As the official forums for Battletech seem to be down at the moment I thought I'd ask the Battletech fans here my question.

What, if any of the core Battletech rules books are still in print and available for purchase (Non ebay extortionist prices I mean) The Catalyst Games store site seems to only show a few of the newer books for sale still.

Specifically I'm looking for
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Total Warfare (Core Rules)
Tech Manual (Vehicle construction rules)
Tactical Operations (Optional Rules)
Strategic Operations (Aerospace, Solar System Level, and Company, Battalion etc level rules)
Interstellar Operations (seems to be a hodge podge of more rules)
Campaign Operations (Campaign level rules for running a military unit)
A Time of War (The Battletech RPG)
A Time of War Companion (additional rules options for the RPG)

Also, there is the core rules reorganized/streamlined/beta version "Battletech Battle Mech Manual Open Beta" currently available in PDF. Which makes me think it will replace the original "Total Warfare" when it's finalized and released.

I didn't even know they still made Battletech.

Of course, it was better when it was called Battledroids.

I'm pretty sure all the ones you listed are still in print.

I'm still a Battletech Compendium guy, mainly because I don't feel the need to shell out $50 for books. There really are rules for everything now, though.

The simplified Alpha Strike rules seem to be growing more popular than the full rules. Which makes sense since it cuts game time by like half.

I've got Alpha Strike, the Technical Manual and Strategic Operations Manual on the shelf at my store.  I should see if I can get A Time of War and Total Warfare from my distributor.  The eternal problem of hanging supplements.

Quote from: everloss;973878The simplified Alpha Strike rules seem to be growing more popular than the full rules. Which makes sense since it cuts game time by like half.

What, exactly, is needed to get into BattleTech Alpha Strike?  I'd like to get into it, but every time I look I see all these books listed and a bunch of miniatures, and my eyes just sort of glaze over.

Quote from: Celestial;974399What, exactly, is needed to get into BattleTech Alpha Strike?  I'd like to get into it, but every time I look I see all these books listed and a bunch of miniatures, and my eyes just sort of glaze over.

You would need the alpha strike rule book and minis and terrain as far as I know that's it.

Yep, you would need the rules, and a map. Minis can be substituted with any kind of counter, as long as it is marked for facing. Minis do add a lot to the fun, though.  I got the 25th anniversary box set for $50 and it came with like 20 minis and rules. I think there is a newer box set out that has all that too.

Actually, you don't even need a map. Just a ruler. Each point of movement/distance is an inch or whatever.

Good to know, thanks.

One thing to point out is that battletechs rules where built originally for A hex map but yes you can play with out one easy enough there are rule options for it in the main game cant see why they'd leave it out of alpha strike.