Great unboxing. Thank you for sharing the contents! I gotta agree with Vectre below, I really wish Catalyst would update how they are interacting with the community and marketing BT. The set seems like a solid value at $60, and the plastic models look really great also! Thanks again for sharing!
While I don't mind 8 miniatures compared to the last version of BT Introductrory Boxset that had 24 miniatures (older 80's aesthetic), what I don't like here are the hex maps. Hex maps in 2014/2015 Introductory Boxset were made of hard cardboard, with a premium quality and feel. These new hex maps are step backwards quality wise. While $60 is a great price for this, that was also the price of the older Introductory Boxset, so I am not overwhelmed. Also the time of release has been moved from 3rd quarter to 4th quarter.
I was going to say the the same. Eight miniatures is really just about right, that's two full "armies" for normal BT play. However I really lament the loss of the hardback maps, it's a big, big difference in longevity. In the big picture though, it's a great product.
Unfortunately we can't have everything. I agree the previous introductory set had nice hard maps, but that was also a loss-leader set and the miniatures, while better than some, pale in comparison to these new ones as far as quality and scale. This set is a very good compromise on price and content. No product will ever please every fan and if it allows Catalyst to produce more sets in the future while bringing in new players and reviving previous fans, then I'm all for it. I do mention that the release will be 4th quarter in the video which we all know sometimes delays happen and the changing of gears from lawsuits put a crunch on timelines.
Cost of (good) cardboard has been going through the roof too, may have had something to do with the decision. I'll probably give mine a quick blast with something a bit matte, though.
The rising cost of cardstock was a specifically mentioned issue (of many) for why the previous plastic box set stayed out of print. So it makes sense that this new set skipped cardstock maps.
Just got in and just got the box. . . What I am curious of is, are any of these starter boxes worth buying doubles? Double Javelins? Double Locus? Double Wolverine?
It boils down to what you want and like. If you're just starting out, I'd suggest variety over multiples of the same until you determine if you like something enough to have more than one.
Appreciate the unboxing, I'm hoping to get my hands on the new box sets as soon as they hit the shelves and now I'm more confident on that decision. I understand it's hard to beat the content of the previous Beginners Box but I can imagine how it could be a bit overwhelming to someone new to Battletech. This way it seems more straight forward and appealing. Of course, the new miniatures are a big helping factor also. Are there any news or plans for more products and minis to expand from the basic sets yet?
I certainly hope so! I would assume that if these new box sets sell well enough that they'll continue making more but I don't work for Catalyst and I don't have any access to that particular information.
So i just found out about this new box set, i have a old complete 3rd edition box set, and i wanted to know if the minis are compatible or are they out of scale with the new stuff?
They are not stuck in the 80s. You are aware of the ongoing lawsuits for the last 25 to 30 years. It's over! So finally all the unseen mech's can be made, and those unseen can now be upgraded to look like mech warrior online design's. Plus the old designs in some cases, still smoke the new ones any day of the week!
You do realize that most of the Macross-Inspired Unseen have been given a new look already. That was a part of why CGL got drawn into the HG trolling against HBS & PGI. In fact, just start here: www.deviantart.com/shimmering-sword/art/Battletech-Wasp-718292106 This is done by CGL's new BT Art Director. The Wasp is one of 15 redesigns, defined as Classic, that he's posted. Add to that the Commando, Catapult, and Awesome, and that's 18 3025-era mechs Classic-ified.
The designs are not the complete game, though. The game is creaking under the weight of 30+ years of expansions/patches. CGL has proven unwilling to change that, citing the holy grail of "mostly" backwards compatibility. It's like they don't want to sell to new customers. [And no, neither AS 1st or the announced 2nd edition is going to change that].
Well speaking as someone who wasn't actively involved with BT for close to 20 years and only got interested again maybe 3 years ago, I'm thrilled that I could still use mostly what materials I had for rules reference until I could get my hands on more current rules (I picked up the Battlemech Manual in 2017). That "backwards compatibility" you disdain is one of BT's strengths! Yes, it can be a little clunky and slow, but the main rules fit the general Lance-on-lance nature BT always was ment to be. The basic turn form for BT works well enough. It only really get's bloated once you start adding more and more tech beyond recovered Star League gear and the Clan versions. Thankfully the Battlemech Manual covers most of that and the reprinted Total Warfare should as well. Between the BMM and TRO: Succession Wars, plus the reprinting of the older Core Books, the new Box Sets, and the storyline advancement beyond 3145-50, BT is starting to come back into it's own on the tabletop.
The backwards compatibility is only a feature if you prefer to play 3025/3050, which usually means you're a grognard or a returning player. Also, both FASA and CGL prefer complicated rules instead of complex ones, which means the game and its popularity suffers for it.
So what changed, last time I've played battletech, the unseen were seen and they looked like the anime counterparts... And the fan designed perfect gundam... And that in the 80's and fasa still owned it
Is that rulebook the battlemech manual???? I really wish they would stop doing the 3025 reboots. Someone picks up the boxset, then does a little research and boom, heres another century of in game fiction to get you brought up to speed on where the game is currently at. They could have at least made it a post jihad/pre Republic primer.
No it's not the BattleMech Manual, that's 150pages, this is just the basic and intermediate level rules that are more new-player friendly. I'm sure you'll get some post Jihad content that you're hoping for in future releases, but from a rules and gameplay standpoint, a new player is more likely to be overwhelmed by the myriad of tech involved in the later eras unless restricted to Alpha Strike. And perhaps if they release more box sets based on the success of these, there will be period specific types of sets. It can't all be done at once unfortunately.
I'm so disappointed in the new maps, the fact that they are folded gloss paper instead of printed cardboard with probably prevent me from buy this product. The artwork does look excellent and the miniatures look fantastic, but still...excellent video thank you.
CGL specifically mentioned cardstock prices as a reason the last box set went out of print, so you never had a chance of getting that unless you want everyone to have to pay another $10 just to have a heavier map. The paper still works fine. Mount it on matte board if you want to.
Im looking forward to this release. I have the Introductory box set from around the 2006 era which came with loads of mechs. The rules were so complex it kind of put me off. I play 40k, Necromunda, Blood Bowl etc so im used to reading reasonably complex rule sets, but I think it was how they were laid out that bothered me. I had a look through the more recent total warfare rulebook and had exactly the same issue, I was never intereset in anything but the mech combat. Not seen the Battlemech edition but heard its better? Reading and listening to the commentary for this set, its clear they want to address the exact issue I had. Clear up the rules (think its still the same rule set though right?), make them easier to follow and more presentable. I will wait for a review of the manual before I buy, be great if you could go through it? I understand the Battletech universe pretty well from my time with Mechwarrior 2, Mechcommander all the way to the latest Battletech game, which I love and has totally reignited my interest.
H7XLP Thanks for the comments. Classic Battletech rules can be a lot for some folks to learn and the rule books have had their fare share of disarray. There is a new consolidated rule book that addresses a number of those issues. If you prefer a faster playing game with large force battles as an option, I can recommend Battletech Alpha Strike rules as they play much more like a skirmish game.
@@CamoSpecsOnline Is the new consolidated book the intro book in the box or do u mean the 2017 Battlemech Manual? Would i need the battletech manual as well as the rules in the box set? :)
I had a look at Alpha Strike as well. Looks good but maybe too far the opposite direction. I actually watched a series of battletech instructional videos afterwards and its definately much easier to watch and learn than look at the old rulebook, I got all the concepts pretty quickly.
Not yet, I didn't want to paint something and show it off when it wasn't a model available for purchase. Since the latest news is that box sets hit the shelves in December, you can expect a few painted up around that time.
The fact that you're not familiar with their marketing strategy in itself is evidence that it is stuck in the 80's! (i.e - there isn't really much of a one ;P )
They don't have a marketing strategy beyond trying to keep the remaining grognards happy and buying. Period. Been like that since CGL took over in 2007.
Mouth-to-mouth marketing might not be very efficient, but it's cheap. I've introduced battletech to multiple people, a few of which actually play it with some regularity. It's always great to find more and new players, but the rules (I hope they don't change them) are made for grognards, not for the broad masses. Conventional modern marketing might be overkill for it's purpose.
I'm not familiar with their marketing campaign, but whatever their strategy is, it is certainly better than the kind of hype that was generated for Gloomhaven which by any standard is an abysmal game... If there is a lack of marketing for Battletech, it can only be because it simply isn't needed - those who know the game, love the game, it's just not designed for those of the ADHD generation who think in sound bytes and have no patience for instructions longer than a text message. It's a true grognard's game.
Yes yes and yes! I do MWO videos on my channel but have a small collection of Table top mechs and want to get more. I love this stuff. Check out my channel too
Are they still using the same basic rules? Dear god this game needs making more inclusive if any game needed it. Bigger models, no hexes, and streamlined rules will open it up to more players. This game *comes* with rules bloat. BT has a amazing background but the game puts people off 😯
james bryant There have been rules for using measurements without hexes for years as well as faster playing, simplified rules through the Alpha Strike ruleset that allows for much larger sized forces to fight and resolve large force games in a few hours.
This is a seriously underwhelming set compared to the Introductory Box Set... 24 miniatures with 2 more premium ones, two cardboard maps, a much more detailed primer, a painting guide, two stat cards, thicker mech sheetbook, even a poster map thingy. All for $60. This set practically halves the value for the same price.....
They had to. 1. Maps are better paper than cardstock. Because Cardstock for the last ~5 years have been increasing in price. Also paper has always been used since box sets in the 90's. 2. The 25th set was a major loss financially. They need to make more money to make more BattleTech for us.
Lol, like CSO said, when has a starter set EVER been intended for existing players? "The miniatures" has always been the only value for existing players to buy up starter sets, soooo what you're saying is the value is good.
omg this is amazing ive been waiting for a reeboot of the battletech game for the longest time.
Get this out already!! I've been waiting almost 20 years to get into BT!
Great unboxing. Thank you for sharing the contents! I gotta agree with Vectre below, I really wish Catalyst would update how they are interacting with the community and marketing BT. The set seems like a solid value at $60, and the plastic models look really great also! Thanks again for sharing!
While I don't mind 8 miniatures compared to the last version of BT Introductrory Boxset that had 24 miniatures (older 80's aesthetic), what I don't like here are the hex maps. Hex maps in 2014/2015 Introductory Boxset were made of hard cardboard, with a premium quality and feel. These new hex maps are step backwards quality wise.
While $60 is a great price for this, that was also the price of the older Introductory Boxset, so I am not overwhelmed.
Also the time of release has been moved from 3rd quarter to 4th quarter.
I was going to say the the same. Eight miniatures is really just about right, that's two full "armies" for normal BT play. However I really lament the loss of the hardback maps, it's a big, big difference in longevity. In the big picture though, it's a great product.
Unfortunately we can't have everything. I agree the previous introductory set had nice hard maps, but that was also a loss-leader set and the miniatures, while better than some, pale in comparison to these new ones as far as quality and scale. This set is a very good compromise on price and content. No product will ever please every fan and if it allows Catalyst to produce more sets in the future while bringing in new players and reviving previous fans, then I'm all for it. I do mention that the release will be 4th quarter in the video which we all know sometimes delays happen and the changing of gears from lawsuits put a crunch on timelines.
Cost of (good) cardboard has been going through the roof too, may have had something to do with the decision. I'll probably give mine a quick blast with something a bit matte, though.
Thanks for that information, I wasn't aware of that and that certainly may have been a cost factor.
The rising cost of cardstock was a specifically mentioned issue (of many) for why the previous plastic box set stayed out of print. So it makes sense that this new set skipped cardstock maps.
Thank you for showing us this new boxed set.
Thanks, Im stoked to get my hands on it now. Im also chomping at the bit for plastic mech boxes with the new designs.
Can not wait to get this set
I have wanted to play battletech for a long time. This looks like I can start finally
Try this visual guide.
ruclips.net/p/PLB8oFbFw2kCmrg3D_6PuR6mmFZmJAisl2
Thanks alot for this unboxing, can't wait to get hold of this set!
How big are the hexes on the new maps?
The hex sizes on the maps are 1.25" across, the same size from all previous map sheets so you can combine them with older ones just easily.
Just got in and just got the box. . . What I am curious of is, are any of these starter boxes worth buying doubles? Double Javelins? Double Locus? Double Wolverine?
It boils down to what you want and like. If you're just starting out, I'd suggest variety over multiples of the same until you determine if you like something enough to have more than one.
Looks so good, can't wait to get both
Appreciate the unboxing, I'm hoping to get my hands on the new box sets as soon as they hit the shelves and now I'm more confident on that decision. I understand it's hard to beat the content of the previous Beginners Box but I can imagine how it could be a bit overwhelming to someone new to Battletech. This way it seems more straight forward and appealing. Of course, the new miniatures are a big helping factor also.
Are there any news or plans for more products and minis to expand from the basic sets yet?
I certainly hope so! I would assume that if these new box sets sell well enough that they'll continue making more but I don't work for Catalyst and I don't have any access to that particular information.
I understand. They could have shared this or that though ;)
Really looking forward to this
Best deal in wargamming as a whole
So i just found out about this new box set, i have a old complete 3rd edition box set, and i wanted to know if the minis are compatible or are they out of scale with the new stuff?
I'd be interested in comparing the new rules to the "old" ones.
Partial cover has a smaller modifier.
No, the ORIGINAL original maps were cardboard with one pre-printed side and one blank hex side for customization
Should do a video on how to make a diorama.
Not a bad suggestion. The steps to integrate miniatures into terrain is probably where I would focus so I'll keep that in mind.
Why Catalyst didn't have this ready for the launch of the Battletech PC game is a mystery for the ages.
Apparently that was the intention but they've had major manufacturing and shipping issues.
They are not stuck in the 80s. You are aware of the ongoing lawsuits for the last 25 to 30 years. It's over! So finally all the unseen mech's can be made, and those unseen can now be upgraded to look like mech warrior online design's. Plus the old designs in some cases, still smoke the new ones any day of the week!
You do realize that most of the Macross-Inspired Unseen have been given a new look already. That was a part of why CGL got drawn into the HG trolling against HBS & PGI. In fact, just start here:
www.deviantart.com/shimmering-sword/art/Battletech-Wasp-718292106
This is done by CGL's new BT Art Director. The Wasp is one of 15 redesigns, defined as Classic, that he's posted. Add to that the Commando, Catapult, and Awesome, and that's 18 3025-era mechs Classic-ified.
The designs are not the complete game, though. The game is creaking under the weight of 30+ years of expansions/patches. CGL has proven unwilling to change that, citing the holy grail of "mostly" backwards compatibility. It's like they don't want to sell to new customers. [And no, neither AS 1st or the announced 2nd edition is going to change that].
Well speaking as someone who wasn't actively involved with BT for close to 20 years and only got interested again maybe 3 years ago, I'm thrilled that I could still use mostly what materials I had for rules reference until I could get my hands on more current rules (I picked up the Battlemech Manual in 2017).
That "backwards compatibility" you disdain is one of BT's strengths! Yes, it can be a little clunky and slow, but the main rules fit the general Lance-on-lance nature BT always was ment to be. The basic turn form for BT works well enough. It only really get's bloated once you start adding more and more tech beyond recovered Star League gear and the Clan versions. Thankfully the Battlemech Manual covers most of that and the reprinted Total Warfare should as well.
Between the BMM and TRO: Succession Wars, plus the reprinting of the older Core Books, the new Box Sets, and the storyline advancement beyond 3145-50, BT is starting to come back into it's own on the tabletop.
The backwards compatibility is only a feature if you prefer to play 3025/3050, which usually means you're a grognard or a returning player. Also, both FASA and CGL prefer complicated rules instead of complex ones, which means the game and its popularity suffers for it.
never saw the FASA rules as complicated.... but then the younger gens want things easy.. even if they are smarter than us old mech jockeys....
So what changed, last time I've played battletech, the unseen were seen and they looked like the anime counterparts... And the fan designed perfect gundam... And that in the 80's and fasa still owned it
How much is this going to run retail price for ?
Nice content.
May have to take a closer look.
When does this come out??? I can't wait to buy it!
Is that rulebook the battlemech manual???? I really wish they would stop doing the 3025 reboots. Someone picks up the boxset, then does a little research and boom, heres another century of in game fiction to get you brought up to speed on where the game is currently at. They could have at least made it a post jihad/pre Republic primer.
No it's not the BattleMech Manual, that's 150pages, this is just the basic and intermediate level rules that are more new-player friendly. I'm sure you'll get some post Jihad content that you're hoping for in future releases, but from a rules and gameplay standpoint, a new player is more likely to be overwhelmed by the myriad of tech involved in the later eras unless restricted to Alpha Strike. And perhaps if they release more box sets based on the success of these, there will be period specific types of sets. It can't all be done at once unfortunately.
I hope they release the plastic miniatures individually
IWM will eventually release them in metal.
How do these scale with the wizkids mechwarrior mechs?
Clicky tech wizkids ones are bigger
I'm so disappointed in the new maps, the fact that they are folded gloss paper instead of printed cardboard with probably prevent me from buy this product. The artwork does look excellent and the miniatures look fantastic, but still...excellent video thank you.
CGL specifically mentioned cardstock prices as a reason the last box set went out of print, so you never had a chance of getting that unless you want everyone to have to pay another $10 just to have a heavier map. The paper still works fine. Mount it on matte board if you want to.
@@ShimmeringSword ah I didn't know, I'd pay the extra nonetheless. It'll cost me just as much to laminate the maps.
Is that a locust in ?
?
Voice is a bit faded.
Indeed. Big discrepancy between the intro volume and mic recording.
Great review but I'm disappointed you only showed one side of the maps. As you said, many people are excited about them. The maps are a big deal.
Im looking forward to this release. I have the Introductory box set from around the 2006 era which came with loads of mechs. The rules were so complex it kind of put me off. I play 40k, Necromunda, Blood Bowl etc so im used to reading reasonably complex rule sets, but I think it was how they were laid out that bothered me. I had a look through the more recent total warfare rulebook and had exactly the same issue, I was never intereset in anything but the mech combat. Not seen the Battlemech edition but heard its better?
Reading and listening to the commentary for this set, its clear they want to address the exact issue I had. Clear up the rules (think its still the same rule set though right?), make them easier to follow and more presentable. I will wait for a review of the manual before I buy, be great if you could go through it?
I understand the Battletech universe pretty well from my time with Mechwarrior 2, Mechcommander all the way to the latest Battletech game, which I love and has totally reignited my interest.
H7XLP Thanks for the comments. Classic Battletech rules can be a lot for some folks to learn and the rule books have had their fare share of disarray. There is a new consolidated rule book that addresses a number of those issues. If you prefer a faster playing game with large force battles as an option, I can recommend Battletech Alpha Strike rules as they play much more like a skirmish game.
@@CamoSpecsOnline Is the new consolidated book the intro book in the box or do u mean the 2017 Battlemech Manual? Would i need the battletech manual as well as the rules in the box set? :)
I had a look at Alpha Strike as well. Looks good but maybe too far the opposite direction. I actually watched a series of battletech instructional videos afterwards and its definately much easier to watch and learn than look at the old rulebook, I got all the concepts pretty quickly.
@@ReplicaJr This is easier.
ruclips.net/p/PLB8oFbFw2kCmrg3D_6PuR6mmFZmJAisl2
Whoohoo! I got this set for - I kid you not - fifteen bucks! $15! Let's just call it a happy Amazon accident. :)
Hey B1B, have you painted any of these new models yet?
Not yet, I didn't want to paint something and show it off when it wasn't a model available for purchase. Since the latest news is that box sets hit the shelves in December, you can expect a few painted up around that time.
@@CamoSpecsOnline okay cool, thanks!
Where would I order?
How do I get this
Are these still 1/285th scale
Yes, but some sculpts are bulkier which makes them look larger. I'll be doing a size comparison to older versions in the coming video reviews.
Does anyone know the release date for this box set?
Carlos Rios 4th quarter, October but likely November.
Thanks.
And for some reason.. the way they market the game has not changed.. still stuck in the 80s
I am not familiar with their marketing strategy. What makes you say they are still stuck in the '80s?
The fact that you're not familiar with their marketing strategy in itself is evidence that it is stuck in the 80's! (i.e - there isn't really much of a one ;P )
They don't have a marketing strategy beyond trying to keep the remaining grognards happy and buying. Period. Been like that since CGL took over in 2007.
Mouth-to-mouth marketing might not be very efficient, but it's cheap. I've introduced battletech to multiple people, a few of which actually play it with some regularity. It's always great to find more and new players, but the rules (I hope they don't change them) are made for grognards, not for the broad masses. Conventional modern marketing might be overkill for it's purpose.
I'm not familiar with their marketing campaign, but whatever their strategy is, it is certainly better than the kind of hype that was generated for Gloomhaven which by any standard is an abysmal game... If there is a lack of marketing for Battletech, it can only be because it simply isn't needed - those who know the game, love the game, it's just not designed for those of the ADHD generation who think in sound bytes and have no patience for instructions longer than a text message. It's a true grognard's game.
Yes yes and yes! I do MWO videos on my channel but have a small collection of Table top mechs and want to get more. I love this stuff. Check out my channel too
if I remember the original maps were cardboard.
Only for the starter/box sets. Even then, there were paper versions as well.
Are they still using the same basic rules?
Dear god this game needs making more inclusive if any game needed it.
Bigger models, no hexes, and streamlined rules will open it up to more players.
This game *comes* with rules bloat.
BT has a amazing background but the game puts people off 😯
james bryant There have been rules for using measurements without hexes for years as well as faster playing, simplified rules through the Alpha Strike ruleset that allows for much larger sized forces to fight and resolve large force games in a few hours.
Rules are not that complex. Visualizing is.
ruclips.net/p/PLB8oFbFw2kCmrg3D_6PuR6mmFZmJAisl2
So you pay the same and get a quarter of the value compared to the past 2 box sets. fuck that. :\
This is a seriously underwhelming set compared to the Introductory Box Set... 24 miniatures with 2 more premium ones, two cardboard maps, a much more detailed primer, a painting guide, two stat cards, thicker mech sheetbook, even a poster map thingy. All for $60.
This set practically halves the value for the same price.....
They had to.
1. Maps are better paper than cardstock. Because Cardstock for the last ~5 years have been increasing in price. Also paper has always been used since box sets in the 90's.
2. The 25th set was a major loss financially. They need to make more money to make more BattleTech for us.
Your intro +1000 volume... your voice then is far too quiet.
Unimpressed. Except for the miniatures I see no value to existing players.
Existing players aren't the target buyer in a beginner/starter box set.
Lol, like CSO said, when has a starter set EVER been intended for existing players? "The miniatures" has always been the only value for existing players to buy up starter sets, soooo what you're saying is the value is good.