The new 40k Space Marine drop pod stands poised to be the worst release from Games Workshop since Skaventide, here’s why!
Well, this is awkward. Games Workshop is relaunching a new Drop Pod—and it’s kind of a dud. It’s big, it’s bulky, and it’s got all the excitement of a paperweight.
The legs are stuck in the open position, making storage a nightmare. The weapons? Gone. Apparently, the Marines inside needed more safety.
Here’s why this release is shaping up to be the worst since Skaventide, and maybe panned more than the legendary doggo helmet.
Warhammer’s New Drop Pod: A Missed Landing Zone
For a piece of gear literally designed to crash onto battlefields, the redesign is ironically the least graceful thing Games Workshop has put out in a while. Long-time players and newcomers alike are squinting at this update, scratching their heads, and wondering: Who asked for this?
It’s Big. Like, Really Big
Let’s start with the most immediate issue—size. The new model takes up a ton of real estate. This thing is massive. While the original had a decent footprint and let you slam it onto the table with dramatic flair, this one looks like it needs its own parking permit.
Good luck fitting it into your army case, even though it’s not actually bigger… The legs are locked in an open position, which means you’re either investing in a custom foam tray the size of a cereal box or carrying it separately like a fragile sculpture. Transporting your minis is already a pain. This just adds insult to injury.
Now let’s talk about the build. One of the joys of the old kit was that it had working doors. You could theatrically pop them open, revealing your Marines like the world’s angriest Jack-in-the-box.
The new version? Mono-pose. That’s right—no opening doors. Just a static hunk of plastic. It’s like buying a sports car with the hood welded shut. Where’s the fun in that?
No Guns, No Glory
And then there’s the firepower, or lack of it. The redesign quietly ditches the weapons. The reasoning, as it turns out, is “marine safety.” Yep. Apparently, the guns were deemed too risky to have inside a cramped metal coffin with your troops.
Realism is great and all, but this is a game where psychic space wizards ride dinosaurs (hello Exodites). Removing the guns feels like solving a problem no one actually had.
Did Anyone Even Ask for This?
This is the leaked sprue floating around the internet.
Also worth noting: this isn’t exactly a hotly requested update. Players weren’t out there chanting “give us a bigger, weaker Drop Pod!” This feels more like something that didn’t fit into the 11th Edition refresh window and just got shoved out the door.
Two in a Box, One in the Bin?
- Drop Pods: $80 CAD$100 £50 €65
The one bright spot? The kit comes in a two-pack. On paper, that sounds like a decent value. That’s unless the $80 price point surprises you; otherwise, it’s just another hit to the wallet.
Ground Control to Drop Pod: Stay Home
It’s a shame, because a new kit should spark excitement. Instead, we’re left with something bulky, less interactive, and weirdly neutered in terms of gameplay. If you’re building a list for narrative play, maybe it works.
But in casual or competitive games? This pod might just stay grounded.
To be blunt, the new Drop Pod is shaping up to be one of the roughest releases since Skaventide—and that’s saying something. If you’re itching for some new hobby work, maybe take a look at terrain or character models instead.
At least those still make sense.
GW’s Latest Warhammer 40k Roadmap
