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Title says it all, I prefer a small skirmish game to help get my 10 year old into miniature wargaming. We play X-Wing already, he likes it but looking for a game with unpainted non-vehicle models so he can paint his own.

Wild West exodus is very good (and easier to get in the states)

Freebpoters fate too

A lot of course depends on his maturity and your allowance of material.

Also the Mars attacks game by mantic has been fun in the few games Iv played (and allows for vehicles if you choose to later)

There is always The Hobbit or if you are looking for something more cutesy, you could try Songs of Our Ancestors:

http://www.zombiesmith.com/collections/quar-rules

Or Star Wars imperial assault should be out around christmas

I just picked up bloodbowl, it is a reasonably easy ruleset to learn, and the team's aren't huge and intimidating for a new painter.

Dang, Privateer Press used to have a cool giant monster game.
I would suggest Relic knights, but some of its models are a bit too.....yeah.
This is an interesting question though. I'll need to think.
If mechs don't count as vehicles, I'd suggest Battletech.

I think the Battletech rule set may be a little much for a 10 year old (at least last time I looked at them). Cool models though.
Star Wars Imperial Assault may be on the table, looks intriguing. Same with Wild West Exodus.
Blood Bowl is pretty easy to learn, tough to find the models nowadays though isn't it?
Not sure how much longer the Hobbit will be around/supported, seems to me that GW will drop them like a bad habit after the license is expired.

Mordheim... free online rules with variations and a ton of expansions. A box of empire free company and some paint and you're ready to go. Scenery is cheap and enjoyable to make as well.

Mordheim is no longer officially supported but that only makes it better. The rules won't change on you next month.

As suggested Mordheim is a great one and has a good fantasy setting.

If you are looking for a sci-fi setting, I can't suggest Necromunda enough, it's really simple and fun to play, also you can use pretty much any models you like provided you can differentiate between them.

Both play quite closely and can have fun campaigns/missions that are included in the rulebooks which you can pick up for easily/cheapily in general.

I love Necromunda and Mordheim, played them plenty (I probably still have my van Saars stashed somewhere). Mordheim is probably easier to customize, that may be a good one to get him started with.

 Egregious wrote:
I love Necromunda and Mordheim, played them plenty (I probably still have my van Saars stashed somewhere). Mordheim is probably easier to customize, that may be a good one to get him started with.

Anything that is a "warband" or skirmish game can keep it small enough to be interesting.

I had played both Mordheim and Necromunda, Mordheim seems the better choice between the two for ease of play.
I read a bit on the rules for "Infinity" not so much on "Malifaux", anyone here have any suggestions on those?

I got to play a demo of "Dust Tactics" and found it like Battletech concepts with X-wing(ish) mechanics, you might want to look into it.
It is as heavy on troops as the occasional vehicle.

My kids are 8 and 9 and we have been playing X-wing as well, they seem to have that down pretty good so I see what you mean.
Good luck!

 Egregious wrote:
I love Necromunda and Mordheim, played them plenty (I probably still have my van Saars stashed somewhere). Mordheim is probably easier to customize, that may be a good one to get him started with.

Mordheim is really good like that, also there is a new video game based on Mordheim coming out soon, so you could lure them in with that

I've glanced over the rules for Infinity, they seem a bit complex for a 10 year old (didn't look really closely though). Haven't looked at Malifaux, although the skirmish size makes it attractive.

 Egregious wrote:
I've glanced over the rules for Infinity, they seem a bit complex for a 10 year old (didn't look really closely though). Haven't looked at Malifaux, although the skirmish size makes it attractive.

Infinity has a new edition coming out this December, but honestly the biggest thing that comes to mind?
Comparing the models that your son paints to what Angel Giraldez(the studio painter) does might be a bit of a problem as it could turn him off from painting.

If I were you, I would try to find the "Regiments of Renown" rules for Warhammer Fantasy. It would let him pick up a boxed set for an army he likes, equip them as he wants and field them all as an "army" with each model being its own "unit" effectively.

Someone mentioned Bllodbowl, but since it is well....out of print, I think Dreadball by Mantic Games might suit your needs. Comes with everything you need to play and it is appropriate enough I believe.

What about something like Super Dungeon Explore?

Black water glutch, brushfire, or endless fantasy tactics? 100% dakka grown!

The on the lamb stuff have rewarding campaign systems that are a blast.

I'll fifth Necro and Mordheim. Original gangs and warbands remain reasonably affordable even now so worth some thought.

It's a board game but Zombiecide is very heavy in miniatures so worth some consideration if you think your boy might enjoy it.

Malifaux is a really great game to get into. It's got a unique mechanic with the card deck, rather than dice, and a LOT of flavor to choose from. The 2E models are really great sculpts, and a lot of fun to assemble and paint. The rule system is fairly cohesive, and missions can be simple or complex.

 Howard A Treesong wrote:
What about something like Super Dungeon Explore?

Something like that or a similar skirmish type boardgame with 3D figures. (Gears of War, the new Star Wars Imperial Assault, that sort of thing.)

The rules are relatively simple. You can play it straight out of the box -- Super Dungeon Explore requires assembly of the models -- and you can have a go at painting the figures if you like.

Another vote for Imperial Assault when that comes. If he's into Star Wars I bet that'll be a smashing success.

In the meantime you could have a look at Song of Blades and Heroes. The rules are 8 bucks or something, and you can use any models you want, so if you have any unpainted fantasy minis laying around he can paint and play with those.

If painting minis is a large part of it...the board game Decent comes with a ton that could always use painting.

Deadzone sounds like the perfect game for you. The starter box is very cheap, comes with a 2x2 mouse pad-type game mat of very high quality, Mantic's frankly awesome hard plastic Battlezone terrain, and enough miniatures to play the 2 included factions at a full 70 points with several left over for variety in list building. The gameplay is fast, fun, easy to learn, not very complex but still highly tactical. I'd say it's the perfect gateway miniature game, although don't take that to mean it's too simple or repetitive, it's certainly not. It has a lot of variety in missions since each player has their own (secret) mission drawn from a faction-specific mission deck. Movement and range is measured by 3x3 squares (printed on the game board), removing a big time sink. New faction starter sets can be picked up cheaply and include a similar amount of minis as the factions in the starter box. It's also getting a second Kickstarter in 2015, so it will most likely continue to have good support for quite a while yet. I'd say the only negative is that the models are restic and require assembly, but thankfully Mantic are starting to release more stuff in proper plastic.

Song of Blades and Heroes - Fantasy skirmish gaming. Rules are easy to learn but still give a good game. Buy the rules PDF for $8, add in a few Reaper Bones and you will be gaming for next to nothing.

http://www.ganeshagames.net/product_info.php?cPath=1_6&products_id=7

The gears of war board game is a lot of fun. It's also cooperative so you will be playing together instead of it being adversarial.

Deadzone in another game where you can get everything complete in a box and play together but it's no cooperative.

Zombicide might also be a good game to play together, once again it's cooperative and everything you need comes in a single box. The rules are not that complex and since you are on the same side as him you can guide him along and help him make choices.

A little outside of that have you tried the osprey rulesets, they contain a variety of rulesets set in different settings and tend to be smaller skirmish type games, the rules also tend to be very cheap at around a tenner give or take. Some of the rulesets have minitures you can buy to go with them or you can buy historicals or even use what you have on hand some of the rulesets include. If you have a kindle or ereader with a kindle app the rules are even cheaper

Ronin: samurai ruleset, variety of manufacturers making models including the official northstar ones but also stuff like steel fist, perry and even wargame factory plastics. Roughly ten models or less a side for most lists, more for the peasants list.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ronin-Skirmish-Wargames-Samurai-Osprey-ebook/dp/B00HDD4562/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1416947547&sr=8-1&keywords=Osprey+wargame

Lions rampart: larger medevil game probably less than 50 models need though, perry, fireforge or other medevil plastics would be a good route for this game. I have heard great things about this game and supposedly the rules are quite simple but fun to play. If I ever finish the three projects I am working on a lions rampart force will likley be next.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lion-Rampant-Medieval-Wargaming-Wargames-ebook/dp/B00NPC956K/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1416947547&sr=8-4&keywords=Osprey+wargame


A fist full of Kung fu: let's you build your own characters and squad so almost anything is possible. Meant to evoke chinese action movies. Northstar produce model sets including yakuza, martial artists and demons but you can use almost anything? Modern soilders, sci if models, giant apes pretty much any option is available to you and can be made to work. I am currently using these rules to make a swat team on one side and samurai or ninja on the other. Other people have used the rules to make apes vs martail artists, cops vs robbers and so on. Probably around 10 or less models a side depending on how you build your force.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fistful-Kung-Fu-Wargame-Wargames-ebook/dp/B00I42Q7LC/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1416947547&sr=8-5&keywords=Osprey+wargame

On the seven seas. A pirate game also around 10 or less models. North Star have some model sets you can buy but any pirate models would do, as would british, Dutch or Spanish army models of the time. Foundry also do pirates including asian pirates for something a little bit different. Getting a ship isn't essential but adds to the fun.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Seven-Seas-Wargames-Adventure-c-1500-1730-ebook/dp/B00LFKPG62/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1416947547&sr=8-6&keywords=Osprey+wargame

There are others including

In her magesties name (steampunk)
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Her-Majestys-Name-Steampunk-Wargaming-ebook/dp/B00CBF08A4/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1416947547&sr=8-9&keywords=Osprey+wargame

Of gods and mortals (ancient civilisations and their gods)
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gods-Mortals-Mythological-Wargame-Wargames-ebook/dp/B00FZV7LEW/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1416947547&sr=8-7&keywords=Osprey+wargame


Not osprey but I have also herd great things about pulp alley. It uses plot points that to build a narrative that's more than just killing each other.
http://pulpalley.com/index.html

Amongst that mess of links you might find something that interests your so. Without being tied into a single set of models or a single source of models. Hope it helps some what.

 RanTheCid wrote:
Song of Blades and Heroes - Fantasy skirmish gaming. Rules are easy to learn but still give a good game. Buy the rules PDF for $8, add in a few Reaper Bones and you will be gaming for next to nothing.

http://www.ganeshagames.net/product_info.php?cPath=1_6&products_id=7

This would be my suggestion also. If your child wants to paint models and you want to encourage him/her in that direction, then you will want a game that allows them to paint virtually any model that catches their interest and quickly use it in a game.

Song of Blades and Heroes is an excellent game that is extremely easy to play (by far the easiest of any game listed above), but still rewards repeat play. It has a multitude of expansions for things like dungeoncrawls, extended campaigns, etc. Unlike many other "indie" games, it has an excellent track record and has been extensively playtested and adjusted (new editions are FREE once you've bought the first) throughout it's 6+ year history. Also, if you end up liking the basic SBH rules engine, The author has written rules that adapt it for many settings including post-apoc (gamma world style), King Arthur, Hong Kong Action movies, giant robot combat, swashbuckling, napoleonics, mythological combat and more. The "Fistfull of Kung Fu" and "Of Gods and Mortals" games mentioned below are both based on the same SBH rules system (each with some major adjustments), but are printed by Osprey.

More germane to your immediate purpose, it has a very good unit-creation-system for stating up your own minis. It's a bit of work with pen-and-paper, but it is extremely easy with the free HTML builder here: http://www.ganeshagames.net/extra_info_pages.php?pages_id=17&osCsid=pp4iomsv5di6h6j94bob0571v0
With this, you can go to the store and if a miniature catches his eye, you can add it to your game regardless of what game it was intended for. It also means if you find a bargain on some cool minis, then you've got a way to play them.

My club has been playing SBH for over 4 years now and it's still one of our favorites. Each summer we do a campaign, the latest of which is here:
http://chicagoskirmish.blogspot.com/p/quake-and-mourn-song-of-blades-heroes.html

I can think of no game that is cheaper, will be easier for your child to learn to play, and will at the same time provide an enjoyable game for yourself.

Dust Tactics (warfare) starter box has some nice min's, although 2 of them are walkers

Dust Tactics would be good- rules are easily digestible and played on a grid map- and you have zombies and monkeys! the models come assembled and primed ready to paint.

FFG are having a hugely discounted stock clearance of their old items, jump on that.

you could buy a few box sets and the rules are free to download ( HERE ). I think all of those expansion boxes come with different maps and things.

http://store.fantasyflightgames.com/client/client_pages/sale2014.cfm?catid=23

What sort of figures does he like?

I'd probably just buy some of them and find/modify some rules to fit them.

I think that it is important to get him a game which has figures and a setting that he is interested in.

If he is he into underwater stuff, then try Deepwars.

Zynvaded has miniature aliens that battle in the real world.

If he likes Japanese monsters, I second the suggestion to find Privateer presses Monsterpocalypse. It is a great game.

Endless fantasy tactics has a anime fantasy theme.

There is the D&D version of xwing that just came out.

If he wants sci fi, you could consider Judge Dredd.

There really are tons and tons of options.