BattleTech: Alpha Strike – Skirmisher wargame or classic tabletop?

Updated 31. January 2025 by Sören Spieckermann

BattleTech: Alpha Strike – Skirmisher wargame or classic tabletop?

BattleTech: Alpha Strike begeistert Tabletop-Fans mit schnellen Gefechten und taktischem Gameplay. Doch wie lässt sich das Spiel einordnen? Ist es ein typisches Skirmisher-Wargame mit kleinen, präzisen Einsätzen oder gehört es zur Kategorie der klassischen armee-basierten Wargames mit groß angelegten Schlachten? In diesem Artikel beleuchte ich die Spielmechanik, Figurenanzahl und Komplexität von Alpha Strike und klären, warum es eine besondere Zwischenstellung einnimmt.

1. Classic army-based tabletop wargame

Playing field and scale

– Typically larger playing fields, often 120×180 cm or larger, to provide space for massive armies and movement.

– Scales vary greatly: from 6mm (for historical games such as Flames of War) to 28mm (for fantasy and science fiction games such as Warhammer 40,000).

Armies and units

– Players control large armies with dozens to hundreds of models.

– Figures are organized into units or regiments that act and move together.

– Each unit often represents several soldiers or tanks on the battlefield.

Game mechanics

– The focus is on large-scale tactical decisions: Positioning, movement of entire troop units, flanking attacks and massed fire.

– Strategy and logistics play a major role: how do you use resources to win the battle?

– Game rules are often more complex in order to realistically depict mass battles with many different types of troops.

Playing time and complexity

– Games usually last several hours (2 to 6 hours or more).

– The high complexity of the rules and the number of figures requires planning and patience.

Topics

– Popular themes are large epic battles in historical, fantasy or science fiction worlds.

Examples

– Warhammer Fantasy Battles (fantasy mass battles)

– Warhammer 40,000 (epic science fiction wars)

– Flames of War (historical world war battles)

2. Skirmisher wargame

Playing field and scale

– Smaller playing fields, often 60×60 cm to 90×90 cm in size.

– Scales are usually between 28mm and 32mm, as the focus is more on individual models.

Troops and units

– Players control small groups or teams (usually 5 to 15 figures).

– Each character represents an individual fighter with their own skills, equipment and statistics.

Game mechanics

– Focus on detailed, tactical battles in confined spaces.

– Actions are often more individual and based more on cover, terrain and special abilities of the units.

– Games are often mission-based (e.g. save a data point or eliminate a leader).

– The rules often emphasize dynamics, freedom of movement and reactive moves.

Playing time and complexity

– Shorter playing time: 30 minutes to a maximum of 2 hours.

– Rules tend to be simpler and more accessible, with more focus on tactics and less on army organization.

Topics

– Small, specialized missions or battles: e.g. commando operations, gang battles or reconnaissance missions.

Examples

– Kill Team (Warhammer 40k universe)

– Infinity (science fiction operations)

– Mordheim (Fantasy gang fights)

– Necromunda (gang wars in a dystopian future)

Important differences summarized

Difference in playing style

– Army wargames offer epic, strategic challenges for players who enjoy large-scale battles and long-term planning.

– Skirmisher wargames are ideal for players who prefer shorter, more dynamic games and focus on individual characters and tactical gameplay.

Both styles offer exciting gaming experiences and have their own fan base – the choice depends heavily on personal preference and the amount of time available.

Battletech Alpha Strike, Skirmisher or classic wargame?

BattleTech Alpha Strike occupies an interesting intermediate position and cannot be fully categorized as a classic army-based wargame or a pure skirmisher wargame. In order to classify it, it is worth applying the characteristics of both categories to Alpha Strike:

Features of Alpha Strike

1. Number of figures:

– A typical Alpha Strike lance or company consists of 4 (lance) to 12 mechs (inner sphere company) or units per side. Depending on the size of the game, this can be extended to larger battles.

– Alpha Strike thus tends to fall between the figure sets of a classic wargame and a skirmish game.

2. Game mechanics:

– The rules are greatly simplified compared to classic BattleTech and allow for faster games with a shift in focus from micro-detailed mech battles to tactical decisions on a strategic level.

– Terrain, cover and movement play an important role – similar to skirmisher games.

– However, the focus is also on coordinated unit management and mass movements, which introduces classic wargame elements.

3. Playing field size:

– The playing field varies and can be relatively small, which corresponds to a skirmish game, or expanded to larger playing fields reminiscent of classic wargames.

4. Complexity:

– The rules are comparatively simple and offer quick access – a characteristic of Skirmisher games.

• Alpha Strike erlaubt jedoch auch große Gefechte und viele optionale Detailregeln, die mehr Planungs- und Verwaltungsaufwand benötigen, was für ein klassisches Wargame typisch ist.

5. Themes and setting:

– The focus is on massive mech battles, which keeps Alpha Strike thematically closer to classic wargames.

Conclusion

Alpha Strike can best be described as a “hybrid” between a skirmisher and army-based wargame:

– For smaller games: It is similar to a skirmish wargame with tactical missions and a small number of figures.

– For larger games: It offers the possibility to fight classic wargame battles with many units on larger playing fields.

Depending on player preference and scenario, it can flexibly take on both roles.