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jfox61
Clan Ghost Bear
Point Commander
Joined: 05-Aug-2004 00:00
Posts: 46
Location: United Kingdom
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 Posted: 14-Sep-2004 05:56 Post subject: Proliferation of Source, Scenario and TRO's |
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I have been on the internet trying to buy up a number of manuals of varying types but have noticed that there are literally scores of them. some of them appear to repeat themselves. As someone starting afresh what would fellow members consider an acceptable collection of sourcebooks rules, and scenario manuals and other related fluff. I have 3025 original, 3026 original, 3050 original, Mechwarrior 2nd and 3rd edition, master rules with level 1 and 2 rules. Invading clans sourcebook and Draconis Combine Field manual. I have a fairly decent budget and would look to expand to another 10 manuals or so. Also which one should I steer clear of. I would be mainly interested in fighting mech based campaignsand not too interested i9n the roleplay side.
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"Thats the fastest race ever ran. But not as fast as the world record".
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bandit
Clan Nova Cat
Star Colonel
Joined: 21-Sep-2002 00:00
Posts: 497
Location: Italy
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| Posted: 14-Sep-2004 09:07 Post subject: RE: Proliferation of Source, Scenario and TRO's |
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Oh yes ..My last purchased stuff as been:
AT2rs-very useful )MW3rpg interesting,
Periphery field manual,I think the best
of all,and TRO67 rev,I'm a crazy collector 
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Havoc~Ronin
Federated Suns
Major
Joined: 13-Nov-2003 00:00
Posts: 427
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| Posted: 14-Sep-2004 09:51 Post subject: RE: Proliferation of Source, Scenario and TRO's |
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You are right, there are a number of areas that are covered by different manuals or later editions of the same manual/sourcebook. For example, each of the Houses have at least two sourcebooks out there ( Pre and Post Clan - pre circa '92 and later). I too am in the same boat, that is trying build/rebuild my collection. I lost all of my Battle Technology magazines (except for one), all my TROs, House sourcebooks and manuals in a flood last month. And all because I was too lazy to take them off the table in the rec-room downstairs. Thank god for insurance! Now I have to price everything and begin again.
Ok, enough of my woes. Are you looking for fluff stuff to help in scenario building, like the 20 Year Update or general knowledge books/manuals? I found the Periphery and Comstar sourcebooks (early and newer editions) to be quite useful. The Mercenary Handbook is always a great piece of kit.
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jfox61
Clan Ghost Bear
Point Commander
Joined: 05-Aug-2004 00:00
Posts: 46
Location: United Kingdom
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| Posted: 14-Sep-2004 10:53 Post subject: RE: Proliferation of Source, Scenario and TRO\'s |
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Quote:
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On 2004-09-14 05:56, jfox61 wrote:
I have been on the internet trying to buy up a number of manuals of varying types but have noticed that there are literally scores of them. some of them appear to repeat themselves. As someone starting afresh what would fellow members consider an acceptable collection of sourcebooks rules, and scenario manuals and other related fluff. I have 3025 original, 3026 original, 3050 original, Mechwarrior 2nd and 3rd edition, master rules with level 1 and 2 rules. Invading clans sourcebook and Draconis Combine Field manual. I have a fairly decent budget and would look to expand to another 10 manuals or so. Also which one should I steer clear of. I would be mainly interested in fighting mech based campaignsand not too interested i9n the roleplay side.
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I am mainly interested in building a long running Campaign but not interested that much in the roleplay side of it. My main problem at the minute is that I have recently purchased a large number of metal miniatures but have very little in the way of info. on them other than that gleaned from various sites on the web. Although helpful it still isn't the same as having the manuals as reference. I have Just purchased today from ebay a large number of manuals, source books, rules and scenario packs. I shall list them later today and welcome any comments on them from anyone who has used them. A large number of them are not listed here on any of the products data bases so was unable to compare reviews.
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"Thats the fastest race ever ran. But not as fast as the world record".
(David Coleman :- English sports presenter)
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jfox61
Clan Ghost Bear
Point Commander
Joined: 05-Aug-2004 00:00
Posts: 46
Location: United Kingdom
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| Posted: 14-Sep-2004 10:55 Post subject: RE: Proliferation of Source, Scenario and TRO\'s |
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sorry the quote should have been from Ronins post
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jfox61
Clan Ghost Bear
Point Commander
Joined: 05-Aug-2004 00:00
Posts: 46
Location: United Kingdom
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| Posted: 14-Sep-2004 19:46 Post subject: RE: Proliferation of Source, Scenario and TRO's |
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Well as promised here is the list of manuals I have just purchased online. Comments on their usefulness would be welcome as I have yet to to receive them so as of yet know nothing of their contents.
Source books:-
chaos march
comstar
inner sphere
periphery
somerset strikers
Field manuals:-
draconis combine
free worlds league
federated suns
capellan confederation
lyran alliance
field manual updates
comstar
mercenaries
scenario packs:-
the blackthorns
day of heroes
Mcarrons armoured cav
null set
unbound
bloodright
living legends
the falcon and the wolf
luthien
northwind highlanders
boatt of coventry
explorer corps
tukayyid
fall of terra
objective raids
hotspots(both manuals)
TRO's:-
3060
3058
Miscellaneous:-
master rules (revised)
miniature rules
combat operations
bt Compendium
mw companium
intel ops handbook
mw 2nd edition
bt 20 year update
bt succession wars battlepack
Comment on the usefulness or uselessness of these tomes would be appreciated
_________________
"Thats the fastest race ever ran. But not as fast as the world record".
(David Coleman :- English sports presenter)
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Seraph
Blighted Sun Battalion
2nd Company
"Seraph's Slaughter"
Major
Joined: 11-Mar-2004 00:00
Posts: 1744
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| Posted: 15-Sep-2004 03:45 Post subject: RE: Proliferation of Source, Scenario and TRO's |
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I would get more TRO's. The stats are nice to have, but when added to the fluff and the picture, it really gives you a sense of the mech. Also I would suggest getting all the record sheet books. Theyhave all the mechs and variants placed on record sheets for immediate use or photocopy for use. I would place the Objective Raids book unnder sourcebooks, I have used it frequently to organise raids and assaults. I use it even now to figure out who makes what so I know what to mount on a custom mech when creating/modifying designs. It's also good for giving a unit list for planet defenses and response grroups.
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Havoc~Ronin
Federated Suns
Major
Joined: 13-Nov-2003 00:00
Posts: 427
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| Posted: 15-Sep-2004 09:12 Post subject: RE: Proliferation of Source, Scenario and TRO's |
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I concur with Seraph. Acquiring all the TRO's (both old and revised for the Unseen mechs) is a must. You will be surprised how helpful they are for campaign planning, mech stats, quick reference, etc...
The answer to this question might help narrowing down what else would be useful to you:
Do you have a preferred timeline to play?
Second question: Which version of the Mercenary Handbook do you have?
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"Ours is not to question why, ours is just to do...."
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jfox61
Clan Ghost Bear
Point Commander
Joined: 05-Aug-2004 00:00
Posts: 46
Location: United Kingdom
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| Posted: 15-Sep-2004 18:57 Post subject: RE: Proliferation of Source, Scenario and TRO's |
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I have no preference on timline as I have mechs from all periods so am quite happy playing in any period. If I was forced to choose I suppose 3050 would be my choice because of the appearance of the clans. As for the mercenaries I believe it is second edition.
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"Thats the fastest race ever ran. But not as fast as the world record".
(David Coleman :- English sports presenter)
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mud
Draconis Combine
Tai-sho
Joined: 23-Jul-2002 00:00
Posts: 1618
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| Posted: 15-Sep-2004 21:12 Post subject: RE: Proliferation of Source, Scenario and TRO's |
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Maximum tech has a lot of great extra rules for developing unique scenarios. There's some uber-power stuff, but a lot of it is remarkably balanced, particularly the sections in vehicles and infantry.
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Havoc~Ronin
Federated Suns
Major
Joined: 13-Nov-2003 00:00
Posts: 427
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| Posted: 16-Sep-2004 09:53 Post subject: RE: Proliferation of Source, Scenario and TRO's |
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Good. I have/had the 1st edition and I found that it lacked applicable details when trying to design a campaign. Thus, I bought the second edition. Now, to add to the impressive collection you already have, I would add the Wolf's Dragoons' sourcebook and well as the Black Widow campaign manual (I forget the actual title). As for usefukll/uselessness, I will review my remaining documents this week and give you my opnion in a few days.
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mud
Draconis Combine
Tai-sho
Joined: 23-Jul-2002 00:00
Posts: 1618
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| Posted: 19-Sep-2004 12:08 Post subject: RE: Proliferation of Source, Scenario and TRO's |
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Chaos March is a great books. Good detailed descriptions of factions in the area, and a nice balance of forces. You could build some interesting campaigns out of the Chaos march.
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Shadowking
Kell Hounds
Captain
Joined: 22-May-2002 00:00
Posts: 365
Location: United States
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| Posted: 27-Sep-2004 15:49 Post subject: RE: Proliferation of Source, Scenario and TRO's |
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As far as usefulness goes, you cannot beat TROs. As well as RSs, but RSs are only really useful if you do not own a 'mech design program that includes all the designs already.
For rule books. the Master Rules, Revised is a MUST. As well as MaxTech if you want to get into the more advanced stuff. If you want rules on RPG then you probably want to get the CBT Companion (which is basicly just a revised version of the Mechwarrior 3rd Edition). Aerospace 2 Revised if you want rules on using fighters/dropships/warships.
Most of the scenario packs are really only useful if you want to run the specific scenarios that are included within those scenarios. IE, 4th SW Pack is about the 4th Succession War. Fall of Terra is about Word of Blake attacking Comstar on earth. Luthien is Nova Cats and Smoke Jaguar attacking the Draconis Combine on Luthien during the Clan invasion. Though a couple do help on creating your own scenario, but that same information can be easily found in most of the other rule books. A number of the packs are based off of some of the novels that have been produced.
Field Manuals and Source books provide (or try to) detailed information on only what their directly referring to. And so, their usefulness is all dependant upon what you're interested in. IE: FM Lyran Alliance provides information only on House Steiner and it's units/equipment. If you don't care about Steiner, then you probably shouldn't bother with it. If you want info on various Mercenary units and/or how to make your own, you'd want to get FM Mercenaries and so forth. Some of the books detail into information about specific units as well. Example being the 1st Somerset Strikers. A Steiner unit that came into being during the Clan invasion to fight them (also based on the cartoon series).
Oh and as a final note: You'd probably want to pick up the Map Compilation Set 1 as well as it contains updated maps from 3 now out-of-print map sets which totals around 24 maps I think.
Heh, I hope this all helps 
[ This Message was edited by: Shadowking on 2004-09-27 15:55 ]
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