Mechwarrior: Dark Age

About this board game

MechWarrior: Dark Age is a 2002 BattleTech wargame for 2–10 players, with games lasting about 60 minutes. It uses click-dials to bring combined-arms warfare to the table, letting players command BattleMechs, vehicles, and infantry in the struggle to conquer an opponent.

Created as WizKids Games’ continuation of the BattleTech property, the system builds on the click-dial approach used in Mage Knight, Mage Knight Dungeons, and HeroClix. The result keeps a simple, action-based system while introducing a distinct form of wargaming in the BattleTech universe.

• BattleMechs: Larger dials track their changing capabilities, while a dedicated heat dial modifies three stats as a mech performs more actions.
• Vehicles and infantry: These units use dials similar to Mage Knight figures, with additional symbols representing new game mechanics.
• Vehicle bases: Vehicles use long bases, like mounted units.

Each unit type contributes to the combined-arms design, encouraging players to use more than BattleMechs alone. Vehicles and infantry support the broader force structure, while heat gives mech operations an additional consideration as actions accumulate.

MechWarrior: Dark Age combines accessible dial-based play with the recognizable setting and forces of BattleTech. Its focus on actions, unit variety, and heat management offers a streamlined way to bring BattleTech-style warfare to the tabletop for a wide player range.