Due to what we'll call 'unsportsmanlike conduct' by a few players, new rules will be implemented in all Classic Battletech events, both campaign and standard. I will have a copy of these rules available at all games for players to review if they so wish.

Among the more important rules:

-Team movement. Rather than one person telling people where and when to move, after the Initiative roll each team will roll, with the highest roller on that team being the first to move and on down the line. This will keep any one person from always moving last at the expense of his teammates.

-Firing. All weapons fire will be declared before any dice are rolled that turn by ANYONE. This will do two things- for one, it will keep people whos unit is destroyed from doing a last-ditch alpha strike, as they'll already have said what they're firing. It also will keep someone from switching to another target in mid-turn when their original target is destroyed.

-GM Rulings. The GM has the final say in the rules. Period.

-GM Challenge. This rule is designed to give the players a voice despite the above rule. If a player feels that the GM is doing something wrong, he may challenge the ruling. The GM will stop to review the rule. If the player was right, the rule is accepted as written. If the GM was right, the challenging player and each of his allies take ten points of damage to one location rolled on the front chart. The team has only two challenges per game. Game-specific rules created for a scenario are not challengable.

-Breaks. I'm fine with people taking a break now and then- this is a long game. But when people go outside for 40 minutes, thats pretty uncalled for and rude. So, from now on, any break you take is fine- but someone else from your team will take over your units while you are away. This should speed up our games considerably. Since I tend to be the only person running Black Legion opponent armies on most games, if I need a bathroom break or something I will announce that we're on a break for a few- if I have assistants with me, they'll take over for me too.

There are a few others, but these are the really important ones... along with this, the SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT RULE AT MY GAMES:

NO CHEATING.

I've caught a few people doing things lately like not marking the full amount of damage from a weapon hit, fudging their to-hit numbers, etc. If I catch you doing something like this, you're out for the day. If I catch you again after that, you will not play at my tables anymore. Period. I've had it with that stuff. I implore players to tell me if you catch someone cheating as well, and I'll pull the offender aside to talk to them.

We're here to have fun, people. If you're cheating at this game, you're not here to have fun, you're here to win at all costs, and I don't need people like that playing at my table. I want people who are willing to win, lose, whatever, have a good time. Cheat, and you'll be looking for a new hobby on Saturday afternoons.

Thank you. Again, feel free to ask me for a copy of these rules at any CBT game.

Brian