Panzer

9. Panzer

Elements of the 9. Panzer advance - 1944

Barbarossa, '41.

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Narrative and Team Yankee

One thing I really enjoy about Flames of War is how dependent on the narrative of WW II history it is. To be honest, the narrative is what it's all about for me - as far as playing a game anyway. I crave a good back story and purpose to my battles. Having the entire history of WW II as your backdrop makes the FoW rules really shine for me. However, when it came to the cold war era of the 1980's I definitely had some reservations. For one, open war never happened! This dance with the hypothetical was something new to me in wargaming - at least in terms of known history. It was in fact something more along the lines of a hard sci-fi type of background. Anyway, I decided some time ago to give it a shot, fan that I am of FoW.

The new rulebook is really high quality - to be expected from Battlefront. Although

smaller in dimensions to the core FoW rules for WW II, this baby packs a lot of detail!

Boy was I surprised when I got the Team Yankee rulebook today. After a quick read - focusing on the initial pages covering the history and background of the conflict, I was drawn in to the story big time! Take note that I have never read the Team Yankee novel itself, so I am pretty much restricted at the moment to the information provided for Battlefronts rules themselves. Regardless, after a read all I can say is I am hooked! In fact, I have decided that I need to get a copy of the Team Yankee novel ASAP! Of course, marketing is what it is, and I am sure all those concerned with the sale of this product will be pleased. However, all I can say is that it is worth it. That narrative and back story is exactly what I was hoping for with this new set of rules in the FoW family.

Anyway, as I peer through my new and shiny rulebook with a giant smile running across my face, I realize that I haven't been this excited since I first got back in to the hobby four years ago. How amazing is that?! With such a fascinating background how could I resist playing this with my favorite set of rules. Again, backstory and narrative is everything to me. Flames of War offers much regarding that, for me anyway. The game play is almost always full of drama and story. Of course, not everyone can see it, perhaps too caught up in the game-play itself. But for me, I like to hang back a bit, take my time, and absorb it. That is my play-style.

I hope to get more stuff up on this soon. I already have my tokens all bought, and the Leopard book on its way - I am going for the West Germans and Russians initially. After a good read of the Leopard book I will be buying my actual units. So stay tuned folks, good things come!

Until next time,

~K

Team Yankee!

Finally took the bait and tried a game of Team Yankee! Wow! What a fun game with a really interesting background. I have been thinking about having a go with these rules for some time - if for anything, to see how well the rules have been adapted. I really feel Battlefront has done an excellent job regarding this. It is still FoW, but much more streamlined in certain respects. I should have more details on this new era in the coming months. I have already ordered the rules, the West German supplement, markers, etc. - and yes, I will be playing West Germans to start with :() Should have pics up soon.

In other news, expect some additional content for FoW in the coming weeks as well. I have an interesting game coming up soon - in Normandy once again, as well as a full campaign in Italy. Yes, this Italy campaign is the same one I have been trying to get a start on since last year! For some reason I have yet to play out a beach landing! So this is something I am looking at doing as well. Again, I should have more pics up soon.

Anyway, just a short update. Lots coming soon.

~K

Some Changes and More...

Hi everyone! Been a while since my last update. Actually, have had this blog shut-down a short while as I put together new content and re-focus somewhat. However, I do have things back in order for the most part. I know a lot has gone on in the past few months and I plan on updating this blog much more often. Already I have updated some of the pages regarding the rules I use and some of the NEW game reviews I have done recently - mostly from my Dash of Elan channel on YouTube. Feel free to have a look and tell me what you think.

Be sure to check out A Dash of Élan blog link as it is my MAIN HUB for all my wargaming blogs! Everything from ancients, Napoleonic, to the Tabletop Commanders. It all is linked from there :)

Anyway, stay tuned for more. Here are some pics from a recent battle I had with the Panzer Grenadier Deluxe rules - a FULL video review will be up in the reviews section by the end of the week.