Product Review! House Arano - The Aurigan Coalition Source Book

[@kmaginn]

The Argo is meant to be absurd and stupid, btw. Something nobody would build after the relative peace of the Star League started to wobble and eventually collapse. I needed to solve a problem: our game director wanted to create an all-new DropShip with our own internal art style to use as your home base, but I had to come up with a reason for it to have never shown up before, or since. (A secondary issue I wanted to solve was that I didn't want you to have to pay attention to inventory space during the game, since I find that boring.) So it's a white elephant. It's something no reasonable person would build. And since it never made it past its proving flight, it's entirely reasonable to describe it as a failed concept, a dead-end in ship design.

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

It's a very cool design! Having something unique like the Argo makes the story less bland - I like it!

[@Joshf4phan]

Love love love the concept of the Argo. It really accentuates the potential of the Star League and what was lost because everyone had to go and start nuking each other. It fits the fluff perfectly and really brings out the storyline for the oldhead players like me.

[@ShineyFace1337]

I've alwaysed wondered if this house was canon or not, but now I finally got my answer

[@shuboy05]

Incidentally, the lack of a larger Dropship like the Argo is the reason the Leopard in Mechwarrior 5 bugs me. We get an explanation that the Argo is carrying all my Mechs with the attached Leopard serving as a shuttle. In Mechwarrior 5 we don't have the Argo so I'm carrying TWELVE Mechs inside my tiny Leopard! It's very likely Pirahna intended on putting a Union-class dropship in the game but lack of resources meant sticking with the smaller Leopard (since the model could be re-drawn and re-used from the Battletech game).

[@franksmedley8619]

Hello DFAW. As to how to pronounce Aurigan... Aur is like Aura, without the final 'ah' sound. The 'r' in Aurigan is a double sound in that you sound it out as part of Aur, and the next bit... Ree, as in 'reed', but again, without the final 'd' sound. And finally gan.. as in Ganymede, but without the E-mede sound. So, Aur-ree-gan. Now let me say that I, like Kevin, have played the HBS Battletech game quite a bit. Both the Campaign and other modes of playing. I have even played several of the Mods available for HBS Battletech as well. I am a 'Grey Mechwarrior', and proud of it. I first started playing Battletech after a demonstration game done by Butch Leaper, who was FASA's Chief Play Tester, back in 1984. After Capricon in Chicago, Illinois ended, I immediately went out and bought a copy of the 1st edition boxed set. Within a year or so, I had collected a couple dozen of the lead miniatures and had them painted in desert camo pattern with Davion house markings. I made good use of the Mech Construction Rules in the back of the 1st edition Rule Book... to the point where amongst my playing group, I had the most 'banned' Mech designs after a couple of decades of playing with them. Banned, not because they in any way were illegal designs, but they were TOO efficient at killing everything they faced. At one point, I owned every Tech Readout and source book available for the game, but over time, and several moves, I ended up with nothing left, and sorely missed my old battletech playing days. And then HBS created what I'd always wanted... a computerized version of the old tabletop game. Needless to say, I dove in deeply with much happiness. I am very glad to see the old game getting a 'make over' and re-release finally. The updated artwork and presentation is well done, and I can see whole new generations of Mechwarriors to come as a result. This pleases me... more targets. :-) I have a Star Trek T-Shirt that pretty much says how I feel about younger Battletech fans... "I was a Trekkie before it was Cool... and most likely before you were born". Being 60 this year, I think I can claim that kind of statement about all of you as well... But, I do like to see those so much younger than I enjoying one of my favorite games. The above was NOT meant as a slur. Or meant to hurt any feelings. Just a statement that I have been around longer than most players, and know the background universe intimately and in detail. I have played every Battletech computer game, excepting Crescent Hawk's Revenge (for which I did not have the computer type to play), all the way up to Mechwarrior Online, and as stated above HBS's new Battletech game as well. I am also a Kickstarter backer for the HBS game as well. In another posting to your website, I presented the XM10X Locust design that I created (and yes, was 'banned' by my old playing group for being TOO successful). I asked that you do a comparison video using my DM10X and any other Locust design and see if my 'feel' about my design being superior is 'real' or not. I will be getting the House Arano sourcebook very soon... and I am considering replacing my old collection of miniatures, terrain, and building a new terrain table in the future. Keep up your videos. They are entertaining, informative, and I can see them being very useful to new, or newer players. Oh, and before I forget... your 'House Rules' on Combat Dice is very interesting, and I will be seriously considering using them instead of the hands fulls of dice I used to throw back in 'the old days'.

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

Thanks! Appreciate the comments and glad you are enjoying the videos! Definitely give the house rules a try - I think you’ll find they still keep the feel of the original rules, but help to speed up play a bit!

[@bigt4331]

As a kid i could not figure out the math needed to play Battletech TT, As a young adult i could not aford a computer fast enough to play any of the PC Games. Now as a middleaged man ive now finally been able play The PC game, so i really like the new content being created to support the newer pc version!

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

Hahah totally hear you about the math. When I was a kid playing BT I am sure I skipped like 75% of the rule lol

[@3phemaral]

Great in depth review! It was useful that each of you guys focused on slightly different viewer-perspectives (traditional neck-beard tabletop, PC gamer, new/old, etc.). You obviously did some time researching questions people had. A+ for a 100% unapologetic nerd-level focus on little details that make a product immersive/enjoyable to the audience. The important thing is, I don’t feel like you wasted my time with and endless series of vague “yeah it gud”. You focused on a lot of specific details. Also, man, if you didn’t practice and sort of assign different people points to make … you all really read that book. Admit it, that was like a fourth take or something. If you did that just on the spot? Wow, great job either way!

[@TymersRealm]

Considering the layout is styled like the original house sourcebooks from back in the day...

[@exequielfri1352]

The Argos is not a jump ship. It doesn't count with a KF drive. During the game it needs to be attached to a jump ship to travel to another system. It's a really expensive orbital base for a company using only a leopard drop ship, or planning for some orbital insertion.

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

Thanks for the clarification - you’re right!

[@tBERGracer]

we'll flog Kevin next video :)

[@KevinPeterstheRyan]

I know, I realized my mistake after the fact and asked Aaron to edit it out. Terrible friend. I was thinking of how the Leopard collared with it, and words spilled out my mouth.

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

Ill give you a free reroll on the next initiative you lose (never)

[@kenkrajniak7916]

Thank you for the review. I was debating picking this one up, you guys helped make my decision.

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

You got it! Especially for any collector that likes a physical copy of something to page through, I give it 👍👍

[@legomech1946]

Great review! I've been going back and forth on whether to get this since I haven't played the video game yet, but I am leaning towards it now.

[@mackbolan1733]

Another great video guys, thanks for sharing!!!

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

Thanks! Appreciate your support!

[@harvestblades]

As someone proud of my Lithuanian ancestry & a new player I was curious to know were they were hanging out in the IS only to find out at least some left the FWL (go figure) to settle & help found the Aurigan Coalition as House Karosas until they were killed off by 3025.....but there may be a survivor that fled & runs a merc unit now. 😉 😉

[@jacobc3266]

I always had the Argo use the old Star League flag.

[@vensersrevenge8739]

Great review of the newest sourcebook! Another thing Catalyst just released to go along with the sourcebook is a free Succession Wars Chaos Campaign pdf. I know you guys have your own campaign system, but it is a great resource for new players who want to have a story-line to their battles but don't know how.

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

Good call. We actually just did a revamp and rewrite of our core campaign system based on the Chaos Campaign supplement - so stay tuned for more on that!!

[@matthewbirdsall9518]

Great video, useful review. Hopefully this helps get more new players into the game. Got the Arano book at Origins and it's impressive. Looking to use the new box sets to play it.

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

Thanks! And couldn’t agree more on the content - excellent pairing with the boxed sets!

[@matthewbirdsall9518]

@@DeathfromAboveWargaming Keep up with the videos. Appreciate the batreps and mech reviews.

[@takenogundam1]

Do you guys sell merch? I dig Tom's shirt. A whole "series" of those shirts would be an interesting thing to collect.

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

We have a little teespring store! Admittedly they’re a little slow on the delivery side but the quality is great so far! Here is a link: teespring.com/stores/death-from-above-wargaming

[@doombunnybomb]

Nice shoutout to Le Corbusier. You are legit.

[@brianhenry152]

So does this mean you'll be running a campaign based on this?

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

Maaaaybe :D I’m pretty sure I heard Kevin promise he was going to paint an entire regiment up....

[@fezenclop]

It is Areegan

[@ConfusedShelf]

I'm curious if anyone would recommend reading this before playing the game? I know at one point you said the last chapter in the history section deals with events that transpire in the game but would I have a better experience if I read the rest of the book first before starting Battletech?

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

I’m neutral. I don’t think you need to read this necessarily *before* you start playing - but it cant hurt. 👍

[@NRSGuardian]

The background section of the Aurigan Handbook spoils some of the events of the game, so if you want to enjoy the story without spoiling some of the twists and betrayals you might be better off playing the story campaign first before reading the book.

[@Schugger1]

Probably a bit late at answering, but generally: play the games begore you buy the books. Written stuff mostly gets deeper into the stuff and contains spoilers. As mentioned by the DFA guys in the vis, the sourcebook is based on the computer game.

[@acehigh79]

This is really cool. I'm working my way through the campaign. Almost had it finished when heavy metal came out......the heavy metal update erased my save file lol! I'm about 3/4 complete now. Would love this book too. Is it a special order or can I find it in stores?

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

You likely won’t find in stores, but check out Aries Games & Miniatures online - if they don’t have it, you can try amazon/ebay. The Catalyst store will have it, but their shipping isn’t exactly the fastest.

[@orkloven]

Are-ree-gan. 😊

[@exequielfri1352]

Slightly out of topic, I would like to talk about the Argo. The only advantages it have are the gravitational decks (no other dropship have those) and the repair facility for a company and a half of mecha. You have that amount of mecha, but you can only deploy them only using another dropship, in the case of the game, a leopard. As the SLDF always moved a really large number of elements, the existence of the Argo class doesn't make much sense.

[@Robloxman01]

Well, it was a civilian design, not military. It was built with deploying stuff like agromechs and exploration vehicles in mind, and it was intended to be more of a mobile space station than any sort of proper dropship.

[@orkloven]

And not just mech capacity, which can just as easily be made into shuttle or Areospace fighter capacity. The facilities and supply longevity far surpasses any other cannon dropship. Its basically custom designed for the Star League Exploration Corp. It's a great idea added to the Battletech mythos.

[@NRSGuardian]

Considering that according to the lore the most dangerous thing about jumping into an uninhabited, unexplored system is that your jumpship could breakdown and then end up stuck in a star system with possibly no resources or means of quickly calling for help it makes a lot of sense for a deep exploration dropship to come equipped with the means of producing its own food and rebuilding or repairing nearly anything that could breakdown on its journeys. It seems though that the design was supposed to be a cheaper alternative to building custom exploration jumpships or warships, since you could just dock an Argo to a regular, standard jumpship design and have a pretty good exploration ship.