Comments on: Classic BattleTech Introductory Box Set review

By: Mark Theurer

Mark Theurer — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 11:57:55 +0000

Excellent review!

Mark, FR

By: finn

finn — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 08:11:31 +0000

Tertius - In that case, you should flip through Total Warfare before buying.

Some rules are better now, others - more or less arguably - worse than before (a few rules were streamlined, new rules were added, and old ones expanded) and some were simply dropped from standard play. Not to mention all the new equipment and toys. YMMV.

Oh, and if you want to build units now, you’ll also need the TechManual. TW only contains the game rules.

By: Zac

Zac — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 23:46:00 +0000

Two players games we did during testing were quite quick.

If I was playing multiple players I would have set turn time limits but the game doesn’t, IMO, lend itself to huge games without there being some sort of work done to try to limit either possible player interaction or turn lengths.

By: hdan

hdan — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 23:40:45 +0000

topcow - I’m in the same boat as you. BTech was my first real miniatures game, and it will always have a place in my heart, but I also remember hour long turns (with 4-6 players) and games that always had to be “called” because it was getting late and there was no time to fight to a decisive conclusion.

Maybe with only two players the experience would be different, but those are my memories.

I’m very tempted by the new set, and there is no doubt that it’s a great value, but as they say, “You can never go home”.

By: Tertius

Tertius — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 21:14:38 +0000

How long has it been since you played?
It’s been maybe ten years. I bought the re-released Compendium a few years back, only shortly before the new Catalyst stuff was announced. I am interested in how the rules have been streamlined. I drifted away not because of the recordkeeping, but because I tend to prefer tons of units on the table. As you note in your review, more units equals more paperwork.

By: GS_topcow

GS_topcow — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 19:06:13 +0000

Going back to any form of Battletech is to me, akin of going back to an abusive partner…

I love the concept and the mechs and the story, but i just can cope with the excesive record keeping, plus its a hefty investment to go and build a squad of personalized minis…

I blame Wizkids for my apprehension, but i might get a copy of the starter, if only to keep in the dark corners of my collection,as one would keep a photograph or a memento from such a relationship…

Damn you!

(great review!)

By: Zac

Zac — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 18:16:42 +0000

Total Warfare is an encyclopaedia. :-) I’m working on a review at the moment and its a big book that is written as a reference and not really as a game system.

How long has it been since you played?

If it has been a while I might suggest getting the Starter Set in any case as it is a very nice introduction to the new consolidated rules, it has more minis and there is a campaign book, Sword and Dragon, that is based off of the Starter Set that you can use to move you up from the old tech in the game to some of the newer tech.

There is another book, Wolfe and Blake, that will move players from the S&D tech levels to the tech levels in the current, Total Warfare, rules.

By: Tertius

Tertius — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 18:11:08 +0000

This is a great review Zac. I can feel the nostalgia pulling me… I get the impression from this that, since I have the figures, maybe Total Warfare is a better start for someone (like me) who is familiar with old-time Battletech. Any thoughts?

By: briguy

briguy — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 18:03:40 +0000

Excellent review. I NEVER thought this game would interest me, but it turns out it’s considerably more fun than I thought.

By: hdan

hdan — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 16:53:39 +0000

An excellent review, and a pleasure to read.