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On this website it’s no secret that we talk a lot about Games Workshop, but what about wargames that aren’t from Games Workshop? There’s Warhammer 40k on the left hand side of the scroll, and Games Workshop just below the fold.

And make no mistake–I absolutely love a lot of the Games Workshop games. While I’m not in love with Warhammer 40k 9th Edition rules, I still love the models and the lore. I really am digging Age of Sigmar. And I deeply love Kill Team, Adeptus Titanicus, and Aeronautica Imperialis.

But there are so many other great games, some of which I absolutely love, but which overlooked because Games Workshop is such a behemoth. In this article I want to talk about the wargames that aren’t from Games Workshop, but bear in mind that this list doesn’t include Indie Games. That will be a list unto itself, because, to me, it feels like a different category.

These are not full reviews of these games, but hopefully this will give you some direction to find some amazing wargames–that aren’t from Games Workshop.

1. Warmachine/Hordes – Privateer Press

One of the first wargames that aren’t from Games Workshop to mention is Warmachine/Hordes, or as some call it “Warmahordes”. Warmachine and Hordes are tabletop miniatures games created by Privateer Press and set in the Iron Kingdoms. They were first released in 2003 and 2005, respectively. The games feature steampunk-inspired fantasy factions battling for control over the land using intricate, steam-powered warjacks and monstrous beasts.

I was introduced to Warmachine in about 2009 when my brother and I split the starter set. I got the Proctectorate of Menoth, which were an awful lot of fun to paint up and they’re miniatures which I fortunately still have. They’ve survived my eBay purges.

Each player commands an army led by a powerful warcaster and composed of various warrior models and support units. The gameplay is turn-based, with players alternately taking actions with their models and using special abilities and spells to defeat their opponents.

Warmachine and Hordes are highly tactical games that require careful planning and strategy, as well as a good understanding of the rules and the strengths and weaknesses of each faction. The games have had, in the past, a large fanbase, and if we were looking at Warmachine/Hordes ten or twelve years ago they could have been rivaling Games Workshop, but they kinda fell apart. They just announced 4th Edition, to very mixed reviews, but it seems like they’re trying to streamline both model range and gameplay.

In addition to the tabletop games, Privateer Press has also released a number of novels, comics, and other media set in the Iron Kingdoms, further expanding the rich and immersive world of Warmachine and Hordes. I actually wrote some tie-in fiction for them back when they were publishing a lot, and my brother, Dan Wells, wrote one novella that was actually nominated for a Hugo award–the first tie-in fiction to be honored that way (The Butcher of Khardov, June 2013).

2. Infinity – Corvus Belli

Infinity is next on our list of wargames that aren’t from Games Workshop. It’s a science fiction tabletop miniatures game developed by Corvus Belli and set in a dystopian future where humanity is spread out across the stars and engaged in ongoing conflicts for resources and power. The game was first released in 2005 and has since become one of the most popular tabletop wargames on the market, attracting a dedicated community of players and fans.

In Infinity, players take on the role of military leaders, commanding squads of highly trained soldiers, specialized troops, and advanced combat drones in fast-paced, tactical battles. The game features a unique order system that allows players to activate different units during the game–it is not at all You Go I Go–adding an extra layer of strategy and allowing players to react to the changing battlefield conditions.

The gameplay of Infinity is, in my experience, brutal. Expect your miniatures, who are often considered characters with personalities, to die and die often. If you find yourself not in cover, you are going to be taken apart.

The game’s miniatures are highly detailed and feature a wide range of diverse factions, each with their own unique playstyle and special abilities. I play Haqqislam (not very well). I have found that the miniatures are a little hard to put together and a little hard to paint. This has gotten better over the years as they’ve gone increasingly away from metal minis.

In addition to the tabletop game, Corvus Belli has also released a range of supplements, expansions, and accessories, allowing players to further customize their armies and explore the rich, immersive world of Infinity. The company also hosts organized play events and tournaments, encouraging players to engage with the community and compete against each other.

3. Malifaux – Wyrd Miniatures

Malifaux is a tabletop miniatures game set in a dystopian alternate reality where magic and technology coexist. But even that fails to fully explain the setting of Malifaux. It’s Victorian, it’s horror, it’s bayou, it’s steampunk. It’s a little bit of everything–and they offer such a huge range of miniatures that you can play as virtually anyone or anything. Showgirl? Robot? Fire monster? It’s all here.

The game was created by Wyrd Miniatures and was first released in 2009. In Malifaux, players control crews of colorful and unique characters as they battle for control over the city of Malifaux and the valuable resource known as “soulstones.”

The game is played using a unique card-based mechanics system–which I love–in which players draw (somewhat) regular playing cards to determine the outcome of various actions, adding an element of unpredictability to the gameplay. The rules are relatively simple to learn (and free!), making Malifaux a great entry-point for players new to tabletop miniatures games.

Malifaux has a rich and well-developed setting, with a wide range of factions and characters to choose from, each with their own unique playstyle and abilities. The game also features a strong narrative element. I have heard great things about organized events and the narrative campaigns that take place there, but no one in my city plays this game. It’s one that I haven’t invested enough in to be the hobby advocate for, but one day I will.

In terms of miniatures, Malifaux features highly detailed models that are both beautiful and highly functional. The miniatures, if we’re talking about humans, are generally truescale, not heroic scale, and that can make them a little hard for people coming to Malifaux from other systems. The models are also small and fiddly, making assembly tricky, but definitely not impossible.

4. X-Wing – Fantasy Flight Games

When it comes to wargames that aren’t made by Games Workshop, but which had the potential to be a rival, X-Wing came very close (until it took a stupid nosedive.)

X-Wing is a tabletop miniatures game developed by Fantasy Flight Games set in the Star Wars universe. The game was first released in 2012 and has since become one of the most popular and well-regarded tabletop wargames on the market. In X-Wing, players control squadrons of iconic Star Wars ships, including X-Wings, TIE Fighters, and the Millennium Falcon, as they engage in fast-paced, tactical space battles.

Unfortunately, for whatever reason, Fantasy Flight released an X-Wing 2.0 which was almost universally hated, and which changed one of the biggest wargames on the scene into an afterthought. I don’t play X-Wing 2.0, but replaying 1.0 and pretending 2.0 never happened is always an option.

(If you want the basics of what 2.0 did, they went into it with noble goals of addressing power creep, but it caused all of your models–which are expensive wargaming miniatures–to be useless unless you bought upgrade kits for them. It invalidated a lot of the extra stuff you’d bought like third-party markers and tokens. Ultimately, while it may have had good intent, it really seemed like a cash grab. I never was interested enough to buy all new stuff for my models, so I never really played 2.0.)

The game (1.0) features highly detailed and pre-painted miniatures, and its simple, straightforward rules make it easy to learn and quick to play. The gameplay focuses on maneuvering and positioning, as players try to outmaneuver their opponents and bring their ships into the optimal firing range. I love me some flying games, like Aeronautica Imperialis and Blood Red Skies, and this is right there with them.

In addition to the core game, Fantasy Flight Games has released a number of expansions and accessories, including new ships, upgrades, and tactical options, allowing players to further customize their squadrons and explore the vast Star Wars universe. The company also hosts organized play events and tournaments, encouraging players to engage with the community and compete against each other.

It should be noted for wargaming fans that X-Wing miniatures come prepainted, and while I’ve seen some people repaint their minis, I’ve found that the factory minis look pretty darn good, all things considered.

(I also wonder if one reason for the 2.0 cash grab is the same thing that Star Wars: Legion is seeing with Shatterpoint coming out: they’re running out of characters to sell. X-Wing really was scraping the bottom of the barrel to find new ships to put in the stores, and I think Star Wars: Legion is seeing the same thing.)

5. Battletech – Catalyst Game Labs

BattleTech is a science fiction tabletop miniatures wargame set in a future where humanity has colonized the stars and engages in ongoing wars for control of planets and resources. The game was first published in 1984 and has since become one of the most enduring and beloved tabletop wargames on the market. In BattleTech, players control large, mechanized battle armor units known as BattleMechs, as they engage in tactical combat across a variety of terrain types.

BattleTech was one of the first miniature wargames that I ever came across, somewhere around 1988. I didn’t understand it then–it was too dense–but I loved looking at the rulebook.

The game features complex and detailed rules that model the inner workings of the BattleMechs, including their weapons systems, movement, and damage. The gameplay is highly tactical, with players needing to carefully consider their unit’s movement, positioning, and weapon use in order to outmaneuver and defeat their opponents.

(The rules in BattleTech are considered to be among the crunchiest rulesets in miniature wargaming, but that’s something that I love about it. Identifying which mechanics on your mech have been damaged, whether you’re overheating, and the special maneuvering rules seem really immersive to me. I know other people don’t feel the same way.)

In addition to the tabletop game, BattleTech has been adapted into a number of video games, novels, and comic books, expanding the rich and immersive world of the setting. The game’s miniatures are highly detailed and customizable, allowing players to create their own unique units and add personal touches to their armies.

This is a game that has been sitting on my shelf for too long and needing a review, so that should be forthcoming.

(One thing I will say? I really like the rules of this game, but I think the mechs look SO dated. I haven’t followed Battletech since its inception, but these look like the same sculpts I saw in 1988.)

6. Star Wars: Legion – Fantasy Flight Games

When it comes to wargames that aren’t by Games Workshop, Star Wars: Legion is the current forerunner to give them competition. Star Wars: Legion is a tabletop miniatures wargame set in the Star Wars universe. The game was developed by Fantasy Flight Games and was first released in 2018. In Star Wars: Legion, players control armies of iconic Star Wars characters and units, such as Darth Vader, Stormtroopers, and AT-ST walkers, as they engage in fast-paced tactical battles across a variety of terrain types.

The game features easy-to-learn rules that focus on the unique abilities and strengths of each unit, allowing players to create custom armies and engage in battles that are tailored to their playstyle. The game’s miniatures are fairly-highly detailed and, while they’re unpainted, they paint up really fast and really well, allowing players to quickly get started and start playing right away. I got the Echo Base Defense box for Christmas and had the whole thing painted up in a week.

In addition to the core game, Fantasy Flight Games has released a number of expansions and accessories, including new units, terrain, and special abilities, allowing players to further customize their armies and explore the vast Star Wars universe (I did a deep dive into the Empire minis here).

Asmodee has announced they’re releasing a new Star Wars miniatures game called Star Wars Shatterpoint, which looks, with the little they’ve teased, to be similar in both scale and scope to Marvel Crisis Protocol. Whether that kills Star Wars Legion is yet to be seen, but while Shatterpoint looks really cool, I hope it doesn’t supplant Legion.

7. Flames of War – Battlefront Miniatures

Flames of War is a tabletop wargame developed by Battlefront Miniatures. It was first released in 2002 and is set in World War II. The game allows players to command armies of miniature tanks, soldiers, and other war machines to simulate battles of the era. The rules and gameplay are designed to be fast-paced and accessible to new players while also offering depth and strategy for experienced players.

The miniatures are on a smaller scale, with the infantry at 10mm, which gives more opportunity for large-scoped games, but which can also make the infantry tricky to paint. (Painters do, almost universally, enjoy painting the smaller scale tanks and vehicles.)

The history of Flames of War is centered around the historical accuracy and attention to detail in World War II. The game has been praised for its well-researched and detailed army lists, accurately representing the different factions and their tactics and capabilities. Over the years, the game has expanded to include a wide range of armies and theaters of operation, from the early days of the war in Europe to the later stages of the conflict in North Africa and the Pacific.

I admit that I haven’t played much Flames of War, but it’s not for lack of lusting after the tanks. I bought the 2 player starter set and tested it out, but not enough to even write a review of the game. It intrigues me and I love the minis, but I haven’t invested in full armies. And that’s what the game needs: if your tanks are only an inch and a half long, you really ought to be play massive tank battles.

8. Dead Man’s Hand – Spectrum Games

Dead Man’s Hand is a Wild West-themed wargame designed for two players. The game was first published in 2016 and has since gained a following among fans of tabletop gaming and the Wild West genre.

I was introduced to this game by Sonic Sledgehammer’s videos in which he does some great paint jobs. I love westerns, and the ability to play the Sons of Katie Elder or Rooster Cogburn is attractive.

In Dead Man’s Hand, players control gangs of gunslingers, each with unique abilities and weapons, as they engage in battles across the frontier towns and settlements of the American West. The objective of the game is to be the last gang standing or to achieve a specific scenario-based victory condition.

The game is known for its fast-paced and tactical gameplay, as well as its high-quality components, including detailed miniatures and beautifully illustrated cards and boards. And more than anything it’s just nice to see a game set in the Old West, and having it be a wargame that isn’t made by Games Workshop is just icing on the cake.

9. Bolt Action – Warlord Games

I have written a LOT about Bolt Action. I love this game. Even moreso than Warhammer, I own almost every major army set from Bolt Action (I’m still lacking Soviets) and I play the game far more. When it comes to wargames that aren’t from Games Workshop–or any wargame at all–Bolt Action is my winner.

Bolt Action is a World War II-themed tabletop wargame first published in 2012. It was designed for two players and allows them to recreate historic battles between the Axis and Allies during the Second World War.

The game is known for its easy-to-learn rules, realistic gameplay mechanics, and strong emphasis on tactical play. One of the best mechanics is the order dice: you have one order dice for every unit on the board, and the dice are drawn randomly from a bag. So you might move three of your units in a row, then your opponent moves two, you move two, your opponent moves four. It adds a bit of randomness that I love.

Players control individual units such as infantry, tanks, and artillery, and must use terrain and cover to their advantage in order to outmaneuver their opponent and capture objectives.

Additionally, Bolt Action has a well-supported hobby scene, with numerous expansions, accessories, and supplementary materials available to enhance the gaming experience.

For a deep dive into Bolt Action gameplay, click here. For a deep dive into the Bolt Action hobby, click here.

10. Black Powder – Warlord Games

Black Powder is a tabletop wargame that simulates battles from the pre-industrial era, including the American Revolution, the American Civil War, the English Civil War, and the Napoleonic Wars. The game was first published in 2010 and has since gained a dedicated following among tabletop wargamers.

In Black Powder, players control large formations of troops, including infantry, cavalry, and artillery, and must use strategy and tactics to outmaneuver their opponent and achieve victory. The game’s rules focus on replicating the feel of large-scale battles from the pre-modern era, including the impact of massed musket fire, the charge of heavy cavalry, and the maneuver of artillery batteries.

One of the coolest parts of this wargame is that you can play with any scale of miniatures. The 28mm American Revolution miniatures I use play with the same ruleset that the 13mm “Epic Scale” Battle of Waterloo miniatures play with. I’m told it can go even smaller, but I’ve never tried.

Black Powder has received a positive review from me for its well-designed rule set, attention to historical detail, and the quality of its miniatures. The game also has a strong hobby community, with numerous expansions and supplementary materials available to enhance the gaming experience.

11. A Song of Ice and Fire – CMON

Our last in the category of wargames that aren’t from Games Workshop is A Song of Ice and Fire. A Song of Ice and Fire is a tabletop wargame based on the popular book series of the same name by George R.R. Martin. The game was first published in 2011 and has since become a popular choice among fans of both the books and tabletop gaming.

Well, it was a popular choice for a long time and then when everyone soured on the final season of Game of Thrones, everyone seemed to sour on A Song of Ice and Fire. I haven’t seen sales figures to know if it has seen a resurgence with House of the Dragon, but I hope it does. It’s a good game.

In the game, players control armies of Westeros, including the Starks, Lannisters, Baratheons, and others, as they engage in battles for control of the Seven Kingdoms. The game’s rules are designed to simulate the unique political and military dynamics of the world of Westeros, including the impact of the weather, the use of sorcery, and the deployment of legendary characters like Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen.

The game has received a positive review from me for its well-designed rules, high-quality components, and attention to the detail of the source material. Many players appreciate the game’s ability to bring the world of Westeros to life on the tabletop, as well as the depth and replayability of the gameplay mechanics.