"Looking for tactical platoon level games." Topic

I've only ever played 8th ed 40k and I really don't enjoy it.

I got into it under the impression it was a wargame, but in reality it's a list building game of magic cards with miniatures.

I'd rather weapons and equipment be a little abstracted, and heroes be less likely and more important for morale.

And I also want things like cover, movement, positioning and suppression to take a front seat.

Are their any rulesets out their like that?

I know, I'm probably looking for a unicorn but I can hope!

What company's miniatures are you looking to use or do you want a miniatures agnostic ruleset? Do you want to play in shops with others, or are you okay providing both sides and convincing others to play?

Try Stargrunt II:
link

Sorry, I should have expanded.

-I'm looking for miniatures agnostic – just anything that looks cool.
-I'll likely be playing solo (will switch to epic for social games after lockdown as there are some friendly players in my area)

@MajorB – Thanks, I'll take a look

5150 by Two Hour Wargames checks a lot of those boxes.
mini agnostic, semi abstracted weapons, leaders lead, solo play and co-op play are built in while head-head play is an add-on
Cover provides bonuses vs hit/damage, but it's all or nothing (no partial cover).
You'll need to play a few games to get the mechanics down, they build up to a platoon and maybe add a vehicle or power armor if you want.

Free version to check it out: link

The sci-fi variants: link

Forum for quick answers: twohourwargames.proboards.com
(Ed, the author, usually responds pretty quickly)

And, yes, I'm a fan

+1 from me for 5150.

+1 for 5150, I like the Star Marine rules because they include ship boarding actions and zero-G and hostile atmo rules…and of course Aaaallliens!

I'm writing a set that ticks your boxes. Email me I'll send you a draft.

Mark@scalecreep.com

I'm with MajorB on StarGrunt II.

Rules are (last time I looked) available as a free download from the Ground Zero Games website. Use any miniatures you want. Quick and easy design rules for vehicles. Lots of mods on the internet to apply the rules to various science fiction universes. Lots of contested dice rolls, so everyone is always engaged in the game.

another star grunter

StarBreach, also has a solo set of rules.
Hardwired, is solo set of rules with one expansion.
StarGrave is coming out next month or two.
Shockforce 2nd edition is a fun one. found at Wargame Vault.
Zona Alpha, osprey games can be played solo.
five parsecs from home, I've not played it but heard good things.
Brutality skirmish wargame is miniature and genre neutral you can play fantasy and Sci-fi.
Just a few off the top of my head.

I have been adapting Stargrunt II for 40k for some years. See kriegspiel.com.au/dustup Rules are still being worked on, but ping me if you want the latest rules for a particular race.
I am currently working on modifying the confidence/ morale rules. If anyone is interested, get in touch.
I also often play solo, so a chit/ card draw mechanism for activation works well.
See here for some game reports and rule experiments. link

Star grunt is the way

Grimdark Future:Firefight may be worth a look

Somewhere along the way in this thread, folks forgot that the OP wanted a platoon not a small unit skirmish game. ;-)

Infinity

I'm waiting for Xenos Rampant and think that is doing to do the job in the same way that Dragon Rampant did for my fantasy armies.

Grimdark Future
Fast &Dirty 2(aka FAD2)
Blast Pistol
Squad Hammer

I'd start with Grimdark Future and Stargrunt and see which style of play suits you. Stargrunt has limited use of vehicles, which was the main reason
I moved on from it, but it's a great game.

Tomorrows War. Ticks all your boxes I think. Can't compare it to any of the other rules mentioned though. Definitely not 40K – though by that measure I think FUBAR (free one-page rules set) would probably do the job!

I would have said Stargrunt 2, but it depends on what you want to do. Platoon sized action out in the open terrain, sure, okay system. Close action in buildings/boarding actions, etc, not so good. SG2 doesn't do close actions well (their "close assault" rules are okay, but not good enough).

After having played SG2 a few times, I am not a fan of Stargrunt's weapon/armor system. At first glance, it looks reasonable, but given that I roll low a LOT, I get tired of seeing some dude with an autopistol auto-killing an opponent wearing power armor, etc. I want something more realistic.

I'm looking at the old GDW's Azhanti High Lightning game, which I have, and haven't played in many years, with an eye to streamlining it and using it for boarding actions, etc. This is with 15mm figures initially, though if I can find enough appropriate 28mm minis, I may branch out into 28mm.