Long live classic sci-fi wargame that’s Battletech.

I still have City Tech 2nd edition from back in the late 80’s in a cupboard somewhere.

Another game I never got to play really. Seemed a bit fiddly. Have used the minis at times when I needed some bots.

Availability is a major problem, I have avoided this by 3D printing mechs and vehicles, and the rules are mostly available in pdf form from catalyst, but it is a barrier to entry for many players who would like to try it out. Lack of product on the shelves of FLGS makes it nearly impossible to start a local community. I exclusively play Justin edition … sorry I mean Alpha Strike, and have gotten many GW players to play games with me, but the lack of available miniatures makes it hard to get others really involved even if they are interested. I have built enough mechs and terrain (3D printed) for a good demo game but that is really as far as it can really go until there is reliable availability. I can’t really see this happening anytime soon, as the Kickstarter models are immediately sold out as soon as they are available with no word as to when or if there will be a restock. The Kickstarter model is great for people who already know they want it, but if it doesn’t lead to wider availability it won’t lead to expansion of the player base.

If there ever were a game predestined for the official 3D home printing licensing model it would be Battletech. The models are not difficult to print and it might in fact solve some of Catalyst’s inevitable logistical problems  that aren’t going to get any better. Perhaps the core boxes and some lances could be offered as a physical product and all more specialised mechs offered as STLs. Vehicles, infantry, flyer etc… Is there any word on whether there will be another Kickstarter to offer these, I haven’t been following that closely.

While I remember Battletech from the 1990s when I used to see the boxes in stores  and read the books I only actually started playing it a few years ago. Have to stress I am only an occasional casual player and have adopted an Alpha Strike/main rules hybrid set of rules.

Alpha Strike is the way to start in my view. While yes the basic rules in the Beginner box aren’t complex or convoluted Alpha Strike offers the basic principles of the game in a very accessible manner. Damage and Heat is very abstracted by its still a factor as is positioning.

they also need to promote Alpha Strike more than they currently do, as I agree is is a great way to draw in new players. Right now the system is just there but not really promoted in any real way. Sure all the mechs and boxes come with AS cards, but they seem like an after thought. The master unit list website is great and all the cards are available, but unless you know what you are looking for it is a little confusing, there should be an section strictly for alpha strike players to build lances that conform to the rules without having to search through thousands of different units

@sundancer Alpha Strike is played on a regular wargaming table with 3D terrain instead of hex maps / 2d terrain. The units are simplified so there is far less book keeping, and runs much faster so it lends itself to being played more like a “regular” or modern game, and as a result you can play with many more units and combined arms (infantry, tanks, aircraft). It would be the most familiar to most modern war gamers. Where as classic Battletech is usually only a few mechs per side but much more detailed on weapons systems, damage and heat management.