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Ok, between cost and balance issues (They've had 6 editions to get this right and still can't do it) I'm out of 40k, however I'm still interested in sci fi wargaming. So I come to you and ask: What are some good sci fi wargames. Now these can be space, land based, it doesn't matter, there's only a few requirements.

1. It must be Sci fi or at least Sci Fi like (40k for example falls into my sci fi like category)
2. It must be relatively cheap to get models for OR have the ability to use paper craft as an alternative.
3. It must have paintable models, I really enjoy that aspect almost as much as playing and am proud of my painted army that will probably never see another game table as long as I play.

I hope I'm not circling the drain on this, because while I could make my own tabletop mini game, book wise, i couldn't do it model wise and I really enjoy this hobby.

BattleTech, after 25 years, is still strong. Go to www.battletech.com and you'll find lots of fellow painters as well as gamers.

Infinity - wins TTGN sci-fi miniature of the year, year after year. Models are 40k prices but you only need 10 of them. Starter box + 2 blisters is about 70 euro for a full size force. I think that's probably something like 80$, I don't know exactly.

Tomorrow's War. Use your 40K models for it. It works in scales from 6mm to heroic 32mm. http://ambushalleygames.com/ . There is a point size in beta but it's pretty much entirely a scenario based game, which is a change but great once you get over the change from points based systems where forces are balanced by points rather than the difficulty of their scenario objectives.

Gruntz 15mm. http://gruntz.biz . Designed for 15mm models so very cheap to get into. Stat system for building your own units/vehicles. low cost PDF. Version 1.1 out in a few weeks. I've seen some very nice paint-jobs on 15mm models so it does not rule-out decent painting, it does probably mean a change of some of your techniques.

If you want the best models to paint then Infinity hands down. No contest.

Cheapest is either Tomorrow's War - use your own 40K models and just buy the rule-book. Or Gruntz, 15mm is very cheap compared to what you're used to.

Dust Warfare fits your criteria if you consider Weird War II with Zombies and walking tanks to be Sci-Fi (I do).

The models are inexpensive, come preassembled and primed, and the rules are tight and play fast. The Suppression system brings a unique slant to morale unlike any other game I've played, and for the better.

Did I mention the Zombies?

Tomorrow's War sounds interesting, as does battletech, the only problem with battletech is the fact that I have a friend who has played the hell out of it, and "knows everthing about it"...He played usually with "custom built" mechs and minis...I'll have to look for a video on youtube for tomorrows war though]

I will of course second Battletech. It is slower paced than 40K, but is far more detailed as well.

You can start with the Starter Box which contains ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE MINIS, but the best part of the game is that you don't need minis to play if you play on mapsheets.

If you're pround of your army that isn't going to see the tabletop, I'd say move to rulesets that allow you to use whatever minis you want.

The first two are platoon sized games:

WarEngine. Free. Sci-Fantasy. Straitforward, with more tacitcal depth than 40k, but fewer rules.

Tomorrows War. Hard Sci-Fi. Use whatever figs you want. Reasonably priced hardcover

For something a bit larger (reinforced platoon and a few more vehicles)

Warpath. Cheap figure line, but easy to proxy.

Have you seen the "games you might enjoy thread"
http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/0/369662.page
It will answer all your questions.

Now might also be a time to look at alternate miniatures companies including those without a specific game.
http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/373197.page

Infinity is a good game to give a shot. Also maybe look into Dark Age: Apocalypse.

All the above suggestions are excellent, but I'd like to add one to the mix.

OK, I wrote MechaWar, which I acknowledge must make me biased, but I'm enjoying it so much that it's actually getting in the way of me developing new games. The rules are £1.00 to download from Precinct Omega and you can buy enough minis for a decent starter force (scroll to the bottom of the page) for the astonishingly low price of £2.55 (plus P&P) and, by the way, I don't get a penny for the miniatures. I just love getting minis that cheap. I bought 60. Seriously.

Urban mamouths urban war or metropolis.
Mantics version of 40k is a good shout because for most armys it is just use your 40k models and some of theres to keep cost down.
Infinity is a nice skermish game.
Drop zone commander is a good choice if you fancy 10mm.

Firestorm: Armada is a good one for shipbased in space, (cant comment on the new rulebook though, youl have to ask as i play the steampunk version of the game). £35 Gets you an instant legal force, then i think about £20 for the rulebook.

You could also try Firestorm:Invasion. Different rules mechanic for the Firestorm universe but is land based (grav tanks, mecha squads etc). £45 gets you all the models for the factions, the rulebook and i think scenario guide. Only 2 factions at the minute though.

Vote for Battletech here the intro box gives you enough minis to bash it out with several friends and maybe 25 bucks more you can throw some more interesting mechs in that will keep you going for a month or so if not longer. i havnt picked up a mech for almost two maybe three months and my collection is pretty large from casual 10 dollar buys here and there

 Mattlov wrote:
I will of course second Battletech. It is slower paced than 40K, but is far more detailed as well.

This.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

Eilif wrote:
If you're pround of your army that isn't going to see the tabletop, I'd say move to rulesets that allow you to use whatever minis you want.

The first two are platoon sized games:

WarEngine. Free. Sci-Fantasy. Straitforward, with more tacitcal depth than 40k, but fewer rules.

and very much this as well.

After trying out so many tabletop games, I would say that the best bang for your buck is Battletech. A lance will last for many years.

Star wars : X Wing seems to be catching fire around here! The game is newer but it is very awesome so far... cost is comparatively cheap and ITS STAR WARS!!! Nuff said...

All these suggestions are good but were failing to address something critical: "What games are being played in the OPs local gaming community?" Tellin him to play Infinity is all well and good, but if nobody near him plays, what then?

chaos0xomega wrote:
All these suggestions are good but were failing to address something critical: "What games are being played in the OPs local gaming community?" Tellin him to play Infinity is all well and good, but if nobody near him plays, what then?

If there isnt a local player base, create one. Could be people nearby are holding off infinity due to buy in vs whether theyl like it or not, nothing wrong with OP picking up a second starter box of his second favorit faction and trying to generate some interest himself

In the case of MechaWar, you can buy everything you need for a decent hour's battle for less than the cost of one Infinity miniature. So building a demo force to show someone else the game is completely feasible.

R.