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.

As the title says, I'm fancying trying out one of those three systems above. I've read up on all three, but can't decide which to go for. I'm seriously considering dropping some cash on starter boxes for all three...

I realise there are articles and stuff on the forums, but I was looking for some personal opinions on the three games above, particulary dust.

If you can get some demo games in at your FLGS, it'd be worth doing that before you make a choice.

I've got no experience with Dust. I love the new plastic figures from Malifaux. They can be fiddly to assemble at times but they are beautiful to behold once you've got them done. Warmahordes newer models are resin and require putty to fill gaps. If that isn't an issue for you then you'll be pretty happy with them. Old models for either system are metal and still in production afaik so no "winner" on either side there.

I think you should try and get to some demo games like Fafnir suggested because the systems play differently and have very different thematic and stylistic models. Also, knowing if you love or hate the game system will make your choice easier than finding this out after you dropped $50.00 - $100.00 on an impulse.

I have a couple of war machine games lined up with a local group. I'll maybe ask if anyone plays the other two when I'm there. Makes sense. Guess I've been a little hypnotised by the shiny shinies.

 Eggs wrote:
I have a couple of war machine games lined up with a local group. I'll maybe ask if anyone plays the other two when I'm there. Makes sense. Guess I've been a little hypnotised by the shiny shinies.

Don't worry. It happens to the best of us.

I'll vouch for Dust...but actually Dust:Warfare. I suspect you're not looking for a "boardgame" type experience (don't get me wrong, it's a very good game in and of itself), but I think Warfare is more of the freeform open table type of battle game you'd be looking for. The system of reactions and use of suppression are solid mechanics that help shake up the usual structure of IGYG rulesets (also helps to alleviate some of the one sidedness and rampant swings of fate in those types of games). Maybe you can boil your choice down to which theme appeals to you, as every game you've mentioned wildly differs from another in theme...?

While Malifaux might look like a game where you need only 5 or so models, in the game you get to see the terrain and the major mission objectives before you select your forces, so you'll actually probably want 10-15 miniatures per side in your collection. It really, really improves the game and avoids horrible bad match ups if you just play the same five or six things all the time.

Warmachine is solid, but there's a learning curve. Lots of people like to build up to 25 and 35 point games pretty quickly, but I'd highly, highly recommend playing lots of battle box and 15 point games first.

Don't know much about DUST other than I like the miniatures, but already have too much to paint so I didn't get it. Everyone who has seems happy about it though.

You laid out your options in the order I'd recommend them. Warmahordes is addictive, after a few games you'll wonder why you even bother with 40k... this is coming from someone who loses most of his games mind you. Malifaux Ihave no real experience with, I own minis and am only just learning the rules. Dust... both warfare and tactics are a boardgame IMO. Gameplay differences between the two aren't really all that major and its way way way too abstract for my tastes.

Given that you already play 40k, I would strongly recommend Malifaux.

Dust tactics looks good, but I found the rules a bit simplistic. As mentioned above, it works great as boardgame, but as a full wargame, it seemed slightly lacking.

Warmahordes, I feel, is pretty much a sports version of 40k like games. Much better balance and game design, for sure, but the games feel somewhat similar killfests to me. Nothing wrong with that, but I don't think it's different enough from 40k to warrant playing both. I eventually got back to 40k after playing Warmachine for a while, simply because the hobby aspect of 40k is obviously a lot more indepth(what with it being several decades older).

Malifaux on the other hand is completely different.The asymmetric objectives, the much more unique abilities for each model, and the fact that there is no list building due to the way the game is designed, makes for a completely different experience than other wargames. Sometimes you do kill each other. Other times you can win without killing anyone. The card mechanic also introduces some resource management, and the crews play dramatically different to each other, and to any other wargame out there. It's pretty damn good, though it lacks the cathartic fun of blowing away hundreds of orks with your vindicator, and many of the models are still metal.

Finally, I would also probably recommend Infinity for something completely different as well. Though you really NEED to demo that one before you buy, it's not for everyone.

DrDuckman wrote:
Given that you already play 40k, I would strongly recommend Malifaux.

Dust tactics looks good, but I found the rules a bit simplistic. As mentioned above, it works great as boardgame, but as a full wargame, it seemed slightly lacking.

Warmahordes, I feel, is pretty much a sports version of 40k like games. Much better balance and game design, for sure, but the games feel somewhat similar killfests to me. Nothing wrong with that, but I don't think it's different enough from 40k to warrant playing both. I eventually got back to 40k after playing Warmachine for a while, simply because the hobby aspect of 40k is obviously a lot more indepth(what with it being several decades older).

Malifaux on the other hand is completely different.The asymmetric objectives, the much more unique abilities for each model, and the fact that there is no list building due to the way the game is designed, makes for a completely different experience than other wargames. Sometimes you do kill each other. Other times you can win without killing anyone. The card mechanic also introduces some resource management, and the crews play dramatically different to each other, and to any other wargame out there. It's pretty damn good, though it lacks the cathartic fun of blowing away hundreds of orks with your vindicator, and many of the models are still metal.

Finally, I would also probably recommend Infinity for something completely different as well. Though you really NEED to demo that one before you buy, it's not for everyone.

I like your well thought out reasoning. My only question is what do you mean by there is more to the hobby aspect with GW? Not criticizing just asking for clarification, as both have modeling. painting ect.

As to my recommendation. I truly enjoy playing WM/H, So much so that I have gotten out of the 40k universe all together. I find that you really need to know what your models can do and how they synergize with the other models your playing with, and MORE IMPORTANTLY you need to have a good understanding of what your opponents models do, or its gonna be a rough learning curve.

As to Malifeux, I bought the BRB and read through it, just wasnt to my taste. Infinity looks like a blast and some day when I have the money I intend to give it a go.

Malifaux. Of all the systems you mentioned, it is the cheapest and you can be competative for under 100 USD. Starter box, mini rules manual, a deck, and a few blisters to go along with your starting crew.

Nothing else comes close to this value. You never paint the same model per and over, due to each model being amcharactermor multiple molds of minions.

Thanks for all the responses folks. I think I'm going to try out all three games, but I'll hold off dropping a wedge on them until I get a feel for them. Watching tons of batreps just now to get an idea.

I appreciate all three games have a very different look, but I love the minis from all three. It seems wargamers are very much spoilt for choice these days - back in the day, the first time I was into wargaming, 40k and WHFB were pretty much all there was apart from historicals.

I suspect War Machine will end up getting most of my attention, purely because there is a fairly big local War Machine group that meets every week.

As I said, appreciate your thoughts on it.

 Eggs wrote:
Thanks for all the responses folks. I think I'm going to try out all three games, but I'll hold off dropping a wedge on them until I get a feel for them. Watching tons of batreps just now to get an idea.

I appreciate all three games have a very different look, but I love the minis from all three. It seems wargamers are very much spoilt for choice these days - back in the day, the first time I was into wargaming, 40k and WHFB were pretty much all there was apart from historicals.

I suspect War Machine will end up getting most of my attention, purely because there is a fairly big local War Machine group that meets every week.

As I said, appreciate your thoughts on it.

You can drop 50.00 on each and have enough to have some fun with.

I have several different forces for each of the games that I picked up for a few bones less. Maybe 25-30 or so. E bey and swaps are your friends with the games you are looking for here.

 Eggs wrote:
Thanks for all the responses folks. I think I'm going to try out all three games, but I'll hold off dropping a wedge on them until I get a feel for them. Watching tons of batreps just now to get an idea.

I appreciate all three games have a very different look, but I love the minis from all three. It seems wargamers are very much spoilt for choice these days - back in the day, the first time I was into wargaming, 40k and WHFB were pretty much all there was apart from historicals.

I suspect War Machine will end up getting most of my attention, purely because there is a fairly big local War Machine group that meets every week.

As I said, appreciate your thoughts on it.

Just as a question, where abouts in Scotland do you live? If you live near West Lothain or Glasglow, I would suggest PMing DavidKerrSmith and grumhelden who are both Malifaux Henchmen, and should have no problems giving you a demo of the game. I'm sure there are other Henchmen in Scotland, but those are the only ones I know of.

Yea Id vouch for Malifaux. The wife and I got into it and we frigging love playing it. Not only does it seem like a really solid system, but the minis look really good (for the most part, some are...odd) and pretty easy on the wallet.

Since you seem to be interested in skirmish level games, here's another one to give a look, if it's available in your area. Try Dark Age, if you get a chance. Interesting little game, a totally different kind of back story, and the mechanics are simple to put together. The people who run it have a very solid web presence, and the actual rules writers are available to answer questions on their forums.

One of the most important things is finding people to play. Thus, you should seriously consider Warmachine as there are local players.

Malifaux is less expensive than Dust. So, if you want to get people into a new game, I would suggest Malifaux.

They are three totally different games.

First, do you enjoy painting? If not, you may like to pick up the Dust premium models. You don't need that many models to play in Malifaux.

Second, do you have a limited spending? Malifaux is the cheapest to start. Most games are played at 35 SS and you can get a good crew at around $50.

Third, do you need to find an opponent at any time? Warmachine is the most popular of all 3. You should not have problems finding someone to play with.

Finally, what appeals to you the most?

To answer the various questions, I'm in Aberdeen, Scotland. And if all else fails, I can make my ever-suffering wife play me.
I love painting. Love love love it, which is the biggest attraction to those three games - all very different aesthetics, and all would look pretty in my model cabinet.
I don't have unlimited cash, but it wouldn't be too much to buy starters for all three. I work two jobs, and enjoy the proceeds. They all appeal for various reasons, the primary one being different styles of model to paint.