40k’s Dark Vengeance isn’t anything new. It’s actually had multiple releases over the years. With that said is the latest MTO release worth it?
The Dark Vengeance Box Set pits the forces of Chaos against some older Dark Angels units. And while the first release was years ago, GW has resurrected for short periods of time, including now. Here’s a review of the Box Set in case you’ve been thinking about picking it up.
MTO Dark Vengeance Box Set: Is It Really Worth It?
2012 Dark Vengeance release with book & “exclusive” Chaplain model
Back in 2012, the release of the Box Set actually included all the models you see above as well as a limited edition Dark Angels Chaplain model and retailed for $107. It was re-released in 2014 as well minus the extra content.
During the Box Set’s initial release, it was codenamed Project Mars: Special Edition by the GW warehouses in an attempt to keep it secret. Which actually worked to some degree.
Miniatures-wise Dark Vengeance contains two opposing armies, Chaos and Dark Angels. If you managed to get your hands on the Box Set with the limited edition Chaplain model, he also had a dope datasheet that gave him bonuses to fighting Chaos.
For the Chaos side, it includes:
- 20x Chaos Cultist models
- 6x Chosen models
- 1x Chaos Lord
- 1x Hellbrute Chaos Dreadnought.
The Dark Angel models consist of:
- 1x Company Master
- 1x Librarian
- 10x Tactical Marine models
- 5x Terminator models
- 3x Ravenwing Bikes.
- 1x exclusive Chaplain
The paperback content that came inside the box was well above other releases for its time. They were made out of higher-quality material for what was mainstream back in the day and even came in full-color print.
Overall, for 2012, this release was a huge warm welcome for Chaos and Dark Angels players. There was a lot to be said about the initial release for where the whole world was in the hobby journey at that time. Looking into the 2019 MTO release, there are a few things that have changed that you may have overlooked…
2019 Dark Vengeance MTO Release
This time around, this Box Set is being retailed for $140 and doesn’t include the exclusive Chaplain model OR any mini rulebook.
- 1x Dark Angels Company Master
- 1xDark Angels Librarian
- 10x Dark Angels Tactical Space Marines, including a Veteran Sergeant
- 5x Deathwing Terminators
- 3x Ravenwing Bikers
- 1x Chaos Space Marines Lord
- 6x Chaos Space Marines Chosen
- 20x Chaos Cultists
- 1x Helbrute
- Construction Guide (no this isn’t the same as the rulebook from 2012).
- 19x 32mm round bases, 5x 40mm round bases, 20x 25mm round bases, 3x bike bases, 1x 60mm round base.
Taking all this into account, the 2019 MTO release is $36 more expensive than the first Box Set release and lacks what could be considered a $35 model as well as a $35 rulebook.
Overall, it may not be “as worth it”, especially with GW’s continued pattern of making old Marines obsolete. Just weeks earlier, we saw them make all HQ Marine Biker units completely obsolete.
Plus, they haven’t given any support in the form of new models to non-Primaris units since the start of 8th.
2012 Release:
2014 Release:
What are your thoughts on the 2019 MTO Dark Vengeance release? Did you get your hands on the Box with the Chaplain model from back in the day?
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About the Author: Wesley Floyd
Wesley Floyd
Job Title: Staff Writer
Joined: 2018
Socials:@RealmbrushPainting
About Wesley Floyd: Wes has been in the Warhammer hobby since 2015 and joined the Spikey Bits writing team in 2018. He is known for his satirist takes on trending topics and imaginative yet amazingly affordable hobby solutions to painting Warhammer miniatures.
Imperial fanboy, tabletop fanatic, and the self-proclaimed King of Sprues. He knows for a fact that Mephiston red is the best-tasting paint and is the commission painting equivalent of a Wendy’s 4 for $4. If you like what he writes and want to contact him or have your tabletop minatures painted (to a mostly okayish standard), message him on Instagram.
