BattleTech Essentials Box Set: Review and Paint

[@MechanicalFrog]

Note: I do not work for Catalyst and had nothing to do with the Target exclusivity deal. Downvoting isn't necessary but still counts as engagement so... thanks?

[@Bolththrower]

That's such a devious but somehow funny thing to me. Sure you do get to downvote but it still counts as a engagement, so YT counts it as a "sort of positive" for the channel. :D

[@matthewpena3932]

I also want to add to that. CGL did a great live event explaining almost everything about the deal with Target and you can find it on youtube. It is 100% worth the watch and will put most complaints to rest. For those that are not even willing to listen the TLDR is that you will see the Yen-Lo-Wang and Solaris at some point outside of Target it will just take time.

[@vicserr1]

Well although I'm not 100% behind all of CGL actions, I back up the franchise as much as I can.

[@MechanicalFrog]

@@vicserr1 I would hope that most people are able to give the same benefit of the doubt that they would expect from others. I empathize with those who cannot get this box. I also understand why Catalyst had to jump at the opportunity to get BattleTech on store shelves across the US.

[@NodDisciple1]

To quote someone I knew who was hated on KZbin. "It's not about likes or subs. It's about clicks..."

[@DDVargas1983]

My wife walked in while I was watching this review. As soon as she heard "Legend Killer", her mind went right to Randy Orton. Now I can't un-hear "Burn In My Light" every time I see that Rifleman.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Oh no... what have I done...

[@vicserr1]

Wondering how a Rifleman will pull off RKOs out of nowhere... 😅😂

[@MechanicalFrog]

@@vicserr1 Where there is a will, there is a Rifleman.

[@dubuyajay9964]

Not "Voices?"

[@greenbriar07]

Nice job freehanding those tiny stripes on Yen Lo Wang! Not nerve-wracking in the least. Nope, no sir. Picking mine up from FedEx tomorrow after work, but it looks they're in stock at Target!

[@MechanicalFrog]

Right on! Good luck with the painting!

[@BlUsKrEEm]

I've been using the Beginners rules with Arcade Operations expansion for some quick fun battletech fun. I fully intend to pick this up for the Arena alone.

[@MechanicalFrog]

It's pretty neat.

[@TheOtterpop]

I have to say a very CHILL video and love the background music while you paint. Enjoyed it

[@MechanicalFrog]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@sempermilites87]

I'm surprised it didn't have Alpha Strike cards like the other boxes have.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Yeah that's a bit odd. Just the pilot cards.

[@SRTifiable]

Picked up two copies today, one for me, one for my buddy. Super excited! I don’t usually go with traditional paint schemes, but these two need it for sure.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Good luck! I'd love to see them when they're done.

[@Marc_Araujo]

That included $20 coupon went splendidly towards my purchase of the Battletech Reinforcements: Clan Invasion Pack I've been putting off buying from the CGL store (and it was on sale too). Best $5 I've ever spent.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Awesome. I bought more sourcebooks on pdf...

[@HeadHunterSix]

Your 'Mechs look great! This is a fantastic Beginner box, especially because it's still very useful for even veteran players. Totally new 'Mechs and components are plenty good reason to buy even for oldbeards such as myself.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Thank ya!

[@guyclegg]

awesome

[@MechanicalFrog]

Thank ya.

[@Bigwakka]

I've check 3 Targets over this weekend and haven't found one yet... I'm currently reading the Warrior trilogy and thought the timing of this box was great.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Hopefully you find a copy soon.

[@kennethelkins-wulff9644]

If you need one I now have 4....LOL 😂

[@Bigwakka]

@@kennethelkins-wulff9644 I'll find one eventually, until then the hunt is on.

[@Bigwakka]

@@MechanicalFrog thanks! I hope so too!

[@gearshiv]

Good timing literally just got back from target grabbing this and some cars for gaslands

[@MechanicalFrog]

Sweet! Which cars?

[@GamingWithADHD]

Nice video Frog! And great paint jobs!

[@MechanicalFrog]

Thanks a bunch!

[@thomasgiles2876]

It is said when Giotto was asked to prove his mastery by an emissary of the pope, he merely drew a perfect circle with one hand in one sitting for the messenger.

[@MechanicalFrog]

:o

[@Ahira01]

Grabbed up one today as well as going totally ignorant by getting a box of armored combat box and four clan salvage display boxes as well... Oh and the tabletop RPG book as well lol

[@MechanicalFrog]

Excellent!

[@harvestblades]

I also just listened to the Blood Will Tell audiobook w one of my Audible credits on a 900 mile drive from NM & was pleasantly surprised by the book. Im not a fan of the Cappelan's, but enjoyed the book & I am definitely now a fan of the YLW even though in the book it has a hatchet (the claws on the Essentials Solaris 7 pose are treated like a hatchet) & shield as well as TSM! Not sure if the hatchet in the book was an oversight since the claws are treated as a hatchet for melee or if it is actually givenna true hatchet when it gets the shield at some point. Combined with the TSM that is a scary triple threat if you can manage your heat running standard rules as there is no heat in the basic ruleset. I strongly encourage folks to listen or read the book & get their Essentials box as both mechs are great variants & poses. I also like the Solaris maps & rules & look forward to running using standard & advanced rules. Even toying with coming up w/ some custom variants for Solaris matches. Thanks again Frog for your thoughts & of course the painting as that is also something I am getting for Father's Day (one of the benefits of having 9 kids)!

[@MechanicalFrog]

I'm still working through it but it's definitely on my list of good recent ones.

[@kennethelkins-wulff9644]

Justin removed the claws when he gifted YLW to Kia. Then Kia gifted YLW to Dani and she made I into the YLW in the book while she battled on Solaris.

[@kierdalemodels]

Good stuff. Lovely work on those minis. I hope the set’ll be available outside the US eventually. Or I’ll have to pick it up if I ever visit the States again.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Or we need to set up some sort of relief mail system.

[@sim.frischh9781]

Free hand painting models, i mean not just the uniform colors but even such a complex paint sceme as Yen-Lo-Wang, respect, i wouldn´t dare attempt that. Been far too long since i did Warhammer miniatures, and even with those i never tried something like that.

[@MechanicalFrog]

It was definitely a hold my breath and pray type scenario.

[@sim.frischh9781]

@@MechanicalFrog XD

[@chriscamp60]

Any way you can list your Painting Steps and Paints used? Excellent job!

[@MechanicalFrog]

For the Yen Lo Wang or the Killer?

[@chriscamp60]

Yen Lo. The wash over the white came out excellent. Btw I think a second coat of red would have eliminated the pinkish tone.

[@wraith7989]

Solaris VII, where murder is legal and betting on it is a national industry.

[@MechanicalFrog]

As things should be...

[@usekungfu]

Nicely painted!

[@MechanicalFrog]

Thank you so much 😀

[@ShawnEnge]

Those look great, and I can't wait to get a copy.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Thank ya!

[@TygerYasha]

Just got mine today, and I am over the moon at having a Centurion! Your mechs look really great. Hand painted rising sun, wha-? Haha, definitely Solaris ready!

[@MechanicalFrog]

I'm looking forward to seeing the flood of new Yen Lo Wangs out there.

[@105Gunner]

The coupon is supposed to be $20. It’s now been fixed on the Catalyst store. And your Centurion looks good, quit worrying about it. 😉

[@MechanicalFrog]

Yeah I messaged them about it. Glad it got fixed.

[@105Gunner]

@@MechanicalFrog so did I. Facebook comments on the relevant posts seem to have gotten their attention first.

[@matthewpena3932]

Did you notice the Yen-Lo-Wang is slightly larger then the other sculpt? We had the Rifle Boy from Adepticon and now we have the Big C, Centurion Chad, Buff Centurion.

[@MechanicalFrog]

I didn't think to check.

[@matthewpena3932]

@@MechanicalFrog It is only a slight scale change but it is slightly bigger. It will not impact the table top feel like the RifleBoy but interesting change in my opinion.

[@MechanicalFrog]

@@matthewpena3932 I'll have to go check now.

[@johnnythompson3734]

Painting is fun, but I do love the smell of fresh cut grass.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Life's little trade offs...

[@andrewfsheffield]

Little bummed that the record sheets for the archer and the centurion are for the regular versions of the Mechs and not the variants

[@MechanicalFrog]

Fair.

[@gearshiv]

Only problem is the legend killer... There is no lore build out for it as no one knows exactly what upgrades it has outside of a high end Star League helmet

[@MechanicalFrog]

@@gearshiv Just give it infinite heat-sinks. Problem solved.

[@andrewfsheffield]

@@MechanicalFrog they found a star League era window unit air conditioner.

[@MechanicalFrog]

@@andrewfsheffield Maybe his tech discovered that funneling heat into the cockpit is dumb and instead, insulated it with foam tiles. Then the pilots would never feel the heat. Until the mech explodes, of course.

[@madmarauder9925]

Nice work

[@MechanicalFrog]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@survivalisttim]

Both mechs look stunning, big fan of your painting. Still a long way off trying to do the wen-lo-Yang myself 😅

[@MechanicalFrog]

Thank you very much! I bet it would be easier than you expect.

[@survivalisttim]

@@MechanicalFrog I can barely do Steiner and Kell Hounds at the moment, let alone anything more detailed lol, fully plan to give it a go at some point

[@MechanicalFrog]

@@survivalisttim MechFrog has faith in you.

[@michealcormier2555]

I just got mine today.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Off to the races then!

[@NodDisciple1]

Is it out at Target yet?

[@MechanicalFrog]

It should be on shelves as of yesterday.

[@NodDisciple1]

@@MechanicalFrog Just got it, ty.

[@MechanicalFrog]

@@NodDisciple1 Awesome!

[@NodDisciple1]

@@MechanicalFrog Ty Sir.

[@Dang_Near_Fed_Up]

I was looking forward to Yen Lo Wang but due to this only being available at Target I guess I will not be getting one any time soon. I hope Catalyst will see a decrease in sales (not enough to hurt them, but enough to give them a heads up) so they will stop making exclusive deals with companies like Target with their polices I can not put in a comment on censor tube.

[@MechanicalFrog]

Like I said in the video, I hope that Catalyst will work something out with a Solaris box set in the near future.

[@matthewneuendorf5763]

I don't do business with Target, and after recent events I advocate that others actively avoid it as well. Legend Killer doesn't interest me. YLW is interesting but not enough for me to go out of my way to pick it up. The arena rules could be interesting and useful, but again, not enough so for me to buy this through Target. Maybe some day, after the exclusivity expires and I can pick it up from another vendor. That said, I usually buy two of every box with Inner Sphere units to make sure I've got doubles so that I can paint one in my personal unit colors and the other in generic opfor camo, but this one is so specialized that even if it becomes available from a less evil vendor I wouldn't get doubles.

[@joshua425]

Totally agree

[@MechanicalFrog]

I understand.

[@kghhgkgk6322]

Ridiculous

[@harvestblades]

Ask & ye shall receive I guess!

[@MechanicalFrog]

Can't make everyone happy.

[@patriotjedi530]

It's a shame these are only sold at Target, won't be giving them my money lol

[@MechanicalFrog]

I'm confident that Catalyst will work something out in the long run for those not happy with the Target exclusive.