1:48 Combat

[ACW Gamer]

I finally got to play some 1:48 Combat after a long hiatus!

[Ballardian]

Always thought that this game looked interesting, have been on the lookout for a WWII small scale skimish game, (currently trying Mad Mitch's Games WWII Assault) what do you think of it (& how's the gameplay)?

[ACW Gamer]

I quite like it. It is very small skirmish with just a few figures, but it's great for a fun, quick battle.  I like several key elements of the game play, such as the ability to use suppressing fire and opportunity fire.

You do get in a bind quickly as figures get wounded because they can not take any further actions that turn.  Initiative can be the key to winning a game. You can 'bid' on the initiative roll to improve your chance of winning the roll.

The best news of all, the rules are free!

[Ballardian]

Many thanks ACW Gamer, have downloaded the rules & will give it a go as soon as I get a chance.
 It was its very limited mini requirements which interested me, with so few on the table you can really 'invest' in the fortunes of your troops.

[Barbarian]

I liked it.
The sniper was a pain and really strong but I guess as it should be on a small skirmish game.

[Ballardian]

I have one more question - having given the rules a quick once-over, (one page - kudos to them for having refined it to such) I find myself not entirely sure if this is an alternate activation system or a 'I go you go' one.
 To me, it seemed to imply that whoever wins the initiative at the beginning of the turn then gets to spend their alloted six action tokens - activating as many of their minis as they wish (within the six actions available to them) - then their opponent gets to do the same.
 Is this correct or am I misreading it? Many thanks for the help!

[ACW Gamer]

Ballardian,

   Yes. One side wins the initiative and takes 6 actions. Then play moves to Side 2. BUT, this doesn't mean that you have to stand still to get the crap shot out of you.

    On your turn, you can set up suppression fire. If you are shot at, you can take cover even if it is not your turn.

   Initiative can become extremely important if you find yourself in a bad spot at the end of the turn. You are allowed to bid action token to try to win the initiative.

   And, yes, you do get invested in your the fortunes of your troops.  Last game, I desperately attempted to save Irna when she got caught in the open.

[Barbarian]

I should give a look if they updated the game. Last time, the english traduction (they are italians) was not identical to the italian version.

[ACW Gamer]

There is an updated version now at 48storm.com, but I think you have to buy them. There are also new miniatures.

[Ballardian]

Many thanks for the clarification ACW Gamer, they seem to have abandoned the Stalingrad theme for the new version, which seems a pity, but I suppose the new late war emphasis might be more popular.

[ACW Gamer]

No problem Ballardian.

I plan on sticking with Stalingrad.

You can have a fine game with 4 figures to a side. If you want a bigger force, there are 9 Soviet figures and 9 German figures in the original line. Some have a choice of heads, so you can squeeze out a few more poses.

I have searched for some more compatible 1:48 figures but have not had any success thus far.