Last year, the Black Templars landed a stunning upgrade sprue packed with righteous relics, holy heads, and sculpted shoulder pads, allowing fans of crusading Space Marines the opportunity to really personalise their forces.
But why should the Adeptus Astartes have all the fun? It’s only fair that the massed ranks of the Astra Militarum should get their own upgrade sprue, inspired by the dogged soldiery of Cadia – and the many regiments founded in their image.*
Just take a look at all of those characterful bits! Some of our favourites include the wrench – perfect for disciplining any misbehaving machine spirits with a good whack – the bolt clippers for rescuing your commanding officer's vintage amsec from his drinks cabinet, and the promethium cans for when your Chimera runs out of fuel and you have to march across the desert for a refill.
And that’s without talking about all the head options – including enough cap-clad heads to outfit an entire squad with brimmed headgear, and one soldier wearing a nice warm hat knitted by his mum. There’s also an impromptu grave for a true hero of the Imperium, stalwart sandbags for anyone unable to reach an Aegis Defence Line, and MORE BAYONETS!
But what do these pieces look like in action?
Armoured Division Officer
As we’ve seen from Captain Messinius, capes are very fashionable in the 41st Millennium. With a similarly stoic pose to the legendary Knight Commander Pask – or a brandished sword, if you prefer to drive your tank closer – this decorated Cadian officer fits perfectly into the hatch of a Rogal Dorn Battle Tank, giving it the prestige to get exactly where it needs to be.
Medic
With the new Khorne Berzerkers on the way, there’s about to be a LOT of blood spilt on the battlefields of the far future. Don't worry, the medic will be able to put some of it back in. Will it be enough? Better stock up on the Blood for the Blood God just in case.**
Wounded Trooper
Of course, if you do get patched up, you’ll be straight back into the fight! You don’t need two hands and arms to fight in the name of the God-Emperor. Just make sure you use your good eye to line up your lasgun sights – we don’t want a repeat of what happened to the colonel’s beloved cyber-mastiff.
Map Reader
It’s not easy to work out where you are when you’ve lost your entire planet. Fortunately, this not-at-all-lost trooper can help you easily find your way around battlefields.**
That’s just a taste of what you can do with the incredibly flexible new upgrade sprue. It will be out hot on the heels of the Cadian Shock Troops box – sign up for our newsletter to learn exactly when you’ll be able to get your hands on it.
* The Cadian elites, on the other hand, are plenty upgraded all on their own – see how the Kasrkin fight in the Black Library novel Kasrkin.
** You could also field these troopers as Medic and Spotter Veterans in a Cadia-themed Veteran Guardsmen kill team – why should Kriegers have all the fun?