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.

Thursday 25 July 2024

Halcyon Miniatures releases set three the Nobles and Servants

The boutique miniature range which came to Alternative Armies now makes its third round of releases! Halcyon Miniatures are manufactured by us in agreement with its Nottingham based sculptor. This round joins the first and second in 28mm scale metal science fiction for a total of twenty one poses.

On your knees serf your betters are here!  Noble Lords as well as their Servants plus a Merchant. HAL017 to HAL021. Useful in any game system. 


All miniatures in this range are ‘tabbed’ meaning they use a slot base. Extra value is given by us in that we supply a resin circular slot base free with every figure purchased from Halcyon. Above is HAL018 Baron Wreed and all are on 59034 Wide Slot Base.  Base is included automatically.

Also now released is HAL016 Assault Infantry Shields an accessories pack of ten mixed shields or choose single ones on the page.  These fit on to Assault Infantry and others in the range released and to come in the future.  We have many other Battlefield Bits and Accessories you can look through too.

Every miniature in the Halcyon Range comes as a single with its free base but there are also three set packs which contain each round of miniatures with a built in saving.

Those who field 28mm Science Fiction miniatures on their tables may find interest in our Alternate Stars Range which has nearly thirty poses of troopers, aliens, robots, mercs, weapons pack and Warbots.  Above is a Storm Trooper (HAL007) on patrol with WarBot II (AS028).

We like to give our customers a treat so there is always something free in every package shipped out by us here in Scotland.  Until August 5th it is part two of our Devilish Imps; four any scale miniatures.  Read about this in the ARTICLE.  Totally free in orders included automatically.

Thank you for Reading!

Wednesday 24 July 2024

Minisocles 15mm Scifi HOF miniatures review video

Delighted to present to you all a fine and in depth video on Youtube by the talented miniature enthusiast and excellent figure painter Dimitri Dim69 “Minisocles” Peyrard.  

The miniatures featured in the video are all made by Alernative Armies in 15mm scale.  The miniatures were provided to Minisocles by us and we have had no involvement in the making of or opinions in the video.  Click to view the video below which is in his native French (we used translate on the app).

You can visit Minisocles on Facebook to his page where he has many other videos and images of his work.

The miniatures featured in the video are all from the expansive HOF 15mm Science Fiction Range and are the Grey Aliens and the Hazmat Team (see above in a lovely wee vignette HOF123, HOF124) as well as the Star Mercs our latest new faction in the range.  All packs in the range can be had a single poses within the pack if you click on the code you like.


We like to give our customers a treat so there is always something free in every package shipped out by us here in Scotland.  Until August 5th it is part two of our Devilish Imps; four any scale miniatures.  Read about this in the ARTICLE.  Totally free in orders included automatically.

Thank you for Reading!

Tuesday 23 July 2024

Platform Propulsion units released 28mm Ion Age range

“The platform itself is static on four titanium alloy struts with an integral titanium gun shield. It can be equipped with two kinds of propulsion.  Used by the Muster is the type 38 quad tracked Espaten Motive System which can keep pace with most infantry and used by the Retained is the MkXI Repuslar Motive System which holds the portable weapon just above ground level in a steady hover. Espaten Portable Weapons have gone from a relic of a bygone age to a core part of campaigning all across the Prydian Precinct.  They have earned their nicknames 'the spitters of death' on dozens of worlds.” Academy Auto-Trainer Series 07, New Glastonbury, 4325IC

Following up on last month when we released the classic Moth 88 Long Barrelled Cannon and Muster gun team along with brand new Retained and Planetary Militia gun teams we now give you the power of movement! Over 250 poses in the 28mm scale Ion Age range are joined by a tracked and a ‘repulsar’ anti-gravity propulsion unit which will carry your Portable Weapons on the battlefield.  All of the new releases are towards a new edition of MOTH the skirmish game rules but more on that nearer the time. Across this year we will expand the portable weapon itself and also restore and expand the Shia Khan ones too. 

IB77 Espaten Tracked Propulsion Unit: A resin model with four tractor tread units and a central area which fits any Espaten portable weapon. Features a small linkage panel to any control unit equipped gun team.  One piece with a length of 60mm and width of 30mm.

IB78 Espaten Anti-Gravity Propulsion Unit: A resin model repulsar type floating disc with a central area which fits any Espaten portable weapon. Features a small linkage panel to any control unit equipped gun team. One piece with a length of 50mm and width of 40mm.  Supplied with the lifter base included!

If you missed the news last time read the full ARTICLE or filter the range to PORTABLE WEAPON to see all those codes. Every miniature in the range is a single to be had and all fit into value packs which offer a saving off single prices.


The 28mm Ion Age Range and the 15mm Ion Age Range are both massive so we have a ‘Filter by’ option on the website where you can refine what you are seeing to certain things such as Portable Weapons.  The new 28mm propulsion units are scaled up from the 15mm ones.

For those wanting serious numbers with an excellent saving of two miniatures included free then check out the PLATOON PACKS which we have for Retained Knights, Muster, Grima Combat Robots, Legionaries, Betrayers and Malig Goblins.

We like to give our customers a treat so there is always something free in every package shipped out by us here in Scotland.  Until August 5th it is part two of our Devilish Imps; four any scale miniatures.  Read about this in the ARTICLE.  Totally free in orders included automatically.

Thank you for Reading!

Thursday 18 July 2024

VLE17 Major Caden Penmervorc very limited edition Flintloque release

“An amiable fellow and a fine officer Caden Penmervorc has served in many regiments since he left his native Cornwulle. Gradually raising in rank he once served as cook to General Wheeling-Turn while stationed on the Isle of Wights. As a result he makes excellent pasties and is rather a good shot with a pistol. Currently attached to the 2nd Heavy Dragoons in Catalucia.”

We are delighted to present the seventeenth very limited edition code for Flintloque and Slaughterloo. Very Limited means the code has 250 numbered packs produced and supplied numbered before the mold is destroyed and it is gone forever. It joins our range of Limited Editions which covers the standard 1000 pack limited, the very limited at 250 and the limited edition units at 100 sets only.  Above Major Penmervorc is in the high plains of Catalucia standing watch over a Handcart loaded with provisions for his lads.

Rules for the use of this character in Flintloque and Slaughterloo are on the website page for VLE17.  Try him out on the table!

VLE17 Major Caden Penmervorc: This code contains three miniatures in 28mm scale. The same character on foot and mounted (metal) on a horse (resin).  Comes with two separate hands (pistol and sword) and is supplied with resin cartouche bases. Sculpted by Nikki Chatwin.  Supplied in a pack with its unique number for collectors.  Shown on page with 5024 Escape the Dark Czar leader of the Ferach forces General Saindoux.

Add to your Greate Britorcn forces the untied kingdom of Orcs, Ratmen, Hob Goblins and Bog Orcs with their Ogre allies. The 2nd Heavy Dragoons have mounted riders and foot infantry among their codes which you can see on this refined search for DRAGOONS.  Dragoons are excellent for Flintloque for skirmishing as scouts and rescue scenarios.

In the service of the Dark Czar death is a certainty for all.  In fact most are dead before coming into his service by courtesy of the Graviski Re-animator crew.  Zombies rot away and become skeletons before crumbling to snow pattered dust.  The loss of a head is the end in all cases...but not quite.  Something of an oddity even among the Undead is Nikita Hedloski who has lost his noggin but keeps on going.  Attached to the 9th Corpseov Fusiliers he aids in command.  VLE16 Nikita Hedloski Zombie NCO.

We like to give our customers a treat so there is always something free in every package shipped out by us here in Scotland.  Until August 5th it is part two of our Devilish Imps; four any scale miniatures.  Read about this in the ARTICLE.  Totally free in orders included automatically.

Thank you for reading and for supporting the deepest longest and largest range of black powder fantasy miniatures in the world.

Tuesday 16 July 2024

Sharkes Victory 1997 set remastered released and Flintloque news

Captain Sharke of the 105th Rifles is dead!  Or is he?  Believed murdered by the infamous Half-Elf Daniel La Roo the dashing raised from the ranks soldier is in fact still alive.  He is in hiding while secretly trying to foil a Ferach plot to assassinate the Iron Duke himself.  While Sergeant Harpy and the Rifleorcs mourn they are unaware of the danger posed to Wheeling-Turn.  Will Sharke save the day?

Originally released 1997 5004 Sharkes Victory was the first scenario set for Flintloque.  It contained a booklet of scenarios and special rules along with sixteen metal miniatures.  We have now remastered those miniatures and for the first time you can purchase the set with a saving or choose any single pose from it.


Lettered A to O we have Captain Sharke, Wheeling-Turn the Iron Duke, Sergeant Harpy, Augustus O’Toole, Colonel La Roo, Major D’Kless as well as foot and mounted Elves and Rifleorcs.  Useful characters for many other adventures as each comes with a resin base.

The original 1997 booklet for 5004 Sharkes Victory has been retired as it’s mechanics do not fit with Flintloque 3rd edition. Fear not.  In the works an overhauled and expanded booklet which will include all that was in the original by Marc Bacon with Mac Coxhead and more. The three scenarios updated to 3rd edition; new special rules and fiction too.  It will feature artwork by Edward Jackson (such as the above) and be published as a free to download booklet.

51024 4er Voltiguers: This remastered pack contains four different 28mm scale metal Elf light infantry armed with muskets.  These miniatures feature in 5004 Sharkes Victory and can be part of your Ferach sections too.  Choose from the pack or single poses within it.

54027 105th Rifle Skirmish: This remastered pack contains three different 28mm scale metal Orcs of the famous rifle regiment.  These miniatures feature in 5004 Sharkes Victory and can be part of your Greate Britorcn sections too.  Choose from the pack or single poses within it.

We like to give our customers a treat so there is always something free in every package shipped out by us here in Scotland.  Until August 5th it is part two of our Devilish Imps; four any scale miniatures.  Read about this in the ARTICLE.  Totally free in orders included automatically.

Thank you for reading and for supporting the largest range of black powder fantasy miniatures in the world.

Thursday 11 July 2024

Halflings Gnomes and Cleric Pt3 restoring Asgard 1980s Dungeon Adventurers

The third part of restoring the Dungeon Adventurers Range is here. Following on the Dwarfs and Elves we now have the Halflings, Gnomes and Human Cleric. Mainly sculpted by Nick Bibby for Asgard in the early 1980’s these metal 28mm scale miniatures are once more back in the world as singles. All examples painted by the talented Studio Maxi. These are the last of the DA range for now as we will switch back to Fantasy Monsters (FM) and Orcs (OR) for the rest of the season. 
 
 
This very large range has some ninety poses in it and we shall restore as much as we can over time. We are now up to thirty one codes including the Weapon Sprue. Here are the ‘new’ codes: 
 
DA22 Halfling Warrior 
DA23 Halfling Slinger 
DA24 Halfling Archer 
DA27 Halfling Adventurer 
DA28 Halfling Adventuress 
(Halflings are about 18mm in height and shown on 25mm square bases) 
 

DA31 Human Cleric 
DA25 Gnome 
DA26 Gnome Illusionist 
(The Cleric is 30mm tall and Gnomes are about 18mm tall; all shown on 25mm square bases) 
 
 
 
If you are keen on smaller characters for your games then have a gander at CA2 Halfling Walking Party a pack or singles of six different male and female miniatures including a magician. 
 
 
The Battle Crow! From the collection of professional painter Studio Maxi Costales here is his take on Babd Catha one of the Morrigan. Taken from the 28mm Erin Celtic Myth range. CM24-02 sculpted by Steve Trickett in the early 1990’s. 
 
 
We like to give our customers a treat so there is always something free in every package shipped out by us here in Scotland. Until August 5th it is part two of our Devilish Imps; four any scale miniatures. Read about this in the ARTICLE. Totally free in orders included automatically. 
 
Thank you for reading and for your continued support is keeping the golden age of British Wargaming alive and the metal flowing as it should.

Monday 8 July 2024

Second burning month of three with four further Devilish Imps free

The summer continues to burn hella bright (well unless you are in Scotland where the rain never ceases..very Erin and Fomorian!) and we have now entered month two of three for free Devilish Imps in orders. This second month of our first multiple month free giveaway sees four further poses following upon the first four which are now on the website as normal codes
 
Visit the BLOG if you wish to see last month. From now until the start of September 2024 the new any scale Devilish Imps will be included for free in packages (Four last time, Four this time, Two last time) gradually giving all ten poses across three months. Place an order each month to have all ten free.
 
 
These four Imps are free in your order automatically no need to add to cart. As long as your order requires shipping they will be in it. As many orders as you wish. You may also purchase additional castings of these poses on the website if you desire as singles. From 8th July to 5th August the free codes are VNT53-05 and VNT53-06 and VNT53-07 and VNT53-08. No Digital Download only orders for freebies sorry. If you wish to see what was previously given check out the Former Free Codes Collected where each of them is shown and has a discount too. 
 
 
Here you see what is currently free and what is still to come blanked out for Month 3. 
 

Devilish Imps are the smallest of the denizens of a hellscape and they delight in torturing any mortals who fall into their clutches. Summoned by powerful mages and other darker forces they will do the bidding of the powerful. Armed with Spears, Pitchforks and Burning Braziers as well as their bare hands. 

Here are the 20mm tall Imps next to 28mm scale Knights and Footsoldiers and 15mm scale Tabletop Miniatures Dungeon Adventurers. Imps are useful in loads of settings and scales. 
 
 
"When you sign up with a party all you see are riches and glory in store; Sadly not for all. For some the adventure ends in a tunnel or cavern injured with something nasty gnawing at your leg." Our Stricken Adventurer is 50% off
 

All the News of July

 

Restored!  Halflings, Gnomes and Cleric Pt3 Dungeon Adventurers 1980’s Range by Asgard. Back in the World. Click for details plus Halfling Walking Party.  Painted by Studio Maxi and some sculpts by Nick Bibby too.


5004 Sharkes Victory (1997) set has been remastered; released with all sixteen miniatures being had as singles now.  Sharke, Harpy, Wheeling-Turn, Daniel La Roo and the rest.  Read ARTICLE for details!


New very limited edition. A fun character for your Orc forces in Flintloque and Slaughterloo sculpted by Nikki Chatwin.  See the article for this news plus more and rules for use in game.


New 28mm Ion Age releases! Propulsion systems for Portable Weapon Platforms.  Following up on the new Retained and Planetary Militia gun teams.  Huge range and choice in over 250 poses.  See the article for details.  Thanks!


New 15mm sci-fi review video from talented French painter and enthusiast Dimitri “Minisocles” Peyrard.  Features our HOF Range with Grey Aliens, Hazmat Team and the Star Mercs.  Click through for the video on our BLOG



On your knees serf for your betters are here!  The third round of releases by Nottingham based Halcyon Miniatures adds five more 28mm miniatures with free slot bases to the expanding range.  Also an accessories pack of Shields.  This unique range suits any game system and as well as single poses there are saver value sets as well. Visit the WEBSITE or read the ARTICLE in full.