This looks like a really big upgrade compared to the old set and the with the number of different bits they show, we expect this to be a beefy kit, and probably expensive. In a first for an upgrade sprue, you’ll also be able to equip the Relics you collect in your Crusade missions on your Heroes for that fervent narrative touch. Also among these Relics is the Icon of Heinmann. This symbol carried into battle by the late Castellan Heinmann represents his stubbornness in the face of utter defeat. On the tabletop, it reduces incoming Armour Penetration, allowing Characters to shrug off rending blows. In the revealed photos, the squad has been built with five Initiates, four Neophytes, and one Power Sword-armed Sword Brother. We don’t yet know whether the Crusader Squad in the army set (or the inevitable future standalone set) can be built with a different ratio of Initiates to Neophytes – but bear in mind that the unit will probably retain some version of the current Paired Combatants rule – meaning Neophytes gain a buff if there are more Initiates in the squad than Neophytes.

One of the creepier relics in the set, the Aurillian Shroud is as macabre as they come with a skeleton blessed by Saint Agatine just visible underneath the cloth. The banner is marked by a crusade seal, similar in appearance to classic purity seals but instead sporting red paper with Templar vows written across them. Several of these crusade seals are also included in the set, adding a bit of variety to your holiest of warriors. The Combat Patrol has 445 points before you start adding equipment and offers a slightly different force option to that in the Army Set, with more troops and transport rather than the Dreadnought. The Emperor's Champion from the Army Set can be bought separately, but not including him in this set allows you to reinforce your Army Set with the units from this one without doubling up on them. First time dipping my toes into 40k. I've been a Mordheim player for the past few years, and never really played anything else. So this will be my first larger scale game! There will also be a multi-melta which will become a BT vehicle option. It’ll replace the stubber on Primaris vehicles.

Icon of Heinmann

The Castellan is based closely on the iconic cover art by John Blanche from the third edition of Warhammer 40,000. Designing this miniature came with its own challenges as “he doesn’t follow the modern design language of the rest of the range”. I was reading Spears of the Emperor by Aaron Dembski-Bowden while working on this model and it inspired me to go with an aged and worn look on the banner and white on the model to help convey the desperate struggle the Space Marines fight. So these are technically the first generic Lightning Claws for Primaris Marines. Whatever — I got excited to see them on in this sprue and I hope that GW makes rules for their use for Primaris Marines more widespread than just Sword Brethren. The bits for them (the arms included) seem pretty universal. And with some creative modeling, you could probably reposition them, too.

This final mystery– of when the full range will actually hit shelves – willlikely persist for some while yet, but we’ll keep this guide updated as soon as we glean any further truths through the fog of war.

Step 4. White

A lot of thought has gone into the kit, which allows you to build every model with a chainsword and pistol or with a bolt carbine or rifle. “The latter option leaves enough leftover parts to upgrade a regular box of Intercessors or Assault Intercessors with chained weapons,” says Maxime.