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.

Hi, I'm WhiteBishop and I'm new to Flames of War. I've been looking into moving towards this from 40k and WH after price hikes

So, I was thinking of starting a German Fallshirmjager force but I wanted to ask how applicable it is to have an all-infantry force. I understand cost is an issue but other than that I wanted to know if it can be played competitvely as a force, or does every army intrinsically need tanks? Another possible idea was going for a British force in Normandy, being artillery and infantry heavy. Sorry but I don't love tanks...

Any help appreciated

Well first off shame on you for not loving tanks!

And heres some cheap infantry
http://www.thewarstore.com/product61827.html

WhiteBishop wrote:Hi, I'm WhiteBishop and I'm new to Flames of War. I've been looking into moving towards this from 40k and WH after price hikes

So, I was thinking of starting a German Fallshirmjager force but I wanted to ask how applicable it is to have an all-infantry force. I understand cost is an issue but other than that I wanted to know if it can be played competitvely as a force, or does every army intrinsically need tanks? Another possible idea was going for a British force in Normandy, being artillery and infantry heavy. Sorry but I don't love tanks...

Any help appreciated

All-infantry forces can be viable, although FoW is the epitome of combined arms. Without tanks, you'll be lacking fast moving, hardhitting firepower. You'll also be a bit more exposed artillery.

However! Fallschirmjager forces are still viable without armor. You'll want panzerfausts in your combat platoons, and an anti-tank squad in your HQ platoon. Since your an infantry company, you'll be on the defense a lot, so an anti-tank platoon would also be a good investment. And don't forget your Pak 88s!

@Ralin: I like tanks, I just don't love them. After I've checked out the lists I may end up including tanks after all... A mechanised army did look interesting but I decided I couldn't pull off a Rommel :(
I prefer paras and, as my GW armies (IG and Empire) testify, I love infantry. I've heard good things about Brit arty, so they might be in my other army.

@infinite: I usually play defensivley so no problems there

Thank you both, very helpful and informative

Actually, and friend of mine is starting a FJ army of his own (I'm rivaling it with a British 3rd Rifle Company).

Here's a couple of tidbits for you:

http://easyarmy.com/ - Easy Army is a fantastic army-building site, which is actually supported by Battlefront. You can buy Earth & Steel for a dollar, then pursue either the 6.FR or the 2.FD.

I also emailed one of the guys over at the What Would Patton Do? blog, who frequently plays FJs. Here's the advice he gave me:

"StuGs are a great start for FJ support. First things first, he will need 2 full FJ platoons to start, ideally you want 3 with the third able to act as pioneers. Next thing to consider is smoke generation, FJs love to assault, and to get close they need smoke. Cheapest option is to do a platoon of 8cm mortars. Best part about the 8 cm mortars is that as the army grows instead of using them as a platoon you can have a few as a HQ attachment. So recap, StuGs good, pick up two packs of FJs, also get the mortar platoon blister, and a FJ HQ blister."

Hope that helps!

The Americans have the best Artillery and can feild the largest amount of it if you want to go that way.

Catyrpelius wrote:The Americans have the best Artillery and can feild the largest amount of it if you want to go that way.

You're a bit off there. It's actually the Brits who can field the largest amount of artillery.

Yeah. Nothing quite like 8 Gun Batteries.

You absolutely do not need tanks to be competitive at FoW. I play a US Airborne Rifle Company, and beat the snot out of armor companies.

Infantry are the hardest unit type to kill in the game with the pretty much constant 3+ save. Even harder to kill if they're Veterans, which I believe Fallschirmjarger are. Get your platoons dug in, an laugh heartily as you opponent tries desperately to do you harm.

Infantry beat tanks when the tanks get close. Since you'll pretty much always be defending against tanks, the tanks will need to close in on you at some point in order to secure the objectives. Whn they do, strike.

The two essential things you need are Fearless troops (so that you pass the Tank Terror test when you assault) and a good number of weapons that can launch smoke, so as to put a dent in the enemy's defensive fire.

On top of that, having things like Pioneers helps, as they pack a good punch with that AT rating 4.

Well good to hear more FJ players taking to the field then. As the other posters have mentioned, AT teams are worth their weigth in gold, I also find that MGs and recoiless guns also works wonders. I do however find that I need to bring some heavy firepower with me, for this PAK guns works well. And tanks will burn if you get close to them, just make sure to digg in when ever you can.

Here is what I recomend buying
5 FJ plaatons ( two for Pinoners since they are a must)
AT guns
Artiliry

Or you could be an awkward sod, ignore what is "good" and what "works" and field either what is accurate or what just looks cool.

ArbeitsSchu wrote:what is accurate

Amen to that...

Just to check, for the Fallschirmjager army is the book I need Hell's Highway?

I'm planning to buy the starter pack and then the army book I need for the German paras. I'll thoroughly plan a list before I begin to purchase things

There are FJ lists in Hells Highway, Fortress Europe, and Earth and Steel. I personally prefer Fortress Europe. It's the most "generic" list and gives you the most support options. Hells Highway lets you do cool stuff like take entire platoons of panzerfaust teams - but your support options in HH are more limited. I can't really comment on Earth and Steel except to say the FJ platoons in there are more expensive points-wise.

If you do run Fortress Europe, you can take Marder II's as cheap, mobile anti-tank (either as Fearless Veteran or Confident Veteran).

And to echo others in the thread, you want 2 platoons of FJ plus pioneers. Plus smoke making mortars and some anti-tank. I like Pak40's myself, as they are cheaper than the 88's but still hit hard enough to kill all but the toughest tanks. HMG's are useful against other infantry companies. Oh, and some kind of anti-air would be good. Either buy some anti-air guns, or take sporadic aircraft support and hope that's enough.

Keep in mind that FJ are really points heavy, so at low point games all you'll have are the basics.

One of my main armies are Fallschirmjager. You do not need tanks, and they can be very powerful and competitive without them. It all depends on how you build your army list...

I do like to have at least one platoon of tanks or some other armored vehicles in support. This gives me a mobile unit, which is good if you are forced to hold a unit in reserve or for just quickly redeploying as most German tanks are very good in the AT role.

Fallschirmjagers DO have access to vehicles in support that are crewed by FJs also: Marders and StuGs. So you could take those, have your armor and still be a pure FJ force!

As an aside, do not overlook the FJ mountain gun artillery or heavy mortar options. Those have become my favorite artillery choices with my FJs.

Ok, statistics!

To purchase Open Fire it'll cost £23
Fortress Europe is £20

Unfortunately I need a Valkyrie to finish off my Guard army that I promised myself I'd buy at the end of my A-Levels (this Friday), so that's ...£41

Really GW? Really?

Once my exams are over this Friday I'll give this more attention and properly plan the whole thing, but at least 2 FJ platoons will be on the list

There is an FJ box you should probably buy. It comes with 2 full platoons, CC, 2iC and options for panzerfausts or panzerknackers.

screw GW, go all out on FoW, you FJs deserves more love.