Warhammer 40K: Start Collecting vs Combat Patrol – Ad Mech Edition
If you see a Start Collecting! Adeptus Mechanicus box in a FLGS, should you snag it now or wait for the new Combat Patrol Box? Let’s find out.
The Start Collecting! Adeptus Mechanicus Box is currently “Temporarily out of stock Online” directly from Games Workshop. However, it’s been out for a while now and is actually about due for a replacement in the form of the new Combat Patrol box. That said there is a chance that local stores might just have a Start Collecting! Ad Mech box or two lying around. So the question becomes is it worth snagging or should you wait for the Combat Patrol Box?
What’s In The Box
Start Collecting! Adeptus Mechanicus – $95
1x Tech-Priest Enginseer (supplied with a Citadel 32mm Round Base) = $33
1x Skitarii Vanguard/Rangers (10 miniatures, each supplied with a Citadel 25mm Round Base) = $44
1x Skorpius Dunerider/Disintegrator (supplied with a Citadel 60x35mm Oval Base) = $75
Total MSRP = $152
Savings = $57
Percentage Savings: 37.5%
Now, compare that with the Pricing Breakdown for the Combat Patrol we did yesterday:
Skitarii Rangers/Vanguard x10 = $44
Kataphron Breachers/Destroyers x3 = $58
MSRP Total = $210
Savings = $70
Percentage savings = 33.3%
Clearly, there is some overlap between the two but there are also some differences that makes each one worth checking out in their own right. But comparing the two, the Combat Patrol might have the higher total dollar amount savings, but it’s also $140 compared to $95. On top of that, based on the percentages, the Start Collecting! box has a higher total discount percentage.
In terms of units, as mentioned, there is a lot of overlap. Thankfully, it’s overlap for “core” units in the sense that you’ll probably need more than one unit of Skitarii Rangers/Vanguard in your lists. And having 2 Techpriests isn’t unrealistic either. I’m not too sure how much use you’ll get out of the Skorpius Dunerider (as Transports seem to have fallen out of favor) but you can built it as a Skorpius Disintegrator instead – so that’s a plus.
So if you ARE interested in an Adeptus Mechanicus army and you happen to visit your FLGS and they still have a Start Collecting! Adeptus Mechanicus box on the shelf, you might want to do yourself a favor and snag it while you can. Plus, it’s supporting your local store which is plus, too.
Verdict: Both are good. But The Start Collecting! Box is worth grabbing…if you can find one.