Alternatives to GW? Options

[RegF]

Hi All


Since the discussion on Sunday about GW closing out cheap sources of their products to us in Oz I started looking at other systems– I delved more into Hordes and Warmachine, and Malifaux and Dystopian Wars for that matter. I’d have to say neither the figures or setting got me uber-excited - I’m really kinda over the whole fantasy genre in games, even with the steam-punk element added. Malifaux does look to have an interesting game system with the whole deck of cards idea and some of the model look interesting, but hard to paint. I’d happily participate in some trial games of any or all of these. Matt at HoH might be willing to set something up for us?

Similarly the whole flames of war re-enactment style or other historical stuff doesn’t really appeal in the slightest


For Sci Fi

I’ve just been looking at Infinity

http://www.infinitythegame.com/infinity/

it’s all small skirmish stuff, but the rules look interesting and the models look cool

or

Urban War which is sci-fi skirmish but can expand into Metropolis for bigger battles

Again the minis look cool

http://urbanmammoth.invisionzone.com/index...?showtopic=4785

And lastly

###### are having an 18% discount on GW stuff up to 31 May

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[Shinigami_Josh]

(please don't mention non sponsors) are offering free shipping until 27 May

fixed that for you

[RegF]

fixed that for you

Oops! My Bad

Thanks for that!

[AJenko]

Good Day - did not see this in the forums, what ill do is email a link to everyone who may be interested

As for games, myself and English have recently started Dystopia wars (?), so far im finding it really enjoyable and very tactical.

Me and Pete have acquired a couple of start sets and a few other models for warmachine, note im still trying to get the hang of it, but again it seems quite tactical.

Infinity - Gave this a shot the other week at Hall of Heroes. Seems quite fun and cheap but not a huge fan of the 'one man army' approach that can come from it. Once you get the hand of it, the games seems quite easy to learn/remember.

Maluifex/Urban Wars- yet to see and/or play may have to attempt to get down to Hall of Heroes and have a look.

I think at the moment the majority of games played will still be GW ones( i admit i will continue to play and buy but not as consistant {1-2 things every few months?}), however with the greater access to alternative game systems and cheaper alternatives for plastic/metal/resin we will hopefully see an increase in games and gamers.

This post has been edited by AJenko: May 26 2011, 06:36 PM

[RegF]

Good Day - did not see this in the forums, what ill do is email a link to everyone who may be interested

As for games, myself and English have recently started Dystopia wars (?), so far im finding it really enjoyable and very tactical.

Me and Pete have acquired a couple of start sets and a few other models for warmachine, note im still trying to get the hang of it, but again it seems quite tactical.

Infinity - Gave this a shot the other week at Hall of Heroes. Seems quite fun and cheap but not a huge fan of the 'one man army' approach that can come from it. Once you get the hand of it, the games seems quite easy to learn/remember.

Maluifex/Urban Wars- yet to see and/or play may have to attempt to get down to Hall of Heroes and have a look.

I think at the moment the majority of games played will still be GW ones( i admit i will continue to play and buy but not as consistant {1-2 things every few months?}), however with the greater access to alternative game systems and cheaper alternatives for plastic/metal/resin we will hopefully see an increase in games and gamers.

I just dropped into HoH today and saw/played with Warmachine/Hordes and Infinity.

I still am not uber impressed with the look of the warmachine models, the system is okay. I might be persuaded

Infinity I thought was awesome. The models look great in real life and the idea of a 6 man army being uber effective was great Your own little action movie, Anime style in a table top game. I've downloaded the core rules and printed them, along with quickstart stuff and templates and will bring along if people want to try with Proxies from their existing collections for a taste. I could see me buying the rules just 'cos the books look cool and there are already 6 or so players in the area that I met tonight. I mean how cools is a game with SciFi werewolves and uber-samurai with what amounts to lightsabre katanas and hyper AI's that just want to kill you? I really liked this a lot.

Dystopian Wars sounded intriguing, but the models don't look appealing to my eye. Wouldn't mind watching it done one day.

I also looked at Flamestorm Aramada - a SCi Space fleet game - like battlefleet gothic, but without the gothic and the ships look sleek and sci-fi ish.

Malifaux has yet to be experienced, but the models are beyond my skill to do justice to. Tim Burton aesthetics in a wargame with no dice.

Urban War is not currently stocked there, but that may change.

Like you I will not be abandoning my 40k collection or gaming,just not likely to grow it much in the forseeable future

[RegF]

SInce starting this thread, I've watched a couple of people who know what they are doing play and then had a chance to proxy some figures in a game myself..

I have picked up the core rule book and have the expansion on order.

In short- I reckon it's awesome.

The models are seriously cool. The game play- even for a learner is pretty slick. The mechanics of the game are very realistic, so be prepared to die!

there's quite a corps of players at HoH on Thursday evenings ( which is challenging for me)

I'd happily have a go with anybody on a Sunday at the club. I have also downloaded the free, official rules ( extract from the full book, but without the background fluff - which is also really good) and printed and bound it.

The website has some instruction vids that are good. Biggest differences -

Skirmish scaled games - 6-20 models - every individual is important.
Order pool- every active figure gives an order to your pool. to carry out actions you spend an order on ANY figure - so Rambo can go nuts and sprint across the table

Speaking of table- you need LOTS of terrain or LOS is a killer- high tech guns ARE high tech in this - sniper in a tower is deadly if he has clear lines.

Every action in your turn by every figure generates a reaction in every model that can see it. Sounds complex, but what it really means is that all players are always interacting and involved, no 30 minute wait while the analysis paralysis grand master agonises over his turn

Did I mention the models look great?

The abilities in the game are great and very realistic. Weapons have effective ranges - too close is not always good and too far drops away. Medics can actually revive fallen men, high tech weapons armour tanks and people ( for some) can be hacked and frozen , impersonated or taken over. Camouflage and counter camouflage is seriously effective

I really liked it and will be spending some serious bucks on acquiring some of the models , with more likely over time. I mean what's not to like about Akira style bikers, space age werewolves, space samurai with mono-filament katans, bad- ass AI 's that can hack your brain, gene-moded girlies in shorts with tails and funky aliens that will eat you to regenerate damage?

SInce I first Posted, I have also bought the Mailfaux core rules. The missus saw the figures and their Tim Burtonesque style and became interested, as subsequently did two of our nieces. I haven't read very much into it yet, but the card based system and skirmish size did interest me, just the fine and elaborate detail of the miniatures is daunting. Happy to give it a while with some proxies if anybody is interested..