He’d be the first to tell you he doesn’t deserve a model, and the first to pose for it anyway. Ciaphas Cain, Hero of the Imperium (and reluctant one at that), finally makes the leap from novel cover art to plastic kit, joined by his ever-loyal sidekick Ferik Jurgen. In this review, we take a close look at the kit and its build options with high-res sprue images, as well as the individual releases of the Hippogriff AFV and Centaur RSV.
Ciaphas Cain, along with the Hippogriff AFV and Centaur RSV, will be available for pre-order starting Saturday, 27 June 2026. The pre-order period lasts two weeks, with the official release date set for 11 July 2026, so this coming weekend.
Ciaphas Cain reviewed: the Imperium’s favourite coward gets his first plastic model
Ciaphas Cain, sleazy (anti-)hero of the Imperium and the main protagonist of the beloved novel series, finally gets his first official model. The RRP is £29.50 / €38 / $48, matching the recently released Commissar Yarrick (my review here). The box doesn’t carry Commemorative Series branding, but Cain is nonetheless only available while stocks last and appears to have no second production run planned.
The box contains a small sprue with two models, two 28mm bases, and assembly instructions.
Two models, two display options
Assembly gives you two options. You can put Ciaphas Cain and his trusty sidekick Ferik Jurgen on separate bases, with an extra tactical rock for Cain included as part 10. Alternatively, you can place both models together on the 40mm scenic base included on the sprue. Beyond that, the sculpts offer no further options or posing alternatives.
Patreon bonus content: Ultra high-res, uncompressed versions of these sprue images (and backsides of the sprues) can be downloaded here.
All in all, a lovely kit for collectors and fans of the novels. Cain’s greasy grin is well captured and sets him apart from the typically grimdark, stoic Commissar models. Details from the novel cover artwork carry over into the plastic version too, including the sideburns and the decorated greatcoat. Jurgen has less reference material to draw from, leaving more room for interpretation, and the sculpt gives us an intriguing glimpse at what a modern take on the Valhallan Ice Warriors could look like.
Hippogriff AFV and Centaur RSV now available individually
Alongside Ciaphas Cain, the individual boxes for the Hippogriff AFV and the Centaur RSV also release this weekend. The Hippogriff is priced at £38.50 / €50 / $65 on its own, while the Centaur, which includes more sprues, comes in at £42.50 / €55 / $69.
For high-res sprue images and a full breakdown of all build options for both kits, head over to my Astra Militarum Armageddon Battleforce review:
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.
8.5 Score
Pros
- Cain's roguish grin instantly sets him apart from every other Commissar model
- Novel cover details like the sideburns and decorated greatcoat faithfully recreated in plastic
- Option to display Cain and Jurgen together on a scenic base or separately
Cons
- No posing alternatives or optional parts beyond the base choice
- Available only while stocks last with no second production run planned
Final Verdict
For fans of the novels, this is an easy purchase. The sculpt captures Cain's slippery charm well, and having Jurgen alongside him makes for a characterful display piece. A niche release, but a very welcome one.
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