Classic Battletech Is Awesome: the Thread!

Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you:

No adverts like this in the forums anymore.
Times and dates in your local timezone.
Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance.
Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely.
Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net.

If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

**Gitzbitah**

KommanderKong wrote:
Wow.

Automatically Appended Next Post:
CJF has been my "team" since I was a ten-year old, eyes glued to the Saturday morning Battletech Cartoon show. I was obsessed, never missed an episode... used to stomp around my backyard after every episode pretending to be a Mech. That show got me through the uncomfortable adjustment period of my parents' divorce, when I stayed with my dad in his new place on the weekends. Then I was obsessed with Mechwarrior 2 when that came out a year or two later... played both campaigns to completion multiple times but I was a dyed in the wool Falcon. I was into Battletech through these media before any other gaming hobby ever came around.

I don't go in for modern Battletech... preferring the older material... but this has actually kind of killed my interest for the moment. What a buzzkill... CJF is Btech for me.

You're really missing out then. CJF's latest round of mechs are letting them embrace all out, high speed aggression on the tabletop better than ever before. Look up the Hierofalcon and Ion Sparrow on sarna- compared to other mechs, they fly across the battlefield! Improved Jump Jets and Partial Wings let them jump further than they can run. And they look absolutely amazing. We've embraced Death From Above as a tactical doctrine, to the point the Wolves are building some mechs to counter it. Politics come and go, but as long as the Clan survives, it will come back around but their hardware- that's forever.

Suffering a few years as Wolf bodyguards will mean once Alaric is , inevitably, assassinated by an Inner Sphere nation or more recalcitrant clan, the Falcons will be an elite core of very well equipped warriors, with a very good shot at becoming the second ilClan.

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

You mean assassinated by Word of Blake 2.0.

And thus begins Jihad 2: Ji-Harder!

**Manchu**

Are you crazy, Blakists would love Alaric.

**infinite_array**

It will be interesting to see where they take the IlClan era, based on the very few glimpses of 3250 content there's been. There's a Star League Loremaster with a Jade Falcon bloodname, so they will still exist in some capacity, the difference between Clan and IS tech is "basically meaningless," and one of the opposition elements to the IlCan Star League are Renegades.

**beast_gts**

infinite_array wrote:
the difference between Clan and IS tech is "basically meaningless,"

I think it depends on what way they go with things like protomechs and Clan Interface Armor.

**chaos0xomega**

kodos wrote:
those are the people who never read a book (or watch a movie) twice
and they miss a lot of fun with that (like my wife)

I almost never watch something twice or read something a second time, I still watched The prequels, and the Clone Wars, and other such things, with relish.

**kodos**

and than there is me, having read LotR ~ 6 times and watching Wrath of Khan at least twice a year

**aphyon**

kodos wrote:
and than there is me, having read LotR ~ 6 times and watching Wrath of Khan at least twice a year

Since i originally bought it in the early 90s-aliens directors cut with the extra footage on laser disc(the only way it was available at the time) at least 50 times. still one of my favorite movies of all times.

In other battletech news

We did a fedcom VS nova cat battle last weekend. the davion forces were RAC heavy but where on the lighter side(muskateers/typhoons). we managed to kill 2 clan tanks (SM1s) a novacat and a masakari before the last remaining lyran tank(challenger X) was forced to withdraw. not a victory but a good showing for the IS.

Spoiler:

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

Tanks taking on Clanners.

Brave soldiers.

**aphyon**

Well it would have turned out better if the davion player would have stopped jamming his RACs so much. the ontos's and challenger Xs are solid tanks that put out lots of hurt.

**beast_gts**

The ilClan Sourcebook Now Available; Strategic Operations and Campaign Operations Reprints

**chaos0xomega**

Wellp.

Spoiler:

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

Quick. Call him a nazi!

**chaos0xomega**

H.B.M.C. wrote:
Quick. Call him a nazi!

As the saying goes, "if you have 10 people eating dinner with a nazi, you have 11 nazis".

Did you really think I wouldn't?

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

Well...

TEX wrote:This Morning's Controversy brought to you by the modest social media storm currently attacking Mr. Tex.

It all began with a humble podcast request for collaboration. Now, I've done a number of these on occasion - from HPG Renegade to The MindGap Podcast to Wolfnet Radio and I've enjoyed every opportunity to gab about the game in question. Battletech is, to me, one of the things that has shaped me into the adult I am. It taught me so much to appreciate a good game with friends and even to learn and grow a little. With the current status of GW's ongoing shenanigans and my regular podcasted dissertation regarding my displeasure with their business and creative practices, my opinion was well known.

For I was once a 40k guy, through and through. Clicky-Tech did away with my interests in Battletech for a time as some of you already know. Clicky-Tech killed the game for me, along with the Jihad and Dark ages. That was about when I got heavily into 40k and a few years later I was yet another 40k lore nerd, eager to expound on the TRUE ORIGINS of whatever people said looked cool in my collection of miniatures. Yeah, I was that guy. But 40k pushed me away. Priced me out of the god-damn game. Then they gak on the lore that was actually decent and just, you know, did a fairly bad job running things.

So I was invited onto a podcast to speak with a 40k lore guy, a guy I know of third hand as people have posted his videos and breakdowns of lore and such. Folks tell me he's mad at GW and wants to talk about battletech. Great. I put on my best fake ambassadorial getup, clock out of a 10 hour work day (A short day these days) and talk until my voice starts to give out and I must rest. It was cordial. Jokes were made about youtube and battletech and GW. Stories were told. We even obsessed over the hydraulic press channel.

So I figure nothing of it. I go about my business.

Then the podcast drops.

So begins my torment:

As of this morning I'm getting labeled a nazi, I've had people (who do not know me) trash me on facebook, and other social media platforms. I look up to comment after comment comparing me to national socialists and their work. I have had people leave the patreon over this, some leaving scathing messages attacking my character and my moral compass. Some of these messages were exceptionally cruel, choosing to target what I had shared in my personal vulnerabilities through the years.

Then they decided to take it to social media: I find I am now being targeted. People are now tearing me down and downvoting stuff/brigading. In addition, I have gotten dozens of messages conveying emotions ranging from spite, to hatred to extreme disappointment in "What I've become". The least hurtful of these in particular was wishing that my throat condition continues to silence my ability to pollute the air with such useless noise. Another informed me that I would now be the ruin of Battletech and that's all anyone would ever remember me for.

Reminding myself that I bust my ass day after day, that I work myself to the bone, and spending my off-hours creating for this community and to always strive to do my best . . . and this?

This has been the opposite of good.

In fact, I'd wager It's been a less than stellar day thus far.

I work tirelessly for the community as I'm able, taking on far too many projects, answering far too many questions, and being everywhere as best I can - all of which is supremely unhealthy. I do this because I am dedicated to this community, for it has given me such wonderful inspiration and necessary reprieve in times of darkness. It's why I am so fond of charity, from saving a legionnaire's dog yesterday, to trying to fix someone's home up so their child can have a safe place to grow up.

I don't mention this to virtue signal. I mention this because I hurt when I fail to do a good job. Being called a bad person, boils my blood. Doubly so when I'm beat the feth up already.

Now, I'm not perfect. Not by a long shot. And, I have to say, I addressed my patreon in response to this and did my best to explain.

I will admit, I did very little research before agreeing to the podcast. I knew things folks had said, that the man had some outspoken opinions and occasionally pushed some buttons with some people. I really didnt' inquire further - its the internet. Anything with politics usually does this, its why I typically avoid it. So, no, I did not knowingly choose to associate myself with someone over their outspoken, controversial opinions. I chose to accept an invitation to discuss battletech with another lore maker.

It was a cordial, polite, discussion. One that has resulted in horrific treatment online for yours truly.

I didn't know a lot about Arch, other than he knows a lot about GW and 40k and now there's drama somewhere about him. Now, this drama is here, at my door driven by folks seemingly deriving pleasure in tearing me down on all fronts. Folks who feel that I have in some way betrayed them, their ideas, and beliefs and have fired the first shot in this aggression. That about sums it up.

Instead of capitalizing on the drama, throwing people under the bus, or pointing blame, I'll say this:

I apologize if you feel hurt. I just wanted to talk battletech and shitpost. That's it. Nothing else.

If you feel hurt by my choice to go on a podcast and talk about battletech and games workshop because of who the other party was and their dealings on the internet, I'm sorry that offended you, and I had no express desire to cause harm by that action.

I do not intend to cause harm deliberately. I do not hate anyone or any group in particular. I do not celebrate hateful views.

I talk nerd gak. I complain about games which I play badly. I leave politics to people who want to talk about that. I talk Battletech.

I wished no harm with my choice then. I wish no harm now.

I am going to take the rest of the day.

This has been a traumatic experience and has overwhelmed me.

For those who have my back and know who I am - Thank you.

-TEX-

But nah. I'm pretty sure Tex is a nazi now, right?

**kodos**

whats wrong with people....

**aphyon**

Never apologize to the mob TEX they smell blood int he water like sharks.

TEX did nothing wrong.

It doesn't matter if you agree or not with ARCH's politics. they were talking about battletech and 40K and that's where it starts and ends.

**Miguelsan**

A bunch of children believing they are grown adults with a working brain. What a shame.

Years ago I used to work with a card carrying fascist party member. The wonders of freedom of belief, and association in old Europe! I greeted him when his shift started, talked shop, and the only time he brought up the issue of his political positions was to request my vote for his part, which I politely refused. But I guess I'm a fascist now, run for the hills!

Attacking Tex for talking with Arch when the only thing they did was to talk about Btech and 40k is deplorable, but doesn't surprise me coming from where it comes. They can all go and

themselves.

M.

**ScarletRose**

chaos0xomega wrote:
H.B.M.C. wrote:
Quick. Call him a nazi!

As the saying goes, "if you have 10 people eating dinner with a nazi, you have 11 nazis".

Did you really think I wouldn't?

Between this and Pardoe sidegig promoting sectarian violence it really makes me wonder about the wisdom of getting into Battletech.

**Miguelsan**

God forbid a writer promoting sectarian violence in a fiction book about a fantasy US in the near future.

Yeah, you better give Battletech a wide berth, it's 100% full with sectarian violence between people with big robots.

M.

**BrianDavion**

Regarding Tex, TBH, per his own admission he didn't do due dilligance in researching who he was associating with. Finding out who Arch was, wouldn't have been hard. He'll recover from this but hopefully the lesson he's learned isn't to "not do shows with other people" but to do some research first

**kodos**

skip BT and play 40k, were burning 10.000 people alive per day to keep a machine running is perfectly fine

and going by that, people who write such thing must have the same personal point of view and would like to do this in real live

there is no difference between fiction and real world

**Gitzbitah**

ScarletRose wrote:
chaos0xomega wrote:
H.B.M.C. wrote:
Quick. Call him a nazi!

As the saying goes, "if you have 10 people eating dinner with a nazi, you have 11 nazis".

Did you really think I wouldn't?

Between this and Pardoe sidegig promoting sectarian violence it really makes me wonder about the wisdom of getting into Battletech.

I really wouldn't let it bother you. One of the really wonderful things about Battletech is that it seems to keep people focused on the game when they're gaming. I know from their social media that quite a few of the folks in my group are on the opposite end of the political spectrum than myself, and even disagree about things like backing kickstarters and various factions in game. Despite this, they're a warm and inviting group that eagerly grabs anyone who says Battletech near them and demo games them until they join.

In a lot of ways, the fact that there are more than 30 years of wildly different tones of lore kicking about means that Battletech players learn to accept that other people love parts of the lore they personally hate- but that those same people can give them a great game.

All this controversy is happening out in the internet, not around the tabletops.

**kodos**

BrianDavion wrote:
Regarding Tex, TBH, per his own admission he didn't do due dilligance in researching who he was associating with. Finding out who Arch was, wouldn't have been hard. He'll recover from this but hopefully the lesson he's learned isn't to "not do shows with other people" but to do some research first

as I don't know that guy or his podcast I tried to find out what this is about and the results for a quick search were recommendations because of good and deep lore stuff for 40k

I don't know how hard it is to find about the political opinion of people if you don't know in advance what you need to search for

**aphyon**

kodos wrote:
BrianDavion wrote:
Regarding Tex, TBH, per his own admission he didn't do due dilligance in researching who he was associating with. Finding out who Arch was, wouldn't have been hard. He'll recover from this but hopefully the lesson he's learned isn't to "not do shows with other people" but to do some research first

as I don't know that guy or his podcast I tried to find out what this is about and the results for a quick search were recommendations because of good and deep lore stuff for 40k

I don't know how hard it is to find about the political opinion of people if you don't know in advance what you need to search for

You have to blatantly lie, or take things wildly out of context from online chat session screen shots that were direct quotes from black comedians, sarcastic humor based on real historical events that take to much effort for keyboard warriors to research for themselves to get to the level detractors get to with ARCH. Or you just get easily offended by online GAK posting or more conservative world views.

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

ScarletRose wrote:
Between this and Pardoe sidegig promoting sectarian violence it really makes me wonder about the wisdom of getting into Battletech.

For real?

That's your take away from all this?

**aphyon**

H.B.M.C. wrote:
ScarletRose wrote:
Between this and Pardoe sidegig promoting sectarian violence it really makes me wonder about the wisdom of getting into Battletech.
For real?

That's your take away from all this?

He must hate books on world history or epic scifi and fantasy book series like the wheel of time, honnor harrington etc...

**Nurglitch**

BrianDavion wrote:
Regarding Tex, TBH, per his own admission he didn't do due dilligance in researching who he was associating with. Finding out who Arch was, wouldn't have been hard. He'll recover from this but hopefully the lesson he's learned isn't to "not do shows with other people" but to do some research first

This. There's a big point on Twitter, for example, about checking not only who you follow, but also who follows you. Rather interestingly a hardline policy on blocking problem-followers tends to have the result of getting many more because people are happier engaging without the worry that Nazis, Tankies, and generic idiots might be involved.

**chaos0xomega**

So, by his own admission he was at least vaguely aware of who Arch is, that he is a controversial and polarizing figure, perhaps not any scope or depth as to what Arch has said or done specifically or what his specific opinions and beliefs are, but it sounds like he had heard enough to know that his politics are what some would consider extreme and was at least vaguely aware that some of that stuff was tied up in identity politics and the culture wars based on what Tex implied but wouldn't outright say...

And he very intentionally *chose* not to do any further research into the topic, despite - by his own admission - being aware that there was baggage associated with Arch. He knowingly and willfully made a decision to not do his due diligence before agreeing to and pursuing the collab because hey "its just politics" and "the internet" (tell that to the people around the world who have their rights, freedoms, livelihoods, etc. stripped away from them as a result of the same/similar beliefs and opinions that Arch advocates for).

I don't feel one tiny little iota of guilt or sadness or sympathy for him being pilloried as a nazi, and his embarassing non-apology where he refuses to acknowledge who Arch is, what he stands for, and why its a problem doesn't endear me towards him any further, nor does his fairly predictable "Im sorry you're offended" bs. Real nice of him to explain all the apparent charitable work he does on the side, but thats ultimately irrelevant - actual nazi's did charitable work and helped their neighbors too (as long as they weren't Jewish, etc), that doesn't absolve them of the harm they caused or make them any less of a monster. While I dont condone people going around hoping the dude dies from throat cancer or whatever it is hes dealing with, he deserves the consequences of his actions if it means hes losing patreon supporters and receiving messages of disapproval from fans.

AND LMAO at the guy in the comments here trying to pass off Arches crap as out of context jokes. In short, Arch has:

-Started a short-lived political side-channel in which he regularly hosted individuals associated with alt-right, far-right, white nationalist/white supremacist movements, etc. and espoused those political views (note, unlike someone like say, Joe Rogan, he never hosted anyone from "the other side" or attempted to play devils advocate against the views he promoted).
-Collaborated with and professed admiration for failed UKIP wannabe parliamentarian, self-avowed anti-feminist, anti-islamist, anti-Semite, and rape-fetishist, Sargon of Akkad, aka Carl Benjamin.
-Regularly collaborates with and has professes admiration and support for his personal friend, failed Swedish white supremacist political candidate, Marcus "The Golden One" Follin.
-Collaborated with well-known White Supremacist organization Stormfront, representatives of which were hosted on his political channel
-Published a youtube video encouraging people to use the n-word
-Has outright stated his desire in videos to keep Warhammer white and male in its representation, going so far as to say that the community should chase out females and POC who feel otherwise or aren't willing to essentially bow down and roll over in deference to the white men who he believes have "ownership" over the community/setting.
-Regularly drops the n-word on his channel, e.g. - referring to Gnoblars as "house n*****s" in one video (definitely not an "out of context reference to a joke made by a black comedian", unless you can find me a black comedian who does a stand-up routine about gnoblars).
-In at least one video compared Jews to goblins
-Has discussed and promoted alt-right, far-right, anti-semitic, etc. conspiracy theories like white genocide, cultural marxism, etc.
-Has outright stated that Europeans, European culture, and everything derived from it is superior to anything/everything derived from it.
-Has stated his disappointment that Norway has outlawed the murder of Sami's (a long-persecuted indigenous finno-ugric minority living in the far northern reaches of Finland, Norway, and Sweden).

etc.

We know what Arch is about and what he believes in. Sometimes a "joke" isn't really a joke.

Miguelsan wrote:
Years ago I used to work with a card carrying fascist party member. The wonders of freedom of belief, and association in old Europe! I greeted him when his shift started, talked shop, and the only time he brought up the issue of his political positions was to request my vote for his part, which I politely refused. But I guess I'm a fascist now, run for the hills!

Do you think he would have been as cordial or as professional with you if you were of a different ethnic/racial/cultural/religious/etc demographic, perhaps? And what do you think the outcome for those members of said targeted demographics might be like if the charming fascist and those like him, as well as their political beliefs, were legitimized and given platform because you have interpreted "freedom of belief" to mean that all beliefs should be given equal legitimacy and equal opportunity to be voiced?

Its really easy to make friends with a leopard when you're a tiger, but maybe not so much when you're a deer.

Miguelsan wrote:
God forbid a writer promoting sectarian violence in a fiction book about a fantasy US in the near future.

Nah, BLP has been pretty loud and vocal about his political beliefs for a while, hes well established as a lost cause "the south will rise again" type, his new book is just wish fulfillment of him getting to live out the second civil war he fantasizes about.

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

We all read this thread. That means we're now all nazis by association!

Thus spake Twitter. Thus so it was!