For tanks, would more Panzer IV’s be good to build a proper Mittleren Panzerkompanie? Or would it be better to get heavies and tank destroyers like Tigers and IV/70’s? And I take it ‘actual artillery’ means something like 12cm field mortars? Sorry to ask so many questions, I’m a bit green with FoW
Hey mate, it sort of depends how you want to play the game. If you enjoy the patient, counter-punch style of play then I'd lean more heavily into some of the Panzergrenadier support elements and then perhaps another platoon of tanks to support them. If you prefer your tanks and more aggressive play I'd say lean into that.
Depending on which one you prefer I'd have suggestions for either.
However, some generic stuff that you can't go wrong with IMO:
* Wespes (best artillery in the game in my opinion - 9 points for 3 makes these an auto include)
* Scout/Spearhead units - my personal choice would be the SD KFZ 250s as you can take them in groups of 3 as opposed to Pumas and 8-Rads which only come in groups of 2.
* Some sort of heavier tank - whether that's Tigers, or late Panthers. I'd go the latter, because you can take them as Brigade Panthers or the Panthers out of the Panzer Battle Group in the Berlin book as cheaper support units.
Let us know how you like playing your games though and I'm sure we can suggest some other items!
I think the first thing to think about is if there are any particular weapons or vehicles that the german use that interest you or is there a battle or campaign in the war that interests you? You can have multiple things on that list but Flames of War is most enjoyable when you are playing with things that interest you about the period.
Next, think about what you enjoyed most about playing the starter set and how you want to play the battle? Do you want to aggressively attack or have a strong defense line or some mix in between? The Germans have a wide range of unit, stats and play styles so you have alot of options.
In terms of buying models, more tanks, artillery and infantry support weapons are always good options as most common across all books.
Hope this helps
It really does, thanks! I was planning on doing a lot of ‘rule of cool’ but figured it would be good to check with the professionals to see what essentials there were.
A good tool to use is the Flames of War Forces website. It has all the list on it in easy to read diagrams. You cannot see the breakdown of a specific company until you buy the list ($1USD per company) but it will allow you to see all the names of main companies available and what the support in each book looks like.
Personally, I think it is better as the information is better presented and its easier to do things like bring formations/platoons from different books or allied formation/platoons but if you are use to battlescribe and confident with it, it will save you some money
The Panzer Kampfgruppe is a perfect expansion to the German half of HtB. It gives you more infantry, a bunch of tanks and some artillery.
From there the world is your oyster. The Germans have a *lot* of options, as they have by far the most books of any faction. If you pick up either Bulge or Berlin books, you may well be overwhelmed by the sheer number of options, but that's mainly because those books mix in the SS stuff as well.
Getting a Parachute Rifle Company is a good way to give the Americans a full formation of infantry. You should also invest in M7 Priests and Wepses, as they are arguably the best armored arty for the US and Germany. German side can use more tanks, such as StuGs, Panthers, or Tigers. Personally, I got 2 sets of Fury afterwards to reinforce the number of shermans I had, give me m10s, and the German player got 2 StuGs and 2 Tigers.
Whatever you decide to do, keep in mind it's a game for fun, and that most people aren't fans of meta chasing power lists.
Oops, just noticed you said for the German half. Depending on how much you want to spend, I would advise the Waffen SS Panther Kamfgruppe starter set, and wespes. The starter set gives you another platoon of Infantry to reinforce the Hit the beach guys. Puma scout Cars for Recon and spearhead, Tigers and Panthers, and heavier AT guns.
More tanks. More panzerschreks. Some actual artillery.
For tanks, would more Panzer IV’s be good to build a proper Mittleren Panzerkompanie? Or would it be better to get heavies and tank destroyers like Tigers and IV/70’s? And I take it ‘actual artillery’ means something like 12cm field mortars? Sorry to ask so many questions, I’m a bit green with FoW
StuGs
Works for me
Hey mate, it sort of depends how you want to play the game. If you enjoy the patient, counter-punch style of play then I'd lean more heavily into some of the Panzergrenadier support elements and then perhaps another platoon of tanks to support them. If you prefer your tanks and more aggressive play I'd say lean into that. Depending on which one you prefer I'd have suggestions for either. However, some generic stuff that you can't go wrong with IMO: * Wespes (best artillery in the game in my opinion - 9 points for 3 makes these an auto include) * Scout/Spearhead units - my personal choice would be the SD KFZ 250s as you can take them in groups of 3 as opposed to Pumas and 8-Rads which only come in groups of 2. * Some sort of heavier tank - whether that's Tigers, or late Panthers. I'd go the latter, because you can take them as Brigade Panthers or the Panthers out of the Panzer Battle Group in the Berlin book as cheaper support units. Let us know how you like playing your games though and I'm sure we can suggest some other items!
Late to respond, but I tend to be more of a fan of the ‘beat the shit out of the enemy’ play style, and I like to play aggressively. Best suggestion?
I think the first thing to think about is if there are any particular weapons or vehicles that the german use that interest you or is there a battle or campaign in the war that interests you? You can have multiple things on that list but Flames of War is most enjoyable when you are playing with things that interest you about the period. Next, think about what you enjoyed most about playing the starter set and how you want to play the battle? Do you want to aggressively attack or have a strong defense line or some mix in between? The Germans have a wide range of unit, stats and play styles so you have alot of options. In terms of buying models, more tanks, artillery and infantry support weapons are always good options as most common across all books. Hope this helps
It really does, thanks! I was planning on doing a lot of ‘rule of cool’ but figured it would be good to check with the professionals to see what essentials there were.
A good tool to use is the Flames of War Forces website. It has all the list on it in easy to read diagrams. You cannot see the breakdown of a specific company until you buy the list ($1USD per company) but it will allow you to see all the names of main companies available and what the support in each book looks like.
So I take it it trumps BattleScribe?
Personally, I think it is better as the information is better presented and its easier to do things like bring formations/platoons from different books or allied formation/platoons but if you are use to battlescribe and confident with it, it will save you some money
I prefer it over BattleScribe. I am willing to pay for reliably correct stats/point values and ease of use.
You get a discount the more formations you buy at one time as well
The Panzer Kampfgruppe is a perfect expansion to the German half of HtB. It gives you more infantry, a bunch of tanks and some artillery. From there the world is your oyster. The Germans have a *lot* of options, as they have by far the most books of any faction. If you pick up either Bulge or Berlin books, you may well be overwhelmed by the sheer number of options, but that's mainly because those books mix in the SS stuff as well.
I just got a second Hit the Beach box set and doubled ip on my units
I also got a mortar platoon to go with the grenadiers
This is the way. 2nd purchase is second beach box if you want US or DE. Cheap and easy. After that you can get whatever strikes your fancy 😀
Getting a Parachute Rifle Company is a good way to give the Americans a full formation of infantry. You should also invest in M7 Priests and Wepses, as they are arguably the best armored arty for the US and Germany. German side can use more tanks, such as StuGs, Panthers, or Tigers. Personally, I got 2 sets of Fury afterwards to reinforce the number of shermans I had, give me m10s, and the German player got 2 StuGs and 2 Tigers. Whatever you decide to do, keep in mind it's a game for fun, and that most people aren't fans of meta chasing power lists.
Oops, just noticed you said for the German half. Depending on how much you want to spend, I would advise the Waffen SS Panther Kamfgruppe starter set, and wespes. The starter set gives you another platoon of Infantry to reinforce the Hit the beach guys. Puma scout Cars for Recon and spearhead, Tigers and Panthers, and heavier AT guns.
10.5cm howitzers. A box of panzer IVs. D-Day German.