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Hello guys,

There is a post up in Dakka Discussions looking for alternatives to 40k. My knowledge of non-GWS systems is limited. There are some other games I'd love to try and make people aware of. If someone has a few minutes, I'd certainly like it if you could make a contribution to the list.

I'd really like to get an entry for: Dust Tactics, AT-43, and other games of that nature. Only games that are actually shipping, please; no betas.

Specifically, this would be the ideal information included:

Game:
At least one link it can be cheaply bought from: ?
Cost of entry (minimum to play) and likely future costs: ?
minimum players: ?
recommended players: ?
Recommended ages: ?
likely time to run a game: ?
What's to like: ?
What you might not like: ?
Bottom line: ?

For "cost of entry" field, if there is a starter box that has everything 2 people need to get going, that would be great. If there is not, could you please indicate the bare minimum needed (i.e. you need at least x units, what rulebook, etc), a rough estimate of what it takes to get a foot in the door, and then what it would take to really get going with a large army/force.

Thank you for your time!

Game: Dust Tactics

At least one link it can be cheaply bought from:

http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/edge_minisite.asp?eidm=123

Cost of entry (minimum to play) and likely future costs:

There are two factors which really stand out about Dust Tactics. Firstly, you don't necessarily need a whole bunch of miniatures to play the game. All you really need are a minimum of, say, 3 squads (including or excluding the Robots; the giant, bipedal, WW2-isk walkers) and an opponent too play against. Secondly, possibly the best part about getting into Dust Tactics is that it's "university friendly", meaning that starting and retaining the hobby doesn't cost that much money as oppose to other, more infamous hobbies. Also, to make things even better, the rulebook for the game is free. That's right. FREE!
http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/ffg_content/dust-tactics/support/dust-tactics-rulebook.pdf

minimum players:

2-4 Players. Can be played with more players if there more "gaming tiles" readily available.

recommended players:

I really, truly believe that any and all players will enjoy this game.

Recommended ages:

13+

likely time to run a game: ?

Individually speaking, 45-60 minutes usually for 2-4 player games. 60-120 minutes for bigger-sized games.

What's to like:

Giant, bipedal, WW2 Walkers. Axis Gorilla Squads. German Zombies with added "Power Paunches". U.S. Jet-Pack, Power-Armoured Infantry. Need I say more?

What you might not like:

Sadly, Dust Tactics, at this stage, is very much still a board game. Although, there are tabletop rules down the pipeline which are being developed. Expected around Christmas of this year.

Bottom line:

It's like WW2 on crack...

Mercs Minis

http://www.mercsminis.com/Game.php

A squad based skirmish game of 5 models a side. Army deals are available that include two factions and the cards required to play and run around $120. All 4 factions with their decks will run you $232. A single force will run you about $50 for figs, $10 for cards and the hard cover color rulebook is another $35.

Minimum of 2 players. Since it really is a squad vs squad based game 2 players is optimal but I'm sure that you could run team style games.

Games run 60-90 minutes.

What's to like? Nice setting, low model count, no measuring devices needed as all your movement, fire lanes and weapon templates are done with the use of the model's cards. Most all factions have very nice models.

What's not to like? Some folks may not like the fact that almost everything is based off the use of cards. Models are a little on the expensive side but no more than some of GW's stuff.

Bottom line: Some neat innovations with this game that was a huge hit at GenCon last year(I never got near the booth there were so many people.) The price point is competitive with other games out there but the low model count will help keep the cost down in the long run.

Game: INFINITY

At least one link it can be cheaply bought from: Maelstrom Games, Weyland Games

Cost of entry (minimum to play) and likely future costs: Around 60€ for an starter pack a couple of blisters.

minimum players: 2

recommended players: 2

Recommended ages: 16 - 80

likely time to run a game: 1 hour per match

What's to like: The miniatures are like the best sci-fi non gothic minis in the market. The game system is truly original, you are even playing during your enemy´s turn. The range is HUGE but army lists are about 10-16 minis, so it is very cheap to get into. They have the best Army Builder I have ever seen... for FREE!

What you might not like: The rules are very different from the usual GW games.

Bottom line: Ninjas, Heavy SciFi Armors, Sexy females with big guns, bikes, mechas, aliens, Historical figures, cool fluff... Infinity is huge, it tastes like something made for adult gamers. Rules are FREE to download from their website. Beasts of War made a cool themed week and all those videos explain the rules and the game easily.

Well it isn't out yet but I reccomend waiting for Mantic's upcoming sci fi which should be coming out in a few months. They have just started releasing their concept sketches. Mantic have been putting out models and rules for KoW very quickly and I expect the same for this game.

There aren't many facts but knowing mantic it will be much cheaper (a fantasy army from mantic costs about £150 and is about the size of a 2000 WHFB army). The rules will probably be free to download.

They are fans of large games so it should be 40k sized. The rules will be much simpler and more streamlined. While the game is designed to be used with a lot of models the rules scale well and don't get bogged down in large games.

As a company they are the opposite to GW. They listen to customers, give them what they want and try to keep costs low. Definately worth supporting.

Fubar it´s a good game, it´s one page rules, can be played whith any minis you got and it´s free!
I played it a lot and works really well.
On the other side it´s not for competitive games it´s more friendly games orientated, but if you like this kind of games it will be for you.

make your own
at least thats what we thought
its fun to do and requires little money
we use toy cars and washers as stand ins when we dont have enough models for testing
however where still in early development so the game isnt completed but we still enjoy our test plays allot
games can be rewarding and finding an army you really like is nice
but no as good as making one to suit oyur needs