| Archive for Axis & Allies ForuMINI Specialised in the World War II Axis & Allies Miniatures and War At Sea Games |
| Sindor |
Brief introduction to Flames of War sectionDear all,as some of you have switched from Axis and Allies Miniatures to Flames of War game, we have agreed to open a new section here on forum. I personally think both games are complementary: - Both games are using 15mm miniatures - AAM is a collectible board game with "MtG-like" cards, Flames of War is a strategic table game somehow similar to Warhammer. - AAM is played on simple hexagonal paper maps, it is fast and easily understood game and can be played on-line. - FoW requires much more effort from its players. You will have to buy white metal models and paint them, create or buy different sorts of terrains for every theatre and understand complex rules along with additional books for every WWII campaign. In exchange for your resources, you will get an extensive and variable game allowing you to build the armies in the way how they appeared on battlefields in Europe in every imaginable terrain. Regrettably, BattleFront Miniatures do not provide books or units for Early War or Asian theatres. |
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| Sindor |
What you might find here in future:
As the official BattleFront forum is maintained by company itself, it suffers from the same disadvantages as other "official" forums - no other opinions than the positive ones are accepted and no other models than the manufacturer's ones can be mentioned on that forum. Here you should find free and creative environment to discuss all questions related to the game, complain or ask about its rules, units and eventually also to share the add-ons, scenarios or campaigns you created. |
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| Sindor |
And last message: please try to maintain a system in your posts and think about the visitors of this forum - I will modify or delete any posts with silly headers of type "Did you know?", "Look on that!" or "Most ugly tank ever" 
A good topic should start with the theme you are speaking about, something like: "Scenario:Egypt 1941", "Campaign:Market Garden", "New unit:Panzer Jaeger I", "New nation:Chinese?", "Question:When we will get Early War campaigns?" or similar. |
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| Angel of Death |
Re: Brief introduction to Flames of War section
Hi Sindor, Could you perhaps go more in depth in how the Flames of War game actually works ? I played lots of Warhammer and 40k games, but now I invested a lot of money into AAM, as I find the game quicker and more tactical. But both 40k and AAM suffer from the same problem (I think) : building a superior army list and using it well, usually results in a victory. I have the idea that FoW is a bit more strict on army lists. So : Could you elaborate a bit on how an actual FoW game would go ? |
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| Sindor |
Ok, so briefly:
 There are army points given to each player to build a company (or battalion in larger games) consisting of several platoons. Each platoon has its own structure listed in so called "Arsenals", books provided for each WWII campaign. Usually, you cannot buy individual units - the army structure remains like in real world (and this is probably the main asset this game has).
Every unit in FoW has its RoF (Rate of Fire, from 1 of rifles to 6 of heavy MGs), mobility = speed in inches/cm (usually common for whole the class, like infantry or tanks), anti-tank and firepower values and sometimes a special ability or penalty. There are no individual infantrymen except heroes or snipers, just fireteams and squads. Heroes are not indispensable, only useful to have sometimes. Each unit has two general characteristics, Motivation (Morale) and Skill (Experience) which are tested when you want to perform any action in game including shooting.
The game is structured in rounds, each round consisting of two turns (you/your opponent). The turns are played separately so in case you destroy a unit it cannot fire back. There are some exceptions like AA guns or reconnaissance units acting in opponents turn.
Each turn has 4 phases or steps - Starting step, Movement, Shooting and Assault.
 In Starting step you analyse the situation, rally and encourage troops, call for air support...
Then you move all your units - if they want and can move.
In shooting step, you cast as many dice as you have cumulative RoF against a target platoon(s) you have chosen. You also attack indirectly with the artillery. Then your opponent (!) distributes the hits to valid targets (which can be potentially hit by your attack). So there is always a bit of action and uncertainty on both sides when fighting. Philosophy behind this game is that you are a Commander, not God. You ask your units to do something and based on their luck and will and qualities of their opponents they succeed or not.
In the last step you perform Assaults. This is the most complicated yet most rewarding action you can do. Sometimes you have no other choice - a dug-in platoon of infantry can withstand almost anything except the largest guns and bombs.
 When you want to test the game, I suggest to borrow the Rulebook in your gaming club or store, cut out few rectangular bases of adequate size from cardboard for your infantry and guns and play a small battle with AAM units.
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| Angel of Death |
Thanx. Very insightful. I like the inclusion of morale and skill, and that dug in infantry is very hard to destroy. I might go and find myselves a rulebook, just for reference. | ||||
| Texas Grognard |
I picked up the the 2nd Edition Hardcover about a year ago and liked what I saw. You'll also need an Intelligence Handbook, or Codex for you 40K fanboys, that has the particular front and time period you're interested in. I've collected just about all of them save for a few. While it is based on a points cost system you can field some pretty balanced armies. You can also download PDF Intel Handbooks directly from the Battlefront website. I chose to field the 1st Polish Armored Div because of their glorious and ultimately tragic history I also chose them because they field the Sherman Firefly VC and the M-10C Achilles which both field the awesome 17 pounder ATG. Finally I also have access to the Sexton 25 pounder SP gun and the 'orrible Typhoon fighter bomber. 'Ere's pie in yor eye jerry! DAKKA DAKKA DAKKA 
I also picked up the Open Fire boxed set a few months ago. It contains a mini-rulebook, a "Getting Started" booklet, some dice and five unpainted and unassembled models consisting of two StuG III's and three Serman's all for about forty bucks. All in all its a good buy with a fairly balanced force for each side. There are some aspects to the game that I do not like such as the rhetorical "I Go You Go" style that I don't find very realistic. However as far as playabilty and historical research goes I like it. Anyhoo hope this helps some. Happy gaming and Salut y'all! |
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| Sindor |
Dear soldiers,
here is a new page with (nearly) all informations you need before playing your first game of FoW: Boot Camp |
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| Stonedog |
I have been eyeballing this game for a week. I have seen starters as low as 36.00 U.S. on Ebay.
Any of you that are currently playing I would love to hear some feedback. The game itself looks fantastic ! Yet , I really do not have time for alot of painting. Between the kids and work I am lucky to game at all these days. Regards , JYD |
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| anthemius |
Thanks for this subforum.
I haven't played FOW in about a year, but I'm still plodding along, painting my Soviets. Gonna' take a trip this summer to get in some games. @Stonedog, love the avatar, if only everyone would realize that our country would be in much better shape. The game is fun and pretty easy to learn, but not as easy as A&A. Setting and cleaning up games of A&A is also much faster. That being said, FOW looks super slick if you have access to a fully decked out gaming table, far better than A&A. The assault phase in FOW is also very, very fun. To me, there is nothing that cool in A&A. The Soviets are the worst when it comes to time involved in painting. They are cheap points wise, so there are many units in your force, especially if you choose an infantry or militia battalion as opposed to a tank battalion. On the other hand, the Finns are expensive in points, are usually vastly outnumbered, but hard to kill. You can tailor make an army list that will minimise your painting time for whichever force you choose, like fearless veteran SS, or Soviet Guards heavy tank battalions. If you have the spare scratch, pick up the starter, even if you don't like the game or painting them, you'll at least have some Stugs and Shermans for A&A. |
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| afilter |
I am in between the first and 2nd option. I would love to try it with some experienced players using their minis, but no way am I interested in transitioning to the game or collecting my own army only because I am way to invested in AAM and WAS.
Love the boot camp link and the game looks great, just cannot justify any further expansion. I like most 3D miltiatry wargaming. A few years ago I sold off all my ACW and WWII painted minis and cannot go back down that road. |
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| RedBaron |
Hi,
A few very basic questions about FoW. 1. I have a bunch of "tuned up" minis (AAM v2 - Vehicles and Artillery). Can they be used in FoW also? Are they compatible? 2. Where I can find a "quick start" type of rulebook for download in order to see how this game works? The basic principles. Just curios about this game also, though I do not intend to buy metal minis. |
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| Sindor |
For answers on both questions, read above  Shortly:
1. Vehicles more or less are, artillery pieces usually are not. 2. Look for Boot camp on FoW pages - or above. No download, unless you know how to use .torrents
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| Stonedog |
You COULD use Utorrent to find out some info on FoW. I will admit to using Torrents for things such as Rule Books for games, BUT I always buy a hard copy if I find I like the game. If we dont pay for our games, both book based and pc based, there will be no money in it for the designers and that means no new games for us players. SD |
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| RedBaron |
I agree, just to be sure I am understood: I want only to see how this FoW works in a little detail, I do not intend to get into this game. I will look for a small booklet or something on torrents to have the basic rules, see for myself (since I have already been told a how the game works more or less) how the units move, attack and such. Nothing more. regards, |
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| Stonedog |
Heh, Sorry bro, after reading my text I see how that seemed a bit misunderstandable/harsh....If I were you I would grab the torrent and if you like it I have seen a starter on Ebay for 36.00 $ I did ! Should be here hopefully by 4th July weekend. Cheers , SD |
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| Okie |
The really nice thing about FoW is that you can use all your version 2 A&A mini's as they fit in with the 15mm just fine where the Version 1 vehicle's don't.
I just started and MOST of my vehicle's and Tank's are A&A. Prepainted and cheaper. Okie |
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| Duck Crusader |
Just remember that if you run Tigers you won't run much else, and SS eat a butt-ton of points too... |