Fallout Factions: Battle for Boston Fixes the Skirmish Formula

Modiphius Entertainment is finally bringing the heavy hitters to the table with the reveal of Fallout: Factions - Battle for Boston, a starter set that pits the Brotherhood of Steel against the Institute. While the initial Nuka-World release was a competent proof-of-concept for this ruleset, it suffered from what I call the Deep Cut Syndrome. It is difficult to rally a local scene around niche raider sub-factions when players are itching to field T-60 Power Armor and synth infiltrators. Battle for Boston corrects this course immediately, planting its flag in the most recognizable conflict of the Commonwealth.

Mechanically, Fallout: Factions continues to distinguish itself from its older sibling, Wasteland Warfare. Where Wasteland Warfare is a sprawling, narrative-heavy simulation that often buckles under its own bookkeeping, Factions is a lean, mean skirmish engine. It utilizes a streamlined d10 system where your S.P.E.C.I.A.L. stats directly dictate your success thresholds. The crunch here is found in the action economy and the Luck mechanic. You are not just trading shots; you are managing fatigue and deciding exactly when to spend limited resources to seize a critical objective. The Battle for Boston set introduces specific tactical nuances for its two titular factions. The Brotherhood of Steel plays exactly how a veteran would expect: high-durability, high-impact elites who suffer when outnumbered. Conversely, the Institute brings a numbers-based approach, utilizing disposable synths to clog firing lanes while their high-tech assets pick off priority targets from the shadows.

The lore integration feels earned rather than slapped on. This is not just a generic urban ruins kit; the set includes multi-part hard plastic miniatures that capture the specific aesthetic of the Fallout 4 era. The Brotherhood units look like the zealous crusaders they are, while the Institute miniatures offer that clean, sterile, and terrifyingly efficient vibe that defined the secret society beneath the ruins of C.I.T. For a Game Master or a campaign organizer, the narrative hook is built directly into the box. You are fighting over the technological soul of the wasteland, not just a pile of scrap. The inclusion of tactical skirmish miniatures ensures that the table looks as grim as the lore suggests.

From a table-feel perspective, this is a massive win for the community. The Battle for Boston box addresses the accessibility hurdle that has dogged Fallout tabletop games for years. By providing two iconic, diametrically opposed factions, Modiphius has created a starter set that actually feels like a complete experience. The game moves fast—a standard skirmish can be resolved in under forty minutes—which is the sweet spot for league play or a casual weeknight at the local game store. It removes the friction of complex AI behavior charts found in other systems, focusing instead on the head-to-head tactical friction between two human players. The rules for verticality and cover are intuitive, allowing for the kind of cinematic moments where a Brotherhood Paladin leaps from a ruined overpass to crush a synth patrol.

What truly impresses me is the commitment to the campaign system. Fallout: Factions is designed to be played as a series of connected battles where your units grow, gain experience, and suffer permanent injuries. This Battle for Boston set provides the perfect foundation for that progression. The Commonwealth setting is rich with environmental hazards and side objectives that make every mission feel like a story beat rather than a math problem. If you have been sitting on the fence because the previous releases felt too peripheral to the core Fallout experience, this is your signal to mobilize. Battle for Boston is the definitive entry point for anyone who wants high-speed, high-stakes combat in the ruins of America.