"Talk me through WW2 rules at "this" scale" Topic

Ok, I am looking for something where a base of infantry (say an inch sqaure, 4 or 5 figures) can work as a platoon, and a tank can be a troop of 3 or 4. 1/300 scale kit.

I would like to play at maybe battalion or perhaps regiment level.

So is this possible? I don't need to know where each squad MG42 is, but I do like the sound of company level assets (A/T, heavy MGs, mortars etc).

I would like to play a more "sweeping" style of game which feels like it may be possible at this scale. This will be on an 8 by 6 table, so I am hoping to get a semblance of front line and breakthrough.

I don't see a table full of tanks – I am definitely after "combined arms" if that is possible.

And I think I know it is above FoW – nothing wrong with that, but it goes down just a stage too far into squads.

I hope that makes sense. And I know that these sort of threads often degenerate real fast, and bring up some hate, so perhaps if this is not your chosen mix, then unless you really believe your choice is the only way and want to convince me of the error of my way, perhaps don't crowd out the other suggestions please.

Thanks guys. I need this before I spend serious money of GHQ etc

Command Decision testofbattle.com/drupal-4.7.4 and Spearhead spearhead.wargaming.info leap to mind. I have Spearhead and it works best with a number of battalions per side. I don't have Command Decision, but I have been told a reinforced battalion per side works very well.

Can't go wrong with Command Decision. The current "Test of Battle" version is what you want.

Battlefront WWII (Fire & Fury games) is an option, although an infantry platoon will be around 2 -3 stands and a single vehicle represents 2-3 tanks.

There is also a free set mentioned earlier this week on another TMP thread, Eagles, Crowns and Oakleaves. I have just received a copy but haven't had a chance to look at it yet. Scale is bang on for what you want: 1 base = 1 platoon and 1 tank = 3 -5 vehicles.

You are definitely describing Command Decision. Do you have a specific theater or battle you're interested in?

GHQ's Microarmour: The Game rules use this basing system.

Blitzkrieg Commander is also a pretty fun system at that scale of game – basically one platoon per base. Probably a bit simpler than Spearhead or Command Decision, which may be a good or bad thing depending on your tastes. The command system (essentially the old Warmaster one, where COs have to test to activate their subordinates) sits well with WW2 imo, as units can suffer from inertia, or potentially get a run of successes making breakthroughs possible.

In addition to the above there is Fistful of Tows 3, which despite the name also covers WWII.

There are "lite" versions for WWII and Modern up on the website so you can get a feel for them without paying a dime.

fft3.com

Another vote for Fistful of Tows 3-
amazing ruleset which allows truly epic games.

I'll second Blitzkrieg Commander – fun to play and you don't get bogged down too much. I play it with my 10 year old and he picked it up rather quickly.

link

You might look at Field of Battle: WW2. We have had a lot of fun with them using micro armor.

I also like BKC, but I think they are out of print.

Mark

Blitzkrieg Commander for me – and I believe Pendraken are shortly bringing out an updated version just after Salute

Test of Battle (Command Decision) is my go to. More simulation than Blitzkrieg Commander

Crikey guys that was fast – thanks.

Theatre – I normally lean towards Russian front 1943 onwards – I quite like Russian attacks against weak German defensive lines, and the resulting chaos this causes.

Is there love for GHQ's on rules?

I have asked Rudy about Eagle Oak etc

I have/had(?) the original CD box set but one of my group didn't like the ordering system, so reluctant to go down the CD route just yet. And will probably steer clear of Warhamster methodology at the moment, but thanks to all for they early steers.

Fistful of TOWs III. Plus it will let you branch out to the entire 20th century without having to learn a new rule set…

What they said…All good choices.
Spearhead might be what you are after as they work best for Eastern front early and mid war. It is possible with SH to actually play games where the Germs are taking on 6 or 7 times their numbers.

You pretty much described Command Decision :-)

Spearhead is easier to play (in my experience) but the scale is kinda bigger.

There are billions of rules at this scale, a few contenders, as noted above, might be:

Command Decision IV: Test of battle
Blitzkrieg Commander
FFoT
GHQ Microarmour

I am also a fan of TAC:WW2

If you only want to run a battalion something more detailed like Command Decision or Battlefront might be the way to go.

Spearhead is aimed at brigade (minimum) and I've run full divisions with it, although I wouldn't recommend games of that size for an evening.

Many of the one base = 1 section rules (like BF, Crossfire etc) can run up to a battalion, but they creak a bit at that size.

1 base = 1 platoon is pretty much my perfect WW2 game scale, and I've been doing that ever since Panzer Leader came out in the 1970s. You aren't going to get many company support weapons at one base = one platoon though, unless the companies have weapons platoons.

Look Sarge No Charts is dead on and a fantastic system that is fast playing and gives a great game.

GHQ's rules are in the scale you want but they are very chart heavy. They remind me of a 1980's SPI boardgame. Lots of on stand markers too

GHQ's rules are simple and I'm surprised don't have more mention (considering that they're free on the website).

If you liked Panzerblitz or any of the SPI boardgames (as jekinder 6 alluded to) you will like the GHQ rules.

After that, BKC is a great system where infantry get their due. Fistful of TOWs isn't bad either.

Combat Command uses this level with platoons as the atomic unit and Battle groups based around battalions the typical command for one player.

Combat Command uses an integrated sequence of play but with the emphasis on fast play and no need for an umpire. Manuever and troop quality over tech (though good armor never hurts..)

Available from WargamesVault.

TomT

If not Command Decision….my go to WW2 game using 1/285….then how about using the Panzer Leader board game for miniatures? It worksd well for my group. 1/285 minis on GHQ terrain maker hexes. I would be happy with CD or Panzer Leader (using the arty rules from Arab Israeli wars). I don't like the fog of war cards or the changes to the procedure for hit resolution in the new CD rules, but the new rules for artillery spotters, HE suppression and simplified spotting are quite good.

GHQ offers it's WWII rules for free on it's website as a .pdf. Look under the "Free Stuff" menu.

I put another vote in for FFoT3. It has the scale you are looking for, insane amounts of weapon and formation data, a decent system for unit's level of skill/training to separate the uber Germans from the Western troops and Russian Conscripts, a unit design system to add/modify anything into the game, and enough optional rules that you should be able to change it up to better suit your play. As ExtraCrispy stated, you also get to play the same set of rules with little modification (new technologies) from 1939 to 2015.

Also, for a 8 by 6 foot table, a battalion is not a large amount for 6mm when you have one stand representing a platoon-sized element. A battalion would be roughly 6-14 stands (plus transports for infantry and towed guns, and maybe some Regimental support stands I suppose). A Regiment could be anywhere between 28-75 stands (from a tiny tank regiment to a massive infantry/mechanized one (which might have up to 54 transports!)).

From playing on a 6 by 4 table, using an oversized 1970's Soviet tank regiment (sans AA and engineering assets) (39 vehicle + 9 infantry stands) against two German Battalions (19 vehicle + 9 infantry stands), I can say that it was certainly not cramped on the board (although a lack of terrain to play with cut down our maneuver options by a lot).

Kampfgruppe Commander is this scale.

I was all set to look at Fistful of TOW's … but holy carp a $40 USD pdf!?

FFT is expensive, but complete. Note: use google to find LULU discount coupons. You can save up to 30% off list prices.

command decision is less expensive for the rules, but you may also need to purchase the army books.

Others are free or cost less.

I played Spearhead with micro armor for about 20 years. Although a simple rules set, it flows well & end results are very "realistic" without a lot of unnecessary die-rolling or marker chits. I didn't like all the marker chits or command & control apparatus of the free GHQ rules.

We regularly played 2 battalions per side in an evening & expanded out to regiment strength on a weekend. You can cross attach to have combined arms. For example, deploy a tank battalion & attach up to 3 companies (ATG, Artillery, infantry, etc.) Their org charts have everything you need to do this. BTW, a battalion is typically about 12 models while a company is 3-4 models.