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'm looking to gather a collection of two player (Or more if such a thing exists) starter sets, partly so I have something to paint, model and display, but also in the hopes that with two side to play I'll eventually be able to make one of the games catch on.

What are some of the better starter sets out there? So far I'm looking at Infinity, Dropzone Commander and Deadzone.

Infinity have recently released operation icestorm (as in its pre-ordering now) which is their first 2 player set. Unlike their faction starters this is more balanced gamewise, as the faction starters are just balanced in terms of model count, not their in game value.

It comes with 2 7man armies, panoceania and nomads. A playmat and enough terrain to start with plus the rules ofc. It also has the operation ice storm campaign which is a series of game escalations to intro the rules. Beasts of war have a lot about it on their website.

What you get in it





Don't know about the others though, but have seen dead zone starters

DzC starter is the bomb especially if you can buy 2 and split it w/ 1 other person.

Deadzone looks like a solid starter set including rules, terrain, yada yada. If your a necromunda fan people say its one worth looking at, but they also say the rules could be a little more polished. See more here: http://www.manticgames.com/mantic-shop/deadzone/product/deadzone-the-sci-fi-skirmish-game.html

The infinity set looks good too.

Edit: Dont forget Open Fire from battle front!

Battletech Introductory Set is fantastic at $60 for 26 minis and rules. Double bonus, it can be for far more than 2 players!

Has the quality of the Battletech minis improved though? When I got it those minis looked like gak, aside from the two extra ones that you had to put together.

Fire Storm Armada, their Valhalla set is superb, gives you everything you need to start playing including an add on and a hardcover rule book for anywhere from $90-130 depending on where you buy. Absolutely amazing deal.

 BrookM wrote:
Has the quality of the Battletech minis improved though? When I got it those minis looked like gak, aside from the two extra ones that you had to put together.

From what I understand, the mechs in the latest box are from new moulds cast using the existing range of metal miniatures. However it is the same material (IIRC) and the mechs themselves are deliciously retro as ever.. so it is probably fair to say that the mechs in the current box set are the least-worst out of the most recent offerings and probably the next couple of introductory boxed sets too.

So, er, yeah.. by now to minimise disappointment!

 Siygess wrote:

 BrookM wrote:
Has the quality of the Battletech minis improved though? When I got it those minis looked like gak, aside from the two extra ones that you had to put together.

From what I understand, the mechs in the latest box are from new moulds cast using the existing range of metal miniatures. However it is the same material (IIRC) and the mechs themselves are deliciously retro as ever.. so it is probably fair to say that the mechs in the current box set are the least-worst out of the most recent offerings and probably the next couple of introductory boxed sets too.

So, er, yeah.. by now to minimise disappointment!

The designs are the same, but I've seen comparisons between the current versions and the last release and they are MUCH cleaner. I'm kind of wishing I'd waited to purchase mine until now. One very inexpensive thing you can do to make the mechs look even better is head over to EM4 miniatures and buy their plastic octagonal lipped mech bases. Does wonders for these mechs that usually come cast onto on hex'ish bases of odd sizes.
http://www.em4miniatures.com/acatalog/MINIAATURES_BASES.html

As for other starter sets, Unless they come with alot of cheap plastic goodness, I'm generally not a fan of starter sets. I often can find what I need or want for a game for less buying separately. That said, here's a few suggestions.

-The Warmachine starter sets are a great deal and seem to be well regarded. Though I understand if you're trying to get a bit off the beaten track.

-"Mighty Armies" is a 15mm fantsy game from Rebel Miniatures Starter armies run 30 bucks, though you will need 2. It's also quite cheap to build your own force from any of the many makers of 15mm miniatures.
http://rebelminis.com/mightyarmies.html

-Wreck Age has a new starter set if Post Apocalyptic is your thing. The name escapes me, but the Wreck age rules are good and the figs look great. http://www.wreck-age.net/index.php/online-store#!/~/product/category=0&id=38820387

-If you like Your Post apoc with vehicles a'la Mad Max, then the Nuclear Renaissance starter box is a great option. Just packed with minis and vehicles. The sculpting isn't as nice as Wreck Age, but it's a cool asthetic and a great value. Fans of Necromunda and Gorkamorka will find alot to like about NucRen.
http://shop.ramshacklegames.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=5&products_id=243

-If you're looking to go with more independent games then you're not going to find as many starter sets. Still, collecting both sides and the rules for a game like Song of Blades and Heroes can often be done for $30-$60!

There's also the "Operation: Shadow Hunter" for Dystopian Wars, which is about at the same price as the aforementioned Battle for Valhalla (Firestorm Armada). I have no experience with the 2.0 rules but the set is looking absolutely stunning.

Not a fan of either faction in the set personally, but I can see myself picking it up at some point.

 Siygess wrote:

 BrookM wrote:
Has the quality of the Battletech minis improved though? When I got it those minis looked like gak, aside from the two extra ones that you had to put together.

From what I understand, the mechs in the latest box are from new moulds cast using the existing range of metal miniatures. However it is the same material (IIRC) and the mechs themselves are deliciously retro as ever.. so it is probably fair to say that the mechs in the current box set are the least-worst out of the most recent offerings and probably the next couple of introductory boxed sets too.

So, er, yeah.. by now to minimise disappointment!

I picked myself up the box set and to be honest I can't complain with the quality. Yeah it's not the best and I'm not going to go ballistic, but they do supply you with 20 mechs and rules and added stuff for pretty cheap. No complains here from mine

 FeindusMaximus wrote:
DzC starter is the bomb especially if you can buy 2 and split it w/ 1 other person.

Yeah - the Dropzone 2 Player Starter Set is a great value. Starters for 2 armies (UCM and Scourge - basically, Humans and Orks), a rulebook, dice, measuring tape, templates and enough terrain for the starter sized battle (and the terrain is totally compatible with - but different than - the expansion terrain sets). The plastic models in the starter are well engineered, pretty much as good as the metal/resin sets, except for the infantry, which loses a little detail. (And better on the UCM APCs, since they don't have the mid-line seam.)

The game itself is fast, dynamic, easy to learn and has mostly sensible rules. Close quarter battles are the fiddliest - and rarest - and take a few times muddling through before they become intuitive. Armies are well balanced, each with their own flavor and strengths/weaknesses. The online community is a typical small-game community, pretty laid back and welcoming, with only a few douchebags.

The game only have a few years, give it another year and you will see how popular it will be. I remember when I first saw the Mantic elves, at that time it looks just like an alternative miniature company with no rulesets to play.

Drop zone commander has (just) released plastic starters for their other 2 faction (so only the new resistance is left in resin)

I'll throw in here with the Wild West Exodus 2 player starter set. While it's a bit expensive & light on minis compared to a gw starter the models are extremely high quality & it's a legal game right outta the box. No additional purchases are required.