Should I give AAM a try?

[buffdog]

I've been playing Flames of War for about 4 years now and have enjoyed it. But if i had to do it all over again, I wouldn't. It takes way too much time to paint pieces...and the money issue, and moving them is a pain.

I am considering getting into AAM because it seems like a neat alternative to a hard core game like FOW. Recently I have purchased a lot of the War at Sea pieces and am extremely impressed. I like the fact that everything is painted and that each unit has it's own card - having the cards makes things so much easier instead of looking up info in books. I am selling all my Memoir 44 games, I could never get over the left, center, right thing for modern battles and ofcourse the generic units.

So tell me, what is AAM going to give me over FOW? I'm thinking it is easier to play and no painting. I for one like to have large scale unit engagements. So I like to have 10-20 tanks per side and lots of infantry. Will AAM do this well? What about maps? Will I be limited in the size of my battles because their are only a few maps out there? I like to have really large battles...like 4' by 6' and bigger...can I do this with this system without just buying repeats of the maps? I have always like FOW for the the variety of terrain / buildings / visual appeal. Will I have this visual appeal in AAM? Can you add real buildings, etc?

To make things more complicated, I am definately going to get Tide of Iron when it comes out. However, I don't think TOI is really in the same category as AAM, or is it?

I look forward to all of your comments as it will help me decide what to do.

[boersma8]

First of all,I'd say, read through this forum and you'll find most of the answers you're looking for.

Yes, AAM is worth it. There are a few very strange loopholes that somehow they refuse to fix or even included on purpose :confused: but other than that it's really a great game. Those loopholes can easily be fixed by a houserule or 2 and maybe they're already in the process of being fixed since the next set will include a variety of redone ( fixed?) pices and stats.

If I were you I'd hold on to memoir 44 though...It's also a great game! Does irtt have a few shortcomings? Sure it does, but doesn't every game? If you use enough cards ( the later scenarios do!) you don't run into the problem of only having units on the right you want to strike with but only having cards on the left too much........

IMHO AAM land is better than the naval version, so if you already like that one, you'll love AAM!

[Muenchausen]

Maps are a bit of a problem. There's not that much of a variety. Some people have created their own maps which are compatable to AAM maps. Most of them allow you to download them for free. So the only expense you'll incur is printing costs. Pasalades comes to mind.

I also like larger battles. The key is the more units you have, the more maps you need. I think the largest battle I played was a 2,000 point per side battle on a 5X2 map configuration. Was a little crowded but we still enjoyed the game. I can't compare AAM to FOW or Memoirs but, if I were you, I'd consider using my FOW units for AAM until you get a fairly good size collection going. FOW armor is slightly smaller than AAM so that may or may not be an issue for you. Bottom line is AAM is a light, fast paced game that is extemely versaitile. Let us know what you decide.

[Whaahooo]

Axis is worth giving a try as a game with prepainted minis and also having hexes count is better than having to mesure with a ruler. Large games are much more intreasting than 100 pts skirmishes as there are more objectives to control and more stategy. Also if your playgroup is not too stubborn you could use your customised FOW tanks with stats cards from axis and allies as they fit on the map

[Richter von Manthofen]

If money is an issue I can only warn you...

For sample games please go to play by post games here - you will get a feeling.

[buffdog]

I appreciate everyone's comments so far. I'll definately give it a try. Are you all saying that my FOW 1/100 scale minis would work for AAM? This is good news.

So now what? How many and of what does everyone recommend I buy? I know I will definately want to new rules coming out and I saw the new starter packs coming out as well I think it is in Sept. Maybe just the starter and a couple of the boosters for now.

[heck99]

Yes this game is highly addictive. I began shortly after set I came out, and thought I'd just pick some up here and there and not really invest huge amounts into it. The thousands of points in pieces I have now don't exactly voice my early mindset....:rolleyes:

[Qmark]

If I were you I'd hold on to memoir 44 though...It's also a great game! Seconded.
Plus the M44 maps work pretty well with AAM.

[muttonjavelin]

Just limit yourself to a few boosters here and there. Don't spend money to the point you can't afford some less important things than boosters, such as food or shelter etc.

[Engineer]

IMO WaS is a much better game than AAM.
I think Tide of Iron is going to blow away both M44 and AAM.

[Cruizin2000]

IMO WaS is a much better game than AAM.
I think Tide of Iron is going to blow away both M44 and AAM.

You really think that WAS is better than AAM? We call it BAS - battleships, airplanes, subs. ;) Maybe it should be wagons/airplanes/subs? TOI is a different beast compared to AAM and M44.

C2000

[Photoner Hawkwind]

A&AM is definately worth Playing especially if you enjoy Flames of War. Your pieces may seem a little larger than the A&AM pieces but otherwise you decide if you want to use them or not.

If you're already playing on your own WWII miniatures mapboard then you have a choice of either converting hexes to inches or drawing hexes on your mapboard and then you can use that too.

If you eventually decide that you don't like the A&AM rules, then you can use the Flames of War rules and use the A&AM pieces with it instead. Or you can download some HHR from these boards or wait for the advanced rules hopefully coming in September.

I would advise saving your funds and purchasing a case of boosters online of each set and then buying singles to fill in whatever else you want. Cases give the best distribution. I would also recommend getting a couple of starters for the maps and download other maps for free if you don't have your own mapboard already. And I would start with set 1 and then get contested skies if you want to add planes and then fill in cases of the other sets as you can afford them. I hear they've been discounted lately. Good luck and enjoy the games.

Oh yes, for larger games, just ignore the 100 point and 15 unit limits like all of us historical gamers do. the limits are for overcompetitive gamers only.:p