So. After reading almost all the rulebooks, some multiple times, I think I finally have a grasp on the fact that the creators of BT have created so many different ways to enjoy Battletech. Confused to the moon for a while, I had no idea that Core BT TW was any different from BF or that BF was actually also different in scale to SBF, so say nothing of ACS.
I've been looking into Battleforce and that seems to be the best fit for what I am aiming to achieve as to the level of play I desire from Battletech. I want the large armies and the use of artillery. The Commands aspect makes up for the loss of detail in TW skirmishes and most of the heat factors transfer over pretty simply and allows duels to happen in Core scale DURING a game. There were various changes from Battleforce 1 (1987) and 2(1997), but updates have brought many of the parameters adapted closer to core. Even Aerospace handles similar to Core in BF, which is something I didn't want to lose. For example, movement of units is 1:1 from Core to BF and conversions are truly not that painstaking as I had imagined, but which are necessary for campaign level maintenance and repairs. It really had my head spinning for a while but I feel it's making more and more sense.
What do you guys think is the biggest loss or gain in going from TW to BF? I personally will miss the ammo explosions and seeing the chain reactions and actual damage depending on remaining ammo stores and the physical attacking. But, as I said, the process of zooming in with conversions for smaller engagements are not so daunting with only a handful to even a dozen units.
My favorite Pro? The reining in of the artillery in the optional Commands Phase.
