Unlock the Revolution: How Miniatures Skirmish Games Disrupt the Gaming Industry in 2025
The Thrilling World of Miniatures Skirmish Games
Miniatures skirmish games have taken the tabletop gaming scene by storm, and with good reason. These compact, high-intensity battles require strategy, skill, and a dash of luck, making them an absolute blast to play. But what makes them so sticky with fans? For starters, miniatures skirmish games are often more accessible than their larger-scale counterparts. Without the need for dozens of miniatures on the table at once, players can focus on fewer, more intricately designed models that showcase their creative flair.
In this article, we’ll dive into the top miniatures skirmish games set to make a splash in 2025, including Warhammer 40,000: Kill Team and Trench Crusade. We’ll explore what sets these games apart, what to expect from each, and why they’re an absolute must-play for fans of the genre.
Skirmish Games 101
To understand what makes miniatures skirmish games tick, let’s start with the basics. A skirmish game typically features two or more opponents, each fielding a small force of models, usually ranging from six to 12 on each side. These models can be infantry, vehicles, or even monsters, and they’re designed to engage in intense, fast-paced combat.
The smaller scale of these games means players can focus on individual models and their unique abilities, rather than trying to manage large armies. This approach often leads to more tactical gameplay, as players must carefully consider their unit compositions, tactics, and deployment strategies.
Trench Crusade: A New Take on World War I
Bloated with incredible art from prolific concept artist Michael Franchina (Diablo), with rules and lore co-developed by Games Workshop veteran Tuomas Pirinen (Mordheim), Trench Crusade is perhaps the biggest success story of the year as far as miniatures gaming goes. This alternate historical take on World War I sees the Crusaders unlocking an actual portal to hell, turning the "war to end all wars" into a fight for the soul of… well, everyone on the planet, basically.
The Kickstarter campaign, first previewed here at Polygon, earned the pair more than $3.33 million and a throng of more than 20,000 players. The rules are available now, with physical miniatures on the way to backers in the new year. Meanwhile, 3D print files can get you where you need to go in a hurry.
Warhammer 40,000: Kill Team
Following an excellent reboot in 2018, the fourth edition ruleset for Warhammer 40,000: Kill Team was released in 2024, much to the joy of fans and critics alike. It draws its tiny little warbands from all across the franchise’s fictional universe, so you can collect T’au, Sisters of Battle, Orks, and more in addition to the traditional Space Marines.
An excellent new Starter Set found its way to store shelves in the fall, and new faction boxes have begun to crop up at retail. Expect this well-regarded game to continue to thrive into 2025 and beyond.
Stay tuned for our full reviews and previews of these and other miniatures skirmish games set to make a splash in 2025. With their unique blends of strategy, storytelling, and tabletop thrills, these games are sure to delight fans of all ages.
