45 replies to this topic

[Shadoe Ryder]

The one thing I have often done with translating the "board" game to standard tabletop miniatures is NOT double the range. Translate it directly.. one hex = one inch ... do this for range/movement etc. The only thing I normally do before each game is we go thru the different hill levels and determine what is level one, level 2 etc. Mainly cause in the shop we have all sorts of varying size terrain. This keeps the play field the same size as standard battletech map sheets. turning hexes equal an inch.. since turning the mech one point on a map takes a movement point etc. I have found it is far easier and quicker for new players to grasp this than to try to double everything and increase the play field. I get their reasoning..I just don't agree that it is needed to make for a fun game. i have run scenarios like this for years and no one has complained

[AlanEsh]

I'm going to (one day) finish my HTML/JS clix wheel templater, then go about putting sensible stats on the wheels and altering the rules for the Clix game. Biggest flaw in that game, aside from the mech models not being canon, is the fact that light mechs were easier to hit than lumbering assault mechs, because the (cheaper) light mechs paid for that with very low defense numbers. This was a massive leap in the "bigger is better" direction, which hurts any form of game with such a rich collection of figures, relegating most of them to window dressing.

[Frantic Pryde]

I loved mageknight and still play once in a while so I was optimistic when the game was announced...but I really hated MW clix. The mechanics that worked for a skirmish fantasy game don't quite play out so will for a vehicular sci fi game

To the OP... Battletech gives you quite a few good options that you can work with.

As people have stated previously, there are free rules to convert to tabletop play. With the exception of megamek, I play exclusively on 3d terrain.

If you feel like the rules are to intense for you, you might try the quick strike rules which are in the strategic ops book. That's a really good fast playing version of the game that is everything the clix version should have been but sadly was not.

As far as miniatures go, iron winds quality control is pretty good. I'm very pleased with the quality. Especially some of the newer resculpts.

If you don't want to build and paint I get that! You can use the clix minis with the regular rules. If your playing on 3d terrain no conversion is needed but it would be a good idea to swap them over to hex bases.

Hope that helps!

[TheRulesLawyer]

ice trey, on 07 December 2011 - 09:00 AM, said:

Heavy Gear from Dream Pod 9 Studios makes a pretty nice game - and you can certainly feel similarities between it and Battletech when you play. However, you'll notice a much more streamlined aesthetic which draws heavily from Votoms. The book artwork seems to be drawn in a very pseudo-anime style reminiscent of older, big name 80s anime like Akira and Appleseed. It's faster paced than Battletech is, but still runs slower than many of the miniatures war-games out there, since - like battletech - it's about small-unit skirmishes and using terrain, while other games (Like 40K, Warmachine) will be heavily focused on troop formations and squads. The game used to use hex maps way back when, but these days it focuses heavily on the use of miniatures terrain - so you'll likely be building lots of terrain to play in. After playing a demo game, I can say it's really fun, but the price tag keeps me away, charging a very steep rate for their montreal-made miniatures. (If I remember correctly, the most basic starter product was going for $90 - and the contents were high quality, but just too few in number to justify the buy-in. DP9 also made some other mecha games, like Gear Krieg and Jovian Chronicles, but I don't know if they've been abandoned or not.

CAV is something I've never seen anyone play or sell, but I know it exists - they are produced by Reaper Miniatures. I flipped through the core book and noticed very strong similarities with Battletech (It's likely a knock-off product), but haven't had a chance to try it - or see a miniature for it in person, painted or in the blister. I can't say much more to it than that.

I own both of those

Cav I've only played a couple times. The rules are quicker than battletech, but the minis really suck.

Heavy Gear I own a bunch of the southern minis. I love their art, their mini and their world. The rules need some work. They use a penetration based armor model, but it really fails to give reasons for lighter weapons to exist. The bigger stick as always best. They also have an over-complicated spotting system. Overall it *is* still simpler than battletech and faster to play once you know the rules.

I actually wrote a complete set of rules for the DP9 heavy gear minis if you want to take a look. Its a fusion between flames of war (a really great, fast, wwii system) and the dp9 heavy gear rules.

http://www.ruleslawy...GS/HGS_A121.zip

[Aaron DeChavilier]

great list guys! I got into Heavy Gear over the summer, where I won a squad of
Northern GP Gears in a promotional small tournament but I do agree with the
price tag for HG D:
CAV sounds interesting for at least a playtest with proxies
and I just found out in another thread that there was a Starsiege tabletop
that I must now hunt down, collect, and try

[Rakett]

Masterblaster57, on 06 December 2011 - 09:05 PM, said:

Nope not young I am an adult just haven't really done much with mech warrior other then the video games from mech warrior 2 up to 4 and no I am not up to date on all the battle tech lore and crap. I am looking for a mech warrior or battle tech table top game to play with some friends so how about you fan boys stop being all defensive. Be helpful or don't bother posting.

"...battle tech lore and crap". Wow...way to invite yourself to a party and crap on the carpet. You might be in the wrong place. The Battletech genre is rich and entertaining precisely BECAUSE of the highly developed background and fantical attention to detail that a whole generation of authors and gamers have combined to create. If you just want a ~good~ board game or something you can pick up Axis and Allies. No hexes, lots of fun...and it's WW2...you probably already know the "lore and crap."

[GreyGriffin]

Gear Krieg was pretty ridiculous - what I played of it, anyways. Basically, the objective was to rush up to enemy armor and then shove grenades down their throats.

[Uziell]

Technoviking, on 06 December 2011 - 08:04 PM, said:

Can't tell if trolling or...

The Table Top wargame known as BattleTech, is really fantastic. You can get the intro box, it comes with 24 mechs. You can get basic rules for free. My wife loves it after one play, and she doesn't play these kinds of games, but she loves BT.

http://www.battletech.com/

Still can't tell if trolling... *scratches head*

26 mechs (two clan)

[MrJoshua]

The hex map is pretty easy to use , if all you want to do is play the game. I've played with power gamers that just want to dominate through their extensive rules knowledge and desire to conquer. Look for an established game, ask to sit in a few games and if it fits, adapt and enjoy. If the players just want to crush and maim instead of play, good luck. The best games I ever played(and run) have been where the players act as a unit and worked out solutions to win.(and that was with those ancient cardboard standups and a fold up hex map or 2)

[Minobu]

If you want a quicker version of Battletech try Battletech Quickstrike. It makes the game much quicker while still actually being battletech.

A video example.

[Draelren]

I use my clicky-tech for decoration around my sourcebooks and novels.

[HJ Maverick]

I have been a fan of Jordan Weisman and battletech Since the eighties (first mechs were plastic modelkits) and I also collect ALL things BT....
The Battletech universe has had many changes since the 1st edition when it was with Fasa,When Jordan Weisman started Wizkids games, he created a variant to the battletech universe ,MECHWARRIOR DARK AGE, this time using the Click method of keep track of a units dmg/att value etc, He also took the universe to a diff era using diff style of mechs (aggro mechs, Mad cat III, etc) to battle, whislt these mechs were new the were not popular with the BT players and the game slowly died,But Wizkids did listen to the gaming public and introduced Mechwarrior Age of Destruction with new rules and changes and the mechs were starting to be what you thought they should be,with further expansions (like wolf strike) Mechwarrior became a lot MORE fun, but with the Damage already done and people shying away from buying the new version, it ceased to be, which is a shame really because towards the end the figures looked and feel really really good and the game play was varstly improved:)

Batlletech is a great game with really nice mini's that you can paint the way you want (also mechs easy to buy),rules are more complex and detailed. Battletech is in production, alot of people play it
Mechwarrior Figures are bigger and and pre-painted ready for battle,(some mechs are hard to find due to rarity)rules are very easy and simple. Mechwarrior is out of production. there are few die hards still playing
Either way you go you will have fun
well thats my 2 cents worth

[Waylandx]

WoW nice book collection!

[Ulric Kell]

Classic Battletech rules hand down but I'm not on the same wavelength as everyone who dismisses MW:DA as useless. If you take the MW:DA game at its original inception it's clunky and not very much fun. If you change its rules, elaborate on what can and can't be done and add player customization it becomes a really good game. Then you add real scenery and mission objectives and you've got a great game regardless of the clickz aspect of it.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, the ability for someone to pick up a MW:DA figure and join a game is infinitely quicker and more enjoyable than a CBT figure/mech sheet.

I run a Mechwarrior campaign and in my campaign are 5 players. Two of those come from CBT and know the lore and love sharing it and how things work. The other three know very little of CBT but love the aspect of how easy and contained the clickz are to use and operate. I’ve taken the MW:DA rules and expanding them to 50+ pages covering just about everything imaginable. We’ve thought about CBT with the other three and when we’ve engaged in playing it becomes very slow and boring. They usually lost interest quickly.

In my role I’m the GM/DM. I handle the flow of the game and if they are getting lucky roles I counter balance with additional enemy reinforcements. Each player has a Mechwarrior pilot sheet that contains their skills/stats. This sheet is simplified compared to a D&D hero or CBT mech sheet but it still allows the player to feel like their pilot is customized. I’ve taken many of the bases of units off and rebalanced them. I’ve eliminated certain attacks on units all together and introduced new ones.

I love CBT but I play MW:DA Modified because it is faster, more fun and easier to setup. CBT games are just crazy long. Also, the wife doesn’t like CBT because of how long the games are.

IMO you should play CBT so you know how it feels and then try MW:DA with modified rules. Both are rocking in their own rights.

[HJ Maverick]

I would very much like to see your Rules Ulric Kell, as I still play MA:DA myself using the wizkids updated rules(there is still a small group here in Australia playing it.... well that and BT too:) )

[Propnut]

Playing the game on hex maps does not need to be boring, with a little creativity BT on hexes can be very entertaining and eye catching.

My map setup:

[Waylandx]

Propnut, on 06 February 2012 - 01:24 PM, said:

Playing the game on hex maps does not need to be boring, with a little creativity BT on hexes can be very entertaining and eye catching.

My map setup:

Is that Heroscape hexes?
Edit: LOL how about "Are those Heroscape hexes?"

Edited by Waylandx, 07 February 2012 - 04:55 PM.

[Propnut]

Hi Waylandx, no they are not HeroScape hexes. I did buy a set of those but they were too...."plastic" for my taste. Although I have since seen many mods of HeroScape to make it look more real and they are excellent. I chose instead to make my own using a DIY CNC router table that I built a couple of years ago.

Here is a link to the Battletech gaming table build thread:

http://www.lordsofth...06bdf6fc3f08589

David

Edited by Propnut, 08 February 2012 - 08:08 AM.

[Waylandx]

That is awsome! Thanks for the link.

[AlanEsh]

I hear good things about this rules system. Simple and fast -- and of course you can use those unwanted Mechwarrior Dark Age minis languishing in boxes in basements.
http://boardgamegeek...rid-mech-attack