Just a quick survey on how many people here tabletop wargame either World War II or other different conflicts. I have been wargaming 1/285 scale Modern Battles for 7 years and have recently started gaming World War II. Id be interested in how people come up with scenarios, campaigns etc and different rules people use
I run a small school wargaming club which has had games set in a variety of periods over the years including World War II. Latterly we have used 1/72nd figures with amended 'Rapid Fire' rules. We have recently experimented with the excellent 'Combat Mission' computer game using a network and digital projectors.
I have been a tabletop gamer on and off (mainly off these days, due to lack of time) for 30+ years. My only kit I have now is in 20mm using the 'Rapid Fire' rules Mark mentioned. When I wargamed in your scale back in the 1980s we used the rules by the Wargames Research Group. I have some WW2 Wargaming links on my website at: http://battlefieldsww2.50megs.com/ww2_links.htm I would also recommend joining the Society of Twentieth Century Wargamers. They publish an excellent journal and have a website at: http://www.sotcw.org/
Not on as often as I used to be as I am in the process of painting all my new 1/285th stuff. Altogether about 2000 figures to build, paint and base so is taking alot of my time. Then I'll be looking for someone to play against
Kiwiwriter wrote : Cardboard counters and hexsheet wargames for me. I edit The Europa Magazine for GRD games, as well. Good Lord ! What a coincidence indeed Kiwi ! I am myself a long time Europa Fan (eventhough I still havent bought War in the Desert) and as a wargamer and as a WW2 buff, I'd say that some Fire in the East/Scorched Earth games I played rank among my best gaming memories.* Anyway, what is your favourite Europa game ? And, do you think that Grand Europa is a pipe dream ?? images/smilies/default/biggrin.gif Regards
WRG Rules are the ones that I have used the most. They are pretty good and tend to avoid the bucket of dice approach of some rules
(Exxley @ Dec 29 2005, 12:27 PM) [post=43735]Kiwiwriter wrote : Cardboard counters and hexsheet wargames for me. I edit The Europa Magazine for GRD games, as well. Good Lord ! What a coincidence indeed Kiwi ! I am myself a long time Europa Fan (eventhough I still havent bought War in the Desert) and as a wargamer and as a WW2 buff, I'd say that some Fire in the East/Scorched Earth games I played rank among my best gaming memories.* Anyway, what is your favourite Europa game ? And, do you think that Grand Europa is a pipe dream ?? images/smilies/default/biggrin.gif Regards [/b] Well, Exxley, your note proves that great minds think alike or we're both nuts, and I'm not sure which! I have all the Europa games, and I think my favorite is probably A Winter War, because it's a short game and a very tight situation. The Russians have a massive army and air force, but they are crippled by their poor command structure and lack of winterization. The Finns have a winter-capable army, guerrillas, and woodsmanship, but are immensely outnumbered. It's a real battle of wits. There may be a Grand Europa. I have some faith in the operation, but the death of Winston Hamilton was a tragedy. I met him at Origins conventions, and nobody had more energy and drive to GRD than him. But they're plodding along, without a lot of resources. If I won the lottery, I'd buy the company, so they would have the resources. Fire in the East/Scorched Earth are a fascinating pair of games. I played the whole sea on my long-gone ping-pong table. The dynamics were incredible...every unit was important and relevant, from the Rumanian naval infantry guarding their ports to Soviet Guards Tank Corps. Logistics was king. The importance of temporary airfields (for both sides) made construction engineers vital. The importance of "Scorched Earth" was also vital, for as the Soviets fell back in disarray in 1941, they had to destroy everything as they fled. Even the Soviet border guard regiments were important, because they could be swept up for replacements, with each regiment providing not one, but two replacement points. The Soviet tank divisions, which could not move in the exploitation phase, were vital to destroy rear-area emplacements and to be canniablized for replacements for armored brigades and tank corps. I think my favorite units in those games were the Hans-Ulrich Rudel counter (deleted from the new game), the Soviet cruiser Petropavlovsk (which could not move), the NKVD Political Police, the "Warsaw Crusher," the 7-15-2 division to defend that city, the French and Croatian regiments, and the German Osttruppen, including the Mohammedischen Division, which formed if the Germans took the Caucasus. It rarely appeared.
(Kiwiwriter @ Dec 29 2005, 06:46 PM) [post=43738](Exxley @ Dec 29 2005, 12:27 PM) [post=43735]Kiwiwriter wrote : Cardboard counters and hexsheet wargames for me. I edit The Europa Magazine for GRD games, as well. Good Lord ! What a coincidence indeed Kiwi ! I am myself a long time Europa Fan (eventhough I still havent bought War in the Desert) and as a wargamer and as a WW2 buff, I'd say that some Fire in the East/Scorched Earth games I played rank among my best gaming memories.* Anyway, what is your favourite Europa game ? And, do you think that Grand Europa is a pipe dream ?? images/smilies/default/biggrin.gif Regards [/b] Well, Exxley, your note proves that great minds think alike or we're both nuts, and I'm not sure which! I have all the Europa games, and I think my favorite is probably A Winter War, because it's a short game and a very tight situation. The Russians have a massive army and air force, but they are crippled by their poor command structure and lack of winterization. The Finns have a winter-capable army, guerrillas, and woodsmanship, but are immensely outnumbered. It's a real battle of wits. There may be a Grand Europa. I have some faith in the operation, but the death of Winston Hamilton was a tragedy. I met him at Origins conventions, and nobody had more energy and drive to GRD than him. But they're plodding along, without a lot of resources. If I won the lottery, I'd buy the company, so they would have the resources. Fire in the East/Scorched Earth are a fascinating pair of games. I played the whole sea on my long-gone ping-pong table. The dynamics were incredible...every unit was important and relevant, from the Rumanian naval infantry guarding their ports to Soviet Guards Tank Corps. Logistics was king. The importance of temporary airfields (for both sides) made construction engineers vital. The importance of "Scorched Earth" was also vital, for as the Soviets fell back in disarray in 1941, they had to destroy everything as they fled. Even the Soviet border guard regiments were important, because they could be swept up for replacements, with each regiment providing not one, but two replacement points. The Soviet tank divisions, which could not move in the exploitation phase, were vital to destroy rear-area emplacements and to be canniablized for replacements for armored brigades and tank corps. I think my favorite units in those games were the Hans-Ulrich Rudel counter (deleted from the new game), the Soviet cruiser Petropavlovsk (which could not move), the NKVD Political Police, the "Warsaw Crusher," the 7-15-2 division to defend that city, the French and Croatian regiments, and the German Osttruppen, including the Mohammedischen Division, which formed if the Germans took the Caucasus. It rarely appeared. [/b] Lol indeed I would agree as well about the nuts part. Thinking about it : I spent nearly one week-end out of two during 4 years to complete a FitE/SE game with some friends. And I nearly cried a couple of years ago when I lost the box with ALL my Second Front counters. Just to think of it now is making tears come to my eyes. Yeah, there must be some medical term for that images/smilies/default/biggrin.gif Being an eastern front addict, and being the first Europa games I ever bought, FitE/SE are still my favourite games. Though, I have some fond memories of First to Fight, my 3rd Europa game, and the first succesful game for me (I won both with the Germans and the Poles). The Rudel counter was really a kickass one. Too bad they gonna remove it. Some famous units for me of FitE/SE: the 10-6 Inf XX 1, the 7-8 Cav XX 8 FG (SS), the 15-8 Art XX (Gds). Im really sorry to hear about the death of Winston Hamilton. I feel like a fool now after all those times I cursed HMS/GRD for the delays. I wish I could also give them enough money to complete the whole project. Come to think of it, I might as well pass myself for a MLS player and borrow some money images/smilies/default/biggrin.gif
(Exxley @ Dec 29 2005, 01:37 PM) [post=43741] Lol indeed I would agree as well about the nuts part. Thinking about it : I spent nearly one week-end out of two during 4 years to complete a FitE/SE game with some friends. And I nearly cried a couple of years ago when I lost the box with ALL my Second Front counters. Just to think of it now is making tears come to my eyes. Yeah, there must be some medical term for that images/smilies/default/biggrin.gif Being an eastern front addict, and being the first Europa games I ever bought, FitE/SE are still my favourite games. Though, I have some fond memories of First to Fight, my 3rd Europa game, and the first succesful game for me (I won both with the Germans and the Poles). The Rudel counter was really a kickass one. Too bad they gonna remove it. Some famous units for me of FitE/SE: the 10-6 Inf XX 1, the 7-8 Cav XX 8 FG (SS), the 15-8 Art XX (Gds). Im really sorry to hear about the death of Winston Hamilton. I feel like a fool now after all those times I cursed HMS/GRD for the delays. I wish I could also give them enough money to complete the whole project. Come to think of it, I might as well pass myself for a MLS player and borrow some money images/smilies/default/biggrin.gif [/b] First to Fight is an interesting game...it's basically a race against time for the Germans. They have to erase the large Polish Army in a hurry and move their troops back to the Westwall before the French hit them. The Rudel counter did not survive rewrites. John Astell didn't really want it in SE. His case was overstated, and Rudel himself was not a pleasant fellow. The 10-6 1st Infantry Division is still there, as far as I know, and the Florian Geyer Cavalry are still riding the steppes, as are the 15-8 artillery divisions.
(Kiwiwriter @ Dec 29 2005, 08:43 PM) [post=43746](Exxley @ Dec 29 2005, 01:37 PM) [post=43741] Lol indeed I would agree as well about the nuts part. Thinking about it : I spent nearly one week-end out of two during 4 years to complete a FitE/SE game with some friends. And I nearly cried a couple of years ago when I lost the box with ALL my Second Front counters. Just to think of it now is making tears come to my eyes. Yeah, there must be some medical term for that images/smilies/default/biggrin.gif Being an eastern front addict, and being the first Europa games I ever bought, FitE/SE are still my favourite games. Though, I have some fond memories of First to Fight, my 3rd Europa game, and the first succesful game for me (I won both with the Germans and the Poles). The Rudel counter was really a kickass one. Too bad they gonna remove it. Some famous units for me of FitE/SE: the 10-6 Inf XX 1, the 7-8 Cav XX 8 FG (SS), the 15-8 Art XX (Gds). Im really sorry to hear about the death of Winston Hamilton. I feel like a fool now after all those times I cursed HMS/GRD for the delays. I wish I could also give them enough money to complete the whole project. Come to think of it, I might as well pass myself for a MLS player and borrow some money images/smilies/default/biggrin.gif [/b] First to Fight is an interesting game...it's basically a race against time for the Germans. They have to erase the large Polish Army in a hurry and move their troops back to the Westwall before the French hit them. The Rudel counter did not survive rewrites. John Astell didn't really want it in SE. His case was overstated, and Rudel himself was not a pleasant fellow. The 10-6 1st Infantry Division is still there, as far as I know, and the Florian Geyer Cavalry are still riding the steppes, as are the 15-8 artillery divisions. [/b] Well, about FtF, the Germans also have pray that they do not lose too much C/M units (one of the reason why I was able to won with the Poles, thanks to some lucky EX and HX results). About Rudel, I agree with you. "Stuka pilot" was fun reading and it was also one of my first WW2 memoir, but I was quite shocked some years later when I saw Rudel at some Neo-Nazi meetings. Now, having played the Germans in my last FItE/SE game, I should say the ATEC bonus was really helpful Talking about that reminds me of how easily many (Europa) wargamers tend to focus on the might and the "coolness" of the Germans (yeah, gimme that 20-10 !), and forget a couple of things in the meantime: - the coolness of those Germans units should not obfuscate the awful truth under it: the APZOCs are really useful, but one shouldnt forget the way the Nazis dealt with partisans (not to mention some other murderous activities). - some of the best units in the games are Allied units. I still remember the shocked look on the face of my playing buddy when he first saw the US Airborne counters in SF. Fortunately, the Marines unit was optional images/smilies/default/biggrin.gif
(Exxley @ Dec 30 2005, 05:59 AM) [post=43768] Well, about FtF, the Germans also have pray that they do not lose too much C/M units (one of the reason why I was able to won with the Poles, thanks to some lucky EX and HX results). About Rudel, I agree with you. "Stuka pilot" was fun reading and it was also one of my first WW2 memoir, but I was quite shocked some years later when I saw Rudel at some Neo-Nazi meetings. Now, having played the Germans in my last FItE/SE game, I should say the ATEC bonus was really helpful Talking about that reminds me of how easily many (Europa) wargamers tend to focus on the might and the "coolness" of the Germans (yeah, gimme that 20-10 !), and forget a couple of things in the meantime: - the coolness of those Germans units should not obfuscate the awful truth under it: the APZOCs are really useful, but one shouldnt forget the way the Nazis dealt with partisans (not to mention some other murderous activities). - some of the best units in the games are Allied units. I still remember the shocked look on the face of my playing buddy when he first saw the US Airborne counters in SF. Fortunately, the Marines unit was optional images/smilies/default/biggrin.gif [/b] Yes, the German army in FtF has a fragile panzer arm...it really can't take or afford casualties. I found that the border regiments quickly fall behind the invading armies, so they should be the first to get tossed on the trains to go west. As the Germans advance, some of their invading forces, particularly the border regiments, become redunant. Rudel was unquestionably a brave fellow, flying without a leg, sinking a battleship, but I read his book, and it's basically a defense of Hitler and Nazism. The original title was "In Spite of It All." British and American publishers changed it to "Stuka Pilot." In the book, he sneers at photographs his American captors show of concentration camps, saying they're fakes and war is hell. I found him pretty disgusting. Some of the best units are Allied...like the tri-capable 1st Special Service Brigade, US-Canadian, that comes in the commando, mountain, and Marine commando role. Also the British divisional artillery groups (8-7-8s), the pinpoint bombing Lancaster squadron (obviously the Dam Busters), and the 2nd New Zealand Division, which evolves from an 8-8 infantry division to a 17-8 mechanized division. Leaving it in Italy is a waste.
i have been playing with plastic second world war kits and now i am collicting flames of war which is really cool
WW 2? I, along with a friend have been doing company sized actions in 1/35th scale for a number of years with home grown rules. I also do 1/285 as well as 1/700 1200, and 2500 naval gaming along with 1/72nd airplane games. The last is sort of neat. Uses a very novel rolling stand system to allow the aircraft to maneuver around.
