Tex, Michael Stackpole, Blaine Lee Pardoe and Renegade HPG Talk BattleTech

Creative juggernauts collide in this roundtable discussion of all things BattleTech. Tex, Michael Stackpole, and Blaine Lee Pardoe muse on everything from how neurohelmets work to what our 'Mech's paint job would be if we were a Solaris gladiator!
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VIDEOS FROM MY CHANNEL:
○ MechWarrior: Bulldogs - • MechWarrior: Bulldogs
○ BattleTech Cartoon | Episode 1 [Remastered] - • Video
○ Tex Talks BattleTech with Renegade HPG - • Tex Talks BattleTech w...
○ Tex, Bruins, Bishop and Renegade HPG talk BattleTech - • Tex, Bruins, Bishop an...
○ Michael Stackpole Talks BattleTech - • Michael Stackpole Talk...
○ BattleTech ATLAS vs DIRE WOLF | Behind the Animation with D.C. Bruins - • BattleTech ATLAS vs DI...
○ Custom LEGO Mecha and BattleTech | A Conversation with @hansen_bricks and @gothbricks2000 - • Custom LEGO Mecha and ...
○ Inner Sphere Battle Lance Unboxing | Plastic BattleTech Miniatures by Catalyst Game Labs - • Inner Sphere Battle La...
○ Hired Steel (BattleTech) | A Conversation with the Creators - • Hired Steel (BattleTec...
○ A Conversation with BattleTech's Blane Lee Pardoe - • A Conversation with Ba...
○ A Conversation with Robert Charrette | BattleTech Novelist and Miniature Sculptor - • A Conversation with RO...
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Delivering the news of the 31st century to the residents of the Inner Sphere and beyond!

[@LittleHillsTabletop]

Quote of the Day: "I've only accidently become canon."

[@absalomdraconis]

Almost always better than accidentally becoming ammunition.

[@shawnm1902]

Aww c'mon, I'm sure it's everyone's lifelong dream to be launched out of a gauss and hurled at another mech's cockpit. That'd be better than pulling a Dr strangelove

[@Neuttah]

@@shawnm1902 Born by the Stackpole, died by the Stackpole.

[@Wildcat144]

So Blaine wants Kerensky's Orion knocking down the Palace Gates? WELL CONSIDER IT MY NEXT PROJECT

[@David_Fellner]

Hell. Yes.

[@slayeroflore221]

Don't forget Tex wants a wall in a messed up city riddled by gun fire that just says no

[@Wildcat144]

@@slayeroflore221 oh I caught it hahaha

[@thil2894]

Yes.

[@sep0319]

Or the last remaining "Blackwatch" coming out to meet him... would be nice too.

[@noahdoyle6780]

"I spent three days figuring out the waves of the FedCom invasion of Liao space, where the waves would be." This. This is the kind of care of lore that I love.

[@danielfield650]

I think that's one of the things that Mike does really well. His X-Wing novels really felt believable for that reason, and one of the many reasons that I still read them reguilarly

[@noahdoyle6780]

@@danielfield650 I just found the initial run of 9 X-Wing novels at a thrift store, looking forward to digging into them.

[@danielfield650]

@@noahdoyle6780 You're in for a treat man, I found book 3 in a random store when I was 10, and quickly found a new favorite series

[@kereminde]

@@noahdoyle6780 Some of them are by Allston - who is also quite a treat.

[@TheYemcl]

@@noahdoyle6780 you won't be disappointed!

[@liljenborg2517]

Favorite Battletech "what if" senarios: 4) What if the Clans had actually turned out to be aliens? 3) What if Katherine Steiner-Davion hadn't turned out to be a manipulative, power-hungry witch? 2) What if Jamie Wolf had actually warned everyone? 1) What if Harmony Gold hadn't been such a corporate ass, or, better, a judge had shot them down the first time they went after FASA?

[@watchm4ker]

3) The Second Star League doesn't disband, thus the WoB Jihad doesn't trigger *immediately*. It's more a question of who cracks first: The WoB, the Clans, or Kurita. 2) Depends on who listens to him. FedCom might, Kurita won't, but it's possible the Fedcom buildup along the projected invasion corridor (i.e. the Rasselhague and Combine borders) sets off the 5th Succession War... Just as the Clans come steamrolling in. 1) FASA would still get gunshy about the licensed designs, but perhaps the deal with the cartoons and toys lasts longer? And the problem with LAMs were more an issue of workable game rules, rather than legal troubles.

[@PenTheMighty]

What if the Cameron dynasty returned with a combined arms regiment of BlackWatch and Royal Guard ancestors and pulled a Napoleon, gathering old Merc units that were descended from SL-era regiments, and/or even Comstar? Enough to command an army capable of taking out one of the Great Houses? Would the Clans join them? What about the Great Houses and their response? The Restoration of House Cameron would be interesting, especially if their leader was charismatic enough to pull it off.

[@liljenborg2517]

@@PenTheMighty I thought that they kind of went there with Devlin Stone. Though a lot of people link him to Arthur Steiner-Davion, I remember reading something back in the day that hinted that he might have been a descendant of the Cameron Twins rumored to have escaped on the Tripitz, recovered and hidden by ComStar and unknowingly imprisoned by the Word of Blake. It was supposedly the reason Stone was so determined to essentially recreate the Terran Hegemony as the Republic of the Sphere.

[@PenTheMighty]

@@liljenborg2517 I hadn't heard that but, I am relatively new to Battletech lore. Now I have to go read more Battletech. On no... Where did you read that, was it a sourcebook or novel?

[@liljenborg2517]

​@@PenTheMighty I'm not sure. It's been a decade or more since Devlin Stone appeared in Battletech lore, and the Jihad isn't my favorite era. It may have been some fan post on a forum and I liked the idea better than linking Stone to Arthur Steiner-Davion (as much as I'm a Davion fan), so it became more of my head canon. Officially they've never "solved" the mysterious origin of Devlin Stone. The whole "Rex Racer" style "we thought he was dead, but here he is alive with an altered face" thing was used for several characters in Battletech. It worked for Anastasius Focht (the guy who defeated the Clans at Tukayid), but then they used it for their Darth Sidious wannabe "the Master" who masterminded the Jihad, and then they did the same thing with Devlin Stone, who defeated the Master and ended the Jihad . . . this is how you turn a good idea into a trope and then a cliche.) For more info on Battletech Lore deep dive into Sarna.net. You can follow links around the wiki for hours.

[@shilohbane2957]

Art of Kerensky and Amaris's last meeting? I can just picture the Usurper and the General together in a booth in a bombed out Golden Corral....

[@LastHCompany]

Or a Shoney's!

[@DLPChris]

Shoney's banned Amaris decades ago.

[@ChrisZestyJesty]

Man that was a good talk. Having Tex there with some of battletechs architects just solidifies his place in the battletech community.

[@wheelcha1rman2]

Tex, if he realises or not, is a pillar of the community. He bought me into battletech.

[@ChrisZestyJesty]

@@wheelcha1rman2 same here. If it weren't for Tex talks battletech I wouldn't have started diving into the game and lore. Because of Tex, I'm gearing up to run a time of war for my buddies.

[@DMDMDM01]

This was too cool

[@dubuyajay9964]

Considering that Stackpole thinks reactors are the same as nuclear weapons I sure wouldn't want anything he did blueprints for. 😂🤣

[@RecklessFables]

​@@dubuyajay9964science fiction is full of notions about fusion reactors exploding because "the bottle is compromised".

[@mattvan4984]

Good stuff. Tex rocks

[@vicbadger8902]

Watching Mike Stackpole's joyful reactions to Tex is just the best thing I've seen in a while. Thanks so much for this.

[@dirus3142]

It was nice to see. Tex is geeking out about Btech. I'm sure a little anxiety was saying "you are being that Trek nerd at the convention", but Stackpole and Pardoe are genuinely listening and are amused.

[@Wastelandman7000]

Its wonderful to see people who care deeply about a setting is truly refreshing these days.

[@Muck006]

@@dirus3142 "That Trek nerd at the convention" is the CREATION, a.k.a. CHILD, of the creators/creatives ... and they probably have a different POV on it than "an outsider" who doesnt understand the relationship. [Obviously there are weird creeps AND there are "just actors who play a role but dont identify with it" ... but these two authors have to be infused with the setting to write about it, so the analogy of "parent and child" fits.]

[@leeflorence3838]

These guys truly are the best, and they really get a kick out of being around fans. Hell, I saw Stackpole being the freaking DOOR MAN for the Catalyst booth at a con this year, Just letting people in and chatting like he was just some hired hand they got off craigslist, BUT NO here was this fantastic author NOT gated behind a paywall booth and ni untouchable. He was just there being REAL. Nearly brought me to tears.

[@Wastelandman7000]

I still watch Tex's Battletech game art streams when I'm feeling down.

[@Claymore532]

Ditto.

[@primafacie5029]

Warhammer went and did the Horus heresy... Battletech would have some great tales going back to the Aramis uprising. It would be amazing!

[@benlubbers4943]

What advantages does diving into it have over leaving a big blank canvas for players to place their own stories in?

[@glitterboy2098]

"what if kerensky never left" is literally the backstory to the "Empires Aflame" sourcebook.

[@noahdoyle6780]

Well, I'm going to have to get that one.

[@Wrangler-fp4ei]

@@noahdoyle6780 Get's better. Empires Aflame is FREE, and fans wrote bunch of source books and record sheets books for it.

[@michaelkimberling7307]

Just need George Ledoux and we would have achieved talk show Nirvana

[@yurioorlov177]

I do not think that would end well sadly, too much awesome in one comms it would break somehow just break.

[@michaelkimberling7307]

@@yurioorlov177 short circuit break? Or black hole break?

[@yurioorlov177]

@@michaelkimberling7307 black hole

[@Ratkill9000]

Just remember to pay your bills and it wont crash.

[@michaelkimberling7307]

@@Ratkill9000 Not sure I have enough C bills to cover that level of awesome. This one nearly put me in debt

[@wire_hall_medic8470]

Stackpole, ~13:30: "Don't solve a mystery unless doing so makes it more interesting." How do we export that to more IP holders?

[@orangedream267]

Quite honestly you completely annihilate the current politically active crowd, and make sure social justice stuff is outlawed. And then maybe you can get a recovery of creativity. Maybe.

[@baker90338]

Read: alien series

[@Muck006]

Translation: *_"When solving a mystery ... leave at least two more behind."_* [Kinda like DMing ... give the players at least two options to choose from ... and be prepared to either have both end up at the same place OR actually give them those different options. Having BOTH options be "bad" is the right way to do it ... _"you can chase after the bad guys who kidnapped two girls from your settlement and leave that settlement VULNERABLE ... OR you stay home and keep the bigger number of people safe after being betrayed by those bad people who had been part of the town of less than 200."_ ]

[@cykeok3525]

Over the last two decades, WH40k has been systematically stripped of all its mysteries, and with it, all its charm. The sweeping epic lore "fluff" that was told only in broad strokes has been filled in with excruciating detail in full novels.. yet somehow, filling it in has made it less epic.

[@rotwang2000]

@@baker90338 I remember the look on Ridley Scott's face when he explained his whole "Chariot of the Gods" idea and expected everyone to think he was the new Carl Sagan and get both an Oscar and the Nobel Pize

[@retrophone5249]

One of the things I love about Tex is that he doesn’t hype his appearances in other pod casts. I just stumbled across this one and saw it had Blaine Pardoe and Micheal Stackpole were in it by and well best two hours I’ve spent on shift in awhile.

[@Wildcat144]

This will truly be a talk for the ages.

[@stonewall286]

just hope for more Canopus representation in the future

[@Wildcat144]

@@stonewall286 hopefully I will be there soon

[@squatchhammer7215]

This was*

[@davidstegbauer7299]

They say never meet your heroes or watch them on livestream but in this case this was fantastic. Thanks to Tex for the new content and the two other gentlemen for many years past of a quirky part of my childhood!

[@digitalis2977]

The Wannabe-Classy-Mech will *ALWAYS* be an Urbie with a Pimp Hat and Diamond Tipped Cane...

[@dirus3142]

The Ostsol's original 3025 TRO art work is doing the pimp walk. Years ago the meme thread on MWO's forums a poster put a cane, purple cape, and hat on it.

[@Muck006]

I wonder if "Diamond Tipped Cane" will push the price of that mech to "slightly more than a Timber Wolf" or to "double the price of a Timber Wolf".

[@liamhogan4369]

@@Muck006 Considering “standard” armor has a underlying diamond lattice, probably not much.

[@chrisball3662]

@@liamhogan4369 nope, it's clearly the BattleMaster.

[@connivingcactus539]

Some art I would love to see, especially animated or at least in multiple panels: I want to see Hanse Davion climb into his Battlemaster, charge towards the NAIS to repel the attackers, tear the arm off a freaking Marauder, and commence to praise z0rg, with gusto. That was such a powerful scene in the novels. Basically all of Chapter 42 of Warrior: Coupé.

[@sep0319]

... or an Atlas using a locust as a club would be fun too...

[@knighthawkS86]

Just getting back into Batttletech lore after a long hiatus, but VERY familiar with Stackpole (Xwing series rocks, lol)... awesome to see this

[@jeremybarnhill9804]

My favorite What-If moment would be what if the initial vote to invade to Innersphere in 3000 passed? There would presumably be no Wolfs Dragoons, no 4th Succession Wars, No War of 3039, no Grey Death Memory Core. So many things that would have not happened. Interesting to speculate on. Great to watch this for sure! Lots of fun conversation.

[@TheYemcl]

Mr. Stackpole was one of my favorite Star Wars and Battletech authors from the beginning. He's part of the reason I'm now writing my own sci-fi novel. I've read every single book he's done in those two universes. I've read Impetus of War, Exodus Road, and Measure of a Hero by Mr. Pardoe. I now fully intend to find and buy the rest. Also, Tex is the shit. He needs to voice Battletech audio books. Also, the lack of an alternate timeline helps to lend a sense of grand *history* to the setting. I feel this makes it feel more real, more believable. I think that's part of BT's charm. Tex and Co. have done much to aid that in the last few years. Just the opinion of an asshole though. Lastly, thank you for bringing these guys together, Travis. We appreciate you.

[@Mechator_Rex]

HAIL CARGONIA! Looking forward to it.

[@sep0319]

Excellent Stuff Gents! btw a little note - The US embargo of Japan was to get them to the negotiating table and stop their expansion in china - they opted for war instead. One of the Grey Death Books has the description for the tactile gloves (very rare sldf) on the shadow hawk that allows it to use the hands to pick up an egg without breaking it. As for cooling vests - take a look at F1 racing cooling suit - 1968 / 69 popular mechanics is what I imagined it to be. I have a cockpit question - Is it a projected cockpit where it gives you a 180 degree view (not sure on this fuzzy memory) or a fighter jet type or depends on the Mech. Thank you again.

[@ZypherOfShadows]

Not one of the BIG Mech Heads, but iirc (from mostly the computer games) it's variable based on the design... although with more current video game design ideas for things, such as cars, being entirely armor plated all the way up (think metal box) with sensors on the outside to give a 360 degree view... I could see "newer" mechs possibly going in that direction, minus the cbill costs making them prohibitively expensive.

[@sep0319]

@@ZypherOfShadows I don't know about that. Mech Warrior 2/3 has rear and downward facing cams - MWO and MW5 does not. Lol... Oh on all around view while armored... Check how Gundam implemented it (Hathaway's flash on Netflix has the best visuals on that).

[@riptors9777]

Some have canopy cockpits where you are actually looking through armored glass like the commando, the centurion etc. And some have fully enclosed cockpits like the Marauder that have you look at a bunch of screens instead. (Allbeit modern depictions of the marauder did gave it a cockpit with a canopy.. smack dab in the center of mass.. wich while still giving it the iconic marauder look... would be a horrible horrible design choice cause it would basically mean pilot death with any shot that lands anywhere near the center torso, wich is a design flaw with most chicken walkers in BTech nowadays)

[@HandFullofCheese]

The idea about the Periphery drifters with the firefly feel would be an amazing entry. And I didn’t know about those stories they did for HBS Battletech, will definitely check them out, seeing as HBS Battletech is really what got me interested in the universe.

[@bronco5334]

Re: Mr Stackpole's thoughts on "this is how the invasion of Capellan space HAS TO GO": I appreciate the insight that sometimes, very specific details have to be actually wargamed out and specifically planned, and then that very specific sequence of events has to actually be consistently communicated to all the other authors and artists to maintain continuity. But on this specific topic, I'm not sure I agree. I was under the impression that there were a LOT more uninhabited star systems than inhabited star systems, and that the system maps generally only include inhabited systems. Which means that you could actually START an invasion some 90 light years inside an adversary's space, by charging your jumpships in uninhabited systems where there is no one to see you or report your presence. Assuming, of course, that we're not just going with "but the jump coordinates to those systems were lost in the succession wars!"

[@David_Fellner]

That's a good point. Although if a system is uninhabited/uncolonized, its coordinates might not even be documented. If that's the case, jumping to it might be a much greater risk than traversing hostile space. I should add that this is mostly speculation on my part, as I don't fully understand how K-F jumps work. I'm just under the impression that JumpShips rely on pre-designated coordinates for their jumps to be safe, and deviating even a little from that is considered a huge risk (as with pirate jump points).

[@ssjjshawn]

@@David_Fellner Well presumably the Zenith and Nadir points of any system would be the pre designated coordinates. Also with there being several notable canon examples of just regular jump failure, jumping forward as a scout could very well be extremely dangerous (also helps explain the slow pace of the initial exodus) Alexander Keresensky canonically destroyed the Star League Survey Core. On top prior survey data from the houses initial expansion would be a few centuries older than that, meaning eventual degradation of the storage system and possible corruption of data just by sitting there that long. It was considered remarkable Hanse Davion had enough Star League era texts to found the NAIS. Let alone possibly up to tens of thousands of surveys that essentially say "Just a Star and dust,/Dead Rock/Dear God Dont send us back we barely came back alive" from a few hundred years prior. (For reference, within 16 light-years of earth, 76 stars exist. Only 9 are bright enough to see. Expand that to the Inner Sphere's 800 light year radius.) I do have to highly doubt that survery data of the vast majority of systems in the Inner Sphere exists even in the "modern" setting of 3250, and jumping without that data could be catastrophic. You could end up: Being torn apart by cosmic forces. Starving to death as your ship disabled in the middle of the void between stars. Being vented out. Ending up deported to a Far Country.

[@bronco5334]

@@David_Fellner That is my impression as well, BUT you have to recall that in the period of exploration, the uninhabited systems would have been logged, as well- because otherwise, there is no way to know if the system was worth colonizing. The question is whether anyone kept them on the navigation maps or not. I would think they would, because there is always the possibility that uninhabited systems would later be visited for mining or whatever other reason; or might be needed as a trade route (or military route!) if the inhabited systems in the area became hostile. It is also not clear whether the pre-Helm Successor states have the ability to calculate their own jump points. Obviously it can be done remotely from astronomical observations via telescope/ etc (otherwise there would have been no way to calculate the jumps the first time they were made!), but I don't know just how precise of observations have to be made, or if the successor states are capable of the level of precision to do it

[@glitterboy2098]

the existence of 'off the charts' systems were important plot points in the first few BT novels (the grey death trilogy and the sword and dagger). the lyrans, fedsuns, capellans, and combine all maintained outposts and logistical bases on 'off the maps' worlds, including a few that were nominally within enemy space. these were said to facilitate movement of troops and their supplies without observers seeing all the activity. some of them also were used for covert operations and R&D per dialog. the ones within enemy space were used to help raiding.

[@dopeskone]

Phoenix Hawk is the gentleman's mech. Or a Black Knight maybe

[@michaelmaroney1660]

Marauder 5D. Just saying

[@Deridus]

I'd say the best Gentleman's 'mech is in fact the Slow Poke. Armed with only a single Medium Laser and strolling along barely more quickly than an Urbanmech, it's the ultimate Ultralight.

[@dracphelan]

Tex is actually an AI experiment by the State Fair of Texas that has run amok. ;)

[@absalomdraconis]

An experiment aimed at making deep-fried whisky actually work, I assume.

[@dracphelan]

@@absalomdraconis That, and turning the mascot, Big Tex, into a mech.

[@shawnm1902]

@@dracphelan the urban-tex?

[@watchm4ker]

"Who would design a giant combat egg?" From Sarna: The first original BattleMech produced by Clan Wolf, the Imp originated from a young Nicholas Kerensky's ideas. He suggested that the exiled SLDF needed a totem around which its soldiers could rally.

[@TactWendigo]

Always happy for a dose of Tex, Battletech, and lore.

[@Havocme7]

39:25 That thought process reminds me of when the DS9 crew goes back to Kirk's enterprise. They take an access panel off. 60s design meets "actual" engineering.

[@peterwilson1663]

The Imp was the first Iron Winds Miniature I bought because it looked so goofy. Also, it came in one piece.

[@RenegadeHPG]

YES!!! One piece minis are way too underrated!

[@thorinbane]

We use to play huge games in my friends garage attic. 25 map layout with cities and combined arms. A regiment+ of lead for each of us 3 guys, free for all. The occasional centipede would make the mistake of crossing the game board...imp had a lot of literal kills scratched onto the dry wall ceiling.

[@jamessmith5666]

@Blaine, love to read a story about a Firefly inspired ship travelling throughout the Periphery! I've always thought your accidental time travelling Aegis class warship, The Manassas from Living Legends would make the ideal ship as a character concept. If they had activated their drive during the Smoke Jaguar boarding party and jumped, oh I don't know, a 100 years into the future during the Il Clan era, now wouldn't that be an awesome story! Those Jag's would be like the Marquis from Star Trek Voyager when they find out their clan was all but wiped out! Captain Cromwell would have a real s**t eating grin when the stranded crew make contact and find out what happened to the Jags over the last century. And who's this Alaric guy claiming to be the ruler of the universe?

[@Zeeke01]

Omfg I love the the idea about how the pilot influences the Mechs movement, that definitely gives me ideas for future rpgs and table top games in Battletech! I just love imagining how rival Mechwarriors recognize eachother just by how they move... Great stuff, keep up the good stuff HPG!

[@thegardenofeatin5965]

"Are there pedals?" In the Blood of Kerensky trilogy, everyone does everything with foot pedals. Kai steers Yen Lo Wang with them during the target practice scene, Tyra accelerates her...what did she fly? A Shilone? With them. Phelan kicks his mech's feet out with the pedals. I think Carew does an emmelmen with his pedals...

[@ungooy]

Tex: Challenge accepted. "So there we were, at Golden Corral...."

[@joshualeniger]

This is great, glad I stumbled onto your channel. As a teen in the 90"s with a cool dad who was into pc building and playing games I got hooked on Mechwarrior. The I found books one day while in a bookstore, had no idea! The first books I read are still today my favorite. The Blood of Kerensky 1-3. So many sleepless nights, could not put them down

[@Wastelandman7000]

I think the best motives for invasion is either Star League caches, or factories with equipment that is hard to come by. A lesser reason would just be to mess with your rival power.

[@graywolfalphaone]

I honestly do need to go back and start collecting the books. Support these fine writers while they're still alive and they're able to collect their dues.

[@harvestblades]

While my love for the BT Universe goes back to seeing MW1 & especially MW2 when they were first released I am only now having a chance to play the Classic tabletop game & really dive into the lore. It has been a crazy two months but thankfully I found Tex & the BPL to help guide me down this insane path. So happy to have found this podcast & in particular this episode with arguably three of the faces that could be on the BT Mount Rushmore. It did not dissapoint & looking forward to catching up onnthis podcast & looking forward to new episodes.

[@mickbrown7793]

regarding the earlier mention of alternate universes - they're a huge amount of fun for fans, but as with Mr Stackpoles comment on closing up historical events. AU ideas are something fans can do a lot with. I won't mention any fanfics that might get anyone into hot water, but some of the most popular are ones that go AU in entertaining ways.

[@jadekaiser7840]

Honestly, my impression of BT is such that I highly doubt they take any issue with the fanfic community. I mean, consider the whole thing with Tex and the free state of Van Zandt; that technically qualifies as fanfic, and yet here we are.

[@mickbrown7793]

@@jadekaiser7840 It's not a matter of them taking issue, as such, as the fact that there's unfortunately precedent for individual fans becoming a problem - not in Battletech specifically, but there are at least 2 other fandoms where individual fans claimed their ideas were used and sought payment. Thus, actual writers are well advised to NEVER admit that they've looked at fanfiction. And thus, they can't acknowledge it if they do. Unfortunate, but I really don't want to get Mr Stackpole or Mr Pardoe into trouble.

[@thorshammer8033]

Can you imagine the Amaris civil war as a novel series , including source books, mech packs, an RPG book as well. My nipples explode with delight

[@Captain_Kickass-l1f]

I know these guys are all busy with other projects, but if they did a podcast on a regular basis, i would listen to them talk about literally anything.

[@AcexxBLKRose]

The firefly esque story is exactly what our ATOW campaign a crew serving off the Randy Dandy. A random crew of misfits trying to earn some Cbills and survive each other.

[@David_Fellner]

I really do love the idea of a story centered on a periphery colony that formed during the Star League, was forgotten, and evaded the ravages of the Succession Wars. It could be small enough that it wasn't a factor during those events, but due to retaining its technology and growing undisturbed over the centuries could become a major player during the 31st century. ... Wait, did I just accidentally describe a miniature Taurian Concordat?

[@dirus3142]

I love that idea too. That is what I think about when I see those lone independent planets on the perifery. Like Detroit, which is in between the Taurian and Canopus. Or the worlds around the Torguga Dominions.

[@christiedt9818]

That's more or less the background for a Merc group I run. Except instead of tech advancement it was savvy trading.

[@user-wq9qf9xt1w]

Two men I have read for many an hour. Then you add text who's passion brought back something I held dear. Very nice

[@JCDadalus]

I already know this is going to be Legendary. Can't Wait!

[@h.a.9880]

I read a lot of BT novels about 2 decades ago... I wasn't much of a reader and I always feared that if I re-read them I might be disappointed... Then I re-read them. And I was utterly blown away, they were even better than I remembered. So many great characters, so many great storylines, so much political intrigue. To see 2 authors that helped create and curate that universe and provide novel upon novel of great content just makes me so happy.

[@horsemumbler1]

41:30 Buccaneer with a swagger stick(+windshiled-breaker studs on the end) instead of the standard issue axe. You can stand with discipline and snipe with the ER Large Laser, dash up and blast anything that comes close with the MLs, and finish the job with a jab to the cockpit or swing to a critical joint. Use the weight saved by omitting the blade to accommodate the wet bar.

[@walt_man]

Rest well before our Mechwarriors! For this is gonna be good!

[@shogg4]

The funny thing is that I have gotten into battletech because of Tex and even played a game of table top using some else's mechs at a game shop once

[@wildboar222]

31:30 Dont worry tex, my sleep addled brain found it hilarious

[@CowCommando]

The McDonald's sponsored Solaris mech is too good to pass up. Somebody get some art on that stat.

[@Muck006]

Which version though? - an Urbie with a "ball-torso" painted to be a big burger OR - a tall humanoid one painted as Ronald McD

[@leechowning2712]

@@Muck006 Urban-Big Mac. Seriously.

[@Muck006]

@@leechowning2712 That will frustrate all the Scots though ... because they will try to figure out a way to get the animal fodder - salad, tomatoes, ... - out of it.

[@CowCommando]

@@Muck006 Either, both, whichever I can get first.

[@Wastelandman7000]

I think Mr. Pardoe's Periphery tramp armed trader idea would be a hell of a game too.

[@noahdoyle6780]

"How can a Mech weigh only 20 tons, and what about ground pressure?" Me, a space gamer looking at BT jump point...issues, and delta-v requirements to a planet and back: "Oh, you sweet summer child."

[@weirdguy564]

The delta-V problem? You mean that problem that the tonnage of hydrogen fuel on dropships would never produce the constant thrust for days on end even if it was made of anti-matter? Yeah, we sort of ignore that and go with the rule of cool.

[@noahdoyle6780]

@@weirdguy564 Well, that's one part of it. Going from the plane of the ecliptic to a polar solar orbit takes...a lot of ∆v. Like...all of it. Because zenith/nadir points aren't really a thing. (I'm kinda working on a way to make it all work with staying on the ecliptic, currently unsure of success/feasibility. RoC will probably stay.)

[@weirdguy564]

@@noahdoyle6780 I think it was done that way for gameplay reasons, science be damned. It makes the travel times constant, no matter what time of year it is. You can see that jumping in above or below a star means the planet is going to be X distance at any time of year for that planet to Nadir or Zenith jump point. From a writers point of view you can pre-calculate that for the players, make a table of transit times using 1 gee constant acceleration, flip over, and deceleration, and be done. I know they do that, I've got books with those tables in them like my 1st Edition RPG. Is that how science works? No, but most things in BattleTech are not very scientific, especially BattleMechs. A tank would actually be better frontal armored and do the job just fine, but that is not as cool as a giant robot, so they're written to be better. Again, science be damned.

[@noahdoyle6780]

@@weirdguy564 Yep, I've done games with ephemerides (Jovian Chronicles). It's interesting, but I get why FASA didn't.

[@yourseatatthetable]

A classic interview. I've listened to a number of them and they have vindicated some long time theories of mine, opened my eyes to a few more, and gave me ammo for my SRMs. Awesome stuff.

[@chesterstevens8870]

I've been trying to get back into creative writing after a long hiatus, and have been using Battletech as a medium and we'll to draw ideas and concepts from. This interview with two high profile writers for the franchise and it's unofficial ambassador/SME has been a tremendous boon.

[@kereminde]

Good luck with your work!

[@canderoussnurd4265]

As a fellow writer I wish you the best. I’ve been using Battletech as a boon myself. Ironically it helps to ground me in my work. Long live House Calderon!

[@chrisball3662]

For my two cents, I always felt that the books hinted at the neurohelmet link providing the finer motor control, like for fingers and foot placement. That the helmet read the various brainwave pulses and could respond in a limited fashion. THe better the mech pilot, the smoother and more precise everything worked. I also feel like the books and the many illustrations so mechs moving very smoothly and fluidly -- not clunky like in the games. Again, I always attributed this to the myomer muscle fibers. Mechs are not moved by gears and pistons, but by contracting muscles just like the human body. Hence, smooth. And if the helmet provides a lot of finer control, that makes it even smoother.

[@SovietGrazz]

32:40 "Warhammer is like the AK47 of mechs" - Best gun, best mech. Hell yeeaaaaaaaah!

[@telecleez]

Michael Stackpole was my favorite Battletech author and I miss his writing.

[@casperionx]

There was a book that referenced that star league era suits were full suits, but then went back.

[@Dracobyte]

Great podcast episode!!!

[@JustinKase1969]

Going to create a Battletech Vortex with all this goodness sir ;)

[@Wrangler-fp4ei]

Amazing interview with my favorite people in BattleTech today. Thanks for doing getting the show going, Renegade RPG!

[@Disastromatic]

The idea of the little backwater outfit making ends meet is exactly the kind of "small start" you'd want for a Battletech film or series. A highly-relatable, sympathetic cast of characters that end up in way over their heads when the big bad Houses come knocking.

[@justinnelson1839]

Absolutely loving "Hour of the Wolf" so far! Excellent content. Thank you Travis, Blane, Michael, Tex!!

[@ottawamonsterpocalypse7729]

That was very enlightening. Thanks for doing it!

[@mattmoloch1212]

Here's one for Tex, dazzle camo wasnt only real but was the first camo used in the civilian market . The dazzle ball in 1919.

[@VantasStrider]

Sadly I must sleep but this is bookmarked for my drive up the UK from Cardiff to Edinburgh, Tex did not send me but I'm sure he would have if I'd had time to watch the BPLs content thus last week or two 😜

[@RenegadeHPG]

Just uploaded the audio to iTunes, etc. if that's easier on the commute.

[@Troubleshooter11]

Gentlemen, all four of you rock. Thanks for entertaining us.

[@casperionx]

When Kai was slotted into an elemental battle armour suit

[@Moctipotili1]

"You are THE Kai Allard Liao?!?" One of my favorite scenes in a book

[@mindoxsuul5703]

Wow. I once had a Swayback painted in Day Glo Pink and Purple from Solaris. It became a wtf on a regular battlefield. The group got a kick out of it.

[@yourseatatthetable]

Well, I'm working this evening, which means a lot of hours in the truck, driving between jobs so I'm looking forward to listening in. Though, I suspect, I'll have to listen in again to catch anything I miss.

[@tenchraven]

This was a great line up! Given that Stackpole's writing kept me in Battletech when no one in my town played it, but Tex brought me back after the dark age, full circle here. The show off mech... A Highlander, in black and chrome. For more practical, Highlander or Shadow Hawk in matte grey, greens and browns, with a ghille cape. For Solaris... Shadow Hawk with a "camo" of hot pink, blaze orange and electric blue- the eye rejects it's existence.

[@TesseractMinis]

Well now you've done it... looks like that Warhawk you said was impossible to paint has been added to my list of "shit I'm gonna try, but probably shouldn't try."

[@RenegadeHPG]

Send pics when you're done!

[@TesseractMinis]

@@RenegadeHPG I've been posting my first few mechs in the Battletech sub, you'll find me there as MrShyMTG. I genuinely reckon I can do this... I just fear it might be a chunk of time before I have the space in my work day, to fit it in.

[@death2all79zx]

Pics or it didn't happen.

[@Muck006]

1:18:40 concerning "cooling vests" ... Roughly 40 years ago there was a Brit who had modified his leather motorcycle suit with some "heating wires" ... and he plugged the suit into the motorcycle to get the power for heating.

[@ArrakeenProductions]

I have to say that when Michael mentioned Fred Saberhagen I geeked a bit lmao good show yall and cheers

[@DLPChris]

Same!

[@thorinbane]

Big thanks for someone who started in 87 and enjoyed the majority of the books, even the dark age which wasn't really where my head and gaming was at that age

[@ShawnEnge]

Great interview. Loved the back and forth and learning about some of the processes, and had a good time listening. Thanks!

[@robert8659]

I was having a bad day for various reasons. But then I got to listen to Michael and Tex and my day got infinitely better. Thank you for this.

[@erniemiller1953]

Around 1:10:00, referring to the helmet removal, It would stand to reason that a mech would have pre-programmed subroutines to do simple operations, such as sprinting that would take over to prevent the mech from falling flat. You might even have subroutines that would return a mech back to stable or rally point if it still functioned and the pilot was unresponsive.

[@WolfHreda]

I saved this into my Watch Later pretty much when it came out. Can't believe it took me this long to get here. I think the classiest 'mech is probably the Guillotine. He's a fancy lad.

[@thorinbane]

Dwayne loose still holds the number 1 spot for his mech and vee designs

[@RobinWhiteTX]

Great Podcast! Lots of cool stuff discussed.

[@sixtis731]

Oh my GOD, I'm reading Stackpole's "Malicious Intent", right now! Totally think the Vlad imagery would have been cool, but I do like the Jade Falcon sticker over the top of the Wolf paint on the Warhawk. Love the books, love the lore, forever a fan. Thank you

[@ColonelEviscerator]

I can't wait for someone to finally let Mr. Stackpole know that fusion reactors wouldn't fail like that.

[@dubuyajay9964]

^ Yup, reactors are NOT A-bombs! The "explosion" is usually overheated air or steam that over pressurizes the casing.

[@BallChainGaming]

@@dubuyajay9964 in fission reactors sure, but a fusion reactor is literally a miniature sun. In a catastrophic failure if everything went right you might just get a Stackpoling.

[@dubuyajay9964]

@@BallChainGaming Except they're cold fusion reactors?

[@BallChainGaming]

@@dubuyajay9964 they aren't. Not seeing reference to them as anything but fusion engines

[@cykeok3525]

@@dubuyajay9964 Cold fusion refers to more lenient conditions for initiating the fusion reaction (does not require temperature/pressure to be THAT high to start). Once it's successfully started, it sure as hell will be hot. That's the point, after all!

[@jimdee5319]

Thanks for the content my dudes.

[@spaceboyg78]

Loved this one! As a fan of the Rogue Squadron novels, THANK YOU for bringing up that topic with Stackpole. Was a pleasant surprise and icing on the delicious cake that was this chat.

[@DLPChris]

It's cool to hear Tex geeking so hard.

[@CrankyOldGamer]

Classy mech - the Crab. High art, limited run. The Dorean of Batemechs.

[@TheCastleKeeper]

I have always been a fan of the RPG side of the game, specifically Intelligence Operations in MechWarrior. My players are playing that out right now in my home campaign. I would love to see more art and stories related to this niche area.

[@thorinbane]

The operations manual with all the parts and planets and what is guarding it was amazing.

[@Ironknuckle100]

Well strip my Mech and call me a Capellan, this will be amazing.

[@michaelmaroney1660]

Never go full Capellan.

[@bombomos]

@@michaelmaroney1660 you'll never come back

[@Aceman52]

This. Was. AWESOME!!

[@ryanlorenzo5003]

"I can make the math work to make a mech do a somersault. But the question is why would you ever do that?" Yeah but imagine it in Solaris Arena, performing a somersault DFA on a crippled opponent?

[@PlanetX87]

Holy shit this is gonna be awesome!

[@Muck006]

40:00 Worrying about "how does the stuff get repaired" and "how are missiles reloaded" is something that is right up my alley ... and one of the "easiest" ways to do it in the field might be if the mech had the ability to lie down on the back or kneel down. Having "service mechs" which can pick up the missile packs from the ground and put them in the shoulder mounts is another option ... which makes "mechs with hands and good/flexible arms" a good idea. In Starship Troopers EVERYONE in the mobile infantry drops ... and fights ... from cook to priest to bureaucrat. Thus even the service mechs should be "armed".

[@psychkosys]

I played in a MechWarrior campaign that may have been the best one that ever existed. The GM rewrote a lot of history and started the game in 3015. The biggest departure was the Dragoons were actually the descendants of Clan Wolverine and the Outbound Light actually never found the other Clans, nor could the Dragoons find their way back to the clan homeworlds. There were a lots of other twists and turns that were always great fun to see unfold. I love the idea of Kerensky not leaving.

[@joshuawisniewski738]

On the converation of a wasp being a honda civic (start) 41:16 - (point) 42:06 I wonder what others think of what a Toyoata Tacoma is as a mech. what are some other reall life cars that you relate to mechs cause I've always done this when I'm driving around. so glad i'm not the only one that thinks of this. such a great podcast.

[@RenegadeHPG]

lol, the Wolverine comes to mind when I think Toyota Tacoma :) Sturdy, reliable. Maybe a Panther too

[@KamikazeViking]

This makes me motivated to go digging for the Isengrim Lore we wrote all over the place. We took a tiny little paragraph about a group of planets in the deep NE Kurita periphery and ran with it. I'll get around it it... after MWO worlds is over.

[@danielfield650]

I love watching 3 creators I respect sitting down and just talking about the setting. Blaine, I still haven't forgiven you for making me feel bad for Smoke Jaguars, but I'll get over it

[@gbladewarrior6884]

I would love a story told from the perspective of a mech, from when it was built during the star league all the way to the dark age as it was handed from owner to owner, scavenged, rebuilt and eventually destroyed. Like Black Beauty.

[@spudman4792]

Battletech Legacy, about a Grasshopper prototype.