How i got Started with BattleTech (Story time)

 So, While we’re gearing up for the holidays, I’d like to share with all of you how i got started with this great game that we all love (and mostly tolerate the rest of the player base for).  For this grand, epic tale, we must hop into the wayback machine and visit long forgotten shores and accursed halls.  To begin this grand tale, we venture to the distant land of…1988, and Saturday morning cartoons. But Zardoz, i can hear you now, BattleTech didn’t have a cartoon on the airwaves in 1988.  You are correct, dear reader, but Robotech was on the air…

VoidBreaker (Spoiler Free Review)

Quick one today, but boy howdy a good one. So, We got an advanced copy of VoidBreaker from Catalyst Game Labs and this is our Spoiler Free Review.  One, don't grab spoilers.  This is an espionage story with a couple of different mysteries attached to it.  Save yourself the joy of those mysteries.  Note, this one's written by Bryan Young, and it's a very interesting read. Buckle Up, Buckaroos.

Pax Unplugged Fiction Panel Update

 Hey Folks, quick hits (the best kind right now).  We’re recapping the new fiction stuff for Battletech that was discussed at Pax Unplugged.  Some of this is already out (and we’re in the process of reviewing a couple), but we’ve got some delights to share with you.  So, buckle up, buttercups, let’s ride the fiction train all the way down.  

Battletech Updates from Pax Unplugged

Hey Folks, some quick updates and some pictures from Pax Unplugged about the stuff we're getting from Battletech in probably the first 2 quarters of 2025. Some interesting things popped up, and we have some pictures from the show. 

A Very BattleTech Christmas!

 So, Today’s a longer bit of fun, and I’m going to cover some Battletech shopping ideas for your holiday shopper.  Hopefully i find something for everyone, but some of these things are very specific.  BattleTech is easier than some product lines for getting multiple copies of some things, but i would always check with a partner or a close friend before taking the plunge, especially on something pricey.  So, let’s see what we can see to make this a very Big Stompy Robot Holliday Season for you and your friends.

Product Review : Hot Spots Hinterlands

Hey Folks, quick hit today.  We know the holidays are rapidly approaching (and we love every holiday and excuse to hand out presents), so we're going to spend some time covering things we think are great for the BattleTech Fan in your life.  Hot Spots Hinterlands is a modern iteration of old, classic idea, the sourcebook, rebuilt for the 2020s gamer.  I like this  book a lot, and let me see if i can explain why.

BattleTech is often called the “historical” Sci-fi wargame.  The reason for this has a lot to do with the way BattleTech has been written from its earliest days and source material.  Players are actively encouraged to play through scenarios based off of events that have happened in setting. 

 “We’re going to refight the battle of Coventry?”  

“Which one?” 

This may be a low attempt at Battletech humor, but it exists in the same head space as civil war reenactors and folks who build dioramas of famous battles.  We already know the historical outcome of the event (usually revealed to us in a novel or sourcebook set after the scenario being played), but we’re going to see if we can do it differently for different results.

Enter, Hotspots Hinterlands. 

Product Review: BattleTech Universe

Hey Folks, quick hit today. We know the holidays are rapidly approaching (and we love every holiday and excuse to hand out presents), so we're going to spend some time covering things we think are great for the Battletech Fan in your life. However, through the power of Uno Reverse, we're actually gonna start with a great introduction to the BattleTech setting itself with BattleTech Universe. 

Clan Crystal Spider

 Hey Folks We’re playing a little bit of hooky today. As part of Thanksgiving Week, we’re goofing a bit, (we’ll have a full boat of our normal content again next week). Today we finish up our new clans with the Crystal Spiders. 

Clan Thunder Ant (Fan Project)

 Hey Folks We’re playing a little bit of hooky today. As part of Thanksgiving Week, we’re goofing a bit, (we’ll have a full boat of our normal content again next week). Following up on the well received Void Krakens and Steel Crabs, we’re giving you another new Clan. Behold, the wonder of the Thunder Ants.    

As stated, this is a FAN PROJECT. This is not official CGL material, nor is it endorsed by the powers that be at Battletech, but it is something that I find interesting. It’s also a “My Dudes are cool” sort of project. Like the previous project, this is an Ilclan Era expansion of the Homeworld Clans. Let’s see how this plays out, shall we?

Clan Steel Crab (Fan Stuff Part II)

 Hey Folks We’re playing a little bit of hooky today.  As part of Thanksgiving Week, we’re goofing a bit, (we’ll have a full boat of our normal content again next week). Following up on the well received Void Krakens, we’re giving you another new Clan.  Behold, the Joy and Horror of the Steel Crabs.    

As stated, this is a FAN PROJECT.  This is not official CGL material, nor is it endorsed by the powers that be at BattleTech, but it is something that I find interesting.  It’s also a “My Dudes are cool” sort of project.  Like the previous project, this is an Ilclan Era expansion of the Homeworld Clans.  Let’s see how this plays out, shall we?

Clan Void Kraken (Fan Stuff, Battletech)

 Hey Folks, today we’re taking a bit of a break from our typical Monday Rules article because we’re gearing up for Thanksgiving here in the US.  Today I'm going to lay out a FAN PROJECT.  This is not official CGL material, nor is it endorsed by the powers that be at BattleTech, but it is something that i find interesting.  It’s also a “My Dudes are cool” sort of project.  Unlike most of those projects, i’m not looking at building my own Merc unit or House Command.  Today, we’re taking a look at a Clan.  (That’s right, friends, today we’re going to work our way through the mental exercise of building a clan). 

Let’s see what weird ass direction my brain goes on this one, shall we?   

Fiction Review: Shrapnel #1

 Hey, Folks, new feature for the blog today. We're going to cover Shrapnel #1. Shrapnel is an anthology series of short fiction and other Battletech related articles released every quarter. Now, I'm planning on covering 1 of these are month, so eventually we'll catch up. This is a spoiler free review, and rather than individual ratings of each story or article, I'll provide an overall star rating at the end.

Force Manual: Kurita

 Hey Folks, Good to see you all again, hope the midweek is treating you all well.  This is the second of our reviews of their Force Manual Series. Today, we’ve got Force Manual: Kurita, and the Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery*.  If you’re coming to BattleTech from another war game, you’re familiar with your army book, or codex, or player’s guide for your faction.  

The Force Manual is the BattleTech version of that book.  Force Manuals are a replacement for an older product (The Combat Manual, of which two were produced) and bring a lot of information to the player’s hands.  Let’s dive in and see what we see, all right?

Rules Preview: Mercenaries Box Set

 Hey Folks, happy Monday and I hope KS is treating you all with the love and joy you deserve. Today, we’re taking a deeper look at the Mercenaries box set.  This time we’re going to focus on the rulebook included and a sneak peek at the rules inside.  Let’s see how much trouble we can get into, yeah?  

BattleTech Mercenaries Rulebook

Fiction Review: No One Left Behind

 Hey, Folks, just a little review to tide you over on Friday. Today we’re bouncing around and landed on No One Left Behind by Michael J. Ciaravella. This is the included novella im the Mercenaries boxed set, in case you were wondering why you hadn't heard of it.

Rift Zone: Contact

Hey Folks, surprise, bonus article this week. Today I'm sharing something interesting i found on Kickstarter that has a lot of potential for the Wargaming crowd. Today we're looking at Rift Zone: Contact by Boosted Reality. Let's dig into this and then I'll link you to the Kickstarter in progress for you to go see what you think.

Product Review: Mercenaries Box Set

 Hey Folks, we’re back with another product review. The BattleTech Mercenaries Boxed Set is fulfilling its Kickstarter commitments, and once that’s done, they’ll be in your stores sooner than you think.  Let's dig into this box and see what you can look forward to.  Focused on the Mercenary trade and its practitioners, Mercenaries adds the framework of campaign rules to BattleTech. It also features the revised Battlefield Support Rules, which both confuse and annoy me because I am old and grouchy. (I haven’t played with them yet, but they’ll get a full, honest evaluation in an article later on down the line).  

Mercenaries Kickstarter Exclusive Cover

How To Build A Crucis Lancers Company

 Hey Folks, we’re back to work on Force Construction again. This is part five of the series, but we’re starting a new project for the fans this week.  Last week we finished up Doretto’s Company of the 1st Argyle Lancers, so today we’re going to start a company of the Crucis Lancers.  Now, this will have less explanation of why i make the choices made and the process, so if you get confused at the process, feel free to check back with our earlier articles (Collated here for easy reference).  Let’s see what the Crucis Lancers have for us today?

A Beginner's Guide to Classic Battletech (Review)

 Hey Game Fans, we're back with a review of something I find very endearing. Over at itch.io, a battletech fan has created A Beginner's Guide to Classic Battletech, by Kyle Reimergartin. Even my old ass 30 some odd year veteran heart found joy in this.  

Battle of Tukayyid (Sourcebook Review

 Hey Game Fans, We’re back with a bit of a classic that we somehow missed during the Clan Invasion Kickstarter.  Today we’re going to review the updated Battle of Tukayyid Sourcebook.  Covering the monumental, era defining clash between Comstar’s Com Guards and the Invader Clans, Battle of Tukayyid covers the armies involved, updated mechs fielded by both sides, and a campaign that allows you and your friends to refight this epic conflict.  Let’s dig in and see what we can find.  

We’re also going to touch briefly on the Battle of Tukayyid Map Pack, and the Battle of Tukayyid Supplemental.  

BattleTech: Force Construction Part III (The Deets)

 Hey Folks, we’re back to work on Force Construction again. This is part IV of the process, (refer back to our original discussion here, and part I and II of this specific project here and here).  Today we’re going to finish up the record keeping and last few steps of this process.  If ’you want to follow along, go back and grab those articles, then we’ll get started.  

BattleTech Fiction Review: Riptides (Spoiler Free)

 Hey everybody, we’re back with another fiction review. We’ve got another in the Mercenary Tales collection, Riptides by Randall N. Billis. This is a novella, and a pretty good read, (I finished it in about an hour, but i’m a quick reader). It also ties into the Mercenaries Kickstarter release. This is #1 in the series, (we’ve covered #3 back here) and if math works out, we might try and grab #2 for next week.   

Battletech Kickstarter Salvage Box Openings (Part 1)

 Hey Folks, we’re back with another product review, and some hilariously good news.  The SO’s Kickstarter box should have gotten here by the time y’all are reading this, so we’ll have an unboxing of that package some time next week.  One of my ABSOLUTE favorite things about the BattleTech Plastic mini range is the Blind Salvage Boxes you can get (If you can find the damn things.  They’re exceedingly rare here in Texas, and i am hoping they resume shipping soon).  I got a bunch with the Mercs Kickstarter, and i’m going to share what fell out of the Boxes with you.  

BattleTech: Force Construction How to Part II (Finishing the Company)

 Hey Folks, we’re back to work on Force Construction again. This is part III of the process, (refer back to our original discussion here, and part I of this specific project here).  Today we’re building our last two lances for the Argyle Lancers.  Let’s dig in and see what falls out of the sky, shall we? ’

Product Review: Heavy Gear 4th Edition

Hey Folks, we’re back with another product review, and hold onto your Butts, it isn’t BattleTech.  (Don’t worry, Ray knows, I'm not cheating on him), In the before times of the long long ago, we covered more than just BattleTech, and so I'm going to stretch a little bit and cover a Role-playing game, (Please Clap, your love sustains me).  Today we’re going to step outside our science fiction military simulation roots and cover….Heavy Gear.  

Hour of the Wolf Review (BattleTech Fiction)

Hey everybody, we’re back with another fiction review.  I’m trying to clear up all the IlClan era fiction I have, and that means today I'm going to talk about Hour of the Wolf by Blaine Lee Pardoe.  This is it, we’re at the seminal battle to end the Dark Ages era and at the start of a bright new future.  Let’s dig into this book (spoiler free) and I'll give you my thoughts at the end.  

BattleTech: Mercenaries Kickstarter

 Hey Folks, Today is the Day!  Our BattleTech Kickstarter package came in!  Well, one of them did.  The SO and I each backed and had our stuff shipped as separate orders.  My stuff is in, hers is not.  She is less amused than I am.  So, the grand box has arrived, and we’re going to do a big unboxing, (I’ll do separate reviews of individual products in the coming weeks, but this is the grand boxening).  

BattleTech Force Construction: How to part 1 (We're building a Company!)

 Hey Folks, we’re back to work on Force Construction again.  Today we’re going to start the Force Construction process and see how far we get.  Now, because this is BattleTech, and we have plastic minis, i’m going to try and build a force out of the Minis i have.  We’re using Force Manual: Davion (you can read our review here) and use the process we discussed Here)  Buckle Up, we’re about to live our lives a quarter of a mile at a time…’

Book Review: A Skulk of Foxes

 Hey, Folks, just a little review to tide you over on Friday.  Today we’re bouncing around and landed on A Skulk of Foxes by Jason Hansa.  This is part 3 of the Fortunes of War series (Focusing on Mercenary units in the Inner Sphere).  This has a little of everything.  Spies! Intrigue! Mercs! Sea Foxes! WINTER!!  Let’s dive in a little bit for a spoiler free review of A Skulk of Foxes.

Product Review: Alpha Strike Boxed Set

 Hey Folks, we’re back with another product review. Today we’re going to play a little bit of catch up as this one’s been on the market for a couple of years now.  Just because it’s got some age to it doesn’t mean it’s not fantastic.  Today we’re looking at Alpha Strike (Boxed Set).  Let’s do some analyzing and we’ll go over the contents of the box in our typical nutty way.  Let’s see what we can see, all right?

BattleTech Force Construction Guidelines (Force Manual Series)

 Hey Folks, we’re back with some helpful insight and advice for folks who are sitting down to build their very own force for BattleTech or Alpha Strike.  The new Force Manual series is an amazing resource for this.  However, it’s BattleTech, (Baybee) and that means its a multi-step process with worksheets and charts.  Let’s try and see if we can smooth out some of those steps to make this process work for you, whether you’re a first time unit builder or a seasoned vet.

Opinion: Legendary Mechwarriors

 Hey folks, today we’re going a little differently, and instead of reviewing a product from CGL, I'd like to share one of my opinions.  This isn’t going to be as long as my usual product reviews, so kindly bear with.  Today I'm going to chat about Legendary Mechwarriors in the context of them showing up in regular lance and Star Packs.  The way Catalyst currently does this annoys me for a couple of reasons, which I'm about to dig in.  Grab a shovel, we might find some worms to take fishing later.  

Force Manual: Davion Review

 Hey Folks, Good to see you all again, hope the midweek is treating you all well.  Catalyst has delivered the first of a new line, the Force Manual Series.  If you’re coming ot BattleTech from another war game, you’re familiar with your army book, or codex, or player’s guide for your faction.  The Force Manual is the BattleTech version of that book.  Force Manuals are a replacement for an older product (The Combat Manual, of which two were produced) and bring a lot of information to the player’s hands.  Let’s dive in and see what we see, all right?

Product Review: Second Star League Assault Lance

 Hey Folks, we’re back with another product review. The Battletech Kickstarter rolls on and hopefully our packages arrive soon.  However,  today we’re reviewing the Second Star League Assault Lance.  This is the second of four Star League related Force Packs, and features Pre-Painted mini. Let’s dive in and take a closer look at the Second Star League Assault Lance.

Star League Command Lance (Product Review)

 Hey Folks, we’re back with another product review. We’re still waiting for our Kickstarter Pledges to arrive, but we have high hopes.  Speaking of High Hopes, today we’re reviewing the Star League Command Lance.  This is the first of four Star League related Force Packs, and features the first of the Pre-Painted minis Catalyst is releasing.  Let’s dive in and take a closer look at the Star League Command Lance.

Kell Hounds Striker Lance Review

 Hey Folks, we’re back with another product review, and some hilariously good news.  Our BattleTech Kickstarter pledges have had their shipping emails confirmed.  Allegedly this means we should be receiving our stuff in the relative nearness of soon, and when that happens we’ll do a big unboxing Instagram Reel and then I’ll be doing individual reviews of the contents.  Speaking of Contents, today, my friends, we have the Kell Hounds Striker Lance, one of the Mercenary Force Packs Catalyst Game Labs has added to our market place. 

Let’s Break It Down.

Without Question (Review)

 
Without Question