73 replies to this topic

[Evoshen]

Hey there. This is my first post and as such I don't expect it to be perfect, especially because it is asking a series of questions that I hope you guys can answer for me.



First: I am super new to the entire idea of table top games. I have seen a few sets for them (mainly D&D and such, never BattleTech) but they are a complete mystery to me. How do you suggest I begin with TT games?


Second: The very first MechWarrior game I played was MW2, I played it when I was about 6 so the only memories I have are of losing, a lot. If I wanted to begin playing TT BattleTech how would I go about doing that? Would it even be worth trying due to my severe lack of knowledge about the entire BT universe?


Third: I don't mind divulging my general whereabouts as I assume most of you are not people who might try to hunt me down. Basically I live in San Antonio, Texas, what would be the best place to buy/start/play the BT TT game? Would you suggest friends at all times or only if I wanted to play at home or someplace similar?


Thanks in advance for your help guys, please try to answer to the best of your ability I really am quite intrigued by the notion of a TT game.

[Punisher 1]

Hi

Here are some ideas for you.

For one table top games are a small investment you can find alot of books and mintures along with play maps and other intersting itmes to create a 3d environment online on Ebay.

Read the game manuals and get familiar with how the mechanics work. Battle Tech is alot like complicated chess. What makes it better is a story and charater creation. A Good Game Master is needed to make the experiance great.

Goole is your friend when trying to find comic book shop, forums or gaming groups. In general you local comic book shop might carry role playing books and might suggest some groups or interested players. If all else fails post up a flyer with your interest in the shop and see if you get a few hits.

Depending on how many people you have to play with some comic book places and gaming work shop have space you can rent for a few hours to play. It is a neutral spot good for meeting your group members and until you trust people then invite them to your house or thier house where and when is up to your group and that is complicated because 3 to 6 people attempting to coordinate a day off and hours is never easy. Also if somone is rude or makes a mess its not at your place.

[Sarcastro01]

If you want to have an affordable introduction to the Battletech/Mechwarrior universe I highly recommend getting a copy of the 25th Anniversary edition box set. 26 minis, two high quality hex maps, quick start rules, mech sheets and a nice background booklet will give you everything you need. I have seen them for sale online for as low as $38 (which is NOTHING for an investment in table top games.)

As for finding players, I'd check out the phone book. A lot of comic shops also sell games or at least have the ability to order them. As Punisher said, lots of places also have a table or two to play on and depending on the game they may even dedicate a particular night of the week to playing said game. Sometimes just setting up a game draws in new people to play with as the phenomenon I call the "ooooh factor" kicks in.

[Arikiel]

Ello.

1. Don't be intimidated by tabletop games. If you've played Monopoly you've played tabletop. Battletech is just more advanced, interesting, awesomer, etc. The rules are pretty easy to understand and intuitive. The 25th Anniversary Introductory Box is the place to start. It's a great value for what you get and is very beginner friendly.

2. You don't really have to know anything about the Battletech universe for basic fights. Just pick Mechs of roughly equal values and blow the heck out of a friend's units. The game is designed with levels of play. You can start with the basic intro rules and add levels of complexity as your interest and familiarity with the game develops.

3. It shouldn't be too hard to find interested players in a city the size of San Antonio. There should be gaming stores in the area. Comic book stores are usually a good place to start looking for gammer leads as they tend to know of each other. You can always start with friends too. Using the basic starter rules it's not too hard to get a game going.

[Cik]

3. you should be able to find some people in hobby shops or the comic shops around you, if applicable. otherwise, you can use megamek (megamek.info) which is a networking-enabled java client that simulates the battletech tabletop. in fact, i'd play with you and introduce you to the game if you like. it is fun to play in person, i will admit. but unfortunately mechwarriors are spread very thin across large geographic areas so, sometimes MM is all you get. have fun, anyway.

[Arikiel]

MegaMek is really nice and I do greatly appreciate it. That said it just isn't satisfying to me like a rl game is.

[Evoshen]

Thank you all so much for the suggestions and ideas! I will definitely try out megamek and possible order the 25th anniversary to get familiar with the basic rules.

[Skylarr]

I have played the TT for over 20yrs now. I havea grouo of friends who play everyother week. I have never heard of MM until joining this forum. Do most of you find it is really informative?


@ Evoshen

If you have a group that want to play start off with 3025 and do lance battles to get use to the rules. If you are going to GM ind a time period you really like. Or just have them be Mercs and roll up random contracts.

[Wrayeth]

MegaMek can be a bit...convoluted...to figure out, but once you understand how it functions it's pretty easy. Pro-tip: you can change the function modes for non-weapon equipment in the "systems" tab - click on the location where the equipment is mounted, click on the equipment itself, and there will be a drop down to set the function mode. This is how you turn on stealth armor or enable a targeting computer to make targeted shots on non-immobilized mechs. It took me quite a while to realize that.

[Dirk Le Daring]

Evoshen, on 06 June 2012 - 05:08 PM, said:

Thank you all so much for the suggestions and ideas! I will definitely try out megamek and possible order the 25th anniversary to get familiar with the basic rules.

I got the 25th anniversary edition as a result of MW:O. An investment I cannot regret. There is a lot of really good info in it that will flesh out the Battletech universe for you. If you have a friend or two who are willing to give it a go then you are in luck.

[Waffles]

Definitely get the intro box and check out MegaMek. But while you wait you can download the quick start rules and intro to the universe. Both can be downloaded for free.

http://bg.battletech...Start-Rules.pdf
http://www.battletec...erseGuide-1.pdf

I dug them up for you, since they have been moved around to places that are not easy to get to anymore, for reasons unknown. Lots of good info in both. A great place to start. Both are also included in the intro box as well.

[Sigmund Sandoval]

Best way to start is here . The basic boxed set will give you rules, background history, miniatures and game maps. All you need to play. Start with the 12 page quickstart rulebook. It keeps it nice, simple and unitimidating. After you got a good grip on the basics, you can move on up to the bigger rule book and play with some of the more advanced rules. Form there, the sky is the limit. Enjoy!

[Evoshen]

Waffles, on 06 June 2012 - 07:27 PM, said:

Definitely get the intro box and check out MegaMek. But while you wait you can download the quick start rules and intro to the universe. Both can be downloaded for free.

http://bg.battletech...Start-Rules.pdf
http://www.battletec...erseGuide-1.pdf

I dug them up for you, since they have been moved around to places that are not easy to get to anymore, for reasons unknown. Lots of good info in both. A great place to start. Both are also included in the intro box as well.

Thank you!!!

And to everyone else I cannot express my gratitude enough! Thank you all so much for the ideas and support.

One last question. If I cannot find a friend interested in this sort of game, what do you suggest I do? I will definitely find a comic book or other shop nearby to test the waters, but if that does not work either... what happens? Are there any different "versions" of MegaMek that I can use?

[Kittygrinder]

Evoshen, on 06 June 2012 - 08:41 PM, said:

Thank you!!!

And to everyone else I cannot express my gratitude enough! Thank you all so much for the ideas and support.

One last question. If I cannot find a friend interested in this sort of game, what do you suggest I do? I will definitely find a comic book or other shop nearby to test the waters, but if that does not work either... what happens? Are there any different "versions" of MegaMek that I can use?

Find a local game store and ask if anyone plays. Btech has a pretty small player base (at least in my experience). Youll find a lot of people whove played in the past, but dont anymore. However, I hear texas has a lot of Btech players.

As for megamek, there are 2 versions that i know of, MegaMek thats soley a skirmish game and MegaMekNet that follows a campaign (3025 i believe)

Also, If your new to battletech i suggest you Download Solaris Skunk Werks so you can print your mech sheets, its got most of the up to date sheets with their new BattleValues. Also MasterUnitList.info gives you all the current battle values, but as far as i know, its listing is somewhat incomplete.

[Sarcastro01]

I'll throw one more game at you (probably the best $8 you'll ever spend. I spent $12 for the mega bundle)- Mech Attack by Armor Grid games. Printable Mechs, infantry, vehicles, and terrain. Simple to learn (13 pages which includes the mech construction rules) with near infinite possibilities. Games are brutal, fast, and satisfying. Movement and weapon ranges are short so a space as small as say 3'X3' is more than big enough. Our group uses it for large Solaris style battles w/o needing to spend more than an hour/hour and a half to run 8-10 assault mechs at once.

Check it out here: http://armorgridgame...ech-attack.html

Edited by Sarcastro01, 07 June 2012 - 11:18 PM.

[Sychodemus]

Just a general note regarding finding Battletech friendly TT stores and potentially local players:

http://www.catalystd....com/Venues.asp

It may be a little out of date, but it may help.

[Aidan Ramsdell]

I want to play TT, but there is nothing in vermont. nothing at all. It is a beautiful, forested wasteland that I know of only two other BT players, and one of them is my father. But wait, how many people do you need to play TT?

[Kittygrinder]

Aidan Ramsdell, on 08 June 2012 - 04:34 AM, said:

I want to play TT, but there is nothing in vermont. nothing at all. It is a beautiful, forested wasteland that I know of only two other BT players, and one of them is my father. But wait, how many people do you need to play TT?

Just 2. Lance on lance. Or battalion on battalion. depends on how many hours/days you want to play....

[Aidan Ramsdell]

sweet thanks. TT time is coming up!

[Bardow]

Hey Evoshen, in reply to your question about finding others to play with in San Antonio, you might check out this place :

http://dlair.net/sanantonio/

I'm in Austin, and Dragon's Lair is the best shop here for finding Battletech stuff. They can probably help you find other players in the area too.