Best "Large Scale" WW2 Rules

[SJWi]

Good afternoon everyone. I already game WW2 in various scales and size of battle, from skirmish/individual tank ( using WAT), section/platoon ( Chain of Command) and then several tank troops and infantry platoons per side using PSC's Battlegroup. I'm now looking for a set more aimed at large scale armour actions albeit still "combined arms", that I can use with my "armour heavy" 1/200 collection which has sat dormant for many years . I can find lots of rules out there but would like to hear people's recommendations.

Any suggestions?

Thanks   

[ithoriel]

My go to rules for WW2 at that size are the Blitzkreig Commander set, now produced by Pendraken.
That said, it does work best as combined arms and is a top down, "right result for the wrong reasons" type set with die rolls required to activate units which seems to be a Marmite set.

[vodkafan]

SJWi, I had a similar plan for 1/200 WWII. I wanted a Brigade or Divisional level game with the smallest unit being a Company.  All the Companies, whether, Tank, Infantry, Artillery, Transport would be on the same 100mm x 50mm bases. Battalion commands and above would be represented by 50 x 50mm bases.
I was going to use normal Rapid Fire rules but with the elements that make it look like a skirmish game taken out.
 





I experimented but didn't get around to doing up any of the infantry bases. They would have 18-21  figures  on a 100 x 50mm base.  I figured an infantry company would have a similar frontage to a tank company and the idea appealed to me. I didn't want lots of fussy little bases.
I didn't get as far as gaming it though, this project fell by the wayside and will shortly be up for sale     

[SJWi]

Vodkafan, thanks.  If you are getting rid of what looks like a 1944 Russian force I might be interested in them. My current 1/200 is Skytrex Action200 and I have 1944 Normandy Brits and Germans, so a Russkie force would be an interesting alternative. I also have 1940 French and German and this is what I'm really keen to get on the table.  A friend  has suggested using PSC's "Battlegroup" rules albeit these are really aimed at 15 or 20mm so would need to tweak a few aspects .The armour combat is pretty simple but I might adopt the NORTHAG infantry system as BG assumes individual figures/casualty removal which isn't practical in 1/200.   

[SteveBurt]

For a battalion or two a side, Battlefront:WW2 are excellent. Lots of info at www.fireandfury.com
For larger games, with up to a brigade a side, and each stand a company, Rommel is great; the ‘command posts’ are a really neat way of showing different doctrines

[jon_1066]

I game in 6 mm using O Group.  Based around an infantry battalion with additional supports - but no reason you couldn't have an armoured battalion equivalent with infantry supports.  ie 1 regiment instead of 1 battalion with squadron commanders the equivalent of infantry company commanders.

Bases are sections/squads and units are platoons.

[Gunner who?]

There will be a ruleset by Bruce Weigle "Gained by Battle" in the end of the year, which is for multi-day games (in the game!) on division or corps-level:
https://grandtacticalrules.com/gbb-rules/
There is a link in there for a test game at Little wars TV.

Cheers

[Cat]

Another vote for Blitzkrieg Commander at 1 stand = 1 platoon.  The overall result of the game is great and flows smoothly.  The combat mechanics do cause some people to gnash their teeth if they focus on the mechanics more than the results.
 
Like any Warmaster style activation game, I play it that each commander always gets 1 activation regardless of their dice roll, but the first dice roll has to succeed in order to try for more activations.  I find the end result of this is great.

[SJWi]

Chaps, thanks for the various replies.  I hadn't thought about "Rommel"....maybe I've thought them Desert-focussed? I know they have a good reputation. I'm one who "gnashed their teeth"  at Blitzkrieg Commander but recently  played Cold War Commander in 3mm with each stand or 3 tanks looking like the platoon it was meant to be, so maybe I should give its WW2 stablemate another run-out. It stupid, I have large, painted 1944 Normandy forces and 1940 French/German forces plus terrain and it never gets on the table. Hence why its one of my 2023 projects.   

[Phil Portway]

Have you ever tried Spearhead by Arty Conliffe. A Division is the operational unit, but Corps and Army level are possible!

[AdmiralAndy]

Would 'O' Group be a good fit, as you like Lardy games and this is from there stable with some coverage on there Youtube channels.

[bollix]

Although it seems to be quite out of favor these days, I have gamed with all (5) of the versions of Command Decision (in 4th ed. known as "Test of Battle"). CD provides for operational level gaming with players typically commanding anywhere from battalion task forces up to brigades, with maneuver elements typically being companies - each vehicle/stand represents a platoon/battery. Of all the versions, Command Decision 2nd edition and the modern variant, "Combined Arms", are my favorites.

I find the provided portrayal of a day's combat, with for me just the right emphasis on command and morale, gives very enjoyable games with realistic ebb & flow amongst the maneuver elements.

But I'll admit I seem to be in a small minority.

If you prefer a more realistic simulation focusing on support weapons and emphasizing suppression, Test of Battle may be more to your liking, although for me this was the least fun version of the rules.

Plenty of second hand copies are available of the older versions, though I'd recommend 2nd Ed., and CD:TOB (4th Ed.) is still available from Test of Battle games (https://store.testofbattle.com/catalog/).

Hope that helps,

Cary

[SJWi]

Chaps, thanks for more suggestions. I already have "O Group" and whilst I like it, I thought it it more an infantry game with some armoured support units?  I see Caliver Books in UK still has some copies of Command Decision but I will do more research before spending £39.50. I'm afraid Spearhead never worked for me. I tried it for WW2 Desert and something just wasn't right. Still, a set of rules with a great reputation.

 

[RichBliss]

Command Decision is my choice for larger armor battles.

[bluewillow]

Blitzkrieg commander or Command Decision would be my go too, although I have now sold all of my ww2 micro armour, not sure what else is out there.

Cheers
Matt