Warhammer 40K: Hellblasters and Intercessors Review

With these two releases, we now have the backbone of the new Primaris Space Marines line. Sure, the Dark Imperium box included single-pose models of both units with fixed weapons, but these are the multi-pose kits with a couple different ways to outfit them that we were waiting for. Rest assured, if you are running Primaris you will likely be picking up one or both of these squads and possibly multiple boxes of each.

Both squads are pretty basic Space Marine kits, of course in the new upsized style and with a couple of very welcome updates to their construction. I found that building these kits- which are very similar apart from their shootin' irons and a couple of accoutrements- were a little easier and more enjoyable than the old timey Space Marine Tactical Squad. There are some smart changes to the models, especially in how their arms join up with their weapons and I also like how the upper and lower torsos are one piece. Now, the hardcore modelers aren't going to like some of these changes because the kits are quite a bit less flexible. But I'm happier when a model fits together nicely, seamlessly, and looks great than I am when I can adjust their poses slightly.

Customization abounds regardless and as usual you get a ton of teeny tiny purity seals, reliquaries, tactical pouches, cell phone holsters, fanny packs and so forth to add to your heart's content. As usual, these things are a hassle and a half. Maybe its heresy, but I wouldn't mind if this stuff was molded onto the armor. There are some nice variations on the classic Big Ol' Shoulder Pads to make your Mk X armored bad boys look fashionable. But most importantly, you get three different weapons with each squad.

Yep, good ol' Space Marines. But bigger!

The Intercessors come with a standard bolt rifle, like the models in Dark Imperium, but if you want to get more interesting with it you can equip them with the auto bolt rifle, which grants their guns that key word (enabling them to advance and shoot) thanks to a big box magazine, The stalker bolt rifle adds a larger scope and increases the range. And you can also put an underslung grenade launcher on one out of every five guys, increasing grenade range to a whopping 30". I am really digging the assault option, but the 36" range and -2 AP of the Stalker is nothing to sneeze at.

Yep, good ol' Space Marines. But bigger! And with glowy blue guns!

The Hellblasters have a similar option but with the more powerful and terrifying plasma incinerators in vanilla, heavy and assault flavors. I'm particularly partial to the heavy variety, which is sort of hooked up to the Marine's armor. It's also a tremendously nasty weapon, and a squad of these guys can function as a viable anti-tank option- if you can avoid blowing them up if you choose to supercharge their hot plasma fire. There is also the option to swap out your sergeant's bolt pistol with a plasma pistol because why not.

Much like the Reiver kit, which I absolutely love, these boxes actually allow you to make two five-man squads and you get enough pieces to make sergeants for both groups. I love this, and I wish that GW would always do this. If you can't decide on which weapons to use you can build the five man squads, try them, and then add more later. Buy another single box and you can take both squads to ten men each.

These are both fine kits and important ones, but they are also really sort of boring. On the field, they're essential and as capable as you could hope for. But these are also the meat-and-potatoes, army backbone figures you dread painting in bulk and they feel like a chore to build despite their ease. They don't have the feel of newness like the Aggressors, Reivers or Inceptors. In the end, these are foundational Space Marine kits, and if you've amassed a large army of Space Marines over the years it might be sort of hard to get excited about these guys even if they are bigger, tougher, and more dangerous.