We take a step back to return to Issue #13 of Combat Patrol Magazine, because I was more excited about Issue 14 (paints I liked) and Issue 15 (the Psychophage model I was excited to paint up), and I wasn’t currently in a position to build the Terminators for my Space Wolves and this magazine was put off to the side. While preparing for the Goonhammer Open, I came across my Issue #13 and realized whoops. So here we are.

First, though, I would like to extend a hand to Campbell McLaughlin for finishing up the Stormbringer Partworks Magazine this week. He’s left some big shoes to fill, and I want to thank him personally (again!) for the opportunity to review Combat Patrol and how it has provided a more rigorous hobby structure for 2025 than I was expecting. I also want to thank Goonhammer and Hachette for the opportunity to review these models, magazines, and materials.

Narrative Materials

The magazine starts off with an overview as to how the Space Marines are created. The magazine tells the usual story of how a Space Marine is made, but with the Hachette twist of absolutely hating the Imperium and all that it stands for. The magazine notes “the risks in making a Space Marine are great, and few ever complete their training” and that “During training, an aspirant must prove himself worthy. For those who fail, there is no second chance. Those who do not perish immediately are often turned into servitors – mindless cyborg drones, who perform menial labour for the Chapter.” The magazine also notes that Marines have their own version of the character and fitness tests to become Space Marines, it’s not *just* about being a pre-teen who can kick butt.

The issue then turns to Bonds of Honor Part 3, a Silver Templars story. The framing story becomes clearer here: it’s a tale told by a Silver Templars veterans to a bunch of Aspirants who just climbed a mountain to get to the Silver Templar Chapter Monastery, and need a moment to rest (and remember poor Kleon, who did not make it up the mountain).

Anyways, while Sergeant Askarton was about to get devoured by a Winged Tyranid Prime back in Issue #9, he had not been eaten at the end of Issue #9. He’s just in trouble and the other Silver Templars cannot help him (and Askarton’s honor wouldn’t accept the help). Askarton still has a weapon: his Power Armour. He’s able to grab the Winged Tyranid Prime’s leg and just flat-out breaks it. This gives Askarton the opportunity to regroup and fight the monster in close combat, punching through its wings. Once the Winged Tyranid Prime was clearly on it’s last legs, the other Marine returns Askarton’s Bolt Pistol so he can shoot it. The Squad finishes off all the other Tyranids, and goes forward into a Tyranid hive.

Hobby Materials

This issue has the second half of the Leviathan Terminator sprue. These are very good generic Space Marine models with absolutely no options. Naturally when I got my Leviathan box in 2023, I painted them up as Ultramarines. The big issue I had at the time was the shoulder pads being attached. Now in 2025 I want to paint them up as Space Wolves, but I need more Space Wolves bits to customize them with. Those will come with Wolf Guard Terminators. So I haven’t yet assembled the magazine’s Terminators.

The painting section also shows how to paint the (Ultramarine) Terminator models, using five paints. The paint guide has the reader paint the four regular Terminator heads white, but suggests not painting the Terminator Sergeant’s head white. It suggests leaving it blue to paint it with a color in a forthcoming issue of the magazine. Considering the paint color in question is 1) Mephiston Red in 2) Issue #16, I don’t think I would follow this instruction. I’d paint the Sergeant’s head white to have a better undercoat for the red. But that’s just me.

The issue also has a Table to give a name and personality to the Terminators. For my Terminators, they become Squad Cornelius, the Purifying Flame. This Terminator Squad records their great deeds in engravings on their armour, making each a living record of heroism and stealing the Custodes’ schtick.

Gaming Materials

This issue introduces special rules for Leaders and how they join units. The magazine notes that two units from the Marine Combat Patrol can join the Terminator Squad, and explains how the Veil of Time and Unstoppable Valor rules work and interact with the Terminator Squad. The magazine also explains a leader joins the unit and cannot leave, nor can you allocate wounds to the leader until the other models in the unit have been slain. (1) The Von Ryan’s Leapers also get their Fights First and Stealth Rules now. What this issue explicitly does not introduce is special rules for units. The magazine notes the Terminator’s Fury of the First ability (which keys off Oaths of Moment), but states that we’ll get to Oaths of Moment later.

The gaming Scenario 09: Burden of Command pits the seven Terminator models against 10 Termagants, 5 Barbgaunts, 3 Von Ryan’s Leapers, and 1 Winged Tyranid Prime. There are two objective markers, and you get 5 VP for holding one objective marker and 5 VP for holding a second objective markers. The Tyranids also have a secondary of getting 5 VP for killing a Terminator leader. The Tyranids get first turn.

Final Verdict

The Leviathan Terminators are pretty darn good looking models. The Multipart Plastic Terminator kit retails for $65, and these two issues are $30 for a monopose set. So these two issues are a pretty good deal overall, and the narrative materials for this issue are pretty meaty. I was pleased with it, and I hope you readers are as well.

Next time, we will see how the Terminators do against the Psychophage!

(1) We haven’t gotten to Precision yet.

Have any questions or feedback? Drop us a note in the comments below or email us at contact@goonhammer.com. Want articles like this linked in your inbox every Monday morning? Sign up for our newsletter. And don’t forget that you can support us on Patreon for backer rewards like early video content, Administratum access, an ad-free experience on our website and more.