Combat Patrol continues to chug along, as we start to get more in-depth into the Warhammer 40K hobby series. This issue explores many different ways in which we can see that depth: From the new gaming rules (which explain more about how Tyranid abilities work), to the lore (which goes into the background of the Aeldari), and to the hobby (with shade paints). Naturally, I am here to once again dive down into this magazine with you. Thank you to Hachette and Goonhammer for the opportunity to review these models, magazines, and materials.
Narrative Materials
The issue starts with the story of Craftworld Saim-Hann, which lends its paint scheme to the Aeldari Combat Patrol. Saim-Hann is an ancient and honorable craftworld that believes in jetbike racing and duels. To that end, everyone from Saim-Hann belongs to a biker gang/family. They also tattoo snakes on themselves. I suppose this makes Saim-Hann the bad boys of the Aeldari. Children of Anarchy, if you will.
The article then discusses the Aeldari Pantheon. All the Gods are mentioned – Asuryan, Isha, and so forth, in the context of the Aeldari creation myth. Then, the article explains, they all got eaten by Slaanesh. The article then explains who survived: Khaine, who was “struck down and smoke into fragments”, but he still lives as the heart of Avatars of Khaine.
The only God that outright survived was Cegorach who ran away into the Webway. “There he bides his time, plotting his revenge against the Chaos Gods that have wronged him and his people.” The article briefly mentions the rising of Ynnead. Phoenix Lords, the Avatar of Khaine, and the Yncarne are featured and explained.
Hobby Materials
This issue has two paints and an STC Medium Shade Brush. The STC Shade Brush is the official synthetic shade brush, which means it has a nice point (when you get it) and a big reservoir to hold paint. This makes it ideal for using inks, shades, and contrast paints. These sorts of brushes are how I do most of my armor trim nowadays, since a smaller/detail brush doesn’t have the belly to hold the contrast paint to blacken said trim.
One paint is Nuln Oil, a well known Citadel Shade Paint that will add a black tint and flow into the recesses of a model. It is also infamously prone to spilling everywhere, even in it’s new shorter pot. The other paint is Carroburg Crimson, which is similar to Nuln Oil except that it is a warm red shade paint. This can warm up a metal or cloth or flesh. The issue has a guide on how to use the paints, giving special warning to running and pooling on models. The article explains how to recess shade, suggesting recess shades for the marines in some places and all-over shades on others. The model guide goes back and actually shows every model released so far with the additional shade paints, which is pretty cool.
Gaming Materials
This issue introduces the Tyranid faction abilities, explaining how the Synapse rule works. There, Battle-shock is on a 3d6 instead of a 2d6 if within 6 inches of a Synapse unit. Shadow of the Warp is also explained as a once-per-battle Battleshock check during either player’s command phase. The issue states that it is more advantageous to use it during your opponent’s command phase, to try and prevent them from scoring. Overall a very meh ability.
Final Verdict
This is a good issue to get. You get $24.00 worth of hobby materials that you will actually use on almost everything for a $10 discount, and can use those materials to destruction on almost any miniature. The narrative materials lack their usual snark and seem to have something of an error regarding the fate of Isha. There is not really a gaming scenario, just an explanation of the Tyranids’ faction abilities and the relative weakness of those abilities. But honestly, the hobby materials are still worth it overall.
Until next time, Combat Patrolers!
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