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Hello, folks! I'm a long time 40k gamer but I recently learned about FoW and it sparked my interest. I'm a really big history geek so the idea of a game set during WWII and some of my favourite other conflicts really appeals to me. Me and my friend are going halves on the starter set (Open Fire!) But I'm unsure as what to do next.

As such, I would like to ask what you guys think is the best way to get started. And which armies would be recommended for me? I like to play armies with a lot of synergy and I like playing a force that can fight on multiple fronts, distracting the enemy while having specialised units that break behind enemy forces and suppress/destroy them.

If you haven't done so yet, check out the Boot Camp section of Battlefront's website for new beginners. Its chock full of good information for those interested in Flames of War.

Thanks man!

If you want to look at expanding your forces after a few games.
Look at http://www.easyarmy.com/
This will allow you to look at the FREE PDF lists , ('briefings' on Battle fronts web site under Hobby section.)
Also the more generic army lists from the V3 forces army list book.

These will give you a good idea about force composition and point values.
You can get more detailed specific lists from Battlefronts excellent Campaign books.

Also if you want to buy some plastic alternatives, the Plastic Soldier Company have some very good plastic kits.( 5 vehicles or a full infantry company for about
£20.)
All the lists in FoW seem to do well when they are used with a combined arms approach.

Eg a good mix of infantry ,artillery, armour , recon,AA, etc.

Apart from some specialized lists most allow a good mix of units.

I suggest not starting FOW at all and go with Battlegroup instead. The forces you fight with in that will be more accurate to real life, which you'll like since you say you're into history. The miniatures are also cheaper plastics instead of mainly metal/resin but they still look better with detail similar to the top 1/35 scale kits in a way smaller scale [you can still use the FOW starter set miniatures though].

WLH - One more thing to be aware of before you dive in.

Is there a group in your area already playing? If so, you need to be aware of which era they're playing in. The game is divided into three eras - Early War (1939-41), Mid-War (1942-43), and Late War (1944-45). The points costs of units in lists from different eras are not compatible. A given tank or gun will cost significantly less points-wise in a later period than it will in an earlier period. And some Late War units are all but invulnerable to Early War equipment (of course, some *Early War* units are also all but invulnerable to much of the Early War equipment... ). So if there's a group in your area, figure out what they're playing before you start buy anything more than the rules.

 sing your life wrote:
I suggest not starting FOW at all and go with Battlegroup instead. The forces you fight with in that will be more accurate to real life, which you'll like since you say you're into history. The miniatures are also cheaper plastics instead of mainly metal/resin but they still look better with detail similar to the top 1/35 scale kits in a way smaller scale [you can still use the FOW starter set miniatures though].

I know I'm throwing feed under the bridge here, but if somebody is posting "I want to start X" then "don't start X" is just a rude and obnoxious answer.

Wolf Lord Hjemskir wrote:
Hello, folks! I'm a long time 40k gamer but I recently learned about FoW and it sparked my interest. I'm a really big history geek so the idea of a game set during WWII and some of my favourite other conflicts really appeals to me. Me and my friend are going halves on the starter set (Open Fire!) But I'm unsure as what to do next.

As such, I would like to ask what you guys think is the best way to get started. And which armies would be recommended for me? I like to play armies with a lot of synergy and I like playing a force that can fight on multiple fronts, distracting the enemy while having specialised units that break behind enemy forces and suppress/destroy them.

Open Fire is a great place to start. Units for two of the more popular armies, and two of the most popular AFV from those factions, that can be used in different war periods.

I also came to the game from 40k and found the biggest difference is in choosing what era you want to collect, and getting a campaign book that covers that period but also (for the most part) contains lists for multiple armies, rather than getting a book that focuses on a particular army.

I believe 'mid-war' is the most common. It's also easy to adapt this to late war (add a few of the later war units), and for the most part things such as general infantry can (with some exceptions) be used across eras.

Really, the best advice I can give is to look at the different campaign books and decide which one appeals to you the most. Like the idea of tank battles in Northern Africa? Get the Africa book. The crossing of Germany into France and combat between rather odd tank types? Blitzkrieg would probably be the ideal book. Normally, this will be different for each person playing the game, I suppose the key will be finding the campaign books that both you and your friend like the look of the most.

Per the topic of this thread and purpose of this subforum, please make posts related to starting FOW.

If you're not interested in FOW at all, that's fine, but please don't post in this thread (or threads like this).

Thanks.