New England MechCon 2025

Join us aboard the historic USS Massachusetts for two days of intense BattleTech action, community events, and unforgettable memories. Whether you're a veteran MechWarrior or new to the Inner Sphere, there's something for everyone!

• Convention Highlights
• Convention Location Information
• Convention Dates
• Ticket Information
• Lodging and Travel Information
• Social Media Links
• Main Events Breakdown
• Secondary Events/Workshops Breakdown
• Convention Schedule

Event Highlights

Calling all commanders—test your mettle on the battlefield or let your brush do the talking. We are working on webpages and PDF handouts for each event that describes all the details, stay tuned and check back here soon.

• Classic BattleTech round-robin Tournament
• Alpha Strike Narrative Mega Battle
• Nautical Nights: Hunt for the Lost Cache Adventure
• Mech Bay Masterpiece Painting Competition
• Faces of the Front-lines Cosplay Contest
• Open Play Tables: Command Your Destiny
• BattleTech Lore and Panel Discussions: Unveiling the Inner Sphere
• Writing BattleTech Stories: Crafting Your Own Epic
• Megamek Workshop: Digital Warfare 101
• Grinder Table: Drop In, Blow Up, Re-spawn
• BattleTech Missions: Tactical Scenarios, On Demand
• Exclusive collectibles/Merchandise - Announcements coming, stay tuned!

Convention Location Information

The event will take place aboard the USS Massachusetts at Battleship Cove, located at 5 Water St, Fall River, MA. 02721. Experience the thrill of BattleTech in a truly unique setting!

Convention Dates

Dates: September 20th and 21st, 2025

Time: Saturday 8am to 6pm, Sunday 8am to 6pm

Ticket Information

Tickets can be purchased through the FareHarbor website operated by Battleship Cove here:FareHarbor - NEMC 2025 Tickets. Note: To begin the process of purchasing a ticket (for either day of the con) click on the green square on the calender Sep 20th.

The Battleship Cove Main website can be found at https://www.battleshipcove.org/

Here’s what to expect:

• General Admission Ticket - $35 – Access to all Battleship Cove ships, public events, games, panels, and workshops for one day of the convention.
• Nautical Nights Adventure Ticket - $100 – Includes general admission access to the convention for two days and an overnight stay in the crew racks aboard the Battleship!

Cancellation Policy:

• All payments are NON-REFUNDABLE; this is made to confirm and hold the reservation/booking for everyone at the convention.

All proceeds support the ongoing efforts of New England BattleTech League, as well as historical education and ship restoration efforts at Battleship Cove.

Lodging & Travel Info

Fall River, MA offers a range of hotels and dining options nearby. We’re working with local hotels to secure discounted room blocks for attendees – more info coming soon.

• Parking: On-site and nearby parking lots available at Battleship Cove
• Public Transit: Now accessible via the Fall River/New Bedford Commuter Rail Line! Battleship Cove is 1.4 miles, a brief 30-minute walk from Fall River Depot Station (MBTA)

Social Media Links

Stay connected with us on social media:

• Join our Discord Community
• Email Us

Main Events Breakdown

Here is a breakdown of each event. All event information is subject to change.

Classic BattleTech round-robin Tournament

Welcome to the Solaris VII Game World—a planet of steel and spectacle where legends rise and fall beneath the thunder of BattleMech feet. Inspired by the brutal duels of Solaris VII, this immersive, narrative-driven tournament invites you to step into the boots of a gladiatorial MechWarrior battling for glory, wealth, and the roar of a bloodthirsty crowd. This is not the official Solaris VII ruleset, but a thematic experience evoking the drama and danger of professional arena combat. Whether you're a green pilot looking to make a name or a grizzled veteran chasing redemption, you'll fight through a round-robin gauntlet filled with shifting rivalries, uneasy alliances, and the fickle favor of the crowd. Do you have what it takes to claw your way to the top? Or will your 'Mech be left in pieces in the arena sands?

Looking for more details? check out the event page here: Classic BattleTech Round-Robin Tournament Page

Alpha Strike Mega Battle

The Inner Sphere is aflame, and the tide of war crashes down on yet another world. Loyalties are tested, heroes are forged, and entire regiments vanish beneath the thunder of BattleMech feet. This is not a skirmish. This is war. Join us for a narrative-focused Alpha Strike MegaBattle, where players will take part in a single, massive engagement that unfolds like a chapter from a war journal. Set in the BattleTech universe and driven by story, this one-off event places players on either side of a conflict that will evolve throughout the session—objectives will shift, reinforcements will arrive (or not), and battlefield conditions may change on the fly. Each commander will control a lance or star-sized force and take part in a greater operational goal, contributing to the collective success or failure of their faction. Every move matters. Every unit lost or objective taken will shape the flow of the battle. Expect twists, mission briefs, and a fog of war that deepens the immersion. Alpha Strike's fast-paced mechanics let the action roar across the tabletop, with cinematic clashes, desperate last stands, and triumphant breakthroughs. Whether you're fielding House troops, Clan warriors, or mercenaries with flexible morals, your story becomes part of the larger tapestry. So pick a side, paint your miniatures, and prepare your war stories. Three awards will be presented to players who are voted MVP by their peers. There will be 1 MVP for each team and 1 overall MVP for the whole battle.

Looking for more details? check out the event page here: Alpha Strike Narrative Mega Battle Page

Nautical Nights: Hunt for the Lost Cache

Beneath the rusted decks and echoing corridors of the SLS Massachusetts, something stirs. A long-forgotten Star League cache—rumored to house advanced tech, prototype gear, and sealed battle data—has resurfaced in intercepted transmissions. Now, every major faction in the Inner Sphere wants a piece of it. Welcome to Nautical Nights: Hunt for the Lost Cache, a unique overnight BattleTech adventure set aboard the historic USS Massachusetts at Battleship Cove. Participants will explore the ship in small squads, following a trail of clues, coded transmissions, and mysterious artifacts left behind by a vanished expedition. Along the way, you'll piece together the cache’s location—and uncover the secrets some factions would kill to keep buried.

How it Works:

• Explore and Investigate: Navigate the ship’s real-world passageways, compartments, and decks to uncover hidden intel, mission briefings, and in-universe artifacts.
• Solve and Survive: Use your team’s wits to solve puzzles, decrypt transmissions, and outmaneuver rival factions in a race against time.
• Play as You Faction: Choose your allegiance—House, Clan, or Mercenary—and approach the hunt your own way: cooperate, deceive, or sabotage.
• Lore-Rich Experience: Every item, location, and clue ties into the BattleTech universe. Discover lost SLDF reports, covert ComStar messages, or even black box recordings from the cockpit of a doomed ‘Mech.

This is not a combat-heavy session—this is a story-driven, interactive, and exploratory experience designed to immerse you in the universe from the inside out. You’ve got one night. One ship. One shot to uncover the truth before someone else locks it away again. The cache is real—and so are the consequences. The results of the cache hunt can affect the alpha strike narrative mega battle the next day!

Mech Bay Masterpiece: Painting Competition

Across the stars, it’s not just how hard your 'Mech hits—it’s how good it looks doing it. From parade-ground polish to the battlefield grit of seasoned mercenaries, every unit tells a story in paint, decals, and detail. Welcome to the Mech Bay Masterpiece Painting Competition, where artistry meets the battlefield. Painters from every corner of the Inner Sphere and beyond are invited to showcase their skills in bringing BattleTech miniatures to life. Whether you’re a Clan traditionalist, a Davion loyalist, or a Periphery rogue, the only rule is to bring your vision to life. Prizes, glory, and bragging rights await—so fire up your airbrush, prep your decals, and roll out the red carpet for the real stars of the battlefield.

The competition is divided into three categories:

• Single Model – One pilot, one machine. A lone BattleMech, vehicle, or infantry base, painted to impress. Show off your detail work, weathering, and flair.
• Group – A cohesive force ready for deployment. A lance or star that shares a unified theme or tells a story through color and composition.
• Diorama - Tell a tale frozen in time. A custom scene featuring multiple miniatures and terrain, capturing a moment of drama, heroism, or devastation on the battlefield.

The rules for judging entries:

Overall Craftsmanship (0-10 points): Clean paint application, precision in detailing, smooth blending, highlighting, and shading, neatness of line work

Color Composition and Creativity (0-10 points): Effective use of color to convey mood or faction identity, unique or interesting color schemes, consistency in tone across the entry

Theme and Narrative (0-10 points): How well the piece reflects the BattleTech universe, conveyed story or implied action, bonus for incorporating in-universe references (unit insignia, battlefield damage etc.)

Technical Skill and Techniques (0-10 points): Use of advanced techniques (weathering, object source lighting, decals, battle damage, etc.)

Impact and Presentation (0-10 points): Overall visual punch, composition posing and visual storytelling, how well the model draws the eye or tells a story at a glance

Category-Specific Notes:

• Single Model: Focus on precision, character, and personality of the individual mech or figure. Judges will look for detail and a sense of identity in a lone warrior.
• Group: Focus on consistency of paint scheme across multiple units and cohesion in basing, color, and faction identity.
• Diorama: Focus on composition and storytelling. Judges will look at terrain, posing, and how everything works together to tell a scene.

The winner of each category will be presented with an award!

Faces of the Front-lines Cosplay Competition

Uniforms crisp, coolant lines glowing, neural helmets polished—welcome to the BattleTech Cosplay Contest, where the boldest characters in the Inner Sphere and beyond step off the page and into reality. In the BattleTech universe, image is everything. From the intimidating regalia of Clan warriors to the gritty battlefield gear of Inner Sphere MechWarriors, the look tells a story before the first PPC is fired. Whether you're a front-line lance commander, a Dropship crew chief, a ComStar adept, or a Lyran noble dripping with wealth and bravado, this is your chance to show the crowd what you're made of. Entrants will be judged on creativity, craftsmanship, accuracy, and presence—not just how well you build your outfit, but how well you become the character. All eras, factions, and interpretations are welcome, from lore-accurate uniforms to inspired takes on classic aesthetics.

Judging Criteria:

• Craftsmanship (0-25 points): The quality, construction, and detail of your costume.
• Accuracy and Lore (0-25 points): How well your look fits within the BattleTech universe.
• Creativity (0-25 points): Unique takes, mashups, or original characters that still feel authentic.
• Stage Presence (0-25 points): Confidence, character portrayal, and that extra bit of Solaris showmanship.

So suit up, step out, and strike a pose. The battlefield may make legends, but the stage makes icons.

Secondary Events/Workshops

Open Play Tables: Command Your Destiny

The battlefield is yours. Whether you're a veteran MechWarrior or a fresh recruit, the Open Play Table offers a chance to jump into a quick, no-pressure BattleTech session. With pre-set forces, flexible rules, and a variety of maps, this open-play format is all about quick, tactical gameplay and making your own mark on the battlefield. Players can drop in, pick a side, and engage in free-form skirmishes, one-on-one duels, or even team-based conflicts—all at their own pace. Want to test out a new strategy, hone your skills, or just have fun with fellow MechWarriors? The Open Play Table is your opportunity to dive in, experiment, and enjoy BattleTech without the constraints of a formal tournament.

BattleTech Lore and Panel Discussions: Unveiling the Inner Sphere

The BattleTech universe is vast, filled with complex factions, legendary warriors, and epic conflicts that have shaped the course of history. But what’s the real story behind the Mechs, the politics, and the power struggles? It’s time to dive deep into the lore. Join our BattleTech Lore & Panel Discussion and engage with passionate fans, creators, and experts as they explore the intricacies of the BattleTech universe. Whether you're new to the series or a long-time lore aficionado, this event offers something for everyone. From the rise and fall of the Star League to the shifting alliances of the Inner Sphere and the brutal conflicts of the Clans, we’ll explore the stories, characters, and key moments that define the BattleTech saga. Expect insightful panel discussions, fan-driven theories, and Q&A sessions where you can ask hard-hitting questions and debate your favorite factions, Mechs, or historical events. Come prepared to share your knowledge and discover new facets of the universe, as we dive into the rich tapestry that has captivated fans for over three decades. This is your chance to learn, share, and connect with others who live and breathe BattleTech lore. Get ready for an engaging and interactive experience that will deepen your appreciation for the story that has shaped a universe of legendary combat.

Writing BattleTech Stories: Crafting Your Own Epic

The BattleTech universe is rich with tales of war, betrayal, honor, and survival, but what’s your story? Whether it’s the inner struggles of a lone MechWarrior, the rise of a new faction, or the quiet moments between the chaos of battle, this is your chance to step into the writer’s cockpit and create your own narratives. Join us for a BattleTech Writing & Authoring Workshop, where you’ll learn the ins and outs of writing compelling stories set in the BattleTech universe. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or a first-time author, this session will provide insights into crafting narratives that fit seamlessly within the vast lore, character-driven plots, and unforgettable battles. Our panel of experienced writers and creators will guide you through world-building, character development, and the unique challenges of writing within an established universe. You’ll explore how to balance action-packed combat sequences with deep, engaging character arcs and inter-faction politics.

Megamek Workshop: Digital Warfare 101

Want to bring BattleTech to your screen? Whether you're curious about remote play or just want to automate your tabletop experience, MegaMek is your gateway to the digital battlefield—and this workshop will show you how to deploy. Join us for the MegaMek Workshop, where we'll walk you through everything you need to get up and running with this powerful, open-source BattleTech simulator. Designed for both new users and curious veterans, this hands-on session will guide you through installation, setup, networking for multi-player, and the basics of gameplay.

What We Will Cover:

• Installing Megamek on a windows pc.
• Launching and navigating the interface.
• Setting up single-player and multi-player games.
• Hosting and joining networked matches
• Customizing units and maps
• Introduction to MekHQ and campaign play (if time permits)

Bring your own laptop if you'd like to follow along— note: cell service and Wi-Fi in the Cove Cinema will be very limited or not available. Whether you're looking to play casually with friends or run an entire campaign across the stars, this workshop will equip you with the tools you need. The battlefield doesn’t end when the con does. Learn to command online and keep the war going.

Grinder Table: Drop In, Blow Up, Re-spawn

Ready to smash some ‘Mechs? The Grinder Table is fast, brutal BattleTech at its finest. Players jump in with a random 'Mech, fight until they drop, then re-spawn with something else at random. No long campaigns, no pressure—just pure, mayhem. Come and go as you please, rack up kills, and climb the ladder of destruction. Perfect for newcomers and veterans alike. No commitment—just carnage.

BattleTech Missions: Tactical Scenarios, On Demand

Step into the cockpit and take command—BattleTech Missions drops you straight into the action with fast-paced, story-driven scenarios where every decision matters. Choose a pilot, get briefed, and launch into a mission where objectives shift, enemies react, and success depends on teamwork and tactical thinking. No need to bring anything—we provide everything you need, from pre-made characters to mission briefings. Whether you're raiding a supply convoy, holding the line against overwhelming odds, or making a daring escape under fire, each mission is a self-contained adventure set in the heart of the BattleTech universe. New to the game? No problem. Quickstart rules and in-game guidance mean anyone can jump in and make an impact. Tactical challenges. Cinematic moments. Just bring your trigger finger.

Convention Schedule

Note: Event schedule and participation details are subject to change. Times may shift, and events may be added or removed as we finalize the lineup closer to the convention. Please check back for updates as the event approaches.

Saturday Schedule:

Sunday Schedule:

Legal Acknowledgments

BattleTech and all associated trademarks, logos, and intellectual property are the property of Catalyst Game Labs and/or The Topps Company, Inc. DropPoint LLC and the New England BattleTech League are unofficial, community-driven initiatives and are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Catalyst Game Labs, Topps, or any of their affiliates. This project is created by fans, for fans—with love for the BattleTech universe.