Warmachine/Hordes should I or shouldnt I?


I picked the Warmachine and Hordes old edition rule books up off of eBay last week. I have been playing around with picking up another system for a while now and when I saw these for only a few dollars, I thought I would take a closer look. I know they are not the current set of rules but I was thinking how dramatically different could the rules be from one edition to the next. It was worth the 10 bucks just to have the opportunity to look through the rule books.

I have decided against it for one overbearing factor. Our game store cant even support 40K, let alone trying to push a different system. They charge full price + 8.5% tax and with so many veterans, no one will pay the extra money. I alone have confronted/talked to them, looking like a total ass, about giving some sort of percentage off, but to no avail.
Anyway, the point I am trying to make is that our store doesn't stock it, and has no incentive to do so. Which means that it simply doesn't exist in our gaming circle.

Is it really worth the trouble and money to play a miniatures combat game that is probably only slightly overall different? Especially when considering all the money and time it will take to get an army and find someplace to play? Go ahead, I dare you and try to convince me!

Oh yeah, here is a battle report of me playing Chaos again!


19 comments:

jcroxford said...

The fact that your store isn't selling the merch does seem like a bit of a road block. But our store doesn't really support PP very well either. Most of our stuff is bought online for a good %30 off retail, so that works. If you could just get a few buddies to check it out with you, you will not regret it. Get your self a battle box (~$40, that comes with quick start rules) and you are ready to play games. It is insanely fun. You will never argue over rules again. As the rule set is super tight, with no room for interpretation. And unlike GW, you will not be waiting 5+ years for model support, as they release updates to all of the factions simultaneously. check it out! you won't be sorry.

Drew K said...

noooooooo the figs are ugly as all hell and there all metal yuck!

Meatball said...

Well this is just my opinion, I just started playing Warmachine/Hordes this year and I love it. The rules are very well written and it is a completely different experience than 40K. I am not saying better just completely different.

I still love 40K but we now have a regular Warmachine/Hordes gaming night at the local store and the store is now starting to carry PP stuff. This all started with me and one other guy buying the starter sets online then playing some games, others got interested and soon we had a regular weekly thing.

As for the miniatures being ugly, who ever thinks that is on crack, they have some beautiful minis and yes they are mostly metal but plastics are being introduced to the line right now.

The decision is up to you but I love it and it is nice to get a break from 40k and GW (I play Fantasy Battles as well) and play in a different system. I just feel it is definitely worth giving the game a try.

Black Matt said...

Well that's 2 FOR and 1 against. Both pressing arguments. I do like fun, and I do hate metal!

One disappointing comment on the models. I would be a orobos player 4 ago, but don't like the bony spikes on the werewolves! It's really kind of ruined it for me:/ the circle faction that is!

Hmmmmmm? What to do?

Warhammer39999 said...

I've only played one game of warmachine (which didn't sway me into buying a force), so take anything I say with a grain of salt.

The game I played was fun, and had significantly fewer models than the average 40k fight. That said, I think your investment would be significantly less in this game. Also, due to the lower model count (and instant win-condition due to killing a warcaster), the games are faster paced.

I liked it, but I have a hard time justifying delving into another game when not many people in my immediate area play it. I choose to spend my spare cash on alternate 40k armies instead...

ctreleheb said...

I started collecting models for this game years ago, mainly because I think the Trollbloods look awesome and there is no real counterpart to this style of model in the GW world. The argument that this is cheaper may be true if you can pick a list and stick to it. Also, metal models do suck bad, but the lower quantity needed makes up for this.

I say if you see a faction that looks great, go for it. Mainly, you should decide if you like big lumps of steam driven metal or huge beasts with giant claws and some crude weapons. Personally, I'm not a huge fan of the steampunk jack style, but the giant beasts are appealing so I picked up the game.

Also, the rulebooks are top notch quality with full color pictures(especially the new MK II stuff), definitely worth the read.

HuronBH said...

It comes down to two factors?

1. Did you play Magic the Gathering? If yes did you like it? If yes then you will probably like Warmachine/Hordes as it uses a similar system of combining effects for better results. Additionally there is some D&D Feats and Skill stuff in there as well as the GW beautiful miniature feel (if you like Steam Punk).

2. I'm a Pressganger again (Privateer's Commando or Outrider equivalent) and you have to support me... ;)

jcroxford said...

I play orboros too. I don't use the spikey wolvey beasts. I field an army made entirely of the big stone golem dudes. It's awesome. And if you aren't aware, both games hordes/warmachine are completely interchangeable. Hordes can fight Warmachine, and vica versa. My real only complaint about the game is the fluff is no where as interesting as GW is. But the models are very inspired and fun to paint.

Ming said...

Stay with what you are great at - 40K all the way Bayyybeeee! Yeah!

Black Matt said...

@jcrox
That's awesome and the golems are by far some of my favorite models in that line. Would you be willing to do me a solid and tell me what that list is and what models I need to buy. One of the most appealing things about this game is that I can go big monsters. I wasn't sure if I could go all big monsters though. Another thing is that I don't want to go buying/guessing my way in. I want to buy a force and maybe expand if I likey.

@huron
I'm coming to you for my models if I pick em up.

Sean said...

Hey matt, eric and I(Sean) from the Ordo INeptus up in Danbury picked up this game after the last Brothers Grim tournament... partly with winnings from that event. And we've already gone to our first tournament with it.

Its been very fun. Its exciting and different then 40k, and a very brutal game. Ive still had some trouble getting assassinated as Im still used to sending Vulkan to a glorious death to achieve some end in 40k, and when I do something stupid in warmachine I just lose.

The dynamic is pretty cool and Ive enjoyed painting the models, and you can make a whole army in plastics if you chose the warmachine lines.

Now that the two of us have jumped into it wholesale others from our club are following and our store is starting to carry some stuff.

Black Matt said...

Hey Sean,
Maybe I will come up to your club and give it a shot. Do you have an army I could use? Where and When does your club me up?

jcroxford said...

I'm by no means a circle expert (as I have been mostly playing Khador), but my initial purchase consisted of the following (basically all of the stone dudes!), wold gaurdian being my favorite of them all.
Warcaster:
Baldur the stonecleaver
Warbeasts:
Megalith
Wold guardian
woldwarden
Woldwatcher
Woldwyrd
Units:
Sotneward
Woldstalker
Sentry Stone & mannikins
Shifting stones

You could easily start with a battlebox style 15 pt list of:
Baldur+
Megalith
Waldwarden
Woldwatcher

and expand from there.

Death 0F Angels said...

Slightly different? understatement of the year. Get a warmachine battlebox. 50$ and you get half an army. If you dont like it put it on ebay, easy sell for 30$ and your out 20$. Battle box comes with all the rules you need to play. No need to purchase rulebooks, cards or anything else.
If you enjoy a near air tight rule set and a beat face attitude youll enjoy warmachine.

Black Matt said...

@ jcrox
You are the man, thank you very much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

@ Death
both of these games use miniatures, and the minis are restricted by the distance between there current postitions. Everythign else are details. Sure gameplay is different but I build and paint soldiers/monsters adn use a rulebook to play a game. Not that different to me in the long run!

Death 0F Angels said...

As it is with any wargame. The points you just brought up are about where the similarities end though. I find people either love it or hate it. good luck if you decide to hit it up.

Sean said...

Hey matt we meet at the hobbytown in brookfield, exit 7 off 84, and just 1 exit up that connector. http://ordo-ineptus.com/default.aspx

We dont get a lot of gaming space, between 4-6 table usually which is why weve been excited with warmachine being only on 4x4's.

We meet mondays and fridays from 5-8 sometimes 9 on fridays, which is kinda hard to make it for people who work or live far away. And not the next 2 fridays because of the holidays.

But if you posted on our boards that you were trying to come up for a game I'd let you run through some games with my Protectorate of Menoth.

Ash said...

I have been playing this game as of mark II. It is hands down the best gaming system out right now. I play menoth and wish that I played cryx. mark I and Mark II are very different. Mark II is balanced.

Here are the strong points of this game.

No math hammer. You roll from 1 to 4 dice at a time, usually 2 with the roll modified up or down based on your stats and your targets.

Your army is drastically different depending on the caster you run. The same unit will play completely different when ran with different casters. List making never gets old.

Tournaments have no soft scores

PP release new stuff for every faction on a regular bases

PP actually play tests their knew stuff for balance.

PP will always support every model it releases, meaning they with have rules for it with eve addition.

Low buy in cost to get started. (not the case if you plan to become competitive, you will end up owning one of every model in your faction)

Can play in almost all tournaments with out a painted army (this allows for great flexibility in list making)

You bring two armies to each tournament and after seeing your opponents town lists and the board and scenario you pick which one you will run each round.

Like chess once you know what you are doing you can look at the board and see the threat range of every piece. (moves 5, charges 3, has reach of 2, caster lets it charge an extra 2, threat of 12 inches) if i move within 12 inches of that it can get to me and kill me. Induces the use of real strategy.

I play CSM, BA, in 40k, Deamons and warriors of chaos in Fantasy. Goblins in war of the rings. USA in flames of war. Painted armies tournament experience. War machine is the best system of all of these no questions asked.

Here is the best source of info I have found www.focusandfury.com

We have three or four games going every Thursday Friday and saturday at towergamesmn

It si worth the effort to learn the rules.

Ash

Ash said...

I have been playing this game as of mark II. It is hands down the best gaming system out right now. I play menoth and wish that I played cryx. mark I and Mark II are very different. Mark II is balanced.

Here are the strong points of this game.

No math hammer. You roll from 1 to 4 dice at a time, usually 2 with the roll modified up or down based on your stats and your targets.

Your army is drastically different depending on the caster you run. The same unit will play completely different when ran with different casters. List making never gets old.

Tournaments have no soft scores

PP release new stuff for every faction on a regular bases

PP actually play tests their knew stuff for balance.

PP will always support every model it releases, meaning they with have rules for it with eve addition.

Low buy in cost to get started. (not the case if you plan to become competitive, you will end up owning one of every model in your faction)

Can play in almost all tournaments with out a painted army (this allows for great flexibility in list making)

You bring two armies to each tournament and after seeing your opponents town lists and the board and scenario you pick which one you will run each round.

Like chess once you know what you are doing you can look at the board and see the threat range of every piece. (moves 5, charges 3, has reach of 2, caster lets it charge an extra 2, threat of 12 inches) if i move within 12 inches of that it can get to me and kill me. Induces the use of real strategy.

I play CSM, BA, in 40k, Deamons and warriors of chaos in Fantasy. Goblins in war of the rings. USA in flames of war. Painted armies tournament experience. War machine is the best system of all of these no questions asked.

Here is the best source of info I have found www.focusandfury.com

We have three or four games going every Thursday Friday and saturday at towergamesmn

It si worth the effort to learn the rules.

Ash