New box art was just spotted for a ton of Space Marines including the old Tactical squad, so if the trend holds, they may be getting new rules too!
We’ve been seeing updated instruction sheets coming inside kits with new box art for 9th Edition showing a redesigned layout for putting models together. Units like Terminators and Necron Wraiths are some that we’ve already seen updated. Check out all the new box art that was just spotted:
Tactical Space Marines Set To Get New Rules Too
This picture was sent to us by a retailer and what you’re looking at is the July 2020 catalog for GW’s kits. While the Orks, Tyranids, Death Guard, and Astra Militarum all look the same, it seems that Necrons and Space Marine boxes have been updated with new cover art.
We’ve blown up a few of the kits for you to see what we’re talking about. With a new unit picture, it’s also been reframed in the 9th Edition Warhammer 40k logo and also has the Warhammer hammer in the bottom right.
For the Space Marine stuff like Tactical Marines and the Predator, we’re a little shocked to see GW put effort into revamping up their boxes. Hobbyists the world over thought for sure they were going to head to Warhammer Legends any second.
Especially when we saw the Predator given a Stratagem (Kill Shot) and then quickly had it taken away about 6 months later.
Comparing the New to the Old
If you want a closer look at the changes we’re talking about, we’ve got a pic of the new Company Command box (top) and the current, old one (bottom).
Since we’ve seen instruction sheets circulating around the web showing a standardized IKEA-style format that anyone can understand, that could have prompted GW to go ahead and rework the cover art for the kits as well (or vice versa).
What do you think about GW updating these old box covers? Will we see existing kits like the Tyranid and Ork factions follow suit when it’s their time to get codex support?
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!
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.
