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 Mattlov wrote:

Stormonu wrote:Hmm... I notice that the Warhammer, Archer, Rifleman, Wasp, Pheonix Hawk, Crusader and Marauder are not present. Did HG step in and force Catalyst to drop the Macross-style mechs?

Also, no Scorpion or Goliath?

Yes. HG is being a bunch of asshats. This is nothing surprising.

FASA and then Catalyst have long had a policy of least resistance. If in doubt pull it.
Now i hope that judgement goes against Harmony Gold, but it makes sense for Catalyst to only include designs they are 100% certain cannot be IP challenged.

Harebrained has removed two mechs from the Battletech computer game that are in Mechwarrior Online which pisses me off, but I can understand them. Maybe once and if this whole issue gets kicked into touch Harebrained can re-include those mechs.

 Orlanth wrote:

 Mattlov wrote:

Stormonu wrote:Hmm... I notice that the Warhammer, Archer, Rifleman, Wasp, Pheonix Hawk, Crusader and Marauder are not present. Did HG step in and force Catalyst to drop the Macross-style mechs?

Also, no Scorpion or Goliath?

Yes. HG is being a bunch of asshats. This is nothing surprising.

FASA and then Catalyst have long had a policy of least resistance. If in doubt pull it.
Now i hope that judgement goes against Harmony Gold, but it makes sense for Catalyst to only include designs they are 100% certain cannot be IP challenged.

Harebrained has removed two mechs from the Battletech computer game that are in Mechwarrior Online which pisses me off, but I can understand them. Maybe once and if this whole issue gets kicked into touch Harebrained can re-include those mechs.

It seems like Catalyst has a small enough budget that trying to fight off the company that specializes in lawsuits would be too costly to them, so better to just pull the mechs that are doubtful. Not to mention the minute the legal case starts, Catalyst might have to cease production and sales until the lawsuit is over for the product. With a smallish budget, that could really hurt if they have sunk a bunch of money in the new box set, and then have to sit on it for months, maybe even years, before the lawsuit is cleared up. Better to just wait for a while, then release a special box sec of "Classic Mechs" later on.

Just curious about which two mechs harebrained removed?

 Stormonu wrote:


Also, no Scorpion or Goliath?

I've often wondered why the Scorpion, Goliath, Thunderbolt, Griffin, Battlemaster, Shadowhawk, Locust and a tank or two got yoinked at the same time as the "borrowed" Macross mecha designs, since they were from Dougram and Crusher Joe and neither macross connected nor owned by HG.

 chromedog wrote:
I've often wondered why the Scorpion, Goliath, Thunderbolt, Griffin, Battlemaster, Shadowhawk, Locust and a tank or two got yoinked at the same time as the "borrowed" Macross mecha designs, since they were from Dougram and Crusher Joe and neither macross connected nor owned by HG.

IIRC, all the "unseen" mech designs were done for FASA by "outside contractors" and they decided due to the legal hassle from HG to just pull all those and stick with just designs done by actual FASA employees.

 chromedog wrote:

 Stormonu wrote:


Also, no Scorpion or Goliath?

I've often wondered why the Scorpion, Goliath, Thunderbolt, Griffin, Battlemaster, Shadowhawk, Locust and a tank or two got yoinked at the same time as the "borrowed" Macross mecha designs, since they were from Dougram and Crusher Joe and neither macross connected nor owned by HG.

When the original problem with the "Unseen" became an issue, CGL decided to pull everything that was done by an outside art group. That way this could not occur again.

That has bit them a couple times in the last few years, when they wanted to use someone's amazing art (usually Shimmering Sword) to update their art, but couldn't because he was not paid by CGL to create it.

Catalyst have updated the coming releases section of the Battletech website with this years releases-

https://bg.battletech.com/books/upcoming-releases/

Looks like its going to be Q3 for the new starter set :(

I'm actually happy with a later release. I'm under a bit of a crunch, and don't have the money in my gaming budget until later.

Okay, they look like they're doing things correctly.

- Simplified record sheets for the Beginner's Set.

-Alpha Strike cards in the main set.

- Extra cardboard standees.

- Extra terrain tokens.

- Pilot cards (sweet!)

- BT novella, which is ingenious because it's the way to get people hooked on the universe and the vicious cycle of reading the fiction and playing games.

The only thing that they might have slightly missed is the Q3 release being a bit later than the PC game's release date of April. Who knows? Maybe it's genius, by the time that people have played the bejeezus out of the PC game, they might be prime targets for the boardgame release.

 Chillreaper wrote:
Okay, they look like they're doing things correctly.

- Simplified record sheets for the Beginner's Set.

-Alpha Strike cards in the main set.

- Extra cardboard standees.

- Extra terrain tokens.

- Pilot cards (sweet!)

- BT novella, which is ingenious because it's the way to get people hooked on the universe and the vicious cycle of reading the fiction and playing games.

I am liking all of that!

My only "issue" is the plastic Griffin `Mech that comes with the Beginner Set. Am I reading the contents correctly between the Beginner Set and the Armored Combat set? Because if so, the Beginner Set is the only way to nab a plastic Griffin. The Wolverine is in both sets but it appears the Griffin is only in the Beginner Set.

Not the end of the world, but I like that Griffin so if I have to buy the Beginner Set to get it I probably will, but seems odd to leave one `Mech dangling like that. Maybe a full plastic box will be released later on with all the designs available in one box? Something like the old Plastech or 3rd Edition Reinforcements plastic `Mech box sets.

 David Clarke wrote:
Catalyst have updated the coming releases section of the Battletech website with this years releases-

https://bg.battletech.com/books/upcoming-releases/

Looks like its going to be Q3 for the new starter set :(

Q3 = GenCon. Maybe Origins.

 DarkTraveler777 wrote:


My only "issue" is the plastic Griffin `Mech that comes with the Beginner Set. Am I reading the contents correctly between the Beginner Set and the Armored Combat set? Because if so, the Beginner Set is the only way to nab a plastic Griffin. The Wolverine is in both sets but it appears the Griffin is only in the Beginner Set.

Not the end of the world, but I like that Griffin so if I have to buy the Beginner Set to get it I probably will, but seems odd to leave one `Mech dangling like that. Maybe a full plastic box will be released later on with all the designs available in one box? Something like the old Plastech or 3rd Edition Reinforcements plastic `Mech box sets.

Yeah, I mentioned this elsewhere, saying that I'm obviously going to end up getting both sets in order to have a lovely, new Griffin. If it's part of Catalyst's diabolical plan for world domination, then fair enough. I'm quite happy to give them money so that they keep on start churning out new boxed sets.

Looking at the product photos, I think that there's a different novella in each set, maybe the maps are different, too.

It's hardly a big deal for $20 and as someone pointed out "Oh no, you'll end up with two Wolverines. Whatever will you do?"

Can't argue with that logic!

A question from a newbie:

I am looking to nab a couple of the Alpha Strike Lance packs. Are they different from the plastic mechs in the Introductory set? Or are they just those being repackaged?

Because while I do not have the Introductory set, I've heard less than stellar things about those plastics.

 AegisGrimm wrote:
A question from a newbie:

I am looking to nab a couple of the Alpha Strike Lance packs. Are they different from the plastic mechs in the Introductory set? Or are they just those being repackaged?

Because while I do not have the Introductory set, I've heard less than stellar things about those plastics.

The answer is yes and no.

The 2007 (or there abouts) boxed set had horrible plastic models. The revised one that is also currently OOP had better quality plastic but used the same molds. The Alpha Strike lance packs have the newer plastic models which are pretty good quality (especially at $9.99 for 4 `Mechs).

I wouldn't worry about buying the lance packs the figures are good quality and paint up well.

Well, thanks! I admit I have had an interest over the years, but haven't really followed all the Catalyst advancements, and any mechs I have are positively ancient (anyone remember when they were blue multi-part plastic and pewter models??). Hell, a lot of my formal mech knowledge comes from PC gaming with Mechwarrior Mercs and even way back with Mechwarrior 2 (or three, can't remember).

But the Lance packs look pretty interesting, especially as The Warstore has them for 7 dollars each, which as mech models go, even for CAV minis once they went over the Reaper Bones the mechs are 5-7 dollars each, even if I end up using the Mech Attack ruleset with a pair of Lances (regardless of what I like I am limited by what I can get people to play).

Do any of you use alternate models?
I like battletech but some of the minis are really showing their age.

 DarkTraveler777 wrote:

I am liking all of that!

My only "issue" is the plastic Griffin `Mech that comes with the Beginner Set. Am I reading the contents correctly between the Beginner Set and the Armored Combat set? Because if so, the Beginner Set is the only way to nab a plastic Griffin. The Wolverine is in both sets but it appears the Griffin is only in the Beginner Set.

Not the end of the world, but I like that Griffin so if I have to buy the Beginner Set to get it I probably will, but seems odd to leave one `Mech dangling like that. Maybe a full plastic box will be released later on with all the designs available in one box? Something like the old Plastech or 3rd Edition Reinforcements plastic `Mech box sets.

Agreed if that's the case. I'm not entirely convinced it is because the pics from the "full" box prominently has Griffins on them, so it might just be an error.

 usernamesareannoying wrote:
Do any of you use alternate models?
I like battletech but some of the minis are really showing their age.

I'm using a combination of minis from various sources :

3rd Edition PVC minis (with a fair bit of tweaking)

2nd Edition Citytech PVC minis (with a lot of reposing and tweaking)

Plastech HIPS minis (why, oh why is the Catapult so blimmin' huge?!)

Some resin recasts of Unseens (nothing to see here, officer!)

A lot of metals from Ral Partha Europe (I used to be able to visit the factory's shop )

Robotech RPG Tactics HIPS minis...

Resin minis knocked up from the Mechwarrior Online files (still nothing to see here, officer!)


Having had the chance to see the Lance Packs, I'm rather impressed with them. I think that they're pretty much up there with the metals and at least 20 times better than the plastics from the boxed set 10 years ago. I'm expecting great things from the new plastics later this year.

 Chillreaper wrote:

 usernamesareannoying wrote:


A lot of metals from Ral Partha Europe (I used to be able to visit the factory's shop )

Do they still have the option of a walk up store at the factory? I find navigating their webstore a pain to the point I thought about taking a shot at site in one of the many modern open source web stores for them. Though that comes down to how they host everything etc.

Nultaar wrote:

 Chillreaper wrote:

 usernamesareannoying wrote:


A lot of metals from Ral Partha Europe (I used to be able to visit the factory's shop )

Do they still have the option of a walk up store at the factory? I find navigating their webstore a pain to the point I thought about taking a shot at site in one of the many modern open source web stores for them. Though that comes down to how they host everything etc.

Not too sure.

I used to visit the shop front back when it was on Parr St. Managed to get a massive haul of novels and TROs whilst I was there to boot - bit of a golden age in my life...

I think that they've relocated to an industrial estate on the north side of Liverpool now, never been to visit it. Yeah you're right, it's a pain in the bum dealing with the website, it would be so cool if you can still visit.


EDIT: wtf happened to the quote tags?

 Tamwulf wrote:

 Orlanth wrote:

 Mattlov wrote:

Stormonu wrote:Hmm... I notice that the Warhammer, Archer, Rifleman, Wasp, Pheonix Hawk, Crusader and Marauder are not present. Did HG step in and force Catalyst to drop the Macross-style mechs?

Also, no Scorpion or Goliath?

Yes. HG is being a bunch of asshats. This is nothing surprising.

FASA and then Catalyst have long had a policy of least resistance. If in doubt pull it.
Now i hope that judgement goes against Harmony Gold, but it makes sense for Catalyst to only include designs they are 100% certain cannot be IP challenged.

Harebrained has removed two mechs from the Battletech computer game that are in Mechwarrior Online which pisses me off, but I can understand them. Maybe once and if this whole issue gets kicked into touch Harebrained can re-include those mechs.

It seems like Catalyst has a small enough budget that trying to fight off the company that specializes in lawsuits would be too costly to them, so better to just pull the mechs that are doubtful. Not to mention the minute the legal case starts, Catalyst might have to cease production and sales until the lawsuit is over for the product. With a smallish budget, that could really hurt if they have sunk a bunch of money in the new box set, and then have to sit on it for months, maybe even years, before the lawsuit is cleared up. Better to just wait for a while, then release a special box sec of "Classic Mechs" later on.

Just curious about which two mechs harebrained removed?

Sorry, late reply to thread.

They removed the Marauder and Warhammer. Frankly two mechs least wanted for removal and it leaves a void in capability in the game with their omission. There arent many alternates to them, Orion and Zeus being closest. Harebrained just quietly dropped them from the list of mechs without fanfare, a lot of backers haven't noticed, and it took some digging to confirm.

Now both mechs have models in Machwarrior Online, which is where Harebrained get their mech skins from and the developers of MWO are fighting Harmony Gold actively and hard, should they win the mechs would almost certainly return, hopefully as free rather than paid DLC.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 mdauben wrote:

 chromedog wrote:
I've often wondered why the Scorpion, Goliath, Thunderbolt, Griffin, Battlemaster, Shadowhawk, Locust and a tank or two got yoinked at the same time as the "borrowed" Macross mecha designs, since they were from Dougram and Crusher Joe and neither macross connected nor owned by HG.

IIRC, all the "unseen" mech designs were done for FASA by "outside contractors" and they decided due to the legal hassle from HG to just pull all those and stick with just designs done by actual FASA employees.

Its a case of better safe than sorry. FASA went though a phase of if it doesn't 100% belong to us remove it. Catalyst then did deals with more reasonable companies to restore as many of the unseen as they could for the benefit of old school fans. Even so each design was reimagined so that there were differences, the principle legal difference is that the owners of Crusher Joe aren't getting triggered by the old Locust, and are likewise not only untriggered but have made statements to say they are not triggered by the reimagiined Locust. This may have involved some sort of licensing contract.

Harmony Gold are milking what they can, not only do they pursue mechs based on Macross designs, they pursue mechs which in their opinion resemble them superficially. Some of the comparisons are ridiculous and amount to 'all your fighting robot belong to us'. It's a bully tactic, nothing more, FASA caved once milk them again.

 Albertorius wrote:

 DarkTraveler777 wrote:

I am liking all of that!

My only "issue" is the plastic Griffin `Mech that comes with the Beginner Set. Am I reading the contents correctly between the Beginner Set and the Armored Combat set? Because if so, the Beginner Set is the only way to nab a plastic Griffin. The Wolverine is in both sets but it appears the Griffin is only in the Beginner Set.

Not the end of the world, but I like that Griffin so if I have to buy the Beginner Set to get it I probably will, but seems odd to leave one `Mech dangling like that. Maybe a full plastic box will be released later on with all the designs available in one box? Something like the old Plastech or 3rd Edition Reinforcements plastic `Mech box sets.

Agreed if that's the case. I'm not entirely convinced it is because the pics from the "full" box prominently has Griffins on them, so it might just be an error.

Having the "inside scoop" I can tell you you will NEVER get those minis outside of their stater box sets. At least not from Catalyst.

 Mattlov wrote:
Having the "inside scoop" I can tell you you will NEVER get those minis outside of their stater box sets. At least not from Catalyst.

No, I mean that in the pics of the core box, in the contents, there's a Griffin.

Wow, going on a half-remembered memory, I just found a box in my parents attic that had some ancient mechs in it. Several omnimechs that are from the era of blue resin bodies, legs and feet, with metal weapons arms. Also an original Warhammer that I think is completely blue resin (I bought it painted, but the bottom of the base shows resin).

Plus an old Madcat that I remember whose resin legs kept breaking where the knees are so stupidly thin, so it's gonna get some metal legs and feet donated from a Ryoken that never got put together.

I don't have any of the new Alpha Strike lance packs, does anyone know if the scale will be comparable to use my oldies alongside, or are the new mech models bigger?

I used some Alpha Strike models against a player using metals. It was awhile ago, but I believe they matched up reasonably well.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
I just re-read the description of the Battle Manual. Since that one is Mechs only, will they be coming out with one to cover the rules for non-mechs?

 AegisGrimm wrote:
I don't have any of the new Alpha Strike lance packs, does anyone know if the scale will be comparable to use my oldies alongside, or are the new mech models bigger?

As Mmmpi stated, you should be fine. However, there is scale creep in Battletech's miniature range. Since you found some of the old Clan Omnimechs I am pointing this out, because those designs were re-sculpted in the early 2000's and are noticeably larger and thicker (especially in the limbs) than the older Ral Partha versions.

Overall scale isn't a big concern for most Battletech players since the game is usually played on maps. If you play without maps on regular terrain, then some of the `Mech sculpts can be frustrating ( a 30 ton `Mech being larger than a 70 ton `Mech for example) if you are trying to claim cover. Still, most people don't care, so don't sweat it unless scale consistency is important for your own enjoyment.

Thanks for the heads up. Luckily my ancient stuff is mostly a couple of Black Hawks, Ryokens, and a Fenris. So nothing that's supposed to represent anything really big.

Another good question for this thread:. Where are good places to get hex maps? Generic green would be best, as I have plenty of card 6mm buildings I can print out and make.

I remember back in the old days (the 90's for me) it was super easy to get ahold of fabric/felt hex maps at gaming stores, I remember the seeing ones that had all the hexes outlined in dots.

I did a google search for 'Hex gaming mat' and came up with several options. Hopefully they have something you're looking for.

Well, you know the tax returns have come in state-side when Carlson goes a tad nuts with the spending over the course of a week...

• Aerotech 2 Revised ('cause sorting out just the aerospace bits of Total Warfare is too much for my brain)
• Shrink wrapped Battlespace box (Who theleaves a game shrink wrapped?!? They'regames! You're supposed toopen 'em and play 'em!)
• 74 micro fighters, 13 dropships/jumpships, and 5 mech scale fighters on order from IWM
• Aerospace 2 Record Sheets ('cause it's the only place I can find ready-to-use dropship/jumpship sheets)
• Two decent quality Standing Liberty quarters (to make myself one or more Snord's Irregulars pins)
• Hex bases to rebase three-man MWDA Battle Armor into five-man points

I think I need an intervention.

Battletech related, sort of anyway. Anyone had any experience with Megamek's Map Editor? I've got some of the basics figured out but trying to place buildings that actually look like buildings is proving tricky and neither the readme, the .pdf (Which is quite old now so probably out of date) nor anything else I've been able to Google have been particularly helpful.

 Chillreaper wrote:

 usernamesareannoying wrote:
Do any of you use alternate models?
I like battletech but some of the minis are really showing their age.

I'm using a combination of minis from various sources :

3rd Edition PVC minis (with a fair bit of tweaking)

2nd Edition Citytech PVC minis (with a lot of reposing and tweaking)

Plastech HIPS minis (why, oh why is the Catapult so blimmin' huge?!)

Some resin recasts of Unseens (nothing to see here, officer!)

A lot of metals from Ral Partha Europe (I used to be able to visit the factory's shop )

Robotech RPG Tactics HIPS minis...

Resin minis knocked up from the Mechwarrior Online files (still nothing to see here, officer!)


Having had the chance to see the Lance Packs, I'm rather impressed with them. I think that they're pretty much up there with the metals and at least 20 times better than the plastics from the boxed set 10 years ago. I'm expecting great things from the new plastics later this year.

Ah, Plastech. I only kept one model from that set, a Catapult I did some kitbashing on to create a quasi MAC II mech I named the MobileFort. Time hasn’t been kind to my modeling skills, but I tried.

<edit:> mauled spelling and the pic’s upside-down. Really?