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 aphyon wrote:

 Albertorius wrote:
...so yeah, I finally "closed" my Btech pledge manager and ended up with a Star Colonel pledge. I now have to wait for the canon character buyback to add even more stuff to it ^^

...seriously though, looking at all the stuff I'm supposed to get, the amount of money I'm pouring over it, and then looking at GW page, and...

It is a stark contrast, that. xD

Well DUH, you take the most expensive of all game companies (GW) where it takes around $500 to get a decent start on an army that may be invalidated in the next update compared to a game company where 4 or 5 minis of say $60 makes an entire army and the rules have been consistent for over 30 years. where you are free to play any era you want and the rules work for all of them.

Then the added bonus is that battletech lore is just as deep as anything GW has written.

If not deeper ^^.

But I mean it's a stark contrast even when comparing it with their supposedly "low entrance cost" games like Necromunda, Warcry, Kill Team or the like, with the possible exception of Underworlds... and I am not fond of that one, mainly on the account that it is a card game with minis as counters

 Albertorius wrote:

aphyon wrote:Then the added bonus is that battletech lore is just as deep as anything GW has written.

If not deeper ^^.

But I mean it's a stark contrast even when comparing it with their supposedly "low entrance cost" games like Necromunda, Warcry, Kill Team or the like, with the possible exception of Underworlds... and I am not fond of that one, mainly on the account that it is a card game with minis as counters

Well, to be fair, GW spent decades only back filling lore for their games. They have only recently begun advancing it, while Battletech has been advancing for its entire existence despite the numerous changes in it ownership.

Pretty sure stuff like TR: 2750 is 'back filling' lore.

Nurglitch wrote:
Pretty sure stuff like TR: 2750 is 'back filling' lore.

While true, consider TRO 3050, 3055, 3060, 3067, Jihad, Dark Age, etc. Up until Age of Sigmar prep, GW ONLY did backfilling.

 Charistoph wrote:

Nurglitch wrote:
Pretty sure stuff like TR: 2750 is 'back filling' lore.

While true, consider TRO 3050, 3055, 3060, 3067, Jihad, Dark Age, etc. Up until Age of Sigmar prep, GW ONLY did backfilling.

Unless you count the hundreds of novels and RPG sourcebooks, of course.

Don't forget the field manuals. the TROs are nice and give a good history of the various mechs and other vehicles. but the manuals actually break down the lore (and in-game rules) behind house military units and key people.

Yeah, since when I actually was playing, we were kids and we didn't have much money, we basically only bought the rules and not much else.

I am thinking of picking up some old copies of TechReadouts now, just for the heck of it. I have a few Field Manuals and House Books though.

But I am going to be trying to teach some new players the game soon, so I was worried about how many mapsheets I had and what condition they were in. Happily, while some record sheets got water damaged at some point, all the mapsheets are in pretty good condition. I did a quick count and seems like I have something like 51, which was way more than I would ever have guessed I had.

Seems I bought some of the ones released by FanPro/WizKids, go figure. But now I don't feel as bad if I wait for retail on the newer map packs.

Plus, our little group is looking to try playing the old CCG, so I have been hunting for cards for that...

 Albertorius wrote:

 Charistoph wrote:

Nurglitch wrote:
Pretty sure stuff like TR: 2750 is 'back filling' lore.

While true, consider TRO 3050, 3055, 3060, 3067, Jihad, Dark Age, etc. Up until Age of Sigmar prep, GW ONLY did backfilling.

Unless you count the hundreds of novels and RPG sourcebooks, of course.

All of which happened at or before The End Times or 13th Black Crusade. Then people got on the Horus Heresy kick (which I can't blame them), and it REALLY got in to the back filling of lore.

 Charistoph wrote:

 Albertorius wrote:

 Charistoph wrote:

Nurglitch wrote:
Pretty sure stuff like TR: 2750 is 'back filling' lore.

While true, consider TRO 3050, 3055, 3060, 3067, Jihad, Dark Age, etc. Up until Age of Sigmar prep, GW ONLY did backfilling.

Unless you count the hundreds of novels and RPG sourcebooks, of course.

All of which happened at or before The End Times or 13th Black Crusade. Then people got on the Horus Heresy kick (which I can't blame them), and it REALLY got in to the back filling of lore.

So... pick one, they either ONLY did backfilling or they only did contemporary stuff (End Times/Black Crusade) until HH. Both cannot be true at the same time ^^.

But I understand, what you mean is that Battletech's metaplot has been advancing since the 80s, and yeah, you're absolutely right.

it's the two main "schools of setting thought", if you will:

- The "fixed setting" school advocates for something to always be "at the tipping point" so to speak, where changes are incoming, but not officially moving forward. 40k and WFB were both here for the longest time, but it's also how it works on Fading Suns, Eberron and scores of other settings, even Star Wars up until the new sequels.

- The other school is the "metaplot" one, where the setting is more like a continuously evolving story that you get to either be a part of or to vicariously enjoy. Battletech is here, along with Shadowrun, Vampire and many others.

And then, of course, there's a lot in between ^^. Like how both GW's main setting seem to be right now.

 Albertorius wrote:
So... pick one, they either ONLY did backfilling or they only did contemporary stuff (End Times/Black Crusade) until HH. Both cannot be true at the same time ^^.

Cute.

From the perspective of the frozen time point of End Times/13th Black Crusade, even "contemporary" fiction would be back filling as they fill in lore that was happening that lead up to that frozen point. It's not as noticeable as the Horus Heresy, but close enough.

GW actually did try to progress the story a couple times, but they stalled because of player input. Archaon got owned by Grimgor. Abaddon roflstomped the Imperium. A bunch of scenarios which left big wigs or player base dissatisfied, and so the story line reverted far enough behind these events to basically retcon them in to non-events.

As I said, I understood what you were getting at, hence the explanation of the two main "setting status quo".

But it was just too good a jab to pass up

Nothing gets one in the mood for the Succession Wars like a good free-for-all.

Anyone have any insight into when and how BT tech readouts are reprinted?
I don't try to keep up with the online-only supplements but I like to have all the printed tech readouts. I looked into my collection and I find I don't have "Project Phoenix", and folks are asking stupid money for it anywhere online.

I'm not in a huge hurry, but it does appear that it might have a few base mech designs in it that aren't found anywhere else. What are the chances it get's a reprint in the next couple years?


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Regarding advancing fluff, I always appreciated how BT was always about moving the fluff ahead. Sure there is elaboration on the past, but never at the expense of moving the storyline ahead. Backfill is almost always in moderation, except where whole unexplored sections of the distant past are opened up. Looking back through my BT novels, TRO's, sourcebooks, etc, most of that essentially seems to be at-or-near the leading edge of of the timeline at the time it was published.

Even though as a youngster I was more interested in 40k, I realized pretty quick that each edition of 40k pretty much rehashed the history of the one before. I have 4+ editions of codicies for given factions that add little to the lore of what came before. I gather that has changed somewhat recently, but I'm 2 editions out and don't care anymore.

By comparison, the Battletech universe keeps me coming back even though Apha Strike is the only BT ruleset I can stomach.

I think printed TROs are a luxury at this point. Last printed TRO I bought was 3067. Everything else since then has been PDFs. As for exclusive designs, they all get printed in the Record Sheet releases anyway, so it's hard to miss out on things.

 Eilif wrote:
Even though as a youngster I was more interested in 40k, I realized pretty quick that each edition of 40k pretty much rehashed the history of the one before.

That's because, up until recent, 40K was a setting rather than a story. By its very nature it was repetitive as they were reintroducing the setting with each new edition.

I've always appreciated BTech's drive to keep moving forward, even when I didn't like the story they were telling.

Here is a cheap way to get Project Phoenix:

https://shop.fasagames.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=77_78&products_id=759

It is legit, I have made a few purchases from them. Whomever got the Earthdawn setting and FASA name seems to have some deadstock from the FanPro era as well.

As far as the question more generally, CGL did do a seemingly successful POD for TRO: Golden Century. So that may open the doors for more new print TROs and reprints. But that is all still in the speculative phase for projects that will happen after Kickstarter delivery is complete. On the BTech forums staff have been pretty clear that getting Wave 2 done is consuming "150%"+ of their time so things like this (read anything not explicitly promised as a product or stretch goal in the Kickstarter) is not a very high priority.

Obviously some other things are getting out there (Rec guides, ilClan setup fiction) but it is somewhat limited.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Also nothing wrong with liking Alpha Strike over CBT (even in this thread). Represent your chosen faction and its giant stompy robots in your ruleset of choice.

I'm sitting here looking at the large box of Clan Invasion stuff I received from the Kick Starter. I backed at the Star Colonel level, and now have about 100 mechs to paint. On the plus side, these are some of the best looking mech's I've ever seen for Battletech! On the negative side, I got three of the same blind box Hero mech and pilot. Something like 20 unique hero's and out of the 10 I received, three are the same. Bad luck!

Now to figure out which paint scheme to use for Clan Wolf...

Depends on which galaxy you want to play...or if your playing wolf or wolf in exile.

 Tamwulf wrote:
I'm sitting here looking at the large box of Clan Invasion stuff I received from the Kick Starter. I backed at the Star Colonel level, and now have about 100 mechs to paint. On the plus side, these are some of the best looking mech's I've ever seen for Battletech! On the negative side, I got three of the same blind box Hero mech and pilot. Something like 20 unique hero's and out of the 10 I received, three are the same. Bad luck!

Now to figure out which paint scheme to use for Clan Wolf...

I like the 2nd galaxy (beta?) Scheme for wolf.

 Alpharius Walks wrote:
Here is a cheap way to get Project Phoenix:

https://shop.fasagames.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=77_78&products_id=759

It is legit, I have made a few purchases from them. Whomever got the Earthdawn setting and FASA name seems to have some deadstock from the FanPro era as well.

As far as the question more generally, CGL did do a seemingly successful POD for TRO: Golden Century. So that may open the doors for more new print TROs and reprints. But that is all still in the speculative phase for projects that will happen after Kickstarter delivery is complete. On the BTech forums staff have been pretty clear that getting Wave 2 done is consuming "150%"+ of their time so things like this (read anything not explicitly promised as a product or stretch goal in the Kickstarter) is not a very high priority.

Obviously some other things are getting out there (Rec guides, ilClan setup fiction) but it is somewhat limited.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Also nothing wrong with liking Alpha Strike over CBT (even in this thread). Represent your chosen faction and its giant stompy robots in your ruleset of choice.

Thanks for that.

I checked and it turns out it was actually "Prototypes" that I was missing. Still, I'm Going to do a bit of digging at that site and see of there are any source books there that I want.

Much appreciated!

EDIT: Answered my own question

Hey guys, I've read most of the kickstarter thread and this one and I'm pretty hyped for this game I must say. Background seems nice, I love big stompy robots and this game my friends might actually be willing to play over 40k at least some of the time.
However, outside of the kickstarter I don't think I can join anymore, how does one start collecting this in Europe? I asked a local games retailer and he said he couldn't get a hold of anything, then I looked at the site and it seems that A) it needs to be shipped from the USA which could be pricey and B) their version of start collecting/starter box was out of sale.
I apologize in advance if this has been answered before or there are actually easy ways to get a hold of models/rules in the EU but I just haven't found either.

Wayland Games carries it, when its in stock anyway.

I mean, its the UK, but its probably cheaper than getting it from the US.

https://www.waylandgames.co.uk/search?controller=search&orderby=position&orderway=desc&search_query=Battletech&submit_search=


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Also, working on a test scheme for Ghost Bear, since the one I want to do, Alpha Galaxy I feel is a little beyond me for getting the blue, darker blue, black blend down.


Test Scheme


Scheme I really like

 Castozor wrote:
Hey guys, I've read most of the kickstarter thread and this one and I'm pretty hyped for this game I must say. Background seems nice, I love big stompy robots and this game my friends might actually be willing to play over 40k at least some of the time.
However, outside of the kickstarter I don't think I can join anymore, how does one start collecting this in Europe? I asked a local games retailer and he said he couldn't get a hold of anything, then I looked at the site and it seems that A) it needs to be shipped from the USA which could be pricey and B) their version of start collecting/starter box was out of sale.
I apologize in advance if this has been answered before or there are actually easy ways to get a hold of models/rules in the EU but I just haven't found either.

You're in luck! From what I can tell you can still back the kickstarter, which is the cheapest mechs have ever been, or likely will be again.

https://app.crowdox.com/projects/450703636/battletech-clan-invasion

Pledge Manager closes on the 15th though, so you'll need to be quick!

Ah so I overlooked, thanks guys! Weird that they'd offer their start collecting over KS as an extra buy when it lists it as being out of stock on their site but whatever. Going to be a bit pricey looking at shipping but not overly expensive compared to GW stuff so I think I'll take the plunge. Thanks again!
Edit, looking at Wayland too, seems more convenient and low investment but those KS goodies do look good. AAAAND nvm, seems even on wayland all the core stuff is: awaiting reprint. Guess it is a nice option after getting a starter set from the KS.

They appear to be letting you add the various books with next to no shipping, so that should save a bit.

Also:



Glory be!

I really want to reopen my Pledge and add a bunch of stuff to it, but . How do I know what I've already got besides going through my box and (which was at the Star Colonel level so I got A LOT of stuff), and how do I figure out what else is coming? Is it just Wave 1 stuff we have received so far, and it's only Wave 2 we are waiting on? I'll probably try and dig into it today.

Got the Battle of Tukayyid campaign PDF, and it's awesome. I'm going to order the physical book because it's that good. Which has made me desire the neoprene maps for Tukayyid as well. The new Clan TC variants are very intriguing to me. I want to take them out for a spin!

Your original order is still in the pledge. Anything tagged Wave 2 is still coming.

For the US QML may also have emailed you a packing list of everything coming to you.

I will be honest though, I just made a quick google sheet to track the minis. Ran out of other ways to easily and accurately figure out things to add.

First of the angry green birbs have rolled off the production line:





And my merc company got its command lance (actually the Warhammer will be part of the battle lance, with the Battlemaster taking its place):



They'll need a vehicle company to match the Jade Falcons in points for my planned Alpha Strike game.

What kind of plastic are the minis? Are they softer like the new Bones CAV mech minis from Reaper, or harder like HiPS?