Patrol Angis Errata a free eight page download

A treat before Christmas for Ion Fans. In the works for several months and a result of four years of play across the world from three books we present the Errata for Patrol Angis. Written and collated by Aris Kolehmainen it follows up on the expansion to the free Shia Khan Empire article (see that HERE) and gives clarifications, examples, suggestions, revisions and more. Well worth a festive season peruse if you play the game. If you would like to see all of our free files on the website go HERE and for the game books in print and as downloads as well as a game pack go HERE. 

The Patrol Angis Errata 

An eight page free article which outlines answers to common questions and much more for the Patrol Angis series. Covering the core book as well as Callsign Taranis and elements of The Khanate Return plus other minor armies it is the result of four years of play. Compiled by Aris Kolehmainen its contents Download the article from our website by CLICKING HERE. As with all expansions you are free to integrate these amendments to the published books or to ignore them within your playing group. 

We have no further news or releases planned in December and we are working on the new awesome for 2019. We do have a December Offer through for you all to enjoy if you fancy stocking up with goodies before 1st January 2019. Read the details in full on our blog HERE but in essence we will give you 100 Reward Points bonus on every order placed and every time you order a Platoon Pack (a whole force with an additional free unique miniature) from any faction we will add one Bike (worth 2.25GBP) to your package as a treat. Go to the website.

I have been working on an article for Magogs in Patrol Angis with new pictures and additional content on top of what is in Callsign Taranis on these giant machines. It is far from finished but if you have anything on these mecha you would like to see included or questions to ask please do so. Tell me by email to info@theionage.com. 

So all that remains is for me and the little team here to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 

GBS

Play Test rules for Starvaulters in Patrol Angis on our Facebook Group

Work is progressing upon the forth book in the series for Patrol Angis the 15mm scale space opera wargame from The Ion Age.  I over see all of the titles published by and going to be published by Alternative Armies and The Ion Age and such with several new titles ongoing the work on Baron has been slow. Sorry!  Baron will be a source book for the Prydian Precinct with a focus upon the Civil War and the Marcher Barons.  Within Baron one new faction will be introduced...The Starvaulters.  The best of the best and the true Knights of the Stellar Vastness who live by the Code Gallant.

Do you want to try out the new rules?

In Baron this new faction is the only part of the book with all new game mechanics.  There are other new rules in the book too but these are smaller in scope and inserted into existing frameworks. The Starvaulters need some final testing.  We have done the initial play in house and have got them all but ready after two attempts but we are now offering a chance to field these knights to those interested.  Feedback upon the new troops, infantry scale vehicles, personalities, gear and skills is most welcome.  These are powerful troops.  Everything in the play test document will be featured in the final book and we are already making the miniatures too.  In fact in the document is an image of the first Starvaulter sculpts.  Every person who assists in the testing will be credited in the book.

If you wish to get the play testing document then go to the Alternative Armies Tabletop Gaming group on Facebook and download it from the post on the group where it is attached.  It will be there for the next several weeks and you are most welcome to come along and talk Patrol Angis.  Just apply to join our friendly group and then throw some dice.  As you would expect you do need a copy of Patrol Angis in print or digital to make use of the play test document.  You can find the game HERE on our website.

Baron has been slowly building up with me since last year and this is the final stage of testing needed for it.  See you on the group!

Thanks for Reading,

GBS

Force Building and Playing in Patrol Angis an article by Aris Kolehmainen

It is my pleasure to present to IonFans a free five page article written by long time wargamer, player of Patrol Angis and a personal friend of mine Aris Kolehmainen.  Written from the point of view of a player this article gives you his take on formations and force selections in the game.  A very interesting read I think you will agree.  Enjoy and well done Aris!

Force Building and Playing in Patrol Angis

by Aris Kolehmainen

A five page free article which covers the options and choices open to players of Patrol Angis as they choose their force and its formation in play.  A focus upon the allocation of Troop Elements and then upon their fielding in battle is supported by three great images aiding you in force building.  The article covers Prydian and Baronial forces as well as Khanate and Prang plus Xin.  Click HERE to download the article from our website.  Go HERE for Patrol Angis.

Here are large versions of the three images featured in the article which are given here with permission for reproduction for your use.

We will have our new release and our Black Friday Event soon so watch out for news on those fronts.  You will get a real howl of pleasure this November!

Thanks for Reading,

GBS

Using the Tohlic Crawler in Patrol Angis free download

Do you want to use your IAF146 Tohlic Armoured Crawler in games of Patrol Angis?  Great!  Now you can with this free download article which is hosted on our website.  Get your copy now and have a read.  Go HERE or read on for more.

Using the Tohlic Crawler in Patrol Angis

A five page article containing both parts of the Faercycle II invasion story as well as an introduction to the Tohlic and its statistics and rules in play and where that bolts onto the Planetary Militia force builder mechanics in IAB03 The Khanate Return.  There is also a listing of all the codes we have for Planetary Militia and a short weapons table as well with the Urgan combat shotgun.  The article also has many photographs of the Tohlic and other codes plus scale shots showing you the new vehicle next to other vehicles and structures of The Ion Age.  Download it HERE.

The Early Supporter Offers are live until the early hours of the 30th October for IAF146 Tohlic Armoured Crawler where you can get savings plus free vehicles as well as free Cold Climes Veterans and free shipping on two of the bundles.  Go HERE for the offers.

Our month long offer of twenty percent off during October on one code is on a stalwart favourite the weapons platform battlesuit IAF072 Steornede Battlesuit both variants designed by Sam Croes. It is a great looking infantry sized vehicle for a single pilot and supports your Planetary Militia forces. Go HERE for it or click HERE for an article showing you more and featuring a short tale of two brothers which carries on from the fall of Camarthen Prime. 

Enjoy the download article and thanks for reading,

GBS

Fourth Patrol Angis book will be called Baron!

As announced on the 1st of August 2017 we are entering the leading edge of the second phase for The Ion Age and my own contribution to this will be the forth book for Patrol Angis.  If you missed this important article you can read it on our BLOG.  The forth title will be a setting book which will be of interest not only to players of Patrol Angis but also any of the other Ion Age game systems past, present and future.  It will be called 'Baron' and it is the story of the Prydian Civil War.

As you can see there will be a lot packed into the sixty four pages of Baron.  The tale of the more than thirty years of the Civil War from the death of King Cyon at Fenway Prime to the climatic defeat of the League of Yordan led by Reckhart Nevall at Lundwick III.  The star systems of the Precinct will give you details and events for all of the important places during the Civil War as well as their uniforms, tactics and more.  Marcher Barons are the powerful leaders and lords of the systems and this book will explain the League of Canlaster, the League of Yordan as well as other baronial forces large and small. Condots are knights and muster who sell their swords to the highest bidder and you will learn about the infamous among them such as the Quarrel Company of the legendary Diodine Sparrow.  

There are also two sections of the Baron book which will bring new rules and statistics along with troops and characters to Patrol Angis.  These are the introduction of the illustrious Starvaulters...yes...the golden haired rock gods of space opera...million strong and the best warriors in the Precinct.  A full account of their armour, weapons, troop types, vehicles as well as lance organisation and the Code Gallant.  Secondly advanced character and personality rules.  These will add right onto the ones found in the core Patrol Angis book with points costs and will give more customisation of your miniatures.  There will also be some of the most important characters along with their rules in play such as Edmund Bluefort, Reckhart Nevall, Diodine Sparrow, Marcus Flame and Thomas de Lancey.  

(Above is the only current 15mm Starvaulter and it is a one off sculpt..for now.  

You can find it in the Year One Collection)

The creation of this book is currently under way among my work upon Flintloque and upon Valon, upon Darkhelm and other projects too.  I am aiming for publication later this year and hope to get Sam Croes to create another epic piece of cover art for the book too.  But before that I would like to point you towards the Alternative Armies Tabletop Gaming Group which is where I hang out on Facebook answering questions and talking gaming.  I am putting a thread up asking for input on Baron such as which new skills, abilities, objects and more you would like to see in the advanced rules.  There are dozens of players of Patrol Angis in the group and all who chip in with suggestions on the thread will get a credit in the book.  If you are not a member then please do apply to join and I will let you in. It is a lovely small group and very friendly.

If you want to email me direct then do so with your input to info@theionage.com or comment on the blog post.

Thanks for Reading,

GBS

Patrol Angis AAR by Rod Forehand

A little while ago my attention was drawn to an excellent AAR (After Action Report) written by an American IonFan and excellent chap Rod Forehand for his games and taken on Patrol Angis after he picked up the new larger format version of the core rulebook.  I have reproduced his entire blog post here after this introduction and you can see the original post and leave him a comment HERE.  If you like what you see and want to know more then visit our website HERE for the 15mm Publications page and links to free resources.  Thanks.  GBS

Rod's Mini Dream Worlds Blog

Just my little blog about wargaming, miniature painting, 

and dreaming up little alternate realities

Patrol Angis - An AAR and Thoughts on the Game

I have gotten several games of Patrol Angis played through now.  4 solo games and 1 with my buddy Darby using the miniatures from the starter set I bought a while back.  First I'll let you have a look at the game I played this evening.

Scenario:  The Prydian Forces (Red/White) are planning to break through a defensive position setup by the League of Yordan (Green/Yellow).

League of Yordan starting positions...

The Prydian Assault....

For the first turn of the scenario, I gave the Prydian forces the initiative.  They did a normal die roll to determine the number of activation tokens to be issued out to the two sides.  The Prydian forces move up one of their assault rifle teams and hit the enemy team on the hill.  The fire is devastating, killing over half the enemy team.  They fail morale and lost their activation token.  A good start for the Prydians!

The League of Yordan troops send in the Duxis battlesuits and hit the assault rifle team pretty hard. This takes up their one activation for the turn.  The Prydians had put 2 activations on their support weapon team, so they moved up and on the second activation hit the Duxis battlesuits managing to put down the suit with the howitzer.  Things are looking even better!

During the 2nd turn, using a their jump jets the Prydian close assault team gets in a close as they can to hit the support weapon team on the hill.  Sadly their fire is pretty ineffective (only 1 casualty) due to having to snap-shot on the run.

The 3rd turn is a hard swing in favor of the League.  They have too much fire power.  Especially with the Espaten team on the far hill.  The large mounted lasers rip the assault team to shreds leaving only 1 survivor.

The remaining Duxis have also been doing some cleanup work on their end.  Finishing off the Prydian support weapons team and the assault rifle team.

The Prydian leader calls for the retreat.

Meanwhile, the poor soldier left on the hill offers the enemy a chance of surrender...

Patrol Angis Thoughts...

I have to say I really like this game.  It definitely holds to it's claim of being a One-Hour Wargame.  The action is fast and brutal.  Cover is very important for survival, but it basically comes down to the fact that if you can shoot someone, they can shoot you back.  So if you don't like taking heavy casualties, this game will be tough  for you!

Another thing that's pretty important in this game is winning initiative.  Not only do you get an extra activation.  But you get to pick all the casualties that a both sides take during that turn.  As in the case of the first round when the Prydian support unit managed a total of 5 wounds on the 3 Duxis battlesuits.  Each Duxis has a total of 5 damage points it can take before being destroyed.  If the Yordan player had the initiative, they could have distributed the 5 wounds between the 3 Duxis figures and kept them all in action.  Instead the Prydian player had initiative and was able to put them all on one Duxis, and also picked the one with the indirect fire weapon (that ignores cover bonuses)!

There's quite a bit of flexibility in how you can create your forces.  It certainly lends itself to a space opera feel.  One thing I have noticed with the starter though, is that it's pretty easy for this game to get imbalanced.  5 games so far and the Prydians have lost every game.  I think I can even it up pretty soon with a few tweaks once I get some new troops painted up.  But the warning here is if you don't have friends that like a gentlemanly game, it could be very frustrating. I'm looking forward to tweaking my armies and getting some more games in.  I also picked up the new vehicle rules, Callsign Taranis, so I'm sure there will be some more heavy hitters appearing on the battlefield as well.

Have a good week friends!  Rod

Patrol Angis AAR by Cornflict Cornucopia Blog

Patrol Angis has been out for a couple of months now and its now all over the world and being played by 15mm science fiction wargamers. One person who has taken a real shine to the game system and has a lot to say about it is Chris Walkley who runs the Conflict Cornucopia blog. He has posted up a detailed 'After Action Report' an AAR which takes the reader through one of the scenarios in the book turn by turn looking at the mechanics and it features a good number of photographs as well. Its a good read and will be most useful to those considering the game for their own collection. You can read his post on his blog HERE. 

I also realise that a post that length can be a little daunting to read on the screen in scroll format so I have taken the chance to create a PDF in book layout with the photos for you all to read at your leisure. It can be downloaded for free from our Dropbox HERE. 

If you are keen on Patrol Angis you can purchase it as a book or a game pack with miniatures. Go HERE and see links for other resources and blog posts. 

Either way you choose to purchase Patrol Angis it always comes with the unique Knight Errant 15mm miniature that you can only get with it and of course the current monthly free miniature too. Excellent! 

Thanks for Reading.

GBS

Photos from the Planetary Militia PDF full size

Thank to everyone who has downloaded the free four page PDF on using our Planetary Militia miniatures in the Patrol Angis rules system.  Go along to our website to download it and other free files for Patrol Angis.  Enjoy!

I have had a fair number of emails and pings from IonFans over the weekend thanking me for taking the time to not only make up this PDF but to give it away free.  I am happy to have done so.  But one other common thread came up in these comments and that was a desire to see the images from the PDF in full.  These images were taken during our own internal playtesting of the rules and stats in the PDF (also in the forthcoming Shia Khan free material) and depict a rolling conflict.  I thought sure why not and this posting is the result.  I present to you in order from one to eight the images each with a short caption.  Please note this is not an After Action Report (AAR) and the images were taken almost all during one turn.

Using IAF064 Geo Shelters as cover a PM Platoon with Battlesuit support preps for action!

A wider angle photo showing the Khanate advance upon the PM held slope.

Shia Khan forces from left to right AIAF01 Space Goblin Maligs, IAF012 Pioneers and IAF019 Pioneers.

IAF072 Steornade Battlesuit takes aim at the Maligs and defends the IAF043 Power Spire on the left.

A PM 3rd Squad disembarks from two IAF061 Colabreta Carriers.

The unique sniper miniature from the IAFP07 platoon pack takes aim from a high spot at the rear!

Planetary Militia command troop element containing the 'commander' miniature directs the defence.

Using an IAF033 Crashed Skylark Flyer as cover PM Gunners man an IAF073 Amber Portable Weapon which has been towed in by an IAF054 Hazelwurm Patrol Car.

Thanks for Reading,

GBS

Canlasterian Knights attack Prydian Complex

Canlasterian Attack!

The League of Canlaster has sent a strike force of Retained Knights with light vehicle and air support to destroy the Habitation Complex being used by the Prydian Army as a forward operating base inside Canlastrian territory. With the Hurwent generators destroyed the energy shield protecting the complex is down and several structures have already been smashed. While re-enforcements are on their way the only troops which can defend the complex right now is a platoon of Muster Patrol and a pair of Adder Combat Lifters along with the sentry gun and missile pod of the complex itself. There is also a trio of Prydian Nobles who were carrying out an inspection of the complex and are now going to match their Octo Powered Swords and Carnwennan Pistols against the Angis Rifles of the Canlastrian Retained. So in other words its a pretty normal day during the Prydian Civil War.

Advancing to the Complex Canlasterian Retained and Adder Support

Muster Patrol hurry back to assist the Complex

Aside from the lovely scenic shots which we adore taking...frankly we need more space since the range has grown past the six foot we allocated, I wanted to remind you all that the current early supporter offers and bundles are nearly finished. You have until Friday 28th November at noon GMT to place your order for worldwide shipping saving 10% off the eleven new 15mm Terrain pieces and 20% (or more) off three bundled complete settlements. 

While you can look at previous blog posts HERE and HERE you are best to head straight to the TERRAIN PAGE and the EARLY SUPPORTER PAGE to see the products on our website. Follow the links choose your items, get IMP15 Witch Knight free in every order. Finally remember that when you place or have placed an order with us you have a customer account and all orders earn you Reward Points which can be used in future orders for free items and or discounts! Now that is a whole load of awesome! 

As an update we have had a good number of orders taking the bundles and new faces too. One order simply staggered us by its size and I am thinking of doing a special blog post on it in the near future. The most popular new item is actually the Command Dome which surprised me since I had thought it would be the straight or double length straight connector corridors. We have also had to replace the six shooter Hab Dome mold as well...again. IMP15 Witch Knight is seeing on average an additional one to the free one included being ordered. By the time we work up to the Year Two Collection we might be well known as super generous. 

Thanks for Reading. 

GBS

IAF022 Muster 1st Patrol Released!

“You want to get into the Patrol lad?  Well its not for everyone but lets see how you measure up eh.  Ok.  First off where you from and how long you been in?”

The gnarled Sarj looked the young Muster trooper up and down.  He noted the slight fade on the cloth of the trooper's uniform and the dents on the Aketon ribs  that protected  his torso from ballistic and blade based attacks.  The Sarj had been measuring troopers in all their dimensions for more than two decades and he was proud of his skill in picking those right for duties in the Patrol.

“Rikergast sir.  Two years sir.”

That got the Sarj's attention.  Not only that the trooper easily had the one year service in Muster ranks needed for application but that he was from the now destroyed moon of Rikergast.

“You got the time trooper.  Shame about your home though.  I been to R'gast back in 19' nice place.  So seen any active?”

The trooper's gaze hardened at this.  Not many had been to his home.  An out of the way place known for ore mining.  Or at least it had been until the League of Yordan had cratered the domes and vacced the whole place.

“I was on Hakke and I did a tour with the 903rd taking down the droid works at Farnborough VII.  So yeah, I seen some action.”

Nearly there though the Sarj.  The trooper had the time in service needed and he had seen a tour with combat.  That was two of the three requirements and now for the third and most over overlooked by those wishing to enter patrol service.

“You got the scars trooper.  How you feel about about leaving your friends in the ranks and going where it's sharpest?”

The trooper had been expecting this question.  If you joined the Patrol it was not only a way to leave all you ever knew as the Patrol were like the Retained and were sent any and everywhere but also a quick way to get dead.  The death rate in this arm of the Muster was higher than any other.  But there was no finer place for adventure, for potential rewards and also for advancement.  More than anything the trooper wanted to join the Retained as a Varlet and being in the Patrol was the best way to do it for him.

“Sharper the better Sarj.  Any time, any how, any where.  Sign me up.”

The Sarj gave a wide grin and lifted the data pad hooked to his belt.

“Put your mark here lad and its done.  You just did the best thinking of your days.”

Sarj Layatt Jones.  Central Command New Glastonbury.  4326IC

IAF022 Muster 1st Patrol

IAF022 rear view

IAF022 Muster 1st Patrol

This week sees the first of many planned releases into the most glamorous and dangerous arm of the Muster; The Patrol.  The Patrol is a vast number of regiments of troopers who all have time served combat experience and act as a front time aid to Retained Knights and also in their own right.  This squad of ten brand new white metal 15mm poses is composed of a low ranking officer with Moth Pistol, several poses of trooper with Moth Rifle, with Tumbler SMG and a couple of with heavier weapons the Anvil 888 and Charlatan 22mm Launcher.  Wearing Aketon armour and Patrol helmets this is a central squad for a patrol platoon.  As always this code can be bought as a pack or as single miniatures or select the three packs and save 10% option on the page.   Price 5.00GBP per pack.

This is our first Muster new release and its the first of several that will feature in the first quarter of 2014.  We plan on expanding the Muster Patrol with a command pack and other packs allowing an entire platoon's worth of miniatures all in unique poses.  If you have suggestions such as female Muster Patrol then drop us a line we would love to hear from you.

Information Burst!

This pack will be released on December 24th 2013 as part of our Xmas Releases and Special Offers set across four days (24th to 27th) at a 10% or 20% saving but unlike the special offers this pack will continue to be around forever after the event ends.  IMP04 Santa Desteria is around until 1st January 2014 before being retired and you get it free with any and all orders.  Remember when you place an order with us you will be prompted to join the loyalty scheme which will earn you Reward Points on all purchases which can, once accumulated, be redeemed for discounts and special miniatures.  This loyalty scheme is well worth joining and so far we have hundreds of customers and more than a hundred thousand points that have been redeemed.

Thanks for your Time.

GBS

PLEASE READ THIS

May 2019 and The Ion Age has been taken back into Alternative Armies.  It continues with new releases into the future!  Go to Alternative Armies for Ion Age pages of the 15mm Range the 15mm Terrain Range the 28mm Range the Publications range and the Free Downloads collection too for the latest.  All links to the ion age site are now defunct sorry!  If you wish to see something or ask a question email me on sales@alternative-armies.com.  GBS

Patrol Angis Week 6 Round Up - End of Playtest

Canlaster Retained Post advance on Prydians!

Khanate play Peek a Boo with a Havelock!

Its the end an era...well its the end of the six weeks of playtesting for the grand group that has the honour to be playtesting Patrol Angis.  This week everyone reported in but there will not a lot of pictures or questions asked since all of us are now happy with the rules.  What is good, what needs work, what can be added.

You can check out the previous playtest results posts on this blog.  Week Five, Week Four, Week Three, Week Two and Week One by clicking the links.  Its been a grand experience and I have enjoyed it a lot. While the core mechanics of PA made it through the grinder almost intact there will be changes made as a group result of the testing.  I think the game will be all the better for it and all IonFans now and in the future will benefit from these six weeks of glory.  Remember all the Anvil 888 fun?

I do have some pictures and a little tale for you.  From Huggable and also Ian Hoffman who has given us a lot of excellent images to explore during the testing period.  I included the tale so that Ian's pictures are of more sense...happy Halloween..a few days late...but hey we all do our best.

Huggable's Solo Play Set up Week 6

Huggable's Yordan Retained in the thick of it!

"Tales told around a campfire or holo-cube change with the telling. The story of the Knight of the Dead is one such tale, and with each re-telling it grows in complexity and mystery. Some call him the Star-Wraith, and hint that he is older even than the original designers of the black Alwite armour he wears. Others say that he was first seen when the arch-traitor Hugo Sevaris opened the Matter Gateway on Carmarthen, allowing the Shia Khan to return to the Prydian Precinct. Hugo's head was the only part of him to return to human space through the Gateway, and it is whispered by some that the Knight of the Dead was his executioner. This would make the Knight the only man alive to have seen the worlds of the Shia Khan, that is if he can even be said to be a 'man' or, indeed, 'alive'! The Knight, it is said, adheres in his own way to the Code Gallant. In particular he is thought to concern himself with the punishment of traitors and oath-breakers. Those humans who have abandoned their fealty to the Aeddan and instead pledged their allegiance to the Shia Khan - humans now universally known as Betrayers - no doubt tell their own tales of the Knight when they gather in their encampments, and they surely check their weapons and glance around more carefully than usual when they think of the stories they have heard. Who knows - perhaps the tales are true, and even as we speak of him the Knight of the Dead has tracked his prey to a remote area where they will surely meet their doom..."

I would like to finish with two points.  Firstly that I extend my whole hearted thanks to everyone involved.  I know it took a lot of my time every week and I must have typed fifty thousand words of replies but I make my living from this and all you fellows do it for fun so your time is greatly valued.  Thank you for your input, your comments, your criticisms and your joy and enthusiasm for Patrol Angis.  Your rewards will be given to you upon pre-release as promised.  Secondly there will be further smaller bolt on's for Patrol Angis as time passes for expansions to the first title...I would welcome your help for this so if you are keen do let me know.

See you all next year on the battlefields of the Prydian Civil War and then against The Shia Khan and then..well that would be telling. 

GBS