Alternate Rules for Battletech

[Mr. White]

I recently posted looking for a Star Wars skirmish ruleset, now I need to harness the knowledge of the LAF for Battletech. I backed the recent KS campaign, so I have many mechs coming to me at some point...but I'm not sold on either the BT Classic or Alpha Strike. Both seem heavier than I want to game at the moment.

Is there a better ruleset or should I reconsider Alpha Strike?

Thanks!

[Yuber Okami]

How about Mekatac or any of its variants? it's ultrafast play

[sundayhero]

Mech attack is the way to go. Fast play, clever rules with a nice battletech/mech griding feeling. Otherwise try to focus on alpha strike, it's a good ruleset.

[Battle Brush Sigur]

Back when we tried out What a Tanker! for the first time a mate of mine instantly said he'd like to modify those rules for Battletech, as a sort of fast and fun multi-player game of sorts. Maybe worth a look?

[Vinlander]

My group and I have played BattleTech and Alpha Strike fairly extensively over the past five or six years and our experience is that Alpha Strike plays pretty quickly and easily yet retains the "feel" of a game of BattleTech. We enjoy playing them and I'd encourage you to give them a go. The BattleTech website has a force builder that is easy to use as well (though knowledge of the various units is an asset as the AS cards don't list the weapons/equipment loadouts for the different unit variants).

[Easy E]

I have used Rampant Stars for Mecha combat that has gone pretty well. 

https://bloodandspectacles.blogspot.com/2020/03/battle-report-rampant-stars-factory.html

[Golgotha]

Osprey's Horizon Wars, Sci-fi Combined Arms Wargaming looks like it may be interesting. Blood and Spectacles has a review here: http://bloodandspectacles.blogspot.com/search?q=review+horizon

He also has his own rules which may be an option such as Jugs for big stompy robot games.

[warlord frod]

Once again I am going to implore Elbows to restart and update his idea called Elbowtech. Check out my posts concerning this simplified version here:

http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=113548.msg1420546#msg1420546

and here

http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=80910.90

Fast simple and very enjoyable even in his 1.0 edition. Seriously Elbows restart and update this project.

[Golgotha]

Sounds and looks fantastic Warlord and Elbows - unfortunately the file is no longer available see: https://www.dropbox.com/s/p82fw2m6w8c6mez/ElbowtechPDF11.pdf?dl=0

[precinctomega]

Obviously, I'm biased.  But Horizon Wars is pretty much designed for people who want the feel of BattleTech but with a lighter rules-set (even than Alpha Strike).

And I can say that without commercial incentive, now, as I'm no longer earning a penny from it.

[pixelgeek]

Definitely check out Horizon Wars. Fun rules. It has damage allocation and the expansion has lots of fun additions if you try the core rules and like them

[warlord frod]

Sounds and looks fantastic Warlord and Elbows - unfortunately the file is no longer available see: https://www.dropbox.com/s/p82fw2m6w8c6mez/ElbowtechPDF11.pdf?dl=0

Yes I know but I am asking elbows if I can share what he had done given that I have the files and have made some additions to them since he abandoned the project. If he gives me permission I will gladly send you the things you cannot find on his blog. Rules, event cards etc

[OSHIROmodels]

Fistful of Lead; Galactic Heroes would work I reckon.

[Irregular Wars Nic]

Another call for Horizon Wars. Great wee game.

[Mr. White]

I've got a copy of Horizon Wars on its way.

Thanks, all!