From daili Mon Mar 17 18:29:49 1997
Introduction:

          The BattleTech game system takes you into the world of the 31st
century, where war has become a way of life and vast empires and tiny
factions struggle against other for control of humankind. You pilot the
ultimate suit of armor, the BattleMech(R), which stands thirty feet tall
and weighs up to 100 tons! This humanoid machine is a walking arsenal,
bristling with enough firepower to level a city. The stakes are high;
MechWarriors fight battles that can take a planet or lose an empire.
 
      Counterstrike is the first expansion for the BattleTech(R) trading
card game. Counterstrike will introduce new Mechs and Mech variants such
as the Daishi Prime, Annihilator, and Hermes, and new personalities such
as Ulric Kerensky and Adam Steiner. There will be new Mission and Command
cards that will introduce new strategies. The time for the Inner Sphere 
Counterstrike against the Clans is Now!             

Special thanks to Michael Feuell, Matt Miller, and Kurt Zech for thier
help and questions.

Questions and Answers:

> 
> >Are there going to be any new rules introduced with the new expansion?
> 
> No.
> 
> >What is the overall theme of the expansion?
> 
> The first coordinated Inner Sphere response to the Clan invasions.
> 
> >What time-line does the expansion take place in?
> 
> Same as the basic set, which is to say 3050-3052.
> 
> >How many cards will be in the expansion?
> 
> Approximately 100.
> 
> >Will it be more of the same, or will there be any fundamental changes?
> 
> There will be no fundamental changes to the game in Counterstrike.
> 
> >Will it have a black border?
> 
> Yes.
> 
> >Will there be an expansion symbol, what will it be?
> 
> A stylized "C" underneath the card text.
> 
> >What are some of the mech we might see that aren't in the premiere set?
> 
> 'Mech variants, such as the Daishi Prime, Annihilator, and Hermes.
> 
> >Will any new Universe Factions be created? (ie., Comstar, Clan Nova Cat,
> >Free Rasalhauge Republic, "Generic" Mercs, etc).?
> 
> Not yet ... but keep your eyes peeled.
> 
> >What new personalities will be created?
> 
> New personalities such as Ulrik Kerensky and Adam Steiner.
> 
> >What new missions are there?
> 
> That would be telling...
> 
> >Is anything going to be done to "restrict" some cards such that either
> >card is LEGAL to place in a particular deck, as long as the other is
> >not in the deck?  For example, Ulric Kerensky is, in my understanding,
> >in the Expansion.... as Ilkhan of the Clans.  Leo Showers is Ilkhan in
> >the initial release.  Obviously, both cards should not be able to be
> >in a single deck, since Leo is dead when Ulric becomes Ilkhan.
> 
> Nope.  The title "ilKahn of the Clans" is meaningless in game terms - it's
> actually just flavor text even though FASA insisted it be in a different
> type face - so there's no game reason to prohibit two ilKahns from being in
> play at the same time.
> 
> If there is sufficient demand, which I do not expect, then we might
> consider altering the Universe rules at some point in the future.
> 
> >Will there be new artwork for some of the standard Resources?  A fourth
> >Assembly the expansion only be available in Booster format, or will we be
> >able to buy full Starters that include the Expansions?
> 
> Counterstrike will only be sold in booster packs, which will not include
> any cards from the basic set.
> 
> >Will the Expansion Cards have a different back than the base set, or will
> >the basic Black and Red, two headed Mad Cat be retained? 
 
> The card backs will be the same as Limited and Unlimited BattleTech.
> 
> >Will any of the expansion cards be designed to make attacking the scrap
> >heap a more important goal?  Right now, it's kind of unclear what happens
> >if you attack the scrap heap, but as it stands now, only Melissa,
> >Culling, and Salvage Strike Crew are useful on restoring cards from the
> >scrapheap... is there something else that could be used?
> 
> We are aware that attacking the scrapheap is pretty pointless at this time,
> and are working on ways to make it more interesting.  However,
> Counterstrike does not address this issue.
> 

  Q: When will Counterstrike be available?
 
  A: Counterstrike is scheduled for release this April.
 
  Q: How will it be packaged?
 
  A: Counterstrike will be packaged in 15-card booster packs for $2.95
     each.
 
  Q: How many boosters in a display?
 
  A: Each booster display will contain 36 packs, for $106.20.
  

Conclusion:


      Counterstrike promises to add new dimensions to the Battletech
trading card game. So far, word from the R&D design team points to a great
expansion. Counterstrike will add new mechs, missions, and command cards
to the game. We will see new decks rise along with tournment rules to help
balance gameplay. I think we can expect to see offical tournments
sponsored by Wizards of the Coast this year as well. I also know that
players can look forward to two more expansions for Battletech later this
year.

Cheers from Battlefield,

Craig Janssen

    "Official Battletech Network Representative for Wizards of the Coast,
                                     Inc."