Recommended PzC first buy

[robarrieta]

I am looking to dip my toe into the PzC series. What would you recommend as the first game I purchase?

I used to play TOAW alot but found the combat resolution mechanics and other rules too abstract. I also play some of the SSG games like Korsun Pocket which I enjoy but I'm not crazy about the graphics. I also play some of the monster East Front boardgames but finding opponents and time is never easy.

So, what do you say? Thanks!

[Aries]

There likely are earlier titles you might like, but usually the most recent has the most innovation.

Thus, I am inclined to promote Moscow 41 and Salerno 43.

But keep in mind, they keep up to date all the earlier titles with patches as well.

[trauth116]

HPS updates their products - and specifically in this case, the Panzer Campaigns Series to keep the series' prior releases on par -gameplay-wise ( game system-wise as well).

Release date has little to no bearing how a game in this series plays out.,, meaning when some new system is developed it is added to the next patch that would come out for the next title - see the series of patches relased around the end of 2005 and early 2006.

As for what is the best one - that depends a lot on personal taste. Smolensk has a lot of maneuver -I've found that Alamein does as well. Less maneuver - but pretty popular still is Normandy 1944 (pretty similar to AH's old board The Longest Day -as far as scale and scope - although not necessarily in actual gameplay (it probably isn't at all in gameplay -but I haven't played TLD in -well er it is more than a decade now).

If PBEM is a factor- probably the best way to choose -would be to find what title has the most circulation, specifically amongst the group where you figure to be playing.

I got all of the PzC titles- as a point of reference, and I imagine you'll get more responses from the other guys that regularly PBEM and have more experience than myself in this series.

Welcome to here, btw :cool:

[Mini-Me]

Trauth pretty much hit the nail on the head.

If I had to suggest one game only to start with - Kharkov '42. There are a lot of fun, well balanced scenarios that give a player a lot of different options.

Just buy them all. :) I couldn't help myself and ended up down that road anyway. 3 to go.

[Dave68124]

As recounted several times before, go for a game based on what interests you. If you like the East, then get a EF title first.

As for a summay, this is my usual advice:

If you like manevuer, then Smolensk, El Al and France are good titles.

If you like a slug fest, then Bulge, Kursk and Normandy are good.

If you want a smaller, more manageable game, then Market Garden, Salerno and Sicily are good titles.

Kharkov, Rzhev, and Moscow seem to fall in between slug fest and maneuver.

However, if you are looking for glitzy graphics, then PZC is probably not for you. If you are looking for more simplified graphics as compared to Korsun Pocket, then I would tell you to go for it.

There is a lot of solid PBEM players out there. If you do make the investment, I would suggest you hook up with a PBEM player willing to do some teaching while you play. It looks like a simple game, but far from it, and takes some time to master.

Good luck.

[lezgo killemall]

if you go back through the pages of this section you will find many people asking this same question, so you should be able to find a few different suggestions and run downs. i think i was advised to buy smolensk by the majority of responders, but like these other guys said, you really cant go wrong w/ any of the titles, most if not all of which you will end up w/ anyway. im down to needing 2 more pzc and 3 mc to finish off my collection, and i just got into these games last fall.
no, my g/f doesnt know how much money ive spent on these :devious:

[robarrieta]

Thanks for the responses guys. I definitely like maneuver so maybe I'll try Smolensk since I am also a fan of the Easdt Front. How does this game compare to Korsun Pocket and the other SSG games, if such a comparison is possible. Also, which boardgame do the PzC series most closely approximate in terms of mechanics and sequence of play?

Thanks again,
Rob

[Jim Cobb]

KP, etc, has more detailk interms of mechanics and perhaps an easier interface. However, I find PzC quicker and cleaner to play.

[Glenn Saunders]

Thanks for the responses guys. I definitely like maneuver so maybe I'll try Smolensk since I am also a fan of the Easdt Front. How does this game compare to Korsun Pocket and the other SSG games, if such a comparison is possible. Also, which boardgame do the PzC series most closely approximate in terms of mechanics and sequence of play?

Thanks again,
Rob

You get your game yet?

Do tell us your thoughts.

Glenn

[Wodin]

KP, etc, has more detailk interms of mechanics and perhaps an easier interface. However, I find PzC quicker and cleaner to play.

Funny that as I feel PzC has more detail and offers more choices than the SSG series.

[Glenn Saunders]

Funny that as I feel PzC has more detail and offers more choices than the SSG series.

Me too!

Glenn

[CJMello]

Kharkov! My fav anyway.

[neon]

May I suggest going with which ever title interesting you most. I'm fan of the west front, so I got Market Garden first, just order Normandy 44 and France 40. The more you know about the a pacticular battle, the more you get out of it. Especially playing the what if scenarios. :)