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.

Tuesday 21 February 2023

Pucci Warriors new in 28mm Erin Celtic Myth range

Pukki are the smallest of the Fomorian race.  From the seas and from Tory Island the Fomorians raid the lands to carry off riches, slaves and livestock.  In these raids the Pukki are numerous and troublesome.  Alternative Armies begins the climb of new miniatures for the Erin range with Warrior Pukki the first of many releases in 2023 for this unique array of nearly one hundred figures now!

Five miniatures as singles with a header code of CM28.  Armed with daggers and spear they are the most junior members of your Warband.

CM28-01 Pucci Warrior with Dagger raised

CM28-02 Pukki Warrior with twin Daggers

CM28-03 Pukki Warrior running with Dagger

CM28-04 Pukki Warrior perched on Stone

CM28-05 Pukki Warrior with Spear

Fomorians grow with age and become stronger and more deadly as they do.  Pucci turn into Warriors who mature into Storm Warriors and Spell Weavers and a few grow to become Champions and even legendary Heroes such as Lord of the Fomorians Culach.

Above is a handy scale pictures showing you these new miniatures next to others of the Sidhe, the Milesians, a Son of Donn, the Dagdha and other Fomorians too.

We hope you enjoy our last regular release of the month and you only have until end of the month to get your free Giant Slug automatically in packages sent out. 

Thanks for Reading,

GBS

Monday 20 February 2023

Fomorian Spellweaver painted by Bonefyre from Erin 28mm Celtic Myth range

A great find over on Instagram was a lovely painted Fomorian by a popular poster called Bonefyre. Follow him on that platform if you are keen to see more of his hobby. With the first of many new Erin 2023 miniatures out this very week (CM28 Pukki Warriors five poses) it seemed fitting for a wee hobby article featuring another sea devil. You can see the whole range HERE
 
 
This is CM6-01 Fomorian Spellweaver a high ranking member of any warband who manipulates the favours of the darker gods to give boons to his fellows from lowest Pukki to the Warriors all the way to Storm Warriors and Heroes. Bonefyre has done a great job on this with an evocative paint scheme and the addition of mushrooms (not the ones in our Battlefield Bits Range but similar) to the base really brings it all together. 
 
 
While the third edition of Erin the game is way off in the future (we are working on game engine refinements next month) you can still get the current second edition as a reduced price download and its massive! A great read. We are really happy that resmastering the over 90 poses with new molds and new pictures has allowed collectors and wargamers to complete projects and to begin new ones. 
 
 
Every miniature in the range is a single and there are also Warbands which collect models and give a discount. In the CMB2 Fomorian Warband you get a fine mix of a mighty Hero, a Champion, some Warriors and some Pukki. 
 
Thanks for Reading, 
 
GBS

Friday 17 February 2023

Overhauling the 28mm Ion Age range pt3 Desteria

The Ion Age 28mm range. Over 220 miniatures 1991-2022.  This is the third update on the process and this time we present the big lads of the Prydian Army; the Desteria.  We also have the start of Bob Olley's Retained Knights and dynamic Muster with rifles and support weapons.

 

The Desteria (center) are larger than Muster and Retained


Alternative Armies is overhauling imagery and sadly increasing prices (ten percent) as well as making all 28mm poses singles for the first time. Platoons, Packs, Singles.  At this stage we are nearly mid point on the Prydian Army with five more packs and all their singles. Each of the pack codes (IB) has a baked in small saving over single figures. Here are a few examples of the new pictures all of which are front, side and rear on their pages.  These include IB16 Retained Support which was sculpted by Bob Olley.




Have a gander at the website. This overhaul will take many more weeks to complete and will be followed by more new releases and further restored original codes too. Current (2019) prices on the website will be honoured until that code is updated and new pictures put in.  

Thank you.

GBS


Thursday 16 February 2023

Dropping Logs in the Forest a Free Flintloque full size and solo scenario

Now added to the mountain of free files, downloads and scenarios for Alternative Armies game systems a brand new full size Flintloque scenario!

This constitutes all of the news for the World of Valon for this month.  See this new scenario and all the others on our FREE DOWNLOADS PAGE.  Have a browse for more than fifteen years worth of fun.

Dropping Logs in the Forest:  Solo or Two Player full size scenario for Flintloque.  Can the Legion de Nain Dwarves out in the woods cutting down trees to make barrels for a local bewery and its beir hold off an Ostarian Dogmen force of Grenadiers and Lancers?  Scenario includes unique rules, setting, map, force compositions, solo play bolt on, expanding the adventure, designers notes as well as lots of lovely photos.  Download HERE as a PDF for free.

This scenario sees the Legion de Nain facing off against the Ostarian Dogmen both of these armies have limited editions, packs, units and a divisional army pack too on their pages.  You should also check out 5028 Beir & Bones Game Pack or Book as you will see it to make use of this adventure.

Here are all of the pictures used.  Click on them to see them full size.  Codes of the figures are in the scenario.






Thanks and Enjoy!

GBS

Tuesday 14 February 2023

D6 Dragon Lizard Juggernaut by Nick Bibby restored and released

Sometimes you get the chance to restore a piece of wargame miniature history and the first of two this spring has now arrived.  One of the finest and largest single piece castings of the 1980's has returned.  The D6 Dragon Lizard Juggernaut and we have even restored the sword which it can hold in its claw!  Find it along with the other Fantasy Asgard miniatures on the website and in the new Nick Bibby Asgard Miniatures page where is work is collected.

At 110mm long and 50mm tall this model is imposing and works well in any scale which you can see in the 15mm and 28mm next to picture.  Shown is BP1 Sternbow one of Jez Goodwin's Barbarians and also MDA38 Illusionist from the Tabletop 15mm Fantasy Range.

The level of detail on this miniature is simply superb.  Here is the Juggernaut from all angles.  It is tough to get it all in one picture!

Cast in high quality metal it looks as good as it first did upon release in 1982.  It joins the now over eighty restored miniatures from Asgard.

We will have news on the other promised even mightier legendary Asgard restoration end of this month.  Keep an eye out and watch the skies.

Thanks for Reading,

GBS

Sunday 12 February 2023

Overhauling the 28mm Ion Age range pt2 Muster

The Ion Age 28mm range. Over 220 miniatures 1991-2022. This is the second update on the process and this time we have a few more Retained Knights but mainly its the appearance of the steadfast Muster and the Muster Platoon Pack. 
 
 
Alternative Armies is overhauling imagery and sadly increasing prices (ten percent) as well as making all 28mm poses singles for the first time. Platoons, Packs, Singles. We are now at code IB10 or IA040 as well as IP02. Each of the pack codes (IB) has a baked in small saving over single figures and the platoon packs give you TWO miniatures free which is a sizable saving. Here are a few examples of the new pictures all of which are front, side and rear on their pages. 
 



 
Have a gander at the website. This overhaul will take many weeks to complete and will be followed by more new releases and further restored original codes too. Current (2019) prices on the website will be honoured until that code is updated and new pictures put in. 
 
Thank you. 
 
GBS

Saturday 11 February 2023

Bakewell Winter Warmer DBA Tournament 2023

It was our pleasure to sponsor the lads at Bakewell for their Winter Warmer tournament of DBA. They had a fine turn out and we provided 15mm miniatures as prizes for the winners. Alternative Armies is happy to consider any event for sponsorship and we have resources for several a month if desired. See below for Simon's account of the event and if you are into DBA and its sister systems our historical ranges are well suited to this role. 
 
See the Isarus 15mm Ancient and Dark Age as well as the Medus Medieval Range and the mighty 15mm Renaissance 16th Century range. Over to you Simon! 
 

The theme was “Run for the Hills!”. All armies had to have a home terrain of “Hilly” and the usual terrain placement rules were replaced by a house rule that made sure there were lots of difficult hills to contend with. Players used their own armies on odd rounds and opponent’s on even rounds. There were six rounds in total. 
 
Tournament rankings and armies brought were as follows: 
 
1 Stephen Finn Cilician Armenian IV/2 
2 Mark Skelton Mapuche IV/84a 
3 Pete Duckworth Samurai IV/59a 
4 Richard Pulley South Welsh III/19c 
5 Ken Gordon Guti Revolt I/46 
6 Phil Johnson Lydian I/50 
7 Tom Whitehead Thracian I/48 
8 Colin O’Shea Cilician Armenian IV/2 
9 Andy Wheeldon Celtiberian II/39 
10 Simon Wilson Dacian II/52 
11 Keith Murphy Samurai IV/59a 
12 Mark Johnson Dacian II/52 
13 Paul Murgatroyd Illyrian I/47 
14 Robert Rush Guti Revolt.1/46 
15 Baldie Paionian I/63 
16 Neil Mason Guti Revolt 1/46 
17 John Saunders Early Japanese Yahoi 1/64a 
18 Stevie Andrews Dacians II/52 
 
Stephen was overall winner and took home the prize of several packs of 15mm Renaissance figures kindly donated by Alternative Armies. Details of other DBA Tournaments can be found HERE on Fanaticus.
 
 
Names of players for the team photograph are: 
 
Back row left to right: Stephen Finn (Winner), Stevie Andrews, Pete Duckworth, Ken Gordon, Rob Rush, Richard Pulley, Baldie, Colin O’Shea, Andy Wheeldon, Paul Murgatroyd, 
 
Front row left to right: Phil Johnson, Mark Skelton, Neil Mason, Tom Whitehead, Mark Johnson. Keith Murphy 
 
Thanks for the support!

Thursday 9 February 2023

Automata 15mm robots updated and value pack HOF Range

Recently we remasted our Automata infantry codes and upgraded their imagery as well. Sculpted by Elton Waters and a firm favourite with wargamers. In line with other pars of the HOF 15mm Science Fiction Range we added a new value pack of all the poses with a saving baked in. 
 
 
As with all other codes in the now over 170 pack range every pose can be had as a single within the packs on their page. 
 






Command, Infantry, Support plus Polymorphs and Cyborgs. Great for many settings including Cyberpunk gaming and wasteland encounters. 
 
 
Here is a scale line up shot so you can see how they match up next to SFA Human, Grey Alien, Octopod and a Corporate Ashigaru warrior. 
 


 
Value Packs are great for skirmishing and with their saving there is no duplication in the pack with every pose unique. This refresh gets the Automata Robots in line with the Octopods and the Rim Mercs along with Post Apocalyptic Warriors and the Cultists who all have value packs and new pictures. 
 
 
This month you get a free resin Giant Slug in every order shipped (no need to do anything, it will added automatically). This Slug is ideal for monster hunting in 15mm scale. See it under FM23R in the Asgard Fantasy Range. Sculpted by Stan Pochron in the 80's in metal and now in two versions. Ends 1st March. 
 
We have no further 15mm science fiction releases this month however remastering continues and coming up March and beyond will be the Corporate Ashigaru and the original Security Force Alpha with pictures and value packs. 
 
Thanks for Reading, 
 
GBS

Tuesday 7 February 2023

Lionsguard Power Armour 6mm new for Bradley Miniatures

The Bradley Miniatures 6mm scale science fiction range has expanded with the addition of a second trooper sprue following the  recent command element for the Lionsguard.  This was a new code most requested by message to Alternative Armies and as with other ranges we produce it has now happened!  See the whole range on our website and every code is a pack and single from it on its page.  There are now three codes of super heavy armoured infantry.

BR039 Lionsguard Power Armour II

Star Legion Troops.  Choose from a Platoon of 25 or a Sprue of 5. Metal Infantry.  Super Heavy Powered Armour.  Lionsguard Troopers (2 per sprue), Lionsguard Close Combat (2 per sprue) and Lionguard Gunner with Beamer Cannon (1 per sprue).  Supplied in sprues of five. (9mm tall).

BR038 Lionsguard Power Armour Command

Star Legion Command. Choose from a Platoon of 25 or a Sprue of 5. Metal Infantry.  Super Heavy Powered Armour.  Lionsguard Command as follows at the rate of 1 each per sprue of five.  Trooper with Melee Claws (A), Standard Bearer with standard and pistol (B), Officer with Sword and Pistol (C), Trooper with Flamer (D), Trooper with Gauss Cannon (E). Supplied in sprues of five. (Each Figure 9mm tall) or now single pose chosen on the page. 

BR011 Lionsguard Power Armour shown here and there are the more typical troops of the Grenadiers (BR007,BR008 shown above, BR009) when you want to field infantry in 6mm scale.

The Bradley range has many different vehicles including tanks, apcs, walkers, armoured cars, super heavy tanks, towed artillery plus bikes as well as cargo transporters and scout cars.  There is also the mighty Sekmet Assault Rigs titanic mecha and the Corvo Dropship which is ideal for planetary landings.

6mm Terrain Range.  If you wish to populate a desert world or an arid land here on Earth then have a look at this range with twenty eight building options and also some saver bundles too.

USEME 6mm Science Fiction rules written by Vic Dobson.  Great fun and very easy to learn and generic rules set.  In print and as paid digital download too.

Thank you for Reading,

GBS

Sunday 5 February 2023

News on the overhaul of The Ion Age 28mm range

The Ion Age 28mm range. Over 220 miniatures 1991-2022.  Alternative Armies is overhauling imagery and sadly increasing prices (ten percent) as well as making all poses singles for the first time. Platoons, Packs, Singles.  We are just starting now.

IA001 through IA016 as well as IA075 to IA078 which are singles as well as in packs IB01,IB02,IB03,IB04 and IB20 each of four poses with a 5% saving built in.  Lastly IP01 Retained Lance (picture above) which is sixteen figures two of which are free.  Here are a few examples of the new single and pack pictures all of which are front, side and rear on their pages. 





Have a gander at the website. This overhaul will take many weeks to complete and will be followed by more new releases and restored original codes too. Original prices on the website will be honoured until that code is updated and new pictures put in.  

Thank you. 

GBS