Skirmish games

[Klaev]

Hi All, after a long time away from wargaming I'm looking to get started again. Due to not having huge amounts of funds to buy massive army lists I wanted to know if you would recommend any skirmish games or rulesets that work well with a small number of miniatures.

Ideally I'd love a ~10v10 to start off, it doesn't strictly need to be sci-fi and I dont mind if I need to hunt down or convert some suitable miniatures for it.

All advice appreciated :)

[Kirsten]

well I have just started playing Infinity and am really enjoying it, plus the rules are a free download so you can take a look and see if the mechanism grabs you.

[Klaev]

That's exactly the kind of thing I was after, thank you Kirsten :)

I'd seen the name, but didn't really know anything about Infinity (like I said, it's been a long time since I played anything :D) and the reactive side of stuff looks very cool. The miniatures look really nicely done too.

Any recommendations for stuff you've particularly enjoyed as a new starter?

[Kirsten]

well the new starter set is up for pre order now, I am going to get one personally, looks awesome.

Myself, I started with an Ariadna starter ( http://www.infinitythegame.com/infinity/en/2011/miniatures/ariadna/ ), and a Yu Jing starter ( http://www.infinitythegame.com/infinity/en/2011/miniatures/starter-pack-yu-jing/ ). I knew I wanted Ariadna, because, you know, kilts and claymores in space... then I wasn't sure between Yu Jing, Nomads, and Pan Oceania. but the last two are in the upcoming boxed set, so I decided to go Yu Jing for now, then buy the boxed set and get the other two as well. the two little starter boxes I bought are nice and cheap, and come with a good range of models and weapons. I am by no means and expert, having only jsut started, but it seems pretty well balanced to me, so I have just bought a few extra models I liked the look of. I bought a doctor for each side, just to make each game last a bit longer potentially as you can bring wounded models back. then I bought an O Yoroi mech for Yu Jing because it looks awesome, and so then I bought some anti tank style models for Ariadna to bring it down...

the reaction system is really cool, and the rules are nothing like as complex as they might appear, it is all actually quite intuitive. you see an enemy doing something, you duck in to cover, or take a pot shot, etc. once you get the hang of it it is nice and fast paced, and it benefits from having loads of terrain to block line of sight, so depending on your space and budget you could just get some walls, or get a whole city.

I would definitely say get the new starter boxed set coming out as you get terrain and dice and templates as well as models, then you and a friend can give the whole thing a go. other than that, buy whatever you like the look of. each faction is quite visually distinct, I am liking the Ariadna faction, camouflage heavy and lots of sniping, or charging in with giant swords. but there are a lot of different visual influences to the whole thing, something for everybody.

[khealos]

If you like fantasy then Song of Blades and Heroes by Ganesha is great. It's a small scale skirmish game that uses any models you want. I use GW Dwarves for my warband but that is because that is what I have. It's fun, fast, and easy. The PDF rulebook is also like $8.00. I like how it is fast setup, easy to play, and not a lot of book keeping.

[Gingerpanda]

Rules for Necromunda and Gorkamorka can be find online if you do a quick Google search, gangs can then be made from Imperial Guard or Ork boxed sets :)

If you want to go the Fantasy route then Mordheim rules should be out there somewhere too!

[Bahkara]

Saga is an excellent skirmish game. It's a historical game set in the age of vikings. If you play a low point game it would be about 17 models depending on the units you choose.

[Kernbanks]

I'm new to Deadzone by Mantic but it's pretty solid little game.

Also, from the Star Wars line, is XWing the Miniatures Game... not exactly skirmish as you are in fighter craft but easy to get into wtih the core box around $25-30 online. You can be competitive for $100.

[Chexmix282]

Do you have any Legos laying around?

If so, play Mobile Frame Zero. It's a fantastic game.

[Mr. Black]

From Dakka Dakka... WHY YOU SHOULD BE PLAYING DARK AGE



There are lots of games out there right now bidding on your time, that's just the nature of our little community right now- your time is super valuable. Acknowledging that, I'm going to hit on the important parts first:


1. We provide our rules to everyone for free.

-Basically, we don't believe that people should be charged simply for the privilege to play our game. You enjoy our game, you pick up the miniatures, you spread the word, and the community grows, simple as that.
-That being said, our full Rulebook is always available for download:

DARK AGE CORE RULES (http://www.dark-age.com/Downloads/Rules/DarkAgeCoreRules2013.pdf)

-The Stat Cards for all models in our game are likewise provided free. Basically, if it's rules related and needed for play, we don't charge you:

STAT CARDS (http://dark-age.com/content.php?29-Cards)


2. We give our game, rules and models, yearly evaluations to keep everything balanced.

-Balance is super important in any miniature game, and one broken unit can ruin a whole army. Likewise, it's a sucky feeling whem you find a unit you love... Only to find out they suck... We hate that feeling as well. As such, we've taken the following measures to fix that:

-Our rulebook is updated yearly: Each year we release a new rulebook to fix any issues or grievances. It's important to note with this, however, two factors:

1. The Core Rules are a $20 book.
2. Anytime we release a new Rule Book you can trade in any previous one for a new one.... Free of charge.
3. So yes, once you have a rulebook, you're in for life.

-Each year we review all our models. If one is overpowered, we fix it, if one is underpowered, we fix it. All models should be viable at all times, aka, you should be able to play what you think is cool.


3. Full tournament support

-Our tournament series is the March to Immortality, leading up to the Immortals at GenCon

-Why is this neat? Well first up if you host an MTI tournament at your store and you get at least 24 entries the prize you're fighting for is a Round-Trip Plane Ticket to Gencon. A store can be awarded 1 ticket a month doing so.

-So what do you get for winning the Immortals? Pretty much the best prize in gaming. You'll work with our development staff to make a model based on yourself or a concept to your liking

-Example: 2010's Immortal winner was Marc Berlove. When he won, he decided he wanted to include his eight year old son. As a result, the Bounty Hunter duo Phadras and Maximo were born:

http://www.coolminiornot.com/shop/media/catalog/product/d/a/dag1007_2.jpg


4. Skirmish Game- 5-12 models on average

-This one's pretty self explanatory. Dark Age is a true skirmish game, and even at higher point levels you probably won't break 10-12 models per side (and that's at the highest standard game level, 1000 points)


5. Scenario Based

-Sure, you can kill 'em all. Our game slogan is EVERYTHING DIES, but if you just play like that you'll be missing out on the depth we offer. Dark Age is Scenario based. Currently our Tournament format features six primary scenarios and twelve secondary scenarios. At GenCon. when we update our Tournament Document for the 2015 season, that number will be growing to 8-10 Primary Scenarios and 30 Secondary Scenarios.

6. Eight distinct Factions

-We have something for everyone in the fact we have eight main factions, each composed of a number of Sub-Factions, each with their own playstyle.

-We also strive to avoid "Faction bloat", aka adding stuff to armies just for the sake of adding... Basically, when we view a faction as "done" it's done. We love adding new sub-factions and such, but more models for more models is pointless..

7. Low cost of entry

-Our starters are $50 or less and give you 300 points, which is perfectly fine for playing games. Our tournament level is 500 points, which is 1-2 blisters away.

-Basically, for less than $100 investment you can have a full, tournament viable army.


8. Our models are great, and only getting better.

-We want to have the best models of any game out there. Period.

http://www.coolminiornot.com/shop/media/catalog/product/d/a/dag6007.jpg

http://www.coolminiornot.com/shop/media/catalog/product/d/a/dag5104f.jpg

http://www.coolminiornot.com/shop/media/catalog/product/d/a/dag1501_2.jpg

http://www.coolminiornot.com/shop/media/catalog/product/D/A/dag4008.jpg

http://www.coolminiornot.com/shop/media/catalog/product/d/a/dag7009.jpg

http://www.coolminiornot.com/shop/media/catalog/product/D/A/dag3201.jpg

and we're only getting better:

https://scontent-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/t1.0-9/10301205_684110178331761_5591727841533579411_n.jpg

https://scontent-b-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/t31.0-8/q71/s720x720/10511537_682248178517961_944305948820096551_o.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/t31.0-8/q71/s720x720/10368849_682248298517949_3662972104564133042_o.jpg




So then, let me ask you... Why aren't you playing?

http://www.dark-age.com/

[Victus Mortecarium]

I have been looking for a ruleset for lego for so long. I make my own games, but I always wanted a game a lot of people played. Thank you so much. I'm pretty much ready to leave 40K now.

[Klaev]

Wow, thanks so much All, that's amazingly helpful. I'm going to have a proper look into everything, might have to pick up a couple of games now, seems like there are some great options. I remember Necromunda/Mordheim from when I used to play the larger scale stuff, but I was completely blank trying to remember their names, and they seemed to have vanished (along with Bloodbowl! :( ).
I like how a lot of these are providing free rulesets now, so you can look over them, get into it and then make the investment. Pretty perfect for what I'm after!

[fang]

Dropzone Commader is a really fun game. Starter $55.00, has 13 to 18 models depending on faction you pick. Rule book $30.00.
All the terrain you need you can print off Hawk Wargame's web sit for free. If you have a friend who wants to get into it with you,
their two player starter sells for under $100.00 on line. That comes with 2 starter armies, full rule book, play maps, ten card stock buildings,
dice, tape measure. Super fun game. 10mm Sci Fi with amazing models and really balanced game play.

[Nightwolf]

Discount locations like the Warstore have the DZC plastic starters at $43.99 and the core rule-book at $19.99 (usual retail at $23.00). Or you can go with the plastic intro box with two starter forces, play mat, terrain, full rulebook, tape measure, dice, and quick play references for $75.99.