Can you recommend me a WWII ruleset with....?

[Harry Faversham]

Another cogitation on FFofL. I'm thinking of getting, three figure bases, activated as one, then taking their medicine as it comes. When there's a kill shot inflicted removing one figure. That way yer five Tom's become fifteen heroes!
 

[SJWi]

I must admit I have enjoyed my games of O Group when my mate has run them and explained the rules. Also 2FLs sell some very good scenario books.

[boywundyrx]

O group is a good game, I’d agree its fairly complex, but very playable. But it’s pretty small compared to OPs criteria, a couple of platoons of infantry and a handful of tanks is a typical game. And due to the nature of the command system, you can’t get much more deployed on the table and be able to activate enough stuff.

I think you're referring to I Ain't Be Shot Mum, TFL's company-per-side game, O Group is ~ a battalion per side.

[blacksmith]

Fistful of Lead, isn’t part of the Ganesha Games SoBH range. It’s a completely separate game, with a card driven activation mechanism. The Bigger Battles version possibly could be used for what you are suggesting, but it’s very cinematic in its take.

Can you expand out what scale of game you are thinking of playing - as your 3 coys of 3 platoons of 3 squads - gives about 30 stands of infantry a side, which sounds a pretty good size for a BKC game.

At this stage I’m thinking Flames of War?

Yes, you're right, I mistook for another I think called Flying Lead by Rich Jones. I don't like FOW but Thank you

[blacksmith]

Iron Cross is a good choice fitting your criteria. Funny we just played it last night drafting up an AAR at the moment.

It is a bit undercooked, I hope GEG revisit it and bring into line with their other era versions 1914 and 7 days to the Rhine, I have enhancements if you go down the Iron Cross path that I can share.

Exactly my feelings. TBH, I only played it once but it just didn't click. Thank you

[blacksmith]

By the way PSC are working on a new set called I think "Battlegroup Commander". My assumption is that it will adopt the infantry rules from their NORTHAG system which uses 1 base = a fireteam rather than individually based infantry. This will certainly speed up the game. However no idea of a release date. I also predict it will be aimed at 10mm or smaller scales.

That could be interesting

[blacksmith]

O group fits you criteria.  Technically 1 tank represents 2 but to be honest it plays like 1 : 1

I'll check O group, many thanks.

[blacksmith]

O group is a good game, I’d agree its fairly complex, but very playable. But it’s pretty small compared to OPs criteria, a couple of platoons of infantry and a handful of tanks is a typical game. And due to the nature of the command system, you can’t get much more deployed on the table and be able to activate enough stuff.

This could be the game I'm looking for, unless is that complex as you say, thank you

[jon_1066]

O group is a good game, I’d agree its fairly complex, but very playable. But it’s pretty small compared to OPs criteria, a couple of platoons of infantry and a handful of tanks is a typical game. And due to the nature of the command system, you can’t get much more deployed on the table and be able to activate enough stuff.

Wrong.  It’s a battalion per side so 3 companies made up of 3 platoons with each platoon 3 stands which are each a section, ie exactly what OP requested.

You can add a whole company of tanks if you like.

The rules are a bit chromey but generally fairly straight forward.  The rule book is sub optimal however making your first few games a flicking exercise. 

Generally you won’t be able to activate everything on every turn in common with other TFL rules.

[fred]

Not sure why I mis-remembered the scale of O Group - so I went back to find some photos of games - and discovered it has been 18ths since I played!



This is a photo from one of the scenarios from the 1940 pack. We found that typically only around 50-60% of our troops were deployed. Often 2 platoons from a company and just 2 of the 3 companies. You just haven’t got enough activation tokens to bring more stuff on and move it, and once deployed it just becomes more targets. We did enjoy O Group games, but the games often felt a bit small compared to what your overall force was

[jon_1066]

I like the mechanic of holding a company in reserve and deploying it to take over from a bashed up one.  In effect you play it two up and one in reserve, both with platoons and companies.  As units get degraded others take it on.  You don’t just plonk everything you have on the board and blaze away.

[SJWi]

Yes, it seems a good mechanism but many rulesets today limit orders/activations to force the player to make choices.  Battlegroup uses a randomly generated number of orders per turn and I suspect this will be modified a la Northag in "Battlegroup Commander". Some players hate this others love it!

[blacksmith]

I think O group may very well fit my needs. I'll definately check it out. Many thanks gents.

[jon_1066]

Yes, it seems a good mechanism but many rulesets today limit orders/activations to force the player to make choices.  Battlegroup uses a randomly generated number of orders per turn and I suspect this will be modified a la Northag in "Battlegroup Commander". Some players hate this others love it!

O Group has an explicit order fir consolidation.  A reserve company in effect takes over from an onboard one.  It is this combined with the action restriction which leads to the 2 up 1 back being the actual sensible thing to do as well as the historical thing to do.

[SteveBurt]

Another very good rule set at the same scale as O group is ‘Battlefront:WW2’ from the publishers of Fire & Fury. Been out for many years now. Less complex than O group and has the best artillery rules and integration between armour and infantry of any rules I’ve played.
Lots of info over at fireeandfury.com