WW2 skirmish rules?

[TWD]

For proper skirmish (10 or so models per side) Operation Squad.
For bigger platoon level (30-40 per side) Chain of Command.

For shouting hurrah, rolling lots of dice and something that bears no relation to how real WW2 battles were actually fought you could always do Bolt Action.

[Psychlic Bob]

For proper skirmish (10 or so models per side) Operation Squad.
For bigger platoon level (30-40 per side) Chain of Command.

For shouting hurrah, rolling lots of dice and something that bears no relation to how real WW2 battles were actually fought you could always do Bolt Action.

Operation Squad looks most likely

Have tried BA and it must be me but it just doesn't grab me at all but can't put my finger on why! Played a fair bit of Flames over the years which was OK but BA? No way!

[mweaver]

If I can piggy-back on Bob's question, which of these skirmish rules have a strong campaign system?  Mordheim is to date my favorite skirmish game of any genre, primarily because of its robust campaign system.  I enjoy games where the models are individuals and have the potential to advance, if they survive.

In terms of my (potential) future games, they would likely be in the 10 - 12 man per side range and maybe some in the platoon size. 

Hope you don't mind the piggy-backing, Bob!

-Michael

[Psychlic Bob]

If I can piggy-back on Bob's question, which of these skirmish rules have a strong campaign system?  Mordheim is to date my favorite skirmish game of any genre, primarily because of its robust campaign system.  I enjoy games where the models are individuals and have the potential to advance, if they survive.

In terms of my (potential) future games, they would likely be in the 10 - 12 man per side range and maybe some in the platoon size. 

Hope you don't mind the piggy-backing, Bob!

-Michael

Not at all mate

[Elbows]

It'd be an interesting rule-set for sure, if someone was to create a skirmish level commando-based game, where you guided a single squadron or unit of commandos over numerous raids, etc.  Not really realistic of course, more a bit heroic/hollywood --- but a cool idea nonetheless.

[Lardy Rich]

Well, Chain of Command has a campaign supplement called At the Sharp End which allows you to track a platoon through a campaign.  You don't follow every single member of the platoon, but you do roll up characters for your NCOs and officers and then track the men's opinion, the CO's opinion and the opinion of the platoon commander. All of that influences the morale of your force, how much support it gets and, ultimately, the platoon commanders career. 

That probably as close as yours likely to get. 

Rich

[Eclaireur]

+ 1 for Chain of Command

and as the Lard-meister points out, a range of well researched mini-campaigns that plug in to a campaign system
EC

[Redmist1122]

Another plug for Chain of Command...just had BIG CoC game with a German rifle platoon, German Recce platoon vs two American Rifle platoons..roughly about 90ish figures with four vehicles were availble to play...not all made it to the table at the same time.

Now my buddy got into "Five Men from Kursk" rules, which is more of a finite down to the squad itself.  A typical game of Kursk is roughly 20-30 figure for all sides.  These rules, you can track each man and his progress through end game to campaigns.  Yes, we even names our guys too. 

I like them both, all fun.  Had experiences with other sets mentioned, and they just didn't do it for me.

Good luck.

[mweaver]

Chain of Command/At the Sharp End does sound interesting, Rich.  As does "Five Men from Kursk".  I only have a few U.S. troops painted, so I have time to nose about some. Thanks for the suggestions.

-Michael

[Kamandi]

There are a series of Five Men games from Nordic Weasel including Five Men in Normandy

[madman]

I originally posted this on the Chain of Command forum on Boardgamegeek but no replies so I thought I would try here.


I am looking for some intermediate skirmish rules (complexity) for squad to maybe platoon size actions. Looking at mostly infantry to start.

What is the game mechanics? Or a link to explain them. I am just getting back into gaming thanks to my younger son (14) so not too complex for his level of interest but not rock paper scissors or I will not bother.

We have played a few games (other genres) where one side rolls attacks, then the other rolls defense reducing successful attacks, then the "surviving" attacks roll damage. It felt fine for fantasy mass battles where an opponent would have the chance to defend but in other applications such as ship to ship combat, well Blech! How these rules operate is my area of interest. They have been given thumbs up elsewhere. I am no stranger to action points but the roll to activate is dubious.

Also my main areas of interest are early war. How well covered is this period? Thank you in advance.

Stephen

[Aaron]

I think the best answer to your questions would be to point you toward the "how to" videos TFL posted on YouTube: .

Early war lists seem to be well covered IMO.

[Lowtardog]

Red Poppy White Feather, an old set of free rules but with nice mechanisms for skirmish and running a campaign for squad level
http://web.archive.org/web/20021017023319/http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Alley/2541/Rules/Skirmish/Skirmish.html

[Captain Darling]

I downloaded these free rules some time ago and haven't tried them, Combat! starring Vic Morrow...probably not to everyone's taste but after reading them a couple of times they're definitely on my to try sometime list.....it's skirmish scale and according to the author best played as a campaign...it includes solo rules...I always thought in my youth being a member of Saunder's squad would be cool, in hindsight though if you weren't one of the regulars it'd literally be a short gig  ...just like being included in a Star Trek (original series) landing party and being the guy in the red skivvy...

http://freewargamesrules.wikia.com/wiki/Combat!_Starring_Vic_Morrow!

[shepard88]

For proper skirmish (10 or so models per side) Operation Squad.
For bigger platoon level (30-40 per side) Chain of Command.

For shouting hurrah, rolling lots of dice and something that bears no relation to how real WW2 battles were actually fought you could always do Bolt Action.

second for that.
OP Squad is great but underrated system.
CoC good game, but big table filled with terrain is needed.

BA is more Dakka - charge!