The Best Game Resources for BattleTech
BattleTech, among wargames, is fairly unique not only for its immense amount of variety in units- mechs, vehicles, aircraft, infantry and a lot more – but also for its emphasis on unit creation and modification. The TechManual is literally a whole book on how to homebrew and stat your own game–legal units.
Beyond this, BattleTech is now and has ever been super friendly to proxies: So long as you and your opponent know what a given unit on the board represents and which record sheet it is tied to, you are good to go. This is a huge boon for conversion modelers, or for folks who just want a different aesthetic for a given unit. These factors have given rise to something of a cottage industry of various manufacturers making stuff specifically for BattleTech. Or you can just as easily repurpose all sorts of other 6mm or 1:285 scale models from other lines for your BT games.
Below is a list of such model manufacturers and other purveyors of tabletop wargaming goodness, many of them my personal favorites in a given category. If you’re looking for your next favorite mech, padding your vehicle bays or just cruising for stuff to kit out your table, you are bound to find something to your taste.
NOTE: I’m not getting paid for any of these recommendations. These are just the providers I like best. Bookmark this page and check back, because I intend to add to it over time.
Mechs
Mechs are the stars of the show in BattleTech, naturally. Catalyst Game Labs has done a wonderful job revamping many of the most popular mechs in new and highly detailed (not to mention affordable) plastic, but there are hundreds and hundreds of different chassis in the game. Even moving at best speed it’s going to take them a while to get to all of them.
So whether you want old school aesthetics in classic metal, or modern multi-part resin kits suitable for kitbashing or your own custom designs, the following manufacturers are there for you.
Iron Wind Metals
The long runner in the BattleTech space, and the only other official manufacturer of units for the game. Iron Wind Metals, or popularly IWM, has the distinction of being the provider of official BattleTech minis, and also making the most designs out of any manufacturer. Most of IWM’s sculpts have a decidedly dated aesthetic and have not yet benefited from an official facelift. But some latter-day sculpts are remarkably detailed and nicely scaled, and there are metal versions of a few of the new Catalyst sculpts. Others are, let’s say, definitely products of their time.
Also, scaling is all over the place, particularly concerning earlier designs and this might be aggravating for some of us. Nonetheless, for cutting-edge 1980s cool or rare mech designs, IWM will still deliver. If you’re looking for bits for conversions or different variants, make sure you check out the Scrapyard; parts for miles!
Strato Minis Studio
Plenty of my readers will no doubt already be familiar with Strato Minis Studio. For supremely detailed resin minis, there is hardly any manufacturer that does it better. Particularly notable is the fact that they offer two different lines for your giant robot jollies: Retrobots and Hardwar. Retrobots are legally distinct but modernized versions of some of the most popular BattleTech mech designs, and ones that somehow still look like a past era’s vision of the same mechs. Very cool. Their own original Hardwar mechs run the design gamut from chunky industrial labor rigs to ultra sleek and waspy killers. Arguably a totally different vibe from BattleTech, but few players will mind and some of them are truly slick.
Great attention to detail, interchangeable parts and many options, lots to love here.
Death Ray Designs
One of my favorite manufacturers that has seemingly exploded in the past year or so, Death Ray Designs offers a wide variety of what I call “BattleTech adjacent” designs in their Solar Shift line, and their own unique multipart modular offerings under the Steel Rift lineup.
Their resin is tough, and all of their designs have a sort of unified design that gives the impression they all share similar technology. The details are definitely there, but done in a uniquely chunky and simple style, making them easy to paint well and quickly; something I have definitely grown to appreciate after tangling with a handful of hyper-detailed 3D-printed designs on my paint desk recently! For kitbashing or just slamming together serviceable stand-ins, they rock.
Metal Core Collectibles
If you love multi-part resin kits with tons of options for loadouts and posing, it is truly hard to beat Metal Core Collectibles. All of their mech designs are unique but look like they could have stepped right out of any BattleTech TRO. I know mono-pose minis are the only way to go for some folks, but I always feel like I’m getting my money’s worth when I put together a multi-part kit as slick as these.
Kids Logic
If you remember BattleTech from the wayback beforetimes, terms like unseen probably mean something to you. If that’s the case, or if you came to BattleTech by way of franchises like Robotech or Macross, you might like these mechs by Kids Logic. Completely authentic to that original aesthetic! Why BattleTech mechs share an aesthetic with those other properties is a long, long article for another day.
Hardware Studios
Hardware Studios is best known for producing deliciously detailed, intricate and impressive dropship models. One even functions as a carrying case for a lance. But they also make some really splendid mechs, including a couple of outlandish ones you’ll just have to see for yourself. Their Plaguefighter is one of my favorites.
Talon Games
Talon Games makes metal and plastic minis for CAV, another another sci-fi military game centered around making huge, bipedal warmachines feel plausible. CAV and ergo Talon has some pretty cool mechs, but the design philosophy behind most of them is noticeably different and doesn’t quite stack up to BattleTech. And all of their minis are 10mm scale which makes them noticeably too big against your usual BT minis. Nonetheless, some players like using their designs as superheavies or as parts donors for their own creations. They are definitely priced right!
Vehicles
Presently, there are precious few updated vehicle models for BattleTech available from Catalyst Game Labs, though more are coming thanks to the current Mercenaries Kickstarter. But fear not: Plenty of 3rd party manufacturers have stepped up to help fill in the gap.
Iron Wind Metals
Once again, we go with the classics. IWM makes all of the official BattleTech vehicle models at the moment. They are all metal, and many of them have plenty of charm. Regrettably, many of them are also positively ancient: many sculpts show low or basic details and have wonky scaling. In their defense, they all have that distinct BattleTech aesthetic that we all know and love. I still get plenty of vintage metal vees from them.
Khurasan Miniatures
Khurasan Miniatures is a lesser-known but really prolific manufacturer of metal wargaming miniatures, in all kinds of scales to suit any setting. Their 6mm sci-fi lineup is comparatively limited next to the rest of their frankly enormous catalog, but what they do have is perfect for BattleTech. Especially cool are the loving homages to other sci-fi properties in there.
Tanks, APCs, light armored vehicles, hovercraft and more; they’ve got it.
Strato Mini Studio
Strato Minis Studio makes a lot more than just mechs, and arguably their vehicles are even nicer. Also resin, and available in two different but complimentary lines: their own Hardwar lineup which has a broad variety of sci-fi vehicles for any purpose, from hulking super heavy main battle tanks to specialized hovering electronic warfare rigs. If you have any specific battlefield need, there is bound to be something in the Hardwar catalog for you.
But my personal favorites have come from their collaboration with Streiger Design. These are, once again, legally distinct “reimagined” versions of classic BattleTech tanks and other vehicles lovingly made with an eye for realism, scale and detail that is virtually unrivaled in the industry right now. They are awesome, and I recommend them wholeheartedly.
Death Ray Designs
DRD has their own sweet selection of vehicles under both the Solar Shift and Steel Rift lines, and I like both for different purposes. Once more, the Solar Shift line definitely caters to BattleTech proper, with suitably rugged-looking generic APCs (utilizing any motive system you could desire) along with their interpretations of some of the most popular tanks in the setting. The weapon systems on the models have a consistent aesthetic no matter what chassis they are fitted to, making identification easy at a glance. Touches like that, I appreciate. All are great options for out-of-the-box use with existing record sheets.
Their vehicles in the Steel Rift line are notable for sheer cool factor, with each of the three warring faction’s offerings having a completely distinct design aesthetic that is instantly recognizable. All of them would look right at home in BattleTech and are begging for custom sheets statted to your desires.
Metal Core Collectibles
Metal Core Collectibles also produces their own totally unique lineup of vehicles that have the same modular design philosophy as their mechs. There are variants for any conceivable purpose and all are a blast to put together. Those spare bits and conversion kits are perfect for kitbashing, too.
Brigade Models
Brigade Models is a well-known UK manufacturer of small-scale wargaming miniatures, and they have a huge and varied catalog serving various properties. If you want gritty, realistic vehicles the Hammer’s Slammers offerings are wonderful. But no matter what sort of sci-fi aesthetic you are trying to hit with your forces, they’ll have something that will do the job.
GHQ Models
Purveyors of ultra-detailed 1:285 scale metal miniatures, all of GHQ’s minis are scale models of real-world military hardware from various nations and from various eras in history. Many of these are a bit too small to scale well with the newest BattleTech miniatures, but they look pretty good next to the older metal mechs. If you need generic tanks to make several companies’ worth of Scorpions or lots of APCs, they can be a great option.
Darkest Star Games
Darkest Star Games is an underrated source of metal vehicles that are the right size for BattleTech, and priced right. Their 6mm and 15mm scale sci-fi miniatures have a decidedly retro-futuristic look. The best way I can describe it is thus: take various Cold War-era NATO and Warsaw Pact military vehicles, spruce them up with futuristic VisMod kits and maybe slap a hover hull on it, then ship it. It sounds a little wonky, but I promise it just works. Check out the Cobra MBT below and you’ll see what I mean. Surprisingly detailed, and some of my very favorites. Don’t sleep on them!
Microworld Games
Microworld Games is notable for making various 6mm scale models with hugely differing tech levels. If you want ramshackle, weaponized civilian vehicles, high-tech MBTs or delicate, insect-like gunships, there is a little something here for everybody.
Hardware Studios
Hardware Studios, as mentioned above, makes some truly wonderful vehicles to include a wide variety of tanks, aircraft, utility and construction vehicles. Even naval vessels! All are of superb quality and richly detailed.
Sage Print Labs
The first and last word for updated versions of classic BattleTech aerospace and conventional fighter designs.
Infantry
If you truly want to complete your BattleTech experience, you’ve got to get infantry on the field. I’ve got a whole post coming on that, but trust me for now. In the meantime, grab your tiny dudes from the sellers below.
Darkest Star Games
Darkest Star Games makes my absolute, hands-down favorite 6mm infantry in the form of their Federation Lift Marines: space-suited, tons of different styles, poses, weapons and even tiny little hovercar “jeeps” that are perfect for modeling motorized infantry. Outstanding details and priced right, these infantry, more than any other, have the personality I want for my valiant space pirate footsloggers. I know they will probably get obliterated on turn two, but they are going to look good before they go.
Death Ray Designs
Death Ray Designs scoring the trifecta with affordably priced packs of resin battle armor and traditional sci-fi infantry. Lots of different weapons to choose from and they even have motorized infantry offerings on ATVs and attack bikes. Their Silverback suits are one of the best battle armor buys around. They are killer, check them out.
Khurasan Miniatures
You can find Khurasan Miniatures 6mm infantry on the same page as the rest of their science fiction offerings in the same scale. Lots of good choices here, but do make sure you check out the “Exterminators” line for the upcoming Aliens-Battletech crossover of my dreams. Game over, man!
Strato Minis Studio
Strato has a unique take with their infantry offerings, selling them as tiny individual models, and also as one-piece bases complete with detailed terrain and sometimes fieldworks. Various armaments are easy to tell apart, and if you hate messing with modeling or basing these fiddly little guys these are a wonderful choice that can save your sanity.
Microworld Games
Microworld Games is a gold mine for players and modelers that want to explore the cracks and crevices of BT lore- and gameplay! Do you want traditional beast-mounted infantry cavalry riding raptor analogs into battle? How about a T-Rex carrying mech-grade weapons? They’ve got it. And that is canon, by the way: BattleTech is Lizards™. Maybe you need a rowdy band of Periphery denizens armed with improvised weapons? They can do that too.
Ironwind Metals
IWM leaves no stone unturned with their BT lineup. There are some surprisingly great infantry choices here, and many of the older sculpts still hold up pretty well, particularly the battle armor. When it comes to conventional infantry though, scaling variations can be extremely noticeable. Again, not an issue for everyone, but if possible try to get a measurement on something before you order (if you care). I particularly like the Davion and Kurita infantry 3-sprues, and their various biker infantry models.
GHQ Models
More so than their vehicles, GHQ’s metal infantry are ideal for BattleTech. Cheap, highly detailed and available in all kinds of poses and kits with all kinds of weapons. You really cannot tell an M4 from a laser rifle at this scale, can you?
Terrain
If you want to give your maps some distinction and easy readability, or put together a 3D board that will bend the senses, you’re going to need terrain.
Death Ray Designs
Death Ray Designs again offers a lot of variety, this time with terrain. From laser-cut MDF building kits to 3D-printed resin models, they offer stuff that is perfect for field bases, fortifications and a lot more.
Thunderhead Studio
Thunderhead Studio crushes it with every, single release. They offer pre-printed sets of varying complexity that will suit any budget, or STLs to print your own. Most of them are modular and designed with an eye for playability: consistent heights between levels, flat surfaces for units to rest on, the works. Excellent in every regard, get them!
Gale Force Nine
I’m putting Gale Force Nine on the list because they recently partnered with Thunderhead Studio up there to produce a line of pre-painted buildings. Yes, actually pre-painted. You might like painting as much as I do, but even my motivation wavers on terrain sometimes, especially for pieces I won’t use all the time. These are already hot sellers and with good reason. They make other great terrain lines, too.
Strato Minis Studio
Killer buildings from Strato, with a variety of styles from martian colonies to future dystopia desert cities. Lots of modularity and greebles, perfect if you want to assemble larger complexes. Their Mars Colony set was instrumental in putting together my long-running moonbase board.
Iliada Game Studio
Turkey-based maker of laser-cut MDF terrain, Iliada Game Studio has a style and a set for every conceivable purpose, and my favorite is a truly clever collection of convertible high-rise buildings that can go from “intact” to “destroyed rubble” in one second flat: perfect for city fights. All of the sets are priced right, and be sure to check out their line of 6mm vehicles too; I know the stacked MDF aesthetic isn’t for everyone, especially compared to some of the splendidly-detailed models offered by others on my big list here, but many of the designs are quite characterful and a great option for anyone who is looking to brawl on a budget. Remember: BT is proxy-friendly!
TTCombat
TTCombat makes some impressively large and intricate laser-cut MDF terrain for 28mm wargamers, but don’t write them off just yet: the universe of BattleTech is chock-full of colossal megastructures, and some of TTC’s industrial and generic sci-fi sets could work well in that regard.
Creative Juggernaut
Creative Juggernaut is helmed by such BattleTech luminaries as Brent Evans and Blaine Lee Pardoe, and is notable for producing multi-part resin kit versions of some of the newest BattleTech mech sculpts. All fine, but my favorite products of theirs are actually their bases. Standard-size hex bases pre-sculpted with badlands, desert or lunar terrain. If basing is just not your thing, or if you prefer to spend that hobby time on the units themselves, these are a big time saver and look great.
Xmarx
Another long-running producer of terrain, Xmarx produces a surprisingly good variety of terrain optimized for Battletech, from modular geodesic dome installations to conventional buildings, turrets, mech bays and more.
Mats
If you want to play with miniatures rules or just put together the most impressive board possible, you’re going to need a gaming mat.
Cigar Box Battle
My favorite boutique maker of ultra-detailed gaming mats. Oversized, most measuring about 5 feet by 7 feet. These mats are cloth, like a blanket, not neoprene like a mouse pad. Don’t let this turn you off. I was unsure at first, too, but now I’m a devout convert. The colors and details on these cloth mats are nothing short of amazing, and they fold up compact for easy transport. It also happens to be much easier to place foam slabs beneath these for elevation changes compared to a neoprene mat, and you can fold the mat in a snap to make a smaller board. Worth the money, and worth the wait: recommended!
Frontline Gaming
Frontline Gaming. You know them, you love them. They have neoprene mats in any size and any style you could possibly want.
Deep Cut Studios
Premium producers of neoprene gaming mats and related terrain, Deep Cut Studios can provide a mat for any conceivable terrain you can think of, and plenty that you can’t. Shop by scale, size, terrain type and more. They even make double-sided mats.
Game Aids
These are items that don’t really fit into any category above, but are some goodies that can make your games go a little smoother or help you and other players keep track of vital information.
Death Ray Designs
DRD’s Alpha Strike and Gaming Markers sets contain tons of tokens that are purpose-made for BattleTech, and can help you visually keep track of damage, status changes, special equipment and end-of-phase or end-of-turn rolls with colorful tokens. I know some players do not appreciate cluttering up a board with tokens and chits, but when you’re playing Classic BattleTech, with all of its deliciously nuanced crunch, these are super handy and highly attractive. Many color options for multiple players. Get some.
Litko Game Accessories
Litko offers a variety of trackers, tokens and decorative indicators specifically for BattleTech, among other games. They cover a lot of the same situations and uses as the DRD stuff above, but they also make some purely fun stuff like explosion markers, jumping unit stands, fire and smoke tokens and a lot more.
