Miniatures Games - That aren't GW

[Judge Dredd]

This thread is for miniatures games, mini, and related topics not related to Games Workshop and Gunpla, as they have their own threads.


A while ago I asked about wargaming on a budget and got some great responses. I've also become a shill for Wargames Atlantic and Northstar minis. They're cheaper than GW while keeping good quality.

Recently I was talking to a neighbour about models (he builds scale World War 2 planes and was a 40k player until he broke up with GW) and he mentioned wanting to get into Bolt Action. I've looked it up and it sounds okay. I'll have to ask him what side he wants to play. I'll likely go British or Nazi, depending on if he wants to be axis or allies. I'm more interested in the Weird War 2 game Konflikt 47 and sci-fi in general. Models are broadly cross compatible too since your rank and file are still vanilla WW2 units. I don't know. Historicals are a bit dry for me, but the advantage is they're much cheaper.

I'm liking the sound of Frostgrave and Stargrave. The problem, as always, is finding players, so I focus on the minis themselves. One main selling point is that since it's a 10 a side skirmish game, and since WGA and Northstar minis are under £2 per mini. It's reasonably possible that I could buy a 20 man box and build two armies for under £30. That's entering board game terratory so it might broaden my options a bit.

I don't normally go for fantasy, but I like Northstar's Frostgrave range. Cool models there. Cultists are a favourite. This video is a speed paint tutorial that shows the minis off well.

I love some of the kitbash potential for these, but since WGA has a traitor guard set called The Damned due for fulfilment in March, it might be worth waiting for those.

I also want to ask about Space Weirdos. No interest in it, but YouTube keeps pushing it so if anyone has any opinions on it, I'd like to hear it.

 

[Forgotten Beast]

Opening a Frostgrave box is such a delight if what you are used to see are modern GW's no-fun-allowed retard-proof IKEA dioramas masquerading as miniatures. So many extra bits and bobs, so many possible combinations, so much potential for kit-bashing. Quality between sets varies a lot and truth be told those aren't the most detailed miniatures on the market, but for the price they are really great.
The game itself isn't half bad but it requires a lot (and I mean a lot) of terrain to be fully enjoyable. Also playing as two players is absolutely possible but I'd say it takes at least three for the complete "what the fuck is even happening with all those spells" experience.

It's reasonably possible that I could buy a 20 man box and build two armies for under £30. That's entering board game terratory so it might broaden my options a bit.

You'd need at least two wizards per squad plus a lot of fodder at the very minimum. What's usually recommended is a wizard set plus a soldiers/cultists/knights one. The game is pretty miniature-agnostic so if you have something laying around that could pass for basic humanoid mooks you'd be good to go.

 

[Buckaroo]

I love some of the kitbash potential for these, but since WGA has a traitor guard set called The Damned due for fulfilment in March, it might be worth waiting for those.

Why not both? It's not like their kits are expensive.

 

[Judge Dredd]

Opening a Frostgrave box is such a delight if what you are used to see are modern GW's no-fun-allowed retard-proof IKEA dioramas masquerading as miniatures. So many extra bits and bobs, so many possible combinations, so much potential for kit-bashing. Quality between sets varies a lot and truth be told those aren't the most detailed miniatures on the market, but for the price they are really great.

I come from old school GW (I played 40k third edition when it was new in the 90s) and these kinds of kits were the norm. Arguably more because weapons were one piece, and hands were holding pistol grips. You had to clip the handle off the gun every time. Annoying, but also meant you could, in theory, use those guns for anything, or swap guns around between kits as you please. While I see some appeal to monopose and pushfit, there are times you want to actually have fun mixing and matching. The issue back then was there wasn't really any third parties to kitbash with.

I have a gunpla in the mail, and I'm told even mid tier gunpla kits put anything the west are doing to shame. No haphazard layout of GW, no reprints of 50 year old kits like Revell and Airfix.

I've heard about the lack of detail. There's a review of Stargrave Scavengers that compares the scavenger backpack with creases and pouches, to the crew backpacks which is basically a brick with buckles on.

Another (or possibly the same) reviewer mentioned the lack of detail might be deliberate. Both as a style choice for a more rounded sci-fi look, and to be more open with what things are meant to be. This sounds a bit like cope to me, but the rounded designs of their guns helps that argument.

The game is pretty miniature-agnostic so if you have something laying around that could pass for basic humanoid mooks you'd be good to go.

If that's true of Stargrave I'm sorted. I have a WGA called Cannon Fodder 2 that is just generic gals in jump suits specifically for that.

What's usually recommended is a wizard set plus a soldiers/cultists/knights one.

I have a set of lizardmen in the post, and I've been looking for an excuse to buy the WGA foot knights, even though I have little interest in the barrons war game. I haven't looked into the Northstar Wizard kits. Maybe I should. Put a lizardman head on and have a warband of lizards.

Why not both? It's not like their kits are expensive.

True. Stargrave Scavengers seems like an obvious kit to combine them with. Going to work through my current kits first though.

 

[Easterling]

If your into weird war 2 stuff check out westwind productions, they have lots of stuff on there for konflict 47. Oh and if you haven't already check out the oathmark range by northstar, the orcs are really good

 

[Penne Dreadful]

Dropfleet Commander released its second edition a few weeks ago and I've been impressed by the new plastic models. Can't comment as much on the new ruleset, since I haven't yet had the chance to play, but while I'm a bit iffy on the Bioficers - and it definitely feels like they should come with one more sprue of solar panels - the new UCM designs are great and the kits are all well-done.

 

[W'rkncacnter]

Bolt action is a really fun system, very dynamic due to the action system. Playing the nazis is a lot of fun too as you're encouraged to be incredibly risky with your heavy tanks. Frostgrave seems like an interesting system, I bought one of the boxes for it but I have yet to get around to making the minis or trying the system.

Also, will this thread also be for models in general or just minis relating to game systems?

 

[Miriam Margoyles]

I saw this video today, detailing all the miniatures in the Stenchtrench Crusade Kickstarter.

I must confess, after having shit talked the game's aesthetic previously, one or two actually look quite nice - I'm a big fan of the artillery witch, just levitating shells and throwing them at the enemy with magic, the chorister is a cool, creepy priest-type with a Las Plagas style head, and the war wolf is a cool werewolf monster.

Most of them, though, are just gratuitous 5edgy6me body horror, boring Dark Souls boss looking slop, or just generic 'Kreig we have at home' looking guys. Also, after hearing about how supposedly based and non-DEI this game is supposed to be, don't think I didn't notice that the war prophet or whatever she's supposed to be is a negress. Because of course she is.

So, yeah, one or two fun ideas, but I can't see myself rushing out to eagerly play a game with this fine gentleman.

 

[R00k]

Anyone here play infinity? I just started painting up an old starter box I had shelved to get ready for the new N5 rules coming next month.

 

[ShitLurker]

Now this thread is my fucking jam! Now if only I didn't dread doxxing myself I'd consider sharing some pics

I also want to ask about Space Weirdos. No interest in it, but YouTube keeps pushing it so if anyone has any opinions on it, I'd like to hear it.

Never heard of it, like at all, so nothing to add.

Oh and if you haven't already check out the oathmark range by northstar, the orcs are really good

I can also vouch for the Oathmark dwarf kits, lots to fiddle with. It's insane how many extra bits you end up with per box. Hell, anything you can find here is worth having a look https://fireforge-games.com/

The forgotten World has some other flavor of dwarfs which are great (and you can kitbash with some Oathmakr dwarf pieces if you are willing to put some effort) and the goat cavalry is a treat. All of their historical stuff has also tempted me quite a bit in doing a questing knight sort of deal army.

Bolt action is a really fun system, very dynamic due to the action system. Playing the nazis is a lot of fun too as you're encouraged to be incredibly risky with your heavy tanks. Frostgrave seems like an interesting system, I bought one of the boxes for it but I have yet to get around to making the minis or trying the system.

I'm interested in Bolt Action and currently going through the V3 rulebook. I did try a small demo ages ago but I haven't commited to models yet. How does V3 feel after playing some games? Big improvement or more or less the same?

Frostgrave I'm mildly curious since I've heard good things about it, but I'm not aware of any activity in my area (hell, Bolt Action is a bit of a mystery as well, but I do think it's more likely to be findable).

I saw this video today, detailing all the miniatures in the Stenchtrench Crusade Kickstarter.

Some of the models are neat but then I saw the prices and well... they aren't exactly offering amazing discounts, so I decided to pass.

As for other systems, I enjoy Kings of War the most at the moment from Mantic. If you miss formation play, it's the one I've enjoyed the most. Simple to get, there is a bit of jank but I've seen worse and can be pretty deep when it comes to the formations you take and how you edge your odds, Also, it's model agnostic, so if you have a dead Warhammer Fantasy army, you can play already almost for sure.

I also tried Conquest but never really gelled with it and to be honest, it feels like it's the project of some very rich dude because there is a ton of cash put into it but I don't see it reflected in the real world. I've also heard good things about the Oathmark system but never tried it.

On the more Sci Fi side. I've dabbled in OPR and Firefight from mantic as well and both are OK, but neither has lit a fire in me.

I'm also paying close attention to Warcrow from Corvus Belli (Infinity people) but the release has honestly been incredibly timid with only 2 factions for now and not looking like the third will come any time soon.

And I also am keeping an eye on Warmachine since I loved it in MKII days, but I'm also curious to see if they fuck it up even more under Steamforged and see if it explodes again.

 

[Sexy Senior Citizen]

Anyone here like Turnip28?

 

[W'rkncacnter]

Anyone here play infinity? I just started painting up an old starter box I had shelved to get ready for the new N5 rules coming next month.

Just bought the Yu-Jing invincible army starter box. I'll probably start playing when the new rules come out. Is it a fun ruleset?

I'm interested in Bolt Action and currently going through the V3 rulebook. I did try a small demo ages ago but I haven't commited to models yet. How does V3 feel after playing some games? Big improvement or more or less the same?

V3 just has some slight changes to how some of the rules works, the game broadly functions the exact same. The game now uses cover saves as opposed to modifying hit rolls which imo is better and there are some other small changes. If you're considering getting into it any of the two player starter sets are great value for money, I bought one of the starter armies (pic related) and those tend to have enough infantry in them that you'll probably never need to buy infantry again. Great game though.

Anyone here like Turnip28?

Great system, it's nice to see it growing in popularity.

 

[Judge Dredd]

Also, will this thread also be for models in general or just minis relating to game systems?

Can be if you like. There is a thread a gunpla.

I personally always had more interest in sci-fi and fiction than historicals, so I never really got into Tamiya, Airfix, etc. and seeing people arguing over an extremely minor historical inaccuracy in a starter Revell kit for kids always seemed to be a bit silly. I've been tempted by some kits though.

I've heard 1:48 tanks make good wargaming tanks.

And there's some knock off gunpla that supposedly makes for good sci-fi walkers. I want to kitbash some half-tracks to be APCs but never found the right kits at a reasonable price.

What I'm saying is it's up to you. If you feel there's models you want to post, go for it.

Dropfleet Commander released its second edition a few weeks ago and I've been impressed by the new plastic models.

I've heard the name, but don't know what it's about. I've heard people combining with Expanse minis for hard sci-fi RPGs like Traveller.

Anyone here play infinity? I just started painting up an old starter box I had shelved to get ready for the new N5 rules coming next month.

I'd like to. I like the models, the world, and the look. There are so many interesting factions and models. Nomads, 012, Aleph, that one faction of colonists with AKs and dog soldiers (Ariadna?). But availibility has been shit in the UK and the prices have been high. I'm talking £35 for two characters. £65 for a 6-8 man unit. It's well into GW prices for a game that nobody plays and models with limited availability.

 

[graywolf88]

I've played Zombicide before and am impressed by the quality of the miniatures. I haven't played any of the expansions, but they look fun and I wouldn't mind trying them.

 

[Miriam Margoyles]

They do a lot of licensed tie-ins for Zombicide. They did one for The Boys, and, even though I hate the way that show has gone in the last few seasons, I must confess, I do quite like the idea of painting a tiny little Seven.



I'd swap out Soldier Boy for Stormfront if I could, though.

 

[Obstacle]

If your into weird war 2 stuff check out westwind productions, they have lots of stuff on there for konflict 42. Oh and if you haven't already check out the oathmark range by northstar, the orcs are really good

I'm going to the LGS today to buy my friends all Oathmark infantry boxes.
Gonna start a four man progression league in the new year.
>twenty five quid for thirty miniatures.
It's like a time machine.

 

[Judge Dredd]

Sorry for the text wall. Lots of small updates. I found a great, cheap battletank proxy. The Airfix Quickbuild Challenger tank. It's not got a scale, but if I had to guess it's somewhere between 1:56 and 1:48. I got it cheap from Lidl as part of their christmas deal. It goes together much like lego, but leaves a model that looks good. For £9 it can't be beat.



Went to a FLGS outside of my area. To my surprise they sell Oathmark, Frostgrave, and Wargames Atlantic, despite not being listed as a distributor on the internet. The guy I was with said they used to sell Gunpla but there was none there. I did some SD model kits with anime girls on the cover, and some Gunpla books, so maybe they got rid of them all? Hard to say. Also, that shop was the largest concentration of visibly autistic people I've seen for a while.

I picked up some Frostgrave Gnolls and Cultists. They didn't have Stargrave scavengers to pair them with. I'm not sure what, if anything, I'm supposed to do about puddle bases. I'm going to leave them as-is for now. They come with round bases though, so maybe you're meant to cut them off somehow?



The friend I was with continued to heavily hint that I should play Bolt Action. He plays America and his friend plays British, I'm thinking of going Germany or Italy so he has some nazis to fight. I'm not interested in meta, just what's fun. I know Germany gets better machine guns (and werewolves in Konflict 47), no idea what Italy gets. He complains the British are OP due to their artillery. He hates how he can't overwatch against units that aren't moving. And he doesn't like how the tanks are mixed materials with plastic, metal, and resin in one kit.

He saw a pack of 10-15mm figures. 240 infantry for £30 and I joked he could buy them, convert inches to cm and play tiny Bolt Action. His eyes lit up at the concept. Not playing regular bolt action in a small space, but the idea of epic scale Bolt Action were teams of hundreds of infantry fight each other. He rejected the idea because he doesn't have enough dice. ...I don't think he was joking.

He also wanted to play Star Wars Legion. He never heard of it but he saw a starter set of battle droids and wanted it. Ditto with Battletech. I personally was more interested in the aliens game.

 

[Judge Dredd]

Got some hobby time in today. Built a bunch of Northstar Gnolls and I have some ...opinions.

First, the plastic is slightly softer than I'm used to from other kits. It's a minor quibble, but it results in more flashing (knives are just pancakes with knives embossed on them) and is difficult to cut with a knife.
The layout of the sprues are better. Arms that need to paired up are next to each other. Things like that. However the sprue design is worse, having lots of small areas that are difficult to get clippers into.
The paired arms go together like a dream. In contrast to WGA kits where the arms never seem to match up, and numbered pairs often require cutting or filing to get them to fit right.
I still don't see the point in puddle bases, and have no plans for what to do about them. They don't even hold the model upright half the time, and cutting them off will be tricky due to the soft plastic.
Something I love. Empty left hands. Sounds trivial, but so many WGA kits are limited in terms of left hand options which results in a lot of strange poses.
Finally, extra gear that I actually want to use. I usually don't bother with extra kit outside of the occasional backpack as it looks cluttered. Here, the extras pair with the weapons, so there's a bag of bolts and a holstered seethed sword that pairs well with the crossbow. There's also an optional loading knock hand for the bow and arrow so guys are not just aiming invisible arrows at the sky.

 

[LillWeeb]

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 ???

 

[Judge Dredd]

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.