Introducing the latest additions to the Space Marine range – the redesigned Terminator Squad and Chaplain in Terminator Armour. These formidable models are here to enhance the Easy to Build version from Leviathan, providing multi-pose and multi-part options for waging war in the grim darkness of the 41st Millennium. Let’s dive into this review to see what these new kits bring to the tabletop.
The new (Primaris) Space Marines models were available for preorder starting Saturday, September 30, 2023, and went on sale not one but two weeks after (October 14).
Space Marines Terminator Squad 2023 review
The updated multipart Space Marines Terminator Squad comes with three medium size sprues, five 40mm bases, one 25mm bases for the teleport homer, the new Space Marines transfer sheet (covering Ultramarines, Imperial Fists, Salamanders, and Raptors), and an assembly guide.
In the sprues you’ll find:
- 5 body “chassis” in fixed poses (upper and lower body are fused, unlike the old models)
- 7 helmets (including one with a target lock for the Cyclone Missile Launcher and one with a bionic eye for the sergeant)
- 5 bare heads (these do not have ball joints like other Primaris heads and all have Terminator-helmet-specific neck collars)
- 6 right shoulder pads (including one with a plaque) and 6 left shoulder pads with Crux Terminatus (including one for the sergeant with a slightly different design)
- 5 right arms with Storm bolters, 1 right arm with an Assault Cannon, 1 right arm with a Heavy Flamer, plus 1 Cyclone Missile Launcher.
- 5 left arms, which can be built with either Power Fists or Chainfists (or one with underslung targeting equipment for the Missile Launcher), 1 left arm with a Power Sword
- 10 hip plates in different designs
- 4 tilt shields, 3 purity seals, 3 Crux Terminatus pendants (all freely positionable)
- 1 Teleport Homer
The new multipart kit is in size and proportions similar to the Easy to Build Terminators from the Leviathan Box (review here, scale comparison of the new Terminator sculpts here). The arms, heads/helmets, shoulder pads, and hip plates are interchangeable and also fit with the Easy to Build Terminators. Close combat weapons such as Lightning Claws or Power Hammers are not included, but arms from the old kits fit well on the new models, and the size of the shoulder pads has not changed. Overall, an excellent kit, the best Terminators have ever had.
Chaplain in Terminator Armour 2023 review
The Chaplain in Terminator Armour comes in a small box that contains a small sprue, a 40mm base, an assembly guide, but no transfers unfortunately. The model is monopose, but there is a choice for either a Storm Shield or Storm Bolter for the right hand, and one of two Crozius Arcanum designs for the left hand. There is also a helmet and a bare head with a skull-shaped half mask.
The various weapon options are definitely a nice touch, but overall, compared to the Terminator Chaplain recently released for Warhammer store birthdays, the model looks somewhat basic. Also, the skull helmet is more of an acquired taste. Where old Terminator Chaplains had a simple skull as a helmet, the new Chaplain’s helmet is more of a fusion of a Terminator helmet with a skull face. Garfy painted the helmet completely in bone colour, but if you paint the frame of the helmet black like on the ‘Eavy Metal version, I can’t help but feel that the upper ventilation inlets somehow look like cat ears.
Value
The price of the new Terminator squad is the same as that of the Heavy Intercessors, which is the new norm for 5 Space Marine models on 40mm bases. Considering the three included sprues and the extra bitz that can also be used with the Easy to Build Terminators, I find this reasonable. The Chaplain in Terminator Armour costs the same as the new Captain with a Jump Pack, which is slightly more expensive than previous (Primaris) Space Marine character models.
You can find the new Space Marine releases at our partner stores 🇬🇧/🇪🇺 Wayland Games, 🇬🇧 Element Games and Firestorm Games, at 🇩🇪 Taschengelddieb, 🇩🇪 /🇪🇺 PK-Pro, and at 🇺🇸 Noble Knight Games with a welcome discount of up to 20% over RRP. Using our links helps to support Tale of Painters at no additional cost to you, so thank you very much for using them!
I hope you found this review helpful, feel free to leave a reaction or comment below, or post your questions here or discuss on our Discord channel.
9.0Score
Final Verdict
The new Terminator Squad box represents the best generation of Games Workshop's iconic Terminator models to date. With modern proportions, razor-sharp details, a wealth of extra bits, and meticulous attention to detail. On the other hand, the Terminator Chaplain might appear somewhat plain, but it fits well into the updated range and includes several weapon options. Now all we need are updated close combat Terminators!
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The line “Both shoulder pads are separate and can be swapped with other kits. You have the choice between a helmet with a laurel wreath and a bare head with a bionic eye. Unfortunately, the cape is not optional, as it is fused with the left hip guard and the large purity seal.
Overall, a very successful update.” looks like it was copied over from the jump pack captain review.
Cheers Dave, fixed it!