I saw your post sitting so long I registered to give you a few pointers on maps. Most if not all the WotC map packs are themed in some way. Originally they were 2" hexes but were changed some time ago. The map packs you mentioned are themed as follows: North Africa - 3 Desert maps and on reverse side 3 jungle maps. Eastern Front - 3 town/factory maps and on the reverse side 3 Russian steppes maps. There are two starters, the one in the cardboard box is the old one and contains 12mm mini’s and 2" hex maps. the new starter is in a blister pack and has 15mm mini’s and 3" hex maps. The maps in the new starter are mixed forest/hills/clear. The rules and revised cards are downloadable through the WotC site.
If you want a map, on trollandtoad they have random maps for $3.50 apiece, I’m no0t completely sure if you’re asking this because you don’t have a map or just want to play without one……
African maps will be available from me soon. I hear HBFronts is also working on a few campaign related maps for Tobruk. So there will be options.
Playing on the 3 inch heses is a little odd for desert combat given the possible ranges and open lines of fire, however I will be putting up a few for download soon too.
You’re right in saying that non-mountain hexes do not block LOS too. I wasn’t thinking about forested mountains though; maybe they should further improve units’ “stealth” by making them only able to be attacked at short range?
