Get an in-depth look at the new Death Korps of Krieg Command Squad and Heavy Weapons Squad in our unboxing and review, plus see how to make modular versions to save cash!
Cracking open a new Warhammer 40k kit is always exciting, but when it’s the Death Korps of Krieg Command Squad and Heavy Weapons, things get a little more serious. These kits bring fresh options for Astra Militarum players, packing in detailed sculpts, solid weapon choices in the new codex, and a few surprises that make them worth a closer look.
Death Korps of Krieg Unboxing & Review
The Command Squad delivers everything you need to build a proper Krieg leadership team—banner bearers, medics, and even a grim-looking officer who’s ready to remind troops that retreat is not an option. Meanwhile, the Heavy Weapon Squad offers the kind of firepower that makes enemy armor nervous. The best part? With the right approach, you can swap weapons without gluing everything in place, saving money while keeping your loadouts flexible.
If you’re building a Krieg army, debating an upgrade, or just wondering if these kits are worth your time, stick around. We’re breaking it all down—what’s in the box, how to make your models modular, and whether these kits stack up to past Forge World releases. Let’s get into it!
The Good, The Bad, The Must-Have
If you’ve been holding out for more Astra Militarum reinforcements or just looking for an excuse to expand your Krieg collection, these kits might be what you’ve been waiting for. So, what’s new? What’s worth your hobby dollars? And, more importantly, how do these kits stack up against their Forge World predecessors?
We’re breaking down everything—pricing, sprues, customization, and modular building tricks—so you can make the best decision for your army.
Death Korps of Krieg Infantry Box: What’s the Deal?
The new Death Korps Infantry Box sits at $52, which is a bit of a shift from the Kill Team version (it doesn’t have the extra equipment sprue). The models inside? Same sculpts, but like we said already, they’ve ditched the Kill Team-specific sprue that came in the 2021 release. That means no extra tactical bits, but on the flip side, you’re getting them at a lower price compared to the $65 Kill Team box.
Customization & Sprue Differences
The lack of Kill Team add-ons means fewer quirky poses and unique accessories, but if you’re after straight-up Astra Militarum infantry, this is still a solid buy. The detailing remains excellent, and with a bit of kitbashing, you can personalize them beyond the standard loadout.
If you already have the older set, this might not be a must-buy—unless you need more boots on the ground. If you missed out back in 2021, this is an easy way to snag some Krieg without paying the inflated resale prices.
Command Squad Kit: Loadouts & Future-Proofing
The Command Squad rolls in at $45, and while it’s a smaller kit compared to the Heavy Weapon Squad, it still brings plenty of character and customization to the table. This is the squad that leads from the front—whether that means barking orders, patching up wounded soldiers, or waving around a massive, ornate banner to remind everyone that the Emperor expects them to die gloriously.
The kit includes:
- A Commissar (ready to inspire—or execute—troops as needed)
- A Medic, because nothing says “We care” like battlefield triage in a war-torn trench
- A Banner Bearer, because morale is a weapon in itself
- A Vox Operator, ensuring your commander’s orders are heard over the sounds of explosions and screaming
- A variety of weapon loadouts, including Plasma Pistols, Meltaguns, and Power Swords
While most people grab a Command Squad for style points and leadership buffs, this kit offers something even more valuable: future-proofing.
Are They Worth Magnetizing?
If you’ve been in the Warhammer 40k hobby for a while, you already know Games Workshop loves changing the rules. In one edition, your Plasma Pistol is a bargain; in the next, it’s overpriced garbage, and suddenly, everyone’s running Meltaguns instead. A few codex updates later, and—whoops—Plasma’s back on top.
That’s why building modularly makes sense. This kit comes with separate arms and weapon bits, making it ideal for arm-swapping conversions. A simple peg or magnet system can turn a Plasma gunner into a Meltagun-carrying hard counter for enemy armor in just a few seconds.
If you’re not keen on using magnets, a little Blu Tack during assembly can help you test different load-outs before committing with glue. But magnetizing your whole army of Imperial Guard soldiers probably isn’t worth it…
As we said, while you could magnetize these and keep your load-outs modular… we’re not sure it’s worth the time for a whole Guard army. The weapons are not going to be too much different in terms of rules, and magnetizing takes a lot of time. Especially when you’re talking under a hundred points…
Regardless, this Command Squad is a must-have if you’re going all-in on a Krieg-themed Astra Militarum army. It brings some serious character to your force.
Heavy Weapon Squad Kit: What’s in the Box?
Alright, let’s talk about the real workhorses of the Death Korps of Krieg—the Heavy Weapon Squad. Priced at $52, this kit lets you set up three teams of heavy weapons to rain destruction on your enemies. That means you get Las Cannons, Heavy Flamers, and Heavy Stubbers, all neatly packed into a single box.
This is where things get fun. Unlike some older Astra Militarum kits, where you had to commit to one weapon loadout per model (cue tragic violin music for all the glued-down mortars of past editions), this one actually lets you switch things up—and you don’t even need magnets to do it.
Modular Builds: Swapping Weapons Without Magnets
Now, if you’ve built heavy weapon teams before, you know the struggle. You glue a weapon down, then a new edition rolls in, and suddenly, oops, that Autocannon you lovingly painted is now overpriced trash while the Lascannon is all the rage.
This time around, we’ve got options.
The Lascannon and Heavy Flamer share a common mounting system, which means you can swap between them without permanently gluing them in place. That’s an easy win. The Heavy Stubber works a little differently, but with some careful assembly (and maybe a bit of hobby trickery), you can still keep things flexible.
So, how do you pull this off? Press-fit assembly. If you glue only the necessary structural components while leaving the actual weapon piece free, you can pop one out and swap in another as needed. This keeps your squad adaptable, meaning you won’t have to rip apart carefully painted models just because GW decided to tweak the meta again.
This is huge for Krieg players, who tend to invest in thematic, all-in armies. If you’re already going full trench warfare, having weapon teams that can adjust to shifting game balance without buying multiple kits is a big deal.
And yes, we hear you—”But what about the tiny details like ammo feeds and power cables?” That’s where a bit of clever positioning and creative gluing comes in. For example, you can attach the power pack for the Lascannon so it sits flush with the base.
The Heavy Flamer’s hose? Angle it just right, and it still looks like it’s connected, even if you pop the flamer off. A little creativity goes a long way.
So, if you’re tired of static builds and ready for a more adaptable force, this kit makes modularity way easier than older Astra Militarum kits.
Expanding Your Options with Third-Party Upgrade Kits
Now, let’s say you want even more versatility. Maybe you’re a hobbyist who loves having all the options, or maybe you’ve got a Krieg force that needs extra weapons without buying more full kits. That’s where third-party conversion kits step in.
One of the best options out there is Magnet Baron’s upgrade kit for the regular Heavy Weapon Kit. For $15, you get additional weapon parts and bases, meaning you can effectively stretch your Heavy Weapon Squad even further.
Do the math:
- $52 for the main kit
- $15 for the upgrade
- Total: $67 for a fully customizable squad
That’s far cheaper than buying multiple kits just to cover different loadouts. Plus, back in the day, Forge World charged way more for equivalent Krieg heavy weapon teams, and those were single-option kits. Now, with this setup, you get flexibility and affordability.
Comparing to the Old Forge World Kits
If you’ve been in the Krieg game for a while, you’ll recognize some design tweaks compared to the Forge World originals.
Visual and Structural Differences
- The new plastic kits are slightly bulkier, with thicker weapon barrels and a bit more exaggeration in proportions.
- The old Forge World sculpts had a more delicate look, particularly with weapons like the Lascannon and Heavy Bolter.
For most players, the new plastics are a win—they’re more affordable, easier to work with, and won’t break if you stare at them too hard.
Rebasing Older Forge World Kits
One small challenge? Base sizes. The new Heavy Weapon Squads use 50mm bases, but older Forge World kits came with 60mm. If you’re looking to unify the look of your army, rebasing can be a headache, especially with resin models that don’t like to be pried off their bases.
Are the New DKoK Model Kits Worth It?
Now for the big question: Should you buy these?
- If you already own a bunch of Krieg from the 2021 Kill Team set, these might not feel essential.
- If you’re new to the faction, this is the best time to jump in—pricing is fair, modularity is solid, and the sculpts are fantastic.
- The Heavy Weapon Squad and Command Squad add variety and flexibility, making them a great addition to any Astra Militarum force.
For those who love the Krieg aesthetic but missed out on Forge World’s heyday, these kits are a great alternative without the nightmare of resin assembly.
Where to Buy Yours
Snag your new Death Korps of Krieg model kits from our handpicked list of retailers, and give us a high-five in support! Every qualifying purchase helps Spikey Bits keep the lights on and the fun going.
Quick Order Links Get 15% Off or More:
Mid Atlantic US: Fabricators Forge | Bazooka Games | Frontline Gaming (West Coast US) | The Rogue Traders | Central US: Dicehead Games | Noble Knight Games | Warpfire Minis | West Coast US: Squadmarks |
Worldwide: Amazon | eBay| or | Games Workshop’s Store | UK: Element Games (UK) | Merlin’s Minis | Wayland Games | Canada: Tista Minis | Abyss Game Store | Kingdom Titans |
- Plastic required assembly
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- Language: english
Last update on 2025-02-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Final Thoughts: Death Korps of Krieg Unboxing & Review
This wave of Death Korps releases is a win for Astra Militarum players. The pricing is reasonable, the builds offer more flexibility than expected, and with a few smart tweaks, you can maximize your kit’s potential without breaking the bank (and learn how to paint them here). So, if you’re ready to build, paint, and field some trench-coated legends, now’s the time to do it.
Will you be picking up any units from the second wave of Death Korps of Krieg Heavy Weapons and Command Squad from our Warhammer 40k unboxing and review?
