FIRST LOOK! - Battletech: Aces a Solo and Co-Op expansion by Catalyst Game Labs (Part 1)

[@JimCrimmins]

So excited for this option. As a fairly frequent solo gamer this opens Battletech to a lot more play

[@raywhichway1790]

My wallet!!! Oh no....

[@shagakhan9442]

This is great because my girlfriend really likes co-op games. She learned alpha strike but doesn't like war games where we play against each other.

[@Jayrrific]

this is a great idea I've been wanting to start a group at my local game stores but I didn't wanna sit there alone doing nothing so now I can go sit down and play solo and get people interested

[@GuerrillaMiniatureGames]

Or Get it set up for CoOp and invite people to play the AI!

[@CanadianFabe]

What I would like to see in the finial product is a full campaign with branching paths .

[@worlds-in-conflict]

This is such a great idea. Between Classic Battletech, Alpha Strike, and the video games it felt like solo tabletop play was the only thing missing. ....maybe it's time for me to finally take a run at running the Battletech RPG?

[@GuerrillaMiniatureGames]

Whaaaaat! I’m into that!

[@worlds-in-conflict]

@@GuerrillaMiniatureGames right after I posted I shot Strategies Games And Hobbies an email to see if they can get me a rulebook. LETS DO THIS!

[@Marlena_M]

Do it Jay!! You guys doing a BT RPG would be without a doubt tons of fun

[@euansmith3699]

Bagsie me playing the Urban Mech!

[@TheStrandedSavant]

There are already campaigns you can use

[@chetchisholm9313]

The ol' banana in the tailpipe. A maneuver dating back to ancient Scotland. My ancestors would be proud. *bagpipes intensify* I'm currently working on my Highlanders as well :)

[@Molko701]

Yes! been waiting for this. Hope they come out with more AI cards for missile boats, scouts, etc. (and change the Can Destroy to can crit/destroy)

[@andrewscholl6428]

Loved this game play ... pretty intense. I wonder when Aces will be released? The creators also did the solo aspect for 'Snap Ships tactics'.. so I had a feeling that Aces was going to be special.

[@kamikazebadger2686]

That was a good demo. I’m looking forward to giving these rules a try.

[@thehumblepundit9790]

We tried ACES at our last Sunday meet up in our LFGS and it was really quite cool. I hope they release it as a card pack. Great video!

[@TomCruiseRisky]

My wife is sick of playing with me so now I can play with myself!

[@Kevin.Mitchell]

Ah cracking! I just got hold of the Alpha Strike box and this looks like a great way to get my toys on the table! I have had the starter box and a couple of lances sitting in my pile for a while - your excellent games with Jay and friends has finally pushed me from intrigued to engaged!

[@euansmith3699]

This is a fun looking project. I'm looking forward to episode 2.

[@johnhollick3733]

Great demo, you have peeked my interest. One note, I think you calculated an 8 to hit on the Blackjack and you rolled a 6, knocking it out early. I think in the excitement of the moment, it was a good cinematic and didn’t take away from the video.

[@danroberts007]

It’s a classic GMG maneuver.

[@ElicasTT]

Threw himself off by mentioning the 6. "clanner needs 8 to hit doing 6 damage." rolls a 6, since that was the last number is his head he thought it then meant a hit. I do the same shit all the time!

[@BazztheBazz]

Love this concept! I'd bet it wouldn't be too hard to convert this to Classic as well.

[@punkerpete]

Really good demo vid here. Thanks for posting this! I printed out the rules but haven't had a chance to go through them yet, so this was a nice treat to get to watch it in action before diving in myself.

[@jessepunch8945]

I didn’t even realize this was a thing…. Glad you did a first look

[@andystocking5316]

I feel like "Lowwest TMM" should actually be "Lowest to-hit target number." Also, I'm really looking forward to this!

[@Gruetz]

It depends. If its for movement, it may be in the best interest to close in on the slowest enemy. From a combat perspective, I agree, or there should be a category for "best chance to hit".

[@phyzzip]

It's in Beta so you can always mail CGL with the feedback.

[@Gruetz]

The cards get reshuffle each turn. Also if the AI isn't moving first it only considers enemies that have already moved. (So that there is some assurance it will be able to hit.)

[@JayOttawa]

Thanks Ash! Looks like fun, cool to see them oing this.

[@RemTV]

love BT, love the content, love that CGL is doing stuff like this. keep it up man!

[@reggietheroman]

This actually looks pretty fun. I need to go an hour away to play with people so this would be really great on days when im lazy

[@TheFatalT]

I’ve really been enjoying this. Can’t wait to see further updates!

[@ShawnEnge]

Great BatRep, and I am looking forward to the release of the game

[@grodd1016]

Fantastic. I may need to back KS to get the rules.

[@TheNeobuzzard]

Awesome "Lets' play." I really suggest using the variable damage rule for Alpha Strike, it makes it feel a little more like classic, while keeping the game moving along like AS

[@wminsing]

Thanks for the run down, can't wait to print some cards and give a try myself. For bigger games I wonder if drawing one card per lance/star (going with the majority role in the formation) would work better?

[@chinglee]

This is going to be an odd comment. I was trying to decide between Warhammer Underworlds vs Battletech Alpha Strike. This video helped me make my decision. Battletech it is!! Thank you!!

[@kierdalemodels]

Oooh! Here it is!

[@Hundmathr]

More BattleTech? Oh how you spoil us, Ash.

[@smtkelly]

Co-op is where its at. Look at the Monolith with 2nd Conan kickstarter. They tried to push PVP they ended up cancelling the KS and relaunching as a co-op focus and they made way more. If Catalyst make a few narrative co-op campaigns I'd be in heaven. PVP doesn't get a look in at my house (double for B'tech you'd be surprised how badly my wife reacted to shooting an AC20 at her mech..)

[@saigancat]

Turn 4 you would have moved both the PHX and COM since Clans won initiative and IS outnumbered 2-1 ;) Great vid, I'm also enjoying the Aces playtest!

[@MrLindaCake]

Movement is actually fully proportional. Meaning after he took out the pouncer he should have been moving his entire force all at once since the opposing side only had 1 unit. If you win initiative you should always have the last move of the movement phase

[@mikemalley1909]

@@MrLindaCake Yeah, I was confused by a few of his movement choices. I was wondering if they had changed the rules.

[@kcaudle52]

The first shot of the Nova (which missed so it doesn't matter) should have been on the Locust I think. Card 584 says Can Destroy--> least health ---> least range ---> no cover ----> Near. The locust would have been picked at the least health branching AI point.

[@kereminde]

Interestingly enough, the playtest document I printed out listed the two decks to be used as "Brawler" for the Nova T and "Sniper" for the Pouncer. When I played the scenario, I lost my Phoenix Hawk and Blackjack but was able to do enough damage - owing to getting the Locust and Wasp behind targets.

[@mwikan01]

I recently got back into Star Trek Attack Wing with their Solo/Coop "Alliance" box and it was tremendous. I feel like this will enable similar enjoyment with Battletech/AS. Hopefully we will see a Human vs AI Campaign release!

[@joshderksen3771]

Cool to hear! Both Alliance and Battletech Aces were designed by myself and the team at Lynnvander Studios.

[@mwikan01]

@@joshderksen3771 Outstanding! I'm a Game Developer for AAA from way back, would love to connect on LinkedIn.

[@Bazanti]

Co op Battetech? Sign me up!

[@xczechr]

16:05 You didn't actually roll high enough to hit and kill the Blackjack.

[@tragicthegarnering3619]

H for hold position might work.

[@punkerpete]

Also, really wanna know where you got that oversized number die that you're using for a turn counter?

[@AelisLleowyn]

I think you are supposed to reshuffle each turn, and player fires first every time, regardless of initiative.

[@risusrules]

I dig it, especially - and it appears possible - if it can be co-op vs AI.

[@NecromancerNightmare]

Sweet!

[@mwikan01]

Whups, error in game. To hit the Blackjack at 16:17 was supposed to be an 8+ but you rolled a 6.

[@Joric78]

Yeah, he calculated the 8+ but then substituted the damage number after he said that just before he rolled.

[@mikeparker7631]

Poor Blackjack was killed by a player glitch.

[@jessepunch8945]

This system reminds me of descent, second edition, and even gloomhaven.

[@mikemalley1909]

Same with Galaxy Defenders and Sword & Sorcery.

[@Darthhorse98]

When the Clan won initiative after the first mech was killed you should have moved all your mechs giving the initiative to the Clan AI not saving a mech to move after the winner of initiative. This was an unfair advantage because it allows you to back shot when the winner of initiative should be reacting to your moves.

[@lorddraconum]

Will have to try out the rules. They seem rather balances.

[@edwindrood2816]

Cool

[@j3errym]

Thanks. Intend to play the beta soon, for solo I was going to use Hostile Tactical AI but had not got round to modifying it. Why didn't you use your normal AS advanced rules? e.g. Multiple Attack damage dice. Also consider shuffling the decks when half(4) drawn, it works well for other AI systems, especially as thee are small decks.

[@GuerrillaMiniatureGames]

I’m using the rules out of the Alpha Strike box so the viewers can see it as it’s been billed by Catalyst.

[@j3errym]

@@GuerrillaMiniatureGames OK cool, they are there page 21 but optional. Played the two scenarios at participation demo and even some hardened BT guys thought with them they lifted the std AS from a quick but luck fest to the tactical tension and narrative moments of BT without the extended attrition. Amazingly they didn't increase game time by much.

[@joshderksen3771]

@@j3errym - When I teach Alpha Strike to new players, I do 1 attack roll for all the damage, but on any future games I definitely recommend the multiple damage rolls. It really does feel more like classic Battletech.

[@j3errym]

@@joshderksen3771 The new ppl I teach think its the only way, maybe they just like chucking dice, lol, AS even with a few advanced rules is still rules light.

[@Marlena_M]

My wargaming friends are not in to BT (yet) so now I can play some on my own lol Who needs friends anyway **grumbles**

[@timothyferrelli8274]

If the IS looses initiative, why did they move last? Wouldn't all of the IS mechs move before the Clan?

[@GuerrillaMiniatureGames]

Alpha Strike uses alternating activations for movement and then full side activations for shooting. Moving first is a disadvantage so winning the roll let’s you move second

[@timothyferrelli8274]

@@GuerrillaMiniatureGames Correct. For example, kzbin.info/www/bejne/a5fMlIltqs1-d7c Clan won the roll, and yet the IS still moved last. kzbin.info/www/bejne/a5fMlIltqs1-d7c I can understand the mistakes because you are explaining everything, but it just seems to me that this would have an effect on the results.

[@wisso3253]

Can you get these documents with any membership of the Kickstarter including late Kickstarter? Or only if you are at a certain level or time of registration? I don't have anyone to play around with, so Aces is a must for me.

[@crimsonjazzagaming7268]

I hope they make it work with armoured combat as well 😂

[@chris2klee]

Is this available now to backers? Or after the campaign wraps? Didn't get an email with the beta rules yet

[@kcaudle52]

Backers can get it now. It was one of the KS updates with a link.

[@JimCrimmins]

Check update #7

[@joshderksen3771]

The cards, rules, and info for submitting playtest feedback are in a google drive link in KS Update #7

[@harvestblades]

Im just getting into the tabletop games (Finally!), and one of my boys who is ten & loves MW wants to play. I think Aces could alos be fun in a co-op play with my sone & I each playing a mech or two in a lance/star going up against the AI.

[@CraigSteinhoff]

Would this work with classic battle tech?

[@bshean72]

Is there a link for the Beta?

[@GuerrillaMiniatureGames]

If you’re a kickstarter backer it’s in the campaign updates!

[@joshderksen3771]

The cards, rules, and info for submitting playtest feedback are in a google drive link in KS Update #7

[@VictorSteiner]

Do they say if the rules work ok with the alternative rolling of each point of damage?

[@GuerrillaMiniatureGames]

It will work fine.

[@ironknuckles348]

Is this only avaliable via the kickstarter cause was hoping to get into battletech via this coop/solo mode since not really got people to play against

[@GuerrillaMiniatureGames]

It will come out eventually. The backers are just getting to play test the Beta early!

[@robcarroll42]

Looks like a fun way to get game time when nobody is available to play. P.S. Where did you get that big Die from?

[@callum5257]

Looks 3d Printed?

[@robcarroll42]

@@callum5257 that's what I was thinking too

[@RumblesBettr]

AI opponent is a hell of a stretch lol

[@randomnerd5807]

Do they plan to release a version of this for the normal rules? I love Battletech but have no interest in alpha strike.

[@GuerrillaMiniatureGames]

No idea! It wouldn’t be hard to use this in CBT tho

[@NRSGuardian]

Since the Alpha Strike rules are less complex, they are testing it with Alpha Strike, and if it works well, then they want to work on developing a version for Battletech.

[@TheStrandedSavant]

I backed and I didn't get ACES

[@joshderksen3771]

The cards, rules, and info for submitting playtest feedback are in a google drive link in KS Update #7

[@jjaarr3208]

​@@joshderksen3771Thanks

[@pezpengy9308]

just too bad you cant buy this game.

[@GuerrillaMiniatureGames]

The beta rules? I mean the game is available at Barnes and noble you can definitley buy it

[@pezpengy9308]

@@GuerrillaMiniatureGames i have alpha strike, i was thinking of this card solo thingy, it looks like fun and a good excuse to lay some terrain out. :)

[@James-dc3yt]

@@pezpengy9308 Its in beta testing

[@pezpengy9308]

@@James-dc3yt thank you! i do really hope they release it for a straight up sale. i give them $$$, they send me a rulebook. happiness and lrm's all around!