Salute 2025 Live Blog!

Join the OnTableTop team for a look at the very best of Salute 2025. The South London Warlords have put on another amazing event but it is made all the better by the clubs, companies and gaming groups who run the stunning wargame demo and participation games that you can see here at the event.

We have a look through just over twenty games that completely blew our minds and this still all of the amazing tabletops. Make sure to tell us what you thought was the best of Salute 2025! Drop your thoughts below…

1. Historical Single Figure

1st – JOE VILSON – “CONFEDERATE INFANTEMAN”

2nd – MAKE BRENER – “SCOTTISH HIGHLANDER”

3rd – EWAN LOMAX – “NAPOLEON IN EGYPT”

2. Historical Unit

1st – SEBASTIEN CLEMONT – “OVERLORD 1944”

2nd – DAVID MIGOLAN – “TUREE ADVANCINE KOMANS”

3rd – CONNOR POOLE – “2ND FALSCHIRMJAGER DIVISION”

3. Historical Vehicles, Creatures, & Artillery
1st – LEE HEBBLETIWAITE “RENAULT TANK”

2nd – DANIEL BROUKER – “RED 13 OBJECT 252U DEFANORE”

3rd – MARK BREWER “CARTHAGE ELEPHANTS”

4. Sci-Fi Single Figure

1st – ANDREW STEEL – “CHAPLAIN LEMARTES”

2nd – DAVID SOPER – “CORSAIR WAYSEEKER”

3rd – GUILLAUME CHARDON – “CRIMSON FIST SPACE MARINE”

5. Sci-Fi Unit

1st – JOE PAINE – “ELDAR RANGERS

2nd – ANDREN STEEL – “ORDER OF BLOODY DOSE”

3rd – ALFONSO GARCIA – “CATCHAN HQ”

6. Sci-Fi Vehicles, Creatures & Artillery
1st – DAVID SOPER – “KASTELAN ROBOT”

2nd – JOE PAINE – “PATHNANS”

3rd – ADAM TALBOT – “THE FLY-BY”

7. Fantasy Single Figure
1st – DAVID SOPER – “HORTICULUS SLIMUX”

2nd- SEIASRIEN CLEMENT – “ORK MEGA-BOSS”

3rd – TILER SCOTT – “THE HILLS ARE ALIVE”

8. Fantasy Unit
1st – ALFONSO GARCIA – “MOLLOG’S MOB”

2nd – NATALIE HEYWOOD – “THE CELESTIAL SPEARS”

3rd – ROSIE WILLIAMS – “STORM KNIGHT – BODYGUARDS”

9. Fantasy Vehicles, Creatures & Artillery

1st – JAMES TARO – “DREADFLEET BLOODY REAVER”

2nd – LISA MASON – “GOBLIN AIRSHIP”

3d – ALFONSO GARCIA – “GOTHIZZAR HARVESTER”

10. Large Scale & Busts

1st – ROSS TOVEY – “KING OF THULE”

2nd – JOE WILSON – “ROBIN HOOD”

3rd – JIAZHOU GUAN – “MALENIA WATERFONE DANCE”

11. Miscellaneous

1st – PAUL DAVIES – “HOLDING BACK THE SWARM”

2nd – ROSS TONEY – “CHEESE ROLL”

3rd – OLIVER PRATT – “BLOOD BOWL IS A HARSH SPORT”

12. Junior

1st – LEWIS KAY – “ORK DREADNAUGHT”

2nd – FELIX OLIVER – “TERMINATOR CAPTAIN”

3rd – DANNY NORTHOVER – “ZLOOD ANGEL”

13. Salute 51 Figure

1st – EWAN LOMAX – “TOTENKOPT”

2nd – PAUL MACKAY – “SALUTE 51 OCTOPUS”

3rd – DAVID RADFORD – “Yo-Ho-Ho”

The Salute Shield – Best in Show!

DAVID SORER – HORTICULUS SLIMUX

Hugo’s Heroes put together a good wintery-themed battlefield where the Swedish are clashing with Norwegians. There are plenty of interesting troops including Grenadiers, Jagers, and even some specialist ski troops! This was nice to see as it was another alternative tabletop with a different look from some of the others out there this weekend.

With 2 golds and a silver, David Soper wins best of Show with his Horticulus Slimux / Plague Demon / Grand Cultivator

We got to have a chat with Dave from TTCombat about his plans for what’s coming up from them about the Drop Universe (Dropzone Commander and Dropfleet Commander) as well as what they have on the cards for Operation Artemis.

There was an ace look at some of the new plastic ships which are all made from one sprue. Yep, all of that detail fits onto one sprue and should give you an idea of how far the technology has come from TTCombat. PLUS, we also got a look at Operation Artemis and the miniatures for that which will be coming VERY soon if you like fighting giant monsters.

One of the games that caught Gerry’s eye was the Warsaw Uprising being played out by the folks from the Loughton Strike Force. They have set up a wonderful display table and game which introduces the street fighting that happened during the uprising in 1944. They used 28mm miniatures and put together a fantastic set of terrain and more.

It was great to see that Bushido continued to have such a good presence on the floor this year at Salute. GCT Studios do some amazing work with Bushido and it was nice to see that as well as being sold here, it was also being demo’d and people were having a good time playing the game and learning the mechanics of this 35mm Far Eastern-inspired wargame.

Ashford Gaming Club were running two games this year and showing off some neat terrain and some tweaked game mechanics. The first, before we get to Crypt Hulk, was Tarati’s Castle which saw ninja rats storming a Japanese castle defended by Samurai.

Additionally, they were also running Crypt Hulk which was a twist on Space Hulk from 1st Edition which had a Van Helsing vibe to it. Fun! It was all scratch built using only online information to bring it to life.

You get a lot of cool Napoleonic games at Salute but there are often not many in the Ancient realm. We had a look at one earlier in 2mm but there was also a great game being played out by the Society Of Ancients. They dove into the Battle Of Gaugamela which featured the Army of Macedon under Alexander the Great and the Persian Army under King Darius III. A decisive battle and one that’s quite neat to see on the tabletop.

This was another of the big battles being put on by The Friends Of General Haig. They are going for a Modern game with a look at 15mm wargaming and an assault that took place during the Iran-Iraq War. This became a prepared assault by Iraqi forces across a river with a mixture of desert battles and close fighting in urban environments.

Justin spotted this one whilst wandering about. This is Gaslands with a bit of a Neon Twist, played out by Gravesend Gamers Guild who have sent up a brilliant tabletop for you to race around on. Throughout the game and the day, sponsors will be pushing new tactics, transforming each contest into a spectacle of speed and destruction on these neon streets. It’s pretty awesome to see Gaslands with another look to it!

Anyaral: World Of Twilight continues to amaze us every time we see the game. The miniatures are gorgeous and unique and the world itself has grown and been fleshed out over many years at this point. The team had a couple of tables up for you to get a look at this year showcasing the game and their terrain making skills. Just look at the view from the back!

Crow Industries have some really interesting miniatures they are showing off from their Patreon. They are doing a lot of fan versions of hit Sci-Fi miniatures that you might want to consider depending on what sort of games your playing at the moment. They have lovely miniatures for Starship Troopers, Dune and more. Check out their Patreon for a deeper dive into the range.

This group of friends, the Gentleman’s Wargames Parlour, have put on a display game for you to come and check out set against the backdrop of the Very British Civil War. As they mentioned, this is “like cricket, but with guns” which adds a whole new flavour to your experience on the pitch. There will be a number of matches played throughout the day played in a gentlemanly style…I’m sure.

This was their largest wargame to date with a battle in Berlin during 1945 and the final days of World War II. Retired Wargamers Reloaded did an excellent job with this table showing off the ruined landscape that was left behind during these pivotal battles.

WarFulcrum Games are here showing off their World War I miniatures game, 1918. They are playing out the battles of Belleau Wood from June 1918 using their new set of rules. You could either take command of the US Marine Corps or the German Army. They are also working on a game there showcasing the first tank battle in history where the German A7Vs where pitted against the British Whippet and Mark V Tanks.

Ben takes you on a guided tour of Salute 2025 starting from the entrance and walking all the way through to the other side. We show off the mix of different traders and participation games that you can take part in alongside the likes of the painting competition, the Hobby Heroes area and much more. Whatever you’re into when it comes to wargaming, there is something for you here at Salute! It is always packed and full of people finding old games and new to play!

Sometimes its nice to step away from our traditional theatres of war and the various conflicts we’re used to playing. In this case, you could come and check out AK47 Republic and the War In Africa covering 1955 through to 1990. This set of rules is for 15mm battles on the tabletop and it’s interesting to dive into a very different warzone!