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Death_from_above wrote:
FYI, the Mech design process AMA with Anthony Scroggins (1h02) is now on Youtube :
Snippets/highlights (non-exhaustive) :
Rabid Coyote or Canis ? Not very likely at this point ; better chance of seeing FedCom Civil War or Jihad-era Packs that
slot into the IlClan timeline (which does not exclude the possibility of a niche product, see the Proliferation-era pack)
Plastic Uziel ? The IWM model is pretty recent, maybe when they do a FedCom Civil War or Jihad-era pack
All Mechs are scaled (volumetric) to a half mm of each other (Anthony now has a 2GB Maya file with all designs)
The fact that a Mech was recently released in metal/plastic (respectively by IWM/CGL) does not reduce its chances
of seeing it make the transition to the "other" material (see the Ostscout frex)
Plastic Ostwar would be "easy-peasy", since they've now got a good feel on the Ost family
When designing a Mech, they strive to retain a certain amount of faithfulness. In some cases, this can be the overall
silhouette. In other cases, it'll be specific areas/details (such as the panel lines of the Victor's torso SRM). Anthony
does like to tweak the cockpits though
MWO and CGL are separate companies, each with their own intellectual properties. Therefore there is no direct
copying of Mech designs. Sometimes a design will look very similar (King Crab)
Museum-scale minis ? - Anthony confirms that "Destiny-scale" Mechs are 28mm. If the demand is there (and it probably
is, since they sold out all of the stock at Adepticon), there will probably be more (decision to be made by TPTB)
More Clan BA ? - Randall actually wanted more BA in the Mercs KS, but they ran out of time. Over time, there will be more.
Plastic infantry however has a low chance ; very hard to get sufficient detail on that scale
Most drastic redesigns so far ? - Sentinel, Mercury, Bane, Black Python
Least redesign required ? - Flea, Highlander IIC
Canonized Ragnarok ? - Anthony wouldn't be opposed
Coolant Truck ? - depends on the success of the Objectives pack ; if the demand is there for map/table dressing or campaign objectives play, then possibly yes
Something with a sword ? - "I hope so" and "we"ll have to see if something pops up when we get to the faction packs"
Poster-sized blueprints ? - they can do better blueprints now and Anthony would like to see more poster merch
Faction packs (30.00 timestamp) - will be coming and will be a tandem release with a faction-specific book that will give more information on how to fluffily play the faction. There will be a Kurita pack for the Succession Wars/Clan Invasion and (possibly ?) another for the IlClan era
When designing a Mech, they look at its individual flair. They don't necessarily give the same aesthetic to all Mechs of a given manufacturer/plant
3D assets are sometimes (rarely) re-used ; the Banshee (3S) PPC is the same gun as with the Warhammer (because fluff-wise it fits)
Mod kits/extra variants ? - first baby step taken with the Marauders from both Legendary ForcePacks ; 4 different dorsal guns
will allow WYSIWYG building of the majority of Marauder variants
More ASF - they'll probably continue to trickle out. Full Aerospace ForcePacks would require "their own game" (which I interpret as a rules update/rewrite)
Celestials - once again, Anthony states that nobody is opposed and he thinks there is a lot of potential in a facelift by his team (some inaudible off-screen chatter from/with Loren Coleman at this point)
Heroforge for Mechs ? - tricky at this point, since once an STL is out there, the genie is out of the box. In the long term, with the improvement of 3D printers and DRM, it would be a possibility
Far Country's Tetatae get a shoutout ("would be pretty funny"
Jade Phoenix ? - since Anthony has had to devote a lot of his time on the CGL/KS side, he's had less time for IWM. A good number of the IlClan Mechs are pretty much ready
Anthony available for commission work ? - currently not, but it's something that he would like to pick up again
Detail level on Mechs - can be tricky, sometimes they try and "push the envelope" to see how well the ideas translate to plastic (the Legendary Warhammer frex will have hexagonal missile ports for the MRM)
Plastic dropships - Anthony would love to do some mapscale ones (Union, Overlord, Leopard, Fortress). Mech-scale is another beast altogether and Anthony sees this one as a potential candidate for STLs one day
The first three Mechs that made it to line art (Warhammer, Marauder and Locust) were the "hardest" ; a lot of discussions/nit-picking to get the design just right. Nowadays, the design process is much smoother/faster
Design process was flipped at the time of AGoAC ; before it was line art > 3D modeling,
nowadays it's concept sketch > 3D modeling > line art
"Some Mechs deserve to be left behind" (54.10 timestamp) - very much needs to be interpreted within the context ; in the grand scheme of things when deciding which Mechs will be included in the next ForcePacks, they will not necessarily get to each and every design
Which Mech/vee would Anthony like to tackle/see ? - Fafnir (runner-ups : Mad Cat II, Thanatos, Argus) & Alacorn
If you could remove one Mech from the game ? - Anthony unfortunately mentions the Fireball
(but with Brent involved in the decision-making process, I'd say it still has good odds)
Huron Warrior - they should do that at one point
We should be getting our first glimpses of the future (faction-specific ForcePacks) on Anthony's Patreon
'It is a source of constant consternation that my opponents cannot correlate their innate inferiority with their inevitable defeat. It would seem that stupidity is as eternal as war.'
- Nemesor Zahndrekh of the Sautekh Dynasty Overlord of the Crownworld of Gidrim
2023/04/21 07:01:37
Subject: Re:Classic Battletech Is Awesome: the Thread!
Broke out something i do not put on the table very often.
Spoiler:
Spoiler:
This was a training game to help a player get used to using ASFs on a ground map.
Spoiler:
Spoiler:
GAMES-DUST1947/infinity/B5 wars/epic 40K/5th ed 40K/victory at sea/warmachine/battle tactics/monpoc/battletech/battlefleet gothic/castles in the sky,/heavy gear
We’ve got four new record sheet compilation products available today, including sheets for the Technical Readout: Jihad and Technical Readout: Dark Age compilations, and for Technical Readout: 3145 and Technical Readout: 3150. More than 1,300 pages of record sheets for your BattleTech games!
Record Sheets: Jihad
Price: $9.99 – PDF Only
November 3067 saw the culmination of work two centuries in the making, work begun by Primus Conrad Toyama of ComStar, successor to Jerome Blake and the man responsible for single-handedly turning ComStar into a pseudo-religious organization with a vision: to lead mankind to the light.
But then the Second Star League collapsed.
Denied their dream, the Blakists fought to preserve the Star League against the follies of the Great Houses, its fanaticism manifested as the Jihad: a horrific war that pitted every nation against each other. This era saw bleeding edge machines march off to war, while venerable ‘Mechs continued to receive upgrades and facelifts. Even primitive ‘Mechs not seen in over half a millennia once again appear on the battlefield.
BattleTech Record Sheets: Jihad offers players the record sheets for all the ‘Mechs detailed in BattleTech Technical Readout: Jihad, 281 in total.
Note: These are selections from several other products. The selected entries in this PDF are reprinted—albeit with the current BattleTech logo—from Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged—Clan & Star League, Record Sheets: 3055 Upgrades Unabridged, Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged, Record Sheets: 3060 Unabridged, Record Sheets: 3067 Unabridged, Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged, and Record Sheets: 3085—The Cutting Edge & Project Phoenix. Players who own those Record Sheets products will find the same units presented in Record Sheets: Jihad.
From the star-spanning devastation of the Word of Blake Jihad arose the Republic of the Sphere, a new nation dedicated to breaking the centuries-long cycle of warfare plaguing the Inner Sphere and creating new innovation and prosperity for all.
The ideals of the Republic worked—for a time.
Then in 3132, hyperpulse generators across thousands of worlds went offline, enveloping the Inner Sphere in silence. Paranoia and opportunism ran rampant as age-old hostilities reignited and chaos ruled the day. The Republic, the grand experiment in hope, was torn asunder by hostile forces on every side.
The Republic Era—better known as the Dark Age—was a time of upheaval and opportunity. Fortunes rose and fell, nations crumbled and others reconstituted. And at the center of the whirlwind lay Terra, the crown jewel of the Republic, a prize waiting for the warrior strong enough to seize it.
BattleTech Record Sheets: Dark Age offers players the record sheets for all the ‘Mechs detailed in BattleTech Technical Readout: Dark Age, 262 in total.
Note: These are selections from several other products. The selected entries in this PDF are reprinted—albeit with the current BattleTech logo—from Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged, Record Sheets: 3085—The Cutting Edge, Record Sheets: 3145, Record Sheets: 3150, Record Sheets: Prototypes, along with Interstellar Expeditions, Wars of the Republic Era, Experimental Technical Readout: Republic, Vol. I, and Technical Readout: Irregulars. Players who own those Record Sheets products will find the same units presented in Record Sheets: Dark Age.
The great experiment that was the Republic of the Sphere has failed. Withdrawn behind the Fortress walls, the once-great power has become a silent, opaque remnant of its former glory. Without its influence, old hatreds have risen anew. As war once more rages across the Inner Sphere, new equipment strides across ancient battlefields. Technology, once stagnated by trade restrictions and peace treaties, now surges forward again, testing these new machines in the fierce crucible of war.
BattleTech Record Sheets:3145 offers players the record sheets for ‘Mechs, Combat Vehicles, Battle Armor, and Aerospace designs from BattleTech Technical Readout:3145—including those from the New Tech, New Upgrades section.
War has spread across the Inner Sphere, shattering and shifting alliances both old and new. As the Clans once more close in on humanity’s homeworld of Terra, the walls of Fortress have come down, revealing the return of Devlin Stone. Desperate for any edge, the Great Houses, Clans, and Periphery states of the Inner Sphere have unleashed a flood of new war machines, rushing them into battle on every front.
BattleTech Record Sheets: 3150 offers players the record sheets for ‘Mechs, Combat Vehicles, Battle Armor, and Aerospace designs from BattleTech Technical Readout: 3150—including those from the New Tech, New Upgrades section.
This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2023/04/28 20:12:20
'It is a source of constant consternation that my opponents cannot correlate their innate inferiority with their inevitable defeat. It would seem that stupidity is as eternal as war.'
- Nemesor Zahndrekh of the Sautekh Dynasty Overlord of the Crownworld of Gidrim
2023/05/01 01:50:47
Subject: Classic Battletech Is Awesome: the Thread!
Amazon provides a free Kindle app for iOS, Android, Mac, and PC. The Humble Bundle is in ePub and MOBI (the latter is what Kindle used, and is still compatible. AZW is the current one and evolved from MOBI, but it has better compression and has DRM, which Amazon and publishers like). So most people should have an option to read these ebooks if they like.
I've not read all of them, but those I've read are average to low average for gaming fiction. Comparing them to mainstream military sci-fi, I'd say they are poor. They really are only of interest to BT players.
Amazon provides a free Kindle app for iOS, Android, Mac, and PC. The Humble Bundle is in ePub and MOBI (the latter is what Kindle used, and is still compatible. AZW is the current one and evolved from MOBI, but it has better compression and has DRM, which Amazon and publishers like). So most people should have an option to read these ebooks if they like.
I've not read all of them, but those I've read are average to low average for gaming fiction. Comparing them to mainstream military sci-fi, I'd say they are poor. They really are only of interest to BT players.
Of this, I am aware. You can even up load the epubs to your Amazon book storage for download elsewhere. For some reason, they stopped allowing mobi files for this.
However, that is not what I meant by handling the format. Some people just don't like reading digital documents, and will only read the paper format.
Are you a Wolf, a Sheep, or a Hound?
Megavolt wrote:They called me crazy…they called me insane…THEY CALLED ME LOONEY!! and boy, were they right.
2023/05/05 09:46:30
Subject: Classic Battletech Is Awesome: the Thread!
Charistoph wrote: Of this, I am aware. You can even up load the epubs to your Amazon book storage for download elsewhere. For some reason, they stopped allowing mobi files for this.
However, that is not what I meant by handling the format. Some people just don't like reading digital documents, and will only read the paper format.
I see. While I'm not one of those paper only folks, I still prefer hard copy when it isn't too expensive or inconvenient. {For example, a 450 page paperback in pocket format is both fat and is set in a painfully small type. An eBook version of that is more convenient.}
Is there an easy way to find out what books I need to buy to get the stats on mechs I own?
A decade or more ago I bought the starter box with the 26 or so plastic mechs and it came with record sheets for each of them.
Now I've got two of the newer plastic packs (Heavy Star and Wolf's Dragoon Star) but don't know what all they do besides the Alpha Strike cards they come with?
Also, what am I missing out on if I run just the basic rules out of said starter box with these newer Clan boxes?
Rihgu wrote: Is there an easy way to find out what books I need to buy to get the stats on mechs I own?...
... Now I've got two of the newer plastic packs (Heavy Star and Wolf's Dragoon Star) but don't know what all they do besides the Alpha Strike cards they come with?
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2023/05/05 19:35:33
'It is a source of constant consternation that my opponents cannot correlate their innate inferiority with their inevitable defeat. It would seem that stupidity is as eternal as war.'
- Nemesor Zahndrekh of the Sautekh Dynasty Overlord of the Crownworld of Gidrim
Rihgu wrote: Is there an easy way to find out what books I need to buy to get the stats on mechs I own?...
... Now I've got two of the newer plastic packs (Heavy Star and Wolf's Dragoon Star) but don't know what all they do besides the Alpha Strike cards they come with?
Rihgu wrote: Is there an easy way to find out what books I need to buy to get the stats on mechs I own?...
... Now I've got two of the newer plastic packs (Heavy Star and Wolf's Dragoon Star) but don't know what all they do besides the Alpha Strike cards they come with?
There's a few periphery programs as well that will help you out- solaris skunkwerks is the one I use.
If you look up your mech on sarna.net, each of the variants or configurations has a reference number next to it. At the bottom of the article are the references, which tell you where that particular set of record sheets can be found in official products. Especially with classic mechs- all the options may be spread across several different books, tied to different eras.
Klawz-Ramming is a subset of citrus fruit?
Gwar- "And everyone wants a bigger Spleen!"
Mercurial wrote:
I admire your aplomb and instate you as Baron of the Seas and Lord Marshall of Privateers.
Orkeosaurus wrote:Star Trek also said we'd have X-Wings by now. We all see how that prediction turned out.
Orkeosaurus, on homophobia, the nature of homosexuality, and the greatness of George Takei.
English doesn't borrow from other languages. It follows them down dark alleyways and mugs them for loose grammar.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2023/05/05 23:53:10
'It is a source of constant consternation that my opponents cannot correlate their innate inferiority with their inevitable defeat. It would seem that stupidity is as eternal as war.'
- Nemesor Zahndrekh of the Sautekh Dynasty Overlord of the Crownworld of Gidrim
2023/05/06 00:14:06
Subject: Classic Battletech Is Awesome: the Thread!
Rihgu wrote: Is there an easy way to find out what books I need to buy to get the stats on mechs I own?
A decade or more ago I bought the starter box with the 26 or so plastic mechs and it came with record sheets for each of them.
Now I've got two of the newer plastic packs (Heavy Star and Wolf's Dragoon Star) but don't know what all they do besides the Alpha Strike cards they come with?
Also, what am I missing out on if I run just the basic rules out of said starter box with these newer Clan boxes?
You want the Technical Readouts for the stats, or Reinforcement Packs for the actual record sheets.
CHAOS! PANIC! DISORDER!
My job here is done.
2023/05/06 06:28:25
Subject: Classic Battletech Is Awesome: the Thread!
The arenas of Solaris VII have seen glory and defeat, honor and treachery, blood and money. Now it’s your turn to make a name for yourself on the Game World with the all-new BattleTech boxed set BattleTech: Essentials, available exclusively through Target stores and on Target.com.
BattleTech: Essentials is available for pre-order right now on Target.com, with an estimated shipping date of Sunday, June 18. The boxed set will be available in Target’s more than 1,900 U.S. stores nationwide on that day as well. At this time, there are no plans to offer this product through the Catalyst Game Labs web store or any other venues than Target. International shipping through Target is not available, but other options may be revisited at a later time.
Includes:
Quick-Start Rules booklet
2 high-quality, fully-assembled (unpainted) plastic miniatures
Punchboard including additional playing pieces as well as terrain
18” x 22” full color, double-sided game map
Instant Guide to the Inner Sphere
24-page fiction novella
4 Record sheets
4 MechWarrior cards
Solaris VII Arena Map Rules sheet
I mean I wanted a new Solaris box, but without the curled finger on a monkey's paw.
This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2023/05/06 12:13:40
Took a bit of a beating tonight. did can on clan medium lances.
I got early kills in with my gnome battle armor taking down the kit fox. but a combination of missing with very easy UAC 20 shots and a slew of really great crits i got pretty well mauled in this battle with only 4 of my battle armor surviving. with 3 of his mechs still up and running. it didn't help i lost my star commanders cauldron born from his first damage of a single medium laser crit to the CT.
Spoiler:
Spoiler:
GAMES-DUST1947/infinity/B5 wars/epic 40K/5th ed 40K/victory at sea/warmachine/battle tactics/monpoc/battletech/battlefleet gothic/castles in the sky,/heavy gear
'It is a source of constant consternation that my opponents cannot correlate their innate inferiority with their inevitable defeat. It would seem that stupidity is as eternal as war.'
- Nemesor Zahndrekh of the Sautekh Dynasty Overlord of the Crownworld of Gidrim
2023/05/16 00:48:00
Subject: Classic Battletech Is Awesome: the Thread!
The rest of the team have an important appointment with the money hat vendors
More seriously, hopefully it’s just that the team is busy coordinating the Kickstarter actions. How much more advertising do they really need to do in the immediate aftermath of the Kickstarter amd Target deal?
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2023/05/16 07:18:07
Please excuse any spelling errors. I use a tablet frequently and software keyboards are a pain!
Chances are after the KS they just don't need to market heavily at all for a bit. The KS likely gave them a sales spike in direct sales anyway from those who got into the KS but now are dealing with the long term wait for delivery and so are jumping on current material.
So chances are its all hands on deck to make sure the regular company runs smoothly; which means potentially less people to prep for big conventions and events.
Randall and Loren will be headed to UK Games Expo on Friday, June 2 through Sunday, June 4!
If you see them, say hello!
#boardgame #TTRPGs #battletech
'It is a source of constant consternation that my opponents cannot correlate their innate inferiority with their inevitable defeat. It would seem that stupidity is as eternal as war.'
- Nemesor Zahndrekh of the Sautekh Dynasty Overlord of the Crownworld of Gidrim
Now Available: Hansen’s Roughriders and Rasalhague Dominion T-Shirts
Two new faction t-shirts are now available in the Catalyst Game Labs store! Show your allegiance to the famed Hansen’s Roughriders mercenary unit or the Rasalhague Dominion.
Available in a variety of sizes for both men’s and women’s cut.
Stock: This is our first time offering faction t-shirts in this fashion. As such, we’ve been conservative on quantities. However, these are made in the U.S. and Silkworm has been a stalwart company to work with, always willing to run with us when needed. As such, if sales significantly exceed expectations, we can restock within 21 days.
This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2023/05/26 23:52:06
'It is a source of constant consternation that my opponents cannot correlate their innate inferiority with their inevitable defeat. It would seem that stupidity is as eternal as war.'
- Nemesor Zahndrekh of the Sautekh Dynasty Overlord of the Crownworld of Gidrim
2023/05/27 02:37:26
Subject: Classic Battletech Is Awesome: the Thread!
'It is a source of constant consternation that my opponents cannot correlate their innate inferiority with their inevitable defeat. It would seem that stupidity is as eternal as war.'
- Nemesor Zahndrekh of the Sautekh Dynasty Overlord of the Crownworld of Gidrim
2023/05/29 04:29:33
Subject: Re:Classic Battletech Is Awesome: the Thread!
A couple games today.....and everything is actually painted for both players
The first was an inner sphere lance on lance test mercs VS lyran 10th guard. both of us were a bit on the light side with light heavies and mediums taking up the majority of the forces.
We were both using special ammo. he had precision on his riflemen and i was using tandem charge SRMs on my pheonix hawk.
A few key crits later and the catapult and one rifleman was out. in total all i lost was my light mech (razorback)
Spoiler:
Spoiler:
The second game was a clan star zell honor battle.
jade falcons VS hells horse. he was using the catalyst adhoc star box and i was running a mix of things. a little general, hells horse and blood spirits designs.
A much harder fight than expected. most mechs being put into forced withdrawl with the blood kite being cored in the center for the only actual destroyed mech. on his side the stone rhino and supernova both scored 2 kills on my side the stormcrow was MVP with 3 kills.
Spoiler:
Spoiler:
Spoiler:
GAMES-DUST1947/infinity/B5 wars/epic 40K/5th ed 40K/victory at sea/warmachine/battle tactics/monpoc/battletech/battlefleet gothic/castles in the sky,/heavy gear
2023/05/29 05:37:18
Subject: Classic Battletech Is Awesome: the Thread!
That's the Clan Heavy Star, and it lives up to its name!!!
Ad Hoc would've seen you facing down a weird collection of 1st and 2nd Line (as opposed to a wall of 2nd Line armour!), including a Kodiak and the seemingly impossible Hellion, which is a fantastic machine that proves just how outclassed the IS is.
I do wonder, as the odd duck in that star, did the Hunchback IIC do anything, or just get damaged and run away because it has wet cardboard for armour?
And I'm not at all surprised that the Ryoken wrecked shop. It's the best 'Mech in the game, so of course it did well.
This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2023/05/29 05:38:18
Cadre Coronal Afterglow w1;d0;l0 
Deathwatch 
AdMech 
Necron
