Near Future small Sci-fi Skirmish rules (Aliens/Blade Runner/ etc)?

[jgodwin17]

Hi there,

I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on rules to use for a near future small skirmish game. I'm looking for 5-20 models a side, pretty simplistic (mainly looking for a good game to play with my non-gamer friends), that would work well for a bleak futuristic setting (Aliens/Blade Runner type stuff). Even a conversion of a ruleset would be work fine. I'm not really particular on 15mm or 28mm (not sure which I'll use at this point, I have some stuff for both), as generally that's a pretty easy conversion.

To give you guys some background on what I have played/liked.

I really dislike THW stuff, it's just not my cup of tea.

I like the Goal System mechanic, but I feel the character creation is a bit too indepth and the games get bogged down.

I enjoy Mordheim quite a bit, and Necromunda as well, but I'm not really feeling those would be appropriate rulesets for this.

I don't mind SOBH, but Mutants and Death Rays doesn't fit the setting well, and is a bit too simplistic.

I love AE Bounty, but I feel the model profiles and building templates are a bit too specific for this game.

I love the Lord of the Rings Strategy Battle Game rules, and I've seen some conversions of it for other types of gaming. I wouldn't mind something similar, or even a conversion if they exist.

Any feedback or help would be much appreciated!

[Pirx]

How about "Use Me"?
http://15mm.co.uk/USE_ME_Books.htm


Review:
http://barkingirons.blogspot.de/2010/10/notables-review-of-use-me-15mm-sci-fi.html

[Onebigriver]

A good free set:

http://www.skankgame.com/Downloads.html

A good commercial set:

http://www.em4miniatures.com/acatalog/Combat_Zone_products.html

[Johnno]

what about In the Emporer's Name?

iten-game.org/

[hubbabubba]

Isn't it about time that a thread like this got stickied to the top of the board?

The question is raised quite regularly and is of interest to many of us, so a thread detailing opinions on current rule sets , where new additions could be added and opinions exchanged would be a useful permanant resource, much like the 'cheap sourses for sci fi figs' thread.

[Westfalia Chris]

Well, it does sound sensible. I'll open a sticky thread - check out the proposed format and contribute if you want to.

[Johnno]

Agreed!

[jgodwin17]

Thanks so far for your help folks, it is much appreciated!

I've looked over the review of "Use Me" Pirx and it looks quite promising. I may have to pick it up, another nice addition is that the review also included a link to the Fast and Dirty rules, which hopefully I will get to browse over today after homework.

I looked briefly over Warlord 2085 (Skank) and it doesn't look like something I'd enjoy, but I appreciate the suggestion. I'll take a look for Combat Zone reviews.

I don't know how I could have forgot ITeN, I've played this one quite a bit in its second edition and loved it. I think it would be an easy conversion to near-future too (pretty much just changing weapon names). Thanks Johnno!

I think a sticky of some sort would be really helpful personally. Everyone has different knowledge of what rule sets exist and how each one plays, it would be nice if we could all collaborate and create a nice reference for curious gamers.

Thanks all!

[Westfalia Chris]

I think a sticky of some sort would be really helpful personally.

Here you go:

http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=60567.0

[hubbabubba]

Top man Chris

[jgodwin17]

Thanks Chris!

[blacksmith]

Laserburn?

[Ironworker]

Savage Worlds:  Although an RPG it works fairly well as a miniature skirmish game.  They have "Showdown" which is suppose to be even more a miniature game but I have not played it. 

I agree about AE Bounty.  Great Game but the force creation is both frustrating and difficult to adapt. 

[NurgleHH]

Maybe 7TV by crooked dice? Work with several ideas.

[n815e]

Star Mogul is free http://armorcast.com/Armorgeddon/index.php?board=36.0

There is also Judge Dredd which has a lot of freedom in creating characters.