BattleTechnology
Sarna News
Template:InfoBoxBook BattleTechnology (subtitle: The Magazine of Combat in the 31st Century) was a magazine dedicated to the BattleTech franchise. Intended as a bi-monthly magazine, 21 regular and 3 special editions were published between 1987 and 1995 in 8.5" x 11" format, with usually 60 pages per (regular) issue.
Contents
- 1 Overview
- 2 Issue 0101
- 3 Issue 0102
- 4 Issue 0201
- 5 Issue 0202
- 6 Issue 0203
- 7 Issue 0204
- 8 Issue 7
- 9 Issue 8
- 10 Issue 9
- 11 Issue 10
- 12 Issue 11
- 13 Issue 12
- 14 Issue 13
- 15 Issue 14
- 16 Issue 15
- 17 Issue 16
- 18 Issue 17
- 19 Issue 18
- 20 Issue 19
- 21 Issue 20
- 22 Issue 21
- 23 The Lost Issues
- 24 The Early Years 1
- 25 The Early Years 2
- 26 External links
Overview
The magazine was largely written from an in-universe perspective, featuring news coverage, reports and essays on "current" events complete with advertisment pages from fictional in-universe firms. Other than that, the magazine offered game scenarios for BattleTech-based tabletop combat and roleplaying games, optional rules, general background information and artwork.
The first twelve issues are collectively known as "The War Years", while issues #13 through #21 are collectively known as "The Time of the Clans". Separate binders are available.
Fans generally hold the magazine in high esteem, although it is often said that the quality decreased somewhat in later issues.
Canonicity
The content of the BattleTechnology magazines was initially considered canon for the BattleTech universe. The initial editor and chief contributor, William H. Keith jr., had also written the first novel in the BattleTech universe (and three out of the first four), and other contributors were also involved in the creation of official game material. As a result, the magazine ties in very well with the ongoing evolution of the universe and sometimes even includes background material that was used by the writers, but never published elsewhere.
However, the intellectual property has changed hands since and the current line developer, Herbert A. Beas II, has stated that BattleTechnology is not among the canonical sources.
Nevertheless, bits and pieces that debuted in BattleTechnology have since been canonized in other (canonical) sources. This notably includes a number of BattleMech designs such as the Falcon, Wolfhound or variant of the Charger known as the CGR-SB Challenger.
Due to its close ties with the main franchise writers and authors, BattleTechnology elaborates on subjects that are already canon but adds new facts, blurring the line in many instances. For example, while the CGR-SB Challenger as such was canonized, other sources do not carry its backstory as published in BattleTechnology; the canonicity of the mercenary unit that devised the CGR-SB field refit (the Hat-in-the-Ring Battalion) therefore remains unclear.
Issue 0101
In-universe date: August 3027.
| “ | About the Cover:
A lightning strike by the 2nd Kearny Highlanders spearheaded a snap raid by Liao forces onto the Davion world of Corella early in July, culminating in the Battle of Kilgour. Critics of Prince Hanse Davion's policies contend that the war games and maneuvers recently launched are wasteful of precious war materials and risk triggering confrontations such as Kilgour. See page 16 of this issue, "What is Hanse up to?" |
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Contents
- What is Hanse Up To? (Wallis Hasek)
- MechWarrior: Mind and Machine (Keith Douglas and Colonel Kuan Li-Po (Ret.))
- Mastering the Inner Fire: The Mind as a Weapon (Colonel Kuan Li-Po (Ret.))
- Drop Into Hell: Combat Drop on Scheat V (Captain Sinclair MacCray)
- Departments
- BattleTech Simulator
- MechWarrior: Training and Experience
- The Battle of Kilgour: BattleForce Campaign
- Randall's Charge at Bloody Field
- Holding the Line
- Deep Trouble
- More Than Warriors
- The Apprentice's Lament
- Untitled Poem
Issue 0102
In-universe date: October 3027.
| “ | About the Cover:
This month's cover captures a moment of raw terror–Captain Addison's Thunderbolt under 'Mech-to-'Mech attack by a Davion Marauder at the Battle of Hill 091, on Scheat V, in August of this year. Captain Anderson's own story is featured in this issue. See page 26, "A Dagger's Death." |
” |
Contents
- Black Luthien (Roger Van Nuys)
- The Nekegami (Tomio Ochiba)
- A Dagger's Death (Captain A. Addison)
- Departments
- Hiring Hall: The Red Duke
- BattleGear – Sidearms: Submachine Guns
- MechTac – BattleTips: The David Ambush
- BattleMechanics
- BattleColors: Greed Woodland Camo #1
- Technical Readout: Devastator, DVE-5B
- Combat Salvage: WVR/RFL Hybrid, the Wolfman
- BattleTech Simulator
- Long Range Copmbat
- Nightshadows – a MechWarrior scenario
- Hide and Seek
- To Save the Dragon
- Dagger's Edge
- More Than Warriors
- Untitled Poem
- DropShip Thunder
- Haiku
Issue 0201
In-universe date: February 3028.
| “ | About the Cover:
This issue's cover shows a critical moment in a recent AeroSpace Fighter dogfight over the Steiner world of Wyatt. Lieutenant Kensie Shaneyfelt, of the 10th Skye Rangers Aerospace Division, maneuvers his Corsair to avoid an attacking Slayer, piloted by Majro Dmitri Pawoloski, Marik 4th Division of the Defenders of Andarien.[sic] Details of this encounter may be found in The Fifth Kill on page 28 of this issue. |
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Contents
- Tharkad on Guard (Karl Dalradier)
- BattleMech Weapons: Crisis of Range and Accuracy (Precentor Janos Abu Hassan)
- The Fifth Kill (Captain Kensie Shaneyfelt as told to Greggson DuVall)
- Pleasure Planet (C. Randolph Fairfax)
- Departments
- BattleTech Simulator
- More Than Warriors
- The Soldier's Life
Issue 0202
Issue 0203
Issue 0204
Issue 7
Issue 8
Issue 9
Issue 10
Issue 11
Issue 12
Issue 13
Subtitle: Mystery Attackers!, in-universe date: Year-End 3049.
| “ | About the Cover:
What You Don't Know Can Kill You |
” |
Contents
- News from the Front: A Death in the Kell Hounds
- Avatar or Madwoman? Interview with Romano Liao, Chancellor of House Liao
- State of the Inner Sphere Report
- Lighting War: heard at the Cobalt Coil
- Departments
- BattleTechnology News Service
- In The News: St Ives: The Tiny Giant
- Hiring Hall: Khorsakov's Cossacks
- BattleTac–Combat Arms: Mortars in BattleTech
- MechTac
- Military Technology Reviewed, Star League Technology
- Star System Ratings: A New Look at an Old CEF (Prof Eieon McLeary, NAIS)
- Index to Mechs and Vehicles
- BattleMechanics
- Convention Calendar
- Census Results
- BattleTech Simulator
- Cossack Raid scenario (NAIS)
- A Lust for Lostech: The Ellingsen Expedition as a Scenario for MechWarrior
Issue 14
Subtitle: What Hit Us?, in-universe date: May 3050.
| “ | About the Cover:
This issue's cover features a Wolverine patrolling the Newcomb 'Mech repair facility on Persistence. According to an unconfirmed report,this facility has now fallen to the Jade Falcons |
” |
Contents
- Honor Has No Price (Reprint From Comstar Today)
- To Take Down the Jolly Roger (Michael Rather)
- When the Levee Breaks: Details of 3044's most talked-of action
- Departments
- BattleTechnology News Service
- News From the Front: Inner Sphere Invaded!!
- Baptism of Fire: Personal Account MechWarrior Ishmael Jones
- The Hard Facts: The Mercenary in Mid Century
- BattleMechanics–Technical Readout: Roo Scout Vehicle
- Hiring Hall: The Stalking Rhinos
- BattleTac: Bad Weather and Terrain simulator
- More Than Warriors: Clarence Harrison Jr is inspired by Blood Legacy
- Readers' Page
- Lost in Transmissino (errata)
- BattleTechnology News Service
- BattleTech Simulator
- A Melee in the Mud
- A Lust for Losttech Part Two
- The Spider Meets the Ax
- Battle For Alamut
- BattleTechnology Presents: Sun Zhang Academy Choices for the two most perfect Assault 'Mechs
Issue 15
Subtitle: Princes in Peril! - Story on page 8, in-universe date: August 3050.
| “ | About the Cover:
This issue's cover features a 'Mech from the Ghost Bears, taken by Combat photgrapher Steve Venters during the invasion of Schuyler, June, 3050.This Clan 'Mech is tentatively titled a 'Mad Cat' by Inner Sphere combatants. |
” |
Contents
- Armageddon Begins (Cleared by the Draconis Combine Mustered Forces Information Bureau)
- Gone to Ground
- Reflections of Battle: Cobalt Coil #4
- Departments
- BattleTechnology News Service
- News From the Front: Buying Time With Lives
- News From the Front: Princes in Peril
- Chancellor Liao forgives BattleTechnology
- The Mercenary in Mid-Century, pt 2
- Unit Updates: The First Kathil Uhlans, The Lions of Davion
- BattleTac
- The Gan Singh Campaign
- Fighting in Caves
- BattleMechanics
- Thornhill Arms
- Technical Readout
- Templar BattleMech
- Centurion Maximus BattleMech
- Census
- Test Your Knowledge of the Inner Sphere
- BattleTechnology News Service
- BattleTech Simulator
- Darkfall Passage
- Gauntlet of Fear
- BattleTechnology Presents: Allison MechWarrior Academy Choice for the best Assault 'Mech: The Ventilator BattleMech
Issue 16
Subtitle: Rasalhague Falls!, in-universe date: December 3050.
| “ | About the Cover: BT photographer Stavros Ploumitsakos caught this Marauder II from the Fourth Kufstein Planetary Guard preparing to defy Wolf Clan invaders in the Hrafnir Plains,Kufstein's perpetually dark southern latitudes. Despite skilled fighting, the Wolf Clan took the planet in seven days. | ” |
Contents
- Departments
- BattleTechnology News Service
- News From the Front: Rasalhague Bites the Bullet
- Ares Conventions & the Clans
- Clans 'Mechs Photographed!
- A Letter to the Archon
- That's What You Say
- BattleTac
- What Now, MechWarrior? A Tactical Study Guide
- Ejection – Optional Rules
- BattleMechanics
- Tanks for the City
- The Weasel and the Wild Weasel BattleMechs
- BattleTechnology News Service
- BattleTech Simulator
- Combat Efficiency Factors: 3050
- Cooling Down the Clans
- BattleTechnology Presents: Tamar College of War's Choice for the best Assault 'Mech: The Rampage
Issue 17
Subtitle: Who ARE they?, in-universe date: June 3051.
| “ | About the Cover: Artist James Greeson's painting from his battlefield sketches of the fight for Kandis II described in Holding The Flank. | ” |
Contents
- Honor's Price: Someone New at teh Cobalt Coil – S. Jansfield
- Holding The Flank: Rasalhague Warrior Recounts the Fight For Kandis II
- Departments
- BattleTechnology News Service:
- BattleTechnology News Service
- Censored by Wolf's Dragoons
- Jaime Wolf's Big Secret
- Political Commentary
- Captain-General: Thomas or Myndo
- Like Father, Like Son
- Hiring Hall: Henri Marchante, Duke of Altoona
- BattleTac: Desert Camo # 2
- BattleMechanics
- BattleTechnology News Service:
- BattleTech Simulator
- Defending Coalston
- Deadly Collision
- BattleTechnology Presents: By Permission of the AFFS
- BattleMechanics: Dual Cockpit Combat Rules
Issue 18
Subtitle: In Trouble NOW!, in-universe date: January 3052.
| “ | About the Cover: BT artist-photographer Steve Venters caught this Ryoken from the Wolf Clan in the non-volcanic Highlands of Satalice early in November, 3051. A terrifying beauty, this BattleMech! | ” |
Contents
- News Flash: Catastrophic Events of One Day: Jan 5, 3052
- Intersecting Lines, pt 1 (S. Jansfield)
- Achilles, The Clan Stopper (Peter Siekierski, Lord Byston)
- Departments
- BattleTech Simulator
- Combat Efficiency Factor: The Clans
- The Archer Fells the Hawk
- BattleTechnology Presents: A Scenario for MechWarrior II
- The Secret of Kepler Station
Issue 19
Subtitle: TRUCE!, in-universe date: May-June 3052.
| “ | About the Cover: Although the Steiner Emblem is still clearly visible on this zaibatsu orbiting Carse, the manufacturing facility and the planet it circles have belonged to the Jade Falcons since May 3051. | ” |
Contents
- Truce Won From Clans: Tukayyid
- A Plea to the Inner Sphere
- Nicholay Khorsakov Interview
- Why The Chancellor Doesn't Like Us
- Intersecting Lines, pt 2: Cobalt Coil in Danger (S. Jansfield)
- Taking the War Back to the Clans
- The Run of the Redcoat Renegades
- Departments
- BattleTechnology News
- Field Modification Kits
- BattleTech Simulator: Redcoat Renegades Scenarios
- BattleTac: What Now, MechWarrior? A Tactical Study Guide
- What's New for BattleTech?
- Special BattleTech Simulator
- Field Task Forces: One Unit's Combined Arms Planning
- 'Mech and Vehicle Designs
Issue 20
Issue 21
The Lost Issues
This Special Edition ran for 80 pages; additionally, it includes a complete reprint of issue #1 (0101) as a special bonus section in the middle. According to the "Opening Shots" introduction by Hilary Ayer (from Tharkad, May 3051), the "Lost Issues" cover the time period between the Fourth Succession War and "now", i.e. between approximately 3031 and 3050.
| “ | About the Cover:
BattleTechnology takes this opportunity to thank Sgt Laura Martinez, formerly of Scout Lance, 3rd Co, Mirsham's Battalion, for the information and personal mementos that gave us our inside coverage of Galtor's own 3039 war. |
” |
Contents
- What Really Happened? The 3039 War we were not allowed to print
- Piercing the Veil of History: Katrina Steiner speaks once more
- Cold Misery: Duncan and Thomas Marik Face the Same Odds
- The Last Confederate: The Astonishing But True Story of a Liao Warrior
- MechWarriors Tell Their Tales
- When Your're Hot, You're Hot
- Steady Hands
- MecTac
- NAIS Midterm Exam
- BattleTech Simulator: House Rules Department – McBride's Mechbusters
- BattleMech Design
- Targeting/Tracking Systems
- The Best Came First
- BattleField Salvage: The 'Mechs that Never Were
- BattleMech Art: The Omega
The Early Years 1
The Early Years 2
