It is essentially thus:
Historicals - Print book. Military focus, aimed at recounting the events of a single war, often with deployment tables and maps. Rules chapter may provide new equipment and Record Sheets.
Era Report - Print book. Generalized focus, covering the broader aspects of the age in question, including any conflicts of interest. Tracks included to seed campaigns set in the age (because Tracks are largely built for player use, rather than fixed scenarios, they are not considered "historical" per se). Rules chapter covers key characters, noteworthy military commands, and role-playing support, but no new equipment is introduced or statted out.
Era Digest - PDF-exclusive. Small-scale version of the Era Reports, but covering eras of play deemed less popular and/or less conducive to full-print treatment. No Tracks presented. Rules chapter includes role-playing support, and a few new units appropriate to the age, with Record Sheets.
Hopefully, that helps.
Thank you,
- Herbert Beas
| FASA/Fanpro TRO (Older) | Catalyst TRO (Current) | Record Sheets |
| 2750 | 3039 (SLDF Mechs w/Succession Wars era tech) | Record Sheets: 3039 Unabridged (https://store.catalystgamelabs.com/products/battletech-record-sheet-3039-pdf) |
| 2750 | 3050 Upgrade (All Mechs, vehicles, AeroSpace Fighters, most with Star League era tech) | Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrade, Inner Sphere (https://store.catalystgamelabs.com/products/battletech-record-sheet-3050u-unabridged-inner-sphere-pdf), Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrade, Clan & Star League (https://store.catalystgamelabs.com/products/battletech-record-sheet-3050u-unabridged-clan-sl-pdf) |
| 2750 | 3057 Revised (DropShips, WarShips) | |
| DropShips and JumpShips | 3057 Revised (DropShips, WarShips, Small Craft) | |
| 3025/3025 Revised | 3039 | Record Sheets: 3039 Unabridged (https://store.catalystgamelabs.com/products/battletech-record-sheet-3039-pdf) |
| 3025 (DropShips) | 3057 Revised | |
| 3025 (LAMs) | 3085 | Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged - The Cutting Edge |
| 3026/3026 Revised | 3039 | Record Sheets: 3039 Unabridged (https://store.catalystgamelabs.com/products/battletech-record-sheet-3039-pdf) |
| 3026 Revised (Some vehicles) | 3075 | Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged (https://store.catalystgamelabs.com/products/battletech-record-sheet-total-warfare-style-3075-cutting-edge) |
| 3050/3050 Revised | 3050 Upgrade | Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrade, Inner Sphere (https://store.catalystgamelabs.com/products/battletech-record-sheet-3050u-unabridged-inner-sphere-pdf), Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrade, Clan & Star League (https://store.catalystgamelabs.com/products/battletech-record-sheet-3050u-unabridged-clan-sl-pdf) |
| 3055 | 3055 Upgrade | Record Sheets: 3055 Upgrade Unabridged |
| 3057 | 3057 Revised | |
| 3057 (Omnifighters) | 3055 Upgrade | |
| 3058 | 3058 Upgrade | Record Sheets: 3058 Update Unabridged (Clan & Star League), Record Sheets: 3058 Update Unabridged (Inner Sphere) (https://store.catalystgamelabs.com/products/battletech-record-sheet-total-warfare-style-3058-is-pdf) |
| 3060 | 3060 Reprint | Record Sheets: 3060 Unabridged |
| 3067 | 3067 Reprint | Record Sheets: 3067 Unabridged |
| Vehicle Annex | Technical Readout: Vehicle Annex, Revised (PDF) | |
| Project Phoenix | 3085 | Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged - Project Phoenix |
GAMEPLAY CHANGES
1. What's changed in Total Warfare?
The highlights:
- Physical attacks now use Piloting skill instead of Gunnery.
- Infernos, Flamers and Plasma weapons were overhauled. (And in the case of Plasma weapons, introduced.)
Of course you could also look at the Classic BattleTech Quick-Start Rules (PDF) (http://www.battlecorps.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=165&products_id=1781). The best part: It's free!
A few more corrections: The Reseen are the 3067+ redesigns of the Unseens. The Dougram/Crusher Joe/other designs don't really have a collective name yet.
Also: CGL don't have printings of 3055U, 3057 or 3067 yet.
But this is a great resource.
as a point of order, Miniatures are not REQUIRED for gameplay
I think it would be better to just reword the headings. Older and Current. the important part is that TR 3050 Upgrade replaced 3050 and 3050 revised, not that it was or wasn't a catalyst print?
TR 3057 Revised replaced TR 3057. There's no 3057 Upgrade.
The 3025 Revised and 3050 revised should also be mentioned as being replaced by 3039 and 3050 Upgrade, along with the original 3025, 3026 and 3050?
MegaMekLab can be added to the list of software for making record sheets.Added.
Primitive is a tech base, not a rules level.Fixed.
But Introductory is a separate rules level.
I think it would be better to just reword the headings. Older and Current. the important part is that TR 3050 Upgrade replaced 3050 and 3050 revised, not that it was or wasn't a catalyst print?Done and done!
TR 3057 Revised replaced TR 3057. There's no 3057 Upgrade.
The 3025 Revised and 3050 revised should also be mentioned as being replaced by 3039 and 3050 Upgrade, along with the original 3025, 3026 and 3050?
Historicals don't only cover conflicts that occurred before the Succession Wars, since you have War of 3039 and Brush Wars which happen during the Succession Wars era. As far as I understand it, they're supposed to detail conflicts which were formerly mostly background information.Also fixed.
Also, flamers are pretty much the same, no? There are other changes that affect flamers (external heat cap, infantry taking damage differently) but the flamer is still 3 heat/2 damage (or heat) and the same range.Yes flamers are pretty much the same when you're fighting in a 'Mech, but because the other stuff I thought it merited a mention. Hopefully it'll lead them to the external heat cap all by themselves.
I think it would be helpful to add a section in this post about the MUL—what it is, what it will be and why people keep talking about it. It seems a lot of newcomers/returning players end up asking, "What is this MUL that people keep talking about?" It helps that it's also one of the most interesting new projects in the line right now, and will only become more so as it continues to be developed.Good idea. Added to the Faction availability info question.
A few more corrections: The Reseen are the 3067+ redesigns of the Unseens. The Dougram/Crusher Joe/other designs don't really have a collective name yet.Whoops! My mistake. Fixed, and fixed.
Also: CGL don't have printings of 3055U, 3057 or 3067 yet.
But this is a great resource.
as a point of order, Miniatures are not REQUIRED for gameplay
Maybe add a (or something to represent units in the game) after minis?Good point, and added. If anyone has a link to the cardstock 'Mech images, I'd love to put them in the main article.
THE UNSEEN
1. What are The Unseen?
To make a long story short The Unseen are the 'Mechs from the original boxed set, specifically the ones that were first seen in Robotech/Macross. (The Warhammer, Archer, Rifleman, Wasp, Stinger, Phoenix Hawk, Marauder, Ostsol, Ostroc, Ostscout, and Crusader.) Apparently FASA used these images without securing the proper rights to the images and the owner of these images sued FASA. FASA lost and had to pull the images.
In my most recent record sheet books (RS 3085 Project Phoenix, RS 3039u), the Ost-mechs are using their unseen artwork.Fixed.
Good point, and added. If anyone has a link to the cardstock 'Mech images, I'd love to put them in the main article.
Does anybody know where the 2750 ASFs went to?
Clan Invasion Era is the time between the beginning of the Clan Invasion and the Inner Sphere's victory at the Great Refusal. So it should be 3049-3061 (followed by Civil War Era 3062-3067).[
- Clan Invasion era - This introduced the Clans (obviously). Roughly 3049-3067.
there are no models from TR 2750 in 3039. there are downgraded versions of those chassis in 3039, but none of the specific designs from 2750 are in 3039. they are all in 3050.3039 has them under the "Star League" header. As they're built with Hegemony "export only" (Succession Wars era/tournament legal) technology, I said 3039 had SLDF non-Royal variants. Seems OK to me. :)
3050U also includes the 2750 aerospace fighters in addition to the mechs and vehicles.Updated.
This /might/ be what you're looking for. Made (or provided) by Bedwyr and hosted by Medron's PRI: http://www.pryderockindustries.com/dl_boards.php#CTR (http://www.pryderockindustries.com/dl_boards.php#CTR)That is what I was looking for, and it does. Added.
Hope this helps,
Rev
Caught something else in the unseen sectionAdded.
The Marauder II as well as the three original LAMs are missing from the list.
This site has lots of useful stuff including pics if you want to make your own counters.I'm hesitant to include this site in the message. It looks like it's straight copy/paste of existing resources. But I'm sure someone will see the link and find it useful. :)
http://www.mechforce.us/downloads.php
Clan Invasion Era is the time between the beginning of the Clan Invasion and the Inner Sphere's victory at the Great Refusal. So it should be 3049-3061 (followed by Civil War Era 3062-3067).Fixed.
- CamoSpecs Online (http://www.camospecs.com/)
- BattleCorps (http://www.battlecorps.com/)
- and that online encyclopedia devoted to Battletech...what's its name again?
Gameplay Changes:Added info.
Ultras and RACs are also unable to make an aimed shot with a targeting computer while in rapid-fire modes. You might want to note that artillery and mines were moved out of the tournament level rules while some items from MaxTech (non-standard gyros, LFF, HFF, IS small 'Mech cockpits, improved jump jets) were moved into them.
A lot of the rulebooks' page count is also given over to various short stories.
TRO and RS Notes, in approximate order:I freely concede the point that the Royal/Star League variants of Thug, Thorn, Black Knight, etc. are in 3050U. And as I pointed out, the "export"/downgraded versions of the Star League 'Mechs are in fact in 3039. So I'm not going to change it.
As nckestrel already pointed out, none of what's in TRO2750 is in TRO3039. TRO2750 does not contain the Royals, it contains Regular Army units. The Royal versions of those are primarily in TRO3075 and were developed partially in response to the fact that the Hegemony's attempted tech embargo wasn't working, so their core formations received major upgrades. (See Reunification War page 165 among other sources.) The units under the Star League header are primarily post-Star League downgrades that were put into TRO3025 Revised to replace the Unseen.
The LAMs from TRO3025 are in TRO3085. The DropShips are in TRO3057R.Added, added, and added, but I think we might be getting a little too granular now.
The OmniFighters from TRO3057 are in TRO3055U.
There's no TRO3057U; the only other version is TRO3057 Revised which is currently under review.yes, NCKestrel brought that to my attention and I fixed it everywhere except that one place that you spotted. :(
Units with variants in RS Upgrades were folded into the appropriate RS volumes for TRO3050U, TRO3055U, TRO3058U, and TRO3060; vehicles without a 'modern' entry like the Demolisher went into RS3058U Unabridged.I'm thinking of adding another column to the TRO table that would link to the record sheets. I'm also thinking of linking to the TROs themselves. Hmmmmm.....
TRO Vehicle Annex isn't, to the best of my knowledge, slated for replacement but it is going to be exhaustively checked for compliance with TM support vehicle rules. New variants of a few units in here have turned up in Klondike and Reunification War.OK.
UnseenFixed.
FanPro was running the show when Project Phoenix came out, not Catalyst. It was under Catalyst that it looked like all the problems with the Unseen were going away. That... didn't quite work out, unfortunately.
Unseen has a few different meanings because people tend to be a little sloppy in terminology. Several other good points removed for brevity.Agreed, but since my goal is to provide a quick "getting back up to speed" document for returning players, I'm not going to get into that here. :) It just gets so unwieldy so fast.
Thanks Moonsword, but that's Rev teasing me because I'm an admin at Sarna and didn't add it to the list. (I didn't want to look like I was trolling for contributors, Revanche. :P)This might lead to Thread Mission Creep, but maybe have a section of non-CGL resources sites. Clipped some stuffwww.sarna.net (http://www.sarna.net)
- and that online encyclopedia devoted to Battletech...what's its name again?
Added info.
I freely concede the point that the Royal/Star League variants of Thug, Thorn, Black Knight, etc. are in 3050U. And as I pointed out, the "export"/downgraded versions of the Star League 'Mechs are in fact in 3039. So I'm not going to change it.
I freely concede the point that the Royal/Star League variants of Thug, Thorn, Black Knight, etc. are in 3050U. And as I pointed out, the "export"/downgraded versions of the Star League 'Mechs are in fact in 3039. So I'm not going to change it.
Agreed, but since my goal is to provide a quick "getting back up to speed" document for returning players, I'm not going to get into that here. :) It just gets so unwieldy so fast.
Thanks Moonsword, but that's Rev teasing me because I'm an admin at Sarna and didn't add it to the list. (I didn't want to look like I was trolling for contributors, Revanche. :P)
There are no Royal Thug, Thorn, Black Knight, etc in 3050U. 3050U has the standard Star League variants only.
That's why we're saying there's no 2750 > 3039 connection. It's no more correct than saying 2750 > 3075 for battlemechs.
The problem isn't that you're saying they're in there, that's really not a bad idea for making clear that TRO3039 isn't exactly TRO3025/26: The Revenge. (Well, okay, maybe it is because they were in TRO3025R, but still...) The problem is that you're saying the non-Royal versions are in there, which they're not except under a very, very broad definition of the term, and you're contributing to some of the confusion around what is and isn't a Royal 'Mech, which is something newbies do not need. (For instance, the Royals of all three 'Mechs you just mentioned are in TRO3075, not TRO3050U.)Your problem isn't with the references themselves, but the fact I called them Royal designs. OK. Now I understand. Changed it. (I'm blaming this on the heat.)
If you said something like "Succession Wars downgrades" or mentioned they're from TRO3025R, I think things will square a lot better. Since those aren't in the original TRO3025 (which is the PDF on sale at BattleCorps), it's still publicizing what TRO3039 does.
EDIT: nckestrel beat me to it.
(with like one exception where a royal variant is mentioned in the variant text on one? black knight, maybe king crab)
Introductory - Used by the Quick Start rules
And to be REALLY pedantic, there are still two of the designs from TRO 3026R that did not make it into TRO 3075. The Davion-built CargoMaster and CargoKing. Outside of their mention in House Davion, TRO 3026R is still their ONLY writeup that I know of. ;)
And the Quetzalcoatl and Starfire. I said most when I made that suggestion for a reason.
Dudes! You forgot the Marten [legal] [whipit]Made Jymset's suggested changes.
<happy dance, being at home with the pedantic crowd>
mbear, I third the addition of 3026R --> 3075 to your list for completeness' sake.
Also, seeing as your overview of rule changes is an excerpt, true, but focused on things that the BT community thought most noteworthy, it may be cool to mention that AMS rules have changed.
Awesome effort, well done!
I'd add a note that TRO Prototypes moved a couple items over from advanced to tourney level rules. There were other bits of shifting but since tourney is essentially the base line...Done.
"Quickstart" is not the same thing as "Introductory." Quickstart is an abridged version of the full Introductory rules.
Very true. What is currently listed as Indroductory is actually Quickstart, which is a different/highly simplified rules set. The Introductory Tech Level does use critical locations and internal structure - it just only uses the basic tech (only standard lasers and autocannons, no upgraded armor or internal structure, etc.) Essentially, the level of tech found on the units in TRO: 3039.As far as I know there is no "Introductory Tech Level". But you're saying that what I currently have as "Introductory" should in fact be labelled "Quick Start", correct?
As far as I know there is no "Introductory Tech Level". But you're saying that what I currently have as "Introductory" should in fact be labelled "Quick Start", correct?
No, he's saying that you should not say Introductory Rules level is defined by the Quick Start rules. Quick Start ignores internal strucutre, heat, crit locations (and therefore crit effects).
It has nothing to do with the equipment on a specific unit like Intro, Standard, Advanced and Experimental do. You can take practically any unit, lop off internal structure and heat and play Quick Start with it. (I would assume you would avoid non-intro units since Quick Start is intended to be "pre-intro", but there's nothing that makes a unit Quick Start compatible or not. It's just playing BattleTech without the internal/heat rules.)
the box set includes both Quick Start and the Introductory Rules as separate books. They are not the same.
COMPUTER GAMES
1. Why aren't there CGL-branded BattleTech computer games?
A simple reason: CGL doesn't own the electronic rights to BattleTech. Microsoft does. They licensed these to Smith and Tinker, who's working with Piranha to develop a game (MechWarrior 5). (This is all the information we have right now, so please don't ask for more.)
2. So if there are no computer games, how can I get my BT fix?
The only option is MegaMek. It's faithful to the board game, so if you like the tactical perspective rather than the first person perspective used in the MechWarrior franchise, you're in luck. There's more info at the MegaMek site, http://megamek.info/.
another two options:Thanks, I added those. I also remembered that MechCommander was available for free download and added that. (Of course it would've been better had I found valid download links, but hey you can't have everything.)
MekTek has Mechwarrior4 Free (http://www.mektek.net/projects/mw4/)
and
there is a Battletech mod of Crysis, MechWarrior: Living Legends (http://www.mechlivinglegends.net/)
unfortunately, I suspect my current computer would react like control panels on the USS Enterprise to photon torpedos if I tried to run either of those games :-[
mbear, can I use your post as a starting point for a similar entry on my German fan site (http://hpgstation.de)? I plan to copy some information (and translate it, of course) and add more to take German products into account.Absolutely.
I would, of course, give you credit since you deserve it.
Thanks, I tried to make it intuitively preempt as many common questions as possible. (Dunno when I'll get to a graphic for new players.) And, as I have yet to see either of those television shows, I've no choice but to take that as a compliment. ^-^Twin Peaks was a David Lynch television series. Yes, that David Lynch. You can imagine what any sort of plotline must have looked like.
Hey guys, this weekend I finished up a graphic walking through some of the stuff mbear goes over in his opening post, matched up against real world years for good measure. Parts of it may also be helpful for new players.
Check it out! (http://skiltao.deviantart.com/art/History-of-BattleTech-270230679)
Twin Peaks was a David Lynch television series. Yes, that David Lynch. You can imagine what any sort of plotline must have looked like.
This sounds incredible. I may have to postpone my Firefly-Dollhouse matchup to watch it.
Hey guys, this weekend I finished up a graphic walking through some of the stuff mbear goes over in his opening post, matched up against real world years for good measure. Parts of it may also be helpful for new players.
Check it out! (http://skiltao.deviantart.com/art/History-of-BattleTech-270230679)
mbear: The fractional accounting also effected vehicles from TRO:3026 as well.Thanks for this Blackjack! I'll get it integrated when I have time.
but some of this is unstated gear (for the time) that has been brought up to
modern design rules. But let's start with a list for TRO:2750.
Changes from old construction rules for vehicles in TRO:2750
Note: This list shows only how/where design stats have changed.
Some of the designs with Fractional accounting were already underweight and resulted in no change to stats,
and some designs with Ferro Fibrous/Aluminum armor match values for the current design rules.
Mercury MCY-99: Ferro Fibrous rounding.
Mongoose MON-66: Ferro Fibrous rounding.
Hermes HER-1S: Ferro Fibrous rounding.
Hussar HSR 200-D: Ferro Fibrous rounding.
Thug THG-11E: Ferro Fibrous rounding.
Highlander HGN-732: Ferro Fibrous rounding.
King Crab KGC-000: Ferro Fibrous rounding.
Trident TRN-3T: Ferro Aluminum rounding.
Swift SWF-606: Ferro Aluminum rounding.
Rogue RGU-133E: Ferro Aluminum rounding.
Gotha GTHA-500: Ferro Aluminum rounding.
Gabriel: Ferro Aluminum rounding.
Ripper: Fractional accounting, rounding down the FF, infantry bay added
that was described in fluff.
Beagle: Lost half a ton of armor from fractional accounting. Also hit by the FF change.
Nightshade: Fractional accounting.
Also note that 3050UU Record Sheets increased the speed of the TRO:2750 version
to get it updated to modern design rules. Newer variants tend to have the old 2750 MP's,
but with far greater payload.
Rotunda: Ferro Fibrous rounding.
Cyrano: Ferro Fibrous rounding, and it must be noted the TRO:2750 version had
a power amplifier it didn't need, leading the 3050UU Record Sheet version to mount more armor.
Lighting: Fractional accounting (and the fact the design was slightly overweight) led to
the removal of the MG indicated in TRO:2750. Also hit with the FF change.
Kanga: Lost half a ton of MG ammo because 2750 version is overweight.
Thor Artillery Vehicle: Fractional accounting leads to the loss of half a ton of FF armor.
Marksman: Fractional accounting leads to the loss of half a ton of FF armor.
Burke: Fractional accounting leads to the loss of half a ton of FF armor.
Fury: Lost half a ton of armor, picks up an infantry bay (that wasn't mentioned in 2750
fluff). Origional design was under weight, some of which was lost with fractional accounting.
Puma: Mech Flamer switched with Vehicle flamer, correcting the number of heat sinks needed,
and fractional accounting lead to the loss of a ton and a half of armor.
Warships: Not even touching these. There have been a number of changes in Aerospace combat
and construction rules for large spacecraft, and will leave for someone more familiar with
them.
Will try to get around to TRO:3026 to finish off the fractional accounting business when I find the time.
As for the FF business, well that's gonna be a while.
I believe the power amplifiers were wrested very recently to make them half ton rounding as well.
Unlike most other rounding conventions for tonnage-standard units, power amplifi ers round up to the nearest 0.1-ton increment, rather than the nearest 0.5-ton increment.
Mbear,Thanks Blackjack! Things are a little crazy right now, but I'll get this integrated ASAP. :)
Here's the remaining fractional accounting and rules change cases from 3026 and 3025 (knew I was forgetting a source). ::)
Once again, this is only for units with different game statistics from the rules changes.
Also a suggestion, as it might help to clarify that power amplifiers and cargo can still be assigned
in .1 ton intervals under Total warfare, Just not anything else.
Anyways, here's the list.
Ferret Light Scout VTOL: Lost quarter ton of fluff sensors.
Savanna Master: Lost quarter ton of fluff sensors.
Swift Wind: Communications Equipment reduced to 2 tons to match current rules,
half ton cargo area added, rest lost to fractional accounting.
J-27 Ordinance Transport: TRO:3039 updates the trailers to current rules.
Skulker: Exchanged .4 tons of sensors for cargo space.
Warrior: Lost quarter ton of fluff sensors.
Harasser: Lost half a ton of armor.
Mobile HQ: Lost half ton of cargo space.
Sea Skimmer Hydrofoil: Lost Half ton of armor.
Pegasus Scout Tank: Exchanged a ton of fluff sensors for .4 ton of cargo space.
Engineering Vehicle: "Equipment" swapped out for a Backhoe and Lift Hoist to
work with current rules. Half a ton of armor and a turret for the Backhoe added
with the remainder tonnage.
Drillson: Lost half a ton of armor.
Hi-Scout Drone Carrier: The drone rules and how they are constructed were reworked in
Tactical Operations. The Hi-Scout now carries five drones instead of the six indicated
in 3026. The hover drones are now heavier and slower than their 3026 versions.
Manticore: The engine is not calculated correctly in TRO: 3026. The correct version in
3039 reduces both ammo bins to compensate.
Mobile Long TOm Artillery: MG ammo and Communications Equipment increased to compensate for
the removal of fluff targeting and tracking equipment. Construction data for trailers in
TRO: 3039 matches the current trailer rules.
Monitor Naval Vessel: Jump Infantry bay reduced to 1.5 tons.
Rommel: Lost half a ton of armor.
Von Luckner: Lost half ton of MG ammo.
Schrek: Lost half a ton of armor.
Ontos: Lost half a ton of armor, gained a .2 ton cargo bay.
As for the rest of the FF list, if I stay this sick for the rest of the week, you might see it by the weekend. [metalhealth]That sucks. No pressure to do this or anything. If you're sick, get well.
Unless there's some errata I'm unaware of
This basically becomes a de facto .5 rounding as there's not a lot you can do with .1 to .4 tons (cargo space?)
I'm all for spare room being used as cargo. Can you imagine five hundred kilos of beer in an APC?
Mechwarrior Tactics (http://mwtactics.com/) is being developed and bringing in beta testers.Added info to post. Thanks!
Thanks for the tread, I have tossed over to a friend that is looking at getting back in after a decade.TRO 3039 is the replacement for TRO 3025. Since 3025 had a bunch of the unseen mechs in it, the Comstar mechs were added in a FASA era reprint. Those Comstar mechs are in 3039, so are the original unseen stats, no art though, and the 3026 fighters, tanks and helos. It is the culmination of everything other than dropships and jumpships that can be used in 3025 era play.
I would love to have a better 3025 revised TRO, I looked at the 3039 TRO and it had too many Comstar mechs in it.
Suggestion - add a note about the preseen (or whatever they're called) and their relation to the un/reseenI've never heard of the Preseen. Are you referring to the images in the XTRO:Primitives series?
Edit: This is an excellent excellent resource thread, definitely going to save the link for this one.
Thanks for the tread, I have tossed over to a friend that is looking at getting back in after a decade.Thanks! That was what I was hoping to hear when I wrote this thread.
I would love to have a better 3025 revised TRO, I looked at the 3039 TRO and it had too many Comstar mechs in it.It's my (admittedly limited) understanding that the Unseen issue had cropped up at this point so they put in "downrated" versions of the Star League 'Mechs. These mechs were still in Comstar service and resurfaced in the Inner Sphere during the War of 3039. That way players would still have a large number of 'Mechs to play with, but they wouldn't have to mess around with Unseen issues. (I could be wrong.)
I've never heard of the Preseen. Are you referring to the images in the XTRO:Primitives series?
The same. I was thinking a brief explanation of their place in the BTU would be helpful (representing a set of specific variants, not an en masse art retcon)Done.
Skiltao was kind enough to put together this image that displays the history of BattleTech (http://skiltao.deviantart.com/art/History-of-BattleTech-higher-resolution-270586825). At least one returning player found it enormously helpful.OK, I'm sure I completely understand this chart
2. What are these "Eras" I keep hearing about?You're only covering fiction/plot eras here, not tech/availability eras, which may confuse people
Catalyst has divided the BattleTech history into several specific eras to help people orient themselves.
- Star League era - Covers the Star League as well as earlier time periods like the Age of War. Roughly 2315-2780.
- Succession Wars era - This is the setting of the earlier BattleTech universe. Roughly 2781-3049.
- Clan Invasion era - This introduced the Clans (obviously). Roughly 3049-3061.
- Civil War era - The FedCom Civil War shatters the Federated Commonwealth. Roughly 3062-3067.
- Jihad era - The Word of Blake, a militant splinter faction of ComStar, punishes the Inner Sphere for betraying their ideals. Roughly 3068-3079.
- Dark Age era - The Republic of the Sphere is formed from the former Word of Blake Protectorate. Exhausted by the fighting, things remain quiet in the Inner Sphere until something goes wrong with the HPG network. Roughly 3080-3131.
- Dark Age era - The Republic of the Sphere is formed from the former Word of Blake Protectorate. Exhausted by the fighting, things remain quiet in the Inner Sphere until something goes wrong with the HPG network. Roughly 3080-3131.
As of July 2011, the Jihad era is winding down and the Dark Age era is starting.
- Star League era: Era Digest: Age of War (http://bg.battletech.com/?wpsc-product=era-digest-age-of-war), Historical: Reunification War (http://bg.battletech.com/?wpsc-product=historical-reunification-war), Era Report: 2750 (http://www.battlecorps.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=2983), Field Manual: SLDF (http://www.battlecorps.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=3019).
- Dark Age era: This information is currently being produced. Your best bet is to look at Field Manual: 3085 (http://bg.battletech.com/?wpsc-product=field-manual-3085). A lot of this information is forthcoming, but some background can be found in the Dark Age section of the Downloads (http://bg.battletech.com/?page_id=27) page. See the section at the bottom. It holds all the information available from WizKids.
Technically, the era you mention is referres to as the Republic Era; which will be covered in one of the upcoming Historicals. The "true" Dark Age runs from 3132 to (at least) 3145.I set that era's name as Dark Age deliberately, based on what Herb and Randall have said in the past. If that changes in the future, and I have a real source for it, I'll update it. ;)
Might need to be edited to refer to 2012 having been the "Year of the Star League"; the Dark Age will kick off as soon as Era Report: 3145 is up and running, hopefully as soon as this month.All of these are good points, and I'll get to work on them. However, I'm hesitant to add the products that have only been announced because they've only been announced and they're not in publication yet. (Actually i think I found a way to do it.)
Might be worth adding references to the two Liberation of Terra volumes, as well as the six upcoming 2765 field reports (Davion, Kurita, Liao, Marik, Steiner, Periphery).
While they still await publication, we have a sense of what is coming; Era Report: 3145, Field Manual: 3145, TRO: 3145, Historical: Wars of the Republic Era, Era Digest: Dark Age, and the mysterious ilClan sourcebook.Yes, but I'm not comfortable with adding sources that don't exist. Mostly because I worry that things will drag down and the products won't be released. I did forget about the DATP, though, so thanks for that reminder.
Although, there are those two currently-available Dark Age turning point pdfs; one for Liao and another for Vega.
You're only covering fiction/plot eras here, not tech/availability eras, which may confuse peopleAgreed, but I'm more worried that by adding a clarification I'll just make the confusion worse. So until someone actually says "Hey WTF?" I'm going to leave it as is. :) (If you want a real-world example of this, I'll refer you to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service's tax preparation documents.)
I set that era's name as Dark Age deliberately, based on what Herb and Randall have said in the past. If that changes in the future, and I have a real source for it, I'll update it. ;)
On the Dark Age era page (http://bg.battletech.com/?page_id=1641), the Republic Era is listed as a sub-era, covering the time period between the founding of the Republic of the Sphere and the point just before the events of Gray Monday. This is the time period which the upcoming historical file will cover.But you've made my point for me. That same page shows that the Dark Age (the Era) runs from 3081 on. So my text is correct. However, I see the point you're trying to make, and I've tweaked the text to reflect that.
The Left-Central bit is all the books (Absent TacOps for some reason) and I think the blobs of color have something to do with Tech Levels through their link to that bit on the right that I don't understand.
My biggest problem is, when I blow up the picture to try to read it, it starts bluring. :(
Heheh. Glad to have made a potential fan. It was an entire television series that was... very convoluted. I wish you luck. :)
It might be worth updating the Dark Age section to add links to ER:3145 (http://bg.battletech.com/?wpsc-product=era-report-3145) and TRO:3145M (http://bg.battletech.com/?wpsc-product=technical-readout-3145-mercenaries), and to explain the divide between the single print volume and 8 PDF volumes (Mercs, Clans, Republic, and one per Great House) in play for TRO:3145 overall.That's a good idea. I think it's more important to put the Era report in there than the TRO, but there's a problem: I've hit the limit on characters that can be in a single post. I need a little while to figure out what I'm going to do. (Split into a 2nd post, remove something else?)
Move some data, like the Unit lists under 2. into a separate thread and simply link there. While the information is nice to have, it's not necessary for new players who just want a rough overview, because it's too detailed.Good point. Changes made.
MekTek is apparently no longer distributing MW4. The link doensn't work, and I don't see any mention of it on their site (or anything BattleTech related).
They lost the rights to it, because of MWO. I found an explanation for it in their forums a while ago, but have no intention to go looking for it again. So, if anybody wants more details, he will have to hunt the information down himself ;)
So, do you want to wait until the print edition of TRO:3145 is out before adding a link?That was my plan. I would also like to wait until the PDF series is done, because hopefully those will all appear on their own webpage and I can just link straight to it.
Also, is it too early to make a note about Alpha Strike (http://bg.battletech.com/forums/index.php/topic,27880.0.html), or might it be worth adding in as a heads-up?I'm going to wait since all we really know is that it's coming out and it will have some QuickStrike flavor. Not really enough to put up IMHO.
not just MW:4 mercs free release but MW:LL will no longer be updated for the same reason the MW:4 mercs free release has ceased they do not have the legal rights and blessing to progress or whatever and if Mektek or Wandering samurai studios ignored them they could get legal action taken against them.Well, crap. Updated message.
pretty sad state of affairs but oh well.
mbear, thank You very much for this post.I don't think I can stick this thread. Others have asked, but it doesn't happen. No idea what you have to do to get a thread stickied. :(
I wish I could have read it earlier - perhaps even as the first one on this forum.
Would it be a problem to stick this thread? Make it more visible? Perhaps even advertise it on a main site?
Two of the 2765 Field Reports are up now (CCAF (http://bg.battletech.com/forums/index.php/topic,2209.msg805562.html#msg805562) and DCMS (http://bg.battletech.com/forums/index.php/topic,2209.msg824180.html#msg824180)), if you wanted to refer to them in the opening post.Probably, but I'm a little swamped at the moment. I'll look into getting these up tomorrow.
Also, would it be worth adding a short introduction to Alpha Strike there too, now that the AS core book is available in PDF and print forms?
Question: Who runs the Inner Sphere Atlas site? I'm currently making a Factory list and mega MUL (has more stuff than the online one) and it looks REALLY helpful, but it doesn't have any contact info nor does it seem to have a 'master' site. I have a few questions to ask about it to it's devs.I don't know who runs that site. I can say that one of Sarna's long term goals is to incorporate that data into Sarna, but that doesn't help you at all. Sorry! :(
Very nice, very helpful...tons of info, though.
I am going to seen to digest it over the next several days (when I should be studying for finals!)
Pffft it's just an Associates in Culinary Arts...of course, if I don't study, I risk my chef instructor beating me to death with a saute pan next time I have lab...Oh God. I just had a flash of a Commando wielding a frying pan. "Today on Iron Chef..."
There is also the BattleTech γαμε being developed by Harebrained Schemes.
The what? Is that Russian?
mbear - You might need to review and update the original posting in this thread as battlecorps is currently M.I.A.
This is a useful post that hasn't been updated for a while... may I suggest the following changes regarding the COMPUTER GAMES part?
COMPUTER GAMES
1. Why aren't there CGL-branded BattleTech computer games?
A simple reason: CGL doesn't own the electronic rights to BattleTech. Microsoft does. They licensed these to Smith and Tinker, who's working with Piranha. They already released MechWarrior Online and are in the process of developing MechWarrior 5 which is single player game, campaign mode FPS.There's also MechWarrior Tactics at http://mwtactics.com/. I think it's in beta, but I don't know.(this is cancelled) There is also the BattleTech γαμε being developed by Harebrained Schemes. BattleTech is a Turn-based tactical/campaign game which had a tremendously successful Kickstarter campaign.
2. So if there are no computer games, how can I get my BT fix?
The best option (IMHO) is MegaMek. It's faithful to the board game, so if you like the tactical perspective rather than the first person perspective used in the MechWarrior franchise, you're in luck. MekHQ (from the same team of MegaMek) is the campaign module, and MekLab is the TechManual module of MegaMek. There's more info at the MegaMek site, http://megamek.info/.
MechCommander, MechCommander Gold, and MechCommander 2 used to be available for free download, but I can't find valid links anywhere. (Though Microsoft has made the MechCommander Source Code available for download so if you're a programmer you can use that as a starting point.)
If you prefer the first person perspective,butdon't want MechWarrior Online or cant wait for MechWarrior 5you're out of luck. For a while the MekTek team was distributing MechWarrior 4, andthere iswasa BattleTech-flavored expansion to Crysis called "MechWarrior: Living Legends".but those have been taken down.
mbear - You might need to review and update the original posting in this thread as battlecorps is currently M.I.A.