The Pros and Cons of Battleground WWII
Easy Eight Enterprises, in my opinion, created the best skirmish level wargame rules out there. The realism, detail and mechanics allow for some incredible games, be them Weird War or historical heavy, that you will ever play. The following is a brief review of what I believe to be the best set of rules ever!
The Sighting Check rules allow for a more realistic game experience, as our God’s eye view doesn’t necessary allow us to do what we want. Our troops on the table have to sight the enemy before they can act, so it keeps the tension high as you move in to contact with your opponent. Rules for double blind games are just as easy to do with the addition of a GM.
The system also uses a random activation system, so be sure that your squad makes that run through the open to cover or they may not go again until after that enemy HMG section lights them up with .50 rounds.
The Skill Check and Gut Check mechanics are terrific, as they allow for limited role play on the tabletop. It is within these rules that the real excitement can and often comes into play in your games. When you decide to throw that Molotov cocktail into the opened hatch of that Maus tank while you’re doing about 50mph down a bumpy road on your motorcycle, these rules allow you to achieve it.
They also allow your wounded NCO to run right towards a charging demon and stick that cluster grenade in its maw as he is pierced with the demon’s talons as a last brave act to save his squad from certain doom. This simple mechanic allows you to perform just about anything you can think of on the table so don’t be shy, aim that bazooka at that diving Stuka and see what happens!
The Hero and Coward rules make your troops more human as the game develops. These simple rules allow for feats of incredible heroism or unbelievable cowardice in the face of enemy fire. No one game is ever the same with these rules in play.
The realistic vehicle rules allow for great gaming as you realize that during a time with no laser designators, gun stabilizers or computers, it was often hard to hit what you are aiming at and when the shells starts flying and men start dying it isn’t uncommon for a tank crew to say “Screw it, were outta here!”
The extensive catalog of weapons and equipment allows you to equip your forces the way you want with realistic depictions of how they were used on the battlefields of WWII. From using mine detectors to transverse that enemy mine field or using flamethrowers and demolitions to take out those enemy bunkers, this system has it all.
The realistic depiction of scenery and terrain allows you to play anywhere, from the hot sands of Africa to the frozen wastes of Russia. Heavy snow, mud and just about every environment as well as weather is covered. So if you are fighting in a trench in Russian or battling it out in the streets of France there are rules to cover it.
The game also has a point system supplement for those who wish to play in such a way, but normally the armies are scenario-driven or whatever you want to take.
Because the core mechanics are so sound, the system is easily modified to incorporate just about anything you wish. From the muddy trenches of WWI to the laser rifle attacks of the Imperial Guard, these rules will work in any era when men fight with firearms and armored military vehicles with slight modifications.
Another positive note is the great miniature line from one of my favorite sculptors, James Bland. His eye for detail and comic book-esque style drew me in; I play almost exclusively with his designs. The EEE lines extensively cover the US, USSR and German armies with just about everything you need to field a platoon of hard as nails soldiers on your table top.
These minis are perfect when used with 1/48 plastic kit or 1/50 die-cast metal toys. James continues to demonstrate his skill at his new company Victory Force. So, if you start with EEE’s minis line, you won’t have to stop as James is always releasing new stuff monthly.
Overall, this system and miniatures line allow for some of the greatest wargaming you’ll ever play.
Now for the sad part.
In the last several years, for reasons unknown, Easy Eight has effectively stopped supporting its great system. Rumors run rampant as to why, but they have stopped supporting it all the same. I have personally attempted to contact the owners with no luck. Even the distributors are mum to the reason, so what can you do?
The distributors are small and don’t really push the system, as it is obviously a slow seller because nothing new is coming out. There is no support from EEE at conventions in the form of prizes, coupons or catalogs. No t-shirts, painting contests or big events other than what those loyal to the system donate themselves. All attempts to purchase the system or have them license it out to other parties have gone unanswered or refused so what you have is a great system that will see nothing new, officially.
So that’s where people like me come in. There is a very loyal and active BGWWII following and you can still find its games at just about all the major gaming conventions across the country. The fans have introduced new, FREE rules such as my Weird War II stuff. You can also find additional WWII rules, Vietnam rules, and there is even talk of a developing Sci-Fi version.
Within the past year, I have personally converted a dozen or so BGWWII fans through my Weird War II site. They have purchased the rules and miniatures from EEE and now play both Weird War and normal games of BGWWII. So why are there so many devoted gamers to an effectively dead system?
It is the best skirmish level wargaming rules you will ever play and when you get it down, your games will have you laughing with excitement and sweating with desperation. Give it a try and I promise you, you will not be disappointed.