"Something simple, something easy...." Topic

Okay, I could use a little advice. My friends are pretty much non-wargamers. I have gotten one friend to play Memoir 44 scaled up to 54mm. It has worked well because it is really easy to ramp someone up on the rules and is something that pairs well with our beer drinking camaraderie.

I'd like to maybe try something else in the WW2 genre. For it to be a success it needs to accomplish three things. 1. Easy to learn. 2. Lots of fun 3. Doesn't require a lot of forces to be fun as I will need to provide all the forces. Oh wait, there is a 4. It still needs to fare well over beverages.

Honestly, I don't care what level… Maybe each base is a squad? Perhaps it can accommodate multiple players… I just want to take it up a level of 'realism' but geared to an insanely casual level of gamer.

Thanks in advance!

Chain of Command from the lardies. It fits all of your reqs. Also, Youtube videos to help you along.

How about Crossfire? Easy to teach/learn only uses D6 throughout. A base is a squad, regardless of the number of figures on the base.

FUBAR? Never played it, but at one page it can't be too complex.

My personal recommendation for WW2 skirmish would be Flying Lead, but I don't know if it would carry well under the influence

Creative Guy, if you're willing to try another hex-based game, one of my WW2 favorites that I think might meet your criteria would be Tank On Tank by Lock 'n Load Publishing. The actual board game is very small, but it's a hoot to play. I liked the system so much that I enlarge the two game boards that come with it, and re-textured larger unit counters which I mounted in slotted plastic stands to make them upright, and more "miniatures-like":

link

On the game's webpage over on Board Game Geek, you can browse some photos and see some 3D conversions guys have made to use with their miniatures and terrain pieces:

link

One simple game mechanic that really provides some tension, comes from the fact that your opponent secretly draws from a cup a chit that shows the number of unit activations you'll be able to use in a particular turn, but you don't know how many activations you've got until your opponent tells you you've exhausted the last one for your turn, and then shows you the pulled chit. This makes players really contemplate what moves they make, because they don't have the luxury of knowing when they'll exhaust their limited activations. It also keeps your opponent engaged in the game while you're making your moves, because he's just waiting for the opportunity to tell you your turn is up so he can start his….of course then, you secretly pull his activation chit, and the sequence starts over again…..

If interested, and you decide you might want to create bigger board maps for Tank On Tank, there's also pre-rendered versions that fans have made which are available as PDFs in the File section on the game's BGG page – you can have these enlarged and printed out at any mildly capable print shop.

I am about to try out Dust Tactics with historical forces dragged out of the "1947" cards. Might be worth a look.

FlyXwire, how do you like "Tank on Tank" for infantry and infantry vs. armor combat? This game has intrigued me in the past (haven't bought it yet) and your enthusiasm is wearing off on me!

FlyXwire, interestingly enough I use Peter Bogdasarian's Dawn's Early Light game for my 3mm cold war project. I will have to take a look at it.

Strong recommendation for Rapid Fire 2nd Edition. Designed for fast play yet it nicely captures the period. I run games at conventions using the rules and even novices are soon running the game themselves.

Tide of Iron, the FFG one.
It's a lot like Memoir, but different. More detailed.

Also, I love it when people scale up to 54mm! well done!

Guys, Tank On Tank is a very simple game (just a step above Memoir '44 perhaps). Still, I find it gives me that joy that playing the Commands & Colors games do for me too. It's when considering the non-military gamer that I think Tank on Tank is additionally a really good suggestion. The downside with the game, and one which miniatures gamers can generally overcome with their craftiness – the game board and counters are small (it wouldn't be considered a good buy if bought full retail). However, its two game boards can be converted to a larger size, and the game system easily converted to miniatures, and because the game's unit count is low not a lot of different minis would be needed.

As I wrote the first entry here earlier, I was thinking to myself that Tank On Tank would make a great entry-level convention game (it is "beer and pretzels" but still rewards tactics), and the game boards blown up and printed on advertising banner vinyl to something like 40 X 60 inches would really draw some attention, in a "hey, lets play this fun game", sort of like seeing a big chess game with its set of large playing pieces.

You might try the free download of "PBI simple" on the PP. website

martin

Bolt Action is "yes" to all four questions. The Normandy box comes with plenty to get you started and includes the rule book.

Chain of Command is a step up in complexity and enjoyment – but not beer and pretzels (IMHO).

Both are WW II skirmish level with each figure representing one man. Armor is scarce (unless playing a big scenario) and the scale is reinforced platoon vs. same.

We use 28mm but both scale to 15mm or 20mm.

Another vote for Crossfire.

As your friends are non-wargamers they should be more capable of coping with the no ranges, no turns aspect of Crossfire than a lot of experienced wargamers do, to whom it is a bit too way-out for their poor old conditioned brains.

Crossfire is an obvious choice, recommended. As is FUBAR.

My new game "Hail of Fire" also meets your criteria, and has been getting really good feedback. Easy to learn, only 3 pages long, and free. You can download it here to take a look: link

Christot, I actually have Crossfire buried in a cabinet somewhere and was thinking about that… I bought it years ago and never played it. I may need to get my 54s out and run through the rules.

Cheesesailor77, thanks for the link. I am going to take a look!

If you want to get started without needing more than 4-6 guys for each player and as a bonus, can play with a fully fledged campaign, where your characters get skills and have things happen as you play, you might be interested in my rules "Five Men in Normandy".

As far as easy to learn, one of the guys who bought it reported that after 15 minutes, he had two guys run the game who had never played before.

link

And now that I'm done pimping my own game, if you want company level games, Crossfire is basically one of the best games you'll ever play.

Fireball Forward is worth a look. A stand (3 figures but could be any number that works for you) is a squad. Their website has a link for a lite version you can play.

The 2 page WWII rules look like they might fit the bill as well.

If they are willing to go a step higher complexity (just a small step) then IABSM is a fun set.

I've looked at CoC but the rules don't click with me. It just looks like too much stuff. Idk, need to give it a better look.

Is there anywhere that I could buy a copy of Crossfire? Seemed like a fun game to try out.

I hear where you are coming from. Bolt action will hit your needs perfectly. if you want something to go from a box (lots a lovely boards cool big counters, men tanks etc) then Heroes of Normandie is outstanding.

Crossfire is available at On Military Matters for $25. USD

Operation Squad.

Maybe the battlegroup series?