Orbital Barrage

A Safe Place to Hide Away

2011-05-30T14:55:00.000-05:00

Updates are few and far between around here. I explain this more fully on my other blog, but in addition to that explanation part of the reason is that I have had non-15mm Sci-Fi projects on the go. A lot of my 15mm Sci-Fi is in the planning or gaming stages, as opposed to the painting stages, so there's not a lot to report.

However, I have been unhappy with the state of my storage situation for my 15mm figures. Regular foam cases generally are either too expensive, or have too-large "slots" for the figures, being usually meant for 28mm figures. So for the last several months my 15mm forces have just been sitting on my shelf, unprotected and unable to travel.

Two of my three armies, dangerously exposed to the elements....

A lot of people use magnetic strips on the bottoms of those plastic, divided storage containers (for yarn and whatnot). They then magnetically attach the miniatures' bases to the magnetic strips.

My problem stems from the fact that I used U.S. pennies as bases for my figures. I really liked the diameter and thickness for the scale of the miniatures, but pennies are not magnetic. I thought about adding the Litko stick-on bases, either the magnetic or the steel type. The magnetic type would work as previously mentioned, and the steel type would stick to (for example) a cookie sheet, or something like stick-on magnetic sheeting.

However, both of those entailed purchasing two further things to finish my storage, increasing the cost. The cheapness of 15mm was one of the reasons I got into the scale, plus by using pennies as bases I saved even more. Furthermore, I didn't like the idea of adding thickness to the existing bases; I felt that it would make them too tall for the scale of the figure.

In the end, I am a foam storage case kind of guy. After a bit a searching I finally found a storage container I liked, that I felt could be modified to work with 15mm figures. Hobby Lobby, $7, but I used a 40% off coupon for my trial run.

The storage case with a 15mm figure for comparison.

I then bought two 1" thick sheets of foam ($2 each) that I cut down to fit into the container for a bottom.

This sheet of foam has already been cut to fit the storage container.

Next, I cut a slit 1/2" deep into the foam for the miniatures' bases to slip into.

By cutting a slit, the miniatures are held in place a little better than if they are simply lying on top of the layer of foam.

I had planned on using the second sheet of 1" foam for the top, but it made it too thick for the container to close. Luckily I had some 1/2" thick foam already that works quite well, if it is a trifle small overall. So I plan to purchase more 1/2" foam that I can cut to better fit the container.

In general I am quite happy with the end result. The containers are available in several colors, so if in the future I want to categorize my armies by color I will have that capability. There is more than enough room in one case to expand my existing forces (basically, one army per container), and with only a little work I should be able to safely store the tanks and vehicles (not sure how, yet, but I'll let you know what I figure out).

Here you can see my existing armies, the new container, as well as the off-cuts of the foam, plus the second sheet of both 1" and 1/2" foam. It all fits quite nicely on the shelf, and will be stackable.

Also, by judiciously using the 40% off coupon Hobby Lobby has on their website (almost) every week, I can get these at a good (ie, cheap) price.

Hope this helps if you're having storage issues, too.

P.S., as for the bases for my future 15mm figures, I plan to use metal washers. This will at least allow me to have the option of magnetic basing if I change my mind about it, and they are essentially the same size and thickness as pennies. Of course, plans do change and nothing is set in stone. But I have already purchased the washers, so at least I've got that going for me.

Thanks for reading.

I Have Knights on Retainer....

2011-01-27T12:45:00.002-06:00

I finished a painting project. Somehow or another, I get sidetracked and leave projects unfinished far too often. This time, it was actually playing games that did it. It's difficult to paint and play games at the same time (for me anyway).

But at last I cracked down on myself and got my Retained Knights from 15mm.co.uk done. I had one squad of 10 men to go for the longest time, staring accusingly at me from my painting table.

Here they are.

HOF1 Retained Command

HOF2 Retained Knights

HOF3 Retained Heavy Weapons

HOF4 Retained Assault Troops

Close up of the on-screen markings on the iPad on the left, and the slate on the right.

Size comparison between other 15mm.co.uk figures, Human Imperial Army and The Greys.

I kept the squad composition pretty much the same from what is listed on the website, although I did move a couple of figures around. I had no army compostion in mind when I bought them: just bought one pack of each and called it good.

I do think it's funny how in the Assault squad there are two figures lying down. I understand the Snipers reasoning, but in an Assault squad? Personally I find figures lying down (in general) next to useless for gaming purposes. "Here, let me move my figures to attack and close assault your army. Just ignore these two, they're taking a nap...."

Thanks for looking.

It Would Be a Target-Rich Environment, If We Could SEE Them....

2010-11-26T22:44:00.011-06:00

It's been far too long since I updated here. Sadly, the lack of updates is not because I've been too busy playing games, or painting until my fingers bleed. No, it's simply that Real Life(©®) keeps getting in my way. Job. Kids. Wife. All that important stuff. The usual story. *sigh*

Ironically, I was very busy over the Summer (which ended a few months ago, I know) constructing terrain. Yay! Here are some pictures of what I managed to accomplish. Some of this terrain will find its way onto my Sci-Fi table, and some of it will be used on my Colonial/Fantasy/VSF table (for pictures of those games, see my other blog: Kelroy Was Here

Click the pics to enlarge them. Please enjoy, and if you feel the least bit inspired by my handiwork, leave a comment at the bottom of the page.

The vinyl flooring I used to make my rivers.

The caulk I used for the river banks.

A river section with the caulk and sand drying on it.

A demonstration of the flexibility of the vinyl flooring.

A selection of river sections, cut and "sanded."

This is what I used to make the rivers wet-looking after I painted them.

A desert watering hole. This was my first attempt using the Polycrylic clear coat. I just wanted a test for what it would look like, and how easy it would be to work with.

All my new bright and shiny river sections. And I mean shiny in the literal sense. See next picture.

The rivers have a glossy sheen, just like the real stuff!

Fordable sections of river.

A simple plank bridge over a river.

A gently curving riverbank.

A somewhat stagnant swamp.

A 28/32mm and a 15mm scale figure.

A side view to show the thickness of the vinyl tile on edge.

A selection of real rocks on scraps of vinyl flooring.

A finished field of rocks. These are actually rather heavy to carry from game to game....

A closer view of some of the rocks.

"A Space Marine investigates a cooling fire pit."

Some rocky formations, sculpted with a hot-wire foam cutter.

A couple of hills. I was trying different techniques: a multi-level hill that is plainly stepped, and a canyon-type hill. Both will work for either 15mm or 28mm games.

"Some Human Imperial Infantrymen move cautiously through the canyon." (15mm.co.uk figures)

Another hill with different types of flock. Eh, I was experimenting.

"This looks like difficult terrain, sir."

And last but not least, a selection of "middle Eastern" style buildings, made from some simple boxes I found at Hobby Lobby.

"A merciless Legionnaire takes aim." (28mm Askari)

Here's what the boxes looked like when I bought them.

Here's a representative sample of my terrain, on table.

Game on!

Thanks for looking!

Yogurt Joins Pudding to Rule the World

2010-06-10T23:06:00.009-05:00

I hinted at the end of my last post that I would be creating something out of the yogurt container that was pictured. And so I have. I continue my quest to build cheap, simple, cheap, useful, cheap buildings and terrain from readily available recyclables.

These won't win any awards for quality 'cause you get what you pay for. Since my only expense was time, well, I ain't worried if they ain't pretty. I spent as little time on them as humanly possible and still be able to complete them. They'll sit on a table and provide a location or cover quite nicely, thank you very much.

I herewith present...More Bunkers! Or perhaps habitats. Or maybe they're lookout stations.

I admit that these are very human-centric, but they're fairly generic at the same time. I have a hard time envisioning alien habitats so I haven't made any.

Above and below: Front and back views, with a 28mm and a 15mm figure for scale (like you couldn't guess that).

Below: The top of the yogurt container was almost tailor made for a nice parapet. This is the container before painting, with a cardboard circle inserted on what used to be the bottom of the container.

Below: Here's a close-up view of the parapet insert.

Below: This is the final result, after adding a thin card trap door.

Below: A lone guardian guards his guard shack, guardedly.

Below: The Human Imperial Infantry's planetary lookout station -- IN ACTION! Look at them looking out. Such excitement, woo!

I also deliberately tried to make them useful for both 15mm and 28mm. For 15mm, the doors look a little on the large side, but I felt I could convincingly argue they are garage doors for tanks and AFVs (see photo above).

I also got a trifle carried away with another bit of plastic, and created a ... something.

Is it a swirling maelstrom of energy with a mysterious dark doorway leading to parts unknown? Or is it a shimmering alien building, constantly shifting its shape and appearance, flowing with an almost lifelike quality?

Then again, maybe it's the outhouse. An alien outhouse, at least. This is a sci-fi blog after all.

Above: The Human Imperial Infantry defend their toilet. Never say the poor bloody infantry doesn't know which side of his bread is buttered.

Thanks for reading!

In Defense of Pudding

2010-05-17T17:46:00.000-05:00

Recently I've been trying to think of ways to expand my sci-fi battlefield inexpensively. There are some absolutely top-notch, beautiful terrain pieces being produced for 15mm SF these days; not only in the way of figures but also buildings and scenery.

To name but a few (not an all-inclusive list):

Basement Gaming Bunker's 15mm Terrain

Startown Slums 15mm Scifi Terrain

GZG's Shack Set 15mm

And while I plan on acquiring them all at some point, my personal financial situation requires me to wait. So I was thinking about how to make my own buildings and what nots when I got a little hungry. After my snack I went to rinse out the pudding cup and turned it upside down to dry...and the proverbial lightning struck!

I realized then that hardened concrete bunkers were in my immediate future.

I didn't put a ton of time or energy into this project, as I wanted to see if it was going to pan out first. I think, for being rather slap-dash, it looks pretty good.

In the pictures below (which, as usual you can click on to enlarge) you will see my source material. I can assure you I bought the sugar free version by mistake. Bleah. The best thing is, there are 4 cups to a package: voilà, one set of Imperial Bunkers.

A better view of the future bunkers.

Next a closer view of the cleaned cups. This part is crucial: you must turn them upside down! Things begin to take shape....

Here are the six buildings after super-gluing some thin card to them, to represent doors, windows and armor plating.

Below shows two of the bunkers with a 15mm Imperial Trooper for scale.

Here they are after being spray primed grey. I was a little worried that the walls would be too smooth, but as it turned out my spray paint was a trifle coagulated and I got a nice grainy texture that would normally have sent me into a towering fury.

After a quick paint job, here are my Imperial Battle Bunkers in action. Nothing's more exciting than seeing buildings in action, y'know. (Side note: they look a totally different color from the grey above because of the daylight/lamp conditions under which I took the pictures; those below are closer to the actual color.)

The best thing is they're easy to store: they stack!

So now my soldiers have someplace to either defend or capture, and all it cost was...well, nothing really, since I already had the pudding to begin with.

And just wait until you see what I plan to do with this tasty snack....

Thanks for reading!

"Are You Ready for Your Probing?"

2010-04-28T23:09:00.002-05:00

Despite everything Real Life ©® could throw at me, I have finished painting my Grey Aliens from 15mm.co.uk.

I'm really happy with them. They were a pleasure to paint, full of "cute" character and interesting poses, and were very clean castings to boot. And yet, they are oddly menacing....

This completes the two armies I bought that came pre-tailored for ASQL 2.0 (also from 15mm.co.uk, see here), so maybe now I can finally get a game in. Maybe? Ahh, who am I kidding?

Anyway, one way or another The Greys will see battle with my Human Imperial Army, using one rule set or other. I've got a long list of rules I want to try out (see The List for an inkling of what I am up against).

I think my next big challenge is thinking up a background and history for my forces, and better names than simply calling them my Human Imperial Army. Cool-sounding suggestions are accepted and appreciated.

I've already started filing away at my Retained Knights. There is not a lot of flash or mold lines, just a normal amount. Considering that they were cast in 1994 (as seen on the bottom of their bases) they have held up very well.

I enjoyed these Grey Aliens so much I wanted to show them from the front as well as the rear (and no probing jokes!). I went with very bright colors, partly because I felt Grey Aliens would have better fashion sense than to dress in greys, but mainly because I like them to "pop" on the game table. These guys have lots of sparkly shiny bright colors because these particular Greys don't have the fashion sense to not dress like that. I also put the Commanders in bright purple cloaks to make them stand out better; that's the inherent problem with 15mm, it all looks the same from standing-height.

Below are the Robotic Scout Drones and Commander pointing, General with large headset and cape, Grey with Pysker Amplification gear and Grey with distance viewing device.

Below is part of the Grey Science Team: Grey with Atomic counter gear and Grey with info pad in hand. Yes, I painted "info" on the info pad. No, you can't read it, it's in Grey Alien language. Sheesh!

Next comes the rest of the Scientific Team: Grey with heavy cases and slung weapon, Grey with capture claw probe. Obviously the one Grey with the different colored claw is a specialist. (A specialist at what, you ask? Why, probing, of course!) And the two Greys carrying the cases are totally different. Paraphrasing Bele from Star Trek's "Let That Be Your Last Battlefield": One is purple on the left, the other is purple on the right. Totally. Different.

Next come the "heavy hitters" of the Grey army. Four Grey Soldiers with energy rifles and one with the dreaded "Death Ray Projector," and six massive, scary, tall Robotic Servants. Not a lot to look at in the rear view, just Grey Alien derriere (unless you're into that sort of thing; I'm just sayin').

Finally the Flying Saucer, seen here in convertible mode ('cause every Grey Alien likes cruising with the top down, feeling the wind in his...hair, er never mind). I went with plain Jane silver, no special effects (unlike on the 15mm.co.uk website [link] ) because I wanted that true-to-life, straight out of the history books look.

Thanks for reading!

Reinforcements Have Arrived

2010-04-24T19:39:00.000-05:00

I've almost finished painting The Greys I ordered from 15mm.co.uk a while back, but Real Life (c)(tm)(r) has a way of sticking its nose into my business in such a way that I have not finished painting them yet.

It hasn't stopped me, however, from purchasing more great figures from 15mm.co.uk. I saw they were having a sale and pounced on the opportunity like a cat on a string laced with catnip. My order was small, though, as I only had $22 to spend (don't ask), but luckily after the (horrendous) exchange rate it came out to $24 and change. I can accept that.

I now have in my greedy mitts four ten-man squads of Retained Knights from the HOF range, one of each type of squad they offer. http://www.15mm.co.uk/Retained_Knights.htm As I don't plan on building an army to fit any given set of rules, I instead usually buy what I think looks cool, as well as hopefully giving a somewhat useful set of troops. This gives me forty figures, more than the armies I got that were ASQL specific, but lacking a vehicle. That's alright, I can scrounge one from somewhere if needed.

Here are some pictures of the raw troops. The first is HOF1 Retained Command; 5 poses, Officer, Comms, Runner, NCO, Trooper. (I'm still trying to figure out which is which.)

Next is HOF2 Retained Knights; four poses of Troopers with Rifles.

Third we have HOF3 Retained Heavy Weapons; four poses Support Weapons and Loader, with assorted heavy weapons.

Lastly, below is a picture of HOF4 Retained Assault Troops; four poses, Rifles and Melee weapons.

HOF 4 is the only one of the four that I am not crazy about all the figures. I've never really cared for prone figures, unless they're casualty figures. Yeah, he can be a sniper, but to me it loses a lot of energy that way. Plus, what's a sniper doing in the Assault Trooper squad. Say, huh? It's no biggie, really, I'll just trade them out with a couple of the rifles from HOF2 or 3.

Also, HOF4 included the only figures with much flash on them. Every figure had some mold lines, but these two were the worst, and really they're not bad at all. I'm much more pleased with the quality this time around.

I mentioned in a previous posting how the Human Imperial Army figures were pretty rough around the edges: old molds, lots of flash, rough detail. The Greys, as I've also mentioned, are very clean and characterful (as soon as I finish painting them I'll have pics up). These Retained Knights are pretty clean too, but I don't know how old they are as a miniature line. They're nice sculpts, mostly flash-free, and I'm really digging the old-school look. I love those huge bayonets ("Those ain't bayonets, boy, those are space bayonets!")

Anyway, I hope to have them painted soon.

Thanks for reading!

Human Imperial Army on the March

2010-03-21T14:31:00.014-05:00

I've finished painting my Human Imperial Army from 15mm.co.uk. Here are some pics, just click on them for a larger view. (I don't know why the thumbnails look scrunched, but the full-size view is fine.)

I went with a nice rich red, because I have always felt that if you're walking around in fricking power armor then you wouldn't really care too much about camouflage. Plus I wanted to be able to see them on the table top. My first go around with red was a little too dark, but I gave a quick highlight using a different brand/shade and it turned out as you see it.

I enjoyed painting them, but I have to admit it felt a little like putting lipstick on a pig. I really don't like having to "paint on the detail" when it's there but so badly mangled by the casting process that it's almost unrecognizable. In other words, I don't mind painting a belt if it's modeled, but I don't want to have to paint half a belt because the other half is missing but if I don't paint it then it will look odd unpainted. As I mentioned when I first received them in the mail (http://orbitalbarrage.blogspot.com/2010/02/incoming.html) they're an old line and not terribly clean castings. That said, however, at the same time I really like their "style," the old-school power armor look, and the "we were stomping aliens and taking names before you other 15mm's were even born" feel.

Here you can see the before and after shots of the "blind" trooper I commented on (at the same link as above). He turned out reasonably well, all things considered.

Nevertheless, I like the way they look all done and lined up ready for battle. I even like the Glaive (the tank) despite it's rather ungainly appearance, and the fact that it has no track guards anywhere: Reality bows to Fiction once again.

Thanks for reading!

Sci-Fi Rulesets: Announcing The List

2010-03-18T22:51:00.067-05:00

It all started innocently enough.

I'd been researching all the different rule sets available for skirmish-style science fiction gaming (15mm mainly but not solely so) and I found myself getting confused between them all. I'd have a quick read-through to hit the highlights, but by the time I read the third or fourth set I'd forgotten what the first one was like. (Short-term memory loss: it's terrible; it's like...what was I saying?) Originally I was only targeting the free rules, but there are almost as many of those as there are pay-for rules. I started adding the rules in my collection. Then I said, why not summarize everything I own?

So I did what I always do when faced with a crisis: I made a list.

Herewith follows my one-page Rules Review and Summary, to help me keep the various and sundry rules separate in my mind. If someone else finds it useful, all the better.

It think it's self-explanatory. What's more, it's not meant to be a comprehensive, now-I-don't-need-to-buy-the-rules summary. And it's not finished either.

I do find it absolutely fascinating examining the different mechanics authors use to effect the same results: d6 vs d10 vs d20; IGoUGo vs integrated turns; simple vs complicated; charts vs no charts. Even the changes from one generation to the next are interesting to me: look at how Warhammer 40,000 has changed (I won't say improved or worsened; I make no editorial comments here). The List is pure objectivity and mechanical description.

Everything I've addressed below I own a legitimate copy of. I also have a "to be continued" list at the end, of rules I'd like to own someday.

If you find any glaring errors, or inaccuracies, please let me know.

I think I need professional help....

Without further ado...The List:

Alien Squad Leader version 2.0
ASQL-2.0
15mm Squad Level Wargames Rules to play battles from Science Fiction
by Alex Self
Published by Alternative Armies/15mm.co.uk; 2009
http://www.15mm.co.uk/

£12.00

Scale: 15mm; Skirmish +
Basing: Stands; ~5 figures per stand, 50mm x 50mm
Units: Squad = 4 - 5 figures per stand
Dice: d6
Turns: High d6 roll is Attacker per scenario; Attacker takes first move; Attacker completes a turn, then Defender completes a turn; each turn consists of the following phases: Move/Use Command Stands, Free Actions Phase, Command Phase, Out-of-Command Phase, Close Assault Phase
Facing: Front of stand
Fire Arc: Front 180º (“...can only see other stands within a 45 degree arc to their left and right.”)
Movement: Normal Move fixed per each unit type (ie, Inferior Infantry, Power Armoured Infantry, Light Vehicles, etc.); Fast Move = 2 x Normal Move
Measurement method: Stand edge to stand edge
May Pre-Measure?: Yes (“It is permissible to measure the range before deciding what a stand is going to shoot at.”)
Measurement scale: Centimeters
Shooting: Individual stands fire at single stand targets; can combine stands to fire on single stand targets
Hit Allocation: Each stand has 3 hits before eliminated
Background?: No (generic SF)
Scenarios?: Yes
Army/Force List?: Yes
Counters/Templates?: Yes

Beamstrike 1.22
15mm Miniatures Sci-Fi Rules
by Neil Cooper, Don Clarke and Ian Garbutt; 2007-2009
http://www.neilandannettec.myby.co.uk/beamstrike.htm
Free pdf

Scale: 15mm; Skirmish +
Basing: Individual figures
Units: Squad = 3 - 8 figures
Dice: d4, d6, d10, d12, d20
Turns: Player A is Attacker in scenarios that call for an attacker/defender, otherwise high d10 roll chooses to be either Player A or B; Player A Move1, Players A&B Fire, Players A&B Morale checks, Player A Move2, Player A Close Combat; Player B Move1, Players B&A Fire, Players B&A Morale checks, Player B Move2, Player B Close Combat
Facing: Front 180º
Fire Arc: Front 180º + LOS
Movement: Fixed per each troop type
Measurement method: Base edge to base edge
May Pre-Measure?: Not specified, implies it is not prohibited (“If the range is above the weapon ‘maximum range,’ the shot cannot be taken, as it will miss automatically.”)
Measurement scale: Inches (one reference of cm for determining close combat)
Shooting: Individual figures shoot at individual targets, with own die rolls
Hit Allocation: Per individual figure targeted
Background?: Yes
Scenarios?: Yes
Army/Force List?: Yes
Counters/Templates?: Yes

Combat Zone
Life in the 21st Century - It’s a Blast!!!
Kill or Be Killed in a Nightmare Vision of a World in Chaos
by Robin Dear and Derek Mugridge
Published by Paladin Publishing; circa 1999 (no copyright date given!)
http://www.em4miniatures.com/acatalog/Combat_Zone_products.html (new publisher)
£15.00

Scale: 28mm; Skirmish
Basing: Individual
Units: Squad = 2 + figures; Gang = 4 + figures
Dice: d4, d6, d8
Turns: Each player rolls either/as appropriate 1d4, 1d6, 1d8 per group/hero in/out of coherency + modifiers per leaders; high scorer has choice of going first or second; players then take turns to activate one group each, until all groups have been activated; each figure uses a set nubmer of action points each turn, depending on their quality; each figure’s actions must be completed before starting on the next figure
Facing: Front 180º
Fire Arc: Front 180º + LOS
Movement: 1 action point (AP) = 5cm, 2 AP = 5cm difficult terrain, 1 AP = turn 91º - 180º
Measurement method: Not specified (“The range to the target is measured.”)
May Pre-Measure?: No
Measurement scale: Centimeters
Shooting: Individual figures shoot at individual targets, with own d6 rolls
Hit Allocation: Per individual figure targeted
Background?: Yes
Scenarios?: Yes
Army/Force List?: Yes
Counters/Templates?: Yes

Fast and Dirty
Generic Wargame Rules for Fast & Dirty Modern and Sci-Fi Combat
by Ivan Sorensen; 2009
http://www.freewebs.com/weaselfierce/
http://fad.savevsdm.com/index.php
Free pdf

Scale: 15mm, 28mm; Skirmish
Basing: Individual
Units: Squad = 5 - 10 figures; Platoon = 3 - 4 Squads; Company = 2 - 4 Platoons
Dice: d6
Turns: High d6 roll goes first, then take turns activating units: Player A unit 1, Player B unit 1, Player A unit 2, Player B unit 2; Optional Card Activation Rule also provided; while activated, units may perfrom one Action: Move/Shoot; Move/Close assault; Rush move; other Advanced Rules actions
Facing: Not specified; 360º
Fire Arc: Not specified; 360º + LOS
Movement: Infantry: Move 6”, Rush 12”; Vehicles: mixed 6” - 24”; Optional Rule provided
Measurement method: Not defined
May Pre-Measure?: Not specified, implies it is not prohibited (“...before shooting can be resolved, the firing unit must always check to ensure the target meets Line of Sight, Fire Priority and Range requirements.”)
Measurement scale: Inches
Shooting: Squads shoot as a Unit at a single target, with a single die roll
Hit Allocation: Figures closest to firing squad removed first; Optional rule provided
Background?: No
Scenarios?: Yes
Army/Force List?: No
Counters/Templates? None provided; need “Under Fire” and “Pinned”

Firefight (original version)
Urban Conflict in the Ion Age
by Mac Coxhead, Paul Cockburn, and Geoff Pass
Published by Alternative Armies; 1991
http://www.alternative-armies.com/ (link to new version)
OoP (Firefight 2.0 now available: £12.00)

Scale: 28mm; Skirmish
Basing: Individual
Units: Squad = 4 figures + leader figure; Platoon = 3 Infantry Squads + 1 Heavy Weapons Squad + Sub-Officer (20 figures); Century = 3 Platoons + Heavy Weapons Platoon (100 figures); Company = 400 - 500 men; Battalion = 3 - 4 Companies; Regiment = 3000 - 4000 men; Brigade = up to 6000 men; Division = 10000 - 20000 men; Corps = multiple Divisions; up to Army, Group, Host and Continental
Dice: d6
Turns: High d6 roll chooses who has Initiative, or per Scenario rules; Initiative controls who moves first; the Initiative Player (Player A) Activates a Character, rolls Action Dice, completes Actions per the dice results; the Initiative Player then selects the next Character to Activate, unless there are any models with unused Target or General dice showing; actions include: Move, Dodge, Move & Fire, Amied fire, Opportunity fire, Suppressing fire, Defensive fire, Reaction fire, Melee
Facing: 360º, except in regard to Aimed Fire and Opportunity Fire
Fire Arc: 360º, except in regard to Aimed Fire and Opportunity Fire, then front and sides only
Movement: Number of Action Dice varies per troop type, movement based on how many dice roll 2-5
Measurement method: “Battlegrounds” with 7/8” squares, no measuring per se, only counting squares
May Pre-Measure?: Not prohibited, as the square grid is integral to the game
Measurement scale: None, per Battleground grid
Shooting: Individuals fire at individual targets, roll their own Action Dice
Hit Allocation: Per individual figure targeted
Background?: Yes
Scenarios?: Yes
Army/Force List?: Yes
Counters/Templates?: Yes

FLASHPOINT!
25mm Cy-Tech Combat System for Squads and Mechanized Units
by Dan Lavine
Published by Virtual Fusion Publishing; 1994
Web ?
OoP

Scale: 25mm Infantry, 5-15mm Vehicles
Basing: Individual
Units: Point = 5 figures + Command figure; Platoon = 4 Points; Company = 4 Platoons; Cohort = 4 Companies; Legion = 10 Cohorts
Dice: d20
Turns: High d20 roll chooses his sequence for initiative (first, second, last, etc), then next-high roll chooses, etc (allows for multiple-player games); each Round of combat is composed of 3 Phases: Primary Action, Attack, Reserve Action. Player A (first in initiative) completes Primary Action Phase with all figures, Player B (second in initiative) completes Primary Action Phase with all figures, Player C (third in initiative) completes Primary Action Phase with all figures; Player A completes Attack Phases with all figures, Player B completes Attack Phases with all figures, Player C completes Attack Phases with all figures; Player A completes Reserve Action Phases with all figures, and so on; Primary Action Phase actions include one of the following: Movement, Attack, Non-combat action; Attack Phase actions include one of the following: Attack, Non-combat action; Reserve Action Phase actions include one of the following: Movement, Non-combat action
Facing: LOS = Front 120º (suggests using a center mark on forward facing side of base)
Fire Arc: Front 120º + LOS
Movement: Fixed per each troop type
Measurement method: Figure center to figure center, per LOS
May Pre-Measure?: No (“Players may not “pre-measure” shots before stating actions unless the figure in question is outfitted with a Range Finder.”)
Measurement scale: Inches
Shooting: Individuals fire at individual targets, roll their own d20
Hit Allocation: Per individual figure targeted
Background?: Yes
Scenarios?: No, but has Campaign rules
Army/Force List?: Yes
Counters/Templates?: Yes

Forge of War Second Edition
Rules for small unit actions in a science fiction universe
by Craig Cartmell; 2009
http://thegamesshed.wordpress.com/category/wargames-rules/sf-wargames-rules/
Free pdf

Scale: 28mm; Skirmish
Basing: Individual
Units: Squad (Unit) = 5 - 20 figures
Dice: d6 (markers), d10
Turns: High d10 chooses to go first or second; Player-General A attempts to Activate a unit; if it fails, initiative passes to Player-General B; Player-Generals retain initiative until a unit fails to Activate; while Activated, units can perform any two actions: Move, Shoot, Engage in close combat, Deploy heavy weapon
Facing: Not specified; 360º
Fire Arc: Not specified; 360º + LOS
Movement: Infantry 6”, Calvary/bikes 12”, Armour 8”
Measurement method: Not defined
May Pre-Measure?: Not specified Yes or No
Measurement scale: Inches
Shooting: Units shoot at same unit/target; each firing figure rolls own d10
Hit Allocation: Individual figures, but not defined which specific figures -OR- add D-Markers per hit
Background?: No (W40K)
Scenarios?: No
Army/Force List?: Yes
Counters/Templates? No

Mutant Chronicles Warzone: Universe Under Siege
A Dark Techno-Fantasy Miniatures Battle Game
by Thomas Talamini, Bill King and Daniel Earp
Published by Excelsior Entertainment; 2003
“Ultimate Warzone - UWZ”
http://www.mutantpedia.com/eng/Warzone.html (UWZ rules in .pdf)
http://forum54.oli.us/index.php (active fan base)
Free pdf

Scale: 28mm; Skirmish
Basing: Individual
Units: Squad = variable per unit type per Army (ie, 4 - 12, or 4 - 8)
Dice: d20
Turns: High d20 roll plus modifiers chooses to activate a squad first or second; players take turns activating squads: Player A squad 1, Player B squad 1, Player A squad 2, Player B squad 2; each figure in a squad completes all its actions per it Action characteristic (AC) before moving to the next figure; possible Actions include: Move, Minimize presence, Climb, Jump, Attack (melee or ranged), Break away, Aim, Channel, Concentrate, Spot, Rally, Give orders, Wait; there are few limitations on Actions (ie, multiple Attacks are permitted)
Facing: Front and back, 180º
Fire Arc: 180º + LOS
Movement: Fixed per each troop type, based on Movement characteristic (MV); costs MV to change facing
Measurement method: Base edge to base edge
May Pre-Measure?: Yes
Measurement scale: Inches
Shooting: Individuals fire at individuals or units
Hit Allocation: Figures closest to firing squad removed first
Background?: Yes
Scenarios?: Yes
Army/Force List?: Yes
Counters/Templates?: Yes

Necromunda (original boxed version)
Battle for Survival in the Nightmare Undercity
by Rick Priestley, with Jervis Johnson and Andy Chambers
Published by Games Workshop Ltd; 1995
http://www.games-workshop.com/ (new version available)
Free pdf

Scale: 28mm only; Skirmish
Basing: Individual
Units: Gang = 3 + models
Dice: d4, d6, d10, d12, three types of “unique” d6’s: Sustained Fire (1,1,2,2,3,Jam), Scatter (four arrows, two HIT symbols), Artillery (2,4,6,8,10,MISFIRE) dice
Turns: Per scenario, typically high d6 roll takes first turn; Player A completes a turn, then Player B completes a turn; each turn consists of: Movement, Shooting, Hand-to-Hand, Recovery
Facing: Front (“The fighter is always assumed to face in the direction faced by the model itself....”)
Fire Arc: Front 90º + LOS
Movement: 4”; Running = 8”
Measurement method: Not specified, implied as base edge to base edge
May Pre-Measure?: No (“If the target is out of range then you have automatically missed....”)
Measurement scale: Inches
Shooting: Individual figures shoot at individual targets, with own d6 rolls
Hit Allocation: Per individual figure targeted
Background?: Yes
Scenarios?: Yes
Army/Force List?: Yes
Counters/Templates?: Yes

No Limits Version 1.3
Sci-Fi Wargames
by Chris Gilders; 2006-2007
http://www.wargamesunlimited.net/nolimits/index.html
Free pdf

Scale: 28mm “only”; Skirmish +
Basing: Individual
Units: Unit = 4 - 20 figures
Dice: d10
Turns: Low d10 roll wins Initiative, may choose a unit to be activated (either own or opponent’s); alternating Action-Point-Allowance per Unit; Unit A1: all actions per available APs; Unit B1: all actions per available APs; Unit A2: all actions per available APs; et cetera; available actions include Move, Close combat, Ranged attack, Rally, Hold, Psionics, Specials
Facing: LOS = Front 180º
Fire Arc: Front 90º
Movement: 1” per Action spent
Measurement method: Base edge to base edge
May Pre-Measure?: No (“Before the shot is made, the range is checked from the front of the model’s base. If the target is beyond long range (LR), the shot counts as a miss and the actions are still spent by the active model.”)
Measurement scale: Inches
Shooting: Individuals fire at individual targets, roll their own d10
Hit Allocation: Per individual figure targeted
Background?: No
Scenarios?: No
Army/Force List?: Yes
Counters/Templates? Yes, lots

Planetstorm
Legions of Steel Tabletop Battles
by Clark Browning, Tom Frank, Wes Johnson and Marco Pecota
Published by Global Games; 1996
Web ?
OoP

Scale: 28mm (not specified, although the miniatures produced by Global Games were 28mm scale); Skirmish +
Basing: Individual
Units: Unit = size not specified
Dice: d6
Turns: Initiative Stage: draw a regular playing card for each Unit; Combat Stage: Determination Phase: highest initiative card Unit can act (becomes Phasing Unit) or pass; Initial Phase: recordkeeping; Action Phase: Unit performs either a Mass Action or Individual Action; for Mass Action the Unit Moves/Fires or Fires/Moves as a Unit; for Individual Action, each figure in a Unit performs its movement and firing one at a time; Repeat the Combat Stage for all Units in Initiative order; End Stage: final bookkeeping
Facing: Front, back, left and right arcs of 90º
Fire Arc: Front arc 90º + Line of Fire (LOF)
Movement: Fixed per each troop type, plus Running; costs Movement to change facing
Measurement method: For LOF, from figure center to figure center
May Pre-Measure?: No
Measurement scale: Inches
Shooting: For Mass Action, Units shoot as a group, firing at units; each rolls own d6, resolved simultaneously
Hit Allocation: Not specified, but implied as Removed from the closest edge
Background?: Yes
Scenarios?: No
Army/Force List?: Yes
Counters/Templates?: Yes

Shock Force (First Edition)
Battles in the Remnants of America
by Aaron Overton
Published by DemonBlade Games; 1998
http://www.demonblade.com/ (no longer works)
http://warengine.darktortoise.com/index.php?title=Main_Page (link to new version)
OoP

Scale: Not specified, inferred 28mm; Skirmish
Basing: Individual
Units: Squad = 3 - 10 figures
Dice: d6
Turns: High d6 roll chooses to activate a unit first or second; players take turns activating units: Player A unit 1, Player B unit 1, Player A unit 2, Player B unit 2; firing may occur during (may interrupt) movement; each figure in a unit must complete all actions before moving to the next figure; available actions include any and all of the following: Move, Fire ranged weapons, Engage in close combat, Reserve fire
Facing: Not specified; 360º
Fire Arc: Not specified; 360º + LOS
Movement: Variable per individual figure during troop creation
Measurement method: Not specified, but implied as base edge to base edge
May Pre-Measure?: Yes (“Any player may measure any distance at any time without penalty.”)
Measurement scale: Inches
Shooting: Individuals fire at units, roll their own d6s
Hit Allocation: Respecting LOS, figures closest to firing squad removed first
Background?: Yes
Scenarios?: No
Army/Force List?: Yes
Counters/Templates?: No

Shock Force (Second Edition) / WarEngine
Battles in the Remnants of America
Science Fiction Miniature Wargaming
by Aaron Overton and Thomas Talamini
Published by DemonBlade Games (print); 2000 / Dark Tortoise (free WarEngine version)
http://warengine.darktortoise.com/index.php?title=Main_Page
Free web view; Print OoP

Scale: Not specified, inferred 28mm; Skirmish
Basing: Individual
Units: Units (anything from single character to groups of figures)
Dice: d6
Turns: High d6 roll chooses to activate a unit first or second; players take turns activating units: Player A unit 1, Player B unit 1, Player A unit 2, Player B unit 2; firing may occur during (may interrupt) movement; each figure in a unit must complete all actions before moving to the next figure; available actions include any and all of the following: Move, Attack, Reserve attack
Facing: Not specified; 360º
Fire Arc: Not specified; 360º + LOS
Movement: Variable per individual figure during troop creation
Measurement method: Not specified, but implied as base edge to base edge
May Pre-Measure?: Not specified, implies it is not prohibited
Measurement scale: Inches
Shooting: Individuals fire at individual targets, roll their own d6s
Hit Allocation: Per individual figure targeted
Background?: Yes
Scenarios?: No
Army/Force List?: Yes
Counters/Templates?: No

Star Wars Miniatures Battles
by Stephen Crane and Paul Murphy
Published by West End Games; 1993
Web ?
OoP

Scale: 25mm; Skirmish
Basing: Individual
Units: Squad = 3 - 10 figures
Dice: d6
Turns: High d6 roll plus modifiers chooses to activate a squad first or second; players take turns activating squads: Player A squad 1, Player B squad 1, Player A squad 2, Player B squad 2; after all squads have moved, Fire Combat is resolved simultaneously; after all Fire Combat is resolved, Close Assault combat occurs, then the Morale phase
Facing: Front 90º
Fire Arc: Front 90º + LOS
Movement: Fixed per each troop type, Walk rate and Run rate
Measurement method: Measure the average distance between the firing soldiers and the targets; ie, measure from the center of the firing squad’s “fire line” [those figures which have LOS and are actually shooting] to the center of the visible soldiers in the target squad; each figure rolls own d6
May Pre-Measure?: No
Measurement scale: Inches
Shooting: Individuals fire at individual targets per specific LOS; all figures must have LOS to shoot
Hit Allocation: Random per specific LOS; all visible targets have an equal chance of being hit
Background?: Yes
Scenarios?: Yes, plus additional scenario book
Army/Force List?: Yes
Counters/Templates?: Yes

STARGRUNT II
Science Fiction Combat Rules for 25mm Miniatures
by Jon Tuffley
Published by Ground Zero Games; 1996
http://www.groundzerogames.net/
Free pdf; Print OoP

Scale: 25mm; 15mm; Skirmish
Basing: Individual
Units: Squad = 4 - 10 figures; Platoon = 2 - 5 Squads; Company = 3 - 4 Platoons; Off-table: Battalion; Regiment
Dice: d4, d6, d8, d10, d12
Turns: The player with the smaller number of units on the table chooses whether to activate first or second each turn (Optional alternate method also included); players take turns activating units: Player A unit 1, Player B unit 1, Player A unit 2, Player B unit 2; each unit has two actions it may perform per activation, which include: Move, Move out of cover, Fire support, Close-assault, Reorganise unit, Communicate, Observe, Remove Suppression, Rally unit, Transfer action
Facing: Not specified; 360
Fire Arc: Not specified; 360º + LOS
Movement: Fixed per each troop type
Measurement method: From center of group of figures to center of target group of figures (Unit center to Unit center; from the “middle” figure in the group); applies to ranges and LOS
May Pre-Measure?: Undetermined
Measurement scale: Inches (alternate method of 1 inch:1 centimeter for 15mm scale)
Shooting: Squads shoot as a unit, firing at units
Hit Allocation: Randomly assigned by die roll
Background?: Yes
Scenarios?: Yes
Army/Force List?: Yes
Counters/Templates?: Yes; No, not required

Void (original version)
Battles with Miniatures
by Mark Brendan
Published by i-Kore Ltd.; 2000
http://www.i-kore.com/ (no longer works)
http://www.scotiagrendel.com/
OoP

Scale: 28mm (not specified, although the miniatures produced by i-Kore were 28mm scale); Skirmish
Basing: Individual
Units: Squad = variable per unit type per Army (ie, 4 - 10, or 2 - 8)
Dice: d10
Turns: High d10 roll chooses to activate a unit first or can nominate one of the other players to go first; players take turns activating units: Player A unit 1, Player B unit 1, Player A unit 2, Player B unit 2; however in Multiplayer games, play passes clockwise around the table from the first player; each unit must complete all orders in sequence before moving to the next unit; available orders in sequence are the following: Move, Hold, Shoot, Assault
Facing: No facings; 360º (“Irrespective of the direction a model is facing it is assumed to be aware of everything on the battlefield that is not hidden by intervening terrain or other models etc.)
Fire Arc: 360º + LOS
Movement: Fixed per each troop type
Measurement method: Base edge to base edge
May Pre-Measure?: Yes (“Players can measure distances at any time during their turn.”)
Measurement scale: Inches
Shooting: Units shoot at same unit/target; each firing figure rolls own d10
Hit Allocation: Owner of target unit allocates hits per specific rules
Background?: Yes
Scenarios?: No
Army/Force List?: Yes
Counters/Templates?: No; Yes

Void 1.1
Battles with Miniatures
by Mark Brendan
Published by i-Kore Ltd.; 2000
http://www.i-kore.com/ (no longer works)
http://www.scotiagrendel.com/
£15.00

Scale: 28mm (not specified, although the miniatures produced by i-Kore were 28mm scale); Skirmish
Basing: Individual
Units: Squad = variable per unit type per Army (ie, 4 - 10, or 2 - 8)
Dice: d10
Turns: High d10 roll chooses to activate a unit first or can nominate one of the other players to go first; players take turns activating units: Player A unit 1, Player B unit 1, Player A unit 2, Player B unit 2; however in Multiplayer games, play passes clockwise around the table from the first player; each unit must complete all orders in sequence before moving to the next unit; available orders in sequence are the following: Move, Hold, Shoot, Assault
Facing: No facings; 360º (“Irrespective of the direction a model is facing it is assumed to be aware of everything on the battlefield that is not hidden by intervening terrain or other models etc.)
Fire Arc: 360º + LOS
Movement: Fixed per each troop type
Measurement method: Base edge to base edge
May Pre-Measure?: Yes (“Players can measure distances at any time during their turn.”)
Measurement scale: Inches
Shooting: Units shoot at same unit/target; each firing figure rolls own d10
Hit Allocation: Owner of target unit allocates hits per specific rules
Background?: Yes
Scenarios?: No
Army/Force List?: Yes
Counters/Templates?: No; Yes

Void 1.1 Rulebook
Evolution or Extinction:
Colony Wars in a Galaxy on the edge of oblivion
by John Robertson and Mark Brendan
Published by i-Kore Ltd.; 2003
http://www.i-kore.com/ (no longer works)
http://www.scotiagrendel.com/
£15.00

Scale: 28mm (not specified, although the miniatures produced by i-Kore were 28mm scale); Skirmish
Basing: Individual
Units: Squad = variable per unit type per Army (ie, 4 - 10, or 2 - 8)
Dice: d10
Turns: High d10 roll chooses to activate a unit first or can nominate one of the other players to go first; players take turns activating units: Player A unit 1, Player B unit 1, Player A unit 2, Player B unit 2; however in Multiplayer games, play passes clockwise around the table from the first player; each unit must complete all orders in sequence before moving to the next unit; available orders in sequence are the following: Move, Hold, Shoot, Assault
Facing: No facings; 360º (“Irrespective of the direction a model is facing it is assumed to be aware of everything on the battlefield that is not hidden by intervening terrain or other models etc.)
Fire Arc: 360º + LOS
Movement: Fixed per each troop type
Measurement method: Base edge to base edge
May Pre-Measure?: Yes (“Players can measure distances at any time during their turn.”)
Measurement scale: Inches
Shooting: Units shoot at same unit/target; each firing figure rolls own d10
Hit Allocation: Owner of target unit allocates hits per specific rules
Background?: Yes
Scenarios?: Yes
Army/Force List?: Yes (in supplementary publications)
Counters/Templates?: Yes

Warhammer 40,000 Rogue Trader
by Rick Priestley
Published by Games Workshop; 1990
http://www.games-workshop.com/ (new version)
OoP

Scale: 28mm; Skirmish +
Basing: Individual
Units: Units = 4 + models (5 - 10); also called Squads universally
Dice: d4, d6, d8, d10, d12, d20
Turns: “Flip a coin to see which side has the first turn.” Player A completes a turn, then Player B completes a turn; each turn consists of: Movement, Shooting, Hand-to-hand Combat, Reserves, Psionics, Rallying
Facing: Yes (“Models are assumed to be facing in the direction as indicated by the position of the figure.”)
Fire Arc: Front 90º + LOS
Movement: Fixed per each troop type
Measurement method: Not specified, but implied as base edge to base edge (“The purpose of a base is to establish which models can fight in hand-to-hand combat.”)
May Pre-Measure?: Yes (“Before firing, measure the range. Decide whether the target is in range....”)
Measurement scale: Inches
Shooting: Not specified, but implied as Individual figures shoot, with own d6 rolls (“...a player may shoot once with any appropriately armed model.” ”The firer must be able to draw a clear line of sight to the intended target.”)
Hit Allocation: Per individual figure targeted
Background?: Yes
Scenarios?: Yes
Army/Force List?: Yes
Counters/Templates?: Yes

Warhammer 40,000 (second edition)
In the grim darkness of the far future there is only war
by Rick Priestley and Andy Chambers
Published by Games Workshop Ltd; 1993
http://www.games-workshop.com/ (new version)
OoP

Scale: 28mm only; Skirmish +
Basing: Individual
Units: Squad = 5 + models; also called Mobs, etc for other races
Dice: d6, three types of “unique” d6’s: Sustained Fire (1,1,2,2,3,Jam), Scatter (four arrows, two HIT symbols), Artillery (2,4,6,8,10,MISFIRE) dice
Turns: High d6 + Strategy Rating goes first; Player A completes a turn, then Player B completes a turn; each turn consists of: Movement, Shooting, Hand-to-hand Combat, Psychic, Rally
Facing: Yes (“The direction faced by a model indicates the actual direction faced by the individual foot soldier it represents.”)
Fire Arc: Front 90º + LOS
Movement: Fixed per each troop/race type
Measurement method: Implied as base edge to base edge
May Pre-Measure?: No
Measurement scale: Inches
Shooting: Squads shoot as a Unit at a single target/unit, with individual exceptions (special weapons, Characters, etc.); each firing figure rolls own d6
Hit Allocation: Remove the nearest models, or randomise by d6 if it is unclear
Background?: Yes
Scenarios?: Yes
Army/Force List?: Yes
Counters/Templates?: Yes

Warhammer 40,000 (third edition)
In the grim darkness of the far future there is only war
by Rick Priestley, Andy Chambers, Gavin Thorpe, Ian Pickstock and Jervis Johnson
Published by Games Workshop Ltd; 1998
http://www.games-workshop.com/ (new version)
OoP

Scale: 28mm only; Skirmish +
Basing: Individual
Units: Squad = 5 + models; also called Mobs, Broods, etc for other races
Dice: d6, one “unique” d6: Scatter (four arrows, two HIT symbols)
Turns: High d6 chooses to go first or second; Player A completes a turn, then Player B completes a turn; each turn consists of: Move, Shoot, Close Assault
Facing: Not specified (“Models are turned to face their targets in the shooting phase so don’t worry about which way they are pointing at the end of their movement phase.”)
Fire Arc: Not specified; LOS only
Movement: Infantry: 6”; Vehicles: 12”
Measurement method: Implied as base edge to base edge
May Pre-Measure?: No (“This is why you have to choose your target before measuring the range.”)
Measurement scale: Inches
Shooting: Squads shoot as a Unit at a single target/unit; each firing figure rolls own d6
Hit Allocation: Owning player chooses any models in range, even from rear of unit
Background?: Yes
Scenarios?: Yes
Army/Force List?: Yes
Counters/Templates?: Yes

Warhammer 40,000 (fourth edition)
In the grim darkness of the far future there is only war
by Rick Priestley and Andy Chambers, with Alessio Cavatore, Pete Haines, Anthony Reynolds, Jervis Johnson and Adam Troke
Published by Games Workshop Ltd; 2004
http://www.games-workshop.com/ (new version)
OoP

Scale: 28mm only; Skirmish +
Basing: Individual
Units: Units; not specified in main rules, supplements (Codexes) dictate size (ie, 5 - 20), name (Squad, Mob, Swarm, Brood, etc)
Dice: d6, one “unique” d6: Scatter (four arrows, two HIT symbols)
Turns: High d6 chooses to go first or second; Player A completes a turn, then Player B completes a turn; each turn consists of: Movement Phase, Shooting Phase, Assault Phase
Facing: Not specified (“Infantry models can be turned to face their targets in the Shooting phase, so don’t worry about which way they are pointing at the end of their Movement phase.”)
Fire Arc: Not specified; LOS only
Movement: Infantry: 6”; Vehicles: 12”
Measurement method: Base edge to base edge
May Pre-Measure?: No (“This is why you have to choose your target before measuring the range.”)
Measurement scale: Inches
Shooting: Squads shoot as a Unit at a single target/unit; each firing figure rolls own d6
Hit Allocation: Owning player chooses any models in range and line of fire, even from rear of unit
Background?: Yes
Scenarios?: Yes
Army/Force List?: Yes; more in Codexes
Counters/Templates?: No; Yes

Warhammer 40,000 (fifth edition)
In the grim darkness of the far future there is only war
by Alessio Cavatore (main rules), Mat Ward, Andy Hoare, Graham Davey, Phil Kelly, Gav Thorpe, Adam Troke, Robin Cruddace, Jervis Johnson, Jeremy Vetock (Rick Priestley, original rules)
Published by Games Workshop Ltd; 2008
http://www.games-workshop.com/
$57.75; £35.00

Scale: 28mm only; Skirmish +
Basing: Individual
Units: Squad = variable per unit type per Army (ie, 5, 20)
Dice: d6
Turns: High d6 roll goes first; Player A completes all Movement, Shooting and Assaulting with all of his units; then Player B completes all Movement, Shooting and Assaulting with all of his units
Facing: No facings; 360º
Fire Arc: 360º + LOS
Movement: Infantry: 6” (may Run d6” in Shooting phase)
Measurement method: Not specified (“When you’re checking range, simply measure from each firer to the nearest visible model in the target unit.”)
May Pre-Measure?: No
Measurement scale: Inches
Shooting: Firing unit chooses a single enemy unit as target; Individual figures shoot, with own die rolls
Hit Allocation: Owning player chooses from all figures, even if out of sight or out of range
Background?: Yes
Scenarios?: Yes
Army/Force List?: Yes; more in Codexes
Counters/Templates?: No; Required, not provided in book

Warzone (first edition)
A Fast and Furious Miniatures Battle Game
Mutant Chronicles
by Bill King
Published by Target Games AB/Heartbreaker; 1995
Web?
OoP

Scale: Not specified, inferred 28mm; Skirmish
Basing: Individual
Units: Squad = 2 - 12 models
Dice: d20
Turns: High d20 roll + Leadership score wins initiative and nominates any squad or character model to go first, including opponent’s squads; the squad’s controlling player (Player A) activates any single model in the unit, which may take as many actions as listed in its AC characteristic; Player A then activates another figure in the unit, in any order; each figure must complete all actions before another figure can activate; after all figures in the squad have completed their actions, Player B activates a unit; available actions include the following: Move, Fire, Aim, Concentrate, Use Special Power, Hide, Spot, Give Orders, Rally, Infiltrate, Close Combat and Wait; multiples of the same action are permitted (ie, move, move, move)
Facing: Front 180º
Fire Arc: Front 180º + LOS
Movement: Fixed per each troop type, based on Movement characteristic (MV)
Measurement method: Not defined
May Pre-Measure?: Not specified Yes or No
Measurement scale: Inches
Shooting: Individual figures shoot at individual targets, with own die rolls
Hit Allocation: Per individual figure targeted
Background?: Yes
Scenarios?: Yes
Army/Force List?: Yes
Counters/Templates?: Yes

Wildfire
Skirmish Level Miniatures Combat V 1.1
by Greg Saunders
Published by Fire Ruby Studios; 2008
http://www.fireruby.co.uk/
Free pdf

Scale: 15mm; Skirmish
Basing: 2 figures per 1” round base
Units: Fire Team = 2 figures per base
Dice: d10
Turns: High d10 roll chooses who goes first, then take turns revealing Action Markers per Fire Team; available Actions include Move, Fire, Assault, Rally, Dig in, Mobilise, Move and fire, Opportunity fire, Reaction fire
Facing: No facings; 360º
Fire Arc: 360º
Movement: 1” = 1 point of Move Allowance; MA varies per Fire Team stats
Measurement method: Not specified, but implied as base edge to base edge
May Pre-Measure?: No (“...range can only be measured when the ranged combat attack is declared.”)
Measurement scale: Inches
Shooting: Fire Team/base fires at single Fire Team/base; can combine shooting with multiple Fire Teams; each Fire Team rolls own d10
Hit Allocation: Fire Team/base loses Strength per hit
Background?: Yes
Scenarios?: Yes, suggestions in supplement
Army/Force List?: Yes
Counters/Templates?: Yes (must photocopy)

Here are the Games I need to acquire, in no particular order. (Correction: some I already have, but either they are unopened [and I wish them to remain so], or I simply haven't gotten around to summarizing them.)

VOR
The Maelstrom

Kryomek by Scotia Grendel Productions
http://www.scotiagrendel.com/Products/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=3&zenid=8deb6a9a4e9f35f718450ab92f45b2d7
and by Kryomek USA
http://www.kryomekusa.com/shop/page/2?sessid=CIYdyLtBtwe27vuk5GSEwyAPvXKYwHMZC1JChRxD3gxLVJlTuhEj6Yvsu8eGFX22&shop_param=

Guncrawl by Ebbles Miniatures ($20)
http://www.ebblesminiatures.com/shop/guncrawl2008_fullgame.php

Chain Reaction 3.0/5150 by Two Hour Wargames (free/$25, $20 pdf)
http://www.angelfire.com/az3/twohourwargames/sci-fi.html

Incursion by Incursion Games/Grindhouse Games (free)
http://www.incursiongame.com/pages/downloads

Infinity by Corvus Belli (free)
http://www.corvusbelli.com/en/default.asp
http://www.infinitythegame.com/

Mutants and Death Ray Guns by Ganesha Games ($8 pdf)
http://www.ganeshagames.net/science-fiction/
They also have another new set soon to come, name unknown to me

Future War Commander by Specialist Military Publishing (GBP20, $45.99-$51.00)
http://www.blitzkrieg-commander.com/

Tomorrow’s War by Ambush Alley Games ($tbd)
http://www.ambushalleygames.com/

Savage Worlds Showdown by Pinnacle Entertainment Group (free pdf)
http://www.peginc.com/downloads.html

Starguard 5th edition by Reviresco ($30)
http://www.tin-soldier.com/

Laserburn by 15mm.co.uk (GBP6.50)
Imperial Commander (GBP6.50)
http://www.15mm.co.uk/Laserburn_Publications.htm

Attrition by Alternative Armies (GBP12.00)
Laserburn (GBP6.00)
http://www.alternative-armies.com/Publications.htm

2085 Warlords of the Wasteland by Skankgame.com (free pdf)
http://www.skankgame.com/Downloads.html

Thanks for reading!

Err, What I Meant to Say Was...

2010-02-25T12:45:00.007-06:00

I've been reading, and filing metal! And I have a correction to make concerning my previous posting. In it, I commented on the odd makeup of The Greys figure selection, and concluded with, "That's what I get for not picking them myself," or words to that effect.

Wellll, I spoke too soon. As it turns out the figure selection is exactly appropriate for a 100-point army in ASQL. The way the rules work is you have minimum and maximum types-of-stands per each 100 points, and the minimum is 3 Science Teams and 2 Robotic Servants. Period. That's the minimum you are required to have to play The Greys army.

So the fact that I have 5 Command figures (1 stand's worth), 10 Science Team figures (2 stands' worth) and 5 Soldiers (1 stand's worth) is not all that surprising after all. Command Stands, in the rules, are not separate figures/stands, they are an upgrade you take for your existing stands. So I can either mix a couple of the Command figures in with some Science Team figures, or just keep them as a stand-alone Command Stand, and it perfectly fits the requirements of the rules.

What's more, there is some flexibility in regard to how many figures are on a stand. The recommended number is 5, but any number is pretty much o.k., as long as you and your opponent understand what it represents. So with 20 figures to choose from, I should be able to upgrade my army "artificially" by using fewer figures per stand. Instead of 4 stands of 5 figures, I might be able to do 5 stands of 4 figures, or even 10 stands of 2 figures! The only real change will be the appearance of the army on the table. Ten nearly-empty stands isn't as impressive-looking as four full stands.

At any rate, the game mechanics sound interesting if a trifle convoluted, and I'm very glad for the table of contents, as the order of presentation is, to me at least, not intuitive (so I'll be using the ToC to find what I need faster than just flipping through the book). But a single read-through is not indicative of how a game plays, so I shall reserve final judgment until I play it.

Here are a couple of photos of my forces waiting for primer, all neatly mounted on U.S. pennies for bases. They'll never be this close together again except in the heat of battle!

Those Human Imperials will regret letting The Greys get behind them!

Now to figure out a color scheme. Thanks for reading!

"Incoming!"

2010-02-17T13:35:00.002-06:00

The goodies from 15mm.co.uk arrived yesterday, a day ahead of schedule. It's been a long wait, but I was able to finish the projects on my painting table, as of last night, so waiting served a purpose. (As soon as the weather warms up a trifle I'll give them a clearcoat and take some pics. Not sure where I'll post them, as everything I was working on was premanufactured scenery. They had been sitting in the closet for far too long, and in one of my usual bouncing-between-subjects moods, I swept them all up and painted them. But as they're not really sci-fi related I don't know where I'll post them. Prolly at my other blog. I'll let you know.)

Anyway, I tore into the box containing the ASQL rulebook and figures. Here's a photo of the contents. You can click it to see it larger; 15mm figures are pretty hard to get good images of.

Here's the Human Imperial Army [ASL05]:

It looks like there are:

16 Imperial Troopers (Bolt Gun) [Laserburn #300]

2 Imperial Officers [Laserburn #304]

2 Senior Imperial Officers [Laserburn #305]

5 Imperial Trooper (Rapid Fire Bolt Gun) [Laserburn #308]

6 Assault Droids [Laserburn #311]

1 Military APC Glaive-Tracked Variant [Laserburn #V008t]

1 Robo-Turret - Heavy Laser for Glaive [Laserburn #RT01]

33 total miniatures including a vehicle.

This cost £13.00.

In the other bag are The Greys [ASL10]:

1 Grey Alien Command [HOF47], 5 figures which includes:

Commander pointing

General with large headset and cape

Grey with Pysker Amplification gear

x2 Grey with distance viewing device

1 Grey Alien Science Team [HOF48], 10 figs which includes:

x2 Grey with heavy cases and slung weapon

x3 Grey with capture claw probe

x2 Grey with Atomic counter gear

x3 Grey with info pad in hand

1 Grey Alien Soldiers [HOF49], 5 figures which includes:

x4 Greys in simple combat suits with energy rifles

Grey with support size 'death ray projector'

1 Grey Alien Flying Saucer [HOF50]

6 Robotic Servants [HOF44]

5 Robot Scout Drones [HOF45]

32 total miniatures including a vehicle.

This cost £15.00.

The ASQL rulebook cost £12.00.

Shipping was £3.60.

The total cost to me in US dollars, after the excruciating exchange rate, was $71.26. Removing the rulebook and shipping, this means that 65 figures cost approximately 72 cents per figure (lumping together vehicles and infantry). That's still pretty affordable, and completely unattainable in 28mm scale in metals.

I realize the Laserburn molds are rather old, so that explains the fairly-substantial flash and mold lines on the figures. I'm o.k. with doing some work on them, as long as it's not excessive (which it's not), but that one guy on the right is gonna be blind I think.

The Grey molds are pretty new and they are very clean, only a little work is needed to get these guys ready for painting.

However, I'm a little surprised by the figure selection: essentially two-and-a-half Science Teams, an extra Command Team figure, and 5 count 'em 5 total actual Soldiers (you know, the guys with the guns....). I'm not philosophically opposed to "substituting" figures as needed, but I never expected to need to substitute almost half the force!

Ah well, that's what happens when you let someone else pick your army. I did go into this with my eyes open, so it's fine, although I would have preferred 7 more Soldiers (5 for a second Soldier squad, the sixth to fill out the Command Team and the seventh for the Science Team. (Y'see, each code has 4 individual poses, so adding a Soldier to each of the other Teams keeps from duplicating poses.)

Now to start reading and filing metal!

Coming Soon to a Planetoid Near You!

2010-02-04T10:42:00.139-06:00

The world of 15mm Science Fiction gaming is exploding with new stuff: new miniatures out the wazoo, new rule sets, and more new miniatures. It's a Golden Age of (15mm SF) Gaming right now, with players spoilt for choice. Check the side panels for links to some of the great goodness that is available. I resisted for as long as I could, but I finally had to jump in before it all passed me by. I still love my Colonials, and hope I won't be away from them too long at the same time as I look forward to spending time with my new old love: Sci-Fi.

You read that right: new old love. My very first miniatures purchases were not for the D&D games I was playing at the time, aeons ago. No, they were SF miniatures that just looked cool. I think, deep down, SF has always been my one true love. Star Trek, Star Wars, and the modern day blends of Postapocalyptic Gaming such as Mad Max and Car Wars; all of them are what I look to when I want Real Escapism.

One of the nice things about 15mm gaming is that it's very affordable, not only in a general sense, but also in comparison to 28mm gaming. Games Workshop, the world leader in 28mm SF gaming, has an acknowledged, well-deserved reputation for being expensive. Let me emphasize that: EXPENSIVE. It's been years -- quite literally -- since I bought any miniatures from GW. I love the 40K universe they've created, and still enjoy the fluff, but even that has gotten to where I can't keep up. How in the world can they publish 30 or 40 novels and expect anyone to keep up? I can't really even afford to buy all their stuff: new rulebooks every few years as they re-write the main rules again and again, new Codices (or Codexes, as they say), and tons of background books. It's all fun, but I'm running out of room to store it all. They're just too prolific. It's too much.

While it's true there is a lot of stuff available for 15mm, it's much more affordable. You can get a decent army -- 100 points or scaled for some other rule system -- for $50 or less and be finished! Plus, they're much quicker to paint. 15mm by default has less detail than 28mm (although some of the new 15mm is amazingly detailed) so you don't have to spend as long per figure getting not only a good tabletop standard but a superior standard (which is what I strive for). That's my experience from when I painted my 15mm British and Zulu figures from my Rorke's Drift set.

So I've taken the plunge. I've just placed an order from the nice folks at 15mm.co.uk over in Scotland. I've ordered Alien Squad Leader 2.0 (known to the Collective Internet Intelligence as ASQL2), and two 100-point armies designed for same. They are a Human Imperial Army from the old Laserburn range and The Greys. (link and link) The nice thing about it is that I have no idea what specific figures I'm getting, other than two 100-point armies. Now normally I don't like not knowing what I'm getting. But since I know nothing of the rules, I figured buying a pre-built pack would be a bonus.

I say I know nothing, but in fact I read a review, so I know a little. I know that ASQL2 uses 50mm x 50mm bases with roughly 5 figures per base, and I know that I don't want to permanently base them like that. I am tentatively planning on using U.S. pennies as individual bases, thereby allowing me to use the armies with all the other fantastic SF rule sets available out there (most of which require individual basing). Then I would like to make movement trays of the needed size for ASQL2 that I can use with the inidivually-based figs. I got this idea, which I am stealing in broad daylight, from the Basement gaming bunker blog.

I've thought about buying washers for bases, or the thin plywood bases Litko makes, but U.S. pennies cost...1 cent. How much cheaper do you want? Plus, they're the right size to my eye: 19mm in diameter, with room to add a magnetic sheet to the bottom if you want without making it too tall; yet it looks fine without it, too. Naturally, for certain figures (Commanders, Support-type weapons, perhaps some vehicles) I'll need to use larger bases. A U.S. nickel, maybe? We shall see.

Now don't get me wrong: I primarily ordered ASQL2 because I not only wanted the rules but also because they provided pre-built armies for it. That's a tremendous incentive to me. I have hopes to add to my growing Space Invasion Collection soon, but time will tell. There are many other miniatures manufacturers out there, and other rule sets too. A future blog posting will detail what I know about them.

At any rate, 15mm.co.uk advises that my goodies will arrive around Feb 17th, so that gives me nearly two weeks to finish up my current projects and make room on my painting table. Actually, a little longer as I probably won't start painting until I read the rulebook first. I am, however, agonizing over the long wait. ...rotten Atlantic Ocean, getting in the way....