BrikWars The Creative Miniatures Wargaming System

BrikWars is a free miniatures wargaming system created by Mike Rayhawk. Designed specifically for use with plastic building blocks and figurines, it provides a flexible and simple framework that encourages players to use their full range of creativity to build armies, creatures, vehicles, and worlds from construction toys.

The Spirit of the Game

While primarily targeted at adults, BrikWars is celebrated for its straight-faced acceptance of ridiculous scenarios and multi-genre mashups. It often satirizes "serious" wargames and their players, deliberately flouting or misinterpreting genre conventions to maintain a sense of humor. The core purpose of the game is to provide a setting where groups of friendly-looking minifigures can engage in mindless, entertaining violence.

Play Mechanics

BrikWars utilizes "minifigs" (typically Lego minifigures or equivalent brands) and terrain constructed from bricks or random household objects. The rules are optimized for figures and structures that can be easily disassembled and reconstructed.

Turn-Based Combat

BrikWars is a turn-based skirmish-level wargame. Players control custom-built forces, with attributes assigned based on the physical size and features of their models. In a typical turn, each player moves and attacks with their units before passing the turn to the next player. Units can move a distance based on their "Move" statistic and perform a major action, such as attacking or using a "Specialty" ability, alongside any number of minor actions.

Resolution and Damage

Success or failure of actions is determined by rolling a polyhedral die assigned to a unit's Action attribute against a target number. When an attack hits, the attacker rolls Damage dice to overcome the target's Armor stat. While infantry are typically destroyed by a single hit, larger vehicles and structures are more resilient, though their abilities may degrade as they take damage.

The Law of Fudge

One of the most unique aspects of BrikWars is its encouragement of rule-breaking. Through the "Law of Fudge" and the ability for Hero units to perform "Heroic Feats," the game prioritizes fun and enjoyment over obsessive rules-lawyering.

History and Evolution

BrikWars evolved from a predecessor called Legowars, created in 1991 by Eric O'Dell and R. Todd Ogrin. Legowars focused on space-themed combat and allowed for customization of pieces. However, in 1995, the authors received a cease and desist order from the Lego Group due to trademark issues. This led Mike Rayhawk to adapt the game, replacing the "L-word" with "Brik" and expanding the game into a universal battle engine rather than a space-themed game.

In 2023, a physical release of the game was announced by Modiphius Entertainment.