Miniature Agnostic Games That Let You Use Any Minis

Just want to collect nice-looking minis and worry about the rules later? Check out this list of miniature agnostic games that let you use whatever you own.

With so many brilliant miniature companies out there these days, it’s impossible for most of us to stick to one range.

I’m the sort of person who’ll buy a mini just because it looks cool. I’ll come across pictures of miniatures from companies I’ve never heard of before, and I’ll love the aesthetic of them.

I’m pretty good at not just buying stuff on a whim, but occasionally, there are things that I can’t see past. They get bought up, added to the “to-paint” pile, and I continue to accumulate a rather eclectic collection.

But what to do with them when it comes to the gaming side of the hobby? As a kid, my entire world was Games Workshop. But now there seems to be more rulesets out there than I’ll ever know.

Because of my “miniatures first” ethos, I’m naturally attracted to miniature agnostic games. Quite simply, these are rulesets that allow you to use anything you already own – or would like to own!

List of Miniature Agnostic Games (On My Radar So Far!)

I’ve only recently returned to the hobby after a long break, and it’s taken me time to identify a few games that really fit what I’m looking for. I’m in no doubt that what I’ve mentioned here (and what I’m aware of) is only the tip of the iceberg.

But at the time of writing, here are the miniature agnostic games I’m either actively playing, or in the process of learning. I do tend to play in fantasy or sci-fi settings, as you’ll see. Again, that’s down to the types of minis I like best.

Bonus: Looking for simple tabletop games that are perfect for beginners? We have a roundup of those, too!

Oh and heads up, I use affiliate links here which means I may earn a small commission should you choose to buy through them, though at absolutely no extra cost to yourself.

Frostgrave

Frostgrave is one of the first games I became aware of upon my return to the hobby. A legendary title for sure. In Frostgrave, you use any minis you have to create your wizard and build your warband. Then, you’ll face off against others whilst hunting for treasure in a ruined, frozen city. An essential addition to any list of miniature agnostic games.

Buy Frostgrave today on Amazon.com or Amazon UK

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Open Combat

This little gem is probably my favourite discovery to-date. Open Combat is a small, fun skirmish game. The settings for your battles can be any historical (pre-gunpowder) or fantasy world you have the minis and desire to create. I’ve enjoyed playing the scenarios in the book, and the campaign rules are a nice way to give your warband that sense of progression. Just be sure to keep them all alive…

Buy Open Combat today on Amazon.com or Amazon UK

Planet 28 & Brutal Quest

Two new additions to this miniature agnostic games roundup, Brutal Quest and Planet 28 are two takes on the same gaming system by Mammoth Miniatures. Brutal Quest is the fantasy variation whilst Planet 28 provides the sci-fi. I’ve only recently started playing both, and I love them. Here’s a Planet 28 solo battle report, and the following podcast episode gets into more detail on the narrative potential of both…

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Song of Blades and Heroes

The more I read into Song of Blades and Heroes, the more I realise how much of a cult classic it actually is. I’ve recently started to dive into the background and rules of SoBaH, and it appeals to me in many ways. I’ve heard one criticism of it being the cover art – apparently, this has prevented one or two folks from picking it up. I must admit, I quite like it myself. Reminds me of nostalgic old cartoons like Thundercats and He-Man. This is a brilliant introductory game for those new to the tabletop miniature hobby.

Buy Song of Blades and Heroes today on Amazon.com or Amazon UK

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Rogue Planet

Rogue Planet by Brent Spivey is a game that seems to reinvent the wheel in many ways – and manages to pull it off, too. This one’s more of a sci-fi/futuristic setting, so perfect for breaking out the old 40k minis. As ever with these games though, any minis will do the trick. This innovative system involves minimal bookkeeping and no measuring. A recent find for me, and exactly the sort of game I’ve been looking for.

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Buy Rogue Planet today on Amazon.com or Amazon UK

Mayhem

Mayhem is also created by Brent Spivey (Rogue Planet, mentioned above). Mayhem is a ‘fantasy mass battle’ combat game played on the grand scale. Here generals lead armies of their own creation on the field of battle in search of victory and glory. Like Rogue Planet, it deploys a cool use of polyhedral dice and command points. I would say it’s my favourite ‘rank and flank’ game these days. Check out the following battle report for more…

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Oathmark

Oathmark is another title penned by Frostgrave creator Joseph A. McCullough. It’s a little different from the other miniature agnostic games on here, which are mainly skirmishes involving a small number of troops on either side. Oathmark, on the other hand, is a mass battle or ‘rank and flank’ game. I believe there are official miniatures available, but you can just as easily use what you already own. I particularly like the way you can mix in different races – humans, elves, orcs, goblins, dwarves, etc – to build your own Kingdom. This helps keep every army unique, fresh, and interesting. One for old Warhammer players to try out, for sure!

Buy Oathmark today on Amazon.com or Amazon UK

Kings of War

Kings of War is another large-scale fantasy battles game. Despite it being one of my favourite games, I had initially left it off the list. However, it’s been suggested a few times, so in it goes. An amazing set of rules that are – as the old saying goes – “easy to pick up, hard to master”. I didn’t include KoW in my original version of this post because creators Mantic heavily supports the game with a large range of miniatures. However, they seem to be pretty laid back about folks trying out their games with existing minis. Another one for the old Warhammer players out there.

Buy Kings of War today on Amazon.com or Amazon UK

Stargrave

Stargrave is the hugely anticipated “Frostgrave in Space” by the frequently mentioned Joseph A. McCullough. Want to pitch your GW Blood Angels against your Star Wars Stormtroopers? Then this is the perfect game for you.

Buy Stargrave today on Amazon.com or Amazon UK

A Billion Suns

Spaceships! A Billion Suns is an interstellar combat game. Take charge of your own fleet of spacecraft using any miniatures you already have… or, toys that look a bit like miniature spaceships… or, your very first 3D printer effort that didn’t come out quite like the medieval chariot it was supposed to.

Buy A Billion Suns on Amazon.com or Amazon UK

Rangers of Shadow Deep – A Solo/Co-Op Miniature Agnostic Game

Yet another miniature agnostic game from the prolific Joe McCullough. A game I’ve been obsessed with this past year, too. Rangers of Shadow Deep is a solo and co-operative game, highly narrative and with some great RPG tropes. Even if you have nobody to play against, you’ll find enjoyment, immersion, and hours of fun here.

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Buy Rangers of Shadow Deep on Amazon or DTRPG

Miniature Agnostic Games & Resources Recommended to Me

Thank you to everyone who’s been in touch so far to recommend additions to this page. I’ve not checked any of these out properly yet, but they all look great.

• Warlords of Erehwon is a warband-level 28mm fantasy wargame created by legendary designer Rick Priestley. Build your warband from your chosen fantasy miniatures and fight for victory!
• The Ninth Age. Maintained by hundreds of passionate players from all over the world, The 9th Age: Fantasy Battles is a free fantasy tabletop miniatures wargame designed for everyone.
• Rally Round the King is a set of rules that recreate battles between armies and for campaigning in the mythical land of Talomir.
• Two Hour Wargames are makers of entertaining tabletop games playable in two hours or less. All of their games can be played solo or same side (cooperatively) as well as head-to-head.
• Osprey Wargames Series. Here you’ll find rules for loads of different settings and genres.
• Horizon Wars: Zero Dark lets you play solo, co-op, player-versus-player or even team-versus-team with the same core rules. No weapons tables.  No faction limitations.  Build your heroes from scratch and equip them to suit your play-style and existing miniatures collection. 

Building a Miniature Agnostic Games List

As I’ve said, I’m aware that this will only be the frosted point on the tip of the iceberg. I’d really appreciate your help in building this page out as a resource. Selfishly, I’d just like to find loads more games of a similar vein. So please use the comments section to tell me about all the miniature agnostic games I’ve not mentioned yet. I will look to keep it updated as much as possible 😀

Next Up: Simple Tabletop Wargames: Best Miniature Games for Beginners

And be sure to check out the Tabletop Miniature Hobby Podcast.