# Best Battletech Rules

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-battletech-rules/1033674>\
**Category:** The Game Room\
**Tags:** rpg-dnd-wargames\
**Created:** [October 8, 2026, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-battletech-rules/1033674 "2026-10-08T15:58:57Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\
**Post date:** [October 13, 2026, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-battletech-rules/1033674/21 "2026-10-13T17:42:34Z")

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> [@Hypno-Toad](#):
>
> And cargo doesn’t matter since they will be there to blow shit up.

“Smash” without “grab” does simplify the op considerably. Very much hit-and-run.

“Run” can be emphasized by the idea that the mobile defenders realize they’ve been baited and return. You want to clear the area before they come back, but hopefully only after doing enough damage to justify the mission.

Or, if the players feel saucy, I suppose they can insist on ambushing the returning defenders and trying to grab more glory. Depends how the scenario balances the forces. A light raiding force trying to assassinate heavies or worse is the makings of legend, whether legendary glorious wildly unlikely success, or legendary “tales shared in a tavern” “I can’t believe they tried that” failure.

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**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\
**Post date:** [October 13, 2026, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-battletech-rules/1033674/22 "2026-10-13T18:26:23Z")

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One thing that may change the situation is if I get a bunch of players who know the rules forwards and back versus total newbs. I may be able to run tougher missions with experienced players. And of course, they may want to run it as a mechwarrior campaign.

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**Author:** ![Hoopy\_Frood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hoopy_frood/32/8452_2.png) [@Hoopy\_Frood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hoopy_Frood)\
**Post date:** [October 14, 2026, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-battletech-rules/1033674/23 "2026-10-14T03:22:58Z")

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> [@gnoitall](#):
>
> or legendary “tales shared in a tavern” “I can’t believe they tried that” failure.

The Charge of the Light Mech Brigade

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**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\
**Post date:** [October 14, 2026, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-battletech-rules/1033674/24 "2026-10-14T15:23:15Z")

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Try the fourth one.

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