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!

Combat Robots and Sentient Machines in The Ion Age

A special article for The Ion Age which tells the story of Combat Robots, the Grima series from concept to miniatures in two scales plus the story from the universe explaining why Artificial Intelligence (Sentient Machines) are outlawed in Prydian Space. 

 

The Gurtan Activation is a dark chapter in the recent history of the Prydian Precinct. Before the civil war became a reality and peace was the mainstay, a terrible awakening happened in Gurtan Prime the most settled planet in that star system. While many planets did have small enclaves of artificial intelligence rated as emotion capable sentients, only Gurtan Prime had gone as far as linking its entire web of infrastructure to a single machine mind of that supreme kind. That same mind determined that Human life was unwanted and as a result almost the entire population of the planet was murdered in a thousand different ways. Machines usually demure and kindly went haywire and the most lofted planetary climate control system poured snow and lightning for days at a time. The whole star system is in total quarantine and a fleet holds position there to prevent anyone getting on…or anything getting out. There have been attempts. 

 

As a result of the Gurtan Activation in 4302 IC all sentient artificial intelligence in the Precinct was purged without mercy. This left several million robotic infantry without command protocols and the Prydian Army short of manpower. As a result of this, these and more robotic infantry to follow were re-named the ‘Grima’ series and turned into command prompt only droids. Droids operated by Human controllers at the platoon level. Grima are used widely by wealthier Planetary Militia but are shunned by most of the Retained and all Starvaulters. 

 

Grima Robotic Infantry come in a series of forms with most being about the same of a Human and in the same proportions. Armed with typical weapons of the force they belong to they do not have in-built weapon systems. Heavier forms sport support weapons at the platoon level. Controllers operate the robots giving them commands which they follow until countermanded or they are unable to comply. It is an effective combination and there is no chance of rampant awakening in these machines which on Gurtan took the place of mankind. 

 

A final mention must be given to the recently fabricated Brant Combat Robots which are patterned after the Grima but are much larger. A response to the Shia Khan legions putting ever more Warlords and especially Psycoborgs into the front lines and infiltrator missions. The Brant has been created to be able to go toe to toe with a Psycoborg and carries weapons normally found on light to medium vehicles. 

 

 

 

See the Ion Age Free Content page for loads of material for Patrol Angis, Firefight and MOTH 

 

 

 

 

Check out the Ion Age Rule Systems page for game books, posters and more. 

 

 

 

Click on the concept art above to make it full size. Created in 2015 by Sam Croes this sketch confirmed a man sized humanoid machine with many common features of Planetary Militia and Muster in it. The ribbing being a feature of Aketon pattern armour and the head shape referencing security machines. In 2017 the Grima were given playing rules for Patrol Angis in the third book The Khanate Return. Then in 2022 more than forty poses were sculpted in 28mm and 15mm scale releasing in 2023. As we work towards the next new title in The Ion Age the Grima and other robots will get rules for 28mm scale too. 

 

In the Ion Age 28mm Scale Range the Grima exist as singles, packs and a platoon along with their Planetary Militia operators. Find them on the site or this specialised SEARCH. 

 

 

Here is a 28mm scale comparison photo with a Retained Knight, a Planetary Militia trooper, a Female Betrayer and from the Alternate Stars range the Info Bot. 

 

In the huge Ion Age 15mm Scale Range the Grima exist as squad packs (pick poses from these) plus a platoon pack which contains an extra unique miniature. Find them on the site or this specialised SEARCH. 

 

 

 

There will be a Patrol Angis free full size scenario featuring Grima Combat Robots against the Shia Khan Empire in early 2024. Rules for the Planetary Militia and Combat Robots can be found in IAB03 The Khanate Return book. If you wish to post a comment to ask a question or make a suggestion please do so. 

 

GBS (Gavin Syme – Creative Manager of Alternative Armies)

Overhauling the 28mm Ion Age range pt4 Retained Knights

In our fourth Ion Age 28mm update on the progress of the overhauling more than 220 miniatures (1991-2022) we are all about Retained Knights. While last time we saw some of Bob Olley's sculpting (IB16 Retained Support for instance) this time sixteen more miniatures featuring the sculpting of Gary Morley (Gaz).

Sadly we are increasing prices (ten percent) as well as making all 28mm poses singles for the first time. Platoons, Packs, Singles. Each of the pack codes (IB) has a baked in small saving over single figures. This time the following pack codes with their singles after it (all in the above image). 

IB21 Retained Varlet Support (IA079 to IA082) 

IB22 Retained Rapid Strike (IA083 to IA086) 

IB15 Retained Jupons (IA056 to IA058) 

IB23 Retained Veterans (IA087 to IA090) 

Here are some example pictures of pack and singles from this update which include my own personal favourite Retained Knight miniature IA089 Retained Veteran with Plasma Rifle. 

We have just about reached the half way point now with some six hundred new pictures gracing the website. There are Retained Nobles to come as well as Planetary Militia and other characters such as the Noblesse. Before we move onto the Shia Khan Empire. This overhaul will take many more weeks to complete and will be followed by further restored original codes too. Current (2019) prices on the website will be honoured until that code is updated and new pictures put in. There will also be brand new poses added from April 2023. 

Until 1st May 2023 you automatically get AS016 War Bot in your package when it ships out. Worth 10.00GBP this any scale resin model is 40mm tall and works great in 28mm sci-fi. Alternative Armies keeps the fun in wargaming. 

 Thank you. 

 GBS

MOTH Ion Age skirmish rules free files and new print run

It is important to note that the creation of the Prydian Army actually contributed greatly to the rise of both Yordan and Canlaster. Before the formation of the Army the Marcher Barons had little room for movement, they could hire mercenaries and police their own worlds but the Starvaulters kept them in check. Taking men and women from the planets of the barons and giving them so much training and weaponry only stoked the fires of civil war. Certainly they put down the rebels for several years but then they became rebels themselves as their loyalty was first to their baron and not the throne. Granted not all of the regiments abandoned the throne but we have very much been the architects of our own demise. We were warned by many but we chose to ignore them all. Kadj Dace got what he wanted, not by the means he planned but by accident of design. Prydia is aflame and none among us can stop it. Lord Turnbull, Glastonbury Tor. 

 

Before Patrol Angis and the titanic expansion of the 15mm Ion Age range there was MOTH the skirmish game system for the more than three hundred poses in the 28mm Ion Age miniature range. MOTH has been out of printed stock for a long time but upon customer request we had a short new run made up! So you can get the book in print or paid digital download (20% less than print) now. MOTH was the starting point for the Prydian Civil War. 

 

Three Prydian Retained in their typical white and red titanium plate. Every miniature can be had as a pack or within the pack as single poses. We also have value sets of whole platoons and lances which give you miniatures for free within them. Retained, Muster, Legion, Betrayers and Malig Goblins. Great for any 28mm game system in space opera style! 

 

There is a free folder of useful files for MOTH which is now on the page for the book with a link. It contains rosters, templates and a starter scenario which ties into the book too. Go HERE for the range or you can CLICK HERE to download the file from our server right now. 

 

Moth lets you to play out anything from a small skirmish with half a dozen miniatures a side right up to a squad level battle with more than a hundred miniatures in play if you so desire. Play with 28mm OR 15mm miniatures from the Ion Age. This is a game that is fast to learn, fast to play and great for younger novice players and experienced tacticians alike. Moth has a clever central mechanic based around the D10 (ten sided dice) and the adaptable Elan Rating system. This, when combined with fluid squad mechanic allows players to add to and remove from their squads in play. Plus unique features such as Break Shots, Degrade Fire, two action choice among many others makes the game flow excellently and combines tension with fun in battle. Use cover, avoid open ground, call on your fellows for support. Win the Prydian Civil War for your noble masters! 

 

 

Lastly if you place an order during September 2020 you will automatically get a free 5024 Dark Czar Zombie (worth 2.50GBP) read about this on our BLOG. If you wish...just ask us (by email to sales@alternative-armies.com) with your order number when you place it and I will personally replace the Zombie with a free 28mm Ion Age miniature. Retained if you order Retained or Malig if you order Malig etc. It is my pleasure. 

 

Thanks for Reading, 

 

GBS