"Field Of Battle WW2 by Piquet. Anyone played this?" Topic

Thought I might like the scale of these rules. Do you need any other of their books to play (need master rules also or not)? How do they play? Piquet has always seemed kind of it's own thing to me. I played a Napoleonic game years ago, but didn't quite get it. Have heard people love it or hate it. How is it for WW2?

The FOB WWII book is a stand alone one. Field of Battle isn't the same as Piquet. I have played both sets. Field of Battle takes all the great things about Piquet and eliminates the fiddily stuff from the rules. The game plays very quickly and has a low learning curve. The cards have the effects on them so you don't need to guess. It only costs impetus to flip a card. Every unit that card applies to may act on it. I haven't heard of many folks disliking FOB. May not be their cup of tea. But doesn't seem to have anywhere the love/hate relationship that regular PK does.

The rules are a great large scale set. Frankly, not much else compares at this scale.

Do yourself a favor and check them out!

Thanks,

John

I go along with John. A great set of rules. We have played Eastern Front and Western Desert games and had a lot of fun. Like most of the 'newer' rules sets they don't get bogged down with the technichal statistics of 'older' sets, and the game does not degenerate into a game of Top Trumps.

You will not require a great deal of figures or vehicles to play a good game. This is not a rule set where you have wall to wall tanks. The best games we have played involve about six to ten vehicles (a couple of btns) plus twelve infantry stands (a brigade) plus some odds and sods; a stand is a company.

It sounds too good to be true. I've ordered a set. I looked at a scenario on the discussion group web site and liked the "leanness" of it. I've become kind of disenchanted with WW2 rules, was attempting to write my own. Maybe this is what I've been looking for.
I'm a little nervous about Piquet. Many years ago, a Piquet game was put on at my club. It didn't go well and was the nearest thing we've ever had to a riot. Just the word "Piquet" still gets quite a reaction. I know it's not for everyone, but I'd like to give it a try. Thanks for the opinions!

Piquet is the marmite of wargaming, a bit like Crossfire. My group hate it, but there is a fine game lurking in there. Personally I find some of the actual mechanics (as opposed to the impetus thing) excessively cumbersome, but that is maybe just me.

Somua

Here are some pictures of one of our FOB:WW2 games.

link

Mark

Mark,
Thanks for the pictures-great looking game!

What scale is it? As in:

1 figure = 1 man?

1 model/stand = 1 vehicle/1 squad?

1 model/stand = 1 platoon?

1 model/stand = 1 company?

1 model/stand = 1 battalion?

other?

1 model/stand equals a company. From the rules blurb: Field of Battle: WW2 uses companies as the combat element, and battalions as the maneuver element.
The only troops represented as units on the tabletop are maneuver and combat elements – infantry companies, armor companies, and anti-tank gun/artillery companies.

OK, got my FOB WW2 rules. looked through them, like everything a lot so far but….
Do you really need a battalion command stand for every three company stands? Is this necessary? From the little reading I've done, they don't seem to do anything, except at higher levels. Seems kind of whacked having one out of every four stands a command stand. Is this how people play?

I don't think you need an extra one. Just use one of the four.

Thanks,

John

So, if you have a company of 3 Panthers, just use one of the Panthers? In the rules they show a picture of 3 Panthers and a separate command stand for them with a Kublewagon on it. Seems like there would be a lot of command running around on the table if you need one command stand for every three combat stands.

@ Somua S35

I spoke with the author, Brent Oman earlier today. Great guy, Not only did he answer my questions about an order I had placed, he also answered some specific game related questions I had. Seeing as your question about command companies were still some what unanswered, I thought I would ask him.

Per Brent, the command model may be anything you like. A fourth Panther "command" tank, a staff car, or a command figure / group on foot are all acceptable. Provided the base is the proper size for the parent unit, you can use whatever suits your fancy as the stand containing the "big hat" giving the orders.

Thanks! I've been reviewing the rules, like them a lot. I'll probably have some more questions for Brent.

So how did it work out in the end? There seem to be a lot of different rules out there. Spearhead looks best for mid to late war. Looking at Lightening War at the moment but FOB has had a good write up although it seems quiet now as people have moved on to other newness.

I've just received a copy -they look very exciting.
It looks like there is a squad based set on the horizon as well!!!