This issue is another one of Hachette’s breather issues, apparently assuming the reader is taking their time to build and paint the wonderful Psychophage model. Thus, we get another paint issue with all the interest (or lack thereof) it entails. Once again, I would like to think Hachette and Goonhammer for the opportunity to review these magazines, models, and materials.
Narrative Materials
This issue has three sections: One section on the Ultramarines, going in-depth as to whom the Ultramarines are (the bluest and biggest Space Marine Chapter), the current challenges they face (the galaxy is at war and their Realm of Ultramar is invaded, and their Primarch is busy both trying to fight the Death Guard and his political opponents), but manages an optimistic note because the Ultramarines are still slightly less awful than the baseline evil of the Imperium.
The magazine then transitions to the continuing Silver Templars story “Bonds of Honour”, in which Sergeant Askarton and Brother Mekhtras (and the rest of their squad) are fighting Tyranids in a tunnel. There’s a lot of Tyranids, and Askarton orders the Squad to leave the tunnel after one of the Tyranids eats his forearm. The narrator notes that it’s time for the Aspirants whom he is telling the tale to are almost at the Silver Templar’s Fortress- Monastary, so this tale is probably only a chapter or two left.
The issue then discusses Hive Fleet Leviathan, these past 16 issue’s rival of the Noble Ultramarines. Hive Fleet Leviathan is the biggest and baddest (1) of the Tyranid Hive Fleets, and is making use of its mighty Synapse beasts in order to continue to learn and improve the Hive Fleet. The issue ends ominously noting that Leviathan is attempting a pincer move on Earth…
Hobby Materials
This issue comes with two paints: Mephiston Red and Squig Orange. Mephiston Red is, of course, GW’s midtone red and it’s a pretty fantastic paint. It has relatively good coverage, and it goes on smoothly. It’s not as bright as some other reds (a la Pro Acryl’s Bold Pyrole Red), but that’s fine: Mephiston Red is a good base red to take on many materials, from capes, sword hilts, eye lenses, and more. The magazine thus encourages the user to use the Mephiston Red on all of those bits, and more (such as Sergeant helmets). With this issue, the reader now has most of their Space Marines basecoated with their primary midtones: Blue armor, silver metallics, gold devices, trim, and doodads, black undersuits, gun casings, and wires, off-white purity seal paper, and red capes, helmets, and more.
The other paint, Squig Orange, is a paint I do not have any experience with. I’m certain that it’s a fine orange, it’s just that I’ve mostly used Fire Dragon Bright and Troll Slayer Orange as my GW oranges for a very long time and have not yet had the opportunity to test out Squig Orange. GW recommends using the orange to paint the tentacles and other fleshy bits of the Tyranids.
One thing to note is that GW has not yet decided to teach the hobbyist about highlights and building them up. My first instinct upon getting a red and orange paint in a thing is to use the orange as a highlight to the red. But the magazine does not recommend doing that in the hobby section, which I find unusual.
Gaming Materials
This issue teaches about the ANTI-X Keyword on weapons, with a particular focus on the Psychophage’s ANTI-PSYKER 4 ability. The issue also explains how ANTI-X interacts with DEVASTATING WOUNDS, and how that affects an entire unit because they share the keyword now. The context for this issue is if the Terminator Librarian is leading the Terminator Squad. The issue also explains DEADLY DEMISE (my favorite rule in Warhammer 40K 10th Edition), IGNORES COVER, and FEEL NO PAIN. Conveniently, these are rules that the Psychophage has.
Thus, it should come as no surprise that Scenario 12 is all about the care and feeding of the Psychophage. Indeed, the mission is called “The Psyker Eater” and pits a Terminator Librarian, 3 Terminators, and 5 Infernus Marines against the Winged Tyranid Prime, Psychophage, 10 Termagants, and 5 Barbgaunts. There are four objectives, with primary scoring being: Hold 1, Hold 2, and Hold More. This isn’t so much a real mission as it is teaching how to use the Psychophage in battle, given the extremely lopsided nature of the units in this mission. I’m not entirely certain that playing this with two people would necessarily be a fun experience, but it would be a quick experience.
Final Verdict
At $14.99 for two bottles of $4.95 paint, this issue isn’t the best deal that Hachette has offered. The lore bits are fine, but the gaming scenario seems relatively thin because it’s just an excuse for the Tyranids to eat Psykers. The lore bits are fairly thin as well, with the story section being called out *in the story section* as filler! My guess is Hachette wants time for the reader to build and paint their adorable little Psychophage, but the mission the issue shows is not worthy of that model.
Until next time, Combat Patrolers!
(1) The reason why the Ultramarines are better should be obvious: While Hive Fleet Leviathan is the biggest and baddest Hive Fleet, it is not the Bluest Hive Fleet. And Blue is an awesome color.
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