acs0424
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Help With FOWOKay,
Every time I look at this game i say "wow, wouldn't I love to have something as detailed as this". I am getting older, have been into wargaming long enough to understand basic rules/principles. I am incorporating more house rules into AAM so it is more complex, I am used to the inches system as I played AAM that way for a considerable amount of time (I have thus far switched back to maps), I now have a job, so steadier income of cash for me. All in all I think I am almost ready for FOW. Question is....how can I get into it without spending hundreds of dollars on books/minis etc. I know that I can and probably will use V2 AAM minis but thats it. I know the starter kit for FoW is about 40 bucks, is it worth it?
I know the general idea of FoW, but is it possible to do smaller point games like 200 done in AAM (I can do 300-400, I just don't wana spend over $500.00 (not that I haven't spent that on AAM) to get 2 armies of 1500 point size.
I am interested in playing the following armies:
America - mainly
Italy - mainly
soviet union - mainly (most likely)
canada
germany - if I'm playing soviets my opponent is using germany
I have a thing for infantry and am not planning on taking a tank army with me, most likely only 1 or 2 tank platoons per army, maybe 1 or 2 tanks in lower point games. So what are good infantry armies? The Soviet Union's engineer-sapper battalion looks powerful and I wold probably run this. The 8y Gvardeyskiy Strelkovy Korpus also looks good, and it is supported by tanks but is not a tank army, it looks like something I could definitly use. But what about other infantry armies? What is good?
Are the box set battalions worth it? It'd be nice to get everything all in one box.
to sum up:
What advice do you have for the nations I want to play (mainly america, italy)?
How can I get into this without breaking the bank?
What advice do you have for a new player?
Thanks for the help guys,
Berger
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Sindor
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Re: Help With FOW | acs0424 wrote: |
Are the box set battalions worth it? It'd be nice to get everything all in one box.
to sum up:
What advice do you have for the nations I want to play (mainly america, italy)?
How can I get into this without breaking the bank?
What advice do you have for a new player?
Thanks for the help guys,
Berger |
Hi,
first, you might some info in other links, not to repeat something said here before (why I even bother to write this every time  ).
 Start with one nation only. Collecting more might ruin you at the end. Focus on infantry, more difficult to paint, less expensive. Look for the weapons you can use in more theatres (like British/US 57mm AT guns). Americans have quite universal equipment and therefore it is IMHO the best FoW army for a beginner. Buy U.S. "doughboys", three Shermans, 105mm artillery, Bofors AA, HMGs and Mortars and here you are, for whole the war, Pacific and Europe.
Plastic AAM Shermans are quite well done. You can also buy low-cost U.S. vehicles from Craig's Gaming models workshop - nothing exceptional in terms of quality, they need some finishing touches to look nice, but 4USD/piece and wide selection. Saddly, he has no webpages, but you can find his e-mail somewhere on this forum ...
Italy has interesting (i stress: interesting, not excellent) equipment and somehow random performance. More funny, more demanding. Do not even think now about Germans or Soviets - too many different weapon systems. And Soviets have to be built in numbers. Huge numbers. Rob a bank first Also no minor nations like Finnish or Hungarians. Because they have limited use.
PS: I am thinking now about forming IJA, but I am crazy enough 
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acs0424
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Okay, that is what I was looking for.
Few questions though:
1) Is the starter pack any good?
2) I am planning on playing mainly infantryh, wih a platoon of tanks for the army and a special support unit (airborne, artilerry, etc). I am ready for things to be complex and numbers numbers numbers. SO in this I ask do you know if the soviet engineer sapper army is any good? That is something I'm very interested in.
3) I will probably do just 1 nation, either soviets or americans. I purchase both armies for AAM but FoW is too expensive for me to do thhat, what is the mnimum cost i can get a decent, tourney worth army?
4) I am ready to spend large amounts of money and will probably sell some of my AAM stuff. Too many weapon systems does not worry me, i have my mind set on some specifics (no "special armies" where there are 2 tanks for this, 1 vehicle for that, yadda yadda yadda). Infantry I am certain, is what I will run.
I will keep to your advice about starting with 1 nation only, not axis, soviet or american.
My opponent willn almost certainly play germans.
Any other advice you have plus anwsers to mhy question would be great, thanks!
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Sindor
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| acs0424 wrote: | Okay, that is what I was looking for.
Few questions though:
1) Is the starter pack any good?
2) I am planning on playing mainly infantryh, wih a platoon of tanks for the army and a special support unit (airborne, artilerry, etc). I am ready for things to be complex and numbers numbers numbers. SO in this I ask do you know if the soviet engineer sapper army is any good? That is something I'm very interested in.
3) I will probably do just 1 nation, either soviets or americans. I purchase both armies for AAM but FoW is too expensive for me to do thhat, what is the mnimum cost i can get a decent, tourney worth army?
4) I am ready to spend large amounts of money and will probably sell some of my AAM stuff. Too many weapon systems does not worry me, i have my mind set on some specifics (no "special armies" where there are 2 tanks for this, 1 vehicle for that, yadda yadda yadda). Infantry I am certain, is what I will run. |
Never bought a starter pack, but I think the contents of rules summary there is copied on FoW Battlefront pages. Probably not worth the price.
I cannot help you much more, all my more experienced friends do not speak english (or very little) - I am just translator of FoW books in czech language and I play the game ocassionaly now for half a year, with britisg army (still unpainted, had no time to do it). Thats all. But I guess to build some decent infantry company for 1500 points with all tips and tricks will cost you approximately the same price as when buying one "big pre-set box". With the difference you can choose the contents of your army.
Big tanks are not too useful in this game. Americans are slightly overpowered, but not as in AAM. I do not recommend tank companies for battles smaller than 2000 pts - you have still to protect the tanks against infantry and aircraft somehow and this costs you extra points.
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acs0424
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yea, i was thinking if im americans (which will probably happen out of loyalty) i will have 1 platoon (5 tanks) of shermans. other than that all infantry, artillery, maybe planes. would that work? the tanks would just be nice support for a mainly infantry army. my opponent will go with germany.
are the british good in FoW? the only infantry box set i know is the engineer sapper soviet army and it just looks powerful/cool though probablly complex. america due to simplicity will probably end up being my army but soviets also have a possibilty.
thanks for all the help.
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Duck Crusader
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All infantry FoW, especially late war when good AT weapons start to appear, is much more viable than in say 40K. My Bersaglieri force consists of a couple of Semonvente 75 platoons and some Saharianas outfitted with 20mm and 47mm guns for use against LRDGs and those damn Bren gun carriers. After that it's pure infantry with a little AA and arty mixed in. It's surprisingly effective and a severe shock to people who're used to Italians sucking. My Japanese are even worse...
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acs0424
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Yes, this is this pure italian player at my FLGS and he has supposedly never lost. I am probably doing american rifles with a paratrooper platoo and sherman platoon. The soviet engineer-sappers is also something I mighht go with but probably not.
So I take it infantry are powerful, do they have any "close assault" abilities like in AAM or do I need to get bazookas to be AT in my infantry platoons? Keep in mind I do not want to waste money/points on ATG's, only artillery. The AT will come from the american sherman platoon and bazookas, etc.
Besides the infantry do you have any other recommendations? Perhaps for running an american army?
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Duck Crusader
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Infantry are VERY dangerous to unsupported tanks in close, but in the open gun and MG fire can rape them. (Like it should be.) Bazookas/ATRs/Panzerfausts and the like can be great equalizers, depending on the weapon, target, and angle of fire.
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acs0424
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okay. i think im going to go with an american infantry army using the following:
1 sherman tank platoon
1 paratrooper platoon
however many rifle/basic infantry platoons are needed
1-2 artillery platoons
would this work out okay if done correctly? i consider bazookas and atr's to be part of the infantry platoons.
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Sindor
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| acs0424 wrote: | yea, i was thinking if im americans (which will probably happen out of loyalty) i will have 1 platoon (5 tanks) of shermans. other than that all infantry, artillery, maybe planes. would that work? the tanks would just be nice support for a mainly infantry army. my opponent will go with germany.
are the british good in FoW? the only infantry box set i know is the engineer sapper soviet army and it just looks powerful/cool though probablly complex. america due to simplicity will probably end up being my army but soviets also have a possibilty.
thanks for all the help. |
British army is as good in FoW as it was in real history - so, they have fairly good infantry, a lot of makeshift field weapons (like portees), strange tanks (heavy, underpowered, with small gun and no AI attacks) ... I like them because exiled soldiers of our army alongside with Polish were fighting with them.
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Duck Crusader
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1) Pick a theatre.
2) Get the book for it, you don't necessarily need core rules because just about everybody has them.
3) Go over the lists for the army you want to play and ensure you're collecting a viable force. That'll tell you what AT weapons and light arty are integral as well.
Within those guidelines I'd say yes, your basic idea is viable.
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acs0424
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Theatre - European (Not Eastern Front/Africa)
Based on my criteria I won't be able to do american paras but I can do the American 1st Infantry division or American 29th Division. Both appear to have tank support as well as 155mm artillery support which is what I was looking for.
To run these I need the Festung europa book.
The 1st Division is rated as Confident Veteran
The 29th Division is Confident Trained.
Which of those 2 is better? I know the history of the 29th better and how they essentialy got mowed down at Omaha in the early hours of D-day.
I know I will need the Festung Europa book but will I also need the Omaha book?
So I am going with the 1st orf 29th American Infantry Divisions. Both have tank and artillery support.
Any recommendations from here would be great.
Thanks for all the help guys.
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acs0424
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I am also probably going to purchase the Open Fire Starter Set, for a few reasons:
1 - I could use the units and they cost probably 30-40 dollars to buy seperately.
2 - A rules summary will be really helpful.
3 - If I don't like it, the starter wasn't to much of a waste, only 40 dollars.
4 - With a relatively small amount of units I can do some painting without ruining an entire company.
5 - My dad is playing germany and I am playing America, there are german and american units in it (tanks to be exact).
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Okie
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Confident veteran is better troop's but confident trained will let you have more troop's. I'm fielding German's. Any of these, Grenadier's confident veteran's Infantry, Panzergrenadier's confident veteran's Infantry, Fallschirmjager's fearless veteran's Infantry or Gepanzerte Panzergrenadier's
Mechanised Infantry confident veteran's. All may have Divisional Tank, Artillary and Anti-Air support.
Fallschirmjager's being the best troop's, fearless veteran's, but also the fewest.
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acs0424
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kay, so with the confident veteran, they are better but i wont have as many, and with confident trained i have good troops and more of them? i think id go with plentiful good than scarce great.
29th division it is! so im guessing a 5-tank sherman platoon with 2 artillery batteries, 4 105mm guns and 4 155mm guns since you need to have a 105mm gun for every 155mm gun you have. I think this would work out, id have solid troops able to complete any task with tank and artillery support for some extra bang.
what do you think of this?
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Duck Crusader
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Never take more than one arty choice myself, but it seems plausible. Out it on the table and find out. You can fight with it a couple of times using the 'paper unit' method and see how it works.
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acs0424
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What is the paper unit method? I still need to buy the rulebook but for now I can use V2 AAM minis before I can afford the awesome FOW minis.
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Duck Crusader
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The paper method is simply to cut out paper squares the size of the tanks and infantry bases you wish to use and write on them what they are, then play a couple of games to get the feel of them and see if you like your set-up before you buy and paint minis. Best way to try out a new army before you spend all the loot and time on them.
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acs0424
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yes. well im going to buy the starter...if i dont like the game its only 40 dollars wasted.
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Duck Crusader
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Nothing wrong with that, it's just that this lets you try out whole army combos.
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acs0424
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yea i see what youre saying. i will probably buy the starter to try the game, then if i like it use the paper method to try out larger games.
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acs0424
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Does anybody have any advice on how to play italy? If I decide to go with Axis I will most definitly play as Italy, any advice is welcome.
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Duck Crusader
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1) Don't take it seriously.
2) The Semovente 75 is your only real anti-armor choice for tanks.
3) Arty, learn to love it. Especially portee guns.
4) Parachutisti or Bersaglieri for infantry. Regular Italian troops aren't too bad, but you'll probably find yourself running a lot of infantry and it's best if they're tough.
5) Saharianas are one of your best overall vehicles, arm able with everything from MGs to 47mm cannon, but they're thin skinned so be careful what kind of fire you expose them to.
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acs0424
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okay, i was thinking of just buying the 1500 point italian army box, conmdpagnia bersaligieri or something like that. italy does look very interesting to me. are the carro armato m13/40's any good?
basically of i go italy im buying the required book, rule book, and their 1500 point army box set.
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Duck Crusader
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They're not horrible, but against anything tougher than a cruiser tank or an armored car their cannon is pretty much useless. The lights tanks are even worse. I prefer to fill my slots up with Semovente 75s. Still, the box gives you a good selection of units which you can trick out to come up with a force which appeals to you.
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Sindor
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Semovente 90/53 is also good, I have an Italian opponent in my gaming group and this is usually the only weapon I fear with my Matildas, together with his 100mm artillery...
Italy has funny element of "random morale and experience" troops - so when you start the game you can end up with fearless veteran motorcycles and reluctant trained Semovente's ... I think only Bersaglieri and Folgore paras are excluded from this rule.
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Duck Crusader
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The 90's a bit pricey for what it does. Personally I'd rather have a portee gun.
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acs0424
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Okay.
Well I know I am running the American 29th Infantry Division with 1 Sherman Tank Platoon and 1 105mm Artillery Battery. I might try to squeeze the 155mm battery in there.
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acs0424
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Hey, Just to let you all know I have switched gears and will be doing an american armored tank army at 1500 points.
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Duck Crusader
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Why the switch?
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acs0424
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A couple reasons:
In AAM I play fast, aggressive, shermans, and I do so successfully. So I will transfer this tactic to FoW.
I don't want to paint all those infantry, tanks will be easier.
When not using a legal army list I can have 20 shermans in a 1500 point army 
I like speed and armor. Infantry doesn't have either of those.
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Sindor
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What it means "not using legal army list"?  Following the real army structure is part of the game principles ... but when everybody in your group agrees, you can even mix it with Star Wars if you wish 
I think you will find out soon for yourself what is the best army build - and there is a reason why the real armies were formed as described
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acs0424
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Haha I know. But seriously 20 tanks must just be overpowering! I know in AAM they are the best overall tank (cost, AT AI armor, etc) so I figured the same for FoW
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Duck Crusader
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You take 20 shermans and you'll probably get creamed on a regular basis. FoW isn't like A&A that much, infantry will eat unsupported armor alive. The 'seven tiger' army sounds good too until you see it in practice, and they're MUCH less vulnerable to infantry anti-tank weapons than shermans.
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acs0424
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oh....
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Texas Grognard
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Duck Crusader wrote:
| Quote: | | You take 20 shermans and you'll probably get creamed on a regular basis. FoW isn't like A&A that much, infantry will eat unsupported armor alive. The 'seven tiger' army sounds good too until you see it in practice, and they're MUCH less vulnerable to infantry anti-tank weapons than shermans. |
DC is absolutely right. If you run into Panzergrenadiers with Panzerfausts and Panzerschreks without infantry support its lights out. I learned this painful lesson years ago playing Squad Leader. If you want mobility you should consider bringing an Armored Rifle Platoon. Remember tanks take the glory, infantry take the real estate. Salut y'all!
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Duck Crusader
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Jup, A&A is decent beer-n-pretzels, but it's like comparing tic-tac-toe to chess equating it with FoW.
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acs0424
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Jup? Whats jup?
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Field Marshal PF
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Even if I had the time or money, I know I don't have the artistic skills needed to paint these minis.
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Duck Crusader
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Yes.
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Texas Grognard
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Field Marshal PF wrote:
| Field Marshal PF wrote: | | Even if I had the time or money, I know I don't have the artistic skills needed to paint these minis. |
Hey, everybody's gotta stsrt somewhere. Thr first mini I ever painted wasn't very good. In fadt it was atrocious. But i learned from it. So while my next mini was also crappy it didn't stink like my first. Give mini painting a try. you might find your actually better than you think. Salut mon ami!
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Duck Crusader
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Particularly in 15mm, where it's almost all block in the color and wonderwash. My Italians are the desert beige, steel for MG barrels and tracks, one or two other colors like brown or tan for ropes and handles on stored equipment., and a coat of wonderwash. Then I slap some decals on and clearcoat. I can knock out a decent looking tank platoon in around three hours when I don't screw around with it.(Which I usually do...) Infantry aren't much more complicated. Best of all, there's a whole forum full of excellent painters here that'll be happy to give you tips. Go for it dude!
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