MechWarrior: Technology of Destruction [Illustrated] [Hardcover]

Various (Author)

Book Description

Series: Mechwarrior | Publication Date: February 2004

In the battles of the 32nd century, MechWarriors and infantry alike fear the air cavalry: high-tech poly-metal helicopters that rain death and destruction as their rotors shriek in fury. Thundering across battlefields of a hundred future worlds, BattleMechs are the kings of combat in The Republic of the Sphere. Now players of MechWarrior: Dark Age can explore The Republic and its colossal war machines as never before. Richly ilustrated with beautifully rendered, computer-generated images of BattleMechas, weapons, and vehicles, Technology of Destruction takes players inside the hardware, warfare, and politics driving the conflicts spanning entire star empires. 68 pages with multiple fold-outs. Based on the MechWarrior: Dark Age collectable miniature game, this volume includes photos of game play and game figures. Also included are detailed maps, faction summaries, a new MechWarrior short story by author Randall Bills, a 'Mech size-comparison chart, technical and cutaway images, and beautiful battle-scene dioramas.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 68 pages
• Publisher: WizKids LLC (February 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1590411277
• ISBN-13: 978-1590411278
• Product Dimensions: 12.1 x 10.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #381,067 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Decent, if you can stand it, July 2, 2004

By 

P. Gus Wiening "devik" (arizona, usa) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: MechWarrior: Technology of Destruction (Hardcover)

I was told about this book by a friend, a fellow BattleTech fan. I saw it here online and decided to purchase it. While it wasn't wholly a waste of money, I was disappointed that I didn't look into the details of the book carefully enough.

While having some information about the Classic BattleTech universe that FASA created, the book is mostly about the WizKids version. I don't care for Dark Ages; I've always been perfectly happy with the classic BattleTech, and Dark Ages to me feels like a shift from gritty sci-fi to anime. Many of the faction logos look like low-budget designs that someone pounded out in a weekend, not the elegant ones from the Classic BattleTech series. Many of the 'Mechs are just cheap, lazy redesigns of Classic BattleTech 'Mechs with creative names like "Mad Cat III" or "Mongoose II," and I was surprised to learn that the Atlas now has horns growing out of it's mouth, and a glass-topped head. The Summoner (aka Thor) is even worse, as apparently now the cockpit is a soup can, and the shoulder-mounted missile pack is larger than the torso.

The images in this book are a mixed blessing. There are some awesome 3D images in it (namely the cockpit view and cutaway images near the center), but fans of Classic BattleTech will likely feel left out. The whole Dark Ages concept feels to me like a colossal raping of everything FASA did.

In short: If you're a fan of 3D anime-ish walking robots, or if you like MW: Dark Ages, buy this book. If you're a Classic BattleTech fan and don't fall into the two above categories, don't.

8 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a collectors book..., April 14, 2004

By 

"revleverage" (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: MechWarrior: Technology of Destruction (Hardcover)

This book truly lives up to its name. You basically have a collection of data on most every category of mech, infantry unit and vehicles in the Mechwarrior: DA universe. The book is primarily an eye-candy book for those Mechwarrior fans who can't get enough. The short story (involving Tamara Duke of the Stormhammer faction and Thos Cardella) is an excellent read which serves to tantalize those who have been reading the DA novels. Astute MW clixers will note that Duke and Cardella were the prizes for the DFA marquee.

A must have for avid Mechwarrior collectors. Others should be able to live without it.

8 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best BattleTech Universe book yet, March 24, 2004

By 

Shawn Smith (Barrington, New Hampshire USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: MechWarrior: Technology of Destruction (Hardcover)

This is, by far, the best BattleTech universe book I've ever read. It has great background on the Classic BattleTech universe and the MechWarrior: Dark Age universe. It also has some great computer-generated images of the new (and old) 'Mechs, vehicles, power armor, and infantry. A must for any BattleTech or MechWarrior fan.