Thinking about picking up BE Modern, doing research

[jcook119]

Good afternoon,

I viisted a local hobby shop today, and saw that they are discounting their few boxes of Battlefield Evolution modern figs. I am thinking about picking them up along with a copy of the rules. I've been reading forum posts for a bit, and I am seeing referneces to new rules and a move to non-prepainted minis. Also some references to multiple scales instead of a fixed scale. I haven't yet been able to find a definitive post or announcement regarding this on Mongoose's page. Can anyone give me the lowdown on the current state of the game?

My basic question is this: if I buy the rules and the Mongoose BF Modern figs now, am I making a mistake? Should I wait for these new rules to come out? Not trying to start any flame wars, just trying to figure out if it is worth the money or should I pass for now?

Note that the only reason I am considering this game is for the pre-painted minis/models. I have no time or desire to paint more figs, and I don't want to spend a ton of money on custom pre-paints. If the Mongoose figs are no longer going to be made, is there another source of decent-quality pre-painted figs out there? I know about the FoV figs, but it looks like most of their line is 1:32nd, which is a bit larger than I am interested in.

Thanks in advance for any info.

James

 

[jcook119]

One follow-up question. I see references to army point sizes, but have no idea how many points individual units/vehicles cost. Roughly how many squads/vehicles/etc. are used in an average sized army? Looking to estimate how much it would cost me (in $) to put together a couple of average sized armies for this game.

 

[Stormrider]

Well, I'm relatively new to the game myself but I'll step up and see what I can offer.

The rules, as far as I know, have moved from Battlefield Evolution to specific periods with World at War (WW2) and Modern Combat (present-near future). Currently I do assemble and paint my own models as this is a large part of the hobby to me but from my searchings there are a LOT of prepainted models out there, especially vehicles.

Also, most people here I wager play 1/72 scale (20mm).

As for point costs and army sizes, well with any game army sizes for a game vary but the book states that:

1000 pts - skirmish, getting to know the game
2000 pts - decent sized battle
3000 pts - larger battle

I've only played 1000 point battles so far and that seems to resemble an armoured infantry platoon with a few shortcomings (1500 is probably closer to a mounted platoon). When you start adding tanks like the British Challenger II MBT at 400pts this goes up rapidly.

My general 1000 pts at the minute is roughly

1 command section
3 rifleman sections
1 manouvere section
2 warrior IFV's
3 Land Rovers

So 33 men and 5 vehicles. I hope his helps, I'm by no means definitive but on the whole I would say there's nothing stopping you from playing these rules, just make sure you have opponents who want to follow your decisions on scale and you're set.

 

[hithero]

The game you are looking at is dead. If you can find complete pre-paint forces for two-sides then go for it as it is a great game, but are no longer made. You should be able to pick them up cheap on eBay. You only need a few units a side to have a good game. Of course there is nothing stoppingyou from using the new WAW rules with the older pre-paints.

 

[jcook119]

When you refer to WaW, are you taking about the Battleground Evolution: World at War WWII rule book?

 

[Lord David the Denied]

The game you are looking at is dead. If you can find complete pre-paint forces for two-sides then go for it as it is a great game, but are no longer made. You should be able to pick them up cheap on eBay. You only need a few units a side to have a good game. Of course there is nothing stoppingyou from using the new WAW rules with the older pre-paints.

Or, more appropriately, the Modern Combat rules. You won't find World at War of much use with the old BF:Evo pre-paints.

 

[jcook119]

If I am understanding your comments right, both the BE: Modern Combat and the BE:WAW WWII books are newer releases of the rules? If that is true, what were the original rules called? I am sorry for the confusion...

 

[Lord David the Denied]

If I am understanding your comments right, both the BE: Modern Combat and the BE:WAW WWII books are newer releases of the rules? If that is true, what were the original rules called? I am sorry for the confusion...

The original rules were called Battlefield: Evolution. It was set about 20 years into the future and came with the line of pre-painted models. The whole project was canned after the pre-paints came back from China looking like crap. It's now open license or whatever the term is, with two official settings, World at War and Modern Combat. Both contain the core rules but the advanced rules sections vary between the two, reflecting the setting.

Hope that makes some sense of it.

 

[Stormrider]

I think the rules were simply called Battlefield Evolution.

While WaW and MC sound like addon packs they are infact total replacements.

 

[jcook119]

Thank you for setting me straight, I appreciate it. The shop has both the WAW and Modern Commbat softback books. Now that I know that they are current, I may go ahead and pick them up. Thanks!

 

[Lord David the Denied]

No worries.