Get Started With Battletech With Upcoming Beginner Box
July 8, 2022 by fcostin
If you have been worn down and tempted by John to get yourself into Battletech, Catalyst Game Labs have now announced that they will be releasing an entry-level box this Autumn, stomping forward with the BattleTech Beginner Box.
Battletech Beginner Box // Catalyst Game Labs
Into the epic armoured combat, the upcoming Catalyst release provides any player enough to get their menacing mech onto the table. The box itself encourages players to start to carve out their skirmish adventure. The rulebook has been condensed down to 12 pages, to introduce players into the mech-on-mech combat gently, providing an easy option to then expand on to core rulebooks.
What beginner's box would it be without some mechs themselves. Included will be two models unpainted for you to slap on some design. Maybe you have been inspired by the video game on steam, or want to create a mech of legends. There is also a map sheet, reference cards, and accessories to get those big stompy robots on the table.
Back Of The Box // Battletech Beginners Box
The BattleTech Beginner Box is set to release on September 21st. If you are knee-deep into Battletech like John, you will know that it can be a little difficult to get here in the UK. Quite a lot of retailers here have this item already on restock ready for release, or out of stock completely. So if you do the beginner's set in the wild after the release, be sure to snap it up before it disappears! Or opt-in for a restock notification,
Have you bought into Battletech? How have you been getting hold of your products?
" Included will be two models unpainted for you to slap on some design..."
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? two mechs talk about a small starter box. An according to the game site sold out.
Because it’s not September 21st yet. I guess they will “stock it” at that day.
you hope.
it’s not GW … so it may actually be available without having to queue for it 😉
Lol probably.
25USD for two minis is an OK price. Add in dice, tokens, a map and a base rulebook and you really have deal. Though you really need to point out that the rules are the bare minimum. Between Beginners Box, the “A Game of Armoured Warfare” box and the “Total Warfare” book are major differences. Walking, running, flying, skidding and all that. But it’s a really solid start.
And yes, I am excited for the upcoming Kickstarter.
You can get the rules they are putting into the box online for free. There are resources like DriveThruRPG where you can get map packs for less than $10 and even less than that when on sale. Everyone probably has D6 dice or you can pick them from an existing game. Mechs you can purchase separately or even 3D print. The box probably costs more than the components. If you do not know better or are lazy sure I guess it is a good value otherwise nope, it is not considering when on sale you can get the big brother… Read more »
yeah “if” it’s on sale and “if” it’s in stock. But just compared to many other starter sets I think this nice box is a good value. The map is already printed and in good quality and the mechs are also done.
Printing your own maps and minis isn’t free also. If you start factoring in energy, ink, paper, resin/filament it starts to add up. DYI is not always cheaper.
Again: as a starting point for Battletech it’s good value. Or even as a gift to snag a normie.
The upside of the big box is you’re getting full rules. The downside of the big box is you’re getting full rules. The game is crazy popular, but it’s incredibly dense and old-school, getting into it without someone who already knows the rules is quite the task. It really makes sense to have a more cut-down version available as an option or intro at least.
I thought Alpha Strike was the modern sleek version of the rules?
It is a different beast altogether. AS is simplified intentionally, for larger model counts played on a gaming table. BAC is played out with 4 to 5 models on a hex map. Both are great imho.
I do like that with this refreshed Beginner Box they’ve swapped out the Wolverine with what I think is a Vindicator(?). Pairing it up with the Griffin that was already exclusive to the Beginner Box makes double-dipping very attractive. Personally though I’m waiting on that Alpha Strike starter set…..
It has got me interested, think your right on Vindicator, though it’s interesting as it’s 10 tons lighter than Griffin.
I mean 20-ish quid to have a taste of Battletech and see if it’s for you is not bad really. And even with the 10 ton weight difference, the Griffin & the Vindicator appear pretty evenly matched. At least on paper. And I won’t deny, the prospect of being able to grab “Retaliation” packs again in the Mercenaries kickstarter campaign of the various boxed set exclusive minis for less than their respective boxes is sorely tempting….
The original beginner box is this and is £17.99
https://shinygames.uk/product/battletech-beginner-box/
The original mechs are a griffin and wolverine and the new one is up on FP to pre-order
https://forbiddenplanet.com/360328-battletech-beginner-box-merc-cover/
For anyone who wants to get into Battle Tech for what your getting this is a nice price
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/144632703986?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20200818142055%26meid%3Deb4cc26cb933400e95ed4ad9d3082e18%26pid%3D101113%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D12%26sd%3D144091317925%26itm%3D144632703986%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2563228%26algv%3DDefaultOrganicWeb&_trksid=p2563228.c101113.m2108
That seems like nice deal. Vindicator also goes well with Griffin because both are PPC armed medium mechs.
Is this a reprint run? Beginner Box has been out for a while, so is there anything new?
They’ve swapped the Wolverine for a Vindicator and there’s a new novella
The bigger box is a good entry point. The price was more than okay and realistically you can’t put something much cheaper on store shelves. Nice to see them giving it an update like this.
review of the new starter box
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLj2qIm9GR8