MechWarrior: Dark Age Collectable Miniatures Game

MechWarrior: Dark Age (typically abbreviated MW:DA or simply MWDA, and retitled as Age of Destruction, MW:AoD, for its second major expansion) was a new tabletop miniatures wargame by WizKids that was set in the BattleTech universe. It was the successor of BattleTech after a fashion, though the classic BattleTech boardgame (CBT) wound up outliving MWDA. Released in 2002, this new game was a new approach to the BattleTech universe.

With its first plot-driving novel set in 3132, MWDA was set loosely a century in the future of the year 3067 where the classic BattleTech line had left off at the conclusion of the Civil War era. The MWDA plotlines made reference to a highly devastating "Jihad" era that had shaken the universe and set up the MWDA setting, but gave relatively little detailed information.

The original boardgame was meanwhile rebranded "Classic BattleTech" and the license went to FanPro, who until 2005 would not advance the timeline beyond 3067 so as to not create canon inconsistencies with the future as described in MWDA novels and sourcebooks. Also, FanPro renamed the MechWarrior RPG series to prevent confusion with the new game, reprinting MechWarrior, Third Edition as Classic BattleTech RPG (and later A Time of War for the Fourth edition). The classic BattleTech line would outlive MWDA and evolve its timeline through the Jihad well into, and beyond, the MWDA setting in the thirty-second century, creating one single connected history for the BattleTech gaming universe.

MWDA came with its own, all new line of novels, sourcebooks, and a website with stories and in-character sections. Although extremely successful in its time, MWDA was discontinued in 2008 after WizKids had been sold to the Topps company.

Overview[edit]

MWDA was based on WizKids' Clix system that tracks damage and other stats on dials in the base of the playing pieces. The miniatures were prepainted models of infantry squads, battle armor, vehicles, and 'Mechs. Unlike classic BattleTech, it was meant to be played on hexless terrain from the onset.

The game was mainly purchased in blind booster packs (similar to Magic: The Gathering), but prepackaged "Action Packs" also existed with units gathered around a common theme. Outside of direct purchasing, trade is the most common option for acquiring figures, followed by purchases on online auction sites. There are units that were only acquired through trade or send-aways, such as the Battleforces and the Designer Series 'Mechs and pilots.

Setting[edit]

Upon its release, the MWDA timeline was set in the future of the classic BattleTech timeline, in what was then called the Dark Age era. A cataclysmic but only tenuously described Jihad era that had ravaged the Inner Sphere and upset the setting was mentioned as part of the background for MWDA. This gap in the timeline would eventually be filled out by the ongoing classic BattleTech timeline and new novels even after MWDA was discontinued.

A new Successor State, the Republic of the Sphere, had formed around Terra, House Marik's Free Worlds League had fractured, and a number of high-profile irregular units or mercenary units closely associated with one of the Successor States were available in lieu of the old Houses proper. As of MechWarrior: Age of Destruction, many of the older factions had been absorbed into their larger "parent" Houses or Clans. Designated factions included:

In addition, independent mercenary units were also present in the game; these units were represented by figures with no affiliation on their base.

Game System[edit]

The system emulates the standard BattleTech system, but allows a game to be completed between 3 to 10 times faster. The main advantage is it allows a large combined-arms battle to be played in a couple of hours. Each turn correspond to 1 minutes, longer than the 10 seconds represented in a standard BattleTech turn with one inch is roughly translatable between 1 and 2 hexes. The game is played turn per turn with nonsimultaneous actions, using rulers and a non-hex-based map. (The main game variant, MechWarrior: Solaris VII, allow 'Mech vs. 'Mech combat to be played on hexed maps with simultaneously resolved damage.) Primary game system points are:

  • Units stats are simplified, thanks to the "Clix" bases called combat dials, taking place of the standard record sheet, allowing more units to be played in less time with easier damage/game evolution tracking of units.
    • The combat dial system, as for other "Clix" based games, gives information and special rules to be used with specific units, evolving with the unit damage/evolution. Those specific information are called "special equipment", giving bonuses in any or specific situations (such as the unit being covered, moving or being attacked).
  • The Battle Value of an unit is replaced by a point cost.
  • Heat management is tracked on a special dial for BattleMechs, called heat dials.
  • Later starting with the MechWarrior: Age of Destruction Set, the player can manage their units through adding MechWarriors and combat equipment, with class restrictions, called pilot cards and gear cards, to their BattleMechs.
    • Pilot cards often represent important and unique BattleTech Universe MechWarriors, with historic figures such as Anastasia Kerensky,Natasha Kerensky or Kai Allard-Liao but also anonymous, academy graduated MechWarriors that can be played in multiple times in a same battleforce.
    • Unique MechWarriors often carry with them a special ability, most often activated in their own 'Mech but at a greater point cost. This is a special rules activated in special cases representing a characteristic of the MechWarrior for combat, repairs, heat management...
    • Gear cards attached to a BattleMech generates two types of game effects:
      • A permanent special equipment, considered as appearing permanently on the combat dial.
      • A special effect stated on the gear card.

Game History[edit]

Over time, the factions acquired their own particular style of play. For example, the repair ability of the Bannson's Raiders units lend themselves to quick strikes followed by a retreat.

Three factions (House Liao, Clan Jade Falcon, and Clan Sea Fox) have inherent abilities not stated on their figures. Examples of these abilities include improved damage to elite or novice enemies, better targeting through forests, improved jumping attacks, or gaining the ability to deprive an enemy player of an order. This concept was extended in later expansions by the addition of faction pride cards and special pilot abilities. Starting in January 2006, the faction abilities for House Liao, Clan Jade Falcon, and Clan Sea Fox were replaced with faction pride cards (however not for figures produced prior to that date where their point costs had the costs of Faction Pride already included).

One of the most interesting aspects of MechWarrior: Dark Age is its relation to the Classic BattleTech game. In the first expansions of the game, WizKids tried to make MW:DA a simplified version of BattleTech, with many of the 'Mechs capable of being easily converted to their pen and paper BattleTech equivalents. With the release of Age of Destruction, though, WizKids, starting developing new 'Mechs that were no longer based in the Classic BattleTech conception of a 'Mech and did not conform to classic construction rules. For example, while the Shen Yi of older expansions had a card that assisted in translating it into a Classic BattleTech 'Mech, the new Shiro is not strictly compatible as a Classic BattleTech 'Mech. While many fans of the game applaud the creativity WizKids has in making 'Mechs outside the box, a fair number of fans were very dissatisfied with departure from the traditional rules regarding 'Mech design.

MechWarrior: Dark Age[edit]

See also: MechWarrior: Dark Age - Starter Set, MechWarrior: Dark Age - Premier Edition, and MechWarrior: Dark Age - Booster Pack

Released in August 2002 this was the original set that was distributed via it's Starter Set and Booster Pack products. A year later in Augest 2003, a Premier Edition Starter Set was released with contained 2 unique Premier Set Mechs rather than the 2 that came with the first starter set. Uniquely the starter sets for this product contained Faction dossiers and were a series of ten dossiers introducing the setting and factions of MechWarrior: Dark Age, framed as Order of Five Pillars intelligence reports. One, Historical Overview, gave a timeline of the universe and short notes on the status of major houses and Clans. Another, on the Republic of the Sphere, introduced the faction and its Knights. The rest detailed the forces fighting over the Republic post-Blackout, including their elite, veteran, and green sub-units and their mottos. Similar, but not identical, writeups would later appear in Era Digest: Dark Age. [See Notes] The set, had 116 different figures available (24 infantry, 48 vehicles, 32 non-Unique 'Mechs, 12 Unique 'Mechs). Each unit in this set was marked with Dark Age Set Symbol, and for non-Unique units, there existed multiple corresponding figures that differed in terms of faction and rank (e.g., Green, Veteran, Elite). Additionally, the set also includes 42 limited release figures that were not included in its Starter Sets and Booster Pack products.

MechWarrior: Fire For Effect[edit]

See also: MechWarrior: Fire For Effect - Booster Pack

Released in February 2003, this expansion introduced artillery units along with artillery rules, transport vehicles for moving infantry units, and mercenary units from various classic mercenary companies, which were separate from other factions. Like all expansion sets it had only blind booster packs, but no dedicated starter sets.

MechWarrior: Death From Above[edit]

See also: MechWarrior: Death From Above - Booster Pack

Released in May 2003, this expansion introduced VTOLs and Anti-Aircraft defense systems along with their rules. The Republic of the Sphere and the Stormhammers faction were introduced as playable factions. Like all expansion sets it had only blind booster packs, but no dedicated starter sets.

MechWarrior: Liao Incursion[edit]

See also: MechWarrior: Liao Incursion - Booster Pack

MechWarrior: Counterassault[edit]

See also: MechWarrior: Counterassault - Booster Pack

MechWarrior: Falcon's Prey[edit]

See also: MechWarrior: Falcon's Prey - Booster Pack

MechWarrior: Age of Destruction[edit]

In January 2005, MechWarrior: Age of Destruction was introduced as a game expansion to MechWarrior:Dark Age. This introduced new rules and new mechanics to the game, most notably the pilot and gear data cards. These cards are included with the booster packs, and improve any 'Mech they are attached to. This also introduced Gunslingers, mercenary pilots with preferred 'Mechs that can be "recruited" to all, or most, factions. They have become common prizes at sanctioned tournaments.

The rules also improved 'Mechs compared to Dark Age, giving them the option to both move and attack, and decreased the power of artillery. This encouraged armies to field at least one 'Mech.

MechWarrior: Dark Age units were compatible with the MechWarrior: Age of Destruction, though 'Mechs from MechWarrior: Dark Age lacked the customizability of `Mechs from MechWarrior: Age of Destruction as the earlier models were not produced with customiable dials. WizKids reported from its playtesting that two 'Mechs, one from MechWarrior: Dark Age and one from MechWarrior: Age of Destruction, that share the same point value would generally have similar competitive value.[1]

Battleforce series[edit]

In early 2006, WizKids released the Battleforce series, which consists of pre-packaged sets of 'Mechs painted to represent normal service units from each major faction. They come with pilot cards that depict ranked pilots from the faction.

Action Packs[edit]

In late 2006, WizKids announced that the blind booster pack format was over for MechWarrior: Age of Destruction and that they would switch to non-blind faction-specific "Action Packs" for all 2007 releases.

Products[edit]

Starter Sets[edit]

Booster Packs[edit]

Battleforce series[edit]

In early 2006, WizKids released the Battleforce series, which consists of predetermined sets of 'Mechs painted to represent normal service units from each major faction. They come with pilot cards that depict ranked pilots from the faction.

In late 2006, WizKids announced that the blind booster pack format was over for MechWarrior: Age of Destruction and that they would switch to preset faction-specific "Action Packs" for all 2007 releases. The first Action Pack releases are:

Both the Wolf Spiders and Gamma Regiment sets have pilots with combat abilities that can be used in other 'Mechs. Previous pilot abilities were only activated in the pilot's preferred Mech, due to the familiarity with the machine.

Solaris VII series[edit]

In parallel with the Battleforce series, WizKids also started a series titled MechWarrior: Solaris VII. Similar to the Battleforce action packs, these action packs contained a predetermined set of miniatures. The series initially featured four packs containing a total of 24 Gunslinger 'Mechs that do combat on the gaming planet of Solaris VII. Four additional miniatures would evenutally be added to the series. Each pack contains a rulebook, a set of six target tokens, and a playmat that can be connected with those from the three other packs to form one giant arena map.

Magazine Exclusives[edit]

Rulebooks[edit]

WizKids produced the following base rule booklets, which were included with their respective starter set and made freely available on the WizKids website. (Various expansion-specific rules inserts were also made available.)

Battlefield in a Box[edit]

In cooperation with Gale Force Nine, WizKids introduced a line of 3D terrain sets. Each of these also included a prepainted miniature with a Gale Force Nine color scheme.

Dice Sets[edit]

In cooperation with Koplow, WizKids introduced a line of dice sets:

In cooperation with Gale Force Nine, WizKids introduced a line of dice sets:

DropShip[edit]

In 2003, WizKids produced a special Aurora DropShip Set. Sold only at conventions and through special promotions, the Aurora DropShip was a massive unit with five cannon turrets and four bays for repairing units. The playset also had special rules.

Pins[edit]

Severtal pins were given as tournament prizes from the Mechwarrior Clix game. They can be found here: MWDA Pin.

Book[edit]

Foreign Distribution[edit]

Products within this game system also had international distribution. Various rule inserts included Frech, German, Italian, and Spanish translations in addition to English.[3] WizKids provided links to foreign translations of its basic MechWarrior rules in these four languages [4].

In France, products were sold by Asmodée Éditions[5]. In Germany, products were sold by FanPro. In Italy, products were sold by Nexus Editrice[6]. In Spain, products were sold by Devir[7].

See Also[edit]

Notes[edit]

  • ^ Unlike the similar pilot dossiers, the faction dossiers included in this Starter Set have not been republished by Catalyst Game Labs. Additionally two, for the Stormhammers and the Republic Armed Forces, were made freely available on the WizKids website; the others were only released in print.
  • In Gen Con 2007 WizKids announced the production of a Solaris VII champions set, coinciding with the six Players who had won the Solaris VII Open Worlds Event hosted that year. However, due to issues in production, the Mechwarrior line was put on permanent hold status, and the Solaris VII Champion set was never produced. WizKids did however, create a set of custom 'Mechs based on existing sculpts for the six Champions, they are the only known Solaris VII Champion 'Mechs produced, but did not come with pilot cards.[citation needed]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ WizKids MechWarrior: Age of Destructions FAQ (archived) (2004) http://web.archive.org/web/20041010201454/http://www.wizkidsgames.com/mwdarkage/mw_article.asp?cid=39298&frame=products
  2. ↑ http://www.warrenborn.com/Files/Rules/MWAOD_FAQ_021508.pdf "The Wolf Strike units #106 "Vindication" Warwolf and #118 "Deception" Vixen have not been released by WizKids Games, and as such are not tournament legal for play in a sanctioned MechWarrior event. MechWarrior: Age of Destruction Errata, Questions, and Answers, WizKids Games, February 15, 2008
  3. ↑ WizKids How to Play page
  4. ↑ WizKids International Document Library
  5. ↑ Asmodée Éditions Webshop
  6. ↑ Nexus Editrice Webshop
  7. ↑ Devir Webshop

External Links[edit]

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