If you have ever wanted to try Flames of War without drowning in options, Fortress Europe is your ramp.
You get two complete late war starter armies, a full A5 rulebook, an 8-page Core Rules leaflet, unit cards, dice, and a clear assembly guide. Consequently, you can build, learn, and play inside a weekend. Moreover, both forces teach very different playstyles, so your first games already feel tactical.
What Is In The Box
You field speedy American tank destroyers and paras versus stoic German Panzergrenadiers, PaKs, and Tigers. The US side brings an M18 Hellcat Company HQ with M20s, two Hellcat platoons, three M4 Shermans with 76mm guns, and a full Parachute Rifle Platoon. Meanwhile, the Germans deploy a Panzergrenadier HQ, two big infantry platoons, a 7.5cm Tank Hunter Platoon, and two Tigers. Therefore you instantly learn flanking, ambushes, objective holding, and heavy armor breakpoints.
Rules That Get You Playing Now
The full A5 rulebook is in the box, but you actually start with the 8-page Core Rules guide. It covers movement, shooting, morale, and missions so you can roll dice fast. Then, when you are ready, you dive into the complete rules for terrain nuances, assaults, and the deeper mission set. Additionally, every unit has a card, so you keep stats on the table instead of flipping pages.
You get a clear assembly guide that shows where every hatch, gun, and base element goes. Consequently, even veterans avoid the “is that the right PaK shield” confusion. Dice are included too, so you only need a tape measure. You can paint first or play bare plastic. The box supports either path.
Why These Two Forces Work For Beginners
Americans reward aggression and timing. They hit hard, then fade before the return fire lands. Germans reward patience and positioning. They anchor objectives with infantry and guns, then let the Tigers counterpunch. Therefore both players see how assaults, pinned units, Firepower tests, and armor duels interact right away.
The set is a springboard, not a cul-de-sac. Americans can add Priests, Easy Eights, or more paras. Germans can bolt on StuGs, Panzer IVs, Nebelwerfers, and extra PaKs. As a result, your escalation league plan basically writes itself.
Final Word
Fortress Europe nails the starter brief. It is complete, fast to learn, and tactically rich from game one. If you want late war Flames of War without analysis paralysis, grab this box, a tape, and a friend. Then expand to 100 points once the Hellcats and Tigers have traded their first volleys.
And remember, Frontline Gaming sells gaming products at a discount, every day in their webcart!
