5 replies to this topic

[Domari]

Hello! Let me just say that if I'm posting in the wrong section im sorry, wasnt sure where else I could post this question.

I've played Mechwarrior 4: Vengeance and Mercenaries and I'm now looking at this game and its factions but my problem is that I barely know any of the lore! I'm thinking of purchasing some battletech books and perhaps playing the older games but I was wondering if any of you fine folks know of a good way to start?

English isnt my native language so I apologize if my grammar is a bit off

[lonewolfsx]

Finally! I'm tired of people complaining about lore not mattering because they're too lazy to read.

The older games are a good start to get you more interested, but they technically aren't official ("canon"). Reading the novels or even the technical readouts is helpful, but if you're like me, the cheapest way to do it would be to read articles on Sarna.net

"Sarna" is the online battletech wiki, almost ever mech, character, faction and event/war has a page(s). Plus seeing as you live in Norway, it might be hard to find the books, and even more expensive to ship them over to you.

Here is my favorite place to start off: http://www.sarna.net/wiki/Timeline
The earlier stuff is mostly background, the "mechwarrior" as we know it is primarily between say, 3015 and 3070. This game takes place in 3049, so I'd weight your reading more into the 31st century side then work backwards as you want to see what caused things. There are a few interesting topics down into the 2400s but the newer stuff would be more relevant at first. Just keep clicking links, there is a massive amount of super detailed information on there.

Edited by lonewolfsx, 18 September 2012 - 04:00 PM.

[Domari]

Thanks a ton for the detailed answer Ill definately check it out!
I also like reading books and my brother had this battletech book, would be cool if someone could suggest a battletech book to start with ^^

[Wells]

Domari, on 18 September 2012 - 05:18 PM, said:

Thanks a ton for the detailed answer Ill definately check it out!
I also like reading books and my brother had this battletech book, would be cool if someone could suggest a battletech book to start with ^^

It's been a while since I read some Battletech novels, but they are a lot of fun (and definately help make Mechwarrior a living breathing world). If I were to recommend a starting point, I would say look for the Warrior Trilogy:
Warrior: En Garde
Warrior: Riposte
Warrior: Coupé
All by Michael Stackpole. These novels cover the politics of the inner sphere very well. And they detail the 4th Succession War.

Also I recall the Jade Phoenix Trilogy was pretty important:
Way of the Clans
Bloodname
Falcon Guard
These are written by Robert Thurston. These novels cover the clan invasion. I would start with the Warrior trilogy. If you're like me, you'll end up reading all the novels eventually!

[Listless Nomad]

"The Blood of Kerensky" Trilogy is rather important reading for this game as well, since it occurs in exactly the time of this game. You'll get a feel for the political situation, as well as the most important NPC characters and factions. Also gives a nice insider perspective on the clans.

[Domari]

Thanks a lot for your answers! I've been checking out the battletech wiki today + I found this list of all the novels in a sortof chronological order: http://www.stargazer..._novel_list.htm so I've started reading "The Sword and the Dagger". I'll check out "The Blood of Kerensky" trilogy later ^^

Edited by Domari, 19 September 2012 - 11:04 AM.