"Small-scale rules" Topic

I am totally new to modern war gaming, but I'd like to learn a good small scale game for sideshow gaming (to World War 2).
I like the idea of employing small unit tactics, counter-terrorist operations and such, but I'd also like to have the option of using vehicles as support. Something akin to the Combat Mission game series for PC (Shock Force is the modern version which is very well done). A PC game can have more moving parts though (ex. several vehicles) but I'm not looking to recreate huge tank battles or anything like that.

I'd like to see some difference between the weapons and troops, and maybe guidelines to come up with fictional scenarios.

Force on Force?

Force on Force allows you to command a platoon with maybe a vehicle or two on the table. More players will allow more troops of course. It flows well and is easy to teach to other gamers for the most part. It features an "interrupt your opponent" capability which really helps the game shine.

I'd be happy to tell why you should go buy my rules BUT, they don't have a lot of weapon differences. A rifle is a rifle and a MG is a MG.

If you want to play campaigns, have some personality and a really unique system, I got you covered though.

What do you say?

Which rules are yours?

No End In Sight (took a while to click your nick). At least you're not asking for an arm and a leg for it :)

Did you include MBTs and such fun equipment in the book? I'm picturing doing a USMC platoon maybe, with a couple of LAV-25s and lots of insurgents with RPGs. If the game goes quickly, a side switch for another go.

Reading up on your game, seems fun. Any ideas on how to utilize a larger table for this game? I've got 8 by 6.5 feet of space available.

Maybe a campaign on a larger map would be a good solution. Fight one battle on one section of the map, have a tea break, haul the wounded away by chopper (if it doesn't get shot down), fill in the squads with replacements, then start another firefight from the end positions of the last game.

Some kind of supply rules would be cool too for a campaign game. Vehicles would have a limited ammunition, and could run out during the "campaign", especially if the player relies on vehicles for support too much.

It's late so I should just sleep…Yawn.

Depends on what level stands you are after.

Platoon level – Fistful of Tows.

Squad Level – Find the old MBT game from Avalon Hill OR the upcoming I Ain't Been Nuked Mum from Too Fat Lardies.

Single Man – Force on Force, though the differences between weapons is downplayed but the difference in experience is well represented. Vehicles are more abstract than I like but reasonably well done.

Too Fat Lardies upcoming Man to Man game looks interesting, it is like Chain of Command in mechanics.

The old Avalon Hill game called Firepower – if you like the old school feel. It covers up till the Cold War time of it's release.

I bought No End In Sight. It was on sale :)

Reading it, so far it's exactly what I was looking for in a modern game. The only thing missing is collapsing buildings under auto cannon fire (had to come up with something). It can be fixed.

I'm probably going 20mm after checking out Elhiems modern offerings.

For 6mm I might try Fistful of Tows, since Heroics and Ros is a good affordable manufacturer.

Weasel's rules are link

Bp – well, I didn't have to sell you on it then :-)

If you haven't get the 2015 Grab Bag too, there's a few new options in there for NEIS and it's a pay what you want, so you can get it for free if you like.

Scaling the table up can work but be careful with going overboard. Troops advance pretty slowly on purpose.

The rules were an enjoyable read. Reminded me of TFL rules in a good way. Simple rules with tough decisions to make, and a good feel throughout the rules.

Couple of things, mostly about flavor:

The building damage mechanic seemed unfinished to me, I can't remember reading about the amounts of damage different weapons do to buildings. How much damage would an auto cannon do to a building per firing phase?

The new USMC support weapon (M27IAR) is basically an assault rifle , but given the amount of magazines available and rate of fire the gunner uses, would you still allow it the +2 bonus of a SAW?