Battletech, how and why?

[Elbows]

Silly question: are there any good battletech community forums?  The official forum is...terrible.

Can anyone recommend a community which is less 40K-tournament-players-esque?  The official forums are borderline depressing, and far too stat/tournament heavy.  Perhaps a forum dedicated to old school battletech or simply fluff?

[Cherno]

Part from country-specific ones, the only big one I know of is Lords of the Battlefield.

[Grimmnar]

Silly question: are there any good battletech community forums?

http://www.lordsofthebattlefield.com/ is the one i hit most often. There are a slew of them out there. Try LotB and see what you make of it.

Grimm

[WitchfinderGeneral]

REAPER have an own rule system to go along their macha minis: CAV.
I have been interested in this for a long time because it seems less book-heavy than Battletech. I eventually bought the rule book. Now they offer the rules as a FREE download from their website: https://www.reapermini.com/Games/CAV

[Elbows]

Thanks guys, I've joined the LOTB forum and will check out the CAV rules.

[fourcolorfigs]

I'd be willing to share my Goalsystem RoboFire rules draft with folks.  Let me know if you want to take a look at them. 

Once SuperSystem and Warband: Goalsystem Fantasy Skirmish are done, I think RoboFire would be next on my list.

[Keeper Nilbog]

Just be careful with the CAV rules - the book and the site downloads are (I think) different versions (Book - CAV 1, PDF - CAV 2). Prefer the original book version, but that's just me.

[YPU]

Just be careful with the CAV rules - the book and the site downloads are (I think) different versions (Book - CAV 1, PDF - CAV 2). Prefer the original book version, but that's just me.

What would be the main differences between the two?

[Grimmnar]

Thanks guys, I've joined the LOTB forum and will check out the CAV rules.

Remember two things. LotB and CAV rules are two separate things.
Also, over on LotB watch out for Zac, AKA AVA MANGO TWO. He has been out sitting in the sun for a long time awaiting someone to post something. He has been eying up this plump roach for some time as a meal. The roach moved on so Zac has been looking for other  sustenance so watch your back. :-)

Grimm

[Papabees]

You might check out Alpha Strike one more time but buy the Companion. It really makes the game feel complete to me by adding alot of detail and changing some of the sillier rules of the initial incarnation.

[Elbows]

Will do. This project is not a priority (in fact it's about 3rd or 4th on my "to do" list) so I'll be perusing rules, websites and forums for quite some time before anything gets put on the table.  I'm sure I'll get around to it.

[Vinlander]

I'd  also give Alpha Strike a go. I've played several games now using those rules and my group here quite like them.

 

[eilif]

I'm in a similar boat. I love the BT universe, but not the rules. A few comments on 2 rulesets I've played and 2 I haven't

Alpha Strike.
Only played it a couple times, but I like it. it's quite abstract, but when you want a game with 10,20 or more units on the table it's an excellent option.  Though streamlined, it has the feel of the BT universe.

Mech Attack
A favorite of mine. It's plays about the same scope of BT and functions well with 5-10 or so units per player.  It has most of the BT universe elements (customizability/construction, heat, damage grid, varried weapons, etc) but plays in about 1/4 the time.  Has rules for infantry and vehicles. The only thing it lacks is jump jets, though it could be house-ruled.
I use it in 10mm with rebased Mechwarrior Dark Age miniatures and 28mm with large mech models.
Send me a PM if you'd want to have the statlines for some for some of the mechs I've done up. 

CAV
I've not played it, but alot of folks speak especially well of it. 3 versions.
CAV (1) The only version that was ever in print. Rulebook and the 2 Journals of Recognition are still available for a reasonable cost from Troll and Toad,
CAV 2 Only available as PDF. Still available for download from Reaper
CAV: Strike Operations. Currently in development. The beta rules might still be available via the reaper website. Rumored to be released via a kickstarater with mechs in the PVC "Bones" materials that have already been shown online.

GRUNTZ 15mm
Another ruleset that I've not played, but have read. A really nice production and is reported to be very well playtested with a very active author. Looks more crunchy than Mech attack, but nicely done with some mechanics similar to Warmachine.  The author has actually said before that it was intended as a replacement for Battletech.

[Cosmotiger]

Someone recommended this to me

http://armorgridgames.blogspot.co.uk/2010/03/armor-grid-mech-attack.html

Played a couple of games with my son, worked really well.
I added a couple of extra weapons for the BT feel and made a few alterations.
Biggest problem was looking at the effects of heat 

I'm curious what weapons you added beyond the ones in the rules? 

And yep, a good set of rules for playing w/ the young'uns, in my experience.

[The_Beast]

Having only dabble in Jovian Chronicles Lightning Strike, I know nothing about the previous game, but is there any love here for Heavy Gear?

I see DP9 is gong to try, One More Time.

Doug