40K: Faction Minis Focus: Astra Militarum
Let’s take a look at what the Astra Militarum miniatures range does right, does wrong, and what needs replacing.
The Astra Militarum range is large, and venerable. In many ways the “green army men” of 40K have paralleled the Space Marine range and grown up alongside it from games’ earliest days in the 1980s. It has grown, and grown and grown over all 8 editions and is enormous with everything from the mighty Baneblade to the teensy Ratlings, and some forgotten units like Roughriders that rode into the sunset several editions back. It is mainly plastic but has the marine problem – it’s very dated and needs some new blood shot into it’s veins to get hobbyists excited and buying again. Onto the Astra Militarum range.
Standouts
Scions
The entire Scion range is fantastic. They are distinctive, high quality sculpts, with lots of options and add a new playstyle to the army. What’s not to like? That said an upgrade sprue with some weapon and equipment options for the Taurox would really add some mileage to the range.
New Catachans
GW has been slowly updating parts of the Catachan range, and keeping them characterful without going overboard. They are a classic range that is distinctive from the Cadians, which is exactly what hobbyists need – high quality options.
Need Replacing
But there are certainly still some holdouts from back in the day who have lived long past their prime. Some minis always had design problems, while others were amazing when released, but have been left behind by decades of the quality and scale of the game increasing.
Leman Russ
I think it’s time folks. The Russ came out in White Dwarf 178 in 1995. It’s 25 years old. It is hard to remember, but when the Russ was introduced it was a gargantuan kit, bristling with guns, and dwarfing the Marine Rhinos and Predators of the day. It has served as the lynchpin of Astra Militarum tanks since then, and has multiple variants based upon it. But the creaking fortress is a little small and quaint by 2020 standards. I think it’s time for Cawl to take a weekend and give the AM some attention. I’m not talking about something crazy like the grav tech of the Primaris, but a new base chassis that is larger in scale to the Repulsor and with a more “modern army” vibe would be great. Say for example doing a grimdark version of the US M1 Abrams tank that is less inspired by the tanks of WW1.
Then the venerable Russ can stay in the game as a cheaper “2nd line” vehicle and relegated to PDF forces like say Genestealer Cult and a future Traitor Guard.
Plastic Catachans
Im ready for these to get replaced yesterday. These guys are up there with the “dancing Berzerkers” as some of the oddest models out there. They are cartoonishly pumped up, don’t have as many poses as it looks, and have faces that could be “improved upon” with today’s modern technology. You have only to look at the most recent Catachan single models to envision how awesome GW could make the death world denizens with a new plastic kit. Just make sure a couple of the heads keep the shades. The Catachans have a reputation after all.
Chimera
The Chimera has 7 different vehicles based off of it from the Deathstrike to the ancient Basilisk. Star ome like the old Griffon Mortar were retired editions ago. While I think it’s time for the venerable kit, now 25 years old to be replaced, I do think its variants are more visually interesting than the Leman Russ. Thus I would rather have it soldier on a while further until the Russ gets replaced.
Something New?
Greatcoat Guard
We have the Catachan (hot climate), and Cadian (default climate) infantry ranges in plastic. I think it’s time for GW to bring back several classic regiments in plastic via a cold climate modular kit. A bunch of great coat bodies and legs with variant heads and kit could allow Valhallans, Vostroyans, and Armageddon Steel Legion in a single kit. Again, this is the type of thing the hobbyists out there have been waiting for for decades and would create a lot of visual diversity among AM players.
Plastic Flyer
We already have the Valkyrie, and with Aeronautica Imperialis leading the way it’s time for the AM to get some fast moving close air support. I would suggest either a Thunderbolt or Lightning.
~What do you think the AM range is doing right and most needs?
