MechWarrior Dark Age Starter Set (2002 WizKids First Run)

In August 2002, WizKids Games launched MechWarrior: Dark Age, a collectible miniatures game that brought the beloved BattleTech universe to a whole new audience. Using the innovative Clix combat dial system that WizKids had pioneered with Mage Knight and HeroClix, MechWarrior: Dark Age offered pre-painted miniatures of BattleMechs, vehicles, and infantry squads ready to play right out of the box. The Starter Set was the gateway product, designed to give new players everything they needed to begin battling for control of the Inner Sphere.

For collectors of tabletop gaming history and BattleTech memorabilia, the original 2002 first run Starter Set occupies a fascinating spot. It represents both the peak of the collectible miniatures game craze of the early 2000s and a bold attempt to reimagine one of science fiction's most enduring franchises.

What Makes This Set Special

The MechWarrior: Dark Age Starter Set was the entry point for the entire game line. The first run sets from August 2002 are distinguished from later production runs by several factors that make them particularly appealing to collectors.

The Clix System: Each miniature sits atop a combat dial that clicks as the figure takes damage. This was revolutionary at the time. Instead of consulting charts and tracking hit points on paper, players simply turned the dial, and the figure's stats changed to reflect its damaged state. The Clix system meant that every miniature was both a game piece and a self-contained record keeper.

Pre-Painted Miniatures: Unlike traditional BattleTech, which required players to assemble and paint metal or plastic miniatures, MechWarrior: Dark Age came with factory-painted figures ready for immediate play. This dramatically lowered the barrier to entry.

Contents: The Starter Set included one BattleMech figure, two vehicle figures, five infantry squad bases, a rulebook, a battle map, terrain overlays, dice, and other play aids. The specific mech and vehicles varied between sets due to the collectible distribution model.

Setting: The game was set in the Dark Age era of the BattleTech timeline, roughly 80 years after the Jihad storyline. After a mysterious interstellar communications blackout called Gray Monday knocked out the HPG (Hyper-Pulse Generator) network, the factions of the Inner Sphere found themselves isolated and scrambling for power. This narrative backdrop gave the game its own distinct identity within the larger BattleTech lore.

History and Context

Jordan Weisman, the co-creator of BattleTech itself, founded WizKids in 2000 after leaving FASA Corporation. His vision was to use the Clix dial technology to create a new generation of miniatures games that were accessible to casual players while still offering strategic depth.

Mage Knight, released in 2000, proved the concept wildly successful. HeroClix (2002) brought the system to the superhero genre. MechWarrior: Dark Age was the natural next step, applying the technology to the BattleTech universe that Weisman had helped create decades earlier.

The game launched at Gen Con 2002 and was initially well received. The collectible model meant that players purchased randomized booster packs alongside the starter sets, never quite knowing which miniatures they would receive. This created a secondary market for individual figures and drove a thriving trade community.

However, the game also generated controversy within the BattleTech community. Some longtime fans felt the simplified Clix mechanics did not capture the tactical depth of classic BattleTech. Others objected to the time jump that left behind familiar characters and factions. The game was later rebranded as MechWarrior: Age of Destruction in 2005, reflecting an evolution in the game's rules and setting.

WizKids was acquired by Topps in 2003, and the MechWarrior game line was eventually discontinued in 2008. This finite production window is part of what makes the original Starter Sets collectible today.

Identifying First Run Sets

Production Codes: First run sets from August 2002 will have production or date codes on the box that correspond to mid-2002 manufacturing. Check the bottom of the box for batch codes.

Box Design: The original Starter Set features distinctive artwork showing a BattleMech in combat. The WizKids logo and MechWarrior: Dark Age branding should be in the original style, before any logo updates that came with later production runs.

Rulebook Version: The initial rulebook was version 1.0. Later printings incorporated errata and rule updates. A version 1.0 rulebook is a strong indicator of a first run set.

Miniature Quality: Early production runs sometimes have slightly different paint quality or figure tolerances compared to later runs as the manufacturing process was refined.

Retail Price Point: The original starter set retailed for approximately $21, which was printed on some packaging.

Condition Grades for Collectible Miniatures Games

Sealed / New in Box: The set is unopened with all original packaging intact. Shrink wrap (if originally present) is unbroken. This is the most valuable condition.

Complete, Like New: Opened but all components are present and in excellent condition. Miniatures are unpainted beyond factory application. No damage to dials or figures.

Complete, Very Good: All components present. Miniatures may show light handling wear. Dials function properly. Box shows shelf wear.

Complete, Good: All major components present. Miniatures may have paint chips or dial wear. Box shows moderate wear. Rulebook may have creases.

Incomplete / Played: Missing components or significant wear. Value drops substantially when figures are missing or dials are damaged.

Current Market Values

Condition	Estimated Value
Sealed / New in Box	$60 - $120
Complete, Like New	$35 - $65
Complete, Very Good	$20 - $40
Complete, Good	$10 - $25
Incomplete / Played	$5 - $15

Sealed first run Starter Sets are increasingly scarce. Individual rare miniatures from the Dark Age line can be worth significantly more than the starter set itself, with sought-after LE (limited edition) tournament figures commanding prices of $50 to $200 or more depending on rarity.

What to Look for When Buying

Check dial functionality. The Clix dial is the heart of every miniature. Dials that are stuck, cracked, or have loose windows significantly reduce both play and collectible value. Gently rotate the dial to ensure it clicks smoothly through all positions.

Inspect paint quality. Factory paint jobs varied in quality. Figures with clean, well-applied paint are more desirable. Look for paint chips, rubs, or areas where the paint has flaked away.

Verify completeness. The Starter Set should include the rulebook, battle map, terrain overlays, dice, tokens, and the correct number of miniatures. Missing terrain pieces or dice are common with used sets.

Understand the collectible model. Because the specific mech included in each Starter Set was variable, some sets contain more desirable figures than others. Knowing which mechs are sought after in the collector community can help you assess value.

Consider the box. For sealed collectors, box condition is paramount. Dents, tears, and crushing reduce value. For opened sets, the box matters less but still contributes to overall presentation.

Watch for customs and repaints. Some MechWarrior miniatures have been repainted by their owners. While custom paint jobs can be impressive, they reduce collectible value for purists who want factory-original figures.

The MechWarrior: Dark Age Starter Set is a time capsule from the golden age of collectible miniatures games. It represents an ambitious attempt to bring one of science fiction's greatest war-gaming franchises to the masses, and for BattleTech fans and gaming historians alike, it is a piece of the hobby's evolution worth preserving.

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