I really liked how X-Wing used pilot skill and veterancy to determine player turn order and combat initiative. It felt very intuitive for what it was trying to represent. Plenty of other problems in that game system but the initiative system was a work of art.
Big Chain of Command is so much fun. Recommended if you get a good group. Chain of Command (20mm) Oathmark (10mm) O'Group (12mm) A Billion Suns (I use Lego at around 6-8mm scale) Blücher (6mm, or lower) Rommel (6mm, or lower) Chain of Command just needs more eyes on it. The best platoon-level system I've ever played and I've played a ton of different systems
I'm partial to Net Epic Armageddon. I have always felt that you get closest to the scale of battles you read about in the books with it. The rule system itself is great to boot.
I have not played the most recent Middle Earth SBG, but the 2018 version is SO good. Some of the miniatures show their age of course, but the scale and simplicity means I can get a playable force painted, and on the table quickly. The balance, theme, narrative, and mechanics just click, and certain historical minis can easily be proxied, or some of the core mechanics can be transferred to a more historical or alternative fantasy theme. Then, of course, there is "classic" Battletech. The granularity, and baked in narrative actually makes me feel like I can learn to "pilot" a machine, rather than just move minis around on the table. I understand its perceived complexity drives some folks away, but to me, that is its biggest draw.
Finding the right rule set is like chancing the dragon. I was deep in 3rd and 4th edition 40k years ago. Since then, i have sereached for the right rules and right game. I got super into classic Battletech, but after four years, I devolpled a deep hatred of the GATOR system. Lately, my group and I have tried One Page Rules. At this point in my life, i want a rule set that i can play fast and fun.
"The best" always depends on the level of complexity a player is looking for. OPR will be amazing for some, but it falls short for people that actually would get more out of playing a WW2 game from the 1980's and hasn't had a rules update since 2004 - if you catch my drift.
I've really only been impressed, thus far, by skirmish systems. Mobility, positioning, and action triage are what make a tactical game brilliant. I think Kill Team and War Cry are great, but I am definitely not a GW diehard. I love the Battletech universe MUCH more, but BT Classic is just too much complexity for too little gain, while Alpha Strike simplifies the wrong things. I've tried a lot of other 6mm systems and have decided to roll my own, with tactical considerations like a skirmish game, but with zoomed-out combined-arms flavor and lots of Mechlabbing.
I really liked how X-Wing used pilot skill and veterancy to determine player turn order and combat initiative. It felt very intuitive for what it was trying to represent.
Plenty of other problems in that game system but the initiative system was a work of art.
Honestly I have a major love for Classic Battletech.
All of the Snarling Badger games are well designed. My personal favourite is Deth Wizards.
Big Chain of Command is so much fun. Recommended if you get a good group.
Chain of Command (20mm)
Oathmark (10mm)
O'Group (12mm)
A Billion Suns (I use Lego at around 6-8mm scale)
Blücher (6mm, or lower)
Rommel (6mm, or lower)
Chain of Command just needs more eyes on it. The best platoon-level system I've ever played and I've played a ton of different systems
I'm partial to Net Epic Armageddon. I have always felt that you get closest to the scale of battles you read about in the books with it. The rule system itself is great to boot.
I have not played the most recent Middle Earth SBG, but the 2018 version is SO good. Some of the miniatures show their age of course, but the scale and simplicity means I can get a playable force painted, and on the table quickly. The balance, theme, narrative, and mechanics just click, and certain historical minis can easily be proxied, or some of the core mechanics can be transferred to a more historical or alternative fantasy theme.
Then, of course, there is "classic" Battletech. The granularity, and baked in narrative actually makes me feel like I can learn to "pilot" a machine, rather than just move minis around on the table. I understand its perceived complexity drives some folks away, but to me, that is its biggest draw.
Chain of Command WWII will go great with my Death Korps minis
Finding the right rule set is like chancing the dragon. I was deep in 3rd and 4th edition 40k years ago. Since then, i have sereached for the right rules and right game. I got super into classic Battletech, but after four years, I devolpled a deep hatred of the GATOR system. Lately, my group and I have tried One Page Rules. At this point in my life, i want a rule set that i can play fast and fun.
"The best" always depends on the level of complexity a player is looking for. OPR will be amazing for some, but it falls short for people that actually would get more out of playing a WW2 game from the 1980's and hasn't had a rules update since 2004 - if you catch my drift.
Honestly I don’t like how units aren’t very punchy in OPR. I really wish I could do 40k with alternating activations.
I've really only been impressed, thus far, by skirmish systems. Mobility, positioning, and action triage are what make a tactical game brilliant. I think Kill Team and War Cry are great, but I am definitely not a GW diehard. I love the Battletech universe MUCH more, but BT Classic is just too much complexity for too little gain, while Alpha Strike simplifies the wrong things. I've tried a lot of other 6mm systems and have decided to roll my own, with tactical considerations like a skirmish game, but with zoomed-out combined-arms flavor and lots of Mechlabbing.