"Top 5 Reasons to Play IABSM" Topic

Why should someone play TooFatLardies' I Ain't Been Shot Mum! WWII ruleset?

Frictions of War!

My number 1 reason is because it is a lot of fun. I certainly like it a LOT more than than the most popular 15mm WWII rule set. I think it does a good job with platoon / company level engagements.

But what makes it more fun than any other ruleset?

The built-in bias toward friendly gaming and away from tournament powergaming, as evidenced by the 'both decide how good the shot is' rules… rules nazis' minds simply explode at the thought, and the survivors can have a good laugh and a friendly game.

Friendly rules that reward genuine use of tactics.

Amen brother Bloggs

1. Lends itself towards friendly play
2. No "points sysytem"
3. Genuine tactics flow and are often rewarded
4. Creates Fog and Friction of War easily
5. Once the concepts are grasped (and they are not hard as Rich and Nick are not that smart!} very easy game to play.
[6. Goes well with Platoon Forward :) ]

In summary an elegant system. I actually like Troops Weapons and Tactics better but then again, I like knowing what my Corporals are up too!!

Joe

Easy to learn

Focus on friction (cards are for that)

Easily modified to taste

Easy armor rules that interact very well with infantry

Commanders (big men) get there proper role of keeping the troops fighting.

But what makes it more fun than any other ruleset?

1. It's an intuitive game….and suits people who like to think on their feet.
2. both /all players are actively involved for the duration of a turn…it isn't a 'my go…your toilet break' kind of game.
3. It's pretty fast. Faster than some games that claim they are fast.
4. Troop interactions work well.
5. All of the above promote constant talking between the players and that is where fun can be generated.

Because it is not Flames of War.

And its not PanzerUberFuhrerBlitz

I played my first game about a month ago. I liked it a lot and bought the rules a couple days ago. My prior WWII experience was only with FOW, which I still like as well…but they are very different. What I liked about IABSM was:

1. The blinds give an element of "fog or war" that I think is very accurate to what platoon/company commanders actually felt.

2. The card based turn sequence is also a neat way to represent the uncertainty of the response of troops in the field. I think the IGo/YouGo system can lead to playing/gaming the rules rather than using real tactics.

3. I like the emphasis on scenarios, rather than heads-up smash-up tourney focused rules.

4. I like the bigman leadership concept.

5. Easy to learn

Ive never played but am interested in peoples answers due to the fact it always gets high praise.

The groundscale is about 1:300 so if you play it in 6mm everything is in scale.

> But what makes it more fun than any other ruleset?

Ah then, rules lawyers have to shy away from the game or go into a fit of apoplexy. That alone is worth the price of admission.

The reason is the game purposely leaves some things vague (like what exactly is a Poor/Good/Great show – there are suggestions but no hard and fast rules)

> But what makes it more fun than any other ruleset?

The rules make you feel like a commander in the field. No, not as in cold, scared and hungry, but as in "If I order the lads to do X, then they will most probably get it done before Y o'clock, however, I'd better send Sgt Stone to make sure things move along on the left flank…" and so on. Not "and by turn three 1st Platoon will have moved 18 inches through the woods, then I'll launch my charge with 2nd platoon…"

Somehow , It manages to completely avoid the requirements of having long vast discussions on that well known world war two topic 'list dissection'.

Great for friction, social gaming and building a narrative – things that happen on the table feel right. Best set of rules Ive ever played; Carlsberg dont make wargames rules, but if they did…

I think of them as Heineken Wargames Rules, they reach the parts other games can't reach.

Still not seeing anything other rules dont do…

But then I never 'got' IABSM. Always felt rather unfinished to me.

May have to get the new edition to see if thats changed.

To show off my Hugh Jarse……

Watching BKC players suddenly have to learn proper tactics.

Does this set lend itself to 20mm 1:1 figure:individual troop type games?

I've about a company of German parachutists and an equal number of British infantry and some armoured vehicles and want to run a fun rather than rules-lawyer-dominated game.

I just purchased it. From reading it sounds fun.

JT8, IABSM should fulfil your requirements very well IMHO.

JT8, we play it in 20mm 1:1 and for the fun of it. Rules lawyering is unknown at our table.

I bought the bundle and the rules are at least entertaining to read.

I'll hold off on giving an opinion on their usability until I've worked through a scenario or 3 after the cards arrive.

John, any questions, just join the yahoo group and ask away, it's what we're there for. That, and the rugby, the cheese and the alcohol.

Oh, I've got some newbie questions that I'll get out there this morning.