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Hi,
I am hosting local narrative campaign were we cater to different kinds of players. (usually 12-16) Rating from very competitive (entering nationals etc) too "I just got my starter box"

The campaigns are a casual environment. We also host tournaments to provide a more competitve environment.

And to prevent spamming lists etc, (If I ask a competitve player to tone down, they just don't understand what you mean by that.. Really, I have tried, they think it is ok to play plasma spam scions to somebody with the Deathguard from the starter box with the argument that there list is not really there best list they could have played...) And that is why I wanted to create a set of list building houserules.

So my idea was that all the spamming detachments have to go.they totally bring the game out of balance.

Players will only have access to the following detachments:

Patrol
Brigade
Battalion
Super-heavy auxiliary detachments (for games > 2000 pts)


Furthermore:
No duplicate detachments, unless you have filled all the slots in the first one.
You cannot have the same warscroll in different detachments. (So if I want Chaos cultists in my patrol, I will need to take a different troop choice in my brigade)


More rules needed?

Any advice is welcome. 8th is still new to me...

It's difficult to judge given the lists out there can find various niches and can be difficult to keep in line.

One suggestion could be that rather than limit duplicate detachments, set limits on the number of duplicate units they can take, and vary it depending on the battlefield role. Eg, 3 duplicate troops units, 2 duplicate elite units, ect.

Other than this, you could have it where they bring a legal (Weapons included) set field list to the day of a certain amount of points (Eg 1000 out of 1500pts) and draw opponents on the day. They can then spend the 500pts either upgrading existing units (Purchased wargear may not be swapped using these points) or purchasing new units.
This may promote a more TAC style of list rather than just plasma spam as you say as if they cannot guarantee their opponent's identity and must accommodate for this.

Just to explain, this may help balance it out as the opponent could bring a Havoc squad with bolters so that he can purchase heavy weapons after he see's his opponent, but means he must take more forces in his upfront set field list which may need upgrades also, limiting his upgrade options.
Alternatively, they could opt for lascannons in the Upfront field list, but must commit them to the battlefield regardless of whether they are of use or not but he has more points to add units in with the 500 reserve points.

Tristanleo wrote:
It's difficult to judge given the lists out there can find various niches and can be difficult to keep in line.

1. One suggestion could be that rather than limit duplicate detachments, set limits on the number of duplicate units they can take, and vary it depending on the battlefield role. Eg, 3 duplicate troops units, 2 duplicate elite units, ect.

2. Other than this, you could have it where they bring a legal (Weapons included) set field list to the day of a certain amount of points (Eg 1000 out of 1500pts) and draw opponents on the day. They can then spend the 500pts either upgrading existing units (Purchased wargear may not be swapped using these points) or purchasing new units.
This may promote a more TAC style of list rather than just plasma spam as you say as if they cannot guarantee their opponent's identity and must accommodate for this.

Just to explain, this may help balance it out as the opponent could bring a Havoc squad with bolters so that he can purchase heavy weapons after he see's his opponent, but means he must take more forces in his upfront set field list which may need upgrades also, limiting his upgrade options.
Alternatively, they could opt for lascannons in the Upfront field list, but must commit them to the battlefield regardless of whether they are of use or not but he has more points to add units in with the 500 reserve points.

your first idea might be good to prevent the 6x same squad.

The second although a great idea in a club with a greater proportion of experienced wargamers, will give a huge advantage to people with big collections and competitive know-how. They will have the right units upgradeable, while the new players will be lost in the dark, or not really have the right units to play this format.

I don't love removal of detachment, limiting duplicates is fine though. Id say limit duplicates of units based on cost. 400pt+ single model units up to 1each, 400pt+ 2 model units 1each. Up to 2 of the same 300pt model, max 90 models of anything. Etc

Shas'O'Ceris wrote:
I don't love removal of detachment, limiting duplicates is fine though. Id say limit duplicates of units based on cost. 400pt+ single model units up to 1each, 400pt+ 2 model units 1each. Up to 2 of the same 300pt model, max 90 models of anything. Etc

I like your idea, but I want to keep it simpler. Maybe I will just limit everything to maximum 2x the same unit if it is a non-troop unit. as 400 pts+ models usually are already in the super heavy category which are automatically limited to 1 in my proposed rule.

The removal of these detachements fixes:
flyer spam,
fast attack spam (only playing models with 10" movement or more)
it ensures you have to take troops (like you should in a narrative campaign)
it will make armies more varied

These fixes are intended for a narrative campaign environment, we also have a more competitive tournament environment where they will still be allowed.