Hey guys, MEEKER here filling in for MBG, with my first post about a hot new game called MERCS! For those of you not it the know, MERCS is an incredible new tabletop miniature system. Games are action packed and can easily be completed in about 30 minutes. It’s an easy system to learn, set in a near future where countries have been replaced with corporations. Besides being a lot of fun the game is easy on the wallet. Currently the largest format consists of two five man squads engaging on a 2′ x 3′ table. Besides being gorgeous (I mean just look at that concept art), everything you need can be had for less than $100. What’s not to love? I’ll start my MERCS series of reviews by looking at the core of all games: the rulebook.
(I’ve rate the game with MBG’s system of “Spikeys” instead of “Stars”)
Content:
The new MERC rulebook may only be 176 pages but they sure do put them to good use. There are the core rules, a section for advanced rules (which add surprising depth and make the game very dynamic), and a section for scenarios.
For anyone that is familiar with tabletop gaming, the rules are incredibly easy to read through. The order in which things are explained may be a little weird but everything is there and explained well. The odd thing is that the rules really don’t take up that much space even though they are thoroughly fleshed out with diagrams and examples- A hefty chunk of the rulebook is simply fluffy goodness.
The first 18 pages or so simply cover the history of the MERCS world and include a decent short story. For those that remember the older GW codexes and army books, the MERCS rulebook is very similar and that a good thing. From timelines, to mini stories, to bios for every figure, there is plenty of background to immerse you in a corporate run world.
9/10 Spikeys: The amount of fluff in the book is simply amazing and easily equals the rules for the new innovative system.
A typical Assault Trooper for the USCR
Quality:
The rulebook is printed on 157 GSM matte art paper. This is solid stuff here. Every page feels smooth in the hand and doesn’t feel like you’re going to rip it if you turn the page too quickly. The entire book is in full color. The artwork that litters the pages is a blast to look at, full of character and color. I constantly found myself glancing from the rules to the artwork and then completely forgetting what I had just read. Bravo. The only things somewhat lacking are some of the example pictures. A few of these pictures could have been a little crisper looking but that’s more of my personal preference and not really a flaw in the quality. On top of everything else, the rulebook is a hardcover! The book simply bleeds quality.
10/10 Spikeys: There is simply nothing bad about the book. Hardcover, full color, and high grade material makes for a solid product.
Value:
The rulebook’s retail price is $34.99. All things considered, that’s a bargain. Whether you compare it to GW’s mainstream core systems like Warhammer 40,000 (retail $57.75) or Warhammer Fantasy (retail $74.25), or Privateer Press’s Warmachine and Hordes (retail $29.99 each) it becomes clear that the new MERCS rulebook is a steal.
A CCC Incinerator
The deal is even further sweetened when you realize there are no additional books that need to be purchased. With both GW and PP, gamers end up shelling out another $30-35 for an army/group specific book.
On the downside, you have to spend $7.99 on corporate specific stat cards which also double as movement templates. This is the only part of the package that is lacking. The appropriate stats could have been included in the rulebook’s bio section and a generic blank template could have been in the reference section. Because the stats aren’t in the book, you have to buy the stat cards first or gamble and go straight for the figures. If MERCS took a hint from Wyrd miniatures and put each stat card in the appropriate blister, MERCS would be well ahead of anyone else.
9/10 Spikeys: Despite not having the stats, the price is incredibly low for such a high grade product. Including the stats would have easily boosted this up to a 10.
Closing Remarks:
The MERCS rulebook is a deal that is almost too good to pass up. I highly recommend picking up this book or at least giving it a look through. You can get everything you need for the game for $90-$100. In the gaming world, very little comes close to such an amazing deal and the rulebook is a perfect place to start. An Awesome game, that’s also affordable? Almost too good to be true huh? -MBG
Hey guys, MEEKER here filling in for MBG, with my first post about a hot new game called MERCS! For those of you not it the know, MERCS is an incredible new tabletop miniature system. Games are action packed and can easily be completed in about 30 minutes. It’s an easy system to learn, set in a near future where countries have been replaced with corporations. 
