In today’s three-part XXL review, we’re taking a look at all three new Space Marine character models: the Primaris Captain with Jump Pack and Relic Shield, Iron Captain Caanok Var of the Iron Hands, and Suboden Khan, who is first available in the White Scars Combat Patrol. As always, we’ll examine all the build options in detail and share HQ sprue images with you.
The new Space Marines releases will be available for pre-order starting Saturday, 11 October 2025. The pre-order period lasts two weeks, with the official release date set for 25 October 2025.
Primaris Captain with Jump Pack and Relic Shield unboxing
I can hardly believe it, but it’s taken until 2025 for us to finally get an official sculpt of the classic “smash” Captain with thunder hammer and shield. He complements the Captain with Jump Pack released in 2023 (see my review here), offering an alternative pose and new weapon options.
The small single sprue (bearing a 2024 copyright, so it seems the model has been waiting for release for quite some time) contains a monopose character model, a 40 mm base, and an assembly guide. Unfortunately, there’s no transfer sheet included. The RRP is £26.
Patreon bonus content: Ultra high-res, uncompressed versions of these sprue images (and backsides of the sprues) can be downloaded here.
The Captain with Jump Pack and Relic Shield provides two build options. The right hand can hold either a thunder hammer (part 15) or a chainsword (part 14). You can also choose between a bare head (part 16) or helmeted head (part 17). Both fit via standard ball joints, allowing easy head swaps with other kits. The shoulder pads are separate pieces too, so you can replace them with chapter-specific ones from your bits box if you wish.
Iron Hands Caanok Var review
Caanok Var comes in a small box containing a single sprue, a 50 mm base, and an assembly guide. The model is monopose with no build options, and the RRP is £28.
The Iron Hands have received relatively little attention when it comes to dedicated model support. With the release of the Iron Captain of Clan Avernii, we finally get a new special character model. Var wears a heavily augmented suit of Terminator armour with the updated, modern proportions. Armed with a storm bolter and the power maul Axiom, he surveys the battlefield from atop a tactical rock, surrounded by hovering servo-skulls.
Patreon bonus content: Ultra high-res, uncompressed versions of these sprue images (and backsides of the sprues) can be downloaded here.
Personally, I find him the least exciting of the recent heroes in Terminator armour. Caanok Var’s pose feels rather static, and the servo-skulls clutter his otherwise clean silhouette. Removing the servo-skulls isn’t straightforward, as they’re connected directly to the model and obscure certain details at the contact points (such as a rivet on the power maul) which would need to be resculpted if you decided to cut them off. Somehow, I think Iron Father Feirros – the other Iron Hands character model – is the more inspired sculpt.
White Scars Suboden Khan & Combat Patrol unboxing
The White Scars Combat Patrol includes the new character model, Suboden Khan, alongside five Assault Intercessors (the multipart version), three Outriders, and one Impulsor grav tank. Unfortunately, the White Scars upgrade sprue has been omitted. However, the set does include a new, larger A5-sized transfer sheet featuring the icons of the Spearpoint Brotherhood, Firefist Brotherhood, Eagle Brotherhood, and the Storm Lords successor chapter. The RRP is £105. Please note that like all chapter specific Combat Patrols released recently, the box won’t be a permanent item and will only remain in the range as long as stocks last.
I think this box is really well put together. It fits the White Scars thematically and, for me, ticks all the boxes of a great Combat Patrol: a cool hero (Khan), core infantry (the Intercessors), an elite unit (the Outriders), and a light vehicle or transport (the Impulsor).
The star of the box, of course, is Suboden Khan. As First Khan of the White Scars and Master of the First Brotherhood, he has the honour of riding Thunder, an anti-grav bike gifted by Cawl. It’s armed with a heavy gatling cannon, while Suboden swings a mighty power lance and carries a heavy bolt pistol as his sidearm.
Patreon bonus content: Ultra high-res, uncompressed versions of these sprue images (and backsides of the sprues) can be downloaded here.
The fairly substantial model comes on a 90 mm oval base and is suspended in mid-air by a large scenic piece (part 30). Suboden on his bike is otherwise a monopose build with no additional weapon or pose options – except for the head. You can choose between a bare head with an impressive topknot (part 44) or a beaky Mk VI-style helmet (part 45), also topped with a knot. Since both topknots are identical, it makes me wonder – does the helmet have an opening for Suboden’s real hair to poke through?
Where to get
You can find the latest GW releases at our 🇬🇧/🇪🇺 partner stores Wayland Games, Element Games, and Firestorm Games, at 🇩🇪 Taschengelddieb and 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.
8.0 Score
Pros
- Finally a proper Smash Captain model ...
- .. and some love for Iron Hands
- White Scars Combat Patrol has a thematic selection of models
Cons
- All the models are pretty limited in build options
- Caanok Var's pose and seems a bit uninspired
- White Scars Combat Patrol is only available while stocks last
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