What system am I looking for?

[Were-Sandwich]

I'm looking for a miniatures system that has the pick-up-and-playability of Magic: The Gathering, but more tactical depth than those silly Collectable Miniatues Games, preferably free or very cheap. I have real trouble convincing my gamer buddies to play something other than Magic, mostly because of all the preperation involved in most of the game I have, and I'm desperate to play something that isn't card based. help?

[Castaras]

D&D Minis. Their skirmish game is easy to learn, yet with so many tactical choices.

Hundreds of different creatures, 4 factions, so many playing style choices. Each card is useful, from the lowliest goblin to the mighty Epic Pit Fiend(Yes, I have the Pit Fiend. Awesome card, but not my favourite. :smallsmile: )

Loads of fun. Only downside is that it is expensive. As in, around here, it's around £10 per booster pack(8 figures in each).

You could also try Pirates of the Spanish Main, and assorted booster packs. Cheap, you get cardboard ship things you put together yourself, and then you're just stealing gold and stuff. Easy to learn. Cheap to buy(£2.60 a pack, comes with 2 boats and assorted crew and stuff). Tactics-wise, I can't really say. Only picked it up recently.

But I would highly recommend D&D Minis. Yes, it's a collectible minis game. No, it isn't as simple as it first looks.

[Lord_Butters_I]

Warhammer.

[laszarus]

Lord_Butters - Sorry mate, but Warhammer is neither cheap nor easy to pick up. I've been playing for ages and my friends and I still have to use the books.

Were-Sandwich: I've heard good things about Warmachine, and with the basic game I think you use about 4 models. ( http://www.privateerpress.com/WARMACHINE/ ).

If you want epic and expensive though, Warhammer is a good one. You can also pick up most of the cool specialist games for the system (like Blood Bowl, Necromunda and so on) for free online, and just need to pick up a few models (Official site: http://www.specialist-games.com/Default.asp )

[Lord_Butters_I]

I just pirated the stats for every warhammer unit off the internet and I made my own minitures. All of Warhammer for about $20 in art supplies (My minis are 2D cutouts in cardboard or foam core.) That takes care of the cost, though I will admit that Warhammer is hard to learn.

[laszarus]

Well, if you're going to be cheap about it ...:smallwink:

Warhammer is hideously overpriced, though. But is is impressive when you have half a hundred troops all painted and glued and ready to kick rear end.

[Lord_Butters_I]

Frankly I think it's even more impressive when you hand make every single one, abiet 2D ones.:smallwink:

[Were-Sandwich]

I don't like GWs games or minis. I tried it, and a lot of it jsut seemed counter-intuitive to me. Plus, there is no way I'm paying that much. Ever.

I'm getting Stargrunt 2 for Xmas, thats supposed to have minimal set-up time.

Clarification: When I meant 'pick-up-and-playabilty', I didn't mean how long it took to learn rules, I'm ok with complicated games, I meant the fact you can go from saying "Wanna play Magic" to taking your first turn in under a minute. Something with minimal prep-time before games.

Anyone no what the various Traveller minis games are like (Striker, Azanti High Lightning, Snapshot, etc)