Popular Wargames in Russia

Recently, our portal has seen (partly thanks to my modest efforts) a considerable amount of material on tabletop games. In light of this attention, and on the occasion of the upcoming Warforge Fest, I present to the visitors of Gamer.ru a small selection of tabletop wargames that are currently popular in Russia.

Warhammer 40,000

A classic of tabletop wargames, where not only the mechanics and visuals are thoughtfully designed but also the universe and the storyline of the distant 41st millennium. A multitude of factions is available to players, including those belonging to the Imperium of Mankind, the ancient Eldar civilization, the Tyranids swarm, Ork clans, and even cults that worship the Chaos Gods dwelling in another dimension. All of them are engaged in a galactic war where there is no end to sacrifice and violence, and victory cannot belong to either side.

Each of the warring factions has its own characteristics and numerous unique types of troops represented by high-quality miniatures. Among the players, there are both those who regularly battle in tournaments, honing their knowledge of nuances and strategic thinking, and those who focus more on the atmosphere, lore study, and personally assembling and painting their own fighters. Among fans of the narrative component, there are also creators who produce fan art, films, and even games. However, the "Wah" universe also has many official adaptations and additional materials.

StarCraft

A large-scale strategy based on the eponymous computer game, where the distant Koprulu sector becomes the arena for intense battles. It does not have the rich variety of races and factions like Warhammer 40K — only Terrans, Zergs, and Protoss. However, the miniatures are equally high-quality, and the rules are less cumbersome, allowing players to feel the dynamic that is characteristic of the RTS genre.

Like in the original, to win, one needs not just to produce and amass the strongest warriors but to carefully allocate resources and manage the economy. It is essential to consider and combine the characteristics of each race as efficiently as possible. At the same time, the fundamentals of the game are simple enough for newcomers who are not very familiar with StarCraft to grasp.

Infinity

The events of the universe unfold in a distant future, where humanity has mastered many planets yet retains all the attributes of cyberpunk — corporations weaving intrigues, various purpose implants (which can be hacked in battle), artificial intelligence with its own plans, and so forth. There is a global conflict between the "Human Sphere" and the alien "Combined Army," but it serves only as a backdrop for skirmishes among humans fighting for power and resources. In total, Infinity has more than seven factions, each having its own goals and traditions in the universe’s lore, unique technologies, and play styles.

This wargame belongs to the "skirmish" category where the battles are small scale, but each individual fighter is crucial on the battlefield, and before each battle, they can be equipped and personalized in various ways. Moreover, specifically in Infinity, great attention is given to the "synergy" of abilities, allowing players to act particularly effectively by applying various combos. But the most interesting feature of the game is the ARO (Automatic Reaction Order) system. Essentially, this allows a limited interception of turns, where your fighter reacts to an opponent's attack or appearance in their line of sight. In such cases, you can make some decisions and counterattack in the most advantageous way during the opponent’s turn.

It is worth noting that the battle rules are strictly designed for two sides. However, a refined balance, great customization options, and synergy of abilities allow fans of tactical tricks to enjoy the game.

As for the game world, while it may not dazzle with unique finds, it still maintains the atmosphere of a distant sci-fi future infused with cyberpunk and anime stylistics. Fans of "Ghost in the Shell" and "Apple Seed" should enjoy it.

Warhammer: Kill Team

This is also a skirmish wargame, but set in the classic "Wah" universe. Like in the aforementioned Infinity, the focus here shifts to small yet no less exciting battles, where each fighter has distinctive traits.

In the latest edition of the rules, there is also a cooperative mode, Joint Ops — which includes a simple but deadly logic for the automated opponent (Non-Player Operatives). So those who wish can test their tactical talents without seeking a human opponent of equal skill. However, judging by the impressions published here a year ago here, the regular battles are also engaging.

Overall, the game offers a fresh perspective on the iconic saga and battles in the Warhammer 40K world. According to sources, the Typhon set, which adds special underground-attacking Tyranids and cybernetic Servitors to the fights, is currently enjoying particular popularity.

Warcrow

A fantasy wargame by the Spanish studio Corvus Belli, the creators of the aforementioned Infinity. Here, humans, elves, and dwarves coexist within geopolitical blocks and engage in battles for the amplifying magic of orichalcum against orcs, northerners, and a race of lava monsters (yes, they have their own name, but it has not yet been localized into Russian, and the faction is not represented in domestic stores).

The world of Warcrow is not stagnant, and with the latest update 1.6, major changes have occurred for the Hegemony and Northern Tribes units. But the all-consuming fog remains, and the threat of the ruthless coalition of orcs and werewolf shamans intensifies the already tense atmosphere on the continent.

BattleTech

The legendary saga of battles involving giant battle robots — mechs. The BattleTech universe has existed for over 35 years and has since grown far beyond tabletop gaming. Many know about mech battles from computer games, books, and model catalogs with unique designs.

However, the original tabletop game has not disappeared, and fans of the universe still hold battles according to all the rules. Many of these rules have explanations in the game lore — descriptions of technologies, politics, and cultures are not merely for atmosphere but are directly linked to the nuances of everything happening on the battlefield.

Overheating reactors are not only an indicator of technology degradation but also a factor balancing gunfights, preventing continuous fire from all weapons. Restrictions on the army size are explained not only by the necessity to balance player forces but also by pseudo-knightly principles governing battles (especially among Clans).

In summary, those eager to dive into the BattleTech world and explore the intricacies of its local battles will always have something to do.

Warhammer: The Old World

Yes, we are once again talking about the "Warhammer" universe. But what can you do if it truly is the most popular setting among wargames? And the conversation about it would not be complete without the fantasy aspect, especially one based on classic rules. "The Old World" is a planet cut off from the high-tech factions by a rampaging warp and thus has regressed into a medieval era where magic, swordsmanship, and monsters predominate in most factions.

Here, the regal Bretonnians and the Empire of Man face threats from hordes of orcs and goblins, as well as the silent legions of the undead. Noble Ulthuan elves and unpredictable guardians of the woods Atal Lorian battle against swarms of Skaven ratmen and Chaos warriors, whose influence could not help but seep into a world so close to the warp.

The main feature of the The Old World series is the return of rank mechanics in battles, where the positioning of units in formation greatly affects the squad's advantages in combat. This means this wargame is clearly aimed at old-school enthusiasts.

Voevoda

Although many of today’s popular wargames are localizations of classics, it should be noted that there are also novelties in the genre, including those produced domestically. In particular, the game Voevoda, based on one hand on Slavic folklore and on the other on mechanics from Heroes of Might and Magic. However, it also has its unique finds, such as the use of personalized decks for periodically gaining enhancements for the army.

Perhaps, while the project hasn't gained the same popularity as those listed above, it is still played, as evidenced by several festivals where it was presented (particularly at one of the Игроконов).

I do not rule out that being someone not very well-acquainted with tabletop games, I might have overlooked something. Therefore, if anyone knows of other wargames being played recently — feel free to write.