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What rule books would I need to play?
Where do I buy the 'mech models?

the easiest would be to get the introduction box set, its enough mechs and the rules you need initially to learn and experience the game. try it and then branch out from there into what era you want, be it older classic tech or the more recent super tech or even if you wanted to go purely for clan tech games.

Duce wrote:the easiest would be to get the introduction box set, its enough mechs and the rules you need initially to learn and experience the game. try it and then branch out from there into what era you want, be it older classic tech or the more recent super tech or even if you wanted to go purely for clan tech games.

Box set is the way to go. You get 24 plastic 'Mechs, all the rules for intro games, universe fluff, and a painting guide. AWESOME deal for $40.

If you want all the tournament rules, pick up Total Warfare. It is a big intimidating book that you will never even need 3/4 in all likelihood.

Third, sign up as a player at www.catalystdemos.com to find the local Agents who run demos. We run games all the time and can teach you the ropes in no time.

The primary source for metal Battletech minis is Iron Wind Metals, correct?

Balance wrote:The primary source for metal Battletech minis is Iron Wind Metals, correct?

Yerp. Only licensed producer of Battletech minis.

Not that minis people like to hear this, but a reminder:

Battletech does not require a single miniature to play. At the core, it is a tactical simulation board game, and as long as you use map sheets, anything that can identify a unit and what way it is facing is good enough.

I have played with change from my pocket before.

I'm mostly interested in Battletech to get to play with some of my favorite looking 'mechs and because the game has a relatively low unit count requirement (right?).
If I didn't want to use any of the mechs included in the starter box, is it still worth it?

ph34r wrote:I'm mostly interested in Battletech to get to play with some of my favorite looking 'mechs and because the game has a relatively low unit count requirement (right?).
If I didn't want to use any of the mechs included in the starter box, is it still worth it?

Still worth it, because even if you want to use something else for yourself, a buddy can always use them.

They are a good starting point. By my guess from what you said, it sounds like you want to play Clan. Start with the Box Set stuff to learn the rules. It will help a LOT.

Trust me, I'm sorta paid to teach people to play.

Even if you don't want the intro box minis at all it should be really easy to sell them!

Some people have bought several of the box just for the minis alone. I'd personally like another set of the starter mechs for instance (not buying another box though).

Also keep in mind that apparently quite soon a box of plastic Clan Mechs should come out. Which should contain all of the 3050 Clan Mechs minus the Firemoth/Dasher and will also contain a point (size of unit still unclear I believe) of Elementals.

Minis should be the same quality as the plastics in the basic box. So the quality is ok, not great but will probably be quite acceptable. Metal models will still be better though.

And like said, metal models are not necessary at all. For myself, I've no retailer in the area that I know of, and even then I find the prices to be quite high for models that I won't be using a lot anyway (I'm more of a casual Battletech player). So I only own one metal mech, a Summoner that I found in a bargain bin one day.

There will be a full Star of Elementals in the Clan Box. 5 Points of infantry fun.

25 Elementals? Really? Man, that's just great! I assume they come in 5 bases of 5?

We suspect so. Or, at the very least, five bases of Elementals. Whether they will actually have 5 Elementals per base is yet to be seen.

I'm just stoked at the idea of getting a full Trinary in a box... even if one of those 'Mechs is a Koshi. No idea what I'm going to do with three of those. I wanted more Dashers.

H.B.M.C. wrote:We suspect so. Or, at the very least, five bases of Elementals. Whether they will actually have 5 Elementals per base is yet to be seen.

I'm just stoked at the idea of getting a full Trinary in a box... even if one of those 'Mechs is a Koshi. No idea what I'm going to do with three of those. I wanted more Dashers.

Just convert them. They are similar in look, just bned the elbows so the arms go above the head. Shouldn't be too difficult.