The Primaris reimagining of Vulkan He’stan leads a line-up of new First Founding character models unveiled at the latest Warhammer Preview. Unlike some of his newly announced brothers, however, Vulkan is available on his own rather than being bundled into a Combat Patrol or Battle Box. In this review, we take a closer look at the sprue and the available build options.
The new Vulkan He’stan is available for pre-order starting Saturday, 9 August 2025. The pre-order period lasts two weeks, with the official release date set for 23 August 2025. The RRP is £37 / 47.50 € / $60.
Vulkan He’stan unboxing & review
Vulkan He’stan comes in a small box containing a single sprue, a 40 mm base, and an assembly guide. Sadly, no transfers are included.
As is typical for special characters, the model is monopose, but you get a choice between a characterful bare head with a prominent burn scar on the forehead, or a helmet whose front grille recalls a Mk VII helm. The pose is a powerful stride, the Spear of Vulkan lowered, gaze fixed forward, while the large Salamanders icon on the backpack blazes with fire. Very well executed in my opinion. Clearly inspired by the old model, it takes the best aspects and reinterprets them with modern Primaris proportions. The only minor criticism is that, viewed from the front, Vulkan almost looks as though he’s lifting the hem of his scaled cloak like a skirt.
Patreon bonus content: Ultra high-res, uncompressed versions of these sprue images (and backsides of the sprues) can be downloaded here.
One detail that isn’t apparent in the official product photos is that Vulkan stands atop a few flat rock slabs, giving him a tiny bit of extra height. These are connected to parts of his foot and to the flames licking across the base, which makes them rather difficult to remove.
Where to get
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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.
8.0 Score
Pros
- Two head options add a touch of personalisation
- Dynamic, imposing pose with well-sculpted details
Cons
- Monopose limits customisation, scenic base elements are difficult to remove
- No transfer sheet included
Final Verdict
A striking and finely detailed model that captures Vulkan He’stan’s character and gravitas, with thoughtful touches like head options and a scenic base. While limited in customisation, it’s a worthy update of the previous metal sculpt.
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