Due to the fact that i dont get to play nearly as much as i would like, i still only have the base game; although i do plan on getting all of the expansions eventually.

But for the time being i would like to know what people think should come first- Days of the Fox or the designer series?

Being addicted to the North Africa theater, I'd say the Fox. Also, some scenarios in the designer book require DotF to be played.

I agree i would go with DOTF, it has some great scenarios in it and once you do get designer series you will beable to play all the scenarios bar 1 (2 copies of TOI required)

DoTF. You get tanks, trucks, infantry, AT guns, German vehicles, card decks AND scenarios. In the Designer series you ONLY get scenarios...Simple choice...

I care to dissagree. Its not a simple choice.

It depends, wether you enjoy reading the rules and creating scenarios your self etc. The AT guns for example gives a lot of more feeling to the game I think. However, the designer sereis have a few realy realy good scenarios which are balanced and fun to play. Playing the best scenario in designers sereis is 10fold more fun than playing ordniary scenarios.

Kingtiger makes a good point, if its a close call then ill go for the additional army. Besides the designer series wont be too far behind it. Thanks for your input everybody.

I was also wondering if AT guns are limited to use in DoTF scenarios or are they used in the following expansions too?

Each expansion's scenarios seem to be limited to what is included in that expansion plus the core box so if another expansion does not contain a certain piece, that piece will not be included in the expansion's scenarios.

AS to your original question, it really is a no brainer. Many of the scenarios in the book requires DOTF expansion so you would not really get the full use of your money's worth if you bought the book before the expansion.

Well in a way its good the scenarios are limited to whats in the box. That way someone can skip an expansion if they dont want it. It just seems like something is missing without any AT guns. Infantry running around with bazookas was definitely not the best or most common way to take out a tank.

I think there are also scenarios in the designer series featuring AT guns, but I'm not sure. I suppose they might also be in the Russian expansion.

I only get to play on occasion. That being the case, I wanted to exploit my exisiting box set (and normandy set) I opted for the designer scenarios. I have enjoyed a series of great games and am glad I picked it up.