Difference between revisions of "Technical Readout: Dark Age"

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| name                = Technical Readout: Dark Age
 
| name                = Technical Readout: Dark Age
 
| type                = Technical Readout
 
| type                = Technical Readout
| author              = [[Aaron Cahall]]<br>[[Étienne Charron-Willard]]<br>[[Johannes Heidler]]<br>[[Edward McEneely]]<br>[[Eric Salzman]]
+
| author              = [[Aaron Cahall]]<br>[[Étienne Charron-Willard]]<br>[[Johannes Heidler]]<br>[[Daniel Isberner]]<br>[[Edward McEneely]]<br>[[Eric Salzman]]
 
| development        = [[Ray Arrastia]]<br>[[Randall N. Bills]]<br>[[Brent Evans]]<br>[[Johannes Heidler]]
 
| development        = [[Ray Arrastia]]<br>[[Randall N. Bills]]<br>[[Brent Evans]]<br>[[Johannes Heidler]]
 
| primarywriting      =  
 
| primarywriting      =  
Line 9: Line 9:
 
| cover              = [[Tan Ho Sim]] (Cover Art) <br> [[Ray Arrastia]] (Cover Design)
 
| cover              = [[Tan Ho Sim]] (Cover Art) <br> [[Ray Arrastia]] (Cover Design)
 
| interiorart        =  
 
| interiorart        =  
| illustrations      = [[Matt Plog]] <br> [[Chris Lewis]] <br> [[Brent Evans]] <br> [[Doug Chaffee]] <br> [[Franz Vohwinkel]] <br> [[David White]] <br> [[Duane Loose]] <br> [[Stephen Huda]] <br> [[Alex Iglesias]] <br> [[Stephen Huda]]<br>[[Chris Daranouvong]]<br>[[Rudy Valle]]<br>[[Seth Kurbound]]<br>[[Justin Nelson]]<br>[[Anthony Scroggins]]<br>[[Joel Hardwick]]<br>[[Eric Ou]]<br>[[Ray Arrastia]]<br>[[Alex Williamson]]
+
| illustrations      = [[Matt Plog]]<br>[[Chris Lewis]]<br>[[Brent Evans]]<br>[[Doug Chaffee]]<br>[[Franz Vohwinkel]]<br>[[David White]]<br>[[Duane Loose]]<br>[[Stephen Huda]] <br> [[Alex Iglesias]] <br> [[Stephen Huda]]<br>[[Chris Daranouvong]]<br>[[Rudy Valle]]<br>[[Seth Kurbound]]<br>[[Justin Nelson]]<br>[[Anthony Scroggins]]<br>[[Joel Hardwick]]<br>[[Eric Ou]]<br>[[Ray Arrastia]]<br>[[Alex Williamson]]
 
| publisher          = [[Catalyst Game Labs]]
 
| publisher          = [[Catalyst Game Labs]]
 
| productioncode      = [https://store.catalystgamelabs.com/products/battletech-technical-readout-dark-age CAT35138]
 
| productioncode      = [https://store.catalystgamelabs.com/products/battletech-technical-readout-dark-age CAT35138]
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| era                = [[BattleTech eras|Dark Age era]]  
 
| era                = [[BattleTech eras|Dark Age era]]  
 
| timeline            =  
 
| timeline            =  
| series              = [[Technical Readout]]s <br/> Era Based TROs
+
| series              = [[Technical Readout]]s<br>Era Based TROs
 
| precededby          = [[Technical Readout: Jihad]]
 
| precededby          = [[Technical Readout: Jihad]]
 
| followedby          =  
 
| followedby          =  
 
}}
 
}}
 
 
==Description==
 
==Description==
 
'''''Technical Readout: Dark Age''''' is the fourth volume in a series of Technical Readout by [[Eras|Era]].  The book is designed as an introductory companion volume to go with the [[BattleMech Manual]], and thus primarily addressing new players. The book is a compilation of [['Mech]] designs from [[Technical Readout: 3075]], [[Technical Readout: 3085]], [[Technical Readout: Prototypes]], [[Experimental Technical Readout: Republic, Volume 1]], [[Technical Readout: Irregulars]], [[Technical Readout: 3145]], [[Technical Readout: 3150]], and [[Historical Wars of the Republic Era|Historical Wars of the Republic Era Sourcebook]].
 
'''''Technical Readout: Dark Age''''' is the fourth volume in a series of Technical Readout by [[Eras|Era]].  The book is designed as an introductory companion volume to go with the [[BattleMech Manual]], and thus primarily addressing new players. The book is a compilation of [['Mech]] designs from [[Technical Readout: 3075]], [[Technical Readout: 3085]], [[Technical Readout: Prototypes]], [[Experimental Technical Readout: Republic, Volume 1]], [[Technical Readout: Irregulars]], [[Technical Readout: 3145]], [[Technical Readout: 3150]], and [[Historical Wars of the Republic Era|Historical Wars of the Republic Era Sourcebook]].
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''The Republic Era–better known as the Dark Age–was a time of upheaval and opportunity. Fortunes rose and fell, nations crumbled and others reconstituted. And at the center of the whirlwind lay [[Terra]], the crown jewel of the Republic, a prize waiting for the warrior strong enough to seize it.''<br><br>
 
''The Republic Era–better known as the Dark Age–was a time of upheaval and opportunity. Fortunes rose and fell, nations crumbled and others reconstituted. And at the center of the whirlwind lay [[Terra]], the crown jewel of the Republic, a prize waiting for the warrior strong enough to seize it.''<br><br>
  
'''''Technical Readout: Dark Age''' expands on [[Technical Readout: Succession Wars]], [[Technical Readout: Clan Invasion]], and [[Technical Readout: Jihad]] by combining the ’Mechs previously found in [[Technical Readout: 3075]], [[Technical Readout: 3085]] (and its [[Technical Readout: 3085 Supplemental|Supplemental]]), [[Technical Readout: 3145]], [[Technical Readout: Irregulars]], [[Technical Readout: Prototypes]], and more. This volume features some of the most common ’Mechs from the Dark Age. Each machine is accompanied by an illustration, a description of its history, capabilities, and game stats.''}}
+
Technical Readout: Dark Age ''expands on [[Technical Readout: Succession Wars]], [[Technical Readout: Clan Invasion]], and [[Technical Readout: Jihad]] by combining the ’Mechs previously found in [[Technical Readout: 3075]], [[Technical Readout: 3085]] (and its [[Technical Readout: 3085 Supplemental|Supplemental]]), [[Technical Readout: 3145]], [[Technical Readout: Irregulars]], [[Technical Readout: Prototypes]], and more. This volume features some of the most common ’Mechs from the Dark Age. Each machine is accompanied by an illustration, a description of its history, capabilities, and game stats.''}}
  
 
==Contents==
 
==Contents==
 +
<div class="desktop-3-col">
 
*Table of Contents
 
*Table of Contents
 
*Credits
 
*Credits
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** ''[[Gunsmith]]''
 
** ''[[Gunsmith]]''
 
** ''[[Koshi (BattleMech)|Koshi]]''
 
** ''[[Koshi (BattleMech)|Koshi]]''
** ''[[Mjolnir]]''
+
** ''[[Mjolnir (BattleMech)|Mjolnir]]''
 
** ''[[Anubis]]''
 
** ''[[Anubis]]''
 
** ''[[Cadaver]]''
 
** ''[[Cadaver]]''
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** ''[[Tiburon]]''
 
** ''[[Tiburon]]''
 
** ''[[Araña]]''
 
** ''[[Araña]]''
** ''[[Calliope]]''
+
** ''[[Calliope (BattleMech)|Calliope]]''
 
** ''[[Cuirass]]''
 
** ''[[Cuirass]]''
 
** ''[[Night Stalker]]''
 
** ''[[Night Stalker]]''
 
** ''[[Raven II]]''
 
** ''[[Raven II]]''
** ''[[Scarecrow]]''
+
** ''[[Scarecrow (BattleMech)|Scarecrow]]''
 
** ''[[Goshawk II]]''
 
** ''[[Goshawk II]]''
 
** ''[[Stalking Spider II]]''
 
** ''[[Stalking Spider II]]''
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** ''[[Enforcer III]]''
 
** ''[[Enforcer III]]''
 
** ''[[Gravedigger]]''
 
** ''[[Gravedigger]]''
** ''[[Raider]]''
+
** ''[[Raider (BattleMech)|Raider]]''
 
** ''[[Sarath]]''
 
** ''[[Sarath]]''
 
** ''[[Shockwave]]''
 
** ''[[Shockwave]]''
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** ''[[Anzu]]''
 
** ''[[Anzu]]''
 
** ''[[Shadow Cat II]]''
 
** ''[[Shadow Cat II]]''
** ''[[Vulpes]]''
+
** ''[[Vulpes (BattleMech)|Vulpes]]''
** ''[[Vulture Mk III|Vulture Mk III (Mad Dog Mk III)]]''
+
** ''[[Mad Dog Mk III (Vulture Mk III)|Vulture Mk III (Mad Dog Mk III)]]''
** ''[[Vulture Mk IV|Vulture Mk IV (Mad Dog Mk IV)]]''
+
** ''[[Mad Dog Mk IV (Vulture Mk IV)|Vulture Mk IV (Mad Dog Mk IV)]]''
 
** ''[[Dragon II]]''
 
** ''[[Dragon II]]''
 
** ''[[Karhu]]''
 
** ''[[Karhu]]''
 
** ''[[Lament]]''
 
** ''[[Lament]]''
** ''[[Loki Mk II|Loki Mk II (Hel)]]''
+
** ''[[Hel (Loki Mk II)|Loki Mk II (Hel)]]''
 
** ''[[Scourge]]''
 
** ''[[Scourge]]''
 
** ''[[Ursa]]''
 
** ''[[Ursa]]''
 
** ''[[Blood Reaper]]''
 
** ''[[Blood Reaper]]''
 
** ''[[Carronade]]''
 
** ''[[Carronade]]''
** ''[[Gallant]]''
+
** ''[[Gallant (BattleMech)|Gallant]]''
 
** ''[[Hound]]''
 
** ''[[Hound]]''
 
** ''[[Mangonel]]''
 
** ''[[Mangonel]]''
** ''[[Thor II|Thor II (Grand Summoner)]]''
+
** ''[[Grand Summoner (Thor II)|Thor II (Grand Summoner)]]''
 
** ''[[Black Knight]]''
 
** ''[[Black Knight]]''
 
** ''[[Cave Lion]]''
 
** ''[[Cave Lion]]''
 
** ''[[Jade Hawk]]''
 
** ''[[Jade Hawk]]''
** ''[[Mad Cat Mk IV|Mad Cat Mk IV (Savage Wolf)]]''
+
** ''[[Savage Wolf (Mad Cat Mk IV)|Mad Cat Mk IV (Savage Wolf)]]''
 
** ''[[Mortis]]''
 
** ''[[Mortis]]''
** ''[[Prefect]]''
+
** ''[[Prefect (BattleMech)|Prefect]]''
** ''[[Shiro]]''
+
** ''[[Shiro (BattleMech)|Shiro]]''
 
** ''[[Sphinx]]''
 
** ''[[Sphinx]]''
 
** ''[[Tian-zong]]''
 
** ''[[Tian-zong]]''
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** ''[[Onager]]''
 
** ''[[Onager]]''
 
** ''[[Orochi]]''
 
** ''[[Orochi]]''
** ''[[Peacekeeper]]''
+
** ''[[Peacekeeper (BattleMech)|Peacekeeper]]''
 
** ''[[Shrike]]''
 
** ''[[Shrike]]''
 
** ''[[Tenshi]]''
 
** ''[[Tenshi]]''
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** ''[[Jupiter]]''
 
** ''[[Jupiter]]''
 
** ''[[Malice]]''
 
** ''[[Malice]]''
** ''[[Xanthos]]''
+
** ''[[Xanthos (BattleMech)|Xanthos]]''
** ''[[Poseidon]]''
+
** ''[[Poseidon (BattleMech)|Poseidon]]''
** ''[[Ares]]''
+
** ''[[Ares (OmniMech)|Ares]]''
 
*Advanced BattleMech Rules
 
*Advanced BattleMech Rules
 +
</div>
  
 
While the majority of the contents are a consolidation of past Technical Readouts, there are several Deployment sections and Notable Pilots that are either new or updated.  
 
While the majority of the contents are a consolidation of past Technical Readouts, there are several Deployment sections and Notable Pilots that are either new or updated.  
 
+
{{div col|colwidth=25em}}
 
* ''[[Tai-i]]'' [[Danni Haag]]
 
* ''[[Tai-i]]'' [[Danni Haag]]
 
* [[Flavio Rodriguez]]
 
* [[Flavio Rodriguez]]
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* [[Star Captain]] [[Jack Pryde]]
 
* [[Star Captain]] [[Jack Pryde]]
 
* ''[[Sho-sa]]'' [[Marcus Schwarzkopf]]
 
* ''[[Sho-sa]]'' [[Marcus Schwarzkopf]]
 +
{{div col end}}
  
 
==Product History==
 
==Product History==
Announced 15 March 2022, '''Technical Readout: Dark Age''' had a limited release at [https://www.adepticon.org/ Adepticon] 23-27 March 2022 and was followed by a general release in mid-October 2022.<ref>[https://bg.battletech.com/forums/general-discussion/upcoming-releases-xxv-gimmie-a-quarter/msg1861839/#msg1861839 Release date given as 14 October from Catalyst web store and 19 October for retail stores.]</ref> It will consolidate select units previously found in [[Technical Readout: 3067]], [[Technical Readout: 3075]], [[Technical Readout: 3085]], [[Technical Readout: 3145]], [[Technical Readout: 3150]], [[Technical Readout: Irregulars]], and [[Technical Readout: Prototypes]].<ref>[https://bg.battletech.com/news/battletech-at-adepticon-new-fiction-releases/ Original Announcement of BG.BattleTech Forums of TRO: Dark Age by Cubby, Catalyst Communication Person.]</ref> <ref>https://bg.battletech.com/news/restocks-of-core-products-major-update-of-coming-releases/</ref>  
+
Announced 15 March 2022, ''Technical Readout: Dark Age'' had a limited release at [https://www.adepticon.org/ Adepticon] 23-27 March 2022 and was followed by a general release in mid-October 2022.<ref>[https://bg.battletech.com/forums/general-discussion/upcoming-releases-xxv-gimmie-a-quarter/msg1861839/#msg1861839 Release date given as 14 October from Catalyst web store and 19 October for retail stores.]</ref> It will consolidate select units previously found in [[Technical Readout: 3067]], [[Technical Readout: 3075]], [[Technical Readout: 3085]], [[Technical Readout: 3145]], [[Technical Readout: 3150]], [[Technical Readout: Irregulars]], and [[Technical Readout: Prototypes]].<ref>[https://bg.battletech.com/news/battletech-at-adepticon-new-fiction-releases/ Original Announcement of BG.BattleTech Forums of TRO: Dark Age by Cubby, Catalyst Communication Person.]</ref> <ref>https://bg.battletech.com/news/restocks-of-core-products-major-update-of-coming-releases/</ref>  
  
 
==References==
 
==References==

Latest revision as of 21:16, 10 February 2024

Technical Readout Dark Age cover.jpg
Technical Readout: Dark Age
Product information
Type Technical Readout
Author Aaron Cahall
Étienne Charron-Willard
Johannes Heidler
Daniel Isberner
Edward McEneely
Eric Salzman
Development Ray Arrastia
Randall N. Bills
Brent Evans
Johannes Heidler
Pages 200
Cover Artwork Tan Ho Sim (Cover Art)
Ray Arrastia (Cover Design)
Illustrations Matt Plog
Chris Lewis
Brent Evans
Doug Chaffee
Franz Vohwinkel
David White
Duane Loose
Stephen Huda
Alex Iglesias
Stephen Huda
Chris Daranouvong
Rudy Valle
Seth Kurbound
Justin Nelson
Anthony Scroggins
Joel Hardwick
Eric Ou
Ray Arrastia
Alex Williamson
Publication information
Publisher Catalyst Game Labs
Product code CAT35138
First published 15 October 2022
ISBN-13 978-1-63861-059-5
MSRP $39.99/$9.99 (PDF-Only)
Content
Era Dark Age era
Series Technical Readouts
Era Based TROs
Preceded by Technical Readout: Jihad

Description[edit]

Technical Readout: Dark Age is the fourth volume in a series of Technical Readout by Era. The book is designed as an introductory companion volume to go with the BattleMech Manual, and thus primarily addressing new players. The book is a compilation of 'Mech designs from Technical Readout: 3075, Technical Readout: 3085, Technical Readout: Prototypes, Experimental Technical Readout: Republic, Volume 1, Technical Readout: Irregulars, Technical Readout: 3145, Technical Readout: 3150, and Historical Wars of the Republic Era Sourcebook.

The book's content is mostly taken verbatim from Technical Readout products that preceded it. The book is part of reorganization of the original Technical Readouts to compile them per Era. Some Mechs are not present in this book that were mentioned in early products. Unlike the first book in this series, this book does not include additional/new variants not published before.

Product Description[edit]

Darkest Before the Dawn
From the star-spanning devastation of the Word of Blake Jihad arose the Republic of the Sphere, a new nation dedicated to breaking the centuries-long cycle of warfare plaguing the Inner Sphere and creating new innovation and prosperity for all.
The ideals of the Republic worked–for a time.


Then, in 3132, hyperpulse generators across thousands of worlds went offline, enveloping the Inner Sphere in silence. Paranoia and opportunism ran rampant as age-old hostilities reignited and chaos ruled the day. The Republic, the grand experiment in hope, was torn asunder by hostile forces on every side.

The Republic Era–better known as the Dark Age–was a time of upheaval and opportunity. Fortunes rose and fell, nations crumbled and others reconstituted. And at the center of the whirlwind lay Terra, the crown jewel of the Republic, a prize waiting for the warrior strong enough to seize it.

Technical Readout: Dark Age expands on Technical Readout: Succession Wars, Technical Readout: Clan Invasion, and Technical Readout: Jihad by combining the ’Mechs previously found in Technical Readout: 3075, Technical Readout: 3085 (and its Supplemental), Technical Readout: 3145, Technical Readout: Irregulars, Technical Readout: Prototypes, and more. This volume features some of the most common ’Mechs from the Dark Age. Each machine is accompanied by an illustration, a description of its history, capabilities, and game stats.

Contents[edit]

While the majority of the contents are a consolidation of past Technical Readouts, there are several Deployment sections and Notable Pilots that are either new or updated.

Product History[edit]

Announced 15 March 2022, Technical Readout: Dark Age had a limited release at Adepticon 23-27 March 2022 and was followed by a general release in mid-October 2022.[1] It will consolidate select units previously found in Technical Readout: 3067, Technical Readout: 3075, Technical Readout: 3085, Technical Readout: 3145, Technical Readout: 3150, Technical Readout: Irregulars, and Technical Readout: Prototypes.[2] [3]

References[edit]