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Miniatures Adventure => The Second World War => Topic started by: BZ on February 24, 2021, 02:32:09 PM

Title: WW2 20mm ruleset recommendations
Post by: BZ on February 24, 2021, 02:32:09 PM: Hello to all,
As I and my kids have some 1/72 scale (20mm) WW2 vehicles and soldiers, Im thinking about using them in a wargame (not that I dont have more then enough unfinished projects...). But Im a fantasy player, so doesnt really know historical rulesets... So, could You recommend me an easy to play (I would play with my kids), 20mm scale, miniature agnostic WW2 ruleset?
Thanks in advance!
Title: Re: WW2 20mm ruleset recommendations
Post by: Golgotha on February 24, 2021, 02:54:02 PM: As a fantasy player Bolt Action could work similar to GW in mechanics. Better rules are obviously available you could try one by Too Fat Lardies...
Title: Re: WW2 20mm ruleset recommendations
Post by: zirrian on February 24, 2021, 02:59:50 PM: Bolt Action or Hammer of Democracy
Title: Re: WW2 20mm ruleset recommendations
Post by: SJWi on February 24, 2021, 03:23:54 PM: If you want a “beer and pretzels” tank game Two Fat Lardies “What a Tanker “ is good. I don’t play Bolt Action but know it is highly popular as a combined-arms game. My own favourite is PSC’s “Battlegroup” but the core rules are showing as out-of-stock. You can get a free PDF of a Normandy campaign plus ORBATs and equipment tables.
Title: Re: WW2 20mm ruleset recommendations
Post by: Elbows on February 24, 2021, 04:40:27 PM: Yep, not sure about your kids' ages, etc...but Battlegroup is far and away my favourite WW2 game. Runs the perfect line between realism while remaining fast moving and easily playable.

The rules could use a technical editor on occasions, but overall they're understandable - easiest to watch some how-to's on YouTube.

There is a basic rulebook and then theatre books which provide army lists/stats for units according to your theatre of choice. There are, I think, four more books due out over the next few years as well.
Title: Re: WW2 20mm ruleset recommendations
Post by: Inkpaduta on February 24, 2021, 06:01:53 PM: One that would be very easy for kids and plays fast is Rapid Fire. My personal favorite for WW2.
Bolt Action has a level of sitting around until you move. May get a bit boring for kids.
Title: Re: WW2 20mm ruleset recommendations
Post by: BZ on February 24, 2021, 06:07:37 PM: Thanks everybody!
My kids are 8 and 10, they can handle easier games (Frostgrave and Oathmark for example). Yes, I think it is very important to have a balance between realism and fun (its a personal preference for everybody), and usually Joe McCullough hits my sweet spot... So Im hoping to find something similar to his games.
What kind of activation systems do Bolt Action, Rapid Fire, What a tanker and Battlegroups have? Im a fan of alternating activation, and dont really like "I go you go" systems (like GW games). Are all of these for mixed armies (tanks and infantry at least)?
Is there any problem with Flames of War? I heard mixed opinions about it, but dont really know why. I ask because my local gaming store has a lot of FoW stuff, would be practical to choose it. But I want a good rulset, reachability is not the top priority.
Title: Re: WW2 20mm ruleset recommendations
Post by: gamer Mac on February 24, 2021, 11:00:25 PM: Rapid fire gets my vote
Then in couple of years when they are older switch to chain of command using the same figure loads of battle reports on YouTube
Title: Re: WW2 20mm ruleset recommendations
Post by: Elbows on February 24, 2021, 11:25:49 PM: At ages 8 and 10, I would probably stray from Battlegroup. While it's playable at younger ages - I think a different rule set would be better suited to the task.
Title: Re: WW2 20mm ruleset recommendations
Post by: Harry Faversham on February 25, 2021, 12:25:40 AM: 'Operation Warboard' by Gavin Lyall would be perfect for 10 year olds.

(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XagDkAx7oao/TYKJwSQzOYI/AAAAAAAAHYw/t8OoufzOP6c/s1600/Operation%2BWarboard%2Bfront001.jpg)

:)
Title: Re: WW2 20mm ruleset recommendations
Post by: SJWi on February 25, 2021, 05:50:38 AM: What about "Airfix Battles" which was released a few years ago. As I understand it a primer in WW2 for younger gamers. Worth googling it, and there are some explanatory U-Tube videos.
Title: Re: WW2 20mm ruleset recommendations
Post by: BZ on February 25, 2021, 07:35:40 AM: Thanks!
I will search of how-to-plays and reviews for your recommendations!
Title: Re: WW2 20mm ruleset recommendations
Post by: Golgotha on February 28, 2021, 01:47:06 PM: Thank you Elbows I think I am now set on using Battlegroup.

I also liked this review of the rules https://www.beastsofwar.com/featured/part-one-introduction-overview/
Title: Re: WW2 20mm ruleset recommendations
Post by: SJWi on February 28, 2021, 04:48:20 PM: If you want Battlegroup Plastic Soldier Company are showing as "out of stock". Whether this means they are waiting to run a re-print I don't know. Caliver Books have them in their catalogue, but that doesn't always mean they have them available.
Title: Re: WW2 20mm ruleset recommendations
Post by: Norm on February 28, 2021, 06:09:35 PM: The latest edition of Rapid Fire has just been released. It has been really streamlined and fits into a small A5 booklet. It has a scenario and some stats, but all the stats that you would need are on the rapid Fire website as a free download.

Best of all, the new rules at just £5 in the UK (available at Caliver Books)

For a short, but professional set, they would do everything that you would want for games with the youngsters.

The turn sequence is however mainly IGOUGO, which you have said that you don’t like, though there is opportunity to react in your opponents part of the turn with Ambush Fire.

The new edition is called RAPID FIRE RELOADED.

There is also a book of fast play rules, that includes a WWII set, which might be interesting to you, simple because it has introductory rules on several periods. It is by Neil Thomas and called WARGAMING - AN INTRODUCTION, published by the History Press. It might be available on the Kindle.
Title: Re: WW2 20mm ruleset recommendations
Post by: BZ on February 28, 2021, 07:48:36 PM: Im literally searching for infos about Rapid Fire Reloaded right now. So this small booklet is enough to play the game, or is something else needed for it?
Title: Re: WW2 20mm ruleset recommendations
Post by: Phil Robinson on February 28, 2021, 09:08:27 PM: Quote from: BZ on February 28, 2021, 07:48:36 PM
Im literally searching for infos about Rapid Fire Reloaded right now. So this small booklet is enough to play the game, or is something else needed for it?

It has all you need to play a game but you would need Rapid Fire 2 for more detail, like engineering, aircraft, artillery fire plans etc. I played a game recently without referring to RF2.
Title: Re: WW2 20mm ruleset recommendations
Post by: BZ on February 28, 2021, 09:20:08 PM: Quote from: Phil Robinson on February 28, 2021, 09:08:27 PM
It has all you need to play a game but you would need Rapid Fire 2 for more detail, like engineering, aircraft, artillery fire plans etc. I played a game recently without referring to RF2.
Thanks! Sounds good, its a very fair offer for the price, I will try it.
Title: Re: WW2 20mm ruleset recommendations
Post by: Phil Robinson on February 28, 2021, 10:24:21 PM: Quote from: BZ on February 28, 2021, 09:20:08 PM
Thanks! Sounds good, its a very fair offer for the price, I will try it.

You will not be disappointed, there are also lists for the main armies with all the vehicle and gun data free to download on the website too.
Title: Re: WW2 20mm ruleset recommendations
Post by: BZ on March 01, 2021, 09:46:30 AM: I ordered it last night, will see how fast it passes trough the brexited borders...