GMG Reviews - Battletech: Essentials by Catalyst Game Labs

Big news for US based Battletech fans, Catalyst has put together an exclusive boxed set for Target and it is coming really soon. This box is aimed at new players to give them a taste of Mech combat in a fun and engaging way and includes two new Battlemech sculpts, a Rifleman and Centurion! It comes with a $20 coupon to the Catalyst store inside so if you're an existing player, $5 isn't a bad price! Let's check it out.
The box is up for Pre Order HERE: www.target.com/p/catalyst-game-labs-battletech-essentials-board-game/-/A-88275088
Big thanks to Catalyst for the complimentary copy of the set to review.
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[@roniousify]

For those upset that it's a Target exclusive, it sucks, but hear me out. I was in Target a couple days ago walking through the toy/game section and wished I could grab a Salvage Box or something Battletech, there was nothing, but now there will be. This represents success and growth for the company and game. I hope this product is a step to bringing Battletech to a store near you.

[@KaryudoDS]

Walking through a place like Target and being able to see Battletech is kind of amazing. I'd expect to see other ways to get this at some point or at least off their website but it's an intro box. Salvage boxes would be fun, maybe if they were slightly cheaper but fun.

[@meffeli]

Finding more Battletech at Target really is amazing... For people who live near Targets and don't have to travel halfway around the world for it. My only hope is if it does well the rest of the world will get some attention as well

[@ruthiekest3218]

​@@KaryudoDS same target is liked 28 miles away from me.

[@KaryudoDS]

@@ruthiekest3218 Yeah, but it's on the website too. The big win's just the visibility, but I'd imagine these will show up in other places at some point.

[@BlasterCA2000]

That doesn't mitigate things for non-US Battletech-ers. Getting more people into BT is great, no doubt. But it won't get more non-US players into the game. All 'Target Exclusive' means is the rest of the world is left out. I can imagine how that'd feel. Blaster was here... & can imagine the even huger+raging-er disturbance in the Force that'd have erupted had this been an 'over there' exclusive... 😬🤯🤐

[@AcheronBlade]

Definitely paint them as Yen Lo Wang and Legend Killer. Those are iconic mechs/characters in the lore so it’d be fun to see that vs. just adding them to another unit.

[@Guru_Swami]

I love that you’ve gotten so plugged in with Battletech. This is the game that got me into table top miniatures back in ‘89.

[@cjwestphal397]

Catalyst is really making some good decisions after the first Battletech kickstarter succeeded. I think it's pretty awesome. 30 years ago, Milton Bradley/GW games like Battlemasters and Heroquest being easy to pick up in box stores is what got me into the entire hobby that I am still with. It's nice to see some parts of what is a pretty niche hobby being brought back down to a "for the masses" level. At this point I really have no reason to "downgrade" to the Beginner Boxes, but I am still going to pick this one up!

[@kenstewart3607]

Justin Xiang Allard is a major character during 4th Succession War and his Solaris exploits are a big subplot in the first Warrior trilogy novel (highly recommended reading for anyone interested in BT). Really want to get my hands on that Yen-Lo-Wang model!

[@cheetor_sho3box]

The idea of individual gladiatorial colour schemes on each mech is more appealing to me in this context. It also moves it closer to the pantomime take on the setting, rather than the often quite realistic, military schemes seen in BT. 3D walls, even really simple, low detail items, are a must for multi-player games I think. I would have preferred card walls and fewer 'mech standees myself (although I get why they have to be in this particular box).

[@Zatarra66]

I kind of like the idea of painting them like the cover art. Then painting one upper arm and sholder like a faction. It kind of fulfills both that way.

[@jeffv522]

Hoping they distribute this to other countries as well, eventually. I kitbashed and painted a custom Yen-Lo-Wang back when it was all white metal. Thanks for this video! More power to CGL and Battletech! 😎

[@dapperbardgames1041]

As a BT player for several years and I'll probably grab this box for the mechs and extra arena rules. This will likely be my way to trying to get my friends into Battletech.

[@kirkbrownell1556]

on a side note, those beginner and essentials boxed set recordsheets are great. would be really nice if catalyst did a bunch of them for all the force packs as a pdf. they feel like a great mid way point between full CBT and AS.

[@k1ngdeth]

There's a fan-made pdf you can probably find online containing bothe the quick start rules plus all the force pack Mechs in that same simplified style.

[@Hundmathr]

Sweet a well engineered BattleTech gateway drug. I'm so happy that BT is enjoying a renaissance of late. For the Canadians I think Target is like if The Great Canadian Superstore had less floor space devoted to groceries and greatly expanded the homewares big box inventory.

[@xerenkeldar]

That Centurion is the Yen Lo Wang, a custom CN9-a, piloted by Justin Xiang Allard. It has an AC 20, 2 medium lasers, and claws (hatchet). He was extremely famous Solaris mechwarrior and champion.

[@whitefoxplays]

The record sheet is only the standard CN9-A sadly. The miniature IS however the correct variant. No Missile launcher in the torso.

[@xerenkeldar]

@@whitefoxplays yeah I saw that, at least the mini is right. It should have the proper record sheet though.

[@scotteverroad4545]

This box is exactly what I was wishing for for Years! A great-box that gets begginers into BT Fast! It has the Steiner Colliseum map and back in the day a favorite Arena map! This is great! I would LOVE to see more development on Solaris 7. Would be a great place to base a new Destiny group of role-players. Good Starting-Point!

[@nraketh]

Haven’t played tabletop battletech in thirty years, but I think I’ll pick this up after work and see what my kids think. Thanks for the review.

[@GrindingMadness]

Cool how Battle Tech has come along. Think the last time I played was in 87-88. Box back then had a Warhammer Mech on the box. Very cool...

[@a15godzilla]

Kinda funny how wizkids followed a similar release order during their run with Battletech, starting with the more complicated version of their Mechwarrior DA/ AoD game, then releasing what was essentially a small scale and simpler ruleset to facilitate easier play with the Solaris VII sets.

[@gregmichaud7314]

That is an awesome box set Please paint them as solo mech pilots. That way, we can cheer on our favorite mech jockey in a future battletech league

[@paulb2474]

Why would they choose not to include the 2 alpha strike cards

[@worlds-in-conflict]

I've loved all the recent releases but that does seem like an odd choice. Maybe Solaris VII games feel like the fir more with the granularity of Classic BTech?

[@Chopstorm.]

Can't you just pull them from the website? I'm pretty sure they're all free.

[@worlds-in-conflict]

@@Chopstorm. absolutely. It's just odd to me given their inclusion in other sets. No biggie though.

[@warlok363]

Because the target audience is normies so adding yet something else that you can't use with what is in the box isn't something typically done for normal boardgames.

[@pjsines4705]

I like those Mech Record Sheets. Will CGL make more available or would it be easier to modify the existing ones?

[@joshuaturnquist5538]

Is it a regular Rifleman 3N, or is it the Legend Killer? It's not a huge difference, but I wanna know if I'm gonna have 3 of the same Riflemen in slightly different poses.

[@worlds-in-conflict]

I think that question is a catch-22. Wasn't the whole original idea behind the Legend Killer Rifleman was that it was disguised as or could pass for a boring old 3N Rifleman?

[@gearshiv]

It's the legend killer

[@billmcgovern8889]

Very cool new box set. Wish they had included Alpha Strike cards. Any idea when they are releasing the Alpha Strike Aces cards? I missed the Kickstarter and cannot find the beta version anywhere.

[@jamesbriggs9014]

When I saw the post on Facebook about this box I thought it was something *other* than a starter box because of the name "Battletech Essentials". Like an extra counters pack or something. I was a little surprised that it's another starter set, but I'm interested to see Solaris as a focal point even if it's just a small box like this one

[@kirkbrownell1556]

whelp, time to make a trip to Target soon

[@gallinadeyeso9638]

Giant robots fighting in arena, its like the Robot Jox movie!!

[@Wildonion1]

This is such a cool box! I couldn’t preorder it fast enough. Of course, now I have to actually paint the Legend Killer and that’s gonna be a challenge.

[@cynthiamiller586]

It's exciting that Battletech is making its way to big box stores.

[@augustinelim1985]

The record sheet in the box is for a stock Centurion, cause the Riflemen is also stock (Stock Rifleman-3N would get completely destroyed by the Yen-Lo-Wang). The Legend Killer was SUPPOSEDLY a special Rifleman, but canon has thus far only show it to be just a stock Rifleman-3M with upgraded lostech at best, and since the mech was lost in a dropship accident in 3067, there is no way to now for sure now.

[@chadnine3432]

And as arena mechs you can paint them in all kinds of outrageous colors and they'll fit in just fine.

[@BlasterCA2000]

I paint mine in all kindsa outrageous colors/schemes already & they fit in just fine. In fact gives them a lot more individuality & character. My former BT buddy knew [& dreaded!] several of my Mechs instantly on sight!

[@MechanicalFrog]

It's a good box. Hopefully it'll get even more players into the game.

[@jonnjonzz5702]

It got me!

[@PRC533]

The loadout of the Yen-Lo-Wang (the centurion) is way cooler than the stock one with the AC10 and LRM 10. It replaces both of those with an AC20 in the arm and the combat claws on the left arm. It's one of my favorite mechs in the entire Battletech universe.

[@StigmaNYC]

This box set will be epic! If you happen to be into the lore like myself the novel by Michael A. Stackpole titled WARRIOR: EN GARDE is the beginning story arcs for Danial Allard his brother Justin Xiang-Allard, Grey Norton, and the Kell Hounds in what led up to the Solaris 7 games. Great read, odd tactics, and mech builds!

[@BlasterCA2000]

Yes, definitively expect to see you 3d the Map! [3d Terrain is NOT the sole purview of AS!] & let your kids decide how to paint the Mechs, c'mon. You're obviously excited about the 'Kid Potential' with this, so go for it. Blaster was here... & was 'Sold!' at the $20 Coupon off for CGLs site [& was disappointed the Starter boxset only had an IWM coupon...]

[@BlasterCA2000]

& note; It's Gray 'Noton', not 'Norton. 🙂

[@mikemalley1909]

No Alpha Strike cards? That's a bummer.

[@dragutincvetkovic6242]

Give them the Solaris 7 arena color scheme, immerse those boyz into the lore and fluff!

[@michaelkimberling7307]

There are target stores in Canada just not as many as in the US

[@GuerrillaMiniatureGames]

They all closed up here a few years ago. :)

[@michaelkimberling7307]

@@GuerrillaMiniatureGames that sucks. CGL really needs to work on their deals with these companies in the future. That way they can have exclusivity agreements with other stores that don’t service the US market and make sure their fans in other markets can reasonably get their products.

[@slackeratlarge575]

I’ve been aware of battletech through MechWarrior, but never played tabletop game before. this is a great way to try it out

[@patton3338]

I really like these record sheets, and want them for all my mechs now. Shame they didn't include AS cards, that seems like a real oversight to me. Isn't the whole point to promote the ability to play BT and AS with the same units? Ahh well, guess they can be printed.

[@mali5698]

For Canadians its best described as the company that killed Zellers and then pussed out within a year lol Sucks I won't be able to get it organically, but really great that Catalyst is able to push product on that level now.

[@12neef]

I dont care about battletech but i enjoy hearing you talk about it.

[@joshuadewberry1557]

June 18 is the release date!

[@billtrent6520]

0:45 we had targets in Canada fir a wail they didn't last for more than a yaer.

[@GuerrillaMiniatureGames]

Yup they came and went in about 9 months!

[@xenofett7008]

I hope this means Target will carry other Battletech products.👍

[@c182SkylaneRG]

So the Rifleman is generic and can be painted however you want. The Centurion, however, with the left arm claws and no missiles, is Yen-Lo-Wang, the personal and personalized ride of Justin Xiang Allard/Justin Allard Liao and later his son, Kai Allard Liao, so that only has the one paint pattern. It's almost a shame that one didn't come pre-painted, but I suspect Catalyst isn't even set up to paint ANY of the miniatures, let alone unique ones that only have a single pattern on them.

[@gearshiv]

The rifleman is the legend killer

[@canislupus3655]

​@gearshiv The differences between sculpts of the normal 3N and this one are miniscule at best tho, and there's no difference in the loadout

[@gearshiv]

@@canislupus3655 it's still the legend killer

[@canislupus3655]

@@gearshiv Sure, but for most practical purposes it's just a repose

[@youtmeme]

dont like target prices, but this is growth for the company....the more the general public us aware of our little hobby, the better exposure for them!! hopes to our hobby in bt continuing in the future for generations to come!!😉🙏✌

[@RozanovaHunter]

Get these mechs into the Rumbleslam ring when they maneuver into melee range 😂

[@Nick_Whiskey]

We had Targets in Montreal.......... for about 6 weeks and then they went bankrupt. They were selling their stuff way higher than Walmart so they never had a chance. They bought all the Winners stores :(

[@kagetemplar]

They bought all the Zellers around me. Anyway, main point is Target's blunder into Canada Means getting this new box set is a massive hassle. I wish these exclusive contracts would only apply to the countries the exclusivity holder operate in.

[@gearshiv]

That's the point of Target though You pay extra to not go in Walmart

[@KaryudoDS]

Well I know if if I got an actual plastic Yen-lo-wang mini I'd paint it in the original YLW scheme. No better excuse to do it! The rifleman I'm not familiar with but an excuse to do crazy Solaris mech schemes is always good. I would have thought Solaris might be some sort of rule expansion but seeing it as an intro set makes a lot of sense too. You can see the political drama from your window, but we're here to punch robots because punching and robots, are both cool. Do wish they could have had some sort of wall standee but I guess that's not normal for Battletech (but it would be nice if it was). Guess I'll have to go get some socks, lunches for the week, and Battletech at some point.

[@BlasterCA2000]

Gray Noton/Legend Killer is the Solaris VII opponent Justin Allard, piloting his custom Yen Lo Wang, made his name against.

[@KaryudoDS]

@@BlasterCA2000 That makes a lot of sense then to have him in the box. I knew Allard. Going to be interesting to try the Legend Killer's scheme though...

[@BlasterCA2000]

@@KaryudoDS Yep, it was the Solaris VII match that made S7 famous in the fluff/lore! In Stackpole's 1st book of the Warrior Trilogy: 'Warrior: En Garde'.

[@KaryudoDS]

@@BlasterCA2000 oh nice, remember that title but it was just not one of the ones I picked up, but I might have to look into that later. Love the Solaris setting in general.

[@BlasterCA2000]

@@KaryudoDS 'Main Event' is the other Solaris VII novel. Much more S7-centric than Coupé, too. A war within the war type story. Very awesomeness!

[@imcubanb2870]

Would you recommend this or the alpha strike box set for a beginner that is a veteran 40k player? I'm getting out of 40k, but I would like to try something else, and this seems cool.

[@keanueraine]

Is it a timed exclusive like the D&D one was. Just wondering as up here in Northern Ontario Canada Target pretty much doesnt exist.... Just wondering.

[@ApocryphalPress]

The company has stated they have no plans to release this product outside of the US. So unless you know someone or are traveling down that way, it will be hard to get.

[@keanueraine]

@@ApocryphalPress Gotcha, thanks Mike. A day trip across the river into the states it is then to pick it up from Weirs Package and Freight UPS drop off then. Was hoping....ah well at least I'll get a shopping trip out of it...and some American Taco Bell, (Canadian Taco Bell just doesn't taste the same lol).

[@ApocryphalPress]

@@keanueraine enjoy the trip. I think the longest I have been in the States was a few days at Darien Lake, so I never got their Taco Bell - barely eat Taco Bell here hahaha

[@worlds-in-conflict]

Dude. My vote is; votes over 😋 Those are 2 characters with significant connections to lore and backstory, id definitely paint them as the mechs/warriors they are featured as in the box. If your fans vote the other way ill Clan honour duel you to get you back to the "correct" decision.

[@o46b83]

Thank you for your review. I stumbled into battletech, and got hooked. What would be a better starter? The essentials or the beginner box of 2022?

[@GuerrillaMiniatureGames]

Not exactly… a bit more basic and geared to those who know nothing about miniature games but still a great intro!

[@o46b83]

@@GuerrillaMiniatureGames fair enough. I might get the essential. That or the alpha strike box.

[@JERRYR708]

Did your box come with the novela? I didn't see it in the designated spot with the record sheet and coupon.

[@GuerrillaMiniatureGames]

It did I just forgot to put it back in and I was reading it!

[@JERRYR708]

​@GuerrillaMiniatureGames I just realized it's not a "Unboxing" video, yer good.

[@pinchejuan93]

Yeah justins my favorite character so if you could please paint his mech thatd be cool lol

[@dragonmk123]

Target exlusive damn... they have been getting into the tabletop games exclusively lately. Dnd, avatar rpg, and this.

[@Marc_Araujo]

So for a new player, is this supposed to replace the Beginner Box or supplement it before moving on to the Box of Armored Combat box?

[@ShadrackMeduson]

take it like a seccond beginner box, it has the exact same quick start rules. The same simple record sheets, the only diferences are the 2 figurines, the solaris arena game mode, the map. It has less cardboard mechs, the beginner box had 8 cardboard mechs, while this one only has 4. So that was a bit of a downgrade for me, but still i purchased both.

[@Ratenef]

Be glad you're one of the Canadians who won't have to cross the border to obtain this product...

[@bloodzyAU]

Another bloody US exclusive, thanks CGL, sincerely rest of world

[@brotherhorus4316]

This could add many new people to the game👍

[@gratuitouslurking8610]

Looks very similar to Battletech Beginner Box, complete with lack of Alpha Strike and main Battletech infostacks at the cost of a quick-run ruleset.

[@nyandyn]

So... another Beginner Box? I wish they had introduced the internals, criticals and heat on the reverse side. That's exactly what you get if you fold Flechs sheets in half.

[@AgataFeelin]

From Canada here also. Fhe $20 is again worthless for us given how insane shipping costs are, even though we are right next to the border...

[@fargoretro]

why woudln't they include Alpha Strike cards???

[@bshean72]

I was hoping for a remake of Solaris VII

[@kereminde]

Part of me thinks this could be "a test case" to look at it and then see if there's something they can work with on a larger scale.

[@m.h.questus]

My vote is to fold the new mechs into existing armies. More drunken Scots!... I mean... the Northwind Highlanders could use some reinforcement...

[@BadgerRobot]

June release date

[@worlds-in-conflict]

Catalyst keeps giving me reasons I have to drive down to Buffalo...

[@euansmith3699]

Giant Robot WWE is a game pretty much designed for Ash vs Jay. 😄😄😄 50t Rumble Slam.

[@worlds-in-conflict]

Also this video has me digging through my basement looking for my old Solaris VII supplement.

[@moemoe3577]

How yhe hell do you play this game?

[@iSilvernail]

6/18/23 release date

[@TheFatalT]

Would be nice if we could get this internationally.

[@jameshojnowski8455]

No Alpha Strike cards? Lame. Oh well, the coupon makes up for it.

[@josoyadi]

clean out that dust under your hands, i scratched my monitor cleaning it :D

[@blastvader]

Catalyst are releasing so many boxes for this I have absolutely no idea where to start. In the end I'm more likely to just buy the original rules, mats and toys off of Ral Partha.

[@ApocryphalPress]

I will also show my disgruntled upset nature for the inability to get this outside of the US. I can’t tell them how to run their business but I would have given them my money if I could.

[@mattsrealitycheck6669]

Making a boxset exclusively for 1 brand of stores...only in the US if f'in dumb

[@adamminister7123]

Oh joy. Something else we can't get in the UK.

[@tomtricity]

Ah missed opportunity. They give you a Justin card but they don't make the Centurian the Yen Lo Wang

[@xerenkeldar]

The mini definitely is the Yen lo Wang, but the card has stats for CN9-A despite having Yen Lo Wang art it looks like. That is weird.

[@Subcomandante73]

Target exclusive...well thanks for nothing CGL.

[@BigBatts]

Wow..more redone models and materials for a tired era

[@dracofrisco9244]

Catalyst has no shame. They haven't even opened the KS pledge, and they release an exclusive product that fans in Europe can't access. Shame, shame on Catalyst. I have less and less desire for their products because of their way of acting with exclusive products to US warehouses. It is the drop that fills the glass. No more.

[@warlok363]

Lol whatever. This deal would have been in the works for months and is far far more important to the growth of Battletech overall than your feefees being hurt for a little while.

[@smtkelly]

Mixed feelings: 1. Mostly because they seem wholly US focused. Example AS tokens are $25 total with shipping to the UK $162.50 ($137.16 for fedex 5day economy). It just makes their store and credits useless. They could fix this with a EU distributor/warehouse, its short sighted to forgo 40% of their sales market. 2. No Alpha strike cards? seems and odd choice

[@TheFatalT]

Write to Catalyst and they can hook you up with cheaper shipping.

[@wyattarthur5275]

@@TheFatalT Everything I ever sent to them gets thrown In the Bin, they still don't have the Shilone listed in the Minatures category on their website I told them twice the first time was over a year ago

[@JimCrimmins]

No Alpha Strike cards? Boo

[@Wookieehair]

I guess the lack of alpha strike was probably a Target decision- What are these cards for? Another game? Too confusing, drop them.

[@warlok363]

​@@Wookieehair bingo.