Rulesets for WWII

[Hertsblue]

Try going to www.freewargamesrules.co.uk/ and having a look thtough the literally dozens of rulesets available for nothing.

[Nellkyn]

Our Two Fat Lardies in heaven,

I think you'll find that they're called TOO Fat Lardies.

[Orcs]

I think you'll find that they're called TOO Fat Lardies.

But there are Two of them. or are they saying that the rulles must be played by "too fat lardies" in which case LH should not be allowed anywhere near them as he does not have the physique of a "Proper Wargame" 

[Last Hussar]

Mark

Just because I don't like fantasy dressed in WW2 costumes there is no need to sulk.

[rexhurley]

If you wanna play Farty Kay in WW2 clothes then agreed, Flames of War is indeed the way to go.

User Warning!! "Any resemblance between this game and WW2 is entirely unintentional, and in no way reflects the plans/machinations of the company known as Battlefront."

Statement above comes from a user who chooses in the democracy he lives in to not use the rules or if they have in the past to vehemently dislike them now.

Statement from a user and ex development manager of said company (thats me if your wondering) "Said company mentioned this is a game to encourage those who wish to play game using WWII mini's to do that have game and have fun."  Not never nor has it been stated by my ex employer that this was meant to be a simulation or anything else and it never fails to amaze me just how many people on this Forum bag a set of rules and a company that put historical gaming back on the map and reached/reaches millions of people around the world.

Now reaches for flak jacket and returns to bunker to weather the next rain of tirades from the ignorant.  

Oh one more note company name is actually Battlefront Miniatures not just Battlefront   would be nice if those who bag Company's actually get their facts right first.

[fsn]

"Flames of War" is something I wouldn't touch. I offers everything on a plate. New gamers, excited by viewing "A Bridge too Far" can pop out and buy a squadron of British tanks and a company of US paras etc.

If this encourages the young to begin historical gaming, isn't that a good thing? If the Flames of War game system is Warhammer 40k (never played either so don't know) then doen't that make it easier to encourage new gamers into WWII gaming? Whatever our personal dislikes, Warhammer 40k is a huge seller. It's probably the most reconised brand on the high street.

"Flames of War" rolls everything into a nice, neat package and presents it to those who don't have the time or inclination to do a lot of the research and work that I (and probably most of you) have done for years. 

Just think of some poor sod who, having watched the aforementioned "A Bridge too Far" is keen to have a go. There are no shops selling figures and rule sets with an avuncular and knowledgeable old sage sucking on an empty pipe behind the counter. Some research in magazines aand on the internet will show her she can choose 40mm, 30mm, 28mm, 25mm, 20mm, 15mm, Pendraken, 6mm, and bless me, 2mm. There's no guarantee that the 25mm figs from  one manufacturer will look right with those from another manufacturer. There are rule sets up the wazoo (witness a thread on this very forum) that offer different persepctives, and what about terrain? How then is the poor girl to choose?

Then there's "Flames of War". Plonk. A rule set, a range of figures with a web site telling you how to paint them. Everything you need in a box. 15mm, can be used for skirmish up to company. It's a dream, a god-send.

We all have the right to play our own rules and in our own scales. Like I say, FoW is too neat for me, but for the Warhammer 40k generation it's easy and recognisable and glamorous in a way that I suspect Pendraken would sell Leon to wandering gypsies for.

So, gentlemen, I emplore you to see FoW as a youngster's first drink. It's the Budweiser of wargames. It's light and it's cool, but perhaps there are some older, wiser heads who can lean over and say "you don't want to drink that piss. Have a pint of Pendraken."

[Steve J]

FoW has brought many gamers back to historical war gaming (myself included), that's for sure. I tried them as a rule set but they're not for me. I found I was having to play the rules to have a chance of winning, rather than use appropriate tactics to. That's where it falls down as a rule set IMHO. Personally I love BKCII, but they're not for everyone. Each to there own.

[GordonY]

Rex, I was merely stating that FoW isnt and will never give any real flavour of WW2 gaming, it is very 40K like in that it requires a monstrous big rulebook and a bunch of codexes supplements for all the "special" rules, but I will hold my hands up and say that I do own a copy of 2nd edition but purely for the porn eye-candy. I did play 40k (a long time ago), I did play FoW and one thing I noticed about both games eventually was that essentially the game was over once the army list was written. Both rulesets appeal to power gamers who want to min/max their lists and have read to death all these special rules for both their army and whatever they are playing against, that and the fact I've never yet seen a FoW game where the tanks weren't being run bogie to bogie.

If I had to describe FoW to anyone I'd have to be calling it WW2 Lite.

[Steve J]

At the club it was known as 40KWWII. Oh and power gamers at the club ruined it as a game. When we tried balanced forces it wasn't too bad, but it was always a tank fight first and foremost, with infantry only coming into the game later on .

[fsn]

Now isn't that better?

Group Hug! 

[Hertsblue]

 

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Both rulesets appeal to power gamers who want to min/max their lists and have read to death all these special rules for both their army and whatever they are playing against, that and the fact I've never yet seen a FoW game where the tanks weren't being run bogie to bogie.

If I had to describe FoW to anyone I'd have to be calling it WW2 Lite.

Lite - you forgot the sh off the front of that!  

I know I'm in the minority here, but I play it because I cannot get on with BKC...

I REALLY enjoy FOW, most of all because it's fun!  
I have to agree in some areas, but at least you get a result in 3 hours! Also, not all power gamers succeed (unless you are Lord Charlton).
If I can run 60 players in a tournament this last weekend, it can't be all bad! I use 1940 British armour, one of the worst lists around, but one of the best too, but I was in a minority with tanks in the Early War players this weekend as most Early War lists are infantry. As actually are Late War, it's the Soviets and Italians who dominate mid-war tanks!
FOW can be bad, but tanks don't run bogie to bogie when they are under an artillery template! Players who do that don't last long!


There are faults, but I just like it (mad, I know).  It's like Napoleonics, you never quite find a rule set that is perfect for a period. but you make the best of what you can.

[Steve J]

As long as you enjoy it, that's all that matters at the end of the day. It is after all a game, whether FoW, BKC, Spearhead etc. It's how you play the game that counts.

    There's a breathless hush in the Close to-night—
    Ten to make and the match to win—
    A bumping pitch and a blinding light,
    An hour to play and the last man in.
    And it's not for the sake of a ribboned coat,
    Or the selfish hope of a season's fame,
    But his captain's hand on his shoulder smote
    "Play up! play up! and play the game!"

    The sand of the desert is sodden red,—
    Red with the wreck of a square that broke;—
    The Gatling's jammed and the Colonel dead,
    And the regiment blind with dust and smoke.
    The river of death has brimmed his banks,
    And England's far, and Honour a name,
    But the voice of a schoolboy rallies the ranks:
    "Play up! play up! and play the game!"

    This is the word that year by year,
    While in her place the school is set,
    Every one of her sons must hear,
    And none that hears it dare forget.
    This they all with a joyful mind
    Bear through life like a torch in flame,
    And falling fling to the host behind—
    "Play up! play up! and play the game!"

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Too true

[sunjester]

I'd like to apologise for Last Hussar and Just a Few Orcs.

We don't let them out very often because they get over excited very easily. I'll increase their medications and shut them both in a darkened room until they calm down a bit.

Perhaps I'll make sure they are both accompanied by medical staff the next time they come out in public. If anyone from the forum should happen to encounter them I'd be grateful if you did not mention WW2 wargaming or name any particular set of rules.