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So I just ordered the new FOW started set and WAS super excited about it. It's my first time dealing with 15mm, but they were surprisingly, very detailed. I haven't had a chance to site down and read the rulebook, but it looks pretty straight forward. I don't know which army I will decide to play, but this seems to be a good start for two possible options. BF looks like a stable company that doesn't seem to be going belly up anytime soon (knock on wood), so I should be able to play this game for a long time with new miniatures coming out.

Now, cut to today....I just saw that Bolt Action was released recently, and now I'm wondering if I chose the wrong game. I'm used to 28mm figures and I like that they would be easier to convert to look like hundreds of individuals, but I also like the idea of being able to whip out a 15mm army in a weekend. The plus side is that if do go the 28mm route, my GW terrain would be useable (mostly). I've heard that BA has rules similar to 40k, and while I think that might draw a few players away, I don't know if I buy that. I mean, why leave a game because you don't like the rules, only to start playing a game with similar rules....that you don't like in the first place.

Unfortunately, in my area, there aren't really a lot of gaming stores in the area besides a GW a few miles away. Apparently there are a few stores that do have FOW nights, but nothing really close. I'm unable to find any stores that offer or will be offering Bolt Action nights. I have some friends that play 40k, and we talked about getting into WW2 games, but I don't know if anyone would really be interested in starting a new game. If I wasn't knee deep in Warhammer fantasy already, I'd throw caution to the wind and play both....but due to limited income and a multitude of other hobbies, this is not a possibility.

So I was wondering if anyone could tell me which do they think would be the better option to invest in? Do you think either will jump ahead in the number of players in the coming months/year? Which do you think has a long shelf life/staying power?

I know this is a wall of text and I'm probably asking questions that no one has all the answers too, but I'd just appreiate some feedback. Thanks!

I`m no fan of FOW t BF but there are a lot of reasons to go 15mm WW2 .1 FOW is the biggest selling WW2 game . 2 there are lots of other good WW2 rules for 20mm & 15mm .3 15mm lets you get lots of stuff on the board if you like that big conflict feel .4 the price but only if you shop around as BF are one of the more expensive 15mm stockists .

Bolt Action is a warlord games line that has been growing steadily .i can see the game doing well but dont have any views on the rues since i had seen or played a game myself .i think gamers are ready for a 28mm WW2 game esp now theres more resin tanks and stuff out for it .saves having to build lots of 1/48 scale kits which look great but ot everybody can are wants to build complex kits .thing about 28mm is you could very easily use the same figs and tanks in SOTR secrets of the third reich ,think the start of hell boy one in 28mm and your not far wrong .theres old beta rules out and unit cards il post links to below .its a cool game and i like the theme/background and who doesnt like having swarms of nazi zombies ?

both have there merits and if you have a few stores near you you may also have the od club that does their own thing so look into that as well .what you feel comfortable working with and what style of game you enjoy also come into it .i think both games will do welll so its eally up to you man .no matter what scale you go with if you dont like the game there are others out there .anyway here links to some secrets of the third reich for yourself or others that may find it useful .

example german force http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bp_m_bUdfY

Polish Platoon http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FW2toyOO64&feature=relmfu

old beta rules http://www.thewargamer.com/grognard/SotR_Rules_V2-5.pdf

SOTR unit cards and other bits http://westwindproductions.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=3077.0

It’s worth pointing out that in the world of historical gaming there is no intrinsic link between a ruleset and a miniature rage, or even between a ruleset and a miniature scale. It’s not like GW, who force you in into a straight jacket.

There is nothing to stop you playing Bolt Action with 15mm miniatures, or even FOW with 28mm should you be so inclined. For example I collect 15mm in WW2 from a variety of manufacturers and have used them to play Flames of War, Nuts!, Blitzkrieg Commander and now Bolt Action.

For skirmish games I just have a platoons worth of 15mm figures based individually.

I'd throw Kampfe Grupe Normandy/Kampfe Grupe Kursk into the ring as well.

If you want a non scale aligned ruleset it's as good as anything out there.