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Made in us
[MOD]
Madrak Ironhide







Looking for something rank and file with wizards and werewolves or any combination of fantasy tropes and such.

I haven't been following stuff so closely and just recently learned that all Eldar are the same now lol

DR:70+S+G-MB-I+Pwmhd05#+D++A+++/aWD100R++T(S)DM+++
Get your own Dakka Code!

"...he could never understand the sense of a contest in which the two adversaries agreed upon the rules." Gabriel Garcia Marquez, One Hundred Years of Solitude 
   
Made in de
Experienced Maneater






Mantic's Kings of War?

   
Made in se
Longtime Dakkanaut






The big ones are Kings of War (KoW) and The 9th Age (T9A). Both with reasonably active and centralized communities.

Then there's Hordes of the Things (HoTT) as well as people playing the older WHFB editions and various Warhammer homebrew editions. But these communities seem to be more fragmented.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2017/02/15 09:14:07


   
Made in us
Longtime Dakkanaut




If you're going for older WHFB then I'd suggest giving the EEFL (Eighth edition for life) forum a look as they work on 8.5 and incorporate the new AoS stuff as well with rank-and-file rules.

Good luck finding your preferred game!
   
Made in gb
Ridin' on a Snotling Pump Wagon






Kings of War is one - no idea what it's like though, never played it meself.

   
Made in us
[MOD]
Madrak Ironhide







Ah, right. Kings of War. I haven't really liked what I see there
model wise, so that's probably out for me (I'd have to play against
it lol).

Community Fantasy seems like something I'll avoid for now.

Guess I'll wait and see until someone releases something that
would work. Hordes of the Things always seemed like a fun
game. I keep starting up projects for that but end up stalling
because I end up not liking the minis I'm using at any given
moment.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
actually, Hordes of the Lord of the Rings might be a fun side project.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2017/02/15 09:39:08


DR:70+S+G-MB-I+Pwmhd05#+D++A+++/aWD100R++T(S)DM+++
Get your own Dakka Code!

"...he could never understand the sense of a contest in which the two adversaries agreed upon the rules." Gabriel Garcia Marquez, One Hundred Years of Solitude 
   
Made in de
Experienced Maneater






Distance yourself from the GW way of 'using only the miniatures of the game system provider'. You don't like KoW miniatures? Use some from other manufacturers. I think KoW even has rules for GW armies where they don't provide models.

   
Made in se
Longtime Dakkanaut






malfred wrote:Ah, right. Kings of War. I haven't really liked what I see there
model wise, so that's probably out for me (I'd have to play against
it lol).


Hanskrampf wrote:Distance yourself from the GW way of 'using only the miniatures of the game system provider'. You don't like KoW miniatures? Use some from other manufacturers. I think KoW even has rules for GW armies where they don't provide models.

Yup, there's no obligation to use Mantic models wen playing KoW, even in Mantic sponsored tournaments (indeed, many of the official lists don't have any corresponding mantic models so people use exclusively from other manufacturers). A lot of GW models are used, as well as Perry minis, Fireforge, Gripping beast, MOM, Norba... etc.

While it's true you'd face a fair number of mantic models when playing KoW I really believe the low quality of the mantic models is highly overstated. In the case of bad models (and they do exist, I'm not trying to sweep that under the rug here) the one who suffers is primarily whoever paints them, not so much the opponent. Even the much maligned Mantic goblins can look really good, but that takes a lot of work which is doubtful that those models are worth. Also I'd rather face a painted army made up of the worst Mantic has to offer than a grey horde of unpainted unbased models of whatever quality, so I'd say people not painting their stuff is a lot bigger a problem than how an opponents figures look at a 3 feet distance. When I think about it, the notion that you'd opt out of a game due to what models some of your opponents, not yourself, might bring is pretty ludicrous.

Also, it's not like you'll escape Mantic models whichever game you play. It's not like there exist HoTT or T9A tournaments where Mantic models are banned. You see Mantic models used in every rank and file game out there. (Some of them are in fact genuinely good)M

This message was edited 6 times. Last update was at 2017/02/15 10:24:18


   
Made in gb
Posts with Authority






Norn Iron

Mayhem - Square unit blocks, unit profile creation rules, action point system, polydice modifier mechanic. Nice stuff. My pick.

Legions of Battle - reformable unit blocks, unit profile creation rules, feels a little like WFB crossed with Warmaster/Hail Caesar.

Basic Impetus Fantasy - fantasy addon for a popular historical game by these guys.

Shadow Storm - Rick-Priestly-approved fantasy supplement to Hail Caesar, a popular Warmaster-esque historical game.

Armies of Arcana - individual basing, unit profile creation rules. Can't say much more about it but the site has an extensive overview.

Or set some filters at Wargame Vault and have a browse.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
 Hanskrampf wrote:
Distance yourself from the GW way of 'using only the miniatures of the game system provider'.


This. Very much this. Rules, miniatures and background aren't joined at the hip, even if GW writes it that way. If you're familiar with HotT you should know it already. All of the ruleset examples I just posted have no attached background or miniature range, freeing you to use what you like.

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2017/02/15 10:29:46


I'm sooo, sooo sorry.

Plog - Random sculpts and OW Helves 9/3/23 
   
Made in us
[MOD]
Madrak Ironhide







I understand, but if I'm doing that it'll be for hordes of the things

DR:70+S+G-MB-I+Pwmhd05#+D++A+++/aWD100R++T(S)DM+++
Get your own Dakka Code!

"...he could never understand the sense of a contest in which the two adversaries agreed upon the rules." Gabriel Garcia Marquez, One Hundred Years of Solitude 
   
Made in gb
Posts with Authority






Norn Iron

 malfred wrote:
I understand, but if I'm doing that it'll be for hordes of the things


Mixing ranges and rules? If HoTT is a side project, what's stopping you doing that with anything else?

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2017/02/15 15:00:46


I'm sooo, sooo sorry.

Plog - Random sculpts and OW Helves 9/3/23 
   
Made in fr
Regular Dakkanaut




Many players play Kings of War with models from other manufacturers, I have both armies with Mantic official models and several with models from GW, raging heroes, Reaper, Avatar of wars, etc ...

Good rules are good rules whatever models you use, and KoW has armies that are generic fantasy tropes (plus a few original ones), so any players with an army from most other wargames should be able to ue them for KoW.
   
Made in us
Longtime Dakkanaut




Maryland

One Page Rules has gone through a rebranding/re-release of their rulesets. An old battalion box from Fantasy, or an army set from Mantic, gives a decent size force.

   
Made in us
Committed Chaos Cult Marine





@malfred

I would listen to the posts suggesting breaking the idea of game rules and miniatures. That concept is both confining and can lead to bad rules since the miniatures manufacturer only includes the rules to sell more miniatures and overpriced miniatures since players believe they can only use Acme brand miniatures. This only benefits miniatures manufacturers who sell more overpriced miniatures that way.

Breaking this idea allows you to pick the models you want which either saves you money and/or gets you the models closer to what you want. It just might take a little more research. However, what is a few hours to the amount of time it take to ultimately paint 30-50 miniatures.

Fantasy miniatures ranges are probably more common than historicals in availability giving you tons of options any of the major cliche races (elves, dwarves, orcs, undead, etc.). With an internet search, I wouldn't be surprised to find half a dozen or more different miniatures for any half common fantasy monster either.
   
Made in us
[MOD]
Madrak Ironhide







 Vermis wrote:
 malfred wrote:
I understand, but if I'm doing that it'll be for hordes of the things


Mixing ranges and rules? If HoTT is a side project, what's stopping you doing that with anything else?


HotT seems easy enough to keep self contained.

DR:70+S+G-MB-I+Pwmhd05#+D++A+++/aWD100R++T(S)DM+++
Get your own Dakka Code!

"...he could never understand the sense of a contest in which the two adversaries agreed upon the rules." Gabriel Garcia Marquez, One Hundred Years of Solitude 
   
Made in us
Blackclad Wayfarer





Philadelphia

Kings of War!

   
Made in us
Battlefield Tourist




MN (Currently in WY)

No one has mentioned Dragon Rampant yet?

Support Blood and Spectacles Publishing:
https://www.patreon.com/Bloodandspectaclespublishing 
   
Made in us
Longtime Dakkanaut




Maryland

 Easy E wrote:
No one has mentioned Dragon Rampant yet?


Not a square based/ranks-and-flanks game.

   
Made in se
Longtime Dakkanaut






HoTT isn't connected with any model lines whatsoever so I assume the armies of people playing that game is made up of whatever GW, Mantic, Various historical manufacturers' etc. models that people happen to own. So there's no difference really.

Just go with whatever game system you prefer the rules of. I'm not sure how widespread HoTT is though. I've heard it mentioned a fair bit over the years but never really seen anyone play it or run a tournament of it. Though I assume this vary a lot between geographical regions of course.


Also, I think there's some kind of fantasy addon to Hail Caesar, which seems to be a highly regarded and relatively widely played game.
Edit- I see now that Vermis already mentioned that.

This message was edited 3 times. Last update was at 2017/02/15 16:58:21


   
Made in us
Dakka Veteran






 malfred wrote:
Ah, right. Kings of War. I haven't really liked what I see there
model wise, so that's probably out for me (I'd have to play against
it lol).


I think Mantic has army lists and stats for all the old Warhammer armies, so if you don't like the Mantic figures you can use GW miniatures. I know a lot of people who switched to KoW when AoS came out, specifically so they could continue to play their existing WHF armies.

Community Fantasy seems like something I'll avoid for now.

Yeah, things like 9th Age or Oldhammer are really dependent on local support.
   
Made in us
[MOD]
Madrak Ironhide







I appreciate all the feedback. It at least gives me something to read up on.

It'd be nice to get a cohesive mini line because I'm an idiotic collector. It'd drive me crazy to face off lotr style minis against whfb heroic scale for instance.


DR:70+S+G-MB-I+Pwmhd05#+D++A+++/aWD100R++T(S)DM+++
Get your own Dakka Code!

"...he could never understand the sense of a contest in which the two adversaries agreed upon the rules." Gabriel Garcia Marquez, One Hundred Years of Solitude 
   
Made in gb
Malicious Mandrake




Warhammer Fantasy? Just because GW have stopped supporting it doesn't mean I've stopped playing it...
   
Made in ca
Grumpy Longbeard





Canada

I favour Kings of War myself.

I would go with whichever game you can actually get games for in your area though. Which will likely be Kings of War or 9th Age, from what I can tell regarding popularity.

Nightstalkers Dwarfs
GASLANDS!
Holy Roman Empire  
   
Made in gb
Posts with Authority






Norn Iron

Saturmorn Carvilli wrote:I would listen to the posts suggesting breaking the idea of game rules and miniatures. That concept is both confining and can lead to bad rules since the miniatures manufacturer only includes the rules to sell more miniatures and overpriced miniatures since players believe they can only use Acme brand miniatures. This only benefits miniatures manufacturers who sell more overpriced miniatures that way.


Emphasis mine. This. Very much this. Not to go off on a tangent but this is part of why GW's closed ecosystem is so successful, to the point of seeming like psychological conditioning. Obviously you're restricted in a GW shop or event (and games that follow GW's business model) but I think it's much better to choose your minis based on your preference or pocket, rather than the rules they may come packaged with. Even if the choice remains GW at the end...

Zywus wrote:HoTT isn't connected with any model lines whatsoever so I assume the armies of people playing that game is made up of whatever GW, Mantic, Various historical manufacturers' etc. models that people happen to own. So there's no difference really.


From the rules end of things, I'm collecting high elves at the mo, and I hope to 'contain' them with Dragon Rampant, Advanced Song of Blades and Heroes, Mayhem, KoW, HoTT, and anything else I stumble across. Partly because of this:

I'm not sure how widespread HoTT is though. I've heard it mentioned a fair bit over the years but never really seen anyone play it or run a tournament of it. Though I assume this vary a lot between geographical regions of course.


Ideally you'll be able to play the rules you like the most, start or join a scene, etc. But it may involve compromising and playing whatever the local favourite is too; or instead. In either case it might be a widespread game with lots of internet discussion like WFB, AoS or KoW, or an obscure game that gets a few batreps on blogspot or TMP. Worldwide player base may not necessarily mesh with personal, individual enjoyment.

Also, I think there's some kind of fantasy addon to Hail Caesar, which seems to be a highly regarded and relatively widely played game.
Edit- I see now that Vermis already mentioned that.




There was supposed to be a fantasy version of Sword and Spear too, which is a nifty-looking historical set. Doesn't seem to have materialised though.

While I'm here I'll also mention Lords and Lands, a Warmaster-like game with an interesting command mechanic. Available from Lulu or Caliver Books. It's geared around factions based on Microworld's 6mm fantasy, but there are other army lists available at the link; and as measurements are derived from base widths (in a WRG/DBX/HoTT kind of way) the figure scale can be bumped up a bit.

Lip service to Foundry's God of Battles. Personally I think they shot themselves in the foot with an enormous, expensive, GW-mimicking doorstop of a book, with too much emphasis on - and masses of huge photos of - Foundry's frankly atrocious fantasy range. (with Dallimore paintjobs; and which wasn't available to accompany the book's release anyway, or for a long time after) Still, it's a good Jake Thornton ruleset, with mechanics based around the interplay of unit blocks (typically Oldhammerish 4x4) and loose, skirmishing unit; scalable from skirmish to big battle levels. Simple unit profiles and a flexible ally system allow for a lot of counts-as, too. I've seen a great GoB wood elf army, based around GoB sea elf rules and the, er, magical crabs and seahorses they can take.

I'm sooo, sooo sorry.

Plog - Random sculpts and OW Helves 9/3/23 
   
Made in us
Auspicious Aspiring Champion of Chaos





life.

I'd also recommend Kings of war

I collect:

Grand alliance death (whole alliance)

Stormcast eternals

Slaves to Darkness - currently Nurgle but may expand to undivided.
 
   
Made in gb
Stern Iron Priest with Thrall Bodyguard



UK

I can personally recommend 9th age.
   
Made in au
Unstoppable Bloodthirster of Khorne





Melbourne .au

Another vote for KoW and especially for going figure-agnostic. Here's my (wife's) Undead army (painted by me) circa 8 months ago. Figures include Citadel Warhammer (from several eras), Mantic, Reaper, Citadel-LotR, Heartbreaker, WotC D&D, Rackham, Ral Partha Europe, WGF, various boardgame figures, Brigade Models - and probably a couple of others. Many of the sculptors have crossed ranges within there as well, and the Citadel stuff isn't all sculpted by one guy, nor is the Reaper stuff. I believe all the Mantic stuff here is done by Naismith, and the Mantic Zombies are IMO better than the current Citadel ones. More pics via clicking the pic, but I think it all meshes pretty decently together as a single army. (Yeah, I'm still in the process of fixing up those plain unit bases...)

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2017/02/20 06:28:58


   
Made in us
Posts with Authority






Another vote for Kings of War - using the minis that you like.

If you want to repurpose a Warhammer Fantasy army, go right ahead. Heck, I am quite likely to get the Warhammer elves and skaven that have been repurposed for Age of Sigmar, so that I can re-repurpose them for Kings of War.

As for facing off against miniatures that you don't like... so what? That will happen whether you are playing KoW, HotT or any other game that does not enforce minis from a single company.

What other people choose to play is not under your control, so don't sweat it.

The Auld Grump - who remembers a long ago White Dwarf article, where the Stegadon was a plush toy....

Kilkrazy wrote:When I was a young boy all my wargames were narratively based because I played with my toy soldiers and vehicles without the use of any rules.

The reason I bought rules and became a real wargamer was because I wanted a properly thought out structure to govern the action instead of just making things up as I went along.
 
   
Made in ca
Longtime Dakkanaut




Building a blood in water scent

Kings of War is great. It's everything I always wanted WHFB to be.

We were once so close to heaven, St. Peter came out and gave us medals; declaring us "The nicest of the damned".

“Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'” 
   
Made in no
Fresh-Faced New User




Love Kings of War. Great gaming experience as it is both tactical, fast and fun.

Also, the internet provides me with the (literally) greatest miniatures in the world. Sometimes even Mantic-ones

...and I can make dioramas or dynamic looking units on multi bases! Looks great, is easy to transport, and even easier to set up.
   
 
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