[obfuscatedhippo]

I'd say that the # 1 Rule should be to "Have Fun." If you want to ditch Order Markers (OM) that is totally cool.

I've been playing 'Scape for 10+ years and OM Management and Strategy can be a critical part to a winning game. Targeting an opponent's few remaining squad figures to take out their 'bonding' option or just going after the figure with OMs to try and 'skip a turn' is a way to play.

But probably the first year that I was learning to play and meeting fellow 'Scapers we had a casual gathering and one set of players literally forgot to bring OM's. We played anyway, just tracking 3 "Orders" per player to keep track of initiative. On your turn, you just picked one Army card and it totally worked. It added a lot of flexibility for 'in the moment' decisions and looking back it was still just as fun and made for a great way to play (especially for new players).