18 replies to this topic

[MythicKhan]

Hi everyone,

Well, I'm starting to think of getting the 25th Anniversary boxset this summer to begin playing battletech, and I was wondering if I might ask a few questions of other people who know the game.

1) What would you recommend to get with or after the boxset?

2) I have technical readout 3039, should I get Record Sheets 3039 or Record Sheets 3039 Unabridged?

Thanks in advance!

MythicKhan

[Arctic Fox]

MythicKhan, on 30 May 2012 - 06:21 AM, said:

1) What would you recommend to get with or after the boxset?

Total Warfare would be the logical next step; it has the standard rules for pretty much everything except Advanced and Experimental equipment.

MythicKhan, on 30 May 2012 - 06:21 AM, said:

2) I have technical readout 3039, should I get Record Sheets 3039 or Record Sheets 3039 Unabridged?

Definitely the Unabridged, it includes hundreds more variants for every unit. Also, I think the non-Unabridged one has the old style Record Sheets rather the new ones.

EDIT: Ah, apparently RS:3039 does have the newer Record Sheets. Still, RS:3039u would be better anyway.

Edited by Arctic Fox, 30 May 2012 - 06:35 AM.

[MythicKhan]

Cool, thanks alot Arctic Fox!

[Nexx Nisshoko]

I would start with the box set first; it has everything you could possibly need. Play it, make sure you like it and then start getting the other books.

This is a great un-boxing review from purple pawn:

I use these books which I think add a lot to the game but they are not needed unless you really want more content.
http://bg.battletech.com/?page_id=481

• Total Warfare
  
• Technical Manual
  
• Tactical Operations
  
• Stategic Operations

Finally get yourself some new Mechs from Ironwind, the pewter minis are way better than the plastic.

[Foerender]

Just to make sure, Total Warfare is the Rules for the Table Top, while the Technical Manual is the Rules for more Equipment as well as building the Mechs from Scratch.

And then Tactical Operations, Strategic Operations, and was it Interstellar Operations are more for running large campaigns?

[Arctic Fox]

Foerender, on 30 May 2012 - 10:41 AM, said:

Just to make sure, Total Warfare is the Rules for the Table Top, while the Technical Manual is the Rules for more Equipment as well as building the Mechs from Scratch.

And then Tactical Operations, Strategic Operations, and was it Interstellar Operations are more for running large campaigns?

Sort of.

Total Warfare: Standard gameplay rules, all Tournament Legal equipment and units.

TechManual: Construction rules for all Total Warfare stuff.

Tactical Operations: Optional/Advanced gameplay rules, Advanced and Experimental equipment and units (including construction rules).

Strategic Operations: Advanced AeroSpace rules and construction, BattleForce, Miniatures Rules/Quick-Strike and a few other things.

Interstellar Operations: Era-Specific equipment/units/rules, the various operational and strategic game rulesets (Strategic BattleForce, Planetary Assault and Inner Sphere in Flames) and who knows what else.

A Time of War: RPG.

Edited by Arctic Fox, 30 May 2012 - 10:55 AM.

[snowridr]

Total Warfare is a good 1st book to get. The older Master Rules will cover 95% or more of the regular rules if you come across a cheap used copy. You might also want to look for a copy of the Marik Handbook if you want some fluffyness. The main battletech website had a free text only version of the old 3025 House Marik book - you might want to look there for that as well.

Edited by snowridr, 30 May 2012 - 12:08 PM.

[Foerender]

I have the old Battletech Compedium FASA 1640 from 1990, it seems to have all the rules for Battletech, Aerotech and Mech Construction.

But I thinking grabbing Total Warfare to get a up to date on all the new Weapons that have seemed to have cropped up. (Last played in 3050)

[Evinthal]

Foerender, on 30 May 2012 - 01:24 PM, said:

I have the old Battletech Compedium FASA 1640 from 1990, it seems to have all the rules for Battletech, Aerotech and Mech Construction.

But I thinking grabbing Total Warfare to get a up to date on all the new Weapons that have seemed to have cropped up. (Last played in 3050)

Total Warfare is definitely worth it, but I would say save it until after you get the box set and see if you like the TT game.

[MythicKhan]

Thanks very much for all the replies guys!

[Tsula]

Pretty much what everyone else said here, but I would add the starter book Sword and Dragon. Good way to easy into the Total Warfare book.

http://www.sarna.net...word_and_Dragon

[Waffles]

You're going to want to gets some paints, cause having grey plastic minis is fun, BUT having terribly painted (assuming they are your first attempts at painting minis and they turn out like mine ) makes the game that much more fun. All the other suggestions are great to follow.

[RangerRob]

With a little tlc the plastics in the box set come out ok. All of the Yellow and Black ones you see in this row are from the box set (except the Ostroc)

[Kenyon Burguess]

buy it all!

[DocFather]

I had a lot of the old stuff myself from playing in the late 80s early 90s and I when ahead and updated with the new stuff. Not only do you get a good base for mechs to start with but it gives you ideas on where to go next. There is a good introductory match between two 50 ton mechs to give you the basics. Then as you learn from the base ruleset you can include the more advanced rules as you get comfortable with them. All and all a lot of fun.

[MythicKhan]

Thanks for the responses everyone, I shall do a round of post liking haha

This will not be my first miniatures game I have to say, I'm a big Dystopian Wars fan, and dipped in and out of GW's lines for a while before that. I've since chucked the GW stuff in (prices, fluff, corporate style), and having found the insert massive amount of awesomeness here that is the Battletech universe I was considering swapping over.

Now I just have to decide whether to go Battletech now or a second Dystopian Wars fleet now, gah!

[Waffles]

There's no decision to be made here! We know you've already decided what you're going to do, now you just need to go ahead and order the box set, total warfare, some paints, the hex packs, and a case of beer, etc.

Also, the minis in the intro box aren't the highest quality (except the 2 clan ones). Out of the 24 original ones, i would say i have 6 that look real good, but only 1 that looks terrible. The rest have bad mold lines or clearly didn't have enough plastic injected. For instance my hunchback has only half a right fist, the atlas look like it should eat a couple hundred cheeseburgers, and the dragon looks, well, a little... impotent...

Edited by Waffles, 31 May 2012 - 03:19 PM.

[JackCrow]

Box Set, Total Warfare, 3039 Unabridged.

I created a small Battletech Group and we have played 7-8 times now. We got pretty bored pretty fast with Level I tech though. I bought the Wolfs Dragoons minis and some 3050 Clan Invasion Mechs and painted them up. It made a BIG difference. I subbed the Uziel for a Crab and we have had some epic Clan vs. Inner sphere battles.

Honestly, I forgot MWO was even coming out I have been so getting into it!

[Sundown]

I picked up the boxset, total warfare, techmanual, tactical operations, and a time of war.

Here's what I use most frequently:

Boxset.

Then:

Total Warfare.

Not so much:

Everything else.

Not that they are not as good, but just more than I really need. Played dozens of games at the comic shop in town and have had no need for anything else. I know one day we plan to have a massive campaign, but for one shot games, or even some ongoing wars the box and total warfare will do you just fine.