The Space Marine is probably THE quintessential character Games Workshop have ever designed. An amalgam of many different designs and designers over the years, the Space Marine we know today is the bastard-child of Jes Goodwin who brought many elements together to make the MK VII Space Marine.
In recent years, Games Workshop have brought out successive plastic kits of these warriors each better than the last. They really got it right when they brought out the Tactical Boxed Set in late 2013. Today's Assault Squad is in the same vein, bringing detailed moulding and new dynamic poses plus some brand new 2015 features including scenic bases and some familiar hybrid armour types.
+ + Do You Want To Know More? More After The Jump + +
In recent years, Games Workshop have brought out successive plastic kits of these warriors each better than the last. They really got it right when they brought out the Tactical Boxed Set in late 2013. Today's Assault Squad is in the same vein, bringing detailed moulding and new dynamic poses plus some brand new 2015 features including scenic bases and some familiar hybrid armour types.
+ + Do You Want To Know More? More After The Jump + +
 |  |
A lot of the chatter online this week has been how dynamic the new Space Marine Assault Squad legs are.
In the tradition of recent Space Marine kits, they are pseudo-multipart, that is one leg is complete and attached to the groin and the other is free to pose as you wish.
There are a few nice touches like detailed soles. clean crisp moulding and an unusual variant of one lower legs (below). Haven't seen one like this before.
In the tradition of recent Space Marine kits, they are pseudo-multipart, that is one leg is complete and attached to the groin and the other is free to pose as you wish.
There are a few nice touches like detailed soles. clean crisp moulding and an unusual variant of one lower legs (below). Haven't seen one like this before.
 |  |
To accompany the dynamic legs are these small nicely detailed scenic bases. They are made to glue to the included 32mm bases. I saw these previewed, but it wasn't until I saw them close up that I saw the attention to detail (above right) including bent metal flooring, scratches and the odd skull...
 |  |
The kit includes two types of backpacks - the standard Space Marine power plant or the jump pack.
The standard versions are all different, and if you notice the one on the lower right (above) it is a salute to the plastic backpacks included with the metal Space Marines of the 1990s. It also wouldn't look out of place on a Horus Heresy era Space Marine either!
The jump packs (below) are very similar to the last release, with just a slight change in their construction.
The standard versions are all different, and if you notice the one on the lower right (above) it is a salute to the plastic backpacks included with the metal Space Marines of the 1990s. It also wouldn't look out of place on a Horus Heresy era Space Marine either!
The jump packs (below) are very similar to the last release, with just a slight change in their construction.
Meanwhile, not only do you get a back pack option, you also get torso options too - either a harnessed one for the jetpacked marines or the standard for Marines without the jump pack.
This is really cool! The harnessed torsos have obviously been retooled from the last release and are very clean and crisp looking. The small circular grill in the middle looks great too.
This is really cool! The harnessed torsos have obviously been retooled from the last release and are very clean and crisp looking. The small circular grill in the middle looks great too.
 |  |
Some of the many weapon options (left) and the Graviton Pistol everyone is losing their nah-nah over (right)
Games Workshop shields have always been a bit hit and miss, but this baby is a hit (above)! Not only doesn't it need a mount, but there is a groove in their to align the forearm of the Marine into.
 |  |
The shoulder pads are overwhelmingly MKVII, with a complete MKVI pair and these interesting MKVIII-style ones. It's hard to see in the picture, but there is a ridge under that winged skull - not dissimilar to some of the Sternguard shoulder pads.
I don't remember Assault Squads having Flamers before - Hand Flamers yes, but full Flamers I don't remember! These look great teamed up with the jump pack guys. Very cool!
 |  |
There is a variety of helmets, most MKVII but there are two interesting MKVI ones. Notice the one on the left (above) has a thick ridge on the top of his head like a MKVII AND horizontal air intakes in the helmet instead of the traditional vertical. The other MKVI has the traditional helmet, but again with horizontal intakes and MKVII style cheeks. Not sure what's going on here, but looks perfect for Raven Guard!
Onto the all-important Chainswords. In the past, the Chainsword arms have been very boring with the weapon held at a right angle with no sense of dynamic posing - but no more (below).
Now there are bent wrists and different arm poses. This is a brilliant change and is a vast improvement.
The new weapon in terms of close combat is the two-handed Chainsword. It's similar to the Forge World one used for their Heresy line, but has a guard for the leading hand. It's a nice looking piece of kit!
Now there are bent wrists and different arm poses. This is a brilliant change and is a vast improvement.
The new weapon in terms of close combat is the two-handed Chainsword. It's similar to the Forge World one used for their Heresy line, but has a guard for the leading hand. It's a nice looking piece of kit!
 |  |
As tradition dictates there are transfers included. Interestingly not generic or multiple Chapters, but Ultramarines exclusively. This is very limiting and a strange choice. Maybe Games Workshop just need to move some of their $40 transfer sheets sold separately through the web store!
Notice they now label them into category... guess it's a beginner's set?!
Notice they now label them into category... guess it's a beginner's set?!
Verdict
I don't personally know if there needs to be an upgraded Assault Squad kit. Sure a new one now and then is good and it's been quite a few years, but not a lot has changed in terms of armour or weapons so this is just something fun and new for new's sake!
Is this a good kit? Yes. It is very pretty, much more dynamic and I certainly don't regret buying it.
- BUT -
This kit of 5 Space Marines is $70 AUD - that's $14 each!
I would understand this price for 10 like the Tactical kit, but that is pretty steep in terms of cost!
Sure they are Space Marines and it's nice to have them if you need them for your force, but that's only 1/2 a real squad. Surely $70 for 10 would be fairer.
That being said, this is a nice set and the scenic bases are cool. Let's have more!
If you can cope with the price then embrace it, I'm just not too sure how fair it is considering we only get one set of transfers that are really only usable for one Chapter, have no rank insignia or Imperial Gothic numbers. Somehow that doesn't seem right...
Is this a good kit? Yes. It is very pretty, much more dynamic and I certainly don't regret buying it.
- BUT -
This kit of 5 Space Marines is $70 AUD - that's $14 each!
I would understand this price for 10 like the Tactical kit, but that is pretty steep in terms of cost!
Sure they are Space Marines and it's nice to have them if you need them for your force, but that's only 1/2 a real squad. Surely $70 for 10 would be fairer.
That being said, this is a nice set and the scenic bases are cool. Let's have more!
If you can cope with the price then embrace it, I'm just not too sure how fair it is considering we only get one set of transfers that are really only usable for one Chapter, have no rank insignia or Imperial Gothic numbers. Somehow that doesn't seem right...
Like the Write Up? Check out our YouTube
RSS Feed