Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

I've been into 40k now for about 4 months and while I've been collecting a Tau army, I'm starting to get bored with the idea of collecting an army for actual games. I realize that I much perfer the painting aspects of the hobby, so it got me curious as to what other armies are out there outside of 40k. I'm familiar with the Warhammer armies and I definately enjoy some of the models in 40k and Fantasy (Orks and Skaven) but I'm curious as to what else is out there. Are there any sci-fi based minatures similar to the Tau (futuristic technolgy, giant robots that remind em of Macross and Gundam) that would be interesting? Any and all suggestions are welcome (especially if they are a cheaper alternative to GW!)

Battletech. The gold standard for 'Mech combat.

www.classicbattletech.com

A far better war game than 40K. Cheaper in the fact that you technically can play with almost zero investment. It can BECOME expensive if you get into it (like me), but that is a choice, not a requirement.

Browsing TGN should give you some idea:
http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/category/sci-fi

If you like the Tau aesthetic, you may enjoy Infinity by Corvus belli:

http://www.corvusbelli.com/en/02_tiendainf.asp

Mr 4 Strings wrote:I've been into 40k now for about 4 months and while I've been collecting a Tau army, I'm starting to get bored with the idea of collecting an army for actual games. I realize that I much perfer the painting aspects of the hobby, so it got me curious as to what other armies are out there outside of 40k. I'm familiar with the Warhammer armies and I definately enjoy some of the models in 40k and Fantasy (Orks and Skaven) but I'm curious as to what else is out there. Are there any sci-fi based minatures similar to the Tau (futuristic technolgy, giant robots that remind em of Macross and Gundam) that would be interesting? Any and all suggestions are welcome (especially if they are a cheaper alternative to GW!)

Infinity.
Heavy Gear
CAV
and a bunch of others. They are all out there. I've seen a new one, well new to me, as of late from Blue Moon.
Chaos on Chronos. Aliens up the wazoo, mechs, spaceships, and a great price.

Wow! I don't think I realized how much was out there! My FLGS has only carried Warhammer and Warmachine as far as I know. You were right on track Osbad with those Infinity models, they look amazing!

Check out http://www.reapermini.com/ and http://www.hasslefreeminiatures.co.uk/index.php

http://theminiaturespage.com/
That is a great one people use.

Also i am loving these guy's models and are great for use if you want in your GW http://trollforged.com/ .

In the near future, I intend to release a wargame that uses the Hero System Mass Combat as a the core rules. There would be optional rules, they wouldn't be official Hero Games rules, to simulate modern warfare. The Mass Combat rules, currently published, focus on medieval and fantasy large scale battles.

One of the optional rules are tactical formations reward players. By using a formation the player will receive game mechanic benefits like bonus to hit, bonuses to defense, movement modifiers, etc...

Another company you might be interested in (from a Tau-esque aesthetic) is Old Crow, who produce some lovely 25mm scale resin vehicles.

http://www.oldcrowmodels.co.uk/ocproducts.htm



The "Gladius" above comes in at £9 (around $13/$14) and there are multiple options and upgrades available. Lovely.

Mr 4 Strings wrote:You were right on track Osbad with those Infinity models, they look amazing!

You are welcome.

I do see it as a bit of a mission in my life to help people break out of the GW/PP/BF straightjacket that unwittingly surrounds them if their main exposure to wargaming is only their local store. There's a wonderful world out there of models and games, and the more that can share in it the better for all of us, I say!

http://www.maelstromgames.co.uk/index.php

There is a list on the right side in blue text. LOTS of mini links to check out. Listis below.
As far as Im concerned, GW mini's are pretty low grade compared to what other company's are creating. Even the new GW stuff can be pretty crappy.

avatars of war
at-43
artizan world war ii
flames of war
firestorm armada
gamezone
great war miniatures
hell dorado
hordes
infinity
kings of war
lord of the rings
malifaux
monsterpocalypse
mauser earth
perry miniatures
smog 1888
seeds of war
specialist games
secrets of the third reich
the uncharted seas
victrix
warhammer fantasy
warlord games
warmachine

As for Battletech, Catalyst labs are going to be releasing a swag of mech lance boxes in PLASTIC, in the same style as the metals (ie separate arms/weapon options.)

Gotta recommend Infinity if you like cyberpunk themed anime style (Ghost in the shell, Appleseed, cyber-city Oedo 808). Models are more realistically proportioned compared to GW (but let's face it, BARBIE(tm) is more realistically proportioned than GW stuff) but can be tricky and fiddly (antenna and fins and so on). Also they are metal, so if you have an issue with this, you would be advised to look elsewhere.

For space fleet games the best I've found is a little company called ninja magic. Check them out here:

www.ninjamagic.com

Amazing sculpts here.

Eureka and GZG also do space fleet games.
Different factions, some suitable for 'other' games (big blocky ships with eagles on them? )
Apart from the newbie on the block (Spartan) with their new one.