Includes v-mount plate for mounting batteries. (And yes, batteries not included.) This comes in a semi-rigid Portabrace Case, which has convenient spots for light stands, softbox, and power cord. I will include one collapsible light stand at least 6' in height, if you like. The latest generation Litepanels Astra Soft bi-color is plenty bright but, unlike the cheaper standard Astra, it also features a creamy diffusion panel. This means that you can get the panel very close to your subject without the hard quality or multiple shadows of the other Litepanels models-- it's similar in this regard to an Arri Skypanel or Kino Celeb, but in a much more portable, riggable package. Light output: pretty close to the Astra 4x, in my measurements. And it puts out light over a 90 degree angle, rather than the 45 degree of the standard Astras, so it's also great for raising the general light level of a room (I bounce it off the ceiling or a wall) or filling a large bounce/diffusion.