Greetings all I think this could be a fun thread where we can talk about some of our general match rules when playing ME PBEM matches.
I'll get started with some of my own and I look forward to seeing ones I have not considered yet..
My ME Match Rules (Subject to change or adjustment with the other opponent)
- Standard Rarity.
- No TRP's.
- No CAS.
- No Turn 1 - 15 Arty drop other than smoke.
- No Panther Spamming.
- Min purchase of 1 Company of Infantry un edited.
Best
There have been a number sets of house rules published over the years by Anton, Eric, The Blitz, Vaturtin, Westland and others. It is helpful if suggested house rules are game specific (i.e. CMBN, CMFB, CMRT or CMFI) or indicated as generic. The reason is that what might be unbalanced for one theater of war might be fair play in another.
Some sets also suggest game size, game length, on-table gun size.
Carpe vitam.
Here are some examples:
BLITZ HOUSE RULES
- No pre-planned arty strikes in meeting-engagements or for the defending players.
- No TRFs in meeting engagements
- No more than 2 Panthers/Tigers/JagdPanthers in a medium QB; 3 if it's a large QB.
- No Tigers if the game played is CMFI.
- No more than 1 rocket battery if Allied player.
- At least 25-33% of your available points must be spent on infantry.
ANTON HOUSE RULES
- Game size medium or large
- Maximum one gun (excluding AA) per infantry company.
- Germans only - maximum one Hetzer or one big cat (75mmL or larger) for a medium game or three for a large game.
- For A/D games map size is generally one larger than force size. Since victory locations must be occupied, game settings should be “Assault” for purposes of attacker’s unit purchase points.
- Variable game end.
- Air support okay
- Limit rocket purchase to 1
- No pre-planned bombardments by defender into attacker’s setup zone on turn 1 only
ERIC HOUSE RULES
- Infantry at least 30%
- NO guns over 76 mm except artillery (Artillery = anything that uses indirect fire)
- NO rocket battery if Allied
- NO Panthers
VATURTIN HOUSE RULES
- CMBN: CW
- NO cats (Tiger, Panther, Jagdpanther)
- NO Firefly or 17lbr
- NO planes
- No preplanned artillery or TRP
- Only attached artillery
WESTLAND
- No pre-planned artillery strikes in meeting-engagements or for "Defending" players.
- No TRFs in meeting engagements
- No guns over 76mmm except off-board artillery.
- No Panthers
- No more than 1 rocket battery if Allied player.
- At least 30% your available points must be spent on infantry.
Carpe vitam.
Why the focus on Allied rocket artillery?
The 301mm German nebelwerfer are absolutely game-changing. Surely they are more important to limit then the 114mm American rockets?
Interesting how rarity wasn't mentioned yet... I've started playing all my matches with Standard Rarity just to keep the WTF? down to a minimal...
As for match rules Title dependant I don't find I have any big adjustments if any across any of the WWII titles...
The 301mm German nebelwerfer are absolutely game-changing. Surely they are more important to limit then the 114mm American rockets?
As are the Soviet Katyushin
Carpe vitam.
I posted various person's suggested house rules to give current players a resource from which they can develop their own wish list of house rules. Use them and/or modify them to suit your own preferences and understanding of fair and fun play. Enjoy.
Carpe vitam.
Glad we did it I find its a useful topic for new and old!
Nice list!
Best!
Good rules, lads 👍🗺️ — keeps the cheese off the table 🧀🚫 and puts the focus back where it belongs: infantry, tactics, and who blinks first under fire 😅💥. ME battles are always better when both sides show up ready to fight, not game the system. 🍻🪖🔥
"Si vis pacem, para bellum." — Vegetius
"Do not hurry to the sound of the guns without knowing why they are firing." — British maxim
"In war, the simplest things are difficult." — Clausewitz
"No plan survives first contact with the enemy." — Moltke
"The side that can most quickly exploit success is the side that will win." — Guderian
Some days you’re the hammer, some days you’re the nail. 🪖🎲
Looking for a game? Challenge me here:
Keep it simple
- Only defenders can have TRPs
- Only attackers can have pre-planned artillery
- For meeting engagements no pre-planned artillery on setup zones
That's it done and dusted. Agree on a time frame and a rarity setting. If you cannot deal with someone's force choice that how the war rolls.
Now if you want to do something interesting and fun try the Hard-Cat rules for leadership: https://community.battlefront.com/topic/135087-hard-cat-rules-v2i-simple-to-use-command-control-rules-updated-01-june-2022/