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.

Friday 26 November 2021

Starvaulter Knights now in the 15mm Ion Age range

Our final releases of 2021 and some of the most awaited over the last month are the four packs and the platoon set of Starvaulter Knights in 15mm scale.  A total of twenty one power armoured poses which can, as with all other miniatures in the range, be had as singles within their codes.  Go HERE for the range and read on for details.

Starvaulters are the one million strong elite of the Prydian Precinct. True Knights of the Stellar Vastness.  The best of the best sitting atop the entire Prydian Army and given nearly impossible missions and quests daily.  At their own pinnacle sit the great lords who attend the Princess Cyon and are true heroes in their own right.  Some campaigns are assigned a lance of Starvaulters in regular battle to use as special forces as they are more than a match for even the finest Desteria Knight or Retained Noble.

We have four packs of five with single pose choice and a platoon pack of the twenty which also includes a unique Starvaulter Hero for free (you can select this miniature on its own on that page too).

IAFP14 Starvaulter Lance (platoon pack)

IAF159 Starvaulter Rifle Demi

IAF178 Starvaulter Command Demi

IAF179 Starvaulter Support Demi

IAF180 Starvaulter Assaulter Demi

There are more pictures on the website including a close up of the flag on IAF178-1 Banner Bearer plus review views.

Starvaulters take to the field in a test game of Patrol Angis.  You can see a Cratered Hab Dome, a Smashed Hab Dome and a Fabricator Spire all from our 15mm Ion Age Terrain range.  If you want to field these knights of the stellar vastness then we can assist!

Play Test Rules for Starvaulters:  A seven page testing article containing setting and statistics tables for these new miniatures in Patrol Angis.  Open testing and feedback is welcome.  All of the troop types appearing in the tables will be released. Originally from late 2018 we are recommencing Ion Age releases from this month and into 2022.  Download from our secure server by CLICKING HERE.  Enjoy!

Go to our Ion Age Publications page for the Patrol Angis game system and others.  All books are print and digital downloads plus there is the game pack which comes with miniatures, bases and a saving.

If you missed the previous new releases this month for The Ion Age in 15mm scale then your Planetary Militia could benefit from IAF176 Hazelwurm Patrol Lifter as well as the IAF177 Colabreta Patrol Carrier.

Thanks for Reading,

GBS

Thursday 25 November 2021

Streng hero of the Fir Bolg released for Erin Celtic Myth plus 2nd edition rules as digital download

The first new miniature in the Erin range in more than a decade is here.  The first of many which will come in 2022 but is the last 28mm miniature of 2021.  We present Streng the mightiest hero of the Fir Bolg a character to lead your Fir Bolg warriors into battle against Formorians, Sidhe or even the more mortal Milesians.  Eighty six miniatures now in the range HERE.

There are now eleven Fir Bolg miniatures with the other ten being warriors.  We aim to expand the people of the bag to a full faction with a value warband such as that we have for the other races.


CM26 Streng of the Iron Club: Streng greatest hero of the the Fir Bolg or 'Men of Bolg'. Armed with an iron club he faced the hero Nuada in the first epic Battle of Moy Tura and with one great blow he cut off half his shield and severed Nuada's arm at the shoulder. Although nearing defeat, Streng and the three hundred surviving Fir Bolg vowed to fight to the last man. Their enemies however considered them so noble that they offered them one fifth of Erin to cease the battle. The Fir Bolg agreed and stood down from the conflict. 

A single Erin metal miniature supplied unpainted, unassembled (if required) and without a base.  This miniature is taller than other Fir Bolg and stands 30mm tall.

By customer request we present for the first time as a paid digital download the 2005 game book for Erin Celtic Mythology.  This book has been out of print for several years and will not return in print as we are working towards a third edition.  This edition is far, far off and thus this title is offered at a much greater reduction as a download to tide you by until then.  See it in the Erin Range or among the array of Digital Download Books on the website.

Erin 2nd Edition has an easily learned 2D6 based rules system that is scenario driven with a normal game lasting between one and two hours in play. The game book features full rules, no need for expansions, create and advance your characters and creatures using a full points and warband and hero generation system. Also a full Druidic Magic system and all needed rules for Chariots, Horses, Gods, Enchanted Animals and Monsters. A full and detailed narrative of the history of Erin and sections detailing the nature of each of the five main peoples of Erin. Includes three made scenarios and a short section for inclusion of a fictional Roman Invasion of Erin. Generate scenarios, the landscape and even the weather and then use the mini campaign section to manage your warband between games.  (106 pages.  With a few pages removed and reordered to improve).

Thanks for Reading,

GBS

Wednesday 24 November 2021

New HOTR 15mm resin Orc Horde, Archers, Boar Riders, Command and Trolls

Our last releases into the HOT 15mm Fantasy range this year are presented in resin.  A total of nineteen poses of Orcs and Trolls great for any game system.  Go HERE for the range and read on for more information.

Every sprue (one piece) contains between two and four 15mm scale miniatures which can be easily removed with a sharp blade (with care of course!) and as with the rest of the HOT range there is a 'sampler option' which in this case is one sprue, then a pack which is four sprues with a small saving and for mass battle a saver bundle which can be sixteen sprues with a greater discount.  It varies by code with more Orc Horde and fewer Trolls etc.  There are many more pictures on the website of each code and these are shown on a 40mm element base taken from our Bases Range.

HOTR01 Orc Horde

HOTR02 Orc Archers

HOTR03 Orc Command

HOTR04 Orc Boar Riders

HOTR05 Trolls

These miniatures join the over one hundred and thirty packs in the HOT 15mm Fantasy Range and remember we also have an array of HOTT 2nd Edition Armies which come with free element bases as well as the classic Tabletop Games 15mm Fantasy Range which scales well.

Oddly enough a creature which goes with these Orcs is the 549 Giant Slug which featured re-mastered earlier this year from us.  As allies or enemies of slime and eating the slugs go with brutal Orc mentalities.  You can also see our Small Hovel from the HOB 15mm Buildings Range.

Orcs need somewhere to live and you can find these in the above HOB Buildings range where we have five different structures for them including 'Eric' our name for the Orc Idol.

In 2022 we will be continuing the expansion of the Savage Lizardmen in the HOT range by adding cavalry as well as a flyer and personalities to bring that army to completion.  More about that after the new year but we hope you enjoy these new resin miniatures which end 2021 for our 15mm fantasy ranges.

Thanks for Reading,

GBS

Tuesday 23 November 2021

Starvaulter Knights join the 28mm Ion Age range

The legendary Ion Age range of some two hundred poses in 28mm scale is growing once more as Alternative Armies begins its next phase of expansion.  Two packs of four which can, as with all others in the range, be had as singles too. Starvaulters!  These are semi-modular miniatures with separate arms and back pack meaning pose options (plus you can mix and match arms between poses in a pack for huge variety).   Go HERE for the range.

Starvaulters are the one million strong elite of the Prydian Precinct. True Knights of the Stellar Vastness. The best of the best sitting atop the entire Prydian Army and given nearly impossible missions and quests daily. At their own pinnacle sit the great lords who attend the Princess Cyon and are true heroes in their own right. Some campaigns are assigned a lance of Starvaulters in regular battle to use as special forces as they are more than a match for even the finest Desteria Knight or Retained Noble. Great for skirmish level games or combining with other codes for bigger formations and battles.  Starvaulters wear the superior Alwite MkVIII Powered Armour and use Valerin Laser weapons systems. 

IB55 Starvaulter Knights: This code contains four different 28mm metal miniatures each comprising a body with a separate left and right arm and back pack.  You can select poses from the pack as singles (IA198,IA199,IA200,IA201) on the page.  There is a degree of pose choice and if you have multiple Starvaulters all of the arms are interchangeable for an array of choices.

IB56 Starvaulter Knights II: This code contains four different 28mm metal miniatures each comprising a body with a separate left and right arm and back pack.  You can select poses from the pack as singles (IA202,IA203,IA204,IA205) on the page.  There is a degree of pose choice and if you have multiple Starvaulters all of the arms are interchangeable for an array of choices. 

See the website pages for more pictures of these.  Above is a scale shot next to a Retained Knight and a Muster Centaris officer.

The Ion Age 28mm range also contains Human Betrayers, goblinoid Maligs and Psycoborgs as part of the Shia Khan Empire's client (read as slave) races.  These support the Legionaries in their attacks upon Prydian space.

If you fancy skirmishing then consider MOTH which is an easy to learn set of rules placing you in the midst of the Prydian Civil War.  In print and as a digital download it can be seen HERE.

Thanks for Reading,

GBS

Monday 22 November 2021

Paladin on Flying Moose 28mm release by John Bell

Sometimes a miniature or a model comes along that just makes you smile and wonder at the awesome nature of the hobby we all enjoy.  Things never to be seen in the real world which can appear on your table or in your display case.  Today is one such day and we are delighted to offer you the largest fantasy sculpt since 58020 Jigoku the Giant Oni who is 100mm tall in the Kitton range. 

JBC00 Paladin of the Empire of Newfoundland: A superbly original kit sculpted by John Bell (Sengoku 15mm Japanese Fantasy, Frontear 28mm Wylde West, SHM Range) who is a native of Canada.  A center piece for your collection with many cool details.

Resin and Metal kit with fifteen pieces composing a plate armoured human paladin rider with sword raised and a separate shield and musical instrument.  A moose body with four separate legs and separate head and antlers plus a wrap of coils to act as reins for the paladin.  Two mighty feathered wings and a specialised base with plug points.  When assembled the model is 70mm long nose to tail, 55mm to top of rider and 190mm wide wingspan.  Please note this is a complex model to assemble compared to typical Alternative Armies codes. This model is supplied with a metal base (shown on this and a larger 40mm square cartouche base) and is supplied unpainted and unassembled.  Other miniatures shown for scale only and not supplied.

A good counterpart to this new release could well be our FL23 Men at Arms Party which contains ten different knights and soldiers of a high fantasy lean.  It also has a saving off single purchase of its contents.

Thanks for Reading,

GBS

Sunday 21 November 2021

HOT139 Bone Cart released 15mm Fantasy

Bring our yer dead!  New in the HOT 15mm Fantasy Range and adding to our line up of the Undead is the Bone Cart and interesting centre piece for your army on the table.  Go HERE for the range or read on.

Go HERE for the range or read on.

HOT139 Bone Cart: This creepy code goes well with our other Undead codes and contains metal 15mm scale miniatures in the following poses. Bone Cart loaded with corpses with two Wheels, leading crosspiece. Two Skeletal Horses, Sitting Skeletal Driver with Whip and Standing Skeleton holding reins. For the 'sampler' option in this code you can choose from the pack or parts of it. Maximum choice.  Painted example shown on a 40mm by 40mm base.

As you can see it is a very interesting focal point.  Sculpted by Elton Waters.

There are many Undead codes in the HOT Range which can all be seen with a refined search of the website HERE.

We are about the half way point in the creation of the Savage Lizardman Army in the range and the rest is coming in 2022.  If you would like to see the Blades, Warriors, Polearms as well as Artillery, Lizard Ogres and the Behemoth already existing then see them with a refined search HERE.

A re-mastered and expanded code great for any scale but especially 15mm is VNT32 Splendorous Djinn a mighty genie (55mm tall) who can be assembled with a trident or a a mighty magic staff.  One of many MONSTERS in the range.

Thanks for Reading,

GBS

Friday 19 November 2021

Georg Von Frunsberg foot and mounted joins our 15mm Renaissance Range

It is with great delight that we present our final new release for the year in the Altuos Renaissance Range.  Joining Leonardo Da Vinci, Cesare Borgia and Niccolo Machiavelli in our 15mm personalities is the most famous commander of Landsknechts often called their 'father' Georg Von Frunsberg.  Go HERE for the range of infantry, cavalry, artillery, buildings, tents, scenics and of course the Furioso rule system too.

From the late 15th century to the dawn of the 17th century including the Italian Wars and the English Civil War plus the Ottoman Empire.

MRP03 Georg Von Frunsberg: his pack contains three 15mm scale metal miniatures.  On Foot and Rider on Horse. The famous commander of the Landsknecht in the service of the Holy Roman Empire and Imperial House of Habsburg.  An ideal leader for your blocks of pike and arrays of dopplesoldners too.

Over the last two years the poses of Landsknecht in the range has gone from four to a mighty forty six including Sword, Halberd, Crossbow and Pike in both armoured and unarmoured.  This includes Cavalry as well plus armoured and unarmoured command sets.  There is also MRH20 Barded Armoured Horse and two new artillery pieces.  MRX24 Handbushen with gunners or on its own and the MRX23 Organ Gun joining the cannons in the range.

Add interest to your gaming table with our HOB 15mm Buildings.  While they can be used in fantasy wargaming they are quirky stone structures ideal for Renaissance Europe as well.  Five different buildings and a value pack of all five with a saving.  See the hovels and houses in the range codes HOB1 to HOB5.

The troops have encampments and we have you under canvas for that.  See the range for different tents as well as a campfire and log pile type scenic pieces.  Codes are MRS1 to MRS7.  

There are some two hundred poses in the range depicting the men who fought in the wars of the period.  Added to these are several personalities of history to give your army a stamp of authority.  We also have the 'imagi-nations' brought to reality of HOT101 Da Vinci Tank if you want to use the expansion to Furioso; the Italian Wars which contain rules for its use.

Written by Steve Danes the Furioso rules system in print and as digital download allows you to fight battles in the period.  Supported by packs of element bases and pre-made (with free bases included) army packs for the game which you can find in the range.  They offer a saving over single purchase too.

Lastly for those wishing a larger scale to paint or to display upon their mantle we have the V120-02 Landsknecht Dopplesoldner in 120mm scale resin and metal kit.  This figurine was the inspiration for the cover art of Furioso.

Thank you for Reading,

GBS

Thursday 18 November 2021

Sengoku 15mm releases Fuku Tanuki plus Japanese Boxes and Containers

November has a lot of new in terms of scenic pieces and pure oddity when it comes to the Sengoku 15mm Japanese Fantasy range.  Sculpted by John Bell these releases take the range to nearly two hundred miniatures.  Go HERE for a browse of the range and books or read on.

Brand new Fuku Tanuki and the eight different single miniatures which make up the Japanese Boxes and Containers.  These new releases are joined above by the hunter SGF103 Takemito the Sumo as well as SGF146 Shogi Player on Bench plus other scenics the SGF108 Hokora Roadside Shrine and SGF109 Carved Milestone.  Meant for use in Sengoku Monster Hunter and its expansion Rampage these 15mm scale miniatures can be set in Fantasy or in Historical Japan for any game system.

SGF188 Fuku Tanuki: A yokai of the oddest sort and a very unique foe for your hunters to seek out or to meet in the wilds of mythical Japan. Composed of the creature and two wooden stilt frames upon which is rests.  Add it to your collection!

As with all Sengoku miniatures which are not single code creatures (such as the Ki-Shu Oriental Dragon) we offer them as a pack made up of single codes.  The new Japanese Boxes and Containers are like this.  SGFP54 contains two sets of the seven pieces with a saving. Single codes are SGF189 to SGF195 within the range. Total choice.  Very useful in many settings.

If you fancy tracking down yokai, creatures, bandits and others as a skilled warrior then look no further than Steve Danes rule set Sengoku Monster Hunter. A Tabletop Game. A game for one to four players set in medieval Japan where monsters and creatures of myth roam the jagged crags and hidden valleys of the Sacred Mountain. It is from the Sengoku setting and has merciless hunters who track down the monsters and slaughter them at every opportunity. Two different books both in print and as digital downloads as well.   

These are the last releases for Sengoku this year.  The range will continue to expand in 2022 with many more miniatures and creatures.

Thanks for Reading,

GBS

Wednesday 17 November 2021

Legion de Nain Dragoon Cavalry on Boars and Pigs last 2021 releases for Flintloque

“During ze advance upon Moskova it vas de Dragoons who favoured me mit der best maps. No sign of the foes did they find but in heaps ze papers unt drawings. Allowing me to sketch for ze Emperor a path for the Nains and others of ze Grande Armee du Norde. Unt later...vell it vas Dragoons of der Legion who got me back across der river unt beyond the firelocks unt bayonet of ze reanimated dead.” (Mercator the Dwarf – Explorer and Cartographer) 
 

 
The third and last new codes this year of Dwarf Cavalry for the Legion de Nain. The last Flintloque release of 2021 as well. The Legion is big now with more than sixty five miniatures. You can read all about it on our blog using the Bier Wars TAB. Go HERE for the Confederation of Finklestein on the website where all these miniatures reside. As the Confederation offers choices in Dwarf mounts we present these hunters as TWO codes one upon the new resin boars and the other upon the new resin pigs. Choose your preferred as the set of five or a saver Slaughterloo unit of ten or a single pose. 
 

52530B Legion de Nain Dragoons on Boars: This code comprises five poses of 28mm scale metal Dwarf riders all mounted upon boars. Officer bare headed with Pistol (A), Musician, carbine slung with Bugle (B), Standard Bearer with carbine slung (C) and two poses of Trooper. Dwarf with carbine firing (D), Dwarf with Sword attacking (separate arm) (E). All options along with many more images are on the page. Supplied with resin cartouche bases included. 
 
 
52530P Legion de Nain Dragoons on Pigs: This code comprises five poses of 28mm scale metal Dwarf riders all mounted upon pummilig pigs. Officer bare headed with Pistol (A), Musician, carbine slung with Bugle (B), Standard Bearer with carbine slung (C) and two poses of Trooper. Dwarf with carbine firing (D), Dwarf with Sword attacking (separate arm) (E). All options along with many more images are on the page. Supplied with resin cartouche bases included. 
 


 
This completes releases for Valon and for Flintloque for this year. We want to thank you all for your support in keeping the range alive and growing. Thus far the most popular codes among all of the new infantry, cavalry and the restored classic artillery and command are the three packs of four Dwarves in the Staff, Veterans and Casualties which we are told slot into existing collections with ease and are a joy to paint. 
 
Thank you for Reading, 
 
GBS