Platoon level or squad level?

[Tony M]

As we all know, PG is well established as a platoon-level infantry combat game. And it looks like IA is company-level. But does anyone out there wish PG was a squad level game?

I grew up watching "Combat!" on TV, and if I remember correctly, Sgt Saunders commanded a squad that included Cage (spelling?), Kirby, Littlejohn and some other dudes. So, to me, the squad is the most natural unit to have in a tactical WWII game.

In the late 80s I came across Squad Leader at a convention in Michigan, but trying to play it was like trying to drink cement. At this point in my life, PG is going to be my main tactical system for better or worse.

[campsawyer]

Panzer Grenadier history is more to the old AH Panzer Blitz/Leader rather than ASL. It models more to the battalion/regiment level with the scenarios. If you are looking for more of a Combat like tactical game, I would look toward Compass Games Combat! as it is based on a individual man level rolling up to a Squad level and is good to model the TV show.

[Tony M]

If I was 40 years younger, I would probably buy the Compass game. But I just don't have the money, time, and, most importantly, mental energy to spend on yet another tactical system.

I used to think The Gamers' TCS was "it," but TCS just sort of petered out. So PG is more or less going to be my tactical system.

I never played PanzerBlitz.

Years ago I bought something called Conflict of Heroes, with a "firefight generator" that supposedly aided solo play. It was really expensive and I was underwhelmed. I also bought something called Band of Heroes, but the company just rubbed me the wrong way.

That's a lot of money wasted. I should add that because of the ugly maps with the original PG and also Eastern Front, I consider that to be wasted money too.

[plloyd1010]

The difference between tactical and grand tactical games is the fight versus battle perspective. Games like Squad Leader, Sniper, Raid! and others that are man-to-man up to squad level units make a good fight. Panzer Grenadier, Panzerblitz, Panzer Leader and the SPI tactics series, games that use platoons and companies, let you fight a battle.For a history geek, like myself, I more often want to see the battle unfold, and hopefully gain some understanding on why events fell out the way they did. Panzer Grenadier strikes a better balance of playability and historal reason than most systems.

[Tony M]

I think anyone who plays these games can be called a history geek, and I also think it is possible to see the battle unfold in actions at the squad level. For me, squad actions are battles, but at a level that is more personal than a regiment or division action.

My PG games, though, almost always seem more like fights than battles. I typically wind up with adjacent stacks of units with disrupted markers, shooting back and forth, over and over.

[Grognard Gunny]

I agree with Pete on this topic. The battle is the thing. The tie in with the tactics and rationale of the "scenario" is what makes it for me. This, of course, makes it especially difficult for the designer.... to insure that the specifics of the battle are as close to the original as possible. 

GG

[treadasaurusrex]

I think anyone who plays these games can be called a history geek, and I also think it is possible to see the battle unfold in actions at the squad level. For me, squad actions are battles, but at a level that is more personal than a regiment or division action.

My PG games, though, almost always seem more like fights than battles. I typically wind up with adjacent stacks of units with disrupted markers, shooting back and forth, over and over.

You might want to give Columbia Games' Combat Infantry series a try.
No annoying FOW rule, instead all the counters are squads on block counters and you don't know what your opponent has until contact is made. A much better way to simulate the fog of war IMHO.

[joe_oppenheimer]

The Last Hundred Yards has become my go to game for squad level WWII combat.

[Juiceman]

The Last Hundred Yards has become my go to game for squad level WWII combat.

Can you tell me what you liked about LHY? What made it different from other tactical games that are currently on the market?  Have you ever played Old School Tactical?  Any thoughts on it, OST?

Interested in squad and individual vehicle based games but there are a number of them out there that all sound similar.

[cjsiam]

Band of Brothers from Worthington is a squad level...
It plays pretty easily and does not devolve into the exercise that ASL turned into (some like that, I get it...)

What I like is it plays pretty fast and, again, its the battle that is mattering not the minutia....