John the OFM | 21 Oct 2012 8:15 a.m. PST |
I have banted about my wish to run a game of junta with miniatures. This means that I would need to get things like Christian militia, rioting dock wrkers, etc. It strikes me that that is a lot of work for a single game. Dogs of War is also one of my favorite books and for msic, there is always Roland. People who play AK-47 always seem to have a lot of politically incorrect fun, so
I am looking for advice on playing AK-47. I may order it soon. A few questions. Would it make a good club game, with 6 (on the average) players, 3 on a side? What is a good size command for a newbie? How many units? How many figures in a unit? Can I use Flames of War units? If I assume they are using surplus Yankee or Rumanian uniforms? Flames of War basing? Finally, what is the "Golden Age" most appropriate for AK-47 combined with Junta? The 50s? 60s? 70s? I am assuming that "a tank is a tank" and that a surplus JSII is just as good as a Sherman. Or a Stuart. Or an FT-17. |
epturner | 21 Oct 2012 9:13 a.m. PST |
I'm going to ensure that a "Hello Kitty" themed force is available for you John. I might even paint up a Hello Kitty Sherman for you. Eric |
citizen sade | 21 Oct 2012 9:25 a.m. PST |
AK47's a great game though it's not for everyone. While it's designed to be a two player game though we have successfully used it with more. We, like many others, are still playing 1st edition. In that, an "army" is made up of 5 units together worth 600 points. The amount of figures varies depending on the unit. For instance, you might have a unit of two tanks or one with a heap of militia infantry, a technical and a mortar. Yes, you can use FoW units and the basing should not be a problem though it will be easier if everything's got the same basing convention. Golden age? Whatever you want it to be. I picture my games as set in the 1970s, but that's just me. Regarding tanks, there is an option to distinguish between a regular tank and one with a modern gun if you want. We don't tend to use it. More important is whether it's militia, regular or professional grade. Professionals, though, are limited and expensive. Some factions can't have any while the colonial settlers one are limited to two in their starting army. This can change when you start roll on the political maneuver table. As can many other things. |
John the OFM | 21 Oct 2012 9:37 a.m. PST |
Where can I buy AK-47, by the way? Only from Peter Pig or Brookhurst? Anyone at Fall In that carries it? |
Dale Hurtt | 21 Oct 2012 9:44 a.m. PST |
I got my copy from Brookhurst, however is the latest edition not the earlier one that Citizen Sade spoke of. |
Only Warlock | 21 Oct 2012 9:50 a.m. PST |
LOVE 1st Ed AK47 (And make sure to get the supplement) While there is no reason NOT to use surplus FoW figs, I would recommend you supplement them with some Peter Pig guys carrying AK47s and British types with Berets carrying SLRs. I had one extra WWII Surplus Panther painted up for my Dictator's army but my Mercenaries (The Dreaded "SporK" composed of former Waffen-SS troops) used Armored Cars. It's a great game and it encourages silly units and over-the top character acting. I need to get back into it. -Mike |
John the OFM | 21 Oct 2012 10:09 a.m. PST |
I am not all that into "edition creep". Any edition will do, as long as it gives a good game. |
Tgunner | 21 Oct 2012 10:11 a.m. PST |
Yeah, 1st Edition was very few in number and almost no one is willing to part with their copy. I've seen a copy on ebay just ONE TIME! And it went for way, way, way too much money for my taste. Good luck there. 2d Edition is much easier to get and oddly enough Brookhurst has them: link But not cheaply though! Be ready to shell out $32 USD plus shipping to get your copy. Getting it from Peter Pig in the UK is the same price really. A Google search will pull up more vendors, but none of them are any cheaper. Now one other possibility is getting a copy off The Board Game Geek: link You might be able to work out a trade for a copy. |
Martin Rapier | 21 Oct 2012 10:42 a.m. PST |
You can use the same stuff for 1st or 2nd edition, we prefer 1st ed, but as above, it is OOP and hard to find. You certainly could use FOW bases, the suggested base size is 30x30 but it doesn't matter really. A tank is indeed a tank, but you may wish to differentiate between quality by using rubbish stuff for militia tanks and something really modern like a Centurian for good stuff. You don't need tons of tanks, but if you like militia quality infantry, you'll need a lot of infantry. Yes, it works multi-player but I would go for more than three players a side, it is entirely feasibale after the scenario generation sequence that they will only end up with one unit each
I tend to visualise it as 60s/70s so Centurians, T55s, T34s, Saladins etc abound in my AK world, along with SLR toting Brits, M16 toting mercenaries and lots of blokes with AKs, G3s and SLRs as well as a few Mig 15s. |
David Manley | 21 Oct 2012 12:09 p.m. PST |
A lovely game. I prefer 1st edition. I playtested 2nd, but it seemed to lose some of its charm in the process. Its still a great game, but no-one I know who plays AK47 uses 2nd edition. |
John the OFM | 21 Oct 2012 12:22 p.m. PST |
Well, again, how many figures per unit? If "it depends", than depemds on what? Please give typical size for a rioting slum dwellers, a "trained" militia, El Gardo del El Presidentay, etc. I was gifted with some FPW hussars and lancers, and
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(I am Spam) | 21 Oct 2012 1:13 p.m. PST |
To get started get some bags of Old Glory stuff. Infantry/Militia (2x CMOD12 and 2x CMOD09), Regulars (2x CMOD06), Militia support (2x CMOD10), technicals (CDMV01 x2 and CDMODC03 x2)and tanks/APC's (PW703, PW732, PW735, PW740 your choice, mix it up!) Later you can add some troops from Peter Pig and QRF to the solid core here. Incidentally, Hurlbat does plastic rotor discs to replace the incredibly delicate rotors from QRF helicopters. |
martin goddard | 21 Oct 2012 1:42 p.m. PST |
Hope you enjoy AK John. Quality of opponent is often the most important part. The second edition does all that the first does and much more, but eliminates the oddities that a lot of the competition players would abuse. Citizen Sade sums up the start of 2nd edition well.. "An "army" is made up of 5 units together worth 600 points. The amount of figures varies depending on the unit. For instance, you might have a unit of two tanks or one with a heap of militia infantry, a technical and a mortar." Enjoy the game Martin |
soldieroftheline | 21 Oct 2012 1:50 p.m. PST |
Well, again, how many figures per unit? If "it depends", than depemds on what? It's a points based game so it depends how many you want Seriously, points are spent on bases which are usually 3 figs for rifle stands and 2 for RPGs and LMGs. Infantry units are usually between 4 and 12-15 bases or so with professional units being smaller and militia larger. |
Tgunner | 21 Oct 2012 2:06 p.m. PST |
John- I think it's sort of like Flames of War is when it comes to units. In FoW some units are pretty small with just a couple of bases (like a British MG platoon) while others are pretty huge (like the Polish and Russian infantry companies). I get the impression that the more regular (or elite) a unit is, the small it is. Whereas the less experienced it is the larger it is. What that translates into bases and figure numbers
you got me. I don't have the rules yet either. |
PSADennis | 21 Oct 2012 3:58 p.m. PST |
Martin, Any plans for new infantry and vehicles for AK-47? I for one would love to see this range expand. Dennis |
Sergeant Paper | 21 Oct 2012 10:04 p.m. PST |
My mock- Palestinians had surplus LVTP-5 amphibious transports and PT-76s for tank support. |
Martin Rapier | 22 Oct 2012 3:35 a.m. PST |
"Well, again, how many figures per unit? If "it depends", than depemds on what?" It depends on the point values of the elements, restrictions of unit choice placed on each type or Army, and global restrictions on numbers of units armed with tanks etc. However, as an example, my British sponsored vaguely Kenyan looking force consists of: 1 x Professional unit with 4 x infantry bases, 1 x armoured car (gun armed), 1 x armoured car (MG) 1 x Regular unit with 4 x Infantry bases, 1 x gun armed armoured car, 2 x wheeled APC 1 x Regular unit with a bunch of technicals 1 x HMG, 1 x AA gun, 2 x recoilless rifles all on trucks/landrovers. 2 x militia untis each with four infantry bases, 1 x HMG base and 1 x mortar. Infantry bases have three figures, weapons have one weapon plus crew. This is a quite a small army. Plus I have a ton of stuff in the box for extras added by the pre-game scenario setup sequence. Conversely, one my other factions has: 1 x Regular unit with 7 x infantry bases, 1 x tank, 1 x mG armed APC 1 x regular unit with 4 x infantry and 4 x mortars (the utterly devastating mortar battalion!) 3 x militia units each with 5 x rifle groups, 1 x HMG and 1 x RPG group. Gives you a rough idea anyway. |
martin goddard | 22 Oct 2012 9:06 a.m. PST |
Just addeda pack of profesional seated. We will add some islamic types too. Just doing some WW1 at the moment and then some AWI Martin |
Muerto | 05 Mar 2016 11:40 a.m. PST |
This seems to be the most informative thread, so I'll resurrect it with my beginner questions: The examples above are heavily infantry based; is it possible to have an army which is mostly vehicle based? I understand that there are African lists and Middle-Eastern lists in the 2nd edition; are the two balanced to fight? And, being now where you were 3 years ago, I'm curious – what do you reckon of the game, John? |
Peachy rex | 14 Mar 2016 10:56 p.m. PST |
Yeesss… I don't know that you can do a vehicle-heavy list for *every* faction – each has a different set of restrictions, and some are really restricted – but it's certainly possible for some of them. The Colonial Settlers, for example, are allowed five AFVs and four technicals – take all nine as pros and/or regulars, and the points vanish in a hurry. Peter Pig has the faction lists for 2nd Ed available as a free download, BTW. |