"Do the rules come first or the figures?" Topic

I played GASLIGHT at a convention when the rules first came out. I was hooked. I had various unpainted minis in the bags or blisters which immediately came out and got all dolled up to play. I then got a ton more of figures.
In this case, the rules came first.

But with the AWI, I have been collecting and painting for decades, and will change rules at the drop of a hat.

Nothing earth shaking here, just looking for others' feelings and experiences.

What Kyote said. I was hooked on Vor: the Maelstrom before I bought anything for it, likewise Song of Blades and Heroes and it's various spinoffs. But I also have a small batch of Old West figures that I still haven't found rules for. And my latest Imagi-Nation project definitely was figures first.

Yep, depends. Bought Skirmish Sangin rules before looking too close at any modern range. Then bought figs. But most projects are figs first, then rules.

Shiney toys always get me into periods I had no idea I was interested in. It may be years (and is) before I find rules to match.

Yes.

Some projects I am going to do no matter what because I love either the period or the figures. Examples being my 40mm AWI, Biblicals, Arthurian Britain.

Others are because I found a great set of rules that demanded to be played. Russian Civil War is in this category with Red Actions from The Perfect Captain. As soon as I saw these rules I developed an interest in the period. My interest in ECW came with a chance to playtest the Polemos ECW rules. I was the blind playtester who knew neither the rules nor the period going in.

Shiny Toys first for me usually.

If its a new area for me like WWII and WWWII it was the rules first. other then that its using new rules with old minis.

I think kyote said it well. I have done it both ways.

They both come at the same time and converge for a simultaneous time on top attack.

both for me, but mostly rules first as I can proxy to playtest as needed.

Although I do tend to collect rules that strike my fancy, whether I have figures to go with them or not.

It is always figures for me. The rules may come latter or I might change to a new rules set.

I do have one exception and that is when I bought Napoleon's Battles back about '91. The only wargaming I did prior was Battletech and WH40K. It was my first historical set of rules and I actually thought it was a board game like Squad Leader.

It depends. Some good rules (GASLIGHT included) will definitely make me look at a period and buy minis. Other miniatures (Napoleonics, ACW, Ancients) have always been there but the rules have often changed.

Sometimes the rules never come, I have plenty of figures and lines of figures that I've never found rules for. The figures are just too fun to paint not to own them.

Usually the figures draw me in, and then I go looking for rules to game them with. Then the rules sit on the shelf and the figures remain unpainted in the drawer.

When I first started in miniatures, with Napoleon's Battles, the rules definitely came first. And most times I will collect figures for rules other people decide to use. But I have been collecting FIW figures without having decided on what rules to use. Since they are individually mounted, they could be used with any rules.

First is always the figures (and sometimes the war).

Rules come always afterwards.

Depends, but mainly an interest in the period, then figures, then rules.

Rules come and go but figures last forever.

Sounds silly I admit but I just couldnt make myself play with unpainted minis, no mattebr what period or rules…

Not silly at all, WP. The spectacle is of vital importance.

Nice figures, then going looking for a rule set.

For me, figures always come first, then I worry what to do with them. But then, I just like having lots of figures and stopped active wargaming itself years ago.

The idea must come first.

Before the rules, before the figures, the period must appeal to me.

A question which cost me the last 40 years….

But Martin rapier is on the right track…. Figures last untill you find the one perfect rule set which lasts also.

I am so happy and at peace with my self since i found the one perfect ruleset for everything. Now both stays in place untill end of days.

Greetings

PS : it also depents if you are a tin soldiers collector or a ruleset collector.

To repeat what others have said, for me, the period and figures come before the rules.

Rudi, what ruleset do you use? I'm curious!

Jeff

For me as well the history comes first, then the figures then the rules.

Usually.

For sci-fi and fantasy stuff it is the figures first then the rules.

The setting or history first, as I have to enjoy the background before I'm willing to commit to doing work; then figures next, usually, as even if there's no rules available I can make something up (or modify an existing set to cover).

Rob

Both, but usually the figures, and since rarely am I uninterested in the history, its a given that the history is part of the hobby, whether figures or rules come first.

I've gone both ways.

Both, yes. I also have large AWI and ACW collections, and try different rules, or write my own.

Otoh, for fantasy, I invariably start with Splintered Light miniatures and then write rules and scenarios to match the toys.

Widely gamed and manufactured historical periods are easy to collect, and there are generally many competing rules available.

One can certainly buy and game generic fantasy as well, but doing that often eliminates any sort of background and story. If you want to play in a fantasy world, it must either be from literature (e.g. Tolkien) or from that offered by a miniatures company (e.g. GW). In the latter case one assumes they begin with the toys they want to sell.

I never would have gone out and bought 28mm Hitler or Goebbels figures if it were not for Howard Whitehouse's "Eat Hitler" game.
Now, having dinosaurs for a dollar at Dollar Tree was a no-brainer for me. I did not need no stinkin' rules for those!

Based on the number of figures in my armory that have no corresponding rules it must go figures -> Rules. :)

Rarely it goes the other way.

Yep!!!

I had this same conversation with Frank Chadwick in the 1980s at a local convention in Denver when I was a Vice President with Stone Mountain Miniatures. After 30 minutes of going back and forth, he naturally said that he would write rules if the figures were there. I said that we would look into designing figures if the rules were there. Some things never change ;)
John Mumby

Shiney. I have entire armies for periods/gamesystems I've never gamed

I have painted and based the best part of 800 15mm renaissance Japs and I still do not have a set of rules that gives the flavour of 16th century Japan.

I have tried DBR and FoG-R not very satisfactory.

In this case and most cases figures first.

Figs first. Then I find rules that'll accommodate.

I'm probably close to 'rules first', I'm quite a bit less likely to invest in new figures if I don't like the rules or have rules in mind.

Face it, without rules we're just pathetic old men playing with toys. Sorry, thinking out loud there meant to say, I try not think of it as either/or, isn't the ultimate goal great figs paired with solid, enjoyable rules?

Usually figures first. I have changed rule sets often over the years, but I will still buy additions to those armies or start new ones.

There are rules to go with these figures?

Period comes first an always.

Rules second, I want to be able to plan the units and work out my basing since I hate the "R" word with a passion.

Figures last – since I play vertually exclusively in 10mm I am more limited than some in choice.

For me, it's 99% the rules first. I try not to buy games that somehow lock me into a specific range of figures that I can't easily use elsewhere.

Period first. Then you look for rules/figures to match.

What Last Hussar said