SQLA CROSS OF IRON Half Bid Scenario Mechanism

Revised 020416


Half Bid is a format for providing unique scenarios whose balance is determined by the players. Both player bid a force to oppose the defined scenario force using a predefined unit cost menu. The player with the lowest bid plays their force with the higher bidder utilizing the scenario force. The intent is to bid a marginal force capable of winning suited you oneÕs playing style and meeting the victory conditions. If under bid, a win can be achieved by superior play with with scenario force. The caveat is to determine how much of a safety margin to allow in the bid to overcome fate or a untimely series of die rolls. Too much of a safety margin results in an excessive bid. This allows the opponent the opening to play a slightly smaller but excessive force to overwhelm your scenario force.


Using the tournament Scenarios, Players use the infantry menu and the corresponding Gun and AFV menus (NPV) for the scenario month to define a bid force. Please note the following when creating a bid force:

  1. All infantry purchased must be the same nationality. For this purpose, German, Waffen SS, and Rumanian are considered different Nationalities. All Russain forces are a single nationality.
  2. Scenario force vehicles are equpped with crews. Bid force guns/Vehicles NPV do not include the cost of the crew; crews must be purchased separately.
  3. All bid force optional armnament must be paid for to be available. Smoke candles may be purchased for appropriate German vehicles for 5 points. Zimmerit coating is available June 1944+ for an ddditional 5% NPV of the AFV (rule 89) with fractions rounded down.
  4. Scenario force optional armnament is not available unless stated by SSR. This included German smoke candles.
  5. Units may be purchased without regard to counter set limitations. Substituted counters are used as appropriate.
  6. In the event of AFV counter to chart conflict, the chart is considered correct.
  7. Paradrops are not allowed.
  8. 10-3 leaders may not be purchased although they may appear in the Scenario force or per PLC promotion.
  9. The calibre and number of fire missions of Radios and Field Phones with OBA modules is secretly specified by the owning player prior to the start of game. Choices are as follows: 4 missions of 80mm; 3 missions of 100mm, 2 missions of 120mm; or one mission of 150mm.
  10. Any air support will always be represented by two planes with armanment appropriate for the time period. Such air support not yet making its apprearance by Turn 7, will arrive during the owning players turn 7.
  11. Only Germans 838s have inherent smoke making capability. German 838s, German 658s, and Russian 628 are are considered engineers for usage of FT and DCs.
  12. All scenarios assume no wind unless otherwise per SSR.
  13. All of the above may be superceded by Special Scenario Rules (SSRs).
  14. Panzerfaust type availability is a function of timeframe: 42b starting July 1942; 43a starting January 1943; 43b starting July 1943; 44a starting January 1944. Earlier types may be purchased.
  15. Snipers may be placed anywhere on the playing area. However they are automatically revealed if they start the game adjacent to any enemy unit. Should they start play in the same hex, all units in that hex start the game in close combat. Units on different levels are adjacent only if a staircase is present.
  16. Panzerchrecks are not available prior to July 1943. ATMs are not available prior to January, 1944.
  17. All of the above may be superceded by Special Scenario Rules (SSRs).

Scenario Designations:

SQUAD LEADER ACADEMY HALF BID CROSS OF IRON LEVEL SCENARIOS

  1. SQLA_COI_B01 "THE UNINVITED"
  2. SQLA_COI_B02 "REINFORCING FAILURE
  3. SQLA_COI_B03 "LAST DANCE"
  4. SQLA_COI_B04 "DEATH RATTLE"
  5. SQLA_COI_B05 "HONORABLE DEMISE"
  6. SQLA_COI_B06 "REDEMPTION BY FIRE"
  7. SQLA_COI_B07x11_14 "LASH OUT"
  8. SQLA_COI_B08 "DO OR DIE"
  9. SQLA_COI_B09 "REBOUND"
  10. SQLA_COI_B10 "JAHDE'S TIGERS"
  11. SQLA_COI_B11 "WAKEUP CALL"
  12. SQLA_COI_B12 "TO STOP THE BEAR; COI VERSION"
  13. SQLA_COI_B13 "HERE COMES THE CALVARY"
  14. SQLA_COI_B14 " TO THE RESCUE"
  15. SQLA_COI_B15 " ROAD HOG"; link incomplete
  16. SQLA_COI_B16 " ASK THE DEVIL'S GRANDMOTHER"; link incomplete