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Thinking of getting Assauly of Normandy. I have the FOW Open Fire, and while it is cool, I play a lot of games with my 8 year old and am looking for something a little simpler. I do want to add some variety to the starter box and was thinking of picking up 2 tanks 1 for each force and was wondering what might be cool to pick up. Also is an Officer included for both sides in the starter? Or is that something I should look into as well. Thank you.

I personally don't feel either game is really suitable for an 8 year old, but some kids are better at things than others and you know your child's ability better than we can guess at. I would just urge caution.

BA isn't really any less complex than FoW, just different. Though you can always use the 28mm BA models with other easier rule sets. Have you ever checked on the FreeWargameRules website?

The Assault on Normandy boxed set include the plastic sprues to build 20 figures for both sides. You can build them how you want, so you make a commander for each side. If you were going to add tanks I would go with a Panzer IV and a Sherman as those are the most comparable.

I play simple 40k rules with my son who is 8 so I'm sure as long as you simplify the rules you can play any game with an 8 year old.

If you just keep the rules simple you should have be able to use the starter set and have a good time with it, you can make an officer for each side with the parts you get in the box, and you have plenty of options with what it comes with.

I'm not sure on which tanks are equal so to speak but I personally can't wait to pick up a tiger.

Cool thanks for the info guys. Yeah he plays all the other games with me fine, he even wins more often then I do and I don't go easy on him. I'm hoping between panzerfausts and AT grenades when 1 tank goes down it isn't too lopsided, again haven't really even learned the basics of this game, looks cool though and I can use all my terrain from my GW/PP games too.

Maybe go with lighter tanks then? Only 20 infantry per side is very light to be throwing a medium tank in. Something like a Stuart and a Panzer II luchs would be more appropriate at that level. You could always buy an infantry box for both sides though and that would help. Would give you 45 infantry models to set up how you nee and would be more likely to take out a medium tank running around.

The Americans also have bazookas on their sprues, so they wouldn't be hurting for infantry AT straight out of the box.

I have bought the starter set and I do recommend it.

You get 20 men for each side which the game recommends are assembled as:
US:
- Lieutenant plus two men
- Squad of eight men including NCO and three submachine guns (have to be veterans in order to have this in squad)
- Seven men including NCO and browning assault rifle
- Two man sniper team

German:
- Lieutenant plus one extra man
- Three squads of six Wermacht infantry each with NCO and a two man light machine gun team.

This gives you roughly 300 points each so adding a tank would probably take you up to 500. (Of course, you can upgrade all men to veterans for more points if you prefer) There's also some farmhouse ruins to be made/painted.

My only note is that the figures were a pain to put together for me (being heavy handed and having no patience). They are small scale and there is no instructions to assemble (though it is self explanatory). The best thing about the box is that you get the full, hardcover rulebook which has all the point values and special army rules within so no need to go out and buy any expensive army books straight away.

Once I've assembled/painted everything I'm planning to put an unboxing article on dakka.

Silver, good info there now I know what to shoot for on the building of them.