Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => The Second World War => Topic started by: Funghy-Fipps on June 15, 2018, 06:54:48 PM
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Growing up on a rich diet of WW2 comics such as Battle Picture Weekly, Warlord and Commando, I recently got to thinking that it would be rather fun to recreate the atmosphere of these in a wargame. With this in mind I was wondering if there were any rule-sets that would be able to facilitate this? My initial research suggest that Flying Lead and Bolt Action might be suitable contenders, but I'm sure the esteemed members of LAF will be able to put me straight or perhaps suggest other likely sets.
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FL and BA, as I understand the latter, are different game scales, FL might be a squad per side, BA is more a platoon.
Other options that aren't strictly WWII but are simple enough to adapt would be Pulp Alley, 7TV or We Could Be Heroes. Two Hour Wargames' Nuts is platoon level and could be ramped up to cinematic, maybe using some of their pulp rules' ideas.
Chris
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Force on Force is normally considered a modern war game but there are scenarios for WW2 in Classified. This game is very cinematic in the way it works.
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I think FoF is not what the original poster has in mind... Mr Cxxx**** said he used pulp comics as inspiration for Bolt Action...
but then, I am under the impression each of us will have a different interpretation for Cinematic... it would be better if we, esteemed members of LAF o_o , are exactly told what elements mr. Fipps wants to highlight! Other than that... where have I put my mind-reading machine? :D
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Working with the hints of 'Commando Comics', 'Warlord' (as well as 'Victor' and 'Hotspur' in my case), I'd suggest 7TV, Pulp Alley, or Nuts! (or possibly more aptly their related 'Larger Than Life' pulp rules), probably in that order too.
Standard rule sets don't really favour unequal forces of a few heroes versus a 'cast of thousands' and each of those rule sets (apart from Nuts!) have the appropriate special events, plot points and other facets of comic strips and TV/Movies. You'd have to bolt them on to Bolt Action and the like.
They aren't specifically geared for WWII, but adapting them should be pretty painless IMO. It's not like you need to be picky with weapons and precise vehicle stats after all.
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A custom set of event cards for 7TV could be derived by combining the existing "making a 'seventies television programme" tropes with those of your chosen film and comic tropes.
The forthcoming Apocalypse rules should have vehicle rules that would work even better.
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OK I am biased, but maybe check out my Victory Decisison and/ or Raid!
http://www.adpublishing.de/html/victory_decision.html
Victory Decision: World War II is an action based game that allows you to command a platoon sized force or more in this momentous conflict. It features a unique Leadership-modified alternate unit activation system. The result is a fun and fast paced war game that involves both players almost constantly.
(http://www.adpublishing.de/assets/images/VD_Cover_300.jpg)
and
http://www.adpublishing.de/html/vide_raid_.html
Victory Decision: Raid! is a new Ultraskirmish game that allows you to command a squad sized force in the momentous conflict of World War II.
(http://www.adpublishing.de/assets/images/Raid_Cover_FB_600.jpg)
Each unit in “Victory Decision: Raid!” represents one individual infantry model. Games are focused on infantry squad vs infantry squad, and a typically have 6-10 figures per side.
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We played duel rule game last year.Totally chaotic and fun.
It gave quite a cinematic feel (when it worked.)
Warhammer Greatwar across the table.(4' x 8') and Pulp alley (3' x 3) in the middle.
Biggles got it handed to him, once Ginge went down to fire from the Bosh armoured car.
Not difficult to do just easy to get side-tracked with the pulp game.
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Completely out of left field....
Heroes of Normandie
Yes, it's a board game but it does exactly what you're looking for. Don't think it would be too difficult to adapt for miniatures; the cards are scaled near as dammit to 1:100 (15mm iirc)
I *think* the basic rules are freely available on the Devil Pig site....
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Lots to mull over, thanks chaps.
I think FoF is not what the original poster has in mind... Mr Cxxx**** said he used pulp comics as inspiration for Bolt Action...
but then, I am under the impression each of us will have a different interpretation for Cinematic... it would be better if we, esteemed members of LAF o_o , are exactly told what elements mr. Fipps wants to highlight! Other than that... where have I put my mind-reading machine? :D
I suppose that certain units or individual models have 'special rules' that make them extra hard to kill or pin etc really. I guess it wouldn't be very difficult to mod a standard skirmish (platoon-size) rule-set to cope with this. Some of the suggestions here have certainly got the old brain whirring!
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Completely out of left field....
Heroes of Normandie
Yes, it's a board game but it does exactly what you're looking for. Don't think it would be too difficult to adapt for miniatures; the cards are scaled near as dammit to 1:100 (15mm iirc)
I *think* the basic rules are freely available on the Devil Pig site....
Based on the update from the OP, I was about to recommend that. While it is a boardgame it is very miniature in its feel, the art is top notch, and has a very interesting system for heroes (both real and Hollywood inspired). Plenty of scenarios, plenty of expansions, alos the full rules are free on the devil pig website plus a whole loaf of scenarios. It is on 50% sale until the end of the month. It is grid based but works well. You can create your own terrain if you want to play with miniatures or use the provided one. for 15mm works well.
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Five Men In Normandy or Five Men In Kursk, both from Nordic Weasel Games, handle squad vs squad action with a deliberate cinematic feel. There are some other rules of his that expand all the way up to company level.
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While I cannot comment on the gameplay, Sinister Laboratories' / Iron Ivan Games' Where Heroes Dare! is designed with precisely this sort of game in mind:
https://rattrap-productions.com/collections/iron-ivan-rules/products/where-heroes-dare
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Bolt Action is fairly cinematic in play, although without any comic book role-plaing flavour. I enjoy BA, but am also leaning towards 7TV for playing the Rat Patrol and modelling the studio version vehicle proxies for it!
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Five Men In Normandy or Five Men In Kursk, both from Nordic Weasel Games, handle squad vs squad action with a deliberate cinematic feel. There are some other rules of his that expand all the way up to company level.
This. Also consider the Where Sten Guns Dare rules, also from Nordic Weasel. This goes down to an even smaller scale and pits small groups of Commandos and Resistance against Fascists and Collaborators. It's very deliberately Commando Comic/Cinematic in style.
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Well you can’t get more cinematic than this... :)...
Combat! Starring Vic Morrow WW II Skirmish Game
http://freewargamesrules.wikia.com/wiki/Combat!_Starring_Vic_Morrow! (http://freewargamesrules.wikia.com/wiki/Combat!_Starring_Vic_Morrow!)
I downloaded them ages ago I’ve never got around to trying them yet!
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We Can Be Heroes II would work.
It's set up for WWII, as well as Fantasy games, IIRC.
An oldie, but a goodie.
Not sure where you can get it, but it used to be available as a PDF.
In my view, "Cinematic" means a low chance to hit/kill the important "characters" in your game(s), while they go about the business of whatever mission they have to accomplish. The main "characters" can go about defeating hordes of enemy troops, just like in the movies.
With these rules, there are leaders and sidekicks.
I think in order to actually kill the main characters/leaders, you have to have an equally powerful character from the opposition do that. They can be captured, and/or wounded though, by lesser troops.
Worth checking out.
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We can Be Heroes 2 can be obtained from Wargame Vault, they have also the other TFP rules.
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We use Pulp Alley and have oodles of fun with those. They are based on the comic book adventures ;)