Post by mikeydanuke on Jul 20, 2008 10:31:34 GMT -5
Greetings all.
Last week I picked up the Catalyst Game Lab (CGL) "Classic Battletech In troductory Box set"(CBIBS). I thought I would write my thoughts on the set.
First off, I am an "OLD" Battletech gamer. I used to have some 80 or so Battlemechs, assorted vehicles, infantry, and lots of books. Then the game sort of died (here in Phoenix) and eventually I sold everything on eBay to make room for other stuff. I do remember some of the old plastic miniatures quite well, and thought many of them were modeled very nicely. Probably about 1/4 of my mechs were metals.
Now, for the CGL "Battletech Box set". It costs $40.00 US. For that you get a set of miniatures (hardware) and some books (software). The books are a Quick start rulebook, a Introductory rule book*, a Painting guide, a "Guide to the Inner Sphere", two tactical maps, a strategic map of the Inner sphere, and 2 cardboard quick reference guides (real nice!). All these are nicely done, with lots of color pictures, and are real eye candy. I am impressed, and cannot fault them on their production. The guide gives you some background story line. Nice flavor to everything. Kudos to CGL.
The miniature mechs on the other hand......
Well, you get 24 of them. Divided into the Light, medium, Heavy, and Assault classes.
Basically, I remember the old plastic mechs being so much better, I am disappointed in the new ones. There is lots of flash to deal with, which is hard to get off (and even to see). The surfaces are uneven (but that does help to give the mini's a "battle weathered look too"). There is poor animation, and quite a few of the mechs, to my eye, are uninspiring. But then, I am prejudiced. However, for the campaign currently going on at the store, I have started to paint up some of them, and the results surprised me a little, as a few of them are turning out rather nicely---well, okay. But then a few aren't.
So, taking another look at the mini's, and trying to be as objective as I can, here is what I come up with:
~8 mechs are okay.
~8 mechs are acceptable
~8 mechs are abyssmal (these are destined to become "casualties" once I get around to them)
So, by my estimation, only 16 of the mechs are really presentable for wargaming purposes.
However, to be fair to CGL, I should add this, 1) the CBIBS does at least come with Miniatures! Yeah! None of this cardboard mini's crud. Chalk up another for CGL! 2) In a day when a metal miniature goes for ~$10.00, 16 metal miniatures could cost you $160.00. Even if only 8 of the miniatures are acceptable, then you could still save $40.00 buying another box set for the plastic miniatures rather than buying metal ones. Does this sound like I have no shame and am contemplating buying another CBIBS just for the miniatures? Well, it's true I have no shame...., and 3) I think CGL target for this box set is not the "OLD" Battletech gamers, but the generation out there who might never have played. Based on what I have seen at the hobby store, they are hitting both groups.
So, the most bottom line for anything is answering the question: DO I feel I got my money's worth? Honesty compells me to say, despite the somewhat poor quality of the miniatures, that Yes, I did.
Toodles all
MDN
* = and the advanced rulebook "Total war" will cost you an additional $40.
Last week I picked up the Catalyst Game Lab (CGL) "Classic Battletech In troductory Box set"(CBIBS). I thought I would write my thoughts on the set.
First off, I am an "OLD" Battletech gamer. I used to have some 80 or so Battlemechs, assorted vehicles, infantry, and lots of books. Then the game sort of died (here in Phoenix) and eventually I sold everything on eBay to make room for other stuff. I do remember some of the old plastic miniatures quite well, and thought many of them were modeled very nicely. Probably about 1/4 of my mechs were metals.
Now, for the CGL "Battletech Box set". It costs $40.00 US. For that you get a set of miniatures (hardware) and some books (software). The books are a Quick start rulebook, a Introductory rule book*, a Painting guide, a "Guide to the Inner Sphere", two tactical maps, a strategic map of the Inner sphere, and 2 cardboard quick reference guides (real nice!). All these are nicely done, with lots of color pictures, and are real eye candy. I am impressed, and cannot fault them on their production. The guide gives you some background story line. Nice flavor to everything. Kudos to CGL.
The miniature mechs on the other hand......
Well, you get 24 of them. Divided into the Light, medium, Heavy, and Assault classes.
Basically, I remember the old plastic mechs being so much better, I am disappointed in the new ones. There is lots of flash to deal with, which is hard to get off (and even to see). The surfaces are uneven (but that does help to give the mini's a "battle weathered look too"). There is poor animation, and quite a few of the mechs, to my eye, are uninspiring. But then, I am prejudiced. However, for the campaign currently going on at the store, I have started to paint up some of them, and the results surprised me a little, as a few of them are turning out rather nicely---well, okay. But then a few aren't.
So, taking another look at the mini's, and trying to be as objective as I can, here is what I come up with:
~8 mechs are okay.
~8 mechs are acceptable
~8 mechs are abyssmal (these are destined to become "casualties" once I get around to them)
So, by my estimation, only 16 of the mechs are really presentable for wargaming purposes.
However, to be fair to CGL, I should add this, 1) the CBIBS does at least come with Miniatures! Yeah! None of this cardboard mini's crud. Chalk up another for CGL! 2) In a day when a metal miniature goes for ~$10.00, 16 metal miniatures could cost you $160.00. Even if only 8 of the miniatures are acceptable, then you could still save $40.00 buying another box set for the plastic miniatures rather than buying metal ones. Does this sound like I have no shame and am contemplating buying another CBIBS just for the miniatures? Well, it's true I have no shame...., and 3) I think CGL target for this box set is not the "OLD" Battletech gamers, but the generation out there who might never have played. Based on what I have seen at the hobby store, they are hitting both groups.
So, the most bottom line for anything is answering the question: DO I feel I got my money's worth? Honesty compells me to say, despite the somewhat poor quality of the miniatures, that Yes, I did.
Toodles all
MDN
* = and the advanced rulebook "Total war" will cost you an additional $40.