Difference between revisions of "BattleTech eras"

m (corrected the second exodus link on the age of war section)
(Redo the the battletech eras using CGL's listing on their webpage and on their current products)
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[[Catalyst Game Labs]], the current owners of [[BattleTech]], have divided history into six eras. The products they released are grouped in this manner. Recently newer products have included other distinct time periods by splitting the eras into sub-eras which brings the classification up to nine eras. In addition to those, four more distinct non-canon ones can be identified:<ref>''Master Unit List: Battle Value'', p. 2: "Era Legend" </ref>
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[[Catalyst Game Labs]], the current owners of [[BattleTech]], have divided history into eras and sub-eras. The products they release are grouped in this manner.<ref name=bt_eras>[https://bg.battletech.com/new-to-the-board-game/battletech-eras/ New to Battletech? - BattleTech Eras]</ref>
  
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{| align="center" border="1" cellpadding="5" style="border-collapse:collapse; width:70%"
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|- style="font-size:110%"
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{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; width:95%; overflow: auto;"
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|- style="font-weight:bold;"  
 
! Era
 
! Era
 +
! Symbol<ref name=bt_eras/>
 
! Sub Era
 
! Sub Era
 
! Years
 
! Years
 
! Description
 
! Description
−
! Symbol<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20080915222220/http://www.classicbattletech.com/index.php?action=text&page=Introductory_Products#Eras Catalyst Game Labs: "Classic BattleTech Eras"]</ref>
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
|  
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| rowspan="2" |
 +
| rowspan="2" |  
 
| Pre-Spaceflight
 
| Pre-Spaceflight
−
| Before [[1950]]
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| Before 1950
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| Earliest era referenced, when humanity only resides on its planet of origin, [[Terra]].
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| style="text-align:left;" | Earliest era referenced, when humanity only resides on its planet of origin, Terra.
−
|
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
|
 
 
| Early Spaceflight
 
| Early Spaceflight
−
| [[1950]] – [[2005]]
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| 1950 – 2005
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| Early solar system restricted spaceflight.
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| style="text-align:left;" | Early solar system restricted spaceflight.
−
|
 
−
|-
 
−
| [[Age of War]]
 
−
| [[Age of War]] ([[First Exodus]])<ref name="First Exodus">''The Periphery'', p. 12: "First Exodus"</ref>
 
−
| [[2005]] – [[2242]]
 
−
| The time of the [[Western Alliance]], early [[Terran Alliance]], and earliest interstellar colonies.  The [[Outer Reaches Rebellion]] resulted in the [[Demarcation Declaration]], the forced independence for most colonies.
 
−
! [[Image:Star league era-BW.jpg]]
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
| [[Age of War]]
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| rowspan="2" | [[Star League]]<ref name=sl_era>[https://bg.battletech.com/new-to-the-board-game/battletech-eras/era-star-league-2/ New to Battletech? - BattleTech Eras - Star League]</ref>
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|  style="white-space:nowrap" | [[Age of War]] ([[Exodus (2242)|Second Exodus]])<ref name="Second Exodus">''The Periphery'', p. 14-19: "Beyond the Farthest Star" & "Inner Sphere Politics"</ref>
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| rowspan="2" | [[Image:Star league era-BW.jpg]]
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| [[2242]] – [[2398]]
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| [[Age of War]]
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| Colonists on marginal worlds resettle or perish.  The [[Terran Alliance]] collapses; the beginnings of the [[Terran Hegemony]] and the [[Great Houses]] of the [[Inner Sphere]].
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| [[2005]] – [[2570]]<ref name=sl_era/>
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! [[Image:Star league era-BW.jpg]]
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| style="text-align:left;" | The time of humanity’s first migrations off [[Terra]], the political upheavals and the founding of the first interstellar states. In this sub-era within the consistent warfare of those other states expanding forming the [[Inner Sphere]] houses, the [[Terran Hegemony]] would form as a dominant state fielding the [[Mackie|first]] [[BattleMech]].
 
|-
 
|-
−
| [[Age of War]]
 
−
| [[Age of War]]
 
−
|  style="white-space:nowrap" | [[2398]] – [[2570]]<ref name="FQT">''Strategic Operations'', p. 167: "Faction Quality Table" </ref>
 
−
| The time of the [[Terran Hegemony]] and "civilized" warfare between the [[Inner Sphere]] houses. The [[Mackie|first]] [[BattleMech]] is created.
 
−
! [[Image:Star league era-BW.jpg]]
 
−
|-
 
−
| [[Star League]]
 
 
| Star League
 
| Star League
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| [[2571]] – [[2781]]
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| [[2571]] – [[2780]]<ref name=sl_era/>
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| The time when the [[Star League]] reached the height of its power and was destroyed by the [[Amaris Civil War|Amaris Coup]].
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| style="text-align:left;" | The time of the formation of the First Star League and it reaching the height of its power. Advancements in science and technology allow for humanity to experience 200 years of peace and  prosperity across all settled worlds. However as the [[Periphery]] nations [[New Vandenberg Uprising|revolt]] the realm is torn apart and destroyed in [[Amaris Civil War|a thirteen-year war with a coup]]
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! [[Image:Star league era-BW.jpg]]
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
| [[History of the Succession Wars|Succession Wars]]
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| rowspan="3" | [[Succession Wars]] <ref name=ss_era>[https://bg.battletech.com/new-to-the-board-game/battletech-eras/era-succession-wars/ New to Battletech? - BattleTech Eras - Succession Wars]</ref>
 +
| rowspan="3" | [[Image:Succession wars era-BW.jpg]]
 
| Early Succession Wars
 
| Early Succession Wars
−
| [[2781]] – [[2900]]
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| [[2781]] – [[2900]]<ref name=ss_era/>
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| The start of the Succession Wars, when the [[Successor States]] of the Great Houses vied for supremacy after the collapse of the Star League.
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| style="text-align:left;" | The timeframe of the [[First Succession War|First]] and [[Second Succession War|Second Succession Wars]], when the [[Successor States]] of the Great Houses vied for supremacy after the collapse of the Star League. Planets and populations are decimated and most advances of the Star League are completely lost. This is due to the use of [[Nuclear Weapons|weapons of mass destruction]] by all factions involved. The first war ends only to have the second begin a few years later.
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! [[Image:Succession wars era-BW.jpg]]
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
| [[History of the Succession Wars|Succession Wars]]
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| Late Succession Wars – [[LosTech]]
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| Late Succession Wars
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| [[2901]] – [[3019]]<ref name=ss_era/>
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| [[2901]] – [[3049]]
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| style="text-align:left;" | This is the timeframe of the almost 200 year [[Third Succession War]] as the Great Houses have descended into constant low level war with each other. With most of the advances of the Star League   completely lost with the first 2 Succession Wars, combat became more and more ritualized in the fashion of medieval battles or even duels in order to prevent further technology loss. This development went hand in hand with the establishment of neo-feudal societies, also reminiscent of the middle ages.
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| After years of war, many of the advances of the Star League had disappeared, becoming [[LosTech]]. Warfare between the Successor States ground down to low-level fighting.
 
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! [[Image:Succession wars era-BW.jpg]]
 
 
|-
 
|-
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| [[Clan Invasion]]
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| Late Succession Wars – Renaissance
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|
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| [[3020]] – [[3049]]<ref name=ss_era/>
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| [[3050]] – [[3061]]
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| style="text-align:left;" | With the discovery of the [[Helm Memory Core]] and its subsequent dissemination throughout the Inner Sphere, the gradual rediscovery of lost Star League technology allowed the Inner Sphere to have a  “Renaissance” of sorts. Faction militaries could now produce and replace their crippling losses to their 'Mech and armor units. With this in mind all the Great Houses begin an upswing of production right in time for the [[Federated Commonwealth|joining of 2 Houses the Federated Suns and Lyran Commonwealth into one realm]] and the start of the [[Fourth Succession War]].
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| The time between the beginning of the [[Clan Invasion]] and the [[Inner Sphere]]'s victory at the [[Great Refusal]].
 
−
! [[Image:Clan invasion era-BW.jpg]]
 
 
|-
 
|-
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| [[Federated Commonwealth Civil War|Civil War]]
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| [[Clan Invasion]] <ref name=ci_era>[https://bg.battletech.com/new-to-the-board-game/battletech-eras/era-clan-invasion/ New to Battletech? - BattleTech Eras - Clan Invasion]</ref>
−
|
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| [[Image:Clan invasion era-BW.jpg]]
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| [[3062]] – [[3067]]
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|  
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| The years in the shadow of the [[Federated Commonwealth Civil War]].
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| [[3050]] – [[3061]]<ref name=ci_era/>
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! [[Image:Civil war era-BW.jpg]]
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| style="text-align:left;" | Starting early in this era an invasion force attacks the coreward region of the Inner Sphere. Calling themselves the “[[Clans]]” they are discovered to be the descendants of [[Star League-in-Exile|Kerensky’s SLDF troops that exiled themselves]] at the start of the Succession Wars. With the aim of conquering world after world with their superior technology and military, the Inner Sphere becomes yet more motivated [[Second Star League|to not only work together]], but also recover more lost Star League technology to counter the invaders. By the end of this era, the Inner Sphere houses had re-established a technological knowledge base that approximated the technological state of the Star League era.
 
|-
 
|-
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| [[Jihad]]
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| [[FedCom Civil War|Civil War]] <ref name=cw_era>[https://bg.battletech.com/new-to-the-board-game/battletech-eras/era-civil-war/ New to Battletech? - BattleTech Eras - Civil War]</ref>
−
|
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| [[Image:Civil war era-BW.jpg]]
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| [[3068]] – [[3080]]
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|  
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| The time when the [[Word of Blake]] unleashed its [[Jihad]].
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| [[3062]] – [[3067]]<ref name=cw_era/>
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! [[Image:Jihad era-BW.jpg]]
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| style="text-align:left;" | This 5 year period highlights the many conflicts that burst apart after the Clan invasion ended via the Great Refusal. The [[Capellan Confederation]] [[Capellan-St. Ives War|begins the Xin Sheng Campaign]] to reclaim the [[St. Ives Compact]], Exploiting discontent, the [[Black Dragon Society]] manipulates the start of the [[First Combine-Dominion War]], and Federated Commonwealth of the [[Lyran Commonwealth]] and [[Federated Suns]] [[FedCom Civil War|falls into a painful civil war]].
 
|-
 
|-
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| [[Dark Age]]
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| [[Jihad]] <ref name=ji_era>[https://bg.battletech.com/new-to-the-board-game/battletech-eras/era-jihad/ New to Battletech? - BattleTech Eras - Jihad]</ref>
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| [[History of the Republic of the Sphere#Formation|Formation of The Republic]]
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| [[Image:Jihad era-BW.jpg]]
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| [[3081]] – [[3130]]
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|
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| The time from the defeat of the [[Word of Blake|Blakists]] to the creation of [[The Republic of the Sphere]].<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20100306030220/http://www.classicbattletech.com/forums/index.php/topic,53918.msg1293019.html Catalyst Game Labs' forum: "Topic: The Republic era?"]</ref>
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| [[3068]] – [[3080]] <ref name=ji_era/>
−
! [[Image:Dark age era-BW.jpg]]
+
| style="text-align:left;" | The time period known as the Jihad refers to a major interstellar war that involved all major factions, mainly consisting of the faction called the [[Word of Blake]] attacking capitals and  other, important industrial worlds to hamper their enemies' capacity to wage war. They created a "white-out" of the HPG grid that forced regional leaders to take a more active role, then manipulated those leaders to create chaos and warfare that distracted their enemies from the Word's activities. Using [[Shadow Divisions|"hidden" armies]] they hit former [[Chaos March]] worlds in the vicinity of Terra, which led to the formation of the new state, the [[Word of Blake Protectorate]]. The Jihad was not only of the Word of Blake assaulting foreign powers, but also civil conflicts that erupted between states due to the chaos and the actions of the factions.
 
|-
 
|-
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| [[#Dark Age era|Dark Age]]
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| rowspan="2" | [[Dark Age]] <ref name=da_era>[https://bg.battletech.com/new-to-the-board-game/battletech-eras/era-dark-age/ New to Battletech? - BattleTech Eras - Dark Age]</ref>
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| [[Dark Age]]
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| rowspan="2" | [[Image:Dark age era-BW.jpg]]
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| [[3131]] – [[3150]]
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| Republic
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| The time since the collapse of the [[HPG]] network caused political chaos in [[The Republic of the Sphere]] that led to the militarization of [[Industrial Mech]]s and other civilian equipment.
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| [[3081]] – [[3130]] <ref name=da_era/>
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! [[Image:Dark age era-BW.jpg]]
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| style="text-align:left;" | With the Word Of Blake's defeat at the start of this era using [[Stone's Coalition|coalition forces]] made possible through unifying efforts of [[Devlin Stone]] and [[David Lear]] to crush them. The formation of the [[Republic of the Sphere]] out of the ashes of the Word of Blake Protectorate created a new buffer state between the various Inner Sphere powers. Additionally the Republic [[Military Materiel Redemption Program|set in motion a plan]] with the other major factions to decommission BattleMechs and other tools of warfare, downsizing armies and removing any such material from the hands of private individuals.
 
|-
 
|-
−
| [[IlClan (Era)|ilClan]]
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| Dark Age
 +
| [[3131]] - [[3152]] <ref name=da_era/>
 +
| style="text-align:left;" | The time since [[Blackout|the collapse of the HPG network]] caused political chaos in The Republic of the Sphere that led to the militarization of [[Industrial Mech]]s and other civilian equipment. Then the  steady advancement of the Great Houses and Clans themselves began to take back worlds they ceded to the Republic, as the fragmented and stumbling Republic made an easy target. Finally ending with the [[ilClan Trial]] being  fought on Terra, days after the broadcasted disbanding of the Republic.
 +
|-
 +
| [[IlClan (Era)|ilClan]]<ref name="RS Clan Invasion">''Record Sheets: Clan Invasion'', p. 4: "Battletech Eras"</ref>
 +
| [[Image:ILClan_Era.jpg]]
 
| ilClan
 
| ilClan
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| [[3151]] –
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| [[3152]] – ???? <ref name="RS Clan Invasion"/>
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| The once-invulnerable [[Republic of the Sphere]] lies in ruins, torn apart by the Great Houses and the Clans. As [[Fortress Republic]] collapses, the Clans race toward [[Terra]] to create a supreme authority which will rule the [[Inner Sphere]] by any means necessary.<ref name="RS Clan Invasion">''Record Sheets: Clan Invasion'', p. 4: "Battletech Eras"</ref>
+
| style="text-align:left;" | The once-invulnerable Republic of the Sphere lies in ruins, torn apart by the Great Houses and the Clans. As [[Fortress Republic]] collapses, the Clans race toward Terra to create a supreme authority which will rule the [[Inner Sphere]] by any means necessary.
−
! [[Image:ILClan_Era.jpg]]
 
−
|-
 
 
|}
 
|}
  
Line 99: Line 83:
  
 
==Bibliography==
 
==Bibliography==
−
*''[[Master Unit List: Battle Value]]''
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:*[[Blake Ascending: A Jihad Compilation]]
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*''[[Strategic Operations]]''
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:*[[Era Digest: Age of War]]
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*''[[The Periphery (sourcebook)|The Periphery]]'' (sourcebook)
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:*[[Era Report: 2750]]
−
*''[[Record Sheets: Clan Invasion]]''
+
:*[[Field Manual: 3085]]
 +
:*[[Field Manual: 3145]]
 +
:*[[Field Manual: Crusader Clans]]
 +
:*[[Field Manual: SLDF]]
 +
:*[[Field Manual: Updates]]
 +
:*[[Field Manual: Warden Clans]]
 +
:*[[Handbook: House Davion]]
 +
:*[[Handbook: House Kurita]]
 +
:*[[Handbook: House Liao]]
 +
:*[[Handbook: House Marik]]
 +
:*[[Handbook: House Steiner]]
 +
:*[[Handbook: Major Periphery States]]
 +
:*[[Historical: Liberation of Terra Volume 1]]
 +
:*[[Historical: Liberation of Terra Volume 2]]
 +
:*[[Historical: Operation Klondike]]
 +
:*[[First Succession War (Sourcebook)|The First Succession War]]
 +
:*[[Second Succession War (Sourcebook)|The Second Succession War]]
 +
 
  
 +
[[Category:Time Periods]]
 +
[[Category:History]]
 
[[Category: Miscellaneous]]
 
[[Category: Miscellaneous]]

Revision as of 21:56, 4 June 2021

Catalyst Game Labs, the current owners of BattleTech, have divided history into eras and sub-eras. The products they release are grouped in this manner.[1]


Era Symbol[1] Sub Era Years Description
Pre-Spaceflight Before 1950 Earliest era referenced, when humanity only resides on its planet of origin, Terra.
Early Spaceflight 1950 – 2005 Early solar system restricted spaceflight.
Star League[2] Star league era-BW.jpg Age of War 2005 – 2570[2] The time of humanity’s first migrations off Terra, the political upheavals and the founding of the first interstellar states. In this sub-era within the consistent warfare of those other states expanding forming the Inner Sphere houses, the Terran Hegemony would form as a dominant state fielding the first BattleMech.
Star League 2571 – 2780[2] The time of the formation of the First Star League and it reaching the height of its power. Advancements in science and technology allow for humanity to experience 200 years of peace and prosperity across all settled worlds. However as the Periphery nations revolt the realm is torn apart and destroyed in a thirteen-year war with a coup
Succession Wars [3] Succession wars era-BW.jpg Early Succession Wars 2781 – 2900[3] The timeframe of the First and Second Succession Wars, when the Successor States of the Great Houses vied for supremacy after the collapse of the Star League. Planets and populations are decimated and most advances of the Star League are completely lost. This is due to the use of weapons of mass destruction by all factions involved. The first war ends only to have the second begin a few years later.
Late Succession Wars – LosTech 2901 – 3019[3] This is the timeframe of the almost 200 year Third Succession War as the Great Houses have descended into constant low level war with each other. With most of the advances of the Star League completely lost with the first 2 Succession Wars, combat became more and more ritualized in the fashion of medieval battles or even duels in order to prevent further technology loss. This development went hand in hand with the establishment of neo-feudal societies, also reminiscent of the middle ages.
Late Succession Wars – Renaissance 3020 – 3049[3] With the discovery of the Helm Memory Core and its subsequent dissemination throughout the Inner Sphere, the gradual rediscovery of lost Star League technology allowed the Inner Sphere to have a “Renaissance” of sorts. Faction militaries could now produce and replace their crippling losses to their 'Mech and armor units. With this in mind all the Great Houses begin an upswing of production right in time for the joining of 2 Houses the Federated Suns and Lyran Commonwealth into one realm and the start of the Fourth Succession War.
Clan Invasion [4] Clan invasion era-BW.jpg 3050 – 3061[4] Starting early in this era an invasion force attacks the coreward region of the Inner Sphere. Calling themselves the “Clans” they are discovered to be the descendants of Kerensky’s SLDF troops that exiled themselves at the start of the Succession Wars. With the aim of conquering world after world with their superior technology and military, the Inner Sphere becomes yet more motivated to not only work together, but also recover more lost Star League technology to counter the invaders. By the end of this era, the Inner Sphere houses had re-established a technological knowledge base that approximated the technological state of the Star League era.
Civil War [5] Civil war era-BW.jpg 3062 – 3067[5] This 5 year period highlights the many conflicts that burst apart after the Clan invasion ended via the Great Refusal. The Capellan Confederation begins the Xin Sheng Campaign to reclaim the St. Ives Compact, Exploiting discontent, the Black Dragon Society manipulates the start of the First Combine-Dominion War, and Federated Commonwealth of the Lyran Commonwealth and Federated Suns falls into a painful civil war.
Jihad [6] Jihad era-BW.jpg 3068 – 3080 [6] The time period known as the Jihad refers to a major interstellar war that involved all major factions, mainly consisting of the faction called the Word of Blake attacking capitals and other, important industrial worlds to hamper their enemies' capacity to wage war. They created a "white-out" of the HPG grid that forced regional leaders to take a more active role, then manipulated those leaders to create chaos and warfare that distracted their enemies from the Word's activities. Using "hidden" armies they hit former Chaos March worlds in the vicinity of Terra, which led to the formation of the new state, the Word of Blake Protectorate. The Jihad was not only of the Word of Blake assaulting foreign powers, but also civil conflicts that erupted between states due to the chaos and the actions of the factions.
Dark Age [7] Dark age era-BW.jpg Republic 3081 – 3130 [7] With the Word Of Blake's defeat at the start of this era using coalition forces made possible through unifying efforts of Devlin Stone and David Lear to crush them. The formation of the Republic of the Sphere out of the ashes of the Word of Blake Protectorate created a new buffer state between the various Inner Sphere powers. Additionally the Republic set in motion a plan with the other major factions to decommission BattleMechs and other tools of warfare, downsizing armies and removing any such material from the hands of private individuals.
Dark Age 3131 - 3152 [7] The time since the collapse of the HPG network caused political chaos in The Republic of the Sphere that led to the militarization of Industrial Mechs and other civilian equipment. Then the steady advancement of the Great Houses and Clans themselves began to take back worlds they ceded to the Republic, as the fragmented and stumbling Republic made an easy target. Finally ending with the ilClan Trial being fought on Terra, days after the broadcasted disbanding of the Republic.
ilClan[8] ILClan Era.jpg ilClan 3152 – ???? [8] The once-invulnerable Republic of the Sphere lies in ruins, torn apart by the Great Houses and the Clans. As Fortress Republic collapses, the Clans race toward Terra to create a supreme authority which will rule the Inner Sphere by any means necessary.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 New to Battletech? - BattleTech Eras
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 New to Battletech? - BattleTech Eras - Star League
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 New to Battletech? - BattleTech Eras - Succession Wars
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 New to Battletech? - BattleTech Eras - Clan Invasion
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 New to Battletech? - BattleTech Eras - Civil War
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 New to Battletech? - BattleTech Eras - Jihad
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 New to Battletech? - BattleTech Eras - Dark Age
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Record Sheets: Clan Invasion, p. 4: "Battletech Eras"

Bibliography

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