You get one mech to go to war in.

[=KoS= Eldragon]

Pfft. If you're going to breach the mech rule, go all out:

Leviathan




http://www.sarna.net/wiki/Leviathan_%28Battleship%29

[(TLL) Heretic]

Pfft. If you're going to breach the mech rule, go all out:

Leviathan




http://www.sarna.net/wiki/Leviathan_%28Battleship%29

Ye Gods No No Nooooo!

That's the biggest jihad era munchkin machine in the entirity of the BT, it's an ultimate wet-dream machine (and the very least plausible.....it's kind of like the US Pilgrims building a Nuclear USS Enterprise Carrier within 10years of landing in North America) the fact that it has it's own entry now in Sarna with an Incorrect TRO reference is proof that Sarna is embracing all that Dark Age Gummi-Bears out-of-nowhere vs WoBshites non-sense fully. 
Leviathan II aka "Wet-Dream Machine" ain't in the version of TRO: 3067 I have, the Leviathan Heavy Transport is listed on those Pages, and that's a well known ancient Battleship).  I personally preferred Sarna when they didn't pander to the basement dwellers, in the last year I've seen more totally embarrassing Jigad/DA non-sense creep in, month by month. 

EDIT: My rant might be understood if you realised that some of us had fun playing Aerotech 2, ships like the Levi II are like creating a new 400ton 'mech class, handing it to the latest "golden-boy" faction and getting it to fight 75tonners....Weak, weak, weak.

[=KoS= Eldragon]

Clearly my post had  the desired effect. 

[(TLL) Heretic]

Clearly my post had  the desired effect. 

Get orf my lawn.....damn kids!
*waves fists*
 

[CGB [Ancient Demise]]

Leviathan 2. Ghost Bear ftw.

But seriously, I think I would pick the Summoner G:

Alt. Config. G - This variant is most adept sniping at long range, then dashing in to finish off its foe. The long-range punch comes from an ER PPC and an ER Large Laser, each of which is capable of opening holes in an enemy's armor. To exploit those holes, the Summoner G carries six SRM-4s and a Heavy Small Laser. BV (2.0) = 2,452[2]

As for asf, the Kirghiz kills. Especially the BA carrier version. http://www.sarna.net/wiki/Kirghiz

MWLL mechs: the Timber Wolf E

[koshadows]

hehe definitely the Marauder MAD-9S! light fusion engine, no XL! at least it'll survive like a clan mech and some nice electronics!

MAD-9S - The 9S Marauder is built with a Light Fusion Engine and an Endo Steel chassis to save weight. The 9S also uses double heat sinks to handle its heat intensive weapons payload. The 9S carries two ER PPCs as its primary weapons as well as an LB-X Autocannon/10 for long-range combat. For close ranges, the 9S is equipped with two ER Medium Lasers and a Flamer. The 9S is also equipped with exceptional electronic systems including an ECM Suite and a Beagle Active Probe.[42]

[Deathbane]

Im gonna change my answer to Vulture Prime

the MWLL version

so people will be stunned and unable to move when they see me on the horizon, still alive.

While melting to death in the cockpit because it has one heatsink. 

This is why I love Clan Sea Derp.

[Ressk [CSF]]

Im gonna change my answer to Vulture Prime

the MWLL version

so people will be stunned and unable to move when they see me on the horizon, still alive.

While melting to death in the cockpit because it has one heatsink. 

This is why I love Clan Sea Derp.

we exist to provide endless derp for profit

[RabbidFerret]

So I only started playing MechWarrior during the MechWarrior 2 era. Tabletop gaming has never really been something I've ventured into either. However, a few of my friends expressed interest in Battletech.

What would be required (money investment, etc.) to get together a small game?

[(TLL) Heretic]

So I only started playing MechWarrior during the MechWarrior 2 era. Tabletop gaming has never really been something I've ventured into either. However, a few of my friends expressed interest in Battletech.

What would be required (money investment, etc.) to get together a small game?

DL this, http://megamek.info/
play alone or with friends.

No need to splash out for minis and other expensive stuff when Megamek can let you dip your toes in the water for free!

[=KoS= Eldragon]

Except Megamek does not print the rules. You can figure it out what is going on, but it might be confusing.

Or, if you're like me and just enjoy playing with physical minis and real dice with real paper and pencils....

Best way to start is the "Battletech introductory boxed set" (Google it). This has the minis, maps, and basic rules. Everything you need for a game.

The next step to get deeper into the game is the core rulebooks. Starting with "Total Warfare". This include the rules for things like battle armor, tanks, and aerospace.

[aTolyK]

Annihilator with machine gunz everywhere.
Or gauss. Or arty to not get hit (if standard rules allow that  )

[Kelmola]

Best way to start is the "Battletech introductory boxed set" (Google it). This has the minis, maps, and basic rules. Everything you need for a game.

This. €50/$50 or thereabout won't bankrupt you even if your friends don't end up liking it (even less if you pool your cash to buy one).

[RabbidFerret]

Did some Googles. Thanks guys.

[=KoS= Saber15]

Except Megamek does not print the rules. You can figure it out what is going on, but it might be confusing.

Or, if you're like me and just enjoy playing with physical minis and real dice with real paper and pencils....

Best way to start is the "Battletech introductory boxed set" (Google it). This has the minis, maps, and basic rules. Everything you need for a game.

The next step to get deeper into the game is the core rulebooks. Starting with "Total Warfare". This include the rules for things like battle armor, tanks, and aerospace.

He could just download and read the Quick Start Rules. 
http://bg.battletech.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/BattleTechQuick-Start-Rules.pdf