The September Update for The Tactical Screen: MUL 2.0 Support, JSON Data Exchange, and Force Generator!

I firmly believe that a tabletop match should be decided on the battlefield—and not by spending hours painstakingly preparing lists and comparing rulebooks. That is exactly why I am constantly refining The Tactical Screento provide you with the best possible digital tool for BattleTech (Alpha Strike and Classic).

Today I rolled out another major update. The focus is on deep integration with the new Master Unit List (MUL) ecosystem, smarter force list creation with advanced filters, and a brand-new generator. I’ll show you right away what’s changed!

MUL 2.0 Validation: Does Your List Match the Lore?

Creating historically accurate formations for specific eras and factions is one of the most enjoyable aspects of our hobby. To help ensure you never make a mistake again, The Tactical Screen now automatically checks your formation against the MUL 2.0 guidelines regarding unit availability.

• Lore Check: The Force Lists view instantly verifies each unit you select in your Force List. If the unit’s availability does not match the selected era and faction, the system will trigger an alert.

• New filter feature in the “Alpha List”: You can now also filter the “Alpha List” by era and faction! This gives you a clear overview at all times of which units you can actually use for your chosen army and era.

Practical for both tabletop and tournament play: For narrative campaigns or casual games, you can of course just take note of the warnings and get started anyway. For tournament players, however, this feature offers absolute assurance that the Force is assembled in accordance with the rules.

Seamless Data Exchange: MUL 2.0 Force-JSON Import & Export

No more manual transfers to and from the MasterUnitList! The connection to the official database is now a true two-way process.

Create a Force List Using Quick Import

Do you have a Force list in the official MUL JSON format? Simply drag and drop the JSON file into the dialog for creating a Force list, or paste the content into it.

• The file is checked for format and version in a flash.
• All unit UIDs included are directly linked to the local data in the Tactical Screen.
• The set Gunnery value is automatically applied as the Alpha Strike skill and recalculates the Point Values (PV) accordingly.

Export directly from the detail view

The Force Lists you’ve refined in The Tactical Screen can be exported just as easily. Using the new button in the Force List’s detail view, you can generate a valid MUL Force JSON—including all necessary metadata—with a single click. This allows your list to be imported back into the MUL system seamlessly. You can simply import the JSON into the new MUL.

Infobox: Why JSON?

The JSON format serves as the digital bridge between The Tactical Screen and the Master Unit List. It prevents typos in stats, saves time before game night, and ensures that all data cards are based precisely on the current version of the Catalyst rules.

Double the Generator Power: Create Lists with a Single Click

Under the “My Force Lists” menu item, you now have two different ways to assemble new forces in no time:

1. The Classic Force Generator (PV/BV Focus)

If you’re in a hurry before game night or want to try out new unit combinations, the default generator will take care of it.

• Target PV/BV & Era Filter: Enter your target Point Value (PV) or BV, and select a faction and era.
• Focus on BattleMechs: BattleMechs are preselected by default to form classic lances and stars.
• Hangar Integration: Simply enable the option to include only chassis from your own hangar.
• Fine-Tuning: Precisely control the type mix and weight classes (size distribution from Light to Assault) according to your preferences.

2. The New Formation Generator (Formation Rules)

For anyone who wants to play according to the official formation rules (such as Battle Lance, Command Lance, Fire Support Lance, etc.), there is now a second Force Generator!

• Specify Formations: You select exactly the formation types you want in your unit (e.g., 1x Command Lance, 1x Battle Lance, 1x Striker Lance).
• Automatic Unit Matching: The system searches the database and automatically selects suitable units that meet the specific criteria and role requirements (e.g., Brawler, Sniper, Juggernaut) of the selected formations.
• Perfect for Synergies: With the click of a button, you’ll get rule-compliant lineups on the field, complete with the corresponding formation bonuses.
• Note: The formation generator uses only BM (BattleMech) units, unless the formation rule specifies otherwise.

Both generators save the generated list privately in your profile and open it immediately in the editor. You can regenerate it at any time!

Bottom line: More time at the gaming table, less paperwork

With this update, The Tactical Screen takes a huge step toward aligning with the official MUL standard. The automatic Lore check and the new filter options in the Alpha List save you the hassle of looking things up, while the Force Generator lets you assemble a ready-to-play, balanced squad directly from your own collection in seconds—even when you’re pressed for time.

I’m really excited to see how the new features work out for you as you prepare! Try out the Quick Import, the new filters, and the generator right away, and send me your feedback through the usual channels. What other parameters would you like to see added to the generator? Let’s drop some Mechs!

Sören Spieckermann

Ich bin Sören Spieckermann, der Kopf hinter mechstrategen. Seit Jahren faszinieren mich taktische Tabletop-Schlachten und die strategische Tiefe von Mechs. Ob schnelle Gefechte in Halo: Flashpoint oder epische Schlachten bei BattleTech Alpha Strike – hier teile ich meine Erfahrungen und Taktiken mit dir. Mein Ziel? Sowohl Einsteigern den Start zu erleichtern als auch alten Hasen neue Impulse für das nächste Match zu geben.