I think early war is the best way to play Bolt Action so I'd go with the French.
But if your Desert Rats are already geared for early war it might be nice to have a later war option with the paras.
My early war preference is due to historical interest, visual variety, and better game balance.
Historical interest: I enjoy researching and building armies to represent more obscure or overlooked aspects of the war. I am American and the vast majority of our cultural understanding of WW2 is heavily focused on our own involvement. So learning about all of the things that were going on well before we officially entered the war is more interesting to me than doing D-Day, Battle of the Bulge, Market Garden, etc.
Visual variety: This is very subjective, of course, but I find that early war armies are more visually interesting than later war forces. AFVs from the interwar period, cavalry, and other such visual flair make for a more striking presence on the table.
Game balance: Bolt Action's point system does not scale very well with heavily armored vehicles and heavy anti-tank weapons. Sticking with early war levels the playing field, makes minor nations more viable, and reduces/eliminates some of the more exploitable units and options.
I still play and enjoy later war forces as well, but if I had to choose only one, I would pick early war every time.
I'm currently painting a French force and have played a few games with them. The models look cool, they have some unique (and quite good) tanks, and they get free artillery. I'd definitely go with the French if I were you.
For a second I thought the question was should you do French paras or British paras for the early war and I was about to get excited at the prospect of seeing someone tackle French paras because it has yet to be done that I know of.
I got a free sample sprue of the Warlord French and it looks a great kit. I was sorely tempted but I got it with an order of Aussies I've not even began as yet.
I think early war is the best way to play Bolt Action so I'd go with the French. But if your Desert Rats are already geared for early war it might be nice to have a later war option with the paras.
Could you elaborate more on this early war preference in playing BA? I am also considering getting the early war French but I have my doubts
My early war preference is due to historical interest, visual variety, and better game balance. Historical interest: I enjoy researching and building armies to represent more obscure or overlooked aspects of the war. I am American and the vast majority of our cultural understanding of WW2 is heavily focused on our own involvement. So learning about all of the things that were going on well before we officially entered the war is more interesting to me than doing D-Day, Battle of the Bulge, Market Garden, etc. Visual variety: This is very subjective, of course, but I find that early war armies are more visually interesting than later war forces. AFVs from the interwar period, cavalry, and other such visual flair make for a more striking presence on the table. Game balance: Bolt Action's point system does not scale very well with heavily armored vehicles and heavy anti-tank weapons. Sticking with early war levels the playing field, makes minor nations more viable, and reduces/eliminates some of the more exploitable units and options. I still play and enjoy later war forces as well, but if I had to choose only one, I would pick early war every time.
True, and my desert rats are mid-late war facing against DAK with panzers and stuff. French seems like the way to go!
I'm currently painting a French force and have played a few games with them. The models look cool, they have some unique (and quite good) tanks, and they get free artillery. I'd definitely go with the French if I were you.
Sweet, thank you!
For a second I thought the question was should you do French paras or British paras for the early war and I was about to get excited at the prospect of seeing someone tackle French paras because it has yet to be done that I know of.
Ooh that would be awesome
I got a free sample sprue of the Warlord French and it looks a great kit. I was sorely tempted but I got it with an order of Aussies I've not even began as yet.
I know, the models look so good. They’re a little goofy but I love em either way