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Considering getting into AAM

 
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Asbestos

 

Joined: 20 Aug 2009

Posts: 856




Post subject: Considering getting into AAM Reply with quote
Hey all, I was considering getting into AAM but I have a few reservations...
Namely, I don't want to deal with a lot of revisions/scale issues so I was wondering what set would be the 'best' set for someone to start at in light of the current rules/scale?

Should I just get a starter and hold off on sets until Early War is out?

Also, what would people say the level of rules mastery required for AAM is, and how long does the average AAM game take to play?
PostTue Oct 20, 2009 9:46 pm
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hey_yu

 
AHF Gold-Rated Trader

Joined: 27 Dec 2007

Posts: 1068




Post subject: Reply with quote
Welcome!

-The rules are free and located at:

http://www.wizards.com/avalonhill/rules/aam_rulebook.pdf

-Stat cards and rule updates located at:
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=ah/aam/updates

-The gallery of figures in each set is located at:

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=ah/aam/gallery

All, the Soldiers and Planes in each set are the same size.  The vehicles have been biggie sized (15mm scale) in the following sets:

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=ah/gallery/3945
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=ah/gallery/africa
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=ah/gallery/easternfront

Any future release sets will have the 15mm scale as well.  The 1939-1945 set is a good place to start.

However, I personally recommend finding a gaming group or a couple people to play with before buying.  It can give you a feel of the game before investing money into it.  Also, you'll have some folks to play with instead of your plastic collecting dust.
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PostTue Oct 20, 2009 9:56 pm
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Asbestos

 

Joined: 20 Aug 2009

Posts: 856




Post subject: Reply with quote
hey_yu wrote:

However, I personally recommend finding a gaming group or a couple people to play with before buying.  It can give you a feel of the game before investing money into it.  Also, you'll have some folks to play with instead of your plastic collecting dust.

Thanks for the info, especially where the 15mm vehicles came in. Well, I live in Brooklyn, NY mostly with weekend sojourns up to the Albany area so I feel like I should be able to find a gaming group... though, I foresee myself playing with my family and friends more often than a dedicated gaming group.
PostTue Oct 20, 2009 10:06 pm
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RAEVSKI

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 SOCCEROO FEVER


Joined: 16 Jan 2008

Posts: 6918




Post subject: Reply with quote
i suggest get a starter and buy 2 boosters of 39-45, NA and Eastern front and start there picking up what u really want on singles markets.
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PostTue Oct 20, 2009 10:56 pm
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Steel_Panther

 The Panzer Collector


Joined: 26 Aug 2008

Posts: 1324




Post subject: Re: Considering getting into AAM Reply with quote
Asbestos wrote:
Hey all, I was considering getting into AAM but I have a few reservations...


Cmon, you know you want to  Laughing

Asbestos wrote:
Namely, I don't want to deal with a lot of revisions/scale issues so I was wondering what set would be the 'best' set for someone to start at in light of the current rules/scale?

1939-1945 is the 'New base Set'. It's made up of all the units you will need for basic games.

Asbestos wrote:
Should I just get a starter and hold off on sets until Early War is out?


Depends on what units you would like! Look around at the links from Snippersly, see what interests you.

Asbestos wrote:
Also, what would people say the level of rules mastery required for AAM is

Not much at all for basic games. Plenty if you want to get correct all the misworded Special Abilitys of Wizards though  Rolling Eyes Any rules questions or anything you need, you can ask our Rules Wizards on the Forum Very Happy

Asbestos wrote:

and how long does the average AAM game take to play?


Depends on what type of game you play!  Very Happy Historical scenarios can take anywhere from 30min to 2 hours, depeding on force size and maps. Point games can take anywhere form 20min to an hour or 2, once again, depeding on force sizes.



Good luck, and enjoy your time on the Forumini!  Cool
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PostWed Oct 21, 2009 12:09 am
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Asbestos

 

Joined: 20 Aug 2009

Posts: 856




Post subject: Reply with quote
I noticed that the WotC website has revised cards for all of the sets, including the most recent.  What is the general nature of the changes? Are all units changed? Is it just a formatting change?
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PostWed Oct 21, 2009 12:49 am
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AG124

 
Grey Wolf


Joined: 22 Dec 2007

Posts: 417




Post subject: Revised Cards Reply with quote
- No, many units have not been changed. Revised cards can be distinguished from their unchanged counterparts by a small ribbon located near their bottom section; however, a limited few revised cards do not have the ribbon (the SS Stormtroopers, for example).

- The changes vary from card to card; some have minor changes such as availability dates, and some have stat or SA adjustments to better reflect historical performance.

Hope this helps.
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AAM
BS 48/48 (109)
S2 45/45 (139)
CS 45/45 (114)
DD 44/45 (89)
RS 45/45 (201)
39 60/60 (217)
NA 60/60 (161)
EF 60/60 (184)
EW 00/50 (00)
WaS
S1 64/64 (249)
TF 60/60 (174)
FS 40/40 (100)
PostWed Oct 21, 2009 12:53 am
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Sharpe

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AHF Silver-Rated Trader

Joined: 15 Jan 2008

Posts: 3101




Post subject: Reply with quote
Asbestos wrote:
I noticed that the WotC website has revised cards for all of the sets, including the most recent.  What is the general nature of the changes? Are all units changed? Is it just a formatting change?


Honestly, it would be easier if you asked "What's the meaning of life?"    Very Happy

Many changes concern changing the point value on the cards, mostly reductions.  At one point, WoTC followed what was called the "White Tower Theory," where certain units were overpriced or underpriced so that the gamers could discover their true value.  While this might work for fantasy games, it's not such a good idea for historical games where everyone already has a good idea what the units can do.  So, a couple of years ago, they changed the points.

At the same time, they changed the years of availability.  Some of this was to correct typos and part was to reflect when a unit actually saw combat.  Thus, the French Army cannot be used before 1940 even though it existed in 1939.

Another part was to "retrocon" Special Abilities like OPEN BACK to units which should have had them if the ability had been invented in Set I.

The last was to correct design boo-boos that the designers had overlooked.

Not all units are changed.  The changed ones have little ribbons in the lower corner.
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PostWed Oct 21, 2009 1:04 am
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Asbestos

 

Joined: 20 Aug 2009

Posts: 856




Post subject: Reply with quote
Sharpe wrote:

Many changes concern changing the point value on the cards, mostly reductions.  At one point, WoTC followed what was called the "White Tower Theory," where certain units were overpriced or underpriced so that the gamers could discover their true value.  While this might work for fantasy games, it's not such a good idea for historical games where everyone already has a good idea what the units can do.  So, a couple of years ago, they changed the points.

I would argue that it doesn't even work for fantasy games.  The DDM line was so full of either ridiculously underpriced or ridiculously overpriced units as to be absurd.

So, how important, for gameplay, are these revisions? Basically, do I need to go fetch my card stock and start printing cards? Edit: In particular I'm more concerned with the recent Italian units.
PostWed Oct 21, 2009 1:19 am
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hey_yu

 
AHF Gold-Rated Trader

Joined: 27 Dec 2007

Posts: 1068




Post subject: Reply with quote
IMO, overall the revisions improved the game balance for the units.  Some units/SA got short-handed to make them even less playable.  So far in my CMG experience I haven't seen any CMG with all the pieces balanced well compared to one another.  With the revised cards AAM has one of the better balances in the units I've seen so far.
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James 1:17
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
PostWed Oct 21, 2009 1:42 am
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Ducky

 

Joined: 13 Jul 2008

Posts: 326




Post subject: Reply with quote
I'd focus on building 1 good army on each side of the conflict, so it makes it easier to play with others and get them into the game. For starters, the USA and Germany would be best. I'd try and bring one of your friends along when you go and get your stuff with the intention of getting him to purchase some too. That allows for some trading, hopefully.

To get a good first impression, you need a decent amount of pieces. I'd recommend getting the 39-45 starter, two 39-45 boosters, and if you have the cash, one or two eastern front boosters. You'd be set up with enough stuff for a really fun first game.
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PostWed Oct 21, 2009 6:26 am
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