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While musing on life and an English essay that I just didn't give enough feths to work on, I was wondering if there was any generic science fiction skirmish games (5-20 dudes a side) that were available (preferably on the Internet for free, but I'm game). After getting back into 2000AD and Judge Dredd, and what with me also being a fan of the game 'Sleeping Dogs' and the film 'The Untouchables', I was wondering if this game could be a bit pulp-y or gang - based. Also if it had a campaign ability, that would be swell

So far, I have considered Gorkamorka (nice rules, vehicle rules and everything, but its just Orks) and Necromunda (like Gormamorka, but without vehicles, and I don't have the campaign book). I have even passingly considered Inquisitor, although that really is very in depth, and as such I'd probably get irritated. Usually I'd try to write my own rules, but what with going back to College and all, I am struggling more and more to find time to game.

So, back to my original question: Do you know of any generic sci-fi skirmish wargaming rules?

Thank you,
LoT

Id say try either battlefield Horizon http://home.dejazzd.com/broadsword/Horror_Ecliptic/HE_Rules_BH_Page01.html (universal scifi, the linked sites using them as a sort of inquistor/necromunda alt, but can really be used for anything)

another (same site) is fragorama http://home.dejazzd.com/broadsword/Fragapalooza/Frag_Index_Page_01.html

Its basically olschool unreal/turok/quake/ whatever multiplayer deathmatches in tabletop form

Edit: Forgot to mention both free

I like Flying Lead, the mostly ranged combat version of Ganesha Games' Song of Blades rules system. It covers modern combat (and pulp adventures, prohibition era gansters etc) but also has not-Stargate sample characters and scenarios as examples in the rulebook. The online squad builder is generic enough to cover most things you might want to stat up. I've used it to stat various 40k races and play space hulk with, but also played Judge Dredd vs perps. 20 men a side would be pushing it but it works well with squads of up to maybe a dozen. And the rulebook is only 8 dollars.

My club plays almost nothing but generic rule sets and there are quite a few out there that are really well done for free or very reasonably priced. A few my club has tried (and a few we haven't) that you should consider. Unless stated otherwise, these are free systems.

Warband Skirmish games (7-15 figs a person)

In The Emperor's Name (ITEN)
Based on the FUBAR game engine, this is a really fast playing game and alot of fun. It's based in the 40k universe with lots of scenarios and warbands and a really nice campaign system, but has a unit creation mechanic we use it for generic skirmishes.
http://thegamesshed.wordpress.com/2011/07/02/in-the-emperors-name/
ITEN is free but Osprey is bringing out a Steampunk version in print next spring called "In Her Magesty's Name"

Wastelands Meltdown.
Mad Max meets Fallout in a game. Really fast playing, but alot of fun. This game and ITEN both have good advancement and campaign systems.
http://s1.zetaboards.com/Post_Apoc_Wargames/topic/4047419/1/
Ran a convention game with this in the spring using a slightly streamlined (it's already pretty streamlined) version of the rules. Had a great time.
http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/447425.page#4237701

Blasters and Bulkheads
Based on the Supersystem game engine, this is a thinly veiled Star Wars game, but works for other sci-fi space opera games also. Has a unique mechanic that allows both heroes, and mobs of mooks/henchmen. Well worth the 10 bucks
http://www.wargamedownloads.com/item.php?item=983

Nuclear Renaissance.
I've not played it, but I've read it and it looks really well done. Sort of a Necromunda crossed with Gorkamorka Available as a print rulebook or a free download
http://www.ramshacklegames.co.uk/nuclear/index.html

Neutron York 3000
This is the game I'm most excited about. Really fast playing, with a good advancement mechanic and an interesting dice tally method. Very tongue-in-cheek style. The club is a bit post-apoced-out after our spring convention game, but we hope to try this one soon. Does not make much allowance for vehicles yet. 7 bucks
http://www.wargamedownloads.com/item.php?item=980&site=NY3Kblog

Platoon Skirmish games (20-40 figs per person maybe a few vehicles)

WarEngine.
One of my favorite games for sci-fi. Very versatile and fast playing. Only handles light vehicles easily, Heavy vehicles take some tweaking. A versatile Unit creation mechanic that does more than just give stats, it also incorporates flavorfull special rules. The yahoo group isn't active, but has all the files you'll need.
https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/WarEngine/info

No Limits.
This is basically the open source version of the "VOR" game. Not played myself, but looks pretty cool. Alot of folks liked the VOR rules when it came out.
http://www.wargamesunlimited.net/nolimits/index.html

5150 Star Army
I mention this because while I didn't enjoy it, I know alot of folks that do. It's available in both a platoon combat ( Star Army) and individual, almost-RPG (New Beginnings) versions. It uses the Two Hour Wargames "reaction" system which takes alot of the control away from the gamer, but it can make for some interesting battles. 20 bucks
http://www.twohourwargames.com/scifi.html
If you're not sure about it, I recommend you try their free ruleset "Chain Reaction" which is virtually the same rules without as much Sci-Fi chrome. If you like CR you'll like 5150. If you don't, then steer clear of it.
http://www.twohourwargames.com/chainreaction3.html

LoT:

It may not be exactly what your looking for [or it might!], but give The Battlefield a look. There are a few reviews on the link. It's built to simulate tactical ultramodern shooters, works great for hard sci-fi, and has some interesting options for using zombies and MERCS. Also, there is a sci-fi expansion coming out very soon and a free campaign mode being released as well[I know this because I'm the designer ]. If you have any questions, then don't hesitate to ask.

Infinity and urban war are my fave small games

Those are both good games, but neither is "Generic" meaning that neither has a mechanic for statting up figures of your choice for the game, instead giving you only specific army lists.

That said, if the OP has a ruleset that they really like, there's no reason not to tweak the rules to accommodate more figures. Gorkamorka in particular is an extremely easy ruleset to add to as it is based on the same rules engine as Necromunda and 2nd edition 40k. The points are different, but it's easy to port the statlines between 2nd ed, Gork and Necro with a few tweaks for balance.

How about Judge Dredd miniature game, dirt cheep, fun rules and with the kickstart a crap load of new stuff coming out. Lets you buy equipment and weapons (except for Judges) and upgrade there stat and feats.

Then there is Infinity, with one of the most soild rule set out there and some of the prettest model there are.

Both have 100% free rules. Both with campaign (Infinity campaign come this month).

Vortex by Unified Game theory. http://168.144.2.34/utg/games.asp

Use whatever figures you want- historic, fantasy, sci-fi, horror, whatever.

Base rules are free. The pay set has all the customization stuff and is totally worth it.

 larva_uk wrote:
I like Flying Lead, the mostly ranged combat version of Ganesha Games' Song of Blades rules system. It covers modern combat (and pulp adventures, prohibition era gansters etc) but also has not-Stargate sample characters and scenarios as examples in the rulebook. The online squad builder is generic enough to cover most things you might want to stat up. I've used it to stat various 40k races and play space hulk with, but also played Judge Dredd vs perps. 20 men a side would be pushing it but it works well with squads of up to maybe a dozen. And the rulebook is only 8 dollars.

Theres also Mutants and Death Ray Guns by Ganesha games. Same basic mechanic as Flying Lead (and all Ganesha games) but features post-apoc type stuff. Its very similar in theme to the old Gamma World RPG. My wife and I played 3 games of it last weekend just to test out the rules. We will be playing it again for sure. All 3 games together took around an hour, with 5 minis each. I drew up 2 identical groups just to keep things simple for the first time.

We are using it to simulate a DC/marvel comic type universe, superheroes & villains, mutants, robots, etc.

I've read Mutants and Death Ray guns looks like good fun. The main difference (besides setting) between Flying Lead (FL) and MDRG is that FL has more extensive rules for ranged combat, with separate profiles for weapons. They both share the same activation mechanic, but in combat MDRG is much more similar to Song of Blades and Heroes, my favorite Fantasy warband skirmish game.

After playing a couple games, I don't like the FL firing rules all that much, but alot of folks do.

 Lord of Timbraxia wrote:
While musing on life and an English essay that I just didn't give enough feths to work on, I was wondering if there was any generic science fiction skirmish games (5-20 dudes a side) that were available (preferably on the Internet for free, but I'm game). After getting back into 2000AD and Judge Dredd, and what with me also being a fan of the game 'Sleeping Dogs' and the film 'The Untouchables', I was wondering if this game could be a bit pulp-y or gang - based. Also if it had a campaign ability, that would be swell

So far, I have considered Gorkamorka (nice rules, vehicle rules and everything, but its just Orks) and Necromunda (like Gormamorka, but without vehicles, and I don't have the campaign book). I have even passingly considered Inquisitor, although that really is very in depth, and as such I'd probably get irritated. Usually I'd try to write my own rules, but what with going back to College and all, I am struggling more and more to find time to game.

So, back to my original question: Do you know of any generic sci-fi skirmish wargaming rules?

Thank you,
LoT

Yes.

Star Mogul/ Salvage Crew.

http://www.megaminis.com/

The Miniature Wargaming Page is a great place to look, as well. they have metric gaktons of free minis rules, skirmish and otherwise.

http://www.miniaturewargaming.com/index.php/mwg/comments/3273/

Warzone

http://www.miniaturewargaming.com/index.php/mwg/category/Rules%20Sci%20Fi/

Then there is the old great one...

Galacta 3.

http://www.hutchs-wargames.co.uk/Rules/scifi/Galacta_v3.1.pdf

I'm working on a little something myself, combining Star Frontiers, and Galacta 3, and combining the Star Mogal stuff for a "Serinity" type of a game. only thing people need is a batch of figures, then we go about scrounging together the crews, the deals, and the scrap, they can play it in a scifi setting.

A great place to point you at is http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/

based on the "FREE" section, you will have no problem finding something that will fit the bill.

Good luck

Eilif wrote:
I've read Mutants and Death Ray guns looks like good fun. The main difference (besides setting) between Flying Lead (FL) and MDRG is that FL has more extensive rules for ranged combat, with separate profiles for weapons. They both share the same activation mechanic, but in combat MDRG is much more similar to Song of Blades and Heroes, my favorite Fantasy warband skirmish game.

After playing a couple games, I don't like the FL firing rules all that much, but alot of folks do.

Yes, MDRG is very similar to SoBH (which is good IMO), and the ranged weapons simply adding a bonus to the combat role, which keeps in simple. During the week we are going to do up some custom gangs and get back to playing this coming weekend.