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So as we are now in the age of many options for miniatures games I was just wondering what kind of games do most miniature gamers prefer?

Is skirmish your cup of tea? Smaller more man on man based battle that seem to go at a faster pace and require a quicker way of thinking. Not to mention low cost and few models. (Examples Malifaux, Warmachine/Hordes, WH40K Kill Team, Infinity, Bolt Action)

Maybe you prefer Full Battle games. Large epic battles that come down to key moments when units are finally able to break the line or push the enemy off the objective.Large armies with lots of models. (Examples: Warhammer/40K, Flames of War, Warhmachine/Hordes (High point scale), Dropzone Commander)

Or perhaps you enjoy both it's nice to have variety.


As of late I find my self enjoying skirmish level games more then the big battles. I enjoy the squad level combat these games bring to the table and the exciting split second decisions they can cause.

Personally I have been more in a Skirmish mood these days, but I am open to both provided either type of system has rules I like and can get into.

I love both.

I prefer small model count with high quality miniatures. If I have to go big, I prefer smaller scale high quality miniatures.

I like gaming in multiple "Scopes" and it carries through to nearly all my areas of gaming.

If I may gripe for just a second.
technically nearly all the games you mention are "skirmish" (1 man equals one man and encompassing a small part of a larger battle) and of the games listed, only Dropzone Commander would likely represent a "full battle".
Pedantry over, now then...

For Fantasy, I like:
-Warband skirmish: Song of Blades and Heroes
-Platoon level skirmish:Of Gods and Mortals
-Company Level: Kings of War

For 28mm Sci-Fi
Warband: ITEN, Wastelands,
Platoon Level:Warengine, Tomorrow's War
Company Level: Warpath 1.0

10mm sci-fi
5-10 units per player: Mech Attack
Company level play: Alpha Strike, Panzer 8 Sci-Fi

Also many of the same figures are used at different "scopes" of battle. It's easy to play different scopes just by switching rules and there's so many rulesets out there that there's something for every style of play.

I like both.

Smaller scale games make each miniature feel more important, but larger scale games mean you can field a visually impressive force, have more room for variety, and get more epic battles.

I like both, provided the rules are tight enough for "easy" games.


On a rainy weekend day, I like to pull out a smallish table and get a game of Helldorado or Malifaux, or a DnD session in with the wife. With more proper planning, and a good gaming buddy, I'd pull out the full 4x8 table for larger games of 40k and the like (i'm still in 5th ed. 40k, but still looking at some other options)

I like both, but I prefer larger scaled battles. I enjoy all the fiddlinness of having so many units even it the game takes several hours. I enjoy seeing lots of models on a tabletop.

Each scratches a different itch. I really couldn't pick one over the other.

If I had to I'd say I prefer larger scale gameplay because I like feeling like I have an army at my command, but for models I MUCH rather 10 unique, characterful models over a hundred tiny ones that get lost in the crowd.

Ideally, if I'm headed to the game store, I'd like to have a game of both types before I leave for the night. At least 1 full battle, and multiple small skirmishes.

I prefer skirmish games as it lends to more narrative-driven gameplay; which is something I'm very much into because of my love of RPGs.

I personally feel that it really comes down too the scale of the miniatures you are using, for 28mm scale I like games that are RPG's up too skirmish games anything larger than a skirmish game however causes issues I find and overall doesn't work out well.

When playing larger scales I always will play them using smaller scales like 15mm , 6mm ect for example. I love the feel of multi based large scale games as they can really give you a grand realistic strategic feel to the game and I very much enjoy the feel and scope of these games with keeping gaming space at a reasonable sized table.

I like both to be honest , as long as the miniature scale is right and the rules focus on that scale of combat and do it well it is all well for me . One thing I would add though I find in skirmish games I do like too see some form of RPG added in, be it for individual units or your overall faction your playing as have long term results from every encounter with an opponents force.

The longer I play, the more I find myself liking smaller and smaller point games. Large games are sort of weighed down by the sheer amount of time it takes to play, and the frantic tedium of moving so many miniatures and rolling so many dice. I mean, I'm a guard player, so I'm sure it's more of a concern for my type than most, but still...

Also, it feels like there's less thought that goes into it. Without enough space, you just sort of line everyone up and roll dice, and with all the point you need, it sort of feels like you just cram in as much of the best you can field without really having to think about what you're bringing, and there's enough spare firepower that you don't really have to care as much where you point your guns.

It certainly looks more impressive to see big armies on the table (well, assuming they're painted, which if they're large armies is less likely), but the game doesn't feel as fun.

I prefer the look of mass battles, I prefer painting skirmish.

I like big battles, and I can not lie.

I love any warhammer 40k or warmachine games!! Wargaming is wargaming haha!!

Assuming we are talking about 28mm "scale" miniatures skirmish and only skirmish.

I would not object to full battle games at 15mm.

 insaniak wrote:
I like big battles, and I can not lie.

Epic. +1 post if I ever heard one.

Also, I agree. I love bigger battles, in fact the bigger the better. I haven't tried out appocalypse rules yet, but with regular 40 k rules and a gentleman's agreement to stay away from serious cheese the most entertaining games I've played in the last few years was a recent 6000 point per side CSM vs Eldar and a 12000 point per side game that I accidentally only brought 8500 points to.

I like either a huge all-out game or a small game, like killteam.

I like skirmish size i 28mm and large battles in epic scale.

I prefer skirmish in 28mm and full battle games in 15mm, but usually lean towards skirmish.

Either case allows lots of opportunity for manoeuvring and ranges on a reasonable table (3x3, 4x4, 4x6). Mass battles in 28mm require huge tables (8x6 and upwards) or end up as Carparkhammer.

I've had some difficulty rectifying this in my gaming life. All the Warmachine or 40k players around here play HUGE armies and tend to yawn at skirmish/warband type games. I understand exactly why someone would want to play an Apocalypse game ("I bought these dudes and I want to play them all!"), but it's not really my thing.

For me, I've always loved playing D&D with minis, because it feels like a skirmish game. I love the "mind's eye theater" RP aspect of it, but when it comes to dice rolls and stabbing things, I need to see it in order to think tactically.

Lately, I've just been enjoying collecting awesome models and building/painting them. My Circle Orboros 35pts is pretty sweet, but I have no interest in making it a giant army.

 Ailaros wrote:
The longer I play, the more I find myself liking smaller and smaller point games. Large games are sort of weighed down by the sheer amount of time it takes to play, and the frantic tedium of moving so many miniatures and rolling so many dice. I mean, I'm a guard player, so I'm sure it's more of a concern for my type than most, but still...

Also, it feels like there's less thought that goes into it. Without enough space, you just sort of line everyone up and roll dice, and with all the point you need, it sort of feels like you just cram in as much of the best you can field without really having to think about what you're bringing, and there's enough spare firepower that you don't really have to care as much where you point your guns.

It certainly looks more impressive to see big armies on the table (well, assuming they're painted, which if they're large armies is less likely), but the game doesn't feel as fun.

+1

That's my thought process to the T.

I like skirmish games of Apocalypse.

Only 10k per person.

Per side.

 Ailaros wrote:
The longer I play, the more I find myself liking smaller and smaller point games. Large games are sort of weighed down by the sheer amount of time it takes to play, and the frantic tedium of moving so many miniatures and rolling so many dice. I mean, I'm a guard player, so I'm sure it's more of a concern for my type than most, but still...

Lol, this was why, when I still played in 5th ed. I would deploy my infantry to where at least one platoon was on an objective and as in cover as 40+ guys could be, and try my best to NOT move them... Let all my empty transports, and tanks do the moving

Skirmish for me. I love big armies and it can be fun and rewarding painting up a whole army.. but lately I just don't have that kind of time or money... I think it's more fun playing games with 10 or so models that are all hero types rather than a bunch of nameless grunts that end up in a dead-pile off to the side.

I love the idea of mass battle games, but practically it's not very often I finish an army off completely and get to play with it.

In between work and other hobbies skirmish games offer a much easier prospect, both in modelling/painting and playing time, and I play a lot more small scale stuff (from Infinity or Inquisitor up to Saga with 50-60 miniatures at a push). Do enjoy the odd game of Flames of War or Epic though if I get the opportunity!

Lots of folks seem to have trouble with large scope games because of the time required to finish them. All that is required is to pick the right ruleset. Apocalypse is functional for a day long extravaganza, but it isn't a well-suited ruleset for large games. Games like Hordes of The Things, Kings of War, Warpath 1.0, Epic 40k, Alpha Strike, Panzer 8, Battle of the 5 Armies and others are rulesets designed for bigger games that play in a reasonable amount of time.

They are of course more streamlined that smaller scope rulesets, but that's the nature of creating a ruleset based on the type of game you're playing rather than just attempting to play bigger versions of a certain ruleset.

I like 28mm skirmish and 10mm Battle games.

Let's not talk about the scale for Naval, Space or Aviation related stuff.

I see benefits in both.

In skirmish games:

- Better chance to focus on the feats of certain models or characters
- Less of a model count
- Allows more painting skill to be implemented due to a low model count

In full scale war games:

- Armies that can potentially reach an pic scale of size
- More chaos thrown around
- Bigger war = bigger toys
- More over the top fighting

Then again, this is just my opinion.