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Stephen Shaw
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BoardGameGeek » Forums » Gaming Related » General Gaming
Skirmish Miniatures Experience
Ive recently been clicking and scrolling around the various miniatures systems, as I am a complete newbie and have never before played one. I had hoped that Tannhauser would be my go-to skirmish combat system to dip my feet into, but as many thought, it disappointed.

Im looking for a skirmish-level combat system that takes place largely in structures/buildings, but has the possibility of more open terrain. Ive looked around at making my own Space Hulk set, Necromunda, Hybrid, even Frontiers (terribly written rules and all). I dont mind some complexity to represent squad and platoon tactics, but hopefully the combat and movement systems are relatively streamlined (but not to the point of absurdity!!) I dont particularly want to paint miniatures, but I could always get painted ones locally or on Ebay, so its no great limitation. Maybe 8-24 miniatures per side or so. I prefer sci-fi, and ranged + close combat, complete with cover/concealment, overwatch, etc. Like the idea of CPs used in Space Hulk to represent "interrupt" actions on your opponents' turn, also like the card-driven mechanism of Frontiers (but it seems too simplistic?) -- but Im getting WAY too specific -- fantasy theme or whatever would be fine if the mechanics were great!

Help!!
Waylon Smart
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Lake Jackson
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It may not be skirmish but several of the mechanics you are looking for fit AT-43 and it comes painted. I'm having a ton of fun with the system and I'm a huge fan of both Space Hulk and Hybrid. If you are dead set on an indoor skirmish you need to stick to tracking down one of these two, otherwise AT-43 is the game for you. If you don't mind playing on the tile maps (I like making terrain) you can have your indoor fights with a larger group of minis, alternating card activation, overwatch, taking cover and numerous other fun game mechanics. The minis are great, the rules smooth, incredible fluff and the books are top notch.

Other suggestions:

AT-43 (wink wink nudge nudge)
Warmachine
Infinity
Space Hulk
Hybrid
5150



Last edited on 2008-06-16 21:57:04 CST (Total Number of Edits: 1)
Ted Kostek
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You might take a look at Hordes and Heroes. http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/14816

I just found it myself. I'm looking for a minis game that is a step up from BattleLore, and this one is attractive from that standpoint.

Another one that comes to mind is Cowboys the way of the gun. Folks complain it's too simple, but your mileage may vary. It includes scenarios around and in buildings, and it would be easy to substitute minis for the cardboard stand-up figures.
Nomadic Gamer
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welcome to the universe of miniatures. :meeple:
Bob Roberts
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Sort of sci fi:
Mutants and Death Ray Guns

Not specifically sci fi but can handle it, and it's free:
Chain Reaction 2.0 - Fully Loaded

Sci Fi rules from the same designer, but more figs than stated and not free:
5150

Slightly more figs than stated but also free, and one of the best sets of rules I've played:
Stargrunt II

Similar level of play, also free:
http://www.freewebs.com/weaselfierce/

Modern asymmetric warfare, could be used for sci fi perhaps:
Ambush Alley
Karim Chakroun
France

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Hybrid can still be obtained directly through Rackham's website, though it isn't cheap :
http://www.rackham-store.com/boutique_us/liste_produits.cfm?...

You may also be able to get playable (but incomplete) 1st ed Space Hulk copies from a shop in germany.

My feeling is that space hulk is much easier to play, and a lot more tense, but may feel limited after a while. lots of custom material on the net, though.

Hybrid has very interesting twists and added bonuses and minis abilities, and can still be expanded using some confrontation minis and scenarios published in the "cry havoc" magazines. Exceptional sculpts and production values, with two quirks : a box on the thin side, and some small counters are too flimsy.

this comparison is a necessary read : Review: Space Hulk Vs. Hybrid

Last edited on 2008-06-17 03:04:13 CST (Total Number of Edits: 2)
Stephen Shaw
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I just spent a good long while going through Stargrunt II -- thanks for the tip. I really liked it, although it seems a little too generic (like more of a sandbox than specific miniatures' rules), and not quite geared for room to room tactics/combat. I'll give it a longer read today, and whther or not I choose to use it -- thanks for the tip, interesting reading.

Ive also been looking at AT-43, and perhaps using those figures in a Space-Hulk sort of way, with better rules (are there better rules?).

Thanks for all your help -- there's definitely a lot to peruse here!
Lyle Lowery
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sshawmd wrote:
-- but Im getting WAY too specific -- fantasy theme or whatever would be fine if the mechanics were great!


Bearing the above in mind, I'm not sure you'll find better skirmish rules anywhere than Warmachine and Hordes.
Stephen Crouch
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If nothing looks appealing or it all looks over priced to you, grab some legos and some dice and make up your own system.

The more minis gaming (thinking more table-top than gameboard limited, mind) I did the more I realized it's just an extension of taking your action figures and going 'bang bang, he's dead!'. Only now we need a reason (die roll) for why he's dead because we've let all this pesky logic stuff get in the way. They're just elaborate systems to play out toy-wars, and it's bloody marvelous.

Have fun, try different systems, and put away your credit cards if you really start to get into them.
Chris Musgrove
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Warmachine would be good.
Also take a look at Mechwarrior, by wizkids.
Tim Mayse-Lillig
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I would recommend 5150. It meets all of your requirements as far as size and complexity. You can use any miniatures with 5150 and it works well with the number of figures you want. It also has rules for Space Hulk type scenarios. Infinity is also a good game that you might like. It has some oddities in its point system, but is fun for friendly games.
Ron R.
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I prefer sci-fi, and ranged + close combat, complete with cover/concealment, overwatch, etc.


If you can find Warzone - A Fast & Furious Miniatures Battle Game First Edition it sounds as though that might fit the nitch. Much lighter than a 40k, and alternating squad activations with opportunity fire and actions per each figure.

I wouldn't worry so much about the figs. Any of the pre-painted sci-fi ones will work with a little suspension of belief. IMHO, I found this to be a fairly solid system for a fast paced miniatures game. Too bad it had to fly in the shadows of 40K.
tim Tim TIm TIM TIMMY!!
Costa Rica

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HeroScape Master Set: Rise of the Valkyrie

The best Mini game out IMO

Painted figures, great terrain you can change all you want, simple yet has depth and is a lot of fun!
Will
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I recommend Heroscape too. It is really flexible, easy to learn, fun to play and relatively inexpensive. The tactics are complex and tangible, the terrain is a lot of fun and the miniatures are prepainted and high-quality.
I didn't drive all the way down here to play a peace game
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Legends of the Old West is an excellent first skirmish mini game if you're interested in the Old West theme at all. No overwatch rule per se, but you can tactically interrupt the flow of play using Fame points. It's based on GW's Lord of the Rings rule set and is simple enough to pick up quickly, but meaty enough to keep you entertained. No expensive GW minis to collect. The rulebooks are by Warhammer Historicals, but GW doesn't make any Old West minis, though they can easily be found from other sources (e.g., Old Glory, Artizan Designs, Foundry). Definitely would not recommend Heroscape, which is quite a bit simpler and not at all in the same category as the other games you are looking at.
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