"Fistful of TOWs3 v. Command Decision" Topic

Does anyone have experience of using both 'Fistful of TOWs 3' and 'Command Decision TOB?' I use Command Decision for WW2 but might need a modern set in the near future, and while I'm aware that there's a modern mod for CD I'm thinking of giving FFoT a go. A cursory look at FFoT3 would suggest that it would be possible to do bigger games than CD within the same time limit. What do people see as the main differences, good or bad, between the two sets?

First off here is the link for the Lite version of FFT3.

PDF link

Differences I can remember.
1 – FFT3 can handle much larger forces than TOB since it does not get into the minutiae of morale in the same way. A company is either effective and fighting or retires off the board.

2 – No giving orders, turns are igo/ugo but with an interesting opfire mechanic. If you moved last turn you don't get to shoot in opfire (with mods for stabilized weapons).

3 – No tracking a "command" vehicle, just choose a stand each turn to be the command vehicle for that turn. Those in a chain of command to that vehicle are in command while those that are not are not.

4 – Arty is not plotted but instead it is rolled for each turn. Same for airstrikes.

5 – Morale checks are done once per phase – if you are hit 20 times (and not destroyed outright) you still make just one MC for the phase.

6 – Quality is handled by command distance, ROF, morale level, and to-hit mods.

The largest difference is really the morale system – in TOB you can have a group stop and then regroup, in FFT3 they either fail the check and don't come back or stay fighting.

I stick with CD. You keep the turn sequence and most of the rules. The TO&E in Combined Arms are a good start and the Weapons and Armor ratings are easy to handle. On reason I like the ratings from Combined Arms is that there is a little more "equity" between NATO and WARPAC armor. As far as forces, given the ground scale there probably shouldn't be Moe than a NATO brigade on a 4x8 table (and probably should be played along the narrow edge).

A NATO battalion should be on a 3-5 Km Front.

Saber6-- . (Fair disclosure -- I'm one of the designers of FFT3.)

I'm curious as to what you mean by "a little more 'equity' between NATO and WARPAC armor"? We used Paul Lakowski's armor ratings, which are widely considered to be the best non-classified source of data. (My co-designer has an engineering degree (Materials Science) from MIT, which was invaluable in evaluating the data.) We based movement allowances on power:weight ratios and suspension technology. We also included a full system for deriving game ratings from real world data. And finally, there is a point value system (along with the rules for generating your own point values). Oh and we make the data freely available in Excel format to,anyone who wants it (it's at fft3.com). As I recall, CD3 does not give players a set of tools like this.

Also, while I haven't done a comparison of army lists wth CD3, FFT3 has very extensive WWII and modern OBs. And hundreds and hundreds of vehicles. I seriously doubt that any set of rules is more comprehensive in terms of equipment and OBs.

The above link is iffy and fixes as follows:-

fft3.com

One day I will get my player group using FFT!!

I've used both rules and like them both.
FFT3 is a more fluid style of game which flows really good. No command orders to be issued, no command stands as 'YOU' are the commander. FFT3 also covers both WWII and today's. Its a great game system, but more geared for 6mm scale, however, 15mm can be used. Scale is 1"=100yards, 1 stand= platoon.
CD:ToB is more involved than FFT3. You need command stands for each unit, even if its a company 3 tanks, 1 of those is the command tank. Your command stands issue orders, using order chits (or dice) and you proceed from there. Scale is 1"= 50 yards, 1 stand= platoon. Mainly used with 15mm, but have seen some done in 6mm.
Overall both rules are fun, depends on your play style and both can handle large battles.

I've played FFT3 in both 6mm and 15mm for NATO/Warpac battles and it balances quite nicely. It allows for huge battles in a reasonable time period yet it remains quite "crunchy" and detailed.

The numerous orbats allow you to jump into a game from spanish civil war all the way to the present.

There's a new external FFT3 board – more info here:

TMP link

Thanks everyone. Finally got around to playing a few games of FFT3, and it was much easier to fit games into our club nights. The loss of orders and more detailed morale status from CD:TOB wasn't too much of a price to pay for being able to get a game of the size we wanted finished in an evening.