Introduction to BattleTech

Introduction to Battletech
Product information
Type	Rulebook Sourcebook
Development	Bryan Nystul
Primary writing	Michael A. Stackpole, and others
Pages	32
Cover Artwork	Todd Lockwood
Illustrations	Doug Anderson Mike Jackson Chris Moeller Peter Bergting Jeff Laubenstein Joel Biske Jim Nelson Mike Nielsen
Publication information
Publisher	FASA
First published	1996
Content

Introduction to Battletech was not a standalone product; instead, it was part of the completely redesigned fourth edition of the BattleTech boxed set that was released in 1996. As such, the booklet does not have its own product code, nor does it have an imprint.

The other booklets in the box were one titled Rulebook, which featured a "Credits" imprint with summary design and writing attributions for the boxed set, and a Record Sheets booklet without a cover. With the inclusion of the Introduction to BattleTech booklet, the game universe description was physically separated from the core game rules for the first time in the boxed sets. Previously, there had been only one rulebook and the universe description had been strewn in throughout the rules, or been a subsection in the rulebook. Subsequent editions would keep it separate, though the booklet was retitled to simply "Classic BattleTech Universe in the 2003 edition and then Inner Sphere at a Glance from 2007 onwards.

Contents

The booklet is divided into five sections titled Introduction, BattleTech Quick Start Rules, A Brief History of the Inner Sphere, The BattleMech, and Technical Readout.

The introduction is less than half a page, set next to the table of contents.

The Quick Start Rules take up 10 pages, and include the "First Run" training scenario. Later iterations of the boxed set would remove the Quick Start Rules from the universe book and move them to a separate booklet.

"A Brief History of the Inner Sphere" includes a presentation of the Great Houses of the Inner Sphere and their rulers as of 3049, and briefly covers minor and periphery powers and mercenaries. This chapter is attributed to Michael A. Stackpole in the (other) rulebook contained in the boxed set.

"The BattleMech" provides an in-universe description of the working principles of a BattleMech and its subsystems. It leads directly into the Technical Readout section which offers brief Technical Readout-style writeups for the 24 'Mechs featured in the box.