MechWarrior: Dark Age Collectable Miniatures Game

MechWarrior: Dark Age (now in its second major expansion, Age of Destruction) is a tabletop wargame by WizKids based on the BattleTech universe, that uses the Clix system. The miniatures are pre-painted models of infantry squads, vehicles, and BattleMechs.

The game may be purchased in booster packs (similar to Magic: The Gathering), but there are ways of acquiring particular pieces without spending large quantities of money on packs. Trade is the most common option, followed by purchases on eBay. There are units that you can only acquire through trade or send-aways, such as the Battleforces and the Designer Series Mechs and pilots.

There are several factions to collect, and many are interconnected by alliances and other relations. The following are the factions:

• The Republic of the Sphere
• Northwind Highlanders
• Bannson's Raiders
• Dragon's Fury
• Swordsworn
• Stormhammers
• Steel Wolves
• Spirit Cats
• Clan Sea Fox
• Clan Nova Cat
• Clan Jade Falcon
• House Liao
• House Steiner
• House Kurita
• House Davion
• Rasalhague Dominion
• Wolf Hunters
• Clan Wolf
• ComStar

Over time, these factions have acquired their own particular style of play. For example, the repairability of the Bannson's Raiders units lend themselves to quick strikes followed by a retreat.

Three factions (House Liao, Clan Jade Falcon, and Clan Sea Fox) have inherent abilities not stated on their figures. Examples of these abilities include improved damage to elite or novice enemies, better targeting through forests, improved jumping attacks, or gaining the ability to deprive an enemy player of an order. This concept has been extended in later expansions by the addition of faction pride cards and special pilot abilities. Starting in January 2006, the factions abilities for House Liao, Clan Jade Falcon, and Clan Sea Fox were replaced with faction pride cards.

One of the most interesting aspects of MechWarrior: Dark Age is its relation to the Classic BattleTech game. In the first expansions of the game, Wizkids tried to make MW:DA a simplified version of BattleTech, with many of the 'Mechs capable of being easily converted to their pen and paper BattleTech equivalents. With the release of Age of Destruction, though, Wizkids, starting developing new 'Mechs no longer based in the Classic Battletech conception of a 'Mech. For example, while the Shen Yi of older expansions had a card that assisted in translating it into a Classic Battletech 'Mech, the new Shiro is not strictly compatible as a Classic BattleTech 'Mech. While many fans of the game applaud the creativity Wizkids has in making 'Mechs outside the box, a fair number of fans are very dissatisfied with departure from the traditional rules regarding 'Mech design.

MechWarrior: Age of Destruction introduced new rules and new mechanics to the game, most notably the pilots and gear. These cards are included with the booster packs, and improve any 'Mech they are attached to. This has also introduced Gunslingers, mercenary pilots with preferred 'Mechs that can be "recruited" to all, or most, factions. They have become common prizes at sanctioned tournaments.

As of MechWarrior: Age of Destruction, many of the older factions have been absorbed into their larger Houses or Clans. For example, the Swordsworn were absorbed by House Davion, while Bannson's Raiders may be absorbed by House Liao, though leader Jacob Bannson's fate will be decided by players in an upcoming storyline event. It is still uncertain whether the Steel Wolves will be absorbed by Clan Wolf (although, as of the Vanguard expansion, it is extremely likely).

The Wolf Hunters were a part of the Steel Wolves that have broken away from the Steel Wolves and Clan Wolf. Led by former Steel Wolf Galaxy Commander Anastasia Kerensky, they have become a mercenary unit.

Novels

The MechWarrior: Dark Age game also has associated fiction set in the Dark Age era of the Battletech universe. Below is a list of titles that have been released with novel #30 being the last of this current line:

1. Ghost War, Michael A. Stackpole
2. A Call to Arms, Loren L. Coleman
3. Ruins of Power, Robert E. Vardeman
4. A Silence in the Heavens, Martin Delrio (Book One of The Proving Grounds trilogy)
5. Truth and Shadows, Martin Delrio (Book Two of The Proving Grounds trilogy)
6. Service for the Dead, Martin Delrio (Book Three of The Proving Grounds trilogy)
7. By Temptations and By War, Loren L. Coleman
8. Fortress of Lies, J. Steven York
9. Patriot's Stand, Mike Moscoe
10. Flight of the Falcon, Victor Milan
11. Blood of the Isle, Loren L. Coleman
12. Hunters of the Deep, Randall N. Bills
13. The Scorpion Jar, Jason M. Hardy
14. Target of Opportunity, Blaine Lee Pardoe
15. Sword of Sedition, Loren L. Coleman
16. Daughter of the Dragon, Ilsa J. Bick
17. Heretic's Faith, Randall N. Bills
18. Fortress Republic, Loren L. Coleman
19. Blood Avatar, Ilsa J. Bick
20. Trial by Chaos, J. Steven York
21. Principles of Desolation, Jason M. Hardy and Randall N. Bills
22. Wolf Hunters, Kevin Killiany
23. Surrender Your Dreams, Blaine Lee Pardoe
24. Dragon Rising, Ilsa J. Bick
25. Masters of War, Michael A. Stackpole
26. A Rending of Falcons, Victor Milan
27. Pandora's Gambit, Randall N. Bills
28. Fire at Will, Blaine Lee Pardoe
29. The Last Charge, Jason M. Hardy
30. To Ride the Chimera, Kevin Killiany
31. A Bonfire of Worlds, Steven Mohan Jr.