THE
BATTLETECH
CHOP SHOP> HPG uplink established at 10:18 EDT. Initializing... Done. Decrypting... Done. Initializing trace feedback... Done. Transmission source mapped to 38.107.191.91. Initializing translation routines... Done. Matching compatibility routines for CCBot/1.0 (+http://www.commoncrawl.org/bot.html)... Done. Synchronizing interface... Done. Welcome to ComStar.
Related Material
My intent with the links section is to include a small batch of sites that will fill in informational gaps that I don't cover here and help extend general awareness of Battletech. I also lean toward keeping sites with their own domains up here, just because they're more likely to stay up over time. I'll do my best to update changed links and remove broken ones.
Classic Battletech
This is the official site for what remains of the game we all know and love as Battletech. If you're patient enough to read it all, the wealth of information contained here far outstrips anything you'll glean from the games... With the possible exception of the description of Nicholas Kerensky's death in the Wolf archive in Mechwarrior 2. I just wish they'd spent more time on the Exodus Civil War, since that particular conflict resulted in the actual birth of the Clans and exemplifies the rationale behind the Clans' way of life. Still, between offering up maps, histories and even OoP books, this is probably the best place to start learning about the Battletech universe.
http://www.classicbattletech.comMegaMek
A networked java implementation of Battletech - at the time of this writing, most level 2 rules are implemented, and it's an absolute blast to play. Incorporating gigantic games, complex rules like double-blind and large maps are easy when the computer handles all the math and you can save the game! If you love playing Battletech, don't wait one second longer - get the latest dev version of MegaMek!
http://www.sourceforge.net/projects/megamek/31st Century MechBay
Another general resource site, you can find news and general information on the Mechwarrior games and a nice, if small, repository on general Battletech info. The gameplay articles are a mixed bag (Alpha strikes? Yeah, if your 'Mech uses all ballistic or missile weapons of the same variety...), but much of it is still worth looking at.
http://www.mechbay.comDropShip Command
Another Mechwarrior game site, DSC is a little more concentrated and is a good link to other resources, although it's a little sparse for my taste. An excellent design guide focusing on Mechwarrior 4 is on DSC, and can be found here.
http://www.dropshipcommand.comLords of the Battlefield
This is technically a Battletech site, but it's got some good specific information, including a few 'Mech designs and some really killer battle documentation - I wish they had some more of that. Mike Broyhills' Stormcrow Epsilon is a personal favorite variant of mine now - try it out in Mechwarrior 2 sometime!
http://www.lordsofthebattlefield.com/
BattleTech and all associated terminology are registered trademarks of WizKids, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Site designed and maintained by Ian 'Jabberwocky' Hamilton, ©2002-3. Site best viewed using v6.0 or higher browsers.