Tabletop Miniature Games Like Warhammer (and Where to Get the Models)

Warhammer is not the only game in town. There's a broad spread of tabletop miniature games that share its DNA, several of which cost nothing at the rules level, and most of which accept any 28mm miniature you can paint. Whether you're after grand fantasy battles, grimdark sci-fi skirmishes, or something small enough to finish on a weeknight, there's a game that fits. Here's a rundown of the best alternatives and where to get the models in the UK.

What these games have in common

The core loop is the same as Warhammer: collect a force, build and paint your miniatures, then pit them against someone else's army on a table covered in terrain. The differences come down to scale, rules complexity, and cost.

A few questions worth settling before you commit to one:

• Army size — some games run on 7 to 15 models per side; others need 50 or more to feel right.
• Rules complexity — One Page Rules games fit on a single sheet of paper; Horus Heresy requires a shelf of books.
• Model rules — most alternative games are model-agnostic, so any legal 28mm or 32mm miniature works, including 3D-printed ones.

Trench Crusade

Trench Crusade has become one of the most talked-about wargames of recent years. Set in an alternate timeline where the Crusades cracked open a rift to Hell, it pits twisted demonic forces against fanatical soldiers in a grimdark World War I setting. The rules are free to download from the official site.

Warband sizes sit between 5 and 15 models, which makes it a good fit if you want to paint every miniature properly without committing to a 100-model army. Our Trench Crusade explainer goes into the lore and game mechanics if you want a deeper look before you invest.

We stock a growing selection of 3D-printed Trench Crusade-compatible miniatures. The Sanctified Legion by Bite the Bullet and Ashen Armies is a complete warband of heavily armoured holy warriors, available as a full set for £54.99 or individual models from £6.49. Crab Miniatures' Doomed Battalions range is worth a look too if you prefer the machine-worshipping faction.

One Page Rules: Grimdark Future and Age of Fantasy

If you want Warhammer-style gameplay without the price, One Page Rules (OPR) is the most accessible alternative. The organisation publishes two main games: Grimdark Future, a sci-fi game clearly inspired by Warhammer 40,000, and Age of Fantasy, its fantasy counterpart. Both have free core rulesets on the OPR website, with paid expanded editions for players who want more faction depth.

Neither game requires specific models. Any 28mm miniature works, which makes them well-suited to 3D printing. We carry a range for OPR army-building through our DakkaDakka grimdark sci-fi range. The Dragon Armor Jetpack Warriors from DakkaDakka's Fire Lizards faction work well as space marines with jump packs (£18.99), and the KT-08 Breaker from the Machine Cult range suits Tech Priest builds at £14.99.

Conquest: The Last Argument of Kings

Conquest is one of the few alternatives that can genuinely match Games Workshop on production quality. It's a rank-and-flank mass-battle fantasy game from Para Bellum Wargames with faction-specific mechanics, deep lore, and a well-developed plastic model range.

The feel is closer to The Old World than Age of Sigmar. Regiments matter, formation counts, and games take a few hours to play properly. If you want a fully supported ecosystem rather than a proxy army, Conquest is the strongest standalone option outside Games Workshop in the fantasy space right now.

Stargrave, Thrackdown and other skirmish games

Not every player wants an army. Skirmish games let you run 6 to 20 models and finish a game in an evening.

Stargrave by Joseph McCullough takes the warband format into a sci-fi setting. It's entirely model-agnostic, and the community is easy-going about proxies. Any 28mm sci-fi miniature works.

Thrackdown is a free, miniature-agnostic skirmish game that plays fast and works with a wide range of model types. We've written a Thrackdown miniatures guide if you want to see what it involves before picking it up.

Mortal Gods by Footsore Miniatures is set in ancient Greece, plays fast, and uses small warbands. It's an accessible entry point if you're fairly new to the hobby.

Necromunda is technically a Games Workshop game, but it plays very differently from Warhammer 40,000. Gangs of 7 to 15 fighters, persistent campaigns, and a gritty underworld setting make it feel closer to skirmish territory. Third-party and 3D-printed proxies are widely used. We've written a full guide to building a Necromunda gang with 3D-printed models if you want to go that route.

Which game is right for you?

A quick steer based on what you're after:

• You love Warhammer but the cost is the problem — start with One Page Rules. Core rules are free and 3D-printed models keep costs low.
• You want a small warband to paint to a high standard — Trench Crusade. Dramatic setting, compact army, free rules.
• You want a mass-battle fantasy game with full model support — Conquest.
• You're new and want to start small — Stargrave or Thrackdown. Low model count, quick to learn.

Frequently asked questions

Are there free tabletop miniature games like Warhammer?

Yes. One Page Rules publishes Grimdark Future and Age of Fantasy with free core rulesets. Trench Crusade is also free to download. You'll still need miniatures and terrain, but the rules themselves cost nothing.

Can I use 3D-printed miniatures in games like Warhammer?

Most alternative games are model-agnostic and don't require official models. One Page Rules, Trench Crusade, Stargrave, Thrackdown, and Mortal Gods all allow any legal 28mm miniature. Conquest uses regiment-specific rules that work best with consistently based models, but the community is generally flexible about it.

What's the best tabletop miniature game for beginners?

Stargrave and Mortal Gods are good starting points because warband sizes are small and the rules are quick to pick up. One Page Rules also publishes a Pocket Edition that strips the game back to basics. Trench Crusade is slightly more involved but the compact warband size keeps it manageable.

Is Grimdark Future the same as Warhammer 40,000?

No. It's a separate game published by One Page Rules, designed as a faster and simpler alternative inspired by 40K. It has its own rules, factions, and lore, and is entirely unofficial and model-agnostic.

Where can I buy 3D-printed miniatures for these games in the UK?

TabletopXtra stocks a range of models that work across most of the games covered here. Our DakkaDakka range suits Grimdark Future army-building well, and our Trench Crusade-compatible selection covers several major factions in that game.