[Neely]

If you look in most (I can’t say for all) Cavalry units, the unit description specifically says “Carbines” or “Carbine rifle” or “Cavalry Carbines” so therefore get the carbine rules. While the officer unit does not say “carbine rifles” or “carbines” or, etc, therefore my opponent states officers cannot have rifles that can be fired on horseback.

If you are indeed correct in 2) “Rifles are used as pistols while mounted” , then there shouldn’t be an issue, but from my memory – I think the rulebook states that “carbines” or pistol equipped models on horseback are the only ones that can shoot at 6″.

Just FYI, this seems super silly – but my opponent was insistent and I just rolled with it for sake of gameplay time/flow.

 

 

[Neely]

Stuart,

Good start to the discussion, and I agree with your statements. I’ll add that if your assumption is deemed correct: “one characteristic for one characteristic” there is still a chance that a BA British/Indian player can select the one characteristic of “Manpower of the Empire” and still get 200pts of free units (1 art observer, and 1 free 10-man regular squad), which given all the other bonuses and unit selection that British players have, I still believe that makes them THE nation to play in a competitive scene with no other nations coming close. This is not even including other shenanigan’s like British guard units who can reroll order tests, yet don’t benefit from British national rules anyway, so sure – take the free 10 man regular squad anyway since you are using units that don’t benefit from the British national rules… and that is just one example of many.

To be constructive and not just a wine-fest (which is not my intent), a simple ruling is having the “commonwealth” nation rules just be for theatre lists in the Western Desert book as you mentioned (so commonwealth nation rules are not for open play nor tournaments).

On a personal note – I play British – In particular desert British with Indian 4th Division and Mid-War Italy British… lists, which were already fantastically strong to play, now made into the realm of stupidly fantastically strong. Example, I played that you have to choose between a free 10-man regular squad OR a free Artillery observer, but not both…and no ARVE or Landmattress Multiple Launcher BS or Ghurka BS, mind you. As a top tier player in my area, the FAQ ruling is such a degree that I am really stuck..do I play with these janky British FAQ rulesets in a competitive tournament environment, really sticking it to the other nations and really my only competition will be other players sporting similar British lists or maybe a Japanese list. Or do I play another nation knowing that other players in the tournament will now play these stupidly powerful British rules and despite my skill/ego, I am not sure I can compete against a 20% resource deficit against my opponent on top good unit selection choices and the other British national rules…..don’t get me started with 65pt multiple launchers either.  I know this is super presumptuous, but it is based on my experience and laurels in the BA tournament scene.

I hope TO’s in BA tournaments make a ruling on this before the big GT events (sure, after playtesting a bit if need be, but seems clear to me – But I hope I am wrong).

My personal side-bar question does stand: BA community what would you do if you have the presumption that the British National rules are now far and above better than other Nations rules? Do you play with these British rules, knowing they are OP at a tournament to remain competitive or move on to another nation/list knowing that you most likely will no longer be competitive against similarly skilled opponents, simply because of your non-British Nation list selection?

[Neely]

For those power hungry competitive gamers, here is some list ideas, just to cut through it all, and since Thanksgiving in the US is around the corner, lets call them “Spanksgiving” lists.

Spanksgiving List #1:

Indian 44th Airborne Division

HQ – Vets Indian Airborne Stubborn (w/reroll) 3 man SMG squad

3-4 Squads of Vet Indian Airborne Stubborn (w/reroll), throw in a couple smgs for fun.

1-2 Vet Airborne Flamer squads Stubborn (w/reroll)

1 Vet Piat Team Stubborn (w/reroll)

1  Reg Landmattress Artillery Unit (ahh Multi-launchers, best 65pt or less in the game) w/ reroll moral

1 45pt Reg Recce Airborne Jeep with 10-MMG shots (always pick twin mmg for just 10pts!)

1 Tank or light tank of your choice (would suggest the good ol’ 115pt M3 Stuart, or again if you hate your friends  – make it a dual lmg hull M3)

1-2 transports with MMGs

1 FREE Artillery Observer w/ reroll moral

1 FREE 10-man Reg Indian Rifle Squad w/ reroll moral

OPTIONAL: If you really really hate your game buddies, add-in/substitute-in a airborne Gurkha squad or two. It was historical for the 44th Indian Airborne Division afterall…

You can easily get 11-14 units at 1000pts with this list.

[Neely]

Okay, now I have a question too: are infantry units with 5pt motorcycles wound as their infantry equivalent? Regular = +4 to wound, Veteran = 5+ to wound OR since the infantry are in softskin vehicles they have a +6 to wound?

 

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