Suggestions for a table-top minature game that does not require large armies

[StreetBushido]

Hey there! First of all I realize that this post may be similar to this one: http://www.coolminiornot.com/forums...-game-for-youngins-to-enter-table-top-gaming. but with the difference that it does not have to be child-friendly. I've been painting minis of various kinds (allthough mostly GW) on and off for years, but recently the thought struck me that it would be nice to paint them for a purpose other than making them look as nice as possible (which is enjoyable in itself of course).

I've considered Mordheim, as it uses GW stuff. There was also an interesting skirmish game from GW with a focus on Chaos champions and their rise to power. I don't remember the name and it was mostly just something in White Dwarf; not an official release or anything.

The problem with Warhammer is the amount of minis required to field a decent army (as far as I've understood it). What I'm looking for is something that doesn't use a huge bunch of minis. How does Warmachine compare to Warhammer, for example?
EDIT: How does Infinity compare? I've had my eye on that game for a while. The minis are beautiful!

Anyway, I better sign off before I start rambling. Thanks for reading and I look forward to any and all input!

 

[mckeansa]

Check out Warmachine/Hordes.. they have great minis and you can play with a fairly small number of models on the table. Though this is not a skirmish style system like the others you mentioned. I too would be interested to hear some reviews on infinity...

 

[StreetBushido]

I'm not specifically looking for a skirmish game, just a game where you don't need to have a whole bunch of minis to actually play.
Warmachine/Hordes does look pretty cool! Any idea about the numbers you "need" for a basic game? I say "need" because I'm sure there are variants in the system allowing many different amounts of minis to be in play.

 

[mckeansa]

I'm not specifically looking for a skirmish game, just a game where you don't need to have a whole bunch of minis to actually play.
Warmachine/Hordes does look pretty cool! Any idea about the numbers you "need" for a basic game? I say "need" because I'm sure there are variants in the system allowing many different amounts of minis to be in play.

Well, i am pretty new to the system, but friends and i have begun playing some "starter games" of 15 points which are 1 warcaster and maybe 3 warbeasts.. so 3-5 minis per side. I am told 35 points and 50 points are the usual tiers but even there you arent looking at near the numbers as say.. WFB or 40k. Most of my 35 point lists have come out around 20-35 minis. This is one of the usual tournament sized lists. If you wanna tinker with it, try this site.. http://www.forwardkommander.com

 

[funnymouth]

ive said it before (in the referenced thread), and ill say it again. "Song Of Blades And Heroes" by Ganesha Games is the best minis skirmish game ive ever played. simple, fast and playable with any minis. the fact that you can use the minis you already have and that the basic PDF is $5 (i think you can get bundles w/ expansions for more options at a good price) means you could be playing tonight - hell you could be playing in 30 mins! screw "building a new army" test it out with what you have now.
scope the the reviews, you wont find a better game to fit the bill. i searched for a year for the perfect minis game that i could use with my existing collection, i found SOBH, now im a through and through die-hard fan.
scope my "funny's warband project" wip to see some of the warbands ive put together.


the game is playable by kids, but dont let that scare you off - its got tactical depth. if you want some fancier options (technologies, lots of crazy magic), check out "shadowsea": http://www.antimatter-games.com/shadowsea/

 

[ktooloo]

Infinity is great. It seems really odd when you just read through the rules, but as you play it makes a lot of sense. You can download the quick start and full rules for free at their website. You just don't get the fluff or the really well made books. The starters are 6 minis and generally you want to keep to 9 or 10 minis because of how the combat groups work. There are some descent videos in their Youtube channel. BeastsofWar did some basic orientation videos on the game and they are mostly correct. ; )

I would also highly recommend Malifaux by Wyrd Games. The starters are 4 or 5 minis depending on faction/Master (the HQ model) and you only need to add 1 to 4 more models to reach the points of most tourney games. Neverborn FTW!!! And the Ortegas are rad! And Wyrd's goblins are amazing, they have a Pig-apult!!!!! But mostly Neverborn FTW!!!!!! Oh and you can get the rules only rule book for $15USD. No fluff, no army lists like the main books, just the rules. It's made as well as the full size ones though. : )

WM&H are really good, but certain army lists at the higher point games can have just as many minis as GW games. If you don't build that type of list though you have nothing to worry about. Most friendly games in my area are at 25pts and I have a list that's just 5 models for that size game. LGS tourneys are generally 25-35pts in my area and con tourneys are 35-50pts. Even at the larger games you can get away with 12-18 minis and be effective/competitive. Just be sure to get the right book for the starter you pick. I met a guy who had been told that "oh ya, they both use the same rules". That's about 85% true, but that 15% will leave you not happy if you end up with the wrong book. lolol PP is the 2nd biggest company in the minis game industry and they support their games really well. Their only issue at this point in time is meeting the demand for their minis. And the last thing i'll mention in this way too long a paragraph... Read pg5, know pg5, live pg5. ; )

 

[vincegamer]

make up one?

I had some of the most fun with a made up on the spot game I played with a friend and his lego knights.

 

[StreetBushido]

Thanks for the response, guys! I'll take a closer look at Infinity, Malifaux and Warmachine. Infinity has some of the coolest minis I've seen and the number needed for Warmachine sounds just right. Maybe I'll settle for both? Thanks again!

 

[Pretz]

I'm a huge mordheim fan.what I love is the fact that Iv made a whole warband and all I bought was a single core infantry box which was around 30 bucks and I had all the models i needed and some I custome made all my heros from the box and the rest were my henchmen.its cheap and small, Im not a big fan of metal models so thats rly whats kept me from trying horde of warmachine though they do look good. no warban can exceed 20 members so youll never need more than that to a minimum of 3.

 

[MAXXxxx]

I'd say infinity if you like sci-fi, Malifaux if you like a horror-steampunk (maybe even a bit of western too) or even Freebooters Fate if you like pirates, harr
And of course there is helldorado and EDEN too.
All 5 uses about 3-10 minis per side for a game with EDEN/Malifaux using the least.

They are pretty easy to pick up, as the different starter boxes have the same points of minis as a normal game normally.
So for example a normal EDEN game is 100pts and box content is 100pts, or Malifaux game is usually 25 or 35pts, boxedset has 25pts.

2 extras: Malifaux and FreebootersFate use cards instead of dice, so they bring something new in that part too.

 

[StreetBushido]

Any information on the scale of the different minis? I've noticed that I work best with the scale GW uses; 30-35 mm if I remember correctly (don't have any minis on hand). Do these various games use minis that are smaller/larger/same scale?

 

[Paheej]

ive said it before (in the referenced thread), and ill say it again. "Song Of Blades And Heroes" by Ganesha Games is the best minis skirmish game ive ever played. simple, fast and playable with any minis. the fact that you can use the minis you already have and that the basic PDF is $5 (i think you can get bundles w/ expansions for more options at a good price) means you could be playing tonight - hell you could be playing in 30 mins! screw "building a new army" test it out with what you have now.
scope the the reviews, you wont find a better game to fit the bill. i searched for a year for the perfect minis game that i could use with my existing collection, i found SOBH, now im a through and through die-hard fan.

Whoa, whoa whoa. You have enlightened me - I feel this may be good for DnD style campaigns. Hell this may better than 4th editions extremely complex and cumbersome battle system after level 8.

 

[funnymouth]

SoBH has that effect =). there are several excellent supplements for dungeoneering, model advancement & loot - GM, PVP or even solo.
"the Stygian depths" just came out a few days ago and is geared toword DM led dungeon crawls. as a fellow RPer, though, there is an upcoming RP supplement ("tales of blades and heroes") that im hoping will fill that void.

 

[Mr.S.Marbo]

Any information on the scale of the different minis? I've noticed that I work best with the scale GW uses; 30-35 mm if I remember correctly (don't have any minis on hand). Do these various games use minis that are smaller/larger/same scale?

Malifaux is about the same size as GW. However their miniatures seem "slimmer" if that makes sense, details on them as a result are tiny.

 

[atacam]

You could check out this very new game, get in at the base level. Bushido. The site has only just gone up, but still a few bits to look at, and they are discounting the minis as a introduction.

http://www.bushido-thegame.com/

 

[Barnaby]

I love games that require a warband, Like Mordheim or Necromunda. Could use a bit of a rules update tho.

 

[griffongames]

Lots of good suggestions in the thread. I'm also a fan of Infinity so I would definitely check that out. Also, you might want to look at Heavy Gear Arena if you are in to mecha games at all. Even Battletech fits the "small number of minis" bill but I find the game system to be antiquated these days. Mercs would be another suggestion. I really like the quality of the rulebook and minis.

 

[Estarriol]

Nice game, small number of miniatures and the ability to use and minis you pretty much like:

I recommend Songs of Blades and Heros from Ganesha Games.

http://www.ganeshagames.net/fantasy/

 

[MPJ]

While I haven't actually played it (I don't really play the games, just buy the rules and read up as an excuse to buy and paint minis) Warlord from Reaper looks pretty darn good.

 

[Minicreatures]

Hmm you could always play Warhammer Quest, although thats more like you're playing an individual hero (or monster haha) and going through scenario with a party. Its an old GW game but set in the same environ of the warhammer fantasy world. There's alot of spiffy new house rules here, as the game is older: http://wquest.free.fr/