 | With both Forge World and Games Workshop pouring out anything and everything to do with the Adeptus Mechanicus these days, they were bound to hit on the little known, short-lived but loved robots that existed in the universe during the late 80s. The Kastelan robots (notice the new spelling) existed in both the 40k game and the Epic game from around 1988 and supported all Imperial and Squat forces. The re-emergence of robots in Warhammer 40K is the main focus of this week's White Dwarf, but not the only piece of content by any means. In fact the amount of background on the Adeptus Mechanicus that has been filling issues of White Dwarf, the Skitarii Codex (our review) and two more Codex to come you would wonder how much more there is to know and how much repetition there is going to be... So apart from Kastelans, what else is in this issue? + + More After The Jump + + |
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The Kastelan robots are old, older than the Imperium itself. They were not originally built by the Mechanicus, they just reconditioned them and have kept them running all this time. Standing twice the size of a Space Marine, these antiquated killing machines are lead by a Datasmith who manually issues it orders via the Doctrina Wafer Input Slots (below) in the Kastelan's chest. Without new orders, the Kastelan will just continue on it's merry way until the end of time. I would assume if the Datasmith is killed, this could be an issue!
The details on this model (above) seem pretty good. He's a solid lad, with two large Power Fists (3-fingered BTW) or Heavy Phosphor Blasters. The secondary shoulder-mounted armament is either an Incendary Combustor or a Heavy Phosphur Blaster. Personally I really like the legs. They are longer than the usual stocky legs on GW mecha and give it a removed look to the rest of the Imperial mechs.
This section is quite detailed and gives you a glimpse into the background of the robot and the Datasmith.
The details on this model (above) seem pretty good. He's a solid lad, with two large Power Fists (3-fingered BTW) or Heavy Phosphor Blasters. The secondary shoulder-mounted armament is either an Incendary Combustor or a Heavy Phosphur Blaster. Personally I really like the legs. They are longer than the usual stocky legs on GW mecha and give it a removed look to the rest of the Imperial mechs.
This section is quite detailed and gives you a glimpse into the background of the robot and the Datasmith.
+ + For more on the original Castellans scroll to the bottom of the article for the 40k & Epic scale versions + +
Meanwhile, away from robots, War of the Fang is a new hardback from Black Library telling the story of Magnus the Red's siege of the Space Wolves fortress monastery.
There are two new mobile games, Space Wolf which pits Space Wolf against Space Wolf in that famous time when they fought each other. How id this game get made? THAT NEVER HAPPENED!!
The other game is Snotling Fling where you fling a Snotling. Not a single frakk, frankly!
Forge World meanwhile bring us Samus, Daemon Prince of the Ruinstorm. I wasn't familiar with this guy, to be honest and the model seems okay.. Have a look what's in his front claw...
There are two new mobile games, Space Wolf which pits Space Wolf against Space Wolf in that famous time when they fought each other. How id this game get made? THAT NEVER HAPPENED!!
The other game is Snotling Fling where you fling a Snotling. Not a single frakk, frankly!
Forge World meanwhile bring us Samus, Daemon Prince of the Ruinstorm. I wasn't familiar with this guy, to be honest and the model seems okay.. Have a look what's in his front claw...
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Disciples of The Machine God looks at the Tech-Priests of the Adeptus Mechanicus. This is interesting as it goes over the different roles and titles of a number of the ranks. There's also a shot of the Ryza Forge World's Kastelans.
Paint Splatter is again all about red. I think the studio team must be well and truly over red by now.
This is pretty much a repeat of earlier techniques apart from the paint chipping.
Could have used this to show how to use orange maybe...
This is pretty much a repeat of earlier techniques apart from the paint chipping.
Could have used this to show how to use orange maybe...
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Last week's Warhammer Visions featured James Karch's massive combined Imperial force. This week White Dwarf have a chat to him about his army which grows of it's own accord it seems.
James' stuff is always worth a look!
James' stuff is always worth a look!
Last year[s Golden Demon winner, Angelo Di Chello then fills us in on his amazing Nagash model.
The details on this will blow you away.
The details on this will blow you away.
Hall of Fame this week looks at the Steam Tank.
Looks like GW are trying to move some Warhammer models. It's been the focus for a few weeks now!
Don't get me wrong - cool model, but...
Looks like GW are trying to move some Warhammer models. It's been the focus for a few weeks now!
Don't get me wrong - cool model, but...
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Here's the rules for the Kastelans. Read and plot your enemy's doom!
Towards the back of the issue there's this very handy guide to markings on Kastelans.
Those Heavy Phosphor Blasters look mean!!
Those Heavy Phosphor Blasters look mean!!
Verdict
There's quite a bit to read this week with two interviews and the background to the Kastelan and Tech-Priests. Despite the interviews potentially working better in Warhammer Visions so they could accompany more photos, it's nice to have some more to read in the White Dwarf.
There's also a short piece on the match up between Eldar walkers and a Kastelan maniple and Codex Apocrypha Extra looks at the titles of various sections of the Mechanicus armies.
There's also a short piece on the match up between Eldar walkers and a Kastelan maniple and Codex Apocrypha Extra looks at the titles of various sections of the Mechanicus armies.
The Origins of the Castellan/ Kastelan
The original Castellan dates back to the late 80s and was available in both 40K (left) and Epic scale (right).
The Kastelan we see today is actually very similar, with the bulbous arms, rounded torso and shoulder mounted secondary armament. Significant changes have been made to the shoulders and head and the Heavy Phosphor Blasters for hands are new, replacing a singular handheld weapon.
Games Workshop seem to have done a nice job adapting this to the modern world.
Being a sucker I have pre-ordered it so can let you know what it's like next week!
The Kastelan we see today is actually very similar, with the bulbous arms, rounded torso and shoulder mounted secondary armament. Significant changes have been made to the shoulders and head and the Heavy Phosphor Blasters for hands are new, replacing a singular handheld weapon.
Games Workshop seem to have done a nice job adapting this to the modern world.
Being a sucker I have pre-ordered it so can let you know what it's like next week!
 Pic courtesy of Desert Raiders - Click pic for a great article on Robot fluff in 40K |  The Epic scale Castellan |
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