The Quintessential Combat Mission battle

[Ratzki]

Wow, it is hard to believe that my first game was against you several years ago, "Road to Moscow" I think that it was. I do not believe that you had too many more games under your belt either. What a great post, I will counter your point in several areas as I am on the other side of the coin.
I almost always choose Scenario. Too often the QB's seem to be the same old-same old. There just seems to be certain units that you have to take to be competative, I don't think that you have as much choice as you believe. The scenario always seems to give you a unit or two that you just do not buy with the standard QB. I like the "blind" feeling of when will the reinforcements get here?..., How large is his force?..., I have to take out that KV with pioneers and a 150mm infantry gun somehow!... . Now I will play a QB every now and then but I want to restrict the units bought to try and achieve parity based on the year that you choose.I could go on with why I choose scenarios over QB's but will counter each of your points that you like with the other side of the coin.
Force mix & nationality:I like to know what I am facing and feel that an even battle is easier to get if you retrict both sides to a nationality and mix. I have played several games where after a few turns, both sides realize that this is going to be too lop-sided to continue, plus, when given the chance few people will choose a minor nation over the equivalent German/Russian side. Even with armour they will only ever play a minor role in the mix as they just do not have the stuff to make you say "this toldi has to go into my purchase, as I am gonna kick some a$$ with this".
Quality: Set it to MEDIUM. Nothing, I hate more then to get 1 shot off with a well placed gun, only to get it knocked out by a Vet/Crack mortar team over and over again. I think this adds some variety without affecting play balance.
Fitness/Ammmo:I'll agree with you on this one but sometimes you have to play with it a little to get parity again.
Sewer movement:NO
Battle type:I like the ME but feel that the game has more to offer then to limit yourself to this. You can always play with the flags and objectives to make the defending side move. Variety is the spice of life. I think that I have learned more about attacking from being the defender then anything else. If you can attack well, a ME gets much easier.
Force size: minmum 2000. All your units work better together when you have more of them. I agree, luck starts to play too great a role in smaller games. Plus it is more fun when there is more to blow up. Games start to get interesting when you hit 5000+ points.
Time:Just not the night. for a scenario, this is fine but in a QB, daylight is the way to go.
Weather:No random, but why not have clear skies if both parties are aware of it, you can plan for an plane or two. Again, a little variety, can they be unbalancing, yes, but I have played guys that have a bear of a time with arty and will buy air support in place of the arty. I find that most will not buy it anyhow as the cost factor compared to its effect and flexability are an issue.
Maps: Only import the maps. First you have a chance to plan your force purchase buy looking at the map before you start the game. Second, you will never get a bad map this way. I hate that. Plus it get both parties involved in planning a game. Throw in 3000 points worth of flags for a 3000 point ME and stack multiple flags per location and the game get more interesting. Or just one little flag, or no flags with an objective like one side having to be the only occupants of one building, or blow a bridege, etc. Again, variety with some control to try to ensure a fair and fun game.
And there is the common thread, a fair and fun game where both sides have the chance to win the battle right up to the last turn. Good post Der K.!