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 28 December 2022

Review of 2022 New Releases, Restored Classics and Alternia mascot

In a first for Alternative Armies and by gamers request we present a summary review of this the year of 2022 which is now ending.  All of our new releases, restored classics and free monthly codes gathered and split by range and scale.  Frankly we were amazed as our small team here in Scotland had achieved so much that we ourselves did not remember a lot of it.  We reckon it to be:  62 new 28mm miniatures, 105 restored 28mm miniatures, 93 new 15mm miniatures, 6 new 15mm vehicles, 2 new 15mm mechs, 30 new 6mm sci-fi codes and scenics and two new USEME Titles as well as En Garde.

You can see most of these in NEW RELEASES on our website and until we re-open on 6th January 2023 there is an automatic 20% off all orders applied, no code needed, at checkout.  You get ALT012 Alternia the Gift Giver for free until new years day and then it will be the winner of the public vote EH03 Space Brains pack included for free in every package shipped out for the entire month.

2022 was the year of our mascot.  A lady called Alternia where she was given away freely each month in a different 28mm guise each of them themed and featuring our company arrowhead icon in some way.  Several thousand miniatures sent all over the world as a gift for your custom.  See each of the Alternia's great for any game system or collecting on the WEBSITE.  Highlander, Landsknecht, Erin, Easter, Future Warrior, The Ion Age, Black Powder, Beach Huntress, Steam Punk, The Witch, Cyberpunk and Gift Giver.

From January to December we averaged about three releases a week.  Here they all are:

The World of Valon 

(Flintloque, Slaughterloo, Kitton En Garde)

52604 Legion de Nain Dwarf Division (Pigs)

52605 Legion de Nain Dwarf Division (Boars)

52527P Legion de Nain Line Artillery 

52527B Legion de Nain Line Artillery

52526P Legion de Nain Command

52526B Legion de Nain Command

55003 1st Graviski Infantry

5002 Deadloque Classic Miniatures Set (17 and singles)

55027 Zombie Line Colour Party

51053 Dark Elf Line Colour Party

51018 Regimenta de Nino Cisco 

51521 Dark Elf Line

51515 Dark Elf Artillery Crew 

51007C Dark Elf Line Officer – Regimenta del Nino Cisco

56132 Gulash Dogman Colour Party

56010 Gulash Dogmen Command 

56513 Dogmen Grenadiers

56514 Dogmen Chassuers

5022B En Garde Bundle

CE27-01 Juliet Constantine

51049 Elf Revolutionary Duellists

VLE15 Michrana Cappello Carlos (250 packs)  


59543 Barrels

59543P Barrel Bundle

59544 Small Barrels

59544P Small Barrel Bundle

59545 Powder Kegs

59545P Powder Keg Bundle


58021 Kitoka Ashigaru Matchlocks (Tanegashima) 

58019 Kitoka Ashigaru Command


The Ion Age and Alternate Stars 28mm Sci-fi

IB57 Balthazar and Jerome (IA206,IA207)

IB58 Khanesha

IB59 Female Retained Knights

IA212 Banneret Kali Brindle

AS014 Alternate Stars Weapons Set


Asgard and Tabletop Classic Fantasy

FM13 Owlbear

FM1 Troll

FM2 Ogre

FM2A Ogre with Standard

FM2B Ogre Skull

FM2C Mounted Ogre on T Rex

FM3 Giant Rat

FM4 Were Rat

FM6 Large Rat

FM7 Golem V1

FM8 Gargoyle with Feathery Wings

FM9 Harpy 

FM2D Ogre Weapons

FM15 Minotaur V1

FM15 Minotaur V2 

FM11 Salamander V2 

FM10 Giant Bat

FM11 Salamander V1 

FM18 Skeleton Warrior 

FM12 Cockatrice V1

FM20 Sacrificial Tree

FM20a Victim for Sacrificial Tree 

FM16 Unicorn

FM17 Basilisk

FM14 Spectre

FM22 V1  Oriental Ogre

FM22A V1 Oriential Ogre Standard Bearer

FM22 V2 Oriental Troll

FM22A V2 Oriential Troll Standard Bearer

D7 Dragon Lizard Mount

D8 Dragon Lizard Human Rider

AFB10 Chaos Lance

FM19 Storm Giant

FM23 Giant Slug

FM25 Giant Snake

FM30 V2 Half Troll with Sword

FM35 Hill Troll

FM36 Were Snake

FM41 Mountain Troll

FM34 Death Demon

FM28 V1 Drizzlebringer King of the Swamp Giants

FM38 Giant Lizardman

FM31 V1 Vampire

FM31 V2 Vampire

FM26 Elite Skeleton Guardsman

FM32B Elite Skeleton Halberdier

FM33 Skeleton Warrior

FM53 Balrog

FM76 Dragon Newt

MFM17 Flying Reptile with Wraith Rider


Asgard and Tabletop Classic Science Fiction

SF6 Vroom Beast

SF6a Vroom Beast

X2 Three Armed robot

X3 Hover Robot 

S4 Trimote in Power Armour 

T3 Trimote with Axe


Erin Celtic Myth

CM25-01 Fir Bolg Female Warrior with Sling

CM25-02 Fir Bolg War Horn

CM27-03 Fir Bolg War Banner

CM27-04 Gorman Fir Bolg Hero

CM27-05 Tanai Fir Bolg Spell Weaver

CMB4 Fir Bolg Warband


Alternative Armies 28mm High Fantasy

CES01 Crystal Elf Cavalry Weapon Sprue

DH16 Mountain Dwarfs


15mm HOT Fantasy

HOT147 Crystal Outcrops

HOT138 Dwarf Handgunners

HOT17A Catapult

HOT15A Cannon

HOT16A Bolt Thrower

HOT127S Savage Shields

HOT135 Savage Lizardmen Archers

HOT140 Savage Lizardman Blade Riders

HOT141 Savage Lizardman Warband Riders

HOT142 Savage Lizardman Bow Riders

HOT143 Terrorsaur Flying Creature (used as mount)

HOT144 Savage Lizardmen Flying Blades

HOT145 Savage Lizardmen Flying Warband

HOT146 Savage Lizardmen Flying Bows


Sengoku 15mm Japanese Fantasy

SGF196 Tengku Archer

SGF197 Tengu Archer II

SGF198 Tengu Archer III

SGF199 Tengu Ninja 

SGF200 Tengu Ninja II

SGFP55 Tengu Archers and Ninjas 

SGF201 Dai Tengu Lord on Chair

SGF202 Dia Tengu Fire Blower

SGF203 Female Dai Tengu with Naginata

SGF204 Robed Female Dia Tengu

SGFP56 Dia Tengu and Fuku Tanuki 

SGFP57 Sengoku Set X  (SGF188-204)

SGF205 Tsuitate Tanuki

SGF206 Tanuki Rickshaw Cart 

SGFP58 Tsuitate Tanuki and Tanuki Rickshaw Pack


Furioso 15mm Renaissance 16th Century

MRP04 Venetian Ambassador

MR133 Italian Pike Middle Rank 

MR134 Italian Pike Front Rank

MR135 Italian Armoured Crossbow

MR136 Italian Armoured Arquebus

MR137 Italian Armoured Halberd

MR138 Italian Armoured Sword 

MR139 Italian Armoured Sword and Buckler  


SHM 15mm Science Fiction

SHM99 Red Planet Princess

SHM100 Security Droid

SHM101  Biomech Alien I

SHM102  Biomech Alien II

SHM103 Biomech Alien III

SHM104  Biomech Alien IV

SHMP28 Biomech Alien Infantry

SHM105  Exoframe Soldier I

SHM106  Exoframe Soldier II

SHM107  Exoframe Soldier III

SHM108  Exoframe Soldier IV

SHMP29  Exoframe Soldiers

SHM109  Heavy Exoframe Soldier

SHM110  Heavy Exoframe Soldier Running

SHMP30  Heavy Exoframe Soldiers


HOF 15mm Science Fiction

HOF164 Daisy Cutter GNATS

HOF165 Haymaker GNATS

HOF111H Scrofa Hover AFV

HOF166A Bulldog Heavy APC Wheeled

HOF166B Bulldog Heavy APC Tracked

HOF166C Bulldog Heavy APC Anti Grav (with Base)

HOF28D Charger MkII Anti Grav APC (with Base)

HOFA01A Security Force Alpha (Core Army Set)

HOF171 Female Lemurian Hunters I

HOF172 Female Lemurian Legio I

HOF173 Female Lemurian Hunters II

HOF174 Female Lemurian Hunters III

HOF175 Leto and Leomia Lumurian Characters

HOF176 Male Lemurian Hunt Leaders

HOF177 Male Lemurian Legio I

HOF178 Male Lemurian Legio II

HOF179 Male Lemurian Legio IV

HOF180 Male Lemurian Legio Pride Masters


Bradley Miniatures 6mm Science Fiction

BR037 Carbad Heavy AFV

BR038 Lionsguard Power Armour Command

6mm Terrain Range – 27 Buildings and Bundles


Festive and Celebration Season Range

SN11 Festive Pukki 


Books and Digital Titles

UM014 Valiesk a USEME Modern Warfare Campaign

UM015 USEME Prohibition Gangsters

UMS03 Compound Interest Scenario Set (Cultists vs Post Apoc)

5022 En Garde Duelling in the Cystal Empire


A mighty year indeed and 2023 promises to be even bigger with many ranges expanding and new titles appearing too.  We do our best and value every penny you spend with our team.  We design and manufacture all of our own products which are made right here in the UK and sourced locally and with a minimum of packaging but packed securely. 

See you all in January!

GBS

Thursday 22 December 2022

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year plus winner of Jan 2023 free vote

Tis the season!  Alternative Armies is about to close down for the festive break with everyone taking some time at home and with family before we return to work anew in the new year on 6th January 2023.  For details of our annual closure see our BLOG.  See the WEBSITE for all we have and there will be nothing new until the second week of January.

As a treat we have put in place a blanket automatic discount code which applies itself during checkout on the site taking 20% off your total before shipping is calculated.  Any and all orders until 6th January will get the saving.  We will start shipping out orders from that time.  Enjoy!

You voted over the last seven days and I am delighted to announce the winner of the free public vote for January 2023 month long free code in all orders is....drum roll please...Space Brains!



At present ALT012 Alternia Gift Giver is free in all orders but come 1st January this will switch to the winning repeat of a former free code EH03 Space Brains (full pack of five).  More on that at the time of course.  Thank you for your votes.  We might do it again in a year's time.

There will be one more message from Alternative Armies before New Year and this will be next week when we look back at everything we have released in 2022.  This will be the first time we have done this but we have been asked to by customers who felt they might have missed something.  You can of course go to our BLOG and using the right hand menu look back through all the announcements as well.

Remember to check out Orcs in the Webbe for a whole load of free reading as well as puzzles and games and scenarios for Flintloque and other game systems.  The Advent Calendar is in full swing and well worth a gander.  All organised by Craig Andrews.

Have a Happy Holiday Season from the whole wee team here in Scotland.

GBS

Thursday 15 December 2022

Vote for Jan 2023 month long free code from a choice of previous favourites

Next year we will continue hobby fun freely included code in every shipped order.  This year it was suggested to us many times that perhaps we might give a vote to wargamers for them to choose a free miniature or pack.  Well since next year will see all new codes for free we thought it would be cool to offer a vote for the first month of 2023 for a repeat of previous favourites.  

Voting Now Closed

Have your say and make your vote from a choice of five former favourites to be repeated and the most voted for will be given for free in every package sent out from Scotland in January!  Go to the poll which is open and will close Thursday 22nd December when the winner is announced on social media and by email too.  The poll is provided by polemaker.com and you can only cast one vote per IP Address but anyone can vote.

So what are your choices?  Here are their pictures from their month of free:





All useful on your table and some of the favourites from the last three years according to feedback that came our way.  We hope you enjoy and we wonder what the winner will be!

Thanks for your time.

GBS

Tuesday 13 December 2022

Winter 2022 last shipping date and resumption date Jan 2023

Festive seasons greetings to one and all from the team here at Alternative Armies.  While we continue to work hard to ship out all of the winter mega event orders we are running behind due to several factors.  Included in these are the weather here in Scotland, a few issues with suppliers and industrial plus strike action in the UK which is outside of our control.  About 90% of event orders are on their way and you can log into your account on our site to check your order status or just send us a message to sales@alternative-armies.com and we will be happy to give you an update.

Our last posting date for orders shipping out by post, airmail and courier is Monday the 19th December 2022.  Any orders which are not sent out by then will be held until we resume shipping globally on 5th January 2023.  The reason for this is long experience and customer care. We feel it is better that your packed box sits safely with us during the pause of the global mail system than in a warehouse.  Again if you would like more details check the website portal or contact us by email.  If you have a future date you wish an order dispatched upon we are happy to arrange this when you speak to us.  We appreciate your custom and your patience if your order is one of the few held over the festive period.

Our new Festive Range release Pukki with Presents herald an expansion of the Erin Celtic Myth range in 2023.

Next year will see a great many new releases across our ranges plus new rules systems and changes to our website too.  The year of Alternia is all but over but not to fret we will keep the fun in the hobby by maintaining our free miniature or pack in every order monthly.  Just you wait and see what is coming after February (January is a re-re-repeat).

Thanks for Reading!

Thursday 1 December 2022

Alternia Gift Giver free in all December orders and end of the Alternia Year

Jingle the bells!  It is December and that means not only a new month but also the last of the twelve months of the 'Alternia Year' which we have held at Alternative Armies.  Each month of 2022 saw a 28mm mascot miniature of a lovely lady in themed garb being included for free in every order shipped out during that month.  See all the previous Alternias on the website and this last latest one.

As before you need do nothing but place an order which requires shipping (no download only orders sorry) anywhere in the world.  One Alternia Gift Giver will be included for free automatically.  You can also purchase more of this and previous free figures on the site and you will still get ALT012 for free.

ALT012 Alternia Gift Giver. Alternia is Alternative Armies mascot and this is her thirteenth incarnation. This time our lady of Alternative Armies was inspired by the most joyous season of the year and time to give gifts and spend time with friends and loved ones.  A female take on the great giver of presents which is supplied in one piece metal.  Dressed in armour with her long hair put under a sock hat she has an arrow headed spear with a sprig of mistletoe upon it and an open sack showing wrapped presents. A great miniature for collecting and painting.

Brand new in our Seasons of Celebration Range which is where our codes for Christmas, Summer, Easter, Halloween and more in 15mm and 28mm scales are located are an asked for release.  SN11 Festive Pukki a set of five or singles giving you little Fomorians from the Erin Celtic Myth range kitted out in hats with presents and Christmas puddings or candy canes.  Great fun.

The range also includes our 28mm Snowmen which come in four different themed packs of three (or value set of twelve or the great mixed twelve with three of each).  Classic Snowmen, Fantasy Snowmen, Black Powder Snowmen (for Flintloque fans) and Science Fiction Snowmen.  


We have just overhauled the images of the 15mm festive codes too.  Evil Snowmen, Killer Xmas Trees, Abominable Snow Monsters (with separate little hats), Brutal Gingerbread Men, Psyco Presents and Jack Frost.  Packs and Value Bundles.  Plus there is an HOTT 2ed Edition Army with free element bases and the SN2017 Seasonal Fun Sampler which gives 10% off and one of every miniature for a total of twenty 15mm figures.

Lastly and just remastered a proper muscle code which is a brother to SN03 Abominable Snow Monsters and that is HOF130 Upflited Yeti Platoon.  Three big Yeti armed with chain guns and bayonets led by an SFA female handler.  Pack or singles from it.

We have no further releases in 2022 and will only send our a few messages letting you know of the last 24hrs of the event, then our final posting dates, to wish you a great festive season and to pose a question for early 2023 on repeating just one of the former monthly free offers.  Look out for these.

Thanks for Reading,

GBS