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Hi there!

As the title says, considering investing in Flames of War, I do have some questions, for example:

1. What are standard (or advised) table sizes, also wanting to play larger battles. (i have a 3 meters by 1.25 meters long gaming table in my attic for wh40k would that do?)
2. What would be a good starter investment (thinking of 2 armies, reasonable size, allowing for basic gameplay to learn the rules)
3. What are good venues or events to go to for historical wargaming? I live in the Netherlands, but travel in Europe is no biggy. UK I guess would be preferred due to language constraints in France and Germany.
4. What to expect from the game? Is it fast paced? Is it accurate/realistic? Are the rulesets well supported and balanced? Is there such a thing as powercreep like with GW products?
5. Ohhh and... i just read something about Battlegroup, is that something worthwhile looking into?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions/answers!

1- I think that would be 10' x 4' or there abouts? We use 8x4 at home so no problem there. 2000 points gets a bit cramped but you can run up to 1750 fine.
2- LW German vs American armoured would probably be cheaper. Certainly a better choice than MW Fucileri vs Strelkoviy! (You will spend the rest of your life painting the later). The Open Fire box set comes with two small armies I believe and a mini rule book. I would definitely suggest starting out small, say 750 points.Then if you get a friend interested just add a further 750 to each list and you have two 1500 point armies.
3- I really only play at home or at the FLGS. Sorry, can't be much help, but if you ever find yourself in Eastern Nebraska, hit me up!
4- It is 'relatively' fast paced. I certainly find it enjoyable, though much slower than a skirmish game would be, for obvious reasons! It is pretty similar to 40k but in WWII. You don't get as much cheese as you do in 40k since there is no intellectual property. There really aren't any super units that I can discern - anything can be killed with the proper application of firepower. As for codex creep, I get and look at the newer army books but I personally play old lists usually - Udarny from Red Bear and Normandy SS Panzergrenadiers. They are still viable lists and have been updated to keep up with current lists/stats/rules. That's one thing I like about BF I like is that old lists are still playable.
5- Sorry, can't help. Never heard of it!

I haven't played Battlegroup but I think Big P here on the forum wrote or helped write the rules, so he'll be able to answer any questions on it. One of the best things about playing 15mm historicals is that if you want a try a new ruleset out you typically already have the models to give it a go!

Id say if you want to have more historical accuracy and use WW2 tactics, go for Battlegroup.

If you want a more WW2 40k style experience, a more Hollywood WW2 as some have described it, with a wide player base then go for FOW.

Or play both... can use the same models.

Where are you in the Netherlands as we have some of our Demo Teams based there?



All said with the caveat I write the rules with Warwick Kinrade and all my info on FOW is secondhand from people here... never played it myself as I game in 20mm.

I'd suggest grabbing open fire, contains all the rules, dice, miniatures etc, you can basically start a british tank company, grenadier company, or us paratroopers with the one box, could probably pick up from soemwhere fairly cheap too, if you dont like it just sell it

 mitch_rifle wrote:
I'd suggest grabbing open fire, contains all the rules, dice, miniatures etc, you can basically start a british tank company, grenadier company, or us paratroopers with the one box, could probably pick up from soemwhere fairly cheap too, if you dont like it just sell it

you can not go wrong with the Starter,Unless you want to start with Ew and bunch of Zvezda kits.
As for P comment, alot of people start with FOW and then go to Bg. One last thing BAttle group started out as a Warhammer Historical game, KAmpfgruppe Normandy.If that helps out any.I would have went the 20mm route over 15mm,but at the time.With their being alot of model options.
What i would like to see is set of rules Cold war or Vietnam for BG...i know their already is a 20mm ruleset out.

col. krazy kenny wrote:

 mitch_rifle wrote:
I'd suggest grabbing open fire, contains all the rules, dice, miniatures etc, you can basically start a british tank company, grenadier company, or us paratroopers with the one box, could probably pick up from soemwhere fairly cheap too, if you dont like it just sell it

you can not go wrong with the Starter,Unless you want to start with Ew and bunch of Zvezda kits.
As for P comment, alot of people start with FOW and then go to Bg. One last thing BAttle group started out as a Warhammer Historical game, KAmpfgruppe Normandy.If that helps out any.I would have went the 20mm route over 15mm,but at the time.With their being alot of model options.
What i would like to see is set of rules Cold war or Vietnam for BG...i know their already is a 20mm ruleset out.

mitch_rifle wrote:I'd suggest grabbing open fire, contains all the rules, dice, miniatures etc, you can basically start a british tank company, grenadier company, or us paratroopers with the one box, could probably pick up from soemwhere fairly cheap too, if you dont like it just sell it

Big P wrote:Id say if you want to have more historical accuracy and use WW2 tactics, go for Battlegroup.

If you want a more WW2 40k style experience, a more Hollywood WW2 as some have described it, with a wide player base then go for FOW.

Or play both... can use the same models.

Where are you in the Netherlands as we have some of our Demo Teams based there?



All said with the caveat I write the rules with Warwick Kinrade and all my info on FOW is secondhand from people here... never played it myself as I game in 20mm.

econtutor wrote:I haven't played Battlegroup but I think Big P here on the forum wrote or helped write the rules, so he'll be able to answer any questions on it. One of the best things about playing 15mm historicals is that if you want a try a new ruleset out you typically already have the models to give it a go!

Thanks All! I think I am looking for a bit more historical accuracy as I allready have 40k to dabble in Scifi.
@ Big P: Im located in the south of the Netherlands, near Breda about 30 minutes from the Belgian border.

We have one of our playtest teams near Ghent... I will dig out the locations ofvthe other teams.

If you wanna see more of Battlegroup, join our forum,

Www.guildwargamers.com