"Recommend me a Sci-Fantasy Skirmish game" Topic

So I'm on the look out for a Sci-fi skirmish game for me and my girlfriend (likely no one else playing).

Here are my requirements (though not 100% strict on em):

• Played within an hour
• Less than 20 models, preferably 10 models or less
• Not looking for super complex rules, but not completely simple/abstract either (has to be more complex than the SOBH series)
• Sci-fi with fantasy elements. I like having different racial profiles like hulking mutants as well as mechs/vehicles.
• Doesn't have to be generic rules, but flexible/varied enough to be able to use my existing 40k and Marvel miniatures.

Just as a little background.. I've pretty much played every GW game since 2nd Ed 40k up til 4th Ed.. that includes a little Inquisitor, Necromunda and Mordheim (as well as WHFB). Since dropping GW's rules sets, I've dabbled in SOBH, some Two Hours, etc. Currently my go-to Fantasy skirmish game is either Skulldred or Warlord.

I've checked out Infinity and Warmahordes and not 100% sold on either yet as for what I'm looking for, but they might still work if the rules are varied enough for me to use my existing models. Mercs also caught my attention but it looks like most their rules focus on humanoid (shape and size) models.

Any discussion, tips or suggestions appreciated. Thanks.

Two suggestions:
Oldish School: Combat Zone. You can buy the base rules, tokens, etc. for around $13 USD or so from EM4 miniatures. You can use those rules to stat up small teams of 2+ figures plus some individuals/heroes. Very simple 1990s era approach.

Newer School: Deadzone by Mantic. No rulers needed, just a mat (included with the base game) that's marked off in 3" spaces. Uses d8s exclusively and uses a test mechanic of mostly contest rolls to perform actions. Currently four factions that you could use your current stuff with. Boxed game gives you mat, rulebook, terrain, required tokens, dice and two forces (alien plague infested humanoids versus space marine analogues).

Have you checked out In the emperors name?

iten-game.org

I'll second combat zone, especially with the battle book add-on. It's a very fun system that rewards good tactics and is very easily customizable.

try this one out

link

I've been developing my own scifi skirmish game called Exoshift Tactics. It doesn't have as much of a space fantasy element. But I've been focusing on a more diverse array of species in the game, and there's a good bit of crazy stuff too. The rules are still in development, but you can read some fiction and get a sense for the factions in the game.

exoshift.org

As an example, Exoshift has: nihilistic energy/crystal people from the center of the galaxy.

Space Eel fascists that are invading from the Andromeda galaxy in preparation for a galactic collision with the Milky Way galaxy 4.2 billion years in the future.

A race of sentient machines that aren't hell bent on destroying all organic life, but instead wish to protect and preserve it, even if that means removing its freedoms.

The "human" faction is actually a republic of a variety of species, including marsupials, quadrapeds, and more.

An avian species that control a mercenary empire, contracting out their arms and services to fund the rebuilding of their homeworlds after a 30 year long civil war.

Other games to look at besides mine are:

THON is going into full production, regardless of what happened with their kickstarter, they've started selling miniatures. It's a good game with a good crew behind it.

thonthegame.com

Also, Last Saga finished its kickstarter successfully.

last-saga.rocketgames.co.uk

Both games have a heavy space fantasy aspect, with Last Saga having pretty much naked space women, for example. Although that might turn you off with the whole too many humanoids aspect.

Rezolution from Abberant games might be a possibility.

http://www.aberrantgames.com/rezolutiondwnlds.html has some resources that should give you an idea of how it plays..

Rezolution is always a personal favorite, it leans more to cyberpunk with a spash of hong kong action.

I like Rezolution, too. However, there aren't any rules for creating your own characters.

I like the Judge Dredd miniatures game. Although it is tied to Dredd, the system is easily adaptable to any sci-fi setting you want to create. It has a lot of variety in character archetypes and allows a good amount of customization.

Another would be Supersystem, which has the most open creation system around and is also quite fun.

shockforce.

here is a link to information:

link

I like the first edition, it is just a bit less complex. we have used it for sci-fi in 28mm, Vietnam in 20mm and Napoleonic skirmish in 28mm. works great, you can custom build your troops and here is an example of one of my favorite special rules:

Butthole Sergeant- Failed rout tests do not result in the removal of a commanded unit, but rather in the removal of one model within command radius of this model as the Butthole Sergeant makes an example of what happens to wimps who try to run away. If no models in the squad are within command radius, the entire squad is removed. This may only be given to squad leaders or specials.

it is a great system, but not for those who value winning over fun.

-clark

The OOP WOTC Star Wars miniatures game meets all the parameters except the last; however, you could easily proxy your models using the stats from the hundreds of different Star Wars miniatures (& cards) out there.

Lost Pict

Two Hour Wargames allows you to play with your girlfriend besides vs. her.
YOu can try Chain Reaction for free and if you like then buy Urban Renewal.

Gruntz using teams of Specialists is ideal for a skirmish game. Mr. Harold recently put up a nice AAR using just this method.

G.

Second the THW 5150 series.

Thanks for the input so far. Anyone try Dark Age? The miniatures are really my style of Sci-Fi and I'll probably pick up some of the models regardless.. but just curious on how the rules are.

Not Sci-Fi, but I'll strongly reccomend PULP ALLEY.

The game meets pretty much ALL your criteria, the rules are easy to grasp and is flexible enough so it can be played as a Fantasy, modern, pulp or sci-fi game.

Plusm ther's a FREE "starter rulebook" so you can check if the game suits your need, before buyin the comple rulebook.

Olus, the game has a STRONG community and support from their creators.

Yo can check it here:

pulpalleycom.ipage.com/store

Hope that helps.

So right now.. I've "narrowed" it down to either:

1. Infinity: Some gorgeous models, starter set looks intriguing with the terrain. Turn offs so far is that it might be a little too much in terms of details for me to just have it as a casual game as I'm looking for a game that I can just relax with my girlfriend after work on random evenings. The amount of terrain turned me off at first too because we're limited on space, but as mentioned above, they store very easily.

2. Mercs: Minimal models needed (only 5 per side). Reading around how its a very tactical game that can be played in less than an hour. Doesn't require much space at all (2x3). However, I'm concerned with being able to adapt the rules to my existing models. All the units are pretty much humans. Its more in the "Hard Sci-Fi" arena rather than having a crazy assembly of aliens, etc.

3. Pulp Alley: Need to read more up on it, but I've been recommended checking this out on repeated occasion. I need to know more info on how it translates with racial stats.

4. Dark Age: Really know nothing about this game and haven't heard much.. but I love the models and setting. Seems like it's very much Sci-Fantasy with mutants, aliens, etc.

5. THW: I've checked em out before and I remember when I was looking for a fantasy game, the reason why I didn't go with a THW is due to the lack of variety in distinct individual stats. If I remember correctly, most the stats was pretty much gear. I'll have to revisit and maybe theres something I can work with in there.

Honorable mentions
Judge Dredd: Game seems simplistic and easily adaptable. I'm worried stats might be too simplistic, but I gotta dig deeper in.

Warmahordes: This is still a probably option for me, but I keep hearing how the game really isn't a skirmish game anymore. We're looking at atleast 20 models for effective games. I'm looking for games closer to 10 models or less.

Thanks again for all the input and any further advice, nuances, suggestions, etc is still greatly appreciated.

Actually, I also left out Rezolution. I looked a little more into and already I really like the way the system deals with situations. I'm a huge fan of speeding things up with opposed rolls and simply adding up the roll+stats. Using 2D6 also helps. Having different sizes/agility on top of having different stats for CC and ranged helps a lot as well (not a fan of when games just give one combat stat).

Deadzone: Also caught my eye, but don't know much about it at all.

Blasters & Bulkheads? It's very sci-fantasy oriented with a small model count.

Looking deeper in.. I think I might go with Deadzone. Seems to be the best overall package for me. Small space, enough racial variety, quick to play but enough detail/depth on top of having a campaign system. Was awfully tempted by Infinity and Mercs but ultimately Infinity was too much of an investment for me and my girlfriend (time and space). We want something more casual without being too simple. Mercs I really dug, but at the end there just wasn't enough racial variety. I read the rules for Pulp Alley and while its a neat set of rules, but I didn't like the rigid structure of 1 leader, 1 sub-leader and rest grunts. Also wasn't a fan of the stats being represented by different types of dice (prefer hard numbers).

Thanks for all the suggestions so far, I'm still open to any more but looks like Deadzone is the frontrunner so far.

Gruntz28mM means you can use any model , any background , each model can take a few hits , and all you have to do is times distance by two from the books.

its a really quick game.

I play Deadzone a lot. It's a great, great game. It really gets suppression right, which many games fall flat on. It also handles going vertical really well. It rewards you for climbing up on that roof or up that tower.

The campaign system really shines.

The models are OK. Not as good as GW or Infinity, but way cheaper. Plus, you can play with whatever you have as proxies.

The terrain, however, is awesome. Very flexible. The included 2' x 2' mat is really high quality.

Go with Deadzone, you will not regret it.