How To Play Alpha Strike: Intermediate Rules

[@winklerwinkler]

My 11 year old wanted to get into battletech. These two videos have been so helpful for trying to help him get going. As a teacher, I wanna compliment y'all for doing such a great job of explaining and demonstrating in a way that works.

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

Thanks! Appreciate the kind words and glad we could help!

[@toothlesssal5598]

So I had completely written off alpha strike before watching this series. I thought it was a "lesser" version of Classic Battletech and wow was I wrong. Super stoked that you guys made these videos.

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

Awesome to hear! If you want to check out our full suite of house rules, they are up on the website - definitely gives Alpha Strike a good feel ... still BattleTech, just moves a lot faster. Also check out some of our batreps featuring combined arms 🙂

[@WARdROBEPlaysWWII]

basically repeating myself - great quality and very clear. I like the approach of Thom asking questions as though he's a complete Noob.

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

Haha! Glad you found this format helpful! 🙂👍

[@tylerconley7739]

I'm a new player. Cbt looks daunting so alpha strike was what pulled me in. You guys have absolutely inspired me to up the complexity of our games. Ill be using the dfa house rules. Thanks for the video guys. Now I can teach my son and friends how to play

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

Absolutely! And if you crave a little more detail, the “Destiny” system we’ve been toying with lately is a nice compromise between AS and CBT as well!

[@willtijerina5149]

The best tutorial series for Alpha Strike. I've been a Battletech player from day one but not until this series was I convinced to play Alpha Strike which I now love. Thank you.

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

Awesome! Thanks for the comment and glad to hear that 👍👍

[@OldGuyRetros]

Range=number of hit rolls!!!

[@TheFictionMan]

My FLGS stocks Battletech lances. I've been curious as they sell out quickly, but I didn't want something too complicated (mainly because my friends wouldn't play it). The main game seems a bit much for beginners, IMO, but I like Alpha Strike. This was exactly the series to get me (and later my friends) into it. Awesome job!

[@karlb6273]

There are so many nice details in this rules system. So far, all rules make ”real world” sense. You guys did very well in teaching this rules system. Thank you!

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

Thanks for watching!

[@maaalexi]

I had begun divi g back into the Battletech universe after playing in Games club in high school some 20 years ago just before the pandemic started. I havent been able to find a good way to re-learn any varient of Mech combat until now. As a former WH40k player, ease of rules and the flow of the game means a bunch to me. The way you have presented Alpha Strike fills all my needs. I learn a new Stompy Robots game and you highlighted how to increase turn flow and understanding of rules by show casing the "house rules" you guys use. I want to say thank you. You folks have made my gaming year!!!! (Runs to the mail to wait even MORE impatiently for his Clan kickstarter to arrive)

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

Thanks for this! Always great to hear! And good luck with the Kickstarter - hopefully it comes soon! 👍

[@boryssobieski7096]

This tutorials made by you guys is pure GOLD! I love CBT but i wasn't interested to try AS. Now i want to do this😁

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

Do itttttt haha

[@TheShamanKnight]

One of the BEST if not the BEST tutorial on how to play Battletech Alfa Strike. I really appreciate it guys. As for me I'm an old Mechwarrior Dark Age player (go Spirit Cats). Also great house rules! Really enjoyed all three videos. Keep up the great job!

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

Thanks!! Really appreciate it and glad you enjoyed the series 👍

[@chrisakasgt.scream3935]

Well presented video for beginners. Thanks for making the pdf available, too. 👍🏻

[@Schugger1]

I also really liked the presentation: start with the basics and work your way slowly up. Having nice terrain and miniatures surely helps ;)

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

Thanks guys!

[@GrinnerGhost]

My group plays most games in the Early Invasion Era, been looking very hard at Alpha Strike so we can better balance the 3025 mechs versus the Clan stuff. This series has been really helpful giving us hex-heads a better view of the system.

[@AlliDelta]

Loved the whole game intro in the first vid of this series, only thing missing was a mech showcase with the pilots and their favourite colours!

[@jeffreywilliams8018]

This was an extremely helpful introductory video to Alpha Strike. Thanks for putting it together. …and as a former Dark Age clix game player, it was appropriate to see those Swordsworn mechs running hot 😂

[@kereminde]

Finally finished watching - with plenty of rewinds to be sure I was hearing things correctly. This definitely is a nice form of game, distinct from Classic BattleTech (CBT) without feeling *too* watered-down. I am certainly going to have to try throwing one game together each on basic RAW vs DFA sets and see what happens. (And he was playing the Swordsworn right, from my clix days I recall they were all about pushing that heat to dangerous levels.)

[@demo-z2y]

This was an awesome introduction to the game. Currently on an Alpha Strike rabbit hole since returning to the Battletech universe. Well done!

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

Thank you!

[@shaneflickinger]

Nice job on this series guys. I'm sure it will be a valuable reference for new folks wanting to get into the game. You've definitely sold me on Alpha Strike. Cheers!

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

Thanks for the kind words - appreciate it! Enjoy AS!

[@HighRideBOV]

I played Battletech long ago (30+ years ago) and the Alpha Strike version of the game seems like it has simplified some of the complexity in the game when it comes to things like speccing out the mech (heat sinks, ammo locations, weapons) as well as the shots hitting specific locations on the mech and taking out specific components. I'm sure this streamlines play a bit and probably improves the chance for entry into the game by new players. As guys who also play Classic Battletech, have you found the level of abstraction in Alpha Strike makes the mechs more "cookie cutter" and less customized? I remember some of the most fun I had was designing new mechs and seeing how spectacularly they could succeed (or more likely fail) on the battlefield. It also seems like hit effects are more generalized and the opportunity to focus fire on a specific area of the enemy mech is lost. I've only gotten this far in the HTP Alpha Strike series, so maybe more of this comes into play later, I'll see. Either way, this is a really good series to introduce people to Battletech. Well done!

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

Check out some of our new Destiny Battle Reports! Its actually a nice balance between the complexity and detail of Classic, and the abstraction of Alpha 👍

[@justinroeder372]

Great video! This clarified some things for me. I will be teaching this to a group of junior highers in a few weeks; having watched this will help!

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

Feel free to hit the website for some free downloads like quick ref sheets etc.

[@justinroeder372]

@@DeathfromAboveWargaming Got 'em, thanks!

[@admiralcbass1786]

Ty for the video. Good explanation. Makes coming back from classic an easy transition.

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

Thanks for watching!

[@StigmaNYC]

Thanks DFAW. The Quick Refs are great.

[@wigglyvillelakevieweast5740]

This video was incredibly helpful! Thank you so much for making this!

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

You got it! Thanks for the nice comment 🙂👍

[@mtg_vzla1071]

Please! Aerospace tutorial!!!! 😭

[@dirtygranny5504]

Ha, ha, ha. 20:15 "There's really no harm in shooting" There's a quote that shouldn't be taken out of context.

[@cscherbarth1622]

Okay can you guys do a battle report with some battle armor vs mech?

[@ddrozdov01]

Correct me if I wrong, but scatter dice work different way. You've got mark roll, so it's fall straight on top of you're mech ! I always thought it works that way !

[@benjaminbailey595]

This is a great tutorial. Thank you! I have a question. I hope you see this comment. Do you have plans to do a similar tutorial but with armor, VTOL’s and aerospace, or do you cover this in your battlereports? Also, do you by chance have your custom DFA blank/editable Alpha Strike Cards? I like them better than the official ones. I have custom units I want to use. Thank you again for the content!

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

Thanks and glad it was helpful! I admittedly dont have anything planned on vehicles yet, but its not out of the question! As for cards, on Patreon we offer both a Classic -> AS converter as well as a card catalog and generator (for mechs, aero, vehicles, etc). Also check out our website for free downloads, quick ref sheets, house rules and more 👍

[@jasdeepgill]

Excellent tutorial

[@gideonwolf7332]

What table is that mat on? is it a fold out table? will it fir standard 4x6?

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

Check out our hobby playlist for a tutorial on how we build our maps 👍

[@barryxanchez2965]

Thanks for ya'lls help. Great tutorial.

[@jordansimpkins8784]

Great video, thanks for making this all make sense.

[@marek6751]

Great job. Nice House Rules!

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

Thanks for watching!

[@ddrozdov01]

I am very interested in your table. how did you achieve such a terrain ? is that a neoprene mat ? how did you manage to give it such a shape, how do you keep the foundations for the hills? how did you make it so that there were no folds on it, because you can't put a terrane on a curved surface?

[@joeg875]

Thanks for the great video and resources!

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

Thanks for watching!

[@ddrozdov01]

And again correct me if I'm wrong, but when you roll a crit, and hit the 9 result, you hit an empty place. You have to transfer the result to the next zone in which there is something.

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

Maybe I am misreading but 5/9 is no critical. What next zone are you referring to?

[@MechHeadStudios]

First thanks for the videos. My 14yr old son who's autistic has been wanting to play Alpha Strike for awhile now and your vids really helped him understand the game :) The only question I have is where can I find those clear cubes/dice to show that a unit has jumped? He would really like those (black/white/red/yellow) to show activations. Again thanks for the vids and quick reference sheets on your site, it helps tremendously to get the game going :)

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

I found them on ebay/amazon - search up 12mm cube or blank d6 etc

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

Here is an amazon associates link to something similar! amzn.to/3Gjvo6Z

[@adammorey9882]

This was very good

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

Thanks! Appreciate the feedback 👍

[@andreassweet1994]

I noticed that you didn't mention ENE ability (like the Wolfhound) also ignore ammo crit.

[@justinhinks770]

Do you get to roll to hit for every possible hit on the card? So at medium range you can do 3 possible damage....do you roll 3 times and see how many you hit on?

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

If you are using the “base” rules, you roll 2d6 and if you hit, you deal 3. If you miss, you deal zero. We use some optional rules found in the Commander’s Edition, and some house rules.

[@777Berzerker777]

Great video. I’ll be giving AS a try. I’ve been wanting to do combined arms and not take a week to play a game and this is looking promising. Also, your game mat….mind sharing where to find it as I’d like to get one of these myself. Thanks !

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

Thanks! I dont remember the mat in this specific vid but try Deep Cut Studios and PWork Wargames. Also Front Line Gaming has some great options as well.

[@fog99uk]

Hi guys. I'm only just now coming into Battletech and have been wondering which version is more popular in the community. As in, what am I more likely to find being played at a club if I turn up with my minis?

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

Tough question! AS is more friendly to new players just because it’s faster and more abstract… But it depends on the player base.

[@fog99uk]

@@DeathfromAboveWargaming for playing at home I'm drawn to both. I feel like AS is perfect for those one-off big battles, while Classic would be more fun for narrative campaigns. I love the idea of developing a story with classic through a long series of games, and building that towards a big AS game to finish it.

[@andrewvanallen4483]

Just started playing AS with my 6 YO. These has been really helpful, thank you! Any thoughts on updating or adding to this format?

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

We might! So much exciting things to film and so little time!

[@duckdodgers]

I apologize for the question but I just started learning the game. I saw on the video that you rolled the dice 5+ times is that for each weapon on the mech? I was under the impression you only get to roll the dice once for the attack?

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

Questions are good! There are some optional rules (multiple attack rolls) from the back of the book we used here. The “default” method is 2d6 all or none. This optional method is 2d6 per point of damage.

[@elineufeld3554]

Hey just wondering. A buddy and I just bought alpha strike together and we are looking for the mech cards that you guys seemed to be using where do you find them... we downloaded mech factory but can't seem to find the card printouts for alpha strike everything we found went completely over our heads... is there a place to find the pdfs of what you have?

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

This video is a little dated so I don’t have the exact cards but the two things I would recommend: 1. Master Unit List which is the official place to search up units and get their cards (masterunitlist.info/) 2. Go to our website (www.dfawargaming.com) if you want a slightly different looking card with some options to play 1:1 scale etc.

[@danielmorgan1104]

So I downloaded your house rules. Read thru the Alpha strike version. I'm not clear why you are rolling multiple attacks for a single mech. What am I missing or getting incorrect?

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

It’s a house rule that is based off the multiple hits optional rule. See the section on “pilot die”. It’s also referenced in our classic house rules.

[@HeadHunterSix]

I've been a Battletech guy since the late 80s, but just coming back since the Kickstarter, I was interested in this new-ish mode of play. Thanks for making it simple to understand. It is definitely faster paced and less crunchy, I may be able to entice some of my friends who are afraid of the "math" of CBT. (Is it really _that_ much math though, honestly?)

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

Haha welcome back! I’d also encourage you to also check out our BattleTech: Destiny rules which are based on a combination of Alpha Strike and MechWarrior: Destiny rules. It’s somewhere in between the two systems (Classic vs Alpha) in terms of complexity and detail!

[@justinc8791]

The math isn't crunchy at all. It may seem that way, but once you play, it all falls into place. Also, do not begin with the full set of rules. Start with a basic set, and as you gain experience, incorporate more rules. My teenaged son with ADHD can now do all the math in his head thanks to this method.

[@HeadHunterSix]

@@justinc8791 Oh, I know the math is easy - I just wonder where this perception came from among people who say it's why they don't want to play CBT. GATOR makes it even easier. Five simple steps, addition and subtraction.

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

So it’s less about the math (that’s not hard) and more about the sheer number of rolls - firing every weapon on a Stalker takes about 3.5 hours (joking, but you get the point). Think about guys who are coming from 40k and used to rolling one handfull of dice for a squad of 20 dudes. Classic is grueling. Roll to hit Roll for clusters Roll for location n times Roll for critical confirmation Roll for critical result … and repeat 7 times. That’s just one ‘mech…

[@HeadHunterSix]

@@DeathfromAboveWargaming good points, but how many 'Mechs does someone have to do that with anyhow? Usually only a few - not like an army of 20 units with characters as well. Yeah, it takes a while (and that's the main reason why Alpha Strike appeals to me more), I just think that some people have an underlying perception that doesn't entirely reflect how things really go.

[@robertdobbs4156]

That's it boys I'm gonna play this now

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

Give it a try for sure! Fast paced!

[@Krix6426]

Thanks for this vid series. I am definitely interested in A.S. now! If you were playing A.S. on a grid map, would you half the movement on the cards?

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

You dont *have* to, but I would recommend it. 🙂👍

[@WhabandSheeb]

Where did you get your alpha strike cards?

[@KiwiOddity]

How would that centurion not be able to see the avalanche in the woods at 34:20 . As the mech is no longer on the otherside and it isn't more than 6inchs in the woods ?

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

3” if you’re playing 1:1… and I’d have to go back and look but might just have been a high mod.

[@jctxcboy36]

Are there PSR's in Alpha Strike. I am assuming not since you don't take 20 pst of damage like in Classic?

[@radec1744]

what sleeves do you use for your unit cards?

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

Dragonshield. They come in a bunch of colors which is an extra nerdy way to organize by faction

[@AndrewDayMortgage]

Fun video but... the sound effects you put in are way louder than your voices. I have to crank the volume up to hear you, and then get blasted with sound effects.

[@Renigade16]

New BattleTech player, I'm trying to get my 40K friends into it. You guys have helped a ton with mvmnt and combat. But damn I just do Not understand point value and pilot value.

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

Shoot me an email dfawargaming at g mail and I can try to explain for you!

[@Renigade16]

@@DeathfromAboveWargaming Thank you! Will do.

[@gruberjens4354]

One thing I don't get, you can roll once for every point of damage you deal? I found nothing about that in the rulebook and nothing in your house rules.

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

Hey! Thanks for the question... if you download the option/house rules, its in there with the page number in the Alpha Strike Commander’s Edition! But yes, per the optional rule you’d roll 2d6 for every point of damage. This is blended with our “house” pilot die mechanic, so you roll one pilot die, and a number of d6 equal to your damage. So if I have a damage value of 4, I’d roll 5 dice (one pilot + 4 damage) and add the pilot to each of the damage dice to get totals. Lets say I need a 7 to hit. If I rolled a 4 on my pilot, and a 1,2,3,6 on my damage die - my totals would be 5,6,7,10 - two damage would hit.

[@gruberjens4354]

@@DeathfromAboveWargaming I see. Sounds like an interesting system to spice things up. I will try it out with at the next game :-)

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

Yah I think you’ll like it! Check out one of our AS battle reports to see it in full action 👍

[@jctxcboy36]

So Partial cover is treated differently since you don't have designated levels, Lvl 1, Lvl 2, etc....

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

Correct! You still have levels for purposes of movement but LOS is from the vantage point of the model.

[@deathknizzle]

Why does jump halve movement

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

Not always. Certain mechs have less jump jets (Jenner, Shadow Hawk) that result in a lower jump move.

[@deathknizzle]

@@DeathfromAboveWargaming ok! Ty

[@justinhinks770]

A new player here, why did he get 6 chances to roll 9?

[@MontePlaysGames]

Great video. Great kill shot. ::: + :::

[@Bede0881]

You guys don’t use the hull down rules?

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

We don’t disallow hem, they just aren’t that good. 😁 Gotta spend MP, be near cover, and still there is a 50% chance you won’t get the buff.

[@Bede0881]

@@DeathfromAboveWargaming do you have house rules for them?

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

We don’t, as they are still there to be used. We have a lot of cover opportunities on the table and also allow units (mechs, vehicles) to block LOS and provide cover to other units. For infantry, we like the digging in and hit the dirt optional rules. All of the house and optional rules we use are cataloged and available for free download (along with some reference sheets, missions, campaign rules, etc) on our website dfawargaming.com

[@Bede0881]

Thanks very much.

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

You got it! Feel free to reach out here or via email if you have any questions!

[@TheNorcoGuy85]

Umm i missed the vid of critical hits

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

Bring up the play list! There is a “basics” vid

[@5thterrax]

Why is your spider 8" movement?

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

We play a 1:1 movement scale like Classic.

[@5thterrax]

@@DeathfromAboveWargaming OHHHHH Ok I see thank you.

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

No problem. We have free downloads on the website that go into detail!

[@ryolacap]

What happened to advanced rules how to?

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

Left it at intermediate - are there specific rules you were looking for?

[@ryolacap]

@@DeathfromAboveWargaming no I like watching them and I have ocd :)

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

Hahah thanks for watching!! I guess you can consider some of the batreps as “advanced” tutorials then 😁

[@mikemalley1909]

So unlike Classic, Alpha Strike doesn't have everyone declare fire first? Interesting.

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

Yeah! Its a notable difference tactically, but does also help things move a little quicker too.

[@StigmaNYC]

50:37

[@OldGuyRetros]

Me and my roommates new game night...

[@warhammer5690]

Easy dont play clans. AS weights them to lose esp if IS mechs use 3039 plus tech. Which they shouldn't have until 3063 plus

[@billable1861]

11:25 but that’s still pretty respectable though right? Hahahahha

[@senint]

"Only CASE and CASE II save you from ammo criticals" So... ENE does not exist then...? xD

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

Hah! That’s like saying not driving will save you in the event of a car accident! 😜

[@senint]

@@DeathfromAboveWargaming Heh. Correct me if I am wrong; ”ENE counts as CASE in terms of no ammo explosions but takes extra damage pip instead”

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

ENE you just ignore it entirely I thought…

[@kevincollier4147]

Do NOT let him pilot 3025 Rifleman in CBT! He will blow himself up overheating!

[@vandalnoire3844]

If ur going to indoctrinate my children train them to take out the garbage also?...thanks in advance.

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

LMAO let me know if you figure that one out...

[@vandalnoire3844]

@@DeathfromAboveWargaming nah man Tom said hes doing indoctrination's so let him know I expect quality results

[@Schugger1]

@@vandalnoire3844 I guess the bottom line is, if you can't find a gaming group, create your own...

[@DeathfromAboveWargaming]

Hahaha you got it

[@acezenfu3293]

Alphastrike isn't as fun as basic battletech rules so far...nothing better than my daughter wins again by headshot...again...I need new dice