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 28 November 2023

NB1 Barbarian by Nick Bibby returns 54mm scale masterpiece..with free new weapons

What is good in life...to collect and paint miniatures and to see them arrayed before you. Tis true! This then is the most fitting thing to be Alternative Armies final release of 2023 and the final release of the Winter Mega Event’s 80 new and restored codes.  Now in the Asgard 1980’s array is a one off 54mm scale Barbarian figurine by Nick Bibby.  A really special piece on a bigger scale.

In addition to the restored Barbarian we have four new weapons in that scale sculpted this year by Sam Croes our lead designer which we are putting in with the Barbarian for free.  You can get them on their own as a pack or singles if you desire too.

NB1 The Barbarian:  A metal 54mm scale figurine supplied in four pieces (barbarian, base, sword, scabbard) supplied unpainted and unassembled. Dating from 1982 and not in production for many years we are delighted to see it return.  Supplied with NB1W a set of four new weapons for free giving you options for arming and outfitting your barbarian.

NB1W Barbarian Weapons Set:  Newly created in 2023 in 54mm scale four metal weapons suitable for NB1 The Barbarian (or any large 28mm scale creature or giant).  The four are a dagger, a Great Axe, a Scimitar and a Mace.  Choose from the set or singles. 

We have no other 54mm scale codes and it is not likely we will get any more but we have a number of BIG models in our ranges which would look grand on your gaming table.  There is Jigoku the Giant Oni in the Kitton Range, the GNATS giant mecha in the HOF 15mm Sci-fi Range, the Wyvern Kildane in our Monsters Range and of course Durzum the Giant Troll in the Orc and Goblin Range.  All of these are 100mm or more tall.

Thanks for Reading,

GBS (Gavin Syme – Creative Manager)

Thursday 23 November 2023

Creatures of Chaos range returns Asgard 80’s Fantasy by Bibby, Blanche and Goodwin

Not often is it possible to return to the world something wonderful in its complete form but this is such a day. In 1982 Asgard Miniatures released the Creatures of Chaos Range sculpted by Nick Bibby, Jez Goodwin and John Blanche.  It is now on its own page of the restored Asgard drop down menu of the website.  Our set was painted by the talented Studio Maxi Costales bringing them to life.

Nine different...very different...miniatures as singles or as a value set of all nine of them with a saving.


CC0 Creatures of Chaos Set (9 Miniatures with a Saving)

CC1 Running Hornhead  (35mm total height)

CC2 Many Armed Skulker (30mm total height)

CC3 Hawk Footed Stabber (40mm total height)

CC4 Hoofer Bladesman (30mm total height)

CC5 Crabclaw (40mm total height)

CC6 Trunkhand Tuskoid  (40mm total height)

CC7 Four Fang (35mm height, 45mm long)

CC8 Hideous Octopoid (28mm total height)

CC9 Crested Weremonkey (23mm total height comes with separate wings)

Sculpted by Nick Bibby except for CC6 by John Blanche and CC7 by Jez Goodwin he of The Barbarians Range.


A majestic (and also the largest single piece metal miniature we produce) often listed alongside the Creatures of Chaos figures is the D6 Dragon Lizard Juggernaut by Nick Bibby.  A real centre piece for an army it is 110mm long.  

A source of real price for Alternative Armies was the restoration of NB2 Dragon which was issued initially as a 200 only limited run of boxed metal models (over half a kilo of metal).  We have a couple of these limited kits on site.  This famous Dragon is now a resin kit at a much lower price and an easier build...plus a lot, lot lighter.  

Thanks for Reading,

GBS (Gavin Syme)

Tuesday 21 November 2023

Dismounted Elf Lancers released for Flintloque

Final new releases for Flintloque and Slaughterloo for the year are here. Adding to the Elves of Armorica and their battles in the Witchlands or elsewhere we have a much requested code and a remastered one too. If you use lancers in your games or wish to expand your sections with them without a horse then these are for you. Get into Flintloque with 5024 Escape the Dark Czar beginners set with ten resin miniatures and core rules and scenarios. 
 

Four new miniatures giving you command on foot for Lanciers Rouge or other mounted Elf troops and an older miniature in new molds of a trooper armed with a musket. These slot right into General Saindoux survivors retreating from Moskova fighting the Undead of the Dark Czar. 
 

51054 Dismounted Elf Lancer Command: Four 28mm scale metal miniatures as a pack or singles supplied with free resin cartouche bases. 
 

51043A Dismounted Elf Lancer: A pack of four identical (or choose a single) 28mm scale metal miniatures with free resin cartouche bases. 
 

 
The classic 5002 Deadloque Set has been remastered and restored to the website with, for the first time ever, single pose choice option. Characters for your sections and units. These and the new Elves go well with 55508 Zombie Line
 
 
A solo play Flintloque scenario is in the works for late this annum and will be free on our blog (news when it happens) to download. Featuring the new dismounted lancers as well as Legion de Nain Dwarves ‘foraging’ for bread and other food who are discovered by a much stronger force of the 18th Foot Al-Garvey Goblins
 
Thanks for Reading, 
 
GBS

Monday 20 November 2023

New 28mm Terrain the Al Garvey Goblin House

A new addition to the our large and growing array of scenics this time with a World of Valon release the Al-Garvey Goblin House.  If you have seen the Cryptmass House in the Christmas Range of 28mm and 15mm miniatures it will be familiar as it is the same building but forgoing the snow and festive items.  A great addition to your table for Flintloque and Slaughterloo.

59546 Al-Garvey Goblin House: Easy to assemble from five pieces of resin this little house is 100mm tall including the chimney and is right at home in Al-Garvey and Catalucia.  You can see Goblins of the 18th Foot defending it from the Ferach hordes!

This new release goes very well with our 59541 Bread Oven and the 59542 Wayside Shrine on your table.

The Cryptmass House is great fun as are the Snowmen and Festive Pucci among other things if you want to expand your miniature fun.  In 28mm and 15mm scales and there is an HOTT 2nd Edition Army too.

We have smaller scenics in among the Abandoned Beer Wagon and Barricades such as the Hand Cart with Load which is very useful.

This range of terrain works for Flintloque and Slaughterloo as well as any Horse and Musket game system and many fantasy ones too.

Thanks for Reading,

GBS (Gavin Syme)

Friday 17 November 2023

Flower of Evil II any scale model free in all orders until 8th Jan 2024

Welcome to the new free in any shipped order period!  We say goodbye to the free AS023 Info Bot which has now joined the regular website for sale in the Alternate Stars range and say hello to the most requested new free code of the year.  A sequel to EH01 Flower of Evil we present EH08 Flower of Evil II.  An any scale miniature.

We like to keep the fun in tabletop gaming and to this end as our customers will know and eagerly await we give something away free in packages. No limit on the number of orders, no minimum size of order. No catch at all except that your order must be for a physical item (no Digital Download only orders sorry).  Until 8th January 2024 the Flower of Evil II will be included automatically.

EH08 Flower of Evil II.  A one piece resin miniature which is 47mm in total height.

What can you do with a Flower of Evil?  A lot it seems from space opera sci-fi to post apocalyptic as well as eldritch horror and fantasy too in scales from 28mm to 15mm to 6mm.  Here are some examples of the Flower to give ideas.

A Fomorian from Erin Celtic Myth shows you can have such a curse from the gods on your mythic Irish table.  High Fantasy Dwarves are well suited to hunt such creatures as this plant in their mines.

Not all of Valon is civilised like Armorica where the Elves rule but a pistol will work all the same upon a Magike Plant if one is found...

There is much alien life in the Prydian Precinct and not all of it is the Shia Khan Empire's troops.  Grima Combat Robots in 28mm scale and 15mm scale will shoot on sight of killer plants.

Worlds of Fantasy have Monsters a plenty and marching armies of High Elves can face magic creations barring their paths too.

Perhaps the Flower was a creation of the Grey Aliens or it has been discovering on an alien world by this scout car from Bradley Miniatures 15mm range.

Summoned from beyond by an Inquisitor from the TOR Range (warning Adult Theme Miniatures) as an Eldritch curse or a giant towering plant in your 6mm collection.

We hope you like this most asked for new free miniature and have a good weekend.

Thanks for Reading,

GBS (Gavin Syme)

Wednesday 15 November 2023

New Guild Hunters, Kappa and School Boys for Sengoku 15mm Japanese Fantasy

Sculpted by John Bell the mighty Sengoku 15mm Japanese Fantasy range is the largest of its kind in the whole world and now has two hundred and twenty poses of miniatures.  All as singles plus packs and value sets plus scenics and two books in the Monster Hunter game written by Steve Danes.

New releases now in the range a total of nine new metal miniatures giving you Swimming Kappa, School Boys and a second group of Guild Hunters.

Swimming Kappa.  A pack of twelve mixed of three poses is SGFP60 and you can get them singly as codes SGF212, SGF213 and SGF214.  These go alongside a much earlier release which is SGFP05 Kappa which is part of SGFP1 Sengoku Set One the most popular starting place for Monster Hunter players.

Japanese School Boys.  A pack of twelve mixed of three poses is SGFP61 and they are singles as SGF215, SGF216 and SGF217.  These are the counter point to an older release SGFP06 Japanese School Girls.  For those who wish to get sword play and such in anime style settings.

Guild Hunters II.  SGFP62 is a pack of three poses.  Character monster hunters as singles too SGF218, SGF219 and SGF220.  Following on a popular code SGFP33 Guild Hunters these are your heroes in the Monster Hunter game.

While every Sengoku miniature is a single pose the best way to collect the insane variety of Yokai and Humans in the range is by the Sengoku Sets which all have a saving and feature no doubles of poses. There are currently ten different sets.

If you wish to try your hand at being a Guild Hunter then check out Sengoku Monster Hunter and its sequel Rampage as print and cheaper instant digital books.  Solo play and much more.  You need only a handful of miniatures to get going and no two adventures are ever the same. We recommend you begin by reading the books and then choosing your figures.  Or get SGFP01 Sengoku Set One and one of the Guild Hunter miniatures to start.

Thanks for Reading,

GBS (Gavin Syme)

Monday 13 November 2023

Pucci Servants and Pucci Warband new in 28mm Erin Celtic Myth range

The smallest of the Fomorian race and most numerous the Pucci are used as servants, fodder and even sport by larger Fomorians.  From the seas and from Tory Island the Fomorians raid the lands to carry off riches, slaves and livestock. See the Erin Celtic Myth Range for Fomorians, Sidhe, Fir Bolg, Milesians as well as creatures, heroes, gods and the Half Dead.  This time five new Pucci and a saver warband of all the twenty new poses of them from this year.

Alternative Armies has been expanding the unique Erin range all during this year and the last new releases for 2023 are happening now. Now at over one hundred and ten poses plus a chariot and monsters mythical Ireland lives on the tabletop.

Five new miniatures as singles with a header code of CM31. Unarmed these Servants are fit to aid or hinder your Heroes and Champions causing all manner of mischief.

CM31-01 Pucci Servant Hands on Knees

CM31-02 Pucci Servant Mocking

CM31-03 Pucci Servant Running

CM31-04 Pucci Servant Crouched

CM31-05 Pucci Servant Cowering

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.

Now on the website is the fifth of our Erin Warbands the CMB5 Fomorian Pucci Horde joins a saver set for Fomorians, Sidhe, Milesians and Fir Bolg giving you a ready made force for the table.  The Pucci Warband has twenty different little sea devils in it making a mass in play.

We have the mighty CMM00 All of Erin Bundle which contains one of EVERY miniature in the Erin range with a 5% saving built in for those who wish to get all there is in one bundle.  Above you can see CM15 the Hero Fionn MacCumhail and his War Hound standing and sitting.  Every pose in the range is a single for maximum choice.

Not all Fomorians raid the coast or carry off maidens...some just wanna give you prezzies.  A fun code our 28mm scale SN11 Festive Pucci do just that in their cute wee hats and mittens.  Add them to your collection.

The Celtic Myth range will continue to expand in 2024 and early rules testing is currently underway on a new edition of the Erin tabletop wargame. You can currently get Erin 2nd edition (2005) as a paid digital download at a great discount though.

Thanks for Reading,

GBS (Gavin Syme)

Friday 10 November 2023

Grima Robotic Infantry 15mm released at The Ion Age

One of the largest ranges of 15mm scale sci-fi miniatures in the world gets bigger today with the reveal of Grima Combat Robots and their Planetary Militia operators. The Ion Age 15mm Range
 

The Planetary Militia are present on virtually every world of the Prydian Precinct and while the bulk of its troops are Men and Women there is another type of solider who fights; the Grima Combat Robots. Under Human control at all times and incapable of independent thought these machines selflessly serve using the same weapons and equipment that regular Planetary Militia’s do. Specialist operators control them issuing programmed orders. 
 
 
If you wish to read in depth into the Guran Activation in 4302IC and about the Grima there is an article on our BLOG for you. 
 
As with the entire 15mm range we have packs (within which you can purchase any single pose in any amount) as well as a platoon pack with a unique extra free figure in it. Browse the over 250 codes of miniatures or see all of the GRIMA ROBOTS or the PLANETARY MILITIA on the website refined searches. 
 
 
Pack of twenty five poses plus 
free unique Planetary Militia Grima Repair Trooper 
 
 
Pack of ten (or choose singles) miniatures 
giving you core rifle and squad support weapon poses. 
 
 
Pack of ten (or choose singles) miniatures giving you 
platoon level support weapon poses and loader poses. 
 
 
Pack of five (or choose single) miniatures 
giving you the Planetary Militia operator poses and Grima guards for them. 
 
 
 
Patrol Angis, Callsign Taranis and The Khanate Return (three book bundle)
 
If you want to get into the action of The Ion Age we recommend Patrol Angis. Three books covering the core game, larger games and big vehicles and the return of the alien Shia Khan. There is also the Game Pack which comes with all the miniatures you need to begin plus the core book with a saving. Read more on the website. Also see the Free Content page for Ion Age containing a hundred articles, scenarios and more. 
 
Thank you for Reading, 
 
GBS (Gavin Syme)

Wednesday 8 November 2023

New Chuhuac Flyers 15mm from Loud Ninja Games

The famous Space Raptors get some new flying releases with a Gunship and a Transport added to their array of codes.  In 15mm scale Loud Ninja Games now has over fifty different packs to choose from.  The Chuhuac as well as the Ikwen, the Yandrassi and various mutants, aliens and others too.  From the mind of Eli Arndt to your gaming table. 

If you are intent on conquering a planet you will need air support and the cold blooded space raptors know this all too well.  Fly in the troops and strafe the foe!

RAP052A and RAP052AP the Charka Rav Flyer which is a Troop or Cargo Transport with underslung compartment.  One kit or three with a saving.  It is about 170mm wingspan and 95mm long.  Resin and metal with load out options.

RAP052B and RAP52BP the Charka Kas Flyer which is a Gunship armed to aid ground troops.  One kit or three with a saving. It is the same vehicle as the Charka Rav but lacks the underslung compartment but has additional weapons including spares for your bits box meaning load out options galore.


RAP051 Raxa Light Attack Ship goes well with the new releases and can be assembled in flight or with wings up and landing legs attached for ground placement.

RAP004 Chuhuac Herd Master.  The most senior officer of the space raptors.  There are six packs of Chuhuac to choose from as well as saver bundles, platoons and battlesuits and bikes.

Here you can see a line up of 15mm scale miniatures to show you the size of a typical Chuhuac.  They are from left to right HOF53 Octopod, SHM99 Red Planet Princess, RAP004 Herd Master and lastly from the classic Laserburn range 305 Senior Imperial Officer.

Ikwen are primitive and fierce fighters who aim to rid their homeworld of alien invaders.  Originally a few packs and expanded to include characters as well as platoon set plus riding beasts and more.  A really unique force for your table.

These are the last Loud Ninja Games releases of the year.  We hope you like them.

Thanks for Reading,

GBS