"A nice easy game for a beginner?" Topic

Hi I have never played a wargame in my whole life and wanted to know of an easy game to get me started!!! Nothing to complicated any suggestions?

Try Rapid Fire:
rapid-fire.uk.com/rules.htm

there's a free "for rookies" download.

Flames of War.

<ducks to avoid thrown objects>

Its easy to find players as its pretty well supported by many stores. Its not a very historically accurate game in some respects but gives a nice approximation of WWII combat.

Rapid Fire is a nice option too.

Also try a search for free rulesets online

Chuck

cheers guys. I will check it out.

There is a new version of NUTS! coming out soon. I loved the previous edition.

If you are a GW player ( 40k or WFB), then Flames of War or Disposable Heroes are fairly close proximities. Just kinda similar, not full on GW clones…

There is a new version of NUTS! coming out soon. I loved the previous edition.

As you've never played a war game before try this. It's free will save you $$.

link

Plus you can use any figures, even paper ones that you can get here.

link

If you like it then try the new version of NUTS that's coming out soon.

Hello Scotsco,
If you are open to a 'board game approach try Memoir44. It has good scenarios and is easy to learn. A lot of people have went to using the system using full scale minis after learning the game. A game takes about an hour to play.

As mentioned FOW is quite easy to learn BUT you do have to paint up miniatures and build your own forces from codex style books.
I like NUTS but would not say it is good for someone that has not played a wargame before.
I hope this helps.
Clif

I just want to say Welcome to the hobby and TMP Scotsco.

I like NUTS but would not say it is good for someone that has not played a wargame before.

Actually people that haven't any previous experience understand the reaction system much quicker than those that have played other games an "know" what they are doing. I know this from running hundreds of games over the past ten years at conventions.

But yes, don't buy NUTS!. Try the freebie first.

I taught a total gaming newbie how to play Disposable Heroes. He picked it quickly. Poor chap didn't even know how to roll dice!

Hey Tom, welcome to TMP and WWII wargames! I won't make a suggestion as you have a few here to try out. These sorts of questions can sometimes turn into a stampede battle of sorts of people shouting try this! No, try that! No my game is better, try mine! etc, etc.
--
Tim

Scotsco, welcome. I was new to WWII games to a while back, I got the Disposable Heroes rules 5 years ago or so and I've been playing those rules ever since. It's not free, but it's fast, furious, fun and not fussy. I like them.
However, if you live near any game conventions or large game stores, go and play a game of whatever they are playing. See if you enjoy the rules. If so, purchase and play. If not, keep on playing games with other rules until one suits you. If there aren't any big game shops or game cons near by, well, pick some rules and start playing. Feel free to ask us geezers questions about any rule set you play. We love to talk about it, as you can see. 8^D

Try "Memoir '44" from Days of Wonder.

Another vote for Memoir '44. It also has a number of free miniutrre rules variants available on the net using the same style of play. Easy intro, not alot of investment to start with, and you decide how much more serious you want to be.

Some games such as FoW may be easy enough to play, although there are many extras that you have to keep up to date with. Cost of investment can be rather high, but the miniatures even based for FoW may be used for a variety of other games which may be more to your liking or budget.

Start with Memoir '44, find out what appeals to you about WW2 and then you can start looking at the scope of what games provide you with what sort of thing you would like to achieve. There are large scale games playing god as a General, and ones playing Brigade commanders, others playing Battalion commanders, and so on down to Platoon and Squad leaders. Some work better for tanks and such, others for command, others for grunts.

Finally, you need to consider the figure scale as this may well dictate table size and what sort of rules work best on what you have.

Regards,

G

Plus you can use any figures, even paper ones that you can get here.

I would like to point out to our new friend that you can always use any figures you want, for any game you want.

Rapid fire for Rookies is good, easy and free. Try also PBI "quickstart" on the Peter Pig site as well, it's also free.

Highly suggest you be on the look out for conventions or game days in your area. Many Game Masters (GMs) run games where beginners are invited. They usually advertise the scenario and the rules. You can usually go to a website for the rules and get the gist of them. This will give you a chance to play a game, or several, try out a variety of rules without cost and see where your interests lie before plunging in! Also a good idea if several eras appeal to you.

Once you find a set which appeals to you look for a support group like on Yahoo. There you can get your questions answered, pick up scenarios and generally have a common interest to discuss. I see many "newbies" pick up a set or rules, find no one to play with or discuss with, get discouraged and leave the hobby before they really get started.

In any event welcome!

Axis & Allies Collectible Miniatures Game would be a good recommendation. Everything you need to play comes in the Starter box. And all the minis come painted and most are 15mm scale, so would easily transfer into other rules sets.

link

scotsco, who will you be playing with and where? Finding a game is often the biggest challenge, so what's available in your area may well decide your "best" option. If it's just you and a few friends, then you can be more selective. If you're going to be playing mostly solo games, well, you can do whatever you want, so try them all!

Another vote for "Memoir '44".

Everything is in one box, and you'll be playing within 15 minutes. The fun factor is high, and it is a perfect gateway into more involved rules.

I'm a bit late on this thread but I am glad that a few people said Memoir '44. It's a great way to start!

Dont spend any money yet !!! Follow th efreebie advice above. Then play with a local club – try all periods you can and use other peoples or club figures. Great idea to use paper stuff (top-downs especially) to start with. Buy rules second hand off ebay. i would read a book ABOUT wargaming too. Battle by Charles Grant or Operation Warboard by Gavin Lyall. God fornøjlse / Have fun.

I will be playing my first game today. I will be playing rapid fire for "rookies".

Cheers for all the advice guys!!!

And don't need too worry about figures. As i have some because i like to make models (it was only through me seeing my models collect dust I decided to play). Will my figures need to be put on bases? And if so what size should i use for rapid fire?

Scotsco;

I run Rapid Fire games at our conventions (Hurricon just around the corner, hmgs-south.com). You dont say what scale you are using but guessing 20mm? The nice thing about Rapid Fire is you can use most any basing system. Vehicles are usually NOT based. Infantry is usually two to a base along with singles which allows easy removal of casualties. Heavy weapons have various crew sizes but once again the actual size of the base doesnt matter. Suggest seeing how other base their figures. If you are supplying some of the figures, as I said, your vehicles are fine without a base. Would suggest, if their base is stable enough, not mounting your infantry right now. If you wish to do so, however, various size washers found in hardware stores works well for a bit wider and stable base.

In any case hope you have a great time and welcome to the hobby!

"Will my figures need to be put on bases? And if so what size should i use for rapid fire?"

Rapid Fire is designed to played with individual figures (although I use multiple figure bases and track losses). You might find sticking them onto pennies makes them more stable though.

Have fun!

Yh should of said marc they are 1:72 scale. Most of them stand up on their own. But some are a bit wobbly! All I've done for now is stick the wobbly ones on a bit of card with bluetack!

Tom

Yes, 1/72nd scale figs can be a bit wobbly on their own bases. I find UHU or Bostik works fine to stick them to somthing a bit more stable – card or pennies or whatever.

1-48combat.com