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.

I am new to FoW. I have played 40k now for about 18 months and have amassed a huge array of minis (mostly painted) in that time. i played epic scale when I was an adolescent, but lost interest in college. I have been a complete Axis and Allies junkie and I have no partner with which to play now. In my little corner of the world there are 2 FLGS one an hour away one 90 minutes away. FoW has caught on at one of the shops and I want to play. I asked the owner what was missing and he said they mainly play M/L war and no one plays Finns Poles and only a limited USA player. He suggested I start with USA. He didn't give me a points spread. I've bought the book and I do ok with the painting since I don't get to play often.

What I was wondering is if you folks could help guide me through the purchase and creation of my first list, M/L American. I don't know an appropriate point level so I'm really a babe in the woods. Likely I will take to heart the list you create. I think I'd like some tanks and some artillery in a addition to infantry. Aircraft would be fun too. One of the FLGS has a battle field in a box (Normandy) that I might be able to cut a deal on too. So I could cart that around with me to add to likely scarce terrain. My sincerest thanks for any of your time. Oh, and if you might suggest manufacturers too. Id appreciate that.

DrG

First question.

Do you know the split on Mid vs Late? The only reason I ask is that Finns could be the better choice as most of thier options work in either era. That's mostly because the "borrowed" unsupervised Russian equipment and other than some StuGs, didn't develop the technology as the war progressed.

Also, Finns are FV and you will typically need less models on the table than you would if you are playing CT US.

LW US is getting some exciting toys right now and the non-BF market is picking up to help with demand. Plastic Soldier Company is probably where I would go for my Shermans right now. They will also be coming out with US infantry shortly. That is one benefit that US has over Finns...there really isn't a concentrated market for Finnish models other than BF. There are a few suppliers out there that can have infantry or armor, but few places have both available at once.

Starting off for US, I don't think you will go wrong with a box of PSC 76 Shermans for late war. If you really want to hedge your bets, go for the 75s instead, but I think 76s are probably the better first purcahse.

Me i play Americans also,but i play 101st. Airborne.Fun army to play but the tactics can be kinda hard to learn for a new player.
I would Suggest playing a American Tank Company,So for your first book i would buy Blood,Guts and Glory.With all of the new American tanks rite now is a great time to start Americans.
Here is a guideline what i would play for a Tank company,Also remember you can buy alot of the tanks cheaper from other companies than Battlefront.
HQ PAtton,Abrams

Troops, two or three squads of 5 Shermans Theese i would mix with PSC kits and Battlefront for Squad commmanders.
Assult gun platoons (105 Shermans)
Armored rifles
Jeep recon
Tank destroyer
Armored Artillery 105 priest, Also some 155 Self propelled Howitzers
Combat Enginerrs
AA HAlf tracks
Grass hopper Forward observer plane
goood old Thunder bolts.
S o that is kinda what i would play,But like said earlier i would most diffently buy Blood and guts and play a American late war Tank company.
if infantry is your thing then try your luck with PAras.

@Shotgun - thanks. I thought mid to late war was about the same for USA. Also do you agree with buying blood guts and glory? I would prefer to play the USA because of family heritage and history.

@col krazy - thanks. Is BG&G kind of like a codex for USA?

Sorry for the elementary questions guys.

doktor_g wrote:
@col krazy - thanks. Is BG&G kind of like a codex for USA?

Not exactly

Unlike 40k, FoW has their army lists in groups according to history. This means that each book contains different axis and allies lists during that conflict. For example BGG focuses on"the gap between the breakout operations in Normandy in August 1944, and the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944 and January 1945", so it contains american and german armies that battle during that time and place.

It contains some pretty nifty lists for americans, especially if you like armored companies. But if you're looking for a "generic" army list then I would suggest getting Turning Tide which contains most of the basic American (and british) lists for late war since it covers D day and a bit farther.

I would start with Blood, Guts, & Glory. Late war Tank Company is a great way to learn the basics of the game. IMHO stay away from FV companies until you have a few games under your belt. FV is great if you know how to employ your troops effectively. I play two late war American lists, 4th Armored Division ( Armored Rifle Company ) and the 101st Airborne. My games with my airborne are some of the toughest battles I play. See with FV you have the best of the best but lack the numbers and sometimes the equipment. But hey as one new FoW player to another, welcome!

kenshin620 wrote:

doktor_g wrote:
@col krazy - thanks. Is BG&G kind of like a codex for USA?

Not exactly

Unlike 40k, FoW has their army lists in groups according to history. This means that each book contains different axis and allies lists during that conflict. For example BGG focuses on"the gap between the breakout operations in Normandy in August 1944, and the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944 and January 1945", so it contains american and german armies that battle during that time and place.

It contains some pretty nifty lists for americans, especially if you like armored companies. But if you're looking for a "generic" army list then I would suggest getting Turning Tide which contains most of the basic American (and british) lists for late war since it covers D day and a bit farther.

Thanks could not have said it better myself,but for a Generic list book. I would start with Fortress Europe.it contanis lists for all of the major powers.Soviet,German, American,British.

So if I'm correct...

- Fortress Europe (sounds like pre D-Day)
- Turning Tide (sounds like Normandy to the Hedge Rows or there about)
- BGG (sounds like pushing into central europe)...

of all those it seems like BGG would be best for late war american? Now to the brass tacks... I will buy BGG. What models would you suggest for me to start with for a middle sized game? I'd like to order them together...

Thanks again.
DrG

Fortress Europe is a 'generic' book for all 4 of the 'big' nations - the USA, USSR, Germany, and Britain. It allows you to take generic armies between January and August of 1944.

Turning Tide covers the invasion of Normandy and the push inland from there.

Hell's Highway and A Bridge Too Far cover Operation Market-Garden, and we'll be seeing an Operation Market-Garden compilation book later this year. This is more for British players, but you can find some US airborne lists in there.

Blood, Guts, and Glory, Devil's Charge, and Nuts! will cover the American push into Belgium and the German's subsequent countercharge and retreat.

Really, it depends on what you want. BGG, Devil's Charge, and Nuts! will feature more advanced technology in comparison to Turning Tide, which makes sense.

Thanks infinite. That clears it up.
G

BGG is also focused on armored lists. So if you want to do a tank company, BGG is great, but if you want to do leg infantry or something else, Turning the Tide or Fortress Europe might be a better option. It all depends on what you want to do, really. I wouldn't say there is one option that is better than the others in all ways, they just focus on different things.