Well in case you missed it in the wee hours of last Saturday Morning, here is my unboxing of one of the most highly anticipated releases for 40k ever, the Dark Vengeance Starter Box.
This week is the release of the Limited Edition Box set from Games Workshop, followed next week by the “normal” box set.
Red hot and ready to go, the newest Warhammer 40k Starter set, Dark Vengeance is live across the world.
Apparently the only thing different between the two sets is the Limited Edition Chaplain model, but as the “normal” set has not been released yet, no one really knows for sure.
But what we do know, is that this box set rocks. Let’s dive in!
Dark Vengeance Limited Box Set Retail Price $107.00
Total Models 48+1 (Limited Chaplain)
Release date: 1 Sept 2012
The box set itself was codenamed Project Mars: Special Edition by the GW warehouses in an attempt to keep it secret, which actually worked to some degree, I suppose.
Miniatures wise Dark Vengeance contains two opposing armies, Chaos and Dark Angels. The Limited Chaplain model actually comes with a rules sheet that grants him some bonuses when fighting Chaos.
For the Chaos side included are twenty Chaos Cultists, six Chosen, one Chaos Lord, a Hellbrute Chaos Dreadnought, all armed in various ways (see pics below). The Dark Angel models consist of one Company Master, a Librarian, ten Tactical Marines, five Terminators, and three Ravenwing Bikes.
They are all semi multi-part models ranging from two parts to eight for the Hellbrute, and seem to go together with minimum ease.
These models are all GORGEOUS, and are just oozing with character. The detailing is also amazing, even the bolter shell piles are the right size now, something that couldn’t be done without computers for sure.
This is by far their best starter box set model wise, and as I’ve seen already many duplicate boxes will be sold.
The literature that comes with the set, is top notch which is a far cry form most of their sets. Most of the pamphlets are thicker card stock, and glossy, heck even the rulebook is FULL COLOR, which put this while set over the top for me.
Pose-wise, well by my count there are 16 duplicate models, as one whole sprue is duplicated.
I had a pretty strong opinion recently about what I though was just a few duplicates, but when you do the math here folks, a full one third of the box set is a duplicately posed model.
It would have been nice for Game Workshop to have gotten a “clean sweep” on this review and just knocked it out of the park. But I just can’t say there is no room for improvement here, with that many duplicate models being included.
As a business man I get it, it was done to keep costs down, most notably the tooling costs for a whole new sprue. As consumer, well I want the most for my money too!
Are the new models gorgeous, sure. Is the box totally worth the price, yes definitely. I’m sure everyone still by the kit regardless of duplicates, but I would be remiss in my duty as a reviewer to not bring this point up.
That being said take a look at what you came here for in the first place, sprue pics and an unboxing video!
Please be sure to comment on your thoughts on the box set as well! Enjoy the pics, and be sure to comment with your thoughts on Dark Vengeance -MBG
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.
