"Does a game like this exist?" Topic

I have been messing around with 2mm and 3mm and really enjoying it. I've played "Strength and Honor" rules for ancients. I really enjoyed playing on large bases (120x60mm) that can create these cinematic diorama effects.
I was wondering, is there a rule set for a more modern setting (anything from WWI to present) that would play well with 10 to 20 large bases (like a base width of 120mm) per side with 2mm or 3mm figures to create large maneuver units?

I know there are plenty of games that move large units around but often on a 1 inch base. I am looking for something bigger

Any suggestions for rule sets that fit bill? I am not really that concerned about the specific scale or even the period. It could even be sci-fi. But I like the idea of playing a game with about a dozen large bases per side and each base has 10 to 20 2mm or 3mm tanks and vehicles on it.

Perhaps "Rommel" by Sam Mustafa (Honour Games)? It appears to use forces of about 10-15 elements per side, each representing a battalion.

I have been curious about Rommel, but have not played it. I would like to test it out before I really invest in it. It seems to be one of those rule sets that people either love or hate. But it definitely has some mechanics that I think are really interesting.

Bruce Weigle is working on a set of Grand Tactical Rules for WWII called Gained by Battle that he hopes to put out sometime this year. There was a GBB game featured on LittleWarsTV if you wanted to check it out. Seems like it would work for what you have in mind.

More info at: link

Here is the LittleWarsTV segment: YouTube link

Panzer Korps or LWRS uses movement trays which consist of a number of elements, which represent strength points. You could track this with counters if you wish. Each movement tray represents a battalion, so 12 movement trays give you a divisional sized force. Strangely enough to do what you wish to do you need to use 2mm/3mm figures as it looks better if you mount everything on a single base. However in your case this is not an issue. With 6mm you needs separate elements.

This video provided a heads up for these rules;
youtu.be/VKsgdK5B6hc

This provided an overview of KISS as well as other similar rules, such as Megablitz and BBWW2B
youtu.be/uj9JtHUyWSQ

Panzer Korps Links
link

LWRS Links
groups.io/g/LWRS
groups.io/g/Bewegungskrieg
youtu.be/_tZuqKcnghY

A second vote for Rommel, for it's similarity to Strength and Honour.

Rommel uses a gridded mat where each box = 1km (IIRC). So set the grid and make your units any size you like.

The elements in Rommel are companies, grouped into battalions and regiments. It didn't really grab me tbh, the companies just just meander around on their own.

You could try 5Core Brigade Commander from Nordic Weasel – company sized elements, brigade sized games. The elements are pretty big (50mm x 50mm iirc?).

I've done quite a few variants of One Hour Wargames by Neil Thomas – for WW1, SCW and WW2 I use large elements 120mmx80mm packed with troops, vehicles and guns. I think it looks rather good.

I generally use magnetic sabot bases with loads of smaller bases on them, as figures last forever but rules come and go.

Zookie, you've got some great suggestions here for good rule systems to check out.

The large dioramic-looking stands sound like they would be awesome.

A note though, with modern-era games where having ground objectives, and/or map complexity expecting to be modeled for combat units to assail, comes a design scaling requirement where smaller unit stands might work better, so they're able to be physically placed in or amongst villages, woods, farmsteads, along road networks, etc. (therefore expecting to construct miniature boards that enable battlefield objectives, and for terrain features to impose mission effects), then the game units need to fit the anticipated terrain to be used.

If you have lots of game space, and an ability to just up-scale a game system to use with big stands, full of big terrain features, then there's lots of rules and games that'll foot this bill.

If memory serves me, there was a set of rules called Corps Commander that was for WWIII battles that would seemingly be perfect for the 2mm-3mm figs. You track losses by vehicle, but the stands represent platoons or higher if memory serves me. The idea was to run divisions and brigades in large battles, so you could certainly put quite a few vehicles on each base.

Actually the comment that companies wander around on their own is not correct. The basic unit represent a strong reinforced company or a weakened battalion such as late war Russian or German.
The companies are allocated to a higher formation and if they attack with elements from a different division are penalised.
Likewise success depends on combined arms with infantry supported by armour and artillery.
I use 3mm figures and the chance to make each stand a little vignette is nice. Putting hedgerows, ponds, tracks, hay stacks etc on the base makes them look super.
There is a web site with some fantastic scenarios link

ChrisBrantley- Gained by Battle looks interesting. Looks like it will be coming out towards the end of the year. I'll definitely check it out when it is released.

pfmodel- Great videos! Very helpful, a lot to think about. I listed to them while I was working. I'll definitely revisit them when I can focus on them. I am really interested in the visual affects you can get with 2/3mm as opposed to just playing them as small versions of 6mm.

advocate- I need to give Rommel a try. It seems to be a somewhat polarizing game. I need to do some research so I don't get a wrong first impression. My main concern with it is based on what I have read there is a lack of diversity in tactics, that all the nations play more or less the same way and that the interesting differences in doctrine, tactics and equipment that makes wargaming so interesting gets lost. I've heard from some people that is a problem but others have disagreed. It's a bit of a pricy rule set so I have not been willing to buy it on whim.

Extra Crispy- I dismissed grid mats until I played To the Strongest. When done right it creates really engaging games they don't feel constrained at all.

Martin Rapier- People seem to either really like Rommel or really don't. It's expensive to get and just put on a shelf after one game. I'll have to find a game I can observe and make up my mind. I have Brigade Commander but never played it. Got it years ago on sale and then forgot about it. But I have liked other games by Nordic Weasel. I like the idea of magnetic sabot bases. As much as I would like to make each base unique, I don't have infinite time, storage or money. So that is a good idea. Do you think One Hour Wargames or Brigade Commander is more fun to play?

FlyXwire- You make a really good point and that is why I think the right rule set is so important. I don't have a huge space to game (but it's reasonable) so I think upping the scale of the table is the way to go. I am not sure if a game where a column of tanks or infantry are moving down a road will work with the scale and basing. I am thinking something more abstract and a larger scale. Objectives like villages or hills would be too granular. I am thinking more operational scale. I love games where you have to worry about ridge lines and line of sight, but there is something really engaging about high level command where you are trying to choregraph movement to get everything in the right place at the right time.

aegiscg47- I am not familiar with it but I looked it up. I'll have to research it. Rule sets from the 1980s are interesting. There seemed to be less "follow the leader" then in rule design. So they can be very interesting but often complex to the point that makes them hard to play and have a full-time job at the same time :)

sidley- Looks great! My biggest concern with Rommel is that I have been told that all armies end up playing more or less the same way and that a German, Russian and American army would more or less use the same tactics, just adjusting for quality of troops. What has been your experience with that? Do you feel like different armies give a different gaming experience in Rommel?

Zookie,

I think you could find that right mix you're looking for, and then come up with a great looking project.

Here's a board game I've always wanted to convert into 3D, that would work well with your 3mm units ideas and higher-echelon battle scale….and North Africa might work best with your more open-maneuver/operational scope.

(Corps Command) – Totensonntag – The First Battle of Sidi Rezegh
link

As mentioned, I've come really close a couple times to re-mastering this game as a 3D conversion. I actually blew everything up graphically, with big versions of the counters for 'standees' types of game units, but doing the Regimental-size units and Armoured Brigades involved with 3mm minis as scenic unit vignettes, could be awesome I think.

FlyXwire-That is a great idea! I've known some miniature wargamers who, when I have talked to them about 2mm scale or operational scale, say "why not just play a board game?" Seem like a real missed opportunity to pigeonhole miniatures to certain types of scales or types of games. I think miniatures on a table size map can add a real wow factor that you just cannot get with traditional board games. Seems a shame to limit it.

there was a set of rules called Corps Commander that was for WWIII battles that would seemingly be perfect for the 2mm-3mm figs

This is a good idea, each base would represent a 1/2 company. Stacking is 9, with each value representing a vehicle or 10 men. You could create a movement tray which allowed you to place nine small 3mm elements in it, which could be removed to represent losses. If you base your 3mm on 2cm square bases the movement tray would be 6cm x 6cm in size. The rules are complex, which may turn some people off.
groups.io/g/Corps-Commander

Here's a board game I've always wanted to convert into 3D

This is a reasonable idea, I have converted several boardgames into a hex-less figure gaming format which works very well. You need to pick your boardgame carefully to make sure the elements are optimised for 3mm. This video provide an overview of how this may work for micro-armour.
youtu.be/gjRO4zBlZtc

I am really interested in the visual affects you can get with 2/3mm as opposed to just playing them as small versions of 6mm.

I understand, in your case you need to focus on large elements which become mini diorama pieces. This is common in napoloenics, this video gives you a view of this diorama approach, but it is for napoloenics. You will need to create your own WW2 or CW diorama style of elements.
youtu.be/ECQB2laE9g4

Zookie, it mostly depends on craftsmanship, and attention to detail, and knowing where the game is, your –

"but there is something really engaging about high level command where you are trying to choregraph movement to get everything in the right place at the right time."

I can tell you, coordinating unit maneuver and combined-arms fires isn't all that easy (there's modern generals who don't have these skills either, if one cares to study the failure of Russian ops in Ukraine to date).

Board games (players) do have one accepted methodology – it's expected you might play that game over and over until you get it right, or solve the puzzle. Of course, if you're going to tackle making up a sharp-looking 3D conversion of a battle, or board game rendition of one, you'll want to get some replay value out of it.

Rommel how to play
YouTube link

Rommel combat examples
YouTube link

Note the rulebook is a hard cover type. So $40 USD isnt unreasonable if you find these rules to your liking.

Bruce McFarloands div level stuff might work for you.
The Panzer Korps rules family has a ton of support and an active community.