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Made in gb
Wondering Why the Emperor Left




I know there are a few similar games out there but the background of 40k is a massive draw for me and I don't know of any games with the breadth of different factions and a universe as fleshed-out as 40k's. Hoping you guys can give me some suggestions.

Currently not in posession of any armies - I merely theorycraft and discuss background,
Waiting for HH Book 6 so I can start an Imperial Army army.  
   
Made in us
Painting Within the Lines






Northern California

I actually have two suggestions, both of which solve the problem of "lack of/cost of" models. The first suggestion is to get non-GW ships as proxies and play BFG with them. There is an enormous variety of Sci-fi ship minis and manufacturers out there so finding a force or two of them that stylistically matches any of the available races in BFG shouldn't be a problem.

The second suggestion would be to play a game called Full Thrust (bonus, the rules for Full Thrust are available completely free online), with models acquired like the 1st suggestion, but with your force and individual ships themed for the 40K universe. Full Thrust has a great engine for ship customization that allows you to build nearly any ship you want and keeping the game/points balanced.

Seeing as how both Full Thrust and BFG's rulesets are available for free online you should give both a shot and play with whichever one you like more. And just remember, just because you're not using a GW rule set and models doesn't mean that you can't use a GW background!

Hope that helps, and if you need any recommendations of manufacturers or anything else, feel free to PM me.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2014/01/07 08:57:44


Casual wargamer, casual painter, casual grad student. I can do formal though, I do own a tuxedo T-shirt.

My wargaming blog: http://headspigot.blogspot.com 
   
Made in us
Brigadier General






Chicago

Econtutor has it right.

If you really love the BFG rules, then proxie in other ships.

If you don't yet have any BFG models, maybe skip it altogether and play Full Thrust or one of the other space combat games.

If you try Full Thrust, consider the "Cross Dimensions" edition. It's a fan version that keeps the Full Thrust rules with a few minor tweaks, but streamlines the presentation and incorporates the expansion. It's even available in an ipad version.
http://members.ozemail.com.au/~laranzu/fullthrust/rules/
It's the version that my club uses.

Chicago Skirmish Wargames club. Join us for some friendly, casual gaming in the Windy City.
http://chicagoskirmishwargames.com/blog/


My Project Log, mostly revolving around custom "Toybashed" terrain.
http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/651712.page

Visit the Chicago Valley Railroad!
https://chicagovalleyrailroad.blogspot.com 
   
Made in us
[DCM]
Dankhold Troggoth






Shadeglass Maze

Do you recommend Full Thrust over something like Firestorm Armada?

I loved BFG the few times I got to play it, but Firestorm Armada doesn't seem to fill the same niche for me... at least, I haven't found the rules as accessible whereas with BFG I felt I could understand and start to play very easily.
   
Made in us
Brigadier General






Chicago

I don't exactly recall, but I think we played Firestorm Armada once and weren't won over. IIRC, it was more complex than FT. I know a couple of guys in the club who play starship gaming more often aren't fans of FSA. We actually bought a huge batch of Firestorm Armada ships at a FLGS with the intention of using them for Full Thrust.

I'm not a huge fan of Spaceship gaming, but I found Full Thrust Cross Dimensions fairly easy to understand and fun to play. Also, in full disclosure I've never played BFG, but with the high price and unavailability of miniatures, it's not even something I'd consider.

I'd definitely recommend playing a game of FT with whatever ships you have to see how you like it.

My overall opinion of Spaceship gaming is that it's such a niche-within-a-niche hobby that if you want to have opponents you should play whatever game is popular near you, whether that is FSA, FT, BFG or something else. If there isn't a local community than go with whatever you and your friends like most. I think FT is a great option since (as well as being free) you can incorporate the ships from whatever game you like, and whatever local gamers might already have in their closets, but go with what appeals to you.

As folks have said, there's no reason you can't get your rules, fluff and miniatures from different sources.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2014/01/07 15:20:39


Chicago Skirmish Wargames club. Join us for some friendly, casual gaming in the Windy City.
http://chicagoskirmishwargames.com/blog/


My Project Log, mostly revolving around custom "Toybashed" terrain.
http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/651712.page

Visit the Chicago Valley Railroad!
https://chicagovalleyrailroad.blogspot.com 
   
Made in us
Rookie Pilot





Cincy/Dayton, Ohio

I recommend Firestorm Armada. It's not overly complicated, it's commonly referred to as a beer and pretzels game. Second edition was just released as well. I've only done a quick read of the rulebook and it is pretty straight forward for gameplay.

Definitely worth taking a look at if nothing else. Though v2.0 is different enough from the previous edition that reading the old rulebook won't give you an accurate view.

My 40k army/modeling blog here on Dakka

"To win, but not destroy; to conquer, but not humiliate: That is what true conquest is!"

Check out my Gallery (and vote, please)! I am beginning to upload new pics of my ships from BFG and FSA as I finish them.

=====Begin Dakka Geek Code=====
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======End Dakka Geek Code====== 
   
Made in nl
Did Fulgrim Just Behead Ferrus?





The Netherlands

Hmm, well, if you want to play BFG without GW models (and even rules)...

I'm not that much into gaming so I can't help you that much on that, however on the model part:

Over at Bits Blitz I've got some Imperial Light Cruisers and other bits that might come in handy:


Armand is also selling a lot of BFG stuff there, I mean look at these:



A more extensive list of proxy models can be found here.

Bits Blitz Designs - 3D printing a dark futuristic universe 
   
Made in us
Decrepit Dakkanaut





The Battle Barge Buffet Line

 Boblogik wrote:
I recommend Firestorm Armada. It's not overly complicated, it's commonly referred to as a beer and pretzels game. Second edition was just released as well. I've only done a quick read of the rulebook and it is pretty straight forward for gameplay.

Definitely worth taking a look at if nothing else. Though v2.0 is different enough from the previous edition that reading the old rulebook won't give you an accurate view.


I'd say it was (keyword was) beyond beer and pretzels. In my albeit limited experience, it was too crunchy for the scale it intended and paradoxically not crunchy enough for some things. Maybe I'm just being a tabletop goldilocks but it just didn't feel right and I preferred Full Thrust. I will admit though that I haven't tried the full 2.0 rules as the demos that I participated in were the first rules but incorporating some of (but not all) of the future changes.

I do think though that the minis make for a good stand in for BFG. In one way, they're better than the BFG models as there is alot more size difference in those FSA models from class to class than in BFG which tends to make the games look visually quite impressive.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2014/01/11 17:15:09


We Munch for Macragge! FOR THE EMPRUH! Cheesesticks and Humus!
 
   
Made in us
Dangerous Outrider




Maine USA

I'm with Boblogik on this one. I took the step forward when Firestorm Armada was still new and bought their ships. They ships originally produced we're good quality, but not what you were expecting. With their release of V2.0 all the fleets since then have gotten major revamps when it comes to casting and ship detail, and I have to say that their ships are absolutely beautiful now. For the price you can't beat them, you really can't and if every you're interested in playing Firestorm Armada you'll have the ships already!

http://www.spartangames.co.uk/storm-zone-battle-for-valhalla

That link is a great start, though that is the an old link the set is already out.

I hope this helps.
   
Made in gb
Twisted Trueborn with Blaster






After some research sparked from this thread, I have bought the Firestorm Armada Battle for Valhalla starter box. This game looks like great fun with some really nice looking models. And they could be used to play BFG pretty easily I think. Or try Full Thrust.

I represent the Surrey Spartans gaming group. Check us out and feel free to come along for a game! https://www.facebook.com/groups/425689674233804/
Tzeentch Daemons 2000pts
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Eldar Corsairs 750pts
400pts Corregidor/Nomads
300pts Yu Jing
200pts+ each of Imperial and Rebel fleets for X-Wing
A Terran Alliance and Dindrenzi Fleet for Firestorm Armada
A Necromunda Goliath gang and Spyrer gang 
   
Made in us
Spawn of Chaos





near Olympia, WA.

I plan on buying Firestorm Armada models and using BFG rules I down loaded from the GW site. I still have a SM fleet and a DE fleet sitting in the garage.
I've looked at the models for BFG on ebay...ouch. People are wanting blood, limbs, and first born for those. No thanks.

"… I hate donkey caves who design their armies with the sole purpose of crushing their opponent as fast as possible & with the least amount of actual effort required. It's a game of toy soldiers, yet for some people, it seems to be how they measure the true size of their penis." Experiment 626

 angelofvengeance wrote:
Sounds silly but I've found my models perform better in games when they've had a lick of paint on them!
 
   
Made in nl
Did Fulgrim Just Behead Ferrus?





The Netherlands

I've already posted the link to Armand's shop on Shapeways, but he has updated it a lot lately, might be interesting for Imperial and Chaos players.

Bits Blitz Designs - 3D printing a dark futuristic universe 
   
Made in us
Stalwart Veteran Guard Sergeant





SF Bay Area

thisisnotaseriousaccount wrote:
I know there are a few similar games out there but the background of 40k is a massive draw for me and I don't know of any games with the breadth of different factions and a universe as fleshed-out as 40k's. Hoping you guys can give me some suggestions.


You can buy the rulebook on ebay for a pretty good price, otherwise print them out, put the pages in nice sleeves, and put it in a binder. I did a combonation of the both. I have all the space crafts in the form of paper cut outs. What I did was downloaded all the rulebooks first. Using the pdf documents you can select just the image of the ships then paste that to microsoft drawing, invert the image to mirror itself, scale to appropriate size, and presto you got yourself an awesome cut out ship. In almost all of the rules the ship can be selected by itself so its perfect. Unfortunately, there is some more work to be done to create the bases, stands, and make the templates a bit more sturdy. What I did was laminate the templates folded together, then went to a hardware store and purchased some tiny clips to hold the templates, hot glued them to a small iron rod, plugged that into some corking, and glued it to an appropriate size wooden circle. ( bought the corking and wooden circles from a craft store) I now have around 50 stands that I can swap out various ships to create a limitlesss number of scenarios. private message me if you are interested in more details and pictures of the supplies as well as the end result

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2014/03/21 03:12:52


Tyler


 
   
Made in nl
Did Fulgrim Just Behead Ferrus?





The Netherlands

Just released a megapack of Assault Craft at my shop on Shapeways (check the Bits Blitz link in my sig). Maybe something for those who are into boarding actions.

Bits Blitz Designs - 3D printing a dark futuristic universe 
   
Made in ca
Huntsman





Montreal, Canada

What I used was throwing together spare bits I had from my space wolves/marines/dark eldar/tau and a bit of green stuff and I'm quite pleased with the result!
Spoiler:


Now, what color to paint them...

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2014/04/03 02:50:08


Cyriss &Blindwater 
   
Made in nl
Did Fulgrim Just Behead Ferrus?





The Netherlands

Very cool!

Bits Blitz Designs - 3D printing a dark futuristic universe 
   
Made in nl
Did Fulgrim Just Behead Ferrus?





The Netherlands

By the way, I've put my old escorts up on Shapeways for those interested in getting some ships: LINK.

Bits Blitz Designs - 3D printing a dark futuristic universe 
   
Made in gb
Boom! Leman Russ Commander






 Malika2 wrote:
Hmm, well, if you want to play BFG without GW models (and even rules)...

I'm not that much into gaming so I can't help you that much on that, however on the model part:

Over at Bits Blitz I've got some Imperial Light Cruisers and other bits that might come in handy:
Spoiler:


Armand is also selling a lot of BFG stuff there, I mean look at these:



A more extensive list of proxy models can be found here.


That link on shapeways is acutlaly pretty cool ! Some of the ships and such look pretty decent on ther, maybe just not 45 euros good though

I could also suggest fox miniatures for Battlestar Galactica miniatures, great selection to choose from and not badly priced. If you throw me a PM i can give you his email address

   
Made in nl
Did Fulgrim Just Behead Ferrus?





The Netherlands

Costs on Shapeways are tricky, especially since printing is still rather expensive. I try to keep my costs as low as possible by hollowing out the ships and such. I know Armand is better at that than I am. But it remains a challenge.

As for the €45 thing, I assume it's for the escort squadron. Dunno, but €4.50 a ship isn't that expensive right? I mean, don't remember the old prices GW offered for their escorts.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2014/04/08 05:20:58


Bits Blitz Designs - 3D printing a dark futuristic universe 
   
Made in gb
Boom! Leman Russ Commander






Oh I must have miss read the entry for the actual ship, it could have possibly been a squadron, would make more sense then

   
Made in us
1st Lieutenant





Klamath Falls, OR

It depends on the fleets you ultimately choose to run tbh, I built SM & Ork fleets from nothing but a bits box. It's actually incredibly easy because Ork ships can look pretty much like anything while SM ships can be varied & unique & of many different designs the chapter has used over the millennia.

   
Made in us
Slippery Scout Biker





Nehekhara Sector

A lot of great suddestions here! I'm scratch-building my SM Fleet, but proper bits for weapons batteries, hangars & turrets are gonna be the hard part. Any better ideas than eBay?

Primarch Anubis of the Tomb Kings Legion of the Adeptus Astartes
Lord of the Black Citadel

-- [BFG] Building a Bigger & Better Space Marine Fleet in a Zero-BFG-Support Dark Age
 
   
Made in us
1st Lieutenant





Klamath Falls, OR

Unless you buy like firestorm armada ships to cannibalize my best suggestion is buy an imperial cruiser brand new & then using instant mold press mold the modules you need per ship. And before some nazi jumps my case on this GW used to advocate for years, & even did articles in WD on how to, press mold their stuff.

FYI Chaos space marine smoke & havoc launchers make great engines for escorts & strike cruisers alike. Also dark angel iconography like their little statues & things like that & any aquilla work great for embellishments. If I get time tomorrow I'll photograph my 100% bits built IF fleet.

   
Made in us
Rookie Pilot



Tennessee, USA

Spartan Games has a pretty decent sized parts store you can check out for Dystopian Wars and Firestorm Armada.

I don't make the rules, I just think them up and write them down. 
   
Made in us
Fixture of Dakka





West Michigan, deep in Whitebread, USA

I really need to get myself a site so I can put up my sprites for hosting so people can play BFG and Epic with print-out paper flats. I took the sprites for the Vassal versions, and edited them for every major ship option, for every fleet but the Tyranids. Not nearly as cool as minis, but still a way to play the game, and for a dramatically small price.



"By this point I'm convinced 100% that every single race in the 40k universe have somehow tapped into the ork ability to just have their tech work because they think it should."  
   
Made in us
Rookie Pilot





Cincy/Dayton, Ohio

You definitely need to!

My 40k army/modeling blog here on Dakka

"To win, but not destroy; to conquer, but not humiliate: That is what true conquest is!"

Check out my Gallery (and vote, please)! I am beginning to upload new pics of my ships from BFG and FSA as I finish them.

=====Begin Dakka Geek Code=====
DS:80+S++G++M--B+I+Pw40k09+D++A++/areWD365R+++T(M)DM+
======End Dakka Geek Code====== 
   
Made in us
Fresh-Faced New User




Hrmm. Has anyone ordered the BFG Heresy Barge from Grim Dark Bits? Dieing to see what it looks like painted up.
   
Made in us
Nurgle Chosen Marine on a Palanquin





Lots of ships available from Ravenstar Studios.
http://www.ravenstarstudios.com/

Email ravenstarstudios@charter.net to get a catalog
   
Made in gb
Dakka Veteran





A few ships available here: http://www.freewebstore.org/Abomination
   
Made in nl
Did Fulgrim Just Behead Ferrus?





The Netherlands

Just wanted to give you a heads up on some painted pics of my Absolutist cruiser. That, and the tons of new stuff on Armand's shop.

Bits Blitz Designs - 3D printing a dark futuristic universe 
   
 
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