What Kind of Sourcebooks Suit YOUR Fancy?

[Bad_Syntax]

Well historically I loved the historicals (3039, 4th SW Atlas, Brush Wars, Civil War) the more recent ones seem to be lacking in the detail (at least the turning points).

The era reports are *almost* perfect, the 20 year update was perfect, as it listed all the units for the the factions.  The new era reports completely left that out, which *amazed* me when I was reading 3052, I was like "wtf?!?" just expecting it to be in there.  If those books had complete units I'd be *much* happier.  Well, if the era reports *or* the field manuals.

I am kinda getting sick of TROs, there are so many units now its just insane to keep up with :(

The plot books meh, War of Reaving is a great book, but I have no desire to read that much fluff... I went straight to the new rules, new maps, and unit rosters (only to see most of the clans had no rosters, hopefully those are in the new field manuals).

Give me a single year, give me all the units (preferably with a *bit* more than just quality/morale/strength, maybe a weight class/#fighters/integral DS/JS too) for that year and a good map for that year, in any book, and I'm a very happy camper :)

The HTP books are close to great, but I think they need to detail out the battles more, like the old Galtor book for example, I read all that fluff, it was all combat related, not political, I don't enjoy BT for politics, which leads me back to War of Reaving.  Heck, just picking a planet, detailing the exact units landing there, a map of the planet, some maps of where units moved and where battles were, terrain/maps for those battles, and a few pages of text on what happened at each battle would be a great $5-$10 PDF, and the possibilities I would think are infinite.

However I'm different than most players, so feel free to skip right over this :)

[Voodoo]

I don't think 70 pages of "They're dead" would sell well at all.  Not a lot of mercs left  at that point...

They still exist, hiding in the periphery rebuilding!  This is a fictional universe last time I checked.  However, if the devs are dead set on wiping the coolest merc units out of existence, the highlight some new ones.

[Talz]

There are still plenty of mercenary units, some of the old standby's are gone but they're simply being replaced by the next generation.  The main thing is that the most merc units have taken a beating and are as a result smaller and evem then all of that gets tossed out the airlock if we're looking at a time jump to the 3100's.  If I could have one book right now it would be Interstellar Operations, but right behind that would be an updated Merc's Handbook+ (+meaning with gameworld/Solaris content).

[Bad_Syntax]

There are still plenty of mercenary units, some of the old standby's are gone but they're simply being replaced by the next generation.  The main thing is that the most merc units have taken a beating and are as a result smaller and evem then all of that gets tossed out the airlock if we're looking at a time jump to the 3100's.  If I could have one book right now it would be Interstellar Operations, but right behind that would be an updated Merc's Handbook+ (+meaning with gameworld/Solaris content).

We had an entire BOOK on the Wolf's Dragoons, and TPTB eliminated them.

The Eridani Light Horse was mentioned in a LOT of places, it had a rich and colorful history.... no gone.  Waco Rangers, gone.  etc, etc...

In fact, it seems like all the mercs that had a deep history were eliminated, now we get some new merc unit we never heard of, and in the next book they die. 

Nobody seems to care about detailing out units anymore, now at most we seem to get perhaps some light fluff and if we are lucky a quality/morale/homeworld.

[Talz]

The last few years have been hard on mercs killing off some old favorites but not all.

Wolf's Dragoons got knocked down to a Regiment but built back up to three in the 3130s.
The Northwind Highlanders are still around, sure they join the RotS but that place is ready to crumble like a house of cards and drop them right back to merc status.
I think Wilson's Hussars and Snord's Irregulars are still kicking, it would be interesting to see some updates on both of them IMO.
As for the ELH, while they were effectively shattered I think they still had a couple Companies after Dieron.  It seems that they could rebuild to a Battalion or even a Regiment by 3150 unless I'm forgetting another attack.
Add in writeups on a couple of newer units like the Chaos Irregulars and there's plenty of potential.

I do agree that the newer Field Manual style of giving a few dozen units a page or so each makes the units feel more generic though and would prefer a return to the old style of a few more in-depth write-ups.

[Grave]

I do agree that the newer Field Manual style of giving a few dozen units a page or so each makes the units feel more generic though and would prefer a return to the old style of a few more in-depth write-ups.

The problem is that Catalyst has said quite clearly that those in depth manuals (despite the fact that everyone seems to love them [so do I]) simply don't sell.

Conundrum, check.

[Talz]

The problem is that Catalyst has said quite clearly that those in depth manuals (despite the fact that everyone seems to love them [so do I]) simply don't sell.

I was under the impression that was more applicable to products focused on a single unit and such, not product's like the Mercenary's Handbooks which still covered several units as well as including crunch on creating and running merc campaigns.

[Charlie Tango]

They still exist, hiding in the periphery rebuilding!  This is a fictional universe last time I checked.  However, if the devs are dead set on wiping the coolest merc units out of existence, the highlight some new ones.

What new ones?  Between the Jihad, the merging of the AMC into the nascent Republic and the Stone Reforms getting 'Mechs out of private hands, where they going to come from?   Other than some of the private-industry armies like Bannson's Raiders, I don't recall a whole lot of references to mercenaries *at all* in the Dark Age books. 

"They're dead, Jim"

Any Merc books/unit profiles are likely something that will end up being relegated to PDF-only products, where a small unit can be detailed more thoroughly without having to expend the money on a print run.

[Dread Moores]

Other than some of the private-industry armies like Bannson's Raiders, I don't recall a whole lot of references to mercenaries *at all* in the Dark Age books.

There are some, but you're absolutely right that they are far less common. Patriot's Stand had the...Roughriders I think? The Dragoons and a few others were mentioned on some of the info from the Wizkids site, though not in the novels that I recall.

[Wrangler]

I went with Era Reports and Historicals.  As much as I love new units and Technical Readouts, but there just too many of them right now.  I'd like see them wait couple years until they come out with another major one.  Too much of a good thing can be bad thing to me.

I agree with the others above with comments that Era Reports are skipping on alot of detail information.  I wanted more out of the Age of War book myself, though i can understand budget contraints products are under.  I can only hope that future Historicals are able cover aspects of the era.  I personnally thought that Era Digest was better product in comparison myself.

Single plot books and Field Manuals, have their place in the future, its just pacing is so crazy right now.  I'd like see things more spread out, so it doesn't exhaust everyone.  I know my wallet is nearly exhausted with so many big ticket and exciting things coming out so rapidly... #P  ;) 

[Talz]

Don't buy the RotS anti-merc propaganda, below are just a few of the references from MWDA material.

Ghost War - Set in the RotS with mercs, mentions special charter needed to form mercs in RotS.

By Temptations and War - Mercs working for the CapCon

Truth and Shadows, Service for the Dead - Farrell's Mercs working in the RotS (they had worked for Bannson in the past but were independent)

Patriot's Stand - Roughriders on Galatea, it's mentioned that their price is high but maybe not too high in today's busy market.  There were of course other mercs such as the ones that got hired as well.

Fortress of Lies - Mercs hired for a raid on Shensi.

Blood of the Isle - Mercs from Galatea hired and mentions local rebellions on a half dozen worlds backed by mercs hired on Galatea.  Shipil keeps a merc force under contract.

Scorpion Jar - Elements of the Eridani Light Horse are hired.

Sword of Sedition - Capellans attack St Andre with heavy mercenary support.  Capellans mercs attack on New Hessen.  FedSuns mercs battle Combine troops on Misery.

Target of Opportunity - Bannson's mercs

Fortress Republic - Merc units battle against the Dragon's Fury on Ronel.

Wolf Hunters - Steel Wolves change names and become the Wolf Hunters.

Bonfire of Worlds - Wolf Hunters hired, talk of hiring other mercs, mixed reports on the Kell Hounds, definately shattered but possible survivors, seems to be only one Kell left though.

[hellghost]

Well historically I loved the historicals (3039, 4th SW Atlas, Brush Wars, Civil War) the more recent ones seem to be lacking in the detail (at least the turning points).

The era reports are *almost* perfect, the 20 year update was perfect, as it listed all the units for the the factions.  The new era reports completely left that out, which *amazed* me when I was reading 3052, I was like "wtf?!?" just expecting it to be in there.  If those books had complete units I'd be *much* happier.  Well, if the era reports *or* the field manuals.
....
However I'm different than most players, so feel free to skip right over this :)

It's an opinion that i Share.
When i read ERA REPORT:3052 the fact that all the history is resumed in 20 pages seems to me that was too short.After Just only the GREAT battles are (shortly) described. Tukkayid for example didn't have a detailled description as a Battle report.my latest reserves about the book is that haven't enough regiment description.But it remains a nice book.

[Sid]

It's an opinion that i Share.
When i read ERA REPORT:3052 the fact that all the history is resumed in 20 pages seems to me that was too short.After Just only the GREAT battles are (shortly) described. Tukkayid for example didn't have a detailled description as a Battle report.my latest reserves about the book is that haven't enough regiment description.But it remains a nice book.

The ERA Reports, I believe, are supposed to be summaries directed at new players.  I seem to recall TPTB saying as much- that Report 3050, when it came out, wasn't meant for the older players that were familiar with the timeline.  It's a 'Cliff notes' of sorts, to help catch new players up to the current timeline without having to read the old novels, or chase down old scenario books.

Essentially one path that someone could take-

New player tries game with the free quick strike rules on the website. 
If interested, the player picks up the Box Set.
From there, get TRO:3039
Total Warfare
TRO:3050U and Era Reports: 3052
TRO:3060 and Era Reports: 3060
TRO:3067 and Jihad Books

I don't think it's coincidence that ERA: Reports 3060 came out with the TRO3060 was republished around the same time.

If a new player likes 3050, he or she can grab the scenario books for that Era as PDFs.

Or they can go sword and dragon and get into Historical: 3039

 

[Tressel]

I would like to see more field manuals along the lines of the old CJF and CW sourcebooks. It really fleshes out the units and gives more character.

[Voodoo]

I'm glad to see other who are interested in a Merc's Handbook.  As far as making something that sells, if the success of the 25th anniv. box set is any indication, a Citytech 3rd edition box set with plastic clan minis would do very well.  So would a Solaris update...with more plastic minis!  Personally, I loved the old merc scenario packs, and am buying up the old ones I don't have.  I'd love to see some new ones...with some fiction/paperback support.

[StoneGiant]

I would like to see more field manuals along the lines of the old CJF and CW sourcebooks. It really fleshes out the units and gives more character.

Those two were some of my favorite books as well. I also really enjoyed the handbook series and have tried to read the old text only Housebooks on this website but I hate reading scans of a book on a computer screen, especially sans art. Too bad copies of those in decent shape tend to be pricey. (I still think it was cool to release them for free minus the problematic art, despite my dislike of the format. I suppose I could always print them and stop complaining)

[Ratwedge]

What kind of Source books suit my fancy?

TRO's and Plot books. 

TRO: Prototype was brilliant and so were the XTRO's.  It added a focusing lens to the TROs without taking away anything from it but added the right amount of flavour to the TRO. The only problem was that I would have enjoyed XTRO: Clans more if it came out before the TRO:Prototypes. Don't get me wrong there was nothing wrong with it but part of the fun of the XTRO's was seeing what made it to next stage of development/deployment, much like how the Phalanx went from zero to hero. So bring out TRO's with more specific focuses instead of giant blobs of units. 

Plot Books are needed because I want more plot, enough to drown me in plot! I want to see how the people have changed since the we last got a look and what the Successor States and Clans have evolved to!

[Marwynn]

I love it all, honestly.

What I would like to see is an Era Report + TRO combination. TRO 3050 and 3055 are essential companions in understanding ER: 3052. So why not a combined product?

Take an important year, fill out the background, and then have a concentrated TRO at the back. Say there's an Era Report: 3059 which combines the basics (and some finer points) of Operation Bulldog but also features the new OmniMechs as well as the other Houses' new 'Mechs at the back. I don't mean just a handful of stuff, an even split. I'd love to read a TRO entry for say the Sunder SD1-O assault Omni and find under Notable Pilots Some Dudeson who is also on p.111 with that full character treatment you guys do, which mentions an operation that is summarized in the book too.

I know you guys are practically drowning in 'Mech designs, and all the variants thereof, so a TRO may not be that high a priority. And it'll be hard to include all the factions, but I feel it's a must, as a "slice of history" kind of thing (and also for greater sales opportunities).

Case in point, the potential Wars of Reaving Supplemental could include a more detailed TRO second half of all the machines used in that period.

[Voodoo]

Yes, we are drowning in TRO's.  Furthermore, I cant say I've been very impressed with anything after 3058.  The combo era report/TRO sounds good actually, I'd buy it.

[Ratboy]

Faction Books: I believe we need to flesh out more of the minor powers and mercenary units (even the ones who in the current timeline are extinct). I would love to see more regimental paint schemes included in faction books for all types of units from infantry to warships.

Plot books: More story lines for more battles. It's just a good idea IMO.


I would also love to see not just stats for Battletech, but Quick Strike and A Time of War as well included in books that have units in them.

[foxbat]

Historicals. 3 years (or more?) later, I'm still under the spell of "Brushwars". Incredible awesomeness!  [rockon]

[RavensPsi]

I chose Field Manuals and Histroicals. Maybe even a combo type thing.

[Talz]

Regarding TRO's, I would personally like to see all of the canon units that have seen print and official stats but aren't in any TRO entries collected and put into a TRO.  Print or even PDF only either one would work here IMO.

[wackrabbit]

I'd like to see a new CamoSpecs booklet, but I might be a little biased... [rockon]

[Wraithcannon]

A print version of the MUL with all era's to date.

[JamesPryde]

I'm not sure what it would fall into but to get a book that would expand the "tournament leagal" equipment and more things like lifepaths would be great.

[Charlie Tango]

I'm not sure what it would fall into but to get a book that would expand the "tournament leagal" equipment

You mean like TRO:3085?

[Dread Moores]

You mean like TRO:3085?

I thought that was in Prototypes, not 3085?

[Charlie Tango]

I thought that was in Prototypes, not 3085?

My bad you're correct.

[HABeas2]

Hello,

Thank you all for participating in this Catalyst Game Labs BattleTech Line Developer-aided Public Opinion Research Activity. The polls are now closed, and this discussion thread will be locked.

Thank you,

- Herbert Beas
  BattleTech
  Catalyst Game Labs