Getting Started

[CommanderlessMosinNagant]

The questions of what to buy and of how much one needs to effectively play have certainly been addressed in the past. However, after reading those threads, I still have two specific questions about acquiring new pieces for a beginner.

1. In the new starter pack with what looks to be two boosters, are they just two standard boosters inside? Is there any difference?

2. I have seen that sellers on eBay have been stripping out the rares and selling commons and uncommons as a single lot from a full case. These seem to be going at a fairly low price. Given that many builds utilize 3 or more of the "standard" infantry (be they paratroopers or SS-panzergrenadiers or Communist partisans), does it make sense to buy these? This seems to be prudent for Sets III and IV, where planes are limited in usefulness and a lot of the rares seem weak. My goal is to be able to play this game effectively (against strangers in hobby stores) without spending more than $100 or so.

Thank you very much for your opinions.

[Cruizin2000]

1. Standard boosters with two new maps.

2. Sure. Buy cases though, they're cheaper. Single soldier figs are about $2 each depending where you go.

3. Read the other posts here as well. You won't buy any of this stuff. Run!!

C2000

[Cruizin2000]

If you're playing in a game store, buy Heros, lots of Heros. You'll also need the basic infantry to deploy them. Also, what country do you like playing? Remember, you can mix and match Axis or Allied pieces - Japanese Sgts with German Heros. Look of on-line dealers that sell singles. Gamerocket, dragonjustice, and others.

C2000

[RBloom0566]

The questions of what to buy and of how much one needs to effectively play have certainly been addressed in the past. However, after reading those threads, I still have two specific questions about acquiring new pieces for a beginner.

1. In the new starter pack with what looks to be two boosters, are they just two standard boosters inside? Is there any difference?

2. I have seen that sellers on eBay have been stripping out the rares and selling commons and uncommons as a single lot from a full case. These seem to be going at a fairly low price. Given that many builds utilize 3 or more of the "standard" infantry (be they paratroopers or SS-panzergrenadiers or Communist partisans), does it make sense to buy these? This seems to be prudent for Sets III and IV, where planes are limited in usefulness and a lot of the rares seem weak. My goal is to be able to play this game effectively (against strangers in hobby stores) without spending more than $100 or so.

Thank you very much for your opinions.

First, my sympathies on your choice; but if you insist, this is my advice -
1) 1st Run Starter Pack for maps Able, Baker, Charlie & Dog 1&2 of each, double-sided. 2nd Run Starter Pack for 2 boosters which may be any two of Base Set, Set II or Contested Skies plus two new ?single-sided? maps.

2) Your best bet for massed quantities of commons & uncommons is e-Bay. Moreover, you best choice for getting the specific rares you want is e-Bay. If you're an experienced e-Bayer, you can build quite the effective army ranging from common-to-rare without spending a fortune. Watch out for shipping costs--that's where they get ya!

You are welcome for my opinion, and it would be: Do definitely keep your spending at/under $100.00 until we see whether the game improves or dies.

[polish_horsy]

I'd say buy from someone getting out of the game. You can pay 50 to 75 cents on the dollar and get a wide selection of units. There is no shortage of people selling a large collection of units either here or on ebay.

[RBloom0566]

I'd say buy from someone getting out of the game. You can pay 50 to 75 cents on the dollar and get a wide selection of units. There is no shortage of people selling a large collection of units either here or on ebay.

And THAT, my friend, is the sad part.

My co-gamer and I have enough pieces and are isolated enough from what happens in the outside gaming world, that no matter how much MORE this game gets hosed up, we'll have enough pieces to play until we're sick of it.

So go ahead, crap on it some more. Use your rules to wipe with. My buying is done and I'm going with HHR.

[Cruizin2000]

Read the FAQs too!! You'll find that horses cannot ride in jeeps anymore, flamethrowers can't shoot aircraft, bombard and blast can't fire at airplanes, etc.

C2000

[Richter von Manthofen]

The new starter is cost effective as you get two boosters value + maps and rules (also downloadable) and counters for the price of less than two boosters (at least here in Austria but I think elsewhere too).

Gamers tend to have lots of dice, so you won't need those.

If you know exactly what you want to play and do not deviate from this then buying "only" singles might be cost effective.

But consider for the price of a bossters worth of singles you might get around two standard boosters that is double the units. You might be able to trade of unwanted units here on the boards - it depends what nations (combinations of) you want to play.

For example if you don't like to play russians an you got a few Mosins, a T34/76 or 85 and a few others like a Ptrd, PPSh and a T70. You might offer them here as a package for trade. You might get offers that contain the much sought after SSPG and a Veteran Tiger if you strictly demand these - but be sure that you leave options. Some might offer you 2-x on trades if you trade away the right units (the mentioned SSPGs, Mosin Nagant riflemen and a few others)

I would suggest buy boosters (or a case to be most cost efficient - you should get one for 100$) until your spending limit is reached and then try to trade away your unwanted (nations) for the units you need.

What Set you should order is difficult, but if you do not like planes then I suggest you should buy a set I case: it contains the following much sought rares

T34/76
KV-1
SS-panther
Churchill Crocodile

Those are quite playable units:
Hellcat (despite size problems it is quite cost efficient)
Easy Eight (good large tank, but it costs heavy points)
Tiger I (expensive, but in a 200 point game I would use one)

Then there are some which I would categorize as seldom playable, but good for historical players (we have plenty of such), so they might be tradeable.
Carro Armato
Ha-Go
Renault
Crusader II
SiG

And of course some that I consider pure crap, but hey I saw today someone who seeks a Panzer IIC:
Panzer IIC
Jagdpanther
M3 Lee

Additionally you will get a bunch of staple uncommons to mention only the best

Humber Scout Car
M3 Stuart (cheap fast tank, I underestimated this little tank)
Sherman
different commanders and MGs

AND

some of the highest demand commons (3-4 of each)

SSPGs
Mosin NAgants
Arisaka rifles

those alone would be good trade assets.

If you are willing to part with a few high demand units you should get more from the same rarity from other Sets.

I would suggest to try to get some US PAratroopers from Set II, defense 5 infantry from all sets and some light medium German uncommon tanks... (and heros from Set V)

IF you like planes,and do not want to play Russia and Japan, I would say get a case of Set IV - you should be able to get 4-5 planes from the case - IMHO Set IV planes are better than Set III Planes.

BTW follow the link and look what I have for trading away... ;)

[Muenchausen]

The cheapest, most cost effeciant way to go is to buy cases. Problem is a case would wipe out your budget. Since your definately limited on funds, buying bulk commons/uncommons on ebay is the way to go. You'll be able to control the number of units you have while keeping cost down. I've also seen some of the less desireable rares go real cheap too. But you need to be constantly looking. Happy huntin.

[cannonfodder]

To keep costs down -proxy proxy proxy-. Get cards for the units you want, or even 1 of each unit that your want and use whatever for unit markers. I used the little gray army guys (Germans) from regular A+A to represent the 9 SS Stormtroopers that were in my last 250 point army. Right beside them where a bunch of little brown army guys (Russians) representing my SSPG horde.
Of course WoTC would like us to buy buy buy but I don't have that kind of money. For purely experimental games where I want to try something I don't have I have taken the stats from Hill 107 and proxied a unit I already own. Sure it's cheap and doesn't look as good as the real A+A minis but I don't have the bucks to buy a case of each booster so I do what I do.
As long as it's fun, I'll keep playing...And it's fun, even when I lose!

[CommanderlessMosinNagant]

It's too bad that there seems to be so much negativity originating from the introduction of heroes. I found out about this game late...very late and most all of the oldest threads and reviews gave it great praise. I guess I should have checked the newer threads and reviews before trying to jump in. Of course, 4 sets should have given me a clue too. It seems really tough to ensure that games not break down as newer rules are introduced. (MtG had to finally phase out old stuff to make things more manageable, though there was still rampant power creep.) I guess all this causes me to rethink things a bit, especially if it seems that the "best" way to get into the game is by buying from some getting out of the game.

[richyj1]

I wouldn't let some of the chatter here get you down; this game is quite fun so long as you have a good group/partner to play with.

I think I could build two pretty good armies for $100 on eBay, so long as I limited myself to two factions (US and Germany the most obvious choices). Rares generally go for around $10 each, commons can be around 2-3 for a dollar. I'd avoid "grab-bag" auctions, as they will tend to have stuff you don't need/want. Look for a seller with reasonable "buy it now" prices and low (or no) per-purchase shipping (I've seen shipping of $1.50 + $0.25 each additional item, that's not bad).

[357FTG]

Commander

This is an enjoyable game, don't play in a tourney until they get the rules straightened out.

Buy the E-bay stuff for 25$ to get the hang of it, then be prepaired to support the plastic meth habbit.

Buying a case is most cost effective unless you are really tight. Also if you play at a store, help keep the lights on by buying the occasional booster.

[Richter von Manthofen]

Hey CLM!

This game IS fun, it has its rough ends, but a little houseruling even makes heroes enjoyable (one per build etc.)

Sure at the beginning was much praise because no one had figured out the weaknesses. Sure there are some dropping out - but that happens to any (collectible) game.

To play it secure maybe get a original starter (guaranteed 60 points axis and 53 points alllies) and a booster or two (maybe the new starter) and you should be able to field a 100 point army for each faction. Try the game out and then decide - if you buy then a case (most cost efficient) you maybe have invested a little more than 100 $, but you have known that the game is good.

Don't let you take down from negative vibes here, we are mostly old gamers who want the perfect game, but the fact that we are still here means that the game must have something ;) - we only want to make it better.

For singles buys I might give you my 2cents: If You want to buy singles, you probably want only the best - and those tend to be the most expensive ones Sure you will get three uncommon for the buck, but those won't be SSPGS or Paratroopers, They might be the ones that no one wants...

Single sellers want to make money and they have to pay for the case too...

Buying a collection will maybe be cheaper than singles, but you still will get some crap you do not want - the same as with random buy - The ones wanting to get out want their money also back. Tho one good thing that you will probably know what you get.

AND SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL GAME STORE (if its a friendly one)

[Soyuz]

It's too bad that there seems to be so much negativity originating from the introduction of heroes. I found out about this game late...very late and most all of the oldest threads and reviews gave it great praise. I guess I should have checked the newer threads and reviews before trying to jump in. Of course, 4 sets should have given me a clue too. It seems really tough to ensure that games not break down as newer rules are introduced. (MtG had to finally phase out old stuff to make things more manageable, though there was still rampant power creep.) I guess all this causes me to rethink things a bit, especially if it seems that the "best" way to get into the game is by buying from some getting out of the game.

Ah, tourneys are too competitive anyway. I just picked up my starter and I'm enjoying the game despite the fact that my Axis have three times as many points as my allies IF Japan and Romania change sides, and all the best units are Axis, and the Allies only started with the one tank. I think it plays nicely enough if you're in the right group, and if you don't like the new stuff or buy into fandom negativity, then you can just buy old stuff after a new set comes out and the price takes a knock. That's what I'll be doing - heck, I'm not relying on chance to put together a half-decent Soviet army.