Re: Battletech XLBS

[sundancer 42901xp 4]

Just got an update on the BT Kickstarter regarding availability. Sounds good:

BEGINNER BOX

We have published 31,500 copies of this game since the start of 2018, and the sixth printing, at 10,000 copies (the highest quantity yet printed, giving us a total of 41,500) is done right now, and we are working to get it on a ship. Normally it would be available by October, but with all of the shipping snafus around the world, it will likely be  November before it’s available.

A GAME OF ARMORED COMBAT

Once again, from when this was first released in early 2018, we have published 33,500 copies. The fifth reprint, of 10,000 copies (for a total of 43,500), is on a ship and scheduled to arrive into the Savannah port by September 14th. If that stays on track, it means the base game will be available again to stores and our website by early October. Based upon sales projections, we are already looking to start the sixth reprint of this box by the end of the year.

CLAN INVASION BOX

The Wave One printing of this box was 25,000 copies (the largest single printing of any game we have ever done); 17,000 Kickstarter covers and 8,000 standard covers. As part of a Wave One restock (see below), we reprinted 5,000 additional copies: 1,000 Kickstarter covers and 4,000 standard covers. As part of Wave Two we then printed an additional 5,000 copies (all standard covers), giving us 35,000 total. We are reviewing whether we’ll need to start a fourth printing soon to keep it well in stock.

Nice!

[panzerkaput 33938xp 2]

Yes, yes, yes and must need them

[mecha82Participant 10037xp 3]

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

[captainventanusParticipant 4933xp 3]

I was able to pick up the Beginner and the AGAC about 2 years ago now and both are really good starting points for BT and as starter sets in general. With the added cardboard standees in the boxes and the online resources the mileage you can get out of these is pretty incredible.

Availability was/is the issue which comes down to where and how it is manufactured. I had mine on order with a store for about six months and of the current releases from the KS sold out pretty quickly so I have not been able to get anything yet. To get new players in boxes need to be on shelves.

That whole KS update was fascinating – never seen a company be so open about printing numbers and frequency. Gives an insight into into the recent growth owing to the move to plastic and these starters. Clearly an upwards trend and a good development, but from those numbers alone I would not overhype BT as being able to knock out close competitors anytime soon.

Similar numbers for X-Wing over the years would be really interesting to see – that’ll remain a mystery though. I did notice that on the last Underworlds starter GW had uncharacteristically bothered to add that over 200,000 Underworlds games had been sold (presumably since its release in 2017). For advertising of course, in the absence of any context, that number only has limited value.

 

[pagan8thParticipant 10744xp 2]

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.

[mecha82Participant 10037xp 3]

@pagan8th Sounds to me like Alpha Strike could be more to your liking. It’s more simpler and streamlined way to play BT that feels more like your typical miniatures wargame, As such it allows playing larger games in shorter time. There should be quick start rules on official BT site as pdf.

[templar5836 3327xp 3]

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.

[templar5836 3327xp 3]

And if you do want Catalyst products other than pdf editions I would order from a 3rd party, as their customer service is terrible, and their shipping and fulfilling of orders is questionable at best. I ordered and paid for a hard copy book, it never shipped for over a month and they never responded to emails, I eventually had to go through PayPal to get a refund. I then ordered from Amazon and received the book the next day.

[captainventanusParticipant 4933xp 2]

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.

[templar5836 3327xp 1]

@captainventanus I completely agree 3D printing is the best way for CGL to be able to keep up with demand. They don’t seem very adverse to people using 3D printer minis any way and to be honest there are not many “official” events where it would matter, but it would make a lot more sense to have officially sanctioned STL files and a central place to find them, as well as officially licensed designers. It would solve all their supply chain issues, and with 3rd party printing services they would be available to everyone

[templar5836 3327xp 1]

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 42901xp 1]

I think Catalyst would do themselves a big favour to do some videos explaining the different ways you can play BT.  I’m still not sure I really understand it all 😉

[templar5836 3327xp 2]

@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.

[templar5836 3327xp 2]

Don’t know if that helps at all, I really don’t know much about classic really only played it once or twice about 20 years ago …

[sundancer 42901xp 3]

Yes but no 😉 Also you can play pretty much with 3D terrain on hex maps… if you build it as hex. Which is a pain. Tried that *g* Still some form of “what do you want to play” flow chart on the side of Catalyst would be a great thing.

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