RolePlay onLine RPoL Logo

, welcome to Wanted - GMs

04:51, 29th March 2024 (GMT+0)

Battletech A time of war.

Posted by cholt75
cholt75
member, 27 posts
Welcome to the Hellmouth,
who wants pie?
Wed 20 Sep 2017
at 01:49
  • msg #1

Battletech A time of war

I'm interested in joining or helping start up a new Battletech A Time of War game. I played Mechwarrior and Battletech about 20 years ago, and would like to get into it again. I tried one game that came available, but the GM and I couldn't see eye to eye on some of the minutia of my character, I grew frustrated and exited, (amicably).

If there are anyone out there that are interested in running one I would play in a heartbeat.
Gamer75
member, 281 posts
Wed 20 Sep 2017
at 06:22
  • msg #2

Battletech A time of war

I would be happy to play but I don't know if I could run it tho I could probabaly do some type of co-gm situation
bblaney
member, 140 posts
Thu 21 Sep 2017
at 16:38
  • [deleted]
  • msg #3

Battletech A time of war

This message was deleted by a moderator, as it was against the forum rules, at 02:34, Thu 26 Oct 2017.
KingHenryBlack
member, 18 posts
Fri 22 Sep 2017
at 05:42
  • msg #4

Re: Battletech A time of war

cholt75:
I'm interested in joining or helping start up a new Battletech A Time of War game. I played Mechwarrior and Battletech about 20 years ago, and would like to get into it again. I tried one game that came available, but the GM and I couldn't see eye to eye on some of the minutia of my character, I grew frustrated and exited, (amicably).

If there is anyone out there that are interested in running one I would play in a heartbeat.


   I know the feeling - I ran a PBM (Play By Mail) when I was in College, back in the late 1980's and ran it for something like a decade and a half until it finally ended in the mid - 2000's. I've been considering a BattleTech game, but the "Time of War" ruleset is more than a little daunting to walk through. I had a much easier time trying to figure out the 3rd Edition rules and the "Lifepath" system, honestly.

   Some of the things I'd have to ask would be: 
  •   - What era would people want to play in (3025? 3030? 3050? Dark Age?)
  •   - What type of Campaign would people want to see run?
  •   - What are you looking for when it comes to a theme?
  •   - What sort of rate of posting are you looking to see?
  •   - If Mechs are going to be used, what program would you suggest be used?


   I have my own AU campaign that I still keep in my head that I'd be happy to use, as well.
SunRuanEr
member, 58 posts
Fri 22 Sep 2017
at 23:09
  • msg #5

Re: Battletech A time of war

KingHenryBlack:
but the "Time of War" ruleset is more than a little daunting to walk through.

It can be intimidating, but that's really only due to the poor layout of the book itself. The first character? That one can be rough, but by the time you've made the second, you'll have it downpat. I'll be the first person to admit that I'm not all that familiar with anything but A Time of War (as it pertains to Battletech), but being spoon-fed precisely what you need to build a character step-by-step in the Life Stage Modules is about the simplest character generation I've ever encountered.

You just, you know, have to know where to find the info in the book, because the book layout is pretty awful. <.<
bblaney
member, 141 posts
Sat 23 Sep 2017
at 21:52
  • msg #6

Re: Battletech A time of war

Agreed, they layout is poor, at best.

I made a spreadsheet that helps with character creation. Though I don't need it, I can provide a copy if anyone would like
KingHenryBlack
member, 19 posts
Sun 24 Sep 2017
at 07:19
  • msg #7

Re: Battletech A time of war

bblaney:
Agreed, they layout is poor, at best.

I made a spreadsheet that helps with character creation. Though I don't need it, I can provide a copy if anyone would like


   I'll take a copy if you are offering anything to make it faster to get through character gen.
cholt75
member, 29 posts
Welcome to the Hellmouth,
who wants pie?
Mon 25 Sep 2017
at 12:27
  • msg #8

Re: Battletech A time of war

I too would take it. I would like to play pre 4th succession war.
bblaney
member, 142 posts
Mon 25 Sep 2017
at 17:41
  • msg #9

Re: Battletech A time of war

Give me your emails via rmail and I will send you a copy.
bblaney
member, 143 posts
Mon 25 Sep 2017
at 20:00
  • msg #10

Re: Battletech A time of war

I am going to add an example character to the spreadsheet, give me til tomorrow evening EST to get it done.

Also note, it is a simple spreadsheet and you still require the books, I just made all the math easier, MUCH easier.
bblaney
member, 144 posts
Wed 27 Sep 2017
at 17:00
  • msg #11

Re: Battletech A time of war

In reply to KingHenryBlack (msg # 4):

Describe your own AU, it could be interesting for sure.
KingHenryBlack
member, 20 posts
Thu 28 Sep 2017
at 05:06
  • msg #12

Re: Battletech A time of war

  My BattleTech AU started in 3025 and considered a more balkanized version of the Inner Sphere:
  •   New Syrtis, on the strength of a secret alliance with the Capellan Confederation, broke with the Federated Suns and fought a Civil war that lasted something like 4 years. I never finished it, but at one point, the New Syrtis Confederation had almost reached New Avalon - with help from well-paid Mercs from both the Federated Suns (who were under contract to Duke Micheal) and units on loan from the Confederation.
  •   After the overthrowing of the neo-Apartheid regime on New Capetown in the Lyran Commonwealth, the noble family who had ruled the planet - the van der Meers - fled into Rasalhague and joined with several independent groups to raise a new nation: the Rasalhague Bundesrepublik. As might be expected, the division within the Nation is bubbling under the surface.
  •   Due to food shortages in the Tamar Domains, they receive help from the newly formed Rasalhague Bundesrepublik, which leads to closer ties between the two nations and an eventual alliance before an invasion by House Kurita.
  •   The "Ronin War" is fought by House Kurita against its former District but is thwarted by Mechs delivered by none other than ComStar, who delivers them in exchange for being the only communications provider in Rasalhague. With the tech edge they have, the Dragon is forced back and later is forced to be recognised by the Kurita, with the assistance of ComStar.


   That's about all I can remember off the top of my head - I pulped the campaign notes almost a year ago.  :(
Gamer75
member, 282 posts
Thu 28 Sep 2017
at 05:20
  • msg #13

Re: Battletech A time of war


[*]  - If Mechs are going to be used, what program would you suggest be used?
[/list]

   I have my own AU campaign that I still keep in my head that I'd be happy to use, as well.
</quote>

I'm flexible I just wantto make sure Mechs are involved
in fact what I want to do most is tweak mech designs I wouldn't mind playing a Tech/Designer whatever. but I'd rathere play a mechpilot I think. everything else I'm super flexible on I just want to try the system out
bblaney
member, 145 posts
Thu 28 Sep 2017
at 20:48
  • msg #14

Re: Battletech A time of war

In reply to KingHenryBlack (msg # 12):

Sounds good, though the hardest part is writing things up and making the maps you want for the Universe.
GreyGriffin
member, 166 posts
Portal Expat
Game System Polyglot
Thu 28 Sep 2017
at 21:01
  • msg #15

Re: Battletech A time of war

I've had good luck taking Mongoose Traveller and adapting it to the Battletech setting.  The skills easily translate into Battletech tabletop with only a few simple substitutions.  Mongoose Traveller uses an almost identical task resolution system without the spreadsheet-inducing points juggling of AToW's character generation and XP systems.
cholt75
member, 30 posts
Welcome to the Hellmouth,
who wants pie?
Sat 30 Sep 2017
at 01:29
  • msg #16

Re: Battletech A time of war

That may be true, but the AToW system is great for making a fully formed character. I'm planning to use it in my home TT game and after creation convert it to another system for actual play. The lifepath system helps you think about things like where the character grew up, what kind of education they had, and what their training was like. Most systems expect their players to do that without instructions. Experienced RP's don't need this granted, but it doesn't hurt, and they newer or less thorough RP is then encouraged to figure it out.

I also like the negative traits it imposes on the character in creation. Making the player think about things like enemies, addictions, and physical limitations. They also provide a way to overcome those negatives in freebie points, and other traits. These take away from other skills attributes and traits they could have but they also let you customize a character while also keeping them consistent.
cholt75
member, 31 posts
Welcome to the Hellmouth,
who wants pie?
Sat 30 Sep 2017
at 21:18
  • msg #17

Re: Battletech A time of war

So, was anyone willing to run the game?
cholt75
member, 32 posts
Welcome to the Hellmouth,
who wants pie?
Thu 5 Oct 2017
at 05:09
  • msg #18

Re: Battletech A time of war

Still looking....
bblaney
member, 146 posts
Thu 5 Oct 2017
at 21:03
  • msg #19

Re: Battletech A time of war

cholt75:
So, was anyone willing to run the game?


I am not nearly organized enough to run one, as the bookkeeping is rather intensive
cholt75
member, 34 posts
Welcome to the Hellmouth,
who wants pie?
Tue 10 Oct 2017
at 21:01
  • msg #20

Re: Battletech A time of war

In reply to KingHenryBlack (msg # 12):

If you were willing to run it I would play any type of Mechwarrior game. I would like to use the ATOW to make the character and then convert it, as I actually like the character creation process.
cholt75
member, 35 posts
Wed 11 Oct 2017
at 16:08
  • [deleted]
  • msg #21

Re: Battletech A time of war

This message was deleted by the user at 16:08, Wed 11 Oct 2017.
cholt75
member, 36 posts
Welcome to the Hellmouth,
who wants pie?
Wed 18 Oct 2017
at 07:34
  • msg #22

Re: Battletech A time of war

Still looking!
KingHenryBlack
member, 22 posts
Wed 18 Oct 2017
at 20:15
  • msg #23

Re: Battletech A time of war

   As tempted as I am to run a BT game, the book I'm looking for -"Solaris" - is out of print and I can't find a .pdf file for love or money ... Guess I'm going to have to drop my idea for the time being. Thanks for thinking about it.
bblaney
member, 147 posts
Thu 19 Oct 2017
at 22:46
  • msg #24

Re: Battletech A time of war

KingHenryBlack:
   As tempted as I am to run a BT game, the book I'm looking for -"Solaris" - is out of print and I can't find a .pdf file for love or money ... Guess I'm going to have to drop my idea for the time being. Thanks for thinking about it.


They haven't released it in PDF as of yet. I can't even find my physical copy either
cholt75
member, 37 posts
Welcome to the Hellmouth,
who wants pie?
Fri 20 Oct 2017
at 20:21
  • msg #25

Re: Battletech A time of war

https://www.amazon.com/Mechwar...arrior/dp/1555603874

It's not a pdf, but you could get the hardcopy.
cholt75
member, 38 posts
Welcome to the Hellmouth,
who wants pie?
Wed 25 Oct 2017
at 22:38
  • msg #26

Re: Battletech A time of war

Still looking...
cholt75
member, 39 posts
Welcome to the Hellmouth,
who wants pie?
Thu 2 Nov 2017
at 07:01
  • msg #27

Re: Battletech A time of war

Still looking, though if there isn't any interest in it this week I will discontinue the search. I'm not going to be like some of those out there that post weekly for players, it always seems pathetic to me.
Knight_Vassal
member, 368 posts
Sat 4 Nov 2017
at 07:14
  • msg #28

Re: Battletech A time of war

In reply to cholt75 (msg # 27):

Are you guys talking about the Mechwarrior's Guide to Solarius VIII?
cholt75
member, 40 posts
Welcome to the Hellmouth,
who wants pie?
Sat 4 Nov 2017
at 23:35
  • msg #29

Re: Battletech A time of war

Solaris VII, but yes. Why? Do you have a copy?
Knight_Vassal
member, 369 posts
Sun 5 Nov 2017
at 08:47
  • msg #30

Re: Battletech A time of war

In reply to cholt75 (msg # 29):

VII or VIII matters little. And yes easy enough to obtain. PDF no less. DrivethruRPG had it when I got my copy.
bblaney
member, 148 posts
Sun 5 Nov 2017
at 10:55
  • msg #31

Re: Battletech A time of war

Knight_Vassal:
In reply to cholt75 (msg # 29):

VII or VIII matters little. And yes easy enough to obtain. PDF no less. DrivethruRPG had it when I got my copy.


Strange, it isn't there anymore
Knight_Vassal
member, 370 posts
Sun 5 Nov 2017
at 14:19
  • msg #32

Re: Battletech A time of war

In reply to bblaney (msg # 31):

Huh weird. Either way it does exist as a pdf. I got mine from there.
bblaney
member, 149 posts
Sun 5 Nov 2017
at 19:47
  • msg #33

Re: Battletech A time of war

Knight_Vassal:
In reply to bblaney (msg # 31):

Huh weird. Either way it does exist as a pdf. I got mine from there.


I don’t doubt it. Just never heard of Catalyst pulling a pdf. Like ever.
cholt75
member, 41 posts
Welcome to the Hellmouth,
who wants pie?
Sun 12 Nov 2017
at 09:21
  • msg #34

Re: Battletech A time of war

If one of us could get a copy for you, would you be willing to run it bblaney?
bblaney
member, 150 posts
Sun 12 Nov 2017
at 22:08
  • msg #35

Re: Battletech A time of war

cholt75:
If one of us could get a copy for you, would you be willing to run it bblaney?


The problem is, I'm not nearly as organized as I should be for a game like that.

I've tried to run it in the past and failed miserably.

Combat is the biggest slowdown for Btech on the forums.
Sign In