People's tendencies

[Sean Clark]

I wonder what players tendencies are when building their PBI company.

Do you have a penchant for mortars or MMGs?

Do you like to go for big numbers of infantry and not worry too much about armour?

Do you like to have a well balanced all arms force?

Does it depend on the theatre and year of the war you're playing?

Anyone ever ran a Chinese company? Or any other of the minor nations?

I've had a real renewed interest in all things WW2 with the new PBI. I have at least 2 other companies I want to get this year. Japanese to face my 14th Army and early desert Vritish to face my Italians.

I MUST paint the Italians though before buying more figures. I broke this rule last week, but that was for some extras for my late war Germans, so it doesn't count.

[John Watson]

As Joe walsh sang "Everything all the time".  I try to get all options for my companies, except that I don't do the full list of tanks and guns.
As to minor nations I have Greeks, Partisans and Finns. I had never thought about Chinese as I didn't think anyone made them, until last week whenI discovered that AB/Eureka do them. I'm still not going to get them though.
John

[Sean Clark]

Irregular make them too.

[Smiley Miley 66]

With the new rules, 3 platoons, a support or two and that's about it ?
Depending on costings, time period and possible opponents ? Obviously if you know you're going to meet up with tanks then some form of AT is needed. Whether that's in the form of guns, tanks or platoon AT weapons ?
Also depending on whether you want to be an attacker or defender? Can influence your possible choices ? As the 400 points don't go too far these days with a "well equipped nation" ?
Miles

[Sean Clark]

That's inflation for you 🤣

In our game last week we had

1944 US
3 platoons of infantry
1 mortar platoon
1 tank unit of 3 Shermans

1944 Germans
3 platoons of infantry
1 tank unit of 2 Panthers and 1 Jagdpanther.

Seems  ok👍

[martin goddard]

Looks fine Sean.
The bigger tanks give some advantage, but should not affect who wins the game too much.  This is due to their poor anti infantry ability. Also their inability to hold objectives does matter.


martin

[Leslie BT]

John you will find early war germans are very good for Chinese as the germans equipped and sent out advisors to train the chinese warlord armies.
Going to play Ralph later this week, French against Italians.  I'll report back as how we get on with the game.
We played Mexican Revolution last week and after watching Martins PBI2025 Youtube videos realised how similar the two rulesets are, so we are going to play PBI.

[martin goddard]

Excellent Les.
Maybe get a couple of pictures.
Of you and Ralph too?

martin

[martin goddard]

The 400 points can be a real squeeze for motorised 1944 Germans.
This is partially because of the half track cost.
Still a good company to use. Needs about 12 half track models though.
3 mounted platoons and either some AT guns or armoured cars.


martin

[Colonel Kilgore]

But that's OK, Martin, since the Germans have some AT capability (37mm) in each half-track platoon, as well as bombs on sticks within the infantry?

Simon

[Sean Clark]

I have around 7 or so half tracks at the moment but planning on trying the full Panzer Grenadier experience at some point.

I think Kev who was playing the US might be leaving his BARS at home and sticking to Garands 😁

[martin goddard]

Agreed Simon.
They  are better off in attack though.
Then the transports can get them deep into the enemy lines.
In defence I would proobalt still keep the tarnsports for their MG ability. I would change my mind on this if the attacker had tanks that are scary.

Half tracks do look good en masse.

martin

[bob696]

Picked almost at random from my cabinet/s full of FoW 'stuff' a 1941 soviet company. I have every option done apart from the LMGs. All Raw.
400 points is not a squeeze. The only thing I can't decide on is the MMG platoon or a 5th (slightly smaller) infantry platoon

Currently
4 PC
44 Rifles
4 LMG
4 ATR
4MMG
2 81mm

[martin goddard]

Hello Bob
The MMG platoon is great for holding down an enemy flank, whilst you hit the other flank.
Alternatively, the MMG platoon can be broken up amongst the objectives and will really help hold them

martin

[Smiley Miley 66]

Bob that is using Raw which with the Allies and Germans this option isn't quite as viable?
Must admit if you want the British in attack ? Making Veterans is far better as well, so cuts down their options for spare points ?
Miles