The first WW2 set we played was Panzerfaust, one of the lesser known rules, but one of the best in terms of historic detail. One of our group has a review on our (badly-in-need-of-update) website:

http://bayonetarticles.tripod.com/id2.html

There has since been a new version released. This is one place I know you can find it.......... other places probably:

http://www.milsims.com.au/

However, as time passed, we have moved to other sets, but none had the same level of detail and historic accuracy as Panzerfaust.

We have played FoW & IABSM in particular.

If you want a nice set of rules for larger armies (and more complex but detailed rules) you could have a look at Panzer War...... a freebie and a goodie:

http://www.panzer-war.com/page3.html

I'll check out those rules.

Bovington is well worth a visit. I think it's one of the biggest in Europe. They have just won several million pounds of lottery funding to build new premises. They can only show about 20% of their collection at present and a lot of it has to be stored in less then ideal circumstances.

In 4 weeks time they are having an 'American Armour' day. They will be staging a mock battle with the Germans. The German forces will be using their working Tiger tank. Got my ticket booked already.

WW2 history is a period that I've been getting very interested in recently. Previously I've been concentrating on the 17th century for my re-enactment hobby. Since I've done my back in after one to many pike fights I've had to step back a little. (Our re-enactment tends to be pretty much full contact. Obviously with un-tipped weapons or I wouldn't be writing this, lol)

I like the sound of the card based system in the piquet rules. Being able to see the whole battlefield is always a huge advantage. It's my forst foray into WW2 gaming so I'm happy to try out all sorts of systems. Like I said in my first post "I'm a sucker for a shiney website" The FoW website did just that but I'm still open to other suggestions. A lot of these systems are played and enjoyed by large groups of people but are not always advertised.

Thanks for all the input up to now.

Of all WWII rules, Rapid fire was the quickest and easiest for me to pick up on. This wasa a complicated battle, too. I had green infantry dug in the snow covered forest hills, 105's back in town, and heroic anti tank guns set for perfect road ambush, IF my green infantrey could keep a veteren jagdtiger unit from flanking me. So, 105's, AT guns, morters, bazookas, Bofors, MGs, OPs, and a horde of German troop types and equiptment, and I was in control of the rules by second turn. Great Game!

"Command Decision", by contrast,,,, I had ONE Tiger on the open plains of Prokorovkha, and after a four hour convention game (well run I add), I still have no idea how to play

Thanks for the heads up on the Panzer war rules. They look excellent. It'll give me something to read at work tomorrow.

Off to check out some of the others now. As a previously commited fantasy player my eyes have certaintly been opened as to what's available for WW2

Update (Rather than double post)

I've just checked out that Milsims website. Serious drooling!!! If I,lived anywhere near that place I'd be permanantly poor. I wish I could find a shop like that in the UK. Most of ours seem to be GW franchises and magic the gathering outlets. Now I play both of those games so I'm not knocking either manufacturer I'm just bemoaning the demise of the traditional games shop catering for a range the size of Milsim

MilSims has been one of the life Bloods for Australians and New Zealanders for a very very long time. Their old school catalogs (paper ones) where in the realm of thirty pages of pure goodness, esp. before the internet - when they would list a game or system coming out in the next six months.

I looked at FoW ages ago because I love teh scale but I need that element of unreality in my gaming, more like Weird War II or something. The other attraction for me was the minis and their prices... and lack of shiping here in Australia.

Not trying to give Denny and Co. a hard time but this is one system of Terrain that they should really focus on as FoW and its following just keeps getting larger and larger.


Lord Abaddon of Wormwood

Terrain that they should really focus on as FoW and its following just keeps getting larger and larger.


Yes, but WWII terrain and such is all over the place. Most WWG's sets are in genres that need their particular talents. Plus, the scale issue, and WWII terrain is better left to "solid" construction methods (Styrofoam, plaster, putty and Woodland Scenics flocking is pretty much the core of the WWII table.

I'd like them to keep on the Horror, sci fi, fantasy and Mayhem path.

BTW, some of you that disdain too much "history" in their games, how about too much "fictional History"?? I've seen fanasty/sci fi games where people where scolded for mispronouncing Klingon words.

Hey, Villageworks would work for European villages, even Eastern Europe, for WW2. Just scale it down for 1/100 scale. I think there is some discussion on how to do that in the building threads. I use it full scale for 28mm Napoleonic skirmish and the Flintloque fantasy Napoleonic gaming, and have used it for my 28mm WW2 skirmish gaming. Having a Tiger parked outside my village smithy shop isnt at all unusual. Need a bigger building? Paperclip 2 or 4 Villageworks buildings of the same type together. Just have to adjust the roof sections so they dont look bad. Interiorworks Pubs & Inns makes a nice indoor setting for skirmish games, probably not what you need for FoW.

Any of the open ground non-gridded terrain squares should do nicely. The issue would come from making hills.

Tom

Personally I htink hills should be smoothly undulating affairs which would be extremely difficult to do in cardstock. Paper mache maybe but not card.

The buildings and other items with hard edges rock though and can be printed and built in abundance.

Most of my old fantasy terrain will be pressed into service for WW2

Panzers at Weathertop