrid, designed as a board game, but played frequently like a tabletop wargame. Even the tabletop experience is most commonly a hybrid where players still use hexes, just in a beautiful 3D environment instead of a game sheet. Others dispense with hexes and use tape measure/miniature gameplay using commonly available conversion rules.
As for getting started, if you would like playing as a board game, the box sets described above will be your best bet once they're fully available. I have both of them and recommend both of them, but if you want to wait for the full box (A Game of Armored Combat), feel free.
I should note that the beginner box uses a redacted rule-set intended to support teaching just like you would get with, say, the D&D intro box, Shadowrun intro box, and other ~$20 boxes. I still recommend it because it's still such a cool package. But the full rules are in the AGoAC box.
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I should note that the beginner box uses a redacted rule-set intended to support teaching just like you would get with, say, the D&D intro box, Shadowrun intro box, and other ~$20 boxes. I still recommend it because it's still such a cool package. But the full rules are in the AGoAC box.
Also the Beginner Box comes with the Griffin miniature, which is exclusive to that product.
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I really appreciate the quick reply!!! Everybody seems awesome on these forums. So I’m very interested in playing it as a tabletop wargame. Where can I find the rules for that? And the 2 starter boxes would still be a good investment? Thanks again for your time!
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Simple rules will be in the first box with the two mechs. More rules will be in the Game box released in January though I am not sure about their depth. If you are just interested in Mech rules, to include optional ones that can scale up the challenge, you should look at the BattleMech Manual which has a reprint coming soon to include errata and trying to make the language simpler. The full ruleset are in books like Total War, Tactical Operations, and more in that set that add layers of the wargame nature and expand the scope- the idea that each new book zooms out to increase the scale.
A few people have topics about getting started with the game, I believe Sartis has a really good one outlining the products before these boxes.
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The beginner box has cardboard cutouts for additional 'Mechs, no? Two plastic minis, and cutouts? Or were the cutouts only in the full box set?
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The beginner box has cardboard cutouts for additional 'Mechs, no? Two plastic minis, and cutouts? Or were the cutouts only in the full box set?
Beginner box also has listed:
“Punchboard of additional BattleMechs”
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Beginner box also has listed:
“Punchboard of additional BattleMechs”
You get a lance of "red team" vs "blue team" standups, two of each: thunderbolt, wolverine, locust, griffin
A few people have topics about getting started with the game, I believe Sartis has a really good one outlining the products before these boxes.
I did a little guide for new people for items to look at after the boxset
https://bg.battletech.com/forums/index.php?topic=44730.msg1030134
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I stopped by my local game store tonight and they still didn't see any entry from their distributor for A Game Of Armored Combat. I will check back with them again in a few weeks.
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Ah fudge, I thought I could actually buy the sets before the New Year. Guess not.
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From a macro perspective it would have been clutch to get them out before Christmas. My selfishly, my wallet needs a rest
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Any option to buy direct?
This site still links to battlecorps.com
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Any option to buy direct?
This site still links to battlecorps.com
Not yet. Both boxes are planned to be up for sale at store.catalystgamelabs.com on Jan. 23.
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I thought I had heard that the beginner box was going to hit stores yesterday, but no one seems to have it. Has anyone seen it in the wild?
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There was the potential for it to hit yesterday. If your store ordered it, it should show up this week
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Lol, I called the local store at least 3 times in the last two weeks. Yesterday it was to check on if it was available through their distributor yet. I also had them set aside a Settlers of Catan I decided to give my nieces & nephew for Christmas, a board game I felt confident in working for the high school to elementary school spread. Might have to pick up another Lance Pack for my 2 year old, he has a company of plastics so far.
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stopped by my flgs today to check. they said it's still listed as "coming soon" which means they didn't get it and can't order it. looks like i'll have to wait a month since i refuse to patronize the scalpers on ebay
though i REALLY wanted to buy the complete set of gencon aluminum dice on ebay for $400 as was only prevented from doing so by the fear of being executed mob style by my wife
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Both of my distributors do not have this in stock...hopefully someone such as Brent will step up & explain the delay.
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Both of my distributors do not have this in stock...hopefully someone such as Brent will step up & explain the delay.
“during the week of Dec. 17”
That week’s not over, so it’s not delayed yet.
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stopped by my flgs today to check. they said it's still listed as "coming soon" which means they didn't get it and can't order it. looks like i'll have to wait a month since i refuse to patronize the scalpers on ebay
though i REALLY wanted to buy the complete set of gencon aluminum dice on ebay for $400 as was only prevented from doing so by the fear of being executed mob style by my wife
Gamers Armory took my preorder for it today. But they’re still
Listing it as no release date.
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Gamers Armory took my preorder for it today. But they’re still
Listing it as no release date.
One of my FLGS's was able to take preorders though it also was with no release date as of yet.
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“during the week of Dec. 17”
That week’s not over, so it’s not delayed yet.
Yeah, but if they can’t order today, most game stores aren’t going to be getting it this week.
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My Local FLGs stated he's hoping to have it in tomorrow or Wednesday, and we are here in Vancouver Canada.
I'll post if it comes to pass, but he had all the same info from his distributer as we've heard as well (Basic set December, Armored Combat January)
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Yeah, but if they can’t order today, most game stores aren’t going to be getting it this week.
That's exactly it. The best that can happen for my shop is if it shows up tomorrow or *maybe* Wednesday. Since I'm off the next two days, I told them to ship my order out on Wednesday so it shows up when I am there so my co-worker doesn't get stuck with the huge number of WizKids Deep Cuts restock skus I have coming in. But it it doesn't show up in the warehouse before then, I won't have it for Christmas.
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I have a solution for everyone . . . we have the covers as pictures. Hand that file to your wife, she can go print off the picture and put it on a box that will be wrapped up for Christmas. Of course the tricky ones will just give you the picture- 'What? Its that art you like!'
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Nothing more terrifying than a wife glaring at the CC bill then you.
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So what’s the good word? Did anyone happen to see the box at their local FLGS today?
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So what’s the good word? Did anyone happen to see the box at their local FLGS today?
My guess would be not likely. Both distributors I work with still show them as pre-orders.
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Nothing more terrifying than a wife glaring at the CC bill then you.
It wasn't me, ROM is setting me up!
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Following...
...No official word from my distributors yet.
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Have been the boxes shipped?
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Been watching the site I preordered from and no sign of the Beginner Box.
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Still nothing, huh?
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Nope...still nothing on my end at both distribution points. Although one provided a street date for BOTH as the January 23rd. Per my rep...that's what they heard from Catalyst contrary to the statement Catalyst made saying the Beginner Box Set would be out last week, and even provided an email for said street dates as proof.
I'm waiting for confirmation from Catalyst themselves before I email my customers with another update.
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Nope...still nothing on my end at both distribution points. Although one provided a street date for BOTH as the January 23rd. Per my rep...that's what they heard from Catalyst contrary to the statement Catalyst made saying the Beginner Box Set would be out last week, and even provided an email for said street dates as proof.
I'm waiting for confirmation from Catalyst themselves before I email my customers with another update.
Wasn't the earlier date just a small shipment to get it out to few select stores? Seem to recall someone in the New Releases thread saying both boxes weren't going to hit general release and see release on the Catalyst online store till Jan. 23.
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Wasn't the earlier date just a small shipment to get it out to few select stores? Seem to recall someone in the New Releases thread saying both boxes weren't going to hit general release and see release on the Catalyst online store till Jan. 23.
I don't see that post...but that was possibly after Catalyst's initial 3rd update which stated the following...
After a week of discussions with that partner company, we can confirm that the Beginner Box has moved into the distribution pipeline and could appear on store shelves as soon as this Friday, Dec. 14, with full availability likely during the week of Dec. 17. This distribution is taking place by special agreement outside the company’s normal ordering and street date schedule, an effort to get the Beginner Box to the public as soon as possible and before the holidays. However, local availability in your area may vary as this unique distribution process unfolds.
Which you can find the whole stated time frames here...
https://bg.battletech.com/news/battletech-boxed-set-update-3-and-shattered-fortress-availability/
It would be nice if we could hear from Brent on this since he is the LD.
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I'd be surprised if the beginner box can be found anywhere right now. You can't even find em at jacked up prices on ebay or amazon
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Oddly enough, both boxes are available right here in Singapore! Picked up my set last week!
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Oddly enough, both boxes are available right here in Singapore! Picked up my set last week!
Funny thing that...not far to travel between Factory and Retailer ;)
Enjoy the Boxes as they are awesome!
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Any idea when this box will be available in the UK, and who is distributing?
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Let's hope the delays end soon. It'll be nice to see them before the end of January.
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Staying out of politics, but could the current government shutdown in the US be affecting delivery? Limited post office availability, cargo waiting longer for inspection, that sort of thing. Since Singapore already has both boxes, yet we've seen nothing here, I'm wondering if that might be part of the cause.
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If its at the distributor warehouse, then its already (I think) through those hurdles. Its also unlikely to be shipped through USPS, but they are still in operation as being quasi-government.
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The USPS is not affected by the shutdown because it is independently funded by its own products and services rather than by federal taxes.
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NP. Just wondered!
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The girlfriend said she would learn so I'm counting down the days. Her daughter expressed interest in some of my minis so I may be able to rope her in while she's young ^_^.
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Not in Aus yet :(
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The girlfriend said she would learn so I'm counting down the days. Her daughter expressed interest in some of my minis so I may be able to rope her in while she's young ^_^.
Just tell her she can kill your mechs. Its what my wife plays for any time she is on the board- to kill my mechs.
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Heck not in Washington State or Idaho yet
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Heck not in Washington State or Idaho yet
Oh it's in Washington State. Just figure out Randall's address, I know he has one. 8)
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Oh it's in Washington State. Just figure out Randall's address, I know he has one. 8)
(https://66.media.tumblr.com/6595b11a39f1c62a1d38536dc345d82a/tumblr_oy26jfvIUm1v4zif4o9_250.gif)
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Time to get Wu-Tang Clan and Bill Murray together.
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Well I do remember in an article my not to long ago that they said the beginner Box it will be released by the end of December it is now January what 6th I think today is could be wrong and that the game of armor combat will be really set the end of this month OK so it's corrected here it is January 5th I've been so busy with work I've lost track of days however I want to know really what is going on I saw over on Facebook that someone was upset so I am wondering did the release date get pushed back again for the boxsets
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They've been very up front about the long-shot attempt to get the intro box out before Christmas. They tried, but the attempt was a failure. If you go read this thread (https://bg.battletech.com/forums/index.php?topic=62399.0) all the way through, you'll see their communications on the subject.
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They've been very up front about the long-shot attempt to get the intro box out before Christmas. They tried, but the attempt was a failure. If you go read this thread (https://bg.battletech.com/forums/index.php?topic=62399.0) all the way through, you'll see their communications on the subject.
So...you quoted this very same thread as the thread to read ???
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I stand by it.
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And this is why they stopped giving release dates. They give a date, shit happens and the date is missed. Players go ****** nuts lambasting them for it.
They tried. Shit happened. Learn to take release dates with a grain of salt. They're an estimate, not a promise to all that is holy.
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They've been very up front about the long-shot attempt to get the intro box out before Christmas. They tried, but the attempt was a failure. If you go read this thread (https://bg.battletech.com/forums/index.php?topic=62399.0) all the way through, you'll see their communications on the subject.
I do understand that and the article that they last stated which a was around December they said that they're not gonna get the Box sets by Christmas time to us but by the end of the month for the game for the beginner's Box set would be released by the end of the month and the game of armored combat would be released by the end of January that's all what I'm saying so was there another statement that they had the push to stuff back that's what I'm trying to find out and a so then all read the link in just be a very disgruntled battletech player. As demo team member I would use my own copy of the beginner Box set to teach some more people how to play the game and then as a reward for at least one person give them another Box set
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January 23rd
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They tried, but the attempt was a failure.
Kinda? Mostly? Idk. A handful of people have reported seeing boxes in the wild, including the line's art director. I just don't have any way to independently verify what I was told by management, which is what I wrote in the last update, or to find out exactly how many boxes went where.
At this point I'm just focused on doing whatever I can to make sure the 1/23 date happens without a hitch. Which, honestly, isn't all that much. Spread the word, mostly.
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It'll be ready when it's ready. Good things are worth the wait
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Kinda? Mostly? Idk. A handful of people have reported seeing boxes in the wild, including the line's art director. I just don't have any way to independently verify what I was told by management, which is what I wrote in the last update, or to find out exactly how many boxes went where.
At this point I'm just focused on doing whatever I can to make sure the 1/23 date happens without a hitch. Which, honestly, isn't all that much. Spread the word, mostly.
Cubby when did they change it to January 23rd? And will it be both or just 1 box set?
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it was always 1/23. the december date was an attempt to get quantities of the beginner box out early.
right on the front page
https://bg.battletech.com/news/battletech-boxed-set-update-3-and-shattered-fortress-availability/
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it was always 1/23. the december date was an attempt to get quantities of the beginner box out early.
right on the front page
https://bg.battletech.com/news/battletech-boxed-set-update-3-and-shattered-fortress-availability/
No, first date was 2018 3rd quarter, then October, November. After November, the beginner for Christmas and the Armored one for 23 January. Now, both for 23 January.
If they have tried so hard, I'd recommend to tried no so hard, maybe it's better...
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I meant it was 1/23 after the delay, which was outlined in the linked announcement
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it was always 1/23. the december date was an attempt to get quantities of the beginner box out early.
right on the front page
https://bg.battletech.com/news/battletech-boxed-set-update-3-and-shattered-fortress-availability/
Sartis thanks but I specifically remember reading that the beginner's box would be out by the end of the month of December. But it is what is now another 2 weeks of waiting damn
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They said that the distributor/fulfillment company had agreed to try. Whether or not said trying happened or just failed is out of our sight.
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A new product launch is never late! Nor is it early! It arrives PRECISELY when it means too! ;)
I'm wating patiently for my precious....
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Okay Gandalf. I actually saw on dates on Amazon for release as Jan18 for one sight, Jan 23 on another and Feb 1st on another
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Okay Gandalf. I actually saw on dates on Amazon for release as Jan18 for one sight, Jan 23 on another and Feb 1st on another
Ah. Yeah, Amazon, from my observations, is a company that tries early to predict dates. I don't know if there's a person doing it, one of their algorithmic information scrapers, or a distribution source, but I've watched long enough to treat the company's predictions with a box of salt.
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Also, bear in mind that CGL does not deal with Amazon at all, so any info Amazon puts out is by definition suspect.
In fact, my best advice is to treat all sources except Cubby and Adrian Gideon as 100% unreliable.
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I like to think I’m about 2.73% reliable. Even the worst players roll lucky boxcars once every few games
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No, first date was 2018 3rd quarter, then October, November. After November, the beginner for Christmas and the Armored one for 23 January. Now, both for 23 January.
Cubby when did they change it to January 23rd? And will it be both or just 1 box set?
I think the confusion here is that I sent out informational updates which included shipping and milestone dates in October, November, and December. But from the first update, no hard and fast release date was ever given. That was intentional. Once it was understood that the original, from-way-back release timeframe of "3rd quarter 2018" would not be achieved, I withheld any specific street date until product was in the warehouse. So any October or November dates you may have seen were shipping milestones, not street dates.
I apologize if that added to anyone's confusion, I tried to be as clear as possible. But given the high anticipation and ever-changing, fluid production process with these products, I felt it was important to provide as much info as possible, in coordination with management.
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As soon as I heard the December date, I kind of knew then that that was ambitious. So the January date I kind of figured that was more realistic.
Keep calm and carry on.
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All this talk about the release dates, but my question is why isn't "A Game of Armored Combat" showing up for order from distributors? I have contacted multiple game stores and none of them can find any information on that box set. The Beginner's Box shows up for pre-order, but A Game of Armored Combat never does.
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All this talk about the release dates, but my question is why isn't "A Game of Armored Combat" showing up for order from distributors? I have contacted multiple game stores and none of them can find any information on that box set. The Beginner's Box shows up for pre-order, but A Game of Armored Combat never does.
Perhaps they aren't dealing with the right distributor?
Mine has had them.available as an ordering option for a long time now.
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Which distributor does CGL work through?
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Which distributor does CGL work through?
http://pubservinc.com
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Perhaps they aren't dealing with the right distributor?
Mine has had them.available as an ordering option for a long time now.
even my flgs which carries virtually no battletech has both boxes in the system as well
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I pre-ordered both from third party sellers on Amazon. One estimated a March delivery for the Beginner set, and the other an April delivery for the regular set.
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Well ain't this interesting. My LGS has added Beginner Box and updated the full box's estimated release date to Jan 23rd this month. Wonder if they just slapped that date because it is the nominal street date Cubby posted a month ago, or if they're actually expecting them to be available then. Previously their date listings have been accurate so maybe....
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What you may be seeing is normal lead time updates. Fans' zeal sometimes gets in the way of "Oh, that's how it normally works". As Cubby said, he was being upfront about progress without actually committing to a date.
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It's a funny thing, y'know? There has been progress since I started keeping close tabs on the production and shipping of these in late September or October. I can see things moving, I believe the fulfillment center reps in what they tell me.
But to most people, "progress" is only defined (justifiably) as "give me a date I can for-sure buy it." And trying to pin that down has been a rub all along.
Anyway. January 23, street date and online at CGL store.
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Yeah, that's all that matters to us as customers, if you got the goods or not. My only real concern is when I can get them so that I don't see them all disappear before I get ahold of some. My second concern is how soon I can get them, paint them up, and run demos.
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Just got a notice that my Amazon pre-order of the Beginner box has shipped. Though it’s apparently being sent via UrbanMech, with a delivery date of March 5 (est.)
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For those of you waiting for this...
I just bought the beginner box, at my flgs, in Canada. Just out of the shipping box.
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Just got a notice that my Amazon pre-order of the Beginner box has shipped. Though it’s apparently being sent via UrbanMech, with a delivery date of March 5 (est.)
Amazon's delivery estimates always err on the safe side. I ordered a calendar just before Christmas, it arrived last week, the estimated delivery date was Monday of next week, and stayed there until they changed the status to delivered.
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For those of you waiting for this...
I just bought the beginner box, at my flgs, in Canada. Just out of the shipping box.
I guess my question is how have you got it and your in Canada, but I am in Washington state and still cannot get it.
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I guess my question is how have you got it and your in Canada, but I am in Washington state and still cannot get it.
Vagaries of shipping.
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A vast Blakist conspiracy.
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I guess my question is how have you got it and your in Canada, but I am in Washington state and still cannot get it.
Well, my local game store had Good news and bad news for me (same greater metropolitan area as Roundtop), he went to his distributor in the AM on Friday AM and they had the Beginers Box set, they just couldn't release any to him yet as they had yet to be counted/inventoried etc.
So, for my store, he won;t be there for another week, and I'm not dying yet (I already picked up one of Each at genCon, so I can wait).
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Ok, so after looking at all the contents in close detail...
The molds are better than the first batch at gen con (no flashing, no misaligned molds, no excess material.) Detail is great
The griffin was perfect, and facing a hex side properly. The wolverine had been pushed a bit forward in the box, so was tipping forward. I used the hot water trick to adjust him back to normal, and all is good.
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Hot water… are these resin and not polystyrene?
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It works on a lot of plastics, too
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High quality hard plastics, similar to GW stuff.
In case people don't know what the trick is, here is what I did (You will need tweezers/pliers, paper towel, two small-medium bowls, water):
WARNING: THIS INVOLVED BOILING HOT WATER. IF YOU ARE A CHILD, PARENTAL SUPERVISION IS ADVISED. IF YOU ARE A JADE FALCON, CONSULT YOUR NEAREST GHOST BEAR.
1) Boil water in a kettle (or microwave, but I prefer kettle)
2) Pour about 1-2" of boiling water into a small bowl
3) Get a 2nd bowl and add 1-2" of cold water (optional add ice)
4) holding the figure, place the part that is bent (or you want to bend) into the hot water for about 10-15s
5) Pull out, gently move to proper position (if it is too hot, or if needed, use pliers)
6) Repeat 4-5 as needed until it looks right.
7) Place figure in cold water, to cool down the hot parts.
This will lock in the plastic again after about 20 seconds.
For my wolverine, the hips had been pushed forward, so I heated the legs and hip, then moved it back, shifted the feet/ankle a bit, and using the pliers, adjusted the left knee outwards slightly.
This requires almost no pressure, it is highly malleable when doing this.
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Consulted Ghost Bear, arms got ripped off, what did i do wrong?
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I think that's actually the expected result.
I was at a game store Saturday that apparently had the beginner box in last week, though they were sold out before I arrived.
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Zero surprise there... those things are going to go like hot cakes... :)
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I was just surprised to find that they'd even had them.
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Consulted Ghost Bear, arms got ripped off, what did i do wrong?
Didn't wash hands after making meatloaf.
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So, is this stuff on the CGL store? I can't find the boxes or the shirts on store.catalystgamelabs.com. I don't see it on the Amazon storefront that claims to be Catalyst, either.
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Not yet.
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My local store (CT) got the Beginner Box a couple days ago: two garunteed sold out of four (?): I've got one from GenCon :)
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So you didn’t hear it from me but if you follow the links from the product pages, you can order the boxes RIGHT NOW THIS IS NOT A DRILL
https://store.catalystgamelabs.com/products/battletech-a-game-of-armored-combat
https://store.catalystgamelabs.com/products/battletech-beginner-box
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Yes, my fault for not posting in this thread as well - both box sets are NOW LIVE on the CGL store.
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So you didn’t hear it from me but if you follow the links from the product pages, you can order the boxes RIGHT NOW THIS IS NOT A DRILL
https://store.catalystgamelabs.com/products/battletech-a-game-of-armored-combat
https://store.catalystgamelabs.com/products/battletech-beginner-box
If we had a box set with a Violator, it would be a drill.
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So you didn’t hear it from me but if you follow the links from the product pages, you can order the boxes RIGHT NOW THIS IS NOT A DRILL
https://store.catalystgamelabs.com/products/battletech-a-game-of-armored-combat
https://store.catalystgamelabs.com/products/battletech-beginner-box
Massive kudos to everyone who made this happen.
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My copy of the Beginner Box just shipped.
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Ordered both box sets today. Thank you CGL. :thumbsup:
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Well, January 23th wasn't the release date for Europe. My patient is over, I think that a delay of more than 6 months is enough.
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I've been keeping an eye on the Asmodee website for it, and it wasn't on the 21st January update. Hopefully it'll be this week.
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My LGS had them for sale yesterday so I got 1 of each. The minis are brilliant. Mine had no bent parts like some of the GenCon buyers reported. Looking forward to being able to buy them in boxed sets (maybe?).
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my flgs had several copies of the beginner box. mine's on order from cgl so i withstood the temptation to grab one. if they had any of the GoAC box, they sold out
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According to UPS my beginner box is due to arrive on tuesday.
I plan to order at least one more beginner box and a game of armored combat box, but for now I have to hold off for reasons.
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Got my Beginner Box, love it. Minis are great. I love the full hexbase, with plenty of hollow space in the bottom for ballast.
Really hoping the local store gets the AGoAC box before I leave on my cruise...talk about a travel edition!
For anyone who has both boxes: Are the dice identical?
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Got my Beginner Box, love it. Minis are great. I love the full hexbase, with plenty of hollow space in the bottom for ballast.
Really hoping the local store gets the AGoAC box before I leave on my cruise...talk about a travel edition!
For anyone who has both boxes: Are the dice identical?
yes, identical dice.
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For anyone who has both boxes: Are the dice identical?
Unless you get the Hellbie edition, all sides are 1.
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ATTN: European fans
A Game of Armoured Combat and the Intro box are on the new product list for Asmodee for the 28th
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Anyone know if the quick start sheets from this box will be available as pdfs, so we can print new ones after using up the pretty shiny ones?
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Anyone know if the quick start sheets from this box will be available as pdfs, so we can print new ones after using up the pretty shiny ones?
You know you can just pick up some dry erase markers to use with the new shiny ones, right?
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You know you can just pick up some dry erase markers to use with the new shiny ones, right?
People have different preferences in how they want to handle record sheets. Not everyone wants to use dry eraser markers, plastic sleeves, or pencils and erasers. It's a reasonable question and certainly doesn't deserve a somewhat sarcastic response that insinuates nothing good about the person it's directed to.
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Sadly these same sheets are not listed with the caveat of the paper sheets:
"OK to copy for personal use"
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I'm fine with dry erase markers if they're needed, though I'm not a big fan for record sheets, as regular handling of the sheets can inadvertently erase marks too easily. Same goes for record sheets in sleeves.
Gotta be honest, I didn't think of them, mostly because I want sure the sheets were the right kind of shiny for markers.
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Our LGS had them in, folks picked up their pre-order and a player who had not pre-ordered bought the GoAC. Two of the four players opened their boxes to put down mechs on the free for all, I threw out the metal Shadow Hawk with the prim TBolt with support and so it was mostly a 'box set' brawl. After the picture of them on the shelf was taken before the game and posted to the area FB page we also had a few folks who were not playing that night come by and pick up their pre-order or just buy one and hang out to talk a bit before going on with their evening.
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yes, identical dice.
Would have preferred different, but queso ra sora. Planning to combine the intro box with the AGoAC (does anyone else pronounce that in their head as "Agwac"?) to make a travel set, and having two different pairs would have been convenient.
Also, gotta say that the Wolverine and Griffin are stuck to their bases SOLID. I'm trying to pop off and remount the Wolverine because it's currently much farther forward on the base than I'd like, but I may have to wait until I get home to my razor saw to do the job. Inconvenient for me right now, but it bodes well for minis that may end up tossed into a loose box instead of a foam-lined case. :thumbsup:
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the AGoAC (does anyone else pronounce that in their head as "Agwac"?)
Agohwac for me.
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. . . AGoAC (does anyone else pronounce that in their head as "Agwac"?)
Nah, I have been saying goWAC . . . the sound of enemy fire hitting your armor.
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A-gak here, ignore the O so more AGAC.
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Unless you get the Hellbie edition, all sides are 1.
Um... yeah. ;D. I bought some at my FLGS on Wednesday where I play D&D. So I decided to roadtest a pair in combat in the campaign we've been playing (Tales from the Yawning Portal). The first damage roll I made with the dice ended up being exact minimum damage of 3 (1 +Str). Against a hydra. My thought was "Oh, great... I've got Hellbie Dice on my hands" :)...
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I got some dice at gen con (cheap metal dice) from a vendor that was more of a promo item. The first dice that I have used that after a few min I said "These dice are not balanced, and I cannot use them". They consistently rolled 2 numbers. was kinda disappointed, but they were only $1 for the pair, so not that bad that I put them aside.
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Just glad to see some Battletech on the shelfs at your FLGS!!
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Made it to the shelves of my FLGS today, so it has successfully made into the Prairies.
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My beginner box (from a third party vendor on Amazon) arrived today.
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Just picked up the Beginner Box and LOVE the minis. It's totally worth it. Can't wait to get the bigger set next!
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Just picked up both boxes today. Maps are lovely, though I'd prefer slightly thicker paper. Standies and hex markers are night stiff high quality. I'd prefer the record sheets loose leaf just because I could laminate them. Then again I can just print from MegaMekLab, so it's personal preference.
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Just picked up mine today Amazing,,, except my shadow hawk has a snubbed nose AC, who do I contact for a replacement?
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For any one in the UK, and possibly Europe, I have had an email saying that the release date is now 08/02/2019. The email was from the UK based webstore I preorderd from. So if that is accurate then while annoying it isnt too bad.
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Got my box set today. I like the look of these minis.
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For any one in the UK, and possibly Europe, I have had an email saying that the release date is now 08/02/2019. The email was from the UK based webstore I preorderd from. So if that is accurate then while annoying it isnt too bad.
I read that as August 2nd, not February 8th and almost died
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Yeah, I was thinking "man, that is one chill dude, content to wait until August."
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most of the world goes day/month/year.
I've seen paperwork do both in canada. I try to use TLA to designate months
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one of the local gaming stores said that they expect to be able to get one restock of AGOAC - if they head to the distributor on monday. How fast is the stock going down?
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My local game store's distributor was already completely out yesterday.
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most of the world goes day/month/year.
Yeah I’m aware which is why my confusion was only temporary. My semester in Spain was 17 years ago now so I’m a bit rusty
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I've seen paperwork do both in canada. I try to use TLA to designate months
I'm in Australia (dd/mm/yy), working for Americans. I try to explicitly go "12 Mar 2019" or the like. If it's files, then 2019-03-12.
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I read that as August 2nd, not February 8th and almost died
Sorry for the confusion! I copied the date direct from the email without thinking.
Now based on the fact that the webstore is UK based I think it should mean 8th Feb, unless when Catalyst gave them the date it was in the US format and they didnt convert? :o
I will use a clearer date format from now on ;).
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No need to change to accommodate me. I’m just glad you’re not waiting seven months for your boxes ;D
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Canadian, I prefer the dd-mm-yyyy or dd-mm-yy aspect, but often see the mm-dd-yy thing too.
What's REALLY confusing in when I see dates like:
03-06-19...and then I need to look...Is that June 3rd or March 6th
But it boils down to a smallest first/largest last, which would be the days first (smallest) month (made up of days, then year (made up of months).
It's the monster who throw ALL dating conventions out the window who write their dates:
YYYY-DD-MM
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So, the new maps; how do we all like them?
I like; the hilly one is a bit dense but still to the good.
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Waiting for the CGL store to ship mine. Four business days is typical so I assume it is will go out tomorrow or Tuesday. After that I start getting antsy
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Waiting for the CGL store to ship mine. Four business days is typical so I assume it is will go out tomorrow or Tuesday. After that I start getting antsy
I will agree with that. They are usually 4 to 5 business days from order to ship when I've ordered physical product. They have not disappointed me yet, so I'm optimistic. The interesting one will be the new printing of the BattleMech Manual. I ordered the Book/PDF combo and the book is a while out.
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The book/PDF combos have caused problems in the past, as I understand it, due to the delivery of the digital content causing the system to mark the order as completed, making it not get in the queue for physical item warehouse fulfillment. Catalyst has said they've worked on fixing that with their fulfillment contractor.
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Any word on mini replacement? My Locust is missing it's right arm.
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Well I went to order my box just now, after getting back from work...
All sold out. On UK release day. Great.
Are there going to be any more or is this going to be another one of CGL's "when its gone its gone" tiny run nonsense memes?
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Well I went to order my box just now, after getting back from work...
All sold out. On UK release day. Great.
Are there going to be any more or is this going to be another one of CGL's "when its gone its gone" tiny run nonsense memes?
All comments so far have been of the form "If sales are good and sustained, they should be able to keep it in print with further production". I doubt they'll get more specific on dates or numbers for reasons of business confidentiality.
Locally, I know my FLGS got in something like 60 of them (including pre-orders), and sold the very last one Sunday afternoon. (I had a chance to nab it, but held off so a friend could get it instead. Yes, I'm a saint. O:-) )
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I’m not sure the box I preordered through my LGS ever arrived. Not enough stock for a minor vendor to get any, maybe? My store doesn’t sell much Battletech.
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Well I went to order my box just now, after getting back from work...
All sold out. On UK release day. Great.
Are there going to be any more or is this going to be another one of CGL's "when its gone its gone" tiny run nonsense memes?
I think you are commenting about the sky . . . its what your local store ordered from the distributor, likely the distributor has more in stock to re-order. For instance, I do not care what you are going to sell in the next six months the way business is organized now you order just what you need to put on the shelves. Things are not generally kept 'in the back' any longer.
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The store i was at only had one big box and no beginners set. Hopefully more are coming.
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I think you are commenting about the sky . . . its what your local store ordered from the distributor, likely the distributor has more in stock to re-order. For instance, I do not care what you are going to sell in the next six months the way business is organized now you order just what you need to put on the shelves. Things are not generally kept 'in the back' any longer.
If there ever really was an "in the back". I think that was mostly an old fantasy from, like, Woolworths or something from the early 20th century.
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There really is an "in the back"... I had a retail store pull something out of there just last year (a broken display model I knew they must still have had).
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"In the back" is the magic place customers believe in that get stories written on Not Always Right.
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I think you are commenting about the sky . . . its what your local store ordered from the distributor, likely the distributor has more in stock to re-order. For instance, I do not care what you are going to sell in the next six months the way business is organized now you order just what you need to put on the shelves. Things are not generally kept 'in the back' any longer.
I will hold my reservations. We got very few of the Lance Packs and all of those vanished fast - I think I nabbed the last Recon pack in the UK last year and theres only a few more Striker lances left, and maybe a Support pack or two and I would not be surprised to see the new intro set go the same way. One run, one delivery, missed it, oh well that was your one chance.
Its not that I want to dick all over CGL, the their propensity for only making small runs of the intro game, the lack of marketing and advertising and the lack of availability, at least over here, makes it hard to get into Battletech without using less-than-scrupulous sources at times.
Simply put there is not the availability over here that there should be. When I run a game and a few pictures get posted in groups there is always a lot of positive feedback with old timers remembering the game fondly and new blood interested in a none-GW stompy robot game, but where do I direct them if there is no intro set? Why would a player go to all sorts of obscure sights to acquire the rules and then pay through the nose for a few old sculpt figures with no real assurance of a steady player base when they can just drop a wad on the latest starter set from company X? They wont, and without a steady supply of intro sets there is no chance of getting a new community founded over here.
In all honesty I want to see this be a success for CGL getting BT up and running and easily available across the globe. I want there to be a steady production of this set, with its availability spread across the globe, easy to find and pick up. Battletech is an excellent game, but it is being stifled by poor choices. One can only hope that with MW5, MWO and PC Battletech games released we will see a resurgence of the game.
All comments so far have been of the form "If sales are good and sustained, they should be able to keep it in print with further production". I doubt they'll get more specific on dates or numbers for reasons of business confidentiality.
Locally, I know my FLGS got in something like 60 of them (including pre-orders), and sold the very last one Sunday afternoon. (I had a chance to nab it, but held off so a friend could get it instead. Yes, I'm a saint. O:-) )
I genuinely hope so. But as I said above, prior experience has taught me not to hold my breath.
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Any word on mini replacement? My Locust is missing it's right arm.
Email store@catalystgamelabs.com
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I will hold my reservations. We got very few of the Lance Packs and all of those vanished fast - I think I nabbed the last Recon pack in the UK last year and theres only a few more Striker lances left, and maybe a Support pack or two and I would not be surprised to see the new intro set go the same way. One run, one delivery, missed it, oh well that was your one chance.
Its not that I want to dick all over CGL, the their propensity for only making small runs of the intro game, the lack of marketing and advertising and the lack of availability, at least over here, makes it hard to get into Battletech without using less-than-scrupulous sources at times.
Simply put there is not the availability over here that there should be. When I run a game and a few pictures get posted in groups there is always a lot of positive feedback with old timers remembering the game fondly and new blood interested in a none-GW stompy robot game, but where do I direct them if there is no intro set? Why would a player go to all sorts of obscure sights to acquire the rules and then pay through the nose for a few old sculpt figures with no real assurance of a steady player base when they can just drop a wad on the latest starter set from company X? They wont, and without a steady supply of intro sets there is no chance of getting a new community founded over here.
In all honesty I want to see this be a success for CGL getting BT up and running and easily available across the globe. I want there to be a steady production of this set, with its availability spread across the globe, easy to find and pick up. Battletech is an excellent game, but it is being stifled by poor choices. One can only hope that with MW5, MWO and PC Battletech games released we will see a resurgence of the game.
I genuinely hope so. But as I said above, prior experience has taught me not to hold my breath.
Sorry that is your distributors in the UK, not Catalyst. When you can still find the Lance Packs on sale in the States and other countries- and definitely online- several years after they were produced its not the production runs which is what Catalyst controls. I want to say that Catalyst is now out of 2 or 3 of the Lance Packs and that was the problem with them, the lack of 'velocity of sales' which left money tied up in product that was not available for other things.
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Sorry that is your distributors in the UK, not Catalyst. When you can still find the Lance Packs on sale in the States and other countries- and definitely online- several years after they were produced its not the production runs which is what Catalyst controls. I want to say that Catalyst is now out of 2 or 3 of the Lance Packs and that was the problem with them, the lack of 'velocity of sales' which left money tied up in product that was not available for other things.
But at the same time we have Warmahordes, Dark Age, Malifaux, etc. All readily available and off the shelf and not in limited supply. The Lance Packs are an example, but the other box sets suffered from a similar fate, you either got them quickly or they vanished into the aethir. The Lance Packs may have sufffered from poor sales, but can that not be put down to a lack of advertising and people simply not knowing about the game or universe? You have to remember that back then BT was still in a period of relative obscurity amongst the hobby community. Recently though we have had MWO, Battletech Online and MW5's announcement which have acted as gateways to get the universe and name out there, which will hopefully help the game sell.
But frankly a fixed and constant-running starter setwould make it a lot easier to get into the game anyway. Right now Steve and Jim might hear about this really cool mecha game but how do they get in? Well they go down to their FLGS but there are no starter sets, so they go online. A quick google reveals multiple different starter sets, all of which are either sold out or being sold for a ludicrous price, so instead Jim and Steve focus on finding the rules. A little more googling reveals a lot of different PDF's and books with different titles and things called TRO's, whilst a search on RP turns up expensive metal figures that make it look to the newbie as though they are going to have to shell out a lot for a force (remember few beginners realise you only need 4 mechs a side). So instead Jim and Steve go back to their FLGS and purchase the latest GibsmoneyWorkshop giant stompy bots starter set and start playing that instead. Not because they dont want to play BT but because it is easier to get into and readily available. And after a while they talk themselves out of wanting to play BT because they have invested too much money in GW ExpensiveStompyBotsGameTM.
Now if there was a starter set readily available in the above scenario things would be different. Jim and Steve would perhaps buy it between them and split the contentse, or buy one each. They would play a bit, have fun and then look to expand. Armed with a knowledge of what to do and where to start they would look at the factions they like, pick up the appropiate TRO's and Record Sheet packs and buy the models they are after, safe in the knowledge that they only need a few to have a force.
There, everyone wins.
Anyway, rambling tangent aside, I hope that the lightning fast sales are indicative to CGL of the games popularity and leads to them printing more sets, and opening up the market to new shores. It would be nice to have a hard copy of the rules on hand, and actual map sheets as well. Not to mention the mini's look gorgeous. I know that if they become available again over here I will be buying a copy of each.
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Well, I am still waiting as my FLGS is dealing with ADC Blackfire.
Side note:
ADC Blackfire should merge with Asmodee and is already cooperating with them. So I expect that as soon as Asmodee gets them Blackfire gets them too.
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Oh, LGS has updated date to 2.2. Wonder if that'll end up correct.
Mixed feelings. Do i go to check the store or do i stay home playing Ace Combat 7? These frustratingly difficult decisions...
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But at the same time we have Warmahordes, Dark Age, Malifaux, etc. All readily available and off the shelf and not in limited supply. The Lance Packs are an example, but the other box sets suffered from a similar fate, you either got them quickly or they vanished into the aethir. The Lance Packs may have sufffered from poor sales, but can that not be put down to a lack of advertising and people simply not knowing about the game or universe? You have to remember that back then BT was still in a period of relative obscurity amongst the hobby community. Recently though we have had MWO, Battletech Online and MW5's announcement which have acted as gateways to get the universe and name out there, which will hopefully help the game sell.
But frankly a fixed and constant-running starter setwould make it a lot easier to get into the game anyway. Right now Steve and Jim might hear about this really cool mecha game but how do they get in? Well they go down to their FLGS but there are no starter sets, so they go online. A quick google reveals multiple different starter sets, all of which are either sold out or being sold for a ludicrous price, so instead Jim and Steve focus on finding the rules. A little more googling reveals a lot of different PDF's and books with different titles and things called TRO's, whilst a search on RP turns up expensive metal figures that make it look to the newbie as though they are going to have to shell out a lot for a force (remember few beginners realise you only need 4 mechs a side). So instead Jim and Steve go back to their FLGS and purchase the latest GibsmoneyWorkshop giant stompy bots starter set and start playing that instead. Not because they dont want to play BT but because it is easier to get into and readily available. And after a while they talk themselves out of wanting to play BT because they have invested too much money in GW ExpensiveStompyBotsGameTM.
Now if there was a starter set readily available in the above scenario things would be different. Jim and Steve would perhaps buy it between them and split the contentse, or buy one each. They would play a bit, have fun and then look to expand. Armed with a knowledge of what to do and where to start they would look at the factions they like, pick up the appropiate TRO's and Record Sheet packs and buy the models they are after, safe in the knowledge that they only need a few to have a force.
There, everyone wins.
Anyway, rambling tangent aside, I hope that the lightning fast sales are indicative to CGL of the games popularity and leads to them printing more sets, and opening up the market to new shores. It would be nice to have a hard copy of the rules on hand, and actual map sheets as well. Not to mention the mini's look gorgeous. I know that if they become available again over here I will be buying a copy of each.
So, the question to me is, did you tell the store owner that you were disappointed not to find it on the shelves? Did you ask when more boxes would be available in store? Squeaky wheel getting greased and all but if you do not make your desire known- and likely often- then it will not happen. Right now my group is having a similar problem since our store's distributor has quit carrying IWM.
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So, the question to me is, did you tell the store owner that you were disappointed not to find it on the shelves? Did you ask when more boxes would be available in store? Squeaky wheel getting greased and all but if you do not make your desire known- and likely often- then it will not happen. Right now my group is having a similar problem since our store's distributor has quit carrying IWM.
Alright you two, the points both ways have been made. Please quit derailing the thread over this one exchange If you want to discuss it further between yourselves, take it to PMs.
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So, the question to me is, did you tell the store owner that you were disappointed not to find it on the shelves? Did you ask when more boxes would be available in store? Squeaky wheel getting greased and all but if you do not make your desire known- and likely often- then it will not happen. Right now my group is having a similar problem since our store's distributor has quit carrying IWM.
I asked my FLGS owner and sadly he cant get BT. In fact no store I know can.
Sorry, let me explain the situation better. BattleTech availability in the UK is limited to a very small number of online stores, Amazon and, for the models, Ral Partha Europe. At least in my area and (as far as I know) the rest of the North there is no hard store retail stockist. Finding a game generally involves talking some people into trying the game or shoving oneself out there onto all kinds of groups and boards asking if anyone plays. Occasionally you get a hit and a game, usually its a miss.
What I want is to see the mass production of the new starter sets and there wide availability especially over here. That way the game is easier to get into, the community can grow healthily and I might actually get to field my units against another player more than twice a year.
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Any word on mini replacement? My Locust is missing it's right arm.
My UrbanMech is missing two arms! :D
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What I want is to see the mass production of the new starter sets and there wide availability especially over here. That way the game is easier to get into, the community can grow healthily and I might actually get to field my units against another player more than twice a year.
Unfortunately, the likely magic bullet for you is a surge in popularity elsewhere so that your available distributors decide to invest in a steady stream of CGL products. Short of that, the squeaky wheel example that someone else mentioned would be recommended.
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My UrbanMech is missing two arms! :D
We've always known your UrbanMech was 'armless.
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BloodRose (and other UK customers): Catalyst Game Lab/BattleTech products can be ordered by your local stores from Esvedium/Asmodee. Thanks.
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Random question Ray/Cubby/people-who-know. Is the way the distribution system works that you the manufacturer sent product to select distributors and eventually other distributors get products from the select distributors on their own or does the product stay in the select distributors' warehouses and bought by stores?
Genuinely curious because this isn't a part of commerce I'm familiar with except for an acquaintance who is a middle-sized distributor of jet airplane parts.
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My peripheral experience from three different companies . . .
The Distributor is the middle man. A producer gets their product in to their warehouse. The distributor's purchasing agent (or whoever) makes the deal to get 10,000 units. They do this over hundreds of producers getting various amounts shipped to their central warehouse facilities. Stores then get included in a distributor's network, they order all their stock from that distributor (or two) and only rarely do they order straight from the producer. You only order straight from a producer to a seller when you have the volume to meet their minimum order requirements- which is basically where they meet their minimum profit over the year to deal with your paperwork. The place I worked ordered from one distributor and straight from two producers directly.
So the producer sells to the distributor when they buy X volume that meets a set of criteria. The distributor then mixes products and sells a menu to stores though the stores have to meet X volume of sales to be in that network. To the UK, there is probably another layer that deals with shipping products in the US to the UK.
Just as another bit, one of the reasons WalMart, Dollar General and other big box stores can offer things cheaper is they have their own distributor chain. They get semi loads in and then divide it up between the stores for that region. Usually their distribution centers are near transport nodes to keep costs down. Amazon is a distributor that sells directly to you when its a actual 'Amazon' item and not a 3rd party.
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BloodRose (and other UK customers): Catalyst Game Lab/BattleTech products can be ordered by your local stores from Esvedium/Asmodee. Thanks.
My FLGS, Spirit Games, had no problems getting in both box sets. Picked up my order today; of the 6 boxes of each they ordered, they now only have 1 GoAC left.
Chris
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BloodRose (and other UK customers): Catalyst Game Lab/BattleTech products can be ordered by your local stores from Esvedium/Asmodee. Thanks.
Great, thanks!
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Got mine in the mail today.
First thought was "It's bigger than I expect... oh, they. They are bigger than I expected." Turns out I'd ordered two copies of the beginner set and forgot all about it.
Still, the box is big in a way I find satisfying. I was actually expecting something the size of the old lance pack boxes and dreading the shear amount of folding that would require.
The box art is lovely. I especially liked the touch of "Kurita" spelled out in Katakana on the Griffin. It's totally nonsensical, in a way that calls back to battletech's nonsensical past. :P
For some reason I was expecting two mapsheets per box, so I was momentarily disappointed, but when I thought about it I couldn't recall anybody actually promising two mapsheets, so I have nothing to complain about.
The minis and the cardboard standees are all very nice. I was hoping for a little bit more variety in the included terrain cards, but forests work.
Also, it had that new boxed set smell, which is great.
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Anyone else order from the cgl store? I haven’t gotten a shipping notification yet (ordered Jan 23)
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Anyone else order from the cgl store? I haven’t gotten a shipping notification yet (ordered Jan 23)
Same situation.
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Anyone else order from the cgl store? I haven’t gotten a shipping notification yet (ordered Jan 23)
It seems to be a confirmation issue, not a shipping issue. I'm waiting for confirmation also. From discussions I've had my understanding is the warehouse (3rd party vendor) ships the items and then had to send a database over with order numbers and tracking numbers, at which point CGL matches the tracking number to the shipping number to update the accounts.
I'm in the same boat as everyone else, waiting for two separate shipments, both placed Wednesday.
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I didn't order either of the box sets from Catalyst, but I did order a shirt when they went on sale last week and just got an email last night asking to confirm that my order was correct due to a high number of glitches resulting in people having orders that were the wrong size or quantity.
I'm guessing that the huge number of orders they've received combined with having to sort out the problems with orders is causing a massive holdup on order fulfillment.
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It seems to be a confirmation issue, not a shipping issue. I'm waiting for confirmation also. From discussions I've had my understanding is the warehouse (3rd party vendor) ships the items and then had to send a database over with order numbers and tracking numbers, at which point CGL matches the tracking number to the shipping number to update the accounts.
I'm in the same boat as everyone else, waiting for two separate shipments, both placed Wednesday.
Yeah, once I received a shipment notice an hour after the package arrived ;D
I'm guessing that the huge number of orders they've received combined with having to sort out the problems with orders is causing a massive holdup on order fulfillment.
This was my assumption but I wanted to make sure it wasn’t just me
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I got an e-mail that wanted to confirm the size hoodie I ordered. IT seems that they were issues in their click-through process that led to about 10% of orders having the wrong size attached. At least they are following through when errors are occuring.
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I got an e-mail that wanted to confirm the size hoodie I ordered. IT seems that they were issues in their click-through process that led to about 10% of orders having the wrong size attached. At least they are following through when errors are occuring.
Yep, I got one of those as well.
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Just ordered from Wayland, in the UK. Let's hope they get the big box and can ship it before brexit kicks in at the end of March.
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I got an e-mail that wanted to confirm the size hoodie I ordered. IT seems that they were issues in their click-through process that led to about 10% of orders having the wrong size attached. At least they are following through when errors are occuring.
Received that email also. Which I'm glad for, because it had me ordering a small Shadowrun shirt. Which is hilarious.
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Something tells me small is not a commonly worn size among forum regulars here
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Something tells me small is not a commonly worn size among forum regulars here
Of course not. It is the size of our kids. :)
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I ordered XL simply because while I find it too big in the girth department, most clothing producers seem to think all LARGE people have short body trunks, so while the Large fits comfortably, after a few washes the length tends to come to just below my navel ???
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I too ordered both from Catalyst on the 23rd with no notice of anything yet. Has anybody received their order?
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I'll be happy if my hoodie gets here by fall of 2020 :D
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Of course not. It is the size of our kids. :)
they didn't offer one in 12-18 months :'(
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What should a new player buy along with the boxes, once they reach my store? A bunch of small red, white, and blue dice? Would I want more regular dice for weapon rolls? What do you do with record sheets - laminate them? Photocopy them?
What’s in the Battlemech Manual that isn’t in the rules included in the big starter box?
What are we even calling the big box? I went around saying, “A Game of Armored Combat” until a veteran player informed me that that’s the sub-heading of the name of the game itself, and is therefore doesn’t make it clear that you’re talking about the box.
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What should a new player buy along with the boxes, once they reach my store?
I tried my hand at breaking it down here https://bg.battletech.com/forums/index.php?topic=44730.msg1030134
A bunch of small red, white, and blue dice? Would I want more regular dice for weapon rolls? What do you do with record sheets - laminate them? Photocopy them?
you really only need two dice, but what's the fun in that? :D I carry around a Crown Royal bag full of dice - usually five or six pairs of dice that are different from the others will do the trick. For marking movement mods, I use the smaller 12mm chessex dice - [W]hite = Walk [R]ed = Run [J]ade = Jump [P]urple = Park (no movement)
Record sheets i just print and use pencil. if it gets too ratty i recycle it and print another. a lot of people like the sheet protectors with overhead / erasable markers
What’s in the Battlemech Manual that isn’t in the rules included in the big starter box?
Lots! The fiction included in is set during the Third Succession War in the early 31st century. The BattleMech Manual is based almost 150 years later in 3145-50 and includes all of the weapon systems that have risen to prominence in the interim (including for the Clans). There are also rules for abstract battlefield support like air strikes and artillery. You can also find Quirks, which are optional characteristics that give machines more personality (for better and worse). You also get rules for fighting in cities and more exotic terrain. There's also a common misconceptions section at the end that clears up a lot of rules mistakes even people who have been around forever make.
What are we even calling the big box? I went around saying, “A Game of Armored Combat” until a veteran player informed me that that’s the sub-heading of the name of the game itself, and is therefore doesn’t make it clear that you’re talking about the box.
The Box Set™? The previous boxes over the past decade were referred to as the intro box, but people may think you're talking about the Beginner Box...
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I'd recommend just calling it the Game of Armored Combat Box Set, or something based on it, like the Armored Combat Box.
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I tried my hand at breaking it down here https://bg.battletech.com/forums/index.php?topic=44730.msg1030134
That’s a tremendously helpful post, sorry I didn’t look there first.
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I too ordered both from Catalyst on the 23rd with no notice of anything yet. Has anybody received their order?
Several people have posted the yes, they've received their orders from Catalyst.
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I too ordered both from Catalyst on the 23rd with no notice of anything yet. Has anybody received their order?
I ordered the main box on the 23rd and got it today. I consider myself fairly lucky.
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As per Facebook catalyst post: beginner box is running low, new shipment is already under production and shipping out next week from China.
2nd shipment is as big as the first.
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I ordered the main box on the 23rd and got it today. I consider myself fairly lucky.
Hopefully that means mine are waiting for me when I get home or I will see them by the end of the week. Anxiously waiting. :D
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(https://i.imgur.com/7ij2Ghe.jpg?2)
(https://i.imgur.com/IsrbC7D.jpg?1)
In celebration of the release, we played with the boxset last night. I had to share this because it was a true example of BT resiliency. The K2 Catapult went on to lose its left leg, then both arms. Truly a Monty Python Black Knight moment. The new sculpts were appreciated.
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It still had medium lasers, it could still fight!
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The shop I preordered from in the USA said they still have no ETA on receiving the Game of Armored Combat box (they did receive my order for the Beginner Box).
So I'm trying to decide, should I cancel my order with them and place an order direct with Catalyst (for more money)? Are we already at risk of retailers not receiving product or is it just a matter of time before everyone gets it?
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Well, they are already ordering more so its just a matter of it trickling through the networks and ordering schedules.
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Boxes arrived today. They might have been delivered yesterday but the postal carriers were mercifully given a day off with -40-50f wind chill in the air. I'll probably get the package on the way email from the distributor within the next twelve hours ;D
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I decided to pick up a Beginner Box today, since, among other things, Griffin.
The store still has a single Armored Warfare box left. If I was into selling things on eBay I could probably make a nice profit off it.
But if I bought it, I'd just wind up keeping it for the Battlemaster and Thunderbolt.
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Still nae commo traffic frae th’ depot - but tha’ dinnae matter th’ noo. Th’ bluidy reinforcements hae arrived! Deploying now!
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Any idea how long it will take for the next production run to reach distribution? I'm going to have to wait for the 2nd run to get my sets... 😭
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Any idea how long it will take for the next production run to reach distribution? I'm going to have to wait for the 2nd run to get my sets... 😭
Considering the disconnect the last time they answered that question, I think giving any sort of date would be a bad idea. Distribution does what distribution wants.
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Any idea how long it will take for the next production run to reach distribution? I'm going to have to wait for the 2nd run to get my sets... 😭
We don't know how long it will take. But it will definitely be announced that they're in stock.
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Received an email with my tracking number for my box sets at 4:30pm, they were delivered by 5pm. But I got the email ;D
They're coming folks, you may not receive notice but they're coming.
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Considering the disconnect the last time they answered that question, I think giving any sort of date would be a bad idea. Distribution does what distribution wants.
Also, manufacturing and export does what manufacturing and export wants. I'd guess as an outsider, Headcase, that the new order will take less time than for the first, but not orders of magnitude less time. That's my wild outsider guess.
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Yeah not expecting a date so much as an "6-8 weeks" or "6-8 months" sort of estimate. :thumbsup:
I know better than to ask for the impossible! 😁
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Also, manufacturing and export does what manufacturing and export wants. I'd guess as an outsider, Headcase, that the new order will take less time than for the first, but not orders of magnitude less time. That's my wild outsider guess.
But this time there Chinese New Year to work around
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Finally got my Beginners Box today from my FLGS, reading The Golden Rule now. :)
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Finally got my Beginners Box today from my FLGS, reading The Golden Rule now. :)
"Let the Wookie win"????? :thumbsup:
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"Let the Wookie win"????? :thumbsup:
xp
(https://i.imgur.com/IjHUeOM.png)
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xp
(https://i.imgur.com/IjHUeOM.png)
I do... I really do... :'(
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Also, manufacturing and export does what manufacturing and export wants. I'd guess as an outsider, Headcase, that the new order will take less time than for the first, but not orders of magnitude less time. That's my wild outsider guess.
They've already been printed, boxed, and container-ized. Just waiting for the next boat.
But this time there Chinese New Year to work around
Hopefully not.
Yeah not expecting a date so much as an "6-8 weeks" or "6-8 months" sort of estimate. :thumbsup:
I know better than to ask for the impossible! 😁
More the former than the latter.
But the model I'm trying to move the line's communications to is more frequent updates relaying short-term progress ("They've shipped, we expect them stateside on X date, more info then"), rather than infrequent, long-term dart throws ("We only just sent the printer the files but we expect them to be on store shelves nine months from now, catch you then.")
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Weell, time to wait :/
From wayland games:
Thank you for your order at Wayland Games.
Regarding your recent order reference SULABZFIY , we regret to inform you that we have been notified by the UK distributor that we are only able to receive a limited amount of the following product, after receiving our initial wave of stock:
'CAT35020 - Battletech Beginner Box'
This item has been a lot more popular than the supplier originally anticipated.
We have done everything we can to try and source this from other suppliers, using various channels, but our full pre-order is not going to be fulfilled.
Our suppliers have to wait for this item to be reprinted at the manufacturers before they can fulfil our entire order.
I apologise for the delay in contact, we wanted to exhaust all suppliers before notifying customers.
If you wish to contact us, regarding your order, please reply back to this email which will be sent directly to our Helpdesk.
Thank you for your patience and understanding and we sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused..
Best regards,
I guess brexit will already have happened b the time I get my order processed, so price might skyrocket significantly as well due to customs.
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I have in my hands my copy of both box sets and I must say...
Top. Notch. Work. on those box sets!
Very much looking forward to what comes next.
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Both boxed sets arrived here in Sweden last week. Checked with my FLGS, but after some investigation turned out his distributor(s) did not carry BT (or Catalyst stuff i guess). Ended up ordering online from another store...semi-locally...in Stockholm. Quick delivery for me, but now out of stock! :-)
Anyway, excellent work on the boxed sets, they really look great. And the minis are way above anything done for BT before.
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For those of you who ordered the box sets from the CGL Store on January 23rd, have you gotten your orders yet? I still have not seen mine and we're nearing two weeks. I've shot an email off to customer service already.
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For those of you who ordered the box sets from the CGL Store on January 23rd, have you gotten your orders yet? I still have not seen mine and we're nearing two weeks. I've shot an email off to customer service already.
I received mine the 31st.
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mine took nine days (23rd to the 31st), though i think it might have shown up a day earlier if not for the mail carriers getting a well-deserved day off from -50 wind chill. like clockwork, i got the incoming package email from catalyst a few hours after it was delivered.
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I received mine on the 31st as well around 1 PM. Shipment confirmation email arrived at about 2 PM that day and the shipment delivered email arrived at about 3 PM :))
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Hmm, I figured weather played into it a bit, and I am in California. However my order with IWM, which was weather delayed, arrived this Saturday. I am a bit concerned now. :-\
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I ordered the GOAC from CGL on the 26th and just recieved it today! Like others, the tracking number was emailed to me about an hour after it was delivered.
The minis look fantastic, and look far better than I could have ever hoped. Top notch work, CGL! :thumbsup:
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For those of you who ordered the box sets from the CGL Store on January 23rd, have you gotten your orders yet? I still have not seen mine and we're nearing two weeks. I've shot an email off to customer service already.
Email customerservice@catalystgamelabs.com, they may be able to get answers for you.
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Email customerservice@catalystgamelabs.com, they may be able to get answers for you.
Thanks Bosefius. :thumbsup: I didn't have that email address. I used store@catalystgamelabs.com from Brent's posting sometime back. I'll give that a shot.
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Bought my copy of the Armored Combat box today. Just opened it. The models are awesome! Can't wait to paint them!
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I ordered a copy of GoAC off of the Catalyst Store on the 31st, and I just received my tracking notification from the USPS that the box should be here tomorrow!
I am so looking forward to finally holding that beautiful Classics Battlemaster in my hand :)
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I haven’t seen or heard anything yet. Still waiting to hear back from CGL customer service. :-\
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Miniature market had a shipment of Box Sets come in yesterday, by this morning they were all gone. From 4 am to 8am they sold out of at least 20 this morning alone. Darn it, should of ordered it when I could of.
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I ordered a copy of GoAC off of the Catalyst Store on the 31st, and I just received my tracking notification from the USPS that the box should be here tomorrow!
I am so looking forward to finally holding that beautiful Classics Battlemaster in my hand :)
Exactly the same in every regard, down to my desire to get my hands on a new Battlemaster.
(I was seriously considering buying four more game of armored combat boxes so that I could put most of the Dark Wing together, but I decided that I should probably wait for the battlemaster and warhamnmer to come out individually).
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Got my Boxed set today, don't know why I'm so happy about getting another boxed set, but it looks so nice on my shelf.
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What is the technique for fixing bent extremities? A quarter of mine have these flaws.
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You can put them in hot water for about 30 seconds to a minute, then bend the problem part into the correct shape and immediately stick it into ice water.
That usually works with reshaping plastic minis.
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Thank you! :thumbsup:
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I got mine a couple days ago. The battlemaster's gun is bent, and the shadow hawk is missing its gun barrel.
And I still think it's the best boxed set Catalyst has turned out.
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Only issues I've had with mine are the Commando has a wobbly torso and the top missile tube on the shadowhawk's lrm5 isn't fully molded.
Very happy with the quality.
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I got mine a couple days ago. The battlemaster's gun is bent, and the shadow hawk is missing its gun barrel.
And I still think it's the best boxed set Catalyst has turned out.
Make sure you email customerservice@catalystgamelabs.com
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Make sure you email customerservice@catalystgamelabs.com
I wasn't going to bother them with it. I can do the boiling water thing for the Battlemaster, and I've got plenty of bits to replace the shadow hawk's gun barrel.
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I got mine a couple days ago. The battlemaster's gun is bent, and the shadow hawk is missing its gun barrel.
And I still think it's the best boxed set Catalyst has turned out.
Same here. The minis are some of the best in the game's history (once again, Shimmering Sword is pretty much becoming to BattleTech 'Mech design what Chris Claremont was to the Uncanny X-Men), and the quality is top-notch.
I did ping Catalyst CS for two issues -- My Shad's AC-5 was also missing, and whoever glued together the Commando got glue all over the head, and a couple of strands of some sort of fuzz got stuck to it. (The Locust also had a doubled-over medium laser, but 30 seconds in boiling water took care of that)
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The Locust also had a doubled-over medium laser, but 30 seconds in boiling water took care of that.
That's just the new rear-firing medium laser. Perfect for the Locust on the run.
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That's just the new rear-firing medium laser. Perfect for the Locust on the run.
LOL :)!
That sounds like something that in universe, some "Herb Tarlek" type out of Quikscell would have come up with for the Hetzer... ;D
"Your AC-20's bent? That's to let it shoot around corners. Cool trick, huh? ... ... You tried that? It blew up?... ... ... ... Hokayfine..."
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Anyone know which stores in Aus stock these?
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Does anyone have a good-quality picture showing off the Shadow Hawk mini's autocannon? Mine is missing much of the gun barrel. Replacing it with my own parts is well within my skill level, but it helps to have some references to work from, regarding length, diameter, etc.
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Does anyone have a good-quality picture showing off the Shadow Hawk mini's autocannon? Mine is missing much of the gun barrel. Replacing it with my own parts is well within my skill level, but it helps to have some references to work from, regarding length, diameter, etc.
'bout 25mm from the back of the gun to the front, with the barrel being around 16mm long
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Does anyone know when the supplies in the UK will be restocked? I have both boxes on order and have had for some time now, but they are backordered RN. Im just wondering because its taking a long time so I might as well shift projects if it is going to be much longer.
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Does anyone know when the supplies in the UK will be restocked? I have both boxes on order and have had for some time now, but they are backordered RN. Im just wondering because its taking a long time so I might as well shift projects if it is going to be much longer.
You are in the same situation as me (FLGS distributor is Blackfire). Some people here (Czech Republic) got actually boxes (mostly AGoAC and maybe only one Beginner).
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You are in the same situation as me (FLGS distributor is Blackfire). Some people here (Czech Republic) got actually boxes (mostly AGoAC and maybe only one Beginner).
You too? Its good to know the boxes have sold so well! Ive been doing some sniffing around and bar official commentary to the contrary I believe it is going to be a while for us. There are players in America who are waiting on back orders as well, so I reckon CGL will try and clear those first before branching out to across the pond.
It is a pity but I guess there is nothing to be done.
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So I take that all back - my FLGS manager called me over last night and told me the boxes are being restocked next week!
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Would it be possible to call out which stores are known to have stock of the new boxed sets?
Not everyone is lucky enough to have a FLGS or even if they do, one that stocks BT. I and I am sure others, would appreciate the heads up and it would make it easier to get hold of the new product. Ive been trying for weeks to find somewhere in Europe with stock, but am resigned to having to wait until next time I am in the US on business to get them, which could be months. CGL online store and US amazon postage rates outside the US effectively double the cost of buying one of each box and none of the retailers I have spoken to, even if they carry the BT range, seemed to know when the boxed sets will be available.
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I saw 2 people walk out with the Box Sets yesterday at the same time. Good to see the product moving at FLGS
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Just a heads up, the record sheets from A Game of Armored Combat are available as a PDF download.
https://bg.battletech.com/downloads/ (https://bg.battletech.com/downloads/)
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I like the new art work that was added, aside from the nuClassics! Unexpected and a treat!
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Just a heads up, the record sheets from A Game of Armored Combat are available as a PDF download.
https://bg.battletech.com/downloads/ (https://bg.battletech.com/downloads/)
I just have to say this, coupled with the new rulebook being up for purchase at DriveThru RPG were a great addition to the boxes.
I'm honestly in love with this game, got my first game in last weekend (my boxes arrived on Wednesday, woot!) and it was pretty fun, even though we were struggling with some rules and with the order of resolution at first. However, the plastics are really great, and I had no troubles whatsoever with bent minis or the like.
I would love to see more of these plastic mechs released in the near future. Stuff like the old Lance boxes would be a great way to bring new people into the game as players will want to expand further from the intro packs and/or get newer (and bigger) mechs.
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Welcome to the game!
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Would it be possible to call out which stores are known to have stock of the new boxed sets?
Not everyone is lucky enough to have a FLGS or even if they do, one that stocks BT. I and I am sure others, would appreciate the heads up and it would make it easier to get hold of the new product. Ive been trying for weeks to find somewhere in Europe with stock, but am resigned to having to wait until next time I am in the US on business to get them, which could be months. CGL online store and US amazon postage rates outside the US effectively double the cost of buying one of each box and none of the retailers I have spoken to, even if they carry the BT range, seemed to know when the boxed sets will be available.
I ordered AGOAC from Games Lore this week, arrived yesterday, they didn't have the beginner box in at the time of the order.
Edit: Now out of stock
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Yeah, same problem here. My FLGS said my stuff should be in this week, but so far there has not been a peep. There are too few box sets making it across the pond to sate the market, so any that come across inevitably sell out in hours.
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There less beginners boxes than there is full box sets from limited venues i go to been experiencing.
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>Be me
>Check my FLGS this morning, no BT
>Type the above
>Half an hour later get a message from my FLGS
>B. Rose, we have your Battletech in
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Well last week I went brought my copy DTB of Battlemech Manual from the Game & Comic shop. They were sold out on both Box sets and Battlemech Manual after I brought mine. Which I find funny when don't stock enough it look to me that they only get 2 of each. Then restock with only 2 of each ::) Oh well. They selling that for sure. My email read they got another restock again :thumbsup:.
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My flgs must have had a successful first run because they’re out of beginner boxes and restocked with at least a dozen GoAC boxes
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Just got my Beginner's box set from Catalyst. It is glorious.
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Gameslore said they will be getting more stock in today, if any of you are still waiting for a copy of the main AGOAC box. No news on when beginner boxes will come in.
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There is an Iron Wind Metal leaflet selling three different packs of mechs. I just wonder if they are doing rescuplts or simply packing up the old ones in bundles?
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They are from the old beginner lance packs. They require minimal gluing. Unless you have an allergic reaction to the old sculpts, it’s the cheapest way to get into pewter
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They're made with the older archived sculpts, which are a bit smaller and less detailed than the standard sculpts but it's still a fantastic deal.
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They are from the old beginner lance packs.
What about the Clan 'Mechs? Any idea if those are the current in-distribution minis?
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I have not seen the flyer, but I imagine they are the 3050 Omnis which would be the 'beginner' Clan mechs. Since some have multiple sculpts (Mad Dog, Timberwolf, Dire Wolf?) not sure which ones they would put in.
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http://ironwindmetals.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=16_412&products_id=9812
Vulture (AR20-600), Thor (AR20-602), Mad Cat (AR20-603), Man O' War (AR20-604), Fenris (AR20-609), Black Hawk (AR20-610), Ryoken (AR20-611), Dasher (AR20-20-612), Grendel (AR20-677), and Kingfisher (AR20-912). Plus 10 metal hex bases. Supplied unassembled and unpainted. These are the original sculpt Clan omni mechs, due to this being a starter bundle so that the models would have less parts for players new to miniatures.
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Less parts? With half a dozen Timberwolves I am not sure the number of parts for that design went down though the torso and arm weapon pods did change. Snot sure about the Stormcrow since mine was already assembled I think and I have not put one together. The biggest difference I know of is that mechs like the Stormcrow got bigger over original casts.
Edit- I have a old Stormcrow that was already assembled and I have a new one that I have not assembled, not sure about the part count but the new one is larger which IMO would make dealing with parts easier.
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all of my clan omnis are the new sculpts so i have no idea. i assume fewer parts overall is not equal to minimal parts like with the IS packs.
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The old Clan sculpts had plenty of parts: they were intended to be modular so you could swap the arms from the Dasher with the arms of the Puma, for example. They are, however, somewhat smaller than the resculpts.
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The resculpts are also modular, the new Stormcrow's AC/20 arm can be equipped to the Gargoyle afaik.
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Thanks! Then what do you mean by older and newer sculpts for the clan mechs? When did IWM make the change and in which product line/era, if any?
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The original Omnis were mostly smaller than they currently are . . . since they were sort of spindly it was smaller pieces. Not sure when they were redone but when you look at IWM anything that had AR at the start of its code stood for archived and it takes more to find those old models. This meant it had been taken out of production when they were at their older facility and it would cost extra to get any made unless it was the 'of the month' or whatever it was for the poll. I used to vote in it a lot and would buy several when they won the polls- its how I got my Emperors and so did someone else in the area. New ones typically have 'RE' after them so you know which edition it is when you are looking at the catalog.
This is a current list of Timberwolf (Mad Cat for you spheriods), forget the $4.95 one since that is for a different scale. You can see the Pryde and RE are the same type while the AR one has a bit smaller torso with not as pronounced detail.
http://ironwindmetals.com/store/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=Mad+Cat&categories_id=&ptype=&extra_value_id18=&extra_value_id19=&extra_value_id21=&extra_value_id30=&extra_value_id31=&extra_value_id32=&extra_value_id33=&extra_value_id34=&extra_value_id35= (http://ironwindmetals.com/store/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=Mad+Cat&categories_id=&ptype=&extra_value_id18=&extra_value_id19=&extra_value_id21=&extra_value_id30=&extra_value_id31=&extra_value_id32=&extra_value_id33=&extra_value_id34=&extra_value_id35=)
For instance, Omni parts-
http://ironwindmetals.com/store/index.php?cPath=16_44_145 (http://ironwindmetals.com/store/index.php?cPath=16_44_145)
I might be able to take a picture of a old Stormcrow Prime that is built next to a current Stormcrow torso when I get home.
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Thanks! Then what do you mean by older and newer sculpts for the clan mechs? When did IWM make the change and in which product line/era, if any?
That would be a question best served in the miniatures section of the forum, but for example, the timber wolf has a couple different scupts:
This is the resculpt (RE=rescupt): http://ironwindmetals.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=2732
and this was the original (AR means archive): http://ironwindmetals.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4746
You can find the resculpts with this link (under advanced search): http://ironwindmetals.com/store/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=&x=22&y=12&categories_id=&inc_subcat=1&ptype=&extra_value_id18=&extra_value_id19=&extra_value_id20=&extra_value_id21=&extra_value_id22=&extra_value_id23=186&extra_value_id24=&extra_value_id25=&extra_value_id26=&extra_value_id13=&extra_value_id27=&extra_value_id15=&extra_value_id14=&extra_value_id16=&extra_value_id17=&extra_value_id28=&extra_value_id30=&extra_value_id31=&extra_value_id32=&extra_value_id33=&extra_value_id34=&extra_value_id35= (http://ironwindmetals.com/store/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=&x=22&y=12&categories_id=&inc_subcat=1&ptype=&extra_value_id18=&extra_value_id19=&extra_value_id20=&extra_value_id21=&extra_value_id22=&extra_value_id23=186&extra_value_id24=&extra_value_id25=&extra_value_id26=&extra_value_id13=&extra_value_id27=&extra_value_id15=&extra_value_id14=&extra_value_id16=&extra_value_id17=&extra_value_id28=&extra_value_id30=&extra_value_id31=&extra_value_id32=&extra_value_id33=&extra_value_id34=&extra_value_id35=)
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Yeah, posting down on that sub-forum and asking people to put them side by side might be a better option.
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The original Omnis were mostly smaller than they currently are . . . since they were sort of spindly it was smaller pieces. Not sure when they were redone but when you look at IWM anything that had AR at the start of its code stood for archived and it takes more to find those old models.
I believe they were done around 2006-2007, IIRC.
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By no means to get off topic, but just curious about that particular advertisement in Beginner's Box (strangely not in GoAC) as not much information is given, plus the catalogs of IWM and Catalyst are never the easiest places to navigate. ^-^
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I ordered the Clan package offered from the Beginner Box. If they are the older, smaller minis I'm going to be very disappointed in myself for not doing my research first.
'Buyer Beware' still applies.
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Still work, to be honest, I cannot tell much of a size difference between the Timberwolves . . .
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the only one i remember being noticeably smaller was the dragonfly
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Was there an iron wind metals sculpt between the original Ral Partha versions and the current ones?
Because I think the Summoner at least is significantly larger in the new sculpt.
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The Thor, Vulture, Black Hawk, Ryoken, Man O War, and light omnis are all noticably different in size between the originals and the resculpts.
As are the Masakari, Gladiator, and Daishi but they're not in the set.
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Still work, to be honest, I cannot tell much of a size difference between the Timberwolves . . .
As far as I know they are all 75 tons.
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As far as I know they are all 75 tons.
And as far as I know, tons aren't an expression of height, width, length, or volume. :P
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And as far as I know, tons aren't an expression of height, width, length, or volume. :P
There's a "YOUR MOMMA" joke in there somewhere I'm sure ;)
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There's a "YOUR MOMMA" joke in there somewhere I'm sure ;)
*Yo Momma
And as far as I know, tons aren't an expression of height, width, length, or volume. :P
i only get annoyed by scale discrepancies in fringe cases like the targe. i also excluded the JagerMech III from my Davion FCCW company because it was so ill-proportioned next to the rest (and also because it's a jagermech III).
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Anyone else in the US still waiting for their copy of GoAC?
Ordered both my Beginners Box and A Game of Armor Combat from my neighborhood game shop. Got my copy of the Beginners Box but they still haven't gave me a ETA on my copy of GoAC.
There are other game places I can go to buy the box but these guys have always been good to me and I rather give them the money. Just need to know if there is a still a wait in distribution or if my order with them was somehow mismanaged before I take my business elsewhere to get my BT fix.
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Anyone else in the US still waiting for their copy of GoAC?
Ordered both my Beginners Box and A Game of Armor Combat from my neighborhood game shop. Got my copy of the Beginners Box but they still haven't gave me a ETA on my copy of GoAC.
I'm in the exact same situation. I pre-ordered both from the same shop and received the Beginners Box right when it was released, but the store still has no ETA on A Game of Armored Combat. I have the same questions you do... It seems that I have read about other stores getting stock at various times, so it makes me wonder why my order doesn't get fulfilled.
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I think half of the pre-ordered beginner sets and zero of the full game arrived at my FLGS.
I'm not certain what the point of having pre-orders is if you can't fulfill them. Then again, it's Catalyst. They're nothing if not late and disappointing.
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I think half of the pre-ordered beginner sets and zero of the full game arrived at my FLGS.
I'm not certain what the point of having pre-orders is if you can't fulfill them. Then again, it's Catalyst. They're nothing if not late and disappointing.
Sorry, that is not Catalyst but either your store or the distributor. Catalyst can be pointed at if say the container was impounded b/c of needing to pay port fees or whatever. But the ship dropped off the container and it went to the warehouses.
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Sorry, that is not Catalyst but either your store or the distributor. Catalyst can be pointed at if say the container was impounded b/c of needing to pay port fees or whatever. But the ship dropped off the container and it went to the warehouses.
Pre-order at FLGS != manufacturer pre-order. It just means that the store placed an order for it with their distributor over and above their normal order. It is up to the distributor to fulfill that. At that point it is out of CGL's hands (other than manufacturing more if they are selling out).
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I picked up both boxes recently myself, from a couple of different local game stores. apparently they are popular, and dont stay on the shelves for long. which makes the complete lack of any mechs on store shelves a bit confusing, there isnt anywhere near me that i know of that carries the iron wind metal minis. the place i bought all my old ral partha lead from went out of business back in 2008.
I kind of want to get some more tanks, but the only option seems to be ordering directly from IWM. I wish they would make a box with plastic tanks...
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My local store's main distributor recently dropped IWM from what they carry by what we have been told. We are trying to work with the store to get them to carry IWM, but I am not sure how that is going to happen. You might be in the same situation.
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Something happened last summer that caused one of the major distributors in the US to stop carrying IWM products completely. So far I haven't been able to get any information about what's been going on or whether or not it's likely to get fixed any time in the near future.
But that's not relevant to Catalyst.
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Something happened last summer that caused one of the major distributors in the US to stop carrying IWM products completely. So far I haven't been able to get any information about what's been going on or whether or not it's likely to get fixed any time in the near future.
But that's not relevant to Catalyst.
Which distributor?
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Diamond, I think, but I'm not certain. I'd have to check and get back to you.
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I was looking through Alliance's 2019 catalog and their IWM section was about 20 items.
turned to the CGL page. they seem to have the entire BT catalog listed including some stuff that was never released like the Alpha Strike box and the AS card sets, and items that haven't been available from anywhere for years like the old core rulebook cardstock kits so that can't be accurate.
despite that, I saw this and I HAVE QUESTIONS
(http://puu.sh/CVEPt/7ac4de0c8b.png)
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I was looking through Alliance's 2019 catalog and their IWM section was about 20 items.
turned to the CGL page. they seem to have the entire BT catalog listed including some stuff that was never released like the Alpha Strike box and the AS card sets, and items that haven't been available from anywhere for years like the old core rulebook cardstock kits so that can't be accurate.
despite that, I saw this and I HAVE QUESTIONS
(http://puu.sh/CVEPt/7ac4de0c8b.png)
Hunh, not a catalyst number. I think there was a typo.
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I was wrong, it was Alliance that my local store uses. Store owner can't get an explanation for why it's not available.
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I’ll screencap the iwm page in the alliance catalog when I get back to my computer, but what you can get from them is very meager. It’s mostly relegated to the past few years of new releases (all of the catalog numbers are the 200-5XXX types).
Unsure what that means but my flgs also uses alliance and there are exactly zero BT minis there these days
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I’ll screencap the iwm page in the alliance catalog when I get back to my computer, but what you can get from them is very meager. It’s mostly relegated to the past few years of new releases (all of the catalog numbers are the 200-5XXX types).
Unsure what that means but my flgs also uses alliance and there are exactly zero BT minis there these days
I'd be interested in that list as well, as I think that's who my FLGS uses and they also have a hard time getting IWM stuff I try to order.
Thanks,
Ruger
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alliance 2019 catalog pg 122. the catalog has some stuff in bold, some in regular type, and some in italics. at no point does it attempt to explain the difference that i could find. fairly certain bold = new and/or coming soon. But I remember this being much, much more robust ten years ago the last time i had to use one of their catalogs.
(http://puu.sh/CVLSJ/4d2f30d091.png)
(http://puu.sh/CVLVp/9d2cbed2a4.png)
you know what. now that i'm looking at these, there hasn't been anything added for a couple years. this must be overstock they have left.
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Yeah, the newest things on that list are the Xanthos and Hawkwolf, and those are both from 1st quarter last year.
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I'd be interested in that list as well, as I think that's who my FLGS uses and they also have a hard time getting IWM stuff I try to order.
Been going on for years. If your FLGS contacts IWM, they can work out something. https://bg.battletech.com/forums/index.php?topic=13293.msg312347#msg312347
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That's what my FLG did. However they had to make sure the group people pulled their interests together point out they were committed to buying stuff.
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despite that, I saw this and I HAVE QUESTIONS
I, uh, can confirm that CGL does not have the Warhammer Fantasy license. Nor would they use a Cubicle 7 product number.
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Upon further investigation, neither does cubicle 7
What a weird confluence of errors
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I, uh, can confirm that CGL does not have the Warhammer Fantasy license.
Forgeworld 6" BattleMechs. Rules for Sisters of Battle BA. Capellan trukks. Steiner Titans.
In the grimdark future of war, there is only my rejoicing ...
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Do Ice Hellions like to paint their mechs red?
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Do Ice Hellions like to paint their mechs red?
Only after they take a cockpit crit.
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Got my replacement Locust today. Interestingly the plastic is a slightly darker shade of grey, seems more rigid, and has crisper details.
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Got my replacement Locust today. Interestingly the plastic is a slightly darker shade of grey, seems more rigid, and has crisper details.
Sounds like different batch of plastic granulate. Well, what to say, China. :D
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Well, stick with this supplier of granulate please! :thumbsup:
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Rules for Sisters of Battle BA.
Actually? I did that on the old forums, hrm...doesn't seem to be in the Fan Creations forum anywhere, I guess. I'll figure it out and make them again there.
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Finally got a chance to ask my game shop, they order from Alliance as well. I would need to speak to the owner during the work week to learn more.
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Finally got a chance to ask my game shop, they order from Alliance as well. I would need to speak to the owner during the work week to learn more.
Same here...when I had one of their guys look up that list that was supplied earlier, they couldn't find anything, except a listing each for an Ureaus, Xanthos and one other 'Mech...and when he brought up a picture of the Xanthos, it was of the MWDA clickbase version!
He said he would have the owner check my (modified) list out...
Ruger
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I'm pleased to report that when I was at a Battletech game yesterday, the store had four copies of A Game Of Armored Combat boxsets on the shelves.
Well, they did when I got to the store. They were down to one by the time the game was over.
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Got mine earlier this week, and have painted the miniatures. Excellent set, good value for the money! :thumbsup:
Dumb question perhaps, but are there any plans to sell the minatures on their own, and/or expand on the range of plastics? I have a hankering for more mechs.
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Got mine earlier this week, and have painted the miniatures. Excellent set, good value for the money! :thumbsup:
Dumb question perhaps, but are there any plans to sell the minatures on their own, and/or expand on the range of plastics? I have a hankering for more mechs.
No current plans for either, but the desire for more plastics and these plastics on their own is not lost on management.
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No current plans for either, but the desire for more plastics and these plastics on their own is not lost on management.
Cheers! I'll bide my time then.
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Hell, just buy some more box sets. At IWM's prices (between 10 and 15 per mini) a 60 dollar box's 8 minis is only 7.50 each, as much as a 50% savings. Add in that you can then gift the rules/maps/standees/whatever to friends who don't yet play as an enticement to get into the game...well, you're saving a heck of a lot on top-quality minis and you're expanding the playerbase.
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Hell, just buy some more box sets. At IWM's prices (between 10 and 15 per mini) a 60 dollar box's 8 minis is only 7.50 each, as much as a 50% savings. Add in that you can then gift the rules/maps/standees/whatever to friends who don't yet play as an enticement to get into the game...well, you're saving a heck of a lot on top-quality minis and you're expanding the playerbase.
Except the boxed set doesn't have a Marauder, or a Highlander, or an Atlas, or an Archer, or a Hunchback, or...
You get the picture. :))
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Interestingly enough they are are being sold by CGL for over MSRP on Amazon.
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They are not being sold by CGL on Amazon. "By Catalyst Game" is just an indication of the box sets' publisher. They're being sold by third-party scalpers.
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Interestingly enough they are are being sold by CGL for over MSRP on Amazon.
You do know that when you go through the list of buying options, the vendor is clearly listed below the price, yes? None of the sellers are CGL
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Interestingly enough they are are being sold by CGL for over MSRP on Amazon.
Catalyst only sells through their own web site and at conventions. They do not sell on Amazon.
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Catalyst only sells through their own web site and at conventions. They do not sell on Amazon.
Cause its a jungle out there!
Are the GoAC boxes back to being available?
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beginner box is in stock on the cgl store, the GoAC box is not.
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Still waiting on Wayland Games to get stock :(
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Cause its a jungle out there!
Are the GoAC boxes back to being available?
They are not, they just sold out in the last week or two so have, most likely, just started the reorder process.
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While I know its not CGL, but rather the distributors . . . I take stores not getting their pre-ordered allotment of GoAC to be a good sign. I had just hoped CGL had acted on it earlier.
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They are not, they just sold out in the last week or two so have, most likely, just started the reorder process.
Interesting, they don't show as sold out on the store. I just ordered my brother a copy of each set on Friday, and everything seemed to go through fine. Though as usual I'm waiting for the shipping notice...
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huh how about that. the GoAC box was sold out earlier today but is now back in stock
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Got echo from my FLGS that my GoAC is box on the way and I should get it next week. Yay! :D
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Going to need to talk to my FLGS again. Going to double check the product number with my order as I'm having allot of trouble trusting Alliance after this long wait.
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Q: On the mech sheet, what does (R) means when next to a weapon? (Like the battlemaster blr-1g)
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rear-mounted. Shoots backwards, in the rear arc.
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Hi there.
I have received my new GOAC and I have a problem, my box has two Shadow Hawks and zero Wolverines.
How can I solve this problem? Do you know an email address to explain the problem? Thanks!
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Hi there.
I have received my new GOAC and I have a problem, my box has two Shadow Hawks and zero Wolverines.
How can I solve this problem? Do you know an email address to explain the problem? Thanks!
Hi,
Email customerservice@catalystgamelabs.com, they'll get you sorted.
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Hi there.
I have received my new GOAC and I have a problem, my box has two Shadow Hawks and zero Wolverines.
How can I solve this problem? Do you know an email address to explain the problem? Thanks!
I notice we have not had a report of a problem where someone got two Wolverines . . .
. . . its because two Wolverines are not a problem!
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Yeah, between the Plastic Shadow Hawks, and the metal Shadow Hawks, I gots enough ;)
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cleanup
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Visited my FLGS today; my order status Sold Out, waiting for Restock. Believe the owner is now looking into it, going to double check the product code the next time I visit just in case.
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My FLGS has had my copy of BT:GoAC on order for about a month, his distributor Alliance says it is out of stock at the warehouse. So I'm wondering if more copies are being printed or is there some other problem...
Any info would be helpful, thanks!
PS: a few of my players have the same issue.
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Are you US or Europe?
I think demand outstripped what distributors sent. Seems like a lot of stores did not get their full pre-order.
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If he's using Alliance, he's in the US.
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My FLGS has had my copy of BT:GoAC on order for about a month, his distributor Alliance says it is out of stock at the warehouse. So I'm wondering if more copies are being printed or is there some other problem...
Any info would be helpful, thanks!
PS: a few of my players have the same issue.
The GoAC didn't sell out as quickly as the Beginner Box so it's on a different restock cycle. Restocks have either been ordered or are in the process (I'm unclear of which) but we will be getting more.
If you want it now, our website still had copies in stock, though we don't know how many
https://store.catalystgamelabs.com/products/battletech-a-game-of-armored-combat (https://store.catalystgamelabs.com/products/battletech-a-game-of-armored-combat)
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I'm US, and while I have no problem waiting, my players where hoping for answers / when they might get the GoAC. So to answer their question, Restocks ordered means that it is in production and shipping to distributers or does it mean something else? I know better than to ask for dates but knowing roughly where in the process the item is can help my players be less concerned.
Thanks!
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I'm US, and while I have no problem waiting, my players where hoping for answers / when they might get the GoAC. So to answer their question, Restocks ordered means that it is in production and shipping to distributers or does it mean something else? I know better than to ask for dates but knowing roughly where in the process the item is can help my players be less concerned.
Thanks!
It means that they've been ordered. They may be in production, we don't know where the order fit in the queue. It's probably, at minimum, 2 1/2 months from hitting the warehouse, if not longer.
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TL;DR Catalysts team vastly underestimated the demand - which is both a good and a bad thing!
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There’s also the small matter of printing what they could afford to print. It doesn’t matter how high you project demand if you’ve only got enough in the bank to pay for half of that up front
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I don't think they underestimated demand. I think that they based numbers on demand of lance packs/previous intro box. They had probably taken into account a lower number of minis and return to paper maps that weren't mostly well received. Big unknown were new sculpts although these were mostly well received. Also the plan to do continual prints of these boxed probably played a role in decision making.
I am stopping today at my FLGS to get GoAC box after a long wait. I know that one shop in my country (Czech Republic) has now 30 pieces of GOaC box in stock. I am still amazed by how big stock they have given how small country we are (even when adding a friendly neighbour country of Slovak republic we are a pretty small market).
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I've given up waiting with enthusiasm for my store to get it and spent my money elsewhere. When it comes, it comes, and I'll consider getting it then. The excitement has turned sour for our group as we keep hearing we have to wait while others boast about buying up every copy they can find. A guy on another forum was laughing about buying all 6 copies his store got while 2 other people came in looking for it...
CGL is doing no one any favors with this trickle-release scheme...
Sorry to sound salty, but I AM...
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I've given up waiting with enthusiasm for my store to get it and spent my money elsewhere. When it comes, it comes, and I'll consider getting it then. The excitement has turned sour for our group as we keep hearing we have to wait while others boast about buying up every copy they can find. A guy on another forum was laughing about buying all 6 copies his store got while 2 other people came in looking for it...
CGL is doing no one any favors with this trickle-release scheme...
Sorry to sound salty, but I AM...
Again . . . that is your DISTRIBUTOR . . . NOT CGL. CGL sells a couple thousand boxes to the distributor who then decides how to divide up the order among the stores that are requesting copies. And as someone who worked in a store that took special orders & pre-orders . . . pssss, not everyone picks up what they 'want' due to various reasons. As was mentioned further up in the thread, CGL themselves still has some stock they are selling direct from the CGL Store . . . the pros & cons of that have and can be discussed but its not like CGL held back from the distributors.
If you had it pre-ordered and your store put boxes on the shelf rather than meeting your pre-order, that is between you and the store- CGL had nothing to do with their decision to ignore your pre-order request.
We also know that for whatever reason the GoAC box did not trip the triggers the Intro box did to get more re-ordered earlier. CGL & TPTB went to a different order model/cycle for the two new boxes in a effort to maintain the box to meet demands rather than how they did it before. Put together the box, print a run, and move on to another project . . . come back 2 years (or more) later and redo the whole project.
I did not put in a pre-order with my store. I also did not buy one of the boxes when it was on the shelf b/c it did not fit the budget . . . now that it does, I have to wait. Might be a bit impatiently, but that is not the stores fault or CGL.
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Again . . . that is your DISTRIBUTOR . . .
This, Alliance had no problem making sure other games stores in St. Louis, MO had GoAC boxes but my neighborhood game store is still on the waiting list.
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We also know that for whatever reason the GoAC box did not trip the triggers the Intro box did to get more re-ordered earlier. CGL & TPTB went to a different order model/cycle for the two new boxes in a effort to maintain the box to meet demands rather than how they did it before. Put together the box, print a run, and move on to another project . . . come back 2 years (or more) later and redo the whole project.
From what Cubby and Bosefius said elsewhere, I believe the sales speed of the intro box is just that much faster, so triggered the reprint earlier and got in line at the overseas printing press.
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Yes, that part I understood . . . but it was more a distribution & stores thing, since the announcement was made IIRC shortly after it was released to shelves . . . did stores order more copies of the Intro box or only the intro box? My local store did not get the full order of intro box in from what I understand, but I think their order of GoAC was met. Guess it could be a perception thing for whoever orders for a store- I know when I ordered product for a store I was more likely to go with the smaller sizes or a volume rather than the larger sizes b/c of the price point when I had a budgeted 'X' to spend on each order.
Or to put it simply, the Intro box was reordered on store stocking demands while GoAC may have been reordered on customer purchase. Both are good signs for BT.
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Late to the party, but I FINALLY found a copy of the Beginner Box in the wild.
Really, really great job, guys. Everything about the set just screams quality. The minis are brilliant and the standees are much sturdier than I expected them to be.
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I tried to go and grab a box last week. Didn't go as planned.
Went to FLGS#1: both intro box and GOAC sold out. :(
Went to FLGS#2: "Oh, the GOAC sold out pretty fast, but for some reason we didn't even get any intro boxes" :(
Well, at there's some interest in CBT in my region. :)
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It looks like the beginner box set is back in stock at both local game shops in Grand Forks ND.
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We had one of our twice monthly games last night, 4 Beginner boxes were on the shelves . . . and I think a total of 3 walked out. I had seen both boxes when others bought them but this was the first I had picked up yet. I think it firmly establishes the Wolverine as 2nd in my collection (unseen -6R, -8K, -7H, -3R, -6M, and now classic -6R) and the Shad looked good up against the IWM one released last year. The cardboard for the stand ups and pop out terrain were great & feel resilient.
I also think the positioning of the fiction in the box was a great touch- seen right under the mechs.
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New stock of Game of Armoured Combat spotted in Dublin, so it's getting back into distribution from Asmodee too.
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Does anyone know how many copies for each box set were made in the first print run?
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Does anyone know how many copies for each box set were made in the first print run?
We have not released that data, and likely would not.
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We have not released that data, and likely would not.
Too bad. Many companies do these days. On the wargaming side, GMT, Revolution Games, Legion Wargames, even MMP(!) share their print runs numbers. As a fan of the hobby, it's quite interesting. It also keeps us informed on what hurdles companies faces these days and how things compare when stuff is made in china vs made locally. It makes companies look more "human", I think.
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True, but it also draws a metric ton of less than helpful criticism from those who aren't in the business. I think their decision to not release it is completely reasonable.
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Total print run numbers are largely meaningless without knowledge of how they’re distributed
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That's not what I've seen happen with those companies I listed. But indeed they can do whatever they want to do, it's one of the perks of running things.
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Stick around here a while and I think you'll see what I mean...
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And to be clear, I should have put air quotes around “we” there. I generally have been told not to make those figures public. But I’m not management. Those who are could put them out tomorrow. The “likely not” is because based on prior experience, I doubt they would.
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My Beginners Box is finally in stock. I picking it up tomorrow.
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Went and picked up the Beginner's Box for the map and mechs. Now I'm 2 mechs away from a company.
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Happily finally receiving my beginners box. I was worried i'd never get the thing!
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Does anyone know how many copies for each box set were made in the first print run?
<Bupu>
Two!
</Bupu>
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A Dragonlance reference? That's reaching, even for someone as old as me... ;D
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Aah, didn't catch that. Good one 😁
"No more than two!"
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Still out of stock in TO, Canada. :(
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Still out of stock in TO, Canada. :(
Boardgamebliss and Meeplemart both received some Beginner boxes. I was sure boardgamebliss still had 5+ GoAC listed this weekend, but it shows as sold out now too.
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Is the new map pack supposed to hit the stores this week still?
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Is the new map pack supposed to hit the stores this week still?
It's on the Asmodee Europe release list for this week, so presumably so.
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The local gamestore owner said he was expecting it this week.
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The local gamestore owner said he was expecting it this week.
Hmm... I just requested a refund (they mistakenly had it in stock) from my local Dublin store, because they sent me an email this afternoon saying "our suppliers have informed us that it is going to be several weeks before it returns in stock" (sic).
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Hmm... I just requested a refund (they mistakenly had it in stock) from my local Dublin store, because they sent me an email this afternoon saying "our suppliers have informed us that it is going to be several weeks before it returns in stock" (sic).
You shop in Gamers World? There's a (semi-)regular group meeting there for BattleTech if you're interested in getting a game in sometime
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You shop in Gamers World? There's a (semi-)regular group meeting there for BattleTech if you're interested in getting a game in sometime
Yes. I'm finally getting back to it, after a couple of decades away from tabletop wargaming. Thanks for the info. I was actually going to Dublin last weekend to buy on store. But the weather (aka, laziness) had me order online. Next time I drop by I'll make sure to ask about it. Hopefully I can also find a Bolt Action group.
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Yes. I'm finally getting back to it, after a couple of decades away from tabletop wargaming. Thanks for the info. I was actually going to Dublin last weekend to buy on store. But the weather (aka, laziness) had me order online. Next time I drop by I'll make sure to ask about it. Hopefully I can also find a Bolt Action group.
Cool, drop me a PM and we'll see if we can meet up. A couple of my friends play Bolt Action occasionally, so I can introduce.
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Lol, he is great about arranging games! I say this as a American who was visiting!
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Played a game today and found a beginners box!! Totally snagged it and can't wait to open it.
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You certainly seemed excited when you got it yesterday.
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You certainly seemed excited when you got it yesterday.
I lost my other box sets years ago after a few moves so I'm stoaked to have the new one! The minis look good and I all ready have a few friends willing to play 😊😊.
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Do we know when the A Game of Armoured Combat will reach stores? I placed an order on Wayland Games on the 29th of January and I am still awayiting their restock of this and the beguinner box :(
Xavi
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Do we know when the A Game of Armoured Combat will reach stores? I placed an order on Wayland Games on the 29th of January and I am still awayiting their restock of this and the beguinner box :(
Xavi
Dribs and drabs have been reaching UK and Ireland stores. Chaos Cards got a small number of both boxes in a few weeks ago which sold out in hours, and my LGS managed to get three copies of GoAC in a couple of weeks ago after getting none the week it came out - they all went to members of my gaming group.
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Do we know when the A Game of Armoured Combat will reach stores? I placed an order on Wayland Games on the 29th of January and I am still awayiting their restock of this and the beguinner box :(
Xavi
No clue, it's currently out of stock (the Beginner Box is in stock however). We don't know when the reprint will arrive.
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Beginner Box wasn't even stocked until couple months ago in my area from what i found.
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It varies wildly by region. There are no GoAC boxes to be found anywhere in Phoenix, but I was out in Springfield, MA for work recently and all three game stores in the general area had at least two boxes on the shelf. That's where I snagged both of mine.
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No current plans for either, but the desire for more plastics and these plastics on their own is not lost on management.
Good to hear the message is received. Hopefully something can be done to accommodate this. Fingers crossed.
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Good to hear the message is received. Hopefully something can be done to accommodate this. Fingers crossed.
A Kickstarter campaign to collect funds for new plastic models could work. Catalyst just needs to keep it short and sweet. No long list of stretch goals that can jeopardize the delivery of the campaign or even sink Catalysts. Just the plastic models and nothing else. A bit like GMT does their GMT 500 program to finance the first printing of a game.
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Kickstarter only solves problems when money is the only problem. We've seen nothing to indicate that is the case here.
Catalyst(and IWM) are very wiseto stay away from Kickstarter at this time. Consider the utter disaster it would be if the Kickstarter failed, either during the campaign, or (even worse) afterwards when CGL had people's money but was still unable to deliver the expected product.
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Lol, Cubby needs to gather all the TPTB answers to kickstarter and pin it at the top
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Lol, Cubby needs to gather all the TPTB answers to kickstarter and pin it at the top
I've strongly considered gathering and pinning a thread of Cubby's Standard Answers, which would serve as a combination FAQ and place where I could update the current statement on particular topics as things change. Been slammed lately, but that maybe should happen later this summer.
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Conducting a proper kickstarter is also a true skill set, and not everyone has those skills.
Which is another reason not to do one.
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So this is a bit of an odd question maybe, but with the success of the Clan Kickstarter, and the 'mechs coming with it, will their be an option to purchase the 'mechs from the BTGoAC box as either individuals or in lance packs?
Frankly I just want more Battlemasters and Thunderbolts, but given how the kickstarter was run (and the response it got), I think it's pretty clear that the plastic 'mechs are in super high demand. I obviously don't know the economics or logistics behind it, but it would be nice to be able to buy the 'mechs on their own without having to clean out local stores of boxsets and reducing inventory for potential new players.
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There is a retaliation pack in the KS that has all the box set mechs for $40. Considering everything not a KS exclusive is supposed to go retail I am hoping that retaliation pack will too.
Maybe Cubby or Adrian can shed some light on if the retaliation pack will be retail or not. Hope so, don't want to have to keep buying the beginner box or GoAC over and over.
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I would think, CGL is still in the process of figuring out how to repackage an make available all those 'Mechs.
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I would think, CGL is still in the process of figuring out how to repackage an make available all those 'Mechs.
Put them in a box and slap a price on it?
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Or they may not sell it through retail. Since they’ve sold it at cons it’s not a KS exclusive
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Put them in a box and slap a price on it?
It's nowhere near that simple. Good, attractive packaging for a retail product is incredibly important, as is making sure that it's efficiently shaped to store in a warehouse/on a pallet.
If anything, in my astoundingly uninformed opinion, it'd be significantly more convenient to split them into two lances, but then you also fall into having to worry about which goes where, etc.
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Single Unit boxes also have a change of becoming stuck in the store (nobody in that area is interested in that mech), selling multiple mechs in a pack or boxset increased the chances of someone being interested enough to buy.
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Also, sometimes it doesn't matter what CGL does or doesn't do. CGL can't force distributors and/or retailers to do anything. And sometimes distributors/retailers make requirements on CGL. Like requiring a certain number of an item before they will carry it, or saying they only want complete games, not separate game pieces.
CGL is selling the 'mechs by themselves for $40, when there is no retailer getting a cut. That's a lot different than saying they can make money selling it for $40 at retailer when the retailer takes 40% or something similar. If that has to become $50, then there's a lot less reason for having a separate SKU and trying to convince distributors/retailers to carry another item that will do not much more than cut into sales of the SKU they have now (the full box set). Keep in mind the full box set itself being stocked on shelves is not a foregone conclusion either, though this one does seem to selling well. Having new lance packs/box set that have different mechs is much easier to sell to distributor/retailers as being an additional purchase, not a cut into existing sales.
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As near as I can tell, the priority is the distributors and retailers. They need them to grow the game. If they have to package mechs a little inconveniently for players in order to appeal to the supply chain, the chain will probably win.
Otoh, it would not surprise me if the new sculpts were released metal at some point. Cubby, Adrian, Speck, do you have any updates on that?
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I have full confidence that the moment the new sculpts are even beginning on their way to the store, IWM will happily let people know. Until then, don't expect much.
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CGL is selling the 'mechs by themselves for $40, when there is no retailer getting a cut. That's a lot different than saying they can make money selling it for $40 at retailer when the retailer takes 40% or something similar.
The retailer usually does a 100% markup. For a $40 box the distro probably sells it to the retailer for $20-25. In turn CGL would sell it to the distro for about $10 while CGL would pay between $2.50-5.00 to the manufacturer.
I don't know if the Retaliation box would go to retail stores but it could be a store exclusive like the neoprene maps currently are iirc.
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The retailer usually does a 100% markup. For a $40 box the distro probably sells it to the retailer for $20-25. In turn CGL would sell it to the distro for about $10 while CGL would pay between $2.50-5.00 to the manufacturer.
I don't know if the Retaliation box would go to retail stores but it could be a store exclusive like the neoprene maps currently are iirc.
Having worked at a gaming store and done the orders I can tell you that at least from Alliance the store buy the game/mini/etc. for 51% of MSRP.
So they get 49% of MSRP as profit.
so if you go by the 50% profit idea all the way down you get.
Customer pays: $40
Retailer pays: $20.40
Distributor pays: $10.20
CGL pays: $5.10
Probably cost the factory like $.50
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The retailer usually does a 100% markup. For a $40 box the distro probably sells it to the retailer for $20-25. In turn CGL would sell it to the distro for about $10 while CGL would pay between $2.50-5.00 to the manufacturer.
I don't know if the Retaliation box would go to retail stores but it could be a store exclusive like the neoprene maps currently are iirc.
Having worked at a gaming store and done the orders I can tell you that at least from Alliance the store buy the game/mini/etc. for 51% of MSRP.
So they get 49% of MSRP as profit.
so if you go by the 50% profit idea all the way down you get.
Customer pays: $40
Retailer pays: $20.40
Distributor pays: $10.20
CGL pays: $5.10
Probably cost the factory like $.50
I can honestly say...you're a bit far off the mark. Keep in mind, the AGoAC box retails at $59.99...and my cost is DEFINITELY not $20 or even close to that. It's MUCH higher at all 3 of my distributors.
The factory however...they go on mass quantity, so more like $2-$5 per
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Ah but we were referencing the IS Retaliation pack from the KS not the full box.
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I can honestly say...you're a bit far off the mark. Keep in mind, the AGoAC box retails at $59.99...and my cost is DEFINITELY not $20 or even close to that. It's MUCH higher at all 3 of my distributors.
The factory however...they go on mass quantity, so more like $2-$5 per
The $20 was for an MSRP $40 item.
For a $60 MSRP, he is saying it would be $30.
Not sure how much higher it actually goes. I do know the KS offered 50% discount to retail box stores.
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The $20 was for an MSRP $40 item.
For a $60 MSRP, he is saying it would be $30.
Not sure how much higher it actually goes. I do know the KS offered 50% discount to retail box stores.
Sadly, all 3, which are large distributors, are over $30 on the AGoAC boxes.
The only way to get better pricing is with Alliance, by spending a TON per month! They have tiered discounting of products. So if you're spending xxx amount a month, you get tier 1, xxxx a month, you get tier 2, xxxxx a month you get tier 3...and so on. It's terrible, but I understand why they do it.
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Well as long as Catalyst keeps making Plastics, and they are available, I would think they should do well. The new designs sell themselves.
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Well as long as Catalyst keeps making Plastics, and they are available, I would think they should do well. The new designs sell themselves.
They do very well broken out of the boxes!
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Yeah, a lot of the new designs I would love to purchase singly such as the Locust, Griffin, and Thud. Especially light and mediums.
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Yeah, a lot of the new designs I would love to purchase singly such as the Locust, Griffin, and Thud. Especially light and mediums.
As a former game store employee I am sorry to say a lot of singles don't sell all that well, and stores are hesitate to pick them up as they wind-up sitting on them for long periods of time.
So while you will sell the Warhammer, Marauder, Locust, Etc. things like the Thud or Kit Fox just gather dust.
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Never said it had to be from a physical store, but considering how the Catalyst store handles physical product it would be preferred even if most of them were special order deals or sold mostly online from places like miniature market or atomic empire.
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As a former game store employee I am sorry to say a lot of singles don't sell all that well, and stores are hesitate to pick them up as they wind-up sitting on them for long periods of time.
So while you will sell the Warhammer, Marauder, Locust, Etc. things like the Thud or Kit Fox just gather dust.
Maybe that's a sign that the number of 'Mechs needs to come down.
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Maybe that's a sign that the number of 'Mechs needs to come down.
Not necessarily. I believe it's more a paralysis of choice, not getting enough visual and marketing signaling about the role of a unit. That's why I'm very pro lance pack. That provides the needed context for a newbie/intermediate player.
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Lets me quote myself:
Single Unit boxes also have a change of becoming stuck in the store (nobody in that area is interested in that mech), selling multiple mechs in a pack or boxset increased the chances of someone being interested enough to buy.
My advice to stores would be to only push Box Sets if there isn't a local player-group yet, and if a player-group then push Box Sets and Lances/Stars.
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Not necessarily. I believe it's more a paralysis of choice, not getting enough visual and marketing signaling about the role of a unit. That's why I'm very pro lance pack. That provides the needed context for a newbie/intermediate player.
Still too many. To fill in just the 2750/3025/3050/3055 IS alone you’re going to need about twenty more lance packs. That’s rivaling than we’re getting from the Kickstarter.
At $30 a pop (or whatever they won’t retail for $20) you’d have almost 30 lances to choose from. Or $1000 for all of them. There are some you’re just going to have to slum it and go pewter because we’re never going to see them all in plastic.
It’s ok to let some go
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Who said all the mechs needed to be available in lance packs? ???
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if paralysis of choice, not too many mechs, is the root of the problem, then that’s what it’s going to take to get all the mechs in lance packs
It’s all academic because all of the mechs will never be available in lance packs. The over abundance of designs in this case is a problem that solves itself
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Otoh, it would not surprise me if the new sculpts were released metal at some point. Cubby, Adrian, Speck, do you have any updates on that?
None that I'm aware of, and I wouldn't expect any news on new sculpts in metal for awhile. The KS ended three weeks ago, many of the dozens of 'Mechs due for a re-imagining aren't even on the drawing board yet. I wouldn't keep checking back every week on it, is all I'm saying.
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My opinion for a best guess on metal would be this time next year at the earliest and more likely this time the following year.
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My best guess would when IWM tells us they're putting them out.
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My best guess would when IWM tells us they're putting them out.
(https://media3.giphy.com/media/fMwU9EKsJsxmU/source.gif)
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"New sculpt metals? What about them? We released them a month ago... Oh shoot, did we forget to post!? Our bad!"