For beginners it might feel like a lot to get into during the first few games. Therefore it’s often a good idea to try playing a smaller shorter match. That is usually done with 3v3 miniatures instead of the full game 6v6.
It is recommended in this format to play to 8 VP instead of 12, which makes the game around two thirds as long. Playing with fewer models per side also makes the game quicker.
When playing 3v3 it is recommended to use 1 Captain model and 2 Squaddie models.
There is an official playmat designed with lines for a smaller pitch, which is great to use for this. But even if you don’t own such a playmat you can use the measurements below for playing on a smaller pitch.
Pitch size 2×2 feet (normal full size is 3×3 feet)
The goal line becomes the new end line.
The deployment line becomes the new goal line (also move the goal up to that line)
New deployment line 2 inches in front of the goal
So on this smaller pitch, the end-to-goal is 4″ (instead of 6″), end-to-deployment is 6″ (instead of 10″), goal-to-goal distance is 16″ (instead of 24″) and deployment-to-deployment is 12″ (instead of 16″).
Some like to advance slowly and move on to playing a few games with 4v4 after trying 3v3, before going up to a full 6v6 game on fullsize pitch.
When playing 4v4 you usually add a Mascot as the fourth one, but feel free to decide with your opponent to use a third squaddie each instead if you want. 🙂
