Battletech D20?

[Hollywood]

I don't know BattleTech, but based on this if it's a near futur setting, Armagedon will certainly work, and provide many rules for character war tactics, etc...

Well, there is a different feel to BattleTech than there is to a more Japanese/Anime mecha approach. Its more, well frankly, western and the mechs are for the most part basically tanks that walk.

That being said, Heavy Gear is much like BattleTech, albiet as I remember the "mecha" are a bit smaller in scale than BattleTechs.

Basically, as far as published stuff goes, and as I understand it there are the following, for rules:

Mecha Crusade [Polyhedron]
d20 Mecha [GoO]
Mecha Compendium [DP9, using d20 Mecha rules]
Warmech: Armageddon 2089 [Mongoose]

For BattleTech flavor, Mecha Crusade is really quite out. It pretty much introduces mechas as nothing more than very large sets of powered armor. This may be ok with a more anime style of play, but really does not fit the BattleTech universe well.

Based on the general bent of GoO, which has to be admitted to lean towards anime, I too would have to await reviews to decide which, if either, would better fit a BattleTech "feel". And it may be that both or neither do, or both, while not prefect, fit BT far better than the click-a-mech from Wizkids.

 

[Ranger REG]

Ranger REG- you have read the d20 Mecha rules?????
How do you know that they are more anime than armagedon's rules? I have the Mecha Compendium (from DP9) which use the rules from d20 Mecha (from GoO), and inside you'll find d20 stats for the Mecha of Gear Krieg, Heavy Gear, Jovian Chronicles and many new setting.

I have yet to see Guardians of Order's d20 Mecha core rulebook. All I know is that Guardians of Order are known mostly for their Anima/Manga genre products. They also say that their d20 Mecha is based on their upcoming Big Eye Small Mouth d20 but can be used as a standalone.

Now, I don't know much about Gear Krieg but I do think it is about as BT-like as it can get under the d20 Mecha ruleset, which is cool.

Also, it was mentionned that Mongoose had access to the d20 Mecha rules and will try to make their Mecha as compatible as possible with Mecha produced through d20 Mecha, and if they did not use the rules, it was because setting specific elements changed the cost of several features, while GoO book is effect based (i.e. you choose the stats, then you'll have a cost, while many construction system let you choose the elements of your construction, then you figures the effect, there is chances that it's why Mongoose use a different system).

I did not know that, and personally, I wish they had taken a different route with regards to mech-based games.

I don't know BattleTech, but based on this if it's a near futur setting, Armagedon will certainly work, and provide many rules for character war tactics, etc... But if it is based around any other time period, depending on how much the original poster wants to spend (d20 Mecha is at $19.95 for 80 B&W pages softcover while Armagedon will be Harcover Fullcolor high page count and around $40 IIRC), to perhaps choose d20 Mecha. I know that I'll wait for review of both before taking any of those.

I know BattleTech. I live and breath those stuff, and its tactical wargame approach give it a distinct persona apart from the Japanese mecha genre.

I don't mind GOO's doing an Anime-flavored mecha ruleset, but I do mind if Mongoose give us a different variety of mech ruleset.

I LOVE VARIETY.

 

[Lord Ravinous]

Is Armagedon: 2089 a Hard Back? or Paper-back

 

[Ranger REG]

According to this link:

http://www.mongoosepublishing.com/detail.asp?ID=90&Series=Armageddon

It's a 304-page hardback with a $44.95. In one word, "ouch," says my wallet.

 

[Blacksad]

I have yet to see Guardians of Order's d20 Mecha core rulebook. All I know is that Guardians of Order are known mostly for their Anima/Manga genre products. They also say that their d20 Mecha is based on their upcoming Big Eye Small Mouth d20 but can be used as a standalone.

Well, BESM has an anime flavor, the exemples, illustration and the name of some abilities have indeed an anime flavor. But the system itself, that is the Tri-stat system, is trully generic, it has been used for anime but also for SAS, Ghost Dog, HKAT and IIRC another religious heavy RPG from GoO.

The d20 Mecha book is apparently based on the Cool Robot Big Starship BESM 1st edition supplement, but alas, I do not have this book, so I don't know if it means good or bad news.

 

[Ranger REG]

Based on the general bent of GoO, which has to be admitted to lean towards anime, I too would have to await reviews to decide which, if either, would better fit a BattleTech "feel". And it may be that both or neither do, or both, while not prefect, fit BT far better than the click-a-mech from Wizkids.

If you still like the classic BattleTech, fear not. Fantasy Production got the license (from WizKids) to develop and maintain the familiar product line.

www.ClassicBattletech.com

Trust me, it is just like Classic Coca-Cola. After all this time, it still taste better than any new Coke drink, including the Vanilla Coke.

 

[Hollywood]

It's a 304-page hardback with a $44.95. In one word, "ouch," says my wallet.

Depends... I bought M&M for like $30 bucks and its only 192 pages, and it was worth the money. So 302 pages, if its good with nice layout, etc. would be worth $14 more bucks. 'Sides, if you buy from like Barnes and Noble or Amazon or even EnWorld you generally get a small discount so it should be about $40 bucks. :/

If you still like the classic BattleTech, fear not. Fantasy Production got the license (from WizKids) to develop and maintain the familiar product line.

Yes, I am aware of Classic Battletech.. and while I did say I liked BattleTech, I didn't say I liked the rules all that much.

But the system itself, that is the Tri-stat system, is trully generic

What does the Tri-stat system, and its possibility of being generic really have to do with whether the GoO d20 Mecha leans more towards anime or not? Or can handle a more BattleTech-esque playing environment.

 

[Ranger REG]

Depends... I bought M&M for like $30 bucks and its only 192 pages, and it was worth the money. So 302 pages, if its good with nice layout, etc. would be worth $14 more bucks. 'Sides, if you buy from like Barnes and Noble or Amazon or even EnWorld you generally get a small discount so it should be about $40 bucks. :/

Well, I can basically handle a product that is $40 or less (sales tax not included). Unless it is a computer software (game or application, but haven't really bought a lot of those), I won't spend more than the aforementioned amount.

There is only one time I did but I took advantage of the low preorder price deal and it was T20: The Traveller's Handbook (retail price $44.95). Ordered direct from the publisher for about $40 including shipping + handling.

So, I will have to do some smart shopping, without a plastic. May have to wait until there is a sale.

BTW, the $32 MnM despite the low page count is chock full of game information, complete enough to play the game. So it is worth the $32 price tag.

Yes, I am aware of Classic Battletech.. and while I did say I liked BattleTech, I didn't say I liked the rules all that much.

Loved it. The combat is fast-paced as far as wargames go.

But what they excel in that, they have yet to find the right RPG ruleset.

What does the Tri-stat system, and its possibility of being generic really have to do with whether the GoO d20 Mecha leans more towards anime or not? Or can handle a more BattleTech-esque playing environment.

I could be wrong. I don't mind being wrong about this one.

Like I said, GOO is known for producing Anima/Manga-based games. It doesn't mean I don't like it, I do. I may want to use d20 Mecha to revive my Robotech games (which BTW, no one has claim license to that famous IP, that or Macross). It is just one group of the mecha genre spectrum. (Like Star Trek and Star Wars occupying the spectrum of the science fiction genre, despite both having thematic differences.)

 

[Blacksad]

What does the Tri-stat system, and its possibility of being generic really have to do with whether the GoO d20 Mecha leans more towards anime or not? Or can handle a more BattleTech-esque playing environment.

It means that GoO are used to do generic RPG mechanics, even if the flavor of their books lean toward anime.

i.e. people can, and have used BESM books for Shadowrun and other non-anime setting.

 

[Hollywood]

BTW, the $32 MnM despite the low page count is chock full of game information, complete enough to play the game. So it is worth the $32 price tag.

Yeah, I thought so too.

Loved it. The combat is fast-paced as far as wargames go.
But what they excel in that, they have yet to find the right RPG ruleset.

Mms, I suppose if you only play without the Level 3 or Max. Tech rules, it goes a lot quicker. Then again, its also very dependent on the # of mechs you play with, the tonnage of the mechs, etc.

Not sure about the RPG rules, never really dealt with them... except on the outskirts of the wargame.

Like I said, GOO is known for producing Anima/Manga-based games. It doesn't mean I don't like it, I do. I may want to use d20 Mecha to revive my Robotech games (which BTW, no one has claim license to that famous IP, that or Macross). It is just one group of the mecha genre spectrum.

I guess my wants/desires tend more towards battlefield scenarios when it comes to mecha than necessarily role-playing. But to have a system that can handle both, but stresses the battlefield more-so, would be great. However, I doubt I'll see that from GOO.