Top 10 Miniature Wargames you must try!

Top 10 Miniature Wargames You Have to Try

Miniature wargaming continues to grow in popularity, with new and innovative games emerging every year. Whether you're a seasoned player or a newcomer, 2024 is bringing plenty of exciting options to the table. From massive armies to skirmish-level battles, here are the top 10 miniature wargames you have to try.

1. Conquest: The Last Argument of Kings

• Key Elements: Large-scale battles, alternating activations, unique army-building mechanics

• Why You Should Try It: Conquest: The Last Argument of Kings offers an immersive experience for players who love massive armies clashing in epic battles. The alternating activation system keeps both players engaged throughout the game, making every decision feel critical. Plus, its unique unit progression system allows you to start with a small force and build it up over time as your faction grows in power. This game has it all. The model kits are amazing, and it has a wide variety of factions that appeal to a wide range of people. I mean who doesn’t like dinosaurs armed to the teeth and being ridden into battle! Stay tuned as we will be building and painting a two-player starter set for this game. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel so you don’t miss out!

2. Warhammer 40,000 (Warhammer 40K)

• Key Elements: Rich lore, customizable armies, tactical depth

• Why You Should Try It: Warhammer 40K is a staple in the miniature wargaming community and remains one of the most popular games for a reason. The dystopian sci-fi setting, vast array of factions, and the ability to fully customize your army provide endless replayability. With regular updates and new models being released in 2024, there’s never been a better time to jump into the 41st Millennium and lead your forces in galactic warfare. The shear epic proportions of this game is what really hooked me on the miniature wargaming hobby. The idea that I can create my own forces, build and paint my models in whatever scheme I choose and come up with the backstory and history is simply put; Amazing. This game lends itself so well to the collecting building and painting side of the hobby.

3. Steel Rift

• Key Elements: Mech combat, fast-paced skirmish gameplay, customizable mechs

• Why You Should Try It: Steel Rift brings the excitement of mech battles to the tabletop, offering fast-paced and tactical gameplay. Players can customize their mechs with different weapons and upgrades, allowing for a high degree of personalization. The streamlined rules make it easy to pick up, and the dynamic, action-packed skirmishes ensure every game is intense. If you love giant robots and tactical combat, Steel Rift is a must-try in 2024. This game was designed by Ash Barker from Guerilla Miniature games in partnership with Death ray Designs. I have played a demo game of this and look forward to picking up my own forces soon.

4. Marvel Crisis Protocol

• Key Elements: Superhero combat, dynamic terrain interaction, iconic characters

• Why You Should Try It: Fans of Marvel will feel right at home with Marvel Crisis Protocol, a game that lets you assemble a team of iconic superheroes and villains to battle across cityscapes. The game stands out for its dynamic use of terrain—buildings and cars aren’t just obstacles; you can throw them at your opponents! The skirmish format makes the game fast and fun, while the character abilities and powers capture the essence of each hero. If you’re a Marvel fan or just love dynamic action-packed games, Marvel Crisis Protocol is essential for your 2024 lineup. This game is easy to pick up and play with Pre-painted miniature and a slick set of rules that are easy to understand and start playing right out of the box.

5. Star Wars: Legion

• Key Elements: Star Wars universe, large-scale battles, strategy-driven gameplay

• Why You Should Try It: Star Wars: Legion brings the iconic battles of the Star Wars galaxy to your tabletop. Featuring large-scale battles between Rebel and Imperial forces, the game offers deep strategic decision-making and a variety of iconic characters and vehicles to command. With the ability to recreate classic Star Wars battles or forge new ones, Legion is perfect for fans of both the franchise and miniature wargaming. New releases in 2024 continue to expand the game's options, making it a must-try this year. Griffin Loves this game just about as much if not more than Warhammer. He is collecting both the Imperials as well as the galactic republic clone troopers. I have the Rebel Alliance and the Battle droids. Look for Battle reports and terrain building guides in the near future for this amazing game.

6. Infinity

• Key Elements: Sci-fi setting, high-tactical gameplay, reactive turns

• Why You Should Try It: Set in a high-tech sci-fi universe, Infinity focuses on small-unit, tactical combat with a unique reactive turn system. Players aren’t just waiting for their turn; they’re always involved by responding to their opponent’s actions, creating a highly engaging and strategic experience. If you enjoy games that emphasize tactics, positioning, and quick thinking, Infinity offers a depth that’s hard to match in other miniature wargames.

7. Malifaux

• Key Elements: Gothic horror and steampunk theme, card-based mechanics, skirmish-level gameplay

• Why You Should Try It: Malifaux is unlike any other wargame, blending gothic horror, steampunk, and western themes into a unique setting. The game uses a card-flipping mechanic instead of dice, which adds a layer of strategy and luck mitigation to every action. The skirmish-sized battles mean you won’t need a large army to start, making it an affordable and accessible option for beginners. With its distinctive theme and innovative gameplay mechanics, Malifaux is a must-try for players seeking something different in 2024. I have only played a few demos of this game but have found its unique gameplay to be very fun each time. The card mechanic- using a standard deck of 52 cards is a really interesting mechanic.

8. Bolt Action

• Key Elements: World War II setting, historical accuracy, platoon-level combat

• Why You Should Try It: Bolt Action allows you to step into World War II and command historical forces on the battlefield. The game is praised for its balance between realism and accessibility, offering detailed mechanics without being overwhelming. Its alternating activation system keeps both players engaged throughout the game. For fans of historical wargames, Bolt Action is one of the best ways to relive key battles of WWII with miniatures. For those History buffs out there; you cant go wrong with this game. You can recreate all of the iconic battles from World War two on the tabletop. This game is also great for building your own epic terrain and gaming boards.

9. Kings of War

• Key Elements: Mass fantasy battles, streamlined rules, large armies

• Why You Should Try It: If you’re a fan of large-scale fantasy battles, Kings of War is a great alternative to games like Warhammer: Age of Sigmar. The streamlined rules make it faster to play, but it still offers a depth of strategy as you command vast armies of orcs, dwarves, elves, and more. The 2024 updates are adding exciting new units and factions, making this a perfect time to get involved. If you enjoy epic fantasy warfare with clean, tactical gameplay, Kings of War is a game you shouldn’t miss. Another game in the rank and flank style of game play. I have played a handful of games in the past and really enjoyed the easy to understand rule set. If you are a fan of multi-basing and rank and file combat this game is for you.

10. Battletech

• Key Elements: Mech combat, hex-based gameplay, deep lore

• Why You Should Try It: Battletech is a classic in the world of mech-based wargames, known for its deep lore and tactical, hex-based gameplay. Each battle features customizable mechs with a wide variety of weaponry, armor, and movement options. Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to the world of Battletech, the game’s complexity and strategic depth make it a rewarding experience in 2024, especially with new expansions on the horizon.

Conclusion

2024 is shaping up to be an exciting year for miniature wargamers, with a wide range of games offering something for everyone. Whether you’re into the large-scale battles of Warhammer 40K or the fast-paced skirmishes of Marvel Crisis Protocol, these top 10 games showcase the best that the hobby has to offer. Pick a game that suits your style and dive into the immersive world of miniature wargaming!

FAQs

Q: What is the best miniature wargame for beginners?
A: Games like Marvel Crisis Protocol and Star Wars: Legion are great for beginners due to their easy-to-learn rules and iconic settings.

Q: How much does it cost to start a miniature wargame?
A: Starter sets for most miniature wargames range from $50 to $100. Skirmish-level games like Malifaux or Infinity tend to be more affordable since they require fewer miniatures.

Q: Do I need to paint my miniatures?
A: While painting miniatures is a big part of the hobby, some games, like Star Wars: X-Wing or Steel Rift, offer pre-painted models for those who want to jump straight into gameplay.