Inner Sphere Kickstarter Insurgency

[Daryk]

As recommended by several folks here, and on the Kickstarter itself, I'm probably going to back at the $1 level and add-on the Inner Sphere stuff I actually want.  So far, that list includes:

$50 A Game of Armored Combat box (Found one at a FLGS!)
$40 Inner Sphere Retaliation (a duplicate set of AGoAC and Beginner Box minis, 10 total)
$20 Inner Sphere Command Lance (Marauder, Archer, Valkyrie, Stinger) *UNCHANGED
$20 Inner Sphere Battle Lance (Warhammer, Rifleman, Phoenix Hawk, Wasp) *UNCHANGED
$20 Inner Sphere Direct Fire Lance (Atlas, Marauder II, Orion, Crusader) *UNCHANGED
$20 Inner Sphere Heavy Lance (Banshee, Grasshopper, Centurion, Hatchetman) *UNCHANGED
$20 Inner Sphere Striker Lance (Blackjack, Panther, Wolfhound, Jenner) *UNCHANGED
$20 Inner Sphere Fire Support Lance (Longbow, Bombardier Stalker, Trebuchet, Whitworth Zeus) *TWO CHANGES

The one I'm not really feeling (so far) is the:
Berserker Heavy Battle Lance (Berserker Nightstar, Axman, Firestarter (Omnimech) Bushwhacker, Scarabus Cataphract)

I've also briefly considered the map scale Fortress DropShip, but that looks like too much work.

The latest set of stretch goals only state there will be additional lance packs, and I'll add them here when they're detailed.

EDIT #1: The two ComStar Level IIs!  I'll probably pick up both of these (for a total of $270 $260, still short of Star Colonel... at least one of the two unidentified lances will need to be IS to make me consider it and gift the clan 'mechs to others).  The other unidentified Stars/Lances haven't been identified yet, but will be added here when they are.

$30 ComStar Level II #1 (King Crab, Highlander, Black Knight, Exterminator, Hermes Sentinel, Mercury) *CGL change NOT based on fan feedback
$30 ComStar Level II #2 (Crockett, Flashman, Guillotine, Lancelot, Crab, Mongoose) *UNCHANGED

EDIT #2: The two backer picked lances are BOTH IS (which I'll probably pick up)!  I count that as a victory for the insurgents, as everyone knows the insurgent definition of success is a low bar...

$20 Inner Sphere Urban Lance (Raven, Enforcer, Hunchback, Victor)
$20 Inner Sphere Support Lance (Dragon, Thug, Cyclops, Spider)

Here's to hoping an Inner Sphere Insurgent backer level (or two) is added!  (EDIT: That's a NO per Adrian Gideon... apparently Kickstarter doesn't allow adding pledge levels after a campaign begins, at least not anymore) I'm also wondering if there will ever be any Inner Sphere "salvage"... (EDIT: That's also a NO per Adrian Gideon.  Apparently something was misstated somewhere on the KS page that gave the impression it was a possibility)

[Lynx]

Actually, the main thing here is how well set up you are already for things like rules and record sheets. If you are relatively well set up, then one other way to truly be an Inner Sphere insurgent is to go a higher backer level, and then just pick IS packs as rewards, and instead of getting the AGOAC, just take advantage of the $40 offer for the IS mechs and get those instead. Basically, prioritize mechs over game aids.

I'm not really saying that it'd be cheaper per se, but you can take advantage of the "free" salvage box and the basic Clan box to build a core of Clan mechs for future use.  If you have certain key Mechs you want duplicates of, going to Bloodname level or higher can be a way to get those as well as the Salvage boxes.

I backed at the Star Colonel level, and I'm getting 40 Clan mechs... and 40 IS mechs. Coupled with my existing inventory of new sculpts, that's 40 Clan vs. 60 IS. That should be a fair fight...

[Daryk]

All true, but I don't honestly have any future use for clan 'mechs.  The IS has all the OPFOR I could ever wish for, and then some.

[SteelRaven]

All true, but I don't honestly have any future use for clan 'mechs.  The IS has all the OPFOR I could ever wish for, and then some.

Some of us like the clans and have been waiting a very long time for this. We should all get our day in the sun.

[Sartris]

I doubt they’ll be adding more pledge levels as keep shipping and processing headaches to a minimum (and they will be numerous). But you rarely get something you don’t ask for so make your opinion known on the KS comments

[Daryk]

Some of us like the clans and have been waiting a very long time for this. We should all get our day in the sun.

And you're having it.  I'm not taking anything away from the clan fans by providing a place for the IS folks to chat about the Kickstarter.

Sartris: will do, once I pledge.  :thumbsup:

[Colt Ward]

I would suggest the Warrior or Ristar level if you were interested in fiction.  I want to say a significant amount of the unlocked bennies start kicking in at Ristar over Warrior . . . and with the Salvage box you get a 8 in 23 chance of drawing a IS mech.

[Daryk]

I'm missing that... the only references to salvage boxes I see all specify omnimechs.  At least the answer to my IS salvage question is "sometimes, yes!"  :)

[SteveRestless]

So, last I heard it sounded like there was a chance you might wind up with Inner Sphere stuff in the salvage boxes. If that's true, as a clan-focused player, if I get any spheroid mechs, I'm gonna be looking to trade for Clan ones. Especially that Invasion box Timber Wolf.

So, keep that in mind. That you can always sell or trade a few to a player who prefers the clans

[Maingunnery]

From the FAQ:

They will be drawn from the Clan Invasion and the first 2-4 Clan Star Packs. Basically, the ones that are done or will be done in time for the First Wave of product.

[Fear Factory]

It's confusing, but I'm pretty sure catalyst will add some leeway when we are picking stuff out after the fact. Not really by subtracting money, but just adding more to throw on the new addons since they are going to be the releases well past the actual box set.

[Colt Ward]

From the FAQ:

Watch the latest video discussing it, Salvage boxes are the first question answered.

[Daryk]

Ah, video corrections to text...  ::)

[Colt Ward]

Not sure who is doing the FAQs, but Adrian was already correcting the one about the character mentions.

[Daryk]

Yikes... Having been away from the computer for a bit to actually play the game, I'm even more glad I started this thread.  I've got two PAGES to catch up on in the main Kickstarter thread.  At least here, I can count the posts without resorting to "pages"...

[Sartris]

Not sure who is doing the FAQs, but Adrian was already correcting the one about the character mentions.

I hope I don’t get used as a clanner

BEHOLD! CENTURIES OF MANIACAL, RUTHLESS  SELECTIVE BREEDING HAVE FORGED THE PERFECT WARRIOR

[cue picture of my fat turd face]

[Daryk]

OK, just backed the project for $1 so I could advocate for IS pledge levels and for Swaybacks!  I saw other comments asking for them, so I tried to bolster the case by suggesting a Medium Battle Lance consisting of a 4J, 4N, 4P, and 4SP.  I figured they were the four that would be most distinct from the base 4G model, and they could work well together.

[pheonixstorm]

If I only wanted IS (which is the majority of what I want), I would still do a large pledge just for the doubles then ebay the clans or gift them to a player or players you are close to at x-mas. Especially since none of this will retail before x-mas of 2021 since the backers get it first and they likely wont be done with fulfillment until x-mas or mid 2022.

Going Star Colonel will get you the clan box and 6 star/lance packs which are doubleed (12 total). Pick the 6 you want doubled then do add-on lances. That will give you the clan box with 2 elemental points and 6 salvage boxes (check for IS first) to sell and get back some of the money spent, plus you get the faction kit. If your faction isn't there, that is something else to get your money back from. If people are greedy enough for early access you could have the clans pay for your KS pledge lol :thumbsup:

But... my HBS BattleTech KS jacket is lonely so I'm going to try to get it a matching faction t-shirt ;D :P

[Daryk]

Oddly enough, my group just scratched the surface of that idea around the game last night.  We'll see how it goes!  :thumbsup:

[Daryk]

Squinting at the Star Colonel level, it's now clear to me that the "Mech Count" they include at each level only considers clan formations (stars of 5).  If you opt for an IS lance, you only get 4.  And it also appears the only challenge coins you can get via a pledge level are clan ones.

[Lorcan Nagle]

Squinting at the Star Colonel level, it's now clear to me that the "Mech Count" they include at each level only considers clan formations (stars of 5).  If you opt for an IS lance, you only get 4.  And it also appears the only challenge coins you can get via a pledge level are clan ones.

If you select lance packs for your rewards you get 1 Salvage Pack per lance to keep the mini count consistent.

[Daryk]

I thought the salvage boxes were added to the stars too...  ???

[pheonixstorm]

Nope, 5 clan mechs or 4 IS plus a salvage box

[Lynx]

I thought the salvage boxes were added to the stars too...  ???

No, they are only added to IS Lances (selected as Pledge items) to round the number to 5, or if you buy them separately. This I feel is to avoid complaints that IS backers will lose out in money value at any given tier.

That's why as a IS insurgent, you'd inevitably pick up Clan Salvage. Those Salvage boxes are random draw from the first few Clan packs, so are likely to draw from the initial 16 fron TRO:3050 (plus a few others).

[Daryk]

I'm clearly blind... I'm just not seeing it anywhere on the page, but it's obviously there somewhere.  Thank you all for the clarification!

[Lynx]

I'm clearly blind... I'm just not seeing it anywhere on the page, but it's obviously there somewhere.  Thank you all for the clarification!

Check under the early Lance packs. For example, at the $100k level, they have one line: "If taken as a reward, the Lance Pack comes with a free Salvage Box."

[Sartris]

I had to go back and find it too. Hopefully the graphics guy is doing some updates to make all of it more clear at a glance than having to hunt for a google sheet

[Daryk]

Especially a google sheet that requires an account to see...  :P

[Cache]

Especially a google sheet that requires an account to see...  :P

How about a picture?

[Daryk]

Awesome, thanks for the cross-link!  :thumbsup: