Difference between revisions of "Rules Level"
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==Description== | ==Description== | ||
− | + | BattleTech has various levels of play with scalable complexity as more advanced rules are introduced. There are variety of options for players of every skill level, from quick matches with very few units, to grand campaigns stretching over multiple theaters with combined arms warfare. | |
==Rules== | ==Rules== | ||
<div class="gamerules"> | <div class="gamerules"> | ||
− | ===Quick Start Rules=== | + | ===Quick-Start Rules=== |
− | [[ | + | The [[BattleTech: Beginner Box]] contains a partial rule set which does not include many rules that could be considered too complex for beginners, like tracking heat, and limits turns to three phases: Initiative, Movement, and Weapon Attack. Though not phases, Resolving Weapons Fire and Determining Damage are also covered. Importantly, GATOR is introduced as a mnemonic device for completing attack phases. Combat is limited to [[BattleMechs]] only. It has superseded older quick-start rules, such as those found in the [[Classic BattleTech Introductory Box Set]]. |
===Basic Rules=== | ===Basic Rules=== | ||
− | Published in the [[Classic BattleTech Introductory Box Set]] | + | Published in [[BattleTech: A Game of Armored Combat]], this level of play is more complex, introducing players to heat management, piloting skill rolls, critical effects, and other core rules. It increases the phases to the standard six, introducing the Physical Attack Phase, Heat Phase, and End Phase. The rules are still limited to BattleMechs. The book also contain simplified construction rules for players to modify their 'Mechs. It has superseded older introductory rulebooks, such as the one included in the [[Classic BattleTech Introductory Box Set]]. |
+ | |||
+ | The rules in [[BattleTech: Clan Invasion]] could be considered a companion to the basic rules for [[Inner Sphere]] 'Mechs in ''A Game of Armored Combat'', as they cover more exotic Clan weapons and equipment, such as their [[OmniMechs]], their ritualized form of warfare, [[Zellbrigen]], and new units like [[Elemental Battle Armor]]. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Intermediate Rules=== | ||
+ | |||
+ | The [[BattleMech Manual]] is a rulebook for BattleMech combat only. Building upon the previous, simplified rules, it is described as an "alternate presentation"<ref name="BMM">''BattleMech Manual'', p. 5</ref> of the rules in ''Total Warfare'', intended to provide a "one-stop BattleMech play experience".<ref name="BMM"/> It is a bridge between the basic rules and ''Total Warfare'', covering the full complexity of BattleMech combat, including rules for their most common weapons and equipment, but it does not include construction rules. | ||
===Standard Rules=== | ===Standard Rules=== | ||
− | [[Total Warfare]] | + | [[Total Warfare]] contains all the standard, "Tournament Legal" rules, weapons, and equipment used in official games. Furthering the complexity of the previous rulebooks, ''Total Warfare'' introduces rules for using [[Infantry]], [[Battle Armor]], [[ProtoMechs]], [[Combat Vehicles]], [[Support Vehicles]], [[Aerospace]] units, and more. It also includes guides for constructing scenarios for play, painting miniatures, and even a few short stories. |
− | [[Tech Manual]] While | + | The [[Tech Manual]] contains the construction rules and statistics that were used to build the canon "Tournament Legal" units. While unit construction is not part of the standard rule set for playing games, this is the book that allows the player to build their own custom units. It also contains numerous short technical overviews of various weapons and equipment, as well as overviews of the technology behind BattleMechs themselves. |
− | ===Advanced Rules=== | + | ===Advanced & Experimental Rules=== |
− | Advanced | + | '''Advanced equipment''' is in production "in-universe" but have rules generally considered too complex for lower rule sets and too tedious for standard, tournament games, though this is ultimately up to player or official agreement on their use. There is a ''very rough'' correspondence to [[Level 2]] equipment under FASA's old tournament rules. |
− | [[ | + | '''Experimental equipment''' is being prototyped or has gone out of production. There is a ''very rough'' correspondence to [[Level 3]] equipment under FASA's old tournament rules. They are also considered rare and exotic technologies which are not generally used in standard, tournament games or lower, though this is ultimately up to player or official agreement on their use. |
− | + | Both can be found throughout the rulebooks below: | |
− | + | [[Tactical Operations]] contains the rules and equipment that deal with or are useful on the tactical level of game play, including artillery, [[ECCM]], advanced construction, combat, and movement rules, and more. | |
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− | [[ | + | [[Campaign Operations]] contains the rules that deal with or are useful for players to build and run their own campaigns, including complex formations, special pilot abilities, solar system generation, and more. |
− | [[Strategic Operations]] contains the | + | [[Strategic Operations]] contains the rules and equipment that deal with or are useful on the strategic level of game play, including advanced construction and combat rules for aerospace units, rules for aerospace operations, involving units like [[WarShips]], construction rules for [[FrankenMech]]s, and more. |
</div> | </div> | ||
+ | ==Also See== | ||
+ | Gameplay rules levels published in [[Rules Level/THB|Tactical Handbook]], [[Rules Level/BTC|BattleTech Compendium]], [[Rules Level/MT|Maximum Tech]], [[BattleTech Master Rules]], [[Rules Level/MTR|Maximum Tech Revised]], and [[Rules Level/BMRR|BattleTech Master Rules, Revised Edition]]. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==References== | ||
+ | <references /> | ||
[[Category:Game Aids]] | [[Category:Game Aids]] |
Revision as of 13:44, 25 February 2021
Contents
Description
BattleTech has various levels of play with scalable complexity as more advanced rules are introduced. There are variety of options for players of every skill level, from quick matches with very few units, to grand campaigns stretching over multiple theaters with combined arms warfare.
Rules
Quick-Start Rules
The BattleTech: Beginner Box contains a partial rule set which does not include many rules that could be considered too complex for beginners, like tracking heat, and limits turns to three phases: Initiative, Movement, and Weapon Attack. Though not phases, Resolving Weapons Fire and Determining Damage are also covered. Importantly, GATOR is introduced as a mnemonic device for completing attack phases. Combat is limited to BattleMechs only. It has superseded older quick-start rules, such as those found in the Classic BattleTech Introductory Box Set.
Basic Rules
Published in BattleTech: A Game of Armored Combat, this level of play is more complex, introducing players to heat management, piloting skill rolls, critical effects, and other core rules. It increases the phases to the standard six, introducing the Physical Attack Phase, Heat Phase, and End Phase. The rules are still limited to BattleMechs. The book also contain simplified construction rules for players to modify their 'Mechs. It has superseded older introductory rulebooks, such as the one included in the Classic BattleTech Introductory Box Set.
The rules in BattleTech: Clan Invasion could be considered a companion to the basic rules for Inner Sphere 'Mechs in A Game of Armored Combat, as they cover more exotic Clan weapons and equipment, such as their OmniMechs, their ritualized form of warfare, Zellbrigen, and new units like Elemental Battle Armor.
Intermediate Rules
The BattleMech Manual is a rulebook for BattleMech combat only. Building upon the previous, simplified rules, it is described as an "alternate presentation"[1] of the rules in Total Warfare, intended to provide a "one-stop BattleMech play experience".[1] It is a bridge between the basic rules and Total Warfare, covering the full complexity of BattleMech combat, including rules for their most common weapons and equipment, but it does not include construction rules.
Standard Rules
Total Warfare contains all the standard, "Tournament Legal" rules, weapons, and equipment used in official games. Furthering the complexity of the previous rulebooks, Total Warfare introduces rules for using Infantry, Battle Armor, ProtoMechs, Combat Vehicles, Support Vehicles, Aerospace units, and more. It also includes guides for constructing scenarios for play, painting miniatures, and even a few short stories.
The Tech Manual contains the construction rules and statistics that were used to build the canon "Tournament Legal" units. While unit construction is not part of the standard rule set for playing games, this is the book that allows the player to build their own custom units. It also contains numerous short technical overviews of various weapons and equipment, as well as overviews of the technology behind BattleMechs themselves.
Advanced & Experimental Rules
Advanced equipment is in production "in-universe" but have rules generally considered too complex for lower rule sets and too tedious for standard, tournament games, though this is ultimately up to player or official agreement on their use. There is a very rough correspondence to Level 2 equipment under FASA's old tournament rules.
Experimental equipment is being prototyped or has gone out of production. There is a very rough correspondence to Level 3 equipment under FASA's old tournament rules. They are also considered rare and exotic technologies which are not generally used in standard, tournament games or lower, though this is ultimately up to player or official agreement on their use.
Both can be found throughout the rulebooks below:
Tactical Operations contains the rules and equipment that deal with or are useful on the tactical level of game play, including artillery, ECCM, advanced construction, combat, and movement rules, and more.
Campaign Operations contains the rules that deal with or are useful for players to build and run their own campaigns, including complex formations, special pilot abilities, solar system generation, and more.
Strategic Operations contains the rules and equipment that deal with or are useful on the strategic level of game play, including advanced construction and combat rules for aerospace units, rules for aerospace operations, involving units like WarShips, construction rules for FrankenMechs, and more.
Also See
Gameplay rules levels published in Tactical Handbook, BattleTech Compendium, Maximum Tech, BattleTech Master Rules, Maximum Tech Revised, and BattleTech Master Rules, Revised Edition.