Good luck getting the new Space Marine models folks, as GW has allocated their new Space Marines releases, and this one hurts.
If you want to support your local store, you better get in line early! GW has been fairly stingy with the new releases as of late, either due to COVID complications or just a new business strategy- it’s hard to say for sure.
Let’s take a look at this week’s releases and then look at the new allocations…
New 40k Space Marines & Dark Angels Release Allocated!
Dark Angels 9th Edition Codex
The sons of the Lion are ready to take up the search for the Fallen once more. To aid them in this goal, they have a new codex supplement that’s bursting at the seams with narrative-driven content.
With bespoke datasheets, Warlord Traits, Relics, and a psychic discipline, as well as a suite of Crusade campaign rules that represent the sombre quest of the Unforgiven, it’s the essential Dark Angels companion to Codex: Space Marines.
Just a friendly reminder, all of the Space Marine chapters are Supplements, meaning you’ll need both the main Space Marine Codex, and the chapters’ respective Supplement book!
Dark Angels 9th Edition Datacards
As with any release, these cards make learning new rules much faster and easier by getting you the information you need in a game instead of having to flip through pages.
Dark Angels Combat Patrol
The Primaris Chaplain, Redemptor Dreadnought, Inceptors, and Intercessors in this set provide you with a budding Dark Angels army with a Power Level of around 25 – perfect for Combat Patrol-sized battles. Whether you’re looking to start a new collection of the Unforgiven or you already have a Dark Angels army that you’re looking to expand, Combat Patrol: Dark Angels is a great way to pick up a handy selection of units while saving yourself a few pennies.
Storm Speeder
The kit can be assembled in any of the three Storm Speeder variants – the anti-infantry Hailstrike, the armour-melting Hammerstrike, and the warhead-launching Thunderstrike. Each is equipped with three powerful weapon systems – they’re mobile fire support perfected.
We’ve known about these for a long time now, so it’s great to finally see them get their release.
Multipart Bladeguard Veterans
This multipart set of Bladeguard Veterans provides you with three elite Space Marines, each armed with master-crafted power swords, storm shields, and heavy bolt pistols. This squad can be assembled in an incredible variety of poses thanks to the myriad options in the kit.
It’s always great to see a popular kit get their standalone multipart kit. That little bit of extra variability makes the painting, playing, and seeing them, that much more interesting each time you see them.
Multipart Primaris Eradicators
If it’s a tank-busting squad you’re after, look no further than the Eradicators. Each wears reinforced Mark X Gravis armour and can be equipped with a deadly melta rifle or heavy melta rifle as standard. The kit also includes a single multi-melta as an optional upgrade.
It’s no exaggeration to say that eradicators might be the best anti-armor option in the game right now. Even more so, the top space marine lists prove that. They almost always have a squad and sometimes two to deal with enemy vehicles/armor.
New MKII Design- Get it Now!
Psychomancer
The Crypteks of the Necrons specialise in many different disciplines of hypertechnological arts. Psychomancers use their knowledge to overload and confound their foes with mental onslaughts, so if you’re looking to mess with your opponent’s gaming mojo, make sure you add one to your collection.
The newest Cryptek is finally here and is another model we’ve known about for what feels like ages now. It’s always great to see an older teased model get their release.
Khagra’s Ravagers Warband
Khagra’s Ravagers can permanently desecrate objectives, meaning your opponents will have to face you in combat if they seek to defeat you. This is a field in which Chaos champions are notoriously deadly – and you’ll have the added advantage of wielding Zarshia Bittersoul’s fell sorcery to boot.
Not to mention how sweet these models look on their own! It’s not too far off to use these as stand-in chaos lords and sorcerers in AoS when you aren’t playing with their unique mechanics in Direchasm.
Skrull Halfheight
An Undead Dwarf is rare enough at the best of times, but one who specialises in the passing game is nothing short of a phenomenon. Skrull Halfheight can play for Sylvanian Spotlight and World’s Edge Superleague teams, so if you want to surprise your opponent with sublime passing plays, save some inducements to splash out on this diminutive Star Player.
A pass specialist dwarf might be unique, but not as unique as that model! We didn’t know this was something we needed, but it is.
Gretchen Wächter
The Blood Bowl Widow earned her epithet from her past life, in which she endlessly suffered her late husband’s unhealthy obsession with the game. In death, bitterness and resentment of Blood Bowl are her greatest assets, and she metes out her vengeance on the pitch.
Another super unique model also joins the same team as a potential star player. This time around it’s a ghost and another great sculpt!
So How Many New Releases Are Stores Getting?
We wrote yesterday how GW has the chance to the right thing with this release as most Space Marin players will want 2-3 boxes of Blade Guards and Eradicators. Now with these (unreasonable?) restrictions, it’s making it difficult for store owners and hobbyists alike.
If you want any of the items above, and plan on getting them from your store I would still plan on getting there on day one for the items that are allocated 5 per.
It goes without saying that distributing stock is becoming quite the chore for sure as we mentioned in our shipping update with adjusted 2021 rates, but it seems like there is a better way to go about this than just shotgunning product into the warp and making everyone fight for it.
The only people winning here seem to be GW and the scalpers…
People hate nothing more than having to resort to scalpers, and not being able to buy what they need when they need it- especially after having the rest of the Space Marines release (heavy intercessors) locked behind a paywall…
What do you think about the continuing allocations to stores for GW? Is it helping or hurting the hobby?
Let us know in the comments of our Facebook Hobby Group, and make sure you enter the latest monthly giveaway for FREE today! You can also support us on Patreon and get ad-free access to the site, plus a ton of minis that helps support some of the best creators out there!r
About the Author: Rob Baer
Rob Baer
Job Title: Managing Editor
Founded Spikey Bits in 2009
Socials: Rob Baer on Facebook and @catdaddymbg on X
About Rob Baer: Founder, Publisher, & Managing Editor of Spikey Bits, the leading tabletop gaming news website focused on the hobby side of wargaming and miniatures.
Rob also co-founded and currently hosts the Long War Podcast, which has over 350 episodes and focuses on tabletop miniatures gaming, specializing in Warhammer 40k. and spent six years writing for Bell of Lost Souls.
Every year, along with his co-hosts, he helps host the Long War 40k Doubles Tournament at Adepticon and the Long War 40k Doubles at Las Vegas Open, which attracts over 350 players from around the world.
Rob has won many Warhammer 40k Tournaments over the years, including multiple first-place finishes in Warhammer 40k Grand Tournaments over the years and even winning 1st place at the Adepticon 40k Team Tournament.
With over 30 years of experience in retail and distribution, Rob knows all the products and exactly which ones are the best. As a member of GAMA (Game Manufacturers Association), he advocates for gaming stores and manufacturers in these difficult times, always looking for the next big thing to feature for the miniatures hobby, helping everyone to provide the value consumers want.
While he’s played every edition of Warhammer 40k and Warhammer Fantasy (since 5th Edition) and has been hobbying on miniatures since the 1980s, Titans of all sizes will always be his favorite! It’s even rumored that his hobby vault rivals the Solemnance Galleries, containing rulebooks filled with lore from editions long past, ancient packs of black-bordered Magic Cards, and models made of both pewter and resin.
