"Recommendations for WW2 Fast Play?" Topic

I recently played Nordic Weasel's Laserstorm (6mm sci-fi) and was impressed. It allowed Battalion sized battles to be played in an afternoon and was just a blast. I would like to find a set of game rules for WW2 that would allow similar scaled (one model=one vehicle, one base of infantry=1 squad) battles to be fought with multiple players over 8 hours and allow a large number of models to be put on the table. A sequence of play that is immersive for multiple players is important. Any suggestions?

NUTS Big Battles.

Here's detailed info on how it plays.

Part One then follow the links.

link

We've played big games with multiple players using Blitzkrieg commander II. It has a couple of issues but is otherwise a fun game.

Five core company command

Why not write up stats for Laserstorm and have at it?

If you like Weasels rules, the 5Core Company Command.

Blitzkrieg Commander
link

I would recommend Rapid Fire Rules or Blitzkrieg Commander Rules. Hope it helps.

As always, comments are appreciated.

Take care

Andy

My favorite at that scale is Fireball Forward but I would not recommend it for 8 hours with multiple players. It works great with up to 4 or 5 players for a 3 hour game, anything more would bore some players because the play sequence is activate one unit at a time.

Ostfront is designed for fast play and large scale, with 1 vehicle = 1 vehicle and infantry deployed in squads.

Quick fire rules are free:
link

Main rules are here:
link

Take a look at Combat Patrol(TM): WWII. The Web site has a bunch of tutorial videos that will explain what makes it interesting, unique, and streamlined.

bucksurdu.com/blog/?p=3350

Rapid Fire can accommodate large battle 5 or 6 battalions a side and be completed in 3 to 4 hours.

In Rapid Fire one vehicle does equal 5 but the rules were developed from a skirmish set and I have had no problems playing it at different scales to include 1 vehicle equally 1. Highly recommended. There is a third edition in the works.

My rules. Skirmish Action. Can easily accommodate 8-10 even 12 people. Company sized battles can be fought in a couple of hours. We did a recreation of the final battle from the movie Saving Pricate Ryan at Cokd Wars. 10 people played (each commanded a squad or AFV.) and the game took less than 3 hours to finish. And yes Private Ryan lived. Cheers!

A Battalion sized battle at 1-1 would involve a lot of models. A WWII tank battalion can have over 75 vehicles. A Battalion of INF can have 40 or so squad stands. I assume you have a lot of players handy. I agree that you need some quick play rules with an interactive sequence of play to keep things moving. Do you have players that can devote 8 hours to a game and lots of them?

Most people do Battalion level games with platoons as the atomic unit (so a tank battalion is more like 15 vehicles). That's why you got lots of recommendations for Rapid Fire type games (I would of recommend Combat Command but it uses platoons as the atomic unit – it is fast play and interactive). Others have suggested essentially skirmish level systems but they will crack trying to put a battalion on the board – they do get closer to the 1-1 you specified.

IF 1-1 is an absolute requirement you may wish to scale back to company level games.

Thomas J. Thomas
Fame and Glory games

Thanks folks for the replies. I am working my way through the recommendations, but might go with Extra Crispy's idea. Thomas Thomas, you're right on…not sure if WW2 Battalion level games are possible at the scale I like to game at. Probably have to play with reinforced Companies. Thanks again.

Did not mean to be discouraging – just realistic.

Good Gaming to you.

TomT