A 40K related game that might be fun is Gorka Morka. You can download the rules from the SG site, it has cool kitbash opportunities and its a fun, game that isn't very serious

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Guns don't break formations. Blast Markers break formations.

some very good ideas and thoughts there guys - many thanks indeed for your input.

I'll take some time to look about and see what else I can find out on these games and wha else is a possibility.  I think I do run the risk of turning him off through frustration if I try something too complex too early.  Anyone been through a similar expereince?

cheers  

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Tas
My General blog: http://tasmancave.blogspot.com/
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Tas

Re the suggestion of Mechwarrior clix game. The upside is that your son can play with figures straight out of the box as pre-painted. You can play with almost any mixtures of factions- you dont have to play as faction pure when play straight out of the booster. The main downide is that the game appears to be no longer supported with no new products released for a year and no new products planned. This is another game that is likely to slowly wither and die without Wizkids support.

Although 40K has it's faults it does have the advantage of being widely played and therefore could be ideal way to intoduce your son to wider audience. I am sure you will be able to make sure that he realises that there are non-GW games too!!

Cheers

James

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Keep it Simple ... an roll the dice !

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Legion 4 "Cry Havoc, and let slip the Dogs of War !" ... "People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf."

Exactly James, thanks.  If I do go the route of 40k it is a means to an end.  Tabletop games, while a little eccentric according to some, are fun and have a social aspect that is important I think.  Coupled with him being involved in scouts and football, I'll ensure he doesnt become an Xbox/PC kid who doesnt do anything but couch potato.

L4 - amen brother!

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Tas
My General blog: http://tasmancave.blogspot.com/
My VSF Blog: http://pauljamesog.blogspot.com/
My ECW Blog: http://declaresir.blogspot.com/

I like simple things !

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Legion 4 "Cry Havoc, and let slip the Dogs of War !" ... "People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf."

I went with AT-43 in the end:
http://www.tacticalwargames.net/forums....70;r=1;

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Tas
My General blog: http://tasmancave.blogspot.com/
My VSF Blog: http://pauljamesog.blogspot.com/
My ECW Blog: http://declaresir.blogspot.com/

When playing at-43 be sure to use a lot of blocking terrain. The weapons ranges are very different than wh40k.

Overall, I played 40k a lot longer and was happier with it.

At-43 has some neat ideas but comes across as rather bland and unfinished.

Prepaints aside be prepared to spend quite a lot to put an army together as the unit composition rules and the box sets are frustrating for any of the human factions.

I tinkered with some house rules and I did like the skirmish version they did "at-43 tactics", but finding opponents is an omnipresent challenge.

Recently my friends and I all started playing Dark Age, a skirmish game rooted in warzone and chronopia. Another small game in terms of popularity, but low cost to play (less than $100 to field a good starter army with the core rules) and fairly easy if not deadly gameplay. Games take about 45 minutes.

In any event, good luck with whatever you play and have fun!

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Squat/Demiurg Army Co-Champion (in cahoots with Jaldon)

Thanks for that epilgrim.  Our games, learner tyoe small level ones, have taken 30-40 mins each and 5 mins to setup.  The univeral resolution table is pefect for my son to use and he has the hang of it now.  I can see that the extra rules are needed to progress it beyond a shoot and fire type of game, and look forward to using them., but for now it is certainly a measured progression and about right for what we can handle together.

I'm interested in the at-43 tactics you mentioned - where can I find that?

The figs arent cheap, but then again, the UNA figs will make great IG troopers one day too!

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Tas
My General blog: http://tasmancave.blogspot.com/
My VSF Blog: http://pauljamesog.blogspot.com/
My ECW Blog: http://declaresir.blogspot.com/

I always thought the SM1 rules with little work would make good 40K scale rules ... Much better that any of the other 40K rules !

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Legion 4 "Cry Havoc, and let slip the Dogs of War !" ... "People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf."

at-43 tactics appeared in their gaming magazine "cry havoc" issue 15 i think. i'll check on it next time i am home (on holiday).

you may be able to get the articles as *.pdf from the rackham at-43 forum; search under at-43 tactics. they wrote two campaigns for the game, one for the una and one for the red blok. both are worth playing and the number of minatures required is low.

they did prepare a number of downloadable scenarios that did not require much beyond the base box set, so if you want to ramp up slowly try the first. i saved many of them. if you like pm me and I will email the files i have.

good luck with the system.

ep

they

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Squat/Demiurg Army Co-Champion (in cahoots with Jaldon)

Hi!

As it turns out Tas, I am heavily committed into AT-43 (as in primarchload committed...   ). I play every one to two weeks and have played all the armies.

Besides the pre-paint aspect (its certainly refreshing to buy and be actually able to play then and there rather than waiting to paint the stuff), the game mechanics are quite simple but provide a nice tactical depth to play.

Each army has its own feel and tactics and even each army has three "factions" with their own twist.

Its a good time to jump in, since by the years end everything on the basic books will be available and there is a major expansion (operation frostbite) coming out this month.

I have a group that actively demos the game for FFG and Rackham here in Oklahoma, so I have good experience fielding questions for newcomers.

I can handle more directed questions if you have them.

Primarch

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Many thanks indeed gents, committing to a supported syste with game support and new expansions certainly is a new twist around here and makes a nice change!

We'll stick with the UNA vs Therions for now, but I certainly like the look of the Red lock, and of course what self-respectong young lad woulnt like the idea of enlightened Kung-fu monkeys in space?

Yours in being beaten 6:1 by the offspring (but to be fair we have been playing H2H combat wonrg...now for ym revenge upon him- bahahahaha!)

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Tas
My General blog: http://tasmancave.blogspot.com/
My VSF Blog: http://pauljamesog.blogspot.com/
My ECW Blog: http://declaresir.blogspot.com/

I would also recommend Vor the Maelstrom.  They are working on releasing the game once more, possibly by the end of the year.  But it can be obtained cheaply and few miniatures are needed for the skirmish style play.  Background is rich and interesting and races are varied, plus custom armies!  D10 alternating activation with movement points instead of phases make it a great tactical play.

VOR

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I have to say TAS, at least you lost in a war game. I just lost the last three games of Candyland to my son.  

I have been doing AT-43 for a short time and found it to be quite fun.

The COGS army that is about to come out looks nice as well.

Anyway, hope you and the kids enjoy the battle!

Daniel

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