Field Manual: Lyran Alliance (Battletech)

Rating:
Summary: Lyran Alliance Field Manual
Review: A useful source of information for anyone interesed in in the Battletech world in general and the AFFC and LAAF in paticular. Definetly designed as a companion to the FedSuns manual. Information on current events in Alliance and Fedcom space is minimal, unfortunatly.

People who watched the Battletech cartoon show should check out the section on the 14th Donegal Guards for an interesting surprise.

Rating:
Summary: Lyran Alliance Field Manual
Review: A useful source of information for anyone interesed in in the Battletech world in general and the AFFC and LAAF in paticular. Definetly designed as a companion to the FedSuns manual. Information on current events in Alliance and Fedcom space is minimal, unfortunatly.

People who watched the Battletech cartoon show should check out the section on the 14th Donegal Guards for an interesting surprise.

Rating:
Summary: Lyran Blues
Review: I definitely think the Lyran Field Manual is meant to complement the Federated Suns manual. Although I had wished the book elaborated on events unfolding within the Federated Commonwealth (is there Civil War or not?) The Field Manual seems to stay clear of the ensuing turmoil, perhaps it was the intent to focus on the "technical details" of the LAAF than its role in recent events.

It would also had been better if there were some information included on the ARDC in this Manual. However, overall the book was a resourceful look into the Lyran Alliance and its future as an Inner Sphere power. Innovations in weaponry and Mech designs, as well as new ships and units show the Lyrans as a force to be reckoned with. Whether they can survive the conflict against Victor and his friends, well...it's anybody's guess.

Rating:
Summary: Lyran Blues
Review: I definitely think the Lyran Field Manual is meant to complement the Federated Suns manual. Although I had wished the book elaborated on events unfolding within the Federated Commonwealth (is there Civil War or not?) The Field Manual seems to stay clear of the ensuing turmoil, perhaps it was the intent to focus on the "technical details" of the LAAF than its role in recent events.

It would also had been better if there were some information included on the ARDC in this Manual. However, overall the book was a resourceful look into the Lyran Alliance and its future as an Inner Sphere power. Innovations in weaponry and Mech designs, as well as new ships and units show the Lyrans as a force to be reckoned with. Whether they can survive the conflict against Victor and his friends, well...it's anybody's guess.

Rating:
Summary: Great Supplement
Review: I loved this book, and the Federated Suns manual as well. I thought that the light engine and the heavy gauss rifle were logical additions to the technology of the Inner Sphere, and I wouldn't want to go up against a 'mech that had a heavy gauss, to be sure. The info on the LAAF was good as well, and the layout was excellent. Overall, a great book.

Rating:
Summary: Great Supplement
Review: I loved this book, and the Federated Suns manual as well. I thought that the light engine and the heavy gauss rifle were logical additions to the technology of the Inner Sphere, and I wouldn't want to go up against a 'mech that had a heavy gauss, to be sure. The info on the LAAF was good as well, and the layout was excellent. Overall, a great book.

Rating:
Summary: Field Manual: Lyran Alliance
Review: It was an okay effort. It does compliment the Federated Suns FM, but definitely takes the term "munch" equipment to new heights. Like its predecessor, the layout was nicely done and the image of the new BattleArmor was excellent, I was only lukewarm on the color pages...again much like its predecessor, you need to take it with a grain of salt. The much anticipated review of current IS events in the former Federated Commonwealth was scarce, leaving fans to their imaginations. SPOILER INFORMATION FOLLOWS

The Light Engine definitely has its advantages, despite being heavier than an XL model, the two crits in each torso was a great bonus. The Heavy Gauss Rifle was a boondoggle of the highest magnitude. In equipping an assault mech to carry one, it left it only questionably capable. Teh Fenrir BattleArmor is the Sloth on steroids and definitely falls short on upgrading in comparison to the Infiltrator. Take note that the Mjolnir's captain is listed as questionable. :-)

Rating:
Summary: Field Manual: Lyran Alliance
Review: It was an okay effort. It does compliment the Federated Suns FM, but definitely takes the term "munch" equipment to new heights. Like its predecessor, the layout was nicely done and the image of the new BattleArmor was excellent, I was only lukewarm on the color pages...again much like its predecessor, you need to take it with a grain of salt. The much anticipated review of current IS events in the former Federated Commonwealth was scarce, leaving fans to their imaginations. SPOILER INFORMATION FOLLOWS

The Light Engine definitely has its advantages, despite being heavier than an XL model, the two crits in each torso was a great bonus. The Heavy Gauss Rifle was a boondoggle of the highest magnitude. In equipping an assault mech to carry one, it left it only questionably capable. Teh Fenrir BattleArmor is the Sloth on steroids and definitely falls short on upgrading in comparison to the Infiltrator. Take note that the Mjolnir's captain is listed as questionable. :-)

Rating:
Summary: Well-Done, Bad Subject...
Review: The Lyran Alliance is, IMNAAHO, a carnival of traitors. Well, no, that's not true, Katherine Steiner-Davion is. But reading the Lyran Alliance book, I don't get the impression of honor, courage, and proficiency that I get from the FedSuns, Combine, or even Capellan militaries.

This is the last of the Field Manuals. As such, it follows all the various conventions, with military information, unit histories, so on, and so forth. It also includes new equipment and tech.

My impressions were fairly negative. Don't get me wrong, it was well-presented, hence the four stars. But, near as I can tell, the Lyrans, as presented by FASA, are a bunch of idiots. Their military is woefully inexperienced, comparatively, which does go with their tradition; you'd've thought they'd've learned *something* from fighting the Clans, and working with the most competent military in the Inner Sphere. The Heavy Gauss Rifle, while also in keeping with the Lyran character, is rather... cheesy, really. The Light Engine is okay, but the background proves Katherine's sheer idiocy. The Fenrir armor just looks incredibly stupid; I wonder where on earth the trooper would fit into the armor, if at all.

If you see the Federated Suns review I wrote, you'll know I really like them. I used to like the Lyran Commonwealth, too, but, now, with the plot going the way it is, not any more. I might have to start reading the novels now.

Rating:
Summary: Well-Done, Bad Subject...
Review: The Lyran Alliance is, IMNAAHO, a carnival of traitors. Well, no, that's not true, Katherine Steiner-Davion is. But reading the Lyran Alliance book, I don't get the impression of honor, courage, and proficiency that I get from the FedSuns, Combine, or even Capellan militaries.

This is the last of the Field Manuals. As such, it follows all the various conventions, with military information, unit histories, so on, and so forth. It also includes new equipment and tech.

My impressions were fairly negative. Don't get me wrong, it was well-presented, hence the four stars. But, near as I can tell, the Lyrans, as presented by FASA, are a bunch of idiots. Their military is woefully inexperienced, comparatively, which does go with their tradition; you'd've thought they'd've learned *something* from fighting the Clans, and working with the most competent military in the Inner Sphere. The Heavy Gauss Rifle, while also in keeping with the Lyran character, is rather... cheesy, really. The Light Engine is okay, but the background proves Katherine's sheer idiocy. The Fenrir armor just looks incredibly stupid; I wonder where on earth the trooper would fit into the armor, if at all.

If you see the Federated Suns review I wrote, you'll know I really like them. I used to like the Lyran Commonwealth, too, but, now, with the plot going the way it is, not any more. I might have to start reading the novels now.