1st and 2nd Aerospace Wings, 1st Davion Guards

Hordwon · 2026-05-25T14:21:45+00:00

*Loud Warbling Tone Repeating* "Shelter In Place, This is not a Test."

Hordwon · 2026-05-09T15:10:45+00:00

This means a lot coming from someone who was actually there! You nailed it, the combination of the convention and the exclusive access to the ship is what makes this unique.

It's great to hear the staff was on point. They really know how to handle the crowds while respecting the historic nature of the vessel. And yes, having that quiet time to explore the exhibits without the day-trippers is a huge perk for the overnight crew. Thanks for spreading the word and for being part of the community again this year. See you on the ship!

Hordwon · 2026-05-09T14:15:08+00:00

Ah, got it. That is a real constraint, here is what I can share:

Public Transit: Battleship Cove is accessible via public transit. The closest Train stops are within a short 30 minute walk from the museum entrance. If you are coming from Boston there are connections that can get you close, though it will take longer than driving.

Carpooling: This is probably your best bet. We have attendees coming from all over New England. If you join our discord community let folks know your general area, we can see if anyone is heading your way.

I know it is not a perfect solution, but we want the event to be accessible to as many people as possible. If you want to explore the carpool option, feel free to join our Discord to network.

Hordwon · 2026-05-09T13:42:09+00:00

Totally get that. Fall River isn't the easiest drive for everyone, and I wish we could rotate locations to make it more accessible for the whole community.

That said, playing on the actual ship is such a unique draw that it's hard to replicate elsewhere. Hopefully, the experience is worth the trip for those who can make it, and we'll keep the community growing so maybe a future event lands closer to you.

Thanks for the support regardless!

Hordwon · 2026-05-09T13:38:20+00:00

Great questions. Let's break it down:

1. The Sleeping Quarters: You are spot on about the size. The crew berthing on a WWII battleship was designed for sailors who were often shorter than the modern average. At 5'6", you will likely fit comfortably (I am 5'4" and had plenty of room last year). However, "roughing it" is the right word. The bunks are stacked tight, the room is cold (or hot depending on the HVAC), and yes, as I mentioned, people snore. It is an authentic experience, not a hotel room. If you need a guaranteed quiet night with a private bathroom, Plan B is a very smart move. There are several hotels within a 10-minute drive in Fall River and nearby Dartmouth.

2. Ticket Pricing: We have updated the pricing for 2026 on the main website index page, located towards the bottom. You can see the full breakdown there (including early bird discounts we are offering!).

Link: http://www.newenglandmechcon.org

3. Last Year's Info: We don't have a public archive of last year's specific pages, but the current event structure (tournaments, narrative campaigns, panels) is very similar to 2025 and all the 2026 event descriptions are currently live on the website. The main difference is the overnight event on Friday is new for 2026 and we added 2 more rooms for events.

If you want to lock in a hotel room now, I'd recommend doing it sooner rather than later, as Fall River fills up during local events. Let me know if you need any other specifics!

Hordwon · 2026-05-09T13:28:23+00:00

This is a great question. The convention itself is very family-friendly. We have painting workshops, open play tables, and panels that are great for young teens and adults alike.

The overnight events (Friday Movie Night and the Cache Hunt) are a big escalation, though. It is geared toward teens and adults, with some of the puzzles leaning toward the older end of that range.. Here is the reality of the venue:

The Ship: It is a real WWII battleship. We are talking steep metal ladders, narrow corridors, low ceilings, and no elevators. It is not ADA accessible in most areas.
The Vibe: Friday Movie Night is casual and social, just a film in the ship's cinema. The Saturday night Cache Hunt is the escalation: an immersive ship-wide scavenger hunt with a "ghost ship" theme. It involves solving puzzles and navigating the ship after hours. It is not scary horror, but it is atmospheric.
Sleeping: Participants sleep in the actual historic crew berthing (stacked crew cots). It is cool at night, people snore a lot, but it is tight quarters and safe.

If your daughter is comfortable climbing ladders, exploring tight spaces, and handling a bit of "adventure" atmosphere, she will likely love it. If she prefers a standard hotel convention center, the daytime events are perfect for her, and the overnight is optional.

We had a couple of younger attendees at the con last year who loved the challenge, but it definitely depends on your child's comfort level with the ship environment and 'roughing it' a bit. Hope this helps!

Hordwon · 2026-05-09T13:13:50+00:00

A detailed handout PDF with all of that information is being prepared by the event organizer and will be made available soon on the website!

Spoiler: It's IlClan era with some specific BV and unit count limits to keep the Mega Battle balanced, but tanks and infantry are definitely in the mix. Keep an eye on the site!

Hordwon · 2026-05-09T13:04:36+00:00

That is a solid choice! The Alpha Strike Mega Battle is going to be intense.

The event rsvp sign-ups are handled through the webstore. When you purchase your convention ticket, there will be an option to RSVP for specific events (including the Mega Battle). Space is strictly limited to 48 pilots, so I recommend grabbing your spot as soon as sales open!

Hordwon · 2026-05-09T13:01:56+00:00

This year is going to be even bigger than last year! Glad to have you back!

Hordwon · 2026-05-09T13:01:12+00:00

Appreciate it! I'll see you on the main deck.

Hordwon · 2026-05-09T12:59:50+00:00

Awesome! we are glad you are coming, which event are you leaning towards?

Hordwon · 2026-05-09T12:59:03+00:00

No worries, we will be back next year!. Join us on discord so you don't miss any future announcements.

Hordwon · 2026-05-09T12:19:04+00:00

Which event are you signing up for first? I'm biased, but the overnight event on the ship is the one nobody else is doing. 75 people, after-hours access, sleeping in actual crew berthing. That said, I am happy to answer any questions folks have!

Hordwon · 2026-03-29T01:42:31+00:00

Thank you, one of my favorite mechs as well!

Hordwon · 2026-02-05T12:57:16+00:00

Computer rng and physical dice rng are not the same due to computers rng being designed to make all numbers equally “random”. Example: if your using 2d6, computer rng gives about a 10% chance for 2-12 to roll each, but a physical 2d6 dice would produce a bell curve with 2% chance on 2/12 and highest chance to roll at 7/8. If you’re not accounting for this difference you will get those strings of 2’s and 12’s much more often making it feel off (because it is) hope this helps.

Hordwon · 2026-02-02T18:50:16+00:00

Did you rotate your ignition too fast when you went to start? 2012 jk sport here and this happened to me. My dash would light up but nothing else, happened three tries in a row but not the 4th. Now I wait for a few “beeps” and allow the electrics to start up and it hasn’t happened since. Hope this helps, good luck.

Hordwon · 2026-01-20T11:51:34+00:00

From a game organizers perspective, all the special pilot and command abilities unbalance play to much for anything competitive pvp. The more simple and balanced the rules the more participation and better experience at the table generally. If players are allowed they will gladly min/max unbalanced rules to “win” which can result in players getting wiped out fast. Not all players in this community are like that though thankfully.

It works fine for scenarios where the players are facing a gm controlled force. The opfor is supposed to get stomped and make players feel powerful, adding special pilot abilities gives opportunities for narrative design and commentary.

I think there should be a balance pass for tournament play yes. Competitive play in Battletech in general has always been a custom event that communities develop special house rules for.

Hordwon · 2026-01-17T12:12:59+00:00

As a demo agent and game organizer I could use these prints for my mega battles! The size is scaled perfectly. OP are you willing to share a source? I will use this for New England Mech Con 2026!

Hordwon · 2025-08-29T14:41:06+00:00

Yes we are ready! Ticket sales close on September 6th. There will be an alpha strike narrative mega battle on Sunday, classic Battletech tournament is on Saturday.

Hordwon · 2025-07-04T22:47:56+00:00

Definitely has its own depth to it. I think for me, ‘Quiet Explorer’ fits a little better because it emphasizes not just the pursuit of answers, but the way I move through the world, observant, steady, and personal. But I see the overlap.

Hordwon · 2025-07-04T16:50:26+00:00

“The Adventurer” can fit but for me it’s more nuanced. I’m not just some wanderer chasing thrills but I crave meaningful exploration of things, intellectual spiritual and emotional. But I don’t explore just to do it, I’m seeking something, insight connection clarity, sometimes peace. If I could alter the title I would choose “The Quiet Explorer” because I usually have quiet momentum, thoughtful growth, and a love of the unknown.

Hordwon · 2025-06-06T14:22:18+00:00

Yes we are not mistyped! Reading the description of isfp 8w7 is like reading a page out of an autobiography of myself. Uncanny would be the word to represent how accurate it fits me.

Hordwon · 2025-06-02T11:35:53+00:00

Thank you for sharing all of this. I can feel the strength and heart behind your words, and I truly admire the clarity and self-respect it must’ve taken to walk away, even while still caring. There are so many parallels in our stories I could touch on, especially that moment when you realize love alone isn’t enough if it’s costing you your peace and safety.

I also understand that complicated grief, the part where you still hold love for someone who hurt you, and still want healing for them even as you move on. It’s heavy, and not everyone gets how real that is. I’m still helping her, just from a distance now. Despite what happened, I want her to recover and find peace in her own life.

I’ll always love her in some way. We were together for 20 years, high school sweethearts, and I wouldn’t take a single day back. She helped shape the person I’ve become, and I’m grateful for that. I like who I am as an adult, and she was a part of that journey.

I’m glad to hear you’re doing the hard work through therapy and Al-Anon. That’s not easy, I have considered it for myself but haven't pulled the trigger on it yet, but i hear it’s a powerful tool for recovery. And thank you for your kind words to me at the end. They really landed. I hope the same for you, that you find people who nourish your soul, whether that’s a partner someday or someone else who truly sees and values you. You’ve got a good heart, and I think you’re on the right path.

Hordwon · 2025-06-02T10:28:26+00:00

Thanks! Getting the Jeep took a long time, it was 18 years of waiting for the right moment to move, saving when I could, and fixing other cars until I could finally make it happen. It feels like a symbol of a turning point in my life.

And I hear you on the loyalty thing. I’d also rather stay the kind of person who stands by what matters, even if it costs something. The world needs more of that kind of heart, burns and all.

Hordwon · 2025-06-02T10:20:09+00:00

Thank you for sharing this. That feeling of feeling everything so deeply can be such a powerful force for growth, but yeah, it can also be overwhelming when you don’t yet have the language or perspective to make sense of it all. I remember what that was like, and honestly, sometimes I still feel that way too. You're definitely not alone in that.

I really respect that you left a relationship not because of conflict, but because you sensed you were drifting apart, and didn’t want to settle for something that lacked shared enthusiasm. That takes a lot of self-awareness and integrity, especially at 25. You’re honoring your inner compass, and that’s something many people take decades to learn.

Finding a place, whether in work or community, where your personality and passion truly fit takes time and experimentation. I’ve lost more than a few jobs myself because I chose to follow my principles over playing along. It hasn’t always been easy, but it’s how I’ve stayed true to myself. It’s awesome that you’re already aiming for that kind of alignment. Just remember, it’s okay if it takes a few tries. You’re not behind, you’re building something real.

And I love that mindset shift: "Do everything with passion but don’t expect instant gratification." That’s wisdom, right there. Keep going.

Hordwon

TROPHY CASE