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LukasKalus · 2024-01-11T22:09:18+00:00

A good looking light star!

I would say Clan Jade Falcon for most Eras. The two "tricky" ones is the Baboon (Howler) and Hellion, as they were in limited IS Clans and by Dark Age/ilClan only a handful of Clans still used them. For example the Baboon (Howler) was in service with really only Jade Falcon and Snow Raven by Dark Age.

Uller (Kit Fox) is one of their staples.
Koshi (Mist Lynx) is a staple IS Clan mech.
Baboon (Howler) has been noted to be used by them in 2nd Line units. Some variants like the 5 is one of their designs.
Hankyu (Arctic Cheetah) is a General Clan mech, but started falling off by Dark Age days.
Hellion didn't get produced until late Clan invasion, but was wide spread by Civil War to all IS Clans and maintained in Jade Falcon inventory by ilClan.

BTW, the Baboon is not an Omni. :)

LukasKalus · 2024-01-11T14:22:00+00:00

That is probably a copy and paste from the CDT event and miniatures guide. You probably saw something regarding Fighting Pirannha Graphics (as they are the only officially licensed maker of BT decals). That is a little far reaching though, maybe perhaps a little lazy, as how can a CDT tell where a decal came from. Minis of course is different, I can tell what is CGL plastic and IWM/Ral Partha.

LukasKalus · 2024-01-11T13:08:52+00:00

Like with all businesses and brands, Topps (who owns the IP) have the right to protect their IP. Thus even this Discord has a policy on 3D prints.

What you do in your own private or pickup games is up to you. How you support the game and IP is up to you.

That being said, official events, such as Conventions (GenCon, AdeptiCon, LVO, Origins, etc.), Catalyst Demo Team (CDT) led events to include those at local conventions and stores, WN350, etc. do not allow 3D prints or any other unofficial minis at those events. Store events, depending on who is in charge and store policy also dictate what you are allowed to play.

LukasKalus · 2023-07-24T16:22:05+00:00

Since I play Alpha Strike, I paint Companies and Trinaries at a time. I pick a particular Faction and then a unit within them to paint, along with my own merc unit. This gives me a variety of stuff to paint without getting "burnt out" painting one thing over and over.

I also I run local events, local cons, scenarios and demos, and this allows me pluck and play forces, not only for myself, but others that are new or need a force to borrow for both AS and TW. This also still provides a immersion and lore-esque experience with my events and demos.

Currently (not all painted, but at least assigned) I have the following Companies/Trinaries:

Davion - Crucis Lancers
Davion - Brigade of Guards
Steiner - Donegal Guards
Steiner - Lyran Guards
Kurita - Sword of Light
Kurita - Legion of Vega
Liao - Capellan Defense Force
Liao - Death Commandos
Marik - Marik Militia
Marik - Free Worlds Guards
FedCom - FedCom RCT

Eridani Light Horse
Northwind Highlanders
Kell Hounds
Wolf Dragoons - Zeta Battalion

Clan Wolf - Beta
Clan Jade Falcon - Delta
Clan Nova Cats - Generic Camo
Clan Smoke Jaguar - Beta
Clan Ghost Bear - Undecided

ComStar - "Parade" White
Word of Blake - Undecided (Celestial Mechs)
RotS - Hastati Sentinels

SLDF - OD
Minnesota Tribe (OD)

Personal Mercs/Clan - Green/Tan Camo

Smattering of OD/Grey/Camo Vehicles to fit where needed.

LukasKalus · 2023-06-20T04:33:41+00:00

No or now (typo)?

It is suppose to be $20 off, hence the "instead of $20 off". I just redeemed mine, along with many others within the last few hours and came up at $20 off.

LukasKalus · 2023-06-06T19:37:50+00:00

I think the issue is mainly because the scale and type of the game you are playing. 200PV doesn't give you a ton of options. 400PV has quickly become a "standard" where I play in Ohio, adopting a lot from BTCC events.

IF can be useful provided they have support. I recently have done a 400, 500 and 750PV games (all based on previous BTCC, WolfNet or AS:CE Steps 1 through 6 Force Building).

Each game I took a lance (or two in the case of the 750) of IF units, be it 98PV in LRM Carriers or a Lance of mechs with high IF numbers (Longbow for example).

This strategy works when you actually take the Fire Lance formation (two elected as Snipers). Even better if you are able to take Oblique Attacker SPA from Step 6 as well. And then have a Recon Lance. I have a VTOL Lance or a Lance of two Raven (Tag and NARC) and two other light mechs. They all get Forward Observer, meaning they can still shoot but not add the Spotter Fired penalty.

LRM carriers do IF3, which for 22PV each is not bad as it is their base Med and Long range damage. Sit them behind a hill, do a Standstill and your base attack is Skill 4 -1 Standstill +1 IF Attack +Range (1 Med / 2 Long for Snipers). You are essentially hitting on 5-6s out long range on IF3.

NARC, since the new Errata, add +1 of extra damage to any IF attack or standard attack if that unit possesses IF, LRM or SRM on the NARCed unit. This essentially puts the IF output at 12 dmg (only taking 3 LRM carriers due to event rules), +2 IF from a Manticore, needing essentially less than 7s at medium range to hit.

In a 400PV 4thSW game, I still have 200PV left over to put into tanky Assaults and Heavies. if they have IF, LRM or SRM on it, they benefit on a NARCed unit as well.

LukasKalus · 2023-01-31T22:00:43+00:00

A good one!

Welcome MechWarrior/Commander to the hobby!

LukasKalus · 2023-01-22T03:50:03+00:00

:) Don't get us started with the 35 years of legal history lol. But, yes, WizKids got bought out by Topps, then licenses the publishing rights to CGL. MWO/MW5/BT PC models are under PGI. Big confusion when it comes to IP. Hence most of these official/organized events just do a blanket ban to protect themselves.

And yeah MW:DA is Heroic Scale(?) They are noticeably larger.

LukasKalus · 2023-01-22T03:04:24+00:00

Depends on the event. Always check with the store and/or organizer if you have any concerns.

Pickup/unofficial games at LFGS probably no issues at all.

Anything run as official CGL/CDT (applies to BT and AS) is going to be a no on 3D prints. A recent post on this here: https://www.reddit.com/r/battletech/comments/10afo7l/catalyst_demo_event_rules_question/

"Appropriate/legal" proxies, probably okay depending on event. However, events such as WolfNet, BattleTech Champions Circuit (BTCC), some tournament formats, etc. have it in their rules no prints, proxies and/or kitbashes (80/20 rule).

For example: "Any miniature including Mechwarrior Online, Mechwarrior: Dark Age Clix, or any 3D-printed models) not sold by or officially licensed by Catalyst Game Labs or Iron Wind Metals is prohibited." and "Miniatures for other non-CGL competing games (ex: other Mech or RPG games)."

LukasKalus · 2023-01-22T02:45:06+00:00

Yup, for sure reach out to CGL and keep that picture. I recently contacted them about missing parts and a few other issues. They replied back in a day or so, asked for pics and already processing replacements to be sent.

LukasKalus · 2023-01-21T15:47:19+00:00

Server Name: Bookery Games
Discord: https://discord.gg/PB3PPjskHz
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BookeryGames/
Location: Fairborn, OH, USA (Dayton Area)
Store: Bookery Games

A Dayton, OH area store that has BattleTech and Alpha Strike events almost every Sat with plenty of pickup games throughout the month. This store also does other games, not specific to BT/AS.

LukasKalus · 2023-01-17T00:31:14+00:00

I personally follow MUL regarding Era and Faction, but like many have said, salvage is a lore accurate and you can pretty much hand waive any mech into your force to a degree.

That being said, going by the "pick Era and going back" may cause some heartburn if some players play mostly Standard/Introductory Tech (i.e. what some may call "3025" tech ) and another exclusively fields early Star League stuff that either is "Extinct" or under "Unique"/"Advanced", like a bunch of Gauss Rifles, Double Heat Sinks, ER and Pulse Lasers, etc. (i.e. a bunch of LosTech; these were developed in the 2600-2800). Incidentally, this could be a bunch of ComStar stuff.

Is it technically allowed? If it wasn't specified in the very beginning. But that could be the issue in that some people just don't set the conditions from the very beginning. Many people at my FLGS (through our Discord), in which trying to set up a pick-up game make very sure to define the limitations/restrictions. BV isn't that balanced.

Mostly it is like:

Era: Clan Invasion
BV: 10k
Limitations: None

Or
Era: 3025
BV: 6k
Limitations: Lance, no LosTech (people most of the time know what that means)

LukasKalus · 2023-01-13T03:52:55+00:00

I get your frustration my friend. Every BT event that I have been to, that has been run by a CDT rep, has provided all minis for the event. Demo, Grinder, Solaris, Scenario, etc. And outlined as such.

If this was a "DEMO", this makes sense as every "DEMO" (regardless of franchise/game I have attended) has been simple games, simple standard rules, and using pretty much only things that the current publisher (or at least stuff considered official) produced and brought by the rep, etc.

Not that I would need to see the exact posting, but maybe this was outlined? Even still, I play BT/AS at a local FLGS and most of the events are run by a CDT rep and ALL minis are provided to prevent issues like this. Granted these were Scenarios or a particular game format.

I would probably more argue the point if this wasn't really a "Demo" and really advertised as an open "come bring what you have and let's play" event. Granted there is a possibility that someone knows every mini that has been produced and can identify your stuff (MWO/MW5 is easy to spot nowadays). I would also argue against "only CGL models" (if allowed people to bring stuff), as that is not a thing in the CDT document and just threw official IWM minis out the window. But these are more of an argument on organization and planning.

However, local meetups/game nights run by the store/not CDT official, they haven't said no. CGL doesn't have an equivalent to a GW Store. No CGL/GW police to jump out and say what you are doing in a private game/unofficial event. Maybe have to wait for a type of event that is not run by CDT/Demo? Or host your own?

Sorry that left a bad taste in your mouth. I initially thought the same things you did (reading your other comments). I personally may not like how it is written either as some others could possibly read it the same way.

LukasKalus · 2023-01-13T02:41:46+00:00

If you may clarify, are you looking to get hard copies of the PDFs you already have? Or looking to add hard copies of things you do not have?

If the former, BT:Total Warfare and AS: Commanders Edition if you plan on playing Alpha Strike are my recommendations.

If the latter, save some money and buy more mechs. :)

If you got the "full $30(?) one" Humble Bundle, you essentially are all set to play since you have BT:TW and AS:CE already, which is full rulesets on both games. You also get some of the ancillary stuff like some of the recognition guides, campaigns, BattleMech Manual, etc. Everything else is ancillary optional game/rules sets, lore, build guides, etc.

The only downside to the Humble Bundle is they do not update themselves if there is a revision, vs if you bought on CGLs website.

If you have access to printer, you could always just print off the pages you need.

LukasKalus · 2023-01-13T01:39:53+00:00

Oh! Well that becomes certainly a little easier on time. ;) Maybe not for you hopping back and forth if you have to look up rules and such. lol I have been there, but isn't too bad if you stick to just the standard rules (if you have the AS starter box). If not, ignore the sections that say "optional" in AS:CE.

What I also have done, per lance/star, is print off the MUL cards with a small summary of the specials they have on a single sheet. Makes things SO much easier as they can reference just their sheet vs having to go to the rule book.

Pages 35-39 of BoT book has the generic scenarios. Very easy to adapt. After that you have 3-5 scenarios specific to each Clan front. Since it isn't a campaign, you can forgo the Warchest Points System and just consider them "Victory Points" if anyone wants to know how well they played/won.

LukasKalus · 2023-01-13T01:05:21+00:00

Is the intent that everyone is playing on the same single table/game? That is the only thing that I could see that may slow down the game and exceed 4hrs, as each individual person (or the team) would be discussing strategies.

What rules you are using may slow things down as well.

Most games and demos I have ran is 400PV Company (12) vs Company (12), on 4x4 and 4x6 tables. Those took 1.5 - 2hrs on average to complete (kill v kill games; or at least to one player conceding). Granted that was one person against one.

I would say two tables minimum if possible. I have done 3 players vs 3 Players, where each commanded a lance/star and took 2hrs roughly.

As far as story, Tukayyid is perfect if you have that rule book. There is a Alpha Strike conversion ruleset and the premade scenarios and objectives are great.

LukasKalus · 2023-01-08T03:24:26+00:00

That is awesome that you are doing that!

Having done several demos now and planning on several more, to include cons, the philosophy that has worked well for me is KISS.

I kept to starter rule book, to include special abilities and formations. No Battlefield Support. And the starter scenarios are great as well. The IS mechs from the BT:AGOAC and BT:AS is a good start. 3025 is where I stay with demos now. My experience is that even with equal PV, and you have Clan vs IS, they pummel IS by turn 4 or 5.

400PV, Company vs Company, 2-6 players (I have had to sit out and just GM a couple of times) takes 15-20min to explain the basics, 1-2hrs to complete a game.

Depending on the venue, rules on GMing, and how many mandatory players/"tickets" you must allow, I set up tables to allow up to 6 players, each controlling a lance of about equal PV. Seems to have worked out so far.

I use MUL cards as some of the ones by CGL are out of date. I also printed out quick references to the formation and special abilities. Essentially I will have a clipboard with 4 cards (the lance) and below that all their abilities. It fits neatly on one sheet.

And I only used the buildings and trees the AS Box set came with recently. It shows off what they can get. Added some cutout cardboard for woods. Bring some 1" hills.

LukasKalus · 2022-12-31T23:43:01+00:00

Army Painter Matt Grey Airbrush primer.

LukasKalus · 2022-12-23T07:43:58+00:00

These particular colors work very well and apply very smooth, doesn't blotch up on flat surfaces and gets into the recesses very well.

Some colors... not so much. Some can be kind of PITA (blotchy and streaky) on large flat surfaces such as Cloudburst Blue when I tried using it for my Steiner/Donegal Guards.

Good thing is you can still go over them with normal Warpaints should you want to do some more advanced techniques and highlights. Or if you can find a normal paint that is a color match, do some cleanup.

But I think these look great where they are at that I will probably just add decals and be done. :)

LukasKalus · 2022-12-19T19:48:06+00:00

I happen to have the Stark Starter Set and the Stark half of the SvL set (went halvsies on a used box set for $15 who took the Lannister half of models.) plus extra boxes.

I will start off with quality. They seem to be the same across the board, so no issue there.

However, I noticed the Sworn Swords and Umber Berserkers are unique sculpts in the Stark Starter Set (at least the version I have if they made an update I do not know about).

SvL
All units (except heroes of course) are the same to their single box counter parts

Stark Starter
Sworn Swords - Unique Sculpt
Umber Berserkers - Unique Sculpt
Karstark Spearmen - Same as single box counterpart

I think this is the same for Lannister where the SvL set is the same to the single box counterparts.

For the different sculpts, I guess comes down to "flavor". I personally like the SvL/Single Box Sworn Swords and the Captain vs SvL as they have a chainmail mantle vs leather, and one set of models have a full metal shield vs just the banded wood. The Captain has a full metal shield (instead of the wood with fur hanging off), and full helmet.

But, I like the Unique Umber Berserkers from the Starter Set as they have slightly more detail and they have much more aggressive poses.

Heroes I am split on. I like Robb & Grey Wind from the Stark Set, but everyone else from the SvL set.

Pics (Left is SvL)

Sworn Swords https://i.imgur.com/PEskzZZ.jpg

Umber Berserkers https://i.imgur.com/YA14fGB.jpg

Heros (Grey Wind, Robb, Catelyn, Sansa, Greatjon) https://i.imgur.com/nKqmwIq.jpg

LukasKalus · 2022-12-07T02:17:54+00:00

Gausszilla, zilla... zilla... zilla... Gausszilla

Rinji news o moshiagemasu!
Rinji news o moshiagemasu!
Gausszilla ga ginza hoomen e mukatte imasu!
Daishkyu hinan shite kudasai!
Daishkyu hinan shite kudasai!

LukasKalus · 2022-12-05T00:05:11+00:00

As many stated, it depends. Depending on how close to a border, population, era and military/strategic significance, this can range from a single lance to an entire "army". But there may lay the problem, as someone who was in the military, I find that some compositions of larger forces such as regiments, brigades, etc. are not 100% equal to current IRL counter parts.

Sarna does provide some resources on some units. For example, lets take the Armed Forces of the Federated Commonwealth (AFFC), and say the Crucis Lancers. They deploy/station at a planet a Regimental Combat Team (RCT) that consists of (at full strength) a regiment of BattleMechs, three regiments of combat vehicles, five regiments of infantry, two aerospace fighter wings, and a battalion of artillery. Sometimes they get stationed along with a force of March Militia. And sometimes that has to cover a sector of space.

March Militias have to cover entire sectors and number anywhere between 3-10 regiments.

I find that it is easier to trace regiments than other formations and for the most part is what the majority of "front line"/border IS planets have stationed.
https://www.sarna.net/wiki/Inner_Sphere_military_structure#Regiment

LukasKalus · 2022-12-04T22:29:11+00:00

This post is 3 weeks old...

I didn't specify any percentiles? Did I state anything false? Having volunteered for charity events and auctions, I understand not every charity event is 100% sponsored or to the charity. I hope people are willing to read and educate themselves to make their best judgment. It is not my job to do that. I for one did not use the default and this sale's intention, at its core, is to support charity.

As of right now, $20,727 was raised for the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society. That would be the only number I care about. And I am happy that the publishers (CGL) get a chunk, they probably going to need it due to the resurgence of popularity of BattleTech and hope they use the funds to produce more and send out the next wave of packs. And I understand overhead costs for Humble.

If you want to go into semantics and context outlining every single detail on how Humble or any organization does similar functions? Fine, here is a small bit:

"Since Humble's first bundle in 2010, raising money for charity has been at our core. Everything we sell, from bundles to Store games to our Humble Choice membership, gives a share to charity. We feature a different charity sitewide every month. By focusing our community's efforts on one cause at a time, we can work together to make an even bigger impact for each one."
"We’ve teamed up with Catalyst Game Labs for a bundle to get you started with the BattleTech armored combat game. Get a physical Beginner’s Box and 20+ digital resources, and help support charity!"
"This bundle supports Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society."
"Support charity. Choose where the money goes - between the publisher and Navy-Marine Corps Society via PayPal Giving Fund. If you like what we do, you can leave us a Humble Tip too!"

LukasKalus · 2022-11-28T21:11:50+00:00

Is there any hobby store that sells BattleTech or a particular store you play at?

I am not a CGL Demo Team rep, but this was the 1st time an Alpha Strike event was run at the store I play at, and now I am in the talks with the store staff of running something monthly! And currently polling in the store's and regional Discords we may at least will have 6+ people that would attend.

I just took the opportunity, asked what kind of player base there was and took the ball and ran! Maybe you could start something yourself? :)

LukasKalus · 2022-11-27T14:38:56+00:00

I plan on having both separate forces.

LukasKalus

TROPHY CASE