| Irish Marine | 07 Nov 2023 8:09 p.m. PST |
Can someone tell me what's the difference between the two rules? |
| platypus01au | 07 Nov 2023 10:27 p.m. PST |
Fundementally CoC is a platoon game while IABSM is a company game. Though it's a bit more fuzzy around the edges if you push the rules to their limits. IABSM also uses a Blind system for deployment where you move bits of paper or other markers around the board initially, and deploy your troops after they have been spotted. CoC uses Jump-off Points. There are other differences. But the main one is the unit size. |
| Trierarch | 07 Nov 2023 10:32 p.m. PST |
Briefly… IABSM! is a company level game using a card driven activation sequence. CoC is a platoon level game using a dice mechanic for activation. Cheers
David |
| captaincold69 | 08 Nov 2023 9:21 a.m. PST |
One HUGE difference…
CoC book is MUCH more nicely written and organized over IABSM. The IABSM rule book desperately needs a rehaul
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| Irish Marine | 08 Nov 2023 9:33 a.m. PST |
So COC is a Skirmish game and the other is not? |
| captaincold69 | 08 Nov 2023 9:45 a.m. PST |
Depends on what you consider skirmish? I'd say CoC is, IABSM is not. Skirmish to me is squad level and CoC is a platoon level game (3 squads). IABSM is a company level game. 3 platoons to me is NOT skirmish. |
| Irish Marine | 08 Nov 2023 11:28 a.m. PST |
To me a Skirmish game is one figure equals one man and probably stops at the platoon level. |
| Dan in Vermont | 08 Nov 2023 12:00 p.m. PST |
as a big IABSM fan, IABSM is one figure equals one man and it can be very skirmish like if you just have a few squads on the board, one or two tanks plus one or two MG teams. The other difference between CofC and IABSM is, is that IABSM truly captures the random nature of firefights and the fact that everything happens simultaneously. In other words, units get activated randomly. At the same time, it does emphasize that skirmish is about having great leaders (aka Big Men) who can get 3 squads to all activate at one or boost the effectiveness of an MG squads aim by "directing fire" and most importantly rallying shocked troops. |
| Joe Legan | 08 Nov 2023 4:21 p.m. PST |
I second what dan says. I was a play tester for CoC so I think it is a great game. IABSM is probably a better simulation of leading troops than CoC. That said CoC is so much fun. Joe |
| Irish Marine | 08 Nov 2023 6:20 p.m. PST |
So COC over IABSM for skirmish. |
| Tanker11 | 09 Nov 2023 5:43 a.m. PST |
These are generalizations but: IABSM:
- older set
- you command a company plus assets
-sub units move by squad or individual vehicle, but may activate by platoon
-card based
-usually individually mounted figures
-casualties are by individual figure
-has an older, similar game called Troops, Weapons and Tactics for platoon sized games.
-uses "blinds" —-markers that can move quickly on the table until spotted forcing the deployment of troops COC
-newer
-you command a platoon plus assets
-sub units activate by squad or fire team
-dice based
-usually individually mounted figures
-casualties by individual
-has a recon (patrol) phase to get troops in contact quickly with "jump off points"
-has a BIG COC variant for company sized games Both are great. I used IABSM for my WW2 15mm company sized forces. Have played COC at convention (one of the best games I ever played in). |
Dave Jackson  | 09 Nov 2023 8:04 a.m. PST |
Effective and useful observations and explanations gents…well done all!! |
paints up some WWII Soviet aircraft.
