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I was wondering, are there any easy to play grid-based tabletop games out there? Preferably ones that are reasonably model-agnostic, or at least easy to proxy? I know that there's plenty of board games these days that used miniatures on a board, but I get the impression that these are rather limited systems (they don't have the flexibility of list building that a full wargame does), and I haven't seen many with models that particularly interest me. Plus shipping is so expensive these days.

I guess I'm looking for something halfway between a boardgame and wargame; something that wouldn't seem too daunting for people who are used to board games but don't play tabletop wargames (I guess measuring tapes scare some people). I'm interested in cooperative or competitive play. Does anyone know of anything like that?

I think that dust tactics is something like that.

To the Strongest for ancients.....

Oshii wrote:I think that dust tactics is something like that.

Easy E wrote:To the Strongest for ancients.....

Thanks for the suggestions guys! Keep them coming! Anything with smaller model counts (sort of Infinity/Batman sized, individual models only rather than units)?

Have you looked at Monsterpocalypse?

 AduroT wrote:
Have you looked at Monsterpocalypse?

Ah, yes, I've been more-or-less following Monsterpocalypse on the PP forums and Lormahordes. I'm very tempted to pick up the Terrasaurs. The thing that's holding me back is that I kind of don't really want to add to my painting queue if I can avoid it right now, so what would really be ideal would be a game that I can just buy the rulebook or PDF (and I suppose some grid mats or something) and play with models I already have - it especially hurts to buy more models I don't really want to paint if I have to pay a ton of postage on them too; postage costs are high these days and I live pretty far out.

Of course, if I can't find a game that is model-agnostic or the models are close enough to what I already have that proxying is not too egregious, then I guess I don't have much choice. But I thought I'd ask the question; I know that there's a lot of miniature games and rulesets out there that I don't know much about.

So what about heroclix? They are pre painted, and skirmish scale (in amount of miniature you need), also quite popular.
Next is imperial assault, it's boxed game with boosters, also pre-painted.

Deadzone? Played on a grid with 8x8 squares (or rather cubes, as the game is more three dimensional) and list building. GCPS (vanilla military) should be very easy to proxy, for the other factions it depends on what you have. The miniatures aren´t really that expansive though.

Oshii wrote:
So what about heroclix? They are pre painted, and skirmish scale (in amount of miniature you need), also quite popular.
Next is imperial assault, it's boxed game with boosters, also pre-painted.

I don't think Imperial Assault is pre-painted? Regardless that sounds very interesting, thanks!

H0neyBe4r wrote:
Deadzone? Played on a grid with 8x8 squares (or rather cubes, as the game is more three dimensional) and list building. GCPS (vanilla military) should be very easy to proxy, for the other factions it depends on what you have. The miniatures aren´t really that expansive though.

Interesting. I don't know anything about Deadzone, but I've just found the rulebook on Mantic's website and it says that it's "A tabletop wargame without the hassle", which sounds perfect. Have you played it? Can you describe how it plays a bit?

Unfortunately I have very little tabletop experience in general and only read the rulebook for Deadzone. But it and Mantics other games seem to be pretty steamlined and quick.

Generally, the game uses alternative activtions, and models may perform either two different short actions (like walking and then shooting) or one long action (like firering a heavy weapon or running) during their turn.

A model has usually a movement stat of 1-2 (faster ones have 2-3) meaning that it can walk one cube and perform another short action or run two cubes as a long action and end it´s activations (the faster models can walk two cubes or run three).

You can place the model anywhere in the cube it walked or ran into, for purposes of cover, line of sight and such, it may even "step over the line" into another cube, as long as the middle of the base remains inside the cube it moved into.

Weapon ranges are also measured in cubes, so no measurement tools are needed. There can be buildings with several floors that models can also move upward (one floor = one cube), which together with certain special rules and equipment (glide, teleport, jump packs etc.) offer very interesting movement options without much "fiddeling".

For more insight from experienced players you could join the deadzone fanatics group on facebook, and there are also battle report videos on youtube.

Oshii wrote:
I think that dust tactics is something like that.

Dust Tactics and Dust Warfare are the no-longer-produced versions Dust 1947. Paolo Parente (the universes creator) now has full control of the game, and his own company producing it (rather than the previous licenses with FFG and Battlefront).

You can download the rules for free here.

You can download the unit cards on their individual product pages.

 Carlson793 wrote:
Dust Tactics and Dust Warfare are the no-longer-produced versions Dust 1947. Paolo Parente (the universes creator) now has full control of the game, and his own company producing it (rather than the previous licenses with FFG and Battlefront).

So I took a look at the dust website and it seems to say that you can play Dust 1947 either on a grid or using measuring tapes, which is very interesting. I shall download the rules and give them a look.

 Soul Samurai wrote:

 Carlson793 wrote:
Dust Tactics and Dust Warfare are the no-longer-produced versions Dust 1947. Paolo Parente (the universes creator) now has full control of the game, and his own company producing it (rather than the previous licenses with FFG and Battlefront).

So I took a look at the dust website and it seems to say that you can play Dust 1947 either on a grid or using measuring tapes, which is very interesting. I shall download the rules and give them a look.

Note that the non-gridded rules in the downloadable rulebook have been supplanted by the Advanced Rules that were bundled with the Operation Kondor campaign book (which does not have a free download available). That said, the old rules are still pretty solid.

Take a look at the various Starter Boxes. Most of them give you a roughly 25 point force usually made up of a Hero, an Infantry Squad, and a Vehicle. They also include heavy card stock terrain tiles (a building and two-sided trees/pillars/objectives), a plastic tank and ammo crate, 12 faction-specific dice, and a neoprene 6x9 square mat. It runs $65 USD for primed and $135 for premium (pre-painted models).

If you want to save a few bucks, check out Miniature Market. Even though FFG and Battlefront lost the licenses for Dust, the models they produced are still valid in the game (though you will need to buy or download the current stat card). MM is working to clear stock of the older models to make room for the new stuff, which means you can find some good deals (for example, the units you need to field the SSU Red Guards Platoon will run you $6 each (under $100 for a 100 point army of 13 squads).

All you need to do is think about who you'd want to play. Allies (USA/Great Britain)? Axis (Germany, Italy, and some Japanese forces)? SSU (Soviet Union and China)? Mercenaries (who can be fielded by themselves or as part of another Bloc/Faction army)? Imperial Japanese Navy (this years new release)? Mythos (Lovecraftian horrors)? And to add some flavor, the three oldest Blocs (Allies, Axis, and SSU) have multiple Factions within them, each of which plays a bit differently.

I played Deadzone 1st edition (replaced within about 18-24 months by 2nd edition IIRC). The 1st edition had some issues but had some really cool core concepts that were reportedly fixed in 2nd edition.

The rulebook as well as a starter rule book are available for free download directly from Mantic. Some proxy models and a homemade mat should let you give the game a go. You'll also have to make a dice chart for the special dice that are used.

I really liked how they handled cover. Can you see the entire target? You get a bonus. Otherwise it's obviously in cover so no bonus.

http://www.manticgames.com/free-rules.html

You can use regular d8s for most of the game's actions. The 'special' dice are for pre-turn benefits so a table and homemade counters could easily take their place while you're trying it out (or forever).

Dust 1947 is probably the best choice, since the models come pre-assembled and pre-primed in faction colors - you don't really have to paint them and there's basically zero set up time from box to table. The new starter boxes are pretty nice, so you can just pick up two of those and be ready to go, complete with neoprene mats. The game itself is quick to learn. Since Dust Tactics was originally targeted at a board game market by FFG, it is probably a pretty good choice for board gamers.

Deadzone is similar to Dust, but with more terrain (and more vertical terrain). However, the terrain is pretty expensive and a nightmare to put together. The models also have to be assembled off the sprue too, so from box to table is pretty lengthy.

Monsterpocalypse is a great game that was originally considered a board game (and moving it to a hobby game was not a popular choice). It is my favorite to play, but the resin models are a chore to clean and assemble, and it is expensive. They are, however, extremely easy to paint though. I think you could probably paint a monster in an hour, since the details are large and there's few of them. I painted my Planet Eaters with a spray of gold for an undercoat and two shades of brown and they look better than the old pre-painted version.

Thanks for the detailed info guys, it's really helpful! All this talk about Monsterpocalypse reminded me that PP released some sort of IKRPG/board game hybrids a while back. Obviously those are a little different as they are cooperative rpg-like experiences, but I think they support more than just two players at a time? That could be useful. Does anyone have any experience with those?

 Soul Samurai wrote:
I was wondering, are there any easy to play grid-based tabletop games out there? Preferably ones that are reasonably model-agnostic, or at least easy to proxy? I know that there's plenty of board games these days that used miniatures on a board, but I get the impression that these are rather limited systems (they don't have the flexibility of list building that a full wargame does), and I haven't seen many with models that particularly interest me. Plus shipping is so expensive these days.

I guess I'm looking for something halfway between a boardgame and wargame; something that wouldn't seem too daunting for people who are used to board games but don't play tabletop wargames (I guess measuring tapes scare some people). I'm interested in cooperative or competitive play. Does anyone know of anything like that?

Heroscape is a very good game of this type - simple mechanics but lots of depth and options, styles of play and figures (prepainted) - also each has its own "datacard" which tells you everything, terrain works and is actually important.

hi i passed to paper miniatures... they are cheap... you print them and then assemble giant armies in short time!!!!
I m now running an underwater fantasy wargame kickstarter if you want to chek it here:
http://kck.st/2QERwg6
regarding the game system i use a simple system made by me... this system uses a 12 cm grid, but you can adapt it to whatever scale
or period
i m going to put it on pdf there on ks when it s ready!!!!
^^

Just an update: I've just put in an order for Monsterpocalypse (Guard and Terrasaurs), and I threw in The Undercity while I was at it. This was I will have something quick and competitive along with something slower and cooperative. Thanks for all the help everyone!

If that's the Undercity from Privateer Press you have chosen well. We played the campaign at the FLGS in New Mexico over a few weekends. Really a lot of fun.

 privateer4hire wrote:
If that's the Undercity from Privateer Press you have chosen well. We played the campaign at the FLGS in New Mexico over a few weekends. Really a lot of fun.

That's the one. It sounded like a nice hybrid board game/rpg/minis game. At the very least some of the models might be useable for me outside of the game as I play Warmachine.

Sounds like you need Battletech in your life.

Hex grid maps, and as long as you know what the proxy represents and which way it is facing, you don't even need minis. Datasheets are available for free, as are design-your-own-unit programs.

Double bonus, new awesome starter sets come out on the 23rd.