We come to the end of the Space Marines Combat Patrol, and the Marines’ alternate model. And what an awesome model it is! But as opposed to many of the other models in the Combat Patrol, which are smaller or less complicated (in assembly or painting), the Chaplain on Bike is both a somewhat busy build and very busy model to even base coat. And as a result, this issue has to make some trade-offs. Let’s get started. As always, thank you to Goonhammer and Hachette for the opportunity to review these models, magazines, and materials.
Narrative Materials
This issue does not have any narrative materials. None. Zip. Zero. That stinks.
Hobby Materials
This issue contains the last Space Marine Combat Patrol model: the Chaplain on Bike. This model is from early Ninth Edition, and it is actually an easy-to-build model. This, unfortunately, means that it does not have a lot of easy customization. For my Ultramarines Bike, that was fine. For my Space Wolves Bike, the “regular” Space Marines aesthetics did not work for me. So I went to the bits box and customized the bike and the rider to be far more Wolfy than stock.
There is also a paint guide for painting the Chaplain on Bike, and looking through it I think this is a better paint guide than I gave it credit for: The guide specifically reminds the reader and hobbyist of certain details in obscure points on the model. This is a helpful reminder, because I know that I’ve forgotten to paint various bits on a model.
There’s also the option to name and generate a background for the Biker. My Ultramarines Biker is Trajan Hammers, who knows many ancient battle-songs and litanies with which to inspire his allies. This is quite frankly the best name the name generator came up for me. So at this point, my Ultramarines Combat Patrol is:
Terminator Captain: Captain Marius
Terminator Squad: Squad Cornelius, the Purifying Flame
Infernus Marines: Squad Fabian the Enlighteners
Chaplain on Bike: Trajann Hammers
Brutalis Dreadnought: Domitan the Gauntlet of Ultramar
Gaming Materials
The issue contains the datasheet for the Chaplain on Bike, which replaces the Terminator Librarian in the Strike Force Octavian Combat Patrol. This replaces a T5, 5 Wound, 2+/4++ 5” movement model with a T5, 5 Wound, 3+/4++ 12” movement model. The Chaplain has a 5 Attack, 2+ WS, S6 AP -1 2 Damage Crozius versus the Terminator Librarian’s 4 attack, 3+ WS, S6 AP -1 d3 Damage Force Axe. The Librarian’s Witchfire ranged weapon is potentially better, at D6 S5 or S6 AP -1/-2 d3 Damage DEVASTATING WOUNDS (depending on if you overcharge), while the Chaplain has a Twin Bolt Rifle with 2 attacks, S4 AP -1 d1 but they’re Twin-Linked. He also has the Catechism of Fire rule, which means if he shoots at a single target within 12 inches his twin bolt rifle does DEVASTATING WOUNDS.
The magazine goes over the pros and cons of the Chaplain on Bike: He’s faster and can go after backline units or stealing objectives earlier, but he doesn’t really have any synergy with the rest of the Combat Patrol and the Librarian has better shooting. I suspect that the flexibility of the Chaplain is going to make it overall better, as he gives the Combat Patrol the speed needed to make up for the low model count of the Combat Patrol.
The issue’s mission is Scenario 16: Ridden Down. It pits the Captain in Terminator Armor, Chaplain on Bike, and five Infernus Marines against two units of 10 Termagants, three Von Ryan’s Leapers, five Barbgaunts, and Winged Tyranid Prime. The issue just has the usual Primary: Hold 1, Hold 2, and Hold More. The Marines get first turn.
The Final Verdict
This issue retails for $15 and has a $58 model with a paint guide teaching you how to paint the model. It also has an easy to read datasheet and some tactics to use the model with your Combat Patrol. Despite the lack of a fun narrative section, the Chaplain on Bike is a fun model to build and paint even though it is deeply silly. It’s a supersoldier with a skull helmet on a motorcycle with a book chained to the top of the bike. With skulls on the back. It’s so goofy. I love it and thus I love this issue.
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