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.

Wednesday 30 July 2014

August 2014 Offers at Alternative Armies!

52616 Uhlans Von Krautia now on Resin Pigs!
Thanks to everyone who sent in kind words and praised us on the transfer of all our white metal riding pigs for Flintloque and Slaughterloo into resin. Earlier this week we announced that every order placed with us would get one of these grey tone piggies for free in their package as a wee gift. Well on top of that we have an offer this week instead of a release. Players of Flintloque and Slaughterloo have been asking if we were going to do something on the codes affected by the change so we will do!

For one week from today we are taking 15% off the prices (Unpainted and Painted) of the following pig riding codes (packs, units and singles):


52506 Krautian Dwarf Command
Six Miniatures (Officer Aggressive, Officer Cowardly, Officer Dastardly, Officer Heroic, Mounted Colonel, Mounted General).  HERE.



52516 Uhlans Von Krautia
Five Miniatures (Officer, Standard Bearer, Musician, Trooper 1, Trooper 1) with Pummilig Pigs. HERE. (Picture above).

So that will be white metal riders and resin mounts and a freebie too.

Lastly we have updated for August 2014 our Deals and Offers page. The final sets of LEU02 1st Moldsk Guard have sold out and only a couple of LEU03 Princess Julianna packs remain. This month we have the following offers. BS001 Pastry Pies are half price meaning you have add baked goods to your 28mm Flintloque or Fantasy miniatures. From the classic Asgard space marine range SM9 Large Battle Droid is half price and we would like to thank everyone who took up the last offer on the Space Captain. Artillery for Flintloque and Grapeshotte now on offer is the 59516 Rocket Platform at 15% off so that you can whizz pop your foes. 

Personalties we have an offer of 15% off on 56017 Finkestein Ogre Officer. The Erin 2nd Edition starter boxed set is 10% off its already great price which includes the rule book, dice and miniatures and this applies to painted and based as well as unpainted options. Lastly we have an offer on the first pack re-released under Project Darkhelm so that is 15% off the pack of five DH1 Young Dwarves.

Thanks for Reading.

GBS

Monday 28 July 2014

Brand New Resin Flintloque Pig free in all orders!


Those who are in regular contact with us will know that we have had our resin production department in operation for more than six months now.  That means its now Alternative Armies turn to begin putting out resin products in earnest.

From today the 28th of July 2014 Alternative Armies has begun the production casting of the first resin models in the World of Valon.  That is the Flintloque and Slaughterloo ranges.  This means that we are no longer a totally high quality white metal casting company and while we have only begun the journey compared to our little brother The Ion Age we are intent upon it. It is our intention to re-master into high grade resin our largest soldiers and biggest cavalry mounts to keep them affordable in this world of rising costs.  We will report more on this as it progresses of course. But enough of that and on to the announcement!

The Uhlans Von Krautia riding pig as it was originally known was created in the middle of the 1990's and is a firm favourite with Dwarf players of Flintloque and Slaughterloo.  I gave it an official name during the development of Flintloque 3rd edition in 2007 and it stuck with a sense of humour. 

From today until further notice we will be placing one free 28mm scale fantasy 'pummilig pig' into every order going out of our doors.  We like giving things away and this riding pig works with any smaller rider such as a Dwarf.  It will let you see what we are up to and its a nice example and gift too.  As I said until further notice since this freebie will change.  You need do nothing the pig will be included automatically.

Thanks for Reading.

GBS

Dampf's modelling page: Finklestein Dwarf project complete!

Finklestein Dwarves
Congratulations to Tony Harwood on completing his July 2014 online build for his personal Flintloque collection.  I have been watching this online build since it kicked off at the start of the month.  Tony kept us all up to date on the Notables Yahoo Group of his progress and unveiled a surprise too right at the end of the process.  He created the section with his own ideas which is right at the heart of the Flintloque ethos. Their uniform...his old school blazer!

The little red 'surprise'
Tony is a big fan of the Dwarves of Flintloque and has his own Sauerkraut Wars setting as well. 

Getting started early July 2014
You can read all about the process across its four parts.  Beginning with Part One then Part Two moving on to Part Three and finally Part Four.

Excellent work!

GBS

Wednesday 23 July 2014

DH5 Dwarf Polearms at Alternative Armies - Project Darkhelm

“Good to have by your side in a scrabble these lads are. They ain't important, they ain't that pretty to look at and they ain't the best dressed but they do know how to lunge and recover. Once the Dwarves get into a mass and made the slow advance it will take more than some puny Elves or slobbering Orcs to make them stop know what I mean! In the chambers of the under halls it pays to have Dwarves with you that can poke into the nooks and crannies. After all we all know what happened when the Fear Mountains tried to wrestle the keep from Argle Longbeard of Krim. They were scouring the walls for weeks afterwards.”

This code contains five different 25mm/28mm white metal miniatures approx 24mm average height. Great quality, great choice and great value too.  Go HERE.
Poses in this code are as follows:

DH5-01: Dwarf with Polearm in leather jerkin.
DH5-02: Dwarf with hood wielding stone headed Hammer.
DH5-03: Dwarf running in leather jerkin with Polearm.
DH5-04: Dwarf roaring a challenge in fur cloak with Spear.
DH5-05: Dwarf in full armour and helm with shield and long handled Axe.


These miniatures are not supplied with bases and are supplied unpainted. Select your choice from the drop down product menu. Choose from a pack, three packs with a 10% saving applied and single miniatures. Total choice! Assembly is required with some white metal miniatures.

The Alternative Armies classic high fantasy range dates from the period of the early 1990's through to the end of that decade. Designed by leading names in the wargaming industry and highly successful in its day this range has been on hiatus. Alternative Armies, under the name 'Project Darkhelm' is dedicated to re-mastering, re-molding and re-releasing this entire range back onto the market. We will be doing this work at a measured pace and a weekly rate maintaining high quality and excellent pricing. During and beyond this process Project Darkhelm will see the range continue to be expanded in the mediums of white metal and high grade resin using top industry designers in new releases. Every pose in each pack is unique with no duplicates making them perfect for skirmish wargaming, roleplaying and unit building for any battle system.

Thanks for Reading.

GBS

Tuesday 22 July 2014

Slaughterloo Battle Report from Two Sides!

The view from the Ferach Empire table edge
Over the past couple of months I have been watching two wargamers that have been getting into Slaughterloo with great interest.  This interest came not only out of my normal huzzah's for all players of our games but also because I could actually watch each army be purchased, painted and raised ready for last weekend.  The result are two superb blog posts each with a different point of view on a Slaughterloo After Action Report (AAR).

The view from the Grand Alliance table edge at the same moment!
These are two really high quality blog posts one from Brummy Lad's World of Painting and the other from The Conflict Cornucopia.  Both with very interesting text looking at game mechanics and play progression and also a very large number of photographs.  We all love photos of painted miniatures and these look very nice as they cross the wargaming table turn by turn.  I have include a couple of shots without favouritism!

Grand Alliance troops mid game
Ferach Empire Todoroni cannon fire mid game
Here are the links to both blog posts.  You can read them either way around and be sure if you like them to leave a comment:



Its great to see Slaughterloo games online and reported in this fashion.

Thanks for Reading.

GBS

Monday 21 July 2014

Small Cuts Comics and Special Offer on a Lady


Sometimes not all Flintloque material you find on the internet is quite what you would expect and sometimes it just makes you smile.  Some of the nicest people I have ever met in this industry have been fans of Flintloque and their minds come up with excellent ideas and treats for us all.  I wanted to share something with you all that came to my attention during the migration of Alternative Armies to its new website a few weeks ago (is that all, seems a lot longer to me!).  Small Cuts action comics.  Three comics online depicting the playing out of scenarios from Lady Wintermore's Fangs scenarios box set.  Created by Mikko Kurki-Suonio it gets a thumbs up from me.

Click on this link and scroll down, then on each of the Flintloque comic titles in turn and enjoy!


We have a special offer for you as well.  I was so impressed with Small Cut's take on 5005 Lady Wintermore's Fangs that we have taken 10% off the price of the boxed set on the website.  So if you don't have this sixteen miniature set with scenario booklet in your collection perhaps this week is the time to remedy that..before Lamia Wintermore decides to snack on your neck.


What is even more excellent is that you can visit Orcs in the Webbe where there is a mass of Flintloque material for free including the booklet from Lady Wintermore's Fangs as a PDF and what's more its totally updated to 3rd edition rules!  Have a look.

Thanks for Reading.

GBS

Wednesday 16 July 2014

TOR1 The Whipping Beam at Alternative Armies


This week we have the first re-release, under Project Darkhelm, of a classic display set in 25mm scale. From the Guild Room range of quality white metal dungeon and wargame scenics we present to you...The Whipping Beam.  Please note that due to the nude aspect of this release the censored version has been used on all public forums.  Go HERE.

This is a classic set originally seen in the early 1980's from Tabletop Miniatures and though its taken us a while to get it back to the market we are pretty pleased with the results.  Its a set with a variety of uses in scenarios or just for collecting as there are many more to come from us when they are back in production.  Its rather complex to put together so we have made up a new IKEA style diagram (good eh!) for assembly guidance.


TOR1 Whipping Beam
This diorama set is composed of seven white metal 25mm scale parts.  These are the pillar, the pillar base, the restraining rope, the hook mount, the hand restraints the Captive Nude Woman and the Whipmaster. These miniatures are not supplied with bases and are supplied unpainted. Select your choice from the drop down product menu on our website.  Choose from a pack or three packs with a 10% saving applied.   You can also choose to purchase only the Whipmaster or the Captive Nude Woman on their own too.  Pack price is 7.00GBP.  Go HERE.

If you run a classic miniatures web page or site then feel free to use our images on your site for this code. We would ask that you let us know and link back to here for your visitors.

Thanks for Reading.

GBS

Monday 14 July 2014

Ferach Elf Line Dragoons a Modular Concept for Flintloque


“Captain Sharke looked grim.  The scars on his face were livid in the cold of the Catalucian mountains and there was a fleeting inch of snow on the barren ground around him.  With an eye long used to war Sharke was watching distant horses down in the sheltered valley while he and a half dozen Rifleorcs were up the hill side where they could not be followed.  Damn Dragoons, damn ruddy Elves. Why was it always these pointy eared prancing Ferach that made his life hell.  Everywhere in Catalucia the threat of roving patrols of Dragoons kept the Army of Albion on its toes.  While the distant port city of Kooruna was the goal of the marching army he was headed away from them on his own mission.  Well he would be if he could just get shed of these damn Dragoons.  Sharke told the rest of the Orcs to get to their feet and they grumbled and grunted in cold limbed discomfort.  It was warmer in the valley, the wind did not cut as deep into sodden uniforms.  But on the ridges and hill tops they remained; for a sabre from horseback could and would cut all the deeper.”

Ever since the start of the germ of the idea that would become the huge range that is now Flintloque was first shown to me many years ago (1996) something has stuck in my mind.  Those who have had the fortune to play Flintloque or Slaughterloo with me in person will know that I am a big fan of the Ferach Empire of the Armorican Elves.  That is the nation that I like to play on the wargame table.  Yes, I choose the Elf Voltiguers in the original box set not the Orc Rifles!

So, what was my idea.  Well, during the writing period of 5025 War in Catalucia it occurred to me that although the miniature range had a large variety of Elves and a set of excellent elite cavalry in the form of the Corps Imperial des Dragons the Armoricans did not have Line Dragoons.  That is the typical cavalry version of the typical infantry found in 51504 Elf Line Infantry; something for all seasons and reasons.  Ferach Elf Line Dragoons were something that had a good fit to the Catalucian campaign and indeed beyond.  I asked around and players agreed that this would be a set of miniatures ideally suited to battlefield and skirmishing alike. With that agreement the long process was begun in the winter to bring Ferach Elf Line Dragoons to the wargaming table.

Alternative Armies prefers to produce miniatures in white metal that are single piece with an integral base meaning little in the way of assembly but with a potential for conversions and personalisation.  This time I wanted to try something a little different with the Dragoons.  I wanted more variety in horses and in riders too.  Not a plan for the whole range, oh no, but tried out here.  After a lot of concept sketching and looking at uniforms and horses we came up with a modular system in white metal that I hope will really appeal.

The next blog post about the Ferach Line Dragoons will show and tell you a lot more but for the moment I will say that the modular concept reached a state of master molding at the start of this month.  It has worked better than I had hoped and it means the ability to assemble a horse in a variety of poses and riders in such a variety of posing that a whole unit will never look the exact same twice.  These will be fitting foes for fleeing infantry Valon wide and in every Elf army.

If anyone has questions please do ask them or email me with them and I will do my best to answer.  I know its been slow for Flintloque in the last year but that is changing and it will be shown here.  This post is the start and there is a lot more to come.  Something about a sea port city and trying to get there next...

Thanks for Reading.

GBS

Thursday 10 July 2014

DH3 Fnorr the Big'Un at Alternative Armies - Project Darkhelm


“Let me tell you a story and you have to promise me that you won't tell another soul.  Promise?  Good.  Well there was this Dwarf by the name of Bergsteiger who staggered out a tavern full of ale, you know the way, then he vanishes and is not seen until mustering the next morning.  We asked him what he had been up to but he just said that he had scaled the heights.  I put it down to the drink and left it at that and once the campaign was over and the war done we went back to the hold.  Years passed and we battled Orcs, Elves, Men and others and Bergsteiger rose in the ranks.  Seemed he would rule the hold but then there was a thunderous knocking at the doors.  Not an assault mind you but a visitor.  I didn't answer but I heard what came next.  Outside a giantess who in a single movement pushed the biggest youngling I have ever seen into our midst.  She said but one thing before she stomped off.  Tell Bergsteiger that the tree says the acorn is his charge now.  Well I am no one to tell stories but after that day well we all had a new respect for Bergsteiger, a huge asset in war, and the climbing skills of Dwarves!”

This code contains one 25mm/28mm resin miniature.  Great quality and great value too.  Go HERE.
Poses in this code are as follows (approx 50mm tall):

DH3-01: A demi-giant offspring with a big club wearing a helmet and the features of both Giants and Dwarves.

These miniatures are not supplied with bases and are supplied unpainted. Select your choice from the drop down product menu.  Choose from a pack, three packs with a 10% saving applied. 

Scale Shot with Dwarf (24mm tall)
Originally released as a white metal miniature the choice was made for DH3 Fnorr the Big'Un at the time of re-mastering and re-molding to change this demi giant across to high quality resin instead.  The results are impressive and we hope that you like Fnorr in this new fashion at a much reduced weight.  This miniature makes a great monster or character in your Dwarfish Host.


The Alternative Armies classic high fantasy range dates from the period of the early 1990's through to the end of that decade.  Designed by leading names in the wargaming industry and highly successful in its day this range has been on hiatus.  Alternative Armies, under the name 'Project Darkhelm' is dedicated to re-mastering, re-molding and re-releasing this entire range back onto the market.  We will be doing this work at a measured pace and a weekly rate maintaining high quality and excellent pricing. During and beyond this process Project Darkhelm will see the range continue to be expanded in the mediums of white metal and high grade resin using top industry designers in new releases.  Every pose in each pack is unique with no duplicates making them perfect for skirmish wargaming, roleplaying and unit building for any battle system. 

Thanks for Reading.

GBS

DH2 Halflings of the Gnomish Legion at Alternative Armies - Project Darkhelm


“Hard fighters in the Gmomish Legions and brutal too.  Gnomes are smaller but Halflings are tougher and those that march with the army shed the fat that girdles them when they sit in the sun of their little hovels above ground.  Yes, above ground.  Odd isn't it.  No self respecting Dwarf would ever live atop the hill rather than within it.  But each to their own I suppose.  The minions of the King of the Grave Mound felt their mettle on the left of our host.  Their iron and ours combined carried the field and left bones at peace once more in the mud.”

This code contains four different 25mm/28mm white metal miniatures.  Great quality, great choice and great value too.  Go HERE.

Poses in this code are as follows (approx 21mm tall):

DH2-05: Halfing in Armour with Hammer and Shield.
DH2-06: Halfling in Armour with Two Handed Axe.
DH2-07: Halfling in Armour with Sword and Shield.
DH2-08: Halfling with Spear.

These miniatures are not supplied with bases and are supplied unpainted. Select your choice from the drop down product menu.  Choose from a pack, three packs with a 10% saving applied and single miniatures.  Total choice!  Assembly is required with some white metal miniatures.

The Alternative Armies classic high fantasy range dates from the period of the early 1990's through to the end of that decade.  Designed by leading names in the wargaming industry and highly successful in its day this range has been on hiatus.  Alternative Armies, under the name 'Project Darkhelm' is dedicated to re-mastering, re-molding and re-releasing this entire range back onto the market.  We will be doing this work at a measured pace and a weekly rate maintaining high quality and excellent pricing. During and beyond this process Project Darkhelm will see the range continue to be expanded in the mediums of white metal and high grade resin using top industry designers in new releases.  Every pose in each pack is unique with no duplicates making them perfect for skirmish wargaming, roleplaying and unit building for any battle system. 

Thanks for Reading.

GBS

DH2 Gnomes of the Gnomish Legion at Alternative Armies - Project Darkhelm


“Not all warriors in this blood soaked world are massive and brutish.  Some are slight.  Some are so small you might discount them as a threat but that would be an error.  An error that might cost you the fine and intact finish of your skin.  In the wars against the King of the Grave Mound the Dwarves used legions of Gnomish origins both Gnome and Halfings.  They fought tooth and nail and though your sword can kill them as easily as any other foe of flesh they were often the survivors of the battle since those in frenzy did not see them!” 

This code contains four different 25mm/28mm white metal miniatures.  Great quality, great choice and great value too.  Go HERE.

Poses in this code are as follows (approx 18mm tall):

DH2-01: Gnome with Bow.
DH2-02: Gnome with Torch and Dagger.
DH2-03: Gnome with Dagger and Shield.
DH2-04: Gnome in Cloak.



These miniatures are not supplied with bases and are supplied unpainted. Select your choice from the drop down product menu.  Choose from a pack, three packs with a 10% saving applied and single miniatures.  Total choice!  Assembly is required with some white metal miniatures.

The Alternative Armies classic high fantasy range dates from the period of the early 1990's through to the end of that decade.  Designed by leading names in the wargaming industry and highly successful in its day this range has been on hiatus.  Alternative Armies, under the name 'Project Darkhelm' is dedicated to re-mastering, re-molding and re-releasing this entire range back onto the market.  We will be doing this work at a measured pace and a weekly rate maintaining high quality and excellent pricing. During and beyond this process Project Darkhelm will see the range continue to be expanded in the mediums of white metal and high grade resin using top industry designers in new releases.  Every pose in each pack is unique with no duplicates making them perfect for skirmish wargaming, roleplaying and unit building for any battle system. 

Thanks for Reading.

GBS

Wednesday 9 July 2014

Thunderballs Up - A Flintloque scenario by CJ Hooper at Orcs in the Webbe






Since Orcs in the Webbe's inception in 2004 a whole host of people have written brand new scenarios for publication on the site, they go under the banner of 'Orcs in the Webbe Originals' which you can see in the introduction of any given article. We welcome return of one of a number of Orcs in the Webbe original articles that mysteriously disappeared during an earlier regeneration of the site.

In 'Thunderballs Up!' Austin Powys - International Hobgoblin of Mystery - and the lovely Hench Beauty, Ophelia Whitebits, must evade the clutches of Ostarian legbreaker Bruno von Bruno and a nameless cast of Hench-Elves in order to escape the camp of the renegade Ferach megalomaniac Lastrom Burgundy.  Go HERE.
 
(Taken from OITW for your enjoyment!  GBS)

Friday 4 July 2014

Wreakers by Matthew Hartley - A Flintloque Scenario at Orcs in the Webbe


Orcs in the Webbe: Today on Orcs in the Webbe another of Matthew Hartley's 'Flawed Gems' returns for your gaming pleasure. In 'Wreckers' we see some Orcs of Albion, forced into desperate measures by a harsh winter, lure a ship onto the rocks in a bid to claim the cargo as their own.

A classic Flintloque scenario now on the Orcs in the Webbe portal.  A great and different scenario which is well worth a read.  I have not played this one sadly but it looks like a lot of fun.  Have a look and may the gods of Valon aid you in your dice rolls. Spread the word!

GBS

Thursday 3 July 2014

DH1 Young Dwarves now at Alternative Armies - Project Darkhelm


"When your beard is short and your axe gleaming with newly forged eagerness a young Dwarf must take to the world and seek out adventure. Yes, leave the stronghold and the swaddling of his mother's gown for the path taken towards being an elder. Might taken decades, might take a century but in the end your beard will be long and your axe notched with the clash of Elvish blade and stained from Goblin blood. Though..not all these Young Dwarfs will make it to such an age."

This code contains five different 25mm/28mm white metal miniatures.  Great quality, great choice and great value too. Go HERE. Poses in this code are as follows:

DH1-01: Young Armoured Dwarf with Hammer.
DH1-02: Young Armoured Dwarf with Butterfly Axe.
DH1-03: Young Armoured Dwarf with Short Sword and Shield.
DH1-04: Young Armoured Dwarf with Short Sword and Shield.
DH1-05: Young Armoured Dwarf with Pickaxe and Shield.

DH1 Front View
DH1 Rear View
These miniatures are not supplied with bases and are supplied unpainted. Select your choice from the drop down product menu.  Choose from a pack, three packs with a 10% saving applied and single miniatures.  Total choice!  Assembly is required with some white metal miniatures.

The Alternative Armies classic high fantasy range dates from the period of the early 1990's through to the end of that decade.  Designed by leading names in the wargaming industry and highly successful in its day this range has been on hiatus.  Alternative Armies, under the name 'Project Darkhelm' is dedicated to re-mastering, re-molding and re-releasing this entire range back onto the market.  We will be doing this work at a measured pace and a weekly rate maintaining high quality and excellent pricing. During and beyond this process Project Darkhelm will see the range continue to be expanded in the mediums of white metal and high grade resin using top industry designers in new releases.  Every pose in each pack is unique with no duplicates making them perfect for skirmish wargaming, roleplaying and unit building for any battle system.

Thanks for Reading.

GBS

Tuesday 1 July 2014

Grinning Skull Miniatures now at Alternative Armies!


Grinning Skull Miniatures is a line of figures scupted by the talented Will Grundy.  This range was originally sited over on 15mm.co.uk but with Alternative Armies new website coming online the decision was taken to place the range with us.   What is Grinning Skull and why did we move the range?


You can find Grinning Skull on its own range page at our website.   Will Grundy has an eye for the strange and he created a style all of his own.  This range brings that out.  Alongside aliens and wild animals he created a race of Mutant Pigmen called 'The Oggum'.  There are currently twenty four miniatures in the range with the majority being the Oggum.  Most miniatures are just a pound.

Oggum are packed full of hamed up character and appeal to wargamers who enjoy the fun side of the hobby.  See some examples below:

GRN02 Kize Soldier
GRN04 Oggum Pig Dog
GRN20 Oggum Light Infantry Medic
So why did we move Grinning Skull from our 15mm website to our 25mm / 28mm scale website at Alternative Armies?  We discovered that although wargamers were buying the Oggum for use in games of USEME and other 15mm systems there were many more wargamers using them in the larger scale.  Photos of games where Oggum were fighting 28mm scale sci-fi Dwarves and Humans came to us along with generous praise of getting these miniatures to market.  We bit the bullet as it were and moved the whole range.  Sure you can still put them in as big 15mm but now they are approx Dwarf sized 28mm.

The future is good for Grinning Skull with more designs coming both Oggum and not with the possibility of white metal and resin releases too.  Will Grundy has a lot of material written for a 'Hogs of War' style skirmish game so perhaps a book release will be in order too.  If you have questions then do contact us and when more information is ready we will bring it here on the blog.

Thanks for Reading.

GBS