A New Tactical Miniatures Game That Feels Like XCOM Meets Warhammer

Fans of tactical video games and tabletop skirmish wargames have a new project to watch closely. The designers behind Fallout: Factions, a fast-paced competitive miniatures game set in Bethesda’s post-apocalyptic universe, are now working on an original sci-fi tabletop title that aims to combine the tense, squad-based feel of XCOM with the hobby depth of Warhammer-style miniatures battles. While detailed rules and full product information are still emerging, enough has been revealed to sketch a clear picture of the game’s focus, its design goals, and why it matters in the current tabletop landscape.

From Fallout: Factions to a New Original Universe

The studio and designers responsible for the new game have already proved they can deliver a modern skirmish system with Fallout: Factions, published by Modiphius Entertainment. That title focuses on quick, two-player battles in the Fallout universe, emphasizing streamlined rules, campaign play, and collectible forces. The newly announced project takes those lessons and pivots into an entirely original setting with different aims and a fresh tone.

Instead of leaning on an existing video game IP, this new game builds its own futuristic backdrop. The inspiration from XCOM comes less from the specific alien invasion story and more from its core experience:

• Small, elite squads operating on high-stakes missions
• Fog-of-war tension where the next corner could hide disaster
• Meaningful consequences for casualties and mission outcomes
• A meta-game layer of improvement and progression over time

At the same time, the designers are courting the traditional miniatures crowd by ensuring the game offers:

• Multi-part, poseable models that reward painting and conversion
• Table-ready terrain designed for line-of-sight, cover, and elevation
• Scenario-driven missions instead of simple arena-style slugfests

What “XCOM-Style” Really Means on the Tabletop

Translating a digital tactics game such as XCOM into miniatures form is not as simple as reproducing weapons and enemies. Turn-based tactics have decades of history on both screen and table, from classic board wargames to modern skirmish titles. XCOM is best known for its mix of:

• Action points and cover-based movement
• Percentage-based attacks and risk management
• Persistent squads where losses are devastating
• A strategic layer of tech and troop progression

The upcoming miniatures game looks to channel these feelings through tabletop mechanics. While the final rules have not been fully disclosed yet, the design intent appears to align with several key ideas evident in prior work and early previews:

• Alternating activation: Players may activate single models or small fireteams in turn, maintaining constant engagement, a structure widely used in modern skirmish games and supported by industry design analyses.
• Emphasis on cover and positioning: Terrain and line-of-sight will likely be central to gameplay, echoing how cover systems are core to tactical wargames both digitally and physically.
• Hidden information: A mix of scenario objectives, ambush positions, or deployment rules may replicate the uncertainty that makes XCOM missions so nerve-wracking.
• Campaign-driven stakes: The game is expected to feature ongoing squad development, with persistent injuries, upgrades, and narrative arcs.

Warhammer-Style Hobby Meets Sci-Fi Tactical Skirmish

When tabletop players refer to a “Warhammer-style” game, they usually mean more than just fighting with miniatures. The term covers a broader ecosystem:

• A range of multipart plastic and resin models designed for assembly and painting
• Detailed background lore that encourages faction loyalty
• Organized play, campaigns, and narrative events
• Rules that support both casual and competitive scenes

Games Workshop’s Warhammer lines have historically shaped this model of hobby gaming, blending miniatures collecting with rules and lore. Games Workshop’s own reports emphasize that models, narrative, and rules are interdependent pillars of its hobby proposition. The new XCOM-inspired project is clearly aiming at this combined experience, but in the more focused scale of a skirmish game rather than large mass battles.

That means players can expect:

• Small Model Count: Squads of a handful of operatives are likely the norm, making it approachable to paint a full force.
• Detail-Rich Miniatures: Elite troopers, specialized aliens, and unique heroes provide plenty of hobby potential.
• Expandable Roster: New units, equipment, and scenario packs can smoothly add variety without overwhelming players.

Design Team and Development Approach

The game is being developed by designers with significant experience in modern skirmish systems, including those who worked on Fallout: Factions. That title emphasizes fast resolution and dynamic interactions, a philosophy likely to continue here. Modiphius Entertainment, the publisher of Fallout: Factions, describes that game as a “fast-paced skirmish wargame for two players” where players “take control of wastelanders vying for power”—a concise summary of the style of game being refined and expanded in this new project.

Key aspects of their development mentality include:

• Accessibility: Streamlined core rules that can be learned quickly, with advanced complexity offered via optional modules, gear, and special abilities.
• Iterative Playtesting: Digital playtesting, community feedback, and scenario refinement are likely to play a big role, as has become standard in modern game design.
• Transmedia Awareness: Understanding how video game fans, board gamers, and miniatures hobbyists each encounter tactics differently, and designing rules that can bridge these communities.

Gameplay Focus: Small Squads, High Stakes

Although full rules are not yet public, early information suggests that missions will center on small units operating in tight, objective-driven scenarios—more akin to covert operations than massed front-line warfare. This format is particularly suited to miniatures because it enables detailed terrain, narrative objectives, and short game sessions.

Some of the likely gameplay pillars include:

1. Tactical Positioning and Cover

Tabletop tactics live and die on how they treat movement, cover, and reaction. Established miniature wargames and military simulations alike treat cover as a primary defensive factor, reducing the impact of enemy fire. Expect the new game to make heavy use of:

• Clear cover states (exposed, in light cover, in heavy cover)
• Bonuses or penalties tied to elevation and flanking
• Special rules that reward coordinated suppression and maneuver

2. Risk Management and Probability

XCOM is famous for its percentage-based hit chances, forcing players to take calculated risks. Tabletop games typically represent this via dice pools or target numbers. While dice probabilities are less granular than video game percentages, they still foster a similar feeling of calculated risk. Players will likely juggle:

• Whether to take low-odds shots to finish a target
• When to go on overwatch versus advancing into better cover
• How to manage limited-use equipment such as grenades and gadgets

3. Persistent Squads and Campaign Play

One of the biggest draws of modern skirmish games is campaign play. Games like Necromunda and Mordheim remain beloved for their ongoing narratives and warband development. A similar approach appears central here: squads that gain experience, unlock gear, and carry scars from previous missions. Research on hobby gaming highlights that campaign structures significantly increase player engagement and social interaction, turning isolated games into communal stories.

Setting and Faction Identity

While the full lore of the game’s universe has yet to be laid out in public, several trends in contemporary sci-fi skirmish design offer hints about the direction this project may take:

• Asymmetrical Factions: Each faction tends to have unique tactical identities: stealth, heavy armor, swarm tactics, psychic warfare, and so on.
• Specialist Operatives: Named characters with distinctive abilities, gear, and narrative roles reinforce faction flavor.
• Mission-Driven Narrative: Factions are likely tied to story arcs expressed through campaign books or seasonal releases.

Because this is not tied to an existing video game IP, the developers have freedom to craft alien species, advanced human militaries, corporate security forces, or resistance cells without needing to conform to a known canon. This opens the door for creative unit designs and unusual scenario types—orbital drop assaults, infiltration missions, extraction operations, and more.

Comparing the New Game With Fallout: Factions

For players already familiar with Fallout: Factions, it is helpful to consider how this new project might differ in scope and style. While specific rules changes remain to be seen, the underlying philosophy seems to evolve in a few clear ways.

Why the Timing Matters for Tabletop Gaming

The announcement of this game arrives at a moment when tabletop gaming is enjoying sustained growth across board games, roleplaying games, and miniatures. Industry analyses by organizations such as ICv2 and market research firms have pointed to ongoing demand for hobby games and collectibles, even as digital gaming continues to expand. Skirmish-scale miniatures games, in particular, benefit from this trend because they appeal to:

• Video game players curious about physical tactics games
• Board gamers looking for deeper tactical systems
• Miniatures painters who want small, self-contained projects

By explicitly positioning the game as an “XCOM meets Warhammer” experience, the designers are signaling that they understand these overlapping audiences. The goal is to make a game that feels immediately familiar to players who have spent hundreds of hours in tactical video games but also respects the expectations of the miniatures community regarding depth, collectibility, and hobby investment.

What New Players Can Expect

If you have never played a miniatures game before but love tactical video games, this project may present an accessible entry point. While specific starter products have not yet been fully detailed, typical offerings in this space include:

• Starter Sets: Two small forces, a condensed rulebook, dice, and cardboard or plastic terrain.
• Campaign Boxes: Linked scenarios, extra units, and narrative booklets.
• Faction Expansions: Additional squads and heroes expanding your tactical options.

Expect the rules to introduce key miniatures concepts gently:

• How to measure movement and shooting distances
• How line-of-sight and cover affect combat outcomes
• How to resolve dice rolls quickly and fairly

While assembling and painting miniatures can seem intimidating at first, many players find it relaxing and rewarding. Guides from manufacturers such as Games Workshop and others emphasize that even basic techniques—priming, basecoating, and simple shading—can achieve tabletop-ready results.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is this game directly licensed from XCOM?

No. The game is not an official XCOM licensed product. Instead, it is an original sci-fi miniatures game that draws inspiration from XCOM’s tactical feel—small squads, high stakes, and campaign progression—rather than copying its exact story or branding.

Do I need to know Fallout or own Fallout: Factions to play?

Not at all. While the design team has experience from Fallout: Factions, this new game is built on its own setting and rules. Knowledge of Fallout is not required, and there is no indication of mechanical cross-compatibility at this time.

What kind of miniatures will the game use?

The game is expected to feature detailed sci-fi miniatures suitable for assembly and painting, in line with current skirmish standards. Expect multi-part kits for elite operatives and possibly larger models representing armored suits, drones, or extraterrestrial threats.

How complex will the rules be?

Early information suggests a design that aims for tactical depth without overwhelming bookkeeping. The model count will likely be small, allowing the rules to focus on positioning, cover, and special abilities rather than large-scale movement of dozens of units.

Will there be campaign play and persistent squads?

Yes, that appears to be one of the game’s defining features. Like XCOM and classic campaign skirmish games, the new system is expected to allow your squad to evolve over time, gaining skills, equipment, and narrative scars as you progress through missions.

Looking Ahead

While many specifics remain under wraps, the new project from the Fallout: Factions team is clearly positioned to appeal to both tactical video game fans and miniatures hobbyists. By framing the game as a fusion of XCOM-like missions with Warhammer-style model collecting and terrain-driven scenarios, the designers are signaling a focus on:

• Fast but thoughtful gameplay
• Rewarding campaign progression
• Rich, customizable miniatures and terrain

As more details emerge about factions, release formats, and rules, prospective players can start considering what they want from a tactical minis game in this niche. Whether you are a veteran skirmish player or a newcomer drawn in by the promise of commanding a squad of sci-fi operatives on the tabletop, this upcoming title is one to watch.