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What I'm looking for is basically Dystopian Wars (I've only ever played old version, no idea how the new one compares to it) with lots of weird tech and steampunk/dieselpunk aesthetic, with lots of models and not dependent on a single universe or manufacturer, in small scale (6-10 mm), even better if it has infantry in addition to vehicles. I've tried searching for the rules that can accomodate that, but so far have made little progress. It's either heavily property-tied (Dystopian Wars in question) or honestly impenetrable (like an addon for the Strike Legion; I gave up on the core rules, for me personally this level of granularity is unplayable). It would be especially helpful if anyone has experience with such rules.

So which model lines do you need supported?

I'm looking primarily at the Legion of Cendre collection by Bishok with small additions from other lines of theirs and some other random asserted 3D models. It's an Imperial Guard derivative but has enough style to stand on its own.

Armoured clash is a way better system than Dystopian wars, I would try that.

Old or new Dystopian Wars? Because I've only played the old one and didn't think of it as a particularly interesting system, and opinions of my acquaintances who have tried the new version are overwhelmingly negative. One of them also has quite a negative opinion on Wild West Exodus which is why I'm hesitant about Warcradle products. Besides, it isn't model agnostic.

Cendre is more or less just Epic proxies, innit

Basically you're looking for open rules for a fringe theme that has no model support except models tied to proprietary rulesets, and even the line you have in mind isn't actually designed for the theme you want. So... you might have to settle for 6mm sci-fi.

Figured as much, but what options are there? I've played lots of Horizon Wars with lots of custom houserules but I don't think it would work with steampunk era (no, I did not like the weird war themed expansion and consider it to be rather poorly made). I doubt Epic has rules for flying fortress ships a la Dystopian Wars.

Perhaps When the Navy Walked or Martian Empires.

I have Martian Empires but have not really played it. When the Navy Walked I have only seen on the shelf, but never really looked into it.

PM if you want me to send you some more details on Martian Empires.

Is Martial Empires large scale? I see mentions that it's intended to use 18 mm figures which is not what I'm after, it's about 2x too large.

 SgtBANZAI wrote:
I doubt Epic has rules for flying fortress ships a la Dystopian Wars.

It has. Example: Squat Zeppelin.

SU-152 wrote:

 SgtBANZAI wrote:
I doubt Epic has rules for flying fortress ships a la Dystopian Wars.

It has. Example: Squat Zeppelin.

Didn't know that, might check it out, thanks.

 SgtBANZAI wrote:
Is Martial Empires large scale? I see mentions that it's intended to use 18 mm figures which is not what I'm after, it's about 2x too large.

That is only because that was the size the manufacturer makes. I see no reason why it can't be used with 6mm.

I've been thinking that Future War Commander might fit okay

I hated it on first read because of its anachronistic rules, based on Warmaster, that hinge on small command bubbles. But it might be fine for steampunk, they have mecha and death rays but maybe they don't have radio.

What do you expect to see in the rules Steampunk-wise?

Because I'd say the way to go is just choose any ruleset in the scale you want, and counts-as the hell out of it.

I guess lots of very sturdy and very slow vehicles, flying stuff like zeppelin, examples of crude and unreliable technology.

I meant actual rules (mechanisms, solutions etc), not what they are represented by on the table. Whether you call a certain set of rules "a zeppelin", "a dragon" or "a heavy bomber" is an afterthought.

For example playing Epic with your counts-as Steampunk models should be doable, especially if you choose factions like Squats.

Cyel wrote:
I meant actual rules (mechanisms, solutions etc), not what they are represented by on the table.

Random activation in the style of Hail Caesar or Warmaster is off the table, hate that mechanic. Otherwise it would be hard to comment since I have no experience with mass battle sci-fi games. Horizon Wars is nice system but it's more of a big skirmish, and without houseruling how the damage is applied even 10 bases per side is seriously pushing it in terms of game time and housekeeping in my opinion.

Cyel wrote:
Whether you call a certain set of rules "a zeppelin", "a dragon" or "a heavy bomber" is an afterthought.

Agree to disagree.

It's an interesting question and I feel runs into the problem that Warcradle discussed when talking about the decision to split Armoured Clash from Dystopian Wars. Infantry and big landships don't really work at the same scale with the constraint of a regular table.

Armoured Clash should work fine with Cendre models. Infantry, Field Guns, and Cavalry are on 20mm square bases, everything else is unbased. Rules are free on their website, so you're not exactly losing anything. It's a simple and smooth system.
If you want to lean more towards big landships duking it out, maybe reskin new Dystopian Wars. There's enough variety of units that you should be able to find something that fits your concept.

For something that specific/niche you'll have to take some ownership of your hobby and do a bit of the work by adjust a flexible game.
At least for scale, probably also some selective force creation to get the right "feel" for your setting.

Generic/flexible Sci-Fi games like Xenos Rampant or Grimdark Future are likely your best bet.
What you're describing sounds rather likr Weird WW1, so perhaps look at what people are using for with their Quar miniatures or something like "A War Transformed ". Not my forte, so I can't say much more than that.

Yes,
you should take a look at Wiley Games’ “Glorious Adventures in the Age of Steam.” While I don’t have that particular title, I have several other of their games; the main activation system is the same in each game, but with enough tweaks to deal with multiple genres. One of my “go to” rule sets, especially for quick get together or easy to teach systems.

https://wiley-games.myshopify.com/

My apologies if I screwed up the link or broke a forum rule in posting; I only rarely post or reply on this site (I mainly just read for cool gaming ideas).

I highly recommend this series of games. The good thing about this particular title is that it has a skirmish game, mass battle game (5-8 units a side) and an airships game all in one volume. Any minis you like, you stat them up the way you like to; a true “game kit” for almost any period you like.

Also available on Wargames Vault, I believe.