I need a OPFOR!

Maple-leaf-Warrior · Post by **Maple-leaf-Warrior** » Thu Jan 20, 2011 4:31 am

Hey, I'm kinda just starting out with Micro Armor. So Far I have a Smallish USMC force. It's a Renforced Rifle Battalion with A Tank Company, Artillery Battalion, Recon Company and in the near future a Helicopter Squadron. But that's not what I'm here for!

I'm looking to make a force to battle my Marines. I was thinking a some Venezuelans (in an Alternate History Invasion of Colombia) But now I'm not too sure. Do you guys have any ideas? Or some other interesting forces modeled?

Much thanks,

Russ

Mk 1 · Post by **Mk 1** » Thu Jan 20, 2011 5:59 am

Maple-leaf-Warrior wrote:I'm looking to make a force to battle my Marines. I was thinking a some Venezuelans (in an Alternate History Invasion of Colombia) But now I'm not too sure. Do you guys have any ideas? Or some other interesting forces modeled?

I have often found that the best way for me to get a game up was to have an OPFOR to offer to potential opponents.

I haven't done much modern gaming since the mid-1990s, but at that time I took this approach:
I build "reaction forces" for the "Good Guys"

- I built two: USMC and French Force d'Action Rapide (FAR).
I then built, over time, a wide base of OPFOR stuff. Mostly the left-overs from cold war WARPAC forces (T-55s, T-72s, BMPs, BTRs, etc.), but also adding a fair bit of Chinese and some post-war NATO (US, Brit, or French).

Put that all together and you can pretty much come up with a game based on whatever is in today's headlines. The basic scenario model was: US (or French) forces are sent to today's latest hot-spot in __________ (insert one of: Far East, Latin America, Africa, Middle East).

Now if you are just getting started, you might look to put together one company of infantry (based on one of the new GHQ modern lines -- irregulars, 3rd World, whatever). Then add a platoon of tanks at a time, not building, but spreading to a variety. So a platoon of Chinese tanks (T-98s or T-63s), a platoon of Russian tanks (T-55Ms or T-72M1s), a platoon of older US or British tanks (M60s or Centurions). Now your OPFOR can be any of two dozen nations.

Just a thought.

piersyf · Post by **piersyf** » Thu Jan 20, 2011 7:13 am

There are a few ways to go with your situation; one is to put together an actual national force (ie; Venezualans). The other is to take a more 'pure' OPFOR line and look at potential weapons suppliers.

Major post war suppliers were the USA (lots of surplus WW2 material still kicking around... Shermans, M36, plus early cold war like the M41, M48, M42 (?) Duster... even some upgunned M5's. These don't have to have come direct from the US, but passed through middle countries like France or Belgium.

Later suppliers are of course the old Soviet stuff, Chinese stuff, French stuff. The Germans tried to get into the arms market on occasions but only wealthy countries seemed to be able to afford it.

If you want an example of a mixed bag, look at what the various militias had during the Lebanese civil war in the 80's.

Also, if your rules allow, don't forget that China made a specialty of making ammunition for old guns. APFSDS for the 90mm on the M36? Possible, but I don't know if that one ever happened. In any case, it'd be a nasty shock for the unwary.

In short, you can build a fictitious OPFOR based on what is available in the region as a whole, and who the 'bad' government may have turned to for military aid. Lots of scope!

Maple-leaf-Warrior · Post by **Maple-leaf-Warrior** » Thu Jan 20, 2011 8:18 am

Thanks for the responses!

I think for my next order I'm going to pick up the Third Wrold Regulars, Third World regular heavy weapons (for the 81mm Mortar for my Marines) and then Some Type 69's or T-55's. That Way I could model a dozen or more nations.

On a side note, would anyone have a painting guide to MERDC on an AAV7? I've got some for my M1's and LAV's, but I cant find any good pictures of the AA7 in good old MERDC.

mek42 · Post by **mek42** » Thu Jan 20, 2011 9:21 am

You could also put together a US Army force for a blue-on-blue training exercise. Could be interesting to see how Apaches fare against SuperCobras.

opsctr · Post by **opsctr** » Thu Jan 20, 2011 10:11 pm

Remember the Marines are normally deployed fairly close to water...

A good area of conflict recently and in the future remains the Balkans. Good chance of fighting old/new Soviet equipment plus some surplus WW2 for the less advanced States and local militias.

Here's a link that may help with some ideas...

http://commandoperationscenter.com/serv011.htm

A Marine BLT with an ACE in support works pretty well.

Hope this helps... Will

ROGER_HOUSTON2EMC-ENG.COM · Thu Jan 20, 2011 11:20 pm

Theres an article I did for the TACNEWS last year on scratch building the OPFOR at the National Training Center. I used the Sheridan and the M-113 as the basis.

Mk 1 · Post by **Mk 1** » Fri Jan 21, 2011 12:37 am

[stage whisper]
If anyone can provide an inside line on Will's beverage of 1st choice, please PM me. I gotta think a case of anything would be a worthwhile investment for a chance to play with the Ops Center toys.
[/stage whisper]

opsctr · Post by **opsctr** » Fri Jan 21, 2011 5:23 am

Thanks Mk1... We do a few convention games when we have time outside our normal schedule, ...which is going to get really busy beginning this coming summer I understand. I expect to be "out west" more over the next few years so perhaps we can do a game at one of the western conventions. Most civilians who have participated seem to enjoy the games. There is a lot of work that goes into each game making them feel real. Will

PS... last night I attended an excellent single malt tasting. W

Mk 1 · Post by **Mk 1** » Fri Jan 21, 2011 2:55 pm

opsctr wrote:Most civilians who have participated seem to enjoy the games. There is a lot of work that goes into each game making them feel real.

Ah, sounds like a game-master after my own heart!

PS... last night I attended an excellent single malt tasting.

So now we are getting someplace!

A tasting, eh? So what did you find that you liked? Highland? Lowland? Maybe even an Island whiskey? This I can work with....

I need a OPFOR!

I need a OPFOR!

Re: I need a OPFOR!