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I've heard warmachine mentioned a lot so earlier I had a look at the website. Its a good site but I couldnt find much info about starting the game. From what i've read Cryx sound the coolest but thats just from reading the race background.

How many models are required for basic games?
How popular is the game - do many people play it?
Are the rules complicated?
What style is the game, does it focus on small combats or the whole board?

As you can see I really have no idea about warmachine but I think it sounds cool.

The rules themselves are not complicated. The problem is that there are so many rules out there.

Each model you buy comes with a card. On the card is the complete statline for the
model/unit, its weapons, and any special rules that apply to that model. There are no
faction wide bonuses to simplify things (such as, all Khador models in your army get X)
other than special rules that grant army wide bonuses (a model might have a rule
that grants your entire faction ability or bonus x).

When MK2 is released in January, they'll be selling decks of cards for each faction that
has all the updated model rules on them. All models have been upgraded into the second
edition of the game. Nothing has been retired or "Squatted" other than specific abilities. In
anticipation of this release, Privateer Press has made a pre-finished version of both
their card file and their main rulebook available on their website.

http://privateerpress.com/company/mkii-rules-and-model-info-available-for-pdf-download

If that doesn't convince you, take it from the Bell of Lost Souls:

http://www.belloflostsouls.net/2009/09/whether-warmachine.html

Warmachine is 40k played with a Magic:The Gathering mindset.
No, seriously.
You have the tactical feel of 40k, but with a much more resource and combo oriented overlay.
I come from a strict 40k background; been playing since '92, and I just started playing Warmachine last January. I have to say, I never had as much fun with 40k as I do with my PoM force. The game is set up to be aggressive; you will probably not win much if you try to sit back and pound.
It also seems to me that the culture is a bit less hidebound, and more fun-loving. Don't get me wrong, I grew up on 40k, and it will always have a place in my cabinet, but WarMachine is sooo much more fast paced. The aggressive nature of the game, strangely enough, lessens the ego of the players. Everyone seems ready and happy to admit they have been on the downwind side of an ass-whup. It's almost like the game removes some of the competitive pressure from the player, and allows for more fun.
I know that this is some pretty abstract stuff, but it is how I describe my feeling towards the difference between the 2.
If you want a really good description of how Privateer defines the WarMachine Ethos, read "Page 5" of any of their rulebooks.
Also, if your Dakka name is any indication of your army preference, Cryx IS the army for you...

-How many models are required for basic games?

Around 20 to 30 models for a standard game. Less if you take something like a Mortenebra heavy jack riot list, more if you take a Skarre infantry swarm.

-How popular is the game - do many people play it?

To the best of my knowledge, by sales Warmachine is the second most popular game in the US and Hordes is the third most popular game. It isn't going anywhere, and you should be able to find people who play it pretty much anywhere.

-Are the rules complicated?

Yes and no. The rules are simple, but the interactions can get complicated. Note, I said 'can', not 'will' or 'are always'. Most of the time things are perfectly clear unless someone didn't bother to read the rules or are adding things that are not there. When they do get complicated, it is esoteric enough that shrugging and rolling a d6 doesn't cheapen the game.

Also, compared to most other table top miniature games, their rules are VERY clear and VERY tight.

It should also be noted that the rules are exceptionally balanced.

-What style is the game, does it focus on small combats or the whole board?

It is a 'skirmish' game, but it uses the entire 4 feet by 4 feet. Playing Warmachine on a smaller table breaks the game pretty badly.

Positioning and movement matters a lot, and I mean a lot. If you can get behind units they are at a massive disadvantage because they can't charge you, and any attacks to their backs get a bonus to hit (which is often a HUGE deal in a game based on 2d6 and 3d6 dice rolls since the roll distribution is a curve).

Combat is BRUTAL. The game is hyper aggressive and anything melts under even a moderately concentrated attack. This is why all 4x4 feet of the table are used, there is a lot of jockeying for position because when the armies clash the person with the superior positioning tends to come out on top.

The bonus aspect of everything being so deadly is that even if you are behind, you can snatch victory from the jaws of defeat with an inspired counter attack by your remaining units. The game isn't over until the enemy warcaster is in a body bag. The only thing that mauling their army has done is to turn it into a desperate, cornered, wounded animal, and we all know how benign and safe those are.

Your commander matters. Each army is lead by a warcaster, they are your king piece and queen piece rolled into one. If your warcaster dies you lose even if the entire rest of your army is unscathed, so keep them protected. Your Warcaster is also POWERFUL. They are melee monsters, that have a list of about 6 spells each, and a once per game super powerful feat that is usually a game changer (feats like "if my warcaster can see it, and it is within 12 inches of her, it is frozen in ice and can't move, attack or defend for a round"). Each warcaster is totally over powered and balanced by the fact that if they die its game over. They are also included in the "anything melts under concentrated attack" comment, they can't wander around with impunity, they will get stomped, but if they wander around in such a manner that they really can't come under concentrated attack, then they will just wreck stuff.

Swapping out a warcaster will also completely change how an army plays. This is nice as it keeps an army fresh and you get a lot of value from just buying one new miniature.


It is a really good game, and with the MK II rules it has gotten even better after they ironed out aspects of the system that didn't work as well as they could have.

Sounds like a good game, and in the future I may (probably) get into it. I was worried about finding and opponent but that doesn't seem to be a problem. Unfortunately I have realised that I would be unable to play it while living where I do, the nearest independant games store is miles away and would make it hard for me to get the models let alone play with them.

Thanks a lot for the very helpful replies.
The Devourer

I agree with everything said, and in addition, it is pretty easy to get into. Many friends of mine, scared about the hugeness of 40k, aren't nearly as intimidated by the 5-10 models needed to get started with Warmachine. Each faction has a starter Battle Box, which is a truly competitive sample of what each army has to offer. Also, with the full MKII rules set being out for free on privateerpress.com, it is a good time to start playing on the cheap. For less than $100, you can have 2 playable forces, and start getting friends to play with you. I don't know what the price in Lbs. is, but I imagine it can't be much worse. You guys have the advantage in exchange right now, anyways.