12 best battletech mech builds

Battletech is a popular tabletop wargame that revolves around the use of giant combat robots known as BattleMechs. Building a BattleMech is a crucial aspect of the game, allowing players to customize their machines for specific roles and strategies. Here's what you should know about Battletech Mech builds:

  1. Chassis Selection: The first step in building a BattleMech is selecting the chassis or frame. Different chassis have varying sizes, weights, and available hardpoints for weapons and equipment. The choice of chassis largely determines the Mech's capabilities and role on the battlefield.

  2. Tonnes and Critical Slots: Mechs are measured in tons, and each chassis has a maximum tonnage limit. Players must balance the weight of armor, weapons, and equipment to stay within this limit. Additionally, BattleMechs have a certain number of critical slots for weapons and gear, so careful consideration is needed to optimize loadouts.

  3. Role and Role-Based Builds: BattleMechs can fulfill various roles, such as scout, sniper, brawler, or support. The build should align with the intended role. For example, a scout Mech might prioritize speed and sensor equipment, while a brawler Mech focuses on close-quarters combat weapons and heavy armor.

  4. Weapons: Weapons are a significant part of Mech builds.There's a wide range of energy weapons, ballistic weapons, missile launchers, and support weapons to choose from. Balancing firepower, range, and heat generation is essential. Energy weapons generate less heat but require energy, while ballistic weapons and missiles generate more heat.

  5. Heat Management: BattleMechs generate heat when firing energy weapons and can overheat if not managed properly. Heat sinks are used to dissipate excess heat. Some Mechs have built-in double heat sinks, which are more efficient at cooling. Effective heat management is crucial for extended combat.

  6. Armor: Armor distribution is essential for Mech survivability. Players need to decide how much armor to allocate to different sections of the Mech, such as the front, sides, and rear. This depends on the expected direction of enemy fire and the Mech's role.

  7. Ammunition and Equipment: Ballistic weapons and missile launchers require ammunition, which needs to be stored within the Mech. Ammo explosions can be catastrophic, so players must protect their ammo stores. Additionally, equipment like jump jets, ECM (Electronic Countermeasures), and targeting computers can enhance a Mech's capabilities.

  8. Critical Hit Locations: Battletech uses a system where individual components of the Mech can be damaged or destroyed. Players need to consider critical hit locations when building their Mech and protecting vital components like the cockpit or ammo storage.

  9. Battlefield Tactics: Mech builds should align with the player's preferred battlefield tactics and strategy. Some players prefer hit-and-run tactics, while others opt for long-range sniping or direct confrontations.

  10. Experimentation and Iteration: Building the perfect Mech often involves experimentation and iteration. Players may need to try different loadouts and configurations to find what works best for their playstyle.

In Battletech, Mech building is a critical aspect of the game, allowing players to create unique machines tailored to their preferences and strategies. Balancing firepower, protection, and heat management is key to success on the battlefield.

Below you can find our editor's choice of the best battletech mech builds on the market
  

BattleTech: Rock of the Republic (BattleTech Novella)

Inmediares Productions

Based on 152 reviews Check latest price

BattleTech: Divided We Fall: A BattleTech Novella

Based on 179 reviews Check latest price

BattleTech: Icons of War

Based on 108 reviews Check latest price

BattleTech: A Tiny Spot of Rebellion: Kell Hounds Ascendant 2 (Kell Hounds Trilogy)

Based on 66 reviews Check latest price

BattleTech: Honor's Gauntlet (BattleTech Novel)

Based on 97 reviews Check latest price

Classic Battletech Techmanual

Based on 49 reviews Check latest price

Wholesale Slaughter: (Wholesale Slaughter Book 1)

Based on 350 reviews Check latest price

Catalyst Game Labs BattleTech Beginner Box, Multi-Colored

Catalyst Game Labs

Based on 359 reviews Check latest price

Product description

BattleTech is the world’s greatest armored combat game, filled with a myriad of epic stories and gaming experiences to satiate any player: miniatures to RPG play, hobby painting to fiction, and beyond. The BattleTech Beginner Box is the first step on that fantastic journey and includes everything you need to get started: two high-quality miniatures, quick-start rules, a mapsheet, cards to represent your MechWarrior’s unique skills, dice, and more.

  • The world’s greatest armored combat game, continuously in publication for over three decades
  • 2 newly sculpted, high-quality miniatures; fully assembled, ready-to-play out of the box
  • 2 to 5 players
  • For ages 13 and up
  • 20 - 30 minutes average playtime

User questions & answers

Question: Is the gameplay like Warhammer or more like D&D
Answer: I started playing this in 1992, and the game is a shadow of its former self. It is watered down and quick now, no strategy. I can’t honestly say it’s like either but on paper it’s like Warhammer. It’s literally like checkers now.
Question: Why is this $15 over retail
Answer: It comes with two miniatures that are high detail, a rules book, punch out tokens, a double sided map, high quality mech sheets, and dice. It's a better value that something like the D&D starter set.
Question: How big are the mechs
Answer: 6mm scale. About 2 inches.
Question: What are miniatures that the box comes with
Answer: One Griffin, one Wolverine.

BattleTech: Mechwarrior - Destiny

Catalyst Game Labs

Based on 31 reviews Check latest price

Product description

This is a new way to role-play in the war-torn BattleTech universe. Streamlined rules put the focus on action and story, and an all-new system for ‘Mech combat lets you wade into battle without requiring miniatures or maps.

  • This is a new way to role-play in the war-torn BattleTech universe. Streamlined rules put the focus on action and story, and an all-new system for ‘Mech combat lets you wade into battle without requiring miniatures or maps.

User questions & answers

Question: Is this in English
Answer: It’s a small kids size.
Question: Why does the release date keep changing
Answer: Stretchy knit. Fit my 16 year old stepson just fine. He wore it for fashion not warmth. I don't think it came to far down past his ears.
Question: Does it include rules for using miniatures if you want to
Answer: I gave it as gift to a friend who has large head & as far as I know it fits well. As with all beanies I'm sure it will get slouchier with use.
Question: Is this a good battletech rpg starter rulebook? is there anything newer or better
Answer: Sorry we currently do not carry Canada flag patterned beanies.

Feldherr Mini Plus Case Compatible with 44 Blood Bowl Miniatures - 2016 Edition

Based on 55 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Feldherr MINI PLUS case for Blood Bowl 2016 and other Fantasy Football miniatures. The bag is ideal for transporting 3 Blood Bowl teams with 32 mm bases. It fit exactly 44 miniatures in the bag.

The MINI PLUS bag is complete filled with foam:

  • 2 x 50 mm foam tray for 16 Blood Bowl miniatures with 32 mm base
  • 1 x 40 mm foam tray for 12 Blood Bowl miniatures with 32 mm base
  • 1 x foam topper

Special foam tray for 16 Blood Bowl 2016 and other fantasy football miniatures.

  • Dimension of the Feldherr half-size (HS) foam tray: 275 mm x 172 mm x 50 mm height
  • 16 slots with the size 54 x 35 x 40 mm height
  • CFC-free fine pored quality foam Made in Germany
  • chlorine and acid free
  • Made in Germany
  • piece density 23,0 kg/m³ (+/- 2,0)

Special foam tray for 12 Blood Bowl 2016 and other fantasy football miniatures.

  • Dimension of the Feldherr half-size (HS) foam tray: 275 mm x 172 mm x 40 mm height
  • 12 slots with the size 54 x 41 x 30 mm height
  • CFC-free fine pored quality foam Made in Germany
  • chlorine and acid free
  • Made in Germany
  • piece density 23,0 kg/m³ (+/- 2,0)

  • Especially for Blood Bowl created foam trays.
  • Perfect bag to transport four Fantasy Football Teams, space for 64 miniatures!
  • Thanks to the high-quality foam the miniatures can safe accommodated.
  • Fine pored quality foam Made in Germany; CFC, acid- and chlorine-free!
  • Models pictured are for size comparison only. They are the personal property of Feldherr company or employees.

User questions & answers

Question: Will this case handle Shadespire figures in all three trays
Answer: We are selling the English version.
Question: Could this fit a 50mm figure like a tech priest dominus from warhammer 40k
Answer: It’s been out for a few months already. I acquired my hard copied back in September.
Question: Would this case fit warhammer 40k figures such as Sisters of Silence and sisters of battle in it
Answer: It does include a streamlined version of the Battletech combat rules. Somewhat similar but different from Alpha Strike. It works pretty well and gives a good feel of Mech combat
Question: Could this case fit fallout wasteland warfare miniatures
Answer: This is a good book to start. It’s meant to be a sort of quick start book, great for jumping in. There isn’t anything newer, though A Time of War is the current rulebook.

Catalyst Game Labs CAT35003VB Gamebook

Catalyst Game Labs

Based on 13 reviews Check latest price

Product description

BattleTech Tactical Operations: Advanced Units & Equipment - EN

  • BattleTech Tactical Operations: Advanced Units & Equipment - EN

User questions & answers

Question: Is this book a hardcover
Answer: Yes. I'm using it to store a Necron Kill Team set up. 12 warriors, 8 immortals, 2 deathmarks, 5 flayed ones, 3 scarab swarms, and some extra spaces to spare for dice, objective counters, etc.
Question: Is this book a harcover
Answer: Yes, but the larger figures will require removing separators for the proper fit

Catalyst Game Labs Battletech Technical Readout Clan Invasion

Catalyst Game Labs

Based on 33 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Technical Readout: Clan Invasion builds on Technical Readout: Succession Wars with 'Mechs previously found in Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade, Technical Readout: 3055 Upgrade, Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade, Technical Readout: 3060, and Technical Readout: 3067. This volume features some of the most common 'Mechs from the Clan Invasion and Civil War Eras, each illustrated in detail and accompanied by a description of its history, capabilities, and game stats, along with their most famous pilots.

  • Officially Licensed
  • Soft Cover
  • 191 Pages
  • 2-5 Players
  • Ages 13+

User questions & answers

Question: Does it have mech record sheets
Answer: Yes, this book is hard cover front and back.
Question: Is this the new kickstarter clan invasion expansion
Answer: It depends on the war band you would like to store. Miniatures an 32 mm base will mostly fit. 32 slots with the size 54 x 35 x 40 mm height 12 slots with the size 54 x 41 x 30 mm heigh
Question: is this a paperback book
Answer: One of the three foam trays can be used to fit larger minis by pulling out pieces of the foam for different sized minis.

Latest Reviews

View all