The Second Circuit – Details, episodes & analysis

--EXPLICIT LANGUAGE WARNING ON THIS ONE, FOLKS--

Jesse and Scott are joined by Mr. Tex of Tex Talks BattleTech from the Black Pants Legion to talk Mech7 memories, BattleTech, community, and cautionary tales regarding kitchen appliances. What exactly is the BPL? What is making fan film like? Gambling on Star Heroes. Community and creators. What made Randolph P. Checkers the way he is? The Black Knight (and the Charger!) and the real world lessons within. The logistics of space war. What the Davions are really like. Machine guns and origami - and putting butter in your iron. 

Check out and support the Black Pants Legion at: https://theblackpantslegion.com/ & https://www.youtube.com/@theblackpantslegion

Dan Bruins of Star Heroes fame: https://www.artstation.com/sirdubdub

Focht's Network is affiliated with the Catalyst Demo Team and associated with Catalyst Gaming Labs, is the Events Team for Six Sides of Gaming and powered by MSI. However all opinions expressed on this show belong solely to the people expressing them and do not reflect those of any of those entities unless otherwise stated.

Come find us and all the other cool things we're doing!

Focht Hyperpulse Discord: https://discord.gg/8uNkRGM5Nu Focht's Network Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fochtsnetwork Six Sides of Gaming YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/sixsidesofgaming

Theme song 'Spacesynth' by Liborio Conti: https://www.no-copyright-music.com/

Jesse, Scott, and Avalyn talk the holidays and how they spent them, BattleTech-wise. Scott upgraded his 3D ice-river battleground. How many minis is too many, and how should we paint them? What about decals? Where would a VTOL crash, and should those rules even matter if it's fun? Why doesn't everyone love the Somerset Strikers as much as Jesse? And why isn't more BattleTech happening in full motion video? Also has anyone tried this colour-shifting paint? Oh and oops, what about The Black Knight Video? Guess we'll have to talk about that more in next week's episode with our special guest! Photos of Avalyn's colour-shifting Falcons are available on our Discord and Facebook page!

Focht's Network is affiliated with the Catalyst Demo Team and associated with Catalyst Gaming Labs, is the Events Team for Six Sides of Gaming and powered by MSI. However all opinions expressed on this show belong solely to the people expressing them and do not reflect those of any of those entities unless otherwise stated.

Come find us and all the other cool things we're doing!

Focht Hyperpulse Discord: https://discord.gg/8uNkRGM5Nu Focht's Network Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fochtsnetwork Six Sides of Gaming YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/sixsidesofgaming

Theme song 'Spacesynth' by Liborio Conti: https://www.no-copyright-music.com/

On this episode of The Second Circuit, we are joined by Focht's Network veteran and Periphery Frankenstein (the doctor, not the monster) Jo Becker from Focht's Monday Knights game at Sir Games-A-Lot in Barrie Ontario!

Jo got into BattleTech the way all good hobbyists want it to happen, he walked up to a table and was intrigued! Then discovered his spirit animal in 'Mech form and was locked in for life. The Barrie game is one of a few games being held at their store that is a major centerpiece for the 'Lakeward Periphery' area. Is the Outworlds Alliance the most normal nation in the setting? What's with their pilots? Where is the video game for that, FreeSpace or Star Fox, or Ace Combat? Jo hacks up minis to make them better, sometimes just to improve poses and sometimes for cool variants. Don't use plastic cement, and green stuff is optional! 

Check out some photos of Jo's kitbashing work on the Focht Hyperpulse Discord and the Focht's Network Facebook page, links below! 

Focht's Network is affiliated with the Catalyst Demo Team and associated with Catalyst Gaming Labs, is the Events Team for Six Sides of Gaming and powered by MSI. However all opinions expressed on this show belong solely to the people expressing them and do not reflect those of any of those entities unless otherwise stated.

Come find us and all the other cool things we're doing!

Focht Hyperpulse Discord: https://discord.gg/8uNkRGM5Nu Focht's Network Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fochtsnetwork Six Sides of Gaming YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/sixsidesofgaming

Theme song 'Spacesynth' by Liborio Conti: https://www.no-copyright-music.com/

On this episode of The Second Circuit, Jesse, Austin, and Scott are getting in to some of the specifics of what's happening at our tables.

We are cautiously optimistic about the rule changes in the playtests so far! Scott learned to love being able to shelter a side and target it besides. Jesse is concerned about what it means for focusing on the sides instead of the back. Austin is bringing some Long Tom Cannons to Alpha Strike! That means bad things for a DropShip, but DropShips are weird on the table anyway. And what's the deal with those Samurai Pizza 'Mechs coming out?

Focht's Network is affiliated with the Catalyst Demo Team and associated with Catalyst Gaming Labs, is the Events Team for Six Sides of Gaming and powered by MSI. However all opinions expressed on this show belong solely to the people expressing them and do not reflect those of any of those entities unless otherwise stated.

Come find us and all the other cool things we're doing!

Focht Hyperpulse Discord: https://discord.gg/8uNkRGM5Nu Focht's Network Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fochtsnetwork Six Sides of Gaming YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/sixsidesofgaming

Theme song 'Spacesynth' by Liborio Conti: https://www.no-copyright-music.com/

On this episode of The Second Circuit, Jesse and Austin welcome Paul Clarkson the founder and director of the Focht's Network Events Team to the show!

For obvious reasons this one is a little Focht's coded as we talk about how Focht's got started and what it's all on about. But we also touch on some of Paul's favourites including the Waco Rangers, combined arms, the Mechnificent 7, and of course: Land-Air 'Mechs. 

Focht's Network is affiliated with the Catalyst Demo Team and associated with Catalyst Gaming Labs, is the Events Team for Six Sides of Gaming and powered by MSI. However all opinions expressed on this show belong solely to the people expressing them and do not reflect those of any of those entities unless otherwise stated.

Come find us and all the other cool things we're doing!

Focht Hyperpulse Discord: https://discord.gg/8uNkRGM5Nu Focht's Network Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fochtsnetwork Six Sides of Gaming YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/sixsidesofgaming

Theme song 'Spacesynth' by Liborio Conti: https://www.no-copyright-music.com/

On this episode of The Second Circuit, Jesse and Scott have a lot to say that's for the birds.

Scott is a Taurian because the Concordat reminds him of Canada. No one else thinks much about the Periphery. The Magistracy didn't start great but it is getting better. Airplanes are a thing in BattleTech too, they have their own game but it's rough. Exterior mounted weapons add a lot of risk/reward to the game, could they also work for BattleMechs? Say what you will about Gothic but we love those minis. And we got to play with them on streaming and live on stage at GenCon!

Focht's Network is affiliated with the Catalyst Demo Team and associated with Catalyst Gaming Labs, is the Events Team for Six Sides of Gaming and powered by MSI. However all opinions expressed on this show belong solely to the people expressing them and do not reflect those of any of those entities unless otherwise stated.

Come find us and all the other cool things we're doing!

Focht Hyperpulse Discord: https://discord.gg/8uNkRGM5Nu Focht's Network Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fochtsnetwork Six Sides of Gaming YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/sixsidesofgaming

Theme song 'Spacesynth' by Liborio Conti: https://www.no-copyright-music.com/

On this episode of The Second Circuit, we have a few things to say about the factions we like, and the ones we don't. 

Austin is a Lyran, but only because that's her earliest access to melee weapons. Jesse is a FedRat because he has a boy-like wonder for chivalry in space - but also he likes rotary autocannons. Dracs are weebs, but start getting their own swords which could throw off Austin's game. Cappies have stealth armour and are space North Korea. Mariks have money, OmniMechs, and are otherwise pretty quiet? The Clans are nuts. Jade Falcons have too many bird 'mechs, Wolves have too many Wolves, Horses have tanks and also a 'Mech that is a horse which is hilarious, but come on guys. Oh and the Scorpions are out there getting high!

Focht's Network is affiliated with the Catalyst Demo Team and associated with Catalyst Gaming Labs, is the Events Team for Six Sides of Gaming and powered by MSI. However all opinions expressed on this show belong solely to the people expressing them and do not reflect those of any of those entities unless otherwise stated.

Come find us and all the other cool things we're doing!

Focht Hyperpulse Discord: https://discord.gg/8uNkRGM5Nu Focht's Network Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fochtsnetwork Six Sides of Gaming YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/sixsidesofgaming

Theme song 'Spacesynth' by Liborio Conti: https://www.no-copyright-music.com/

On this episode of The Second Circuit, we introduce ourselves as hosts so that our listeners can determine whether or not we have actually “got game.”

We talk about BattleTech, how we got into it, and what we’re doing with it now as promoters and event hosts, and why it's just so ding-dong great! Some shade is thrown in the direction of James Workshop, but in a loving and understanding way. Scott went to a barber shop that was also a friendly local game store? Jesse outs himself as the author of the stupidest scenarios. Austin doesn’t like MechWarrior 5 very much.

Focht's Network is affiliated with the Catalyst Demo Team and associated with Catalyst Gaming Labs, is the Events Team for Six Sides of Gaming and powered by MSI. However all opinions expressed on this show belong solely to the people expressing them and do not reflect those of any of those entities unless otherwise stated.

Come find us and all the other cool things we're doing!

Focht Hyperpulse Discord: https://discord.gg/8uNkRGM5Nu Focht's Network Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fochtsnetwork Six Sides of Gaming YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/sixsidesofgaming

Theme song 'Spacesynth' by Liborio Conti: https://www.no-copyright-music.com/

On this episode of The Second Circuit, Jesse, Avalyn, and Jo talk Mercenaries contracts and The Hinterlands. What is the Peacekeeper for? We each have a slightly different way of looking at our ideal BattleTech gaming experience. Hinterlands and Mercenaries rules combine to make Jo's ideal BattleTech long-term engagement. How a long-term campaign differs from quick encounters. How the contracts work. How they generate stories. Love is the most important thing. And why fight at all when you can play off both sides and make the big bucks? This is our last episode for the season but we'll be back in the New Year!

Focht's Network is affiliated with the Catalyst Demo Team and associated with Catalyst Gaming Labs, is the Events Team for Six Sides of Gaming and powered by MSI. However all opinions expressed on this show belong solely to the people expressing them and do not reflect those of any of those entities unless otherwise stated.

Come find us and all the other cool things we're doing!

Focht Hyperpulse Discord: https://discord.gg/8uNkRGM5Nu Focht's Network Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fochtsnetwork Six Sides of Gaming YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/sixsidesofgaming

Theme song 'Spacesynth' by Liborio Conti: https://www.no-copyright-music.com/

On this episode of The Second Circuit, Jesse, Scott, and Avalyn talk video game tie-ins and units you've never heard of. What's up with Tigress? Where does the influence come from? It's a little too army-porn for Star Wars. Some thoughts on Wolves of Tukayyid. Why make 'Mech games when you aren't in a 'Mech? What about an Elemental game? Kidnapping Chris Lowery. Think of the cool unique units and how they could be bosses. Discovering the Large Portal (Mobile Structure) - that's a very heavily armed door! BattleTech community, we have a challenge for you! Also Tripods would be pretty cool in a video game.

The Roving WarDoor, as discussed: https://www.sarna.net/wiki/Large_Portal_(Mobile_Structure)

Focht's Network is affiliated with the Catalyst Demo Team and associated with Catalyst Gaming Labs, is the Events Team for Six Sides of Gaming and powered by MSI. However all opinions expressed on this show belong solely to the people expressing them and do not reflect those of any of those entities unless otherwise stated.

Come find us and all the other cool things we're doing!

Focht Hyperpulse Discord: https://discord.gg/8uNkRGM5Nu Focht's Network Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fochtsnetwork Six Sides of Gaming YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/sixsidesofgaming

Theme song 'Spacesynth' by Liborio Conti: https://www.no-copyright-music.com/