"Is Warmachine a good place to start?" Topic

I am new -- almost completely -- new to wargaming. Warmachine has caught my eye, and I am wondering if it would a good place to start. Are the rules recomended for a beginer?

If I do start with Warmachine, what's the best path to follow? I'm on a budget, so getting the maximum of the game's flavor while mimimizing the costs is my goal.

Thanks!

Hmmm, this is a hard call. I play Warmachine, and enjoy it a fair bit. But I'm not sure I can recommend it as a 'just starting out' game. Here's my take:

Pros:
1. Boxed starter sets come with quick start rules, and provide an enjoyable game right out of the box
2. Playable with a fairly small # of minis, even after the box set level
3. Rules are fairly easy to grasp

Cons:
1. good thing you don't need many minis, since the minis are expensive!
2. game rules are simple, but many models have more special rules then you can shake a stick at

There is a 2nd edition coming out (this fall, I think), but it is probably safe to start now with at least the boxed sets- none of models will mysteriously cease to exist in the new edition…. From what I've seen it seems like the 2nd edition is also going a long way towards fixing Con #2.

For starting out, it's simple- grab 2 of the starter sets, so you have two factions to play with. See if you like the game. If so, buy a unit or infantry and a solo for each faction and try it out a little larger. In my opinion, the game plays its' best at 500 points, which translates very roughly into a starter box and 2 infantry units and a solo or two per side. Will provide a large number of re-playability without going overboard in costs.

-Will

Agreed, I find it to be a better tactical game as opposed to the die rolling extravaganza that is 40k. I would just get the started boxes and other casters. You do not need the rulebook as they come in the box and will be changing in early 2010.

IMHO its most important to find a game which has players in your area that you get on with. So check the local clubs and shops and see what people are up to. That should also give you ample time to try the game and the different armies before making your decision.

That said I always buy what I think looks the best and all to often it ends up languishing in a draw.

As for Warmachine itself its nice for a beginner as you dont need a vast number of figures. I wouldn't worry about the difficulty of the rules as if you find a group they should be able to help you with any issues.

Some of the larger warmachine miniatures are a challange to assemble and paint so watch out for that right at the start. Again this is where a decent group of gamers or a good games store can be a real benefit.

I've found the rulebooks are written for reading instead of reference, but as "wargames" go, Warmachine isn't a bad place to start.

I have to agree with wminsing

Warmachine is a fun game, runs nicely at 350-750 points, and can be very few minis. Warmachine is a little easier to learn than Hordes (the resource mechanic is reversed somewhat from warmachine) but both are great games.

Mark II comes out really early in 2010, followed with consolidated force books to change all the previous stuff over to MkII rules.

Although I agree that it's a good game, I wouldn't recommend it to someone that wants to see what wargaming is all about. It's quite a niche game, and quite different to other wargames. What interests you about Warmachine ? Do you like the background, etc, or are there local players ? I would try to play a game or two before buying rules, figures, etc.
If you like Lord of the Rings style fantasy, you could just buy a few figures and then you are not restricted to one set of rules (like you are with Warmachine). For more generic fantasy skirmish, Song of Blades & Heroes is a good place to start.

I found it a well written game and one with a beautiful range of minis, but the system itself was a very much like card games-- once you found the special combos it was very hard to be beaten. It's as much about who got the newest, most powerful (and expensive) model(s) as 40K ever was.

And the fans are often just as rabid about their chosen game as GW players.

Just my experience and opinion, mind you. No need for any attacks. 8)=

I think something like Heroscape is a good place to start, kinda a gateway drug if you will, it has smooth and easy mechanics, and expands you to a big wide world.

I like the minis and the setting… hate the writing and the system though (reminds me of CCGs).
If you weren't new to wargames I'd say buy the minis and use them in something more open-ended like 5150… where you can design your own units, use whatever minis you like.

Or find some minis you like and play a simple game like Song Of Blades and Heroes.

Wargames from miniature companies have a nasty way of cultivating rabid followers and making you feel you have to buy their miniatures exclusively to 'keep up'… and can keep you from branching out, as all your money is tied up in their product lines.

I like Warmachine, but you need people to play with. If there is a local group nearby I say "go for it" If there is no local groups then it's a little more difficult.

Good luck and good gaming.

Make sure you have a group to play with. I bought some Khador and the rule books and before I got more than a fraction of it painted the game died off with my group. After a few failed attempts to get it revived I'm selling my stuff off on ebay.

If you want a new Prime ReMix Hardcover or some Khador…. pm me.

Download the quick start rules from Privateer Press and see what you think. The cards for the demo units are also available.
link
As tabletop games go, the rules are fairly simple to star with. As mentioned above, there are tons of special units wit their own rules but you don't need to add those in at the beginning.

Also, check Boardgamegeek.com for other resources such as reference sheets which can make understanding the key steps of the game a little clearer.
link

For alternatives to buying the metal figures, I would recommend looking on Ebay for Mageknight figures- try "Mageknight" and "Golem" in your search and you will find some good hulking riveted models for cheap.
auction the game interests you, then you can go ahead and invest in the "real" models from Privateer. They are very well done.

Ask here again if you have any more specific questions.

Thank you -- those were very helpful answers.

There is (I think) a group that plays at my local store, so I'll invite myself to a game.

Thanks again.

If nothing else, Warmachine will provide a handy method for finding the good sports and the bad apples in your local group.

The infamous "Page 5" of Warmachine has been read as many things, but the message hiding behind "Play like you've got a pair" includes the fundamentals of sportsmanship. Those who don't "get" it will be apparent in a game or two, even if you are just watching.

I just went to my local store to check out the Warmachine support.

Yikes! you guys weren't kidding about the miniatures being expensive. They look phenomenal, but a starter box will cut into the kid's college fund.

And sadly enough, the starter boxes are probably their most cost effective items.

There are two alternative approaches.

1) Join in. You go down the shop/club and buy whatever the people playing there are playing.

2) Put games on. Buy both sides and provide a game on the assumption people will like it. This is obviously higher risk to a certain extent BUT it means you can put a game on at home for people who are not gamers. Like your next door neighbour or children.

Now whilst cool looking figures are nice…
There are cheap options available.
EG
I run ww2 games. A couple of boxes of cheap plastic 20mm figures and you have a platoon. A platoon a side and you've started ww2 infantry skirmishing.
Just taking up moderns.
Inspired by Black hawk down in 20mil.
Caesar miniatures do plastics, Liberation do metal, Revell Humvees. My local art shop sells foam board which I'll be using to make the buildings.

Anyhow, maybe something like that is an option and you could leverage the childrens toys budget.
"Yes, painting figures teaches the children patience and discipline darling. Not forgeting the mathematics of the dice probabilities."

I've been pleasantly surprised by by the number of inexpensive options in wargaming. I just have to stop being distracted by shiny things -- at least until my experience, skills and budget catch up.

Teaches children dice probabilities? Ha! My seven year old rolls whatever he needs every time -- who needs tactics? Though, if they would sell him a lotto ticket, I could afford Warmachine

If you want to play with your children, what I would recommend is this :
Buy either a load of GW Lord of the Rings figures off ebay (you can get very good deals on these) or the pre-painted LOTR clix figures (can't remember what they're called), and the Song of Blades and Heroes rules. Total cost less than £20.00 GBP to get you started in wargaming.

Warmachine is a lot of fun, but I think Monsterpocalypse is better to play with the kids.

Both have a bit of the 'professional wrestling' vibe, Monsterpocalypse just has it a lot stronger. How can a small child *not* want to smash his opponent into a building?

Do you like painting or gaming? If painting is not part of the fun, then forget about WM. The models are very nicely sculptured and can have a lot of details, sometimes too much for a beginner. If you enjoy painting, then give it a try. Other skirmish games that you may like to consider is Infinity, Rezolution, Warlands, Urban War, etc. but finding an opponent is difficult.

Lion, that's a GREAT idea! Monpoc is a fantastic game, and it looks as neat as many miniature war games do. Plus it's VERY affordable if you go to sites like Popular Collections and buy exactly what you need rather than doing the turkey shoot of purchasing the boxes. I've found it runs about 40 bucks an army to get a pretty varied force. And they all play very differently.