The Raven has landed! Come see the close up review of the model that may have gotten a bad rap from gamers. Corax Rocks, come see!
Welcome back Hobby Maniacs! Today we’re getting up close and personal with Corvus Corax, the Primarch of the XIX Legion, (That’s the 19th legion if you’re roman numeral reading impaired) and this is an amazing model. I also think this is a clear instance where the photos of the model just don’t do it justice. Once you get in your hands you’ll be blown away. This is one of the most intricately detailed miniatures I have ever seen. I had no idea it was this model was going to be this good looking; I was pleasantly surprised.
Corvus comes in the double wide Forge World box. Once you get it open it one thing I noticed is that it really beguiles you into thinking the Primarch is smaller than he actually is. Another thing Forge World did, which I really like, is that they included instructions in the box. Forge World is really bringing the heat in their presentation. Also included is a pamphlet with the inspectors name initials and date along with a general tips and assembly guide with the tools to use for various steps. I think having someone check out the kit before they send it off helps counter the perception that they just threw the model on the table from the mold and then tossed it in the box. Forge World is great with customer service but this extra step of getting it right the first time goes a long way in my book.
The instruction manual, as I said before, is really amazing. It shows you where all the exhausts go, it shows you where his pinions should go, and goes into detail about getting his Lightning claws either extended or sheathed. (Innie or Outie it’s your choice!) In this particular pose he’s got his arcotech pistol just straight taking some traitor; his whip crackling with energy on his back. His rules fit well with the model. Forge World went so far as to show you where to attach the Chainsword to the Marine who is getting blown away. The sword is basically falling out of his hand and there’s a little nub you need to attach it too.
The base here is also really intricate, Corvus goes on the 40mm base, which then slots into the 60mm base which goes with the rest of the diorama so you can alternate between it being a display model and something you’re actually playing with.
Laying out the pieces you can really see these are larger than normal, we’re talking terminator sized shoulder pads, which makes since because Corax is huge, almost looking like 50mm scale; similar to the other Primarchs. Looking closely at the head, I actually think they used Corvus’ head on Leman Russ for the previews; of course Leman Russ’ head wasn’t done at the time so I think this the head they substituted in.
Of course my facial recognition might be off.
One thing to note on these pinions is that these things are thin, really thin, which is going to be super unforgiving. On top of that it’s slightly convex too. You’re going to want to be on your hobby A game when you’re putting Corvus together. You’re also going to want to magnetize his backpack because you don’t want to locked into a certain position; when you put it into your foam case it’s going to break. You’re going to want to protect the jet pack pinion system.
Overall, this kit is a just plain bananas, kudos for Forge World for stepping outside their comfort zone and making such an varied model because this kit is just plain amazing.
Going into this rules for a bit, he comes in at 450 points. He’s got a boat load of special rules, The panopy of the Raven Lord, which includes his lightning claws and his energized whip; they work in tandem. They profile is: Strength User, AP2, Melee, Shred, Fighting Style, and two-handed so keep that in mind. At the beginning of the assault phase you choose: death strike, all to wound rolls of 5+ would the target regardless of toughness, damage to vehicles get an extra 3 to armor pen; Scorch D3 Extra Attacks; Shadow Walk imposes a -1 penalty to hit on all models attack him [Which is great if you’re getting bogged down with elite level stuff]
He has other special rules too! Sire of the Raven Guard +1int +1Str on the turn he charges, All models with Raven Guard always run 6″. Shadow Lord, unless he’s part of unit or Corvus is not the closest model to the firing unit, or if the unit is Pysker, Demon, or another Primarch, only snap shots may be taken against him. So basically, he gets invisibility conferred to him.
He can also be removed from play and put into ongoing reserves; even when in close combat. He also gets his Sable armor which gives him a 2+ save 5+ invul and any unit deep striking within 12” of him will suffer a deep strike mishap on any roll of a double on their deep strike scatter roll. Enemy wargear that helps deep strike doesn’t function within the radius. And a scattering of other special rules. The Corvodine Pinions give him of course the ability to be a jump infantry model but also give him Hammer of Wrath Causing D3 STR 5 AP3 hits; which is better than 40k’s Khan Moondraken bike which I thought was neat because that’s always fun when you hammer of wrath into people with that.
So who’s ready to get Corvus painted up and on the table!!?
Corvus Corax Returns – The Newest Primarch Unboxed!
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.
