I spied a really great challenge on the Man of Tin’s blog, that he and The Duchy Tragardland have been working on, the idea of getting an entire Wargame in a matchbox!
http://tradgardland.blogspot.com/2024/11/no-time-for-swanning-around.html?m=1
https://manoftinblogtwo.wordpress.com/2024/11/16/wargame-in-a-wee-matchbox-challenge-accepted-1/
I’m always inspired by this kind of restricted wargame. Whether that’s fitting an entire ruleset on one page of A4, or the back of a postcard, or only using one box of miniatures, no dice or measuring devices, etc, etc…
After sourcing a matchbox (which was surprisingly difficult) I went rummaging through my leftover miniatures looking for suitable figures. I found four characterful warriors from Irregular Miniatures in 15mm scale which I could easily fit four of in my matchbox with a couple of dice.
My latest obsession with random miniature skirmish games obviously pushed me in a certain direction.
Having four little figures to work through was really fun, and meant I was able to spend a lot of time on each mini. I particularly enjoyed spending time on the caveman and picked out his eyes, which isn’t easy in 15mm!
The Elf was painted in my usual Windblade Elf scheme (they seem to be getting everywhere lately and I’m very tempted to make them a full army).
I’m racking my brain for rules, especially as they are also supposed to fit inside the box. My Zero Player Duelling rules could be fun, or SKIRMASH. I’m thinking of using the box itself as my terrain, maybe the arena the characters will fight over.
I’ve got a little more work to do, especially as after a slight miscalculation, my bases are slightly too large, so not everything fits comfortably in my matchbox just yet!
It’s a great challenge and I’d recommend you’d give it a try!
Deathzap 
Wow, now that’s a challenge!!
It is indeed! I couldn’t believe the mad lads wanted the rules and terrain in the box too!
Think I’d be going 2mm or 3mm or smaller – ships perhaps.
Or flat packed.
Thinks …
Getting the rules and figures in a box is reasonable (especially with 6mm 🙂 ) but terrain is another issue altogether. After all terrain can be generic, or a table cloth, condiment sets and table mats 🙂
I have imagined a game before where the story is wargaming miniatures coming to life, then anywhere makes great terrain.
I have read few of these – grid gamer but not always is worth the naval look! Interesting idea about the matchbox – grid man split open the box to use flat and then provided a sleeve to hold it altogether! Oh and I remember ship matches – not seen them in years….
Just checked his out, looks great!
Love it 🙂
Man of TIN blog – I am looking forward to seeing what you do with this matchbox challenge skirmish in a matchbox.
Going 2D with paper figures and terrain could help with space limitation !
I homebrewed 2 or 3 board games that fitted in a matchbox but no wargame… I must give it a try now !
Love your Skirmash system. Great idea for a matchbox game!