Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

A bunch of folks in my group have been getting into FOW, but our monthly game day is usually reserved for GW stuff, so I haven't had a chance to check it out really. I'm gonna hit my local store for a demo next week on their FOW night, but after really checking out the site and all I think i might wanna give it a go.

So as a total newbie, what should I look into getting to get started, other than models? A rulebook obviously but are there army books/codexes that I'll need to get for the army I pick too? Do I need any special counters or anything? And I take it like any other game each army has different strengths & weaknesses & playstyles so can anyone give me a quick summary of how the different armies are? And what can I expect an army to cost me? Do I want a mostly tank army? or mostly infantry army? Or a good mix of both? Should I just buy one of those army box sets that they sell or will I still need to get extra stuff on top of that for an average sized force?

Necros wrote: I'm gonna hit my local store for a demo next week on their FOW night, but after really checking out the site and all I think i might wanna give it a go.

demo's are a good way to see what you like. I'd play a few times to see if you like the mechanics. I thought that it was a solid & fun system.

Necros wrote:So as a total newbie, what should I look into getting to get started, other than models? A rulebook obviously

The rulebook would be a good start. Since BF gave away so many free core rules when they started second edition you might find someone in the FoW group who'd be willing to lend you theirs.

Necros wrote: but are there army books/codexes that I'll need to get for the army I pick too?

There are "codexes" but I would play a few games and figure out what you like first (just like 40k)

Necros wrote:Do I need any special counters or anything?

not really. the rules and figures are all you really need, bailed out and pinned units can be marked with dice/coins.

Necros wrote:And I take it like any other game each army has different strengths & weaknesses & playstyles so can anyone give me a quick summary of how the different armies are?

It's not like 40K where armies have vastly different play styles. Basically you've got elite armies (each nation has some of these) middling troops and unskilled hordes (Russians) but you don't have a gigantic variation between armies. Within those 3 different categories are
1. Armored companies (tanks)
2. Recon companies (light vehicles and infantry)
3. Mechanized infantry (mounted in trucks/halftracks)
4. Leg infantry (ground pounders)
5. and to these basic companies you can attach other units (artillery, air support, snipers, engineers, armor, etc.)

Necros wrote: And what can I expect an army to cost me? Do I want a mostly tank army? or mostly infantry army? Or a good mix of both?

How much you pay will vary on what you want. horde armies will cost a bit more. Elites (especially armor) will cost less. I would imagine you can get a good starter army for about $150-200 including the necessary codex.

Necros wrote:Should I just buy one of those army box sets that they sell or will I still need to get extra stuff on top of that for an average sized force?

You will find yourself wanting extra stuff. The box sets tend to supply the basics of making a company (2 squads of infantry with a basic command unit) having a decent mix of armor, artillery, air defense, and infantry.

Hope this helps

Interrogator-Chaplain Severus

Here is a nice article from the website that talks about building a good army for any nationality

http://www.flamesofwar.com/Default.aspx?tabid=53&art_id=705


Interrogator-Chaplain Severus

cool thanks for the info. I think after a couple of demos I'll get a good idea of what I want. After reading the link I think I'd probably want to go with germany or US.. or is that what everyone and their lil brother pics?

when i started i jumped in with the fallschrimjager box set, gave me enough too play a few little games and a base to add other units too

Check out the New England FOW yahoo group
http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/fownewengland/

I watched a game at the local store tonight and picked up the rulebook.. after i go through it and get a couple demo games I'll decide on what to play.. gonna start small, a guy there said around 600 pts is a good place to start to try out the game. At this point though I think I'm lookin at a mechanized kinda army, most likely US cuz I'm the patriotic type.

US are good because they let you take alot of things and have a very versatile force (Germans tend to be more specialized). LW Americans can have scads of bazookas to make life miserable for any vehicles. US halftracks are okay and are kind of neat because you can take the MGs from them for your infantry. Their tanks are also decent, but should have support in numbers.

If you have trouble locating the models you like from the Battlefront range (they retire models every so often), Old Glory's Command Decision is another very good 15mm WW2 line.

Well I picked up the rulebook recently and have been reading through it. My friend said they basically play late war stuff and said I should get the festering europe (forget how it was really spelled) book to build my army from so i guess that will be next.

Right now I'm thinking of a US force, kind of decided against germany.. but I have been thinking of Soviets too now. Since I'm so used to imperial guard they seem like they could be similar in theme, having tons of really wimpy guys Will most likely end up doing US though.

I think to start I would probably want to build a small tank army to get used to the game and then expand upon that after I start to figure out what I want to add. Guy at the store was saying 750 pts or so is a good start and I shouldn't have trouble finding folks to play smaller games like that.

Necros wrote:... and said I should get the festering europe (forget how it was really spelled) book...

That's Festung Europa which is German for Fortress Europe and refers to the Atlantic Wall and the buildup of defenses along the western coast of Europe in anticipation of an Allied invasion of the continent from Great Britain.