Hello Readers,
Fred here, back from Italian GT 2025, 1st event of the new European Series. On February 01st and 2nd, we had the pleasure to fight in Milano, for a Mid War event with 40 players from all over Europe and North America, organized by Paolo “Terminator” Paglianti. The Switzerland team came in force, and was determined to do well. Let’s see how it went…
Back to basics
Fun fact n°1: I didn’t touch any Flames of War model for 6 months. That’s right, no Real Life FoW gaming since ETC. I threw in a couple of spider cam matches, but no 15mm tiny toys in my hands. Recently, I dig up my old Beute tanks for my Normandy Germans to check if and how to play Romanians, didn’t play with them, and eventually turn to another force… sorted out of the bag less 1 day before the tournament, felt weird!
Fun fact n°2: FoW is like bicycle; when you have learnt to ride it, you don’t forget how it runs. In a way, it’s good because you can play a totally different game for a full semester (which I did with Star Wars Legion), and yet still know how FoW works. On the flip side, Version 4 is on for 7-8 years now, Missions are the same for 2 years, LFTF don’t bring much positive changes; luckily, MW Dynamics fresh up a bit the meta. Nonetheless, it’s still almost the same game for quite some time now, good not to lose hand, maybe not great to keep people excited and looking forward evolution and appetite for it.
I may also have this opinion and feeling because of how I see and play this game in particular, having study it a lot and sharing experience for over 15 years, and been lucky enough to face dozens of top players worldwide, brainstorming, practicing, playing in competitive environment.
Approaching Italian GT, I had several data in mind :
– I don’t play FoW much recently, so let’s be honest, I’m not in my prime. I know how to play, but other players currently deserve medals more than I do. So, no stupid challenges.
– the tournament is MW, a period which I only recently “re-learn” and which I don’t find as good or as balanced as LW. Not really in my comfort zone.
– it’s a major event, with lot of big shots (notably homeland Italians, back-to-back 3rd at ETC 2023 and 2024), hard games are expected, and every point will count. Also, it is part of the European Series, which aggregate the points made on several tournaments, and spice up the competition.
– the 5 games will also serve as preparation for ETC 2025. It’s good practice, and we should decide with the Team (Switzerland) how to make the most out of it, putting the group first and individuals second.
Setting up my expectations for the tournament:
– picking a list that suits the Team’s needs before mine.
– winning all games will be utterly unrealistic: I aimed for 3 wins and 2 draws/losses.
– aiming for a Top 10 in a 40-players competitive event: below 10 would not be satisfactory, Top 10 is the goal, Top 5 is above expectations, Podium would be extraordinary achievement.
Freedom Fighters
Completing my Turn 0 prior to the event, I had to decide which list I will bring to the party, all in accordance with my expectations, and concertation with my teammates.
The Romanians were the choice of heart, so I can put back on table models left in boxes for more than 4 years. I like the spirit of the build, it’s full of poles of competitivness, yet not as secure or reliable as LW. It’s a good way to reuse my Beute Panzers, which is super nice. Flaviano M. had a similar approach, while with a different concept, and it worked well for him during the event. What didn’t work with my R2/Pioneers build was the too dicey Tiger (this tank is great, but I’m well known to miss key dice rolls), and the fact the Build wasn’t on the priority radar of our Team. So, not picked.
The British had been my go-to army for first part of the season, exploring MW with them. I definitely value the US to complement the UK, offering mobility, AP and AT, capacity to fight on the move, assault, artillery and smoke. The two pair up well. The main default of the list is it’s not well suited to fight Heavies, notably the KV, which are a major MW threat (and even period balance issue). Also, while discussing with the Team the opportunity to bring this Build, they rightfully pointed it wasn’t great for an individual tournament, with BF points, with high risk not to score enough. So, not picked.
The Americans have an interesting place in MW. They aren’t great nowhere, but they aren’t bad neither. Somehow similar to LW, they don’t excel in any part of the game, but don’t have fatal flaws. They feel like a “I won’t let you down” army, which is basically the purpose of balanced army (IMHO, too rare in MW). Picking a little bit of everything provided a decent Build, not exceptional nor scary, but quite the lot to play all positions and tools to face off any mission or opponent. Besides, the Team was keen on exploring this kind of “Jake of All Trades” Build. They fit quite well the expectations set for the tournament. Hence, they were chosen.
Round 1 vs Antonio S.
For the 1st round, I was paired with Antonio for a rematch of ETC 2024’s very frustrating Round 5 when we tied. While revenge was in the air, the context was quite different now, and Antonio attacked me with his Germans in Breakthrough, on a urban board.
Antonio masterfully controlled my left flank, advancing with Stummels and Recce protected by Hungarian Riflemen, under the umbrella of Pak40 and Mortars, while his 1st Infantry sneak in my right flank, with 2nd Infantry, Tiger, AA and Flamers lurking in Reserves. I decided to avoid the fight on the left, and move my troops straight toward the Objectives, where they managed to anchored in. While the German advanced carefully, we dueled with the infiltrating PanzerGrenadiers, my troop managing to tackle them before they cause too many damages. The Tiger and Flamers arrived together, and made the junction on my weaker left flank, as the middle and right were crowded with American armor. My infantry sat tight in their holes and buildings, daring German to approach, while my armor negated battlefield positions. Ultimately, Antonio crawled his troops on both Objectives, unable to take them, but daring me to repel every team 8’/20cm away. On the left, I used my Tanks to blast through the Flamers, keeping one alive, I failed to bail the Tiger, and launched a sneak-up-on-tank assault on the last Flametrack. Despite the Tiger fire, the charging Infantry survived, with Lucky, and managed to push back the Sdkfz and the Tiger. On the right flank, my Tanks and Infantry blazed through the PanzerGrenadiers, but failed to kill the Sdkfz 251 and their troops, only Bailing transports and pinning the Infantry. I launched a “it shall not succeed” assault, and, contrary to last year ETC were all my 100% insured assaults failed, this one got through. On Turn 6, the Americans managed to push back the German, repelling the attack.
Victory / 6-3
While this one was lucky, it really felt good to take revenge for ETC 2024! I think both Antonio and me played the game safely, perhaps a little bit too much. I was very confident I would not lose the Objectives, yet I should have pull off safety nets. The late arrival of Reserves and victory conditions made the possibility to win tricky, and I definitely had to rely on dices to win this one. Sorry, but not sorry.
Round 2 vs Stefano R.
2nd game saw me paired up with my good Captain of Team Switzerland! Stefano has a fencing German army, lethal if leading the pace of the game, so I attempted to force him in a Fair Fight. We ended up playing Dust Up.
Stefano built a defensive point around the advanced objective with his infantry and artillery, the Bufflas acted as backliners and protecters of the 2nd objective, and had Stummels and 2nd infantry ready to launch on my base, expecting Reserves reinforcements. I decided to play less conservative, built up my defensive networks around objectives with infantry, tanks and artillery, daunting the German push to come, then decided to launch my Recce and 2nd infantry towards the German base to pressure it. The first half of the battle was plinking at each other, his artillery bringing rain over my troops with retaliation from mine, the Stummels were very good at winning duels with my Lee and T30, and my attempt to push with my infantry got controlled by the Sdkfz and Bufflas. We both aimed for advanced objectives, and decision will be made by Reserves. I obtained my Lee and they came in support of my push, starting to shred Sdkfz blocking my infantry, allowing advance resume. Stefano’s T34 started rolling on the field, with my Lee unable to stop them. At that point, I had to commit my Sherman to the push or the defense, and I choose the later to ensure fire superiority for the defensive fight, while reserves Lee kept on pushing forward, granting me only one shot to victory. On the last turn, my Lee relayed my infantry anchored around Stefano’s objective. All the game would be decided by a single assault of Lee over the remains of German infantry: they had numbers, I had armor, and all that matters was rolling 4+ to counterattack. After 3 rounds of back and forth, the Americans succeeded in pushing the Germans out.
Victory / 8-1
It was quite a good game of cat and mouse, our semi-mobile forces turning around each other. Damages were limited from both ends, and we both controlled the field as best as we could. The game fate had been decided by “rolling 4+”, which is not that much players’ skill. In the end, the score is too severe considering the fair game we had.
Round 3 vs Etienne D.
Closing Day 1, I faced Etienne, as expected. His USSR list is a tough nut to crack considering the high number of crap stands blobbing, and the 2 units of KVs providing security. But I had tools in my bag to punch through the lines and sit on Objectives. Securing them will be more complex. We played Outmaneuvered, with me as Attacker.
The USSR forces decided to withstand the blows from my 6 artilleries templates and advancing vehicles, Soviets putting everything on board but for the KVs. The bet pays off as, despite bringing the rain all over the deployment zone, I only managed to kill 3 BA. The Soviets redeployed partially, led by the advancing KVs, forming a formidable line of defense, stopping cold an ARP push in the middle. But the Americans are determined, and they relentlessly advanced, blasting their way through. While the Sherman threatened the left Objective, the Lee spearheaded a wall of steel to allow the ARP a shot to the right Objective, artillery shelling constantly the Soviets line or protecting the advance with smoke. Our AT shots did little damages to each other. By the endgame, Shermans kept the Soviets pinned on the left Objective, while the right push was “KVs away” from being seized. ARP attempt to claim the Objective was repelled by the big Heavies, while the Tanks made a last attempt to crack the impenetrable armor, unsuccessful.
Draw / 3-3
A classic 3-3 tie between Etienne and Fred, we could have filled the scored sheet 2h30 before; we knew the opposition by heart, we could have predicted the match up and result as well. The game per se was not bad, it’s always a pleasure to have a match with Etienne, yet it’s kind of frustrating for the “expected” outcome. Personal note, I’m glad to still be a challenge for Etienne, who is definitely one of if not the best player in the world right now. On the plus side also, we both finished our 1st day on par, with good perspectives for 2nd day. An efficient “status quo”, Swiss spirit.
Round 4 vs Wasilios K.
Starting Sunday, I didn’t really know what to expect as several results of Saturday were quite surprising, and part of the Italians didn’t continue on Day 2. I ended up facing Wasi, once again with the Soviets. This time, they Attack, and I had to Defend on Breakthrough, facing a very solid build with KVs and Aircraft.
Wasi decided to play it hammer/hammer/anvil, with KV1 leading the push from the base, protected by HMG (12!), PTRD, HQ and Artillery (hammer), while the rest of his force will come from Reserves (anvil), except the IL2 which will strafe my force in the middle (hammer). See picture below for clear visual on this approach. This was, by far, the best strategy, with a perfect scenario for it. I knew I had to clinch the Objectives with my ARPs, while delaying the ground hammer, and turtle up to avoid it crushing me when the anvil Reserves will come in. The IL2 did what he does best, rampaging my line, unhindered. My Recce and Mortars engaged battle with the HMG-HQ blob, managing to prevent it from reaching my Objectives, aggressively get past it to claim the Mortars, at the price of mines. KV1, backed up by PTRD, were carefully avoiding my ARP, and I had to feed them with Lee and T30, sacrificed for the greater good, although managing to claim the PTRD. KV8 started rolling Turn 3, and I saw a risky opportunity which I took and payed off, claiming 2 KV8 with bazookas gallantly aggressing the biggies. As the last KV8 runs away, it released the pressure from the anvil, all the remaining Reserves would be manageable by my troops, reinforced by the Reserves. KV1 were the other threat I had limited answer to, and after delaying them, I had to sacrifice more troops to prevent them from reaching the 8’/20cm contesting mark. Despite the ever-looming IL2, I managed to hold at bay the rest of the Soviet anvil, and, once again, it all comes down to a last assault from my force. But this time, I came in force, with 4+1 Lee crushing the last Hero Rifle under their tracks.
Victory / 6-3
Man, this one was hard! This was the best configuration for the USSR, Wasi list and plan were great, and I had so few answers to it. I managed to come through by doing more than just turtling on the Objectives, counter-pushing as much as I can, turning my defense as guerilla resistance. One thing to note also is we managed to find an application of the trap tactic, twice in the game. We believed the only way to do it now (thanks but no thanks BF) was to assault the enemy simultaneously, from all fronts at once, with the same Unit, large enough: we also found that table edge can be used to “close the pocket”. It happens with the KV8 (only 1 could run away) and with the Infantry (none could escaped). A situational situation, yet a possibility, despite BF poor ruling in LFTF. It was really a maneuver game, where players’ skills matter. Thank you Wasi, best game of the tournament.
Round 5 vs Jeremi G.
With Etienne doing his part, me winning, and the two front runners tying up on 1-1, we would have expected both of us to have a shot to the final victory on separate battles with David and Jose, and JJ having the possibility to clinch podium as well. But we discovered it wouldn’t be that way, only Etienne had the planned game set, and JJ and me will have to face off in a fratricide battle for a podium spot! WTF?! Once again Soviets, once again KVs and IL2, and once again me Attacking in Outmaneuvered.
JJ approached this game differently from Etienne, so did I. He put on table the mighty KV, the 122mm batteries, an Ambush of Valentine, and a reduced force of HMG-PTDR-HQ, avoiding the murderous fire of Artillery. I went for the left Objective only with baiting 3 Lee, while I kept an ARP centered, and the rest of my force (including the Sherman) on the right wing. Without a network of bodies to prevent my moves, I managed to launch strong to the right Objective, being more successful in destroying 122mm guns with my fire, leaving only the KVs as defenders. My left push was blocked by the Valentine, which will ultimately win the duel, but buying me time for my right push. Unluckily for JJ, the IL2 (kept in Reserves) only show up Turn 4, with the OT34, both doing little damages. The Sherman managed to flank the KVs, not removing them all, but forcing them the last to run to safety. Despite the HMG scoring high on my infantry, I managed to clinch the Objective with my troops, anchoring it on. By Turn 6, JJ could have launched its last KV in a hurrah Alamo run in the middle of my troops, but JJ called it.
Victory / 7-2
This game was interesting: JJ is a great player, he plaid it different from Etienne, and we had a more mobile battle with firefights and assaults along the line. I think the IL2 should have been on the table from the start, and JJ got quite unlucky with it, same with OT34. It was also a good training to see how KV can indeed fall to concentrate fire, especially if you have AT10 (or more) in the mix. Despite the good game, I was sad we had to play this one, and also by the result, as JJ would have definitely merited his medal. I happily marked him as Best sport for the weekend.
Band of Brothers
A well-rounded tournament, in lovely Italy, masterfully organized by Paolo and his team (special kudos to Cinzia for the help!), and joyfully aminated by the players.
The fight was fiercely engaged until the last dice drop; ultimately, Etienne claimed a very well-deserved 1st place, while Jose T. from Portugal finished 2nd, and I completed the podium for honorable 3rd place.
After 2 days of hard fought games, we ended up with the 5 attending members of Team Switzerland in top 10! A stellar performance in such major event, especially considering we also had to battle each other (imagine if we hadn’t…). I am super happy for the Team, this is definitely great achievement, future is looking bright.
On top of the results, I would recall from this weekend the friendship bounding our Team Switzerland: we appreciated a lot all the moments together, game and extra-game. We are a band of brothers, a Team, and acted as one. Love you guys.
From personal perspectives, the podium was unexpected but not unwelcomed! I didn’t think it possible before the tournament, too little MW experience and clearly not enough practice recently. I faced very good players all weekend, every game was challenging (even more with the 3 Soviets!), all were positively tense, with little details (including luck) making the difference. It could have ended with more Draws, and it won’t have been a steal.
Overall, I’m happy with the US list I brought, it behaved as expected, not great, but never letting me afoot. It was quite nice with such a long break of FoW to have something not cheesy and with the feeling of balance. I think the pricing is OK (including the polemical Lee), the internal reliability issues (aggressive, green…) explain a lot why they should not cost more, and also why US may not be the “top of their class” in competition. I would say the combo is OK, suited for casual and competition alike. I believe it good for players wanting to play without the feeling of “missing something”. IMHO, this works for other US builds in MW, such as Sherman or Tank Destroyers + Rifle Company. I wrote previously US are great for FoW beginners in LW: I would say the same for US in MW.
I still have trouble considering MW as a balanced period, I’m a little bit annoyed by the fact several elements have too limited counter or no counter at all (IL2, KV…) regardless of what you bring and how you play, several game sequences feel like “go ahead and do your stuff, I just can’t do nothing”. Also, the dice factor is, IMHO, too strong, not letting enough room to breathe for players’ skills. I’m a little sad to have fought 3 of my team-mates, I would have appreciated facing different players, especially on the last round where I would have loved to play Jose T., but that’s life.
Eventually, this 3rd place, 30 points scored, is a good start for the European Series competition. I won’t play German GT, but I will attend Flanders GT for the last round.
Knowledge is power: share it widely!
Fred