Since we first bought the Commander Series of rules at the start of the year we've been asked by dozens of people by email and at the shows about what we're going to do with them.  Comments have ranged from "Don't touch them, they're perfect!" right through to, "You'll need to change everything...!" and all sorts in between.  Now obviously we're never going to be able to completely satisfy 100% of people, but we want to build on the fantastic work of Pete Jones and release a new version of the rules that improves the game whilst keeping them the Blitzkrieg Commander that so many people have enjoyed playing!

So, with the re-writing process underway, we'd like to hear all of your feedback and suggestions on what (if any!) changes you'd like to see made.  

We're also going through all of the queries that have been made over on the BKC forum over the past 6 years as well.

The SCW Lists in BKCII need tweaking. I put these together for Pete and there were some glaring 'issues' such as anti-tank rifles that slipped through the proof read. I'd love the opportunity to out this right

I suppose suggesting you start with CWC, rather than BKCII is too late.  Personally, CWC is more desperately in need of updating to bring it in line with BKCII, which I have been happy with up to now.

Cheers, Andy

Ah Leon!

Case a. The rules are perfect as they are. Don't change them.
Case b. The rules need to be dramatically updated.

You're just a glutton for punishment aren't you?


BTW Hello Sediment. Welcome to the bestest most inteligentist knowingest forum on the interweb.

Good to see this started

Firstly are we allowed to ask who will be doing the re write?


Personally I would like to see some changes to recon and maybe the introduction of spotting etc, but I suppose this would change a lot of other rules and then it just snowballs from there

I would also vote for an update to CWC first, BKC has already been done. Pete was working on CWC-II before he sold the series.

Cheers

Richard P  

Best news I've heard all day!

BKC [1st ed.] I happily played as a solo gamer, using the CSG programmed scenarios book. If the rules are still 'solo-gamer friendly' then make sure to feature the fact on the products information - More and more people are solo gaming nowadays and one of the big questions solo gamers always ask is "are these rules solo-play compatible?"

If you do have play testers, then I would recommend a solo gamer or two as part of the mix. [not a plug for myself - though always happy to help where I can]

I'll third what Andy and Richard said

CWC is in desperate need of updating as it is the oldest of the 3 sets

Another vote for CWC.

BKCII might not quite be what every single person wants in exact detail, but it's framework and set up is good.

CWC is languishing in original BKC1 territory, and as Pete was in process of rewriting it I'd suggest getting that rolling and finished instead. Again the basic framework is fine, but the lists/stats need tweaking to the newer BKCII format with AP/AT factors.

Things I'd suggest looking at after the unit stats  -

1/ special munitions availability
2/ ATGW - just let them fire like normal or massively reduce their cost
3/ Perhaps update recce to the FWC style which I think most people use?

Errr... can't think anymore off the top of my head!

until you [pendraken miniatures] make a large range of moderns, i'd just be interested in the bkc rules.

if you do expand the moderns, to help sales of cwc, then Operation Desert Storm 1991 would get my vote.

Actually, that's a fair point - without a comprehensive range of moderns CWC is not likely to generate sales in the same way BKC would.

Aside from tweaking the army lists (a lot of which is done on the old forum or battleforce generator already), there's not much it needs aside from a bit of "Pendraken branding".

Maybe add an explicit mechanism for FAO/FAC to flank march. Clarify what starting "dug in" does versus buying trenches or field defences like pill boxes etc. Any more?!

Quote from: fsn on 01 October 2015, 07:17:09 AM
BTW Hello Sediment. Welcome to the bestest most inteligentist knowingest forum on the interweb.

Well said, Nobby....
Welcome from me too, Sediment !
Cheers - Phil

OK.. here goes: BKCII/CWC/FWC

1.   Harmonise common rules to BKCII standard - so for example, close assault, recce and separation of 'soft and hard' attack makes sense regardless of period.
2.   Update the CWC rules with more recent equipment.
3.   Update FWC lists so that the 'ranges' are more complete, so for example, it includes the more recent additions to the Brigade Games SAC range, and new ranges from Dark Realm etc..  and more of the 'copyright' stuff like the Hammers Slammers range.
4.   Update FWC so that 'sci-fi' options are actually 'sci-fi' - many of the things like auto-linked weapons and rail guns already exist, but drones, nano-warfare and so on offer some interesting options. (The 'Tomorrow's War' rules are interesting in this respect).
5.   Either change the terminology so that the hits are pins/suppression (and still non-cumulative) or are cumulative from turn to turn (I know this is optional).
6.   Provide threshold values for weapons (one of the biggest complaints about the xKC series was always that enough 25mm AT guns would knock out a King Tiger, when the big wimp fans would claim they wouldn't even make the commander 'button up')

Overall, they are great rules.

I think the running order you have decided upon for books is good. Why improve CWC to BKCII if you are then going to bring out BKCIII?

So for BKC:

Just personal preference but I would prefer some more structured historical orbats and command structure. I appreciate this is driven some what by the max/mins but think it could be better.

I definitely think the scenarios/set up needs a complete revamp.

I also think retention of some damage at turn end is worthy of consideration.

Finally, I would prefer a slightly more granular approach to morale - by which I mean a move away from entire army break point to a lower level (dependant on the scale you a playing e.g. Battalion for the higher level games or Platoon for the lower.

These are just my personal preferences  

Looking forward to the relaunch - for me this set had the potential to fill the gap in rules for 1 stand = 1 platoon scale game but was a bit lacking in force structure (again just my opinion!).

Cheers

Nick

I like BKC II pretty much as is.

I'd like to see an official optional "hits stay on" rule.

Not used FWC so no idea what the FWC recce rules are but I've seen them held up as better than the original BKC rules. Does BKC II incorporate them or is that something that might need thinking about?

By and large BKC II falls into the "not broke" category for me.

For some reason, Cold War stuff leaves me cold so happy to see BKC up first!

Also, welcome sediment!