Furioso and War Game Scenarios the Italian Wars by Rodolfo Verginella

We were delighted at Alternative Armies to be involved with supporting a new book on the Italian Wars 1494-1559 which would involve the Furioso wargame rules by Steve Danes and the 15mm scale large range of miniatures we make for the period.  The author Rodolfo Verginella gifted us a review copy of the book as printed by Amazon and this article is our look at the book and how it links into Furioso on the table.

You can find Wargame Scenarios the Italian Wars on AMAZON.

You can find Furioso and Furioso the Italian Wars in print and digital on our WEBSITE.

The book itself is a well produced ninety eight page perfect bound full colour title.  It contains an introduction, how to read game scales, orders of battle, rule sets to use, links and bibliography which are all well presented.  The meat of the book are the TWENTY full scenarios of historical battles beginning with Seminara 1495 through Ravenna 1512 up to Scannagalio in 1554.  Each scenario is either small or large based on history and features information on who and what happened and their forces as well as map and guide to armies for three different rule systems.  These are Impetus, Pike and Shotte and Furioso.  For Furioso you are told units and their sizes plus special notes.  This gets you to the table and then the game rules take over.

This title is an impressive piece of historical research by a fluent Italian speaker and is very easy to follow.  It has garnered excellent feedback from wargamers on those groups which deal with the Italian Wars.  Many of these members are customers of ours and players of Furioso.  Our own copy is now dog eared from use and will be referred to again and again.  It is well worth purchasing if you play this period as specialised resources such as this can be thin on the ground.  There are some spelling errors and a slight re-organisation of sections (attaching captain's value to scenarios) would be helpful but these are very minor detractors.

Our 16th Century Renaissance Range in 15mm scale features in Rodolpho’s book and while you can play Furioso in any scale from 28mm to 6mm it is our chosen scale to use  Over 150 poses as singles plus horses, buildings, ruins, encampments, tents, walls and historical characters such as Leonardo Da Vinci and Cesare Borgia.  We also have packs of bases for Furioso and army packs which come with free bases and all you need to field a sizable force.  One of the largest selections of 15mm Landsknechts on foot, mounted and artillery anywhere to be found.

If you have any questions we welcome them to sales@alternative-armies.com and we are happy to do our best to assist you.

Thank you for your attention.

Gavin Syme (GBS)

New Italian 16thC Infantry for Furioso 15mm Renaissance range

The Italian Wars of of 1494 to 1559 is a fertile place for wargaming and for historical flavour with giants of history such as Leonardo Da Vinci, Cesase Borgia and Machiavelli living as the city states as well as the French and Hapsburg battling for control and dominance.  Alternative Armies 15mm Renaissance range puts you in control of those armies as it continues to expand.  This time new early 16th century Italian Pike and Armoured Infantry. Go HERE and have a browse through pages or define by period.

The range covers the late 15th century to the 17th century primarily focused upon Europe but there is also an entire Ottoman Empire selection plus artillery, buildings, tents and more such as foot and mounted personalities.

The new codes are as follows and you can find them on page two of the range or by seeking the codes in the search box.  They fit in nicely with any city state or mercenary army fighting in Italy:

MR133 Italian Pike Middle Rank  Early 16th Century

MR134 Italian Pike Front Rank Early 16th Century

MR135 Italian Armoured Crossbow Early 16th Century

MR136 Italian Armoured Arquebus Early 16th Century

MR137 Italian Armoured Halberd Early 16th Century

MR138 Italian Armoured Sword Early 16th Century

MR139 Italian Armoured Sword and Buckler Early 16th Century 

During 2020 and 2021 we added over fifty new miniatures for a Landskecht Army including infantry armoured and unarmoured with a variety of weapons as well as cavalry and command sets foot and mounted.  An artillery crew, Organ Gun and Handbuchse Light Gun as well.  All of these can be found on the LANDSKNECT search tag and the ARTILLERY tag in the range.

Written by Steve Danes the popular Furioso rule system allows you to fight battles in the 16th century with any scale of miniatures and five settings and army lists.  It has a supplement 'The Italian Wars' which gives extra material for mercenaries, historical scenarios, solo play rules, solo campaigning, blessings on troops as well wondrous inventions and outrageous artillery and other 'fantastical' sections dealing with 'what if' Da Vinci's war machines had actually been reality.  Both books in print and as paid digital downloads plus we have pre-made army packs which have a saving and include free element bases.

Out HOB1 Human Starter Settlement is a great way to put quirky 16th century style buildings on your gaming table with a saving.  Find this and buildings and tents as singles in the range.

Thanks for Reading,

GBS

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

Female Landsknechts 28mm released

"In the time of the Renaissance the battlefields of Europe looked on in fear at the massed blocks of pike and other Landsknects who fought for coin.  While none of them were women..perhaps in an alternate reality..."

The new twenty eighth code in our FL range contains four different 28mm metal miniatures. Choose from a pack and from single miniatures within it by pose.  These miniatures are semi modular with separate arms.  Go HERE. Poses in this code are as follows:

FL28-01: Female Landsknecht armed with Halberd.

FL28-02: Female Landsknecht armed with Crossbow.

FL28-03: Female Landsknecht armed with Sword.

FL28-04: Female Landsknecht armed with Arquebus.

These can fit right into fantasy campaigns and perhaps historical ones of intrigue too.  See the whole FL range of 28mm fantasy HERE. 

Thanks for reading,

GBS

Furioso Pike Block and Imperial Army with free bases and saving released

Joining our other army packs (French, Italian and Dutch) for the Furioso rules system Renaissance Warfare written by Stephen Danes we have two new value codes.  Go HERE for the 15mm miniature range plus the new and the books in print and as digital downloads.  Try Furioso today.

There is a brand new release coming for this range coming soon as well a free PDF with rules for Da Vinci himself in Furioso and the Handbushen Light Gun in the game system too.  Look out for news on these next week from us. Hold your orders until then or orders twice (getting this month's free code twice in that case).

FURA04 Imperial Army – Early 16th Century: This pre-made army for use with Furioso contains all you need to field large four hundred and sixty five point army for the early 16th century. Use in the Italian Wars. Supplied with 237 pieces (part of which is three entire FURA05 Landsknecht Pike Blocks) in 15mm scale metal consisting of infantry, cavalry and artillery there is also an included army list for assembly. Also included are 60 Element Bases (40mm by 30mm and 40mm by 20mm) for the army for free!  All the miniatures are from the Altuos 15mm range.  Save 15% off regular price.  

FURA05 Landsknecht Pike Block: This pre-made unit for Furioso contains all you need for an eleven element force of Landsknechts which can be part of an Imperial Army or Italian, French or even the Black Legion.  Supplied with 38 miniatures in 15mm scale metal with pike, sword, arquebus and command poses. Also included are 11 Element Bases (40mm by 20mm) for the army for free!  All the miniatures are from the Altuos 15mm range.  Save 10% off regular price. 

There are well over two hundred poses in the Altuos 15mm range each can be had as a single miniature or small set.  As well as this we have a range of 15mm buildings and scenics such as tents, campfire and others which are all useful for your table.

Thanks for Reading,

GBS

MRX23 Handbuchse Light Gun and Landsknect Crew 15mm released

Our last historical release of the month and event period is one which was requested by customers more than any other in our expansion of the 15mm Renaissance Range which supports Furioso the game system.  It is the Handbuchse Light Gun plus separate crew.  This follows up on our brand new Landsknecht command set releases earlier this week.  See the whole massive range of three hundred choices HERE.

MRX23 Handbuchse Light Gun

15mm Scale Miniatures. This artillery pack contains a 16th century heavy rifled gun known as a 'Handbuchse' which was used mainly by Landsknechts but also by some others.  Static and hard to use and move it could prove useful.  The gun comes in two pieces and also with two gunners one with match and the other to hold the gun.  Crew are Landsknechts. One smaller artillery kit of 15mm Metal Miniatures from the Altuos range. 

This code is supplied unassembled and unpainted.  You can take a set or select the gunners only or the gun on its own in any quantity.  Go HERE.

As well as the 15th century, 16th century and early 17th century European nations in the range we also have the Ottoman Turkish Empire represented as well.  Go HERE for a refined search.  You can also purchase their horses on their own as well as a recent improvement to options online.

Thanks for Reading,

GBS

Landsknecht Command Set and Armoured Command Set 15mm released

Alternative Armies expands our 15mm Renaissance range again with two new codes. We now have more than forty poses of Landsknects with pike, sword, arquebus, halberd and crossbow as well as mounted with same weapons plus an Organ Gun and an artillery crew too.  To this we add four pose command sets of officer, musician, standard bearer in typical costume and as armoured. Go HERE for the range or read on for more. Additionally you will find the artillery on Page Four of the range.  You can refine your range search to 'Landsknecht' only on the page too if you wish.

Useful in Italian Campaigns as well as across Europe in the sixteenth century we hope you enjoy these historical releases which can also be used for fantasy if you prefer an 'imagi-campaign' or such. 

MR125 Landsknecht 16th Century Infantry Command

Four different Metal Miniatures from the Altuos range.  These Landsknect Command poses go with our range of Landsknects.  Drummer, Officer, Fifer and Standard Bearer. Individual codes are: MR125,MR126,MR127 and MR128 if you wish to ask about multiple singles.  If you wish certain poses this is fine just state in order notes or by email with order number.  So if you want four dummers just ask for 'MR125 please give me 4x Drummer' and it shall be so!  Go HERE.

MR129 Landsknecht 16th Century Armoured Infantry Command

Four different Metal Miniatures from the Altuos range.  These Armoured Landsknect Command poses go with our range of Landsknects.  Drummer, Officer, Fifer and Standard Bearer. Individual codes are: MR129,MR130,MR131 and MR132 if you wish to ask about multiple singles.  If you wish certain poses this is fine just state in order notes or by email with order number.  So if you want four dummers just ask for 'MR129 please give me 4x Drummer' and it shall be so!  Go HERE.

You may find the following of interest as well.

MRX23 Organ Gun 

One artillery kit of 15mm Metal Miniatures from the Altuos range. Composed of organ gun on carriage and two wheels. The Ribauldequin, also known as an infernal machine or organ gun, was a late medieval gun with many small-caliber iron barrels set up parallel on a platform. In use during the 14th and on through the 16th century such as that used by the Kingdom of Aragon. It is also a rather fanciful artillery piece perhaps inspired by Leonardo da Vinci. Go HERE. 

Everyone needs somewhere to live even if they are only in fifteen millimetres tall.  While our Ion Age Terrain range gives you buildings for alien planets it is to the HOB 15mm Buildings range we go for fantasy and historical settings from horse and musket back to medieval and imagi-nations.  These are in the 15mm Renaissance Range too.  Five different buildings as well as three different tens and some scenics too. Great for your table.

Also if you are keen on Renaissance Warfare check out the Furioso rules system with its Italian Wars expansion as well as our 15mm range which contains over three hundred different miniatures. Infantry, Cavalry, Artillery, Command plus Horses and the man of the age Leonardo da Vinci!  Both books are in print and in digital download versions twenty percent cheaper too. 

Thank you for your time. 

GBS

New Landsknecht Cavalry eight 15mm codes released

Alternative Armies expands our 15mm Renaissance range again with eight new codes. Following up on new artillery and gun crew last time we now add cavalry to our growing selection of Landsknechts (now over thirty poses).  Go HERE for the range or read on for more.  You will find most of the Early 16th Century on Page Two of the range as the range runs by time period with artillery and Ottoman Turkish at the end.  

Useful in Italian Campaigns as well as across Europe in the sixteenth century we hope you enjoy these historical releases which can also be used for fantasy if you prefer an 'imagi-campaign' or such. The above image shows some of the new cavalry in front of two of our 15mm buildings (HOB1A Small Hovel and HOB1B Big Hovel).

MRC75 Landsknecht Cav Command 16thC (2)

MRC77 Landsknecht Cavalry Sword 

MRC78 Landsknecht Cavalry Sword II

MRC79 Landsknecht Cavalry Crossbow 

MRC80 Landsknecht Cavalry Crossbow II

MRC81 Landsknecht Cavalry Arquebus

MRC82 Landsknecht Cavalry Arquebus II 

These riders are supplied with horse MRH02 but they will fit any horse in the range and as with all other cavalry you can purchase riders on their own too.

These riders will sit happily on the new MRH20 Barding Armoured Horse if you prefer to have your Landsknects a bit heavier on the table.

Perhaps your Landsknechts will act in guard of their own artillery.  MRX23 Organ Gun (above) which can go with any of the gun crews including MRX19 which has four Landsknecht gunners.

These are our 15mm scale historical releases for this month at Alternative Armies.

Thanks for Reading,

GBS

New 15mm Organ Gun and Landsknecht Gun Crew released

Alternative Armies expands our 15mm Renaissance range again with two new codes. Our selection of artillery now includes a many multiple barrel gun and our rapidly growing selection of Landsknects (more than twenty five poses) now has a gun team too. Go HERE for the range or read on for more. Additionally you will find the artillery on Page Four of the range. 

 

 

Useful in Italian Campaigns as well as across Europe in the sixteenth century we hope you enjoy these historical releases which can also be used for fantasy if you prefer an 'imagi-campaign' or such. The above image shows the new gunners with MRX1 Cannon and the new artillery piece with MRX7 Early 16th century gun crew. 

 

MRX19 Landsknecht Early 16th Century Gun Crew 

Four different Metal Miniatures from the Altuos range. These Landsknect gunners go with our range of Landsknects and any of our cannons such as MRX1, MRX2 and MRX23 Organ Gun. Individual codes are: MRX19,MRX20,MRX21 and MRX22 if you wish to ask about multiple singles. Go HERE. 

 

MRX23 Organ Gun 

One artillery kit of 15mm Metal Miniatures from the Altuos range. Composed of organ gun on carriage and two wheels. The Ribauldequin, also known as an infernal machine or organ gun, was a late medieval gun with many small-caliber iron barrels set up parallel on a platform. In use during the 14th and on through the 16th century such as that used by the Kingdom of Aragon. It is also a rather fanciful artillery piece perhaps inspired by Leonardo da Vinci. Go HERE. 

 

Also if you are keen on Renaissance Warfare check out the Furioso rules system with its Italian Wars expansion as well as our 15mm range which contains over three hundred different miniatures. Infantry, Cavalry, Artillery, Command plus Horses and the man of the age Leonardo da Vinci!

 

This is our last release of the month. Thank you for your time. 

 

GBS

Landsknecht 15mm Halberds Swords Crossbows Arquebus 20 new poses!

Alternative Armies now expands the Altuos 15mm Renaissance Range with new miniatures now totaling 170 poses.  Sculpted in the same style and to the same fineness as the original range these new Landsknects add to the Pikes from last month giving four with two handed sword, four with crossbow, four with arquebus, four with halberd and four armoured with halberd.  Twenty 15mm poses.  Go HERE for the range which covers late 15th century through to the 17th century and look through all the miniatures.

Every miniature in the whole range including 15mm buildings, walls and tents plus horses and artillery as well as cavalry and infantry can be had as a single meaning total control of your army for your chosen game system. We also have the Furioso Renaissance wargame rules with its Italian Wars expansion by Steve Danes.  These books can be had in print or as digital downloads at twenty percent less.

MR100 Landsknect Loading Arquebus

MR101 Landsknect Shoulder March Arquebus 

MR102 Landsknect Advancing Arquebus  

MR29 Landsknect Arquebus

MR103 Landsknect 2H Sword Standing

MR104 Landsknect 2H Sword Raised

MR105 Landsknecht 2H Sword Advancing

MR28 Landsknect 2H Sword

MR106 Landsknect Halberd Shouldered 

MR107 Landsknect Halberd Standing

MR108 Landsknect Halberd Guard

MR109 Landsknect Halberd Advancing

MR110 Landsknect Armoured Halberd Shouldered

MR111 Landsknect Armoured Halberd Standing

MR112 Landsknect Armoured Halberd Guard

MR113 Landsknect Arm Halberd Advancing

MR114 Landsknect Crossbow Shouldered

MR115 Landsknect Crossbow Loading

MR116 Landsknect Crossbow Firing

MR117 Landsknect Crossbow Advancing

We hope you enjoy this big expansion and these were added to the Light, Heavy and Armoured Pikes in three poses each last time. There are now nearly thirty different early 16th century miniatures for these paid for troops and we will be releasing more in coming months.

Thanks for Reading,

GBS

New 15mm Landsknecht Light Heavy and Armoured Pike

Alternative Armies now expands the Altuos 15mm Renaissance Range with new miniatures added to the 150 poses that already exist.  Sculpted in the same style and to the same fineness as the original range these new Landsknects mean there are now Marching, Middle Rank and Front rank for Light Pike, Heavy Pike and Armoured Pike.  Nine 15mm poses.  Go HERE for the range which covers late 15th century through to the 17th century and look through all the miniatures.

Every miniature in the whole range including 15mm buildings, walls and tents plus horses and artillery as well as cavalry and infantry can be had as a single meaning total control of your army for your chosen game system. We also have the Furioso Renaissance wargame rules with its Italian Wars expansion by Steve Danes.  These books can be had in print or as digital downloads at twenty percent less.

MR118 Landsknect Armoured Pike

MR119 Landsknect Armoured Pike Middle Rank

MR120 Landsknect Armoured Pike Front Rank

MR26 Landsknect Heavy Pike

MR121 Landsknect Heavy Pike Middle Rank

MR122 Landsknect Heavy Pike Front Rank

MR27 Landsknect Light Pike

MR123 Landsknect Light Pike Middle Rank

MR124 Landsknect Light Pike Front Rank

We hope you enjoy these expanded choices for pikes.  Next month in 15mm Renaissance wargaming we will be bringing you further new Renaissance releases in 15mm scale for your Landsknects do not just fight with pikes across Europe.

Thanks for Reading,

GBS