how to balance a match, clan version:
-declare batchall on your opponent
-see the forces they have, proceed to flex and say you only need an inferior force to win
-if the opponent shares your superior clan mindset, keep bidding down until only one soldier with a stick is on each side.. then bid away the stick. Well bargained and done!
-if not, proceed to yell "you dare to refuse my batchall?". Go squish those dirty freebirth now!

The composition of a Lance will largely depend on it's purpose and faction.
For example: A Steiner scout lance will often consist of 4 Atlases or other 100 ton mechs. After all, a scout must survive to deliver the intel they discover and an Atlas has a good chance to survive an encounter with the enemy.

coming from 40k im really liking the fact you can actually use any mechs you want and just tweak the Pilot skill level and accuracy to fit the point value of the game.

To be honest I think one of the biggest barriers for entry (outside of product availability) is the lack of a clear and concise reference to say "To get started with the board game you next x, y and z" or "To get started with the table top war game you need a, b and c". BattleTech is its own worst enemy in many ways, and for many of those in the know it is understandable when you consider its storied history as a franchise.

Personally I think the game is relatively welcoming with rule sets that offer scalability along with the option for progression into progressively more complex/in-depth rule variants. Further to this BattleTech is a living, breathing universe unlike others I could name which remain stagnant to this day.

The best way in the early 90s that we came up with was. You get 240 tons to pick or build mechs. Inner sphere had to field 4 mechs, clan 5. The 240 tons was based on a 4 mech lance 2 at 75 tons, 1 at 55 tons and, 1 at 35 tons. We found this to make well balanced games and it kept the clan guys from rolling everyone.

For the benefit of anyone watching this years later: Master Unit List now includes a Classic BattleTech Force Builder, located in the same dropdown menu as the Alpha Strike Force Builder. Enjoy!

Sarna is the best source to date for Btech, those guys are dedicated and committed. J

I think my favorite 3025-tech lance combination to date was a Medium skirmisher lance:
Phoenix Hawk
Large Laser variant Wolverine
Griffin
Dervish
We were fast enough, durable enough, and armed enough to overpower anything lighter and escape/harass anything heavier. Our greatest threat was a similar lance.

More Tex impressions!

This is an INVALUABLE guide. I got into battletech almost 30 years ago at the tender age of 5 years old. I saw the models in my FLGS and fell in love. I grew up with MW2, MW3, MW4:Mercs, i have always been obsessed but I never touched the tabletop game until just now.

I knew what mechs I loved and this is such a great guide for how they fit together.

Holy shit that tex impression was spot on

Clan units work in a Star which is 5 mechs. Inner sphere units use 4  mechs as a lance

I played Wizkidz Mech Warrior, but was a tween, early teen when it was cancelled. I've since gotten into Star Wars X-Wing 1.0 and 2.0, as well as Star Wars Armada. Those now definitely seem like stepping stones up to this game that I've been avoiding, as I knew I would dump money into it immediately upon starting. Which I have.... no regrets as I'm eager to yet play my first game! This paired with local players has been very informative. Thank you good sir

You made a typo!
The Clan “Star” is comprised of 5 mechs not 4.

Id say a good way to make a lance is to use assualt mechs. Need a scout? Assualt mech. Heavy hitters or shooter? Assualt. Missile boats or snipers? Assualt. Yes im a fan of house steiner, how did you know

Great overview.  Back in ‘87 we chose one light, one medium, one heavy, and one assault.  That worked well.  When 1990 rolled around and the Clans came to ruin the game we stopped playing.  I kept buying the boxed sets and supplements.  Just started actually playing again recently.  Been playing the games on computer all along.  To be honest the whole Unseen thing really stopped us from coming back more than the Clans.  Project Phoenix... I was so excited when that was coming in the mail... sorry for rambling.  The reason the Clans were such a problem is people who played them didn’t want to follow the rules.  Ergo no balance.  Great video!  Liked and subscribed.

I'm totally new to Battletech (I have played just about every Mechwarrior game on PC, though :D) and this information was really helpful.
I'd love to have that spreadsheet!
The I'm making my force is that I bought a star of clan heavy mechs (one box) :P
I haven't even got the rules or anything, but that's because I'd rather have them on paper and they're kind sold out from everywhere here in Finland.

But great video!

By the way, I would also really appreciate the other video you mentioned about how to build a good lance (choosing mechs, making your lance balanced, etc.)

I've been around the game for ...ever . I have seen various comp rules .  The 50% rule is the one I like the most , where the lance or army consists of 50% med or heavy units , to depict the rarity of assault and light mechs.

I'm listening to this while working on art, at 3:25 I had to pause what I was doing because I heard Tex. Turns out you were just imitating him but you did a great job

The Steiner Scout lance: 4 Atlas mechs with heavy weapons leadout.