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In that case you probably doubled-up on what numbers you get stuff on. There's plenty of room for 4 people to have a fairly large spread of numbers, even in the basic game.

Most of the time, yes. But not always.

I saw the thread title and thought "Mordheim".

So, as you mentioned in the OP....Mordheim. Its rules aren't exactly simple, but when you're working with only 8 or so figures per side, it makes thing less intimidating.

PLUS, it's super cheap/easy to put together a warband. Plus the rules are free.
PLUS, it's a good jumping off point since you can essentially say "There are other games where you get big armies! Just imagine each one of your warband guys is an entire unit!"

Star Wars Miniatures

Kilkrazy wrote:Best intro level wargame ever is OGRE by Steve Jackson Games. You can learn the basic rules in about 5 minutes.

The newbie can have the OGRE so he only needs to control a singe unit, he has at least 50% chance to win through luck and best of all, he can't lose in a few turns so he'll always feel like he is getting somewhere.

This might work if your objective is to bore the prospective newcomer to tears....


Anyhow, I'll give another vote to Lord of the Rings. The Mines of Moria set is excellent, I have run demos at cons before (including a non-gaming con) it's really good for new players. Hell, it got my wife playing! It is the king of gateway wargames.

I'm voting for Heroscape as well. It's easy to understand, very clearly explains LOS, and has a variety of prepainted models in the starter sets as well as terrain. If you or your friends like comics, get the Marvel set - try playing the Hulk vs. 700 points of other heroes.

The game is between 40K and Necromunda in terms of scale being individual units and small bands, but this depends on the point level you play at. It's well balanced with minimal exceptions and has enough variety in different models and team-ups that no two games have to be the same.

I ran an 8-player/4 team arena style fight at a convention last year that was very fun. The age of players ran from 8 to 33 with first timers and regular players. The newbies had the game down after the first round of play and were itching to play with different units by the end of the game.

The main thing that throws new players are order markers, but just omit them from your first game or two and introduce them as you go.