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They all look good !

That Visigoth is beautiful.

I wishit was a bit longer and sleeker, but its such a gorgeous sculpt.

Before the Clans invaded. Black Widow Company was reconfigured to a clan structure of Trinary (?) by Natasha Kerensky. The unit engage in combat against Marik unit who was soundly defeated. Though, actually, I think they were a Battalion (Cluster) size unit using IS mechs and conducted clan warfare tactics to the Marik regiment they faced. Captured almost a battalion of mechs and smashed the other two. Natasha was the only trueborn Blood name warrior to accompany Wolf Dragoons into the IS who ran BWC/BWB. IIRC all pilots were Clan trained warriors. Eventually opening up to IS pilots and/or Dragoons SIBKO pilots. after the Clan invasion.

Pretty much all over the board. So do apologize for the post.

Hi,
I just started collecting/playing, and have a few questions. Apologies if this is hijacking the thread and I should have started a new one.
I’ve been using the Master Unit List and Camospec and already bought all the rules and sheets I need.

Here’s my questions…

1. Once you have a collection of many of these models, how do you know which model is which, do you label them somehow, like writing names on the bottom or something?

2. If I create a Lance to paint in a colour scheme for a 3025 game, is it ok to use any mech that has a ‘Date Introduced’ prior to 3025?

3. Can I also paint up some post-3025 dated mechs in the same colour schemes so I could use any of those mechs in a later date of that House (checking the house exists in the era on camospecs)?

4. Are these the best ways to split up the AGoAC and Alpha Strike box mechs into Lances?



Thanks for any help.

Welcome to Battle Tech, hope you will enjoy it for a long time.

1) While I'm certain there are quite a few people out there who can immediately identify even the most exotic variants on sight, I have indeed labeled all my new Mechs (the Catalyst plastic ones) with name tags under the base. There are already so many different Mechs out that even I as along term player have sometimes trouble remembering which is which, unless they are one of the really iconic models, especially since the new designs hve sometimes changed quite a bit from the old TR sketches I'm used to.

2) First off, no one (well, maybe some Blakist fanatics) will come after you because of your models color scheme. Also if the Mech exists at the time, you can always have 'aquired' that particular one by some means, so feel free to paint on.

3) Most units use the same color scheme continually, so there is definitely no problem with that.

4) I must admit I don't know what your purpose is, like are you planning on splitting the models between you and someone else or are you planning on using the lances against each other in a battle? If you want to use them in battle I think you should exchange the Phoenix Hawk and the Blackjack and then give it a try. It highly depends on the scenario and terrain as well as you preferred playstyle. Just give it a try or too and then shuffle around and give that a try as well.

 MarcusConstantin wrote:


2) First off, no one (well, maybe some Blakist fanatics) will come after you because of your models color scheme. Also if the Mech exists at the time, you can always have 'aquired' that particular one by some means, so feel free to paint on.

"Through salvage, all things are possible" is I line I see a lot looking around online.

 Gimgamgoo wrote:
Hi,
I just started collecting/playing, and have a few questions. Apologies if this is hijacking the thread and I should have started a new one.

Welcome!

 Gimgamgoo wrote:
1. Once you have a collection of many of these models, how do you know which model is which, do you label them somehow, like writing names on the bottom or something?

Superior memory due to interest in my case, and being a grognard. Still I've seen people write the Mech's name on the base (some on the front, some on the back) to help them remember as well. I don't have their brush skill, so I haven't done that.

 Gimgamgoo wrote:
2. If I create a Lance to paint in a colour scheme for a 3025 game, is it ok to use any mech that has a ‘Date Introduced’ prior to 3025?

Sure.

However, some variants may not exist in the 3025 because they haven't been made yet (Wolverine WVR-7D), is in the wrong location to be known (Timber Wolf/Mad Cat), or just simply extinct due to a series of wars that blasted humanity back to the Stone Age (Lancelot LNC25-01).

The good news is that out of the Lance and Level II Force Packs (not including the Mercenary ones) and box sets (not the Clan ones, of course), I think all but 4 designs from CGL plastic will have variants in 3025, the Wraith, Axman, Nightstar, and Bushwacker.

Then there's the simple fact that proxying units is a perfectly fine and accepted practice.

 Gimgamgoo wrote:
3. Can I also paint up some post-3025 dated mechs in the same colour schemes so I could use any of those mechs in a later date of that House (checking the house exists in the era on camospecs)?

Color schemes aren't really tracked by players unless they have a personal interest. If we're accepting proxying of models, color schemes are even more easily accepted. Heck, I don't even do unit color schemes except my own, with a couple exceptions for the narrative campaign I'm in.

 Gimgamgoo wrote:
4. Are these the best ways to split up the AGoAC and Alpha Strike box mechs into Lances?

My first answer is that "it depends on the variants".

When using what's called the "base/default" variants of the units of the AGoAC box, I find your list to match mine. The Wolverine is the better Medium out of the two, even looking at all 3025 variants. The Thunderbolt is a solid all-arounder, but can't Jump in 3/4 of it's 3025 variants like the Catapult can. The Awesome is a great sniper, but doesn't handle close range well at all. The Commando has more firepower than the Locust, but can't move nearly as fast.

I haven't looked at the Alpha Strike models to make a list from, but I'd probably say that list is pretty close to as balanced as you're likely to get, again, depending on the variants. That Wraith will probably be the most mobile unit out of all 8, even if it isn't the fastest, but the Phoenix Hawk is close. The Warhammer and Archer tend to be long-ranged focused, with the Atlas being a little more focused on short-range and slower. The Blackjack isn't fast or mobile, but tends to favor some interesting and strong weapon mixes. The worst in that list might be the Wasp. While it is mobile, the Phoenix Hawk is just as mobile, but twice as heavy and three times as strong as the average Wasp.

As it is, some scenarios you come across may ask you to change up your lists, either because they allow more room to work with (i.e. higher BV/PV) or have set parameters (like minimum Walk of 5 or 6) that may exclude some.

We were on a bit of a quad mech stint this weekend so we ended up doing an late era battle, standard formation 2 lances VS 1 star.

we had to do a bit of proxying as we didn't own some of the minis (and some do not officially have a mini).

On the clan side-

.Doom courser B
.thunder stallion 4
.stalking spider prime
.mars XL tank
.Heimdall (ATM) tank
.a point of Svartalfa protomechs

the inner sphere side-

Lance 1
.gunslinger
.grand crusader
.Cerberus
.tempest

Lance 2
.Trebaruna XH
.goliath 4s
.Barghest 4T
.blue flame

The begining favored the IS force with the clans loosing the stalking spider and some deccent damage on the other 2 quads.

they even burned through 100+ points of armor on the front of the Heimdall

the turn that sealed the game was around 4 or 5 where i put the crusader to sleep, and managed over 8 crits on the tempest, Barghest, Cerberus and gunslinger taking them all out of the fight from ammo explosions, gyro and engine hits. i had so many LBX shots, streaks and machine guns but even that many double or triple crits even surprised me.

Those table so full, and look fun to play on!

I can’t wait to get my hands on the gale force 9 stuff.

Planing a partial repaint, and sorting out some paints.

I already owned a bunch of the original 3d printed hex tech from steel warrior before they went under. it is indeed fantastic BT terrain. the GF 9 stuff is very nice and affordable although the resin they use is very heavy compared to the 3d prints.

I have a mix of older terrain i have had for a very long time on the table as well. before there was hex tech from the old JR miniatures line and from brigade models (they do micro naval, 6/10/15MM terrain).

 aphyon wrote:
I already owned a bunch of the original 3d printed hex tech from steel warrior before they went under. it is indeed fantastic BT terrain. the GF 9 stuff is very nice and affordable although the resin they use is very heavy compared to the 3d prints.

I have a mix of older terrain i have had for a very long time on the table as well. before there was hex tech from the old JR miniatures line and from brigade models (they do micro naval, 6/10/15MM terrain).

I was going to pick some up before hand, just bad timing on all that.
Just postage a pain, so I got to pick and choose a bit of the postage eats into the budgets.
Will have to give them a look, as they all look great.

But once it’s all ready weight isn’t an issue for me on the table. But a big city is always fun to see done.

 aphyon wrote:
On the clan side-

.Doom courser B
.thunder stallion 4
.stalking spider prime
.mars XL tank
.Heimdall (ATM) tank
.a point of Svartalfa protomechs

the inner sphere side-

Lance 1
.gunslinger
.grand crusader
.Cerberus
.tempest

Lance 2
.Trebaruna XH
.goliath 4s
.Barghest 4T

Interesting lists. I think the only unit that doesn't have a model is the Doom Courser, which is normal for Mechs with a 3145+ Production Date.

The Trebaruna is a beautiful model if you can find one.

Too bad the Stalking Spider is one of those models that are just too squat to fit on a hex, comfortably.

 MarcusConstantin wrote:

4) I must admit I don't know what your purpose is, like are you planning on splitting the models between you and someone else or are you planning on using the lances against each other in a battle? If you want to use them in battle I think you should exchange the Phoenix Hawk and the Blackjack and then give it a try. It highly depends on the scenario and terrain as well as you preferred playstyle. Just give it a try or too and then shuffle around and give that a try as well.

First of all, thanks to everyone that replied with some help/advice.
With regard to the part I quoted above, I've had a few small games with my wife and I'm in the process of splitting the 48 models I (currently) have into 2-4 different painted factions. That way when we have a game, we'll select a lance/star from a smaller section of models. It will vary the games and vary my painting.

Although the rules are fairly complex, we've played plenty of old school stuff since AD&D birthed and enjoy Silent Death a lot - probably the space equivalent of Battletech where it feels like each ship has it's own full on character sheet.

The one area of the rules we're not entirely sure about is the order the combat phase is in. Movement seems straight forward with it going; initiative loser moves a mech, then initiative winner, then loser until all have moved (I'm ignoring the inbalanced numbers rules at the mo as we're likely on 4v4 at the most for a long while).
Combat though doesn't really say who goes first declaring. (Using the BattleMech Manual)
Logistically, do people declare all attacks by alternating mechs on each side. Then rolling attacks after all the declarations. Then finally rolling all damage for all mechs afterwards. I think we'll be struggling to remember who did what with 4+ mechs on the board.
How do people deal with the declaring shots, rolling to hits, then rolling damage phases? Bearing in mind, you'd also need to remember it individually for each mech for the heat phase too. I feel there's rather a lot to remember this way.

Because it is battle tech who fires first is up to the players, as it is effectively simultaneous.

The entire declare fire phase is actually optional, we prefer to use fire as you bear rules to speed up gameplay. when it comes to actually shooting some players choose to switch back and forth like movement. we tend to prefer to let the losers shoot first.

In order-
.initiative
.movement
.shooting (instant pilot effects like head hits, ammo explosions)
.pilot checks from damage (falling)
.melee attacks
.fall checks/ pilot effects
.heat management
-repeat

Generally we don't do "declaring" shots beyond "I'm going to shoot your Hunchback with my Hunchback". Most of the time you know what you're going to shoot at, or what you can/cannot shoot at, by the end of the movement phase (if not before), so there's no real point to doing it one by one in Initiative order or anything like that.

We go:

1. Initiaitve
2. Movement.
3. Maths maths maths!!!
4. Shooting.
5. Slightly less maths.
6. Melee attacks.
7. Falling over.
8. Heat.


Steps 3 and 5 are for working out what we need to hit.

He's not in one of the ForcePacks I'm picking up in the Kickstarter, but the JagerMech just looks too cool not to get one even if it never hits the table

Much better than the last plastic JagerMech.

Looking forward to that.

Better than the Metal JagerMech.

So which version do you prefer?...

For painting, Block more than Egg. Getting in those tight spots between egg and gun can be a bit of a pain.

Block.

Nice looking Thunder Hawk though.

I guess that'll be out in plastic before the GW one is.

Ive only one Ral Patha Thunderhawk

Best thing to do with a Thunder Hawk is modify it so that one of its Gauss Rifles is a Silver Bullet Gauss Rifle.

Two regular GRs plus, essentially, an LB-15X is quite powerful.

Ah, the Star-League era designs optimized to fight the Clans. One of the bigger boo-boos in Battletech lore...

 Vulcan wrote:
Ah, the Star-League era designs optimized to fight the Clans. One of the bigger boo-boos in Battletech lore...

I don't see anythng wrong with its lore. It was designed during the final six years of the SLDF's drive to retake the Terran Hegemony, which is exactly the time that you would expect to see such 'Wunderwaffe' being designed by both sides (remember that Amaris was trying to produce the super-heavy Matar at about the same time).

The egg chest in that concept art reminds me of the annihilator a bit. I do slightly prefer the block look though.

I'm not too familiar with that mech, but apparently it's a bit Lyran-ish, so of course I need one.

 Ghaz wrote:

 Vulcan wrote:
Ah, the Star-League era designs optimized to fight the Clans. One of the bigger boo-boos in Battletech lore...

I don't see anythng wrong with its lore. It was designed during the final six years of the SLDF's drive to retake the Terran Hegemony, which is exactly the time that you would expect to see such 'Wunderwaffe' being designed by both sides (remember that Amaris was trying to produce the super-heavy Matar at about the same time).

I'm pretty sure the 'Clanbuster' mechs were explicitly designed to fight the clans.

I haven't read any of the books in ages, but I swear there was a lore bit about King Crabs armed with gauss rifles explicitly to trick the Clans into assuming they were close range brawling mechs only for all the gauss to start shredding them. Those mechs were designed to fight the clans.

Not sure how that's a boo-boo though. That just makes sense. If anything, the settings insistence that everyone other than Comstar was too stupid to do even basic modifications is one of the setting's weirdest points. No amount of technological backslide explains how 'big gun' has become a lost technology. Least of all, swapping one big gun for another big gun. Such advanced weapons as Battlemechs should all be modular anyway, if we want to be that nitpicky about it.

Especially not when there are hordes of practical examples just laying around that everyone should have been trying to figure out. Most of BT's tech isn't that fantastical, and the ones that are are HPGs and FTL travel. Everything else is materials science and with so much scrap there's too much material to work with for any explanation to justify no one being able to figure most of it out through trial and error analysis.

But that's just me *sips tea*

Gray Death Memory Core was quite handy in bringing SLDF spec's into play

In fact. One of my NPC MechTech has the files for mech Spec's, maintenance procedures, and operations upkeep. Granted he won it in a poker game.....at the time the memory core was fiction make believe till NAIS got a hold of it.

 Jihadin wrote:
Gray Death Memory Core was quite handy in bringing SLDF spec's into play

Makes one wonder how the Succession Wars would have went if ComStar actually was a beacon of the light of humanity instead of trying to stifle it to justify taking full dominion over the Houses.

Silly game with sub par mechs....well except the phoenix hawk that was my one above average mech.


.phoenix hawk
.Blackjack
.scorpion
.valkyrie

VS

.phoenix hawk
.wraith
.wasp
.locust

The scorpion did basically nothing and died first...so just as expected.

I did manage to de-leg 2 mechs..one of them by kicking the locust's leg clean off with my hawk. put the wraith to sleep then finished him off and the enemy hawk overheated and shut down.

A very brutal game that didn't last very many turns. other than armor damage the scorpion was put into forced with drawl and the valkyrie took a single engine hit....a very good exchange for me.