It’s weird how many different opinions there are out there about the new Dark Vengeance box set.
Most people love it, as all the models seem usable. They look to be the best in the two part format figures Games Workshop has ever produced.
I would even be willing to be they will win some sort of award for this box set to boot.
Plus I’m sure when the Chaos codex finally hits we’ll see some better uses for the “Hellbrute” and the Chaos cultists/ Renegades, etc. Not to mention having the small rulebook definitely lightens the load when you’re not playing at your house.
Everyone (around my area at least) seems to be 100% satisfied about the price at $99 as well. And now we also have a “Limited Edition” version available for a brief time…
We haven’t seen that since the pewter “LE” Black Templars Captain was included for a short time in starter boxes. But that was back in the magical age of $50 Land Raiders and $15 Rhinos, and $50 Starter boxes.
Times, they are a-changing….
The last starter box set, Assault on Black Reach, debuted at the seeming reasonable 2008 price of ~$60, and continued to climb in price every year to it’s current $99 price tag.
Do the math on that increase, and it’s pretty crazy honestly. Even though theoretically it’s still a “good deal” if you compare the prices to the multi-part kits and all, it’s still a C-note.
Now we have shattered the psychological $100 barrier with the newest “Limited Edition” offering coming in at $107, and gamers are bowing to it. The phones and email are clogged with requests for the limited edition products here at Spikey Bits, and honestly supply has outpaced demand.
But is it all worth it? Did we just prove to Games Workshop that we’ll pay over $100 for a non super heavy box set?
Did we just make it worth changing editions of the game more frequently to generate revenue via starters and rulebooks?
Have we just proven to them that in four years we’ll pay $125-$150 for a starter set if they continue to raise the MSRP like 5th?
A few years ago Magic the Gathering players showed Wizards of the Coast they would not support Four Expansions and a Starter Set per year, based on sales…
What will we as 40k players do? -MBG
Am I off my rocker or, did I make some good points? Have at it.
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.
