Past Opinion Articles

Article for the week of 9/8/07

And then we have the starter book. Sword and Dragon is a full-blown scenario, detailing the rivalry between the Draconis Combine and the Federated Suns. The Draconis Combine is a faction of what is called the Inner Sphere. They are a feudalistic Japanese culture, who hates pretty much everyone out there. The Federated Suns are more the Anglo-Saxons of the Inner Sphere, with French/English leanings. All three books are perfect introductions into the CBT universe.

And then we have the newest addition. The 4th Edition Boxed Set. Yep! You guessed it! Plastic minis have returned. New maps; a brief look at history; ´Mech sheets; and twenty-four plastic sculpts of some of the Universe’s most used Battlemechs. Rules for playing the board game that are simple to follow. If you’ve never played a demo game of Battletech, then you’re missing out.

At the gaming convention where this boxed set was released, there were demo games going almost constantly. Nothing beats the thrill of teaching new people how to move their thirty-foot tall walking tank across a battlefield. The minis give a good image of the machines used for death and destruction in a time when Battlemechs are the weapon of choice.

Pick up any of the products mentioned here. It’s a great way to get introduced to the Battletech Universe. Imagine it! The thirty-first century, ten-meter tall walking tanks, interstellar travel in the blink of an eye. Politics that would make even Stalin blush. Highly recommended if you like futuristic warfare and culture.