Greetings,
Have not done a follow-up in some time. I was pretty busy getting ready for Adepticon. We got a lot of big news from a posted wrap up on the
playtest to
Podcasts with marketing and rules devs.
So, lets dive in.
Core rules book is due to drop at Gencon. Ive heard it probably wont be retail until October.
Im gonna cover some items but not everything.
The main item from the playtest that was scrapped was the side torso hit table removal. Not gonna miss that one.
- Ammo bins can be half loaded. (I thought this was already allowed..)
- Front loaded initiative (I know some folks dont like this, but for sake of speed and ease I think its due)
- Roads can assist infantry and vees to make level 2 changes. Cool.
- Height no longer negates partial cover. (At first I didn't like this, but then I realized it makes sub levels kind of crappy.)
- If a charging unit's target can no longer be charged, they can now declare a new physical target. (No lost turn!)
Here are my "whats going on here?" items.
- Floating crits is standard, but still optional. (Pick a lane and make the opposite optional.)
- No ammo dumping any longer. (I think this hurts ammo carrying mechs further. I miss the tactical choice of dumping and the offensive choice of trying to sneak a back shot on somebody. A shame.)
- No skidding anymore. (I was really hoping for a simplification and not complete removal.)
Missions packet. I dont have much to say on this. Its good for a quick set up if you had no idea what you were gonna play before meeting up. I prefer more involved missions with interesting objectives, but I think for a base supplement in the core book the missions are fine.
New starter and Game of Armored Combat Boxes.
I think the new
Game of Armored Combat box being in ilclan isnt the worst idea. CGL really wants to promote the current era. I personally dont care for it as its more tactical paper rock sccisors, but its got its fans. I think the real hold back is going to be on ramping. There are zero, zip, ziltch video games set in this era. I think the video games are a top lead in, and CGL cant do much about that as they dont have the rights to make them.
The mechs in the new starter box are a mix of whoa cool (vulture) and WTF? (Raksasha). Though, getting more sculpts of mechs that are not in plastic is a good thing. What about the previous set of mechs like the Battlemaster, locust, catapult??? Those will be moving into force packs so those classic mechs will still be available. Now that I mention it, the Clan Invasion box is done-so as well. The mechs will make a Star force pack and elements will be in their own overpriced box.
Look for the existing boxes to go on clearance soon!
The real head scratcher is the new starter box. It has the Hammerhands and Kontio mechs... You know the Kontio mech you take out when you want your friends to feel bad? I guess the idea was that new players will be able to launch into the toughest of ilclan day one. So sure of this CGL is, that they cut the record sheets in half again and made special toned down variants just for the starter box... Im not sure about this one. I dont buy starter boxes anyways.
Final thoughts.
There is a little more clarity now in the Battletech space. The "core" ruleset is intended to be the tournament set going forward. Plans to revise Tactical Operations are in the works, but existing stuff remains usable now even with the rule change. Think of it like 5E 2014 to 5E2024.
There is going to be an adjustment phase as many of these rule changes are simple single digits or movement of the order of operations. Things that have become mental muscle memory will be slightly rejiggered. Most of the changes I like and think will streamline play a bit. A few things im gonna miss (probably keep as local houserules).
Thoughts?
