Battle & Fire Lances vs. Hansen's Rough Riders: Which ForcePack?

Quick answer

Choose Battle & Fire Lances if you want a combined-arms force of tanks and carriers that can switch between offense and defense. Choose Hansen's Rough Riders Battle Lance if you prefer a compact, characterful 'Mech lance built to brawl. Neither pack is strictly better; they solve different list-building problems.

Vehicles vs. 'Mechs: the core trade-off

The Battle & Fire Lances pack is built around combat vehicles: two Manticore Heavy Tanks, two Vedette Medium Tanks, two LRM Carriers, and two SRM Carriers. That mix gives you tracked units for holding ground and missile carriers for cracking open enemy positions. The trade-off is that vehicles play differently from 'Mechs: they often have separate movement and damage rules, and you'll need to learn those if you're new to combined-arms play.

Hansen's Rough Riders Battle Lance is a pure 'Mech force: a Penetrator, Hatchetman, Enforcer, and Atlas. That means fewer models to paint and a simpler path to a playable lance, but you lose the flexibility of having both battle and fire vehicles in one box. The pack leans into a rowdy, close-in fighting style, so it rewards players who like to push forward rather than sit back and shoot.

Contents and flexibility

Battle & Fire Lances includes eight vehicles plus eight Battlefield Support Cards and eight Alpha Strike Cards. Those cards matter because they let you use the vehicles in both classic BattleTech and Alpha Strike without extra bookkeeping. The pack is effectively two lances in one: a battle lance for offensive or defensive operations, and a fire lance for missile support.

Hansen's Rough Riders gives you four 'Mechs in a single lance. The smaller model count makes it easier to transport and quicker to get on the table, but it offers less variety in unit types. If you're building a mercenary command that needs both a 'Mech lance and vehicle support, you'll eventually want both packs; the question is which one to buy first.

Price and value

At catalog prices, Battle & Fire Lances is the higher-priced pack, but it contains twice as many models and includes both Battlefield Support and Alpha Strike cards. Hansen's Rough Riders costs less upfront and gives you four iconic 'Mechs, including the Atlas. Neither price is a mistake: you're paying for different things. If your budget is tight and you want a complete lance with minimal extra rules, the Rough Riders pack is the simpler purchase. If you're ready to add vehicles and cards to your collection, the Battle & Fire Lances pack delivers more components per dollar.

Key trade-offs at a glance

• Force composition: Battle & Fire Lances gives you eight vehicles (tanks and carriers); Hansen's Rough Riders gives you four 'Mechs. Vehicles add combined-arms flexibility but require learning vehicle rules; 'Mechs are simpler to start with.
• Card support: Battle & Fire Lances includes eight Battlefield Support Cards and eight Alpha Strike Cards. Hansen's Rough Riders does not list cards in the supplied facts, so plan to use standard record sheets or your own cards for those 'Mechs. If you rely on Alpha Strike cards, the vehicle pack is the more self-contained option.
• Upfront cost vs. model count: Hansen's Rough Riders has a lower catalog price for four models; Battle & Fire Lances costs more but includes eight vehicles and cards. Decide whether you want a low-cost lance or a larger combined-arms starting point. Budget-focused buyers should start with the Rough Riders; list-builders who want vehicles should save for Battle & Fire Lances.

Product facts

• BattleTech: ForcePack: Hansen's Rough Riders Battle Lance: Includes the Penetrator, Hatchetman, Enforcer, and Atlas. Four recognizable 'Mechs give you a ready-made lance that can handle close and mid-range fights without needing vehicles.

  

• BattleTech: ForcePack: Battle & Fire Lances: Includes two Manticore Heavy Tanks, two Vedette Medium Tanks, two LRM Carriers, and two SRM Carriers, plus Battlefield Support and Alpha Strike cards. The vehicle mix and cards let you field a combined-arms force in either classic BattleTech or Alpha Strike with fewer extra purchases.

  

Which pack fits you?

Best for

• Players who want a complete 'Mech lance with minimal assembly and no vehicle rules
• Fans of mercenary units who like a rowdy, close-in fighting style
• New players looking for a lower-cost entry point into BattleTech miniatures

Not for

• Players who specifically want tanks, carriers, or combined-arms forces
• Anyone who needs Alpha Strike cards included in the box
• Buyers who prefer a larger model count for the money