How do I get into BattleTech? (2023 Update)

One of the most common questions asked by people interested in BattleTech is “Where do I start?”. With over 35 years of boxes, rules, supplements and novels it can be hard to know where to begin!

In this blog post we’ll look at the best ways to get into playing BattleTech, including a short review of all of the key products you will need to play. These items roughly fall into the order in which it is best to buy them (although there are various different routes you can choose to take).

Battletech Beginners Box 2022 (Vindicator/Griffin Version)

The new 2022 version of the beginners box is much similar in contents to the 2019 version, but swaps out the Wolverine for a Vindicator miniature (only available to this set) as well some new MechWarrior Cards.

For those players who are new to gaming and for younger players (and for those who just want a Vindicator) this is the ideal entry point both to BattleTech and to miniatures gaming in general. In employs a cut down Beginners version of the rules set which leaves out some of the more complex rules and uses small simplified half sized high colour record sheets. Although this set does not contain the full standard rules set, it is a great way to get the core mechanics of the game before buying either the BattleTech: A Game of Armored Combat Box, BattleMech Manual book or Total Warfare book – all of which provide excellent next steps.

The box contains the following items:

• Two high-quality, fully assembled (unpainted) miniatures (Griffin GRF-1N and Vindicator VND-1R)
• 18″ x 22″ full-color game map
• Die-cut ‘Mech & terrain tokens
• Quick-start Rules
• Universe booklet
• 24-page fiction novella Golden Rule
• Record Sheets
• Four double-sided MechWarrior pilot Cards (Drake Hawkins / Sigtrygg PoulsenEmeka Kalu / Jia YawenIrphan Bakker / Eknoroi VasuniZhen Zheng / Devon Coyne)
• Six-sided dice (two)

As well as the two high quality preassembled hard plastic miniatures this product contains several colour cardboard stand ins and record sheets allowing you to play with a variety of BattleMechs.

The Beginners rules excludes rules for Heat, Internal Structure and Critical Hits, but otherwise has the same rules as the Standard BattleTech Rules Set.

BattleTech Beginners Box 2019 (Griffin/Wolverine Version)

The Beginners Box is designed as a very simple introduction to the game of BattleTech for all levels of experience from younger gamers to players new to gaming. It includes a special Beginners version of the BattleTech rules which make the game very easy to learn and play but leave out several key and more complicated mechanics (Heat, Internal Structure, Critical Hits).

Including 2 high quality hard plastic miniatures, which require no assembly, record sheets for 8 BattleMechs, a full colour map and dice, it includes everything you need to play. It also includes cardboard cutouts of the other 6 BattleMechs.

Those players who have played BattleTech before or are experienced gamers may decide to skip this product – but for its price it is worth buying just for the Map and the two miniatures. It’s also worth noting that the GRF-1N Griffin is only available in this box.

What’s in the Box?

• Beginners Rules booklet
• 2 Plastic Miniatures – No Assembly Required. GRF-1N Griffin and the WVR-6R Wolverine
• Fiction – Golden Rule (Part 1 Colby’s Commandos Missions)
• 8 Full colour Beginners Record Sheets
• 2 Dice
• 1 2 Double Sided paper Beginners Map – Open Terrain 1 (which includes only open terrain and a few forrest hexes)
• Cardboard tokens

BattleTech a Game of Armored Combat (2019 Box)

The flagship product of the BattleTech line – this is an ideal place to start your career as a MechWarrior!

The BattleTech A game of Armored Combat (BTAGOAC) box includes 8 highly detailed hard plastic miniatures, with no assembly required. In this box you get:

• LCT-1V Locust
• CMD-2D Commando
• SHD-2H Shadow Hawk
• WVR-6R Wolverine (this is identical to the miniature in the Beginners Box)
• CPT-C1 Catapult
• TDR-5S Thunderbolt
• AWS-8Q Awesome
• BLM-1G BattleMaster

The BTAGOAC box includes a rule book with a full set of rules to play BattleTech with BattleMechs in the Late Succession Wars era, approximately in the year 3025. This is also referred to as the Introductory Rules set as it does not include more complicated equipment and rules found in later products.

You are provided with a full booklet of black and white Record Sheets for all the BattleMechs listed above as well as extra record sheets for different variants of each. There is also a thick card quick rules table reference sheet, which includes all of the common tables you need for game play.

The two maps provided have more complex terrain than in the Beginners Box, and additional card tokens allow you to alter the terrain further.

Using the materials in this box you can start with simple 1 ‘Mech vs 1 ‘Mech games right the way unto a full Lance of 4 BattleMechs on each side.

For your first game it’s a great idea to play the Shadow Hawk vs the Wolverine using 1 map sheet. Both of these are Medium BattleMechs with similar weapons and Jump Jets and will make this a well balanced and highly mobile game which takes about 30-45 minutes.

Eventually you and an opponent will get to play a full Lance for 4 BattleMechs on each side and it’s recommended you use both map sheets. This game takes from 2-3 hours A good way to split the BattleMechs is:

Force A (Tons)	Force B (Tons)
Commando (25)	Locust (20)
Shadow Hawk (55)	Wolverine (55)
Thunderbolt (65)	Catapult (65)
Awesome (80)	BattleMaster (85)

While this product is a great way to get into playing BattleTech, it is not the only way. Due to very high demand there have been stock shortages and you may find this difficult to find, although several restocks have occurred already.

This box also includes a series of MechWarrior data cards, listing a variety of MechWarriors with different special skills. These aren’t necessary for basic game play, but can add some fun to the game. There are also another set of cards which along side the minatures are for use with the AlphaStrike game (a separate miniatures game).

What’s in the Box?

• Introductory Rules booklet
• BattleTech Primer
• 8 Unpainted Plastic Miniatures – No Assembly Required.
• Fiction – Eyestorm (Part 2 Colby’s Commandos Missions)
• Record Sheets Booklet
• 2 Dice
• 2 Double Sided paper Maps
• Cardboard tokens
• Set of MechWarrior Cards
• Set of cards for use with AlphaStrike

BattleTech CLan Invasion (2020 Box)

In 3050, a mysterious force known only as The Clans invaded the InnerSphere. With superior Omni-Mechs and terrify Elemental Battle Armor, these Clans cut a path through the InnerSphere. Their origin was surrounded in mystery, some even believed they might be alien, but the truth was even more incredible. These were the Children of Kerensky, the dependents of the last forces of General Alexander Kerensky’s StarLeague which left the InnerSphere 300 years earlier, and now have returned…

This box set is not a stand alone product. It includes a rulebook which includes rules for advanced equipment such as Streak SRM’s, Ultra AutoCannons, Pulse Lasers and ER PPC’s. The rule book also includes:

• Elemental Battle Armor rules
• BattleMech Construction (Simplified from the Tech Manual)
• Formations (First seen in Campaign Operations)

It includes 5 unpainted and highly detailed Clan Omni-Mechs in their Prime configuration, and two “Points” of Elemental Battle Armor. [InnerSphere Name (Clan Name)]

• Gargoyle (Executioner)
• Mad Cat (Timber Wolf)
• Black Hawk (Nova)
• Grendel (Mongrel)
• Puma (Adder)
• 2 x Elemental Battle Armor (with Small Lasers)

Each of these Omni-Mechs has a full Record Sheet as well as extra record Sheets for the new variants fitted with differing Omni-Pods.

This product is a great introduction to the Clans and includes a Clan Invasion Primer to update the lore and well as an amazing short story; The Bonds of Battle, by legendary BattleTech author Blaine Lee Pardoe, which introduced the fearsome Elemental BattleArmor.

This book also includes the rules which alongside the BTAGOAC rulebook allow you to play in what is know as a Standard Technology Game.

If you are unable to find a copy of BattleTech A Game of Armored Combat, then buying either the BattleMech Manual, or Total Warfare will enable you to play as the Clans and retake the InnerSphere!

(Note the picture shown above is the Special Edition KickStarer Executioner Art version. The regular retail version has the awesome Timber Wolf on the front, but there is no difference in the content).

What’s in the Box?

• Clan Rules booklet
• BattleTech Clan invasion Primer
• 5 Unpainted Plastic OmniMech Miniatures – No Assembly Required, and two stand of Elemental Battle Armor.
• Fiction – The Bonds of Battle
• Record Sheets Booklet
• 2 Dice
• 2 Double Sided paper Maps
• Cardboard tokens
• MechWarrior Cards
• AlphaStrike Cards

BattleTech Force Packs

These are packs containing either InnerSphere Lances (4 ‘Mechs) or Clan Stars (5 ‘Mechs). Also available is the Clan Elemental Battle Armor pack (with 5 stands, each with 5 Elementals). Each force pack also comes with a set of MechWarrior cards and cards for the AlphaStrike game.

InnerSphere Command Lance

InnerSphere Battle Lance

Clan Command Star

Clan Heavy Striker Star

Clan Elemental Battle Armor Star

The Core Rule Books

BattleTech includes a series of Core Rule Books most of which have a current reprint. These are not all required for play but each adds extra rules.

BattleMech Manual

This is the ideal first Core rulebook to buy. It includes all the rules required to play BattleMechs with a “Standard” technology (that found in the Clan Invasion). It is important to note this book only includes BattleMechs and does not cover Vehicles, Infantry or AeroSpace. Some of the rules it includes are:

• Standard Rules and Equipment
• Urban Combat
• BattleMech Quirks
• Battlefield Support Points
• Extended Optional Rules

The BattleMech Manual includes all of the rules you need to play the game. If you pick up this book, 2 dice, some miniatures (or even just tokens), record sheets (available online) and a map you can play a BattleMech only BattleTech Standard Game!

Total Warfare

This is the ideal core rule book to purchase for the experience player returning to the game. Much of what is printed in this book is exactly the same as the BattleMech Manual. It includes:

• Standard Rules and Equipment
• Infantry
• Combat Vehicles
• Urban Combat
• AeroSpace
• Running Campaigns
• Miniatures rules (as opposed to map based)
• Painting guide

It’s worth noting that Total Warfare does not contain: BattleMech Quirks or Battlefield Support Points.

Total Warfare contains all the rules you need to play a Standard BattleTech game.

Tech Manual

Contains all the rules required to construct units as well as some more Advanced Equipment.

Tactical Operations

Split into two books:

Advanced Equipment – Includes rules for Advanced Equipment including artillery and many new weapon systems from after the Clan Invasion. It also includes advanced rules for buildings.

Advanced Rules – Included a huge amount of optional rules to enhance gameplay!

Campaign Operations

A very detailed book describing how to run full Campaigns as well as then more abstract Chaos Campaign rules (which are also in print as a separate free booklet). This also covers: Formations (more detailed than the Clan Invasion Box), Special Pilot Abilities (As seen in the MechWarrior Cards) and Special Force Abilities.

Strategic Operations – Advanced AeroSpace

This includes only Advanced AeroSpace rules, but does include more complete rules for DropShips and BattleMech Combat drops and well as a very useful simplified abstract aerospace system to make integrating AeroSpace into battles easier.

Interstellar Operations – Alternate Eras

An Advanced level rule book including special rules for playing prototype units in different eras from the Prototype BattleMechs of the Age of War to the Superheavy Mechs of the Republic of the Sphere.

Interstellar Operations – BattleForce

An Advanced level rule book including rules of BattleForce and large scale campaign version of Battletech allowing for games at the Battalion and Regimental Level.

More Maps!

A present there are several ways to get more map sheets!

Catalyst have on current release an official Grass Lands map pack which includes 6 double sided full colour maps all with the same Grasslands colour theme.

You can also buy BattleMats. These are Neoprene backed mats much like mouse mat material. Each BattleMat includes 2 maps (32 hexes x 17 hexes) from the Grasslands map pack. They are also double sided and each different map has a different reverse: Desert, Savannah, Luna and Tundra.

If you want more maps, there are several places to buy packs of older maps including Real Partha Europe. http://www.ralparthaeurope.co.uk/shop/battletech-c-1/rules-sourcebooks-scenarios-c-1_2/classic-battletech-paper-maps-c-1_2_15/

Technical Readouts (TRO’s)

These excellent supplements are half fluff/lore and half game stats. Each one includes a full set of stats for BattleMechs. Most do not include the Record Sheets though, and you can either make your own using the blank sheets provided or buy the Record Sheet PDF document from Catalyst Games Labs or DrivethruRPG.com.

At the moment of writing all of the above are in print but there are many other older TRO’s that contain BattleMechs, Vehicles and Aerospace.

There are also many other ways to obtain BattleTech Record Sheets such as:

• BattleTech Website https://bg.battletech.com/downloads/
• MegaMek and MegaMekLab http://megamek.org

TRO Succession Wars

This TRO includes only BattleMechs using the Introductory Technology Rules Set (From BTAGOAC), this also includes some older StarLeague BattleMechs using the Standard Technology BattleMechs requiring the Standard Rule Set. This is an ideal companion to the BattleTech A Game of Armored Combat – but is not necessary for game play.

TRO Clan Invasion

This BattleMech only TRO includes Clan OmniMechs as well as Clan Invasion (3050-52) era InnerSphere upgrades. This is an ideal companion to the BattleTech Clan Invasion Box – but is not necessary for game play.

TRO Jihad

This BattleMech only TRO includes many BattleMechs with Advanced Technology from 3052 right through to 3085.

You can find many more TRO’s a the Catalyst Games Lab Website as PDFs and some as Print on Demand (PoD) including the new IlClan Recognition Guides which are designed to provide the older 3025 BattleMechs with stats for the Republic/Dark Age and IlClan eras (3151+).

Diving into the Lore

BattleTech includes a wealth of source books which are mostly lore/fluff but do contain some rules for new equipment and BattleMechs.

Metal Minatures

You can expand your collection of miniatures with a vaste range of metal BattleMechs, Vehicles Infantry and Vehicles.

Iron Wind Metal currently holds the licence to produce metal miniatures. The sell direct of from a variety of stores, such cases Aries Games. Export from the US is expensive, but there are some European carriers such as FantasyWelt in Germany.

https://www.ironwindmetals.com

Ral Rartha Europe is a UK based company which has a limited range of miniatures as well as older out of print sourcebooks.

http://www.ralparthaeurope.co.uk/shop/battletech-c-1/

Beyond Table Top

You can explore playing BattleTech in other wars including the fast larger scale miniatures game Alpha Strike and the narrative style RPG MechWarrior Destiny.

Alpha Strike Box (2022)

The Alpha Strike system , while sharing many similarities with Battletech (sometimes called Classic BattleTech), is a completely separate stand alone game. Alpha Strike allows players to play through large engagements between BattleMechs in quick fast paced games often lasting 2-3 hours even with 8 BattleMechs on each side.

Each BattleMech is represented by a glossy colour card which can easily fit in trading card envelopes for ease of play in using a white board marker. All BattleMech cards needed to play with the miniatures in the box are included, and are double sided with two versions (one from 3025-60 era and one from the current 3151 era).

The rule book includes all the rules you need to play Alpha Strike and is not just a beginners product (although the full Alpha Strike Commanders Edition expands to include many more rules).

The high quality colour card terrain is easy to assemble and relatively tough, allowing you to set up a great 4’x4’ gaming table with just what is in the box. While Classic Battletech uses hex maps, Alpha Strike can use any suitable terrain from many companies.

You can explained on the Alpha Strike Box with any of the new Battletech plastic miniatures boxed sets as they all (bar the Beginners boxes) contain the Alpha Strike cards. You can also download any Alpha StrikeCard by searching on the Master Unit List and use their hand force builder.

For players of Classic Battletech this set also offers great value for money with 13 miniatures all of which can be used with the Classic Battletech game (Note only 5 miniatures that are reprints of identical BattleMechs in the Force Packs [Timberwolf, Nova, Locust, Phoenix Hawk and Warhammer]. The Wraith and Pouncer are new to the game, and there a 7 new poses)

BATTLETECH ALPHA STRIKE BOX UNBOXED

5 Clan BattleMechs

Fire Moth D / G
Pouncer Prime / T
Nova Prime / T
Timber Wolf Prime / T
Warhawk C / T

8 Inner Sphere BattleMechs

WSP-3W / WSP-5A Wasp
LCT-3M / LCT-7V Locust
BJ-3 / BJ-5 Blackjack
PXH-3K / PXH-4M Phoenix Hawk
TR1 / TR5 Wraith
ARC-5R / ARC-7C Archer
WHM-6R / WHM-8R Warhammer
AS7-S / AS7-S4 Atlas

2 Punchboards of trees (10 trees)

Double sided game counters (16 x Stop/Ground, 6x Sprint/Jump, 8x Jump/Immobile)

6x Objective markers (2x A, 2x B, 2x C)

9 small fold-up cardboard buildings (3 size 1, 2 size 2, 2 size 3, 2 size 4)

6 medium fold-up cardboard buildings (2 size 1, 2 size 2, 2x size 5)

2 White D6 dice

32-page Rulebook

24-page fiction novella, Chaos Theory

16-page Universe Primer

13 Pilot Cards

Afonso Nascimento / Anthony Ryan
Shigeru Kikuchi / Kimberly Michelle
Jezebel Youngblood / Sara Beth
Gabriel “Sammy” Kwan / Andrea “Andy” Riche
Kristen Revaz / Rebecca Green
Jacob Benfield / Robert Gregg
Arlene Pellegrino / Jason Alan
Cassius McMillian / Kevin Street
Latello / Milla
Krell Magnus / Secily
Callista / Gavin
Darrick / Katherine
Lashta Scott / Aren Helmer

25 Battlefield Support Cards

Rules Card
4x Light Strike
4x Heavy Strike
4x Light Bombing
4x Heavy Bombing
4x Thumper Artillery
4x Snipe Artillery