Easy-To-Build Kits: Are They Really A Good Idea?

By Wesley Floyd | July 12th, 2018 | Categories: Age of Sigmar, Warhammer 40k

Easy-to-build kits are becoming more and more popular here lately. They’ve got some pros but they definitely have some cons as well. Take a look at both.

We first started seeing an influx of ETB kits at the release of Dark Imperium and the small “3 models to a box” releases of Primaris and Death Guard. Depending on how you look at ETB kits, there may be more pros than cons and vice versa.

Easy-To-Build Kits: Are They Really A Good Idea?

Let’s weigh them both.

Pros to ETB Kits

On the good side of things, kits are usually a little bit cheaper.
ETB kits are most of the time, snap-fit models that you can just push together. They really don’t even need glue if you just want to unpack and start playing.
ETB kits make it easier for beginning hobbyists to put some models together and have them not look messy. (I speak from experience. The first model I put together was a Land Raider and I remember being overwhelmed by the instructions).
They come with pre-detailed bases. As a new player, I wanted my models to look good. But I didn’t have the first clue on how to get a good-looking base. These bases cover that. All you have to do is paint them.
The ETB models come in a color similar to the faction. Again, for someone who just wants to unpack and play, it’s a nice little detail instead of looking at a sea of grey. Even though it’s a small change it spices things up.

Cons to ETB Kits

There’s a lot of cons to ETB kits as well. When I hear “new ETB kit coming” I get a little worried because there are so many variables that can take place in the kit.

Generally speaking:

Cheaper models don’t mean it’s always the better option. In a game where models will last for years and years, it may not be a good idea to skimp and go for the cheaper alternative.
ETB kits sometimes have lesser-quality plastic that gets used. (i.e Malign Sorcery)

The ETB kits only have one weapon selection and it’s usually not the one you want. We saw this with Primaris Interceptors and their Assault Bolters. A few months down the road, they released Interceptors with the Plasma variant that would be a great addition to a Dark Angels list. That’s just one prime example.
The models come pre-posed. It makes it harder for someone to alter the model and pimp it out. For the veteran hobbyists, some like to pose models in unique ways or give them a cooler-looking weapon. It’s not impossible to re-pose an ETB model but it makes it a lot harder.

Easy-to-Build or Easy-to-Sell

If you’ve noticed the trend by now, the ETB kits come out just ahead of the other releases when the hype is at a max. People want to get their hands on the newest and latest thing so they buy the kits up. We saw this with Primaris/Death Guard and now the Nighthaunt/Stormcast Eternals. Then down the line, they could release the same unit with different wargear options that are usually better or more useful. That will encourage the people to buy more of the models they already own, but they’ll do it to get the better wargear option.

At the end of the day, ETB kits do have a place in the market. I would definitely suggest them for new players and hobbyists. What do you think about ETB kits? Do you try to stay away from them or go for them first? Let us know in the comments of our Facebook Hobby Group.