I love Frostgrave. But I HAVE to give a shout out for Frostgrave's close cousin Rangers of Shadowdeep. During the Covid Lockdown my wife and I played hundreds of hours of Shadowdeep - so nice playing a cooperative game.
Frostgrave can also be a big commitment in terms of terrain. A lot of mission require a specific piece. Just something to keep in mind. Of course you can use books and stuff laying around your house.
I've been a fan and advocate for this game for quite a few years now. Yes, it's a great game and yes, relatively inexpensive to start. But as someone who's been in the game for a while, there a couple of crucial points you missed that are important for new players to know: 1. In addition to your warband (and possibly a second warband for an opponent if you are trying to get a friend into the game!) you will need a fairly extensive menagerie of beasts and monsters to populate the scenarios. Most scenarios have a specific monster or two, and there is also the optional wandering monster rule if you want to use that every time a treasure is captured. In my experience, more monsters = more fun because it adds a bit of a random element to the game that can affect both players. It is possible to pick up just the monsters you need for each specific scenario as you go along, which would allow you to build your bestiary slowly. But yeah, you are going to need monsters, and quite a few of them. 2. Scenery. Every table-top mini game needs some scenery. If you are new to the hobby, you will need something, or somewhere, for your soldiers to hunt monsters, fight enemy warbands, and search for treasure. The simplest method is to stack some books or blocks on the table and fight around those. It doesn't look very good and it's not very immersive, but it works for learning the rules and seeing if you like the game. At the other end of the spectrum is to print or purchase FDM or Resin buildings and obstacles, along with some trees and rocks. For the cherry on top, make it all winter themed so it's totally Frostgrave immersive! Again, this is the extreme and you don't HAVE to do it that way, but you WILL need some kind of scenery to fight over. And, you need a nice size area to play on, at minimum 2' x 2' in order to have enough room to maneuver your warbands. Again, this is a FANTASTIC game and you've done a really good job of explaining what makes it attractive to get into. Even with a modest amount of scenery and monsters, it's STILL cheaper to get into than anything GW makes, but it's not quite fair to say you can get into it for the cost of lunch...it's actually gonna cost you a bit more than that. But you will have a much better time playing Frostgrave than most everything else for the same amount of money it will cost to do it up nicely. Happy Treasure hunting!😃
I love Frostgrave, it's the game we play the most, the North Star plastics are excellent, my Barbarian gang has developed into a whole Barbarian/fantasy Viking army. My latest project was a Vampire gang, using Oldhammer, North Star and Bad Squiddo minis.
Minis-agnostic is certainly a big draw, and I've used everything from Heroclix to boardgame pieces for Frostgrave... BUT... The North Star boxes are such a good deal - and they all work together! Soldiers, Knights, Cultists, Barbarians, Wizards... Get a few boxes and you'll have an endlessly customizable source of minis for Frostgrave or any other fantasy use.
Rangers of shadow deep is a great solo co-op. Ghost Archipelago is like Frostgrave but pirate/explorers. Stargrave is sci fi Frostgrave, all four games are by the same author and almost identical system, tweaked for setting and purpose. All games mini agnostic, I am not a paid shill just a big fan and own three of the four games. I highly recommend them.
Great video! The same author also created Stargrave which is the Sci Fi version of the game, but in space for folks who like the concept but don't care for fantasy.
Great video! I’m reading all I can about Stargrave and now Frostgrave. The matter thing about all I’ve read is the lack of mdf kits or any others for that matter. The interior of an old space ship interior. The table/board can be painted grey house old paint, then add surface features by drawing with a brush or marker pen, Lifts, gangways,galleries probably need to be purchased to get the effect you want. But who sells these period specific items?
Great video, thanks for the recommendation! I've been meaning to look at Frostgrave, and didn't realise they had their own line of miniatures. Definitely going to take a look.
There's also Stargave (the scifi version) and silver bayonet (which is sort of a Napoleonic vampire hunter themed version). They're all great depending on what you're into, and the best part is all the kits are interchangeable, including interchangable with Oathmark kits
a great game thanks for shining more light on it. One cheap option to get started playing is Lego miniatures. not only can you use the figures but the bricks can be used to make terrain. You are certainly right that it helps to have multiple warbands so you can introduce the game to friends. I will normally write up a few wizards with similar starting warband configurations and let them choose what wizard resonates best to them. What is your favorite wizards to play and are there any specialist or soldiers you think are must have in starting warbands?
What if we are playing Frostgrave, huh? Whatcha gonna do about it? Edit: I also use my Jade Obelisk team, they're my archers in my Elementalist team (Mostly Scions of the Flame with some Kill Team Fellgor)
Frostgrave is great, and a lot of stuff out there for it- I strongly recommend it. I like Stargrave better, but that's really only because I have a ton of sci-fi terrain and Infinity miniatures that don't get enough love compared to fantasy miniatures.
It is a great game, but you won't see much support from stores since there just isn't enough to sell you. As much as Games Workshop screws stores over periodically, the stores still need the high-cost/high-volume purchases GW games bring. However, once you have a group of players you'd invite into your home, Frostgrave is king.
10? no more no less? Is that a 2nd edition thing? I don't remember that being a thing back when I played it years ago. and are apprentices required instead of optional? I cannot decide if I like that or not. Anyway, nice video.
I like it!! I think Frostgrave oozes with a lot of flavor (it has a very clear concept of what its world is, despite it being model agnostic), whereas Stargrave sort of has an identity crisis. It doesn't have a good replacement for Frostgrave's awesome magic system. I think it's still quite good! But Kill Team takes the bag when it comes to sci-fi skirmish games for me at the moment.
With the terrain being mostly ruins, it's very easy to texture and paint up some chunks of styrofoam or some hot-glued cardboard structures. A bag of construction sand, some PVA glue and a couple of bottles of cheap craft paint are all you need. And building terrain is fun! :)
I use the same terrain for Frostgrave, Mordheim and Warcry!
11 месяцев назад
@@Gumlass1 With good Warcry and Mordheim terrain one is probably set for all kind of skirmish games! Especially for the later it takes a lot of time and investment to get a good looking set though.
Sadly the game is super swingy. You get a good role in round 1 and instantly take out the enemy wizard and then if you get another good role take out their apprentice as well.
I agree, the game is cheap but i always wonder, how people can recommend this game and tell people that you only need a warband... what about terrain? What about encounters?
Just saw this. Thanks for the kind words about the game!
Wow thanks Joe!!! I can't wait for your upcoming wild west game, my LGS is so excited.
Just played my first game of Frostgrave on Saturday. WHAT A GAME. We’ve started a campaign.
I love Frostgrave.
But I HAVE to give a shout out for Frostgrave's close cousin Rangers of Shadowdeep.
During the Covid Lockdown my wife and I played hundreds of hours of Shadowdeep - so nice playing a cooperative game.
I gotta try it still!!
Yeah, I gotta get back to my RoS campaign. I had to use the space for other things but I should be able to make space again.
Not only the low cost but the low time commitment to only have to paint 10 minis is huge. I love Frostgrave.
Frostgrave can also be a big commitment in terms of terrain. A lot of mission require a specific piece. Just something to keep in mind. Of course you can use books and stuff laying around your house.
@@mikebozo76 Just build your own terrain. It´s a rewarding activity on it´s own.
I've been a fan and advocate for this game for quite a few years now. Yes, it's a great game and yes, relatively inexpensive to start. But as someone who's been in the game for a while, there a couple of crucial points you missed that are important for new players to know:
1. In addition to your warband (and possibly a second warband for an opponent if you are trying to get a friend into the game!) you will need a fairly extensive menagerie of beasts and monsters to populate the scenarios. Most scenarios have a specific monster or two, and there is also the optional wandering monster rule if you want to use that every time a treasure is captured. In my experience, more monsters = more fun because it adds a bit of a random element to the game that can affect both players. It is possible to pick up just the monsters you need for each specific scenario as you go along, which would allow you to build your bestiary slowly. But yeah, you are going to need monsters, and quite a few of them.
2. Scenery. Every table-top mini game needs some scenery. If you are new to the hobby, you will need something, or somewhere, for your soldiers to hunt monsters, fight enemy warbands, and search for treasure. The simplest method is to stack some books or blocks on the table and fight around those. It doesn't look very good and it's not very immersive, but it works for learning the rules and seeing if you like the game. At the other end of the spectrum is to print or purchase FDM or Resin buildings and obstacles, along with some trees and rocks. For the cherry on top, make it all winter themed so it's totally Frostgrave immersive! Again, this is the extreme and you don't HAVE to do it that way, but you WILL need some kind of scenery to fight over. And, you need a nice size area to play on, at minimum 2' x 2' in order to have enough room to maneuver your warbands.
Again, this is a FANTASTIC game and you've done a really good job of explaining what makes it attractive to get into. Even with a modest amount of scenery and monsters, it's STILL cheaper to get into than anything GW makes, but it's not quite fair to say you can get into it for the cost of lunch...it's actually gonna cost you a bit more than that. But you will have a much better time playing Frostgrave than most everything else for the same amount of money it will cost to do it up nicely.
Happy Treasure hunting!😃
I love Frostgrave, it's the game we play the most, the North Star plastics are excellent, my Barbarian gang has developed into a whole Barbarian/fantasy Viking army. My latest project was a Vampire gang, using Oldhammer, North Star and Bad Squiddo minis.
Minis-agnostic is certainly a big draw, and I've used everything from Heroclix to boardgame pieces for Frostgrave... BUT...
The North Star boxes are such a good deal - and they all work together! Soldiers, Knights, Cultists, Barbarians, Wizards... Get a few boxes and you'll have an endlessly customizable source of minis for Frostgrave or any other fantasy use.
Rangers of shadow deep is a great solo co-op. Ghost Archipelago is like Frostgrave but pirate/explorers. Stargrave is sci fi Frostgrave, all four games are by the same author and almost identical system, tweaked for setting and purpose. All games mini agnostic, I am not a paid shill just a big fan and own three of the four games. I highly recommend them.
Great video! The same author also created Stargrave which is the Sci Fi version of the game, but in space for folks who like the concept but don't care for fantasy.
And also Oathmark (massed up fantasy minis).
AND the Silver Bayonet if you're into Napoleonics and Gothic Horror
Love this! I just recently built up a warband to play with a friend and this will hopefully help me get some of my other friends in too!
Awesome!!! I hope you have a blast! What did you use for your Warband?
@@VentrueMinis I used the Ginkrak warband for Warhammer Underworlds and supplemented my lackeys with shootas/stabbas from Age of Sigmar!
I bought 2 wizards and a box of Victrix Vikings, and have a really thematic warband (and about 50 spare vikings!)
This is a great video! Going to look more into Frostgrave since I've played a bunch of Silver Bayonet. Thank You for a solid intro to the hobby!
Great video! I’m reading all I can about Stargrave and now Frostgrave.
The matter thing about all I’ve read is the lack of mdf kits or any others for that matter.
The interior of an old space ship interior.
The table/board can be painted grey house old paint, then add surface features by drawing with a brush or marker pen, Lifts, gangways,galleries probably need to be purchased to get the effect you want.
But who sells these period specific items?
Great video, thanks for the recommendation! I've been meaning to look at Frostgrave, and didn't realise they had their own line of miniatures. Definitely going to take a look.
Great Video, going to have to check this game out.
Oh baby I might just get into Frostgrave finally
There's also Stargave (the scifi version) and silver bayonet (which is sort of a Napoleonic vampire hunter themed version).
They're all great depending on what you're into, and the best part is all the kits are interchangeable, including interchangable with Oathmark kits
a great game thanks for shining more light on it. One cheap option to get started playing is Lego miniatures. not only can you use the figures but the bricks can be used to make terrain. You are certainly right that it helps to have multiple warbands so you can introduce the game to friends. I will normally write up a few wizards with similar starting warband configurations and let them choose what wizard resonates best to them. What is your favorite wizards to play and are there any specialist or soldiers you think are must have in starting warbands?
What if we are playing Frostgrave, huh? Whatcha gonna do about it?
Edit: I also use my Jade Obelisk team, they're my archers in my Elementalist team (Mostly Scions of the Flame with some Kill Team Fellgor)
I'll cheer with joy!
When I play with my brother we play 3 or 4 games in about 5 hours. Including set up and tidying away.
Frostgrave is great, and a lot of stuff out there for it- I strongly recommend it.
I like Stargrave better, but that's really only because I have a ton of sci-fi terrain and Infinity miniatures that don't get enough love compared to fantasy miniatures.
I went into Rangers of Shadowdeep. But yeah it’s awesome and same devs
It is a great game, but you won't see much support from stores since there just isn't enough to sell you. As much as Games Workshop screws stores over periodically, the stores still need the high-cost/high-volume purchases GW games bring. However, once you have a group of players you'd invite into your home, Frostgrave is king.
Great game! You really sound like Zilla Blitz!
10? no more no less? Is that a 2nd edition thing? I don't remember that being a thing back when I played it years ago. and are apprentices required instead of optional? I cannot decide if I like that or not. Anyway, nice video.
Second edition! There's some small asterisks to more or less, like a kennel which gives you a 10+1 wardog.
A very funny game. Highly reccomend it.
curious of your thoughts of Stargrave!
I like it!! I think Frostgrave oozes with a lot of flavor (it has a very clear concept of what its world is, despite it being model agnostic), whereas Stargrave sort of has an identity crisis. It doesn't have a good replacement for Frostgrave's awesome magic system. I think it's still quite good! But Kill Team takes the bag when it comes to sci-fi skirmish games for me at the moment.
@@VentrueMinis I'm constantly alternating between Stargrave, Deadzone and Kill Team. I think Deadzone is narrowly in the lead ...
@@VentrueMinis even narrative? Never thought of comparing it to kill team, super curious to hear more about what you mean
Very interesting! I like it
Why does wizard boxset only come with 8 and not the 10 you need??
Only need 1 wizard and 1 apprentice!
I've played it.
The problem with starting Frostgrave is that you need lots of somewhat specific terrain and a broad selection of enemy miniatures.
My first three games of Frostgrave my buddy and I played on a pile of books and cans of soup.
@@VentrueMinis Well, that can be done with any wargame...
With the terrain being mostly ruins, it's very easy to texture and paint up some chunks of styrofoam or some hot-glued cardboard structures.
A bag of construction sand, some PVA glue and a couple of bottles of cheap craft paint are all you need. And building terrain is fun! :)
I use the same terrain for Frostgrave, Mordheim and Warcry!
@@Gumlass1 With good Warcry and Mordheim terrain one is probably set for all kind of skirmish games! Especially for the later it takes a lot of time and investment to get a good looking set though.
Who are you fighting???
But I am playing it 😂
Sadly the game is super swingy. You get a good role in round 1 and instantly take out the enemy wizard and then if you get another good role take out their apprentice as well.
I agree, the game is cheap but i always wonder, how people can recommend this game and tell people that you only need a warband... what about terrain? What about encounters?
You can play with Pepsi cans and books, and you don't need random encounters! That's what we did for our first while starting out.
@@VentrueMinis yeah it works but the best situations are with encounters 😄
I like Frostgrave, but the fact you NEED to have wizards, and your main buddy cannot be a warrior is very lame.
the game aint that quick. its about one hour per player for us
Video title suggests you are very, very late to the game.
Or just use minis you already might have, make you own terrain. Played 4 scenarios off BGG this morning. Easy solo play as well.