"Any rules that play well solo?" Topic

Just wondering what ww2 rules out there the can be played solo?

Chain of Command I've tried and it's not bad for solo play but I was looking at IABSM and it doesn't look like it's good for solo play. Anything similar to IABSM (size/scale wise) that does?

Thanks

You could try mine? link

The NUTS! Ww2 Skirmish game is designed to play head to head, co-op and solo. Its designed for squad to platoon scale games, and includes a campaign system that generates missions/scenarios, and lets you improve your figures over time. If you use the optional "Chocolates & Cigarettes" RPG Lite rules, you can add attributes, quirks and perks, do non combat missions, etc. Adding those in makes it feel like you're gaming the movie Kelly's Heroes.

There's also a pretty decent sized NUTS community of solo gamers, an active forum and lots of supplements.

twohourwargames.com/ww2.html

Btw, a NUTS mini-campaign for Kelly's Heroes appeared in Wargames Illusrated 291: link

But you can the files for free here: link

Crossfire works fine solo.

As does Rapid Fire. In fact I have never found a set of rules for WW2 that I could not play solo.

Nuts! Being particularly designed for this.
Battlefront WWII and Battlegroup would work.
Battlegroup only issue is assigning TRPs and mines. There is no on board hidden units.
Battlefront is similar to IABSM scale. Companies/battalions with squads and tank platoons as maneuver elements.

Crossfire doesn't really deal with armor, correct?

I'll take a look at Rapid Fire, thanks

I have a question….

are there any rules that are 1 tank = 1 tank and 1 stand of infantry = a squad and the game allows for multiple platoons for each side?

Piquet works well for solo games.

link

@CaptainCold69:

Flames of War is at that scale. I think it's a good game if you don't put 74 Tiger tanks on the table at one time.

You can play Fistful of TOWs 3 at that scale with no problem. Plus then you also know how to play a game for every period from WW1 to modern day. Worth it just for the data.

Battlegroup from Iron Fist.

I'm sure there are plenty I'm overlooking.

Thanks

Someone at work just mentioned Battlegroup and he says it plays well solo.

One of things that's great about Battlegroup is that you can never be sure when you enemy is going to break due to the morale chit mechanism. You can't experience that playing solo. Otherwise the rules work fine solo

I'd suggest generally for solo play look for something with a random activation system--card draw, or something which passes the initiative unexpectedly. It's generally easier on the brain than the sort of plotting against yourself--and trying to surprise yourself--of an IGOYOUGO system, let alone simultaneous movement.

I picked up both Battlegroup and IABSM

I've heard you can never have enough rules :p

Battlefront:WW2 is excellent solo.

I Ain't Been Shot Mum is fine except for blinds – there is a supplement called 'platoon forward' that has a way of doing blinds for solo play (it's for another rule set, but the method will work of IABSM)

Nuts works for squads up to a platoon, maybe with a vehicle or two.

Nuts: Big Battles fits your need for 1 tank = 1 tank and 1 stand = 1 squad.

I've been out of the loop for a bit, but there is a Nuts: Compendium. Ask on the two hour wargames forum for details. Ed's a great guy and usually answers questions quickly.

All THW games, including NUTS and Big Battles, are designed for solo, same side and head to head play. No random drawing of cards or chits, or "making the best decision for the enemy", but a real Reaction System where what a unit does influences how the other side reacts.

Yes, any game can be played solo you will be told, but if you want one that is designed with the solo player in mind and get realistic results, then NUTS and Big Battles are for you.

Compendium takes all the rules found in all the supplements and puts them in one book.

However, if you like total control of your forces, then NUTS is not for you.
There are lots of good rules out there as mentioned, I'm sure you'll find something.

IABSM is excellent for solo play.

Blitzkrieg Commander is ideal for solo play. You need a set of rules that allow for fog of war, or friction, or random events, so that you can "surprise" yourself.

Just a personal observation, but I don't think there is enough of that in Fistful of Tows, Flames of War or perhaps Battlegroup. Piquet, IABSM, CoC or BKC – absolutely!

And for the record, I'm not saying those rules are awful – I enjoy playing some of them face to face – but rather just too predictable for solo play in my opinion. Mind you, I've played board wargames solo that are not really suitable for solo play, but found that by simply getting up, and moving around the table to the opposite chair, that I notice things I hadn't seen before.

That might be either a legitimate solo player technique, or a comment on my mental acuity!