daler240D | 01 Nov 2015 1:09 p.m. PST |
Hi All, I am new to WW2 and have opted to start playing Chain of Command. ( I have been mostly Nap and 18th Cent) I am in a bit of a hurry for advice as Crisis 2015 in Antwerp is this weekend and I want to take advantage of it to get a small starter set of figures. I'm wanting to initially keep it simple and cheap until I know I'm going to pursue it more. I have to say I DO appreciate that FOW and BA have starter sets, but alas I am committed to CoC. I am thinking 20mm, unless someone could REALLY make a case for 28mm. My table is only 3x6 feet. I am not prepared to invest in AB (not yet anyway!) Can someone recommend a figure line (Italieri??) and actually specifically what to get to play some starter scenarios? The research on my own would take too long before this weekend! I think something representing a few squads, machine gun teams and a vehicle or two per side would help me and a novice friend get up and running quickly. I just dread the slowly easing into a new period method that I have used in the past. I want to play WW2 CoC within a month!!! Please help!! : ) |
Weasel | 01 Nov 2015 1:20 p.m. PST |
With Chain of Command, you don't have to worry that much as there's platoon lists in the back of the book. Pick out a basic infantry platoon of Germans and allies and you can get up and running very easy. We play COC in 15mm so one of the FOW platoon packs will give you almost everything you need to get started. |
Norman D Landings | 01 Nov 2015 1:20 p.m. PST |
If you're even slightly interested in 1/72 scale (c. 20mm) then you should look at: plasticsoldierreview.com Brilliant site with detailed reviews and very clear pics. |
abelp01 | 01 Nov 2015 1:28 p.m. PST |
If you need an argument for 28mm, here it is: Artizan Design, nuff said! |
BeneathALeadMountain | 01 Nov 2015 1:29 p.m. PST |
Sorry this is typically re-directing but…… Play CoC in 15mm. There's loads available from the likes of Peter Pig, Battlefront (FoW) and PSC. The tabletop feels less crowded, distances better and you won't need to spend to much to get a force. Of course you will though, you'll get a little workable force and think ' isn't that neat and compact, maybe I'll add some……..' And then you'll be doomed like the rest of us. To start get a basic platoon each, maybe an hmg and/or a mortar. Don't panic/rush the vehicles as it will take time to master and it's worth getting the mechanics sorted in your mind before over complicating things (CoC isn't complicated but all new rulesets take adjusting). What theatre and forces were you considering? |
normsmith | 01 Nov 2015 1:30 p.m. PST |
In 20mm – The Plastic Soldier Company do some nice hard plastics. You would need a box of basic figures for each side (say £12.00 GBP each) and then a box of support weapons for each side (another £12.00 GBP each) – though at a show you might get them cheaper. Armourfast and Pegasus both do quick snap together vehicles, sold in pairs. Armour fast are £8.00 GBP a pair and Pegasus are £10.00 GBP a pair. That would all come to around £68.00 GBP (or less if you could get a discount). That price could be substantially softened by going for softer plastic figures such as Italieri or Pegasus, which are not only cheaper, but probably have some heavy weapons in the basic box. in hard plastics, get yourself a decent primer (suggest Vallejo) and in soft plastics, prime with slightly thinned PVA glue. |
Tarleton | 01 Nov 2015 1:32 p.m. PST |
Have a look at 20mm Zone/Early War Miniatures stand, I'm pretty sure they'll be at Crisis. They have loads of 20mm WW2 and have some unit packs specifically for Chain of Command. I think Paul plays COC too so may be able to advise you. |
Crow Bait | 01 Nov 2015 1:48 p.m. PST |
You might check out Irregular Miniatures in 20mm. Ian was willing to swap out the Que? SCW figures for WWI figures for me, he may be willing to do the same for WWII if you email him and ask. It has: 72 infantry, 2 guns, 2 HMG in the pack for 43 pounds. He also sells 24 man packs for 12 GBPs, and 100 man packs for 48GBPs. |
15mm and 28mm Fanatik | 01 Nov 2015 2:51 p.m. PST |
Go with 1/72 plastics. They're cheap and widely available from a great variety of manufacturers. Vehicles are also easy to get either pre-painted (Dragon, Easy Model, Hobby Master, etc.) or in easy-to-build kit form (Armourfast, Italeri). |
CCollins | 01 Nov 2015 3:19 p.m. PST |
what forces do you want? there is no "go to" company, they all use different sculptors at different points of their figure ranges, and so their ranges vary. you will really need to pick and choose. Plastic soldier review will help enormously. and then when you are ready you can come to the likes of empress miniatures or AB, which you may have to anyway to fill out support weapons and extra rifleman poses. (plastic figures are often SMG heavy, I call it the "Hollywood effect") I agree there are great figures out there in plastic and most belligerents can be represented, as long as you don't go too esoteric (no Handschar SS or Dyak guerrillas) |
CCollins | 01 Nov 2015 3:22 p.m. PST |
20mm done properly looks superior to either 28mm or 15mm (possible exception of Perry/foundry ww2 28s) (oooh that might stir the pot! :D)
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steamingdave47 | 01 Nov 2015 3:51 p.m. PST |
20m. AB; start with the best, ignore the rest! |
williamtheconker | 01 Nov 2015 4:00 p.m. PST |
going with steamingdave, I'm in the same boat, I'm doing CoC, have ordered AB figs (and the speed they arrive at in UK is stunning!) British and German, 20 figs each,PSC Pz III ( x3 tanks) and some A13's from 'S'models, cost = £80.00 GBP You can get cheaper infantry figures BUT once you see / paint AB you will be glad you pushed the boat out IMHO. |
CCollins | 01 Nov 2015 5:18 p.m. PST |
Elheim, Cp/TQD sojers, Fantassin are also excellent in white metal, and i'm quite fond of SHQ and battlefield miniatures. AB are great at what they do, but it is limited, is not much use when you're planning a far east 14th army force, 8th army, US paratroopers, late war US or Russians. eyc etc. But you can put together a nice looking force using say revell or italeri 8th army figures, or Pegasus hobbies waffen ss. |
15mm and 28mm Fanatik | 01 Nov 2015 5:39 p.m. PST |
For 1/72 plastics I recommend Zvezda, Caesar and IMEX Easy Company. |
Captain Crunch | 01 Nov 2015 6:28 p.m. PST |
I am a recent convert to 20mm. It has detail and character, individual figures can be identified from gaming distance (unlike 15mm), yet the terrain and vehicles don't take up nearly as much space as 28mm (very important if gaming and/or storage space is an issue). I know I may be in the minority here, but I really like Britannia miniatures. Some don't like them because of their big heads, but I like them for that very reason. That and their weapons are a bit oversized; makes them more durable. Just got a whole pile of SS and U.S. infantry sent across the pond. I order them from Grubby Tanks and have always had great service.
grubbytanks.com Paul
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Some Chicken | 01 Nov 2015 8:24 p.m. PST |
When I started with 20mmfor NWE about 15 years ago, I hadn't heard of AB and chose SHQ as the best option available. I still like SHQ's British paras but regretted the investment once a friend pointed me in AB's direction a few months later. In my opinion, they are easily the best 20mm WW2 figures you can buy and well worth the additional cost. I would not want to talk you into a bigger initial investment than you are comfortable with but,for what it is worth, think you may wish you had gone with AB from the start when you do make the switch. Either way, have fun. |
pigasuspig | 01 Nov 2015 9:56 p.m. PST |
I switched to FoW a few years ago and have 1/72 Italeri and PSC Germans and Russians for sale, fully painted -- email my username @ yahoo if interested :) Related: PSC and Valiant sell boxes that give you what you need as a gamer. Valiant has more special weapons, but cartoony proportions. PSC has well-balanced proportions, but for anything bigger than an LMG or bazooka, you need the second box of heavy weapons. PSC mixes well with the NEWER Italeri figures, not the older or former-Esci kits. Check Plastic Soldier Review to see the difference. But Italeri kits are badly mixed for gamers. |
Frothers Did It And Ran Away | 02 Nov 2015 2:30 a.m. PST |
I think SHQ are at crisis. They'll probably have whatever you need and are very nice figs. |
daler240D | 02 Nov 2015 5:58 a.m. PST |
Wow guys, thanks for all the help! This gives me a good footing moving forward. I'm going to start with 20mm plastic initially based on some of what I've seen thanks to your suggestions. Cheers! |
PiersBrand | 02 Nov 2015 8:54 a.m. PST |
AB for me, with added Battlefield/Blitz Miniatures, Wartime Ministures, Elhiem Figures, CP Models, Under Fire Miniatures, and hopefully soon, Adler Miniatures for variety…
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parrskool | 02 Nov 2015 9:57 a.m. PST |
If you don't mind a bit of scale creep…. and are happy to fit in vehicles around them…. Valiant plastics are really the best sculpted of the plastics…. in my opinion, but maybe an acquired taste. |
LeonAdler | 02 Nov 2015 10:36 a.m. PST |
daler240D, Get to Crisis if you can youll get to see just about all the possibilities in one shot and have a great day as well. L . |
Mister Tibbles | 02 Nov 2015 2:45 p.m. PST |
I'd go right to AB, skipping the plastic. Buy a platoon for each side. Piers give good advice. IMO 28mm is too large. Ok for one squad, but not platoon unless you have a gymnasium floor on which to play. Vehicles in 28mm are expensive as well. Join The Guild forum for the best 20mm 1/72 WWII discussions on the planet. |
Last Hussar | 02 Nov 2015 4:16 p.m. PST |
I've got 20mm, which is ideal for CoC. The only down side is all the different options you have to cater for in the supprot lists. A friend did it in 10mm. Now I wouldn't normally do this size game 40-50 men a side in 10mm, but it does mean all the support is cheap! |
Rudysnelson | 02 Nov 2015 4:45 p.m. PST |
A key question will remain. What is the group you are playing with plan to use? Scale? Or are you going to have to field both sides then getting an affordable scale will be important. |
number4 | 02 Nov 2015 7:24 p.m. PST |
For 1/72 plastics I recommend Zvezda, Caesar and IMEX Easy Company. So do I! Also Airfix, Pegasus and Revell – all compatible with each other so you can mix & match figures to give your squads different characters. Some of the newer Italeri figures are noticeably taller, while PSC have more "bulk" with large heads and weapons that make them easy to paint but don't mix well with other brands. PSC and Armourfast make most of the armor and guns you will need to get you up and running without breaking the bank or going crazy making intricate kits. There is also a large selection of die cast pre painted stuff available. Get cracking, get pictures! |
daler240D | 03 Nov 2015 7:30 a.m. PST |
"A key question will remain. What is the group you are playing with plan to use? Scale? Or are you going to have to field both sides then getting an affordable scale will be important." I will be fielding both sides. I'm going to play some solo and then try to get a friend of mine interested in playing. My space is limited, but I really want to keep the action small, so I think 20mm is right for me, plus the abundance of HO scale buildings etc. |
huron725 | 21 Nov 2015 8:50 p.m. PST |
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