Some of you may recognise this as a topic I maintain on Advanced Tau Tactica – Alternate Tau Miniatures. Well, not all players frequent that race specific forum, so I am publishing my work here for all the Eastern Empire readers.

You all know my work on the auxiliaries I field for my tau cadre. Fun to make and confirmation I’m a nutcase for converting stuff. I make up my own models.. and then convert them.

However, some folks are time poor and finding aliens to fight with or against your Tau beyond the Games Workshop range is a big question. Please enjoy this extensive collection of some of the best Miniature lines I have come across over the last ten years. Do support independent miniature companies!

Alternate Alien and Ally Miniature Ranges
Filtered for quality, suitability, scale (28mm) and originality. This includes expandability ie. Light, Heavy troops and various weapons.

MegaMinis, Hydrissians & Mephalians in “Salvage Crew”
They have Light, Heavy and Jump infantry models plus extras such as Engineers and Drivers (part of the Accessories Range). Alphaforge games sold the range to MegaMinis in 2010.

Zombie Smith, Retro Sci-Fi Quar troopers and Alien travellers range (new 2010)
They have light, and specialist infantry models plus extras. all World War 1 themed. The aliens are a recent and welcome addition, created with a Starport theme in mind.

Regiment Games & Scale Creep Miniatures, Drantakh & Rar Infantry Teams sculpted by Bob Olley.
They have light and heavy infantry models in a small mix of poses. The range has of late expanded to include officers, heavy weapons and even Driver models. One of the best ranges for fighting alongside or against your Tau.

Hasslefree Miniatures, Sci Fi miniatures
Kev White, a master sculptor has a superb range of miniatures, especially the diminutive Grymn and the evil Borkhan and sci-fi Zombie range. Various infantry types catered for. Those pictured are for quality example only, the range is massive now (2011) with humans, ogres and so on.

Ral Partha’s ‘VOR’ Shard Alien Faction
Whilst VOR the game system has been discontinued, the miniatures thankfully, are readily available through their UK/European studio. These are Shard, a crystalline race of psionic users. Several infantry types and a few differing quadrupedal assault troops.

Pig Iron Productions, Sci Fi miniatures
A range of human sci-fi miniatures (28mm) that is growing in quality and originality; Equipment packs, Infantry, Vehicles, Head packs, Kolony Rebels and Platoon box sets, even Wardroids are available. Slightly smaller than your average Citadel Cadian, more in line with Hasslefree Humans.

Spriggan Miniatures, Spugs!
A great range of insectoid alien miniatures, there are light, heavy and jump infantry models plus extras. Having gone quiet of late, recent reports of orders being fulfilled quickly by satisfied buyers is a sign Spriggan is active and doing it with service.

Spartan Games Miniatures & Zombiesmith, Domain of Light & Steel [Updated Dec.2011]
A new range of 28mm alien miniatures, the Tu’Ook and the Jakrats. Presently they have miners and heavy infantry models and regulars for the Tu’Ook and their enemies the Ute’Wehi , a slender alien high-tech race. Check them out!

The range has been picked up by Zombie Smith, now released as the To’Ok alongside the Ute’wehi faction, originally the ‘Jakrats’ line. New images below :

Corvus Belli’s sci-fi Manga inspired range “Infinity”
A collection of light to heavy infantry and small mecha; with several factions making up the range. I recommend the PanOceania & Yu Jing for Tau mecha stylings and the Combined faction for “aliens”. The Ariadna range is along the lines of “mercenary-style” troops, suitable for Human Auxiliaries.

Urban Mammoth miniatures, Void1.1 & Urban War
A good range of miniatures with various human infantry from several ‘Factions’. Asian, Goth and Cybernetically inspired themes.

3D miniatures, Sci Fi Aliens
Recently released multi-era Aliens in the classic ‘Grey’ style. The range has poses using Psionic powers also. Also available are various alien head swap sprues. The Thrade (shown), have only pistols, rifles, psionics and an Emissary figure.

Black Scorpion miniatures, Sci Fi Aliens
Recently released collection of alternate multi-era Aliens. They have a slightly pulp fiction appeal, with a measure of Stargate styling. Limited offering, but quality work.

Dark Potential miniatures, Where humanity is holding on to its very survival. Where nature has reclaimed what was once hers. Where hostile aliens seek to finish what they failed to accomplish a hundred years ago: Destroy all of humanity. Pretty dramatic stuff, but some nice Protoss-esque aliens, the Xanthos. There is also the ‘Reclaimer’ faction which would make suitably helmed bipedal opponents as in Battleship, the Movie.

I’ll keep adding to this list over time, plenty of new models being made or discovered!
– Sebastian.