"Rules recommendations for brigade sized games?" Topic

All,

I am looking for recommendations for sets of rules to be used in brigade/regiment sized games using 1/300th miniatures and mostly 1980s Cold War gone hot in Western Europe scenario. The club I play at has extensive experiance in Modern Spearhead, but little else. We are looking to expand out and try different things.

Thanks in advance!
LS

My first suggestion would be Fistful of TOWs 3. Each stand is a platoon or half company. Speedy play with good results and a comprehensive set of rules. Some of the best vehicle data around. PLUS it covers everything from WW1 to today, so you can also play WW2, SCW, etc. with it.

The modern micro-armor game I remember playing was Close &Destroy 2. This was back in the late 1980's or soon after.

Command Decision Test of Battle works fine. The modern modifications and data are on Bob McKenzie's website linked to CDTOB. I did a game with an FRG brigade vs. the second echelon of a Motor Rifle division a few weeks ago.

link

If you are willing to jump to 1 base = 1 company, you could try Brigade Commander from Nordic weasel games. Scale is 1 base is a company plus you can have platoon sized attached assets like scouts, SAM's, etc.

It comes with late Cold War TOE's, full disclosure by yours truly. May not be everone's cup of tea, but would easily let you do a club game in 2-3 hours with One or multiple brigades.

Good luck!

Also 'Kalt Krieg Ohne Hass' is a pretty good set of rules for Cold War at 1 stand= a Company level.

I'm using them in a 1985 campaign and some good stuff. Simple too.

@BattlerBritain: How are they? I have seen them and been intrigued, how fast do they play?

More importantly, any pictures to share?

Sorry, no pictures.

I'm actually trialing them with a boardgame called 'Air+Armor' that uses counters with steps of 1=Company.

I'm using a map of the Hanover area at 1 hex=1mile.

It's going pretty good.

The rules have mechanisms for direct fire for Anti-tank engagements and also for anything 'In hex' as Close Combat.

The Close Combat is good.

Also rules for counter-battery, EW, command chain. I'd say get a copy, try it and see how you feel.

In UK it's 7-notes-fifty, so it won't break the bank.

Hi All,

Thanks for the interesting options.

@Jozis Tin man and @BattlerBritain, those look like two sets we are going to have to try out. We had the idea to get a campaign going, so that might be the best way we can. Do both sets work with a MSH basing style?

Cheers,
LS

KKOH uses any base size you like.

It uses a square grid for the terrain with each square as a kilometer.

You can use any sized square and basing size you like so long as you can fit 6 stands in the square.

Personally I use a hex grid instead of a square but it doesn't really make much difference.

I have stands that work with MSH and FFOT3 and use them no probs.

Brigade commander is basing agnostic, so you should not have issues. I use 3mm with 3 vehicles on a 40mm square base.

I'll probably pick up kkoh and give it a go too.

You can see my Brigade commander stuff here, just scroll down to the Cold War section: link

Hi Guys,
Kalt Krieg ohne Hass are available on eBay for hard copy or through the excellent wargames vault for $8 USD US.
Cheers, Lance.

Magister Militum in UK also sells KKOH.

I would recommend Rapid Fire! 'Able Archer 83-84' Cold War Rules Adaptation. Bottom of the page. Hope it helps.

As always, comments are appreciated.

Take care

Andy