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Hey all,

I am new to mini war gaming and am interested in FoW but it seems like there are allot more people playing 40k.

I do not want to invest all that money to find out there is no one to play with.

Anyone else out there having issues getting FoW games going?

I am sure that location has a part to play. I am in Norfolk, Va and there is one of 3 stores that holds FoW games and they do not have many people playing.

It seems like it is a safer bet to get into 40k in order to have someone to play with....

thoughts?

thanks

As someone who palys both FOW is alot more interesting but a bit harder to learn than 40k

I don't know a whole lot about either, just from what I have read, but I like FoW. It just seems with the lack of other players, I should just go with 40k.

There seems to be many more 40k players out there.

thanks for the reply.

Well, take a look here: http://www.whatwouldpattondo.net/p/player-finder.html

It's a player finder. It look like there are two players just north of Norfolk.

One of the things you can do, if you really want to play Flames of War, is assemble 2 tank armies - one from Allies, the other from the Axis. Tank armies are less expensive to build, and don't require as many rules as the infantry do. You can build a couple of 600 pt armies, then get some people hooked. If price is your worry, look into buying some Plastic Soldier Company Panzer IV H's and T-34 76/85 tanks, which are less expensive than Battlefront's models. You'll definately want them if you want to do Soviets as an army. You'll save a lot of money.

All in all, it's your choice. If you think you won't have fun playing 40k, then it won't be worth buying into it.

infinite_array wrote:Well, take a look here: http://www.whatwouldpattondo.net/p/player-finder.html

It's a player finder. It look like there are two players just north of Norfolk.

One of the things you can do, if you really want to play Flames of War, is assemble 2 tank armies - one from Allies, the other from the Axis. Tank armies are less expensive to build, and don't require as many rules as the infantry do. You can build a couple of 600 pt armies, then get some people hooked. If price is your worry, look into buying some Plastic Soldier Company Panzer IV H's and T-34 76/85 tanks, which are less expensive than Battlefront's models. You'll definately want them if you want to do Soviets as an army. You'll save a lot of money.

All in all, it's your choice. If you think you won't have fun playing 40k, then it won't be worth buying into it.

Awesome advice.... thanks very much.

And I will check out that link...

thanks again!

If you're interested in FOW, there are many companies that do 15mm WW2 stuff, that are cheaper than battlefront.

Peter Pig
Old Glory (under their Command Decision Line, which you can get for 40% off if you're part of the Old Glory Army)
The aforementioned Plastic Soldier Company, etc.

A good resource is also to check out TMP (the Miniatures Page) and check their ww2 (Land) Product Review Forum. There are always threads discussing the various products from a huge range of manufacturers.

Cruentus wrote:If you're interested in FOW, there are many companies that do 15mm WW2 stuff, that are cheaper than battlefront.

Peter Pig
Old Glory (under their Command Decision Line, which you can get for 40% off if you're part of the Old Glory Army)
The aforementioned Plastic Soldier Company, etc.

A good resource is also to check out TMP (the Miniatures Page) and check their ww2 (Land) Product Review Forum. There are always threads discussing the various products from a huge range of manufacturers.

Will do... thanks again for taking the time to shed some well needed advice on this Noob

Well I dont play 40k or FOW so does that mean I never game? LOL!

I game every Friday... Alot of the time historical players are less likely to be found in stores.

Good luck Madman7, and whatever you do - Have fun!

FOW has more fluff, and its better written.

Madman7 wrote:Hey all,

I am new to mini war gaming and am interested in FoW but it seems like there are allot more people playing 40k.

I do not want to invest all that money to find out there is no one to play with.

Anyone else out there having issues getting FoW games going?

I am sure that location has a part to play. I am in Norfolk, Va and there is one of 3 stores that holds FoW games and they do not have many people playing.

It seems like it is a safer bet to get into 40k in order to have someone to play with....

40k does indeed have more players, it is probably the most popular wargame but it is rubbish (IMO, YMMV etc). I don't have issues getting games of FoW but then I don't live in your area.

Why don't you check out both groups and see if they will lend you stuff to begin with. Whichever game you decide to go with start small, don't rush into the game.

ArbeitsSchu wrote:FOW has more fluff, and its better written.

Umm it isn't "fluff" its history...

FoW is definitely a well put together game. I play both FoW and 40k regularly and have far fewer FoW rules arguements during a game than with 40k. GW still doesn't seem to get the idea that a fully detailed ruleset is a good ruleset. They still write rulebooks expecting people to understand what they meant based on the "spirit of the game".

Battlefront minis aren't exactly cheap, but they are well packaged and give you exactly what you need for the platoon/vehicle in the blister. I have no experience with Peter Pig, but the command decision figs require you to buy a bunch of different bags/blisters of stuff to have all the right figures to create a certain type of platoon. These don't always balance out. Add in that bases are extra and you ultimately don't save a whole lot on purchasing them. Same goes for their vehicles. Tanks are OK, but half tracks and other open vehicles don't come with any crew or passenger figures. They must also be purchased separately. Again the supposed cost savings kind of disappear when you have to do that too. Ultimately, though, you can get a playable 1750 sized force for less than your typical GW army will cost at around 1500 points.

If there aren't too many Flames of War players in your area pick up the FoW Open Fire! starter set. It includes 3 US sherman tanks and 2 German Sturmgeschutz assault guns. Learn the rules on your own at home and then take things in to your local shop and do a demo or two for the store owner. Let people try it out with you. Get them hooked. Once people start showing and interest the store owner can get the minis in for everyone. From Open Fire! choose a war period Early, Mid or Late and play an escalation league. Battlefront has decent escalation league rules on their website that you can use. Start the league at 500 points and give everyone a little time to get their first forces ready. A 500 point force can easily be put together under $100us and is a good place to start. Each month the total of the league raises up and everyone expands their armies as they go. Eventually you will have a group of Flames of War players to call on whenever you want a game...

As for 40k, many 40k players will have more than 1 army. Ask someone to show you how to play using their minis. Once you get the basics down you can look into starting your own army. The battleforce boxed sets from GW give you enough plastic minis to cover between 500 and 1000 points depending on the box and with the addition of a metal (or finecast) HQ figure you have what you need to start playing.

I enjoy both games for different reasons, but if you are willing to put the work into it building up your local FoW player group would be pretty rewarding...

Skriker

Meh, I don't find the FoW fluff very compelling. Homicidal-megalomaniac jackboot guys trying to take over the world? Please, doesn't sound very likely.

Wink wink.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
But seriously: I'd say if I had to choose one, I'd choose 40k, but only because I play a lot of other historical games aside from FoW (several of those WWII, too). FoW is, all things considered, probably a better game than 40k (smoother to play, less weird gamey stuff), but those 40k models are oh-so-awesome.

Void Reaper wrote:Meh, I don't find the 40k fluff very compelling. Homicidal-megalomaniac jackboot guys trying to take over the world? Please, doesn't sound very likely.

Wink wink.

Just sorted that for you...

Hey I live in Virginia Beach, I know for a fact that there are several groups that play in the Hampton area. I have both games and I like certain things about both games. But for playability and rules that makes more sense and lack of super uber unbalanced units I have to go with FOW. I really enjoy the game its cheaper....a little harder to paint in 15mm with detail but a really easy game to learn. My group of about 12 players ....plays at Atlantis Games and Comics on Little Creek RD. every Tuesday, Sat and Sun. Plus if you want get on the forums and pick up a game during the week.

James

I live in Va Beach too. As James says, there are a few people that play at Atlantis. Sunday around 1 pm and Tuesday around 6:30 pm are the best times to get a pick up game. This Sunday may be bad for FoW as there is a 40k tournament scheduled but most Sundays are good.

There are also several people with multiple armies that would let you push some around the table.

- Jeff

I would go with FOW. Don't forget. GW constantly upgrade their figures and comes up with new edition. Even if you painted up the latest army, it will eventually become obsolete. If you are competitive, you have to purchase and learn from many army books and buy new editions. You don't have such a hugh issue with FOW. Smart peopel don't play 40K.

wildger wrote:I would go with FOW. Don't forget. GW constantly upgrade their figures and comes up with new edition. Even if you painted up the latest army, it will eventually become obsolete. If you are competitive, you have to purchase and learn from many army books and buy new editions. You don't have such a hugh issue with FOW. Smart peopel don't play 40K.

Smart people also don't have spelling mistakes in their insults.
If your planning on using actual FOW minis, I would go with 40k. They are both expensive, both hard to get people into, but at least 40k has some really nice looking miniatures and a large fanbase. Honestly nothing sucks worse than getting into a game and finding out nobody plays it.

Joetaco wrote:

wildger wrote:I would go with FOW. Don't forget. GW constantly upgrade their figures and comes up with new edition. Even if you painted up the latest army, it will eventually become obsolete. If you are competitive, you have to purchase and learn from many army books and buy new editions. You don't have such a hugh issue with FOW. Smart peopel don't play 40K.

Smart people also don't have spelling mistakes in their insults.
If your planning on using actual FOW minis, I would go with 40k. They are both expensive, both hard to get people into, but at least 40k has some really nice looking miniatures and a large fanbase. Honestly nothing sucks worse than getting into a game and finding out nobody plays it.

Ignoring the fact that people in his region play FoW...

Canadian 5th wrote:

Joetaco wrote:

wildger wrote:I would go with FOW. Don't forget. GW constantly upgrade their figures and comes up with new edition. Even if you painted up the latest army, it will eventually become obsolete. If you are competitive, you have to purchase and learn from many army books and buy new editions. You don't have such a hugh issue with FOW. Smart peopel don't play 40K.

Smart people also don't have spelling mistakes in their insults.
If your planning on using actual FOW minis, I would go with 40k. They are both expensive, both hard to get people into, but at least 40k has some really nice looking miniatures and a large fanbase. Honestly nothing sucks worse than getting into a game and finding out nobody plays it.

Ignoring the fact that people in his region play FoW...

And also ignoring the fact that you don't have to use Battle Front's mini's at all to play when you can use other 15mm WWII models (Old Glory, Quality Castings, etc) instead for cheaper.......and in some cases, depending on the size of your FoW games, much cheaper than GW to start out playing 40k.

I play both, and as it seems that there are a good number of people in your area playing FoW, I would say chose FoW. It has a smoother rule set and like ThirdUltra said, it can be much cheaper than WH40k to start out in some cases. An example is with my friend's army. He wants to start a Canadian tank company in Italy. The Canadian tank company has 8 Sherman tanks in its required slots at slightly less than 1000 pts. , so for about $100 (buying from Battlefront, they are generic Sherman IIIs, so they can be easily purchased elsewhere), he can have a 1000 pt. force just filling out the required slots. This is comparable to the $250-$350 he spent on his 1400 pt. Tyranid army or the $400-$450 ( with some purchased used for cheap) I spent on my nearish 2000 pt. Mech IG army.

Yes i agree generally with the posts above me, FoW is cheaper to start off. I have a 1500 Late War German Panzer Company, and so far it's only cost me about £100, but compared to my 1500 points of tyranids, which has cost me near enough £200. Plus i find FoW a better game to play as a whole, certainly with the little add ons etc.

If you like the FoW rules and the 40K models, just play FoW using 40K models.

Kilkrazy wrote:If you like the FoW rules and the 40K models, just play FoW using 40K models.

The OP never mentioned liking 40k models more, his main problem was finding FoW players in his area. I guess you are being sarcastic?

I also think that would throw off the scale just a small amount...

Canadian 5th wrote:I also think that would throw off the scale just a small amount...

That's why I asked about sarcasm...

40k is expensive ! , 28mm ww2 / Napoleonic / fantasy etc miniatures can be had for 1/4 of the price of Games worship 40k of WHFB stuff

1:72 scale ww2 miniatures are cheap as chips , i went a bit mad with my pocket money when i was a kid but that madness bout me 2500 soldiers and 100 tanks and i still got em to this day

WW2 has lots of very interesting history , a nice range of weapons you can relate to and the rules will be more realistic

40k stuff is slightly better quality plastic , but if you look carefully at the 40k range they have gone for a busy , heroic tonka toy manga styling which tbh is a bit cheesy

you might have to look a bit harder to find FOW or ww2 players and clubs but ww2 has been around since..um 1945 and is never going to go out of fashion.
40k is not a particularity great gaming system , its not as good as it looks once you start. Though it is popular enough that you should not struggle too hard to find players.
I started building a space marine army a couple of weeks ago , ive already spent 150 pounds UK amd i would have to spend that much again to get a decent army up together.
Im sort of regretting it. My disappointment has been two fold , high prices and the system is not as polished as you would expect considering its been around for 20 years.

Im an older player and Games workshop is aiming for 10 to 12 year olds these days so that is a 3rd factor that is off putting for me.
A friend of mine was going to get a 40k army but he changed his mind after he looked into how much it was gonna cost. This is something else to consider.


Flames of War - In Game - Germans vs. Commonwealth - Battle Report (part 1)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwkEUtLCMWw

The scale of FOW lends itself better to realistic scenery. It also allows a blend of strategy and tactics.

40k is more tactical ( uses buckets of dice ) special powers and is generally more flowery all round. The boards tend to be plain and simple.
The units are slightly larger than 28mm , which makes them popular with painters and collectors.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Yyoj9FbFIc


If you are young flush with cash and have friends in the same boat then 40k would be a viable option

If you want to learn real history, learn how real wars where fought and won( and how to play real wargames :-D ) then FOW is for you...its a bit cheaper too.

swuk wrote:If you want to learn real history... then FOW is for you.

You are kidding right?

Sorry... Couldnt resist.

Flames of War and Other Historical Games

cant you read lol ?

Ahhhh... Other games... Fair enough then!

IM not saying that FOW is a substitute for a history degree :-P, but you cant play with ww2 miniatures and be surrounded by ww2 enthusiasts and not be encouraged to pick some real history up along the way

I could name every major tank , plane , ship , general & battle in ww2 and prolly write a 500 page essay on each lol

It kinda goes with the territory