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Hello everyone, long time lurker, first time poster.

My name is Will and I'm addicted to miniature games. "HI Will" Hehe. Seriously though, 40k, WFB, Warmachine, Man O War, AT-43, Confrontation and the list goes on and on.

I absolutely love skirmish scale games. Necromunda and Mordheim had to be two of my most favorite games ever. Mainly because it focuses on smaller more specialized units and the campaign/exp part is a huge bonus. So here I am, at a delemma and asking the forum members for some help.

I have been following a few skirmish type games and wanted to know what everyone thought. Some of the criteria for discussion includes number of models needed to play, number of factions available, background fluff, ruleset, company support etc. I know there are lots of fan rules for anything under the sun but I'm looking for complete systems with integrated models and rules. Anything with a campaign system like Necromunda a huge bonus.

Here's the list of games I have been researching:

Alkemy
http://www.kraken-editions.com/en/alkemy/presentation/index.html
Saw this on some GenCon videos. New french company. The system uses plastic models with a real cool dice mechanic. 4 factions right now and not a whole lot of selection as it's brand new.

Rezolution
http://www.aberrantgames.com/rez/index.php
This one looks kind of like a Necromunda type game. I think the minis are bigger than standard but don't know too much about it. Looking at the box sets for the various "gangs" they look pretty cool. I don't know how it plays or if there are any campaign type rules. I know they also have a book to expand out to a 40k scale game in the same universe.

Dark Age
http://www.dark-age.com/main.php
More GenCon stuff lead me to learning about this game. Don't know too much about it but the miniatures look awesome. Course don't they always when pro painted?

Hell Dorado
http://helldorado.fr/
Found this site out while searching for skirmish games. Why do the French get all the cool minis? I don't know anything about this but the models look great.

Anima Tactics
http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/anima/minis-about.shtml
Fantasy Flight Games has an anime inspired miniatures skirmish game. The models I have seen look pretty good but don't know much more than that.

So, any ideas? Has anyone played any of these games? Any games that are hidden gems that I didn't even find?

Thanks all,

-Will

Adding two more findings to the mix. Anyone played any of these?

Urban War
http://www.urbanmammoth.com/

Infinity
http://www.infinitythegame.com/

Both of these seem pretty sci fi standard with Infinity being more anime influenced with the models and art.

-Will

Infinity is small skirmish, no more than 10 models per side really. Everything is based
on a d20 mechanic, but every roll gets modifiers. The thing that sets Infinity apart from,
say, Necromunda, is that most weapons have a maximum range that can reach out
to 3'-4' of the board, and the only things stopping you from pegging a unit are two things:

1. Distance modifiers
2. Line of Sight

As soon as something moves into LOS of one of your models, your model can react
to take a shot at it.

The background is really cool, but the minis are expensive but it doesn't really hurt
given that you only ever really need like 6-10. However, the collectors will have sore
wallets since the minis are really cool.

I've only played 1 game, and I liked it. The only downside, if it's really a downside at
all, is that the game functions best with LOS blocking terrain, as you can imagine. Otherwise,
I really like the book, the models and the rules.

I only tried Alkemy very briefly, and when I asked the demo runner what was different
about this game from any other mini game, he sputtered and then tried to get my
attention back with something about how magic can be restored using terrain features
or something. I lost interest and never went back. I like the Asian looking minis, though.

Helldorado has an English pdf of its rules online somewhere. Try searching tabletopgamingnews
for the link.

Anima Tactics has really cool minis, but I'm iffy on the gameplay. It uses a refresh
action token system where each model has a certain number of action points, and
every turn they refresh only a certain amount (usually less than their cap). Standard
actions have a set action point cost, and individual figures have specific actions listed
on their cards. I only tried one demo, but I was not really into it. I'll probably still
collect the figs, though.

Rezolution: I've read the rules thoroughly (both the initial book and Outbreak) and really like the rules set. There are a few interesting twists in the gameplay that my opponent and I found when we tried it out.

I've played a total sum of 2 games, unfortunately, but both of them were enjoyable. The idea of opposed dice rolls really keeps you involved in the game (as opposed to sitting there watching your opponent move his entire force, then start shooting and you pray he wounds you so you can at least roll a few dice in the next half hour), and we found that tactical movement can be very useful (shooting someone from behind is VERY deadly). On the whole it is a fun game; it's just that our gaming group is very scattered and busy right now, and meets too infrequently.

If you're interested in any type of skirmish scale game, I would also recommend SuperSystem. It is a superhero skirmish game (4-8 models per side is what we play) with quick and easy rules, also uses an opposed goal roll system to keep you involved, alternating activation and a nice list of powers for you to create your own superhero teams. The company also has a line of decent hero figures (as well as henchman packs) for good prices. You can find out more about it at www.superfigs.net

The same author of SuperSystem, Scott Pyle, has created other games based on the Goal Roll System (Chaos on Cronos (pulp sci-fi), Chaos in Carpathia (pulp horror), Chaos in Cairo (pulp adventure; think Indiana Jones) and Goalsystem Fantasy. Most of these can be bought in book format, or at Saber's Edge in pdf format.
Check them out if you're interested...

-Vilegrimm

I'd Recomend Spinespur http://www.comfychairgames.com

It's a horror based miniatures game that doesn't pretend to pander to the under 17 crowd. Nothing graphic on the board, but the fluff is real intense!

Game uses 6-12 models a side, alternating activation.

Refreshingly demented models.

60% of the models released can be used in any one force!

Cards are free for download off Internet.

When models die their weapons stay on the board with their bodies. Weapons and bodies can be used by other models. Basically when a model dies it's use doesn't die with it. Very creative and intuitive mechanics.


I love companies with the balls to do something outside the norm!

Thanks everyone for your input. Anyone else have any thoughts? Do any of these games have any type of campaign system to it for gang development?

-Will

Two Hour Wargames Chain Reaction 2.0. Free.
http://www.angelfire.com/az3/twohourwargames/index.html

They also have WW2, sci-fi and (my personal favorite) zombie rules.

It has rules for developing skills, campaign encounters, etc. (even in the free rules!)

Does anyone know of any skirmish minis games that feature ongoing exp/campaign systems ala Necromunda or Mordheim?

I'm aware of Legends of the Old West (Warhammer Historical) but it sounds too simple for my taste, especially since the close combat is ripped straight out of LotR...ugh.

The Spinespur guys are saying their second book for their minis game will include an ongoing, experienced based campaign that will also be compadible with their minis game and RPG. Apparently you even use the same miniatures you already bought for the mini's game.