Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => Future Wars => Topic started by: Legionnaire on October 23, 2024, 10:59:00 PM
-
A few weeks ago, a member at the club brought down the Battletech Starter Box and we were 6 players having a go, three a side commanding one Mech each. It was good fun but I know nothing about Battletech more than that involves big robots. £25 later, I found myself with a nice little 4 model "lance. Mostly bought because it was a decent price.
It's an Inner Sphere Urban Lance, containing a Victor, an Enforcer, a Hunchback and a Raven. I DO like some colour on a model if I'm going to play with it so I basically looked for colours I liked and via that route, I plumped on Free Worlds Legionnaires lol. Below are my "artistic renditions" of those colours :o. We are still to organise a proper full rules game, but I have printed out the essential Mech Sheets and will laminate those.
-
They look good, nice selection of Mechs.
I don't know much about the later iterations of the rules, but with the original having only 1 or 2 mechs each was the best way to do it. Much more tactical that way.
-
Welcome to the "very deep" hole of the Battletech Universe.
The rules, well the "classic" rules, haven't really changed much in the 40 odd years the game has been up and running, though they remain "crunchy" in their detail (Alpha Strike works for Company and up games quite well - and that's what those coloured cards in the lance box are for). The changes are mostly "tidy ups", or additional weapons and equipment (Clans, League Era equipment and follow on improvements - which you can take or leave - I generally only play games between 3039 and 3062, So late Succession Wars, Clan Invasion, FedCom Civil War and the Bears/Combine War around 3062).
So, go with what attracts you, and make use of Sarna.net and the Master Unit List (as a guide, not gospel) to build your forces.
-
I’ve played since the 80s, the rules are pretty much exactly the same. Fun game for sure if you don’t mind some crunch. A single lance vs lance is a great way to play. Those are solid mechs, there are definitely garbage mechs and really good ones so balance can be an issue.
-
Just played a large BT in person game last Saturday. Like Logain77 we have been playing forever with various metal, resin and plastic mechs. We normally have 6-8 players (generally IS vs Clan) with 8 to 12 mechs a side. Three of the guys went overboard on the kickstarters so we have a lot to choose from. Every time I go over I get a couple of box sets to paint from them.
We also play a MegaMech online campaign almost weekly. That can be a fun option when travel or free time is limited.
-
I do like your colour scheme on the Mechs
-
Welcome to Battletech! If you find CBT (Classic Battletech) to crunchy or slow give Alpha Strike a try. It easily handles multiple lances on the table top. I picked it up a couple years back and it is a great, streamlined rule set for all ages.
As far as universes go it is a rich one with loads of opportunity to play pretty much any scenario you can dream up.
-
They look good, nice selection of Mechs.
I don't know much about the later iterations of the rules, but with the original having only 1 or 2 mechs each was the best way to do it. Much more tactical that way.
Thank you kindly robh. Nice and easy to paint, just white primer, paint in the other bits with Armypainter Speedpaint 2.0 and job done.
-
Welcome to the "very deep" hole of the Battletech Universe.
So, go with what attracts you, and make use of Sarna.net and the Master Unit List (as a guide, not gospel) to build your forces.
"Very deep" hole indeed. Doing my "research" into something I don't know anything about led me to: Mech colours of clans and factions, some of the BT history, the VERY big document about the Free World Legionnaires military history and makeup of the different Legions, where it stipulates they are employing a wide range of combined arms (to get people to buy MORE models presumably :o) etc.
Wise words indeed, going with what you like is a very valid idea. I ALWAYS play my games to have fun, sometimes very badly but having a good time and that's what it's about. Thank you very much for the advice.
-
I’ve played since the 80s, the rules are pretty much exactly the same. Fun game for sure if you don’t mind some crunch. A single lance vs lance is a great way to play. Those are solid mechs, there are definitely garbage mechs and really good ones so balance can be an issue.
Wow, a seasoned veteran by now surely :)! I don't mind some crunch if I'm having fun. The only one I'm not sure about rules wise how it works, is the Raven which has got a lot of equipment, which I assume are more like "spotting" and supporting other Mechs on the battlefield, than primary armaments. But the guy who has the game will let me know what's what. I gather that, because the sheer volume of Mechs kind of dictates that not everyone, ton for ton, can be equal.
-
Just played a large BT in person game last Saturday. Like Logain77 we have been playing forever with various metal, resin and plastic mechs. We normally have 6-8 players (generally IS vs Clan) with 8 to 12 mechs a side. Three of the guys went overboard on the kickstarters so we have a lot to choose from. Every time I go over I get a couple of box sets to paint from them.
We also play a MegaMech online campaign almost weekly. That can be a fun option when travel or free time is limited.
Another veteran! It might still be a thing to take off at our club, who knows?
I did laugh (in good humour) at "play online almost weekly when travel/ free time is limited". I work in a 24/7 service and have other commitments, so my attendance at the local gaming club is "spotty" at best. I have an online gaming group that might get together once a month when work/ family/ other commitment allows, so the perspective of "limited free time" is highly individual :).
-
I do like your colour scheme on the Mechs
Thank you sir! And nice and easy to paint as well. White primer, put the other colours on with Armypainter Speedpaint 2.0 and it's a quick job to get them on the table. We are still to organise another game, but hopefully, it'll happen over the next few weeks.
-
Welcome to Battletech! If you find CBT (Classic Battletech) to crunchy or slow give Alpha Strike a try. It easily handles multiple lances on the table top. I picked it up a couple years back and it is a great, streamlined rule set for all ages.
As far as universes go it is a rich one with loads of opportunity to play pretty much any scenario you can dream up.
Thank you for the welcome sir! Seems to be a quite popular game, but I don't know much about it. I'm under the impression Alpha Strike is more of a skirmish wargame or can you play it on the hex maps as well? The pure benefit there is that the cards and pilot cards are included in the box.
-
Thank you for the welcome sir! Seems to be a quite popular game, but I don't know much about it. I'm under the impression Alpha Strike is more of a skirmish wargame or can you play it on the hex maps as well? The pure benefit there is that the cards and pilot cards are included in the box.
Like some of the others I started playing in the 80s, and CBT is a fun game, but going beyond a couple mechs a player can get a bit overwhelming. It is a more old school game in terms of feel.
Alpha Strike is more skirmish style. That said, if you want it to be it could be very crunchy for a skirmish game with rules for Mechs, infantry, vtols, tanks, artillery, aerospace, special equipment, special munitions, under water combat, etc. You can play it on hex maps if you want or sans hex if you want. I swapped over as it was better suited to our gaming group and playing with my kids.
-
Like some of the others I started playing in the 80s, and CBT is a fun game, but going beyond a couple mechs a player can get a bit overwhelming. It is a more old school game in terms of feel.
Alpha Strike is more skirmish style. That said, if you want it to be it could be very crunchy for a skirmish game with rules for Mechs, infantry, vtols, tanks, artillery, aerospace, special equipment, special munitions, under water combat, etc. You can play it on hex maps if you want or sans hex if you want. I swapped over as it was better suited to our gaming group and playing with my kids.
I'm more than happy to take advice and guidance from those who "are in the know" ;). I mainly aim to just play the game now and then, because frankly, with work and other commitments, I will struggle to play anything with any kind of regularity.
I spoke to the chap that kindly let us have a go and discussed what kind of games we'd like to do. Nothing too complicated, basically a Mech vs Mech bash. So, both of us, funnily enough, ordered the Battletech: Battlemech Manual today!!! Mine should, all things being well, arrive Monday so I'm looking forward to reading the rules.
-
I started playing with a copy of the original 'Battledroids' set and the rules (apart from vehicles) really haven't changed that much over the years. It has probably the most extensive background of any game I've ever played which has evolved over the 40 years it's been going - yep, 40th anniversary this year, 1984-2024 and still going strong!
-
I, like Rick, started playing with the "Battledroids" game (before Lucasfilm got touchy over the use of the word droids, and Unseen was not a thing).
I've tried to get some of my (now non functional) local club interested, but CBT was too involved for them, and I didn't have Alpha Strike at the time.
(The youth of today and their "quick/simple" games - have you seen how complicated 40K is currently, and they can't handle a simple CBT game).
I always tended to play "mapless" if able, but do find I'm now more likely to use a map when gaming, though with 3D terrain on it.
Continue with building your force, and remember that "most" mechs can work in any time/era, so use what you like. Just give the "weaker" (non optimised) versions a run out every now and then - the Urbanmech and Charger exist for a reason. :-)
-
If you can find a copy then a good way in might be to get the FanPro CBT 'Solaris VII Map pack' - special rules for each of the main arenas and the reaches (just missing the counters). Get a few players in the game, each with a standard mech, and last mech standing wins!
Alternatively, treat a single standard map board as a local arena for a fun free-for-all game.
-
I've also been playing since Battledroids, and another big vote in favour of BattleTech Alpha Strike. This is the fast-play version we needed 25 years ago for quick lance v. lance games and even handles company or battalion engagements very nicely in an afternoon.
-
Yeah, we WERE playing something like this 25 years ago! I did a homebrew fastplay set of rules that a couple of local clubs used to use for big games with a company or more on a side. I was highly amused when Alpha Strike came out to find that I'd been more or less on the right track back then, although AS has far more in it than my old set ever did.
-
The Raven does often have a lot of advanced electronics that doesn’t really do much in most situations. But most mechs have a number of different variants so you can ditch that stuff for more practical equipment or build your force to take advantage of it. The best games we played were always with a Gamemaster and focused on narrative scenarios. A Raven might shine in those. Even in its normal configuration it’s a decent mech. Lots of people complain the game takes too long, but I also like playing with mostly lights and mediums - the game plays a lot faster with the little guys.
-
The Raven is very much a team player with its equipment suite - rather than benefitting from its own weaponry it enhances the capabilities of the mechs around it. The rules for the equipment should be in the Clan Invasion era set and in Alpha Strike - it does have on-table effects, not just limited to a narrative arc.
Speaking of Alpha Strike, just found out that the Force Manual Davion book has been released and the Force Manual Kurita book is due out any time. For those who are just getting into A/S, the Force Manual series gives an overview of an entire houses military units, along with specific guidelines for fielding forces from those units and special A/S rules for them. Well worth getting imho and long overdue.
-
There are many versions of each mech as they evolve through the ages and gather bling. For sanity's sake, I just stick with 4th Succession War. The 3030 Raven RVN-2X is just a straight up nice 35-tonner.
-
I so badly want to go back to Battletech; it’s SO CONFUSING and so many books out of print now.
I have very fond memories of FASA 1980s - and wish Catalyst had that same fire?
-
That is one of the great strength's of Battletech - you can pick up a rulebook from the 80's and use it against someone playing with the current rulebook (aside from just checking the physical attack target numbers which may have changed). The current rulebook is basically just a streamlined version of the same rules we've always used, with a few minor tweaks and extra weapons to reflect advancing technology. I'm still using the FanPro Master set rules and my rulebook is completely up-to-date, albeit published quite some time ago! I don't think the record sheets or mech designs have changed - the original designs in the first set are the same 'classic' versions in use today, there are just a lot more variants and new mechs to choose from.
-
I've also been playing since Battledroids, and another big vote in favour of BattleTech Alpha Strike. This is the fast-play version we needed 25 years ago for quick lance v. lance games and even handles company or battalion engagements very nicely in an afternoon.
We've done several multiple battalion battles, and that is really what Alpha Strike does well. The last time we played was a battalion a player plus infantry, tank, vtol, and aerospace support.
At that level you want to activate a whole lance at a time rather than a model at a time, but it was still enjoyed by all 6 players. We didn't tough on too many special rules such as C3 or special munitions, but it played just fine. Took about 3+ hours.
-
That is one of the great strength's of Battletech - you can pick up a rulebook from the 80's and use it against someone playing with the current rulebook (aside from just checking the physical attack target numbers which may have changed). The current rulebook is basically just a streamlined version of the same rules we've always used, with a few minor tweaks and extra weapons to reflect advancing technology. I'm still using the FanPro Master set rules and my rulebook is completely up-to-date, albeit published quite some time ago! I don't think the record sheets or mech designs have changed - the original designs in the first set are the same 'classic' versions in use today, there are just a lot more variants and new mechs to choose from.
I think the other very strong draw is the massive customization system. You are not even slightly limited to the published units. Want a PPC equipped Raven, rock on with the unit design rules. That was, for me, one of the key drivers for CBT. I could strip the mgs off the battlemaster, slap on extra heat sinks, and wreck total havoc.
-
Temptation got the better of me.
Ordered Alpha Strike and Clan Invasion.
No idea what I’m doing, but I went with “those toys look cool” rule. lol
-
It was the A/S commanders edition, wasn't it? That's the revised and upgraded version with the latest version of the rules in it, which is what you'll want.
The other good news is that there is an online resource called the 'Master Unit List' which has record cards for pretty much every battlemech, vehicle, fighter and infantry unit you can imagine.
-
It was the A/S commanders edition, wasn't it? That's the revised and upgraded version with the latest version of the rules in it, which is what you'll want.
The other good news is that there is an online resource called the 'Master Unit List' which has record cards for pretty much every battlemech, vehicle, fighter and infantry unit you can imagine.
Again … SOOOOO CONFUSING! No, it’s just “Alpha Strike”.
I feel like I can’t win at Battletech. At least the mechs will be fun to paint…
-
Oops, I didn't mean to put my foot in it. The 'Alpha Strike Companion' would be very useful to you in that case, it adds extra options to the basic rules and changes the way unit points costs are worked out - the original system is a bit more convoluted and is no longer used.
-
I’m sure it will be fine for now.
I’m just going to move my toys around and go “pew pew pew”.
-
The original 'Alpha Strike' rules are perfectly fine as they are and will give you a lot of enjoyment, I'm sure. I don't think there are many rule changes, aside from the way the points are worked out, so it should be just fine.
If it makes you feel any better, I bought the original Alpha Strike rulebook as well, then the Alpha Strike Companion and I was feeling pretty darned good about it. 2 weeks later, CGL announced they'd be releasing the Alpha Strike Commanders edition which would combine both books. I feel your pain.
-
The original 'Alpha Strike' rules are perfectly fine as they are and will give you a lot of enjoyment, I'm sure. I don't think there are many rule changes, aside from the way the points are worked out, so it should be just fine.
If it makes you feel any better, I bought the original Alpha Strike rulebook as well, then the Alpha Strike Companion and I was feeling pretty darned good about it. 2 weeks later, CGL announced they'd be releasing the Alpha Strike Commanders edition which would combine both books. I feel your pain.
The pain is REAL! lol
CGL isn’t doing anyone any favours with this, are they?
I mostly paint and enjoy friendly games so I think it will be fine until Mercenaries comes to retail sometime. The crazy part of the whole thing are the insane prices for the OOP editions/books.
I have someone who kindly passed on a Dropbox of all the stuff I might need and more, which was cool. I can get my local print shop to do what I might need.
Airbrush at the ready, mechs inbound tomorrow!
-
CGL are slowly (oh so very slowly) increasing the number of pdf's with a print-on-demand option on drivethrurpg but it may take a long while before everything is available but I suppose it's cheaper for them than reprinting the books.
If you use the points values from the Master Unit List that'll be fine - it's just when you want to use different skill values you'll need to know how to increase or decrease the points. And that is based on the base points value given on the M.U.L. - for skills lower than the default 4, deduct 1 pt if the base pv is up to 14, deduct an extra point for every 10 pts that the base pv is higher.. So if you have a mech that has a base pv of 34, say, you'd deduct 3 points for each point of skill lower than 4.
For skill increases above 4, add 1 pt if the base pv is up to 7 and an extra pt for every 5 pts of the base pv above that - so if you have the same 34 pt mech, it'd cost 7 points for every skill point increase above 4.
I know it's a bit of a pain but this should help.
And, if you really want to know what pain is, my mercenaries kickstarter pledge still hasn't arrived - it'll be in the shops before it gets to my door! :'(
-
Brother, I feel your MERCS KS pain! I know so many who are suffering, genuinely, that it makes me … sad.
Ironically, it’s the KS that brought my nostalgia out, and got me back to Battletech.
But I REALLY hope you get your Mercs before retail. Cheers, eh?
-
Cheers! I hope so too. Also hope you enjoy playing Alpha Strike, it's a good game. On the whole, I think we are seeing a big resurgence in Battletech after a long while in a bit of a slump, all we need now is for CGL to sort things out just a tad faster than they have up to now! ;)
-
The original 'Alpha Strike' rules are perfectly fine as they are and will give you a lot of enjoyment, I'm sure. I don't think there are many rule changes, aside from the way the points are worked out, so it should be just fine.
Yes, the only significant changes were a better balancing of the points cost. Getting unit cards off MUL (MasterUnitList) is the way to go anyway, and that has all the updated points.
-
Did you mean you got the Alpha Strike box? That includes the starter rules and the support card deck. It should be fine unless you want to do some of the more complicated stuff.
The only separate rulebook that should be available now is the Commander's edition.
-
"Very deep" hole indeed.
Its like 40K and Tolstoy had a love child.
-
Did you mean you got the Alpha Strike box? That includes the starter rules and the support card deck. It should be fine unless you want to do some of the more complicated stuff.
The only separate rulebook that should be available now is the Commander's edition.
Yes; I now have and am trying to sort out:
A Game of Armoured Combat
Alpha Strike
Clan Invasion
I was at the local shop, Sentry Box, at the weekend, and there was lot of stuff. Two staff saw me looking at it, kept talking to themselves, and picked up the last two of something I was considering (a terrain and counter pack).
So I left and ordered grudgingly from Amazon. Gord’s shop has been better. It’s changed.
-
Ah the Alpha Strike BOX. In that case please ignore everything I've said you do indeed have the current set but you might want to consider the Commanders Edition book later on when you've got to grips with the rules. The comments about the MUL (Master Unit List) still stand though - it's an invaluable resource.
-
Ah the Alpha Strike BOX. In that case please ignore everything I've said you do indeed have the current set but you might want to consider the Commanders Edition book later on when you've got to grips with the rules. The comments about the MUL (Master Unit List) still stand though - it's an invaluable resource.
Sadly that book is OOP. The one I saw for sale was … $299. Yep. Not kidding. Used. Insane!
CGL could use a clean-up of all this rule mess.
-
CGL could use a clean-up of all this rule mess.
Alackaday, the BT rules situation has been kind of a mess since late last century under FASA too. CGL is notorious for things going out of print for long stretches between reruns. The good news is that they update the current errata into each new print run, but that does add to the delays.
CGL errata is currently up to 7th printing, which will be the next print run. If you buy a pdf right now, it will be 6th. But if you buy it from DriveThruRPG, you'll get a free 7th when it becomes available.
New editions do sell out quickly, so best advice is to snap one up quick when you can if you want the hardcopy.
-
Alackaday, the BT rules situation has been kind of a mess since late last century under FASA too. CGL is notorious for things going out of print for long stretches between reruns. The good news is that they update the current errata into each new print run, but that does add to the delays.
CGL errata is currently up to 7th printing, which will be the next print run. If you buy a pdf right now, it will be 6th. But if you buy it from DriveThruRPG, you'll get a free 7th when it becomes available.
New editions do sell out quickly, so best advice is to snap one up quick when you can if you want the hardcopy.
Good to know! I’m old school in that I prefer hard copies. I dislike FOMO stuff, but if I anticipate it, then I’ll just grab it when it comes.
Cheers!
-
CGL are starting to add Print on Demand options to the pdf's on drivethrurpg slowly (I've only seen the Ilclan books so far) but another option might be to get the pdf and upload it to a 3rd party printer that will print and bind it for you.
OOP Battletech books often get listed for insane amounts, not necessarily bought at that price, mind; but it does make you wonder about some collectors!
-
HerbertTarkel - I have a copy of the Alpha Strike Commander’s Edition in excellent shape that I would part with for MSRP plus shipping from US. Send me a PM if interested.
-
HerbertTarkel - I have a copy of the Alpha Strike Commander’s Edition in excellent shape that I would part with for MSRP plus shipping from US. Send me a PM if interested.
PM sent - and much appreciated!
-
It's alive!
Posting something innocently about Battletech on my gaming clubs WhatsApp group, opened up that several members had played it in their youth and remembered it fondly :o.
Looks like we might have a Battletech revival on our hands lol.
We are going to try out Battletech: Battlemech Manual Monday!
-
Yay! It is still a superb game with so much potential and I'm glad that we're seeing an upsurge in popularity. Other companies should really take note.