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So, watching Dune just now, and it occured to me that I've never heard of a TTG for it. Following thought was how it might be best represented in 40k rules, then 'wonder if there is a genetic Sci-Fi rules set that could allow games between various Sci-Fi armies from different back grounds'.

I've heard of Armies of Arcana, which IIRC, is about using any and all Fantasy ranges within a single rules set, but don't recall ever being pointed to a Sci-Fi version of this.

I reckon such a set could be pretty damned cool, especially given the preponderence of FLGS outside the UK, as a single rules set would sell all model ranges, which is always nice for the owner, and means someone who likes a particular range can still knock seven bells out of people even if nobody else uses the rules set intended for it.

Can anyone enlighten me as to such a product? Or have I found a gap in the market?

There are a few systems that are deliberately model non-specific. My favourite is stargrunt from ground zero games.

Fairly do's.

Are there any which offer a sort of template system for stats? Like a set of statistics and point cost for a basic human, with a list of modifiers to both to tinker with it?

Aetherverse might be something to check out. I've never played it, but I've heard good things. I think it has a few basic armies and/or template armies, as well as army creation rules, so you can use any miniatures you want. Its made primarily for 25mm-30mm scale minis.

It might not be in print anymore, but I don't know for sure.

I know there are at least a few Dakkaites who are familiar with the system. They could probably give you more info.

Check the painting threads, someone here put together a 'counts as' Fremen army, sandworms and all!

Hordini wrote:Aetherverse might be something to check out. ...

It might not be in print anymore, but I don't know for sure.

It's not. Triskelle closed down some time ago.

Hmm. I wonder if this is something Dakka could produce as a community? Certainly gives people more reason to invest in the fringe manufacturers who show us their offerings?

No limits
http://www.wargamesunlimited.net/nolimits/index.html
Looks like quite a good game and has loads of options. Plus it's free to download.

Find some rules you like the look of and adapt them for your setting, simple.

There are LOADS of different rule sets for every time period you can imagine. Use your Google-fu.

Have you looked at Future War Commander? It is a recently published generic sci-fi, multi-scale ruleset. It owes much in terms of basic maechanics to Warmaster, but has developed a good following in its WWII version as Blitzkrieg Commander. It tends to be played at 6mm scale most often - because that gives you great options for vehicles, but there's nothing stopping you playing it at 28mm scale. In fact there is a "skirmish" ruleset included in the book to add flavour to games with smaller model-counts.

You can see it here: http://www.futurewar-commander.com/



Also, if you haven't discovered Freewargamesrules.co.uk by now you should have There are some great (and some not so great!) free rules from around the Web to be downloaded from their Sci-fi page here: http://www.freewargamesrules.co.uk/index.php?page=sci-fi

Interesting. I did wonder whether Multi-Scale was possible or not.

I shall have a shufty at this. Surprised it doesn't get more publicity. As I said in my first post, such a rules set, where which models you use don't matter sound like a FLGS wet dream!

There are tons of SF rules on the market, and a number of free sets too.

Rather than rehash them here, I would direct you to the SF Discussion boads of The Miniatures Page.

You might also look in the Dakka forums for non-GW games.

Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:Surprised it doesn't get more publicity.

It got plenty in the "independent sci-fi and fantasy wargaming press" ... such as it is!

By which I meant Tabletopgamingnews.com, theminiaturespage.com, The Ancible and occasional sightings in Wargames Illustrated Magazine. Also it figures at wargames shows such as Salute and others like it.

The problem is, as I see it, that many posters on the GW-focussed forums don't know much about the gaming world outside of GW (and PP and Battlefront), and those that play "independent" games tend (although not by any means exclusively - myself for instance) to have "moved on" from GW games, or at least their current incarnations of 40k and WFB. So there is less cross-fertilisation of ideas than one would expect. I guess things won't get any better until we get a well established independent sci-fi/fantasy wargaming magazine. I have great hopes for the Ancible (www.the-ancible.com), but its early days yet.



If you are interested in the world of wargaming outside of GW, then in the London area (where you are based IIRC) I heartily recommend attending Salute which is coming up next month on 24th April. More details here: http://www.salute.co.uk/ There are going to be lots of sci-fi (and other genre) games on display, and as the biggest UK independent wargaming show it has a massive amount of trade stands to tempt your wallet! One of the organisers of Salute is an old Uni pal of mine, and I know just how much effort they put into putting on a good show!



If you can't make 24th April, there are lots of other shows on most weekends up and down the country. A pretty comprehensive directory of the bigger ones can be found at the Newark Irregulars web site: http://www.newarkirregulars.org.uk/calendar2010.html and they are usually pretty well advertised in Wargames Illustrated magazine (which is available from most decent newsagents).

Something I've worked on is playing 40k but with other mfr's minis, specifically smaller points value armies and in 15mm. You can field a nice 750 pt force of 15mm for under 40 bucks including a couple or three APCs. Plus it will fit nicely on even a 4 x 4 table.

That and StarGrunt2. It has no points values but you build your guys by looking at them. Power Armor? Then the guy has the power armor dice type. Laser rifle? Use the stat line that fits with laser rifles. Space Marine? Probably a veteran quality (better dice for shooting, morale and hand to hand) in power armor and an assault rifle. Away you go.

Oh and Combat Zone. It's more about fielding 5-20 or 30 models per side and activating teams alternately. You activate a squad then your opponent does until all the units have gone. SG2 (above) also uses alternate activation.

You could always use the Hero System and the Mass Combat rules for it.

Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:Fairly do's.

Are there any which offer a sort of template system for stats? Like a set of statistics and point cost for a basic human, with a list of modifiers to both to tinker with it?

Stargrunt's based around quality and psychology rather than stats. You'd tinker with those to make different races.

For example, veterans or elites in power armour with max quality of leadership and motivation are very dangerous. Modify the roll for wound recovery (so they're more likely to get up after being hit), have them abandon casualties and not take prisoners and they're incredibly dangerous. Easily worth many times their numbers in regular troops.

No points though - you're supposed to arrange forces to suit the scenario (and adjust the motivation levels which is at least as important - a patrol will break off quite quickly as they've little incentive to stay in the fight while a trapped force waiting for extraction will fight to the end)

Hordes of the things - it´s a game that doesn´t have specific units, but generic ones ( infantry, wizard, monster, war machine)

You can do whatever you want, like Predators vs. Garden Gnomes on fungi.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hordes_of_the_Things_(game)

http://www.btinternet.com/~alan.catherine/wargames/gallery.htm

http://www.btinternet.com/~alan.catherine/wargames/strong.htm

Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:Fairly do's.

Are there any which offer a sort of template system for stats? Like a set of statistics and point cost for a basic human, with a list of modifiers to both to tinker with it?

http://www.freewebs.com/weaselfierce/
^Fast and Dirty. It's like Stargrunt with many of the rules kinks sorted out and a point system added.

Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:So, watching Dune just now, and it occured to me that I've never heard of a TTG for it. Following thought was how it might be best represented in 40k rules, then 'wonder if there is a genetic Sci-Fi rules set that could allow games between various Sci-Fi armies from different back grounds'.

I've heard of Armies of Arcana, which IIRC, is about using any and all Fantasy ranges within a single rules set, but don't recall ever being pointed to a Sci-Fi version of this.

I reckon such a set could be pretty damned cool, especially given the preponderence of FLGS outside the UK, as a single rules set would sell all model ranges, which is always nice for the owner, and means someone who likes a particular range can still knock seven bells out of people even if nobody else uses the rules set intended for it.

Can anyone enlighten me as to such a product? Or have I found a gap in the market?

Those old Starship troopers minis rules are still the best ones I've seen.

They won an award within six months of being produced, so theu can't be all bad. The ongoing SNAFU that it because is squarly on Mongooses head for not doing better by it.

If you could use those rules and add in there the Stargate fluff, OR the dune fluff, you'd have one heck of a great game. Even with the additions of more and involved rules for the special units, such as fht fremen, the mentoths, or the flyers, you could really do alot with the rules set.

I'm leaveing additional comments of Mongoose alone, but that rules set was very solid, had room to grow, and had a very good play flow.