Getting into Battletech

[@Dagothspeaks]

Golden age of Battletech is coming soon. When the kickstarter waves are fulfilled we are really going to see a renaissance.

[@CrankyOldGamer]

I totally agree!

[@fadedtiger3181]

I just bought the beginner set and the armored combat set. I am planning on being Fed sun through and through. ^.^

[@Haddedam]

A year later and its out of stock everywhere constantly

[@idreamofminis]

@@Haddedam I found a Beginners Box and A Game of Armored Combat at my local Barnes and Noble. Check them out if you need something. List price is much better that paying double on eBay!

[@Tom-vy4uw]

I hope when this whole covid bullshit and shipping delays are done there will be reprints available. I played some videogames in the 90s, but never had the cash to get into the tabletop back then.

[@Helcarexe26]

I'm a massive Battletech fan and haven't stopped playing since the 80's. You did a awesome paint job on those Draconis Combine miniatures and it would make any House Kurita player happy. I love seeing anything to do with the Inner Sphere that you put out on the channel.

[@CrankyOldGamer]

Awesome! Appreciate the feedback! I'm really enjoying jumping back into BT, particularly Inner Sphere 3025.

[@Helcarexe26]

@@CrankyOldGamer 3025 is the best era for teaching about all aspects of the game.

[@Schugger1]

How could I not put a thumps up to this video? Played BT in the late eighties and early nineties, discovered MegaMek & Co a few years ago and just recently picked up both starter box. The stompiness is strong in this one ;)

[@CrankyOldGamer]

YES! All the stompy killy robots!

[@hraughr]

beautiful looking roster, love that Marauder

[@CrankyOldGamer]

Thank you so much! Thanks for watching!

[@MikeKnell2884]

There is an ongoing "Battletech Clan Invasion" kickstarter by Catalyst Game Labs. They are revamping around 90 mechs with the new aesthetics, as miniatures in the two last boxsets have been done. Look it up, if you haven't seen it yet. A lot of good stuff is shown.

[@CrankyOldGamer]

Oh yes! I've backed it at a ridiculous level! :)

[@squizzlor]

Mihajlo Knezevic wish I could have kiskstarted. I didnt know they were nice new resculpts. Also ability to have a character in universe is awesome! Next kickstart im in.

[@inspiredwon2670]

The Clans suck. They ruined the game back in the day.

[@aquarius5719]

90 mechs x $8.6 each = A fortune

[@Bandit213]

@@inspiredwon2670 balance by tonnage ruined the early game, blame the devs. Once BV came about things are fine.

[@Xeno426]

Always nice to see more KZbinrs get into BattleTech. Don't be afraid to start exploring later eras. Stuff gets really crazy during the Jihad, and the Wobbies make for some fun OpFor. Put your opponent against the Manei Domini a few times, and they'll never see flamers as useless ever again.

[@CrankyOldGamer]

Im really excited to get my clan ks stuff - been a while since I played Clans!

[@Xeno426]

@@CrankyOldGamer Clans can be fun, but man are they glass cannons if you're balancing by BV (which you should). You'll still find grogs that yell "Clans are OP", but that's only because they haven't played with Clans, or haven't played using BV balancing. Clans need wide open spaces and room to maneuver, or they just die to sustained fire.

[@nerdfatha]

Great video! I haven't played properly since the 90's with the third edition boxed set. Going to be getting back in soon. Good to see that some of the IWM minis still hold up!

[@CrankyOldGamer]

Yeah the IWM minis some of them are not aging great but they definitely still hold up. So many mechs to choose from...

[@bfenix]

More Battletech content is always welcome! I've been a fan for a long time but only really delved into it a couple of years ago. Awesome paintjob, those look great!

[@CrankyOldGamer]

Hey thanks so much! I'm quite enjoying it and its great that I've found a cool group of gamers to roll dice with a d play stompy robots with. Thanks for watching and let me know if theres anything specific you'd like to see!

[@SS-ex4gq]

I recently got back into Battletech as well. Great to see content coming out, and good job on the video breakdowns. It's easy once you start adding the rules in as layers. I too had to have more mechs after the AGoAC box, and now have almost a full company of metal mechs, lol . They are a separate merc company and separate paint scheme from my plastic box set minis. Glad to see Battletech is back on the rise again.

[@CrankyOldGamer]

Thank you! Im really digging it. Im going to be doing more btech content for the channel, stay tuned!

[@reecehanzon7556]

I would LOVE to see more BattleTech content!!! I'm a huge fan of the franchise, but I can't find any players in my area, so I need to get my fix somewhere else ... hopefully here!

[@CrankyOldGamer]

Awesome! Well you got it! What area do you live in (if you feel comfortable asking). I think there's a player locator in the Battletech - International Facebook page but I'm not sure - maybe go check there or in Classic Battletech Facebook page, if you haven't already.

[@reecehanzon7556]

@@CrankyOldGamer Salt Lake City area. I've posted on that facebook group a couple of times, but nobody ever responded. There are rumors of a group at one of the game stores here, but I've never been able to track them down. Honestly, at this point, I'm trying to convince some of my other gaming friends to try BattleTech, but I haven't had any takers so far

[@jctxcboy36]

More BT content would be great. Been playing since the 80's and its great to see it resurface.....noticed that the box set is sold out on the Catalyst website....very kewl.

[@wilsonw13]

All I'm saying is.... house Kurita!? Davion, I can sort of understand, decent marriage material there, but really... Kurita!?!?!? You will learn, Steiner will teach you. Side note, I discovered your channel because of the Battletech turn. I got into it with a afterschool councilor in elementary school, and have never looked back. I've loved the new mini's and can't wait to get my wave 2 of the Kickstarter (basically all the Inner Sphere mechs for me). Looking forward to what you have, keep it up!

[@CrankyOldGamer]

Thank you! Im loving it, more content on the way!

[@nunyabiznis7]

Literally same experience seeing bt again only is was last weekends adepticon instead of 3 years ago. Bought same box from catalyst, then clan release starter, then 3 of the other boxes along with neoprene hex map. Hoping to play tomorrow and start discussing paint schemes for what we own with my son.

[@CrankyOldGamer]

That is totally awesome!

[@PlasticraicGaming]

Just getting into battle tech myself coming from 40k, went deep on the Kickstarter myself. Just need to com up with a Colour scheme for my Merc unit and I'll throw some paint on the starter set mini's. Looking forward to more battletech content. I plan on doing some on my own channel shortly.

[@johntailby74]

those mech do look very nice. any games with people having fun with their hobbies is always good to watch.

[@CrankyOldGamer]

I could not agree more. Cool people ti roll dice with + gsme I'm lovin = win

[@MrDraco20034]

I just subscribed because I was feeling the pull back to the game as well. Looking forward to your videos in this universe.

[@CrankyOldGamer]

Thank you! Really appreciate it! My next Battletech video is literally uploading as we speak!

[@delsolman24]

Hell yeah dude, I stopped playing in 92 now I’m back with all original heads.

[@CrankyOldGamer]

NICE! We're having a blast with MegaMek now, once pandemic is over we'll get the minis up and do smashy robot death games

[@Mechjock]

I have been in battletech since july '90. I love it!

[@JimBobJoeB0b]

I also really like the new CGL redesigns for the ‘Mechs. The only one I don’t like as much as the others is the WarHammer. Not that it isn’t good, it’s just... well, let me know if you’d like a short list of my critiques down in the reply section.

[@CrankyOldGamer]

Would love to hear it - fire away!

[@JimBobJoeB0b]

Cranky Old Gamer First off: Shoulder pads........shoulder pads. COME OOOON! 2nd: the front torso of the ‘Mech is just way too...flat. You know what I’m talking about. Remember the original WarHammer? The ridges on the chest? The round “belly” just above the legs? Yeah, I miss that. 3rd: the cockpit. This is more of a minor nitpick. The shape of it isn’t quite what I would hope in some ways. 4th: the placement of the back bling is a bit disappointing. They are a little too close together (I know part of that is an illusion created by the shoulder pads, and that if the shoulder pads weren’t there it would look fine), and I wish the SRM-6 was still mounted vertically rather than horizontally, if you get what I’m saying. Don’t get me wrong, the new design is really, REALLY good. There were just a few letdowns, that’s all. Ugh, I almost forgot, thanks for replying, and if you made it to the bottom thanks for taking the time to see my opinion on the model!

[@CrankyOldGamer]

@@JimBobJoeB0b no worries at all! Appreciate the opinions, its good discussion and who knows, maybe the feedback gets to the designers and makes things different in the future. Really appreciate you watching and for commenting, it makes the community vibrant!

[@JimBobJoeB0b]

Cranky Old Gamer thanks for being so friendly and welcoming!

[@benneveritt4319]

The new sculpts are awesome and more Battletech content would be great.

[@squizzlor]

Fist time I herd of strato... and I love the old macross style merader Thank you for the new source!

[@CrankyOldGamer]

Absolutely - thanks for watching!

[@Mechanic618]

Great job painting up those mechs!

[@CrankyOldGamer]

Hey thanks! Much appreciated!

[@ShawnEnge]

I love DZC - but same problem, no players. I'm going to use my UCM forces for mixed arms in Battletech. Love the channel!

[@CrankyOldGamer]

Thanks man! yeah - its a shame, DZC is such a great game, but really no community.

[@ahorriblebeast196]

A great mech Sir Chralels Whitworth the 3rd

[@calerdonian]

these look fantastic, i have just got back into it myself would love to see more content :)

[@CrankyOldGamer]

Absolutely - more on the way!

[@ahorriblebeast196]

Which rear medium lasers to front holy hell its bad ass

[@MasterGenshu]

Your Hatchetman is a Samurai of the Woodcutter School. lol

[@CrankyOldGamer]

Yes!!!!

[@Wizzard033]

I love all of the mechs but especially Inner Sphere since about 92'. I just inherited a very large Ral Partha collection and I'm diving back in at 49 years with my 10yo sons. I'm also building a 4'x6' battlefeid in 2'x2' sections kinda Mars colors like the old school maps

[@CrankyOldGamer]

I love that! I just played a game with my 12 yo son and he loved it!

[@dartanisisme]

Can you post a link to where you got the minis that were not in the CGL box or directly from IronWinds?

[@shallendor]

I just use my Standee's from the old days! I've been hooked on Battletech since 96!

[@dustinfagg4555]

Awwww yeah do some batreps! I need some listening material at work! Love the paint!

[@CrankyOldGamer]

Yeah I'm getting more and more comfortable with the rules, I feel batreps are imminent. We do play a modified style of battletech (hexless) so I kinda wonder if that is something viewers would like to see more of.

[@aquarius5719]

Awesome paint job.

[@CrankyOldGamer]

Thank you!

[@nemisysone]

Wow! Those Mechs are beautifully painted!!! I couldn't tell the metals from the plastic!!! Awesome color scheme as well!!! Are those decals stickers or more like waterslides? I'm was on the fence about getting the Base Game (the game of armored combat), but this video clinched it for me! Subbed and liked! I'll check out your other videos as well when I get the chance! Thank you for making me "feel the pull" for Battletech!!!

[@CrankyOldGamer]

Aw thanks man! More btech content soon!

[@ahorriblebeast196]

We played D&D, Vampire table top and battle tech in the late 90’s & 20’s also semi & pro paintball that’s Right a quadruple duo threat

[@miguelsalgueiro7429]

Your mechs are great!!

[@CrankyOldGamer]

Hey thanks! Appreciate the kind words!

[@davidburke7085]

Ive always been of the opinion that once you get into Battletech, IF you really loved it, and if you came to understand it as the game it is, your never truly "out of it". It is just too special of a game. Its versatility of play styles and form, its adaptation to reasonable house rules of al kinds, its built in modification and construction rules, its broad and massive depth of potential rules and units types and playable factions are endless enough that most who come to love it, soon find that it just has so much more you can make the game do if you want to, than pretty much any other war game. Or you can simplify it down to an easier game with some house rule parameters and it plays just as well without breaking the balance into an unplayable game. And as most gamers will tell you, that this alone makes it unique enough for most war gamers to fall in love with it who give it a fair shot. To me the real hook for myself and friends was the ability to use the design rules to custom build your own armies. And despite the bizarre and totally unfounded protestations of many today who demand to play by canon and lore and history and fiction, who most tend to claim that custom units ruin the game and make it impossible to play, we found the exact and direct opposite to be the reality when all playing the game all use custom built under some basic house rules to prevent attempts to break the balance of the design system. I, unlike many of the deniers of total custom play, I have always greatly encouraged everyone to play as they like as any way you play, its still a great game. I too have been on a very lengthy hiatus from actual play, but have invested in the last couple years in a lot of new metal units as I still prefer them, although I am likely to purchase some of the plastics in the future as the price is certainly right and the sculpts are just great. I hope to have the time and opportunity to get together with some old friends and play again sooner rather then a lot later. I beleive that anyone who loved Battletech in the past and is still an avid gamer never truly leaves it, simply because I dont know how one ever plays a wargame of any kind after table top Battletech, and not from time to time think of what it was that made Battletech as good as it is. How many games like Battletech exist that you could have played in the mid 1980's (I started with my first copy of second edition in late 1985) and then not play for 15 years then come back to it and find all thats happened is more stuff has been added , IF you care to use it, but the core rule set of the game plays the same and almost nothing has changed in any major ways? Its what you get when the first design and rule set was largely done right the first time. And that is indeed kind of unique in todays miniatures gaming world.

[@CrankyOldGamer]

I loved reading every word of your post / comment here. Great stuff! I too look back on my time as a younger battletech player and now that Im back, it sort of feels like I never left!

[@Kaiju-Driver]

Very nice from 2023!

[@CrankyOldGamer]

Thank you!

[@ahorriblebeast196]

I still have the micro mag he sold me plus a VM68 set up like his old one

[@frankling.robertsiii6811]

You just got a new subscriber here. I also played in the 80’s&90’s. I recently heard about Catalyst rebooting the game, and I’ve got the itch to squeeze that fire trigger again. I just ordered the beginner box and am looking to expand to more product; any good selections I should make first on my list?

[@CrankyOldGamer]

Welcome and thanks for the sub, its great to have you here! I think if you can find Inner Sphere Command Lances that would be a great next addition to your forces

[@ScorpusFlexSlotCarRacing]

Great paint job

[@CrankyOldGamer]

Thank you!!!

[@mackdamerc8885]

You mentioned terrain. Do you have any recommendations for 6mm sci-fi buildings and such?

[@CrankyOldGamer]

Definitely check out some review videos I did recently on 6mm terrain! Steel Warrior Studios and Hardware Studios are great sources of terrain.

[@TheGantus]

I Like your paintscheme, first i thought you are playing Kell Hounds.

[@CrankyOldGamer]

They kinda double as Kell Hounds to be honest, I can kinda get away with it!

[@ahorriblebeast196]

The ostcout was over looked originale print 60 ton was put in light mech categories

[@bennodejong5368]

Loved the video. If you are still looking for paint schemes to expand on might I suggest camospecs.com it has all the official paint schemes. And I know you probably already found sarna.net but it has a ton of extra lore to get lost in.

[@CrankyOldGamer]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@JimBobJoeB0b]

How did you get those classic Unseen designs from Aries G&M? All I can ever find is those crap Reseen/pre-Reseen designs (the Marauder one is especially bad).

[@death2all79zx]

The Warhammer and Marauder look like they are the krieg's hammer and bull shark models from steel Warrior Studios.

[@philldclarke]

Last week I found a box set of battle tech 3025. Full of plastic models but not as good as yours. Someone told me they where all unseen.

[@CrankyOldGamer]

All those unseen mechs are highly sought after by collectors. I prefer the newer sculpts coming out from Catalyst Gsme Labs.

[@philldclarke]

@@CrankyOldGamer , lolnow I just need to find someone who will trade them

[@TheOneHoddToward]

Are these the 52nd Shadow Division??

[@CrankyOldGamer]

No I painted these up to be from Tyrell's Terrors (see Color unit compendium) , but they could also double as Kell Hounds.

[@AdeptusRidiculous-2025]

Heeellllllll.... Yeaaaaaaaahhhhhhh!

[@CrankyOldGamer]

Right?!?!? Hey thanks for watching!

[@ahorriblebeast196]

Oh I ramble on, The story he was a DJ at a adult entertainment club called PT’S show club, our paintball group was spronsed by and named PT’S Fighting Puranas

[@ruthiekest3218]

What kinda paint u using

[@CrankyOldGamer]

I use a mix of GW paints and Vallejo Game Air as well

[@hDansRandomCrud]

I'm feeling the pull, too. I also played a fair amount of BTech back in the late 80's, early 90's, but I've moved on to other miniature games since. Maybe it's time to bring BTech out of retirement.

[@CrankyOldGamer]

I know right? Too much good stuff coming out of this game - I couldn't resist!

[@death2all79zx]

Yes I would love to see some more BattleTech content. Please think about trying the alpha strike rules.

[@CrankyOldGamer]

Thank you! Yes I definitely want to try Alpha Strike.

[@LordFueFue]

Can't wait for helicopters, tanks, and infantry. . . Make it Anime meets video game

[@CrankyOldGamer]

Total warfare really is the best way to play

[@verysilentmouse]

more battletech content please

[@CrankyOldGamer]

Absolutely!

[@treevenewson]

I gotta have more 'Mechs says a fellow addict. #battletech #mech

[@CrankyOldGamer]

YES!

[@ahorriblebeast196]

Yes I know the story we use to play paintball have not seen or heard from mr BP in years

[@ahorriblebeast196]

If you talk too him say Are You Brue

[@ahorriblebeast196]

Play a lance of Goliath’s or scorpions

[@ahorriblebeast196]

Did you say piranha graphics decals if so he is a good friend of mine funny story behind that name he started his dining room slash hobby studio wife wasn’t to happy

[@CrankyOldGamer]

Hahaha yeah Ill bet! Love his decals

[@ahorriblebeast196]

I haven’t heard from him in 15 years so let me know

[@CrankyOldGamer]

Will do!

[@cptncutleg]

You're making House Kurita, but your Catapult isn't equipped with PPCs. Shamefur dispray.

[@CrankyOldGamer]

Lol Ill do better I promise!

[@ahorriblebeast196]

Sorry ostsol

[@ahorriblebeast196]

Not sure