1st post observations (formations)

[osprey]

Hey all, This is my first post. :o I've been playing AAM off and on since it came out, and have had a blast with it. :)

Now that the new expanded rules are out, the new formations seem to be dominating our games. In a 200pts build, I find myself taking at least 3 formations simply because of the savings. Combine with the bonuses for using pieces all from 1 nation, and I'm getting much more to play with. I don't think I could win without formations now.

Am I alone in this, or does everyone else hit the formation charts 1st when building a force?

[raevski]

It is THE only way to play minors(romania, italy, china, etc) you need the extra points and troops to help counteract other peoples specials KV1, tiger etc.

[Richter von Manthofen]

Neva play those formation - use only my homemade

[boersma8]

Hey all, This is my first post. :o I've been playing AAM off and on since it came out, and have had a blast with it. :)

Now that the new expanded rules are out, the new formations seem to be dominating our games. In a 200pts build, I find myself taking at least 3 formations simply because of the savings. Combine with the bonuses for using pieces all from 1 nation, and I'm getting much more to play with. I don't think I could win without formations now.

Am I alone in this, or does everyone else hit the formation charts 1st when building a force?

In games of 100 points ( or less) we nearly always do take a couple of formations. However, if you want to take a heavy tank, that usually means you cannot take any more TANK formations and still remain below a hundred points. In larger games ( 150), if you do not expand the unit limit, its sometimes not the best option to use platoons. For a Russian army I usually take an infantry platoon, an assault platoon and 2 tanks ( T 34 x 2 + change or T34/76 and T 34/85). For the Germans I like the tank hunter platoon and the Veteran Wehrmacht infantry platoon. I've also tried the panzergrenadier platoon and recon platoons ( with the expanded rules the sdkfz 222 have become playable again, although I'd still like to see a "Veteran" version that could go head to head with a Panhard :rolleyes: ). In short: I like the platoons, but the traditional "perfect army" ( lots of SS panzergrenadiers, sniper, Hauptsturmfuehrer, hero and some panzerfausts is still very hard to beat, even by armies that do use formations. It's a great addition to the game, but IMO not overpowered! ( you usually get some "worse" units too....)

[Anpu42]

I like them a lot. they are realy good for quick armies for new players. Here are two of my Stock 100 Point Armies.

United States [100 Points]
1x US Infantry Platoon 17 [17] 5 [5]
1x US Veteran Sherman Platoon 64 [81] 5 [10]
1x Bazooka 4 [85] 1 [11]
1x Mortar M2 6 [91] 1 [12]
1x Thomson Gunner 4 [95] 1 [13]
1x Marine M2-2 Flamethrower 5 [100] 1 [14]

Germany [100 Points]
1x German Infantry Platoon 20 [20] 5 [5]
1x German Panzer III Platoon 46 [66] 5 [10]
1x PAK 40 14 [80] 1 [11]
1x Light Mortar 4 [84] 1 [12]
2x SS Stormtroopers 14 [98] 2 [14]
1x Volkssturm Infantryman 2 [100] 1 [15]

[osprey]

Hey guys, thanks for the replies. Nice to know others use formations, too. I agree that you do seem to get some inferior units in the formations, but the extra pieces and pts discounts seem to make up for it.

I love the canadian infantry platoon. Especialy when used with the British infantry platoon. Both of these commanders seem to synergize realy well.

We generaly play 200pts with a 30 unit limit. 15 units per 100pts. (I think that's the right way to do it.) This gives the option of playing an "uber" unit as well as dropping down alot of models.

My latest experimentations have been with the Soviet and US prepared infantry platoons. These plus an ammo dump (or 2) are giving my fellow players many headaches. ;)

I also agree that for playing less represented nations like Italy or France, platoon formations or critical to have any chance.

Just my thoughts.

[Anpu42]

here is a nasty 100 points of US Formations
1x USMC Detachment [20]
1x Sherman Platoon [80]
100 Points & 10 Units
for a 200 Point game that give you 100 points and 20 Units to play with.

[Colonel_Coo]

Hey guys, thanks for the replies. Nice to know others use formations, too. I agree that you do seem to get some inferior units in the formations, but the extra pieces and pts discounts seem to make up for it.

I love the canadian infantry platoon. Especialy when used with the British infantry platoon. Both of these commanders seem to synergize realy well.

We generaly play 200pts with a 30 unit limit. 15 units per 100pts. (I think that's the right way to do it.) This gives the option of playing an "uber" unit as well as dropping down alot of models.

My latest experimentations have been with the Soviet and US prepared infantry platoons. These plus an ammo dump (or 2) are giving my fellow players many headaches. ;)

I also agree that for playing less represented nations like Italy or France, platoon formations or critical to have any chance.

Just my thoughts.

We tend to play 30 unit 200pt battles as well.

Running a 100 point Italian build as part of that 200 point battle can be fun. Germany brings the planes, a couple of 20mm and a Panther or two while the Italians spend 110pts (100pt equivilant) on about 4 or 5 platoons. Awesome fun.
Don't underestimate those little Italian recon tankettes when playing expanded rules. They have true Doubleshot (Grazing fire) and can easily gain Enfilade bonus or grant Enfilade bonus.

We don't play without Platoons very much.

The UK/CA are the easiest to play/win with now. Between their heavy armor and quick infantry supported with some of the best planes in the game, they've got some real answers.

[Latro]

I only use formations if they fit the type of army I'm going to try. I'm not going to pay points and unit slots for things that don't fit my strategy ... even if it might be a better cost-efficient combination.


:cool:

[Shank77]

I also only use formations if it fits my strategy. I'm not going to use formations just to have more pieces on the map. I put my faith in my strategy and roll the dice.

[osprey]

I have yet to try mixed nationalities beyond the Commonwealth. This is something I will have to try. The idea of Italian bonus points hoarding out the army while germany brings the hard stuff is intriging.

Also, I always use at least 1 formation, as "infantry" always fits into my theme of the force. You can't have an army without ground pounders. Everyone that made a build without infantry in our FLGS has always lost.

On another note, the Ammo Dump and Hero figures seem to be all the rage. Some of us are swearing that the Ammo Dump is a sure win. Is this true, or are we missing some counter. (other than planes, as we tend to have AA to nullify them)

[Anpu42]

I also only use formations if it fits my strategy. I'm not going to use formations just to have more pieces on the map. I put my faith in my strategy and roll the dice.
So you would not like this one?:p
Chines Infantry Company x3 [78 Points]:D
Pillbox x3 [6 Points] {For the MGs}:rolleyes:
Mine Field x3 [6 Points]
Barbed Wire x10 [20 Points]
That is 36 Infantry:eek:
3 Kuomintange Officers
30 Kuomintange Riflemen
3 Kuomintange

[Richter von Manthofen]

So you would not like this one?:p
Chines Infantry Company x3 [78 Points]:D
Pillbox x3 [6 Points] {For the MGs}:rolleyes:
Mine Field x3 [6 Points]
Barbed Wire x10 [20 Points]
That is 36 Infantry:eek:
3 Kuomintange Officers
30 Kuomintange Riflemen
3 Kuomintange

The barbed should cost only 5 points- bringing the whole to 95 points, but you have 15 (3* company) + 16 units (obstacles) thats not allowed.

[Anpu42]

The barbed should cost only 5 points- bringing the whole to 95 points, but you have 15 (3* company) + 16 units (obstacles) thats not allowed.
Obsticals do not cout agaist the Stacking Limit.
I thought about just geting 16 Pillboxes.:rolleyes:

[Richter von Manthofen]

Obstacles DO count against UNIT limit...

[Qmark]

Obsticals do not cout agaist the Stacking Limit.Yes they do. (http://boards.avalonhill.com/showthread.php?t=12018)

[osprey]

Seeing as fortifications do count for the unit limit, that makes the prepared infantry formations even more attractive. Which brings me back to the original point of the post. It seems as if formations are the wave of the future. (with heroes and ammo dumps as exceptions:rolleyes:)

[Anpu42]

Yes they do. (http://boards.avalonhill.com/showthread.php?t=12018)
Cr*p That could have made the Chinese and Japanise Realy Nasty:(

[Richter von Manthofen]

Seeing as fortifications do count for the unit limit, that makes the prepared infantry formations even more attractive. Which brings me back to the original point of the post. It seems as if formations are the wave of the future. (with heroes and ammo dumps as exceptions:rolleyes:)

Dead on with this observation ;) - though I don't think that dumps are worth their points in smaller games...

[polish_horsy]

did they ever say if ammo dumps remove the extra bonus points for minor nations? Do you still get 110 points for Italy in a 100-point game if you include the ammo dump?

[Richter von Manthofen]

AFAIK Dumps are generic and belong to the nation you are fielding thus - for example - if you use them in a japanese build they are Japanese dumps and you qualify for the bonus points

its even better if a unit is PART of an FORMATION it gets this formations nationality - So the M4A1 Shermans of the UK Firefly platoons are UK pieces (despite having the US icon) and the Pnzer IV Platooncan be used as Hungarian/Romanian and this nations still qualify for the point bonus..

[osprey]

Dead on with this observation ;) - though I don't think that dumps are worth their points in smaller games...

I'm still trying to figure out if they are truly worth it or not. It appears that the more dice you roll, the more useful it becomes, and the more units you have the more dice you roll. As we play 200pts and use formations, they are tempting.

[Qmark]

Ammo is all but mandatory for Chinese builds.

[Anpu42]

Ammo dumps can be usful even in 100 point games.
100 Point Dairy Free: They work real good for a lot of cheeper units, but it is hard to keep them alive, You don't usaly have the point to protectect them from Pars, Partisans or Aircraft Efectevly.
:D 100 Point Cheese: Ammo Dump+3 Luft Infantry+3 Eleite Panzer IV:eek:

[osprey]

:D 100 Point Cheese: Ammo Dump+3 Luft Infantry+3 Eleite Panzer IV:eek:

Ouch! :eek: That's the most crazy evil list. Where do you come up with this stuff. "Hey, I only miss on 2's, and a shoot down your plane before it strafs my dump. Very sick. I like it.:D

[Anpu42]

Ouch! :eek: That's the most crazy evil list. Where do you come up with this stuff. "Hey, I only miss on 2's, and a shoot down your plane before it strafs my dump. Very sick. I like it.:D
I happen to have
1x Ammo Dump
3x Luft Inf
3x Elite Panzer IV:D
73 Points
I just don't know what to the other 27 Points?
Maybe a German Anit-Tank Platoon;)

[osprey]

I would say yes to that as it gives you a commander with int bonus. This is something you don't have. It also gives you 5 extra pieces to bulk out your force.:) Formations win again. Which brings us full circle to the start of the post again. Namely, that platoon formations rock. (and ammo dumps are cool, too.:D )