- AeroTech
infobox wargame
title = AeroTech
image_link =
image_caption = Front cover of "AeroTech"
designer =Jordan Weisman L. Ross Babcock III
publisher =FASA (1984-2001)
FanPro LLC (2001-2006)Catalyst Game Labs (2006-present)
years = 1986 to present
players = 2+
ages = 12+
setup_time = 5 - 30 minutes
playing_time = No exact time
random_chance = Dice rolling
skills =Tactical ,Arithmetic
bggid = 8196
web = [http://www.classicbattletech.com/index.php www.ClassicBattleTech.com]"AeroTech" is a
FASA wargame set in theBattleTech universe. It simulates combat between AeroSpace fighters, troop-carrying DropShips, delicate interstellarJumpShip and interstellar WarShips. The name "Aerotech" defines space/air elements of Battletech universe. There have been 5 revisions of these rules.Aerotech
Aerotech first rule set was simply known as Aerotech and later referred to as Aerotech 1 or AT1.The rule set introduced Aerospace Fighters (Space/air capable fighter craft), dropships and jumpships.
Some dropships, aircraft & aerospace fighters individual information was listed in out-print books - "Technical Readout: 2750", "Technical Readout: 3025", "Technical Readout: 3026" & "Dropships and Jumpships" (Battletech) by Clare Hess (Paperback - April 1988). Explanded AT1 rules also included in Roleplaying Guide book Mechwarrior 1st edition. Due to balance problems, AT1 was replaced by a edition known as
Battlespace .BattleSpace
BattleSpace is the 2nd edition to Battletech Air/space rules. This rule set introduced prinicple rules for Warships to the game. It came in like large introduction boxes like Aerotech 1 & extentive history book of the universe up to 3057. Due rule changes, some aircraft/aerospace craft abilities were altered to point of being being rendered useless for game play.Suppliment book information book was printed for individual vehicles used in the game. Out-print "Technical Readout: 3057".
AeroTech2
Third edition of the Aerospace rules, based on "BattleSpace" rules.The game incredibly fast and very straight forward in game play. With fewer rules to slow down game play as is with more other complicated space games.
Additional new units were introduced to the games including new Warships, Aerospace fighters, and dropships were listed in "Technical Readout: 3067" & "Technical Readout: 3026 Revised".
Aerotech2 (or AT2) however was one the last rules sets
FASA Corporation had published before closing in 2001.Aerotech2 Revised
Forth edition of the Aerospace rules, clear up problems encountered in original AeroTech2 rule book. Additionly the book expanded to also included, new art, mini technical readout for various aerospace fighters, and the color schemes of faction's navies who have Warships. These pictures were full color pictures of metal miniatures of Warships.
AeroTech2 Revised or better known as AT2R, was launched to large world wide event in 2003.
The Leviathen II Heavy Battleship (Warship) was introduced as part of re-launched of the rules being published by new license owners
FanPro . This was exclusive prize for winner of a AT2R launch event.Sadly, a turn of events accrued on the same day as the launched of the AT2R event.
On
February 1 ,2003 , "Columbia" disintegrated during re-entry overTexas , on its 28th mission, killing all seven crew members. This lead to re-scheduling the game-event at some locations and some points, there was out right emotional responsed to weapons in space by some fans due to Columbia disaster.The AT2R rules introduced "Fighter Squadron" rules, to allow small fighters to be able take on more powerful units in the game. Such as "Warships", "Space Stations", and "Dropships".
The Squadron rules had proved to be slightly too over powering and incredibly tough. Also, Dropships, 2nd biggest category ships of the Aerospace game, became highly vulnerable to both Fighter Squadrons and Warships.
The suppliment book listing individual ships of the game was revised and additional "lost" warships were introduced to the game. The book was renamed - "Technical Readout: 3057 Revised".
Total Warfare
Forth edition of the Aerospace rules, "Aerotech 2R" (Revised)" was re-organized when Battletech relaunched itself in 2006.
The fifth version of the play & construction rules for Aerospace units of Battletech in new rule set series named "Total Warfare". The playing/construction rules are now being broken up into two sets of rules: Tournment and NonTournment.
Tournment play rules cover from small craft, fighters, and dropships are placed in the Tournment rules sets for play : Total Warfare and construction in "TechManual".
Non-Tournment rules cover larger units or formations: Fighter Squadrons, Jumpships, Warships, and Space Stations. These rules are found in "Strategic Operations". These enhancements will be added so to be able to intergrate with
BattleForce rules set to beable operate large formation(s) of Aerospace units including larger units with the ground assets.New units and historical were added & reprinted in 2008's "Technical Readout: 3075".
Note
2008 Developments for Aerotech can be read in Classic Battletech.com's - Developer's Blog or ("BattleBlog") for 23 May, 2008 for "Tactical Operations" Rulebook. The Blog entry by
CBT game developer & author Randall Bills further down talks about early layout of "Strategic Operations". It mentions on how Aerospace rules & units intergration into these "Strategic Ops" rules set. Also, he mentions how they possibly will work in a newly proposed rulebook name "Interstellar Operations".External links
*
* [http://www.classicbattletech.com/ Classic BattleTech]
* [http://www.classicbattletech.com/index.php?action=blog&blog=BattleBlog/ Classic Battletech Developer's Blog]
* [http://www.chaosmarch.com/ Chaos March BattleTech Archive - Fan Supported Battlemech & other vehicle lists]
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