I started with the older box set (the one with the "build it yourself Battlemaster and Timbet Wolf), then supplemented that with (cheap) Alpha Strike lance packs until I had enough to field a company for each of the five major houses my peeps might want to borrow. Since I play both Btech and AS, I group my forces into companies of 16 mechs, but only plan to field 12 or less; the extra four are either lighter or assault chassis. so I can dial the mobility/toughness of my company up and down more easily. For combined arms fun I use...well, whatever vees and infantry I can find. To save $ I'm painting them all in generic camo browns, greens, and tans so I can lend them out to whatever force needs 'em. Four brown tracked, four grey choppers, four green hovers, etc. This way if a buddy wants to field Maxim APCs or a Saracen lance or whatever, I at least have something I can lend them for a proxy. Just my $.02. Hope it helps somebody!
Im brand new to battletech, but i figured if i made my models thus far (10 plastic from the 2 newer boxes) into a merc company, then narratively i could have them representing any house
Its truly one of the best ways. You can utilize and model, have it in your paint scheme, and use any house/force/army that will allow you to use it or them.
I keep it simple. I paint a company or trinary in a generic camo scheme. by not having faction specific paint job, my entire collection can be used as any faction. keeping formations as lance/company or star/trinary, it allows full versatility for all my mechs and vehicles. to answer the final question... I've been collecting mechs/vehicles since 1984 and I'm still getting new mini's. it's always a good time to add to your collection!
Getting a model comes from me playing with a paper stand-in. If I enjoy one, or play one a lot I will get it. It is a one at a time. The question of what next will move towards tanks or infantry.
I'm effectively new. I haven't played my first game with my mechs yet, and already have 50 mech and a couple elemental points, that I'm painting up as various aspects of Wolf's Dragoons. Finding this gives me a cohesive force that can run pretty much Succession Wars to ilClan, while still providing a variety in paint schemes.
I am just getting back into the game as well after a decade plus break... And I grabbed the "Starter books". We have a painter in the group (it is her passion, and she is skilled at it) so she paints all our forces. But to the question at hand.. The Starter Books give you 2 factions, with a roster of Mechs and Personalities for the built in mini campaign.. So, that is how I choose which Force's to procure, and the way we painted them as well. :) For those interested there are THREE starter books out, and they can be purchased in e-book format from Drivethrurpg .. and occasionally of course direct from Catalyst.
I have almost finished an Assault Company of 12 Mechs from the famous Wolf's Dragoons "Zeta Battalion". No one really needs 12 Assault Mechs in one force, but it looks impressive on the table. I followed the chart from the OOP classic "Wolf's Dragoons Sourcebook", and it features my old lead never-to-be-seen again Marauder. I guess I should do some Sword of Light and Ryuken now to fight Zeta.
I haven’t hit that point but I plan on having one IS and one clan force. I like some of the comstar mechs also so I will likely do some of the 3050 comstar mechs as a separate comstar lance/ company
I’m painting a full Mech battalion of 2nd Canopian Fusiliers. That’s three companies of three lances each and I’ve got eight mechs done so far. 28 more is kinda daunting but I like painting the green and gold color scheme so far and deciding where to put the gold accents keeps it relatively fresh. Besides, I have enough plastic IS mechs to do another couple of lances so if I get bored with the Canopians I’ll invent a merc company to switch up the painting.
I have a full battalion of 2nd Sword of Light and a company painted up for each other Successor House (Draconis March Militia for FedSuns, Marik Militia for FWL, Lyran Regulars for LyrCom and Ambemarle's Highlanders for CapCon). I have about another 3 or 4 companies done up in various merc (canon and not) paint schemes or camo. The real project is that I am painting ALL of my Clan 'Mechs for Clan Jade Falcon Iota Galaxy and am going for a full Cluster, including 'Mechs and ASF.
What a lovely group of 'Mechs! You are really showing the huge array of sculpts in our hobby. Especially loving the Japanese Rifleman for a Kurita force. Glad to have found your content! As for when to move on, I have a battalion of Crucis Lancers for Alpha Strike. So, really, you go until you are sick of that paint scheme.
My usual process is to figure out a list to begin with. Generally 3 lances + assets, and try to make the list as canonically correct as I can for the force with rarity/commonality of mech types, infantry, battle armour, tanks, etc... then go ahead and start painting. For me, this means I have a nice solid base for my particular faction, which is flexible enough, and easily extendable should I choose. If not, then same process for another faction. As an example, started with Taurian Concordat, then Marian Hegemony, then mercs, then ComStar.
@@CrankyOldGamer It's one of the things that I love about Battletech. The core system is underpinned by rules, which the designers themselves can't really break (like 'Mech creation). So you don't get the crazy rules power creep (like other games *cough* GW *cough*) But the lore is just endlessly fascinating to me, and you could spend a lifetime exploring the various factions/Houses/eras, their intricacies - really enjoy your vids, thanks for taking the time!
I generally don't paint organized forces in parade colors. I paint my Mechs in whatever color or camo scheme catches my interest. If you go back to the old FASA company modules - The Fox's Teeth, The Black Widow Company, Sorenson's Sabres, etc - you'll see the 'mechs in those companies are all painted differently, depending on the whims of the pilots and the unit commanders. About the only thing they all have in common us unit and house crests.
If you are trying to get through sticking to one force, something I do, is to pick up some weird random mechs, and paint them up as a one off scheme for a mercenary hero type unit, something silly, like a pink atlas with a hello kitty head instead of a skull on the head of the mech, just something that sticks out, that you wouldn’t paint a whole force around, that you could throw down as the center piece of a lance, just get creative, but like I said, do it with a mech you wouldn’t usually use either, I sometimes get ahold of weird things through trades, scrub em down and wonder “wtf do I do with a hammerhands?” Guess I’m painting it in ww2 era black and white naval dazzle camo wirh a big smiley face on the chest.
Another way you can do this (and that I've used) is to paint up mini's in another colour scheme of the same faction. My latest I.S. mechs I've painted have used a different colour scheme to the rest of my Highlanders
Well, I am just getting into the game and I got the started box, so I have 8 mechs in total. I'm painting all of them differently, because that is just how I want to do it. The way I envision them is that they are all independent Merc Pilots who get brought on to represent a House, Clan, or whoever. Currently, I am almost finished my Commando, who is pink and purple with blue linework, because I can. I might do some house specific mechs another time, or a more cohesive force, but ultimately I think that if you are still having fun, then keep doing what you want. If you want to start a new force, go for it. If you want to keep doing what you're doing, go for it.
Interesting topic and after 30 years of the game and still collecting mechs, I'm still going strong and purchasing more every year. I tend to build my mechs into a force as you are currently do into a force of around 20 to 30 mechs before making a new force.
Yeah I agree. I like having some diversity in the lances I can make and having around a Company sized force feels like it puts that force in a good spot.
Well I'm a returning player starting over but i think the idea of 36 mechs 12 tanks and a handful of jump troops for IS and a super nova for clans (clans have less mechs to pick from)
I have probably a couple hundred mechs of both plastic and metal. My heaviest units are the 7th Crucis Lancers, and the 24th Lyran Guard regiments. My other units had at least a company which were the 1st Davion Guards, 22nd Avalon Hussars, 4th Deneb Light Cavalry, and the 1st Fed Com regiment. It’s been a long time since I’ve played. Should break em out of mothballs. I don’t care much for the timeline after the events of the Fed/Com civil War though.
I've just got a field of grey plastic at present which I've had for a considerable number of years. The main reason for the lack of paint is a result of using my Battletech stuff to be able to furnish anyone who might be interested in playing from my group/local community with an ejoyable force. On a personal level I view myself as a Lyran Commonwealth/House Steiner player but I'm yet to devise how to break up my collection, into my main Lyran force and a comparable force from another faction. I'm planning on getting my Lyran force painted up over the Christmas period but I'm weighing up my painting approach at present, one being more involved than the other. As for a finishing point, I guess it falls down to what your goal is. Personally I'm hoping to build up an entire RCT representing the 10 Lyran Guards with an initial focus on the mech component but expanding into vehicles, infantry etc. Beyond that my longer term goal is to assemble 2 x lances for each of the major Inner Sphere houses as I mostly play pre-Clan invasion although my arm has been twisted into moving into the Clan era. With anything like this I think the ultimate answer is that it is whatever it takes to reach your personal end goal.
Me personally - I just paint up mechs that I want to paint. That seems to keep my spirits up and helps me get a fieldable force. I don't always paint mechs that were only used by a certain house with those house colors, but I always can lean on "it was salvaged" or "it was stolen" - I've got a lot of "moral flexibility" when it comes to the lore!
Counting my already painted models and those in my painting queue, I have a 3050 mercenary force comprised by two companies of mechs and one company of tanks. I'm pretty happy with that size, and I'd only consider adding some infantry. The new kickstarter made things easier: I'm not going to grow my mercenaries any longer, and I'm joining Clan Jade Falcon.
I am just starting and got some mechs today. Mine are going to be painted all different. I am think mine will be mainly Mercenaries that are for hire. One I will painted as house Kurita to represent a mech that was stolen in transport, but never re-painted. I can then use it later for a Kurita mech if I want.
I probably move on to a new force faster than most. For me, a force is done around company size, 10-15 mechs each. 10 if I want to leave room for adding a mech or two in the future, 15ish if it is representing a unit over a long period of time and will change mechs over time. I try to keep the totals down for two reasons. One, it lets me put together more units and try more paint schemes. Two, it creates more distinctive forces if each unit can't have everything. They have more of a flavor if one unit has light, faster Assault while another has slower heavier ones.
I tend to swap after a company at most. I will come back to a force later and add other elements, but I try to do a company, 2 Level IIS or a couple Stars before moving on to a faction I don't already have. Keeps me trying units and organisations that I otherwise wouldn't.
@@CrankyOldGamer if you really want to change it up. Make each lance in a company project a different type of unit. So Mechs/Infantry/Armour etc... Makes you come up with some great ideas, and some combos you may not have considered.
Only new to battle tech myself, just going merc force from starter set and Armoured combat set. waiting for clanner first wave to come in March before adding more mechs. At this point I don't plan on creating any other fores but that may change in the future.
@@CrankyOldGamer Getting ready for a Merc Campaign. Got the core mechnics down, now to just get decent contracts for the Mercs and watch the C-bills roll in.
Ive recently.come back to battletech after finding it's resurgence from catalyst games. And found your videos. if you don't mind my asking. Where did you get the classic style Marauders for your forces?
I'm currently struggling with this dilemma myself too. Mech boxes trickling through, randomly becoming available and selling out, I buy what boxes i like the models of. At what point will it matter what you can actually combine? Very roughly speaking, having 4 mechs of every size class theoretically has every possible situation covered. This game being as small-scale (modelwise) as it is, kinda makes me feel like having the same mech twice in 1 force is gonna be pretty pointless, apart from maybe fluff reasons. But then, would there be a noticable difference in their effectiveness, if instead of 1 of those 4 assault mechs, you could swap 1 out for yet another type? Or is that the logical cut-off point for starting a new faction to put a new colour on your models? I think i see these models as entries in a pokedex. You kinda wanna collect 1 of each to put in your lance or 2.. but realising full well, that they will never see the gaming table all at once, makes it feel wasteful at the same time. Unless Alpha Strike can easily handle games of 60 mechs per side? I havent looked into those rules yet. That would be an awesome sight..
I think I'll end up with two of each of the beginner's box and the big one. Just for the mechs. Only ways to get newer griffins and shadowhawks unless you order from Ironwind Metals right?
I have my IS mechs from the OD box sets and new box set broken into 5 mech groups " 1light 2 medium 1heavy 1assault" from different IS houses and Marx units. But for now I'm building an galaxy size force of jade falcon Zeta galaxy
I've been a fan of MechWarrior for at least 15 years (im 25 now!), and have just got into the Battletech tabletop and video game! I play in Worcester, UK with some friends, but im struggling to figure out who i might want to affiliate with! Is it a case of read all the lore i can find and figure it out that way? Am i alright to just make up a merc unit and play with that instead? Any advice would be appreciated :)
Absolutely. Start with the mechs in the boxed set A Game of Armored Combat. Pick a faction that seems cool to you and paint up a few mechs. Nothing wrong with making a bunch of different forces. Theres no rules like in 40k that one faction different that the other - just make what looks cool to you!
@@CrankyOldGamer I bought the AGOAC box and starter edition! Plus a load of metal models. The biggest money sink had been the books though, as I'm slowly getting the collection up! Cheers fornthe advice :)
I am also a returning player. Just ordered the two new IS lances to start a new faction. I have Lyran mechs. Those are a selected specialy because they are used by the LA. This is something I also going to do for the next faction that I am going to paint. I look at the mechs/configs and the faction. Then I probely start with eight mechs used by that faction. For xample I won't be painting the Valkyrie mech that is in one of the boxes. because it is mainly used by Federated Suns and some Mers. Stil some time to puzzle. Thinking of Kurita or Liao. So now I am looking for a nice paint scheme. Your mechs look great. First thing I saw the nyour Kurita mechs I thought they were Keel Hounds 🙂
Thank you! Yeah I get that a lot - I sorta think I can have them double as Kell Hounds! I love that youre thinking of mechs common to a faction, I think most play with what they like or is optimal, but youre going full-on lore correct!
Well, after the Kickstarter is fulfilled, I'll be at 120-something minis, so I'll be painting forever. Keeping most generic olive drab or desert tan, and only go House unit colors for mechs that are clearly identifiable with a single one (Hatamoto Chi, for example).
hey cranky , I'm a old BT player that got out of it like 16 years ago, and it's time for me too get back into it. I used to have to full Regiments of mechs , started in 89 till 98ish , sold everything and gave some away, looking to rebuild my old forces again. where are you getting those mechs from I want them to take my money lol, not trusting eBay and Amazon has nothing, where can I look for them? please someone I need help.
New models mixed with old models. Dear god, you can see the difference in quality and design ethos throughout the decades. Can really see that anime aesthetic of the older Marauder model, it's okay, he's still my favorite. Side note, what's the price tag for a stack of mechs going for these days? Lets say hypothetically I'm looking to get into a new wargame that isn't owned by Games Workshop. How much are we talking?
Being a european, i usually spot mech boxes at online shops ranging between 22 to 30 euros. The lower ones are mostly inner sphere, because those have 4 mechs in them, the clan (5 mechs) and comstar boxes (6 mechs) are at the higher end of that bracket. That's for the 'official' new catalyst plastics. Pretty reasonable i think. Also because of being a european, you kinda really have to pounce on what you spot. These boxes being distributed from the usa, they're pretty sparse and often sell out fast. When i see a box i like at least 2 models of (being a total noob myself) i like to buy it, and see what the rules are afterwards. I'm guessing that even the 'bad' ones have their uses in certain combinations and situations. That's the fun part for me to find out on the gaming table. Throw em down and see what happens!
@@ironelemental9367 I'm an American in Japan right now, so you can imagine the mark up practically anything wargaming related gets, the China Coof lockdowns only made things worse when 3 different stores near me all closed because of them. Still, I think Catalyst Games starter box is a good place to well, start. Outside of those, you know any sites that potentially still produce minis for the game?
Gotcha. Hard to say going prices in Japan, but in US theyre usually $20 to $25 for a lance pack. Id check out Amazon and Ebay too - you can find deals there as well that might be international shipping friendly.
Anyone else get distracted trying to name all the mechs shown and zone out of what he was saying? Several of them are the newer style figures and harder to identify for old schoolers like myself, such as the one, second row, third from the right, a Phoenix Hawk (?), and bottom row second from the left, an Oscout? Don't know.
Front Row: Hunchback, Ostscout, Hatchetman, Locust, Whitworth. 2nd row: Shadowhawk, Archer (Strato minis), Marauder (Strato minis), Warhammer, Awesome, Wolfhound 3rd row: Wolverine, Commando, Raven (Alpha strike sculpt), Phoenix Hawk, Thunderbolt, Crab (Iron wind metals) 4th row: Stalker, Battlemaster, Griffon, Rifleman (Strato minis), Catapult, Jenner (Iron wind metals) there are 3 more in the back behind the stalker and battlemaster, those are a Dragon (AS plastic) and a Cyclops (3d print)
Maybe 2 mechs per weight class? That would be 20ish not counting the odd 5 tonnage ect... battle tec is messy do you want speed long range short range ect... SOOOOOOOO many options with in just one weight class. I think you have a great grouping especially as many if not all have multiple load outs. Sex paint jobs ( always a sucker for black and red)!!!
I started with the older box set (the one with the "build it yourself Battlemaster and Timbet Wolf), then supplemented that with (cheap) Alpha Strike lance packs until I had enough to field a company for each of the five major houses my peeps might want to borrow. Since I play both Btech and AS, I group my forces into companies of 16 mechs, but only plan to field 12 or less; the extra four are either lighter or assault chassis. so I can dial the mobility/toughness of my company up and down more easily.
For combined arms fun I use...well, whatever vees and infantry I can find. To save $ I'm painting them all in generic camo browns, greens, and tans so I can lend them out to whatever force needs 'em. Four brown tracked, four grey choppers, four green hovers, etc. This way if a buddy wants to field Maxim APCs or a Saracen lance or whatever, I at least have something I can lend them for a proxy.
Just my $.02. Hope it helps somebody!
Im brand new to battletech, but i figured if i made my models thus far (10 plastic from the 2 newer boxes) into a merc company, then narratively i could have them representing any house
Its truly one of the best ways. You can utilize and model, have it in your paint scheme, and use any house/force/army that will allow you to use it or them.
I keep it simple. I paint a company or trinary in a generic camo scheme. by not having faction specific paint job, my entire collection can be used as any faction.
keeping formations as lance/company or star/trinary, it allows full versatility for all my mechs and vehicles.
to answer the final question...
I've been collecting mechs/vehicles since 1984 and I'm still getting new mini's. it's always a good time to add to your collection!
Getting a model comes from me playing with a paper stand-in. If I enjoy one, or play one a lot I will get it. It is a one at a time. The question of what next will move towards tanks or infantry.
I'm effectively new. I haven't played my first game with my mechs yet, and already have 50 mech and a couple elemental points, that I'm painting up as various aspects of Wolf's Dragoons. Finding this gives me a cohesive force that can run pretty much Succession Wars to ilClan, while still providing a variety in paint schemes.
I am just getting back into the game as well after a decade plus break... And I grabbed the "Starter books". We have a painter in the group (it is her passion, and she is skilled at it) so she paints all our forces. But to the question at hand.. The Starter Books give you 2 factions, with a roster of Mechs and Personalities for the built in mini campaign.. So, that is how I choose which Force's to procure, and the way we painted them as well. :) For those interested there are THREE starter books out, and they can be purchased in e-book format from Drivethrurpg .. and occasionally of course direct from Catalyst.
I have almost finished an Assault Company of 12 Mechs from the famous Wolf's Dragoons "Zeta Battalion". No one really needs 12 Assault Mechs in one force, but it looks impressive on the table. I followed the chart from the OOP classic "Wolf's Dragoons Sourcebook", and it features my old lead never-to-be-seen again Marauder.
I guess I should do some Sword of Light and Ryuken now to fight Zeta.
I would love to see 12 assault mechs in an Alphastrike game - that would be epic!!!!
@@CrankyOldGamer With a charger as the scout mech?
@@HighbridgeD YES!!!!!
I haven’t hit that point but I plan on having one IS and one clan force. I like some of the comstar mechs also so I will likely do some of the 3050 comstar mechs as a separate comstar lance/ company
I’m painting a full Mech battalion of 2nd Canopian Fusiliers. That’s three companies of three lances each and I’ve got eight mechs done so far. 28 more is kinda daunting but I like painting the green and gold color scheme so far and deciding where to put the gold accents keeps it relatively fresh.
Besides, I have enough plastic IS mechs to do another couple of lances so if I get bored with the Canopians I’ll invent a merc company to switch up the painting.
I have a full battalion of 2nd Sword of Light and a company painted up for each other Successor House (Draconis March Militia for FedSuns, Marik Militia for FWL, Lyran Regulars for LyrCom and Ambemarle's Highlanders for CapCon). I have about another 3 or 4 companies done up in various merc (canon and not) paint schemes or camo. The real project is that I am painting ALL of my Clan 'Mechs for Clan Jade Falcon Iota Galaxy and am going for a full Cluster, including 'Mechs and ASF.
What a lovely group of 'Mechs! You are really showing the huge array of sculpts in our hobby. Especially loving the Japanese Rifleman for a Kurita force. Glad to have found your content! As for when to move on, I have a battalion of Crucis Lancers for Alpha Strike. So, really, you go until you are sick of that paint scheme.
Yes! I find that instead of trying to grind through something, paint what Im passionate about, then its not a chore!
My usual process is to figure out a list to begin with. Generally 3 lances + assets, and try to make the list as canonically correct as I can for the force with rarity/commonality of mech types, infantry, battle armour, tanks, etc... then go ahead and start painting. For me, this means I have a nice solid base for my particular faction, which is flexible enough, and easily extendable should I choose. If not, then same process for another faction.
As an example, started with Taurian Concordat, then Marian Hegemony, then mercs, then ComStar.
I like it. Im currently making my way around the Inner Sphere and the more Periphery!
@@CrankyOldGamer It's one of the things that I love about Battletech. The core system is underpinned by rules, which the designers themselves can't really break (like 'Mech creation). So you don't get the crazy rules power creep (like other games *cough* GW *cough*)
But the lore is just endlessly fascinating to me, and you could spend a lifetime exploring the various factions/Houses/eras, their intricacies - really enjoy your vids, thanks for taking the time!
I generally don't paint organized forces in parade colors. I paint my Mechs in whatever color or camo scheme catches my interest.
If you go back to the old FASA company modules - The Fox's Teeth, The Black Widow Company, Sorenson's Sabres, etc - you'll see the 'mechs in those companies are all painted differently, depending on the whims of the pilots and the unit commanders. About the only thing they all have in common us unit and house crests.
If you are trying to get through sticking to one force, something I do, is to pick up some weird random mechs, and paint them up as a one off scheme for a mercenary hero type unit, something silly, like a pink atlas with a hello kitty head instead of a skull on the head of the mech, just something that sticks out, that you wouldn’t paint a whole force around, that you could throw down as the center piece of a lance, just get creative, but like I said, do it with a mech you wouldn’t usually use either, I sometimes get ahold of weird things through trades, scrub em down and wonder “wtf do I do with a hammerhands?” Guess I’m painting it in ww2 era black and white naval dazzle camo wirh a big smiley face on the chest.
Another way you can do this (and that I've used) is to paint up mini's in another colour scheme of the same faction. My latest I.S. mechs I've painted have used a different colour scheme to the rest of my Highlanders
Thats a great point. Go deep on a faction but spread it around a bit for some variety
Well, I am just getting into the game and I got the started box, so I have 8 mechs in total. I'm painting all of them differently, because that is just how I want to do it. The way I envision them is that they are all independent Merc Pilots who get brought on to represent a House, Clan, or whoever. Currently, I am almost finished my Commando, who is pink and purple with blue linework, because I can. I might do some house specific mechs another time, or a more cohesive force, but ultimately I think that if you are still having fun, then keep doing what you want. If you want to start a new force, go for it. If you want to keep doing what you're doing, go for it.
I love it! Paint em how you want, a merc company that has patchwork wild paint jobs is both fluffy and awesome!
Interesting topic and after 30 years of the game and still collecting mechs, I'm still going strong and purchasing more every year. I tend to build my mechs into a force as you are currently do into a force of around 20 to 30 mechs before making a new force.
Yeah I agree. I like having some diversity in the lances I can make and having around a Company sized force feels like it puts that force in a good spot.
@@CrankyOldGamer This gave me some ideas for a quick video today over on my channel
@@Helcarexe26 that's awesome - thank you! You are one of the biggest inspirations for my battletech content, thank YOU sir!
@@CrankyOldGamer Also gave you a Shout Out for the channel
Well I'm a returning player starting over but i think the idea of 36 mechs 12 tanks and a handful of jump troops for IS and a super nova for clans (clans have less mechs to pick from)
I have probably a couple hundred mechs of both plastic and metal. My heaviest units are the 7th Crucis Lancers, and the 24th Lyran Guard regiments. My other units had at least a company which were the 1st Davion Guards, 22nd Avalon Hussars, 4th Deneb Light Cavalry, and the 1st Fed Com regiment. It’s been a long time since I’ve played. Should break em out of mothballs. I don’t care much for the timeline after the events of the Fed/Com civil
War though.
I've just got a field of grey plastic at present which I've had for a considerable number of years. The main reason for the lack of paint is a result of using my Battletech stuff to be able to furnish anyone who might be interested in playing from my group/local community with an ejoyable force. On a personal level I view myself as a Lyran Commonwealth/House Steiner player but I'm yet to devise how to break up my collection, into my main Lyran force and a comparable force from another faction. I'm planning on getting my Lyran force painted up over the Christmas period but I'm weighing up my painting approach at present, one being more involved than the other.
As for a finishing point, I guess it falls down to what your goal is. Personally I'm hoping to build up an entire RCT representing the 10 Lyran Guards with an initial focus on the mech component but expanding into vehicles, infantry etc. Beyond that my longer term goal is to assemble 2 x lances for each of the major Inner Sphere houses as I mostly play pre-Clan invasion although my arm has been twisted into moving into the Clan era.
With anything like this I think the ultimate answer is that it is whatever it takes to reach your personal end goal.
Me personally - I just paint up mechs that I want to paint. That seems to keep my spirits up and helps me get a fieldable force. I don't always paint mechs that were only used by a certain house with those house colors, but I always can lean on "it was salvaged" or "it was stolen" - I've got a lot of "moral flexibility" when it comes to the lore!
Counting my already painted models and those in my painting queue, I have a 3050 mercenary force comprised by two companies of mechs and one company of tanks. I'm pretty happy with that size, and I'd only consider adding some infantry. The new kickstarter made things easier: I'm not going to grow my mercenaries any longer, and I'm joining Clan Jade Falcon.
Im going to go clan Jade Falcon too!
@@CrankyOldGamer being able to quote Star Colonel Nikolai Malthus in context is priceless!
Wolfhound was honorably third partied and salvaged. Fits
Where did that beefy hunchback and Phoenix hawk come from?
I am just starting and got some mechs today. Mine are going to be painted all different. I am think mine will be mainly Mercenaries that are for hire. One I will painted as house Kurita to represent a mech that was stolen in transport, but never re-painted. I can then use it later for a Kurita mech if I want.
I probably move on to a new force faster than most. For me, a force is done around company size, 10-15 mechs each. 10 if I want to leave room for adding a mech or two in the future, 15ish if it is representing a unit over a long period of time and will change mechs over time. I try to keep the totals down for two reasons. One, it lets me put together more units and try more paint schemes. Two, it creates more distinctive forces if each unit can't have everything. They have more of a flavor if one unit has light, faster Assault while another has slower heavier ones.
I tend to swap after a company at most. I will come back to a force later and add other elements, but I try to do a company, 2 Level IIS or a couple Stars before moving on to a faction I don't already have. Keeps me trying units and organisations that I otherwise wouldn't.
Totally agree - having a company sized force lets me swap enough to keep things interesting. And, I can always come back to it and add more!
@@CrankyOldGamer if you really want to change it up. Make each lance in a company project a different type of unit. So Mechs/Infantry/Armour etc... Makes you come up with some great ideas, and some combos you may not have considered.
Only new to battle tech myself, just going merc force from starter set and Armoured combat set. waiting for clanner first wave to come in March before adding more mechs. At this point I don't plan on creating any other fores but that may change in the future.
I think thats a great way to start. Get some games under your belt and see what works too.
@@CrankyOldGamer Getting ready for a Merc Campaign. Got the core mechnics down, now to just get decent contracts for the Mercs and watch the C-bills roll in.
Ive recently.come back to battletech after finding it's resurgence from catalyst games. And found your videos. if you don't mind my asking. Where did you get the classic style Marauders for your forces?
Thanks for watching! Check out Strato Miniatures for those marauders.
I'm currently struggling with this dilemma myself too. Mech boxes trickling through, randomly becoming available and selling out, I buy what boxes i like the models of.
At what point will it matter what you can actually combine?
Very roughly speaking, having 4 mechs of every size class theoretically has every possible situation covered.
This game being as small-scale (modelwise) as it is, kinda makes me feel like having the same mech twice in 1 force is gonna be pretty pointless, apart from maybe fluff reasons. But then, would there be a noticable difference in their effectiveness, if instead of 1 of those 4 assault mechs, you could swap 1 out for yet another type? Or is that the logical cut-off point for starting a new faction to put a new colour on your models?
I think i see these models as entries in a pokedex. You kinda wanna collect 1 of each to put in your lance or 2.. but realising full well, that they will never see the gaming table all at once, makes it feel wasteful at the same time. Unless Alpha Strike can easily handle games of 60 mechs per side? I havent looked into those rules yet. That would be an awesome sight..
Started with the box and starter box, then four more box sets!
Lol I'm in the same boat - I maybe went a *touch* overboard! Who am I kidding - no I didn't!
The new sculpts are great and the box is a great deal. See you're also dipping your toe in those hawt SteelWarrior sculpts.
@@matthewbirdsall9518 Sure am. They are awesome!
I think I'll end up with two of each of the beginner's box and the big one. Just for the mechs. Only ways to get newer griffins and shadowhawks unless you order from Ironwind Metals right?
For me I plan on doing 12 mechs for each House and then a unit of mechs as filler units.
Thats a good number! Enough for good variations for lances
What Kurita unit does the red and black paint scheme belong to?
I intended them to be "Tyrells Terrors" but they also look just like Kell Hounds!
I have my IS mechs from the OD box sets and new box set broken into 5 mech groups " 1light 2 medium 1heavy 1assault" from different IS houses and Marx units. But for now I'm building an galaxy size force of jade falcon Zeta galaxy
Love it! I'm doing Jade Falcon myself. Omega Galaxy.
I've been a fan of MechWarrior for at least 15 years (im 25 now!), and have just got into the Battletech tabletop and video game! I play in Worcester, UK with some friends, but im struggling to figure out who i might want to affiliate with! Is it a case of read all the lore i can find and figure it out that way? Am i alright to just make up a merc unit and play with that instead?
Any advice would be appreciated :)
Absolutely. Start with the mechs in the boxed set A Game of Armored Combat. Pick a faction that seems cool to you and paint up a few mechs. Nothing wrong with making a bunch of different forces. Theres no rules like in 40k that one faction different that the other - just make what looks cool to you!
@@CrankyOldGamer I bought the AGOAC box and starter edition! Plus a load of metal models. The biggest money sink had been the books though, as I'm slowly getting the collection up! Cheers fornthe advice :)
@@lewis121234 thats awesome! Enjoy! I can't wait to get my KS stuff - soon!
Only problem I see with your Kurita mechs is that you do not have an ARC-2K.
Need to get one for sure!
I am also a returning player. Just ordered the two new IS lances to start a new faction. I have Lyran mechs. Those are a selected specialy because they are used by the LA. This is something I also going to do for the next faction that I am going to paint. I look at the mechs/configs and the faction. Then I probely start with eight mechs used by that faction. For xample I won't be painting the Valkyrie mech that is in one of the boxes. because it is mainly used by Federated Suns and some Mers.
Stil some time to puzzle. Thinking of Kurita or Liao. So now I am looking for a nice paint scheme.
Your mechs look great. First thing I saw the nyour Kurita mechs I thought they were Keel Hounds 🙂
Thank you! Yeah I get that a lot - I sorta think I can have them double as Kell Hounds! I love that youre thinking of mechs common to a faction, I think most play with what they like or is optimal, but youre going full-on lore correct!
@@CrankyOldGamer Yes :D I think it gives more character to the faction I am playing. :)
Can you name th shown mechs from left to right, top to bottom? I really cannot identify all of these old models.
With 3D printing the number is truly limitless m
True that!
Why they look like kell hounds?
They do look similar dont they!
Well, after the Kickstarter is fulfilled, I'll be at 120-something minis, so I'll be painting forever. Keeping most generic olive drab or desert tan, and only go House unit colors for mechs that are clearly identifiable with a single one (Hatamoto Chi, for example).
Yeah Im right there with you. Once everything on KS gets shipped, Ill be drowning in mechs...
hey cranky , I'm a old BT player that got out of it like 16 years ago, and it's time for me too get back into it. I used to have to full Regiments of mechs , started in 89 till 98ish , sold everything and gave some away, looking to rebuild my old forces again. where are you getting those mechs from I want them to take my money lol, not trusting eBay and Amazon has nothing, where can I look for them? please someone I need help.
Hey Jimmy, thanks for watching! Check out Strato Miniatures. Also, some mechs can be 3d printed off Thingiverse.
@@CrankyOldGamer thanks much appreciated, if you ever get to gencon hope to see you there.
I recognize some of those models from the game of armored combat and starter box, are the rest of them from warhansa and steel Warrior Studios?
Yessir - some Steel Warrior Studios and some MWO sculpts in there.
A good time to start a new force is when you have 1 or 2 of everything
Why is there no hot tomato cheese in your kurita force?
Lol!!!
New models mixed with old models. Dear god, you can see the difference in quality and design ethos throughout the decades. Can really see that anime aesthetic of the older Marauder model, it's okay, he's still my favorite. Side note, what's the price tag for a stack of mechs going for these days? Lets say hypothetically I'm looking to get into a new wargame that isn't owned by Games Workshop. How much are we talking?
Being a european, i usually spot mech boxes at online shops ranging between 22 to 30 euros. The lower ones are mostly inner sphere, because those have 4 mechs in them, the clan (5 mechs) and comstar boxes (6 mechs) are at the higher end of that bracket. That's for the 'official' new catalyst plastics.
Pretty reasonable i think.
Also because of being a european, you kinda really have to pounce on what you spot. These boxes being distributed from the usa, they're pretty sparse and often sell out fast. When i see a box i like at least 2 models of (being a total noob myself) i like to buy it, and see what the rules are afterwards. I'm guessing that even the 'bad' ones have their uses in certain combinations and situations. That's the fun part for me to find out on the gaming table. Throw em down and see what happens!
@@ironelemental9367 I'm an American in Japan right now, so you can imagine the mark up practically anything wargaming related gets, the China Coof lockdowns only made things worse when 3 different stores near me all closed because of them. Still, I think Catalyst Games starter box is a good place to well, start. Outside of those, you know any sites that potentially still produce minis for the game?
Gotcha. Hard to say going prices in Japan, but in US theyre usually $20 to $25 for a lance pack. Id check out Amazon and Ebay too - you can find deals there as well that might be international shipping friendly.
Anyone else get distracted trying to name all the mechs shown and zone out of what he was saying? Several of them are the newer style figures and harder to identify for old schoolers like myself, such as the one, second row, third from the right, a Phoenix Hawk (?), and bottom row second from the left, an Oscout? Don't know.
Front Row: Hunchback, Ostscout, Hatchetman, Locust, Whitworth.
2nd row: Shadowhawk, Archer (Strato minis), Marauder (Strato minis), Warhammer, Awesome, Wolfhound
3rd row: Wolverine, Commando, Raven (Alpha strike sculpt), Phoenix Hawk, Thunderbolt, Crab (Iron wind metals)
4th row: Stalker, Battlemaster, Griffon, Rifleman (Strato minis), Catapult, Jenner (Iron wind metals)
there are 3 more in the back behind the stalker and battlemaster, those are a Dragon (AS plastic) and a Cyclops (3d print)
Maybe 2 mechs per weight class? That would be 20ish not counting the odd 5 tonnage ect... battle tec is messy do you want speed long range short range ect... SOOOOOOOO many options with in just one weight class. I think you have a great grouping especially as many if not all have multiple load outs. Sex paint jobs ( always a sucker for black and red)!!!
Hahaha thank you! Yeah I was thinking same - at least a couple entries per class to sorta be able to mix things uo and keep it fresh.
And here I thought that you started a new force when you had too many leftover mechs from your main project?
That's a good reason to start a new force too! 😆
Civil war through darkage for me. pew pew pew.