Apr 23
Bought the sourcebook “Empire Alone” and some Star League minis at my local games store today and all the girls in the Battletech section were mutually doing this at each other
seen from Algeria
seen from Canada
seen from Türkiye
seen from United States
seen from Italy
seen from United States
seen from Belarus
seen from Germany
seen from Singapore
seen from United States
seen from Canada
seen from China
seen from Luxembourg
seen from China
seen from China
seen from Singapore
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from T1
seen from Netherlands
Bought the sourcebook “Empire Alone” and some Star League minis at my local games store today and all the girls in the Battletech section were mutually doing this at each other
Battletech Novel Thoughts
I finished two newer Battletech novels by Bryan Young, A Question of Survival and Without Question. It was nice to read something newer from the franchise since previously I've read stuff from the FASA era. For me, they were aggressively okay.
Pros: Made me actually like Jade Falcons. I'm an Inner Sphere man through and through but Jiyi Chistu is cool and I like the cadre of Falcons introduced in the two books. Also introducing me to the Lone Wolves merc company. I really like the idea of an umbrella company to make the larger logistical issues easier. Plus it also had some cool and interesting characters and outfits. I wanna learn more about this company and some its characters like Katie Farro and the Fox Patrol or the lance of Battlemasters. This inspired me to create and IlClan era mercenary company. The action and battle scenes were also well written for the most part. These novels were also my introduction the most up to date era for Battletech, with my previous readings being right before or in the years after the Clan Invasion. Reading how Chistu and co. navigated the challenges of rebuilding was intriguing. These novels were also my introduction the most up to date era for Battletech, with my previous readings being right before or in the years after the Clan Invasion. Reading how Chistu and co. navigated the challenges of rebuilding was intriguing.
Cons: The two novels felt like they needed another pass through the editor, primarily for grammar and technical issues. There were a few times where the flow and meaning was off cause of it and I had to re-read a section. Secondly, I'd also say another pass through in terms of story structure and how he was getting that acrossed. Particularly in Without Question. The novel's three act structure made me think that the Lone Wolves were going to interact with the Falcons a lot more but then just disappear from the novel after act 1. Another merc company comes in, and then leaves for act 3. My biggest issue with act 3 of Without Question is the characterization of the military head of a formerly Jade Falcon planet. I felt that the reader was expected to not sympathize with him because he saw the issue of the Falcons returning as a bad thing do to previous history with them under Hazen. Which is stressed was not good and reading up on the Mongol Doctrine, I completely sympathize with his position of "better to die free, then live a slave." even though I'm also hoping a peaceful solution can be found.
My expectations for the novels going in were mixed. I heard previously that Young was a bit polarizing between the new fans and the old guard. So I was expecting something really different, even if most of that was coming from his social media use. After reading them, I'd lean more favorable then not. But I wouldn't say to use them as a first intro to the setting, that's still gonna be the Blood of Kerensky trilogy for me. I don't regret the time reading them and the characters are definite plus for me, mostly. But I feel they could have been better, more polished at least.
BattleTech 9/5/2024 7 HEAVY GAUSSES ON THE TABLE
Battle Report
My Forces: Fafnir FNR-5X (4/4), Hollander II BZK-F7 (4/5), Hunchback HBK-7S (4/4), Goliath GOL-4S (4/4).
Enemy Forces: Crusader CRD-9S (4/5), Atlas AS8-S (3/4), Stalker STK-8S (3/4).
Turn 1: I lose the deployment and initiative, deciding to move in my assaults slowly to keep woods between us while moving up my medium mechs at a long distance, my opponent moves his mechs up to hide behind a level 2 hill. Hollander attempts a hard shot, misses the Stalker, and stays standing.
Turn 2: The Stalker and Crusader peak over the level 2 cover they hid behind as the Atlas moves in close but staying out of sight. The Fafnir suffers 54 damage, nearly all to the right leg but manages to stay upright. Hollander shoots and misses, falling from the recoil of the Heavy Gauss Rifle. (Pictures 1 and 2)
Turn 3: A slow turn with few hits from either side, the Fafnir starts falling back behind more cover. The Hollander II however moves just into medium range of the stationary Crusader and lands its 20 damage slug into the Crusader's side torso detonating its Improved Heavy Gauss Rifle and destroying the mech's XL engine. The Hollander does stay standing. (seen in picture 3 above)
Turn 4: Hiding behind cover and moving in, only a few shots are fired, the Hunchback starts to run into the backline with its supercharger and avoids any damage, the Hollander hits the Atlas, and falls. The Atlas moves up, with nearly all shots striking the Fafnir and shredding its armor, receiving return fire and a barrage from the Goliath through 2 light woods.
Turn 5: The final turn the Hollander runs, misses, falls, making its record 3 falls, 2 hits, 1 kill. The assault mechs in the middle trade fire and land nearly all of their shots. The Atlas loses its right side from two heavy gauss rifle impacts as one of the two Improved Heavy Gausses of the Fafnir detonates, with the pilot barely remaining conscious and upright. The Atlas is functionally out due to prior damage. The Hunchback charges the Stalker, managing to avoid a 25 damage slug and lands the charge, dealing 35 damage and detonating the Stalker's Heavy Gauss Rifle, taking out the enemy mech. (Picture 4) The game is called.
This was solid fun. I tend towards elite builds but this match me and my opponent decided to roll from a set of lists and I rolled a more regular force. I had pre-made set in the ilClan era and we both ended up with Lyran Commonwealth lists, 8k forces. The Heavy Gauss Rifles were very funny, terrifying, but funny. We both ended it laughing about the Hollander II for its "little shit" shenanigans.
ASK ME QUESTIONS ABOUT MY MERC COMPANY FOR BATTLETECH!
If I haven't come up with the lore yet, I'll do it off the top of my head.
Blunt Company FKA "Corzo's Cutters", FKA "Corzo's Bastards". XO: Ganryu Corzo, callsign "Bastard" (Formerly "Tortuga"), Ex-Taurian Guard CO: Alejandra Montoya, Callsign "Scalpel", ex-Taurian Guard Jak Narien, callsign "Macross", ex-Taurian Guard Tia Sczalinski, callsign "Boom-Boom", ex-Solaris 7 gladiator (0-2-8) Bob Wallace, callsign "Guru", ex-Taurian Guard
The Smoke Jaguar claims this world.
Identify the forces that defend it so that we from the mists of space may know on whom we pounce.
So excited, finally get to test my Clan Fire Star. I'm also nervous, I have won my one and only match, tonight could break that "streak".
Davions in the ilClan era are just begging to get the Steiner treatment. Look how juicy and undefended they are.