Editing Stardate

{{ApocryphalProduct}}
{{infoBoxProduct
| image = StardateLogo.jpg|Stardate magazine logo
| name = ''STARDATE''<br>(final issue titled ''StarDrive'')
| type = Magazine
| author = 
| development = 
| primarywriting = [[John A. Theisen]], [[Blaine Pardoe]], [[Jordan Weisman]], Robert Gray, Jack Freeman, Richard Tucholka, and others.
| pages = varies
| cover = Various artists
| interiorart = Various artists
| illustrations = Various artists
| publisher = Various (see article):
* [[FASA]] (#1-7)
* [[Associates International]] (Vol. 2 #8–11)
* [[Reluctant Publishing Ltd.]] (Vol. 3 #1–6 & ''StarDrive'')
| productioncode = 
| year = 1984-1987;<br />1988 (''StarDrive'')
| ISBN10 = 
| MSRP                = $4.00<br />$3.50 (Vol. 3, ''StarDrive'')
| content             = 
| era                 = [[Succession Wars era]]
}}
'''STARDATE''' magazine (always spelled in capital letters within the magazine), renamed '''StarDrive''' for its final issue, was a print magazine initially published by [[FASA]] as a house magazine to support their [[w:Star Trek: The Role Playing Game|Star Trek]] line of games. It later expanded its scope to cover other games as well, notably [[BattleTech]].

{{TOCleft}}
==Publication History==
The first issue was [[w:Cover date|dated]] November 1984. FASA published five issues of the magazine, two of them numbered as double issues (No. 3/4 in February 1985 and No. 5/6 in April 1985) for a total numbering of 7 "issues". Beginning with issue #8 (October 1985), [[Associates International]] took over as publisher and although the issue numbering continued, issues 9-11 are listed as "Volume 2". Ten months after issue #11 was published in April 1986, the magazine resurfaced for a "Volume 3" run with new numbering in February 1987, now published by [[Reluctant Publishing Ltd.]] and billing itself as "The Science Fiction Gaming Resource".

For its last issue (February 1988), the magazine was renamed StarDrive, explicitly described as "Formerly STARDATE magazine" on the cover. Despite featuring content heavily geared towards FASA products (namely Star Trek and BattleTech), the editorial writing in StarDrive was notably critical of FASA. Reluctant Publishing Ltd. went out of business after this issue. (Another official BattleTech periodical, ''[[BattleTechnology]]'', was published with FASA's blessings through [[Pacific Rim Publishing]] beginning in 1987.)<ref>[https://rpggeek.com/rpgperiodical/2817/stardate ''Stardate Magazine'']</ref>

The first two volumes included the front, back, and inside covers in the page numbering. Volume three did not include the covers but adopted the numbering style of many journals, with the first issue numbered 1–52, the second 53–120, and so on, reaching 526 in issue six; the total number of pages varied by issue, peaking at 118 with number five. StarDrive restarted at page 1 and did not count the covers.

This article is focused on the magazine's BattleTech-related content and omits any other systems. Many issues carried ads for BattleTech but no lore; these aren't considered noteworthy for the purpose of this article. Issue 5/6 is the only one in the first two volumes to carry any BattleTech material other than ads. 

==Canonicity==
As a magazine, STARDATE/StarDrive is not counted among the sources contributing [[canon]] to the BattleTech universe at this time.

Even during its time as a FASA house magazine, the imprint contained a disclaimer stating that the magazine's content was the author's opinion and not official rulings by FASA for their games, unless otherwise noted. Later issues were not official FASA publications at all, but licensed third-party content (even though Vol. 3 Number 2 is announced as an "official BattleTech issue" on the cover).

As an official publication with a valid license at the time, its content can be regarded as [[apocryphal]].
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==Issue 5/6 (March 1985)==
[[Image:Stardate45cov.jpg|right|210px|Stardate, Issue 5/6]]
: A battle between a ''[[Warhammer]]'', a ''[[Phoenix Hawk]]'' and a ''[[Marauder]]'', taken from a larger image accompanying the article.
'''Before the Succession Wars: A Background for FASA's ''Battledroids'' Game''' by [[Patrick Larkin]] and [[Jordan Weisman]]. Some art by [[Todd F. Marsh]].
: A timeline of the BattleDroids universe, from 2010 to 3025.
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==Volume 3 Number 1 (February 1987)==
[[Image:Stardatev3-1.jpg|right|210px|Stardate, Vol. 3 Number 1 ('''Stardate Redivivus''' by Pete Rogan)]]
: Editorial with brief mention of BattleTech.
'''BattleMech Tech: The Flea''' by [[Forest G. Brown]] and [[L.R. "Butch" Leeper]].
: A technical readout with stats for two [[canon|canonical]] models. Additional variants are mentioned; both 'Mechs are noted as "Formerly TRP-1 TROOPER".
:* FLE-4 ''[[Flea]]''
:* FLE-15 ''Flea''
'''Inventive Ordnance: Krupps Invicta LSW MKII 'Slayer<nowiki>'</nowiki>'''
: A grenade launcher for multiple gaming systems. [[MechWarrior: The BattleTech Role Playing Game|MechWarrior]] stats are included, treating it as an [[Short-Range Missile|SRM]] launcher.
'''Book Reviews''' by [[w:Leo Frankowski|Leo A. Frankowski]].
: ''[[Technical Readout: 3025|BattleTech Technical Readout 3025]].
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==Volume 3 Number 2 (March 1987)==
[[Image:Stardatev3-2.jpg|right|210px|Stardate, Vol. 3 Number 2]]
'''Something Armored This Way Walks''' by Pete Rogan.
: Editorial lauding BattleTech and MechWarrior.
'''BattleTech Tech: Longbow''' by a mystery writer. A German translation of this writeup was later published in ''[[Hardware Handbuch 3031]]''.
: Technical readout for the ''[[Longbow]]'', a [[Ral Partha]] design that did not become a canonical design until the publication of ''[[Technical Readout: 3058]]'' eight years later.
:* LGB-8C ''Longbow''. The canonical version published in 2021<ref>''Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 20'', p. 25</ref> varied significantly.
:* LGB-OW ''Longbow''. The canonical version published in ''[[Record Sheets: 3055 & 3058]]'' varied in armor placement.
'''River Crossing''' by [[John A. Theisen]]. Some art by [[Gideon]].
: The first of the Sandusky Sorrell stories.
'''River Crossing: BattleTech Scenario'''
: Galt's Grenadiers, a [[Federated Suns]] unit, attack elements of the [[Capellan Confederation|Capellan]] 459th Infantry Regiment supported by the 29th Independent 'Mech Lance.
'''Punchout: A MechWarrior's Guide to Safe Ejection''' by [[Blaine Pardoe]]. Some art by Matt Beauchamp.
: An article explaining why a MechWarrior might eject, followed by game rules for doing so.
'''The Recovery of MechWarriors''' by Blaine L. Pardoe.
: Recovery units rescue MechWarriors who have lost their ride while on the battlefield.
'''A Quick Death: Clubbing Modifiers and Variants for BattleTech''' by John A. Theisen and [[Chuck Wienand]]. Art by Gideon.
: Official rules explained with examples given, then variant rules that add some disadvantages to club use.
'''Coolant Packs: A MechWarrior's Best Friend''' by Blaine L. Pardoe.
: BattleMech-scale coolant backpacks provide nine extra heat sinks but come with serious encumbrance effects.
'''Inventive Ordnance: GMBh Wombat MK.I and II''' by a mystery writer.
: The Wombat is a [[VTOL]] designed for rescuing wounded troops, with a top speed of 370 km/h. Stats are presented for ''MechWarrior'' and ''[[w:2300 AD|Traveller: 2300]]''.
:* GMBh Wombat Mk.I
:* GMBh Wombat Mk.II
'''Closing the Gap''' by Bob Gray.
: Q&A column, including fragmentation damage in BattleTech.
'''Off the Shelf: M1 Abrams''' by a mystery author.
: History and specifications of the real-world [[w:M1 Abrams|Abrams]] main battle tank. Stats are provided for BattleTech and ''[[w:Twilight: 2000|Twilight: 2000]]''.
:* M1
:* M1A1
'''Games in Review'''
: Monthly review column by mystery writers.
:* ''[[Mercenary's Handbook|The Mercenary's Handbook]]''
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==Volume 3 Number 3 (May 1987)==
[[Image:Stardatev3-3.jpg|right|210px|Stardate, Vol. 3 Number 3]]
'''Five of a Kind: New Aerospace Fighters for ''BattleTech''''' by John A. Theisen. Art by Gideon.
: New [[aerospace fighter]]s specific to individual [[Successor States]].
:* GDF-L4 ''[[Gadfly]]''. [[Federated Suns]] light fighter.
:* TR-11A ''[[Traverse]]''. [[Capellan Confederation]] upgrade of the TR-11 ''[[Transit]]''.
:* SL-23 ''[[Siren (Aerospace Fighter class)|Siren]]''. [[Draconis Combine]] fighter built around a [[PPC]].
:* F-95 ''[[Cyclone (Aerospace Fighter class)|Cyclone]]''. [[Free Worlds League]] heavy fighter used for long-range bombardment.
:* ARN-E1 ''[[Ariane]]''. [[Lyran Commonwealth]] ground attack fighter.
'''Closing the Gap''' by Bob Gray.
: Q&A column, including some ''AeroTech'' and the beginning of the 10 most asked BattleTech questions.
'''Escape from Neu Yark: Two Linked ''AeroTech'' Scenarios''' by Bob Gray. Art by Gideon.
: Despite the title, only one scenario is given. The merc group Pink Floyd has to make a run for it due to faulty intel landing them in a training area for the planet's defense forces. This scenario uses the ''Gadfly'' fighter profiled earlier in the issue.
'''Air Combat Games: An Overview''' by The Stardate Staff.
: Reviews of air combat games, ''[[AeroTech]]'' among them.
'''Spotting from Above: Airborne Forward Observation Rules for ''BattleTech''''' by John A. Theisen. Art by Gideon.
: Using observation aircraft to spot for artillery.
'''Not Your Average Starship: The BCS-1S <u>Starship One</u> in ''AeroTech'' and ''Top Gun''''' by John A. Theisen.
: A [[w:Pusher configuration|pusher configuration]] observation aircraft based on the real-world [[w:Beechcraft Starship|Beechcraft Starship]]. No AeroTech stats are given but special rules allow it to linger over battlefields.
'''Cavalier Class DropShip: A Vessel for Use with ''MechWarrior/BattleTech''''' by [[Clare W. Hess|C. W. Hess]].
: A small Star League DropShip with stats given for two variants.
:* [[Cavalier (DropShip class)|Cavalier]] Class DropShip (Courier Version)
:* Cavalier Class DropShip (Transport Version)
'''Books in Review''' by [[R.A. Brazeau]].
: ''[[The Sword and the Dagger]]''
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==Volume 3 Number 4 (Summer 1987)==
[[Image:Stardate vol3 issue4.png|right|210px|Stardate, Vol. 3 Number 4]]
'''BattleMech Tech''' by Jack Freeman.
: Technical readouts of two designs.
:* [[Quicksilver Hover Scout]]. An unarmed fusion-powered hovercraft. Unsurprisingly, variants involving changing one or both features.
:* ''[[Gremlin|Gremlin Armored Car]]''. A six-wheeled design with a turret-mounted [[autocannon]]. Variants include the Gremlin-B, the Pixie, and the Firebug.
'''Body Armor: A necessary addition for modern infantry''' by a mystery writer. Some art by Gideon.
: Three types of body armor statted for multiple systems, including ''MechWarrior''.
'''BattleTech Salvage''' by [[w:Richard Tucholka|Richard Tucholka]]. Some art by Terry Prince.
: Optional rules for salvaging equipment, complete with randomizing tables that reduce what's available.
'''Heckler & Koch PSG 1: Sniper/Counter sniper rifle''' by a mystery author. Art by Gideon.
: The real-world [[w:Heckler & Koch PSG1|Heckler & Koch PSG1]], statted for eight different systems, one of them ''MechWarrior''.
'''Closing the Gap''' by Bob Gray.
: A continuation of the 10 most asked rules question for BattleTech. [[CASE]] is presented as an optional rule but isn't given a name.
'''Infantry Against BattleMechs: "The David and Goliath Syndrome"''' by Blaine Pardoe. Art by Gideon.
: Optional rules for called shots against BattleMechs.
'''A Whole Lotta Flak''' by John A. Theisen. Some art by Gideon; portraits by Kurt Cagle, credited in Volume 3 Number 6.
: Sandusky Sorrell and Galt's Company have to deal with some ''Transits''. MechWarrior stats for Sorrell and his commanding officer are included.
'''Pound for Pound: BattleMech Weapon Systems Efficiency''' by Jack Freeman. Some art by Gideon.
: Tables for calculating the efficiency of various weapons. The writer gives his favorites for each range in hexes.
'''New Avalon Institute of Science Mechwarrior Training Manual''' by Blaine Pardoe.
: Technical information on BattleMech systems presented as a student text.
'''Flesh and Steel''' by C.W. Hess. Some art by Gideon.
: A Draconis MechWarrior who just lost his second 'Mech is forced to help [[infantry]] hold a canyon on [[New Aberdeen]] against a 'Mech lance of the [[Fourth Crucis Lancers]]. A scenario is included at the end of the fiction.
'''What's New''' by [[J.A. Nardi]].
: Recent releases. FASA's entry is ''[[BattleTech Reinforcements]]''
'''Games in Review'''
: ''[[BattleForce]]'' reviewed by Bob Gray.
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==Volume 3 Number 5 (October 1987)==
 [[Image:Stardate vol3 issue5.png|right|210px|Stardate, Vol. 3 Number 5]]
'''BattleMech Tech''' by Jack Freeman. Some art by Gideon and Terry Prince.
: Technical readout featuring two new BattleMechs.
:* PLG-1N ''Pillager''. The basis for the later canon PLG-1N ''[[Pillager]]'',<ref>''Record Sheets: 3058 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League)''</ref> this was the first BattleMech with dual AC/20s. The stats differ slightly from the canon version but it has identical movement, jump jet capability, heat dissipation, and nearly identical weaponry. A variant called the PLG-1F ''Matchmaker'' replaces the SRM-4 with [[flamers]] and armor is presented.<ref>[http://www.heavymetalpro.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=19020&sid=5561368419da3eca782aff3148849107 HMP Forum Discussion of ''Stardate Magazine'']</ref><ref>[http://www.oocities.org/jymset/MOTWpillager.html.tmp Origins of the ''[[Pillager]]'']</ref> as well as a minor variant that replaces the brand of medium laser, resulting in an occasional glitch with the T&T system.
:* HdG-2B ''[[Hedgehog]]''. A tripod 'Mech with a Star League–era communications system and smoke projectors that produce smoke with high metal content, reducing the effects of laser fire; the ''Hedgehog'' is also a deadly kicker with special rules that allow it to use a modified punch table. The HdG-2B1 ''Harasser'' variant replaces the medium laser with two small lasers, while field refits to replace a destroyed comms system are forced to remove all weaponry to fit in a replacement.
'''Terminus''' by John Thiesen (a.k.a. John A. Theisen). Some art by Gideon; portraits by Kurt Cagle, credited in Volume 3 Number 6.
: Another Sandusky Sorrell story, this time a letter from home followed by a "shopping" expedition to an abandoned town. ''MechWarrior'' stats for two more of Galt's Grenadiers are included.
'''Terminus: BattleTech Scenario''' by John Thiesen.
: Galt's Grenadiers perform a search-and-retrieve on a booby-trapped town. A company of the [[Fourth Tau Ceti Rangers]] could show up at any time.
'''Battleflak: The Odds Of Ground Fire''' by Jack Freeman.
: Tables for ''AeroTech'' ground fire probabilities, including modifiers for various designs both canon and magazine. The ''[[Charger]]'' is as effective as you'd expect.
'''New Avalon Institute of Science Mechwarrior Training Manual''' by Blaine Pardoe.
: Technical information on BattleMech systems presented as a student text.
'''Basic Training: MechWarrior Skill Roles''' by Jack Freeman.
: [[w:BASIC|BASIC]] code for calculating ''MechWarrior'' character skills based on inputted attributes.
'''Closing the Gap''' by Bob Gray.
: Q&A column with some BattleTech entries.
'''Games in Review'''
: ''BattleTech Reinforcements'' is FASA's entry.
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==Volume 3 Number 6 (Winter 1987)==
[[Image:Stardate vol3 issue6.jpg|right|210px|Stardate, Vol. 3 Number 6]]
'''Captain's Log''' by Pete Rogan.
: Lots for the BattleTech player this month.
'''BattleMech Tech''' by a mystery author. Art by Gideon.
: Technical readout for two new designs.
:* [[Shillelagh]] Missile Tank. This design became canon in 2013 with ''[[Technical Readout: 3145 Draconis Combine]]'', replacing the flamer with a machine gun.
:* MTE-12C ''[[Mite]]''. An incredibly fast [[BattleMech#Ultralight|ultralight]] 'Mech carrying a single small laser.
'''New Avalon Institute of Science Mechwarrior Training Manual''' by Blaine Pardoe.
: BattleMech tactics presented as a student text.
'''BattleForce Roster Conversions: BattleTech Units Rendered Into BattleForce Equivalents''' by Jack Freeman. Art reprinted, including a piece by Gideon from "River Crossing" in Volume 3, Number 2, and pieces from [[Dana Knutson]] dated 1985.
: ''[[BattleForce]]'' rules for converting mixed lances. Also included are conversions for units in various sourcebooks and scenario packs.
'''Inventive Ordnance: Metallic Smoke''' by a mystery author.
: Background and use of metallic smoke, designed to interfere with electronics, lasers, and Gauss weapons. Stats presented for BattleTech and ''[[w:2300 AD|2300]]''.
'''Planetfall: Solaris VII''' by Richard Tucholka. Some art by [[Gary Thomas Washington]].
: Background on the arena games of [[Solaris VII]], with random tables for matches and things related to them.
'''Small Campaign BattleTech Blues''' by Richard Tucholka. Art apparently reprinted.
: Tables for campaign generation.
'''Closing the Gap''' by Bob Gray.
: Q&A column with some BattleTech entries.
'''[[The Further Adventures of Cranston Snord's Irregulars: The Bribery Gambit]]''' by Blaine Pardoe.
: [[Snord's Irregulars|Cranston Snord's Irregulars]] defend [[Thelos Auburn]] against a kidnapping attempt. Art apparently reprinted.
'''What's New'''
: New releases column, including ''[[BattleTech Manual: The Rules of Warfare|BattleTech Manual]]'' and ''[[The Succession Wars]]''.
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==StarDrive Vol. 1, No. 1 (February 1988)==
[[Image:StarDrive.jpg|right|210px|StarDrive]]
'''Cover''' by Ray Van Tilburg.
: "Mechs in the Snow". Two 'Mechs battle in a snow-covered forest.
'''Parents Beware''' by Bob Gray.
: [[w:Op-ed|Op-ed]] on inside front cover complaining about adult themes, situations, and language in the [[Blackthorne BattleTech (Comic series)|Blackthorne ''BattleTech'' comic]] and unrelated games.
'''Publishers Note''' by Bob Brazeau.
: Two-paragraph at end of op-ed complaining about cover of ''[[Sorenson's Sabres (scenario pack)|Sorenson's Sabres]]''.
'''Table of Contents'''. Art by Gary Thomas Washington.
: A CPLT-K2 ''[[Catapult]]'' in motion.
'''BattleMech Tech: A Muster of Mini-'Mechs''' by John A. Theisen.
: Technical readout for six house-specific ultralight BattleMechs.
:* JNR-7P ''[[Junior (StarDrive)|Junior]]''. An early 10-ton Federated Suns design, among the first 'Mechs manufactured in quantity outside the [[Terran Hegemony]].
:* SLP-2U ''[[Slowpoke]]''. A 10-ton Capellan design with the movement profile of an ''[[UrbanMech]]''.
:* STL-7D ''[[Stiletto (StarDrive)|Stiletto]]''. A 15-ton Draconis design that outguns a ''[[Locust]]''. Not related to the [[canonical]] STO-series ''[[Stiletto (BattleMech)|Stiletto]]'' 'Mech introduced in ''[[Technical Readout: 3067]]''.
:* APL-1J ''[[Apollo (StarDrive)|Apollo]]''. A 15-ton Free Worlds League design, the only one of this sextet to have arms, thought it doesn't have hands. Not related to the [[canonical]] APL-series ''[[Apollo (BattleMech)|Apollo]]'' 'Mech introduced in ''[[Technical Readout: 3055]]''.
:* FXR-4R ''[[Foxfire]]''. A 15-ton Lyran design with a top speed of more than 140 km/h.
:* MBSDR-I ''[[Ambassador]]''. A 15-ton Star League design with no weapons but a top speed over 170 km/h and a jump range of 60 meters. No, neither is a misprint.
'''New Avalon Institute of Science Mechwarrior Training Manual''' by Blaine Pardoe. Reprinted art by Gideon.
: Small unit tactics presented as a student text.
'''Solaris II''' by a mystery author.
: Random outcome tables and useful locations.
'''Inventive Ordnance: Mine Warfare''' by [[J.M. Svaib Jr.]] Art by [[Richard Tomasic]].
: An overview of [[w:Mine warfare|mine warfare]]. Stats for BattleTech, MechWarrior, and three unrelated systems.
'''Off the Shelf: Armored Cars''' by a mystery author.
: A brief overview of [[w:World War II|World War II]] use of armored cars. Real-world designs are statted.
:* [[w:Alvis Saladin|Alvis Saladin]]
:* [[w:Panhard AML|Panhard ALM]]
:* [[w:BRDM-1|BRDM-1]]
:* [[w:VBC-90|Renault VBC-90]]
:* [[w:LAV-600|Cadillac Gage V-600]]
'''Whats New''' by J. A. Nardi <!-- apostrophe is missing in the original -->
: New releases column. FASA has two entries.
:* ''[[Technical Readout: 3026|BattleTech Technical Readout: 3026]]''
:* ''[[House Kurita (The Draconis Combine)|House Kurita]]''
'''Games in Review''' by various authors.
: Monthly review column. FASA has two entries.
:* ''[[House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth)|House Steiner]]''. Review by Richard Tucholka.
:* ''BattleTech Manual: The Rules of Warfare''. Review by Richard Tucholka.
* ''[[House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth)]]'' & ''[[BattleTech Manual: The Rules of Warfare]]'' review/presentation

==Notes==
* Since 1997, a nonfictional astronomical magazine has been published under the title "StarDate", with no connection to FASA, BattleTech, or gaming.

==References==
<references/>


[[Category:Magazines]]