Assault Wing Deathwing Removes The First Legion of Any Character
The ancient Sternguard Veterans Space Marine kit, which I believe was published during 6th Edition, is my favorite Space Marine kit that Warhammer 40,000 has ever released. I feel really old saying that, but the kit was really unique. Although it only produced five Space Marine veterans, you could customize your entire army with the abundance of parts and supplies it provided.
Everything you might possibly need to completely deck out your Space Marine army was there, including helmets for squad Sergeants, elegant shoulder pads for units that had heroic moments in the most recent fight, and vintage drum magazine boltguns for your best marksmen. The only issue was that there weren’t enough combi-meltas, but I can’t really complain because it was the first step toward converting entire troops.
You can’t do it now days. Each kit includes exactly the right number of miniatures—no extra parts—to complete the unit. Although monopose, the models are more lively and captivating. Not only is it extremely impossible to make them look anything other than what they do on the box, but the old Sternguard arms were designed to go on any other Space Marine, be it a Biker, Devastator, or anything in between. I’m not a big admirer of this decision, to be sure, but the Dark Angels Codex shows an even worse course.
The goal of Games Workshop is to standardize its Space Marine forces. The distinction between the Dark Angels, Space Wolves, Blood Angels, Black Templars, and other forces—their troops, appearances, and regulations—is beginning to fade in favor of standardizing their gameplay. Space Marine chapters are now experiencing the same issue as the models, which is causing every Intercessor and Inceptor unit to have the same appearance.
The removal of several unique units from the Dark Angels Codex is the gravest offense. The Talonmaster, Ravenwing, and Deathwing command squads are not included in 10th edition, as many have previously surmised based on their glaring absence in the previews. While the models’ discontinuation was inevitable, it is unfortunate for every Space Marine Chapter to lose these special units.
There’s still some flavor to the Dark Angels. This time around, the Deathwing Terminators are the standout models from the range refresh; the Ravenwing, however, still have their long list of iconic characters, including Sergeant Naaman from the 1987 Angels of Death Codex. But instead of feeling like the actual Dark Angels force, this now seems more like a Space Marine army with a few upgrade kits tossed in.
“The Dark Angels are losing their edge”
Well, that’s partly because it is. The days of Deathwing Terminators are over. Ten standard Terminators and an upgrade sprue (often sold separately) to turn them into Deathwings are included in the new Deathwing army package. Although I’m happy to see the Deathwing Knights back in full, robed splendor, I think that should be the standard for Deathwing and not just something the Knights wear. Even the Knights have become less useful as a unit, and their once-funny flails and censers have been replaced with dull, antiquated power swords and mace.
The upgrade kit includes a Terminator Plasma Cannon exclusive to Dark Angels, however the standard Deathwing Terminators don’t even have Thunder Hammer/Storm Shield combinations. I assume there will be a subsequent release as a stand-alone product for Space Marines, which you can then purchase, spend eleven pounds on an additional upgrade sprue, and eventually convert into another Deathwing.
The most fascinating sections of the Emperor’s best are the Space Marine Chapters. The Black Templars draw heavily from the Crusades; Blood Angels are vampires who can turn entire units into werewolves; Space Wolves are the same but are actually werewolves; and Dark Angels have several distinct ways to build an army. This appears to be vanishing in favor of selling upgrade kits and standardizing Space Marine Codexes in an effort to bring everything into compliance.
That might do for Ultramarines or Imperial Fists; for my beloved Iron Hands, a special Iron Father, a Dreadnought detachment, and an upgrade sprue would even be plenty. However, it is insufficient for the most intriguing Chapters of Space Marines, the most obscure Space Marines. Games Workshop must refrain from turning every other Marine into an Ultramarine, regardless of how well-liked and marketable they are.
The Dark Angels are losing flavor faster than a Gloucestershire chef starting a Thai-fusion restaurant after one trip to South Asia, even if they have just enough in their new Codex to warrant an entire additional volume. The fighters who succumbed to Chaos and divided the Dark Angels Chapter in two are no longer with us; they have atoned for their sins and are now revered as holy, virtuous Risen. It’s possible that the Dark Angels are losing their identity in addition to their advantage.
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