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Made in no
Longtime Dakkanaut






I never had any inntrest in weak humans, for me it is machines. steampunk, present time, future, aliens it dont matter to me aslong as the weak and usless organic lifeforms are not represented.
while i love the jacks in warmachine, i see it more played as an infantry game then a robot game sadly..

so, any 1 know of any games that has robots/mechas only and not a rulebook that rivals the ikea cataloge in number of pages?

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Longtime Dakkanaut




What about people piloting mechs?

Id recommend Heavy Gear Blitz. Over all, the game is pretty simple.

You can however get deep into the weeds like infinity with stuff that's close to hacking/anti hacking but not quite as bad as infinity can get.

As its core, you are futuristic tanks and squads of mechs aiming to capture objectives and blow up other mechs. Combats quick and dirty.

There is a quick start rules and videos out there to learn how to play. Blitz is the newest version.

Rulebook is big, but its free and well orgionized
   
Made in ca
Ancient Venerable Black Templar Dreadnought





Canada

 FrozenDwarf wrote:
I never had any inntrest in weak humans, for me it is machines. steampunk, present time, future, aliens it dont matter to me aslong as the weak and usless organic lifeforms are not represented.
while i love the jacks in warmachine, i see it more played as an infantry game then a robot game sadly..
so, any 1 know of any games that has robots/mechas only and not a rulebook that rivals the ikea cataloge in number of pages?

Okay, mechs "only" is a tall order, how about "mostly"?

An old standard is Battletech.
For about 4 models the classic Battletech works:
http://bg.battletech.com/
For larger battles, they streamlined things a fair bit in "Alphastrike":
http://bg.battletech.com/news/battleblog/alpha-strike-the-tabletop-miniatures-rulebook/
I would recommend this based on your wanting a shorter rulebook.

Heavy Gear was the #2 stomping robots for me for quite a while.:
http://www.dp9.com/heavygearblitz

Other stuff I have seen around:
https://www.reapermini.com/Games/CAVNote: This game I keep seeing mentioned.
http://gkrgame.com/
https://secure.greenbriergames.com/gne/product/heavy-steam/
http://mobileframezero.com/mfz/
http://combots.net/rules.php
http://privateerpress.com/grind-rules-available-in-pdf
http://www.sjgames.com/ogre/products/ogre6e/Note: Was made a long time ago and was fun: big giant robot land battleship vs a ton of conventional weapons.
https://stonemaiergames.com/games/scythe/
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/139769/robotech-rpg-tactics NOTE: Kickstarter is in big trouble with this manufacturer and is part way "done" if at all. Pick up cheap on ebay or the like.


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Made in us
Abel





Washington State

While Infinity has great models, the rules...! So very, very complex.

Other Sci-Fi model games:

Battletech, the Granddady of Mecha games. Currently undergoing a bit of a Renaissance. Awesome introductory box set, and a new rule book released, Catalyst Games seems to be trying to make this game great again. Classic Battletech still has you filling in bubble sheets and moving on a hex map with rules dating back to the early 80's. Alpha Strike is a more simplified, modern ruleset that takes a lot of the granularity, bubble sheets, and hex maps out of the game and still maintains the mech combat flavor. Plastic Mechs are being resculpted and looking good.

Heavy Gear Blitz: New edition last year, and a kickstarter for more plastic models. The models themselves are OK, nothing great. Fast, and dynamic, the rules still fill a bit clunky. Army creation is still a mess. Published by Dream Pod Nine out of Canada.

CAV: Combat Assault Vehicles, currently available from Reaper Miniatures. More RPG like, but still a fun game with big mechs stomping around on a battlefield. Models available in metal and/or plastic.


Kara Sloan shoots through Time and Design Space for a Negative Play Experience  
   
Made in us
Stubborn Temple Guard






Yeah, Battletech is what you are after. While it has combined arms, you don't have to use them. In fact, they just released the BattleMech Manual, which is basically just the 'Mech rules. If you want it crunchy and methodical, standard Battletech is the way to go.

If you want larger battles, Battletech has Alpha Strike. You can run very large games quickly and again, can easily be played 'Mech only.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2017/10/03 20:38:06


27th Member of D.O.O.M.F.A.R.T.
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Made in no
Longtime Dakkanaut






Thanks, these suggestions gives me atleast a place to begin =)

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Lone Wolf Sentinel Pilot






7th edition 40k.

/snark

In all seriousness, I'm actually seconding Battletech. There's a decent amount of bookkeeping due to the fact each section of a single mech (each leg, each arm, torso, head, that sort of thing) has its own health, armor, etc., but it's still pretty enjoyable to play and watch, IMO.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2017/10/03 21:21:19


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Regular Dakkanaut





It is not specifically about mecha, but you could look at the current playtest file for my game Kaiju Rampage (working title of the game which is in fact Giant Monster Rampage 4th edition).

The game allows you to create any colossal combatants you want and fight in a setting you construct.

http://www.wargamevault.com/product/189434/Kaiju-Rampage-Playtest-File?manufacturers_id=705

   
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Brigadier General






Chicago

 FrozenDwarf wrote:

so, any 1 know of any games that has robots/mechas only and not a rulebook that rivals the ikea cataloge in number of pages?


I don't know of many robots-only game, but there are two very good games for those who want to only use mecha only and those who want a concise and fast-playing set of rules.

My personal favorite is Mech Attack. It's a very well written game and probably the best $6 you can spend in this hobby.
http://www.wargamevault.com/product/79303/Armor-Grid-Mech-Attack
The $4 expansion is worth it too just for the improved terrain rules.
It has just about everything good about Battletech (stompy customizable robots, damage grid, etc) except that it plays in 1/4 the time and the rulebook is about 15 pages long. It has rules for combined arms, but mecha is clearly the focus of the game. We've played alot of mech-only games and it's tons of fun. It's ideally suited for around 8 units per player. The Game includes printable 2.5D miniatures but it's designed for you to quickly stat up any mech miniature you might have so you're not limited to any particular minaitures line.

At the club we usually play it in 10mm with rebased mechwarrior clix figures.
https://www.chicagoskirmishwargames.com/blog/2017/03/03/adepticon-prep-part-1-mech-attack-scenario-playtest/
Here's an older game with just mecha.
https://www.chicagoskirmishwargames.com/blog/2012/05/14/battle-for-addicks-mech-attack-battle/

Every year at Adepticon I run a giant sized battle where we double the measurements and play it with a variety of big 28mm scale mecha on a huge urban layout.
https://www.chicagoskirmishwargames.com/blog/2017/03/30/aar-mech-attack-at-adepticon-2017/
The ruleset is so tight that I can take 6-8 players with no knowledge of the game, give them each 6-8 units and conclude a full battle in less than 3 hours including teaching, unit selection, etc.. It's a ton of fun.

My second suggestion would be Alpha Strike as mentioned previously. It's an even more streamlined game that is deliberately aimed at putting dozens of units on the table. It's very variable in terms of number of rules. There's a basic ruleset that is about 20 pages, a more advanced that probably gets close to 30-40 and then there are a host of optional rules. It's also nice in that hundreds (perhaps thousands) of printable unit cards are available for free from the company.

Here's an early game we played of Alpha Strike with more of my thoughts on the game:
https://www.chicagoskirmishwargames.com/blog/2013/12/03/alpha-strike-game-report-and-review/

As for the Battletech ruleset itself, if you like alot of bookkeeping, simulationist rules and want to design your mech down to the finest detail then I'd give it a shot. Otherwise, I can't in good concience recommend it to you. Despite sublte tweaks over the past 30 years, the game plays like the clunky 80's ruleset it is, and the game time ramps up dramatically as you add units. A Lance Vs Lance (4v4) battle can take hours and god help you if you decided you want a few lances on each side...

The best thing about Battletech is the fantastic background (It's by far my favorite sci-fi universe) which is why -especially in 10mm- I like to game in the Battletech/Mechwarrior universe, using Battletech units (rebased mechwarrior clix) but using the Mech Attack rules.

This message was edited 3 times. Last update was at 2017/10/06 13:38:37


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Fresh-Faced New User




https://ospreypublishing.com/horizon-wars

Check out Horizon Wars. Made by a man who just wanted to see giant robots blowing the hell out of each other. Excellent game

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2017/10/25 21:44:58


 
   
Made in us
Dakka Veteran




Seattle, WA USA

Stubram wrote:
https://ospreypublishing.com/horizon-wars

Check out Horizon Wars. Made by a man who just wanted to see giant robots blowing the hell out of each other. Excellent game
Another vote for Horizon Wars. While not strictly "just mecha" you can totally play it that way, and it's a great system.
   
Made in ca
Fireknife Shas'el






Dream Pod 9 also made Jovian Chronicles, which had a number of editions and iterations (including their Lightning Strike and an upcoming fleet scale game with mecha). Originally it was a RPG that basically had functional tabletop battle rules with vectored 3D movement (i.e. a nod at physics). The setting is basically Gundam with the serial numbers filed off but Earth is the bad guy.

   
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Stealthy Warhound Titan Princeps






 John Prins wrote:
Dream Pod 9 also made Jovian Chronicles, which had a number of editions and iterations (including their Lightning Strike and an upcoming fleet scale game with mecha). Originally it was a RPG that basically had functional tabletop battle rules with vectored 3D movement (i.e. a nod at physics). The setting is basically Gundam with the serial numbers filed off but Earth is the bad guy.

So... just Gundam?
Sieg Zeon!

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Brigadier General






Chicago

Just wanted to toss out three more free rules-lite suggestions for mech games and one purchaseable option.

Sean Patten (Necromundicon/IronHands) has Gundam
http://www.ironhands.com/MSera.htm
and Votoms rulesets
http://www.ironhands.com/votoms.htm
Both use a variant of his house rules system. It's worth clicking through just to see the models he's made for them and the Votoms campaign logs are some of the best narrative Battle reports I've ever read/seen. Outstanding terrain.

Mekatac (not to be confused with "Mech Attack!") Giant Stompy Robots edition is a cleanup of an earlier free mech combat system. Aimed at Battletech'ish combat
http://home.dejazzd.com/broadsword/Giant_Stompy_Robots/GSR_Downloads_Page_Files/MEKATAC_GSRE_1_0.pdf

Ganesha games (maker of Song of Blades and Heroes) has a very Gundam'y ruleset called Samurai Robots Battle Royale. that I've heard good things about. LIke their other games it's quite affordable too.
http://www.ganeshagames.net/index.php?cPath=1_11&osCsid=viu00l3bg5f39br9uoith6ler3
It's also avilable on Wargames Vault and there is a companion ruleset "Mighty Monsters" so you can have mechs vs Kaiju if you want to.

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2017/10/27 14:53:54


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Fireknife Shas'el






Rihgu wrote:

So... just Gundam?
Sieg Zeon!


Yes, DP9's bias on this one is pretty clear. Basically the Earth economy collapsed for a couple centuries until a totalitarian regime finally ascended and decided that the space colonies should fund their rebuilding (they're stuck in conquest mode, really).

   
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The Last Chancer Who Survived





Norristown, PA

Shamless plug for my game, Mechadrome

http://www.gangfightgames.com/mechadrome/

The game is in a bit of limbo right now, but we are planning to update the rules and start producing some new models next year.

 
   
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Inspiring SDF-1 Bridge Officer





Mississippi

I had started work on a mecha (vs. kaiju) game called Gunslingers. I've attached the base rules for the game, as well as a spreadsheet of the weapons, chassis and equipment for the mecha. I started on, but had not reached a playable point for the monsters - which were to be termed Behemoths.

 Filename GunSlingers Base Rules.doc [Disk] Download
 Description Gunslinger Base Rules
 File size 78 Kbytes

 Filename GunSlingers Tables.xls [Disk] Download
 Description Gunslinger Weapons and others
 File size 250 Kbytes


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 FrozenDwarf wrote:
so, any 1 know of any games that has robots/mechas only and not a rulebook that rivals the ikea cataloge in number of pages?

I'm not aware off hand of any mecha games that don't include infantry and non-mecha vehicles in the rules. AFAIK, BattleTech, Heavy Gear, and CAV are probably the three biggest mecha games right now, and while all are centered on mecha, they all allow for combined arms forces.
   
Made in ca
Ancient Venerable Black Templar Dreadnought





Canada

One of the guys from the Robotech Kickstarter (complaints) forum Mike1975 has put out his own home-brew game "Dimensional Warfare".
It has a fair bit of detail and seems pretty good so this may scratch the itch as well.
What makes this game nice to pick up is he worked on a TON on unit cards for keeping track of things similar to Battletech/Alphastrike cards.

A revolution is an idea which has found its bayonets.
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Battlefield Tourist




MN (Currently in WY)

I have a game called JUGs: Big Stompy Robots that is free on my blog. Check my Sig and then on the right under Free Games. There are rules for tanks and infantry, but the focus is on Big Stompy Robots.

I have also used the rules for Rampant Stars for Mecha battle recently as well, and it worked good. That is also on my blog in the same place as Jugs.

https://bloodandspectacles.blogspot.com/2017/10/rampant-stars-battle-report-ambush.html






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SoCal

A better question may be are there any good lines of mechs of a similar scale that look as good as say, the Mechwarrior Online, or equivalent for the type of mechs you like.

I think that's what's really missing. Even Robotech/Macross designs are pretty old, and while iconic, we're actually seeing revisions of the designs that were done few newer media.

There's a market for someone to make a line a AAA quality mech designs and parts for people to use in their games.

   
Made in es
Inspiring SDF-1 Bridge Officer






Well, outside the world of Robotech the Macross Franchise has certainly not been idle, and it has been releasing new designs for years (this year starts another new series, actually).

Even then, Macross always had an advantage in that regard with the VF-1 being based off an actual, working plane and all.
   
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Last Remaining Whole C'Tan






Pleasant Valley, Iowa

Are there any rulesets (fan official or otherwise) that dumb down Battletech? I love the universe but I find the rules, at least when I last looked, to be really impenetrable. (I haven't tried Alpha Strike).

I loved MW clix, and would like something like that.

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North Wales

 Ouze wrote:
Are there any rulesets (fan official or otherwise) that dumb down Battletech? I love the universe but I find the rules, at least when I last looked, to be really impenetrable. (I haven't tried Alpha Strike).

I loved MW clix, and would like something like that.


Then give Alpha Strike a go!

However, from the sounds of things, it might be a bit too simple being as you like the Clix game. I was really surprised at how well it captured the BT universe feel and I've read far too many BT novels than is good for me.

Other than that, the previously mentioned ruleset by Mike1975 is more detailed than Alpha Strike and he's put a lot of work into making up statcards for hundreds of BT mechs (as well as just about every other stompy robot in existence!)
   
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Brigadier General






Chicago

 Ouze wrote:
Are there any rulesets (fan official or otherwise) that dumb down Battletech? I love the universe but I find the rules, at least when I last looked, to be really impenetrable. (I haven't tried Alpha Strike).

I loved MW clix, and would like something like that.


Alpha strike is great for big battles (10+ units per side), but it is quite streamlined. It does away with much of the customizability of battletech as well as dropping the damage grid and much of the differentiation between weapons. All this to say, it really feels like the battletech universe, but it doesn't feel like battletech the game.

If you want a dumbed down battletech, and want a battletech sized game (5-10 units per player) you really owe it to yourself to try Mech Attack. It's cheap, but well done, and has all that most folks like about Battletech (damage grid, heat tracking varied and mutilple weapons systems, etc) except that it plays in 1/4 the time and is incredibly simple to learn. All the links are above in my earlier post. We play the game with mechwarrior clix figs (rebased) and have even done up a fair number of BT mechs into Mech Attack statlines.

Like you, I love the battletech universe (and have a massive collection of the books) but I find the classic rules too clunky to be enjoyable. Mech Attack has scratched the battletech itch for me for the past 6 years or so and continues to deliver.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
 Vertrucio wrote:
A better question may be are there any good lines of mechs of a similar scale that look as good as say, the Mechwarrior Online, or equivalent for the type of mechs you like.

I think that's what's really missing. Even Robotech/Macross designs are pretty old, and while iconic, we're actually seeing revisions of the designs that were done few newer media.

There's a market for someone to make a line a AAA quality mech designs and parts for people to use in their games.


Have you checked out the Reaper CAV line? The designs are (for the most part) considerably more contemporary than classic battletech designs. They're currently made in bones plastic, so they're rather affordable too. They have alot in common with many of the mechwarrior clix designs, with canopy style cockpits and a nice chunky design aesthetic.

http://www.reapermini.com/Miniatures/CAV:StrikeOperations

I've painted a couple and while I prefer the metal material they were made of previously (and I think you can still call and order them in metal) the Bones material is fine and much more affordable.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2017/11/11 21:15:52


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I always liked the Dictator model, and now I might even buy one! I have allt he Cav 1st Edition books.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2017/11/13 19:58:38


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 Easy E wrote:
I always liked the Dictator model, and now I might even buy one! I have allt he Cav 1st Edition books.



Don't worry, Harmony Gold will go after that Officer's Pod/Glaug look alike anytime now.......

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Decrepit Dakkanaut






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My KOG light game can be played that way, but like many of the others here, it's actually a combined arms battle game, due to the inclusion of armor and infantry.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2017/11/13 22:23:27


   
Made in us
Brigadier General






Chicago

 megatrons2nd wrote:


Don't worry, Harmony Gold will go after that Officer's Pod/Glaug look alike anytime now.......


Maybe, but that sculpt and some of the other BT/Macross look-alikes have got to be almost 10 years now and no action has been taken. They were with Rogue Talon games for some years as pretty deliberate Battletech proxies before they merged with Reaper to do CAV:SO (3d edition) and it's been several years since they merged.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
 Easy E wrote:
I always liked the Dictator model, and now I might even buy one! I have allt he Cav 1st Edition books.



The CAV first edition books are pretty cool. I never quite got my head around the universe, but there's alot of great mech designs, especially in the 2 "Journals of Recognition" (AKA Tech Readouts). For a while you could buy all three (Rulebook and 2 Journals) from Troll and Toad for about the cost of shipping. I assume that's not the case anymore...

This message was edited 3 times. Last update was at 2017/11/14 03:30:34


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Decrepit Dakkanaut





In terms of board games there's Giga-Robo and GKR: Heavy Hitters (coming out soon).

I'm working on one myself: http://titanomachina.blogspot.ca/

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2017/12/20 15:28:54


 
   
 
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