BattleTech, Second 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).

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 (hence no BattleTech, First Edition), this board game box is generally considered the quitessential baseline BattleTech product. It featured revised boardgame rules, expanded background information on the BattleTech universe including colored faction counters, and a few additional "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:

LCT-1V Locust (2 standees)
STG-3R Stinger (4 standees)
WSP-1A Wasp (4 standees)
PXH-1 Phoenix Hawk (4 standees)
TRC-4B Chameleon (no stand-up playing piece provided; generic training 'Mech)
GRF-1N Griffin (4 standees)
SHD-2H Shadow Hawk (4 standees)
WVR-6R Wolverine (2 standees)
MLN-1A Merlin (no stand-up playing piece provided; used as a practical example for the construction rules)
RFL-3N Rifleman (4 standees)
CRD-3R Crusader (4 standees)
TDR-5S Thunderbolt (2 standees)
ARC-2R Archer (4 standees)
WHM-6R Warhammer (4 standees)
MAD-3R Marauder (4 standees)
BLR-1G BattleMaster (2 standees)

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]