1. Battle of Emeraldstone | BattleTech Alpha Strike Battle Report | Tamar Rising Chaos Campaign

This is a battle report for BattleTech: Alpha Strike, Chaos Campaign in the Tamar Rising setting.
This battle report will also help brand new players get a feel for the game, as some of the rules are explained.
Battle of Emeraldstone, Phase 1 of the war, 1st episode
My players are battling for control of a lucrative world: Blue Hole. My players represent different factions/ armies under the greater umbrella of the Alyina Mercantile League and Vesper Marches (Tamar Rising). Their decisions dictate this narrative campaign and which battles are fought.
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Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
0:37 Strategic Map- The Big Picture
3:37 Title of Battle Report
4:03 Welcome to Emeraldstone- Objectives and Battle Aces
5:18 House Korbyn's Forces (Scout Lance)
5:32 Reinforcement House Rule
5:48 House Korbyn's Forces (Battle Lance)
6:26 Jefe's Chupacabras' Forces (Light Cavalry Lance)
7:21 Turn 1
10:12 Turn 2
13:16 Turn 3
16:34 Mid-Game Re-cap
17:19 Turn 4
22:47 Turn 5
27:09 Turn 6
28:35 End of Game
28:46 Chupacabra Aftermath
29:03 House Korbyn Aftermath
29:29 Battle's Repercussions
29:50 Thanks for Watching!
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Music
Music: Sandstorm by Alexander Nakarada (www.serpentsoundstudios.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons BY Attribution 4.0 License
creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Drums of the Deep by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Source: incompetech.com/music/royalty-...
Artist: incompetech.com/
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Game-Icons
Spaceship icon:
By: Delapouite
game-icons.net/1x1/delapouite...
License: CC BY 3.0: creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Modifications were made.
Missile Mech icon:
By: Lorc
game-icons.net/1x1/lorc/missi...
License: CC BY 3.0: creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Modifications were made.
APC icon:
By: Skoll
game-icons.net/1x1/skoll/apc....
License: CC BY 3.0: creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Modifications were made.
Barracks icon:
By: Delapouite
game-icons.net/1x1/delapouite...
License: CC BY 3.0: creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Modifications were made.
Battle Tank icon:
By: Lorc
game-icons.net/1x1/lorc/battl...
License: CC BY 3.0: creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Modifications were made.
Sentry Gun icon:
By: Lorc
game-icons.net/1x1/lorc/sentr...
License: CC BY 3.0: creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Modifications were made.

[@kirkbrownell1556]

This actually made me want to try alphastrike. good visuals, great terrain and models. A narrative that feels like an actual battletech story. This alphastrike batrep feels more like Battletech than most of the Battletech content I've seen.

[@kentellis5384]

This is how battletech is ment to be played! Missions, objectives, hit and runs, raids is beautiful and an awesome way to spend an afternoon noon with friends.... Keep up the great work!!!

[@WargamerStories]

Thanks, we're glad you enjoyed! There are more on the way!

[@gerbenvanessen]

@@WargamerStories heya been following the war for a while but can't find the older battles on your profide/channel, was able to find this one because you mentioned the battle by name in the latest vid.

[@bobafett1186]

Very well produced battle report! On to episode 2!

[@Castillo525]

Bro Im half way through the video and I gotta say THIS IS BATTLETECH!! We need more narrative series like this. Gonna be watching the whole series during the next few days :)

[@jimnicholas7334]

Heck yeah, I'm on board! Starting my first game of Alpha Strike tomorrow!

[@TRexFlame9]

This is such good quality. Clearly a passion project, I’ve been trying to find battle reports of a campaign to get invested in but had no luck until finding this today. You’ve earned a like, comment and subscribe. Let’s get the algorithm to show this to more people 🎉🎉🎉

[@silentbob4100]

Hey look, a comment to help this channel with the algorithm

[@Avatar4210]

And another comment…,

[@kylerogers8948]

Gonna marathon through all the battle reports, hands down this is the most interesting setup for a battle I’ve seen. First off, I LOVE the map and explanations for how the battle happened. The Jefe mercs and their speedy redeployments pulling the enemy lances out of position was inspirational, as well as the trap they sprung at Emeraldstone. Just- kudos. That makes what would be a pretty generic battle report into a super interesting setup, as its a big risk for the mercs but a huge payoff. Fantastic. 10/10 just off the first few minutes of the video.

[@seanharmon3940]

This made me want to check out battle tech. Excellent work on the campaign rules, adds so much to a battle!

[@hydrage42]

This was actually pretty good. I really liked the special effects y'all added in. I can tell y'all put some effort into the video. Well done. I thought the house rules were explained well, I didn't have any objections to them. EDIT: And I'm looking forward to the next one... Keep up the good work.

[@WargamerStories]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@IKMojito]

Oh man, this is awesome. Keep up the great stuff dude

[@GunnCloud11]

Really love this presentation! Have to say I'm enjoying watching this unfold.

[@WargamerStories]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@berserkerdad2490]

Great job!!! BatRep was first class, terrain was awesome, and the special effects were spot on! Keep up the great work!! I look forward to watching all the other reports as well as your new stuff.

[@atheistboomer7700]

Loving the graphics too!

[@normanmccoy7004]

Well produced battle report. I enjoyed every minute!!

[@markbrown8154]

That was AMAZING. It looked AWESOME. The story behind the battle was solid. It must have taken you fooorrrreeevvveeerrrr to put this together. If you've got the time, then keep it up. The only thing I personally don't like is the use of a "Pilot Die" for attacks, but hey, each to their own, right?

[@Krix6426]

Ya'll are doing great work. This is the first set of reports that I've been able to get all the way through. Fun detail, effects, and classic tabletop gaming. I needed this. Thanks!

[@westerncivilization]

It's important to keep these short. Love the campaign narrative. Great job producing, too.

[@Miniaturegeek]

Just getting into Battletech and you’ve got a new subscriber!

[@user-bj2gr4ck2u]

This is absolutely amazing. I need more of this in my life. Bravo!

[@primafacie5029]

Wonderful work

[@WargamerStories]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@rankovich09]

Great video. I like these crisp, edited games like this over the 2+ hour slog of gamers determining their move, every dice roll, discussions, side tracks, etc. This is inspiring for an AS campaign. Please keep posting! :)

[@WargamerStories]

check out the rest of the campaign, the war continues to unfold :)

[@atheistboomer7700]

Agreed, but I am glad he included the calculations, and dice rolls. Helps us noobs keep track of how things are done!

[@COPPERFR0G]

Very well done, enjoyed the narrative, everything was well explained to the point with good flow. Looking forward to see the rest of them. You can tell this is a work of passion, keep it up the great work.

[@sgtrock2175]

Can't believe I just stumbled across your channel. Instant subscribe! Love your content.

[@thecommuterzombie]

Love the animations and the snappy editing. Looking forwards to catching up with this campaign.

[@MrHeadphones64]

High skill and mad cat are not good words to have in your opfor report. Good work here folks

[@WargamerStories]

This is true... in fact, the Korbyn players really want to destroy the 7th Light Cav. It has been a thorn in their side for the whole campaign.

[@pvttom]

Love your style, great video!

[@WargamerStories]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@tomoslewis9656]

Production is incredible, smashing video and campaign concept, can't wait to see more.

[@shawnarmitage7955]

God, guns, and Battletech. I need to try a campaign like this

[@BoreSight1973]

Loved it! Beautiful terrain, great narrative. Rules and Aces cards are very interesting.

[@WargamerStories]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@agamelift]

Really enjoyed this, good job!

[@brenmayhugh]

Fantastic job! Can’t wait for the next one.

[@Redmow51]

I enjoyed this very much. Subscribed.

[@henryortega9203]

Most excellent!

[@mkozinski]

This batrep was simply amazing. You Sir, just earned yorself a subscriber

[@Vognee]

Entertaining, thank you

[@davidnemoseck9007]

Just found this and loved how you did this. Been thinking of doing something like this for a while. Got a new sub.

[@majorplothole2620]

Very well done, and you've already won me over. I want to see more! lol

[@MervDeGriff]

Fun! Love the BR for the Campaign!

[@zsoltbartha900]

I love your channel!!! I am living in Richmond VA, let's play! I have studio-quality painted stuff!

[@kelanelam2638]

These are excellent battle reports. The effects are cool, and all of the movement and rule explanations are great (one note: buildings are immobile and are 4 easier to hit).

[@WargamerStories]

Yep, you're right. But it that particular battle we treated them different since they were objective buildings and we using different attack rolls. Excellent to point that out for other players, though. We need players to keep teaching new players to keep the games rolling.

[@jamesyoung5597]

Love the video

[@donmccalmon694]

Remember, you can jump when hot, it doesn't reduce your movement. Big Red could have jumped in both turns 4 & 5, which would have also given it a +1 TMM to boot.

[@WargamerStories]

Yep, she could have; decisions are made it the heat of the moment (lol, did you get my bad pun?). We were just starting out in the game and still learning the capabilities of our giant-stompy-war-machines.

[@telleryoutube4458]

very nice!

[@joeblogs8049]

Nice video, I like seeing the occasional campaign.

[@WargamerStories]

More to come!

[@quickstrides4533]

How soon?​@@WargamerStories

[@Tigerheart01]

Anyway we can see/hear the rules for the campaign? This is going to be fun to watch!

[@WargamerStories]

We have a Road to War video which goes over the rules for the campaign, it came out in December 2023 (so you might need to search for it on our KZbin Channel). We also have a PDF on our Patreon page.

[@Ranalcus]

Great vid and the editing is perfect! Are those smoke markers - an LED "fire" light covered in cotton?

[@WargamerStories]

Yes, they are! They have been on many battlefields from 40K, Song of Ice and Fire, and now... BattleTech...

[@edgarbryan9804]

I would love to get a hold of the Battletech aces cards. Do you know of any way of purchasing them? Great video! You inspired me!

[@Brazouck]

Fantastic battle report ! How do you manage the campaign movement and strategic actions ? There is nothing about that in chaos campaign rules

[@WargamerStories]

Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed the video! We are using our in-house system for controlling strategic actions. As for war chest points, battle scenarios, rewards, cost of deployment, and the combat rules: we use a combination of BattleTech: Alpha Strike and Chaos Campaign Rules. Chaos Campaign has some rules for larger campaign movements, but it felt more at home for a mercenary unit bouncing around planet-to-planet looking for missions. Which, coincidentally, was the original plan for my players and I to play... but it slowly evolved into a single-planet war. So, we started using our own ruleset that we had originally developed for a medieval fantasy wargame because we were more familiar with it. To be honest, we were surprised that the audience was interested in our campaign system to organize our battles. If you are interested in our system, there is a video that explains are campaign rules called Road to War: Blue Hole.

[@MrKazyFreak]

Awesome battle report. Looking forward to more! I was curious on the initiative house rule. Since moving is such an important part of the game would you want the person who wins initiative to go last or give them the most info on movement since they won? With alternating it just seems whoever brings more to the field gets a better look with their priority lance no matter what. Either way great job.

[@WargamerStories]

Yep, initiative is important. In a few battles you will see the players move units with less priority in order to wait and see what their opponent will do with a particular lance or what not. I am glad you are enjoying the battle reports!

[@BattleBound]

I love the map segments, and the music choices you used. Great terrain and minis. Grats to the Chupacabras.

[@Decado123]

Very nice report. Are you using house rules for heat? Commanders edition says heats adds plus 1 to weapon attack target number rather than reducing attack dice.

[@WargamerStories]

Yep, we were! Good Catch! For larger games (company sized forces+), we go back to the original rules outlined in BattleTech Alpha Strike for shooting and heat. It is much faster and way deadlier. For smaller games (just a handful of mechs) like this one, the players prefer the "House Rules" for shooting because they like the feel of rolling a lot of dice. One way to make the player "feel-the-heat" is to reduce the number of dice instead of inflating their Target Number. Thanks for clarifying it for new players :)

[@Decado123]

@@WargamerStories That makes sense, I look forward to seeing more.

[@dzilla2099]

Just found your videos and they are amazing. 🤔I have a question about your Drop ship did you purchase that from somewhere? Did you build it from scratch? Or is it 3D printed?

[@WargamerStories]

Picked it up off of Etsy. I believe the vendor I got it from had licensed to 3D print it and sell online. Etsy has a lot of good terrain options with several vendors. Search for 6mm or 8mm terrain

[@donmccalmon694]

Question/comment on initiative and unequal number of units. In turn 4 the Yellow team has 2 "units" to move, vs the Red team's 1 "unit" (a unit being a Lance in this instance). Yellow should have moved both units before Red moved any, since Red won initiative. Are you also house-ruling how initiative and unequal number of units work?

[@WargamerStories]

No, we likely messed up. We mistakes from time to time. We are playing for fun, but we do try our best to get the rules right.

[@SimoneRistori]

Great video! I'm interested in doing something like this, what are those cards? Where can I find them? Also the counters, are they available?

[@WargamerStories]

The cards were part of a beta test run during a Kickstarter campaign by Catalyst Game Labs. I think they plan to bring the cards to market (if not already) once they finish up testing them. As for the counters... I think I got them from a starter box or something. To be honest, I do not remember where I got them, but I am sure you can find on Amazon.

[@thecommuterzombie]

25:42 shouldn't the Timber Wolf's weapon crit suffered in turn 5 only affect it's shooting from turn 6 onwards?

[@christophersagen3349]

Who makes those awsome half timber buildings??

[@WargamerStories]

I got the STLs off myminifactory, author is Knarb Makes. He is very talented! The STLs were printed at the local library... which is why they lost some details in the printing process...

[@christophersagen3349]

@@WargamerStories they looks great! Thanks for the reply

[@quickstrides4533]

Im trying to start a campaign in our group, we have only done skirmishes. Any advice on how to start?

[@WargamerStories]

You want both sides to have even chance and plausible war game? The way we did it, we sat at a table- and in a very MechWarrior Destiny style RPG fashion went around the table slowly crafting "why" both sides are interested in this planet and what they did to slowly went from diplomacy to threats of war to actually a war. Limit the size of army groups based on what you can manage in terms of number of mechs, etc. I limit both sides to two companies as maximum amount of forces in a battle. More than that is too taxing on their current command and control elements.

[@clanorangechicken6648]

We are looking for BTAS players, are you in the SoCal area?

[@WargamerStories]

Nope, we're in Atlanta area. I hope you can find some players!

[@sigulfbjornsson]

@@WargamerStoriesI’m also in the Atlanta area! Where do you typically play at? I would love to stop by for a game and to pick your brain on how to run a campaign.

[@atheistboomer7700]

Where did the hex base sabots come ?

[@WargamerStories]

There are a few vendors on Etsy.com that produce them. Search for BattleTech Numbered Hex Team Markers. Unfortunately, the vendor I purchased from seems to be currently on a break.

[@solomonbrandi4585]

🎉 P r o m o s m