Post Salute 2013 and the Salute Haul

So Salute 2013 has been and gone, and another good year it was. Vast amounts of money was spent on toy soldiers, toy buildings and books about toy soldiers and toy buildings.

First of all the Salute haul. As last year, this year I took part in the Oath that I and a small group of friends started last year, of not buying any new miniatures from the 1st of January, until Salute. So that means I'd managed to save a good bit of money, and of course, had a few things on my list to buy. Needless to say, I bought them all, and then some stuff that wasn't really on the list either.

And this is what it all looks like

Infinity stuff, a good start on a new faction for Bushido, some Japanese scenery from the nice folks at Sarissa, the gorgeous new Dropzone Commander stuff, some 15mm bits and pieces from Antenociti's workshop, counters, scenery and templates for Infinity from MAS, some random figures from Ax Faction, just because, Dreadball season 2 book, the Noble Armada expansion book with a heavy cruiser, some spaceships from White Dragon Games at British indie, the Forge World limited ed Warrior Priest, oh and the Salute figure of course.

I also managed to grab a look at some new things that are particuarly exciting.

For Bushido the game by GCT Studios they had pictures of some of the new models that are coming out in Wave 12 and in the future.

The four painted figures, are the new fisherman for Temple, the Air Kami for Temple, something for Cult, and the Earth Kami for Temple.

At the back the only two you can really make out are the Giant Bat which will be for Savage Wave, and a large wheel with a face in the middle, which will be for Cult.

I also had a flick through their art book that they always bring. I didn't take pictures, as I thought they might not want those all over the place. Needless to say, some nice things coming up for the new faction, Silver Moon, including some Sumo types that are as large as an Oni, and some excellent artwork for all the other factions.

The other exciting news is that there's already artwork being produced for another faction. The faction that looked the most fleshed out so far, with a couple of pieces was the Miyamoto Clan, who are the bear clan that live in the mountains. A shugenja type woman, and a large samurai with a rather large tetsubo. There was also symbols for pirates, the Shi-o, and the Tengu, along with a piece of art for a Tengu, which looked quite cool.

Also news is that they're only a few weeks away from print for the rulebook, which will be nice to finally have in my hands when that gets released. 

Dropzone Commander was looking great as always, and I picked up the new releases for UCM. They were also giving out samples of their new cardstock buildings, with people getting one to take away. I must admit, I'm impressed, with the cardstock being thicker than I thought it would be. While I would love a set of the resin buildings, my budget just can't afford it, so these could be a second best alternative, and £30 to cover a 6 x 4 table, is pretty good really. They also had a new bit of terrain that they were showing off.

Monorai, Monorail

When asked on price, the people behind the stand said that it would be reasonable, and it would come with approximately 2m of track, supports for the track, the train itself, and a scenario booklet to go with it, to allow it to be used. I'm pretty sure I saw Dave talking to BoW about it when I was there, and he mentioned about having troops in the train, and allowing it to move around the battlefield with guys inside. Exciting.

On to gorgeous boards. The first one was the Japanese battle, that was kitted out with Oshiro Model Terrain

  

A great looking board. I love the Oshiro terrain, and I got myself some of the scatter packs, though looking at it I feel it would be sligthly too small for Bushido, so I went with the new MDF terrain from Sarissa. Still, gorgeous stuff.

Next up, the general sci-fi board from Antenociti's workshop

The guy manning the board did say that unfortunately they hadn't managed to get everything finished, but even so it was still looking great. The new modular buildings are looking nice, and they've overcome the problem that put me off buying more when I bought some of the first run of the 15mm buildings. The laser barriers at the side may make it into the store, he was saying the problem is they can't do them with the holes, so they would require to be drilled out by hand. I also told him he needed to make some of the weird aliens that they've got on the board as well.

For a stunning 15mm board, I think the organisers of Salute, the South London Warlords really did it this year.

It was a Hammer's Slammers participation game, which I must admit, I don't know a great deal about, having never read the books, nor do I know what system they were using. Really though, who cares, cause it's a gorgeous looking board. I only wish I had the space, time, and motiviation to do something like this.

And lastly it's Twilight Miniatures

  

I love the wacky world that Mike has come up with, with it's leanings towards Jim Henson Dark Crystal muppets and all that kinda thing. The figures are superbly sculpted, and he's got such an imagination. I always make time to go and talk to Mike every year, cause I enjoy catching up. And every year, even though it's a game that I hardly ever play, he always manages to sell more figures to me, as I just really love them. One of the other guys at the club has bought stuff as well now, so we might get some more games in. 

Anyways, that was my Salute. I'm sure I missed half a million things as always, but I never find the time to see every board, every figure and all the other stuff, and get in buying stuff. Still, that's the joy of reading everyone elses experiences. 

Hope you had fun if you went, and thanks for reading.