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Check out https://unitcolorcompendium.com/category/mercenaries/ for some colour schemes... I recall back in the early days there was a merc company that used fluorescents and other garish colours on the field...

By Nick Samaras (Koogie) on Monday, February 12, 2024 - 05:56 pm: Edit

I've seen. It just makes the decision harder. Too many cool patterns.

By Kevin Howard (Jarawara) on Monday, February 12, 2024 - 06:51 pm: Edit

I don't have a pic, but my friend painted mechs earlier on. She always had a favorite, which was a mech covered in '60's graffiti, peace signs and the like. I'm sure others have done so there goes the next hour of my life looking through google images...

By Jeff Anderson (Jga) on Tuesday, February 13, 2024 - 10:10 am: Edit

A company that makes industrial shredders, SSI, has a video they call "Hippie Bug" (or something to that effect) where they run a Volkswagen Beetle that's been painted up "Hippy Style" through one of their shredders.

(Funny video, IMO, if you like mayhem and destruction)

Yellow base paint with flowers, slogans, and anarchist roundels all over it.

Might get some inspiration from that? Or at least a laugh.

By Mike Grafton (Mike_Grafton) on Wednesday, February 14, 2024 - 07:54 am: Edit

https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=8c571d6edf011196&sxsrf=ACQVn0-qzbbpZicqBT3I38Gpjki90JRwOQ:1707915171548&q=hippy+bug&tbm=vid&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjG5uzo76qEAxU54skDHV1RAg4Q0pQJegQICRAB&biw=800&bih=369&dpr=2#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:6ede1d2c,vid:WOdZkSdNKSM,st:0

By Gary Carney (Nerroth) on Sunday, February 18, 2024 - 10:33 am: Edit

So far as "canon" BattleTech colour schemes are concerned, there is an extensive list posted to Camo Specs Online.

That said, even it is still far from being a complete list, so there should be plenty of room for new paint schemes to be made use of.

Also, in terms of helping to decide which 'Mech to paint for which force (or era), the Master Unit List is useful in terms of determining which units are available to a given faction in a particular time period.

By Nick Samaras (Koogie) on Sunday, February 18, 2024 - 05:12 pm: Edit

Finding paint schemes is easy. The question remains: paint all the same or all different. I would love to hear what others have done in this regard.

I'm considering painting each lance a different scheme to have enough variety while still being able to field some cohesive looking forces.

And vehicles will simply be generic paint schemes.

By Jessica Orsini (Jessica_Orsini) on Monday, February 19, 2024 - 08:36 am: Edit

Kind of depends on the era. Early along, when the Inner Sphere is still vibrant and calling the shots? Uniform paint schemes with unit numbering. Late in the game, when the IS is a shadow of its former self and the Clans are diverse and pervasive? A mix of old weathered paint jobs from the IS's "past glory" and most individualized schemes by more far-flung units of both sorts.

By Mike Dowd (Mike_Dowd) on Monday, February 19, 2024 - 10:16 am: Edit

Then there's the "elite" units -- the ones that *want* to see you coming -- and run in terror. The ones who say that we don't care about hiding, we are the LORDS of the battlefield, and if you know what's good for you, you need to be at the closest jump point -- YESTERDAY!

Examples would be Zeta Bn of the Dragoons, Black Widow Company, 2nd Sword of Light, Davion Assault Guards, etc....

By Jeff Anderson (Jga) on Monday, February 19, 2024 - 11:44 am: Edit

The famed scarlet scheme of the Red Baron was meant for just that purpose.

I also recall hearing that at least one German ace in the Russian Front also made use of a highly recognizable paint scheme, again to terrorize Soviet opponents.

(Haven't even tried to verify the latter, though, so take it for what it's worth)

By Mike Grafton (Mike_Grafton) on Tuesday, February 20, 2024 - 07:22 am: Edit

Red tails...

By Gary Carney (Nerroth) on Friday, May 03, 2024 - 06:44 pm: Edit

One of the more prominent YouTubers posting BattleTech-related content has just posted an in-depth review of the forthcoming BattleTech Universe sourcebook.

Also, CGL has updated this page, with preview blurbs for other books-on-the-way - to include IlKhan's Eyes Only, the fourth of a series of "post-IlClan" sourcebooks bringing events as far as June 3152.

By Steve Cole (Stevecole) on Saturday, May 04, 2024 - 04:11 am: Edit

The the winged hussars arrived, charging down the mountainside.

By Paul Howard (Raven) on Saturday, September 28, 2024 - 01:59 pm: Edit

Does anyone have a copy of the Avalon Hill 'Britannia' Board game from 1987?

I just picked up a copy of The General (Volume 24, Number 5) - as it has some good articles on Britannia, Civilisation and Kingmaker - all of which I love.

I have tried to do 'Contest 141' (just for fun, as it's probably a tad late to enter!!!).... and I don't think it is possible (best I can get is Red down to 108 and Blue up to 107 (and Purple down to 104!).

The Angles kill the Brigantes in Strathclyde and Harold Hadrada in Cheshire (and Capture it) - and the Normans Kill 2 Saxon armies - red loses 7 and Blue only gains 7 (Angles get 5 of the 7!)

It then struck me - I don't have the Avalon Hill version of Britannia - I have the original Gibson Games* version of it - its therefore possible the turn 16 VP's got changed in the AH version?

* - I actually have the Gibson version of the three games I menntioned, although I do have the AH version of Siege of Jerusalam which is annouinced in this edition of the General.

I have tried to find the VP's and the answer - but Google has failed me!

Thanks

By Jason E. Schaff (Jschaff297061) on Saturday, September 28, 2024 - 02:59 pm: Edit

The only "Turn 16," as opposed to "end of game," VP listings in the AH version are:

Norwegians - King (5)
Normans - King (5)
Saxons - King (4)

Did the Gibson version have the T16 vs end of games distinction?

By Paul Howard (Raven) on Saturday, September 28, 2024 - 03:21 pm: Edit

Sorry - its noted as End of Game on the VP cards

Normans are 1 Vp for each each and 5 VP for King - 3 Vp's for Harold (and 3 Vp's for Harard if Harold is never brought into play - and yes, Saxon's have been killed off in 1 game I played in by end of turn 14!!)

Angles are 2 Vp's for their main areas and 1 Vp's area - and 3 Vps for Kiling Harald of Norway and wierldly 3 Vp's for Killing William (might be a misprint!!).

Saxons get 1 Vp for their main areas -and 3 Vps for Harold and Harald - plus 4 Vps for King,

Brigants are 5 Vps for Strathclyde and 1 Vp for the rest.

Green and Purple can't win in the Contest.

So - Blue needs to drop Red by 8 and gain 7 itself in effect.

By Paul Howard (Raven) on Saturday, September 28, 2024 - 03:36 pm: Edit

Ahh - just found an errata - the Normans score 3 Vp's for killing Harold on Turn 15 or Turn 16 - the VP card shows just turn 15! That might solve it....

By Michael F Guntly (Ares) on Saturday, September 28, 2024 - 03:53 pm: Edit

Sorry, Paul, can't help you.
I don't own it (any version).
Last time I played it was 09-10 March 1991.

I know this specifically because we were finishing sometime close to 2:00am and my wife notified me around 3:00am that she was having contractions. (Theresa born c.10:00am)

By Paul Howard (Raven) on Saturday, September 28, 2024 - 04:18 pm: Edit

Michael

Well that will make the game more memorable!!!

But on it being enough, nope - Best I can get is 108 for each of Red and Blue - and thats assuming the 'comment' about you being able to part retreat forces is correct and keep other forces attacking can be done -otherwise it's 108 for Red and 107 for Blue!

Back to the drawing board!

By Jason E. Schaff (Jschaff297061) on Saturday, September 28, 2024 - 06:13 pm: Edit

In no particular order, and without a guarantee that there aren't typos I missed:

JUTES - Kent (2), Essex, Susses, Wessex (1 each)

CALEDONIANS - Hebrides, Orkneys (2 each), Caithness, Dalriada, Moray, Skye (1 each)

WELSH - Powys (2), All other areas in Wales, Avalon, Cheshire, Hwicee, March (1 each), all other ares (0.5 each)

IRISH - Each area (1 each)

BRIGANTES - Strathclyde (5), each other ares (1 each)

BELGAE - Each area in England or Wales (1 each)

SCOTS - Dalriada, Skye (2 each), all other areas (1 each)

NORWEGIANS - each English area (1 each)

SAXONS - Each English area EXCEPT Galloway, Lothian, Cumbria, Bernicia, (1 each), Devon, Cornwall (1 each)

NORSEMAN - each area (1 each)

NORMANS - each English area (1 each) ONLY if William is allive

DANES - York (4), Essex, Lindsey, N Mercia (2 each), each other area in England plus Cornwall, Devon, Dunedin, Strathclyde (1 each)

DUBLINERS - York (4), Cumbria (2.5), Avalon, Bernicia, Cheshire, Dalriada, Dyford, Gwent (1 each), each other area (0.5 each)

PICTS - Alban, Mar, Moray (3 each), Caithness, Dalriada, Dunedin, Skye (2 each), Galloway, Hebrides, Lothian, Orkneys, Strathclyde (1 each)

ANGLES - Bernicia, Cheshire, Hwicce, Lothian, N Mercia, Norfolk, Pennines, York (2 each), Cumbria, Galloway, Lindsey, March, S Mercia, Suffolk (1 each)

By Paul Howard (Raven) on Sunday, September 29, 2024 - 04:58 am: Edit

Thanks Jason

The main ones very much tally with my cards, with 1 exception.

Scots also score 2 Vp's for Dunedin

I think I did find the result - but it uses one of the rules which is very badly explained - Partial Retreats, unless I have misread 'when' a leader dies in a battle.

Angles - Send 2 Infantry to Strathclyde and 2 Infantry to Cheshire.

Combat sees all 4 pieces in Strathclyde die (or the Brigantes retreat to Galloway - same effect).

Harald and the 1 Norwegian Infantry die for no loss.

Red -5, Purple -1, Blue total of +5, 3 (killing Harald) + 2 (Cheshire).

Normwns then sends William (via Wessex) and 3 Intantry into Devon, the Cavalry into Avalon and 4th Infantry remains in an empty area.

Combat sees the Saxon in Avalon die - and in Devon, Round 1 sees both sides lose 1 Infantry each - William then retreats into Wessex - Round 2 sees both sides lose 1 Infantry each - and round 3 sees Harold die (I did re-read and re-read Leaders and I don't think they die until there is actually a combat round and they are not with a friendly army - i.e. Harold doesn't die after round 2 - see below.)

VP result is -1 for Red and +3 (Death of Harold) for Blue.

End of Game - as William is the only surviving leader and no one else has double the English provinces (3 Norman v 5 Norwegian) - so +5 for Blue.

Blue ends on 113, Red on 108, Green (or 'Black' in the Gibson version!!) on 106, Purple on 104.

This does also make 1 huge assumption - that the Saxons do NOT own Cornwall (it's off the partial copy of the 'map' and so it does not show who owns it!) - as Harold could other wise retreat to Cornwall.

Thinking about it* - I think the Leader DOES die as soon as they are without a friendly army, in an area with an enemy counter - as otherwise Leaders might be far to easily able to retreat.

So no 3rd round is done, but the end result is that Harold and 2 Saxons die against 2 Normans - and William still retreats on his own, after round 1.

How does eveyone else play leaders?

Cheers!!

By Gary Carney (Nerroth) on Saturday, October 05, 2024 - 09:44 pm: Edit

BattleTech Universe, the introductory sourcebook I mentioned as being in development earlier in this thread, has recently been made available as a PDF. Meanwhile, print copies of this volume are reportedly making their way to various FLGSs.

-----

This 280-page book - which is in full colour, and which is generously illustrated with art both old and new - is broadly divided into two parts.

The first part provides a broad overview of the future-of-the-80s history of BattleTech, from the dawn of JumpShip travel through to the onset of the current era of the ilClan.

The second part provides an overview of those factions which have persisted, in one form or another, through to the early 3150s: the five Successor States; the Clans; the major Periphery realms; and the most (in)famous mercenary regiments.

A series of asides take a closer look at certain BattleTechnologies (such as BattleMechs, Elemental suits, and neurohelmets) and other details along the way.

While no fewer than 13 maps depict the ebb and flow of borders across the Inner Sphere and near Periphery, covering a range of dates from 2765 through to 3151.

-----

Personally, I do admit that there are a few details here and there which aren't covered that would have been "nice-to-haves", but nothing deal-breaking by any stretch of the imagination.

Well, there is one major thing: this book does not offer an index of reference works - sourcebooks, novels, etc. - through which those finished with reading this volume could refer to, so as to delve more deeply into the universe.

And, to be clear, there are no actual rules in this book. Indeed, the goal here is to provide a rules-agnostic way of helping those getting into the setting for the first time, or perhaps those who might find themselves returning after an extended absence, get caught up with things.

Even so, I would strongly recommend anyone who might find themselves in either category to give this book a try.

And perhaps, one day, it might be an idea to consider an equivalent book from ADB, which could provide an in-depth overview of the Star Fleet Universe - with, one hopes, a reference index included!

By Gary Carney (Nerroth) on Saturday, October 19, 2024 - 08:13 pm: Edit

On another BattleTech-related note: MechWarrior 5: Clans has recently been released on PC and console.

This game - which, despite the name, is a stand-alone product that does not require MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries to play - is set during Operation REVIVAL, and places the player character in the role of a Clan Smoke Jaguar MechWarrior. It can be played as a single-player campaign, though it is possible to play it in multiplayer co-op mode.

Early reports are quite promising, though apparently the current build is not well optimized for PCs closer to the minimum system requirements listed for the game. If so, hopefully this can be looked at over time - to include making the game more viable on a Steam Deck.

By Paul Howard (Raven) on Friday, December 20, 2024 - 03:49 pm: Edit

Does anyhone own/have played either Car Wars (Sixth Editiom) or Gaslands?

Have stacks of the old Car Wars stuff - and so the 6th Ediction isn't Compatiable - but it seems the new version is much faster/more playable (although I loved the designing of the cars!!!)

Which is better as a Wargame (over just a game - I have heard Gaslands is more a Casual game!!)?

Cheers

By Gary Carney (Nerroth) on Wednesday, January 15, 2025 - 08:54 am: Edit

IlKhan's Eyes Only, the fourth major "post-IlClan" sourcebook for BattleTech, was made available earlier today.


This book takes a closer look at Terra and its environs in the immediate aftermath of the IlClan Trial, as well as providing a brief overview on events elsewhere in known space from the perspective of the IlClan Watch intelligence agency.


-----


As a companion to this, the novel Trial of Birthright was recently made available; this story is set on Terra itself, and overlaps with the first half (or so) of the story to be told on Sol III during the events outlined in IKEO.

Plus, later this month, a new novel called Voidbreaker is set to follow up on a key point of investigation: Clan Sea Fox's attempts to "fix" the HPG network across the Inner Sphere and near Periphery.

Fortunately for fans of the Scorpion Empire, Clan Goliath Scorpion's HPGs were unaffected by the Blackout, so don't need any help in that regard...

By Shawn Hantke (Shantke) on Tuesday, February 04, 2025 - 02:42 pm: Edit

Has anyone played Attack! and Attack! Deluxe? Did you like it? What did you think of it? It appears to be like Axis & Allies but less complicated, but not as simple as Risk.

By Gary Carney (Nerroth) on Saturday, April 05, 2025 - 05:45 pm: Edit

Catalyst Game Labs are set to take a few detours from the "Prime" BattleTech timeline, via a series of "Comtinuum" products - perhaps akin to how a number of "lost empire" and/or "Stellar Shadows" branches have been expanded upon here in the Star Fleet Universe.

First up is a product called BattleTech: Gothic; there's a preview PDF at this link offering an overview of the setting.

Personally, I hope that CGL one day use this product line to double back to the Empires Aflame setting, as first presented back in 2014.