For the next in part this series looking at the new Space Marine models, we are looking at the new Space Marine Characters.

In case you didn’t realise it theses are all multi part plastic kits. Showing just how far the designers at GW have come.

First up the new Space Marine Captain. If you’re anything like me you need another Space Marine Captain like you need a hole in your head. So Games Workshop need to really impress on this one, in order to get us parting with our money. As the captain models go I really like it. There are obvious similarities with the Captain from the old Black Reach box set and the Sicariaus model. It interesting the studio have chosen to paint this as a Third Company Capitan. So this obviously isn’t intended to replace the Sicariaus model. This model does provide a excellent detail, removing the need for almost any free hand work.

There is a alternative head provided within the kit. It also appears it’s possible to use a substitute arm to replace the sword and a replacement torso and arm to swap out the combi weapon. However these are not provided in the kit and the combi weapon swap could beyond many.

Rules wise this Captain isn’t going to be the best. A combi grav gun is going to have limited appeal. I would prefer a grav pistol so the Captains close combat ability isn’t reduced. If you spend the game shoting a bolt gun with a Captain I think you’ve missed the point, not to mention wasted a lot of points.

Then we get to the price, £18 yes £18! For that much you could add a Land Speader, any other single HQ, a special character or even couple of finecast librarians to your collection. So on price I’m not convinced.

Over all. It’s a nice model and if you really like it get it, but there are plenty of alternatives

• Appearance 9/10
  
• Options in the kit 2/10
• Rules 6/10
• Price 5/10

• Over all 6/10

Tomorrow we will look at the new Chaplain model.

The Spetember White Dwarf hit the shops on Saturday and if you love Space marines (as we do at ChapterMasters) it’s a must have issue.  The reaction to the new units has been mixed to say the least.

I’m going to get the Centurions out of the way first. My first impressions of these were absolute revolt (and I said I was going to be more positive this year). Once I saw them with a few more head options I started to think they weren’t so bad. Then I saw the art work.

Then I got Photoshop out and made it 20% taller and wished it was that easy to convert models. I guess a leg stretch might not be that difficult.

Given these were designed by Dave Thomas (who also designed the current Calgar model), I can’t help but wonder if we have paid the price for a plastic first cut. I can’t believe someone would have come up with these using greens.

Given the price tage is £47.50 for three spruces of plastic .That’s almost £16 per model or sprue. You could buy a Landaider, Storm Raven or a nice Forge World tank for that price and all you get is the the same mount of plastic as the Tactical squad.  The only reason I can see anyone buying these is the rules. Three sets of 5 twin linked grave guns with give anything a headache. The only hole in this unit is as lack of an invulnerable save, but I’ll take Toughness 5 and two wounds over that any day. If anything these are a little cheesy, but that seems to be ok in Sixth Edition.

So in summary they are shot fat and ugly just like the Storm Raven. I hope someone releases a conversion kit to make them a bit better.

• Appearance 2/10
• Options in the kit 10/10
• Rules 8/10
• Price 5/10

• Overall 6/10

Tomorrow we will look at the new character models.

Ben