Mech (magazine)
Apocryphal Product Although the subject of this article is an official BattleTech product, it does not meet the current criteria for Canon. Its content may or may not be canonical for the BattleTech universe, and for the purpose of the Sarna.net BattleTechWiki is considered apocryphal. |
Mech (magazine) | |
---|---|
Product information | |
Type | Magazine |
Development | J. Long |
Publication information | |
Publisher | MechForce North America |
First published | 1990-1995 |
Content | |
Followed by | MechForce Quarterly |
Mech Magazine was the quarterly newsletter of the MechForce North America fan club, produced by AWOL Productions. Each issue opened with a section called Friendly Fire that was a letter from the Club President and had a section that listed members rankings.
FASA took over running the MechForce North America from 1995 onward, and the publication changed its name to MechForce Quarterly under FASA's direct aegis.
Contents
Canonicity
The Mech Magazine was an official product, produced under a valid license from FASA. However, the current definition of Canon for BattleTech expressly excludes magazines (even "official" ones) by default. The magazine's content must therefore be considered apocryphal unless confirmed in a reckognized canonical publication or ruling.
Volumes
The numbering of 'Mech Magazine volumes is internally inconsistent. The editor's note in Issue 1 makes reference to a previous fan club newsletter that was smaller and had content not useful to the fans. The second issue proclaims itself "Volume 2, Issue 2," while the fourth issue calls itself "Volume One, Issue Four." Given the reference to the defunct prior fan club newsletter, the label of "Volume One" on issue four should be discounted, and the entire run of 14 issues treated as "Volume Two" of the MechForce newsletter.
Volume Two
Issue One
1st Quarter 1991 - 16 pages
Contents
- "Friendly Fire" by Jim Long - Letter from the new MechForce editor.
- "Planetfall? The Battle for Luthien" - Short story.
- "Battlefront By-Line" by B.B. Kittey
- "Burzhai's View" by Tori Burzhai - Deus ex Machina...the god of the nine hells.
- "Overheard" by "The Ear" - Gossip from around the Inner Sphere.
- "Mech Lab" - Shadow Cat, overview and record sheet.
- "One Warrior Small" - Short story.
- "Death's Black Mech" - Scenario set in the Battle of Luthien.
- "Battle Report" - List of MFNA members, ranking scores, and chapters.
- "Reviews" - OmniMech Blue Prints & More Tales of the Black Widow.
- "Up and Coming From FASA Corporation" - Lost Destiny, Rhonda's Irregulars, Map Set Four, Record Sheets Volume Two, Record Sheets Volume 3, Clan Wolf sourcebook, Solaris boxed set, BattleTroops expansion, the Jade Phoenix Trilogy, and MechWarrior II, The Role Playing Game.
- "BattleTech Damage Worksheet"
- "Up and Coming From MechForce North America" - 'Mech Issue 2, 'Mech hits the road (Origins '91), 'Mech Crib Sheets (laminated reference tables).
Issue Two
Game cover date: Summer 3052 - 16 pages (2nd Quarter 1991)
Contents
- "Friendly Fire" by James Long
- "Cover Story" by B.B. Kittey - Timeline of the Battle of Tukayyid.
- "Overheard" by "The Ear" - Gossip from around the Inner Sphere.
- "BattleTech Center" - The battlefield of 3050...coming to a Mall near you. (Preview of the Virtual World BattleTech Center)
- "Mech Lab" - Shootist, overview and record sheet.
- "Debrief" - 'Mech answers reader questions.
- "Flight of the Mongoose" - ComStar vs. Smoke Jaguar scenario set in the Battle of Tukayyid.
- "Battle Report" - Member list and ranking scores.
- "Welcome to the Club" - Chapter list.
- "Reviews" - Record Sheets Volume Two, Rhonda's Irregulars, MechWarrior Second Edition, Ral Partha BattleTech Miniatures (Annihilator, Highlander, Shogun, Longbow, Wolfhound, Marauder II, Savannah Master, King Crab, Thug, Clan Elemental Infantry).
- "Incoming - The Future From FASA" - MechWarrior 2nd Edition, BattleMech Record Sheets Volume Three, Way of the Clans, Wolf Clan Sourcebook, Solaris VII, BattleMech Record Sheets Volume Four, BattleMech Reinforcements I, Map Set Two.
- "BattleTech Damage Worksheet"
- "MasterSheets" - Unit design and combat sheets
- "See the Universe" - MechForce North America subscription form
Issue Three
3rd Quarter, 1991 - 16 pages
Contents
- "Friendly Fire" by Jim Long - A letter from the editor.
- "The Lone Shark Saga, Part I" by Blaine Pardoe
- "GenCon '19 - MNA vs. M-UK" - The 1st Annual North Atlantic Championship.
- "MechWarrior II: ComStar Regular" - MechWarrior Archetype.
- "Vehicle Combat Listings" - Official BattleTech Combat Values for all Inner Sphere vehicles.
- "The Gravest Loss" - ComStar vs. Diamond Shark Tukayyid scenario.
- "Xmas Incoming" - MFNA mechandise order form.
- "Officers Club" - Chapter listings.
- "MechWarrior Rankings" - Member list and score rankings.
- "Surprise Inspection" - Mech reviews: BattleTech Record Sheets Volume Three, BattleTech Miniatures by Ral Partha (Hoplite, Firefly, Hornet, Mongoose, Exterminator, Bombardier, Crab).
- "Incoming" - Previews: Record Sheets Volume Four - Assault 'Mechs, BattleTech Reinforcements, Solaris VII, Unbound, ClanTroops, Lost Destiny, Blood Name, Falcon Guard.
- "See the Universe" - MechForce North America subscription form
- "Battle Report Master for BattleTech" by MechForce NA
Issue Four
4th Quarter, 1991 - 16 pages
Contents
- "Friendly Fire" by Jim Long - A letter from the president.
- "Front and Center - 'Mech Features and Fiction" by Blaine Pardoe - The Lone Shark Saga Part II.
- "Mechwarrior II Archetypes and Equipment" - MechWarrior: Dare Devil.
- "Mech Lab - New 'Mech Designs" - THG-11Ee Thugee 'Mech and record sheet.
- "Battle Report - MechWarrior Rankings" - Member names and ranking scores.
- "The Test" - A scenario set in a Diamond Shark Sibko in 3052.
- "My XMAS Wish List" - List of products recommended for beginner, intermediate, experienced, and all BattleTech players.
- "XMAS Incoming" - MFNA merchandise order form.
- "Officers Club - MechForce NA Chapters" - Chapter listings.
- "Surprise Inspection - Mech Reviews" - Record Sheets: Volume Four, Solaris VII, Ral Partha BattleTech Miniatures (Heavy Omni-Mechs, Assault Omni-Mechs).
- "Upcoming from FASA" - Previews: Unbound, ClanTroops, Objective Raids, Bloodright, Vehicle Record Sheets.
- "Battle Report Master for BattleTech" by MechForce NA
Issue Five
First Quarter 1992 - 32 pages
Contents
- "Mail Call" - A message from Jim Long.
- "Mech Letters" - Letters from readers.
- "Battlefront Byline" by B.B. Kittey - Farewell to the Fox, a personal salute to Hanse Davion (2983-3052).
- "The Ear" - Gossip from around the Inner Sphere.
- "Front and Center - Mech Feature" by Blaine Pardoe - The Lone Shark Saga, Part III.
- "Raid on the Dark Eyes" - A ClanTroops scenario based on the Lone Shark Saga.
- "Burzhai's View - The Story From Solaris" by Tori Burzhai - Fiction set on Solaris VII.
- "Personnel File - Archetypes" - Derek McGowen.
- "Mech Lab - Original 'Mechs" - LMT-1R Lamentor.
- "Personnel File - Archetypes" - Young Commander.
- "Hiring Hall - Mercenary Contracts" - Contract template for an Objective Raid on Jabuka, with accompanying scenario.
- "Battle Report - Game Information" - Clan Dueling Weapons (Solaris VII dueling rules for ClanTech).
- "Debriefing - MNA Information" - How to fill out battle reports, ranking changes, which forms to use, how to score more points, calculating combat values, other club info.
- "Gone AWOL - MNA Products" - Back issue and Master Sheets order form.
- "On Parade - MNA Rankings" - Player list and point rankings.
- "Roll Call - MNA Chapters" - Chapter list.
- "Inspection - Mech Reviews" - Reviews: ClanTroops, Unbound, Objective Raids, BattleTech Miniatures by Ral Partha (Raven, Mauler, Hatamoto-Chi, Wolf Trap, Long Tom Artillery).
- "Upcoming from FASA" - Previews: Vehicle Record Sheets, Bloodright, Wolf Pack, BattleTech Third Edition.
- "Marching Orders" - Convention calendar.
- "MechForce North America - The Official BattleTech Player's Organization" - Membership sign-up form (includes Clan Fox, Clan Punisher, Clan Widowmaker, and Clan Mongoose).
- "Eyes Only" - MNA Classifieds
Issue Six
Second Quarter 1992 - 32 pages
Game cover date: Summer 3055
Contents
- "Mail Call" - Letter from Jim Long
- "Mech Letters" - Letters from readers.
- "Front & Center" by Blaine Pardoe - Lone Shark Saga, part IV, "Common Ground".
- "Front & Center" - MechWarrior 2 RPG Scenario based on the events in "Common Ground".
- "Personnel File - NPC" - MechWarrior: Struggling Mercenary.
- "Mech Lab" - ADD-4E Adder overview and record sheet.
- "Faces in the Crowd - NPC" - Carlton and Victoria Alexander (from the Lone Shark Saga).
- "Debriefing - AWOL Information" - Submission guidelines and release form.
- "AWOL Productions" - FASA product catalog.
- "AWOL Productions and MNA" - Back issues and Mastersheets, plus order form.
- "Supply Depot - MechWarrior Gear" - GuranE (healing salve), Torogen Beamlight, The Traveler's Companion, Stiletto.
- "On Parade - MNA Rankings" - Player list and point rankings.
- "Roll Call" - MNA Chapters.
- "Marching Orders" - Convention calendar.
- "Upcoming from FASA" - Previews: Technical Readout 3055, McCarron's Armored Cavalry, Jade Falcon sourcebook, BattleTech 3rd Edition, ComStar sourcebook.
- "Inspection" - Reviews: BattleTech Third Edition, Technical Readout: 3055 & Bloodright, BattleTech Miniatures by Ral Partha (Light Omni-Mechs, Axeman, Cataphract, Caesar, Guillotine, Lancelot).
- "MechForce North America - The Official BattleTech Player's Organization" - Membership sign-up form (includes Clan Fox, Clan Punisher, Clan Widowmaker, and Clan Mongoose).
- "Eyes Only" - MNA Classifieds
Issue Seven
Third Quarter 1992 - 32 pages
Game cover date: Fall 3055
Contents
- Lone Shark Saga Conclusion - story.
- The Ear and Burzhai's View - two short pieces about Solaris VII and a Scenario.
- Mech Lab - Kodiak.
- Periphery Survey - background information on Periphery states.
- Faces in the Crowd - NPCs for MechWarrior RPG.
- Reviews - Jade Falcon Source Book and McCarron's Armoured Cavalry.
Issue Eight
Fourth Quarter 1992 - 32 pages
Game cover date: Winter 3055
Contents
- Chasing Ghosts: part I - short story set in the Clan Wolf Occupation Zone.
- Faces in the Crowd - NPCs for MechWarrior RPG.
- Vehicle Lab - Trailblazer 95 ton tank.
- Debriefing - Vehicles in BattleTech.
- Hot Spots - League Front.
- Objective Raids - Gutierrez Aerospace.
- Pride of the Hussars - Scenario.
- Periphery Survey part II - 3055 update.
Issue Nine
First Quarter 1993 - 32 pages
Game cover date: Winter 3056
Contents
- Chasing Ghosts: part II - short story.
- Faces in the Crowd - NPCs for MechWarrior RPG.
- Mech Lab - New Mech TYP-2N Typhoon overview and record sheet.
- Mech Lab - New Mech EXC-3R Executioner overview and record sheet.
- Hot Spots - Capellan Confederation.
- Objective Raids - Ceres Metals.
- Knock on Wood - Short Story.
- Periphery Survey part III - 3055 update.
Issue Eleven
Third Quarter 1993 - 32 pages
Game cover date: Fall 3056
Contents
- Chasing Ghosts: part IV - short story.
- Mech Lab - New Mech BTL-2R Battlerider record sheet.
- Mech Lab - New Mech Black Knight IIC overview and record sheet.
- Mech Lab - New Mech BGR-2 Badger overview and record sheet.
- Vehicle Lab - Talos 50 ton hovertank.
- Hot Spots - Chaos in the Court of the Star League.
- Periphery Survey part V - 3055 update.
- Periphery Tech.
Issue Thirteen
First Quarter 1994 - 32 pages
Game cover date: Spring 3057
Contents
- Bred for War - Short Story.
- Mech Lab - New Mech TZU-1L Tzunami overview and record sheet.
- Mech Lab - New Mech OCR-5L Oracle overview and record sheet.
- Mech Lab - New Mech TAL-3L Talon overview and record sheet.
- Thief in the Night - Scenario set in 3044.
- Reviews - The Black Thorns and DRT.
Special Issues
Mech: Special Issue
Some BattleMechs from this issue:
- Odysseus ODY-55 (40 ton IS)
- Canaveral CV-111 (45 ton IS)
- Grey Fox GYZ-13 (50 ton IS)
- Hector HXT-3R (50 ton IS)
- Grendel (P, A, B, C, D) 45 ton Clan
- Kingfisher (P, A, B, C, D) 90 ton Clan
Mech: Special Issue Retro-Fit
Cover illustrating various Clan OmniMechs.