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	Board game
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 US $
Content
Content	(see article)
Era	Succession Wars era
Series	BattleTech boxed sets
Preceded by	Battledroids
Followed by	BattleTech, 3rd Edition

Description

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

“

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, life is cheap, but BattleMechs aren't. BATTLETECH is the second edition of BATTLEDROIDS

”

Contents

• 48 Full-color, stand-up playing pieces with front and back views, printed on thick cardboard. Enough BattleMechs to put four companies in the field.
• 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

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

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

All of these 'Mechs had unseen artwork displayed for them, except for the Chameleon and Merlin that had no standups 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

• 12 House Davion
• 12 House Kurita
• 12 House Liao
• 12 House Marik
• 12 House Steiner
• 12 21st Centauri Lancers
• 12 Eridani Light Horse
• 12 Hansen's Roughriders
• 12 Lindon's Company
• 12 Wolf's Dragoons
• 8 Helmar Valasek
• 8 Oberon Confederation
• 8 Redjack Ryan
• 12 Smoke tokens
• 6 Fire tokens
• 6 Blank tokens