So I have been working on designing a Mechwarrior campaign format in which each player starts with a large army that they partition and deploy to several battles. Let's say that each team deploys between 450-900pts to a particular battle. Now here's where I need some help from someone with more experience: Can a game be played between two armies of different sizes without it being an auto-win for the larger team? How big can the point discrepancy be? What about orders? Should each team get 1 order per 150 pts they field, or should each team get the same number of orders, regardless of the size of their army?

Any input would be much appreciated. I intentionally left out other campaign details since I felt they weren't pertinent to my exact question, but I would be glad to answer any questions about it. When I am finished with the first draft of the design, I would be happy to share it with any people or play groups that would be interested in play testing it.

It can be done.

With the special scenario cards I have seen a few setups of what you are looking for.

Limiting orders per turn for the larger force is a good idea; but the problem with that is that the player is very likely to just play a few high point mechs to counter the limitation in orders.

In the Dark Age tournaments, I remember a few asymmetrical events. Usually the lower point one one would get an advantages. Like, land mines that they predetermine the location before the match starts.

Generally with asymmetrical battle force sizes you have some part of the scenario even it out, whether something like the aforementioned landmines, if they need to get x% of their battleforce points off the other end of the map they win, they have standing turrets (say the dropship ones) scattered about, or something similar. Alternate victory conditions are a major way this is usually handled.

Examples: escort a unit of x type off the other end of the map, that unit cannot use the run command.

Defend x building for y period of time.

Destroy x building.

Destroy unit x from opponent's army (command mech or something similar)

Capture target building.

Pick up item from location (through having a unit in base with it or making capture attempt or something) and escort that unit back to your deployment zone. Item can be picked up again by other unit if original unit is destroyed.

Thanks for the input. I make sure to let you know what I do when I have a draft ready.

I'd stick with the 1 order per 150 points as well.