Battletech Kickstarter News.

The Marauder and Rifleman were originally planned for the initial release, but as tungt88 mentioned, the legal issues prevented that. I wouldn't be surprised if they were added back in as free DLC to celebrate the lawsuit being dropped.
 
Finally, 50 hrs in, I hit my first real doozy of a mission last night. I have the "2 skull" Smithson story mission available, but prior to that decided to fly across accessible space and work my way back while doing contracts. Took a 3 skull contract to take out an elite Capellan lance that (of course) turned out to be 2 lances; full armor on everyone. I've got enough heavies now to probably drop 4 skulls, but took in 2 Orions, a Treb and a Kintaro. I took the mediums because I like the flexibility of having some units move early. The Kintaro and one of the Orions were loaded up for brawling. Was dropped near the lower left hand corner of the map nearly on top of the enemy lance, with the reinforcements coming in relatively quickly from the right. I was more or less able to keep the engagement to 2-4 enemy mechs at a time, and had a hill and trees to work with, but had to face a Catapult (PPC ver), Thunderbolt, Grasshopper (later on), 2 ML Hunchbacks, and 3 other mediums and they took quite a toll on my lance. Ended up using the eject button to get Behemoth out of a crippled Orion since she was down to 2 hp, everyone else was injured too, ran out of LRMs (rendering the Treb basically useless) but completed the mission. Salvage rewards included a new cockpit mod (to replace the one destroyed when Behemoth ejected), a cockpit coms and a ML+++. Still not worth it when everyone was injured and all 4 mechs were beat up and that Orion needs over a month of repair and refit even after all my mech bay upgrades. Thinking it through I should have probably kept retreating and moving away from everyone in order to limit the mechs that could attack. Instead, I basically camped everyone on/behind my forested hill but that prevented my brawlers from doing their damage, and when I exposed them they had to soak more damage than their basically full armor could handle. If I were to reload and do it again I'd probably swap the Kintaro for another mid-long range heavy and basically scout from behind cover with the Treb. Still, that was a nasty 8 v 4 mission- the first clue though was that the enemies were elite, maybe that's why there was so much unique salvage to select from. Previous 8 v 4s have all included lights or enemies without full armor.

At least with everyone out and all my toys broken I get a bit of in-game down time to think about it.

Now, what's everyone doing with spare Mechs? I can't seem to let go of a lot of mine. Generally only selling when I have 2 or 3 of a model or I want to buy a ++ or +++ weapon or fund an Argo upgrade I don't have the cash for. I'm likely never going to go back and use that Blackjack or Vindicator or Spider, but I leave them in storage sorta as a piggy bank and sorta like healing potions that you save just in case but will never need to use. Lately I'm running middle finances and never really drop below 3 or 4 months worth of cash so no real need to sell. Also, can't figure out if you get more money for Mechs from friendly planets or is the price fixed everywhere?
 
I really wish they had voice acting. The story is so blah that I find myself just instantly clicking through all the dialogue.
 
Now, what's everyone doing with spare Mechs? I can't seem to let go of a lot of mine. Generally only selling when I have 2 or 3 of a model or I want to buy a ++ or +++ weapon or fund an Argo upgrade I don't have the cash for. I'm likely never going to go back and use that Blackjack or Vindicator or Spider, but I leave them in storage sorta as a piggy bank and sorta like healing potions that you save just in case but will never need to use. Lately I'm running middle finances and never really drop below 3 or 4 months worth of cash so no real need to sell. Also, can't figure out if you get more money for Mechs from friendly planets or is the price fixed everywhere?

I have taken on 3.5 skull missions with my setup of 2 Trebs, 1 Quickdraw and 1 Thunderbolt. I don't have any Kintaros or Orions yet. I have found the best strategy is just circling the map and isolating a lance as long as possible. Most of the missions I have been doing lately have at least 2 lances.

As for my mechs in storage, I have generally only kept 5-6 mechs in the active bays and then maybe 1-2 mechs in storage, I sell everything else. I spent the first part of my campaign increasing my reputation for Arano to full, then I spent time getting money, Now I have been going for more salvage. So I had to sell a lot of the mechs I got early on to keep solvent while I was getting reputation. I also didn't start modding my mechs until I got the Centurion and Trebs. I also always keep my pay at generous for morale.

I believe the money you get is most dependent on your reputation rating and their rarity in the system.
 
I believe the money you get is most dependent on your reputation rating and their rarity in the system.

Ok, that's what I thought, and initially I planned to "save up" my stored mechs and sell in friendly/high rep systems for more money. However, in general play and without focusing on sales amounts I didn't notice significant price differences and just sold as needed. I think I'll load up a save and fly around to some select areas and see how that affects the sale prices and get some actual numbers. I should probably also quit sitting on essentially useless mechs and just sell and then splurge on the crew and Argo. I have 2 full bays so plenty of mechs available even if my top 4 are out for repair/refit.

I really wish they had voice acting. The story is so blah that I find myself just instantly clicking through all the dialogue.

Yeah, too bad we didn't get some nice intro movies or cutscenes like the MechWarrior games, but this was kickstarter funded so they cut stuff where they felt they could.
 
Ok, that's what I thought, and initially I planned to "save up" my stored mechs and sell in friendly/high rep systems for more money. However, in general play and without focusing on sales amounts I didn't notice significant price differences and just sold as needed. I think I'll load up a save and fly around to some select areas and see how that affects the sale prices and get some actual numbers. I should probably also quit sitting on essentially useless mechs and just sell and then splurge on the crew and Argo. I have 2 full bays so plenty of mechs available even if my top 4 are out for repair/refit.

Yeah, I haven't done any real information gathering beyond noticing that some things seemed to sell for more in certain markets and it didn't seem linked only to those that are controlled by the faction I am allied with.

Yeah, too bad we didn't get some nice intro movies or cutscenes like the MechWarrior games, but this was kickstarter funded so they cut stuff where they felt they could.

Yeah, I don't care so much about cutscenes, I actually really like the art scenes they provide. But I would like to see more voice acting if they can get some more money for that in the future. I really don't like having to read through all the information, I wish more of it, at least for the story missions was done through voice acting. This also goes for the Shadowrun games. I have played through 2 of the Shadowrun games so far and liked them, but would have liked some more voice acting. What I do like about this game as opposed to shadowrun, is that this game seems to play a lot better. Shadowrun has a lot of quirks and poor performance issues. The team seems to have come a long way from shadowrun in that regard.
 
I really wish they had voice acting. The story is so blah that I find myself just instantly clicking through all the dialogue.

Admittedly, when they put in the Kickstarter for this game, the storyline was one of the "additional" campaign goals, so that might've had something to do with it not being what it could've been.

That having been said, I thought the story was pretty decent, and had potential to be a lot more.

HBS did put in the (much appreciated) touch of highlighted tooltips, which is always a good start (for those interested in the setting/lore).

It's a fantastic start, of which I hope that more (and better) patches/DLCs come out with more story, more action, and more combat scenarios (as well as more Mechs).
 
Admittedly, when they put in the Kickstarter for this game, the storyline was one of the "additional" campaign goals, so that might've had something to do with it not being what it could've been.

That having been said, I thought the story was pretty decent, and had potential to be a lot more.

HBS did put in the (much appreciated) touch of highlighted tooltips, which is always a good start (for those interested in the setting/lore).

It's a fantastic start, of which I hope that more (and better) patches/DLCs come out with more story, more action, and more combat scenarios (as well as more Mechs).

If there is one thing about Harebrained Schemes, it's their commitment and passion for continued support on titles they have released. I wouldn't be surprised in the slightest if they release a Directors Cut version of Battletech like they did with Shadowrun.
 
Regarding the selling price of mechs. I'm still only on the 4th or so story mission, but I traveled to 5 separate systems tonight. 3 were unaffiliated and a mix of rich/poor with and without mfg: Joppa, Cluff's Stand, and Bonavista (10% price increase), 1 was in the Restoration: Mechdur (10% discount), and 1 in the Directorate: Smithon (50% price increase). Took screenshots of the selling prices for the 7 mechs I could fit in the window which included a mix of lights, mediums and a heavy. Same price for each mech in each system. A somewhat limited peek, but the results show that it doesn't matter where you sell or to whom you'll get the same price in any system.

I did not actually sell anything. So perhaps the value changes per the reputation discount upon completing a transaction?
 
Regarding the selling price of mechs. I'm still only on the 4th or so story mission, but I traveled to 5 separate systems tonight. 3 were unaffiliated and a mix of rich/poor with and without mfg: Joppa, Cluff's Stand, and Bonavista (10% price increase), 1 was in the Restoration: Mechdur (10% discount), and 1 in the Directorate: Smithon (50% price increase). Took screenshots of the selling prices for the 7 mechs I could fit in the window which included a mix of lights, mediums and a heavy. Same price for each mech in each system. A somewhat limited peek, but the results show that it doesn't matter where you sell or to whom you'll get the same price in any system.

I did not actually sell anything. So perhaps the value changes per the reputation discount upon completing a transaction?

Could very well be, I can only speak for my experience, and I was not tracking carefully the systems I was in and who they belonged to. I can say I have mostly been in systems doing contracts for the Arano Restoration and in the beginning when I was selling more mechs, I was doing a lot of missions to gain reputation. So it could have changed costs based on my reputation level.
 
Regarding the selling price of mechs. I'm still only on the 4th or so story mission, but I traveled to 5 separate systems tonight. 3 were unaffiliated and a mix of rich/poor with and without mfg: Joppa, Cluff's Stand, and Bonavista (10% price increase), 1 was in the Restoration: Mechdur (10% discount), and 1 in the Directorate: Smithon (50% price increase). Took screenshots of the selling prices for the 7 mechs I could fit in the window which included a mix of lights, mediums and a heavy. Same price for each mech in each system. A somewhat limited peek, but the results show that it doesn't matter where you sell or to whom you'll get the same price in any system.

I did not actually sell anything. So perhaps the value changes per the reputation discount upon completing a transaction?

Not sure, I barely use the store, really only to buy ++(+) weapons I want. Salvage has gotten me everything I need so far.
 
Not sure, I barely use the store, really only to buy ++(+) weapons I want. Salvage has gotten me everything I need so far.

Used the store a few times to buy partial chassis that I had 2/3 parts of (that I really wanted/needed) -- otherwise, I used the store to sell off excess gear (102 medium lasers? 89 SRM4?).
If I'm not mistaken, you get better rates for your sales (as well as your buys) on the planets that you have good reputation with, like Arano Restoration-occupied planets.
 
Used the store a few times to buy partial chassis that I had 2/3 parts of (that I really wanted/needed) -- otherwise, I used the store to sell off excess gear (102 medium lasers? 89 SRM4?).
If I'm not mistaken, you get better rates for your sales (as well as your buys) on the planets that you have good reputation with, like Arano Restoration-occupied planets.

I guess I could, but with just missions I'm sitting on a fully equipped Argo, fully stocked and equipped assault mechs in all slots, eight pilots with Max skills, and 20m average in the bank. Sadly I think I'm done with this game :D

I'm on week 152, about 60hr of game time.
 
Single player skirmish mode is pretty fun too, I've been playing that after beating the campaign. No need to worry about special loot or pilots that you might miss if they die. Fights are always relatively even match ups. The Fury mechanic feels less cheap than campaign's Morale buffs. You "gain fury when bad things happen to you."

Within the Light limit of 15 million spacebux, I've been playing around with some fun groups. Stuff like:

1 panther
1 cicada
1 urbanmech (jets and AC/10)
1 hunchback (AC/20, use with a breaching shot pilot)

Comes in at $14.99 mil. An AC20 is overpowered in this weight bracket. The urban is basically a tiny hunchback. Cicada is a scout and melee mech with a PPC until it closes range. Panther is there for ranged damage. .

edit: oops its a panther not a locust
 
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Anyone modding this game? I'd recently installed this mod, https://www.nexusmods.com/battletech/mods/13, which rekindled my interest in the end game after the campaign. Unfortunately the most recent game update seems to have broke the mod so my save game is not working anymore. I was really enjoying the new gear the mod added especially getting my hands on more double heat sinks and ferro fibrous armor. The double heat sinks seem to be rare, only found 3 more so far and they cost 800k a piece.

I guess there is a mod manager of some kind called modtek, I'll probably reinstall the game, install the mod with modtek, import my save and hope it all works. I've got one of every mech and tons of assault mechs so I'd really be bummed if I can't return to the save game.
 
I finally found a solid lineup for early/mid game. Aside from one or two weapons, everything is either + or ++

Basically the Shadow Hawk and Thunderbolt tank, the Firestarter hops in on its jump jets to finish people off, and the Centurion pelts unbelievable stability damage from afar.

1 Firestarter with 6 x Small Lasers, Max Jump Jets
1 Thunderbolt with 2 x Large Lasers, 5 x Medium Lasers
1 Shadow Hawk 2 x 6SRM, 1 x 4SRM, 1 Medium Laser
1 Centurion with 1 x 20LRM, 1 x 10LRM, 1 x 5LRM


I'd really like to find the parts to build a Grasshopper to replace my Firestarter.

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I'm on day 27 now and haven't done a story mission in AGES. I'm just roaming collecting parts and money while I upgrade the Argo.

I would totally recommend Firestarter to anyone starting out.

The damage output is unbelievable when you Melee. 6 x 20 + the Melee damage. I have read that using MG's instead of Lasers and going for head shots grants you about a 70% chance to hit the way it calculates. Borderline broken for early game.

This game is such a huge time sink now that I kind of know whats going on.
 
I finally found a solid lineup for early/mid game. Aside from one or two weapons, everything is either + or ++

Basically the Shadow Hawk and Thunderbolt tank, the Firestarter hops in on its jump jets to finish people off, and the Centurion pelts unbelievable stability damage from afar.

1 Firestarter with 6 x Small Lasers, Max Jump Jets
1 Thunderbolt with 2 x Large Lasers, 5 x Medium Lasers
1 Shadow Hawk 2 x 6SRM, 1 x 4SRM, 1 Medium Laser
1 Centurion with 1 x 20LRM, 1 x 10LRM, 1 x 5LRM


I'd really like to find the parts to build a Grasshopper to replace my Firestarter.

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Try the Kintaro loaded out with SRM6's, decently tank, focus fire CT drops even heavy mechs in a round.

I ran:
1 Kintaro 5xSRM 6
1 Shadow Hawk Default load out
1 Centurion Max Armor, Med lasers
1 Jenner Cant remember

The key is to use your inspiration for CT hits (screw head or anything else, you can collect salvage over multiple missions and its more important to burn their DPS down asap). try to make sure your going to kill it with the called shot, which makes the Kintaro OP, you'll earn back 90% the moral and can pretty much keep one-two called shots a turn. I found it crucial because you get so outnumber in the mid-late missions you can't afford to slowly kill mechs.
 
Funny you say that. Since I posted that, I just switched the Firestarter out for Kintaro with SRM loadout. I only went with 3 of them and maxed armor though.

The Thunderbolt Laser boat loadout is completely ridiculous though. If it nails all its shots its just a vomit of lasers lmao
 
Funny you say that. Since I posted that, I just switched the Firestarter out for Kintaro with SRM loadout. I only went with 3 of them and maxed armor though.

The Thunderbolt Laser boat loadout is completely ridiculous though. If it nails all its shots its just a vomit of lasers lmao

Banshee laser boat is super fun, 7 med lasers it can fit an 8th but I prefer: max armor, about 10 heatsinks. No heat issues, good speed, super tanky, and 175dpt.
 
Paradox Interactive to acquire Harebrained Schemes
https://www.paradoxinteractive.com/...to-acquire-seattle-based-harebrained-schemes/

Paradox Interactive, a global publisher and developer of interactive entertainment, today announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire 100% of the shares in Harebrained Holdings Inc, sole owner of Harebrained Schemes, LLC, from Harebrained Bag of Holding Inc. Paradox pays a fixed purchase price of US$7,500,000 at the time of acquisition plus an additional purchase price corresponding to 25% of the acquired business’ earnings before publishing costs over the next 5 years to the extent such earnings exceed the fixed purchase price. The deal is expected to close by Thursday, June 7, 2018.
 
Paradox Interactive to acquire Harebrained Schemes
https://www.paradoxinteractive.com/...to-acquire-seattle-based-harebrained-schemes/

Paradox Interactive, a global publisher and developer of interactive entertainment, today announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire 100% of the shares in Harebrained Holdings Inc, sole owner of Harebrained Schemes, LLC, from Harebrained Bag of Holding Inc. Paradox pays a fixed purchase price of US$7,500,000 at the time of acquisition plus an additional purchase price corresponding to 25% of the acquired business’ earnings before publishing costs over the next 5 years to the extent such earnings exceed the fixed purchase price. The deal is expected to close by Thursday, June 7, 2018.

:O
 
Usually I expect news like this to mean the company will start to suck and be gone in a few years. I actually feel optimistic about this one.
 
Usually I expect news like this to mean the company will start to suck and be gone in a few years. I actually feel optimistic about this one.
Paradox generally has a good track record as a publisher and developer, but they fucked up Stellaris in the 2.0 patch from what I hear.
 
Paradox generally has a good track record as a publisher and developer, but they fucked up Stellaris in the 2.0 patch from what I hear.
No people just don't like change. I love Stellaris so much more after the 2.0 patch. One of the few games that's ok completely reinventing itself if they think they can make it better. (It became a lot more strategic after 2.0 imo)

Luckily if you don't like the change, you can play every major old version of the game under the Steam beta tab.

Whenever they come out with a major DLC it is accompanied by a major free update. Good game, and seems to be great publisher too.
 
Stellaris after 2.0 is much better in my opinion. And the fact that it is still supported in such a strong manner is a credit to the developers.
 
Paradox Interactive to acquire Harebrained Schemes
https://www.paradoxinteractive.com/...to-acquire-seattle-based-harebrained-schemes/

Paradox Interactive, a global publisher and developer of interactive entertainment, today announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire 100% of the shares in Harebrained Holdings Inc, sole owner of Harebrained Schemes, LLC, from Harebrained Bag of Holding Inc. Paradox pays a fixed purchase price of US$7,500,000 at the time of acquisition plus an additional purchase price corresponding to 25% of the acquired business’ earnings before publishing costs over the next 5 years to the extent such earnings exceed the fixed purchase price. The deal is expected to close by Thursday, June 7, 2018.

I am good with that. HBS was a very small group, getting picked up by a larger group with more resources, and one that generally is all about making good games, is good with me.
 
No people just don't like change. I love Stellaris so much more after the 2.0 patch. One of the few games that's ok completely reinventing itself if they think they can make it better. (It became a lot more strategic after 2.0 imo)

Luckily if you don't like the change, you can play every major old version of the game under the Steam beta tab.

Whenever they come out with a major DLC it is accompanied by a major free update. Good game, and seems to be great publisher too.

Stellaris after 2.0 is much better in my opinion. And the fact that it is still supported in such a strong manner is a credit to the developers.

I need to play some Stellaris. I started it awhile back, but then go busy and just haven't gone back to it yet.
 
I need to play some Stellaris. I started it awhile back, but then go busy and just haven't gone back to it yet.
One of my favorite parts about it are the mods. That said, its one of the few modable games, that I will play completely vanilla as well.

When you want to change things up, you can load a Star Trek total conversion for instance (it has something like 40 different civilizations you can choose to play as on the same map). There will also be a Star Wars total conversion coming in the future as well. Real fun stuff there. To keep on topic I will say with Paradox acquiring HBS, I am very excited to pick up Battletech as I've yet to play it.
 
Expansion. Chop chop!

Flashpoints - Test your command skills in a series of action-packed short stories, completing extended contracts to earn big bonuses.
New Biome - Navigate a lush tropical beach environment, with sunny shores and just a pinch of alien flare, for good measure. Sunscreen optional.
New BattleMechs - Get your ‘Mech on with the armor-chopping power of the Hatchetman, the speed and versatility of the Crab, and the multi-range firepower of the Cyclops.
New Encounter - In “Target Acquisition”, you’ll put your light and medium ‘Mechs to good use by taking control of three territories on the map to prevail!
 
A paradox-published game with over priced expansions/dlc!? You don't say ...
 
A paradox-published game with over priced expansions/dlc!? You don't say ...
1. The game was produced and sold by Harebrained Schemes. After its release and success, Paradox purchased HBS.

2. The base game is $27.99. For a game of this caliber in a unique genre with a very unique experience, I think it's worth every penny.

3. How do you know the price of the expansion already? It's not even announced.
 
1. The game was produced and sold by Harebrained Schemes. After its release and success, Paradox purchased HBS.

2. The base game is $27.99. For a game of this caliber in a unique genre with a very unique experience, I think it's worth every penny.

3. How do you know the price of the expansion already? It's not even announced.
1. False. Before the purchase, and before launch, Paradox agreed to be the publisher. Only after launch was the purchase announced.

2. I cannot agree more. I paid $80 as a backer and couldn't be happier with the decision. Before that, I backed both Shadowrun games. To boot, they've also been incredible at post lunch support.

3. Look at the content. Unless it's $3-$5 Max, I cannot see it being possibly worthwhile. Also, notice the nomenclature: it's being sold as an expansion, NOT DLC. Generally, DLC is inexpensive and contains minor content additions. Expansions generally have significant amount of content, e.g. Blizzard's expansions. They are also more expensive ($10-25).

But adding three mechs and some additional procedurally generated content to the post end-game, is NOT expansion-level content.
 
Expansion date and price announced.
$20, Nov 27th.

My thoughts? Screw that noise. I backed the game and the Shadowrun games before it. That's expansion pack money. Not glorified DLC

 
Expansion date and price announced.
$20, Nov 27th.

My thoughts? Screw that noise. I backed the game and the Shadowrun games before it. That's expansion pack money. Not glorified DLC


I don't know. Sounds like a proper expansion to me.
 
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