How to play Battletech: Shooting Phase

I go through a basic shooting phase between 4 mechs using simple modifiers

[@Grumium101]

I use different colored dice for walking, running, and jumping. I generally use white dice for walking +1, red for running +2, and black for jumping +3. Then after that you can put the modifier on the dice for defense. For example the Hatchetman moved seven and ran so I use a red dice to denote a run +2, and then 3 on the red to denote the defense modifier. If something has a 0 for a defense modifier for movement then I put the dice on a 6. I also use pop cycle sticks for weapon fire declaration. I write down each weapon a mech has and the location of each for fire archs. You could use anything like that to make it easier.

[@efarias2180]

Our group is pretty quick with figuring out the attack numbers, but the different colored dice make it a bit easier and I don't need to remember if I ran or walked, etc.

[@ChromeDrakeGaming]

This videos have been invaluable. I'm only just starting my Battletech journey, so thank you very much! As an aside, could you please tell me what sort of laser pointer/liner you're using? I'm trying to locate something similar but I'm not entirely sure what I'm looking for. Thanks.

[@Munky332]

Man I love battletech. never really got into the physical board games, only ever done MegaMek and Neveron, and just now reading through some of the older books now that the 2018 Battletech PC game came out. I really like the 3025 era stuff, seems to me like it is the most balanced. I have a ton of questions on odd scenarios though. also, those are some sick dice. I would roll those all day, just to roll them.

[@agamelift]

Whats cool is that all the eras play together. In our group we will field pre 3050 designs right there with 3150. In fact a lot of pre 3050 designs are more sturdy as they have a regular fusion engine, not a light or XL. I was really happy to get those dice. They came from a GenCon one year and I was able to find them through a small time site.

[@JERRYR708]

Wow, didn't think I would like these new rules and weapons, but I find it really interesting and fun. I'm used to playing 3025 from the 80's. Fun video.

[@agamelift]

I'm glad you enjoyed it. It does surprise a lot of people that many of the newer, current era weapons really aren't that much different. Much of the difference is going to be in tonnage, range, heat, and damage. Really, in out group we use mechs from all eras in our battles. They really are all competitive across the board. The danger of unbalanced rules happens when bringing in Word of Blake pilots and C3, that is a tremendous nightmare.

[@efarias2180]

Nope, just the one. For torso twisting we use Litko game accessories tokens. We came up with a lot of house rules, after playing multiple games in an attempt to speed the game up a bit. Although i like Alpha Strike, Classic Battletech is my fav version to play.

[@agamelift]

+Erik Farias Same here, I love the entire ruleset of Battletech. For me, I can add the numbers up pretty quickly so at times where most of my opponents still have a couple mechs to figure out shots on, I will have my entire force figured out thanks to using the front dice. In your games do guys find themselves asking their opponents what their distance run is very often?

[@efarias2180]

Normally, we take turns moving our mechs and immediately look up the modifier for our mechs movement and add the modifier for the hexes. If I ran, I just use the red die and my opponents know I ran and see the modifier for my distance so we don't really have to waste time asking too many questions.

[@agamelift]

+Erik Farias O ok, I see what you mean now. Hey, if that's what works for you guys, go for it. I don't have enough dice to use the color method.

[@ahouyearno]

@@agamelift I've used DnD dice of which I have way too many. D20 for jump, D12 for run, d8 for walk

[@Deadorbiter_]

One thing I don’t understand is things like, house mechs and inner sphere mechs, what does that mean? Also I’ve read up on these eras where the different mechs come from, for instance a certain mech was made in 3050 and it’s specific model is sturdier, is this true? And one more question, where can I buy the miniatures, I love painting them and they look pretty cool. And one final question, in an earlier video you mentioned vehicles, I have watched a battletech battle report where one of the players used a helicopter to drop some sort of infantry behind the enemy mechs, is this a legitimate thing in the game?

[@andrewj8691]

The Inner Sphere (IS) is the entire realm of humanity in the BattleTech universe (the one exception being the homeworld clans beyond the Northern edge of the Inner Sphere map). The IS is composed of multiple Great Houses - House Davion (Federated Suns), House Kurita (Draconis Combine), House Steiner (Lyran Commonwealth), House Marik (Free Worlds League), House Liao (Cappellan Confederation). Some Houses (and Clans) have totem mechs, for instance the Templar is a big House Davion Mech and the Kodiak is a Ghost Bear totem mech. As far as sturdiness and difficult to maintain traits those do not affect regular gameplay, that is more based in RPG style games. In a pickup game or campaign that is not heavily detailed the mechs on the board will typically all function as well as each other. Some players pick mechs by weapons layout, other players (like me) pick the mechs I think look cool and then pick variants I like the style of. Purchasing minis can be done from multiple spots. Iron Wind Metals produces the pewter minis and is my personal pick as they have supported Battletech for forever. Catalyst Game Labs recently created the Lance pack runs and are releasing two new box sets soon that you should be able to order from their store. If you support a local game store, they should be able to get you access to nearly all of these products. One final option is Aries Games and Miniatures, he has a ton of minis to pick from, has good shipping time, and a very good reputation. I do think that you can do Battle Armor drops but the rules can get a little tricky to keep straight once you bring units other than mechs onto the field. Our group has tried adding vehicles and Battle Armor into the game but unless everyone is learning the rules and on the same page the game can get bogged down explaining things. Since we started playing together in 2014/2015, we tried adding vehicles and armor, but at this point its typically only mechs on the field.

[@Deadorbiter_]

Andrew J thank you

[@WeedleTomato]

How does the thing that you use to project that laser line called? Never seen it before. Looks very useful

[@agamelift]

Locally they are at the gaming stores I frequent. It is a laser pointer that redirects the light to be a line. If they arent on the shelf, your LGS should be able to get one.

[@Munky332]

Also, someone should make an Ipad/Android app to track all this instead of writing on paper. Imagine just ticking ammo used, or having it run the calculations for you in regards to movement and shots. you could even have the apps sync together and have the other players listed so you could view their stuff? hmmm.. ideas man..

[@agamelift]

It is definitely possible, an Ipad would definitely be the tool for it. Although, there are many good aspects of having the sheets out. It maintains the honor/integrity system, you can just switch out sheets vs scrolling or hitting a touch screen which may hit the wrong thing anyway. One thing I really like about Battletech is that it is all manual, hands on for everything, no electronics.