As a miniature wargamer of the extreme variety (warhammer 40k and fantasy- paint it yourself stuff) the first thing that actually brought up my attention with the game of mechwarrior outside of the two boosters and a starter of dark age that I bought, was the terrain + Unique mech that Gale Force 9 is selling. (gf9 is a supplier of wargaming supplements like magnetic bases and hobby tools- but they are also the guys who sell the MW faction dice) I was interested, and, while i could easily make some buildings nd terrain and such myself, the prepainted stuff would look better with the professionally painted (if a little assembly lined) Mechs and vehicles/infantry. Plus it would help to unoccupy my life a bit.

To put it simply, I'm new to MW. I needto know whats in these things (i can't find what mech and card is in each one- hope somebody at least knows where to look) and if they are worth buying. Its worth noting that I could use the terrain, I think my epic 40,000 scale terrain would work fine but I don't mind paying for it if it comes with a cool unique.

Also worth noting that I like the blue color scheme on the swordsworn models i pulled, and they kind of fit to a hover tank/jump jets theme. If these were of that faction I'd probably buy one.

Also, as an afterthought, how come I didn't pull any cards out off my dark age boosters? Does that come into play after Dark age was released? Whats the newest set? And how do the faction cards work? thanks.

That's a lot of questions to answer but I'll try to trim it down for you a bit...

the mechs and pilots that come with the terrain sets are as follows:
Terrain: Pilot - Mech
Reactor and Ruins: John "Boss Man" Kovaleski - Atlas "Black Bart"
City Block Set: Jason "Grim" Buyaki - Battlemaster "Buzzkill"
Manufacturing Facility: "Lizzie" Willick - Madcat MK IV "Onslaught"
Wilderness Set: Aaron "Pickle" Dill - Xanthos "Broadsides"

I've got the first three of the set and they are DEFINITELY useful... but they're a bit pricy in points... the Atlas with his pilot can repair friendly units of 2 damage, the Battlemaster can put order tokens on anything it hits (I think... been awhile since I've looked at it so can't remember), and "Lizzie" Willick, my personal favorite, in her Madcat can fire THROUGH blocking terrain

they are all Gunslingers so they can be recruited to any faction (unless they say they can't be recruited to a specific faction... but none of the GF9 mechs are restricted from any faction)

and yes cards came in Age of Destruction... Dark Age, Fire For Effect, Death From Above, Liao Incursion, Counterassault, and Falcon's Prey did not have cards... Age of Destruction onward did...

IMO the GF9 terrain is very good but I don't think it's worth the price... HOWEVER! if you think you can also use it with Epic scale 40k then I think you will get your money's worth...

hope I helped

Welcome to the game! Hover tanks aren't a Swordsworn specific unit. Just about any of the factions has hover units of some type. You should know that there aren't any more (I think) Swordsworn units being made. They've been absorbed into their parent faction, House Davion. Davion has the same foresty green color, but they've given up the blue for a sort of pale yellow. Repainting is an option for you, but you noted that you're trying to "unoccupy". Also, the House Davion Battleforce set will be coming out later this year, maybe in the first quarter. It'll have 6 Mechs in it, but they'll only be three different models; so two of each. It'll also have some pilot cards for the mechs.

If you're interested in jumpy mechs, you could check out Jade Falcons. Their colors are gunmetal and deep green (Jade, go figure). If you're more into the color, then House Steiner's colors are a royal blue and white.

I'd suggest cobbling together an army from what you have (mind you it's 600 points), don't worry about staying faction true, and find a venue and a tournament to go to. The players there will help you out with learning the rules, deciding on factions to collect, and possibly some free stuff. Also, try to find a venue that's holding an event called "War College". This is a demo where you'll get one or two free mechs and some close attention from the player base. Oh, and the newest release is called "Wolf Strike".

Well, tournaments and venues aren't an option. I live in backwater Colorado, and the nearest venue would be CO springs. I just bout the dark age packs becuse they were in sale, and I thought i'd play it with my friends.


Also, I know they aren't swordsworn specific, but I liked the theme for my swordsworn hover army. I really do like the color, but if it comes right down to it I'll adapt. I've got currently:

1 Fetanet Eryaman (U) in a Panther Mech
1 Spider mech (E)

1 SM1 Tank destroyer Vehicle (E)
2 BE701 Joust Tank Vehicles (E)

2 Hoverbike Squad Infantry (E)
2 Cavalier Battle Armor Infantry (E)
1 Hauberk Battle Armor Infantry (G)

I traded the rest f my collection I got out of these packs for a whole bunch of swordsworn, as all I had was some Infantry and 1 tank. I know I can mix factions, I read the rulebook, but I wanted to keep the theme together.

I beleive the only question I had that was left unanswered was the faction cards. I guess I had it mistaken, there is no actual 'faction' cards, just pilots and gear.

What I wnat to do is unify my little army with some kind of card or ability, so is that possible? Could I get a bonus outside of the normal Formation rules? (in other words, I know my theme helps me with formations, but is there another way to benefit from my theme?)

Also, I guess if you wanted to help my fill out my force to 600 you could. Its sitting at 416 right now.

Thanks for your help.

There are faction cards, they're called Faction Pride cards (FP for short). They give some form of ability, in keeping with your faction theme, but they're available AoD+. The SSw one gives you +1 damage, I believe. They cost 5 points per 150 point build or 10/150 if you're not playing faction pure, and can only be used on units with the faction symbol.

Thanks!! That really helped.

I had no problem buying a few singles to supplement this latest craze. So I'm going to go buy that card and maybe a few other cards.

Looking at the AoD Swordsworn models there are a few I really like that are easy to get a hold of. The DI Multi-Purpose Light VTOL - Green is really, really fast, (18 starting speed according to the unit search here at the Realms) and has improved targeting- good for harrying flanks and klling off straggling infantry. The Dasher II mech has Improved targeting and Pulse- which is nice. And I like the Zibler tank better than that non hovering one I was using.

I found an apc for my swordsworn. The unit search say it has capacity 1. Does that mean I can carry an infantry unit in it? I don't have the AOD rules yet, but am buying a starter as we speak. So just tell me what you can, cause that would be cool.

The faction card, for 20 points, Doesn't seem real helpful, but you can put the damage where you need it most which is cool. (i looked at the card at ############.com)

Thanks again.

yeah each point of capacity can be used for an infantry (1 infantry = 1 capacity point) but vehicles can only be carried in Capacity 3 transports (1 vehicle = 3 capacity points)

the Dasher II is actually a pretty good mech... I've got one myself... a little tip - try and get Mechanical Repair (for Medium mechs) to put on it... as it makes an EXCELLENT repair unit... 10 speed makes it so it can move around the battlefield quickly... a 9 attack means it's pretty capable of repairing a unit on its own but its Improved Targetting means it's rather unlikely you'll NOT be able to repair a unit... plus its got Decoy, so its harder to hit... and then of course the thing it's got over any units made specifically for repair: it's got an attack (3 damage pulse at a 10" range is pretty good)

a couple other units to look out for:
the M1 Marksman from Dark Age (a friend of mine has a couple of these and they are pretty deadly)
JESII Missile Carrier (try facing 5 of these at once and then look me in the eye and tell me they aren't insane)
Fenrir Battle Armor (can't remember which set it's from but it's from that model's first run... all Fenrir battle armor are useful)

I'm not a SSw player so those are really the only ones I can tell you

Hmm...If you want the +1 damage faction pride...I'd recommend the DOM Davion card over the SSw version. This gives access to both Davion and Swordsworn units to use it.

There's also the Vanguard faction pride where you can gain an extra order after giving a 'Mech an order (I think it also requires a die roll).

Then there's the Firepower version (I think it also includes the SSw too, but I'd have to check) where you can reroll one die per turn.

So...you have pretty good options for the SSw/Davion in faction prides.

Oh...if you need a 'Mech with L-repair...hunt down a Davion Havoc or a Gambit (or any half-decent light)...this can give you good speed and repair utility.

There's also the Davion re-roll faction Pride that works for both Davion and Swordsworn that effectively gives you IT on any one of your units that turn when making a ranged combat attack.

In case you don't know, Swordsworn (blue and green) has been absorbed into their larger parent faction, House Davion (green and white). I believe Firepower was the last set to have any SS units, if not AoD. Most House Davion faction pride cards include Swordsworn.

Check out the WK 'how to play' section to download the AoD rulebook, rules inserts from Firepower on (includes rules for Mission cards, purple SEs, and RISC gear), and the latest FAQ.

BTW, I am a big BIG fan of the SS MiningMech MkII. It was in Falcon's Prey, and you should be able to get singles of it pretty cheap. It's a melee-only Mech, but it's the only Mech sculpt to include a capacity rating (it can carry two infantry). It's slow, but it can pack a ferocious punch and has an incredible heat dial. It's always funny to see someone laughing at your little yellow dumpMech until it smacks their Mech for 8 damage.

2 things, E-mouse...

The other people have already said that House Davion absorbed the swordsworn. I'm just saying. Thanks anyway. I think that if I was to stop playing swordsworn, then I would try a new faction out alltogether. I just like the look of the pieces I pulled. Probably do something like bannsons raiders because I don't like the whole nobles trying to get back into power thing.

The Unit search here at MWRealms doesn't list the mining mech mark II as having transport capacity. Where is it marked on the model? In the search, its either Vent rating or transprot capacity. So I need to know, is it the one with 3 primary dmg + 1 from brawling and rapid strike? It has great stats for attack and defense, especially for its points cost, but its so slow that it becomes a situational piece, only able to get to the enemy if they are also slow. Correct me if I am wrong, i DID just start. I've just been playing other game for a long time. However, I am a strong advocate of 'no playing piece can go to waste' i.e. something useful can be found in every unit. I think thats more true to things like M:tG, tho.

I was looking to use a bunch of really fast things and make a light 'raiding' force, able to strike fast an d hard, but not exactly sturdy. Hence the Vtols and Ziblers, plus the Spider mech I already own. (i like flamers- i'm getting a few salamander battle armors-more Jump Jets!) I know that Jump Jets and hover tanks aren't exactly the most useful speed abilities but I like them. Again, coolness factor. And If you can't play with what you like then why play at all?

I think I need to find a new faction. Any oothers that aren't just squabbling noble houses? Maybe a noble house that is a little more 'noble'? I've never play the battle tech video game, so maybe you guys can help? Thanks, you are all helpful.

Oh yes and I just bought the first Faction pride card we mentioned, as well as all that other stuff. i have an age of destruction starter coming in.

If you don't like the "squabbling noble houses" you should try some playing one of the Clan factions or Bannson'sRaiders. Bannson's Raiders are great for players starting out because they have some good uniques and excellent commons and they can always be repaired.
The Clans have more specialized stats. The Jade Falcons, who are one of the more "bad-guy" clans, are excellent at DFA attacks and their older pieces have some good abilities and their uniques have 4 vent. Also, lots of Falcon's Prey boosters can be found for relatively cheap as it is an older set, but contains alot of useful pieces (lots of good artillery)
The Wolves have dials that can take one or two clicks of damage and become even better (gaining Armor Piercing/extra damage). The Wolf Hunters have similar dials but are mercenaries and can go with any faction in a army.
The Rasalhague Dominion have defenses that fall slowly, but attacks and damage rising slowly and peak right before reaching salvage. They are a harder faction to play, and in the fiction, they are acting somewhat like a peacekeeping force.
Clan Nova Cat uses alot of energy weapons and has really good range, and are the only clan to be allied with a noble house, House Kurita, which means you can use Kurita/DragonsFury units in your armies as well.
And, if you can find older sets, the Highlanders have very high defense and lots of armor, but low attacks. They are another "good guy" faction in the game.

Plus the Republic of the Sphere who 'absorbed' the Highlanders

the Republic, as you most likely already know, is the body that most of the fighting is taking place in. The Republic of the Sphere faction represents all of the planetary militia and peacekeeping forces of the Republic... though I don't exactly know their ups and downs... someone else will have to explain that

Thanks a lot! I think i've learned enough, 'cept maybe a link or two to sites that post Battle tech fiction (would be easier if I could just get in there and read simple backstory for each faction and leave the fiction for later once I pick something). We should be drawing this to a close.

I think I like Clan Jade falcon. I also think the nova cats' range suits me. But heres a question- what factions come in the AoD Starter? thanks

Try this one http://forums.classicbattletech.com/index.php