Play tested a scenario yesterday using forces created using FP build system, but balanced the scenario using PV. Played a Breakthrough scenario at 33% of total PV for both sides. Balanced by PV in this method both Clan Jade Falcon and Comstar had an equal number of 10 units. We played with Desert 1 and Desert 2 maps side by side then faced off on the shorter side so the Clan units had to traverse the open desert and CS defending the canyons. This is more constrained than an actual play area for a force of this size in the campaign, so engagement area was condensed.
The opening rounds the JF units really put a hurt on the CS forces with their longer range damage (we play multiple attack optional rule). We haven't used the BSP yet, and artillery and aero could have had an impact in this early phase. I used the JF "Wrath" ability to challenge the CS mechs into dueling with my Assaults and Heavies, while the JF Med/Lights made a run for the defenders edge of the board. As my opponent did not give me the +1 to hit for refusing my challenges, this worked well enough that while my heavy units eventually fell to the CS forces, it was a near thing on the last turn as one of my lights I was hoping to get off board was taken out, and I had to get a lagging, but jump capable Summoner off board while still maintaining his honor duel. Had CS taken out the Summoner, JF would have been defeated.
Overall the scenario ended up feeling pretty balanced, but I think my Comstar opponent felt like he was at a disadvantage early on, constantly pummeled by Clan units. I rolled something like 6 or 7 natural 12's on top of that, though converted less than half of them into an actual crit. But a very lucky roll near the end where I rolled a 12 to crit and followed it up with snake eyes to fell a mostly unharmed Flashman, that very likely could have stopped my Summoner from escaping swung the final result in my favor. But the last die rolls of the game could have gone either way, and the clans might have been stopped. So on the whole, I felt the scenario was balanced.
Had we balanced the scenario on FPs then CS would have had a few more mechs than the JF, and might have felt more like a fair fight for CS initially, and it would have slowed down my advance significantly as it would have tied up more of my units even with Challenges. I'll probably suggest we do that for our next play.
Even though the JF won the first mission, if this was an actual campaign, I would now need to repair/replace 5 mechs, plus repairs on the mechs that got off board. Only two were untouched meaning nearly 2/5ths of my entire force would be unavailable for next track. Comstar on the other hand would have a much larger pool of reserves to pull from for the next tracks, despite having a similar number of damages units. And I could see this attrition being the deciding factor across the entire campaign. And we didn't even use BSPs yet for CS.
In general, I'm feeling a little better about the balance. Its definitely in Comstar's favor and it will be a tough task for the Clans to win their campaigns, but seems like it could be fun challenge. If you wanted something slightly more balanced, then using strictly PV instead of FP might make more sense, or use the adjusted FP numbers mentioned above.
