Barr7430
On the subject of FoW lack of realism. I share some of your views.
Biggest lack of realism - altenate turns coupled with
Company level games where two platoons of infantry have tanks support, divisional artillery support, flak and AT support. In other words a Division in microcosm. NOT realistic but: sells models and is more interesting to pain and collect than 250 foot jockeys in khaki. Aimed I think at the crossover fantasy dudes.
Sgt Steiner
The alternate turns is real killer for me, I can live with the other mainly 'special' rules I dislike especially if I tweak them (another favourite pastime) but this one major stumbling block.
Of course with tweaking (ie my use of alternate activations etc) is fine but then at some point I begin to think why ? as I can pick up another set of rules such as GHQ and play them pretty much as is.
But I got to agree the FOW bandwagon is hard to resist and their website is absolutely superb (I especially like the blow by blow introduction to the rules).
I followed the FOW rules through playtest phase but have mislead beta versiona and cant recall if they included Opp fire and/or diffrent sequence of play ?
I wish BF chaps would consider posting some 'semi-offical' house/advanced rules on their website to satisfy their non-tourney playing adherents (but maybe we are small minority ?)
Barr7430
I have gotten the guys in the local shop club interested in running FoW with a real orbat ie: 6-9 platoons of infantry with a couple of AT guns or mortar platoon against a similar force on the other side.
Sgt Steiner
I quite like Inf in FOW as they are more durable/useful than in say RF wherein those Inf 'Coys' get cut to shreds in pretty short order in my experience.
Barr7430
The competition 1500 point games are fun but totally pointless and not in any way representative of WW2 action.
Sgt Steiner
Such is competition style play for all periods I suspect, I played in Ancients comps at Derby many moons ago with WRG7th and DBM but never took it as seriously as some (as I was much too keen to finish games and get to spend money at stalls !!)
Barr7430
Maybe you should refer to Pat Conner's favourite WW2 rules: IABSM(I ain't been shot Mum). He's using his sales patter on me at the moment.
Sgt Steiner
These rules get a good rep and definitely on my wish list.
I have been buying several skirmish sets as my 20mm stuff is enticing me again (been literally years sine they saw light of day) and really like Arc Of Fire which has some nice rules I could use with many other rulesets (I really think I have a problem with all this I must seek help). The seq of play includes an activation system using playing cards (2 per unit) that works quite well for smaller games.
I really like Spearhead, Blitzkrieg Commander as well as GHQ rules and of course Battlegroup PzGrenadier (did you ever purchase these ?) in addition to FOW, so many to chose from so little time (especially as I am dabbling with your ULB rules and Shako for WSS stuff and Vis Bellica/PKArchon II for Ancients !!!)
I recently had a week or so off and spent it solo (its sad really) 'playtesting' several rulesets using an expanded version of the intro scn from GHQ rules using 6mm and then a scn from BGPzGR using 15mm. Not unsurprisingly most had their problems/strengths and gave overall similar results (some just took longer to get there) and in the end it was all down to dice anyhow
For 6mm I used :
Spearhead
Blitzkrieg Commander
Command Decision III
Kampfgruppe Commander
GHQ Micro Armor
WRG 1925-50 (old I know !)
Firefly (nearly as old !)
Flames Of War (worked ok)
and various other old sets that I tried a couple of turns with.
For 15mm I used
Flames Of War (tweaked)
Rapid Fire
Overlord (an all-time fav set of mine by Barrie Lovell)
Crossfire (tweaked for Tanks)
Arc Of Fire
Guts N Glory
Battlegroup Panzer Grenadier
Panzer Marsch
Tiger Tiger
Where The Iron Crosses Grow
Using BGPZGR
And again but on friends table (I do have one) with my Tyneside Scots dealing death and destruction to his 9th SS sods at Rauray
And lastly my first run with Arc Of Fire (counted wounds as morale check for my multi-based 15mm Inf) and my new carpet tiles...................
I feel quite worn out now I must go and lie down...................................
Gary