Editing MechWarrior, Third Edition

{{Rules}}
{{InfoBoxProduct
| image = MechWarrior 3rd Ed cover.jpg
| name = MechWarrior (Third Edition)<br />Cover of original FASA edition
| type = Rulebook
| development = [[Bryan Nystul]] <br /> [[Randall N. Bills]]
| primarywriting = [[Bryan Nystul]]<br />[[Christoffer Trossen]]<br />[[Chris Hartford]]<br />[[Loren L. Coleman]]<br />[[Diane Piron-Gelman]]<br />[[Randall N. Bills]]<br />[[Christopher Hussey]]<br />[[Dan Grendell]]<br />[[Herbert A. Beas II]]<br />[[Michael A. Stackpole]]
| pages = 224
| cover = [[Doug Anderson]]
| illustrations = [[Tom Baxa]]<br />[[Joel Biske]]<br />[[John Bridegroom]]<br />[[Doug Chaffee]]<br />[[Les Dorscheid]]<br />[[Mark Gibbons]]<br />[[Fred Hooper]]<br />[[Scott James]]<br />[[Jeff Laubenstein]]<br />[[David Martin]]<br />[[Chris Moeller]]<br />[[Kevin McCann]]<br />[[Dave McKay]]<br />[[Jim Nelson]]<br />[[Mike Nielsen]]<br />[[Matthew Plog]]<br />[[Matt Wilson]]
| publisher = [[FASA]]
| productioncode = 1715
| year = 1999
| ISBN10 = 1555603866
| ISBN13 = 978-1555603861
| MSRP = $25.00
| era                 = [[Civil War Era]]
| timeline            = [[3062]]
| series              = [[MechWarrior (RPG)|BattleTech Role-Playing Games]]
| precededby          = [[MechWarrior, Second Edition]]
| followedby          = [[Classic BattleTech RPG]]
}}
==Description==
'''''MechWarrior, Third Edition''''' is the third incarnation of the [[MechWarrior (RPG)|MechWarrior series of role-playing games]] set in the [[BattleTech]] universe. This version is tied to the [[BattleTech]] storyline more than the previous iterations, as a character's home determines many aspects of their stats, not just their background. In addition to providing a comprehensive character creation system that builds backgrounds as well as statistics, ''MechWarrior, Third Edition'' contains a plethora of information so that players who may not be familiar with the BattleTech setting can still jump in and play. Also included is a full-color inset that is designed to give players a quick feel for each major faction.

To avoid confusion with the new (at the time) [[MechWarrior: Dark Age]] game and brand, the book was reprinted by [[FanPro]] under the title ''[[Classic BattleTech RPG]]''.
===Collector's Editions===
There is also a limited "Collector's Edition" of the ''MechWarrior, Third Edition'' rulebook with a different cover.
<gallery>
MechWarrior 3rd Ed cover LE.jpg|Collector's Edition cover
</gallery>

==From the back cover==
{{quote|''It is the 31st century. Across the vastness of interstellar space, awesome powers vie for supremacy. Amidst this swirl of unending conflict stride [[BattleMech]]s, huge robotic weapons of war piloted by elite [[MechWarrior (pilot)|MechWarrior]]s. Join the action, taking on any one of an endless variety of roles, from spy to smuggler, mercenary to MechWarrior. As a character from the [[Inner Sphere]], the [[Clans]] or the [[Periphery]], you will decide the ultimate fate of the galaxy.''

''Enter the exciting [[BattleTech]] universe in this all-new third edition of the [[MechWarrior (RPG)|MechWarrior roleplaying game]]. This book contains all the rules and source material players and Gamemasters need. Completely redesigned for faster and easier play, it features a unique character creation system that generates game abilities and background story at the same time.''}}

==Contents==
* A Time of War
* Introduction
* ''[[By the Numbers]]'' (short story)

* Game Concepts
** Character Abilities
*** Abilities
*** Skills
** Action Checks
** Rolling the Dice
** Task Resolution
** Edge

* Character Creation
** Overview
** Life Path
** Affiliations
** Stage 1: Early Childhood
** Stage 2: Late Childhood
** Stage 3: Higher Education
** Stage 4: Real Life
** Occupational Fields List
** Assigning Attributes, Traits and Skills
** Finishing Touches
*** Age
*** [[BattleMech]]/[[Combat Vehicle|Vehicle]] Assignment
*** Equipment
** Sample Characters

* Traits
* Skills
* Combat
* Equipment
* A Brief History of the [[Inner Sphere]]
* A Whistletop Tour of the Inner Sphere
* Government and Law
* Society and Culture
* The [[Clans]]
* War and Its Makers

* Running the Game
** Role of the Gamemaster
** Getting Started
** Non-Player Characters
** Rewards
** Character Advancement

==Covers==
<gallery>
MechWarrior 3rd Ed cover.jpg|Original [[FASA]] cover
MechWarrior 3rd Ed cover LE.jpg|Limited Edition cover
MechWarrior 3rd Ed cover alt.jpg|Early promotional cover (origin unknown)
</gallery>

==Notes==
* When [[FanPro]] reprinted this book, they did so as ''[[Classic BattleTech RPG]]'' to avoid confusion with [[MechWarrior: Dark Age]] and its successors.
* The trademarked title is ''MechWarrior Third Edition'', no comma.

==Expansions==
* [[LosTech: The MechWarrior Equipment Guide]]
* [[MechWarrior's Guide to Solaris VII]]
* [[MechWarrior's Guide to the Clans]]
* [[Classic BattleTech Companion]]
* [[A Guide to Covert Ops]]

[[Category:Rulebooks|MechWarrior RPG, 3rd Edition]]
[[Category:Role-Playing Games|MechWarrior RPG, 3rd Edition]]