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So, I have been toying with the idea of getting into Flames of War with a USSR army, but I have a couple I questions that are bothering me:

1: What kind of gameplay can I expect, and how high of a level of complexity is there to the game?Can I expect Advanced Squad Leader complexity?
2: What rulebooks do I need, and how much should I expect to pay for them?
3: Are there any manufacturers that produce/sell 15mm scale WWII vehicles and infantry for a price that is reasonable? I know that FOW's models are resin/pewter, but I cannot seem to justify paying $80 for 5 tanks/130 troops.

Thanks!
_Tim?

Here is a quick response. I'm sorry i couldn't go into more detail.

1: You are much more squishy in this game, thus you use much more terrain in this game. Dug in men is very hard to dig out if done incorrectly. You don't want to spam stuff in this game, you want a well blancend army.( i.e. you should try to include, infantry, artillery, anti air, tanks instead of spamming one unit type.)The game IMHO is very balanced, and it doesn't go in as much depth as Advanced squad leader.
2: I still think you can get a mini copy of the main rule book for free on thewarstore.com, if you purchase some FOW merchandise. You can you this site easyarmy.com to build you army list, you can purchase the lists from various books from 1 to 2 dollars. Sometimes they are even free. If you want a physical rule book, all they have that is version 3 compatible is Red Bear, and Grey Wolf. Both are eastern front books.
3: There are plenty of 3rd party manufactures such as http://theplasticsoldiercompany.co.uk/ and http://wargamesfactory.com/

Some_Call_Me_Tim? wrote:
3: Are there any manufacturers that produce/sell 15mm scale WWII vehicles and infantry for a price that is reasonable? I know that FOW's models are resin/pewter, but I cannot seem to justify paying $80 for 5 tanks/130 troops.

Just to keep them in mind, the Battlefront prices for a lot of their tank boxes look to be under $60 for five tanks, which is certainly better. Sure you weren't pulling a GW and looking at the NZ price?

(The Flames of War web site defaults to NZ $ for me as well for some reason...)

Read this...Specifically the FAQ at the bottom

http://www.dakkadakka.com/wiki/en/Starting_a_Flames_of_War_Force

Then Read all of this...

http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/247904.page

After all that if still have any questions PM me.

mwnciboo wrote: Read this...Specifically the FAQ at the bottom

http://www.dakkadakka.com/wiki/en/Starting_a_Flames_of_War_Force

Then Read all of this...

http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/247904.page

After all that if still have any questions PM me.

Thanks! I will check that article out!

Balance wrote:

Some_Call_Me_Tim? wrote:
3: Are there any manufacturers that produce/sell 15mm scale WWII vehicles and infantry for a price that is reasonable? I know that FOW's models are resin/pewter, but I cannot seem to justify paying $80 for 5 tanks/130 troops.

Just to keep them in mind, the Battlefront prices for a lot of their tank boxes look to be under $60 for five tanks, which is certainly better. Sure you weren't pulling a GW and looking at the NZ price?

(The Flames of War web site defaults to NZ $ for me as well for some reason...)

Yeah, I was thinking of the heavy tanks you can get! The FoW website does the exact same thing to me.

_Tim?

Balance wrote:(The Flames of War web site defaults to NZ $ for me as well for some reason...)

Could it maybe be because Battlefront is located in New Zealand?

I'm also working my way into this game gradually, starting with the models (I've never built or painted 15mm models before). I have a newbie question - where do the bases for the minis come from? Do BF make them, or do you make your own? I looked on the FoW site and couldn't find bases for sale. A related question - should smaller vehicles like jeeps and motorbikes be mounted on bases? I've seen them without bases, but also on bases with figures around them.

Battlefront and a couple of other companies make compatible bases. Shop around. Failing that, make your own from MDF or plasticard.

Vehicles can be based though generally the base has no game effect. Sometimes jeeps and motorcycles are based for in game purposes.

Tailgunner wrote:I'm also working my way into this game gradually, starting with the models (I've never built or painted 15mm models before). I have a newbie question - where do the bases for the minis come from? Do BF make them, or do you make your own?

They do make their own ( here: http://www.flamesofwar.com/Default.aspx?tabid=79&CategoryID=2482&PageIndex=17 ), but you can get bases from other companies or make your own.

A related question - should smaller vehicles like jeeps and motorbikes be mounted on bases? I've seen them without bases, but also on bases with figures around them.

Motorcycles generally work in teams and are usually based, but it is entirely up to you if you want to base smaller vehicles.