JudasIscariot: I remember some Mechwarrior games used to use tactics such as terrain height, whether the terrain was barren or had trees and such.

mistermumbles: I believe you mean the Battletech game/universe the Mechwarrior video games are actually based on. They used to have some more no-frills basic boards and cardboard token mechs versions. It doesn't look like they're being made more though.

lowyhong: Scureuil: I read that WH40K does have something like that, but does it have a strong emphasis on the control of human skirmish combat in the same way that Jagged Alliance does i.e., vulnerability in open areas, taking cover etc?

lowyhong: I noticed this Kickstarter project and it got me curious as to whether there are any games that simulate tactics, for example taking cover and various firing positions, in the same way JA2 does. Are there any? My friends don't seem to be very interested in TB games on the PC, but they like board games, so if there is one, I'd be very interested to get everyone to try it out.

DodoGeo: Did you take a look at Fallout warfare? It comes with Fallout Tactics as an extra.
The game comes with the board game on disc, all you would need are a printer, scissors and dice.

Crassmaster: If you're looking for something that's more of an enclosed system in a box, you might want to check out Earth Reborn. http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/73171/earth-reborn

Solid system set in a ridiculous (in a good way) setting. Slowly adds more rules as you play through the scenarios, and then you can basically build your own 'levels' and play.

There's also Tannhauser. http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/25261/tannhauser

It isn't as detailed, but again has a setting that's ridiculous in a good way (think Germans seeking out occult help as in Wolfenstein). Not as detailed as ER. It has some bad reviews based on what was apparently a godawful initial ruleset, but the newer version is very good. Tannhauser also has a ton of expansion material through character packs, two map expansions and one full fledged expansion box.

Finally, Sergeants Miniatures Game. http://www.lostbattaliongames.com/c-49-sergeants-miniatures-game.aspx#SMG-Anchor

I haven't started buying in to this...yet. Definitely NOT a cheap system, but it's comparable to something like 40K. Minis are pre-painted, and if you were to buy half a dozen rifle squads you'd likely get 6 sets of completely unique men with their own ratings and sets of cards.

mistermumbles: I believe you mean the game/universe the Mechwarrior video games are actually based on. They used to have some more no-frills basic boards and cardboard token mechs versions. It doesn't look like they're being made anymore though. <a href="http://www.gog.com/forum/general_archive/any_tabletop_games_like_jagged_alliance/post3" class="link_arrow"></a></div> [url=http://bg.battletech.com/]Battletech is still alive and thriving, but yes, you will have to use miniatures these days, unless you make the counters yourself. Luckily the starter box is both relatively cheap, and comes with a lot of models!


OP: If you are looking for a tactical wargame where you don't have a lot of models on the field (4-12 per side in most cases, but you can have more), then Battletech is a great game. The rules are a bit on the complex side, but that is also part of the games charm (you can actually pick up an arm or a a leg from a fallen mech and beat another mech with it!) Make sure that you get the 25th anniversary boxed set (still in production). It is great: http://boardgamegeek.com/thread/628784/unboxing-battletech-25th-anniversary-set Warhammer 40k does not have the same level of detail as many other games, it is more about controlling small armies, and you don't have nearly the same level of control over the individual units. Necromunda is a bit more detailed, but GW has basically stopped supporting the game, so be prepared to do a lot of work on your own if you want good looking models. Rules are free though:
http://www.games-workshop.com/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m1330042_Necromunda_Rulebook.pdf
It should also be pointed out that Necromunda is based on the 2nd edition 40k ruleset, and 40k itself is currently nearing the end of 5th edition.

Another game to consider is Inquisitor, also by Games Workshop. It suffers from similar issues with dropped support as Necromunda, and it needs a game master to run smoothly, but the rules are more detailed and flexible. Also, much like Necromunda the rules are free:
http://www.games-workshop.com/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m1320029_Inq_Rulebook_part_1.pdf
http://www.games-workshop.com/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m1320030_Inq_Rulebook_part_2.pdf

Or you might just want to go with a hex-based wargame using counters instead of miniatures.


*edit*
And another option would be to take a very gamey pen & paper RPG and turn it into a tactical wargame. D&D 4 works well for this, as does Deathwatch (40k based)

lowyhong: In fact, I'd be interested to see if I could create a Jagged Alliance type of game out of the FOW ruleset. Coupled with the Kickstarter I mentioned in the OP, this could make for some really grand skirmishes.