RE: [Epic] An off-topic question about Battletech

From: Miller, Chris <CMiller_at_...>
Date: Fri, 1 Aug 1997 10:56:23 -0500

>
>At 02:12 PM 1/8/97 +0200, you wrote:
>>I know this isn't the right list for this, and that there is a Battletech
>>mailing list, but I want a neutral analysis.
>>It seems that there are several veteran wargamers on this list, so they
>>probably can answer my question. What do you think about the Battletech
>>board game? I heard someone saying it gets boring after half an hour, and
>>that it all comes down to: who shoots first, wins. Any opinions?
>
>
>Well, that comment applies more to EPIC than to battletech.
>
>In Battletech, all fire is simultaneous so that even if something is
>destroyed, it still completes the fire phase before it is removed...
>
>The book keeping can be a bit of a pain, but it is a really good game and
>you should get hours of fun from it.
>
>I like the rule set pre Clan Tech (the Clan Mechs might be compatible with
>each other, but they sure aren't compatible with the so called Inner Sphere
>Mechs...)
>
>Agro

Another $.02:
        My standard recommendation (if you're looking at it as a new
player):find someone who plays it, say at a store/con/etc. and try it
out, or find a cheap used/closeout version to buy.
        It's fairly simple to play, mostly a matter of knowing what your
weapons can do vs everyone else's. Small battles play fairly quick, and
there aren't too many ridiculous situations/undefined interactions -
other than giant robots shooting each other with fictional weapons.
        It's also cheaper to develop a useable number of mini's to use with
this set - mechs run 5-7$ each, and a unit size starts at 4 mechs,
though there's no real reason you have to field them that way.
        The background is pretty tight, some of the fiction is decent, and
there are roleplaying rules/books/supplements out you can play a decent
campaign or even an RP campaign.
        Oh, and people will rip on "battletech physics" - just ignore 'em.

        Free hint: Sheet protectors and water-erase or dry erase pens will save
you a lot of photocopying. Try your local office supply store. These
also come in handy with star fleet battles...

        I've been playing it since it '85 or '86 and have never gotten tired of
it. Part of that may be the far too great of an investment I've made in
the mini's for it, but hey - it only works out to about a mini a month
(just under, actually). B-tech's what really got me rollin' on the mini
painting thing. It's a good game, and don't let anyone tell you
different.

Chris Miller

  
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Received on Fri Aug 01 1997 - 15:56:23 UTC