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This article discusses the board game. For an overview of the franchise, see BattleTech.

Classic BattleTech is a table-top wargame set in the fictional BattleTech universe, simulating combat between futuristic mechanized forces. Originally published by FASA Corporation, the game is now produced by FanPro under license from WizKids. The term "Classic" is used to differentiate the original board game from others variants that have derived from it, such as MechWarrior: Dark Age.

Contents 1 Gameplay 2 History 3 Publications 4 See also 5 External links

BattleTech is a turn-based, multiplayer game, typically played on a map divided into hexagonal grids with figurines or counters representing the various units. Paper record sheets provide detailed information about each unit, including its armament, armor and equipment, and are used to track damage, heat buildup, ammunition and various other data. Players use two six-side dice to determine variable results, such as whether a shot strikes its target and the location it hits.

Of the units used in the game, the most common are BattleMechs, large, semi-humanoid fighting machines controlled by human pilots. While pre-designed 'Mechs, vehicles and other military units are provided with the game, a complex system of design rules allows players to create their own custom units. This engineering facet of the game has remained enduringly popular with players and may explain BattleTech's longevity.

FASA Corporation published the first BattleTech game set in 1984, and throughout the '80s and '90s released a wide range of supplemental books and materials for the series. FASA ceased producing BattleTech in 2001 and sold the franchise to WizKids. FanPro licensed the rights from WizKids and under the new name Classic Battletech continues to release sourcebooks and supplements.

The latest iteration of the BattleTech rules is Total Warfare (2006), a streamlined compendium intended to integrate the numerous rules sets that have governed the series into a single, comprehensive volume. Total Warfare is supplemented by five other books (some pending):

• TechManual, which presents the design rules for making custom units.
• Tactical Operations
• Role Playing Game, describing how to create characters and run RPG missions
• Strategic Operations
• The Universe Book, which provides background and details on the game's fictional universe

FanPro intends these six books to be the official core rules set that will govern all gameplay within the BattleTech franchise, be it ground combat, space combat or role-playing.

• Mech Warrior, the original role-playing game
• BattleTechnology magazine (1987-1995)
• HeavyMetal design software

• Classic BattleTech

BattleTech		v • d • e
BattleTech Universe	Characters • History • Technology
The Inner Sphere	Capellan Confederation • Chaos March • ComStar • Draconis Combine • Federated Suns • Free Rasalhague Republic • Free Worlds League • Lyran Commonwealth • Mercenaries • Republic of the Sphere • St. Ives Compact • Star League • Terran Hegemony • Word of Blake
The Clans	Blood Spirit • Burrock • Cloud Cobra • Coyote • Diamond Shark • Fire Mandrill • Ghost Bear • Goliath Scorpion • Hell's Horses • Ice Hellion • Jade Falcon • Mongoose • Nova Cat • Smoke Jaguar • Snow Raven • Star Adder • Steel Viper • Widowmaker • Wolf • Wolverine
The Periphery	Bandit Kingdoms • Calderon Protectorate • Circinus Federation • Elysian Fields • Fiefdom of Randis • Filtvelt Coalition • Fronc Reaches • Greater Valkyrate • Hanseatic League • Lothian League • Magistracy of Canopus • Marian Hegemony • Mica Majority • New Belt Pirates • Niops Association • Nueva Castille • Oberon Confederation • Outworlds Alliance • Rim Worlds Republic • Taurian Concordat • Tortuga Dominions
Tabletop Games	Classic BattleTech • AeroTech • BattleForce • Battlespace • BattleTech CCG • BattleTroops • MechWarrior • MechWarrior: Dark Age • The Succession Wars