It’s a good time to be an Astra Militarum player – loads of new models, a library of cracking novels, and pre-orders for the Cadia Stands Army Set* begin on Saturday. You’ll soon have access to one of the most flexible codexes ever written – free to mix and match regimental units as you please, with a wide variety of improved datasheets at your disposal.
We’ve picked out a few of our favourites for your perusal, starting with regimental highlights – the resolute infantry of Krieg and the brawling daredevils of Catachan.
The Death Korps of Krieg and Catachan Jungle Fighters are both getting their own individual datasheets in the new book. Krieg troopers have access to the many options included in their Kill Team kit – such as sniper rifles and medi-packs – while Catachans boast two flamers and a particularly vicious close combat ability.
The sneaky, stabby sensation known as Sly Marbo also returns to battle, with a significant bump in threat level. His ripper pistol and envenomed blade can now drop Chaos Space Marines and enemy commanders with ease, before Sly slips back into the shadows like he was never there at all.
Commissars might be the furthest things from Sly Marbo’s modus operandi – championing order and discipline – and their management style was previously delivered exclusively at the barrel of a bolt pistol. Having learned that some troops respond better to gentle encouragement than the imminent threat of execution, they now have access to Prefectus Orders.
While regimental officers have access to familiar – but updated – orders, Commissars appeal to the faith and fervour of the enlisted men with a more directly aggressive set of commands. Under their visionary and threatening inspiration, your troops will be able to keep blasting away even while sprinting at full speed or regrouping from a sudden assault.
Perhaps our favourite change is to the biggest box of boom in the Astra Militarum arsenal – the Deathstrike missile launcher. This formidable artillery piece is getting a major overhaul. Random chance is out, mind games are in.
The Deathstrike now puts a big, scary target on the battlefield with a unique action, which it can then fire at on your next turn. You won’t be catching anyone by surprise, but a marker looming over objectives will dissuade anyone from claiming them. After all, who wants to be clocked for 16 mortal wounds?** If your turn comes around and nobody’s in the blast zone, you can just move the marker again.
If turning a small number of hard targets into a fine mist doesn’t match your battle plan, there are two more warheads to pick from. One blankets a wide area in searing plasma, while the other creates a persistent bubble of gravitational pain. The best part? You get to choose which warhead to bring after you’ve seen your opponent’s army list.
Don’t miss your chance to get early access to Codex: Astra Militarum when pre-orders for the Cadia Stands Army Set open on the 12th of November for two weeks – that’s one week longer than usual.
* Which includes a special launch edition of the codex, for mustering your regiments early.
** One day you’re going to wipe the Silent King off the board in one shot, and it’ll be glorious.