Questions about the game

I'm interested in Battletech, but I think the mech designs are kind of, well, silly. Is it ok to play the game using other mech miniatures as proxy (I'd tell my opponent before hand and use the exact same stats game after game), or is that frowned upon in this game?

I don't think they look silly

You can proxy, but if you do its best to do so with something that looks similar so your opponent doesn't have to keep saying "Whats that one again?" Also, keep in mind that battletech is 6mm.

Vycem, which model are you planing to use that are better?

I believe the current models are accurate.

I would agree there are some very silly looking models, one model in particular looks like a clown and I would never field or use it. But those are the exception.

Honestly, I don't like the look of the humanoid looking mechs, no matter how accurate to the ource. I like the look of the reversed joint mechs like the Mad Cat, but they're in the minority.

I like CAV's mech designs, and also Armored Core's, but BTech has the best rule system.

I see. You should play clan then. Most of their mechs aren't very humanoid.

I should also add that you still probably don't need to proxy. Theres ALOT of variety in mechs. There are somewhere in the area of 300-400 different mech designs. Just pick the pretty ones. I don't use mechs unless I think they are pretty (with one exception). But, if you want to proxy I don't think anyone will mind.

That's not a bad idea, I do like the look of the omni mechs. But I thought the classic line was at 3039?

Ok, I want to start getting into this game, someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but if I want to play clans I need:

Total Warfare
Techmanual
Technical Readout 3050

Do I need Technical Readout 3039 if I want to jump to clan?
Is anyone using Tactical Operations and/or Strategic Operations?
Are people playing 3d or hexes?

Thanks for all the help guys!

You don't need the Techmanual unless you really want to get into making your own mechs and such, theres tons of already made mechs that you can use. If you want to play a clan your going to need to use read outs from 3050 and onwards.

You really just need the Total Warfare book and if you want the technical readouts, but really the recordsheets are more useful than the technical readouts for actual gameplay. The technical readouts are practically just fluff books.

Ya, Kyle is right. The best thing to do is get Total Warfare and then something like heavy metal software which has stats that you can print out for everything and then get about 5 mechs and a pack of elementals and your good. You can expand from there. All the other books are really good to have... especially if you want to build an accurate to fluff force.

I still believe the box set is the best dea when you are just starting outl and they are coming out with a new one with MORE Mechs.

Frantic posted a link for a free Mech stat sheet maker. Use that instead of Heavy Metal, or least take a look at first before purchasing Heavy Metal.

JerryB

The box set is by far and large the best deal. But if he wants to play clan then its not since it has nothing can in it.

Yeah, I like mechs and I'd rather spend a little extra on mechs I like than get a crapload of mechs I don't care for...

I put the order for Total Warfare with Joel, so hopefully I'll be playin' in a month or so. Hah!