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I am looking for a miniatures game to play would like some help in deciding a game to play. I like the popularity of warhammer 40K, I can find always find a game multiple times per a week. However, I dont like a lot of rules where you constantly have to look in the book, nor the fact that the game changes every few years and you have to start all over. For some reason, I also hate the ability of the figures being able to fire just about every single weapon its carrying in one turn. I do like the models and that there is a wide range of models to choose from. But it seems like mostly get a large army and just kill the other side, with some objectives.

Ive looked at Infinity. I like the small units, figures are amazing, but again, a lot of rules. I like the idea of more detailed missions.

Bolt action looks interesting, I like the turn by turn, but again, every video I see on youtube the game master has the book open and is having to figure out the rules.

So, What I am looking for is a simple game, great figures, with tactics.

You should probably figure out what everyone in your local game area likes to play and cares to play.

doesn't matter if you find the perfect game for you not everyone will want to invest in it if they already commit to another game.

personally love dystopian wars. Affordable, lovely models, the table can be made REALLY cheap. the rules are a bit eh but once you figure it out it goes by quick.

Team yankee is also a bit of fun.

Drop zone commander is also a fun game and not terribly complicated

though dystopian wars and dzc is going through a new edition soon.

Guild Ball.

Never more than 6 models a side, hugely deep in-game functions, a team can radically change with the substitution of just one player of the 6, relatively short ruleset with a well supported and officially endorsed rules section on the forum, and entirely free to play if you don't mind doing a bit of printing and crafting, otherwise the models are well priced for a low count game, and the starter is well priced and contains literally everything you need to play, one could even conceivably take a starter team and compete at a sanctioned event.

Whether the models are great or not is a more personal thing, but I like them in the majority.

I'll throw Malifaux in the ring.

Crew sizes average about 8-10 models. The rules are pretty short and simple, with the complexity instead being on the models rules. However, they're not all that complex, and all of the rules specific to the model are on the unit card. So once you know the simple core rules, any time you want to double check something the card is right in front of you. As for 'firing everything', a lot of models have more actions than they can do. Models, with some exceptions, get 2 action points, and some actions cost both, and things like moving cost action points, so there's real tactical choice of what you do with each models individual action points.

X-Wing? Seems to be played every where, easy rules, models are good and don't need to be assembled and painted.

Saga is another easy game to pick up but with a lot of tactical depth.

40k's rules are only 8 pages right now (most rules are on data sheets, but if you don't change your army around much, you'll internalize them quickly). Don't play matched play and stick to open war (especially with the deck of cards to build scenarios) and you'll have a bigger variety of game experiences and can play much smaller games.

Age of Sigmar is similar in this regard, but even simpler (rules are only 4 pages, plus warscrolls). Good selection of models and GW has produced several products like Skirmish, Path of Glory, and soon Open War cards that will create more varied objectives. Big fan of Age of Sigmar.

Infinity is a very heavy ruleset with a lot going on. It's my personal favorite, but it is hardly a simple game. I'd also avoid Warmachine, as the learning curve to that game is brutal.

X-Wing is fun and simple but, in my opinion, I can't get excited about ships battling. I've recently tried Runewars Miniatures Game which also features the hidden movement planning and thought it was great. Surprisingly so. I almost don't completely resent FFG killing BattleLore 2E to make room for it. Almost.

The Walking Dead: All Out War might be another option. Really simple ruleset with good character models, along with zombie AI that allows you to play solo, cooperative, or competitive modes. You can even build your own characters to play as. Mantic also makes Deadzone. Haven't played 2.0 and I don't think the figures are all that great, but it's a hybrid board game/miniatures game with some nice 3D terrain.

Speaking of hybrid board/mini games, Imperial Assault's skirmish mode has great models and a variety of maps and scenarios. By that standard, I might even recommend Heroes of Normandie, which is basically a miniatures game that replaces miniatures with nice quality cardboard chits (they have a 40k version coming out this year).

Xwing is your game.

I'll go in the opposite direction.

Wait until you find a game that gives you what James May would describe as the "fizz". Even the smallest skirmish game can become a $500+ investment with quite a lot of time invested.

Something surely will come along which makes you go "ooohhhh!". Don't force yourself into a game because you simply want to play one.

That being said, if you're trying to kill time in the meanwhile, you can never go wrong with painting up figures for some of the more common genres. There are loads of excellent games out there which don't have specific figures and you can use what you want. Namely skirmish games.

-Gladiators (tons of games to use them in)
-Old West (tons of games to use them in)
-Generic Fantasy (tons of games to use them in)
-Generic sci-fi (tons of games to use them in)
-Pirates and a ship (tons of games to use them in)
-Samurai, etc.

You really can't go wrong with generic skirmish figures. Before I wrote my Old West game I had my figures and town started and I think I played 5-6 different games, using all the same figures and buildings etc. It's great when a game is not tied to a miniatures line. Same thing goes with Gladiators - I think I own four separate rules sets for using them.

Skirmish game, but more rules light than Infinity? Malifaux

X-Wing or Frostgrave could be good too, but I don't play those myself.

Wrath of Kings
Warmahordes
Malifaux
Lord of the Rings/Hobbit (one of my personal faves for far too many reasons to list)

 Azreal13 wrote:
Guild Ball.

Never more than 6 models a side, hugely deep in-game functions, a team can radically change with the substitution of just one player of the 6, relatively short ruleset with a well supported and officially endorsed rules section on the forum, and entirely free to play if you don't mind doing a bit of printing and crafting, otherwise the models are well priced for a low count game, and the starter is well priced and contains literally everything you need to play, one could even conceivably take a starter team and compete at a sanctioned event.

Whether the models are great or not is a more personal thing, but I like them in the majority.

I'll second Guildball. Easy to get into and easy to introduce to other players as well. I've slowly been growing my local scene. We just finished a league and I am in the process of organizing a monthly 1 day tourney with the FLGS.

1: Star Wars X-Wing – Fantasy Flight Games

2: Warhammer 40K – Games Workshop

3: Warmachine – Privateer Press

4: Warhammer Age of Sigmar – Games Workshop

5: Hordes – Privateer Press

Don't ask us.
Jump on a local forum or go to a local club or chat with your gaming group and see what others would like to, or be able to, purchase, paint and play with you.