Played both, and I think Battletech was my first strategy miniature game before Warhammer or 40K. A friend had built a 3D board with hexagon floor tiles that could be moved around and restructured. It was great, and cheap to do.
Was watching an old Top 10 titled Top Games from 1993 or earlier- noticed Tom didn't put this or any of his changed my life games on his list with the exceptions of Cosmic Encounter and Heroquest
I remember opening packs of limited with my dad, so awesome, I fell in love with battletech, along with mech warrior. I wish he played the tabletop mini game but can’t have everything, the nostalgia and memories are worth more to me than anything
I really hope Catalyst makes a Battletech card game in the vein of Shadowrun Crossfire. Maybe have each player manage a lance (4 mechs) or have them each manage a single mech to form a single lance?
Why wait? We have a Kickstarter running right now that is a spiritual successor to the Btech ccg called REDLINE. The game is based around simultaneous combat, area of control, mtg like commanders and so much more. We put a lot of love into it as huge of Battletech growing up and I hope it shows. Thanks! www.kickstarter.com/projects/camx/redline-tactical-card-combat
If the mechs in this video look familiar to anyone with a video gaming background, yes, this is the game that the MechWarrior, MechCommander, and MechAssault series are based on. Same universe! If you don't know those other games, play them! All the games from 1995 onward are great. If the miniatures game looks interesting, Catalyst just ran a Kickstarter last year that went way over the funding goal so there will be a TON of new high-quality minis coming in the next year. This is a perfect time to get into the game since there's a big resurgence of interest right now!
You and I have a lot in common. We did the tabletop when we were 11 year old brats in 1989. By then we were D&D veterans and also did ad&d 2nd ed and marvel superheroes through highschool and early college saw us do white wolf stuff. We still came home to battletech via megamek. Cheers :-)
Still have my old Battletech minis and original books from the 80's. Loved playing it. I think I have over 200 metal mechs. About 1/4 painted. Now I play it on Steam. When you have no one to play the board game, the computer one is great.
Classic Battletech is currently the tabletop wargame I enjoy the most by far. 4 miniatures per player and a hexgrid is all you need, but I love building terrain for it. A battle report of my last game, full of pictures, can be found here www.reddit.com/r/battletech/comments/ea1nry/image_heavy_after_action_report_inner_sphere/?
BattleTech was such a compelling setting that I went nuts and bought everything FASA ever released for the game, including the BattleTechnology magazines and novels. Of course I just had to buy into the CCG when it came out. It amazes me there still isn't some sort of movie or series in production for the franchise.
I used to own everything for the ccg, full play sets and I held on to it forever and ended up basically giving them to my father in law (sold for dirt cheap) because he was a huge fan. I used to own all the books as well.
2:25 it's the 'game outside the game'. Ie the amount of time outside the game that you spend thinking about it. Richard garfield always said this was why MtG was so successful, as it has such scope for people to think about the game.
I'm so glad Tom did Battletech in this series. It remains a really great fusion between board game and miniature wargame. These days I prefer playing the Catalyst Battletech computer game. Those that want to original BT boardgame experience on a computer can also look at Megamek. I know there is a faster miniature version called Battletech Alpha Strike, but honestly the tabletop system isn't the best (I think Horizon Wars from Osprey games is a much better mech combat system). Also the BT miniatures are quite pricey for what they are, $5 per mech is way too much especially when you look at Games Workshop starter sets. No question though that BT universe is awesome.
The "history" and lore of BattleTech is nothing short of amazing! I never had the miniatures until I bought the starter set from Catalyst several years ago. It's not my favorite but still pretty fun. The complexity of the rules can be a little daunting for newbies though. My only gripe is that the vast majority of mechs are really goofy looking.
I do remember liking this CCG a lot, but I couldn't get anyone to play it with me. I kind of wish someone would take the CCG and bring it back (but dropping the trading card aspect).
refresh daemon Funny you should mention, I’m developing a spiritual successor to it as we speak. Combines aspects of Battletech, MTG, and X-Wing. It’s pretty dope. Looking to Kickstarter over summer.
Battletech > Warhammer/40k. Let me tell you why- MODIFIERS! Think about this: A space marine has a ballistic skill of 4, so he can hit his target on a 3+. That target could be a tank at point blank range, or a gnat at max range- same chance to hit. Range, target movement, attacker movement, intervening terrain...none of that matters. That drives me bonkers, as much fun as 40k may be.
Someone should make a vassal version of this and other great CcGs. I used to play 7th Sea. I never got to play the Dune CcG or Anachronism. All of these games are fantastic systems.
T's story strengthens the idea that the best miniature games allow you to make your own units / characters / warbands. Gee Dubs...I hope you are listening.
Oh boy... Battletech. It was my lifestyle game back in college. Had over a hundred minis, 80 or so books (scenario books, Field Manual, Lore books, Tech readouts, rulebooks and so on). Read all 60 novels released by Fasa. I stopped when Fasa closed. It was a good time to stop my insanity with this game. I'll agree the Battletech CCG was a much better game than Magic. Just much more meaningful decisions to do in game. If i remember correctly both Magic and Btech ccg were made by Richard Garfield. It was definitely an improvement on his original formulae. Tried to replay Battletech a few years back. It has not aged well unfortunately.
Yeah Battletech was fun, just too bad they never properly updated the game's rules in 30 years and now it's just an out dated relic with nice production value
I loved Battletech, too growing up. It’s an incredible universe and the creative tinkering is a lot of fun. I wish I had gotten more into the miniatures but there was no community that I as a teenager could find/get into. I have played a number of the video games over the years, and I have bookmarked. Sarna.net-the official lore wki-for nearly 20 years.
Recently relearning and playing both of these game!
Love Mech Warrior.
Played both, and I think Battletech was my first strategy miniature game before Warhammer or 40K.
A friend had built a 3D board with hexagon floor tiles that could be moved around and restructured. It was great, and cheap to do.
Was watching an old Top 10 titled Top Games from 1993 or earlier- noticed Tom didn't put this or any of his changed my life games on his list with the exceptions of Cosmic Encounter and Heroquest
I remember opening packs of limited with my dad, so awesome, I fell in love with battletech, along with mech warrior. I wish he played the tabletop mini game but can’t have everything, the nostalgia and memories are worth more to me than anything
Loving this series, Tom! Thank you!
Get in on the Kickstarter Tom! Late pledges are still open and it will ship in 2-3 months probably
Both the CCG and the minis game are still my favourites!!! Please do more Battletech Tom!! :D
I really hope Catalyst makes a Battletech card game in the vein of Shadowrun Crossfire. Maybe have each player manage a lance (4 mechs) or have them each manage a single mech to form a single lance?
I'd buy that in a heartbeat
Why wait? We have a Kickstarter running right now that is a spiritual successor to the Btech ccg called REDLINE. The game is based around simultaneous combat, area of control, mtg like commanders and so much more. We put a lot of love into it as huge of Battletech growing up and I hope it shows. Thanks! www.kickstarter.com/projects/camx/redline-tactical-card-combat
If the mechs in this video look familiar to anyone with a video gaming background, yes, this is the game that the MechWarrior, MechCommander, and MechAssault series are based on. Same universe! If you don't know those other games, play them! All the games from 1995 onward are great. If the miniatures game looks interesting, Catalyst just ran a Kickstarter last year that went way over the funding goal so there will be a TON of new high-quality minis coming in the next year. This is a perfect time to get into the game since there's a big resurgence of interest right now!
You and I have a lot in common. We did the tabletop when we were 11 year old brats in 1989. By then we were D&D veterans and also did ad&d 2nd ed and marvel superheroes through highschool and early college saw us do white wolf stuff. We still came home to battletech via megamek. Cheers :-)
Still have my old Battletech minis and original books from the 80's. Loved playing it. I think I have over 200 metal mechs. About 1/4 painted. Now I play it on Steam. When you have no one to play the board game, the computer one is great.
Battletech CCG was incredible!
join the battletech CCG facebook group and connect with others who are playing online during this time.
Classic Battletech is currently the tabletop wargame I enjoy the most by far. 4 miniatures per player and a hexgrid is all you need, but I love building terrain for it. A battle report of my last game, full of pictures, can be found here www.reddit.com/r/battletech/comments/ea1nry/image_heavy_after_action_report_inner_sphere/?
BattleTech was such a compelling setting that I went nuts and bought everything FASA ever released for the game, including the BattleTechnology magazines and novels. Of course I just had to buy into the CCG when it came out. It amazes me there still isn't some sort of movie or series in production for the franchise.
The "new" Battletech turn based strategy game for PC is amazing. Both the campaign and multiplayer is really well done.
Agreed! It's a great way to get your Battletech fix
Dude. Megamek. And internet megamek battles vs friends or the bot :-)
I used to own everything for the ccg, full play sets and I held on to it forever and ended up basically giving them to my father in law (sold for dirt cheap) because he was a huge fan. I used to own all the books as well.
I still play magic but I miss this ccg and which it would somehow comeback as a non collectible game
2:25 it's the 'game outside the game'. Ie the amount of time outside the game that you spend thinking about it.
Richard garfield always said this was why MtG was so successful, as it has such scope for people to think about the game.
I'm so glad Tom did Battletech in this series. It remains a really great fusion between board game and miniature wargame.
These days I prefer playing the Catalyst Battletech computer game. Those that want to original BT boardgame experience on a computer can also look at Megamek.
I know there is a faster miniature version called Battletech Alpha Strike, but honestly the tabletop system isn't the best (I think Horizon Wars from Osprey games is a much better mech combat system). Also the BT miniatures are quite pricey for what they are, $5 per mech is way too much especially when you look at Games Workshop starter sets.
No question though that BT universe is awesome.
THIS is the card game that i wish i had cards to play. I also wish i learned about this earlier in life.
I have extras for sale!
I have 3,303 cards if you are looking to buy
The "history" and lore of BattleTech is nothing short of amazing!
I never had the miniatures until I bought the starter set from Catalyst several years ago. It's not my favorite but still pretty fun. The complexity of the rules can be a little daunting for newbies though. My only gripe is that the vast majority of mechs are really goofy looking.
I do remember liking this CCG a lot, but I couldn't get anyone to play it with me. I kind of wish someone would take the CCG and bring it back (but dropping the trading card aspect).
refresh daemon Funny you should mention, I’m developing a spiritual successor to it as we speak. Combines aspects of Battletech, MTG, and X-Wing. It’s pretty dope. Looking to Kickstarter over summer.
there is a resurgence in Battletech, playing online via Lackey & Table Top Simulator. The facebook group is fantastic.
Making your own units and blowing the hell outta your friends was a part of growing up for many 90s kids. ;)
The game that drew me deeply into it's universe is Android: Netrunner
Battletech > Warhammer/40k. Let me tell you why- MODIFIERS! Think about this: A space marine has a ballistic skill of 4, so he can hit his target on a 3+. That target could be a tank at point blank range, or a gnat at max range- same chance to hit. Range, target movement, attacker movement, intervening terrain...none of that matters. That drives me bonkers, as much fun as 40k may be.
There's a reason many other games don't require the player to perform a math equation for every action
Someone should make a vassal version of this and other great CcGs.
I used to play 7th Sea. I never got to play the Dune CcG or Anachronism. All of these games are fantastic systems.
T's story strengthens the idea that the best miniature games allow you to make your own units / characters / warbands. Gee Dubs...I hope you are listening.
Oh boy... Battletech. It was my lifestyle game back in college. Had over a hundred minis, 80 or so books (scenario books, Field Manual, Lore books, Tech readouts, rulebooks and so on).
Read all 60 novels released by Fasa.
I stopped when Fasa closed. It was a good time to stop my insanity with this game.
I'll agree the Battletech CCG was a much better game than Magic. Just much more meaningful decisions to do in game. If i remember correctly both Magic and Btech ccg were made by Richard Garfield. It was definitely an improvement on his original formulae.
Tried to replay Battletech a few years back. It has not aged well unfortunately.
Yeah Battletech was fun, just too bad they never properly updated the game's rules in 30 years and now it's just an out dated relic with nice production value
I loved Battletech, too growing up. It’s an incredible universe and the creative tinkering is a lot of fun. I wish I had gotten more into the miniatures but there was no community that I as a teenager could find/get into. I have played a number of the video games over the years, and I have bookmarked. Sarna.net-the official lore wki-for nearly 20 years.