Mech (magazine)

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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.

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

MechV2I1.jpg

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

MechV2I2.jpg

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

MechV1I4.jpg

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

MechV2I6.jpg

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

MechV2I7.jpg

Third Quarter 1992 - 32 pages

Game cover date: Fall 3055

Contents

  • "Mail Call" by Jim Long - Letter from the president.
  • "Mech Letters" - Letters from readers.
  • "Front and Center - Lone Shark Saga" by Blaine Pardoe - Conclusion.
  • "Solaris VII Scenario" - A scenario on Niles using the Solaris dueling rules, based on the Lone Shark Saga.
  • "Battlefront Byline - The Ear" - Gossip from around the Inner Sphere.
  • "Burzhai's View - The Story From Solaris" by Tori Burzhai - Short story.
  • "Mech Lab - Kodiak" - KDK-1E and KDK-2E Kodiak. [Not the Clan 'Mech]
  • "Periphery Survey" - Recent Developments, Military Strength, Towards the Future, and Recommendations for the Taurian Concordat, Mica Majority, Tortuga Dominions, and the Fiefdom of Randis.
  • "Faces in the Crowd - NPC" - Sho-sa John "Crippler" Turin.
  • "AWOL Productions & FASA" - Order form for FASA products through AWOL.
  • "AWOL & MNA" - Order form for back issues and Mastersheets.
  • "On Parade - MNA Rankings" - Member names and point rankings.
  • "Debriefing - AWOL Information" - Heavy fighting at the summer conventions!
  • "Roll Call - MNA Chapters" - Chapter listings.
  • "Marching Orders" - Convention calendar.
  • "Upcoming from Ral Partha" - Previews: Falcon, Manticore, Hussar, Kintaro, Packrat LRPV, J. Edgar Light Hover Tank.
  • "Upcoming from FASA" - Previews: BattleTech Third Edition, Decision at Thunder Rift (reprint), ComStar sourcebook.
  • "Inspection - Mech Reviews" - Reviews: Jade Falcon Source Book, McCarron's Armoured Cavalry and Ral Partha (Medium Omni-Mechs, Rommel/Patton, Maxim, Kurita Infantry, Davion Infantry, Ontos, Hetzer Wheeled Assault Guns, PanEuropean Howitzer for Ogre).
  • "MechForce North America - the Official BattleTech Player's Organization" - Membership form.
  • "Eyes Only" - MNA Classifieds.

Issue Eight

MechV2I8.jpg

Fourth Quarter 1992 - 32 pages

Game cover date: Winter 3055

Contents

Issue Nine

MechV2I9.jpg

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

MechV2I11.jpg

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

MechV2I13.jpg

First Quarter 1994 - 32 pages

Game cover date: Spring 3057

Contents

Special Issues

Mech: Special Issue

Some BattleMechs from this issue:

Mech: Special Issue Retro-Fit

Cover illustrating various Clan OmniMechs.

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