Ten Hut! The Best Miniatures and Demo Games from Salute, Part One

The biggest event of the UK’s wargaming calendar, Salute took place this past weekend, and I’m pleased to have been in attendance.

However, this year’s Salute was very different for me. Whilst this was, by my reckoning, the eighth Salute I’d attended, it was my first time as a punter. Previously I’d been working for one publisher or another, and whilst I can’t deny I really enjoyed working Salute for the likes of Warploque Miniature, Footsore Miniatures & Games, Warlord Games et al, I have to say it was great to be able to walk around the show at a leisurely pace and really take in all the demos, games and miniatures the various vendors and clubs had to offer. It also allowed me to compile my top ten vendors and games from Salute, the first part of which I humbly present below.

As with my top five from Chillcon, the following are presented in alphabetical order; that order is in no way indicative of each entry’s comparative merits.

Battleground HD / Bobmack3D / Flank March

A display of wargaming rulebooks and supplements is featured on a table, showcasing various titles. Prominent among them is

This shared stand featured a transatlantic triumvirate of traders and their military miniatures, rulebooks and accessories. Between Battleground HD’s collection of narrative skirmish combat rules, Bobmack3D’s line of detailed modern war vehicles and accessories and Flank March’s catalogue of modern British and Soviet miniatures, they offered a great selection for fans of modern / Cold War miniatures and wargames.

A display of miniature soldiers arranged on clear acrylic stands, showcasing a variety of poses and equipment. The figures are painted in earthy tones, standing on circular bases with green grass tufts, suggesting a military theme. In the foreground, there are larger bases featuring groups of soldiers and weaponry, while smaller figures are positioned on the upper levels of the display.

Check out the three webstores here:

https://www.flankmarch.com/

https://battlegroundhdshop.com/

https://www.flankmarch.com/

Die Hard Miniatures

Tim Prow’s Die Hard Miniatures sports an eclectic—and expanding—collection of both sci-fi and fantasy miniatures. Sculpted with nostalgia in mind, these miniatures feature designs and flourishes that will put the buyer in mind of 2000 AD, oldhammer and Star Wars.

As well Tim’s own work, the Die Hard range also features sculpts and conceptual artwork from such stellar talents as Chris Walton, Johan Egerkrans, Kennon James, Kev White and Patrick Keith. Little wonder that the Die Hard range oozes such quality.

See the Die Hard Miniatures website for more details.

Goblin King Games

A detailed tabletop gaming diorama showcases a rugged, rocky terrain with scattered ruins and overgrown vegetation. The landscape features a mix of rocky outcrops, broken structures, and patches of yellow foliage, creating a post-apocalyptic atmosphere. Small miniatures are positioned throughout the scene, suggesting an ongoing game or battle among the ruins.

We’ve featured Goblin King Games’ Moonstone before, and we’re not embarrassed to feature it again. This fabulous range is packed with characterful, whimsical fantasy miniatures, and the accompanying skirmish game is also a blast to play…

A detailed tabletop gaming scene features a variety of intricately designed buildings, including a tall stone tower with a steep roof and a winding staircase, surrounded by smaller houses with textured roofs and wooden facades. In the center, several miniatures are positioned on a cobblestone path, with blue tokens scattered around them, suggesting an active game in progress. The backdrop includes lush greenery and additional terrain elements, enhancing the immersive atmosphere of the display.

…Oh, and both Moonstone demo games looked amazing! And yes, you read that right; such is the depth of this range that they now have enough miniatures and characters to run two demo games and with no duplicate figures.

A whimsical scene features a fantastical creature resembling a goat or sheep with large horns, sitting on a rocky terrain adorned with greenery and small flowers. Nearby, a character in a blue cloak holds a sign that reads,

See the Goblin King Games website for more details.

Ontos Games

A vibrant display of miniature wargaming products is showcased on a table covered with a bright pink cloth. Various boxes of miniatures are arranged neatly, with some priced at £9 and others at £15, featuring colorful artwork on their packaging. Behind the boxes, additional miniatures are displayed in clear packaging, highlighting a diverse selection for wargaming enthusiasts.

Ontos Games are the home of the Roknauts. No doubt designed with 1987 / 88’s fondly remembered Space Dwarves / Squats firmly in mind, this small line of resin miniatures will appeal to fans of Warhammer 40k’s Rogue Trader era; the bolters, armour and diamond pattern jackets will also hit those oldhammer fans right in the feels.

Created to match 28mm scale miniature, Roknauts stand at a compact 18mm in height.

See the Ontos Games website for more details.

A display of miniature figures showcases a lineup of small, resin models resembling futuristic space dwarves, known as Roknauts. The front row features five figures in blue armor, each equipped with various weapons, standing on textured bases with a sandy appearance. Behind them, additional miniatures are visible, depicting a variety of characters and creatures, set against a colorful backdrop.

This Then That Games

Available from Nightfall Games’ stand, This Then That Games ’ Florilegium is a charming hand management, score-and-reset game which focuses on the collection of botanical art.

A close-up view of two botanical illustrations featuring vibrant flowers. On the left, a pink Magnolia Soulangiana with large petals and green leaves is depicted, while on the right, a delicate lily with pink accents and green foliage is shown. The background is a soft white, enhancing the colors of the flowers, and there are hints of pastel-colored shapes at the bottom of the image.

Florilegium’s artist, Elaine Shimwell, was on hand to teach me the game, and it proved to be simple to play, but suitably challenging to master. Moreover, Elaine’s delicate, botanically accurate paintings are simply beautiful.

See This Then That Games’ Facebook page for more details.

A tabletop game setup featuring a collection of beautifully illustrated cards from the game

The next five entries in my top ten from Salute will follow tomorrow evening. In the interim, don’t forget to check the games and miniatures featured above.

Images courtesy of their respective owners

written by: