Shrapnel (magazine)

This article is about the digital BattleTech magazine. For the 1988 BattleTech print anthology, see Shrapnel (anthology).

Shrapnel The Official BattleTech Magazine
Product information
Type	Magazine
Publication information
Publisher	Catalyst Game Labs
First published	15 June 2020
Content

Description

Shrapnel (subtitle: The Official BattleTech Magazine) is an electronic and Print-on-demand magazine dedicated to the BattleTech franchise, intended as a spiritual successor to both the older BattleTechnology print magazine and the shuttered subscription-based BattleCorps fiction website, among others. It was first announced as a nonexclusive stretch goal during the 2019 Clan Invasion crowdfunding campaign, and the stretch goal was achieved; CGL thereby committed to producing at least four issues of the magazine.

The first issue was released to backers of the crowdfunding campaign on 28 May 2020 through a download link; it was made available to the general public in the following month including a Print-on-demand (PoD) option.

Canonicity

Shrapnel was explicitly stated to be fully canonical for the BattleTech universe. This is a notable exception from the current definition of canon for BattleTech, which states that previous magazines are not counted among the canon sources by default.

Issue 1

Issue #01
Product information
Type	Magazine
Development	Loren L. Coleman, Publisher John Helfers, Executive Editor Philip A. Lee, Managing Editor David A. Kerber, Layout and Graphic Design
Pages	172
Cover Artwork	Ken Coleman
Publication information
Publisher	Catalyst Game Labs
First published	15 June 2020
ISBN-10	1947335200
ISBN-13	978-1-947335-20-2
MSRP	$5.99
Content
Followed by	Issue #02

• Grimm Sentence (by Chris Hussey)
• Secrets of the Sphere: The Cameron Question (by Michael J. Ciaravella)
• The Flames of Idlewind (by Blaine Lee Pardoe)
• Forgotten Heroes, Slandered Honor (by Patrick Wynne)
• Airs Above the Ground (by Jason Hansa)
• Sniper Rifles: Death from a Distance (by Craig A. Reed, Jr.)
  • Lancelot Mk V (Federated Suns)
  • Barton AMR (Federated Suns)
  • Sairentosutomu (Draconis Combine)
  • Yuàn Líng (Capellan Confederation)
  • Hammel Marksman (Free Worlds League)
  • Thorhammer (Lyran Commonwealth)
  • SR-17 Suns Killer (Taurian Concordat)
  • Praetorian S-3 & S-5 (Marian Hegemony)
  • LRS-53 Sniper Rifle (Magistracy of Canopus)
  • Wilimton RS-14 (ComStar)
  • Wilimton RS-17 (Word of Blake)
  • FNF-J12 (Star League / Dark Caste)
• Yesterday's Enemy (by Lance Scarinci)
• Missing Duke Spurs Demonstration (by Patrick Wynne)
• If Auld Acquaintance Be Forgot... (by Michael A. Stackpole), part 1 of 4
• Unit Digest: Eridani Light Horse - 11th Recon Battalion (by Michael J. Ciaravella)
• Tales from the Cracked Canopy: Blind Arrogance (by Craig A. Reed, Jr.)
• "Mother of Resistance" Dead on Vipaava (by Patrick Wynne)
• Target of Opportunity Chaos Campaign scenario (by Aaron Cahall)
• Wars and Rumors (by Kevin Killiany)

Issue 2

Issue #02
Product information
Type	Magazine
Development	Loren L. Coleman, Publisher John Helfers, Executive Editor Philip A. Lee, Managing Editor David A. Kerber, Layout and Graphic Design
Pages	188
Cover Artwork	Franz Vohwinkel
Interior Artwork	Matthew Cross, Brent Evans, Harri Kallio, David Kerber, Florian Mellies, Matt Plog
Publication information
Publisher	Catalyst Game Labs
Product code	CAT36091
First published	15 September 2020
ISBN-10	1947335340
ISBN-13	978-1-947335-34-9
MSRP	$5.99
Content
Preceded by	Issue #01
Followed by	Issue #03

• Scavengers Blood (by Alan Brundage)
• Assassination Protocol: Kafka (by Daniel Isberner)
• Flash'd His Sabre Bare (by James Simakas)
• CN10-B Centurion (by Chris Wheeler)
• Devil Take the Hindmost (by Michael J. Ciaravella)
• Gauss Rifles (by Matthew Cross)
• Daybreak on Shining Mountain (by Travis Heermann)
• Secrets of the Sphere: The ProtoMech Problem
• If Auld Acquaintance Be Forgot... (by Michael A. Stackpole), part 2 of 4
• Planet Digest: Minette III (by Tom Stanley)
• Tales from the Cracked Canopy: Giving Up (by Jason Schmetzer)
• Flight of the Falcon Chaos Campaign scenario (by Aaron Cahall)
• The Lost Division RPG Adventure Seed by (by Alex Kaempen)
• The Road Ahead (by John-David Karnitz)

Note: the free record sheets for the Centurion CN10-B, CN10-J, and CN10-W, and the Gyrfalcon 5 were also released.

Issue 3

Issue #03
Product information
Type	Magazine
Development	Loren L. Coleman, Publisher John Helfers, Executive Editor Philip A. Lee, Managing Editor David A. Kerber, Layout and Graphic Design
Pages	177
Cover Artwork	Ken Coleman, Margarita Bourkova
Interior Artwork	Alan Blackwell, Mark Hayden, David A. Kerber, Jeff Laubenstein, Kevin McCann, Victor Moreno, Matt Plog, Tan Ho Sim, David White
Publication information
Publisher	Catalyst Game Labs
Product code	CAT36092
First published	15 December 2020
ISBN-10	1947335669
ISBN-13	978-1-947335-66-0
MSRP	$5.99
Content
Preceded by	Issue #02
Followed by	Issue #04

• The Metal Man (by Lance Scarinci)
• Voices of the Sphere: Star League Day (by Chris Hussey)
• Waylon's War (by Blaine Lee Pardoe)
• The Great Reavings (by Eric Salzman)
• Technical Readout: Thunder Stallion 4 (by Charles Dallas and Craig A. Reed, Jr.)
• Laws Are Silent (by Craig A. Reed, Jr.)
• Scenario: Reindeer Down (by Daniel Isberner)
• If Auld Acquaintance Be Forgot... (by Michael A. Stackpole), part 3 of 4
• Unit Digest: 138th Mechanized Infantry Division Veterans Association (by Alex Kaempen)
• Tales from the Cracked Canopy: The Razor's Edge of Opportunity (by Loren L. Coleman)
• Pistols: Up Close and Personal (by Craig A. Reed, Jr.)
  • HCK P-14 (Lyran Commonwealth)
  • Sturm Eagle MK4 (Lyran Commonwealth)
  • Wolf M30 (Free Worlds League)
  • Lemison Combat Revolver (Free Worlds League)
  • Dreamel J-4 Derringer (Free Worlds League)
  • Yănjìngshé (Capellan Confederation)
  • Type 74 Pistol (Capellan Confederation)
  • Mòmò De Dàoying (Capellan Confederation)
  • RFW Galahad (Federated Suns)
  • Serrek 7994 (Federated Suns)
  • AA Gemini (Federated Suns)
  • Nambu 380 and 480 series (Draconis Combine)
  • MPH-45 (Draconis Combine)
  • Camden-7 (Taurian Concordat/Calderon Protectorate)
  • Alamo-17 (Taurian Concordat/Calderon Protectorate)
  • Whisper-4 (Magistracy of Canopus)
• Doc Bens (by David Smith)
• Assassination Protocol: Katherine Steiner-Davion (by Daniel Isberner)
• Order Through Strength Chaos Campaign scenario (by Tom Stanley)
• The Prince of Skye (by Bryn Bills)
• The Secret Fox (by Bryan Young)

Note: the free record sheet for the Thunder Stallion 4 was also released.

Issue 4

Issue #04
Product information
Type	Magazine
Development	Loren L. Coleman, Publisher John Helfers, Executive Editor Philip A. Lee, Managing Editor David A. Kerber, Layout and Graphic Design
Pages	169
Cover Artwork	Florian Mellies
Interior Artwork	Alan Blackwell, Doug Chaffee, Matthew Cross, Brent Evans, Alex Iglesias, David A. Kerber, Jeff Laubenstein, Duane Loose, Jason Vargas, David White
Publication information
Publisher	Catalyst Game Labs
Product code	CAT36093
First published	15 March 2021
ISBN-10	1947335731
ISBN-13	978-1-947335-73-8
MSRP	$5.99
Content
Preceded by	Issue #03
Followed by	Issue #05

• Gratitude Repaid (by Charles Gideon)
• Voices of the Sphere: Cryogenics (by Eric Salzman)
• The Bye-Bye Brigade (by Jason Schmetzer)
• Technical Readout: UM-R90 SuburbanMech (by Craig A. Reed, Jr.)
• Inverted (by Giles Gammage)
• Advice from a Social General: How to Party (by Ken Horner)
• Roadblock (by Faith McClosky)
• PPCs (by Matthew Cross)
• Sackcloth and Sand (by David Razi)
• Unit Digest: Seychelles' Stonehearts (by Michael J. Ciaravella)
• Ghost Ships Galore: The Pride of New Samarkand (by Stephen W. Toropov)
• Tales from the Cracked Canopy: The Red Wraith (by Harper Brand)
• Sword of Sedition Chaos Campaign scenario (by Aaron Cahall)
• The Weight of a Name (by Marc Follin)
• Make 'Mechs Matter: 'Mech-less Play Rules and RPG Adventure (by Joel Steverson)
• All Good Things (by James Lee)

Note: the free record sheets for the SuburbanMech UM-R90 and UMR100 were also released.

Issue 5

Issue #05
Product information
Type	Magazine
Development	Loren L. Coleman, Publisher John Helfers, Executive Editor Philip A. Lee, Managing Editor David A. Kerber, Layout and Graphic Design
Pages	208
Cover Artwork	Ken Coleman
Interior Artwork	Alan Blackwell, Doug Chaffee, Matthew Cross, Brent Evans, Stephen Huda, David A. Kerber, Mark Molnar
Publication information
Publisher	Catalyst Game Labs
Product code	CAT36094
First published	15 June 2021
ISBN-10	1638610215
ISBN-13	978-1-63861-021-2
MSRP	$5.99
Content
Preceded by	Issue #04
Followed by	Issue #06

• Ghosts (by Lance Scarinci)
• Voices of the Sphere: What Would Have Been and What is Now (by Chris Hussey)
• Black Boxes (by Daniel Isberner)
• Piece by Piece (by Matt Alexander)
• CRD-10S Crusader (by Johannes Heidler)
• The Fox Patrol (by Bryan Young)
• Glorious Labor for the Celestial Wisdom: A Capellan Servitor's Guide to Proper Conduct (by Eric Salzman)
• If Auld Acquaintance Be Forgot... (by Michael A. Stackpole), part 4 of 4
• Submachine Guns: Spray and Pray (by Craig A. Reed, Jr.)
  • Wolf-Barron A7 (Free Worlds League)
  • Blackfield Scorpion Kk 65 (Free Worlds League))
  • Nambu Type S-124 (Draconis Combine)
  • Supekuta (Draconis Combine)
  • Sturm Hornet Mk III (Lyran Commonwealth)
  • DSK Largo SGA and DSA Largo SGB (Lyran Commonwealth)
  • RFW Bedivere (Federated Suns)
  • AWA Starling Mk7 (Federated Suns)
  • Hòuwèi (Capellan Confederation)
  • Jīnsè Yănjìngshé (Capellan Confederation)
  • J-15 and J-17 (Word of Blake/Republic of the Sphere)
  • Hunkle V (Taurian Concordat)
  • Boudicca-4, -5 and -7 (Magistracy of Canopus)
  • Tiberius and Spartacus (Marian Hegemony/Lothian League)
  • WC-2 and WC-6 (Star League/Clan)
• Secrets of the Sphere: Three-Clan Monte (by Michael J. Ciaravella)
• Tales from the Cracked Canopy: Shadows of the Past (by Craig A. Reed, Jr.)
• Planet Digest: Kandersteg (by Mike Miller)
• SM5 Field Commander (Prototype) (by Aaron Cahall)
• An Ice-Cold Dish (by Paul Sjardijn)
• Alekseyevka Academy's Anti-'Mech Infantry Course (by Joel Steverson)
• Breach (by Tom Leveen)

Issue 6

Issue #06
Product information
Type	Magazine
Development	Loren L. Coleman, Publisher John Helfers, Executive Editor Philip A. Lee, Managing Editor David A. Kerber, Layout and Graphic Design
Pages	200
Cover Artwork	Ken Coleman
Interior Artwork	Alan Blackwell, Doug Chaffee, Matthew Cross, David J. Hutchins, David A. Kerber, Natán Meléndez, Matt Plog, Klaus Scherwinski
Publication information
Publisher	Catalyst Game Labs
Product code	CAT36095
First published	13 September 2021
ISBN-10	1638610398
ISBN-13	978-1-63861-039-7
MSRP	$5.99
Content
Preceded by	Issue #05
Followed by	Issue #07

• Paper Tiger (by Mark Hill)
• Voices of the Sphere: The Republic Armed Forces (by Eric Salzman)
• Point of View (by Jason Schmetzer)
• Technical Readout: Victor C (by Eric Salzman)
• Almost Sounds Like the Guns Themselves (by E. Clark Avery)
• Plasma, Plasma, and More Plasma (by Wunji Lau)
• One Door Closes (by Blaine Lee Pardoe)
• Persuading Parliament: A Lobbyist's Guide to Atreus (by Stephen Toropov)
• Tales from the Cracked Canopy: The Devil's Luck (by Alexander J. Roth)
• Maskirovka Reports: Tiamat Crashes Into the Wall (by Joel Steverson)
• Diamandis' Dogs (by M. W. Hayden)
• Electioneering: A MechWarrior: Destiny Mission Briefing (by Stephen Toropov)
• Vengeance Games (by Craig A. Reed, Jr.), part 1 of 4
• Chaos Campaign Scenario: The Ballad of Sir Lobos Plumados (by Eric Salzman)
• The Poisoner's Pen: Advice from the Ebon Magistrate (by Ken Horner)
• Ace Darwin and the Sidewinder Canyon (by James Bixby)
• After-Action Report: Barlow's End (by James Kirtley)
• Moving Forward (by Daniel Isberner)

Issue 7

Issue #07
Product information
Type	Magazine
Publication information
Publisher	Catalyst Game Labs
Product code	CAT36096
First published	16 December 2021
ISBN-10	1638610851
ISBN-13	978-1-63861-085-4
MSRP	$5.99
Content
Preceded by	Issue #06
Followed by	Issue #08

• Shards of a Broken Sword (by Julian Michael Carver)
• Voices of the Sphere: Twenty Years of Messages in Bottles (by Wunji Lau)
• The Fox and the Bear: A Fox Patrol Story (by Bryan Young)
• HCT-5D Hatchetman (by Chris Wheeler)
• Anchors Aweigh (by J. D. Neal)
• The Winter Holiday (by Joel Steverson)
• Promise (by Tom Leveen)
• Please Hold for the Clan Sea Fox Customer Care and Service Department (by Paul Sjardijn and Aaron Cahall)
• The Art of Salvage (by Matthew Cross)
• Vengeance Games (by Craig A. Reed, Jr.), part 2 of 4
• Behind the Curtain: The Exituri's Holiday Traditions (by Étienne Charron-Willard)
• The Delicate Art of Gift Giving in the Draconis Combine (by Jim Hauser)
• The Thirst for Vengeance (by Curtis O. Thompson)
• One Last Favor, Old Friend: A MechWarrior: Destiny Mission Briefing (by Tom Stanley)
• Combat Shotguns: For Close Encounters (by Craig A. Reed, Jr.)
• Protector of the Blood (by Charles Gideon)
• Chaos Campaign Scenario: The Christmas Eve Coup (by Eric Salzman)
• The Tale of the Abominable Icemonster (by Joel Steverson)
• The Honor Road (by E. Stephenson Auerbach)

Issue 8

Issue #08
Product information
Type	Magazine
Publication information
Publisher	Catalyst Game Labs
Product code	CAT36097
First published	15 March 2022
ISBN-10	1638610622
ISBN-13	978-1-63861-062-5
MSRP	$5.99
Content
Preceded by	Issue #07
Followed by	Issue #09

• Better Days (by John-David Karnitz)
• Voices of the Sphere: Mixed-Tech 'Mechs (by Joel Steverson)
• Hollow Glory (by Douglas Carruthers)
• Executioner-B (Gladiator-B) (by Johannes Heidler)
• The Old Rules of Hire (by Jason Hansa)
• Operation Hollywood (by Mike Miller)
• Adapt and Flourish: A Greeting to New Citizens of the Federated Suns (by Wunji Lau)
• The Great UrbanMech Uprising (by Eric Salzman)
• Unit Digest: First Augustine Arquebusiers (by Stephen Toropov)
• Vengeance Games (by Craig A. Reed, Jr.), part 3 of 4
• The Malthus Confederation (by Eric Salzman)
• Ace Darwin and the Battle of the Beer Fridge (by James Bixby)
• Bainbridge's Guide to Impactful Exoflora (by Ken Horner)
• A Fistful of Kerenskys: Trading in the Wolf Empire (by Tom Stanley)
• Meiyo (by Keith R. A. DeCandido)
• Shadow and Sin: Secrets of the Canopian Pleasure Circuses (by Eric Salzman)
• Tales from the Cracked Canopy: Silent Roar (by Daniel Isberner)
• SAFE Quarterly Threat Assessment (by Joel Steverson)
• Campaign: A Short Stop in Astrokaszy (by Joshua Franklin)
• Farewell Song (by Jeremy Ciccone)

Issue 9

Issue #09
Product information
Type	Magazine
Development	Loren L. Coleman, Publisher John Helfers, Executive Editor Philip A. Lee, Managing Editor David A. Kerber, Layout and Graphic Design
Pages	212
Cover Artwork	Ken Coleman
Interior Artwork	Alan Blackwell, Doug Chaffee, Eldon Cowgur, Matthew Cross, David A. Kerber, Jeff Laubenstein, Duane Loose, Natán Meléndez, Benjamin Parker, Matt Plog, Klaus Scherwinski, Karsten Schreurs, Tan Ho Sim
Publication information
Publisher	Catalyst Game Labs
Product code	CAT36098
First published	15 June 2022
ISBN-10	1638611807
ISBN-13	978-1-63861-180-6
MSRP	$5.99
Content
Preceded by	Issue #08
Followed by	Issue #10

• Eagles Over Scarborough (by Alex Fairbanks)
• Voices of the Sphere: The Hinterlands (by Eric Salzman)
• A Fox on Galatea (A Fox Patrol Story) (by Bryan Young)
• Technical Readout: RSN-1 Rattlesnake II (by Craig A. Reed, Jr.)
• Dezgra (by Étienne Charron-Willard)
• Quikscell: Tax Evasion or Typo? (by Daniel Isberner)
• Widowmaker (by Phillip Johnston)
• Unit Digest: Big Kev's Brigade (by Alex Fauth)
• The Power of Light: Personal Laser Weaponry (by Craig A. Reed, Jr.)
  • Xīng Shăn (Capellan Confederation)
  • Yáng Liè Laser Rifle (Capellan Confederation)
  • Darklight IV Laser Pistol / Darklight-CL Light Laser Rifle (Draconis Combine)
  • Awa Wiliby Mk4 Laser Pistol (Federated Suns)
  • Kelvin 000 Lancer 3-MM Laser Pistol (Federated Suns)
  • Syrtis Firebolt-12 Laser Rifle (Federated Suns)
  • NWW-12 Pulse Laser Pistol / RDI Sunswarm Pulsar (Free Worlds League / Regulan Fiefs)
  • Wolf-Barron Sunraker Laser Rifle (Free Worlds League)
  • AA-75L Laser Pistol (Lyran Commonwealth)
  • DWS L5 Weapons System (Lyran Commonwealth)
  • Medusa III Laser Pistol and IV Laser Pistols (Magistracy of Canopus)
  • Tirbuni Pulse-Laser Rifle / Gaul Pulse Rifle (Marian Hegemony / Lothian League)
  • BR-25 Laser Pistol (Taurian Concordat)
• Unity City with a View (by Joshua C. Perian)
• Lost Ghosts (by David G. Martin)
• Fates Both Cruel and Kind (by Alayna M. Weathers)
• Senescent Warriors Association (by Ben Klinefelter)
• Vengeance Games (by Craig A. Reed, Jr.), part 4 of 4
• The Clan Upgrade (by Matthew Cross)
• Meat, Metal, Ham (by Olli Rosnell)
• Chaos Campaign Scenario: The Mad Stampede (by Jim Hauser)
• Planet Digest: Kyeinnisan (by Eric Salzman)
• Lucky Bastard (by David Smith)

Issue 10

Issue #10
Product information
Type	Magazine
Development	Loren L. Coleman, Publisher John Helfers, Executive Editor Philip A. Lee, Managing Editor David A. Kerber, Layout and Graphic Design
Cover Artwork	Ken Coleman
Interior Artwork	Doug Chaffee, Matthew Cross, Liam Curtner, Joel Duque, Dale Eadeh, Brent Evans, Stephen Huda, David A. Kerber, Harri Kallio, macrovector, Natán Meléndez, William O’Conner, Benjamin Parker, Matt Plog, Klaus Scherwinski, Boris Vallejo, Jason Vargas
Publication information
Publisher	Catalyst Game Labs
Product code	CAT36099
First published	15 September 2022
ISBN-10	1638612048
ISBN-13	978-1-63861-204-9
Content
Preceded by	Issue #09
Followed by	Issue #11

• Receiving Ends (by Donavan Dufault)
• Voices of the Sphere: Battle of Luthien Centennial (by Tom Stanley)
• All Those Left Behind (by Steve P. Vincent)
• HL-1 Hel (by Jason Schmetzer)
• Forbidden Lore (by Geoff 'Doc' Swift)
• The Bullets Never Stop: The History of the Immortal Warrior (by Tom Stanley)
• Bad and Worse (by Harvey Roberts)
• Bainbridge's Guide to Impactful Exofauna (by Ken Horner)
• A Trial Most Acceptable (by Jason Hansa)
• Unit Digest: Kara's Scorchers (Clan Protectorate) (by James Bixby)
• Marine Vulpine Revocery, a MechWarrior: Destiny Mission Briefing (by Stephen Toropov)
• Undefeated (by Giles Gammage)
• 24 Hours (by Alayna M. Weathers)
• Chaos Campaign Scenario: Battle of the Belt (by Eric Salzman)
• Flying Kites (by Daniel Isberner)
• Sea*List Ads (by Wunji Lau)
• Dynamic Ordnance and Ammunition, 20-Year Market Assessment (by Stephen Toropov)
• TR-B-9 Toro (by Wunji Lau)
• Three Ways Home (by Tom Leveen), part 1 of 4
• Three Ways Home (by Tom Leveen), part 2 of 4
• The Bull Has Turned: A Guide to Coping with Grief and Loss (by Joel Steverson)
• Rain of Metal (by Julian Michael Carver)
• Planet Digest: Pain (by Alex Fauth)
• Wolf Pelts and Raven Feathers (by Lance Scarinci)
• Rise of the Koa (by Jennifer Bixby)
• Campaign: Wolf Howl (by Joshua Franklin)
• The Last Flight of the Black Condor (by Matthew Cross)
• Chaos Campaign Scenario: Cutting the Competition (by Étienne Charron-Willard)
• This Too Shall Pass (by James Lee)

Issue 11

Issue #11
Product information
Type	Magazine
Cover Artwork	Ken Coleman
Publication information
Publisher	Catalyst Game Labs
Product code	CAT36100
First published	15 December 2022
ISBN-10	1638611165
ISBN-13	978-1-63861-116-5
Content
Preceded by	Issue #10
Followed by	Issue #12

• The Plowshare (by D. G. P. Rector)
• Voices of the Sphere: The New Mercenary Market (by Stephen Toropov)

A 26 April 3152 INN vox pop on the state of the mercenary industry.

• Signing Day (by Chris G. Lane)
• BTL-C-20 Battle Cobra (by Étienne Charron-Willard)

A technical readout on the ComStar Battle Cobra adaptation.

• Ghostbird (by Bryan Young)
• Cockpit Amenities in Modern BattleMechs (by Wunji Lau)

An August 3151 overview of amenities in both Inner Sphere and Clan BattleMech cockpits.

• Unit Digest: First Kearny Highlanders (by Étienne Charron-Willard)
• Up Close (by W. T. Brown)
• Inner Sphere Ingenuity (by Matt Cross)

A 30 October 3125 Sea Fox lecture on Inner Sphere weaponry since the 3070s.

• Comin' to Towne: A Role-Playing Adventure (by Eric Salzman)

A holiday themed adventure set on Towne on 24 December 3149. Players rescue Klaus Santana and his vital cargo from bandits.

• Hell's Highway (by James Hauser)
• Solahma Death Song (poem by Phillip Johnston)
• Information Software at War: The Automated BattleMech Recognition Framework (by James Bixby)

A 1 April 3149 lecture on automated BattleMech identification software, along with a list of some early nation-specific reporting names for foreign BattleMechs.

• Three Ways Home (by Tom Leveen), part 3 of 4
• The Few and the Many: The Canopian Medical Industry's Cultural Isolation (by Wunji Lau)

A 17 March 3152 Sea Fox report on the Magistracy's medical industry, its training and its limits.

• Merrymakers (poem by Alayna M. Weathers)
• The Space Cowboys From Quatre Belle (by R. J. Thomas)
• After Action Report: Longbow Mountain (by Eric Salzman)

A report on the 3024 Wilson's Hussars attack on Longbow Mountain, under the employment of Helmar Valasek.

• Battleforce Scenario: Our Two Weeks' Notice (by Tom Stanley)

An April 3150 clash between the Rasalhague Dominion and Draconis Combine-hired mercenaries on Lambrecht.

• Seal the Deal (by Russell Zimmerman)

Issue 12

Issue #12
Product information
Type	Magazine
Cover Artwork	Ken Coleman
Publication information
Publisher	Catalyst Game Labs
Product code	CAT36101
First published	14 March 2023
ISBN-13	979-8-98535-994-7
Content
Preceded by	Issue #11
Followed by	Issue #13

• Without Warning (by Kelvin Casing)
• Voices of the Sphere: Mercenary Dependents (by Wunji Lau)

An INN vox pop exploring what it is like to be a dependent.

• It Ends in Fire (by Alan Brundage)
• JN-G9B Jinggau (by Jason Hansa)

A technical readout on four Jinggau variants.

• The Shoulders of Giants (by Charles Gideon)
• Unit Digest: Steel Wolves (by Alex Fauth)
• Death to Mercenaries: Rhetoric vs. Reality (by Eric Salzman)

A Merc Life editorial on mercenary hiring in the Draconis Combine under the 'Death to Mercenaries' edict.

• Winning the Battle, Losing the War (by Jason DeSouza)
• Unit Digest: Old Guard (Hansen's Roughriders) (by Ben Klinefelter)
• A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Homeland (by Lorcan Nagle)

Political scientist Kieran McGrath comments on the differences between Terran cultures and their Inner Sphere diasporas.

• Dying Breed (by Geoff Swift)
• Mercenary Entertainment Network Digest: December 3151 (by Ken' Horner)

An overview of some popular holovid shows and their latest episodes.

• Sea*List Ads: The Kandersteg Catalog (by Stephen Toropov)

Advertisements and notices on Kandersteg, January 3152.

• Everything Up There (by Alayna M. Weathers)
• Three Ways Home (by Tom Leveen), part 4 of 4
• No Hard Feelings: How to Maintain Professionalism When You Kill People For a Living(by Wunji Lau)

A transcript of an episode of a talk show, The Headkick, on professionalism in and around the mercenary industry.

• Planet Digest: Rahway II (by Eric Salzman)
• Foolproof (by James Bixby)
• A Game of Armored Combat: Celebrating 700 Years of BattleMech Warfare (by Daniel Isberner)

A March 3139 Gladiator Gazette article about a Defiance Industries-hosted combat test celebrating the 700th anniversary of the Mackie.

• The Graceland Gaffe: A MechWarrior: Destiny Mission Briefing (by Chris Hussey)

February 3058: players serve as extras and advisors on the Tharkan Media Associates show The Filthy Lucy.

• Making Them Pay: Mercenary Logistics and Finances For the Freebooting Quartermaster (by Stephen Toropov)

An excerpt from the first chapter of Stephani Ehli's titular 3151 book, examining transportation and logistically key business relationships.

• Three White Roses (by Craig A. Reed, Jr.)
• Unit Digest: Killer Bees (by James Bixby)
• One Thousand (by Rob Schubert)
• Chaos Campaign Scenario: Am I My Brother's Keeper? (by Matt Larson)

A 12 May 2599 clash between SLDF volunteers from Northwind and Capellan-hired Second Kearny Highlanders on Asuncion, notable for the two forces' unwillingness to engage each other.

• Never Trust the Recruitment Posters (by James Kirtley)

Issue 13

Issue #13
Product information
Type	Magazine
Cover Artwork	Germán Varona Galindo
Publication information
Publisher	Catalyst Game Labs
Product code	CAT36231
First published	14 June 2023
ISBN-10	1638611378
ISBN-13	978-1-63861-137-0
MSRP	$6.99
Content
Preceded by	Issue 12
Followed by	Issue 14

• The Swamp Fox (by Ben Klinefelter)
• Voices of the Sphere: Cushioning the Culture Shock (by Wunji Lau)

An INN vox pop exploring how Clan and Inner Sphere cultures interact.

• Acceptable Losses (by Adam Neff)
• Technical Reaodut: ALB-6U Albatross (by Stephen Toropov)

Details five Albatross variants.

• Drawing the Short Straw (by David G. Martin)
• The Curious Case of Colin Coolidge's Cooling Suit (by Joshua C. Perian)

Notes and a tape on Solaris VII gladiator Colin Coolidge and his cooling suit, said to be cursed.

• Reversal of Fortunes (by Giles Gammage)
• Bainbridge's Guide to Impactful Geography (by Ken' Horner)

A guide to several planets' distinct geographical hazards, with BattleTech and Alpha Strike rules.

• Unit Digest: Wilson's Hussars (by Zac Schwartz)
• Run, Locust, Run (by Westin Riverside)
• A Ship Out of Time (by Eric Salzman)

Logs from the multiply-misjumped Mogami.

• Lone Wolf and Fox (by Bryan Young), part 1 of 4
• RPG Adventure: Tinker, Tailor, Seamstress, Spy (by Joshua C. Perian)

Players do dirty work for the Solaris-based Perducci Fashion House.

• Tales from the Cracked Canopy: No Rest for the Accursed (by Matthew Cross)
• Ascending the Pecking Order: Political Warfare in the Raven Alliance (by Eric Salzman)

A 13 May 3152 journal entry from a Clan Snow Raven sibcadet training with/against Outworlders while exploring Snow Raven political thought.

• Starving Vultures (by Joseph A. Cosgrove)
• Planet Digest: Gandy's Luck (by Zac Schwartz)
• Alpha Strike Scenario: Strike and Fade (by Ed Stephens)

10 April 3151: A Wolf Empire garrison on Coriscana faces attacking mercenaries.

• The Wreckoning (by Russell Zimmerman)

Issue 14

Issue #14
Product information
Type	Magazine
Cover Artwork	Łukasz Matuszek
Publication information
Publisher	Catalyst Game Labs
Product code	CAT36232
First published	15 September 2023
ISBN-10	1638611424
ISBN-13	978-1-63861-142-4
MSRP	$6.99 (digital) $12.95 (POD)
Content
Preceded by	Issue 13
Followed by	Issue 15

• Millennium Marauder (by Jeremy A. Reynolds)
• Voices of the Sphere: ComStar (by Étienne Charron-Willard)

A 6 July 3152 INN vox pop looking back at ComStar.

• Hard Choices (by Marc Follin)
• Technical Readout: SHD-3H Shadow Hawk (by Chris Wheeler)

Details the Star League-era SHD-3H and 3H2 Shadow Hawk variants.

• Payback Strike (by David Stier)
• C.U.P.P.S.: Civilian UrbanMech Patrol and Protection Service (by James Kirtley)

An excerpt from the script of a Federated Suns-produced anti-Taurian propaganda series.

• Chaos Campaign Scenario: Dig Two Graves (by Matt Larson)

Stone's Shadows hunt down Word of Blake Precentor Ojeda on Killbourn, 10 December 3077.

• …And Full of Terrors (by Chris Hussey)
• Legion of the Dead (by Eric Salzman)

Dossiers on several Cohors Morituri members in the early 3150s.

• Great Work (by James Bixby)
• Sphere's Most Wanted: Republic 3084 (by Thomas Stanley)

Descriptions of criminals active in the Republic of the Sphere, along with suggestions for A Time of War and MechWarrior: Destiny stats.

• Unit Digest: The Scourge (by Stephen Toropov)
• Fighting for the Past (by Geoff “Doc” Swift)
• Chaos Campaign Scenario: Braunschweig Breakout (by Geoff “Doc” Swift)

The Hanseatic League's RDF 6 tries to escape Clan Goliath Scorpion on Braunschweig, 9 April 3140.

• Lone Wolf and Fox (by Bryan Young), part 2 of 4
• Planet Digest: Indicass (by Zac Schwartz)
• Out of the Ashes (by Jaymie Wagner)
• Campaign: Water Raid (by Lorcan Nagle)

A campaign representing water raids in the Third Succession War.

• A Little off the Top (by J. D. Neal)

Issue 15

Issue #15
Product information
Type	Magazine
Cover Artwork	Germán Varona Galindo
Publication information
Publisher	Catalyst Game Labs
Product code	CAT36233
First published	12 December 2023
ISBN-10	1638611475
ISBN-13	978-1-63861-147-9
MSRP	$7.99 (digital) $18.95 (POD)
Content
Preceded by	Issue 14
Followed by	Issue 16

• A Lesson Learned (by Jason Schmetzer)
• Voices of the Sphere: Small but Mighty Profitable (by Stephen Toropov)
• The Alexandria Job (By Giles Gammage)
• Technical Readout: GLD-7R Gladiator (by Wunji Lau)
• Signing Bonus (By Jaymie Wagner)
• 11 Good Ways to... Ruin Your Mercenary Company (by Daniel Isberner)
• No Dawn on the Horizon (By David G. Martin)
• Unit Digest: Outer Reaches Disciples (by Eric Salzman)
• Unit Digest: Lacadon Vengeance Legion (by Eric Salzman)
• Dust to Dust (By Michael A. Stackpole)
• Where the Pen is Mightier than the Sword (by Stephan A. Frabartolo)
• Tales of the Strange Bedfellows (By James Hauser)
• Sea*List Ads: The Almotacen Almanac (by Stephen Toropov)
• El Dorado (By Chris Purnell)
• Will Schedule It for You: Combined Arms Techs & Astechs (by Ed Stephens)
• Chaos Campaign Scenario: Rainmaker (by Eric Salzman)
• Where I Belong (By Tom Leveen)
• Mercenaries Entertainment Network Digest: June 3152 (by Ken' Horner)
• Technical Readout: The Untold Mauler (by Johannes Heidler)
• Second to None (By Russell Zimmerman)
• Unit Digest: Blazing Aces (by Alex Fauth)
• Unit Digest: Halsten's Brigade (by Zac Schwartz)
• Indomitable (By Robin Briseño)
• Getting Paid in an Uncertain Age (by Lorcan Nagle)
• Behind the Stick (By Jason Hansa)
• Planet Digest: Le Blanc (by Eric Salzman)
• Lone Wolf and Fox (By Bryan Young), part 3 of 4
• The Truth about the Bounty Hunter? (by Lorcan Nagle)
• Ace Darwin and the Second Try Fiasco (By James Bixby)
• They Walk Alone: Mercenary Freelancers (by Eric Salzman)
• Picking the Bones (By Alan Brundage)
• Unit Digest: Twenty-First Centauri Peregrine Lancers (by Stephen Toropov)
• Silent Plans (By Daniel Isberner)
• Successor Lord: A Card Game for Three to Five Players (by Ken' Horner)
• Six Months on the Float (By James Kirtley)
• Alpha Strike Scenario Track: Embers of the Past (by Ed Stephens)
• Raptor's Requiem: Canticle (By Lance Scarinci)

Year One (Omnibus)

Year One: A BattleTech Magazine Omnibus
Product information
Type	Magazine
Pages	1055
Publication information
Publisher	Catalyst Game Labs
Product code	CAT36290
First published	25 August 2023 (public)
MSRP	$9.99
Content

This digital-only omnibus was created as a reward for the 2023 Mercenaries Crowdfunding Campaign and later released for general sale.

Product Description

“

Proudly carrying the battle standard for BattleTech short fiction, the first year of Shrapnel: The Official BattleTech Magazine continues the tradition of explosive, hard-hitting stories set in the war-torn, BattleMech-dominated interstellar future of the 31st century. In this collection of issues #1–4, you will attempt to escape from a bandit king's stronghold, ally with longtime enemies on the front lines of the swift and merciless Clan invasion, and fight brutal arena duels on the game world of Solaris VII. You will defend your home in the Deep Periphery from opportunistic invaders, share tales of victory and woe at a popular MechWarrior bar, and discover a long-abandoned 'Mech that helps build an idealistic young woman's sense of purpose. Then go beyond the story and forge your own legend with in-universe articles, conspiracy theories, technical readouts, unit and planet digests, playable scenarios, role-playing adventures, weapons catalogs, social commentaries, and much, much more! This collection also includes the entire four-part Kell Hounds serial novel, If Auld Acquaintance Be Forgot... by New York Times-bestselling author Michael A. Stackpole. Tighten your safety harness, thumb off your weapon safeties, and march into battle to see where it all began, with heart-wrenching stories and powerful game features penned by long-time BattleTech luminaries and exciting new authors.

”

Notes

• Credits were not provided for this omnibus as a whole, including for the new cover art. Instead, credits were provided for each individual issue.