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It would be remiss of me to ignore the fact that this is an experience that is two decades in the making. Since I was a young boy, I remember staring through the window of my local Games Workshop store, both admiring and feeling intimidated by the vast array of miniature warlords and monsters. An intimidation fuelled by shaky hands and poor social skills meant I never stepped foot into the 42nd Millennium…until now!
Courtesy of Zatu and the ambition that never died, I was able to review the new Indomitus Box. From the moment this boxset lands in your hands you can tell this is a special set, if not for its heft alone. The first product to bring in the 9th edition of Warhammer 40k, the Indomitus Boxed Set is a must have for those interested in beginning the hobby and those wishing to expand their armies.
Contents
368-page Warhammer 40,000 Core Book
24-page Booklet: The Edge of Silence
20-page Assembly guide
Space Marines Transfer Sheet
61 Citadel Miniatures:
| Space Marines | ||
| Captain | Lieutenant | Chaplain |
| Bladeguard Ancient | 10 Assault Intercessors | 3 Bladeguard Veterans |
| 3 Outriders | 3 Eradicators | Judiciar |
| Necrons | |
| Overlord | Royal Warden |
| Plasmancer | Skorpekh Lord |
| 20 Necron Warriors | 2 Cryptothralls |
| 3 Skorpekh Destroyers | Canoptek Plasmacyte |
| Canoptek Reanimator | 6 Canoptek Scarab Swarms |
Experience
It must be noted that at the time of this review I have not yet been able to play a game. With 61 miniatures to paint and a 368-page Warhammer core book to read, this is not a set for those looking for ‘out-of-the-box’ play. Although there is some leg work required in getting this to a ready to play state, it should be mentioned that once this work has been completed this set includes everything needed for a two-player campaign.
I for one have found that work rewarding in a way that is unique to the world of miniatures. Ingeniously, some of the miniatures come with a variety of options out of the box. These choices resulted in me being enthused and engaged with a sense of imbuing my army with personality. From the moment of piecing together my first Space Marine I was invested in their design and character. Beautiful and well manufactured, it is not hard to see why they are the world leaders in tabletop gaming. The meticulous and well thought out designs immediately draw you in and give off an aura of mystery and legend.
Construction
Upon opening the 20-page assembly guide I was filled with the same dread that anyone who has ever purchased an Ikea cabinet has felt. A deep breath and a moment later, it became clear that the step by step, alpha-numeric system is extremely easy to follow. The simplicity of the instructions adds immensely to the enjoyment of the building experience, as within minutes you are off to the races and seeing your army develop.
Another major positive is that the box comes with both Space Marines and Necrons. One of the most daunting questions when engaging in a hobby like Warhammer is; ‘where do I start?’ A question that is vastly more complicated when dealing with a massive history of myth and lore that coincides with game. Providing the player with two armies not only removes the indecision that can be a start to putting people off, it also forces you to consider the history of each army and the game mechanics that go into playing different factions and styles.
Considerations
One issue that some may want to consider, especially if this is their first foray into Warhammer, is that this set does not come with any paints, brushes or accessories that may be required, or desired. Given that the price tag matches the heft of the box, then one may want to consider this as the additional costs can mount up quickly. Fortunately, the models click together nicely without glue. This means that those who want to play before they have painted their miniatures are able to do so. I would recommend however, getting your hands on some Citadel Cutters to ensure you can remove the pieces from the frame with ease. This will reduce the need to buff up your edges at a later date and can help protect the more fragile aspects of some of the pieces.
Contents
I also cannot leave you without a mention of the Core Book. Contained within are striking visuals and stunning artwork that you would come to expect from Warhammer. It includes a lore section, (which contains some of the best Warhammer artwork I have seen) that immediately draws you into the universe. The rules are also broken down into multiple sections, Core Rules, Advance Rules and Rare Rules. By breaking down the rules into these easy to digest chunks it makes it far less daunting and far more inviting. Within the rare rules section are examples of when certain rules may contradict one another and how you would navigate these for your campaign. The design and contents of this book are perfect for those starting out and those wanting to know the new game mechanics for the 9th edition.
Final Thoughts
As a newcomer to Warhammer I was blown away by the quality and contents of this set. I would highly recommend this purchase to anyone currently or wishing to play. As the premier piece of a brand new edition of the game it is the perfect time to get involved.
