24 replies to this topic

[Kaarde]

I just scored a box full of Battletech Technical readouts from a rubbish sale nearby. It looks like all the classic ones are there in original print and one or two of the post clan invasion TR's as well. Each book looks like they were opened once or twice and tossed on a shelf with no damage.

Included in the box were a half dozen of the Dark Ages books that I problably will use for table levelers.

A bit of reading through the set I've settled on the 3025 as my favorite with the 2750 as a close second as both have the unseen before they were edited out for the "revised" publications.

Anyone else collect or read these books? Whats your thoughts on them and which is your favorite if any?

[Stormwolf]

I have most of the revised books, but none of the original prints. Though there are a few people I know who have original prints (and I have borrowed them on occasion). I always loved the TRO's, all the quirks and backstories mentioned for the mechs really added something extra. This is something that is lost in MWO, people here only see a collection of hardpoints when a new mech gets introduced

My favorite book is probably TRO 3050U closely followed by TRO 3058U, though ironically I only have both those books in PDF format.

[Kaarde]

My sentiments exactly. I guess its because I geeked out as a teen and played the TT, the video games beginning with the vga release, and read the TRO's back in the day that I am finding these of such interest now.

In fact, I'm looking up the mechs in game as well as upcoming for the fluff and backstories to help peak my interest in the game. I'm beginning to think if PGI lifted some of this stuff and placed it on screens in game that would help with the immersion in the game.

[Steinar Bergstol]

You lucky git! And yeah, the original 3025 TR is the best of them all IMO. I also loved the original 3026 TR which had vehicles, VTOLS, airplanes, dropships and aerospace fighters. That one was pretty darn awesome too.

[Fiachdubh]

Yea would be nice if each mech had an info screen tab in the mechlab with a history of the mech as in the TROs or at least on the website. The mech pages here at moment are a joke, not even weapon load outs are given.

[Leggin Ho]

Anyone else have the books in PDF or Epub format?

[Kaarde]

Steinar Bergstol, on 07 February 2013 - 05:14 AM, said:

You lucky git! And yeah, the original 3025 TR is the best of them all IMO. I also loved the original 3026 TR which had vehicles, VTOLS, airplanes, dropships and aerospace fighters. That one was pretty darn awesome too.

Got that one too
I'm waiting a bit before I crack that one open.

EPub.com is a great sight. I was able to download all but two of the novels from there. I wasn't aware that they had the TRO's on it.

[Roflberry Pwncakes]

Leggin Ho, on 07 February 2013 - 01:42 PM, said:

Anyone else have the books in PDF or Epub format?

I had what was alleged to be a 'complete' Battletech PDF collection. It had books ranging from the original FASA Battletech and Aerotech TT boxed sets to the new 'Classic Battletech' rule-books put out by Whizkids/Fanpro. In-between both rules versions were more sourcebooks, compendiums, field manuals, fiction novels, blueprints, and technical readouts than I'd ever be able to read in 2 years if I did nothing but, so if it wasn't 'complete', I think all it was missing was the manuals from when it was called 'Battledroids'. Sadly, when I got a new comp, none of these survived the migration for some reason. The folder structures all made it, but there weren't any PDFs inside.

[Kaarde]

Man, I'm sorry to read that. I would have been seriously bummed to have that happen. Especially since much of that stuff is pretty hard to come by anymore.

As someone posted above Epub.com has most of the classic novels on their site. The two that are missing if I recall are a novel that is part of the exodus road storyliine and the one where Aiden's Daughter steps up and goes for her bloodname. I may be mistaken about the two, I did the research on them several weeks back.

I haven't located the TRO's in e-pub nor the Battledroids yet though I plan on looking a bit deeper when time allows.

[Aidan Pendragon]

2750 was my favorite, because of the breadth of info (including WarShips) and the great art. 3050 probably 2nd and 3055 3rd. 3025 is "essential" but I never liked the art style. Oddly enough, I think 3026 is pretty good.

[Sennin]

I read the original TRO 3050 until the covers fell off. Then I taped it all back together and read it some more.

[Muso ka]

I´m playing TT since 1988...so i´m proud to be an owner of all Technical Readouts since release...Favorite....hmmm 2750 and 3025!

[Karl Streiger]

Sennin, on 07 February 2013 - 09:55 PM, said:

I read the original TRO 3050 until the covers fell off. Then I taped it all back together and read it some more.

Jep my TRO 3025 - and the second TRO 3025 (without unseen) had the same problem.

[Wrayeth]

I only have the current-issue stuff, personally. The only currently-in-print TRO I don't have right now is TRO Prototypes.

As far as my favorites, it's a tie between TRO 3050 Upgrade and TRO 3058 Upgrade.

3050 Upgrade has the upgraded versions of the mechs from TRO 3039 (which, in itself, is a compilation of TROs 3025 and 3026 as well as some downgraded Star League mechs) with a few new ones thrown in, introduces the Clans, and also has the upgraded/original model Star League mechs.

3058 Upgrade has the upgraded versions of the vehicles from TRO 3039, introduces battle armor, has a bunch of new mechs including the introduction of Inner Sphere omnimechs, and also has another Star League section with some seriously awesome mechs in it.

[Steinar Bergstol]

Karl Streiger, on 07 February 2013 - 11:16 PM, said:

Jep my TRO 3025 - and the second TRO 3025 (without unseen) had the same problem.

My Mercenaries' Handbook (first edition) from the same era as the original 3025 TRO has the same problem. Looks like the glue used in the binding of the book at the time doesn't hold up well over a couple of decades.

[Stormwolf]

Steinar Bergstol, on 08 February 2013 - 08:03 AM, said:

My Mercenaries' Handbook (first edition) from the same era as the original 3025 TRO has the same problem. Looks like the glue used in the binding of the book at the time doesn't hold up well over a couple of decades.

Do you store them some place hot or dry?

[trebormills]

Nice find

Im Considering picking up the new Box Set reprint

Edited by trebormills, 08 February 2013 - 01:29 PM.

[Surtr]

3025 all the way. Its the most complete in my opinion, some of the later ones (cough *3050* cough) just got lazy with the amount of info they gave.

[Steinar Bergstol]

Stormwolf, on 08 February 2013 - 11:30 AM, said:

Do you store them some place hot or dry?

Regular room temperature and humidity (regular for Norway, not like I live in a desert). Keep 'em in my gaming bookshelf. I've noticed similar problems with products from other gaming companies put out around the same time. Even some TSR hardcover books like the Manual of Planes and Oriental Adventures book from back in the early to mid 80's show problems with the glue, and I've heard of others having the same problem.

[Stormwolf]

Steinar Bergstol, on 10 February 2013 - 08:26 AM, said:

Regular room temperature and humidity (regular for Norway, not like I live in a desert). Keep 'em in my gaming bookshelf. I've noticed similar problems with products from other gaming companies put out around the same time. Even some TSR hardcover books like the Manual of Planes and Oriental Adventures book from back in the early to mid 80's show problems with the glue, and I've heard of others having the same problem.

Wierd, all my books are from the mid to late 90's but they don't show any glue related problems.