Replacement Rules for FOW

[joroas]

So, I have massive quantities of figures and scenery for FOW, largely US and German, but I hate the competition feel and I would rather keep them.

Is there a nice set of rules that would be accuratish, but feel like a nice pair of old slippers, to use for the occasional enjoyable game?

Cheers.

[Mad Doc Morris]

There's quite an extensive list on TMP: LINK.
If that's no help: my recommendation from first-hand experience would be "I Ain't Been Shot Mum" by TooFatLardies. Company-level as well, no need for rebasing, and the rules are not that hard to understand (once you get your head around certain concepts). No beer & pretzel, but if you've mastered FoW you should be fine.

[joroas]

Oddly, I picked up a a copy of IABSM second hand at Glos Minicon, put it on my "to read" pile and promptly forgot about it...... 

[fastolfrus]

Peter Pig PBI ?

Not to everyone's taste, played on squares with infantry company (and some supports) as the opponents, but it has a tactical feel to it.
Also it calls for figures based in stands, so need to re-base FoW troops.

And there is a free demo set that just has basic infantry rules.

http://www.peterpig.co.uk/PBIQS.pdf

[Agis]

Maybe give my system a try: Victory Decision. 
http://www.adpublishing.de/html/victory_decision.html

Lots of supplements, covers more or less the whole war, is reasonable accurate for a game.
It can be easily upscaled to Company-level, also no need for rebasing!

[Mainly28s]

I'd be tempted to say Blitzkrieg Commander if pressed. Easy to learn and fun.

[V]

http://ironfistpublishing.com/

[Mad Doc Morris]

Victory Decision.

This gets my support, too. Good set of rules – and "live support" on LAF.

Not too sure about the Battlegroup series. Gorgeous books, great resource as well. But, maybe as a consequence, quite… involved? Possibly doesn't hit the mark for an "occasional gamer". However, it's the same size and level as FoW, from that perspective an easy switch.

[joroas]

I just saw the ViDe PDF is only £8, so worth a punt. 

I have an early and mid/late war German army and US Infantry, armour and airborne, how many extra booklets would I need to get?

[tomek917]

I'll give a vote to Battlegroup, really good set of rules.
Although I can only compare to FOW among the rules mentioned above.

Pay a visit to http://www.guildwargamers.com/phpBB3/index.php and check out the AAR section of the Battlegroup forum, plenty of people using 15mm miniatures and FOW bases.

Not too sure about the Battlegroup series. Gorgeous books, great resource as well. But, maybe as a consequence, quite… involved? Possibly doesn't hit the mark for an "occasional gamer". However, it's the same size and level as FoW, from that perspective an easy switch.

Don't really understand what you mean? That they are too complicated? Too many rules? Certainly not compared to FOW but obviously there's a learning curve.

[Mad Doc Morris]

Don't really understand what you mean? That they are too complicated? Too many rules? Certainly not compared to FOW but obviously there's a learning curve.

No offence to its fans, really. I was a bit overwhelmed by its technical detail, the number of profiles (if only for vehicles) and cross-referenced tables. I've been assured you don't need all the stuff as written, and that games with only a few vehicles – and no ammunition tracking – become quite fluid after a couple of turns. Most likely I'm just not into this sort or (possible) level of simulation gaming. If you are, sure, go for it.

[tomek917]

No no, none taken, and none meant, just didn't understand!

True, there are a lot of profiles but in a game you only use a few of them at a time and the game mechanics are quite simple.
But, as you said, might not be for everyone! 

[Agis]

This gets my support, too. Good set of rules – and "live support" on LAF.

Thanks!  

I just saw the ViDe PDF is only £8, so worth a punt.  I have an early and mid/late war German army and US Infantry, armour and airborne, how many extra booklets would I need to get?

For starters only the main rulebook.
It covers all the rules, the scenarios and late war army lists for British, German, US and Soviet forces including  vehicles.
see: http://www.adpublishing.de/html/victory_decision.html

Maybe even download the free Quick Reference Sheet and Preview here:
http://www.adpublishing.de/html/downloads1.html

All the German Infantry list are described here:
http://www.adpublishing.de/html/german_field_guides.html

For US here:
http://www.adpublishing.de/html/us_field_guides.html

All vehicles are in the nation specific Technical Manuals.
Hope that helps!  

[freewargamesrules]

another one I would recommend are Fireball Forward

[PaulJB]

I would recommend IABSM v3, that's the full colour version which includes the German, British and US lists for Normandy. Also I would check out chain of command for platoon level games.

Paul