Hordes of the Things

If you've ever wanted to pit orcs, dragons, and mythological heroes against each other on a wargaming table without being tied to a closed or expensive ecosystem, Hordes of the Things (Hott) is your new best friend. Originally released in the 90s, this system is a true cult classic that uses the foundation of the famous DBx rules to create epic fantasy battles. The big selling point here is that the game is 'miniature agnostic': you don't need to buy a specific army from one manufacturer. You can use whatever you have in your drawer, as long as you can organize your troops into elements or bases. The game focuses on small armies, consisting of about 10 to 14 elements, which makes games fast and dynamic.

The heart of the game lies in action point management. Each turn, you roll dice to determine how many points (called PIPs) you'll have available to maneuver your units or cast spells. This creates a delightful layer of tension: will you have enough points for that decisive attack or to position your wizard in time to cast a spell? Combat is direct and brutal, resolved by rolling a die and adding the unit's combat factor. The result can be devastating, with units being destroyed if they don't reach a minimum score against their opponent.

What really makes Hott shine is the creative freedom. The rulebook doesn't impose fixed armies, allowing you to build anything your imagination desires, whether it's based on fairy tales, Arthurian legends, fantasy films, or even your own creations. With very few restrictions—basically just rules regarding who can be the general and the proportion of powerful troops—the sky is the limit. If you enjoy the idea of a wargame that doesn't tie you to a single universe and values strategy over excessive rule complexity, Hott is an essential experience. It's a game that has aged very well, maintaining an active community that loves customizing their own scenarios and armies. Get your measuring tape ready, pick your favorite miniatures, and see who truly rules the fantasy battlefield.