Xolsco | 11 Jul 2014 12:12 p.m. PST |
Hello folks Guess its because its got a brand new shiny box but Im tempted to dabble into Battletech after 20 years. After checking the net, Im amazed about how confusing all the BT information is. I see Ironwind has lots of shiny toys and thats something I like. Are the models there up to date with the Tech Manuals avaible online? We mostly like to play 2 vs 2 games. How many mechs per player would be reccomended? How does it handle mech imbalance? (heavys, lights, assault, etc). And what happens when you add a few tanks to the mix? also, I'd like to hear about C.A.V. vs. Battletech! What do you think?
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wminsing | 11 Jul 2014 12:23 p.m. PST |
A quick summary: 1. Not exactly sure what you're asking here; the Ironwind line is very extensive, but it always lags somewhat behind the release of TRO's. 2. For Battletech with 2 players aside I'd run with 2-3 mechs each, for 4-6 mechs per side. 3. For same tech-level units total tonnage per side is a decent approximation, but there's also 'Battle Value' which is a points system and more accurate (presumably). 4. A few vehicle can be added fairly easily, tanks are fine, helicopters get a little trickier. 5. Have only played CAV once a long time ago, so I can't really compare. You might always want to check out Alpha Strike, which is a new faster-playing rule set aimed at about a Company of Mechs per player. -Will |
Weasel | 11 Jul 2014 12:36 p.m. PST |
2-4 mech's per player. It can get pretty intense, since there's a lot to keep track of. I'd start with 2 or so, then work up. The sell? Battletech is fun, not terribly serious and gives you a lot of detail: Pilots get knocked out, you can pick up damaged limbs and use them as weapons, crush enemies by jump jetting on top of them. You can design your own machines and there's a ton of premade designs to pick from. it's also pretty cheap for wargaming. Buy 8 miniatures and you're set for a lifetime. |
PygmaelionAgain | 11 Jul 2014 1:12 p.m. PST |
A word of caution: Be sure you get the new boxed set with the new superior plastic sculpts. I picked up the anniversary starter box a year or so back and the figures didn't live up to expectations. The newer box is supposed to correct that. |
charles popp | 11 Jul 2014 1:33 p.m. PST |
As long as you do not get into the really wonky tech stuff it is a fun easy play. |
ordinarybass | 11 Jul 2014 2:07 p.m. PST |
CAV has gone through 3 itterations. CAV, CAV2, and CAV: Strike Operations is currently on the way. CAV 2 is available online for free (don't recall where though). CAV 1 is currently the only edition that was published in paper. You can still get the rulebook and the two Journals of Recognition at T&T, though they recently jacked the price up. link They were a buck each until recently. As for Battletech, if you like crunchy rulesets and map grids (though there are free rules for terrain conversion) then it might be up your alley. I'm not a fan of the BT rules, but I like the Fast-Play Variant "Alpha Strike" which is made for many more units per player and for play on 3d terrain. It uses the same minis as BT. Like BT, it handles combined arms. As for Tech manual and Miniatures available, it's much better to look for units based on what "era" they are in. The BT universe is constantly moving forward so it's ideal if a group of players can agree to play in a given era (usually a period of 15-40 years or so). The "Technical Readout" lists the mechs (The "Tech manual" is a guide to building units) for a given year will give you an idea of what tech is current at a certain point. IWM makes models for every era of the BT universe. The "New To" links at this page bg.battletech.com will help you to better understand the universe and eras of Battletech. Even though I'm not a fan of the main BT rules, it is my favorite gaming universe. It's got 60+ Novels, over 100 Sourcebooks (which never are made obsolete when they rules get an update) an online fiction mag and lots of company support. Lastly, if you like the main BT rules, but don't want to get too heavy into the crunch, many folks game exclusively in the 3000-3039 era. The tech level is lower and there is less complexity. It's often called "Introductory" level of technology and is mostly covered in the rule book that comes in the boxed set, though the boxed set doesn't cover infantry and vehicles. |
Stryderg | 11 Jul 2014 2:38 p.m. PST |
Try Giant Stompy Robots first. It's not BattleTech, but it is similar (and free). It will give you a feel for how crunchy BT is. If you like that style of game, then go for it! If you don't like GSR, then you probably won't like BT. Although Alpha Strike is still an option (BT flavor without the number crunching, and more units). link |
Privateer4hire | 11 Jul 2014 2:40 p.m. PST |
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Tgunner | 11 Jul 2014 3:15 p.m. PST |
Why ask us. Go try it out. The Quick Start rules are free and they will give you a good feel for the game before you spend serious money on it. Go here: bg.battletech.com/?page_id=400 This page will get you going. |
Xolsco | 11 Jul 2014 6:05 p.m. PST |
Thanks everyone who replied! You did gave me quite a few hints. :) ordinary bass, your comments about the tech manuals very specially helpful. I wanted to buy models mostly by aesthetic reasons but I guess its better to follow the timeline coherence |
ordinarybass | 11 Jul 2014 8:17 p.m. PST |
Happy to help. Many (though not all) models have variants over more than one eras, so the same model can represent various versions depending on what era you want to play. If you get way deep into the rules, the "Tech Manual" provides vehicle construction rules so that you can up grade virtually any mech into any subsequent era. Still, if you have a store that stocks BT, it might be worthwhile to just flip through some of the TRO's to see if there's one era that has the most mechs that catch your fancy. This site here, masterunitlist.infothe "Master Unit List" has listed nearly every variant of every unit in BT. (around 4000 IIRC). It's not great for browsing, but if you see a BT design somewhere you like, you can put it into the search engine and it will show you all the variants, their eras, etc. |
Coelacanth1938 | 11 Jul 2014 9:16 p.m. PST |
Stay the HECK away from Camille Klein! |
David Johansen | 12 Jul 2014 7:50 p.m. PST |
I think the thing to keep in mind is that BT is about big stompy robot duels. People always wind up trying to play it at the company level and then complain it's too complex or detailed. It's a detailed duel level game. No more than four mechs per player though you can do huge multiplayer event games but you'll need to alter the turn sequence. |
David Johansen | 12 Jul 2014 7:51 p.m. PST |
I think the thing to keep in mind is that BT is about big stompy robot duels. People always wind up trying to play it at the company level and then complain it's too complex or detailed. It's a detailed duel level game. No more than four mechs per player though you can do huge multiplayer event games but you'll need to alter the turn sequence or perhaps run initiative per map board rather than for the whole game at once. |
wargame insomniac | 13 Jul 2014 2:07 p.m. PST |
I love Battltech mechs and also background. Did find main game a bit clunky. Recently we have started playing Battletech Alpha Strike, and loving it. A simplified stripped down version of Battletech it allows you to play with much larger forces. We have played games with the the equivalent of 3-4 companies on each side. I last game we had a dozen mechs, about 24 tanks, APC's and VTOLs, half a dozen aerospace fighters and some infantry on the Inner Sphere merc force. Facing off against Clan Snow Raven with a couple of stars of Mechs, a star apiece of Elementals, Clan BA and Sylph BA and some Clan Aerospace. Went very smoothly and was an awful lot of fun. I come from more GW background and love Epic. My mates come from a more historical background having played a whole variety of micro armour games. We all agree that Alpha Strike is the best combined arms game we have played, combining Mechs, Tanks, Aerillery, VTOL's, AA, aerospace fighters and bombers, Battle Armour and Conventional Infantry all seamlessly. Cheers James |
Spudeus | 17 Jul 2014 12:32 p.m. PST |
I recently jumped back into BT also. Played the box starter way back in the 80s, and although detailed, always thought the rules were elegant. Lots of decision points, and your decisions matter as you try to outmaneuver your opponent. I will have to give Alpha Strike a try, though. I gather the two systems complement each other – you can play a largish battle with AS but also 'zoom down' and play a critical action (say two lances fighting over a vital objective) at the BT level. |