Fields of Fire - Some Thoughts

[@soloboardgaming]

Short video - thoughts about GMTs Fields of Fire. I'm thinking about doing a Rules & Playthrough video - but do we need yet another video for this great game? Please comment below 😊

[@ZillaBlitz]

Catching up on content now, I’ve excited to see that this went forward and I’ve got a bunch of videos to watch on this game. Looking forward to this!

[@soloboardgaming]

Thanks Zilla. I'm surprised and real pleased how well ths series has been received. Lots of positive support and comment for an 'older' game!

[@jackflak8742]

There's always room for more Fields of Fire!

[@soloboardgaming]

I agree. It seems we all need rules reminders for this game so maybe another series won't hurt :)

[@robfrank1130]

I started falling in love with it but just could not get past the first patrol mission. Not because it was a difficult mission, just that the rules for patrols are so unclear and it's a repetitive scenario. Currently awaiting the rules rewrite.

[@soloboardgaming]

Thanks for the feedback Rob. I agree with you ref the patrols, one platoon at a time does get repetetive. As for the promised rewrite? Anyones guess when it'll actually happen :)

[@MP-wb5yd]

@@soloboardgaming I've read the designer's saying they should be out soon now

[@soloboardgaming]

@@MP-wb5yd Thanks for the update, appreciated!

[@johndaily543]

Old-timey FoF player returning after a couple years away, because I've got the Battle of the Bulge expack coming and needed to brush up. Can't tell you how thrilled I am to not only find a fresh series of videos on one of my all time favorite solo games, but to also hear someone else preach my message: that this is NOT a complex game! It's literally: 1) Draw a card 2) Resolve that card. (The difficult part lies in trying to find where needed info is in the player manual. Thankfully, there are some great player aids around, as well as a better third edition manual that GMT released for free in pdf form.) Awesome job. Cheers!

[@eliane2743]

Do not hesitate to do your videos on this game. They shall be most welcome… although my opinion is a bit biased, FoF being my favorite game. Avoid Normandy, though… because most of the existing videos are on this campaign, to the point it is not possible to count all the Trévières scenarios play-throughs available. It allowed me to discover the very existence of this now most famous place of my country, at least among the FoF community, but still… Korea, your proverbial forgotten war, would be a much better choice. Complexity… difficulty… I don’t agree with the general complaining. My experience is that upon reading the rule book and starting to play I got a whole lot of memories from the time I was being trained as an infantry officer that got back to my mind, even stuff I thought I had completely forgotten about. As a result, what I was reading in the booklet and player’s aids immediately made sense and I avoided pondering over the type of questions that abound on forums like Consimworld or BGG. Ben Hull is or used to be in the military, which explains a lot about the actual shape of the rules. I really look forward to your nextcoming output.

[@soloboardgaming]

Brilliant! I'm so glad you had a look today. Yes I have to agree that time in the military does seem to help with some concepts and terminology. It has certainly helped me. However, that is not fair to those that haven't done so. It should not be the case. I get the games easier now but mainly because I don't allow exceptions to slow me down anymore (I just make my own decision and move on). Thanks for your useful comment, it's good to see your thoughts! :)

[@sctt191]

Good video :) Yes I want to see you play the first mission and have a great time with it. I keep seeing this on my local board game shop and haven't taken the plunge yet. Keep up the good work 😀

[@soloboardgaming]

Really enjoy your comments thank you. Yes, I do hope to have something ready in a couple of days :)

[@landsurfer66]

I love your channel, mate. Cheers from Canada.

[@soloboardgaming]

Very good of you to say so, I appreciate your visit thank you :)

[@TheBlueTweezers]

Good stuff. Especially appreciate the simultaneous translation into Canary.

[@soloboardgaming]

Oh gosh yes! That's Ben, the rescue Budgie. We found him in a car park 3 years ago 🙂. Normally I can muffle his chatter but on this day I couldn't. And he does enjoy joining in! :)

[@danderson5084]

@@soloboardgaming He's quite something - he seems to pipe up pretty much the same time that you speak!

[@soloboardgaming]

@@danderson5084 Yes, he joins iin the conversation! :)

[@andrewchoong2895]

Really loving your videos, and thanks so much for posting this one. I'm looking forward to following your progress through the Normandy campaign. I must confess I was initially put off by the complexity angle, but started having second thoughts in 2020. Been umming and ahhing about it ever since 😂

[@soloboardgaming]

I've had the game a while and I still umm and ah! I can imagine you playing this actually. Thanks for watching! :)

[@anab0lic]

Hasn't been any uploads for you in a while... hope you are doing ok. Your videos on this game inspired me to pick up a copy and check out this system.

[@soloboardgaming]

Thanks for asking, very kind of you. Yes ive taken a long break due to life events but all is well 👍 I'm planning to start uploading again mid-April 👍😊

[@leafrancher6832]

Great motivational video, just go for it! I tried getting into this game several times, even played it a bit a few times. Never really pushed through, but one day I will.

[@soloboardgaming]

I'm sure you will one day. I think most of us have had several false starts with this. It's good of you to comment thank you :)

[@rogue7744]

Really glad you made a series on this. One of my favorite games. I agree on the complexity. To me it’s a solid 6-7 bc the complexity really lies in the choices you make rather than the actual “rules”. Ty for the vids!

[@soloboardgaming]

That's the right way to explain it, I agree!👍

[@tomsubsailor7314]

I say yes, because I'm one of those that still hasn't grasped it yet.

[@soloboardgaming]

Thank you Tom for watching and for your comment. We're already on it now 🙂

[@Fireinthestubble]

I am torn between getting this or Enemy Action Ardennes/Kharkov.

[@soloboardgaming]

Hmm, not easy. But very different games really. I've not played EAA so I have to stick with recommending FoF 😊

[@Fireinthestubble]

@@soloboardgaming Thanks. I just pre ordered the Deluxe Edition.

[@joelhart4027]

Good video, looking forward to the playthrough

[@soloboardgaming]

Thanks Joel, we're just about on Turn 4 now and it's been eventful!

[@janwillemverkerk1551]

PLEASE NOT A MAYBY, but a yes! i really would love to see youre Fields of Fire play trough🙏

[@soloboardgaming]

😅thanks for watching and for your comment, that's cool 😊

[@AlessioBeatrice]

Great! I love this game! I'll watch your gameplay, yeah!

[@soloboardgaming]

Thank you, I hope you enjoy the playthrough! :)

[@przemekbozek]

Always play whatever you like and we will enjoy it anyways😁

[@soloboardgaming]

Ok, thanks for that. I guess I just thought that there are so many great FoF videos out there maybe we don't need another. But, you're right. Just play the game! ☺

[@Hakucho64]

About to watch this series of videos, I hope the bird goes outside (or to sleep) for the later ones! It's really distracting, just as some honest feedback.

[@soloboardgaming]

Hi Andrew I always enjoy real feedback and you're right - budgie was on a mission here simply because I forgot to close the door before filming. A bit quieter going forward 😊 Thanks for watching 👍

[@starvrosleem]

The problem isn’t that you need to consult the rulebook and charts because of the complex interactions, it’s that when you do consult the rulebook the answer is often not there, hence the designers position that you just have to decide for yourself. Really hoping this game gets the rulebook it deserves.

[@soloboardgaming]

Understood completely. Mostly I find the answers are there, but often hidden between different chapters, by exception rather than specific cases. Partly that was the point I was making, that because of the complexity of almost 'sandbox' decisions, we often do have to interpret a given case ourselves. Many games expect this of us. So that's what I do, and I keep it simple each time. However, I can also appreciate those that prefer to have a clearer rules definition for every case. And I completely agree with you, the game does deserve a much clearer set-out rule book! Thank you for taking a look and for your comment, your time is really appreciated! :)

[@starvrosleem]

@@soloboardgaming I’d love it if they took the FFG approach for this one with a rules book and a detailed reference book. Would make the digging much easier. Really enjoy your videos!

[@soloboardgaming]

@@starvrosleem Thank you 👍

[@1346colin]

Not pulled the trigger on this yet mainly because of its alleged complexity and also being relatively new to wargaming. Would love to see a playthrough of this game in your own enthusiastic and inimitable way. Yes please!

[@soloboardgaming]

It's great to hear you say that, thank you! Yes it looks like there is still enough interest so I'll hopefully get started this week as time permits. I've a feeling you might just decide to give it a go :) Thanks for watching and for your comment! :)

[@manuelmay768]

Play maybe another scenario than normandy? There are really good videos about that period but not lot about korea/Vietnam. Would love to see some.

[@soloboardgaming]

You've made a good point Manuel, thank you!

[@barrakliberal8539]

I have this. Haven't played it much, it scares the hell out of me. I will follow this series with no little interest.

[@soloboardgaming]

Hi Barrak, great to hear from you! I hope bits of the series might encourage you to have another go. Just get the core stuff right so that the game flows as it should, but don't over-worry about the peripheral stuff. Sometimes we remember to follow a rule, sometimes we don't. Doesn't matter too much. It's the 'feel' that counts :)

[@barrakliberal8539]

@@soloboardgaming - This, combat, or ambush. I have choices. Your videos are excellent..I think I may try this one, first.

[@soloboardgaming]

@@barrakliberal8539 OMG! That's such a tough decision! You've named a couple of amazing games there, and I've never played them!

[@barrakliberal8539]

@@soloboardgaming - I think you would like Combat a lot. There is an excellent solitaire system with it.

[@jaysturgell8055]

We use another play-through -vid

[@HethwillWargames]

I'm not very familiar with it and I believe it is deserving of treatment as to show what type of experience the game can bring, as you do with your series, as opposed to the rule and square tutorials. Definitely think you should do it ! Maybe Korea, maybe just draw random, whatever you want. No fear !

[@soloboardgaming]

Thanks Heth, always look forward to your thoughts :)

[@janwillemverkerk1551]

😅

[@soloboardgaming]

😊

[@HerschelSarnoff]

bought it, set it up, tried to play, way to confusing, sold it

[@soloboardgaming]

Exactly my point 😊and it's such a shame. I almost did that myself but now really glad I didn't. There has been endless talk about a rule rewrite but it's taking a long time. I appreciate you stopping by and commenting, thank you :)

[@michaelmelen9062]

Bought it, tried to play four times, found it too confusing... still own it, hoping I can somehow learn how to play it.

[@soloboardgaming]

@Public Execution Alliance Fully appreciate that. And actually I think we all have a preferred game producer who sets out their rulebooks just as we like. For me, DVG games do this incredibly well. Don't know if you've looked at By Stealth and Sea? Tense, exciting, simple rule system, quick to get into. Highly recommended! 😊

[@soloboardgaming]

@@michaelmelen9062 Like many! It requires some work that's for sure! But at the same time I feel 'why should I have to work so hard?' It shouldn't be like that I have to agree. Appreciate your input Michael, thanks! 👍

[@LoftusRoadLad]

Not buying it's not that complex. If it's not that complex why aren't there any videos on how to play armor?

[@soloboardgaming]

Fair comment. Personally I mean that the rules themselves are not complicated. But translating them to the table is. And thats mainly the fault of the rulebook.