8/26/2025

Two new companies.

I painted two more full companies with their supports. So now I have two German companies and two British ones, four in total, and right just before holidays end.

I still have enough unpainted miniatures from the same boxes to do one more company of each nation, and I may paint them in Xmas holidays, but for now I already have enough units to play some games. What I need now is buildings and vehicles; so I think I'll finish two Stugs III I have on the desk, and then do all the buildings to have a proper battlefield to play.

BTW, Jack if you are reading this, I tried Crossfire's introducing scenarios with two friends who were mildly interested in the game. One came from Warhammer and told me he'd read the rules but he didn't in the end. Moreover, he was quite distracted during the game, made many mistakes, confused some units and lost almost all of them. He did not ask for another game and I didn't bother to ask. The second one, who came from Bolt Action, sent me a message a day before the game to tell me that he tried to read the rules but they were too difficult and quit. After failing into finding opponents for Crossfire, I've decided to focus on Company Commander as it can be played solo :)

I am in a local whatsapp group with more than 50 members and who call themselves historic players but they only play Bolt Action, Tanks and Flames of War, games I tried but don't like. It's a pity where I live nobody wants to go out of their confort zone and try new things even if I bring both armies, table, and rules translated into Spanish. I suspect Crossfire and similar old rulesets are difficult to younger people, used to more reachable and friendly readable and playable games.

The four full companies ready for battle.



Some officers and specialists on individual bases for Company Command.


I found these boxes for 1.20€ each that are perfect for storing my little armies.


15 comments:

  1. your Two new WWII companies look great - a lot of work - sorry to read about your opponents lazy attitudes for not taking part spirit of the game you set up and that your opponents had no respect for the rules..

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  2. Thank you Phil. I wish they were more interested but I guess it's how it is nowadays. Luckily, I could get involved a few in DBA as it's a game you can play after a short briefing and without having to read the book.

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  3. Fine looking additions, Javier! Discouraging story about getting your buddies to try a new game. If you tire of solo, perhaps, try your hand at playing in a remote game over Zoom or similar?

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    1. Thanks again Jonathan! I've thought about it a few times but I'm a player who likes to paint and touch the minis and the terrain, moving the around and rolling dice and talk to people face to face.

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    2. Well, in remote games, you still get to roll dice and talk to the other players.

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    3. True, but for me it's not as fun as the real thing. Also, I forgot to mention that I'm old and awful at computers :)

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  4. Javier,

    Those new companies are looking great, you’re stacking up quite a few troops there, good stuff!

    “ BTW, Jack if you are reading this…”
    You know I am ;) I’m sorry to hear the other two guys flaked out on you, and yes, that’s a very strange situation when a gamer won’t try a game when someone else has done ALL the work to get it ready! Yes, the rules are a bit dense, but they’re nothing a 5th grader couldn’t understand…

    But I can’t complain, if it’s pushing you to 5Core Company Command it’s a good thing ;)

    V/R,
    Jack

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    1. Hahaha. Hello! Well you know, I had hopes but not too much :) And yes, I'm diving straight into 5FCC and looking for as well as gathering many scenarios from Squad Leader to play them on the table with these rules. Precisely last night, I was reading some feedback that Ivan kindly sent me about some doubts I had with the rules. So eventually I'll start playing games but first I need to paint terrain, buildings, and a few more extras like a bunker or two, barbed-wire, tanks, etc. and the holidays are over :( Cheers Jack!

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    2. I can’t wait to see your 5CCC games! And don’t listen to Ivan, you’ve got the basics of the mechanics, do the details your way! ;) It’s part of the beauty of solo gaming.

      And don’t keep us waiting too long! Play some games, you can make the terrain beautiful later! Some of my favorite games were with buildings and walls spray painted khaki and hills made of cut up carpet ;)

      V/R,
      Jack

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    3. Haha. I had a few silly doubts about some rules and also needed to fill a few gaps that I missed in the book like barbed-wire, fox holes, trenches, strafing fighters and a platoon of panzergrenadiers assaulting with their hanomags (basically, activating transported infantry). Regarding terrain, I have zero buildings and I need them to play. I'm sorry Jack but you'll have to wait until they are built, at least a few of them ;-)

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    4. Well, I suppose I’ll just have to wait patiently ;) But I’m certainly looking forward to seeing your fights. On a separate but related note, I believe I’m going to play some games of another of Ivan’s sets of rules, No End in Sight, this weekend.

      V/R,
      Jack

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    5. I'll have a game as soon as I have 3 buildigs ready :) No End in Sight looks more complicated than Fivecore. I'm looking forward to your report and thoughts about that ruleset!

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    6. Javier,

      “I'll have a game as soon as I have 3 buildigs ready :)”
      Deal! ;)

      “No End in Sight looks more complicated than Fivecore.”
      It’s not too bad, but definitely a lot different than 5Core, which I love.

      “I'm looking forward to your report and thoughts about that ruleset!”
      I played last night, didn’t have a great time. Some of it was my setup, some of it was the rules, just didn’t feel right. You’ve inspired me to get back to 5Core Company Command!

      V/R,
      Jack

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    7. Jack, after a very quick perusal I found it cumbersome to have to calculate firepower and orders/activations every time, as I get older I tend to easier and faster games. I had interest in your opinion because of that, as it could be a good option for solo platoon games. As you, I'd stick to 5CCC and tweak it to my needs whenever I feel necessary.Today I painted 2 Stugs and tomorrow I'll start with the first building, the smallest one.

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    8. Yeah, it can be a bit much, especially compared to how simple and smooth the 5Core mechanisms are.

      I’ve got a 5CCC game setup, back to my old “Kampfgruppe Klink,” ready to start Operation Barbarossa! Just need to snatch some time to play…

      “Today I painted 2 Stugs and tomorrow I'll start with the first building, the smallest one.”
      That’s great news!

      V/R,
      Jack

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