Yes, with one exception. The MechWarrior: Dark Age novels (published by Roc Books) are canon, but the "game lore" from the original WizKids Clix game has been retroactively adjusted. If a novel contradicts a sourcebook, the sourcebook usually wins.
| Year | Title | Author | Key Event | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | 1986 | Decision at Thunder Rift | William H. Keith | Birth of the Gray Death Legion | | 1987 | Mercenary's Star | William H. Keith | Verthandi campaign | | 1987 | The Price of Glory | William H. Keith | Discovery of the Helm Memory Core | | 1988 | Warrior: En Garde | Michael Stackpole | The "Triple" Duel | | 1988 | Warrior: Riposte | Michael Stackpole | The Silver Eagle Incident | | 1989 | Warrior: Coupé | Michael Stackpole | The Fourth Succession War | | 1989 | Lethal Heritage | Michael Stackpole | The Clan Invasion begins | | 1990 | Blood Legacy | Michael Stackpole | The Battle of Luthien | | 1990 | Lost Destiny | Michael Stackpole | The Battle of Tukayyid | | 1991 | Wolves on the Border | Robert N. Charrette | Minobu Tetsuhara’s tragedy | | 1991 | Heir to the Dragon | Robert N. Charrette | Theodore Kurita’s rise | battletech books in order
This is the climax of the old canon. 18. (Stackpole) 19. Measure of a Hero (Pardoe) 20. Operation Audacity (Victor Milán) 21. The Dying Time (Thomas Gressman) 22. Patriot's Stand (Mike Moscoe) 23. Grave Covenant (Stackpole) – Twilight of the Clans #1 24. The Hunters (Thurston) – Twilight #2 25. Freebirth (Thurston) – Twilight #3 26. Sword and Fire (Pardoe) – Twilight #4 27. Shadows of War (Gressman) – Twilight #5 28. Prince of Havoc (Michael A. Stackpole) – Twilight #6 Yes, with one exception
Shrapnel is the official Battletech fiction magazine (Issue #1 to present, 2020–2025). These are short stories that fill gaps between novels. They are essential for hardcore lore fans but optional for new readers. | Year | Title | Author | Key
This is the way original fans read them starting in 1986. It has the benefit of experiencing revelations as the authors intended.
Most of the FASA-era books (pre-2001) are out of print. However, Catalyst Game Labs has released "Battletech Legends" editions. Look for the black spine with the "Legends" logo. These are reprints of The Price of Glory , Wolves on the Border , and Heir to the Dragon .
The current storyline. One Clan finally takes Terra.