The Alternative Armies Blog

Welcome to the Alternative Armies blog. This blog tells you all about what we are up to and it is where we post our latest tabletop gaming news and articles.
We cover Flintloque and Slaughterloo, High Fantasy, Other Ranges as well as our 15mm scale fantasy, science fiction and historical ranges.
Our game systems and free content such as PDF downloads and reading articles. Enjoy and do dig back in time to see what was going on before now.

Feel free to comment and ask questions. We are always happy to help gamers with their hobby.

Monday 4 December 2023

Last Posting Date 2023 and Winter Mega Event finishing

The Christmas season is underway and the big days and holidays approach fast. A quick message from Alternative Armies to let you know our last posting dates for 2023 as well as that our Winter Mega Event ends in 48 hours time plus our December 2023 painted in stock update. 
 
 
Friday 15th December is our last shipping date for orders internationally and essentially for domestic UK packages too. As we do every year any orders not ready in time for this date will be held by us until after the new year to avoid any possibility of ‘loss in the system’ which, while rare, is sad when it happens. We will add a wee extra gift in any of these ‘held’ orders themed to what was ordered. We are always fair. If you wish to ask about the status of your order then contact us on sales@alternative-armies.com with your name and order number. We are happy to help. 
 

The biggest event of the year ends shortly at 9pm UK time 6th December 2023. If you fancy a treat then head on over to the website and browse. We will do our best to get all orders out as quickly as we can. Winter Mega Event has two days to go.  See all the detail and releases of the event on our BLOG in one place.
 
 
Our team of ladies here in Scotland has updated our Painted in Stock array of miniatures. Ready to use painted and based figures done by hand from across our ranges. Flintloque and Slaughterloo as well as Ion Age (28mm and 15mm) plus Erin Celtic Myth and High Fantasy. We also have some HOTT 2nd edition Armies and painted starter sets for Laserburn and Patrol Angis too. Most items are stock level one and what you see is what you are buying. Honest prices and tabletop quality. See the pages at the bottom of the left hand menu of the website. 
 

It has been a very busy year filled with new releases and restored classics as many ranges expanded and some popped back into existence. See our New Releases for the last twelve months of action. Have a dig through and see if you missed anything. Over 200 codes covering 28mm, 15mm, 6mm and many genres of Fantasy, Sci-fi and others. 
 
 
Lastly a wee mention of the Flowers of Evil. Until 8th January 2024 you get EH08 Flower of Evil II free in all shipped orders automatically (totally free and you need do nothing but order anything which is physically shipped). This free model came about from requests to follow up on EH01 Flower of Evil which was free a couple of years ago. See them in our Deals and Offers page. 
 
Thank you for all your custom and best wishes from the Team here at Alternative Armies

Tuesday 28 November 2023

NB1 Barbarian by Nick Bibby returns 54mm scale masterpiece..with free new weapons

What is good in life...to collect and paint miniatures and to see them arrayed before you. Tis true! This then is the most fitting thing to be Alternative Armies final release of 2023 and the final release of the Winter Mega Event’s 80 new and restored codes.  Now in the Asgard 1980’s array is a one off 54mm scale Barbarian figurine by Nick Bibby.  A really special piece on a bigger scale.

In addition to the restored Barbarian we have four new weapons in that scale sculpted this year by Sam Croes our lead designer which we are putting in with the Barbarian for free.  You can get them on their own as a pack or singles if you desire too.

NB1 The Barbarian:  A metal 54mm scale figurine supplied in four pieces (barbarian, base, sword, scabbard) supplied unpainted and unassembled. Dating from 1982 and not in production for many years we are delighted to see it return.  Supplied with NB1W a set of four new weapons for free giving you options for arming and outfitting your barbarian.

NB1W Barbarian Weapons Set:  Newly created in 2023 in 54mm scale four metal weapons suitable for NB1 The Barbarian (or any large 28mm scale creature or giant).  The four are a dagger, a Great Axe, a Scimitar and a Mace.  Choose from the set or singles. 

We have no other 54mm scale codes and it is not likely we will get any more but we have a number of BIG models in our ranges which would look grand on your gaming table.  There is Jigoku the Giant Oni in the Kitton Range, the GNATS giant mecha in the HOF 15mm Sci-fi Range, the Wyvern Kildane in our Monsters Range and of course Durzum the Giant Troll in the Orc and Goblin Range.  All of these are 100mm or more tall.

Thanks for Reading,

GBS (Gavin Syme – Creative Manager)

Thursday 23 November 2023

Creatures of Chaos range returns Asgard 80’s Fantasy by Bibby, Blanche and Goodwin

Not often is it possible to return to the world something wonderful in its complete form but this is such a day. In 1982 Asgard Miniatures released the Creatures of Chaos Range sculpted by Nick Bibby, Jez Goodwin and John Blanche.  It is now on its own page of the restored Asgard drop down menu of the website.  Our set was painted by the talented Studio Maxi Costales bringing them to life.

Nine different...very different...miniatures as singles or as a value set of all nine of them with a saving.


CC0 Creatures of Chaos Set (9 Miniatures with a Saving)

CC1 Running Hornhead  (35mm total height)

CC2 Many Armed Skulker (30mm total height)

CC3 Hawk Footed Stabber (40mm total height)

CC4 Hoofer Bladesman (30mm total height)

CC5 Crabclaw (40mm total height)

CC6 Trunkhand Tuskoid  (40mm total height)

CC7 Four Fang (35mm height, 45mm long)

CC8 Hideous Octopoid (28mm total height)

CC9 Crested Weremonkey (23mm total height comes with separate wings)

Sculpted by Nick Bibby except for CC6 by John Blanche and CC7 by Jez Goodwin he of The Barbarians Range.


A majestic (and also the largest single piece metal miniature we produce) often listed alongside the Creatures of Chaos figures is the D6 Dragon Lizard Juggernaut by Nick Bibby.  A real centre piece for an army it is 110mm long.  

A source of real price for Alternative Armies was the restoration of NB2 Dragon which was issued initially as a 200 only limited run of boxed metal models (over half a kilo of metal).  We have a couple of these limited kits on site.  This famous Dragon is now a resin kit at a much lower price and an easier build...plus a lot, lot lighter.  

Thanks for Reading,

GBS (Gavin Syme)

Tuesday 21 November 2023

Dismounted Elf Lancers released for Flintloque

Final new releases for Flintloque and Slaughterloo for the year are here. Adding to the Elves of Armorica and their battles in the Witchlands or elsewhere we have a much requested code and a remastered one too. If you use lancers in your games or wish to expand your sections with them without a horse then these are for you. Get into Flintloque with 5024 Escape the Dark Czar beginners set with ten resin miniatures and core rules and scenarios. 
 

Four new miniatures giving you command on foot for Lanciers Rouge or other mounted Elf troops and an older miniature in new molds of a trooper armed with a musket. These slot right into General Saindoux survivors retreating from Moskova fighting the Undead of the Dark Czar. 
 

51054 Dismounted Elf Lancer Command: Four 28mm scale metal miniatures as a pack or singles supplied with free resin cartouche bases. 
 

51043A Dismounted Elf Lancer: A pack of four identical (or choose a single) 28mm scale metal miniatures with free resin cartouche bases. 
 

 
The classic 5002 Deadloque Set has been remastered and restored to the website with, for the first time ever, single pose choice option. Characters for your sections and units. These and the new Elves go well with 55508 Zombie Line
 
 
A solo play Flintloque scenario is in the works for late this annum and will be free on our blog (news when it happens) to download. Featuring the new dismounted lancers as well as Legion de Nain Dwarves ‘foraging’ for bread and other food who are discovered by a much stronger force of the 18th Foot Al-Garvey Goblins
 
Thanks for Reading, 
 
GBS

Monday 20 November 2023

New 28mm Terrain the Al Garvey Goblin House

A new addition to the our large and growing array of scenics this time with a World of Valon release the Al-Garvey Goblin House.  If you have seen the Cryptmass House in the Christmas Range of 28mm and 15mm miniatures it will be familiar as it is the same building but forgoing the snow and festive items.  A great addition to your table for Flintloque and Slaughterloo.

59546 Al-Garvey Goblin House: Easy to assemble from five pieces of resin this little house is 100mm tall including the chimney and is right at home in Al-Garvey and Catalucia.  You can see Goblins of the 18th Foot defending it from the Ferach hordes!

This new release goes very well with our 59541 Bread Oven and the 59542 Wayside Shrine on your table.

The Cryptmass House is great fun as are the Snowmen and Festive Pucci among other things if you want to expand your miniature fun.  In 28mm and 15mm scales and there is an HOTT 2nd Edition Army too.

We have smaller scenics in among the Abandoned Beer Wagon and Barricades such as the Hand Cart with Load which is very useful.

This range of terrain works for Flintloque and Slaughterloo as well as any Horse and Musket game system and many fantasy ones too.

Thanks for Reading,

GBS (Gavin Syme)

Friday 17 November 2023

Flower of Evil II any scale model free in all orders until 8th Jan 2024

Welcome to the new free in any shipped order period!  We say goodbye to the free AS023 Info Bot which has now joined the regular website for sale in the Alternate Stars range and say hello to the most requested new free code of the year.  A sequel to EH01 Flower of Evil we present EH08 Flower of Evil II.  An any scale miniature.

We like to keep the fun in tabletop gaming and to this end as our customers will know and eagerly await we give something away free in packages. No limit on the number of orders, no minimum size of order. No catch at all except that your order must be for a physical item (no Digital Download only orders sorry).  Until 8th January 2024 the Flower of Evil II will be included automatically.

EH08 Flower of Evil II.  A one piece resin miniature which is 47mm in total height.

What can you do with a Flower of Evil?  A lot it seems from space opera sci-fi to post apocalyptic as well as eldritch horror and fantasy too in scales from 28mm to 15mm to 6mm.  Here are some examples of the Flower to give ideas.

A Fomorian from Erin Celtic Myth shows you can have such a curse from the gods on your mythic Irish table.  High Fantasy Dwarves are well suited to hunt such creatures as this plant in their mines.

Not all of Valon is civilised like Armorica where the Elves rule but a pistol will work all the same upon a Magike Plant if one is found...

There is much alien life in the Prydian Precinct and not all of it is the Shia Khan Empire's troops.  Grima Combat Robots in 28mm scale and 15mm scale will shoot on sight of killer plants.

Worlds of Fantasy have Monsters a plenty and marching armies of High Elves can face magic creations barring their paths too.

Perhaps the Flower was a creation of the Grey Aliens or it has been discovering on an alien world by this scout car from Bradley Miniatures 15mm range.

Summoned from beyond by an Inquisitor from the TOR Range (warning Adult Theme Miniatures) as an Eldritch curse or a giant towering plant in your 6mm collection.

We hope you like this most asked for new free miniature and have a good weekend.

Thanks for Reading,

GBS (Gavin Syme)

Wednesday 15 November 2023

New Guild Hunters, Kappa and School Boys for Sengoku 15mm Japanese Fantasy

Sculpted by John Bell the mighty Sengoku 15mm Japanese Fantasy range is the largest of its kind in the whole world and now has two hundred and twenty poses of miniatures.  All as singles plus packs and value sets plus scenics and two books in the Monster Hunter game written by Steve Danes.

New releases now in the range a total of nine new metal miniatures giving you Swimming Kappa, School Boys and a second group of Guild Hunters.

Swimming Kappa.  A pack of twelve mixed of three poses is SGFP60 and you can get them singly as codes SGF212, SGF213 and SGF214.  These go alongside a much earlier release which is SGFP05 Kappa which is part of SGFP1 Sengoku Set One the most popular starting place for Monster Hunter players.

Japanese School Boys.  A pack of twelve mixed of three poses is SGFP61 and they are singles as SGF215, SGF216 and SGF217.  These are the counter point to an older release SGFP06 Japanese School Girls.  For those who wish to get sword play and such in anime style settings.

Guild Hunters II.  SGFP62 is a pack of three poses.  Character monster hunters as singles too SGF218, SGF219 and SGF220.  Following on a popular code SGFP33 Guild Hunters these are your heroes in the Monster Hunter game.

While every Sengoku miniature is a single pose the best way to collect the insane variety of Yokai and Humans in the range is by the Sengoku Sets which all have a saving and feature no doubles of poses. There are currently ten different sets.

If you wish to try your hand at being a Guild Hunter then check out Sengoku Monster Hunter and its sequel Rampage as print and cheaper instant digital books.  Solo play and much more.  You need only a handful of miniatures to get going and no two adventures are ever the same. We recommend you begin by reading the books and then choosing your figures.  Or get SGFP01 Sengoku Set One and one of the Guild Hunter miniatures to start.

Thanks for Reading,

GBS (Gavin Syme)