BattleTech, Second Edition

(Redirected from BattleTech, 2nd Edition)
This article is about one specific product. For the series of game boxes that served as the core BattleTech product, and its iterations over time, see BattleTech (boxed set).
Bt2ed.jpg
BATTLETECH - A Game of Armored Combat
Product information
Type Core Game Set
Development Jordan Weisman
Ross Babcock III
Publication information
Publisher FASA
Product code 1604
First published June 1985
ISBN-10 0931787645
ISBN-13 978-0931787645
MSRP $20.00
Content
Era Succession Wars era
Preceded by Battledroids
Followed by BattleTech, Third Edition

Description[edit]

The second edition of what was previously called Battledroids, this board game box is generally considered the baseline BattleTech product. It featured revised rules, expanded background information on the BattleTech universe including colored faction counters, and a few more "classic" BattleMech designs compared to Battledroids.

From the back cover[edit]

A Dark Age has befallen mankind. Where the United Star League once reigned, five successor states now battle for control. The destruction of war has ravaged the once flourishing worlds and left them in ruins. The advancement of technology has not only ceased, but the machines and equipment of the past cannot be produced by present-day worlds. The Succession Wars are fought over water, ancient machines, and spare parts factories. Control of these elements will lead to final victory and the domination of known space.

BATTLETECH: The study and implementation of battlefield technology.

BATTLEMECH: Ranging in height from 7 to 15 meters and weighing 10 to 100 tons, they carry more firepower than a 20th-century tank battalion.

MECHWARRIOR: Brave men and women who are 31st-century knights piloting their 'Mechs into battle. Serving one of the five Houses, or in the employ of a mercenary company or bandit king, these warriors are the most respected and feared individuals in the galaxy.

Now you are a MechWarrior and the time has come for you to go into battle.

In the 30th century[1], life is cheap, but BattleMechs aren't.

BATTLETECH is the second edition of BATTLEDROIDS

Contents[edit]

  • 48 Full-color, stand-up playing pieces with front and back views (enough for four companies), printed on thick cardboard
  • 120 Color unit insignias, to display your BattleMech's colors in the field
  • 24 Plastic holders for playing pieces
  • 48-page rulebook, containing beginning, advanced, expert, and optional rules, plus 10 pages of history, background and technical information
  • 2 six-sided dice

BattleMechs[edit]

The stats for the following 16 BattleMechs were included with the game:

All of these 'Mechs had Unseen artwork displayed for them, except for the Chameleon and Merlin that had no stand-ups provided for them (though art for the Chameleon was shown in the rulebook).

Except for the Shadow Hawk and Warhammer, all 'Mechs that had previously appeared in Battledroids had their stats altered to account for changes in the construction rules, or otherwise corrected in some way. The Locust, Wolverine, Thunderbolt, BattleMaster and Chameleon had not been included in Battledroids.

Faction Counters[edit]

Foreign-Language Editions[edit]

Finnish[edit]

A Finnish edition was published in 1991 by Protocol Productions/PRO-Games as BattleTech: Jättiläisrobottien Taistelupeli.

French[edit]

A French edition was published in 1985 by Hexagonal as BattleTech: Un jeu de combat blindé.[2][3]

German[edit]

A German edition was published in 1988 by Fantasy Productions as BattleTech: Kampfkolosse des 4. Jahrtausends.

Italian[edit]

An Italian edition was published in 1985 by RIPA s.a.s. as BattleTech: Un gioco di combattimenti tra corazzati. English BattleMech names and designators were used in the stats boxes. The only copyright date is on the blank record sheet.[4]

Japanese[edit]

A Japanese edition was published by Fujimi Shobo in 1992.[5] The package was a half-inch binder rather than a box set.

Portuguese[edit]

A Portuguese edition was published by Imperium Jogos as BattleTech: Combates Titânicos No Século 31.

Spanish[edit]

A Spanish edition was published in 1990 by Diseños Orbitales as BattleTech: Un juego de guerra mecanizada.

Gallery[edit]

Stand-up Playing Pieces[edit]

References[edit]

  1. The quote is correct, one portion in the back refers to the 30th century, another the 31st century.
  2. Board Game Geek, Page for BattleTech French version, https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgameversion/248424/fasa-french-edition
  3. Rakuten, https://fr.shopping.rakuten.com/offer/buy/6961493866/battletech-un-jeu-de-combat-blinde-jeu-de-strategie-fasa.html
  4. Rules booklet for the Italian edition.
  5. Mecha-Press No. 7, pp. 34–35: BattleTech: The Japanese Edition"