{"id":954,"date":"2023-08-30T15:00:16","date_gmt":"2023-08-30T19:00:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tabletopdash.com\/?p=954"},"modified":"2023-09-05T08:58:52","modified_gmt":"2023-09-05T12:58:52","slug":"what-is-tabletop-wargaming","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tabletopdash.com\/what-is-tabletop-wargaming\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is Tabletop Wargaming in 2023: Explained (Best in Miniature Wargaming)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
What is Tabletop Wargaming?<\/strong> Tabletop wargaming is a strategy game played on a flat surface, where participants can use miniature figures or tokens, or imagination, terrain pieces, and specific rulesets to simulate battles and conflicts. These games can encompass historical, fantasy, or sci-fi settings, requiring players to employ tactics and strategy to achieve objectives and defeat their opponents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What is Miniature Wargaming?<\/strong> Miniature wargaming is a form of tabletop strategy game where players use miniature figures, terrain, and rulesets to simulate battles, ranging from historical conflicts to fantasy skirmishes. The game combines tactical thinking, detailed miniatures, and often intricate landscapes to create immersive scenarios and challenges for participants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, while all miniature wargames are tabletop wargames, not all tabletop wargames necessarily use miniatures. However, in casual conversation, the terms are often used interchangeably.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Warhammer 40k:<\/strong><\/a> This is the biggest miniature game of them all. Games Workshop developed 40k back in the 1980’s and it’s since grown to a huge following. 40k is a grimdark sci-fi universe. It allows players to build, assemble and paint extremely high quality and detailed miniatures to represent the armies on the tabletop. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There are volumes of lore, tons of miniatures and terrain, video games, expansions, and a huge community. There are even plans for a Warhammer live action TV show<\/a> on Amazon starring Henry Cavil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 40k Space Marine miniatures are by far my most painted models. The two Warhammer 40k Ultramarines on the homepage are mine, and here is a shot of just a small part of one of my Imperial Fist armies:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Star Wars Legion:<\/strong><\/a> This is one of the bigger Star Wars miniature games, developed by Fantasy Flight Games. Fantasy Flight Games has moved their Star Wars miniatures<\/a> over to Atomic Mass Games as of November 2020. Atomic Mass<\/a> now does all the popular Star Wars miniatures. Shatterpoint, Legion, X-Wing and Armada<\/a>. (Not to mention Marvel Crisis Protocol). <\/p>\n\n\n\n These are also very high quality miniatures. The detail is fantastic and they offer a wide range of characters and vehicles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Age of Sigmar<\/a>:<\/strong> This is another Games Workshop property, and another of my personal favorites. Think of it as more of the D&D fantasy setting for Warhammer. Games Workshop replaced Warhammer Fantasy Battles with Warhammer: Age of Sigmar in 2015. It caused quite a bit of concern for Fantasy players. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I love Sigmar personally, and I’ve painted up a Stormcast Army, part of which you can see here:<\/p>\n\n\n\n (Stormcast Army Image)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Another important thing to note is that Games Workshop has announced plans for the Old World<\/a> which is a throwback to the Warhammer Fantasy series. It will feature the Tomb Kings, Bretonians and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Paladin of Bretonnia<\/a> and Tomb King from the Old World<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dungeons and Dragons<\/a>: <\/strong>No credible discussion of Tabletop Roleplaying Games is complete without mentioning D&D. You can play with pen, paper and a rulebook, or add miniatures to the game. I’ve written a lot about DnD 5e<\/a> on my other sites. Right now I’m playing Baldur’s Gate 3<\/a>, which is a D&D based video game and HIGHLY recommended.<\/p>\n\n\n\n D&D is played on tabletop and can be with or without miniatures. You can also play it online in what’s known as a virtual tabletop, or VTT. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Bolt Action<\/a>: this is a WWII 28mm tabletop miniature wargame by Warlord Games. They focus on tactical battles and have a wide range of terrain, units, artillery, vehicles and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Flames of War<\/a>: A 15mm (so very small!) miniature wargame also based on WWII. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Wings of Glory:<\/a> A WWI aerial dogfight game made by Ares games. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Marvel Crisis Protocol<\/a>: From the same crew that makes the Star Wars miniatures, Atomic Mass Games does Marvel Crisis. You can find all the Marvel miniatures<\/a> of your favorite heroes and villains. Captain America, Spiderman, Ghost Rider, Dr Octopus, Groot, Dormamu… just tons of options. Worth looking into if you love Marvel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Zombicide 2nd Edition<\/a>: Who doesn’t love a good zombie game? This is co-op so it’s a ton of fun with friends or family. 6 Hero minis and a bunch of zombies. Fast paced, easy to pick up and well made. CMON<\/a> is a veteran of miniature gaming and very well known in the miniature wargaming community. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A Song of Fire and Ice<\/a>: For any Game of Thrones fans out there, this one is for you. It’s another CMON product and another great source of plastic miniatures to go with a fun game experience. You’ve got the classic Stark v Lannister<\/a> set and some expansions to pick from.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat is Miniature Wargaming?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What is the difference between Miniature and Tabletop Wargaming?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
Popular Miniature Games Examples:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Sci Fi Miniature Wargames<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Fantasy Miniature Wargames<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
WWI & II and other Historical Miniature Wargames<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Other Popular Miniature Wargames<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Examples of Tabletop Wargames without Miniatures:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n