The long-running tabletop mech game BattleTech has spawned numerous video games, including MechWarrior, MechAssault, and 2018’s BattleTech, but if you’ve ever wanted to get into the board game that started it all, now is the perfect time. The game recently celebrated its 40th birthday with a new 40th Anniversary Edition of the core box, and various new expansions have launched in the months since, including new mech minis, source books, and more. The latest new releases include the BattleTech: Mercenaries expansion and a bunch of standalone mech and vehicle minis to add to your tabletop sessions.
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The BattleTech: Mercenaries box includes eight BattleTech miniatures and four vehicle miniatures, plus a gameplay primer, rulebook, punch-out tokens, maps, pilot cards, Battlefield Support cards, and a premade campaign to play through. Note that this expansion requires the BattleTech: Game of Armored Combat 40th Anniversary Edition to play.
Along with the new Mercenaries box, you can also expand your BattleTech collection with a batch of new miniatures. There are five packs available now, each of which includes multiple mech or vehicle minis and associated pilot cards, such as the Inner Sphere Tecon Lance with Firestarter, Ostscout, Spector, and Javelin mechs, or the Clan Cavalry Star set with the Black Python, Shadow Hawk, Griffin, Jenner, and Locust mechs. Those sets are available now, while the Inner Sphere Security Lance box with Marauder, Archer, Atlas, and Grasshopper mechs is available to preorder for $30 ahead of its February 5 release date. Check out all the new and upcoming BattleTech miniatures in the list below.
New BattleTech mech and vehicle miniatures
If these new BattleTech models have caught your eye, but you haven’t gotten into the game yet, you’ll want to check out the BattleTech: A Game of Armored Combat 40th Anniversary box set that launched last year. Not only is it required to use these new expansions, but it’s also a comprehensive standalone set that includes everything you need to start playing, including 8 minis, a rulebook, game pieces, and more. It’s available for $58.19 at Amazon. However, if you just want to ease into the game, then the 40th Anniversary Beginner Box is a worthwhile alternative. IThe $24 box set includes two mech minis, simplified quick-start rules, and a map sheet, which is the bare minimum you need to play basic 1-on-1 matches or start your own mech squad.
Beyond these starter sets and new expansions, there are aso numerous other BattleTech releases you can pick up, including miniatures, card decks, premade campaigns, supplemental reference books, and more. It’s worth noting that all BattleTech miniatures come fully assembled but unpainted. If you want to paint your collection to add some more detail to your tabletop skirmishes, you can pick up the BattleTech Mercenaries Paint Set with 20 colors for $76.39 (was $90). Check out the list below for some BattleTech recommendations, or browse the full BattleTech lineup at Amazon.
More BattleTech Tabletop Deals
The BattleTech universe spans more than just the tabletop series. It’s also the basis for the long-running Merchwarrior video game, which recently saw its own mercenaries-themed entry, MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries, on PC. You can pick up the Steam version for $30 at Fanatical. Like other MechWarrior titles, MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries is a mech combat sim, featuring real-time combat where you directly pilot a big, stompy death machine in single-player missions against BattleTech’s various inter-planetary clans. If you prefer something more tactical, the 2018 turn-based PC strategy game BattleTech is worth checking out. Players control squads of customized mechs in deadly skirmishes akin to the tabletop game its based on. The standard edition $36 at Fanatical (was $40), but you can also grab the BattleTech: Mercenary Collection for $80.30 (was $89.23), which includes the base game, the full season pass, and additional content.
BattleTech and MechWarrior PC Games
BattleTech also has an expansive line of official novels, many of which are on sale at Amazon. Check out a few in the list below.
BattleTech Books
Disclosure: GameSpot and Fanatical are both owned by Fandom.