"Battletech Alpha Strike - sounds good so far" Topic

The pdf is out, and Scott "Goalsystem" Pyle has reviewed it for Play Unplugged:

link

Sounds pretty good to me. A sensible direction to take the BTech franchise in.

I was really hopping for more of an overhaul then a content dump for the Quick Strike rules. They needed some fleshing out and a construction system but the mechanics are not the best. I enjoy it but there are cleaner ways to do things and it tends to be a bit more over simplified. Abstract movement is great but Abstract weapons takes all the flavor out of the game. They are so generalized that several mechs with drastically different load outs have the same weapon stats.

I have not read the new book yet but I have played quick strike a bunch and this review doesn't seem like they changed much.

Thanks for sharing. I really like pushing mechs that overheat easily. It may be a little abstract for that part of the original game.

I've only read through the rules so far, but they seem very good as they capture most of the original feel and tactical problems of the original while speeding up play, or in my case, allowing me to play with more minis.
We're having a game of Alpha Strike this weekend, so I'll know more after that.

Yeah, I think this was a smart move. Quick Strike was very popular. Guys like the idea of fielding multiple lances on a table and playing quickly. I have cards for most mechs, vehicles, power armor and infantry. They are readily available online. This is a good thing for BT.

Thanks,

John

I can't see how trading some of the complexity of the weaponry loadouts for the ability to play multiple-company-level games in a reasonable timeframe can possibly be a bad thing. You want the higher detail, stick to a lance or two per side and play BT. You want to actually put a battalion on the table at once without taking a week's vacation to play, that's what AS is for. Gaming's changed a lot over the last 27 years – today's new blood does not want the relatively slow-playing rules sets of the glory days of BT and SFB and the like.

I have played before and loved it. Ordered this right away. Woot!

John, could you give me a link to where to get more cards, especially the early Mechs? Thanks.

I bought the PDF Monday. The teaser downloads dragged me in.Have not had a chance to look at it too thoroughly.

I do agree with CorSecEng on the matter of weapons systems- seems like giving each mech 1-2 systems (like the clix) would not have complicated things much, and lent much more granularity.

Either way, I'm giving it a go. I located and dug out my minis, and will give it a go soon- my first BT(ish) game of the 21st century!

I'm with Bill here, too. Where are these cards?

I'm with Bill here, too. Where are these cards?

There's a link to the Battleforce Master Unit List right in the review in the OP, although as he notes you'll want to double the movement rates:

masterunitlist.info

Should be other sites out there too – a search on Battletech Alpha Strike will probably turn them up.

Thank you, Chief!

Here are some links to the cards. Corsec posted these, I believe.

link

Ok, I haven't found the link to the others I have. They are for 2750-3075. I can email them if you want. Just PM me or email me at johnleahy55atyahoodotcom

Also found this useful little site.

btengineer.blogspot.com

Wow – they charge $45 USD for six months of pdf BT fan fiction, etc? That's…wow.

link

Wanted to buy a print copy of this but as Catalyst want to charge $45 USD+ postage to Europe I'll wait for someone to import it!

Spectacular review. Really a great overview of the game, it's development and functionality.

Well Done!

I've been watching the development of this for months and will definitely be picking up the hardcopy soon.

The link that Kealios posted is a really good one also. I've downloaded most of those cards.

I concur, excellent review- and very useful links!