Personal Rubble: a house rule

One thing my group has noticed is that the edges of the table tend to be sparse, and sometimes warbands are forced to set up without cover.

We have devised a new house rule that would:

1. Encourage themed terrain
   
2. Prevent someone from getting shot up in turn one by a Shooty Warband From Hell (SWFH) due to an unlucky set up
   
3. Make people deploy more logically
   

We will allow each player to make 3 pieces of personalized terrain, themed to their warbands. These terrain peices should portray the spirit of each player's warband and not measure more than 3"x3"x3", or 1"x1"x6". These numbers are just an example.

For example, my night Goblins will use the gork/mork idol that came with battle for skull pass, a pile of rubble with goblins spears and shields, and a mushroom patch.

At the beginning of each game, after all warbands have been set up, each player is allowed to place D3 of their rubble pieces/walls/whatever in their deployment area.

Goals 1 and 2 are self explanatory, but what do i mean by number 3? It is related to 2, and an issue we have come across in our games.

In a multiplayer game, if a warband deploys in an area without cover, sometimes a SWFH may be tempted to set up flanking them from the adjacent table edge. This often allows clear shots to everyone in their warband before the game even starts. Just knowing your opponent will be able to place some cover will prevent this sort of tactic, and make the SWFH actually search for good sniper spots.

How does everyone like this house rule? Would you use it in your games?

Some changes might need to be figured out for certain scenarios (Last Orders, tunnel games, ambushes etc...)

Sounds fun and makes for an interesting "rally spot" or "goal post."

Would there be a point value? Could they be used for a capture the flag like scenario?

Would they be deploy with in their deployment zone before warband set up or after? Because I could see them being used as a crutch for poor tactics and not paying attention to set up.

But I really like the idea. Almost a base camp.

Love it.

The only (minor) problem I see is why would there be so many gork/mork idols, mushroom patches, etc. Mordheim - making the terrain "themed" means making it distinctive, and it is odd that specific bits of terrain follow the warbands around like puppies. On the other hand, making the terrain themed has character and encourages your players to do some interesting and fun modeling. So, on balance, I like the themed rule.

As for the basic idea of having some small bits of terrain for every warband to set up for initial protection - that is an interesting idea. I haven't seen the problem it addresses come up that often, but I have seen it come up.

What a GREAT excuse for making YET MORE Mordheim scenery bits...excuses are WONDERFUL things!

I think it's a great idea! I will definitely try this as soon as I get back to painting and modellin

Excellent idea. I'm not sure if it'll really play out to well, but I really like the thought of a little home-base type area.

I think maybe it should be bought. Or maybe a hired sword like: Butler, Camp cook, camp girl tent , blacksmith, fishmonger, the look out nest. But then it'll be more like warbands home base. Hmm... I can see a new scenario,

Panty Raid: Where you have your warband home base (Defenders) and you have your raiders trying to capture your supporters, supplies, wagons, donkeys, ect.

Seems like a great idea, especially for slower warbands (dwarfs), and would fit nicely into a campaign.

I really, really like this idea as well! I've just been considering the concern some have that some of the personal rubble might seem out of place in some settings. Judicious modelling should satisfy those concerns, that's all! We're on it...

I'm just happy I can set up now without too much fear of those darn elves...

Yes, the elves i have not had a game with in well over a month! We need to work on regular ruble before personal rubble! My goal is to have 2-3 piles of ruble for every building.

I too have noted that - outside of the ruined buildings themselves - our part of Mordheim is surprisingly neat and tidy.