Astra Militarum Army Launch Set

Astra Militarum

Games Workshop just put the latest army set up for preorder with Astra Militarum and it includes all new models AND the new codex!

It used to be that when a codex released Games Workshop would release a new model or two along with it that were related. Rarely we would see several boxes release at the same time but with the current edition of the game it has all changed. GW has changed their marketing and release process and it is huge. This started with the Black Templar army box and the Astra Militarum are the latest to take advantage of this style of release.

Featuring the new Codex and a box almost full of new models the Astra Militarum Army Launch Set focuses on Cadia. As far as the miniatures are concerned, the box contains twenty Cadian Shock Troops, a Command Squad, a Field Ordnance Battery, and a Sentinel. Of those only the Sentinel is a previously released. With all these new models they will make perfect additions to my slowly growing Tanith First army but will take some time with kitbashing.

We had the opportunity to open this box and look over the codex and models. We must admit that it is a fantastic starter. I used to think that outside the Gaunt’s Ghosts novels that the AM was nearly as lame as Orks. I hated on the army for years. Seriously. The novels gave me an appreciation for the Tanith only and no other faction. This renewed focus on the faction and the quality of the models we have seen over the last year have me rethinking my stance. My favorite part of the new codex is that you don’t need to build your army as a single regiment, you can have mixed regiments! This is much like with Age of Sigmar blending Grand Alliances. Add that to the model range and I can’t think of a more perfect time to join the Imperial Guard, I mean the Astra Militarum.

Kill Team: Shadowvaults

Shadowvaults

Kill Team returns to the Gallowdark to venture even deeper into it’s bowels with Kill Team: Shadowvaults!

The Gallowdark Space Hulk beckons once more and our intrepid adventurers have taken up the call. Intrepid? No, that’s not quite right, more like greedy AND intrepid. Kill Team: Shadowvaults takes us even deeper into the Gallowdark in the latest installment from Games Workshop. This is the second installment of Kill Team that is centered around the Space Hulk with at least one more on the way. I love the ideas of Space Hulks. These combinations of ships that have collided to form a monstrous arena to fight in. Classic Space Hulk features a squad of Space Marines as they search to rid the Hulks of the Genestealers that have made it home.

What makes the Gallowdark unique is that it is home to much more than just Tyranids. This round features the invading Astra Militarum Karskins against the Necron. The Karskins are new models to the range while the Necron for the most part are not. What helps in that regard is that they include an upgrade sprue that allows for different loadouts than you normally get with those robotic menaces. For the Astra Militarum these are perfect models to continue my slowly growing horde of Tanith kitbashes and they look fantastic as they are. The Necron feature the upgrade sprue allow to create the Apprentek, a Plasmacyte Reanimator, and a Plasmacyte Accelerator.

Overall this box is nearly perfect. Bold claim, I know but hear me out. I love the Ancient Egyptian aesthetic of the Necron but I feel like there have been a massive amount of new releases for them. With this centered around a Space Hulk we need more ‘Nids or some sort of unique Xenos to add more flavor to the galaxy. Who’s with me? In all seriousness though the box is top notch and I can’t wait until the next in the series. Did I mention the terrain? Can’t forget that! The terrain is another great feature that can build off of the first box. At $185 though this box is a bargain.