"5150 Tanks and Mechs and 400 different titles…." Topic

I bought a version of 5150 maybe 10 years ago or so; the rules were fairly confusing to me at the time, and the specific races kinda blew the "use your own figures" idea (as it seemed they had very specific ideas on the different factions). I've not played it since.

Yet I hear good things about those who actually can get through the rules (many hate how the rules are organized and never actually play). So can someone point to a up to date "how this system works/is organized? Seems there are multiple websites, no up to date blogs, what rules do what? Some have combined arms, some are described as skirmish, then platoon, some are infantry, then just vehicles, but the one I bought was combined arms… Is there some organization to this system?

I see a just released Tanks and Mechs system-use your own minis? So do you stat your own or are they templates (which means you really have to find a mini that actually "looks" like the one described?). Are combined arms a "thing" with this system?

Help a fellow out with this rule system…What game does what?
Thanks in advance.

The Total War versions are the latest. Total War is written on every cover. These have less detail and faster play. The others are still offered as some players want more detail or more options.

5150 Star Army Total War – Squad and Platoon level infantry rules.
5150 Mechs and Vehicles Total War – Mech and Vehicle rules.
5150 Star Navy Total War – Space combat.
5150 Compnay Commander – Company level infantry rules.
5150 Argus Total War – Campaign for Star Army and Company Commander.
All the other rules are older but are compatible with some changes to the game mechanics.
The system is very organized actually. Most of the gamers that have a hard time skip over the Stop boxes because they have gaming experience. But as the rules are unique and different, not using the Stop boxes takes them down a rough road.
You can use your own minis, just use the stats that are in the books. Also going to the THW Pro boards
twohourwargames.proboards.com

or the THW Gaming Group on Facebook link
and questions are answered within 24 hours.
Hope this helps.

The Tanks & Mechs book is part of the "5150 Total War" trilogy for ground (two books – infantry and mechs/tanks) and space combat. The mechs and tanks book does include fighting vs infantry. You can use your own mechs and tanks, and use race lists as a guideline. Here's what one guy did to make his own Battletech conversion in the file folder of the THW Gaming Group FB page:

link

Ed/SBMG
thanks for the responses and clarifications. As I stated in another very recent post about sci-fi games (particularly those that are "figure agnostic/setting agnostic) I'm always looking to port my favorite sci-fi tropes into those games, as the games such as SW Legion/40K, various Star Trek games, often fall flat/over complicated, etc…

I'm also a Battletech fan, and have collected mechs for several other games (Heavy Gear and Steel Rift) and am always looking for that "one game to rule them all." Battletech, Alpha Strike, Battlesuit Alpha, Polyversal, Steel Rift, Horizon Wars, Gruntz…the list goes on and on. Each with its strong suits, but each in their own way failing to get the full combined arms, stat your own, get to playing how "I" think it should be…yeah I know that is asking for alot…
The game where I can metaphorically throw all those minis into one bag, shake em' out, stat em' up and get to playing in a short period of time.

Ed,
thanks for the clarifications, that will make choosing a purchase easier should I go down that route. I don't do social media (outside of sites like this) so Ill have to get a family member to check those FB feeds.

Thanks for the replies.

I'd suggest downloading the free Chain Reaction off of the THW site. It gives you an idea of the current game mechanics used.

10 minute video of how to play: YouTube link

Think of the rules as more of a toolbox. Once you learn the steps and how they work together, you can pick which parts you use. (ie: Sector movement, measured movement or use a seperate battle board).