Review | A Switcher's Guide to Battlegroup - WWII tabletop wargame rules | Battlegroup

Join me for a look at the rulebook for Battlegroup - A World War II tabletop miniatures game by Iron Fist Publishing. The rules are a lovely 170-page hardcover book including the rules of play and some army lists to get you started, as well as Battle Rating counters and vehicle cards. In this "switcher's guide" I look at answering common questions about Battlegroup, and find out what you would need to give it a go yourself.
Thanks to The Plastic Soldier Company and Iron Fist Publishing for supplying the review copy of the rulebook.
If you are enjoying Fog of War videos, please subscribe to this youtube channel and like so I know people are watching them. Our Facebook page is / fogofwaryoutube . Any comments and episode suggestions are welcome.
Gameplay image credits: Piers Brand - Iron Fist Publishing.
Useful resources
Buy Battlegroup from The Plastic Soldier Company
theplasticsoldiercompany.co.uk
The Acceptable Casualties
The Acceptable Casualties Channel
/ @theacceptablecasualties
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[@TheAcceptableCasualties]

Thanks for the shout out, Harry! Great job on this video, you always do a quality job with your post production. It makes things a real pleasure to watch.

[@FogofWar]

Joe, you do great stuff and I enjoyed watching all your videos about this. I love making videos the way I do, but the post-production does take a while. That's why this video took so long to come out... :-)

[@TheAcceptableCasualties]

I can appreciate the work that goes into it. I worked in "Hollywood" for 7 years and know how much goes into the editing process. Keep taking your time, the quality of the content is worth the wait.

[@marklandymore5678]

Loads of wargamers have moved to this from FOW and so this is a welcome guide for those seeking to wargame and follow the history.

[@stefaanc9998]

I switched over from FOW to Battlegroup years ago and never looked back. Much better rules, feels more realistic and overal more enjoyable games.

[@andraslibal]

I am looking for something to play with my 1/72 miniatures I think I just found it. They are too small for Bolt Action and too large for Flames of War.

[@FogofWar]

Good luck with that! I hope you have fun.

[@keithplymale2374]

All the figure pictures show single based minis. That looks more like skirmish gaming than larger combat. The issue with based v. singles is space filling. Three bases wont cover as much front as 12 singles. So the way I see it is if you are a FOW player and everybody in your group goes this and single bases you'll be forced to do that. Thanks for the review you answered a lot of my questions.

[@j.vanooij]

There is no issue. You can use whatever basing method you like, if others use single you are in no way obliged to do the same. Piers prefers his models on a single base, but there is no one stopping you from basing singles, doubles, triples or more, or just using your FoW bases as is.

[@kkkwhhh]

I use my old fow models with 4/5 on a base with no issues playing this brilliant game. Only thing you need to do is use a small dice to track casualties on the base.

[@e-4airman124]

A really great job. thank you I will check this game out.

[@FogofWar]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@Derhenker44]

A very neat video! I love how it's a switchers guide rather then a review! Going to try a German version of this soon ^^

[@FogofWar]

There are plenty of straight reviews online, so I thought I might take a different approach. The FoW community on Facebook helped me form the questions. A switcher's guide sounded like it would work.

[@norseman_5334]

Great vid:) using this alongside Joes vids to lure ly gamegroup into BG.

[@FogofWar]

Joe does good work. I really enjoyed his stuff.

[@Jimo1956]

Switchers Guide. Brilliant idea. Well done, very informative. On top of that you've got a voice I could listen to or hours. Soem folks just put me off with their style. Myself not so much wanting to switch but wanting to look into additional WW2 rules to those that I#ve been usung for many years. These were on my list and after your clip I'll buy them.. Aöso looked into Flames of War but the format is just not my cuppa tea. Many thanks!

[@FogofWar]

FoW is a bit tournament and mission focussed. But glad you liked this video. Thanks for taking the time to comment!

[@weirdwwii8775]

Thanks for the review!

[@FogofWar]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Diabolik771]

Ever looked at the old book "Operation Warboard?" It plays with single soldiers and it has a lot of communications rules.

[@FogofWar]

Nope. Never heard of it. I'm off to Google it now. Thanks for the heads-up!

[@bethanylovely2251]

@@FogofWar You can find cheap copies on ebay. Its hardbound and came out in the 80s. I still have mine and have used it often over the years

[@pbeccas]

Great overview Harry. My small group tried the rules but gave up on them because they bogged down with too much book keeping and we really did not like the spotting mechanic. I like the way you select forces and the chit pulling for the armies break point. And I really like the books, so much so I have them all even though the actual game is not for me.

[@FogofWar]

I haven't played a game yet. I must get around to it to see how the mechanics work together.

[@rich_john]

Great review.

[@FogofWar]

Thanks! Glad you liked it.

[@danepatterson8107]

15mm at individual soldier level sounds great.

[@rogernilson3986]

Best switcher guide

[@FogofWar]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@Nobleshield]

I've tried Flames of War and it's... alright? I never played the previous versions but the current one feels too much like they tried to copy Warhammer and make an anti-historical "competitive" game where you're rewarded for list building and not caring about historical accuracy. The first time I saw someone talking about how they were taking 30 Pumas in a list because they were "the most efficient unit" I threw up a bit in my mouth. Battlegroup looks interesting, and once things go back to normal it might be worthwhile to see if the people I played FOW with will give it a try since it seems way better.

[@klauskeller6380]

idk how youre playing fow but you are very well rewarded by playing historically acurate. There is a reason why the units were made and used like that in the real world and that also shows on the tabletop in fow.

[@ripper253]

Hey there, I'm wondering if you're gunna be doing any coverage on Battlegroup NORTHAG soon? I know it's still in a draft/beta stage but considering that there's a few (at least one in me) gamers who're interested in checking out a Cold War gone hot system other than Team Yankee (which seems to only be interested in tank parking lots) maybe you could be convinced to make a short video on the subject at least?

[@FogofWar]

I have been talking to the developers and am keen to have a look at this. I haven’t seen anything of the product yet, but I’ll keep my eyes open.

[@LarsLeonhard]

Hi Lovely battle report. Two questions: 1. Did you use 20mm buildings? (assuming minis are 20mm) 2. The trays with three miniatures bases on it, where did you get those? Cheers Lars

[@FogofWar]

I didn't take those photos. They came from Piers Brand. To the best of my knowledge they are 20mm buildings. As for the bases, sorry, no idea.

[@ratelmike8825]

Very interesting. Very well done video. Ive seen this game and it has peaked my interest. I was a very dedicated Flames of War player. Back in the V2 days that is. That being said i personally did not have a problem with the V3 rules but it was the cheese dick shit that came with the supplements. It all went down hill from there. Books upon books being rewritten and published, never staying in date and then the real pile of mess that is V4. I have a substantial 15mm army and this may be its salvation. Im glad i have not painted and based too many troops with this being individual troops count which i really like. Be watching this closely

[@FogofWar]

Worth giving a try, particularly if you already have minis. It will be quick to get started.

[@manolo602]

Great review!. Just ordered a copy of the rules book. Are you playing the game?

[@FogofWar]

Unfortunately no opponents where I live.

[@manolo602]

Fog of War same here.Playing solo.

[@ravener96]

That just makes me sad