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©2013 The Topps Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Alpha Strike, Quick Strike, BattleTech, BattleMech, ’Mech and MechWarrior are registered trademarks and/or trademarks of The Topps Company, Inc., in the United States and/or other countries. Catalyst Game Labs and the Catalyst Game Labs logo are trademarks of InMediaRes Production, LLC. Printed in USA. WEBSITE: CATALYSTGAMELABS.COM ® For centuries, the armies of the Great Houses have fought to reclaim the glory of the fallen Star League, sending regiments of their elite MechWarriors into battle across hundreds of worlds as humanity slid inexorably toward a new Dark Age. The coming of the Clans— descendants of the lost Star League army—did little to stem the slaughter. It only raised the stakes. Alpha Strike is a new, fast-playing form of the BattleTech game of futuristic, armored combat. Developed for the modern tabletop miniatures wargamer, this book brings players the ability to wage war on land, sea, and air using the Quick-Strike game system first devised for truly large-scale play, re-scaled to the tactical level of “classic” BattleTech . Complete with sample armies and a ready-to-play campaign system, all you need besides this book are dice, miniatures, and tabletop terrain to fight for control over the Inner Sphere on land, sea, and air—one world at a time! Sample file
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Page 1: BattleTech: Alpha Strike - Wargame Vaultwatermark.wargamevault.com/pdf_previews/117408-sample.pdf3 introduction introductory alpha strike standard alpha strike abstract aerospace system

©2013 The Topps Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Alpha Strike, Quick Strike, BattleTech, BattleMech, ’Mech and MechWarrior are registered trademarks and/or trademarks of The Topps Company, Inc., in the United States and/or other countries. Catalyst Game Labs and the Catalyst Game Labs logo are trademarks of InMediaRes Production, LLC. Printed in USA. WEBSITE: CATALYSTGAMELABS.COM

®

For centuries, the armies of the Great Houses have fought to reclaim the glory of the fallen Star League, sending regiments of their elite MechWarriors into battle across hundreds of worlds as humanity slid inexorably toward a new Dark Age. The coming of the Clans—descendants of the lost Star League army—did little to stem the slaughter. It only raised the stakes.

Alpha Strike is a new, fast-playing form of the BattleTech game of futuristic, armored combat. Developed for the modern tabletop miniatures wargamer, this book brings players the ability to wage war on land, sea, and air using the Quick-Strike game system first devised for truly large-scale play, re-scaled to the tactical level of “classic” BattleTech. Complete with sample armies and a ready-to-play campaign system, all you need besides this book are dice, miniatures, and tabletop terrain to fight for control over the Inner Sphere on land, sea, and air—one world at a time!

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Page 2: BattleTech: Alpha Strike - Wargame Vaultwatermark.wargamevault.com/pdf_previews/117408-sample.pdf3 introduction introductory alpha strike standard alpha strike abstract aerospace system

BATTLETECHTM

ALPHA STRIKETM

• CATALYST GAME LABS •

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INTRODUCTION 6

Alpha Strike Basics 6Alpha Strike vs. Total Warfare 7What’s Needed to Play Alpha Strike 7

Alpha Strike at a Glance 8Additional Material 8

INTRODUCTORY ALPHA STRIKE 10

Components 11The Unit Card 11

Setup 11Choosing Army Lists 11Placing Terrain 12

Playing the Game 12Sequence of Play 12Victory Conditions 13

Movement Phase 13Terrain 13Jumping 14

Combat Phase 14Resolving Weapon Attacks 15Resolving Physical Attacks 19Overheating 20

End Phase 20Damage 20Heat 20

Special Abilities 21Special Ability Descriptions 21

STANDARD ALPHA STRIKE 22

Components 22Additional Game Terms for Standard Alpha Strike 22

Setup 23Choosing Scenario Types 23Choosing Forces 24Placing Terrain 25

Playing the Game 25Sequence of Play 25Victory Conditions 26Forced Withdrawal (Optional) 27

Movement Phase 27Unequal Number of Units 27Terrain 28Additional Movement Rules 32

Combat Phase 33Resolving Weapon Attacks 34Resolving Physical Attacks 42Overheating 44

End Phase 44Damage 44Heat 44

Special Abilities 45Special Ability Descriptions 45C3 Networks 49

ABSTRACT AEROSPACE SYSTEM 52

Control Rolls 53Aerospace Setup 53

The Radar Map 53Placing Aerospace Forces on the Radar Map 54

Abstract Aerospace Gameplay 54Abstract Aerospace Movement 54

Abstract Aerospace Combat 55Resolving Aerospace Air-to-Ground Attacks 55Resolving Aerospace Air-to-Air Attacks 58Resolving Ground-to-Air Combat 60

End Phase 60Ending Air-to-Air Engagements 61Aerospace Damage 61

ADVANCED OPTIONS 62

Advanced Movement Modes 62Climbing 62Evading 63Leaping 63Intentional Falls from Above 63Sprinting 63Transporting Non-Infantry Units 63

Advanced Terrain 64Bridges 64Buildings 64Deep Snow 64Gravel Piles 65Hazardous Liquid Pools 65Heavy Industrial 65Ice 65Jungle 65Magma 66Mud 66Planted Fields 66Rails 66Rough, Ultra 67Rubble, Ultra 67Sand 67Swamp 67Tundra 67Water (Expanded) 67Woods (Expanded) 69Bogging Down 70

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3

INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTORY ALPHA STRIKE

STANDARD ALPHA STRIKE

ABSTRACT AEROSPACE SYSTEM

ADVANCED OPTIONS

ALPHA STRIKE CAMPAIGN RULES

ERA SETTING: THE CLAN INVASION

THE BATTLETECH UNIVERSE

Advanced Combat Option: Variable Damage 70Aerospace Units on the Ground Map 71

Aerodyne Units 71Spheroid Units and Airships 72Landing Rolls 72Aerospace Unit Transports 72Partial Cover 73

Artillery 73On-Board Artillery vs. Off-Board Artillery 73Resolving Artillery Attacks 74

Alternate Munitions 76Alternate Artillery Munitions 76Alternate Autocannon Munitions 78Alternate Bomb Munitions (Bombs/Aerospace Missiles) 78Alternate Narc/iNarc Pods 79Alternate LRM/SRM Munitions 79

Battlefield Intelligence 82Battlefield Intelligence Ratio 82Battlefield Intelligence Benefits 83

Buildings 83Building Types 83Movement Effects 84Attacking Buildings 85Walls 86

Capital and Sub-Capital Weapons 86Airborne Targets 86Ground Targets 87

Concealing Unit Data 87Blip Counters 87Concealing Record Sheets 89

Coordinate System 89Creating a Coordinate 89

Dropping Troops 90General Dropping Rules 90High-Altitude Drops 90Low-Altitude Drops 90Zipline Drops 91

ECM/ECCM 91Ejection/Abandoning Units 91Environmental Conditions 92

Atmospheric Density 92Darkness 92Earthquake 92Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) 93Gravity 93Temperature 94Wind 94Other Conditions 95

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Exceptionally Large Units 96Line of Sight 96Facing Sides and Firing Arcs 96Mobile Structures 96Bay Doors and Transport Special Abilities 97Boarding Actions 98

Expanded Ground Ranges 99Extreme Range 99Horizon Range 99

Fire and Smoke 100Fires 100Smoke 101

Hidden Units 102Hiding on the Ground 102Surprise Attacks from Hidden Units 102

Minefields 102Minefields at Setup 102Minefield Types 102

Targeting and Tracking Systems 103Terrain Conversion 104Special Abilities 104

Special Ability Descriptions 104Converting Alpha Strike to Hex Maps 110

Converting Movement and Distances 110Line of Sight 110Terrain Levels and Unit Heights 111Intervening Terrain on Hex Maps 111

ALPHA STRIKE

CAMPAIGN RULES 114

Setting up the Campaign 115Force Creation 115Campaign Turns 115

The Total Chaos Campaign System 116Tracks 116Situation 116

Warchest Point System 118Getting Started 118Warchest Points Between Tracks 118Skill Advancement 119

Warchest Campaign Record Sheet 119Tracks 121

Meeting Engagement 121Breakthrough 122Assault 123Counterattack 124Pursuit 124Defense 125

ERA SETTING: THE CLAN INVASION ERA 126

The Clan Invasion 126The Battle of Tukayyid 127The Marik-Liao Offensive 127The Refusal War 127The Second Star League 128The St. Ives War 128The First Combine-Dominion War 128

Key Conflicts and Campaigns 129The Clan Invasion 129The Marik-Liao Offensive 129The Refusal War 130Operation BULLDOG 130The St. Ives War 130The First Combine-Dominion War 131

Factional Overview: Clan Invasion Era 132Special Alliances and Enmities 132Special Rule: Clan Honor 132

THE BATTLETECH UNIVERSE 142

A History of War 142Colonizing the Stars 142The Age of War 143The Star League 143The Succession Wars 143The Clan Invasion 143Civil War Era 144The Word of Blake Jihad 144The Dark Age 144

The Realms of Power 145House Davion (Federated Suns) 145House Kurita (Draconis Combine) 145House Liao (Capellan Confederation) 145House Marik (Free Worlds League) 146House Steiner (Lyran Alliance) 146ComStar 146Word of Blake 146The Clans 147The Periphery 147Universe Terms 148

BattleTech Resources 154Core Rulebooks 154Technical Readouts 155Plot Sourcebooks 155Historical Sourcebooks 155Maps, Terrain, and Miniatures 155

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5

INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTORY ALPHA STRIKE

STANDARD ALPHA STRIKE

ABSTRACT AEROSPACE SYSTEM

ADVANCED OPTIONS

ALPHA STRIKE CAMPAIGN RULES

ERA SETTING: THE CLAN INVASION

THE BATTLETECH UNIVERSE

Project Development Herbert A. Beas II

Writing Herbert A. Beas II Joshua Franklin Jason Schmetzer Paul SjardijnBased on Original BattleForce 2 Rules by Bryan NystulStrategic Operations BattleForce and Miniatures Rules Kirk Alderfer Ray Arrastia Matt Murray Rick Sardinas Joel SteversonProduct Editing Herbert A. Beas II

BattleTech Line Developer Herbert A. Beas II Assistant Line Developer Ben H. Rome

Production Staff Art Direction Ray Arrastia Cover Art Alex Iglesias Cover Design Ray Arrastia BattleTech Logo Design Shane Hartley and Steve Walker Evolved Faction Logos Design Jason Vargas Layout Ray Arrastia Map Diagrams Ray Arrastia

Map of the Inner Sphere Øystein Tvedten Alpha Strike Data Cards Ray Arrastia

Miniatures Painting & PhotographyCamosSpecs Online: Ray Arrastia,

George Bluoin, William Burt, Roy Carl, Chris Dolega, Paul Eckes, Matt Edwards, Dave Fanjoy, Todd Farnholtz, Matt Frederiksen, Joel Hardwick, Phil Hays, Ross Hines, Michael Holzapfel, David Kerber, Frederic Lagoanere, Steve Livingston, Mark Maestas, Steve McCartney, Ryan Peterson, Brian Plunkitt, Mike Raper, Ben Rome, Lance Scarinci, Paul Sjardijn, Edward Smith, Allen Soles, Drew Williams, and Peter Wort.

Additional Design and DevelopmentThe following people have been involved in the creation and

development of Classic BattleTech rules, either by writing material that was assimilated into the main body of the rules, serving as the BattleTech line developer in the past, or otherwise contributing to the game in a major way.

Samuel B. Baker, Herbert A. Beas II, Randall N. Bills, Forest G. Brown, Chuck Crain, Chris Hartford, Clare Hess, Scott Jenkins, J. Andrew Keith, James R. Kellar, Dale Kemper, L.R. “Butch” Leeper, Bryan LiBrandi, Jim Long, David McCulloch, Jim Musser, Bryan Nystul, Mike Nystul, Blaine Pardoe, Boy F. Peterson Jr., Rick Raisley, Jerry Stenson, Christoffer Trossen, Wm. John Wheeler.

AcknowledgementsTo Bryan Nystul, for pioneering the original rules. To Randall N. Bills,

for agreeing with me that this would make a great core book addition. To Ray Arrastia, who—in addition to making the eleventh-hour efforts to make all of these words look pretty on a page—has likewise championed the idea of making BattleTech stronger, faster, and better, even if he couldn’t have a more direct hand in the writing phase, To Joshua Franklin, for being three steps ahead of us in actually having the rules compiled and ready while we debated the final form. And, of course, to the BattleTech community, for its endless support!

The BattleTech Review TeamArmy List Support: Joel Bancroft-Connors, Brent Ezell, Joshua

Franklin, William Gauthier, Keith Hann, Chris Marti, William Pennington, Luke Robertson, Peter Wort.

Playtesters: Peter M. Andrew, Jr., Ray Arrastia, Sam Barnes, Henry “Truegrit” Chen, Nick Connor, “Dropkick”, William “MadCapellan” Gauthier, Keith “Xotl” Hann, Térence “Weirdo” Harris, John “Worktroll” Haward, Chris “Alex Knight” Marti, Robert McKittrick, William J. Pennington, Max “Medron Pryde” Prohaska, Sam “Wasp” Snell, Colin “CharlieTango” Toenjes, Jim “Ratboy” Williamson, Peter “wackrabbit” Wort.

CREDITS

©2015 The Topps Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Alpha Strike, Classic BattleTech, BattleTech, ’Mech, BattleMech, MechWarrior and Topps logo are registered trademarks and/or trademarks of The Topps Company, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. No part of this work may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior permission in writing of the Copyright Owner, nor be otherwise circulated in any form other than that in which it is published. Catalyst Game Labs and the Catalyst Game Labs logo are trademarks of InMediaRes Productions, LLC.

Printed in USA.

Corrected Second Printing.

Published by Catalyst Game Labs,an imprint of InMediaRes Productions, LLC.

PMB 202 303 91st Ave NE E502 Lake Stevens, WA 98258

FIND US ONLINE: [email protected] (e-mail address for any BattleTech questions) http://bg.battletech.com/ (official BattleTech web pages) http://www.CatalystGameLabs.com (Catalyst web pages) http://www.battlecorps.com/catalog (online ordering)

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