17 replies to this topic

[Carnivoris]

I've taken such an interest in BT since MWO came out that I'm getting some people together to play the TT game but we have NO idea where to start. I'm guessing the free PDF starter guide but where do we go after that? It seems that there are 2 separate versions of the TT game, the original then the Dark Ages set that WizKids released. After we do the free PDF thing, where should we start?

I suppose I'm most interested in a similar timeline to MWO but that's not required. It just seems that it would be more interesting to play in the Clan Era. What suggestions do you guys have for getting started with this since NONE of the people playing have any idea wtf to do?

[ThinkTank]

The cool thing about BattleTech is that you can start anywhere, it really depends on how much technology you want. If you want to fight 3025 style with straight level one tech, you can. If you want Clan Tech, you can start there. If you want goofy (IMO) Dark Age agromechs with pitchforks for weapons and clicky bases, you can do that too.

I agree that the Clans are quite interesting and you can play them pre-invasion, post-invasion, whatever. Just do some reading and choose what kind of rules you want to use and there you go.

The Clan Sourcebooks are a great way to get into the Clan lore and mindset.

[Farix]

If you are more interested in the Clan Invasion era, then you want to go with Classic Battletech. I'll leave it to someone else with more knowledge than I to suggest whether getting the 25th Anniversary Introductory Box Set or the Total Warfare rulebook.

[Carnivoris]

Yeah, I've been looking at things and I definitely want to go with Classic. Thanks for naming those books. I mean... I would have figured that out eventually but you've saved me a few minutes of work Are there any miniature sets for specific eras or how does that work?

EDIT: I think I'll just go ahead and get the 25th anniversary starter set.

Edited by Carnivoris, 24 December 2012 - 01:58 PM.

[Name140704]

Carnivoris, on 24 December 2012 - 01:41 PM, said:

Yeah, I've been looking at things and I definitely want to go with Classic. Thanks for naming those books. I mean... I would have figured that out eventually but you've saved me a few minutes of work Are there any miniature sets for specific eras or how does that work?

EDIT: I think I'll just go ahead and get the 25th anniversary starter set.

good job! Love TT, just don't try to run 8 on 8 or you'll finish some time in 2014

[Surtr]

25th anni. Set is great. I would get that, then record sheets 3050 for clan tech and upgrades of the starter set mechs, the total warfare so you can have advanced stuff like infantry and vehicles. The cool thing is that the 25th anniversary set comes with 2 iconic clan mechs so you would only need to buy a few more to get a force big enough to fight against your IS forces, especially with all the omni variants the 3050 cleaner stuff has.

[Slade Deleportas]

Yes, the 25th box set is an AWESOME starting point. Gets you some minis to paint, some maps to play on, and some basic rules.

After that move onto Total Warfare, which expands the rules, and adds rules in for all the other nifty things that kill other things (Infantry,Battle Armor, Vehicle, Aerotech, Protomechs, you get the idea). I would not worry about buyin and Record Sheet sets (But the TRO's are nice for story reasons) Cause of this nifty little program called Solaris Skunk Werks, which is a freeware mech design program, that you can also get every record sheet for to print off.

After that feel free to pick up Tactical Operations, some very nifty advanced rules in there, and from there Strategic Operations for even more esoteric rules, like the flight time for a Dropship from the Zenith point to the planet of a system...

[m0eeB]

I was just about to rumble into these parts of the forums and start a similar topic. Thank you OP for saving me the trouble, and thanks all those who have replied to this. Would be awesome to have a sticky on the subject.

Now off to plan how to get my hands on that 25th box

[Tatchi]

It would probably be a good idea to have a sticky explaining how to best start with TT, there seem to be quite a few people getting an interest in TT because of MWO. While anything probably goes, if you don't have a knowledgeable player nearby, following the steps as advised here and on the battletech website is probably best. Check their article here: http://bg.battletech.com/?page_id=175

To sum up, get the introductory set first. It even contains some booklets that explain stuff further, one is actually called "How the core rule books work" or something like that.

Edited by Tatchi, 25 December 2012 - 01:28 AM.

[Farix]

Now that I have my Christmas money, I'm looking to by the introductory box set. But before I do, does anyone have experiance with CCG Armory to know if it is a trusted retailer?

[Kobold]

Get the starter set, then go to the Classic Battletech forums.

[Pht]

How nobody could have mentioned megamek is beyond me!

http://megamek.info/

[PsihoKekec]

It's a great tool to help you learn the game. Before I played MM I often forgot piloting skill rolls.

[Atlas3060]

Like many have said, the boxed set is a great deal for those new to the game.
Most of the rules in that set reflect MWO's current tech base of 3025-3039 (just before the Double Heat Sinks, ER and Pulse Weaponry, or the Ferro-Fibrous/Endo Steel/XL Engine upgrades.)

Total Warfare and Tech Manual would be the next logical step.
From those two books you have all the 'tournament legal' rules established and could set up a game in nearly any time era.
You'd be able to play vehicles, aerospace fighters (and Dropships), and infantry (this includes Battle Armor) with full rules.
Tech Manual would give you the rules for creating your own units.

From there it really goes as far as you want. The Download called Core Rulebooks Primer is a free pdf which gives you the scale of the game from RPG to the eventual Interstellar Operations.

Megamek is a useful tool as well and well worth the time to download if you don't have local friends interested in the game at the moment.

Finally there's the Battletech Forums: http://bg.battletech.com/forums/
We're friendly and helpful, plus there is a Computer games section if you want to talk about MWO there.

[Carnivoris]

I'm going to try to get something started with MegaMek and see what I can do with it. I've been reading up on it but I feel like I need an experienced hand. Would anyone here be interested in starting a MegaMek game and showing some of us noobs how things roll? Maybe throw some voice chat in the mix?

[Atlas3060]

I've got skype and TS3, I'm on the CST for the United States.
I'll have to reload MegaMek, but sure

[MechyMcMecherson]

After Gen Con a couple of friends and I got into the TT and are having a blast.

If you want to start I would suggest the starters set. You get a ton of Mechs to play with (enough for you and a few friends to have some decent games) and easy rules to start you off with. I believe it is going for $60 or so and is a deal. Would recommend.

[SteelWarrior]

I got a bt youtube channel starting up, hopefully it will be of assistance