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A thought struck me today as I was considering how difficult it's become for me to find the time/people necessary to enjoy a game of WH40k. Only a couple of my friends play, and most people I know aren't interested in learning such a complex and expensive "Hobby-Game." Also, I've found that most of the wargaming communities I know are either very insular, unpleasant, or both (aka nothing like what I see on DakkaDakka). So it got me thinking that maybe if there were a game that was easier to pick up, and played out faster than the standard 2-3 hours for a 40k match, I might have better luck convincing some of my gaming-inclined colleagues to try it out.

So my question is thus: Are there any good table-top games that could be adapted for use with 40k models that are smaller/faster than standard Warhammer?

I don't really imagine that I'll find what I'm looking for, since most games/rules are so specific to the lore and worlds they're based on, but I thought I might ask anyway, in case some obscure thing matches my criteria.

Either way, thanks for reading, fellow Dakkaite.

In the Emperor's Name. It's a free skirmish game set in the 40k universe:

http://iten-game.org/

You may be able to get fan rules for 40k factions in Infinity.

warpath by mantic? might take some rejiggering of the existing factions depending on what you play in 40k, but from what i've heard it is a pretty solid ruleset...

Yes I think Warpath 2.0 might be the way to go if you want to use your collection? A lot of the races have a similar style to those in 40k also so it will be an easier swap. Also, Mantic's games are very fast to play.

If you are looking for other options, I've found Dreadball popular with people who don't normally play wargames.

I've also heard that £30 on the X-wing box game is a great way to get non-gamers into playing (pre-painted, very fast to learn and play, and Star Wars!)

There's a poster on Dakka looking to release something called Planetfall later this year.
Looks promising.
http://www.adpublishing.de/html/planetfall_vide.html

I think Mantic's Deadzone will be a good choice for this (once it's out). Since it has you moving by squares, it does away with all the measuring, etc.. , which (in theory) should make it very quick.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjZhUEEZWAg

Factions should be easy to do.

Enforcers = Space Marines
Marauders = Orks
Plaque = Nid/Chaos Cultits with a one or two big guys in the mix
Asterians = Eldar (with Wraithguards as Cyphers)
Forge Fathers = no clue

 Zweischneid wrote:

Forge Fathers = no clue

SQUATS!

Well, Tau have some pretty fancy battlesuits. Could be Crisis or stealth depending on how big we're talking here. Actually, a tau stealth suit looks reasonably "squint and tilt your head" similar to the promotional sketches I've seen in my brief look at what the Forge Fathers actually are.

You should check out the fan-made Kill Team rules.
They seem very polished and are still being supported and further developed:

http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/0/469610.page#4647542

Some good free games. All of these have unit creation mechancs and various fan-made army lists avaialble.

In The Emperor's Name is a great warband skirmish game that already is aimed at 40k figures with army lists for even the more obscure races and has a cool scenario/campaign generator. They're in the process of releasing a 3rd edition!
http://iten-game.org/

WarEngine (Files available free at the WarEngine yahoo group) is a fast playing platoon level skirmish game engine that was the basis for the "Shockforce" and "GWAR" games. Some of the factions line up with 40k factions fairly well and there are 40k lists avaialble, It plays faster than 40k with more tactical options, but operates best at a platoon or two per side with only light vehicles as it doesn't handle medium and large vehicles very well. It's a favorite of mine and it has been my experience that it really captures the pulpy sci-fantasy feel of the 40k universe.
http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/WarEngine/

No Limits. Basically the game VOR taken open source. About the same complexity as 40k, but less reliant on special rules so it should play a bit faster.
http://www.wargamesunlimited.net/nolimits/

Warpath. I haven't played 2.0 yet, but the first edition was quite alot of fun. Warpath is a great way to play large games of 40k in less time. Most of the armies have 40k analogues (Forgefathers work well for marines) and there are fan made lists for other factions. The link below has most of the internet fan lists as well as links to the core rules and lists.
http://www.warseer.com/forums/showthread.php?315682-Compilation-of-Warpath-Army-lists-and-rules

Except for No Limits (which I intend to try sometime) I've played all of the games above with 40k miniatures and enjoyed them.

 Zweischneid wrote:

Forge Fathers = adeaptus mehanius

There. I fixed it for you.

You forgot Corporation=Imperial Guard. I have a huge Corporation army at this point that would equal about 1000 pts of IG if I stretched it. It's probably about 2000-3000 pts of Corporation, easily. If you went Enforcers, you'd need about 20-30 marines maximum, plus vehicles. Completely do-able. Definitely gotta add another +1 to Warpath.

Tomorrow's War would be my Go-To.

Although a lot of people don't like miniatures games without a points balancing system (it's scenario driven, so more work). More generic than 40k, but when the new book is out (soon) aliens and powered armour special forces units will be easier to run.

Also Stargrunt II works with 40k models. Once again, a scenario driven non-points set of rules. With a bit of thought, it's quite easy to adapt 40k model/units to the system.

Some of these look very promising. I plan to give them some scrutiny when I get the chance.

ITEN was one I had read a while back, though some parts of it seemed overly simplified. Definitely a good one to introduce people though, which is indeed what I asked for...

EDIT: I am especially liking the adapted kill team rules...

 chromedog wrote:
Tomorrow's War would be my Go-To.

Although a lot of people don't like miniatures games without a points balancing system (it's scenario driven, so more work). More generic than 40k, but when the new book is out (soon) aliens and powered armour special forces units will be easier to run.

Also Stargrunt II works with 40k models. Once again, a scenario driven non-points set of rules. With a bit of thought, it's quite easy to adapt 40k model/units to the system.

I second what Chromedog said.

Another advantage of Tomorrow's War is you can field forces of varying sizes and still have a good game. Sometimes all you need is 4 guys.

I like to use various models for dnd. I am currently using Inqusitor Coteaz as a paladin. He makes a really cool looking pally.

Necromunda?

space hulk - some rules were released for IG and space marines. Fan based codexes cover tyranids, eldar and even necrons! very quick and easy to play too - it was space hulk that got me hooked into wargaming

There are even art templates for necron tiles for spacehulk floating around on the net.

For the exploration of tomb worlds, not just space hulks.

I have actually been looking at Bolt Action. More for Pig Iron minis but 40k could easily work as well. It's a very generic system at the end of the day.
With generic weapon stats, and the troop experience could easily represent unit types.

Bolt Action definitely works for sci-fi. It's based on troop qualities and general categories of weapons.

Highly recommend Warpath 2.0.

There are (good quality) fan army lists for every single 40k army already available.

 scarletsquig wrote:
Highly recommend Warpath 2.0.

There are (good quality) fan army lists for every single 40k army already available.

Could you link me to those fan lists? My google-fu is proving insufficient.

 Xca|iber wrote:

 scarletsquig wrote:
Highly recommend Warpath 2.0.

There are (good quality) fan army lists for every single 40k army already available.

Could you link me to those fan lists? My google-fu is proving insufficient.

It's in my post 13 posts up.

Ah, I must have missed those. Thanks!

Warpath 2.0 is really, really solid. And the fan lists work better than the 40k codecies do for 40k-- probably because it's easier to design individual army lists when your foundation is solid and Warpath is. You can definitely see how Alessio developing Bolt Action for Warlord Games at the same time as he was working on Warpath for Mantic Games lead to some great cross pollination of ideas.

The leg up Warpath has over Bolt Action? It's free. The leg up Bolt Action has over Warpath? It takes a more tool kit approach by representing things in categories so that building non-standard lists is very intuitive. But it is a WW2 set, so you'll be doing some conversion to make it scifi. Oh, and the printed book is just aesthetically pleasing.

Any of the FFG 40K RPGs.

DarkSoldier wrote:
Any of the FFG 40K RPGs.

Not if want to use more then a hand full or two of models.

Warpath 2.0 is the best bet, for a game you likely to get some one to play or already dose play.

you can play FW zone mortalis with all the basic rules.

Warpath