Starter Wargames
Patrick Carroll
United States
Carver
Minnesota
"If a thing is worth doing, it is worth doing badly." (GK Chesterton)
"That's how the light gets in." (Leonard Cohen)
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In the Wargames forum, someone is always coming along asking which game to start with--which one to buy as a first-ever wargame. That generates a thread, and several games end up being recommended. But I've noticed the same games are recommended over and over again.
So, this GeekList is a place to compile all the good "starter" wargames we can think of. If it turns out well, we can refer newcomers here instead of having to rethink our recommendations each time.
Consider: Which wargame(s) would you suggest to someone just starting out in the hobby? Or to a whole group of newbies with different period and scale interests?
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An easy intro to block games. Short rule book and fast game play.
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Will DeMorris
United States
El Paso
Texas
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Easy sell if your audience has an interest in American history. Most likely the simplest of all the CDGs and heavily influenced by We the People but a whole lot more affordable.
-Will
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J.L. Robert
United States
Sherman Oaks
California
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The games from this series of releases all had a basic rules set that fit on a single, 8.5" x 14" sheet of paper. Additional rules were added in Battle Manuals, much like the older "AH Classics" of the 60's.
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This is a great intro game. Clear ,concise rule book, not an overwhelming amount of counters,great production,balanced play and an interesting period to boot.
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J. S.
United States
Manhattan Beach
California
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Not a traditional wargame but, in a very short game time, it gives a sense of an assault on a hill. I actually like this game a lot and even play solo - playing both sides at the best of my ability.
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Joe Baptist
United States
California
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With the programmed instruction setup, this is a pretty good introductory wargame. It starts simple, and builds in complexity.
I'm sorry that I'm posting it a second time, but I missed it earlier in the list.
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Preston Fuller
United States
Ashland
New Hampshire
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It does list on BGG as a wargame and for this list I think it works as a very simple and fun introduction into, minatures, hex (squares) style squad level game. Great intro into line of site, movement, weapons in hand, reloading and even mounted movement. There are some fair historical sceanrios as well.
The game Desperados takes it one step further but you can bring desperado rules into CWotG
Besides, you get to be cowboys with six shooters and shotguns. Can't beat that.
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Jim Wickson
United States
Unspecified
Unspecified
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I don't think this list would be complete without this entry
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Malcolm Green
Canada
Victoria
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I'm surprised this hasn't been entered yet. It is an ideal introduction to the wargame genre. It combines some key concepts and yet keeps things relatively simple. I do find that a lot of players get some of the ideas confused but once an understanding is reached, this one is a gem. Not perfect by any means, but head and shoulders above the competition imo.
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Quick and easy to play.
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Patrick Carroll
United States
Carver
Minnesota
"If a thing is worth doing, it is worth doing badly." (GK Chesterton)
"That's how the light gets in." (Leonard Cohen)
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If you know you want to get into miniatures wargaming, and you're a fantasy buff, this might be just the ticket. It's the equivalent of DBA (De Bellis Antiquitatis, see above) for the fantasy genre.
Oh, and the rules are now available for free!
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William Barnett-Lewis
United States
Wisconsin
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The in print introductory operational level hex and counter game. High production values and good easy rules make for a good beginners combination.
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Danny Holte
United States
Fullerton
California
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I humbly suggest this one. 120 counters, playable in an afternoon and quick, easy rules. It has proven to be well-balanced as well.
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Patrick Carroll
United States
Carver
Minnesota
"If a thing is worth doing, it is worth doing badly." (GK Chesterton)
"That's how the light gets in." (Leonard Cohen)
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For those who want a very, very small, simple introduction to hex-and-counter wargaming, this might be the thing. Wargames don't get much smaller or simpler than this. It might be called the tic-tac-toe of wargaming (but I understand Victory Point Games has improved it somewhat since I last played it, and there's an expansion for it too).
You can read all about it on this Web page. And if you scroll down to the bottom, you'll see a subhead that reads "Computer Strike Force One." There's a link to a FREE computer version of the game, complete with AI.
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Donald Wilbur III
United States
Sacramento
California
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My pitch for those who love the BIG SCALE. If you like individual units, start with Ogre.
This is a big leap, but if you make the jump, you'll never turn back. A nice smaller leap is We the People. Unfortunately it's out of print and expensive. Hopefully, Washington's War will fill this niche. We'll see in a few months!
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♬♪♪ ♫ ♩ ♫♫♪ ♩♬♪ ♫
Australia
Victoria
What happens when typographers play Busen Memo? . . . . . . . . . ὠὡ ὢ ὣ ὤ ὥ ὦ ὧ
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This list isn't complete without
Blue Max Canvas Eagles.
It can be taught in 10 minutes (even less if you ignore the rules for altitude) and is easy to handicap for differing player numbers or experience. Played with Wings of War minis, it's fantastic. Check out the files available here and at the homepage. A great game for the end of the evening.
And it's free! http://canvaseagles.diplomacy.ca/canvas_eagles.htm 
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Patrick Carroll
United States
Carver
Minnesota
"If a thing is worth doing, it is worth doing badly." (GK Chesterton)
"That's how the light gets in." (Leonard Cohen)
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There's also an earlier edition of this game, by Avalon Hill. Haven't played this one, but I used to own Victory in the Pacific, which is similar but more complex.
Naval fans need a place to start too.
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Jeff Brown
United States
Colorado Springs
Colorado
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I find that my kids at school have little trouble picking this up. I only have the first edition though, but I hear that the 2nd edition isn't more complex.
I picked up Texas Glory also as it looked like it was equally accessible but I haven't had a chance to try it.
My kids like Battleground Fantasy Warfare also.
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Tom Volpe
United States
Evanston
Illinois
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I bought this game at a Sci-Fi convention back in the 80's. A wargame for hardcore wargamers it is not. However, it would be a very good introduction to wargaming. The rules are simple (you can even get your kids hooked on wargaming early with this one). The game introduces basic combat units (infantry, cavalry and artillery) as well as concepts like the advantages of high ground and supply.
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Patrick Carroll
United States
Carver
Minnesota
"If a thing is worth doing, it is worth doing badly." (GK Chesterton)
"That's how the light gets in." (Leonard Cohen)
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Here I go again, adding a game I haven't seen to the list.
Can anyone who has played this game comment on it, please? It looks like a simple, abstract intro to wargaming--and a fine game in its own right.
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47.
Board Game: Risk
[Average Rating:5.62 Overall Rank:6468]
meenki boo
United States
Jersey City
New Jersey
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Deconstructing Wargames
It's ridicules to introduce Risk to someone. Unless you want a Risk opponent. Don't introduce Memoir '44 to someone unless you want to end up playing Memoir '44. If you want to play wargames introduce your potential wargamer to a wargame. If they can't handle it and aren't particularly interested, they are never going to be interested. We need a new list without Memoir '44, Axis and Allies or misguided junk like Strikeforce 1. Or anything that is a so-called 'introductory' game like Manoeuver.
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Best starter wargame, I have used so far... And unlike many of the games listed it is a real wargme in the classic sens of the term : hex, zoc, CRT...
It is simple, quickly, strategic and fun...
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Not exactly a wargame but i did find it a good game to get people into wargaming.
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This was recommended to me by a few BGG wargamers.
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