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Warhammer 40K: Space Marine Primaris Apothecary
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Warhammer 40K: Primaris Apothecary Review

Michael

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Posted by Michael on Aug 15, 2017

Space Marines- not even the super deluxe Primaris ones- are not invincible. When they go down in a hail of dakka, fall victim to scything talons, or get blasted by Warp powers, somebody has to get in there and render aid with all kinds of horrific looking syringes, blades, and other grimdark implements of questionable medical legitimacy. Or, if the situation is dire and the battle-brother cannot be saved, to saw through their nigh-impenetrable Ceramite armor and extract the precious Progenoid gland that will seed a new generation of Adeptus Astartes.

The Primaris Apothecary brings a little Hippocratic action to the battlefield and the new miniature looks fantastic. That's unsurprising given the sky-high level of quality Citadel's sculptures have lavished on the new range. He is posed standing over a fallen battle-brother. He's holding a Progenoid Gland (the first time to my knowledge one has ever been featured in a sculpt) and examining it thoughtfully. It's such a cool piece. There's very little customization built into the sprue (just a head-swap, a variant tool, and a choice of either an Absolver Bolt Pistol or the frankly more interesting and cool-looking Reductor Pistol. The Reductor is practically a melee weapon at 3" range, but this thing offers -3 armor penetration and does 2 damage. The idea is that your medic doesn't really go out to get into a firefight.

This model is all about the details.

Instead, the Apothecary is intended specifically as a support unit. Equipped with the classic Narthecium, the Apothecary can heal D3 wounds to a unit within 3" or even bring back models that were previously KO'd on a roll of 4+. This is a great unit to park near a character, HQ or unit you'd like to keep in the fight. It's a great narrative element that adds a fun flavor to the game, and unlike some of the previously released characters I get a sense that having multiple Apothecaries, perhaps one to tend to each of your key elements, is a good idea.

But once again, and this is the broken record complaint about these new Primaris miniatures, the cost is prohibitive. The Apothecary is another $35 retail piece, and I'm not really sure that the overall tactical value is such that two of these figures are worth spending more than the cost of a ten man Reiver or Intercessor squad. What it comes down to, really, is if you like the concept of having a field medic in your army. I love that, and so I think there is value there. But is it a game-winner? Not really. But that may not matter if you're a "rule of cool" player as I am. And this guy is definitely cool.

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