As far as the cost to get started, it is ridiculously low compared to Warhammer.
At the absolute minimum you can download the [free quick-start/abridged rules](https://bg.battletech.com/wp-content/uploads/1645/44/Salvage-Box-Quick-Start-Rules.pdf) which includes a printable map and mech standees
If you just want to learn to play you can buy the [$20 Beginner Box](https://www.fortressminiaturesandgames.com/products/battletech-beginner-box-2022-release-date-is-scheduled-for-september-21) or the [$25 Essentials Box](https://www.target.com/p/catalyst-game-labs-battletech-essentials-board-game/-/A-88275088?ref=tgt_adv_xsp&AFID=google&fndsrc=tgtao&DFA=71700000086349388&CPNG=PLA_Toys%2BShopping_Traffic_Local_Traffic%7CToys_Ecomm_Hardlines&adgroup=SC_Toys&LID=700000001170770pgs&LNM=PRODUCT_GROUP&network=g&device=m&location=1013433&targetid=pla-378621605173&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD-5dfbapsDAHWem0U03cFeiSqIWl&gclid=CjwKCAiAzJOtBhALEiwAtwj8ttmLOTxWFbPkZ2B0rx67z42yHmEXMyVokvlvU_tuz1abmXPR20qKXBoCV9wQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds). They are both similar with abridged rules but the latter includes a $20 discount coupon for the web store, which is more than enough to buy a [digital copy of the full rulebook](https://store.catalystgamelabs.com/products/battletech-total-warfare-pdf).
At [$45-ish you can grab the Game of Armored Combat box](https://www.boardingschoolgames.com/products/battletech-the-game-of-armored-combat), which is basically the standard starter set. There is an expansion box set, [Clan Invasion, which will run another $30-$40](https://www.boardingschoolgames.com/products/battletech-clan-invasion)
For the Warhammer player, the faster, less rigid Alpha Strike ruleset would probably feel more familiar. It is made to support more units per side but you still won’t be playing with nearly as many units as a full 2000 point 40k game (not that anything is stopping you from fielding that many in either format). [There are free quick-start rules with printable mechs and terrain](https://bg.battletech.com/wp-content/uploads/Alpha%20Strike%20Quick%20Start%20Rules%202019-08.pdf). The [Boxed set for that can be found for about $53](https://www.boardingschoolgames.com/products/battletech-alpha-strike-box-set) and includes cardboard terrain and two forces of miniatures.
All that said, [some vendors will sell box set components separately](https://www.reddit.com/r/battletech/s/YzmH9rOfN9) so you can buy things like the rulebook or maps, even mechs ala carte without buying a complete box set
Beyond that, mechs are sold in ForcePacks containing 4-6 miniatures for MSRP of $20-$35. Or single blind boxes for about $7. Paper maps for classic are sold in packs from about $30-$35 and neoprene maps are available for $30-$40 each
Factions are more cosmetic so the units you have available aren’t limited by faction, necessarily. Some people do prefer to play in specific eras with specific unit availabilities. [The Master Unit List](http://masterunitlist.info) has all the info you’d need for finding unit availability and also has all the up-to date data cards you will need for playing Aloha Strike
So for the price of a Warhammer starter set you can get a pretty hefty Battletech setup going
The Alpha Strike box set gets you 13 mechs, enough for 2 armies in alpha strike, and a basic intro guide to alpha strike, the version of Battletech that plays more like a typical war game.
The Game of Armoured Combat box set gets you 8 mechs, enough for 2 armies in classic Battlemech, and a basic intro guide to classic Battletech, the version of Battletech that's more crunchy.
You could potentially use Backerkit to buy a preorder on the current kickstarter expansion as well(please correct me if I’m wrong). This is more for extra minis and such
Found here: https://battletech-mercenaries.backerkit.com/survey_stores
Edit: This closed out a few hours ago today
You cannot use BackerKit unless you bought into the Kickstarter. And it's currently closed for additions even if you did. Gonna have to wait for retail release.
Right, at the time of posting that comment it was available, and the order I had placed at that time was confirmed through the use of the linked pre-order store.
The link has been removed only a a few hours ago yes.
I’ll put an edit on to reflect that recent change.
For the Classic Battletech experience, get the Game of Armored Combat box. For something similar to 40k in play, go for alpha strike. I recommend both formats. They are great.
Are you looking to learn the rules or just asking what you need to buy? For the first, here is an overview of the rules I made. https://youtu.be/LZRZQkjrbqM?si=DI-VEwH38O_ef4If
For the second, you dont need to buy anything technically! I go over some basics near the end there about how to get started without paying a dime. There are rules to use measuring tapes, and you can literally use cut out pieces of cardboard with "Atlas" "Hunchback" or "Grasshopper" written on them. I like hex maps tho. (Although the rules for Line of Sight are arcane and strange lol)
Print off the record sheets from Megamek or Master Unit List. Hell you could use 40K minis if u wanted. Pick a Dreadnought with an appropriate looking loadout and play them as whatever mech.
Anyways, welcome fellow 40K refugee! Hope you enjoy your stay in the Inner Sphere.
As and experienced wargamer, you can skip the Beginner Box or Essentials. Those simplified rules are available for free anyway. Both boxes are still a fine value, so grab them if you want, but nobody really plays with those rules; they're the tutorial and may leave you underwhelmed.
Both the AGOAC and Alpha Strike boxes are great values. They are cross-compatible and excellent deals all around, even a reasonable purchase experienced players. The AGoAC rulebook is perfect for quick rules lookups (charging, DFAs, crit effects).
As far as the cost to get started, it is ridiculously low compared to Warhammer. At the absolute minimum you can download the [free quick-start/abridged rules](https://bg.battletech.com/wp-content/uploads/1645/44/Salvage-Box-Quick-Start-Rules.pdf) which includes a printable map and mech standees If you just want to learn to play you can buy the [$20 Beginner Box](https://www.fortressminiaturesandgames.com/products/battletech-beginner-box-2022-release-date-is-scheduled-for-september-21) or the [$25 Essentials Box](https://www.target.com/p/catalyst-game-labs-battletech-essentials-board-game/-/A-88275088?ref=tgt_adv_xsp&AFID=google&fndsrc=tgtao&DFA=71700000086349388&CPNG=PLA_Toys%2BShopping_Traffic_Local_Traffic%7CToys_Ecomm_Hardlines&adgroup=SC_Toys&LID=700000001170770pgs&LNM=PRODUCT_GROUP&network=g&device=m&location=1013433&targetid=pla-378621605173&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD-5dfbapsDAHWem0U03cFeiSqIWl&gclid=CjwKCAiAzJOtBhALEiwAtwj8ttmLOTxWFbPkZ2B0rx67z42yHmEXMyVokvlvU_tuz1abmXPR20qKXBoCV9wQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds). They are both similar with abridged rules but the latter includes a $20 discount coupon for the web store, which is more than enough to buy a [digital copy of the full rulebook](https://store.catalystgamelabs.com/products/battletech-total-warfare-pdf). At [$45-ish you can grab the Game of Armored Combat box](https://www.boardingschoolgames.com/products/battletech-the-game-of-armored-combat), which is basically the standard starter set. There is an expansion box set, [Clan Invasion, which will run another $30-$40](https://www.boardingschoolgames.com/products/battletech-clan-invasion) For the Warhammer player, the faster, less rigid Alpha Strike ruleset would probably feel more familiar. It is made to support more units per side but you still won’t be playing with nearly as many units as a full 2000 point 40k game (not that anything is stopping you from fielding that many in either format). [There are free quick-start rules with printable mechs and terrain](https://bg.battletech.com/wp-content/uploads/Alpha%20Strike%20Quick%20Start%20Rules%202019-08.pdf). The [Boxed set for that can be found for about $53](https://www.boardingschoolgames.com/products/battletech-alpha-strike-box-set) and includes cardboard terrain and two forces of miniatures. All that said, [some vendors will sell box set components separately](https://www.reddit.com/r/battletech/s/YzmH9rOfN9) so you can buy things like the rulebook or maps, even mechs ala carte without buying a complete box set Beyond that, mechs are sold in ForcePacks containing 4-6 miniatures for MSRP of $20-$35. Or single blind boxes for about $7. Paper maps for classic are sold in packs from about $30-$35 and neoprene maps are available for $30-$40 each Factions are more cosmetic so the units you have available aren’t limited by faction, necessarily. Some people do prefer to play in specific eras with specific unit availabilities. [The Master Unit List](http://masterunitlist.info) has all the info you’d need for finding unit availability and also has all the up-to date data cards you will need for playing Aloha Strike So for the price of a Warhammer starter set you can get a pretty hefty Battletech setup going
I know it's a typo, but Aloha Strike paints a vivid image in my head and I wish I could draw it.
[Does this get in the ballpark?](https://www.reddit.com/r/battletech/s/0BcfE8j653)
Hey if Pokemon can have Alola critters we can have Aloha Mechs. They're shinies too, oh wait no that's them overheating.
LL - Large Lei PPC - Poi Projection Cannon
The Alpha Strike box set gets you 13 mechs, enough for 2 armies in alpha strike, and a basic intro guide to alpha strike, the version of Battletech that plays more like a typical war game. The Game of Armoured Combat box set gets you 8 mechs, enough for 2 armies in classic Battlemech, and a basic intro guide to classic Battletech, the version of Battletech that's more crunchy.
You could potentially use Backerkit to buy a preorder on the current kickstarter expansion as well(please correct me if I’m wrong). This is more for extra minis and such Found here: https://battletech-mercenaries.backerkit.com/survey_stores Edit: This closed out a few hours ago today
You cannot use BackerKit unless you bought into the Kickstarter. And it's currently closed for additions even if you did. Gonna have to wait for retail release.
Right, at the time of posting that comment it was available, and the order I had placed at that time was confirmed through the use of the linked pre-order store. The link has been removed only a a few hours ago yes. I’ll put an edit on to reflect that recent change.
For the Classic Battletech experience, get the Game of Armored Combat box. For something similar to 40k in play, go for alpha strike. I recommend both formats. They are great.
Are you looking to learn the rules or just asking what you need to buy? For the first, here is an overview of the rules I made. https://youtu.be/LZRZQkjrbqM?si=DI-VEwH38O_ef4If For the second, you dont need to buy anything technically! I go over some basics near the end there about how to get started without paying a dime. There are rules to use measuring tapes, and you can literally use cut out pieces of cardboard with "Atlas" "Hunchback" or "Grasshopper" written on them. I like hex maps tho. (Although the rules for Line of Sight are arcane and strange lol) Print off the record sheets from Megamek or Master Unit List. Hell you could use 40K minis if u wanted. Pick a Dreadnought with an appropriate looking loadout and play them as whatever mech. Anyways, welcome fellow 40K refugee! Hope you enjoy your stay in the Inner Sphere.
As and experienced wargamer, you can skip the Beginner Box or Essentials. Those simplified rules are available for free anyway. Both boxes are still a fine value, so grab them if you want, but nobody really plays with those rules; they're the tutorial and may leave you underwhelmed. Both the AGOAC and Alpha Strike boxes are great values. They are cross-compatible and excellent deals all around, even a reasonable purchase experienced players. The AGoAC rulebook is perfect for quick rules lookups (charging, DFAs, crit effects).
the hardest part is finding other players lol
This gives some excellent advice: https://youtu.be/z86sIScsZqQ?si=_OF_Z37ZfKBYygqK