Sunday, September 30, 2018

Andrew Lonon: Double Dungeon Deluxe Muster Box - Framed Miniature Display Case Reviewed!


Today we will be taking a look at the Double Dungeon Deluxe Muster Box - Display your carefully painted miniatures in style against a stunning scenic background and framed by a quality walnut frame. Read our full review below for more details.

In this review we will take a closer look at the Double Dungeon Deluxe Muster Box from the creator Andrew Lonon which was succesfully crowdfunded on Kickstarter earlier this year. The Muster Box is a framed display case with a detailled resin scenic background framed in a quality walnut frame allowing you to display your lovely painted miniatures in style. The Muster Box is available as the Double Dungeon or Manticore Manor, the difference between these two models is the size of the display and the scenic background. Check the Muster Box Webstore here

The Double Dungeon is a 12 inch wide, 6 inch tall box designed to sit within a traditional picture frame while the Manticore Manor is a 12 inch wide, 9 inch tall box designed to sit within a larger traditional frame. Each Muster Box will be available in a painted and framed 'deluxe' edition or unpainted as a 'frame it yourself' kit. For this particular review we will look at the Double Dungeon Deluxe Muster Box, the smaller display case which is ready to use out of the box and supplied with a lovely walnut frame allowing you to quickly mount and display your miniature collection!


Double Dungeon Deluxe Muster Box

The Double Dungeon Deluxe Muster Box comes with an evocative scenic background of dungeon architecture and dark caves allowing you to recreate some truly epic dungeon crawl dioramas for your miniatures. The scenic background is supplied coated in magnetic paint, basecoated and washed bringing out the detail of the sculpted background allowing your miniatures to shine against your hobby room or living area wall. As mentionned before the Double Dungeon Deluxe Muster Box is supplied pre-painted and washed as you can see in the pictures. I would personally prefered an even more finished and detailled paintjob but the basic paintjob is suitable enough for the purpose and can always be further enhanced using some hobby or cheap craft paints. Display your lovely painted miniature collection as the true pieces of art they are, framed in a beautiful high-quality walnut frame. The Muster Box is designed to display small scale classic and vintage miniatures, scaled 25-28mm on small integral or added bases. Make sure to check the full Muster Box dimensions on the website.

The Double Dungeon Deluxe Muster Box is basically supplied as a kit consisting out of the light-weight resin background, the walnut frame and the plexi-glass cover along with some magnetic basing stickers and informative leaflet. The assembly of the Muster Box is very easy, you simply removed the protective film from the plexi-glass insert and put it in the wooden frame. Then you put your miniatures on the scenic background, using the slight magnetic attraction of the magnetic paint and put the background into the frame. Last step close the velcro attachment strips securing the background to the frame and you're ready to mount the display case on your wall or set it on desk.





Note if your miniatures aren't magnetic based already you can use the supplied magnetic basing stickers on their bases to create a bond between the background and the miniatures. This magnetic bond is necessary to assemble the display without your miniatures moving and toppling over. If you prefer not to rebase your miniatures you can always use the display case without the plexi-glass cover. This would also allow you to change your displayed miniatures easier but wouldn't protect them from dust and potential damage. That said I will most likely use the Muster Box without the plexi-glass cover as it's much easier to quickly change the miniatures while photographing them against the Double Dungeon background piece.




The Conclusion

If you're looking for some display cases to showcase your miniatures you might be interested in these out of the box Deluxe Muster Boxes or their 'frame it yourself' alternatives. These display cases are an easy and visually attractive way to display your lovely painted miniatures with a great-looking background and lovely quality wooden frame. Display your classic wargaming and roleplaying miniatures in an evocative dungeons and dragons setting featuring dark caves and dangerous dungeons and enjoy them being displayed in your hobby room or living area.

I think however the biggest draw back of the Deluxe Muster Box is the estimated retail price but I guess the price reflects the high cost of the quality walnut frame. You might be able to supply your own frame and get it cheaper online while getting the 'frame it yourself' Muster Box option from Andrew Lonon. The Double Dungeon Muster Box in the deluxe version will be available for around $225 while the alternative version without frame will be available for $75 but note that the prices aren't finalized yet. There will also be Warhammer 40K inspired Muster Boxes in the future allowing you to display your larger Warhammer 40K miniatures against a lovely grimdark gothic science fiction background. 

Disclaimer - We received this Deluxe Muster Box from Andrew Lonon for reviewing purposes. Please note that this doesn't influence our review as we always strive to supply you with our own independent and honest opinion about the wargame products reviewed.

Dozens of other reviews can easily be found here and make sure to follow this blog as more reviews, tutorials and wargame news appears every day!

Saturday, September 29, 2018

Games Workshop: New Warhammer 40K - Wake The Dead Set


Games Workshop: Wake the Dead is the latest Warhammer 40,000 battlebox – part narrative adventure, part starter set, and part money-saving bundle. Yesterday, we took an overview of the set – but just what’s in the box? Join us as we take a closer look.

Like Forgebane and Tooth and Claw before it, Wake the Dead is part of the developing narrative of Warhammer 40,000, as we explore the universe almost a century* after the fall of Cadia. Wake the Dead sees the tensions between the Imperium and Aeldari – ancient foes despite their common enemies in Chaos – ignite into all-out war.




Alternative Armies: Civilians of Valon by Andy Jefcoate


Alternative Armies: We end September with Article 14 from Andy Jefcoate as he continues to build his Flintloque collection.  This time five new characters appear in the Witchlands and are given roles in play.  The Orcs 'Stab' and 'Grab' as well as 'The Quartermaster' and 'Johann the Dwarf'.  Inspired by the excellent Civilians of Valon pack which has a 28mm Dogman, two Orcs, a Dwarf and a Gnome in it.  A great read for players of the game and those keen on high fantasy with a twist.  Have a great weekend and we will see you all next month with more awesome!  GBS


Friday, September 28, 2018

Khadrin's Miniatures: New 15-18mm Adventurers and Villagers


Khadrin's Miniatures released these new Adventurers and Villagers.



The Ion Age: Patrol Angis Adder Combat Tankettes Download


The Ion Age: Field the tracked Adder Tankettes in Patrol Angis with a free two page download full of stats and information to add to your games. If you play Patrol Angis or if you do not and you like the look of these five un-released light vehicles you have until 1st October 2018 to pre-order them saving ten percent to twenty five percent on singles or bundles. All shipping worldwide at the start of October. Thank you for your support and we have already replaced the molds for these with new ones as of yesterday due to demand. Keeping the awesome in space opera 15mm gaming. GBS


Heroic Maps: New Down The Well Scenery Map Released


Heroic Maps: Drybon Well is a well-known landmark. Sitting atop a small hillock, it has provided the nearby villages with fresh water for as long as anyone can remember. If only they knew what was really down there...

A set of printable battlemaps compatible with any RPG/Dungeon-Crawl game. Use as a standalone gameboard, or combine with any same-scale tileset. Also included are 300dpi full size jpgs, for poster printing or VTT. Also included are Roll20 VTT ready files, sized at 72dpi and 140x140px per square (all less than 10mb)
 
Contents: A multiple level map consisting of a 5  battlemaps, each depicting a different level beneath a well, linked by the well shaft that connects them vertically.
Surface- a 20x20 map depicting a small well on a hill in a peaceful countryside setting.
Caverns - a 10x10 map showing a fungus cavern beneath the surface
The Halls - a 10x15 map of a grand hall, the walls lined with statues of death
The Crypt - A 10x15 map of a small tomb complex
The Lower Levels - a 20x20 map depicting the pool of water the well draws from, sitting in the middle of an ancient ruined catacomb,




FG MiniZ: New Franco-Prussian War French Imperial Infantry Discounted Pre-Order Launch


FG MiniZ: Our 28mm 1870 Franco Prussian War French Imperial Infantry is online for Pre Order at Special Prices from now on to the 15th of October. Orders will be shipped at the start of November 2018 - 2 free Color plates will be offered with each Pre Order! The Special Regimental Pack will be discontinued at the end of the Pre Order Period.






Alternative Armies: Warchest Blog - Painted 15mm Elf Cavalry


Alternative Armies: Warchest Blog paints up our HOT 15mm Elf Cavalry as part of an expanding collection of High Fantasy in the smaller scale.  Resplendent in silver and white. Our thanks to Jimboba for permission to use his pictures and you can see them plus more about our wide range of Elves in 15mm scale by clicking though.  Thanks!  GBS


Thursday, September 27, 2018

Pwork: New MDF Scenery - Urban Ruins Kit 01 + 02 Release!


Pwork: MDF Scenery - Urban Ruins Kit 01 + 02! Pwork Wargames MDF terrains! Build a city in ruins on your wargaming tabletop and fight among ruined buildings devastated by endless conflicts!



Alternative Armies: Bakewell DBA Tournament Sponsorship


Alternative Armies: On 20th October 2018 the Bakewell DBA Tournament will happen in Derbyshire UK.  Alternative Armies is sponsoring the event with packs of miniatures as prizes.  Spaces remain to attend.  Read the article for full details as well as event address and time.  Our sponsorship takes the form of infantry, cavalry, artillery and gunners from the late 15th century taken from the Altuos 15mm range.  Good fortune to all wargamers on the day! GBS


Wednesday, September 26, 2018

Kieran Billings: The Wizard's Tower Expansions - Printable STL Files Kickstarter


Kieran Billings: The Wizard's Tower - Expansion Sets contains modular bridge pieces to print your own bridge on your home 3D printer (or by using a printing service). 

As an extra expansion to this you can also pledge for the sacrificial set if you like your wizards a bit more evil. The bridge pieces were designed to be used in conjunction with The Wizard's Tower (original kickstarter campaign) to create a grand entrance or join two towers together. But they can be used completely separately to build a bridge crossing a river or even a tall viaduct joining 2 cliff faces. 


The ruins included in the pledge make it great for creating scenic pieces on your battlefield. Perhaps a long, destroyed bridge spanning the length of your table. The sacrificial set is great for a lovely outdoor setting for your evil wizard, complete with its own pillar for captives to be tied to, sacrifical altar, floating font pouring out some gooey yuckness and a portal to some place of evil (or good, maybe some lovely fairy land). If you missed out on the original Wizard's Tower Kickstarter you can pledge here for the entire set of the Tower and the bridge or if you are a returning backer (or just want the bridge) you can pledge solely for the bridge. Check the Kickstarter here

Steepled Hat Studios: New Fantasy Dark Age Village Kickstarter Inbound


Steepled Hat Studios previewed their new scenery pieces for their upcoming Kickstarter coming in October. House your fantasy villagers, orc hordes and other fantasy denizens in style with these great-looking fantasy round houses, granaries and fences.




Deep-Cut Studio: New Gothic Ruins Game Mats Release


Deep-Cut Studio: New game mat release! Gothic Ruins is another title that speaks for itself and offers no compromises. Futuristic, dirty, grim and beautiful in its own majestic way, it has the right ingredients for any dystopian sci-fi or WH40k setting. Available on premium neoprene material in any size you can think of at www.deepcutstudio.com – home of game mats.


Micro Art Studio: 15% Discount - 120mm Oval & Round Bases


Micro Art Studio: 15% discount on all resin 120mm bases!


Tuesday, September 25, 2018

Pwork: Badlands! Fantasy Gaming Mat From Pwork Wargames!


Badlands! Fantasy Gaming Mat from Pwork Wargames!


The Ion Age: The Interview - A Story and Game Stats


The Ion Age: Make way for Lord Pompous but don't let him on the air! A free three page download called 'The Interview' written by the talented Aris Kolehmainen introduces you to the ego maniac who is Lord Guad D Pompous. 

Read the tale and then make use of the Patrol Angis game statistics also in the article to have this Desteria Knight character take to the field! Enjoy and well done Aris. Lastly there are only a few days left to pre-order and save on our Adder Combat Tankette vehicles; details in the linked article. Thanks. GBS Check the article here


Alternative Armies: New Tracker Urban Bikes Released!


Alternative Armies: Alternative Armies makes its last September 2018 release in the 15mm science fiction range with two new packs for Security Force Alpha!  Tracker Urban Bikes great for many settings and adding to the huge SFA choice in the range already.  

These sleek wheeled bikes are the third release in conjunction with prolific wargamer Fred Richards who has a vision of space colony warfare in the near future which we are in on!  Click through to see and learn more about these new resin bikes and the rest of the SFA.  Additionally our special freebie this week is a sprue of five HOF113 Security Force Alpha Support Troopers worth 2.50GBP which will be put automatically into any order containing one or more 15mm scale HOF or Laserburn codes until midnight Sunday.  Thanks.  GBS


Monday, September 24, 2018

Steamforged Games: Popular Horizon Zero Dawn™ - The Board Game Kickstarter Campaign


Steamforged Games: Horizon Zero Dawn™: The Board Game is a semi co-operative tactical action game for 1-4 players designed in the rich and unique Horizon Zero Dawn™ universe. Check the full Kickstarter here to check all the cool miniatures!

Assigned a dangerous quarry by the Hunter’s Lodge, players choose a tribe and class for their hunter and embark on an adventure through the wilds. A variety of machines and unexpected events lurk along the way, and awaiting them at the end of the trail is a lethal boss fight. Combining innovative and dynamic game mechanics with strategic deck building, Horizon Zero Dawn™: The Board Game offers players a unique experience on each playthrough. Hunters can develop along several skill paths and purchase a wide variety of ammunition and equipment from merchants, as well as facing entirely different encounters each time.


The Ion Age: Top Down Scale Shots 15mm Adder Tankettes


The Ion Age:  Upon request here are four 'top down' scale pictures of the new (not yet released) Adder Combate Tankettes shown against our other 15mm vehicles, troops and structures. Get a feel for their size. Pre-order offers are now on saving ten percent to twenty five percent on single vehicles to bundles of five or fifteen. More armour than the wheeled or lifter Adders and a choice of load outs. Great for any game system and fantastic value. All orders will ship on 1st October 2018 worldwide for these Adders. You also get Reward Points on all orders and if you have points accumulated you can use them on these offers too. Check out our Early Supporters page too. GBS


Saturday, September 22, 2018

Shieldwolf Miniatures: New Forest Goblin Wolf Cavalry Preview


Shieldwolf Miniatures: Work behind the scenes keeps going on... an army in the deep vast forests is assembling... beware!


Breaking! Warlord Games: Cruel Seas - World War Two Naval Warfare Miniature Game Previewed


Warlord Games has previewed their plastic and resin models for their upcoming Cruel Seas - World War Two Naval Warfare Miniature Game! Looks like the small ships will be supplied in plastic while the larger ships will be cast in resin. Pictures by Twitter @FistyGlueMan








Thursday, September 20, 2018

Alternative Armies: Flintloque Tale - Harringtorc Parte The First


Alternative Armies: It is my pleasure to present to fans of Flintloque parte the first of the adventures of Lieutenant Harringtorc of his Ogre majesty Gorge III's Army of Albion campaigning in Catalucia against the Elves of Marshal Sault.  A great short read here  Enjoy!  GBS


Deep-Cut Studio: New Dice Trays - Make Your Rolls Lucky


Deep-Cut Studio: New dice trays have just been released and they are guaranteed to make all your rolls +1 or -1. Whichever you prefer. Historical wargames players will find the theme most appealing, but let’s not forget that any picture can become your personalized dice tray. Visit www.deepcutstudio.com and aim for crits.


Fireforge Games: New Fantasy Forgotten World Orc Faction Heroes Previewed


Fireforge Games: Preview of the Forgotten World wargame orc faction design. We like them, we hope you too! Conan the Barbarian main theme will be perfect for them :)


Wednesday, September 19, 2018

The Miniature Company: Saxon Army Miniature Range Preview


The Miniature Company previewed the first pack of Saxon figures which is made up of Ceorls with open hands for either throwing or thrusting spears. The pack will also include an assortment of suitable shields (not pictured). These miniatures will be released in early 2019 as part of a complete and finished range along with special deals with free miniatures.