Classic Battletech Is Awesome: the Thread!

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**Gitzbitah**

Thanks for that, Ghaz! I had not heard the problem had been identified.

**Ghaz**

Gitzbitah wrote:
Thanks for that, Ghaz! I had not heard the problem had been identified.

It was posted in the Upcoming Releases thread for some reason:

https://bg.battletech.com/forums/general-discussion/upcoming-releases-xxv-gimmie-a-quarter/msg1874698/#msg1874698

**Charistoph**

adamsouza wrote:

Also found my Heroscape terrain. We played a game of Battletech on them this weekend.

Heroscape tiles are great for 3D terrain. We use them quite regularly. The store has some and our regular scenario creator brings his collection every Friday. We hardly ever play on 2D hex maps.

Here's a picture of my Thanatos (being proxied as a Hammerhands) doing a DFA on a Mech for a King of the Hill scenario:

He ended up missing, but still knocked the guy off. There were a few DFAs that night for SOME reason...

**Ghaz**

Ghaz wrote:
In case you've tried to access the Master Unit List lately:

Cubby wrote:Attention, MechWarriors! We're aware of the current issue accessing the Master Unit List. We've identified the cause of the outage and are working on restoring the site--and doing so in a way that will hopefully make it even more stable going forward. We're eager to restore this important player resource as soon as possible!

And it's back

**Apple fox**

Ghaz wrote:
Ghaz wrote:
In case you've tried to access the Master Unit List lately:

Cubby wrote:Attention, MechWarriors! We're aware of the current issue accessing the Master Unit List. We've identified the cause of the outage and are working on restoring the site--and doing so in a way that will hopefully make it even more stable going forward. We're eager to restore this important player resource as soon as possible!

And it's back

I was informed this site existed, went to it, and it died right as I try and open the page with mechs on it for the clan I wanted.
It was very sad as I had to postpone my order :(
Tomorrow going to be fun !

**Prometheum5**

You can easily lose a lot of hours to the MUL, it's such a great resource.

**Charistoph**

I just spent an hour setting up the Alpha Strike cards for the 'Mechs of our local narrative campaign. We have about 2/3rds being custom in one form or another (a couple came that way, others have been adjusted further since).

I was kind of worried I'd have to use SSW's "Battleforce" cards for them, or go to MechFactory.

**Kanluwen**

Anyone built one of the mech scale Leopard dropships? Been approached to do one as a commission potentially and wondering what I'm in for...

**Ghaz**

From the BattleTech Forums, an updated list of what force packs we can expect from the Mercenaries Kickstarter in March:

Death_from_above wrote:Overview taking into consideration all Mechs/vees shown/mentioned/hinted at so far
(ACS Patreon, KS announcements/updates, KerenskyCon, WolfNet Ep. 50, GenCon).

Items in italics have yet to be confirmed as being part of below mentioned packs.

Comments in italics are assumptions/personal opinion.

Mercenaries Box Set (GenCon)
1 - 2x Maxim (Size 2, Striker, 16"h)
2 - 2x Galleon (Size 1, Scout, 12"t)
3 - Firefly (Size 1, Striker, 10"/8"j)
4 - Starslayer (Size 2, Skirmisher, 10"j)
5 - Caesar (Size 3, Brawler, 8")
6 - Devastator (Size 4, Juggernaut, 6")
7 - Flea (Size 1, Striker, 16")
8 - Chameleon (Size 2, Scout, 12"j)
9 - Quickdraw (Size 3, Skirmisher, 10"j)
10 - Ostsol (Size 3, Skirmisher, 10")
2x Inner Sphere Standard Battle Armor (Ambusher, 6"j) - WolfNet Ep. 50 confirmed

Taking a cue from the Retaliation Pack from the Clan Invasion KS, we might also
see the Mechs from the Box Set as a standalone pack (or possibly a pair of Lances).

Still no confirmation that Battle Armor will also be included in the Mercenaries Box.

Inner Sphere Battle Armor Lance (KerenskyCon)
11 - 4x Inner Sphere Standard Battle Armor (Ambusher, 6"j)

Clan Direct Fire Star (GenCon)
12 - Grizzly (Size 3, Skirmisher, 8"j)
13 - Rifleman IIC (Size 3, Sniper, 6"j)
14 - Highlander IIC (Size 4, Missile Boat, 6"j)
15 - Bane (Size 4, Sniper, 6")
16 - Phoenix Hawk IIC (Size 4, Sniper, 10"j)

Clan Cavalry Star (GenCon)
17 - Locust IIC (Size 1, Striker, 16")
18 - Jenner IIC (Size 1, Striker, 18"/14"j)
19 - Griffin IIC (Size 2, Missile Boat, 12"j)
20 - Shadowhawk IIC (Size 2, Striker, 12"j)
21 - Black Python (Size 3, Skirmisher, 10"j)

Battlefield Support : Recon & Hunter (GenCon)
22 - 2x Warrior VTOL (Size 1,Scout, 18"v)
23 - 2x Skulker (Size 1, Scout, 14"w)
24 - 2x Ontos (Size 4, Juggernaut, 6"t)
25 - 2x Behemoth (Size 4, Juggernaut, 4"t)

Battlefield Support : Assault & Cavalry (GenCon)
26 - 2x Pegasus (Size 1, Striker, 16"h)
27 - 2x Condor (Size 2, Striker, 16"h)
28 - 2x Schrek (Size 4, Sniper, 6"t)
29 - 2x Demolisher (Size 4, Juggernaut, 6"t)

Battlefield Support : Objectives (GenCon)
30 - Mobile HQ (Size 1, None, 12"w)
31 - 2x Mobile Long Tom (Size 2, Missile Boat, 4"t) & trailer - WolfNet Ep. 50 confirmed
32 - 2x MASH (Size 1, None, 10"w) - WolfNet Ep. 50 confirmed

Battlefield Support 4 (conjecture)
33 - 2x Vedette (Size 2, Brawler, 10"t)
34 - 2x Manticore (Size 3, Brawler, 8"t)
35 - 2x SRM Carrier (Size 3, Ambusher, 6"t) - KS announcement confirmed
36 - 2x LRM Carrier (Size 3, Missile Boat, 6"t) - KS announcement confirmed

Inner Sphere Recon Lance (GenCon)
37 - Javelin (Size 1, Striker, 12"j)
38 - Spector (Size 1, Striker, 14"j)
39 - Firestarter (Size 1, Scout, 12"j)
40 - Ostscout (Size 1, Scout, 16"j)

Inner Sphere Pursuit Lance (GenCon)
41 - Dervish (Size 2, Missile Boat, 10"j)
42 - Clint (Size 2, Striker, 12"j)
43 - Hermes II (Size 2, Scout, 12")
44 - Cicada (Size 2, Scout, 16")

Inner Sphere Security Lance (GenCon)
45 - Scorpion (Size 2, Skirmisher, 12")
46 - JagerMech (Size 3, Sniper, 8")
47 - Whitworth (Size 2, Missile Boat, 8"j)
48 -

Also requires a Scout, so either Charger or Vulcan.

Inner Sphere Assault Lance (GenCon)
49 - Goliath (Size 4, Sniper, 8")
50 - Hoplite (Size 2, Sniper, 8")
51 - Pillager (Size 4, Juggernaut, 6"/4"j) - Patreon confirmed
52 -

Shogun ticks all the boxes (AS requirements).

Inner Sphere Heavy Recon Lance (GenCon)
53 - Assassin (Size 2, Scout, 14"j)
54 - Ostroc (Size 3, Skirmisher, 10")
55 -
56 -

Still requires a 2nd Scout, so either Vulcan or Charger.
Taking into account all of the above, that would leave the Merlin.

Currently unallocated Mechs
Shogun (Size 4, Missile Boat, 6"j)
Vulcan (Size 2, Scout, 12"j)
Charger (Size 4, Scout, 10")
Merlin (Size 3, Brawler, 8"j) - Patreon hint

57 - Aerospace Fighter - Mercenaries on the Move update confirmed

Not an IS design as per Adrian Gideon, so possibly an OmniFighter.

**adamsouza**

Can anyone point me to a listing of all the Lance box sets Catalyst makes that includes what mechs are in each box?

I figured someone must have compiled that info by now, but every time I search for it I basically get the contents list of a single box set.

**aphyon**

It is on their website

https://store.catalystgamelabs.com/collections/featured-products-homepage/products/battletech-forcepack-inner-sphere

https://store.catalystgamelabs.com/collections/featured-products-homepage/products/battletech-forcepack-clan

**adamsouza**

Ooh.. Thanks

**Ghaz**

And you can see the contents of the upcoming exclusive Force Packs HERE from when they were announced.

**beast_gts**

The Rec Guides are Back! Plus: Rulebook Restocks and Heir to the Dragon in POD
on OCTOBER 21, 2022

Big news this week – we’ve got a few more installments coming of a recent fan-favorite product, as well as a restock of core rulebooks and other recent products, and a classic BattleTech novel in POD.

Let’s get to it, MechWarriors!

New volumes of BattleMech Recognition Guide: ilClan are on the way!
Back in 2020, we ushered in the current ilClan era by kicking off a series of Technical Readout-style products called BattleMech Recognition Guide: ilClan. Each of the 24 volumes of this PDF-first series included new BattleMech designs, as well as classic favorites upgraded with modern technology to ensure their continued place on the battlefields of the thirty-second century.

We were unsure how these first-of-their-kind BattleTech products would be received, but it turned out that we needn’t have worried: the Rec Guides were a hit from the start! Released in four “cycles” through December 2021, these first twenty-four volumes fueled much discussion, gameplay–and yes, sales–across the BattleTech community.

But before all of those twenty-four volumes were even released, plans were underway to expand the line with a few additional installments to cover BattleMechs, vehicles, and battle armor due for release as part of the upcoming BattleTech: Mercenaries Kickstarter. We’re thrilled to announce that the first of those new Rec Guides, Volume 25, will be released next Friday, October 28.

These final eight volumes will be released bi-weekly through Volume 32 early next year. They’ll include the same mix of new and refit BattleMechs, along with combat vehicles and battle armor. Many of the units included in these Rec Guides will be featured in the Mercenaries Kickstarter, serving as a preview of what to expect when that campaign launches in March.

“Okay, but are you ever going to collect the existing Rec Guides in print format?”

We are. In fact, getting this last cycle of Rec Guides into production was a big part of our plans for the two compilation volumes we’re planning.

The first volume, due for release early next year, will include all of the Inner Sphere, Clan, and ComStar “classic” BattleMechs, refit with the latest technology to stay competitive on the battlefields of the Dark Age and ilClan eras.

The second volume, which we hope to put out by mid-2023, will contain all of the new BattleMechs, vehicles, and battle armor released via the original Rec Guides, as well as refit vehicles, new OmniMech configurations, and other new units.

(One note: the record sheets included in the PDF Recognition Guide installments will not be included in the print compilations. For one, including the record sheets would result in some truly massive tomes; and for another, we want the individual PDFs to retain some value for the time being.)

We’re excited to present these final Rec Guide volumes to you this winter, and as a taste of what’s to come, here are the covers for Volume 25 and Volume 26!

Rulebook Restocks!
The following rulebooks and sourcebooks are now available again through the Catalyst Game Labs web store:

Alpha Strike Commander’s Edition
BattleMech Manual
Battle of Tukayyid
Tamar Rising
The reprint edition of A Time of War will be released next week, Friday, Oct. 28. We know many of you have been eagerly awaiting it!

Heir to the Dragon Available in POD
Last but not least, a new POD version of the seminal Robert Charrette novel Heir to the Dragon is now available via Amazon.

Heir to the Dragon
A BattleTech novel by Robert N. Charrette

E-pub: $4.99
Print on Demand (via Amazon): $15.95

A SWORD FORGED IN SHADOWS…

Theodore Kurita is the son of Takashi Kurita, and heir apparent to the Draconis Combine, one of the most powerful realms of the Inner Sphere. But the Draconis Combine has never been a place of smooth transitions. Historically, a Kurita proves themself a fit leader by a successful bid for power, political or…otherwise.

Theodore’s perilous journey to power is a twenty-year odyssey, beginning with his graduation from Sun Zhang Military Academy. At each level of ascendancy, Theodore finds that keeping power is far more difficult than getting it, and failure lies in wait at every turn. His tactical knowledge is put to the test all too many times. His successes in impossible situations are dismissed as smoke and mirror trickery by some, but lauded as genius by others.

Upon reaching the level of Deputy of the Combine Military, Theodore’s new power allows him to see the uncertain future of his people. He must plan carefully as he bargains for his future with ComStar, the mystic sect, and the yakuza, an interstellar network of organized crime. All the while maintaining an uneasy truce with the man he must one day depose…his own father, Coordinator of the Draconis Combine!

E-pub: https://books2read.com/BattleTechLegendsHeirtotheDragon

Print on Demand: https://www.amazon.com/BattleTech-Legends-Robert-N-Charrette/dp/B0BHKZFXH1/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

**Ghaz**

Anyone recognize this 'Mech? I'm drawing a blank on it...

EDIT: Some mentions I've seen say it's a Woodsman. I'm still not sure.

**H.B.M.C.**

It's very Woodsman-y:

**Ghaz**

H.B.M.C. wrote:
It's very Woodsman-y:

And yet not, especially in the weapons which definitely don't match. At least we won't have long to wait for confirmation, with that volume due out on November 11th.

**Charistoph**

Ghaz wrote:
H.B.M.C. wrote:
It's very Woodsman-y:

And yet not, especially in the weapons which definitely don't match. At least we won't have long to wait for confirmation, with that volume due out on November 11th.

The Woodsman is an Omnimech, so different weapons in a brand new configuration might be the standard.

Of course, it could be a Woodsman II, created by one of the cheapskate homeworld clans or Escorpión Imperio.

**Ghaz**

The loadout matches the 'Mech mentioned HERE (1 UAC/20, 1 LB-10X AC, 1 LRM-20 and 1 ER medium laser). The problem is if it is a Woodsman, you would be one ton overweight... before adding any ammunition

**H.B.M.C.**

Who says it's a UAC20?

**Old-Four-Arms**

The OG Woodsman has a very energy-heavy loadout.

IF this turns out to be a (new) Woodsman (variant), then I'm
expecting weight to be saved in the heat sink department.

**warboss**

H.B.M.C. wrote:
It's very Woodsman-y:

Spoiler:

I like that style of art as it reminds me of the B&W style in my favorite RPGs of the early 90s. Is that the current style for the game in general or just one particular artist's? I was never a fan of the classic pencil sketches of previous decades personally.

**aphyon**

Time for silly fun.

So with some 15mm scale gundam toys, gundam wikki and heavy metal pro-presto

Gundam does classic battletech-

3d terrain rules.- nothing like agile 70 ton mechs with the armor (and mostly the firepower) of a light mech....don't get hit is the name of the game.

Zeon VS Feddies 1 year war style.

Spoiler:

**Ghaz**

H.B.M.C. wrote:
Who says it's a UAC20?

The link to Shimmy's Deviantart page found in the post I linked to clearly states "1 Ultra Autocannon 20".

**Orlanth**

adamsouza wrote:

Also found my Heroscape terrain. We played a game of Battletech on them this weekend.

Hot tip.

If you have enough of these keep some to act as a base layer and then glue the rest into pairs one on top the other. Double height they serve for a single elevation level for CBT. This makes then easier and quicker to stack, especially if you run a file along the sides and smooth out the grooves a bit in the middle.

**Ghaz**

"That's MISTER Eastwood to you..."

**H.B.M.C.**

Unfortunately it's still a Clint.

**Charistoph**

H.B.M.C. wrote:
Unfortunately it's still a Clint.

Yeah. Not the best designed mech, either in universe or on paper.

**Ghaz**

I'll let you guess what 'Mech this is (hint - it's on this list)

**Charistoph**

Ghaz wrote:
I'll let you guess what 'Mech this is (hint - it's on this list)

I can't think of what it could be unless this is a change of a model that's already had the orange pre-mold model made and shown before.

It looks like something with 2 PPCs, LRM-5, and either an AMS or Machine Gun.

It could be a Vulcan and that tubular LRM-5 is the AC/2 and PPCs are actually Medium Lasers, but that was one they had earlier shown as an orange model.