GHQ miniatures played with FoW rules

Post by **GHQ** » Sat Jul 08, 2006 5:56 am

Do you, or anyone who you know, use Flames of War rules with GHQ miniatures? In the last few months we have received a lot of inquiries from customers who asked about this. We have also talked to a few store owners/managers who said that people in their stores do this. After researching this online, we have found some threads on various bulletin boards and forums discussing the use of GHQ miniatures and FoW rules. Apparently this is more widespread than we thought.

Have you played a game like this? Seen one? How did you like it? What do you think are the advantages/disadvantages? Do you have any other thoughts or observations?

We can see the appeal of this type of game- a gaming table doesn't look like a parking lot, the quick learning curve for the rules, low cost for outfitting an army. etc.

Have any of you started out with the FoW rules as an easy entry to get into historicals, and then moved on to more comprehensive rules? We just want to get a read on what appeals to our customers.

Thanks,
GHQ

Devildog · Post by **Devildog** » Sat Jul 08, 2006 6:49 am

Hey, I am a long time fan of GHQ minis and have just recently started playing FoW. Yes, it is a very basic game compared to some others out there, but it plays fast and the 2nd Edition rules which just came out (picked mine up today) plug some of the holes in the system.
Anyway, I think using GHQ micro armor in the FoW system would be an excellent idea, especially for Eastern Front scenarios/campaigns - the cost of a Soviet force in 15mm would be prohibitive for many. It would also allow for battles to played on a smaller table top or to allow much larger battles - again avoiding the sticker shock of 15mm models.

Just my two cents worth.

jb · Post by jb » Sat Jul 08, 2006 7:42 am

... I bought FOW sveral years ago. It is a very simple system. It is very easy for new people to initially start to get involved in combat simulations. The game has everything you need to setup scenarios on a somewhat historical setting,from Game TO&Es to the types of weapons and weapons systems involved in a given time. Its been a while since I even looked at the rules,but I believe you "purchase" units or weapons sytems on a point value,not absolutely sure of this.
I also believe that the FOW people keep publishing add on books that cover specific areas of WWII,such as "old Ironsides" N.Africa and Italy. Stalingrad and several others.
I would consider it a win-win situation for players that use FOW with Micro Armour. Micro Armour allows more "room" in less room,The range of FOW ,I believe are closer to micro armour than the 15s,and of course we all know the cost between 15s and micro. If I were a "FOW" user I would use micro armour...
GHQ,are you going to start selling FOW?

Wholey-moley!!!

Azure · Post by **Azure** » Sat Jul 08, 2006 8:18 am

Ive never played any rules system, but i would be all for one that was easy to learn (i do intend to start playing, thats part of the reason this is so appealing)
also, what is 15mm? is that like a different scale?
Thanks, Azure

DrBig · Post by **DrBig** » Sat Jul 08, 2006 8:47 am

by convention, microarmour = 6mm = 1/285.

15mm = 1/100, which is another common wargaming scale.

For young guys, I can the the appeal FOW holds. But for me, such a game is way too busy. You can get a great FOW-ish experience without the hordes of books to buy, from 'Blitzkrieg Commander'. Plus, moderns will be out soon.

http://www.blitzkrieg-commander.com/Default.aspx

Mickel · Post by **Mickel** » Sat Jul 08, 2006 10:57 am

If I were a FOW player (but I'm not) I'd play it in 6mm. The 15mm games are very pretty (I even have a bit in my to be painted pile, but someone won't stop buying GHQ models to paint, so they never get too near the top of the list

), but it doesn't quite look right on a 8' x 4' table. In 6mm it would look a lot better proportioned.

From the games I've seen, a lot of people seem to try to use a wide variety of equipment in what is essentially a company level game. So this means that there is a lot of forces with one or two of different things in it instead of whole platoons. Even factoring postage in, I can get a pack of GHQ vehicles for the cost of one 15mm tank, so it's cost neutral in that respect. I don't know how unwieldy the games would get it they were 10,000pts instead of 2,000.

The other upside is that there is a bigger range of kit available in the smaller scale, and (just quietly) GHQ models are simply better than the 15mm stuff I've seen - especially the vehicles.

Der Kommandeur · Post by **Der Kommandeur** » Sat Jul 08, 2006 3:16 pm

GHQ: if you don't mind my asking, what's behind your question?

Are you considering composing special unit/army packs for FoW?

I wouldn't want to see you abandon the current approach to your blisters, but I guess you could achieve this with the "Combat Command" approach.

For what it's worth I also play Blitzkrieg Commander (in between painting my minitures, which seems to be most of the time

) ... great ruleset with good feel and plenty of drama due to the way the command sytem works.

The rules are supported by a vibrant forum too ... link in DrBig's post.

I have to echo Mickel's point about the quality you guys achieve at the smaller scale ... most 15mm models really don't do justice to their size.

DK

Mobius · Post by **Mobius** » Sat Jul 08, 2006 8:24 pm

I think it would be a great idea to make up some packs that are FOW unit based similar to the FOW packs. Then people can shop and compare prices to like units.

Devildog · Post by **Devildog** » Sat Jul 08, 2006 8:56 pm

GHQ wouldn't really need to repackage their stuff to cater to FoW - the Combat Commands give you a ready built force, the packs as they are allow you to mix and match/build from the ground up.

FoW is points based - 1500 to 2000 points giving you the ability to buy a reinforced company sized unit for U.S./UK/Germany and their allies etc, or a slightly understrength battalion for the Soviets. The amount of historical accuracy depends on the players - more inexperienced players or those just out for a beer and pretzel "shoot em up" type game tend to go for the flashy equipment, but I have seen many players sticking with truly historical types of TO's.

FoW does appear to be going down the road of producing lots of modules, good and bad I suppose, just a sign of the industry I suppose - but with just the basic rules and access to their web site and those put together by players/clubs you can get alot of info free.

Still, FoW is not a "simulation" it is a game - it puts playability sometimes before strict historical accuracy and tactics - but hey, you get out of it what you put in and you can play games relatively quickly without getting bogged down in dense rules and charts.

But, back to the point - GHQ wouldn't really need to repackage anything and would be very cost effective for a FoW player - their miniatures are resin with metal parts (among the most detailed 15mm minis I have seen - and I have seen alot) - a single vehicle ranges from $9 to $12 - infantry, which is all metal, are sold in platoon packs for about $15 to $18. I play 1944-45 Waffen SS Panzers and Panzergrenadiers. As an example, a Panzer Company of seventeen PzKw IVH's using 15mm minis would cost $153 plus applicable taxes. The same force (if you just purchased 4 packs of GHQ PzKw IVH's - the company of seventeen plus 3 spares) would only set you back about $36.

Again, just my piece.

DrBig · Post by **DrBig** » Sat Jul 08, 2006 9:58 pm

OH

MY

GOD

I didn't even see that the original post was GHQ!

I'm not exactly thrilled that FOW has infiltrated GHQ HQ!

Stay away from the light!

Can we create a seperate (but equal)

forum for GHQ FOW? I thought this board was going to be my sanctuary from this virus.

Der Kommandeur · Post by **Der Kommandeur** » Sat Jul 08, 2006 10:25 pm

DrBig I do think you have to give the guys behind FoW some credit though. Their web site is pretty informative (to a point) and inspirational. They work really hard on delivering a 'package' - witness the recent aircraft releases, complete with researched colour schemes and decals.

I visit their site occasionally ... mostly for the eye candy - even though it is clear that the miniatures are in no way comparable to GHQs in terms of attention to detal - and I find the site useful from time-to-time.

DK

Mobius · Post by **Mobius** » Sat Jul 08, 2006 10:28 pm

="DrBig" OH
MY
GOD
I didn't even see that the original post was GHQ!
I'm not exactly thrilled that FOW has infiltrated GHQ HQ!
Stay away from the light!
.

No, no. its the other way round. GHQ can infiltrate FOWdom.

pmskaar · Post by **pmskaar** » Sat Jul 08, 2006 11:30 pm

Here in the Phoenix area there are a lot of FOW players and at least 2 Hobby Game Stores that support FOW with their products and also tournaments. Up in the NW valley where I live Imperial Outpost Games is the FOW place and a lot of folks can be seen playing on the weekends and sometimes during the quieter times at the store some of the customers are busy working on their armies - assembling, priming and painting.
With micro armor and using the Mein Panzer rules I have a group of guys that will play the games I host at Outpost and some have gotten the GHQ bug so to speak. Some of them appreciate the fact that you can get more game into the same space and of course the fact that GHQ's detail is second to none helps as well.
I have not actually played FOW myself but actually have the rules book and the supplements. I have to say that the FOW folks know how to do a good presentation with their stuff. The unit organization charts are nice and helpful. I may consider doing FOW in micro scale for those that are die hard FOW followers at some point. I personally enjoy Mein Panzer so will keep using those rules for awhile but would do the other to recruit players into micro armor.

Pete - Binpicker, Out!

siveon · Post by **siveon** » Sun Jul 09, 2006 12:34 am

I actually started picking up some FOW mini tanks because my son was in to A&A minis. They are cheaper for getting some single a&am mini armor. Turns out they are true scale 15 mm and a&am are not, so the FOW are bigger. The more I looked at the FOW game it looked kind of interesting so I purchased some infantry and the rulebook. I did play it a few times but its kind of a gamey game. Price is also an issue so I can see why some FOW players would want to try GHQ.

I came over to GHQ and will probably not go back.
No COHESION,,, OHH the HORROR

Kirk

DrBig · Post by **DrBig** » Sun Jul 09, 2006 1:22 am

I used to be big into 15mm. I have 700 + 15mm tanks. In fact, I supported Battlefront heavily before they became FOW. But since the run away success of FOW, my only criticism is that customer service from the original big 15mm producers (Peter Pig, Old Glory, Quality Castings, QRF) has deteriorated to the point where I am now OUT of 15mm.

In this hobby, it is not unusual to have a wrong or broken part in a particular kit. No problem pre-FOW, the manufacturer promptly fixed the issue after a quick email. Nowadays, I am lucky to even get a reply from my former favorite manufacturers, including FOW. I have been waiting for missing Old Glory parts now for almost 2 years. It took me 3 months to get QC parts, and we're now at the 6 month mark & counting for some missing QRF parts. I think it's nothing more than all these guys being so eager to cash in on the FOW parade that they are tripping over themselves to do it, & customer service has lost serious ground.

I would puke blood if that virus ever infected GHQ.

GHQ miniatures played with FoW rules

GHQ miniatures played with FoW rules

FOW

FOW and GHQ

tried FOW