Hello!
I've been doing a little bit of organizing in my games room and dusted off my BattleTech intro boxes and suddenly got the yearning to play some good old BattleTech again. I come to the website and see it's got a new look again but more important, new books are out! My last post here was just over 2 years ago (wow! how time flies!!) and IIRC, I just got the Alpha Strike book at that time. I've since also purchased the AS Companion book, but sadly, neither have seen much use.
Anyway, back to my main concern: the new books. I've read what I can from the website's blurbs, but they don't really say very much so I was hoping someone here can give a little more insight.
Campaign Companion
What exactly does it do with regards to generating BT forces? I am mainly interested in making mercenary forces, but only 1-2 lances in size and only for a start of a game. Maybe make up some planetary defence forces, but IIRC there were random tables for such things.
What "rules" does it give regarding running campaigns? Again, I'm interested in what will help mercenary forces. Does this replace/supplement FM:Mercs Revised?
Chaos Campaign system --- what is this again? Is this the warchest system?
Campaign Operations
I guess this is the "first" book and Campaign Companion is the "second" book? Again, it speaks of creating and running forces and specifically states "down-on-their-luck mercenary battalion." This gets me interested... can it help run a donw-on-their-luck mercenary company? Or even half-company?
Again, does this book supplement/replace FM:Mercs Revised (which IIRC is the latest FM for mercenaries)?
Combat Manual: Mercenaries
So it's "Combat Manual" now and not "Field Manual"?? Is this the new FM:Mercs? The blurb states stuff for Alpha Strike; as a non-AS player, does this book have anything for classic BattleTech play? Does it have anything for classic BT mercenaries? Or is this aimed more as a Alpha Strike: Mercenaries book?
Are there any other books that would be useful for a returning player/GM? Or for a mercenary-centered game/campaign? Coming back to the game now, what programs are there for generating/printing out Mech record sheets? Or maybe even Alpha Strike sheets?
Thanks in advance for any help!