15mm Ruleset Quandary

[Dim_Reaper]

Hello everyone.

This is somewhat of a back-burner project, so I'm not in dire need, but I am looking at potentially suitable rulesets that would work with my growing collection of 15mm Sci-Fi. I'm actually interested in a number of different kinds of game, but I have a shrewd idea what I plan to do with them, so I'm hoping that will help focus suggestions and also make up for the fact that this seems to get asked a lot on here.

I had a look through a few of the past threads, and it's at least given me a nice starting point. I've had a gander at a few, grabbed some of the free ones. But whilst I'm not against owning multiple rulesets, with it being Christmas time I am being a bit budget conscious, especially as I found the Bazaar very quickly and got rather deranged with spending.


Anyway, I have three primary sorts of setting/game type I'm looking at. I was hoping you gentlemen could give me some views on suitable rulesets for those settings. Thanks in advance.

Firstly, a few general things. I don't really like Sci Fi on sort of regimental bases. I like to track individual casualties, and I always like a skirmish feel to a ruleset, even if using large armies. My collection is a hodgepodge of models I personally like, so naturally generic build your own setting type games are preferable. Collection wise, it's mostly Khurasan Sci-Fi, lots of aliens and whatnot. I also got some Praesentia wotzits from GZG (that I have put on individual bases like the uncultured beast that I am), some kickstarter WWII in space things from ArmiesArmy/Armies/Armies whatever it is (need to check up on that guy and see if he's done anything more) and I'm just starting to branch out onto other companies (welcome suggestions).

Rulesets I will probably rule out are Tomorrow's War (even though I know how to play Force on Force, which is basically the same system, as I dislike the presentation of the rulebook. It's pretty dreadful), 40k (any edition of this game is to my mind too flawed to use for anything other than avoiding the faff of making rules for GW's models) and Specialist Games (as I already play these and prefer their respective scales as they are). I've played FUBAR before, so that's one of my fall-backs.

Also, I do make games from time to time, so I'm not ruling out the possibility of just writing my own rules, or basing it on my Squad battle system me and my friend made (my relationship with it is a bit love-hate though, and it was made for 10mm).

Future World War
Angry existing nations in space. What could go wrong. Basically, I was thinking about a reasonably balanced skirmish to large battle that has relatively balanced forces with sci-fi'd up military stuff. It's an excuse to use those ArmiesArmy models I got from a kickstarter, which were British/Allied and Soviet with similar equipment. Some squads have more than one specialist, there's a potential variety of troop quality (regulars, elites, Spec Ops and power armour), we've bought tanks and humvees for it (I got mine from Khurasan) and there are also artillery weapon teams, mortars laser guns and so on.

 I have been thinking FUBAR for this, but I welcome other suggestions. Normally I quite like rough and ready, quick play, but given that the models fit nicely with a tense pitch battle style, a bit of additional detail isn't entirely problematic here.

City Scape Cyberpunk Skirmish
A major back-burner, but my and my friends have been playing a Somalia style game based on the FoF rules, and it made me think about other settings on somewhat smaller scales (we're playing on 20mm). It kind of made me think of that wonderful old game Syndicate. I'd love to play a crazy Cyberpunk skirmish like that with hilarious hi-jinks, over the top weapons and so forth. I was thinking relatively rough and ready as systems went, but I'm not sure what's out there. Not Necomunda though, I want a different feel. Some micro-management, certainly, but more emphasis on squad dynamics, missions and explosions.

I've also been considering a similar idea of something like XCOM, with a small squad versus hordes of alien types. Obviously, that would be more individual based rather than squad, but I'm interested in what people think for it. I've been considering trying to tackle this one myself. Still, I'd like to know what's out there before I proceed. I really have no idea for this one. I don't know if I've overlooked a particular game that's been mentioned before and I just didn't make the connection.

Planetary War
Basically, I'd like an excuse to field lots of alien stuff, which I've mostly bought from Khurasan. I was thinking of playing this at pretty large scale, at the squad level (but again, tracking individual positioning and casualties) with pretty sizeable armies and a vast array of exotic units. In this instance, I do want to feel a big difference in how the different armies play, so I'd be looking for something with quite a lot of flexibility. I have those Praesentia Chappies as I mentioned, which are conveniently sort of Eldar-Tauish-With-a-hint-of-Necron, Khurasan's Marsians, their Ant-Like Race, their Bee-like Race, the Interplanetary Foreign Legion and the little hooded goblin things. I plan on getting more (because they're amazingly characterful).

There's drop-podding guns, big walkers, flyers, robots, aliens and so on. So there's a lot to cover. My reasonably concentrated research last night suggests that Fireteam Andromeda might be the ideal ruleset for this, but I'd rather have a few pointers before I rush off and buy it.

Thanks for reading.

[tnjrp]

Defiance might work for most of that, as long as you keep the idea of individual basing (it doesn't really do unit basing out of the box, tho there is a genre mod in the full rulebook that does):
http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=75724

No player base for that sadly but if you are already considering writing your own rules then I suppose that's not too much of a problem

[Storm Wolf]

For squad-based games try Critical Mass by Critical mass games. Its very good and has a pretty good force designer and for more human-centric games their is always Hammer`s Slammers.

Skirmish, no idea as I could never find a system I was happy with

Glen

[Jagannath]

Have a peak at Clash on the Fringe - it's by Nordic Weasel Games ( of FiveCore fame) and it's pretty good. Has a vague air of 2nd edition 40k but much less flawed.

I really like it as a ruleset.

[Froggy the Great]

On The 15mm sci-fi Wargaming group on MyFace, I keep the latest draft of the 15mm FUBAR ruleset we use.  Glad to see it's a fall back.

[Dim_Reaper]

Thanks for the input everyone.

I'm not sure on Critical Mass. I have looked at that, but it uses Squads on one Base, which I'm not really a fan of. I'll keep it in mind though.

I quite like the sound of Clash on the Fringe. So I think that might work well for a skirmish at least.

I'll have a read of the demo version of Defiance and see what I think. So much choice.

[dijit]

There are really many options. You can get Stargrunt for free on GZG's site, which is always good for a look. Then there's FAD4, which I'm not sure is still around, but that is another decent and solid platoon scale game. Then there's Fireteam Andromeda, written by our very own Phoenikuz and Victory Decision - future combat by Agis.

[Napalm Backflip]

You know for all the chatter I hear on various boards about an 'Xcom-type' game, I'm really astonished there havent been any big publications of rules along those lines. It seems like an untapped market for sure.

[Dim_Reaper]

You know for all the chatter I hear on various boards about an 'Xcom-type' game, I'm really astonished there havent been any big publications of rules along those lines. It seems like an untapped market for sure.

It's why I'm considering trying to fill the void myself.

I am interested in Fireteam Andromeda dijit. Could you tell me a little more about it?

[baldlea]

Hi reaper

Below is a link to a review I did of Fireteam Andromeda if it helps.

Looking at your brief, I would suggest Gruntz is your best match; especially if using the Spec Ops expansion by Mr Harold for your skirmish requirements.

If you are looking at a slightly bigger skirmish, I'd second Clash on the Fringe for that part. Definitely Gruntz or Fireteam Andromeda for your larger games, though.

http://crapidfire.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/fireteam-andromeda-review.html?

[dijit]

It's why I'm considering trying to fill the void myself.

I am interested in Fireteam Andromeda dijit. Could you tell me a little more about it?

There's a good review here:
http://dropshiphorizon.blogspot.dk/2014/01/fireteam-andromeda-review-by-jan.html

And can be bought here:
http://www.wargamevault.com/product/111102/Fireteam-Andromeda

I've played it quite a lot and is a very flexible system, and regularly play against Torben (phoenikuz).

EDIT:
there's a battle report by Podsy over on the Dropshiphorizon blog:
http://dropshiphorizon.blogspot.dk/search?updated-max=2015-10-29T13:22:00Z&max-results=6&start=18&by-date=false

[JamesFlowers]

and of course there is Gruntz
http://www.wargamevault.com/product/92879/Gruntz-15mm-SCIFI

A highly customisable squad based system ,you design your forces , giving them perks and abilities you want them to use.

alongside a card activation system , you can either have all your models on one stand , representing bigger squads or use clearhorizons stealth rules expansion.

I am addicted to this game , it plays quick , it has a level of awareness I havent played before with the cards , you have to think who you want to move first.

have a look.

[Dim_Reaper]

Thanks guys, that's a lot to go on.

[YPU]

I used to be big on gruntz, but it uses 2d6 for most rolls, and you roll for every member of a squad. And a second time if you hit for damage. (combat mechanisms are a lot like war machine in that way) Even after getting a set of colour matching pairs of dice it still took me too long adding all the pairs up, especially if your using say a big squad of 12 models. I'm still a big fan of the way Fast and Dirty (FAD) works. The rules are free so give them a look, can't hurt.

My current game of interest is OSC, while only part 1 of 4 is available right now that part offers a very good x-com like skirmish game, quick playing with a lot of tactical decisions.

[dijit]

I used to be big on gruntz, but it uses 2d6 for most rolls, and you roll for every member of a squad. And a second time if you hit for damage. (combat mechanisms are a lot like war machine in that way) Even after getting a set of colour matching pairs of dice it still took me too long adding all the pairs up, especially if your using say a big squad of 12 models.

That's exactly what's put me off trying gruntz out myself, just seems far too awkward.