Difference between revisions of "BattleTech Introductory Box Set"

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| publisher = [[Catalyst Game Labs]]
 
| publisher = [[Catalyst Game Labs]]
 
| productioncode = 3500B
 
| productioncode = 3500B
−
| year = 2013
+
| year = 2014<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20140320021443/http://bg.battletech.com/?p=5470 bg.battletech.com Preorder Announcement]</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20140515100115/http://www.catalystgamelabs.com/2014/03/27/new-improved-box-set-reprint-available-now/ Catalyst Game Labs News]</ref>
 
| ISBN10              =  
 
| ISBN10              =  
 
| ISBN13 = 978-1-936876-85-3
 
| ISBN13 = 978-1-936876-85-3
Line 28: Line 28:
  
 
==Description==
 
==Description==
−
The '''BattleTech Introductory Box Set''' is a physical game box containing the necessary pieces, papers, and material to play the classic tabletop version of Battletech. This edition of the box set contains miniatures made from a higher-quality plastic than the preceding ''[[25th Anniversary Introductory Box Set]]'' (to which it is almost identical otherwise) or the '''[[Classic BattleTech Introductory Box Set]]''', the same used in the [[Alpha Strike Lance Packs]].
+
The '''BattleTech Introductory Box Set''' is a physical game box containing the necessary pieces, papers, and material to play the classic tabletop version of Battletech.
 +
 
 +
Largely identical to the preceding [[25th Anniversary Introductory Box Set]] in terms of function and most of its components, this edition of the box set differed in that it contained miniatures made from a higher-quality plastic and new, improved molds in comparison to those in the 25th Anniversary Introductory Box Set or the [[Classic BattleTech Introductory Box Set]] before that.  Several of these miniatures, plus the general miniature style, were also used in the [[Alpha Strike Lance Packs]].
  
 
==From the back cover==
 
==From the back cover==
Line 34: Line 36:
  
 
==Contents==
 
==Contents==
−
[[File:BTIntroBoxSet FullContents(2014).jpg| Contents of 2013 Intro Box Set|thumb|right|250px]]
+
[[File:BTIntroBoxSet FullContents(2014).jpg| Contents of 2014 Intro Box Set|thumb|right|250px]]
−
*24 unpainted, ready-to-play plastic BattleMech miniatures
+
*24 unpainted, ready-to-play plastic BattleMech [[Miniatures - Catalyst Game Labs|miniatures]]
 
** COM-2D ''[[Commando]]''
 
** COM-2D ''[[Commando]]''
 
** SDR-5V ''[[Spider]]''
 
** SDR-5V ''[[Spider]]''
Line 74: Line 76:
  
 
==Notes==
 
==Notes==
−
* Catalyst Game Labs has started a broken model replacement program for box sets with damaged or missing contents, particularly the plastic miniatures which are often damaged, miscast, or incomplete. The replacement program can be accessed through the [http://www.catalystgamelabs.com/battletech/minis-replacement/ Miniatures Replacement Form].
+
* The regular miniatures in this set were newly molded (as reported on the box back) and differed slightly from those appearing in [[25th Anniversary Introductory Box Set]] and [[Classic BattleTech Introductory Box Set]], yielding miniatures with crisper details.  It has been revealed that these new models were created using masters from Iron Wind Metals models rather than from casts.<ref>[https://bg.battletech.com/forums/ask-the-lead-developers/how-were-the-new-plastic-lance-pack-minis-created/msg1197458/#msg1197458 BattleTech Forums]</ref>  This explains the strong resemblance between the older and newer models and yet why the older models appear to be imperfect copies of the newer models.  The multipiece miniatures from those prior box sets were now crafted as single-piece miniatures.  The bases of these miniatures were also significantly redesigned.  The new bases had a uniform height for all models, a smooth, flat base top, and a molded number on the underside of the base that depended on the model.  (In contrast, the miniatures in prior box sets had bases with a textured top and no molded numbers on the underside.  Some models, such as the ''Grasshopper'', had a noticeably shorter base height than others in the prior box sets.)  See [[Miniatures - Catalyst Game Labs#BattleTech Introductory Box Set and Alpha Strike Lance Packs]] for some detailed comparisons and illustrations.
 +
* The regular miniatures in this introductory box set were numbered 1 through 24.  Seventeen of those twenty-four miniatures would reappear within the [[Alpha Strike Lance Packs]] that were published shortly after this box was introduced.  In the Alpha Strike Lance Packs, fifteen new miniatures were also introduced, numbered 25 through 39, which were crafted using a similar style, including the bases.
 +
* Catalyst Game Labs had a miniatures replacement program for introductory box sets with damaged, miscast, incomplete, or missing miniatures. The replacement program was accessible through the [https://web.archive.org/web/20140907010534/http://www.catalystgamelabs.com/battletech/minis-replacement/ Miniatures Replacement Form].
  
 
==Foreign-Language Editions==
 
==Foreign-Language Editions==
Line 82: Line 86:
 
==Gallery==
 
==Gallery==
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
−
File:BattleTech Einsteigerbox (Neuauflage)-cover.jpg|German edition.
+
File:BattleTech Introductory Box Set - back.jpg|Back of box.
 +
File:BattleTech Introductory Box Set - Minis.jpg|Regular miniatures.
 +
File:BattleTech Introductory Box Set - Sprues.jpg|Sprues of premium miniatures ([[BattleMaster]] and [[Timber Wolf (Mad Cat)|Mad Cat]]'').
 +
File:BattleTech Einsteigerbox (Neuauflage)-cover.jpg|Cover of German edition.
 +
</gallery>
 +
===Miniatures===
 +
<gallery>
 +
File:BattleTech Introductory Box Set - Commando.jpg|''[[Commando]]''
 +
File:Alpha Strike Recon Lance - Spider.jpg|''[[Spider]]''
 +
File:Alpha Strike Pursuit Lance - Jenner.jpg|''[[Jenner]]''
 +
File:Alpha Strike Striker Lance - Panther.jpg|''[[Panther]]''
 +
File:BattleTech Introductory Box Set - Assassin.jpg|''[[Assassin]]''
 +
File:Alpha Strike Recon Lance - Cicada.jpg|''[[Cicada]]''
 +
File:Alpha Strike Pursuit Lance - Clint.jpg|''[[Clint]]''
 +
File:BattleTech Introductory Box Set - Hermes II.jpg|''[[Hermes II]]''
 +
File:BattleTech Introductory Box Set - Whitworth.jpg|''[[Whitworth]]''
 +
File:Alpha Strike Support Lance - Vindicator.jpg|''[[Vindicator]]''
 +
File:BattleTech Introductory Box Set - Enforcer.jpg|''[[Enforcer]]''
 +
File:BattleTech Introductory Box Set - Hunchback.jpg|''[[Hunchback]]''
 +
File:Alpha Strike Fire Lance - Trebuchet.jpg|''[[Trebuchet]]''
 +
File:Alpha Strike Fire Lance - Dervish.jpg|''[[Dervish]]''
 +
File:Alpha Strike Striker Lance - Dragon.jpg|''[[Dragon]]''
 +
File:Alpha Strike Striker Lance - Quickdraw.jpg|''[[Quickdraw]]''
 +
File:Alpha Strike Command Lance - Catapult.jpg|''[[Catapult]]''
 +
File:BattleTech Introductory Box Set - JagerMech.jpg|''[[JagerMech]]''
 +
File:Alpha Strike Assault Lance - Grasshopper.jpg|''[[Grasshopper]]''
 +
File:Alpha Strike Support Lance - Awesome.jpg|''[[Awesome]]''
 +
File:Alpha Strike Battle Lance - Zeus.jpg|''[[Zeus]]''
 +
File:Alpha Strike Command Lance - Cyclops.jpg|''[[Cyclops]]''
 +
File:Alpha Strike Battle Lance - Banshee.jpg|''[[Banshee (BattleMech)|Banshee]]''
 +
File:Alpha Strike Assault Lance - Atlas.jpg|''[[Atlas (BattleMech)|Atlas]]''
 +
File:BattleTech Introductory Box Set - BattleMaster.jpg|''[[BattleMaster]]'' (premium model) without base.
 +
File:BattleTech Introductory Box Set - Mad Cat.jpg|''[[Timber Wolf (Mad Cat)]]'' (premium model) without base.
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  

Latest revision as of 10:32, 6 May 2023

This article is about one specific product. For the series of game boxes that served as the core BattleTech product, and its iterations over time, see BattleTech boxed set.
BattleTech Introductory Box Set cover.jpg
BattleTech Introductory Box Set
Product information
Type Core Game Set
Development Randall Bills
Publication information
Publisher Catalyst Game Labs
Product code 3500B
First published 2014[1][2]
ISBN-13 978-1-936876-85-3
MSRP $59.99
Content
Era Succession Wars era
Preceded by 25th Anniversary Introductory Box Set
Followed by BattleTech: Beginner Box

Description[edit]

The BattleTech Introductory Box Set is a physical game box containing the necessary pieces, papers, and material to play the classic tabletop version of Battletech.

Largely identical to the preceding 25th Anniversary Introductory Box Set in terms of function and most of its components, this edition of the box set differed in that it contained miniatures made from a higher-quality plastic and new, improved molds in comparison to those in the 25th Anniversary Introductory Box Set or the Classic BattleTech Introductory Box Set before that. Several of these miniatures, plus the general miniature style, were also used in the Alpha Strike Lance Packs.

From the back cover[edit]

“ Strap yourself into the ultimate suit of armor: the BattleMech. Thirty feet tall and weighing up to a hundred tons, this humanoid engine of destruction is a walking arsenal with enough firepower to level a city block. The BattleTech game system takes you into the world of the 31st Century, where war has become a way of life. You are a MechWarrior. You are in command of the most powerful machine on the battlefield, and hold the fate of empires in your hand! ”

Contents[edit]

Contents of 2014 Intro Box Set

Notes[edit]

  • The regular miniatures in this set were newly molded (as reported on the box back) and differed slightly from those appearing in 25th Anniversary Introductory Box Set and Classic BattleTech Introductory Box Set, yielding miniatures with crisper details. It has been revealed that these new models were created using masters from Iron Wind Metals models rather than from casts.[3] This explains the strong resemblance between the older and newer models and yet why the older models appear to be imperfect copies of the newer models. The multipiece miniatures from those prior box sets were now crafted as single-piece miniatures. The bases of these miniatures were also significantly redesigned. The new bases had a uniform height for all models, a smooth, flat base top, and a molded number on the underside of the base that depended on the model. (In contrast, the miniatures in prior box sets had bases with a textured top and no molded numbers on the underside. Some models, such as the Grasshopper, had a noticeably shorter base height than others in the prior box sets.) See Miniatures - Catalyst Game Labs#BattleTech Introductory Box Set and Alpha Strike Lance Packs for some detailed comparisons and illustrations.
  • The regular miniatures in this introductory box set were numbered 1 through 24. Seventeen of those twenty-four miniatures would reappear within the Alpha Strike Lance Packs that were published shortly after this box was introduced. In the Alpha Strike Lance Packs, fifteen new miniatures were also introduced, numbered 25 through 39, which were crafted using a similar style, including the bases.
  • Catalyst Game Labs had a miniatures replacement program for introductory box sets with damaged, miscast, incomplete, or missing miniatures. The replacement program was accessible through the Miniatures Replacement Form.

Foreign-Language Editions[edit]

German[edit]

A German edition was published by Ulisses Spiele in 2014 as BattleTech Einsteigerbox, ISBN 9783868893113.[4]

Gallery[edit]

  • Back of box.

  • Regular miniatures.

  • Sprues of premium miniatures (BattleMaster and Mad Cat).

  • Cover of German edition.

Miniatures[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ bg.battletech.com Preorder Announcement
  2. ↑ Catalyst Game Labs News
  3. ↑ BattleTech Forums
  4. ↑ Ulisses Spiele Product Page 2014 (archived)

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