Ey guys Really enjoying these. So funny story After ages of doing my best to build a community in Pretoria, South Africa (It was just 3 of us) I gave up. But I wrote an article for a now defunct gaming website that one guy came accross, stalked me on facebook and asked me to help him get into the game. He managed to track down an existing group and since then we've been slowly but steadily growing, even have a splinter group in my new town. Being in a wargaming club also helps a bunch as in between games people will often come loook at what you're playing.
the fastest way to confuse a new gamer, especially for battletech, is BV2. if they pick up the beginner box or AGOAC, let them use what ever mech they want. while going over the basic differences is fine, it's best to have them get into the action immediately. don't bog them down with lore or what-if's. that adds confusion. set out a map, place 2 mechs, show them the game turn sequence (don't explain it) and roll initiative. have them move (now show movement rules). have them shoot (now go over weapons, range and to-hit). apply damage (external and internal). 2 or 3 turns later and they are playing with little hand holding. this takes 10 minutes... tops. a simple 4-6 turn game in less than 20 minutes. keep it simple and fun! then, AFTER the game, start to explain some lore. don't overwhelm, just the basics.
We got him pulled in after he had a basic understanding of the game, so BV was something known. But yeah, if you're just at a store or you just want quick casual stuff with new people, just pop stuff on the table and go!
I found a relatively easy way around the BV confusion - let the new player pick a lance, and then just match what they have, give or take a few points. Tehreafter you can explain force composition etc
Definitely, we'll need to get together soon and play a game (although a beer sounds good too). Being at GenCon and seeing the Catalyst booth got us wanting to put together some new BattleTech content. - Ken
When I played battletech, mtg, D&D and gurps with other people it was with the gaming club in middle school and high school. Then Cons and of course still playing with some of the people from the gaming club and cons at friends houses. Out of all those people though I'm the only one who didnt get married and have kids so since no one else has free time due to family life I just play all of those games by myself and I also play the video game versions of those games as well. I have fun either way.
I've been running A Time of War for my TTRPG group for a few months now, and outside of that I've yet to play a normal game of battletech. I'm in SoCal and I know people are out there because the FLGS's in the area sell out of product, but I don't know of anyone near me that actually plays.
@@TheMemoryCore so far the game system itself feels pretty clunky, the battletech setting is rich and makes for a perfect RPG backdrop. Character generation using the module system is needlessly complicated, especially college. I'm hoping the new printing thats been announced will clean some of the rough edges up. So far my play group has been enjoying it, we're used to playing things like Traveller, GURPS, and of course D&D, so out of mech stuff is pretty familiar, but we use classic battletech for in mech combat.
@@ChrisZestyJesty I agree. The system has it's problems, which you've outlined exactingly. Unfortunately, it sounds like the new printing is just a new printing with errata rather than a new edition. I think it's a missed opportunity -- that or a cop out. It really needs to be updated, and doing a new printing with a retro cover isn't the right answer. At the least, they could have combined AToW with the Companion, but the latter seems destined to stay out of print.
Ey guys Really enjoying these.
So funny story
After ages of doing my best to build a community in Pretoria, South Africa (It was just 3 of us) I gave up. But I wrote an article for a now defunct gaming website that one guy came accross, stalked me on facebook and asked me to help him get into the game. He managed to track down an existing group and since then we've been slowly but steadily growing, even have a splinter group in my new town.
Being in a wargaming club also helps a bunch as in between games people will often come loook at what you're playing.
the fastest way to confuse a new gamer, especially for battletech, is BV2. if they pick up the beginner box or AGOAC, let them use what ever mech they want. while going over the basic differences is fine, it's best to have them get into the action immediately. don't bog them down with lore or what-if's. that adds confusion.
set out a map, place 2 mechs, show them the game turn sequence (don't explain it) and roll initiative. have them move (now show movement rules). have them shoot (now go over weapons, range and to-hit). apply damage (external and internal). 2 or 3 turns later and they are playing with little hand holding.
this takes 10 minutes... tops. a simple 4-6 turn game in less than 20 minutes.
keep it simple and fun! then, AFTER the game, start to explain some lore. don't overwhelm, just the basics.
We got him pulled in after he had a basic understanding of the game, so BV was something known. But yeah, if you're just at a store or you just want quick casual stuff with new people, just pop stuff on the table and go!
I found a relatively easy way around the BV confusion - let the new player pick a lance, and then just match what they have, give or take a few points. Tehreafter you can explain force composition etc
That sponsor ship was so hilarious and well done! Awesome podcast!
Definitely, we'll need to get together soon and play a game (although a beer sounds good too). Being at GenCon and seeing the Catalyst booth got us wanting to put together some new BattleTech content.
- Ken
When I played battletech, mtg, D&D and gurps with other people it was with the gaming club in middle school and high school. Then Cons and of course still playing with some of the people from the gaming club and cons at friends houses. Out of all those people though I'm the only one who didnt get married and have kids so since no one else has free time due to family life I just play all of those games by myself and I also play the video game versions of those games as well. I have fun either way.
Kids, man. They really ruin it all. Are you near a metro area or more of a small town/rural location?
I've been running A Time of War for my TTRPG group for a few months now, and outside of that I've yet to play a normal game of battletech. I'm in SoCal and I know people are out there because the FLGS's in the area sell out of product, but I don't know of anyone near me that actually plays.
Oh man, Adam would be ALLLLL over A Time of War. How's the game experience?
@@TheMemoryCore so far the game system itself feels pretty clunky, the battletech setting is rich and makes for a perfect RPG backdrop. Character generation using the module system is needlessly complicated, especially college. I'm hoping the new printing thats been announced will clean some of the rough edges up. So far my play group has been enjoying it, we're used to playing things like Traveller, GURPS, and of course D&D, so out of mech stuff is pretty familiar, but we use classic battletech for in mech combat.
@@ChrisZestyJesty I agree. The system has it's problems, which you've outlined exactingly.
Unfortunately, it sounds like the new printing is just a new printing with errata rather than a new edition. I think it's a missed opportunity -- that or a cop out. It really needs to be updated, and doing a new printing with a retro cover isn't the right answer. At the least, they could have combined AToW with the Companion, but the latter seems destined to stay out of print.
Hey guys the discord link expired, can you post a new one