What to buy before sale ends...

[rkhigdon]

Hi all,

I'm new to the site and I'm looking for a bit of advice.

I recently introduced my nephew to some wargaming by way of Panzerblitz, and he really seemed to enjoy it.  Now, due to some family circumstances, he's coming to live with us for an extended period of time and has asked if there are other similar games he can try out.  I have a fairly extensive library of games, but it occurs to me that Panzer Grenadier might be a really good fit for him as it covers similar ground in a more modern/attractive package. 

Now I have the initial PG set and first few expansions which are fine, but I feel that the map and scenario don't necessarily do the game justice.  I've heard that some of the more recent products do a much better job in these areas and, with a sale going on I feel like this might be a good chance to jump in and grab a few items.  Is there any consensus on which products best show off the system?  I'd prefer to get items that are currently available (gotta support the publisher) and bonus if they happen to be on the sale list.

Thanks for your help!

[plloyd1010]

Well Keith, your edition of Panzer Grenadier is out of antiquity. The current version is 2 generations past it. For direct expansion of what you have, you should look eBay for Arctic Front and Edelweiss. Since you said you wanted new stuff, here we go.

1. Looking at what's on sale, my first option would be 1940: Fall of France, for a full game. You could follow that up with Road to Dunkirk for a companion game.
   
2. Invasion 1944 would be good too, but I would hesitate over the congested terrain and the counterset is a bit small. You can get Dishonor  Before Death to go with it, but you will eventually want to get Elsenborn Ridge to play everything.
   
3. Switching the eastern front, Fire in the Steppe and Armata Romana would be a good combination. All the scenarios for your current game will work and you get some better map art. (Actually the original art was pretty good too.)
   
4. The Kursk games are good, but they don't have any expansions yet.
   
5. In the Pacific, Saipan 1944 and Marianas 1944 are the best combination.
   
6. For something in the Pacific, Kokoda Campaign, but you are always in the jungle.
   
7. Conquest of Ethiopia would be a rather esoteric choice. Good game, unique subject matter, but I think I would wait for Africa Orientale Italiana to go on sale.
   

[triangular_cube]

Well Keith, your edition of Panzer Grenadier is out of antiquity. The current version is 2 generations past it. For direct expansion of what you have, you should look eBay for Arctic Front and Edelweiss. Since you said you wanted new stuff, here we go.

1. Looking at what's on sale, my first option would be 1940: Fall of France, for a full game. You could follow that up with Road to Dunkirk for a companion game.
   
2. Invasion 1944 would be good too, but I would hesitate over the congested terrain and the counterset is a bit small. You can get Dishonor  Before Death to go with it, but you will eventually want to get Elsenborn Ridge to play everything.
   
3. Switching the eastern front, Fire in the Steppe and Armata Romana would be a good combination. All the scenarios for your current game will work and you get some better map art. (Actually the original art was pretty good too.)
   
4. The Kursk games are good, but they don't have any expansions yet.
   
5. In the Pacific, Saipan 1944 and Marianas 1944 are the best combination.
   
6. For something in the Pacific, Kokoda Campaign, but you are always in the jungle.
   
7. Conquest of Ethiopia would be a rather esoteric choice. Good game, unique subject matter, but I think I would wait for Africa Orientale Italiana to go on sale.
   

In regards to Arctic Front and Edelweiss, I don't think he'd get very far without the HotSU and BotB maps. I packed them both into deep storage after I wrapped up my plays on them so I don't have easy access to doublecheck the numbers on that. 

You are much better off with the newer product than these old dinosaurs though. I'm the only one crazy enough to play these things.

[Schoenwulf]

Actually I enjoy playing some of the oldies as well. There are a lot of great scenarios that have aged like a fine wine.

[rkhigdon]

Thanks all.

I went with Fire in the Steppe with the 49th Mountain Corps package and Armata Romana, as well as Invasion 1944/Dishonor before Death.  Looking forward to checking it all out.

[plloyd1010]

Fire in the Steppe will probably give you most bang for buck at this stage. All of your old Panzer Grenadier scenarios should work with it, just use the original leaders.

P.S. Keep all leaders separated by game.

[plloyd1010]

What will you do when your games arrive? Will you be joining us on Vassal?

[JayTownsend]

I say buy the games based on the subjects or titles that most interest you. If you ask others, you will get different opinions on what they like.

[rkhigdon]

What will you do when your games arrive? Will you be joining us on Vassal?

I expect to play mostly face to face with my nephew, but there's always a chance that I finally bite the bullet and learn VASSAL.  The thing is that I work in the IT industry and I'm literally on computers all day long so I try my best to keep a good portion of my gaming analog if I can help it.

[rkhigdon]

I actually got everything except the Mountain package in the mail today.  I had missed that there was a 2-week delay in getting that bundle so was initially a bit disappointed.  I quickly got over it and will be taking Invasion 1944 for a test spin this weekend.