Miniatures Games - That aren't GW

[Level99Manchild]

I would love to find a game that's very similar to Warcry without everything that ruined Warcry (lack of support from Games Wokeshop, fomo bullshit, shitty balance, woke shit, etc.). The concept behind the game was great, and it was more fun than Age of Shitmar.

It isn't much, but Beastiarium has its own tabletop games that are based on 5th Edition, and a lot of the models are full of gritty, grimdark/grotesque stuff. If you love horror, check their shit out. I hope you have a good printer because their models get crazy.

One Page Rules announced they're crowdfunding a starter box. Suarian Starhost vs Robot Legion.

https://www.onepagerules.com/news/grimdark-future-broken-truth-launching-soon-on-gamefound

The big news to me is that these minis will be in plastic. If the box is around £100 or less and is at my flgs, I'll be getting it.

I want to get into KoW and OPR, but it's hard to find people who play it in my area (lots of hobby shops and comic stores that used to carry minis closed shop). Hopefully OPR can pull it off, and make other sets.

 

[Judge Dredd]

woke shit,

What did they do?

 

[W'rkncacnter]

I would love to find a game that's very similar to Warcry without everything that ruined Warcry

You might want to look into "Warcrow" it's a skirmish game with an oddly similar name to Warcry so it's probably meant to capture the same audience. The game isn't out yet but all of the pre-orders for the starter set are completely sold out so the game will at least have a decently sized player base. You'll unfortunately have to wait a while before being able to get into it properly

Spoiler: Warcrow Orks

Since my last post in this thread I've started painting some infinity miniatures, haven't managed to get a game in yet but any advice on painting these niggas would be appreciated. I've only managed to paint the yellow armour plates so far.

Spoiler: Yellow Man

 

[ZMOT]

One Page Rules announced they're crowdfunding a starter box. Suarian Starhost vs Robot Legion.

https://www.onepagerules.com/news/grimdark-future-broken-truth-launching-soon-on-gamefound

The big news to me is that these minis will be in plastic. If the box is around £100 or less and is at my flgs, I'll be getting it.

they've been announcing starters a while ago, think over in the 40k thread we had a discussion about them dropping only-games. haven't looked into where the new minis will be from, but plastic just makes more sense over a certain volume (usually factories have a minimum volume to begin with, and crowdfunding it's easy to gauge how much you need).

I want to get into KoW and OPR, but it's hard to find people who play it in my area (lots of hobby shops and comic stores that used to carry minis closed shop). Hopefully OPR can pull it off, and make other sets.

just have them use their old minis, mantic doesn't mind and OPR is written as mini agnostic to begin with. or find someone with a printer and ask him to print you 2 warbands for firefight (their skirmish version). they have free starter sets to print on their website, or you could go even more kitchen table and use 2d paper minis, they're in the starter too iirc.

alternative find another dude for some beer and pretzels coop and recruit from there: https://www.onepagerules.com/games/grimdark-future-star-quest

 

[Level99Manchild]

they've been announcing starters a while ago, think over in the 40k thread we had a discussion about them dropping only-games. haven't looked into where the new minis will be from, but plastic just makes more sense over a certain volume (usually factories have a minimum volume to begin with, and crowdfunding it's easy to gauge how much you need).


just have them use their old minis, mantic doesn't mind and OPR is written as mini agnostic to begin with. or find someone with a printer and ask him to print you 2 warbands for firefight (their skirmish version). they have free starter sets to print on their website, or you could go even more kitchen table and use 2d paper minis, they're in the starter too iirc.

alternative find another dude for some beer and pretzels coop and recruit from there: https://www.onepagerules.com/games/grimdark-future-star-quest

I'd go for the fantasy opr games because I preferred WH Fantasy over 40k. The problem is finding a place that isn't in someone's home. My other problem is whether or not I can really afford to get into tabletop games in my situation now (maybe I can, but there are other things I'm dealing with that are more important). The Twilight faction keeps getting my attention.

You might want to look into "Warcrow" it's a skirmish game with an oddly similar name to Warcry so it's probably meant to capture the same audience. The game isn't out yet but all of the pre-orders for the starter set are completely sold out so the game will at least have a decently sized player base. You'll unfortunately have to wait a while before being able to get into it properly

Spoiler: Warcrow Orks

View attachment 6868944

Since my last post in this thread I've started painting some infinity miniatures, haven't managed to get a game in yet but any advice on painting these niggas would be appreciated. I've only managed to paint the yellow armour plates so far.

Spoiler: Yellow Man

View attachment 6868955

Those Orcs look amazing, and I hopef they are fun to paint and assemble. I'll wait to see what other factions come out like the Elves and Feudal.

What did they do?

It's Age of Shitmar in general with the girlboss Sigmahreens and the forced diversity shoved in some armies (girlboss shit is in the 4th edition trailer). In a way Shitmar was meant to test the woke waters when they made Sigmahreens more "diverse," and they began to nerf a lot of fantasy. Ossiarch are more or less the censored version of Tomb Kings if you think about it, and Sea elves look like they came from Tumblr. For some reason GW can't make a female model that isn't ugly anymore. That said, the other things I mentioned did more damage to Warcry because I didn't see a lot of woke shit in it,

 

[ZMOT]

I'd go for the fantasy opr games because I preferred WH Fantasy over 40k. The problem is finding a place that isn't in someone's home. My other problem is whether or not I can really afford to get into tabletop games in my situation now (maybe I can, but there are other things I'm dealing with that are more important). The Twilight faction keeps getting my attention.

40k was just the example, they do have a fantasy line too, with more content (there's still no narrative campaign for star quest afaik): https://www.onepagerules.com/games/age-of-fantasy-quest

might be worth a shot looking for any local clubs or people playing, usually they're more than happy to have someone to play against/with to the point supplying the army to play (and other stuff you don't have to start from scratch) if your bring some snacks in return. outside GW the prices are also a lot more reasonable, especially if you know someone with a printer, which also someone local or in a club should know/have. they should also have a space to play figured out etc. depending on your local situation you can get into tabletop pretty cheap.
there's a good chance some of them are spergs tho, so you would need to be able to handle that.

 

[ShitLurker]

I got a Kings of War ambush starter set by Mantic for Christmas, Its a rank and flank wargame not too different from the old WHFB. Appears to have its own lore.as well Models are pretty decent looking for being a good chunk cheaper than GW. ( 1 player starter box containing quick rules is only about $45ish) Anyone ever played this game or built the models ???

Sorry for the late reply. Their lore is derivative as fuck, though it's fine enough and I'm aware they have put some honest effort to try and give it more of it's own identity, their halfling faction not just being lazy fatasses but properly taking seriously protecting their shires for example is refreshing. As for the game, it's my preferred wargaming system right now. It's not too complicated rules wise (though there is some jank with how movement is since you only check if you reach a unit with a straight line, so if you charge 10", a unit can be charged even if the need to pivot would have forced you to move more than 10") but then on the table itself it gets pretty deep with how you keep your formations and layer your troops to cover for some things to dissuade certain actions and try to tempt the opponent into others. This game also showed me that alternating activation don't instantly make a game better. Formation games really benefit from full player turn to make them less reactive and much more deliberate in execution, if you lose a unit you didn't expect to lose is because you didn't cover for it properly/over exposed it, while in an alternating activation game you just got outactivated and had little recourse.

There is a small battles format that while pretty unbalanced due to how swingy things can be if a couple of die rolls spike, is a great way to start, the Ambush kits you may have seen floating here and there. If you have any other questions, quote me or PM me and I hope to get back to you.

I would love to find a game that's very similar to Warcry without everything that ruined Warcry (lack of support from Games Wokeshop, fomo bullshit, shitty balance, woke shit, etc.). The concept behind the game was great, and it was more fun than Age of Shitmar.

It isn't much, but Beastiarium has its own tabletop games that are based on 5th Edition, and a lot of the models are full of gritty, grimdark/grotesque stuff. If you love horror, check their shit out. I hope you have a good printer because their models get crazy.


I want to get into KoW and OPR, but it's hard to find people who play it in my area (lots of hobby shops and comic stores that used to carry minis closed shop). Hopefully OPR can pull it off, and make other sets.

OPR tends to be full of people that love to shit on GW but barely play... or at least that's my experience. I've played their 40K and I think it's better than 40K purely in that you can get a game in like 60-90 minutes. Tremendously lethal mind you, but good enough. It's much smaller 40K scale as well, a 1500-2000pts list should feel like a similar costed list from like 3rd-4th edition. Never tried their fantasy or skirmish system, so can't speak for those.

You might want to look into "Warcrow" it's a skirmish game with an oddly similar name to Warcry so it's probably meant to capture the same audience. The game isn't out yet but all of the pre-orders for the starter set are completely sold out so the game will at least have a decently sized player base. You'll unfortunately have to wait a while before being able to get into it properly

Spoiler: Warcrow Orks

View attachment 6868944

Since my last post in this thread I've started painting some infinity miniatures, haven't managed to get a game in yet but any advice on painting these niggas would be appreciated. I've only managed to paint the yellow armour plates so far.

Spoiler: Yellow Man

View attachment 6868955

I have my eye set on Warcrow, but it's release schedule feels so damn glacial. Game also feels kind of atroturfed since outside of convention content, it's absolute radio silence, though it's not that strange for non GW games either... but it's certainly not making a splash and almost feels like the Infinity guys invested the minimum to push it out the door and if it fails, well, it failed. That I don't care for either of the initial factions doesn't help of course. Also waiting on some flavor of elf or the kind of brettonian like ones.

I'd go for the fantasy opr games because I preferred WH Fantasy over 40k. The problem is finding a place that isn't in someone's home. My other problem is whether or not I can really afford to get into tabletop games in my situation now (maybe I can, but there are other things I'm dealing with that are more important). The Twilight faction keeps getting my attention.

Cost can be surprisingly cheap depending on how willing you are to be "official". OPR you can use whatever the hell you want and at least for Kings of War, same deal (though using official Mantic models gives perks in official events, Firefight does expect you to use their models though). You can get stuff very cheap if you know a guy with a printer and don't expect to use the highest quality resin. And the mantic models themselves aren't that bad compared to others in the market and do get discounts here and there. Though at least with KoW and any OPR, I suggest you first and foremost just collect the models you like, specially if you don't really have a clear place to play and almost want an excuse to collect something and get it nice and pretty. I don't play as much wargames as I did in the past but I do enjoy having a few projects in the backburner.

 

[Judge Dredd]

Had a tiny game of Bolt Action v2 today to learn the rules. Poor hammer + floor hammer, with me also proxying a lot of random sci-fi minis. The card battle mat I happen to have added a lot to the game imo. And I'm a convert. Going to look into buying more of them.

The guy, even though he supposedly played a lot before, didn't know the rules. Something seems fishy there, but we had a fun enough time. Tried to talk him into other games (one page rules, Konflikt 47) but he wants Bolt Action and Airfix. The latter of which I've not heard of.

I think we were doing mortars wrong, because it dominated. There seemed to be no roll to hit, you just roll damage, and d3 pins. What's strange is artillery section says if you go down, the template covers have the number of models, then "roll to hit as usual". I also don't like the rule that says transports are destroyed if they're further ahead than any other unit.

Still trying to decide what faction to go with. Britain seems like an obvious choice, but I don't like their rules, and my friend plays America. So I'm thinking Germany.

Never tried their fantasy or skirmish system, so can't speak for those.

Fantasy is basically GDF, so much so they can be played together if you really want.

My other problem is whether or not I can really afford to get into tabletop games in my situation now (maybe I can, but there are other things I'm dealing with that are more important).

I know the feeling. For what it's worth, I think we're in a sweet spot right now for pricing of wargames. Companies are in the process of hiking their prices to varying degrees, but there's some good deals out there atm. Especially third party and historicals.

Bolt Action, £30 for 30 soldiers, add 2 vehicles and you have pretty much a full game. If you don't mind third party, Perry sells Afrika Korps/Desert Rats for £25 for a platoon (I think?) of 38 guys, which includes you gun teams and HQ.

As for fantasy, there's a larger number of bodies needed, but Oathmark and Frostgrave have a bunch of fantasy related minis at £20 for a box of 20. Depending on the faction, you can also get away with proxies. Historical games offer a lot of human empire proxies. There also seems to be a skeleton war at the moment with various companies releasing undead.

 

[ShitLurker]

I think we were doing mortars wrong, because it dominated. There seemed to be no roll to hit, you just roll damage, and d3 pins. What's strange is artillery section says if you go down, the template covers have the number of models, then "roll to hit as usual". I also don't like the rule that says transports are destroyed if they're further ahead than any other unit.

Definitely. Mortars work where you declare a target within LoS of the mortar (or from a spotter) and roll a d6. Only hit on a 6, if the target unit does not move at least X" from their position (don't remember the X) then the Mortar will hit on a 5+, next 4+ and so on each following turn. The turn it does manage to hit, it always hits on a 2+ onward. But again, this is all reset once the target unit moves. Mortars are mostly control pieces to force units out of their holes and since it counts as an impact from the top, they also get the penetration benefit on vehicles of hitting from the top. I also think it uses a template to determine hits, but that part I'm hazy about, same with how much pinning it generates.

Any reason why you guys are sticking with V2 and not moving into V3? Mind you, I have only played like a demo game of V2 and I'm just reading the V3 rulebook mostly for my own amusement, but wanted to know if there is a specific reason. I do believe both are pretty similar, though in V2 for example a cheese strat that was deemed obscene was waves of Japanese spearmen running and stabbing everything due to the combination of Fanatic and Banzai charges rules. But as long as you guys don't play to bust each other's balls I don't think it's too big of a deal which version you play.

Fantasy is basically GDF, so much so they can be played together if you really want.

The Age of Sigmar/Warcry equivalent system I imagine so, but I'm aware there is also a rank and file one which I imagine would be a lot more different, but I haven't looked at any of the rulebooks to confirm or deny.

 

[Sayer of the N-Word]

I tried finding a miniatures gaming group in my area a while back. A local game store employee suggested that I ask on the store's Discord, so I went there and said that I did NOT want to play ANY Games Workshop games and was interested in playing X, Y, and Z system. The only reply I got was someone who offered to let me join a group that was running a 40k game (not the main one, some kind of card game), and I left the server because I didn't know how to respond to that without getting the store owner mad at me.

 

[ShitLurker]

I tried finding a miniatures gaming group in my area a while back. A local game store employee suggested that I ask on the store's Discord, so I went there and said that I did NOT want to play ANY Games Workshop games and was interested in playing X, Y, and Z system. The only reply I got was someone who offered to let me join a group that was running a 40k game (not the main one, some kind of card game), and I left the server because I didn't know how to respond to that without getting the store owner mad at me.

It's the bane of the hobby, that most just stick to GW games for the hell of it. Consider trying to find out if there are any sort of boardgame or wargame clubs near your area. Preferably the latter, clubs tend to support more fringe games, though that might mean interacting with history nuts that will give you weird looks if a uniform does not correspond to the period time, but still worth a try.

 

[Judge Dredd]

Any reason why you guys are sticking with V2 and not moving into V3?

V2 is the rule book he happens to have, and we didn't want to spend a bunch of money until we knew we'd actually play. We've discussed going v3, but it's not a priority. It will become clear why later.

On the topic of rules. Is exceptional damage (a nat 6 causes an additional wound on a second nat 6) all the time or just in certain situations?

But as long as you guys don't play to bust each other's balls I don't think it's too big of a deal which version you play.

I don't think that will be the case.

While we're not exactly poor, we are budget minded. He's not good with numbers, and I'm more about narrative than meta. At worst he might pull a list or strat from the internet.


This is also driving our current purchasing debate. I'm torn on faction and theater. He says he doesn't care, but I get the feeling he does. I'm temped to go africa campaign simply because you can get almost a whole army from Perry for £20-£25. All you need is vehicles. And terrain is minimal as well. Mostly sand.

But, he has a bunch of US airborne done in the style of the western front. Saving Private Ryan, Band of Brothers, that kind of look. And he's asked if I'd split a battle of bulge box with him. He's also rejected third party models. I guess he just enjoys Warlord plastic. I can't blame him. But he also wants to proxy Airfix vehicles even though the scale is a little off, the price is way cheaper. £8 vs £25 for a Sherman. We've also joked multiple times about getting a bunch of 12mm World War 2 minis and using those to play Bolt Action with cm instead of inches.

The point of all this waffle is that he's wysiwyg and seems to like western front era America, but expanding the army is a major expense for him. I'm fine buying a box of Panzerlear or SS Waffen, grabbing whatever looks cool (half tracks and armoured cars), and then trying to make it work. It's clear out limited play space won't do a "full" 1250pt game anyway.

Also, if I found any anime style heads, I'd be very temped to make a Valkyria Chronicles unit.

And for completeness. Here's my ideas vs his.
I say

• We go for v3 starter kit. 12 v 12, plus a card vehicle (which he hates) but it comes with dice, mat, a bunker, markers, and a small campaign to learn the rules. For £40, it's not a brilliant deal, but it includes everything and will keep us playing a while.
• We go third party. Each buy a box of infantry and/or vehicles. I can swing £25 for a 42 man Africa Korps platoon. Let's say another £25 for a vehicle of some sort (I know you need 2 for v3). I'm in for £50 or less and he has to buy nothing new. If he wants to, he can buy MDF terrain or v3 rulebook something, I don't know.
• A different game. Battletech, despite wokeshit, is pretty cheap as far as wargames go. Aliens is a board game. One Page Rules of course.

He says

• Split one of the campaign/starter boxes.
  • Battle of the Bulge, but he seems split on the winter theme.
  • There was some US vs Soviet one. Soviet doesn't really interest me, and they had some major changes for v3 from what I hear, so that could be an issue.
  • He DIDN'T mention the Pacific starter box, but while I don't object to imperial Japan, it's not my first choice either. I'd also be locked into Warlord because as far as I can tell there's little in the way of third party for Japan.
• I spring for one of the Warlord starter armies. For 3 times the cost of the Perry kit, I get the same stuff plus a tank. The real benefit in my mind is I can build them as the iconic western front war style that we both seem to like.

interested in playing X, Y, and Z system.

What did you have in mind?

 

[ZMOT]

The point of all this waffle is that he's wysiwyg and seems to like western front era America, but expanding the army is a major expense for him.

you can always go back to basics and use chits (unironically as a proxy for real models). alternative are paper minis.

I tried finding a miniatures gaming group in my area a while back. A local game store employee suggested that I ask on the store's Discord, so I went there and said that I did NOT want to play ANY Games Workshop games and was interested in playing X, Y, and Z system. The only reply I got was someone who offered to let me join a group that was running a 40k game (not the main one, some kind of card game), and I left the server because I didn't know how to respond to that without getting the store owner mad at me.

people are notoriously lazy, no on runs anything else but the second you offer to host the DMs come in.
or your area is fucked, RIP

 

[Sayer of the N-Word]

What did you have in mind?

Grimdark Future, Fistful of Lead, and an obscure offering which I offered to provide the armies for.

Preferably the latter, clubs tend to support more fringe games, though that might mean interacting with history nuts that will give you weird looks if a uniform does not correspond to the period time, but still worth a try.

Listen, this Soviet trooper's uniform looks way better when it's painted in scifi colors. Deal with it.

 

[ShitLurker]

On the topic of rules. Is exceptional damage (a nat 6 causes an additional wound on a second nat 6) all the time or just in certain situations?

Mmm, unsure. I haven't read anything in the V3 book yet about 6 into 6 doing extra damage. I do remember in the V2 demo that an infantryman that scored I don't remember if 2 or 3 6s in a row, could pick who died like if they were a sniper. Also, small arms can't do shit to any vehicle with Armor 7 or above, no matter how many 6s they roll, just in case there is some confusion with how things worked in 40K in the older editions when AV existed and you could technically chain enough 6s to down a land raider.

This is also driving our current purchasing debate. I'm torn on faction and theater. He says he doesn't care, but I get the feeling he does. I'm temped to go africa campaign simply because you can get almost a whole army from Perry for £20-£25. All you need is vehicles. And terrain is minimal as well. Mostly sand.

I'm not that much of a history nut. I'm just interested in Bolt Action since it seems neat and I don't have any historicals yet, so I do get lost in the campaign consistency part of your post. So I don't have a particular proposal from your starter ideas. I would say that you getting Perry and your friend sticking with Warlord shouldn't be too bad, I'm pretty sure they are close enough in scale to not be a huge detriment. But I haven't purchased any models yet since I still have a good chunk of projects in the backburner anyway and I got the rulebook on a whim. So can't really speak on the merits of warlord or perry plastics in hand.

Impression I get is that 20 infantry is more than enough to play some games, specially if you convert a few to be officers, sniper teams, mortar teams or whatever. And vehicles realistically 1 or 2 at most should sort you out for a long time while you slowly build up.

I do have a pdf of the V2 rulebook as well if you are interested.

As for content related to how to play and tactics, Mordian Glory seemed like a nice place to start. Don't really know if he's full of shit mind you, but should at least give you something to listen to and think about.

V2 tactics list https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89AduZYnbNo&list=PL-rBuJPo00fqVv9z4Tqv0yzY9WccwpdEF
V3 tactics list https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5O3ngbZAZ8&list=PL-rBuJPo00foU8QQ7t1Mw8GOpkwGbU4ZS

Also, if I found any anime style heads, I'd be very temped to make a Valkyria Chronicles unit.

Well... if you search enough...

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1665565127/wartime-baker-32mm-dnd-miniature-ethan?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=valkyria+chronicles&ref=sr_gallery-1-6&sts=1&content_source=53277b04d775a0fde0df9401ac84fc801cb67b5e%253A1665565127&organic_search_click=1

 

[Hateful Maggot]

Anyone here like Turnip28?

I got a small army built and painted but haven't played with anyone since it is such a niche game and most people around me sticks with WH40K and Bloodbowl. Iirc i used minis from Perry Miniatures and turned them into riflemen, i know shooting in this game is kinda shitty but i wanted to use the Brotherhood of Greed ability to cannibalize my own units to increase my number of attacks, it is a very dumb strategy but funny

 

[Sexy Senior Citizen]

i wanted to use the Brotherhood of Greed ability to cannibalize my own units to increase my number of attacks, it is a very dumb strategy but funny

I liked the Grand Bombard. Something about loading my own officers into a giant cannon for ammo makes me giggle.

 

[Judge Dredd]

Well... if you search enough...

It seems that someone already beat me to it.

Still, I can see this working if I paint regular allies in Gallia colours and run them as Belgium I think? I'm not a history buff either so don't know exactly what nation Gallia is meant to be. The wiki says the influences are all over the place. Basically any allied minor power would work.

Still, that's a long way away, if at all.

I'm just interested in Bolt Action since it seems neat and I don't have any historicals yet, so I do get lost in the campaign consistency part of your post.

you can always go back to basics and use chits (unironically as a proxy for real models). alternative are paper minis.

My main concern is aesthetics. Having guys in tan and shorts, fighting guys in long winter coats, during spring in europe might look dumb. For my first game, I used a bunch of third party 40k conscripts and aliens colonial marines. So it's not a deal breaker yet.

Bolt Action kits, (and I guess some tournaments) have early, mid, and late war on the box. This mainly controls what things you can take. eg. Can you have the stg 44 or not. Are soviets allies or axis, etc.

For a casual game it won't matter, but it would be nice to get on the same page. I dont want to spend a bunch of money and build desert terrain only to learn we're doing winter, or vise versa. His collection is western europe, ie. What you think of when you think World War 2 in movies and games.

This is where the box sets come in. Battle of the Bulge is winter themed. The Perry minis are desert themed, but so cheap I can likely buy that and use it for a while even if I swap it out over time. I might even be able to get away with painting them in western europe colours and call them close enough. There is the German veteran box stretch where, if you spam the expensive options like LMGs, you can get 800pts out of it. At a certain point I might just be too tight fisted and should just pay the extra £and get a proper force piecemeal. It'll be what I want at least.

 

[Judge Dredd]

What are people's opinions on Battletech in 2025?

Long story short, I've dismissed them in the past, but recently I've been tempted by them.

Low price (my FLGS has the beginner box for £20, and the Armoured Combat box can be bought online for £65) with a box set containing everything needed to play. I can keep it as a "house game" since the box contains enough for two "armies". It's basically board game territory. I can also re-use the maps for a mech RPG Lancer.

The cons, the game is intimidating to new people, and the company is seen as very woke.

 

[Swiss46]

What are people's opinions on Battletech in 2025?

I play it and it's pretty fun. Easy to set up a local scene also because the buy in is like, one $30 purchase minimum and then you're good.