The Grey Knights and Thousand Sons are almost ready to do battle as the contents of the 40k Hexfire Battlebox have been revealed!
Warhammer Community just unveiled the contents of the box, but unfortunately, it doesn’t look like we’re getting any other new minis in the box. Oh well, still it has a decent amount of minis inside along the new Crowe and Infernal Master models.
The box will herald in the new codex for both armies, so we’ll have to see just how strong they are. As the new Admech book has been stomping the tournaments lately. Enough of that though, let’s jump into the contents!
New 40k Hexfire Battlebox Contents Revealed by GW!
You’ll find a 40-page campaign book detailing the battle for control of Hexenfast, a gas giant that now plays host to an open warp fissure, infesting it with daemonic entities. You’ll find datasheets for all the models in the box, of course, but also Crusade rules including campaign-specific Battle Scars, Relics, and Battle Traits. These are a cool way to show the lasting effects of the battle for Hexenfast. Of course, the box also contains two balanced armies of psychic behemoths – the Daemon-hunting Grey Knights, and the masters of Tzeentch’s magical legacy, the Thousand Sons.
It’s always nice to get a campaign book when they do these types of releases, but again, it looks like the rumor that all these new army boxes would feature one side with all new minis doesn’t seem to be coming true. At least they say this will be coming soon, but don’t give an exact date yet.
We expect it to be next week’s pre-order followed by the new Kill Team either mid or late August.
We will be getting two new minis and are both pretty sweet! The real question is, which side of the battle will you be on?
Grey Knights
The Grey Knights, led by the head of the Purifier order, Castellan Crowe, contains two five-man squads of Grey Knights in power armour, plus a mighty Nemesis Dreadknight. The Grey Knights can be assembled as Purifiers, of course, or as a Strike Squad, Interceptor Squad, or heavy-weapon-toting Purgation Squad. Since there are two squads, you can even mix and match – it’s an incredibly versatile kit. Likewise, the Nemesis Dreadknight suit can also be worn by a Grand Master if you choose.
This is a really well-designed box for a starter because getting two Strike Squads is a great starting point for your army. Even for veteran players, you get a new character, and who can’t use more Troops?
Thousand Sons
The other half of the box consists of the Infernal Master, along with five Scarab Occult Terminators, plus ten Tzaangors and a Tzaangor Shaman. That’s a lot of firepower and sorcery-slinging action in a small, elite force.
The T-Sons side is a much different style and a more specialized force. Still, it has some decent minis inside and will be a decent jumping-off point, or addition for veteran players.
Whether you’re looking to start either of these armies or just expand your existing collection, these battle boxes are usually good value for the money.
Grey Knights & Thousand Sons Hexfire: Unboxing & Build
Get Yours From Amazon or eBay!
Initially, these were allocated to 5 per store so if you find one, and it has value to you, don’t hesitate to buy it.
Hexfire Battlebox Warhammer 40k $170
The box contains a total of 29 minis with 2 new characters for each faction. Let’s start with the Grey Knights value then go to the Thousand Sons.
- 1x Strike Squad $60
- Nemesis Dreadknight $60
- Castellan Crowe $35 (Based on recent characters)
Grey Knights MSRP: $155
- 5x Scarab Occult Terminators $60
- Infernal Master $35 (Based on recent characters)
- Tzangor Shaman $35
- 10 Tzangors $44
Thousand Sons MSRP: $174
Overall MSRP: $329
Total Estimated Value: $159
So, if you break it down with a friend, you’ll be paying right around $85 a person and getting about $80 in value for each person. So, honestly, there is some value inside (about $10 more value than Piety & Pain) and the units included are pretty decent.
One big change to note though, we originally thought the characters would be $35 but after looking at the sprues, they may be as high as $40-45 each when releases seperately. Just something interesting to note.
While the Thousand Sons side gets a little bit more value, both factions grab a new mini and some useful units. The value is on par with Piety & Pain, so this seems to be the current retail price point versus value GW is going with for these now!
Sprues & Instructions
The reason Rob thinks these could be a little more expensive is that it’s a bigger sprue that would need a bigger box and don’t be surprised if this goes for upwards of $40.
Get rid of the Baby Carrier look with this upgrade!
There are a bunch of sprues, an upgrade sprue for the Tzaangors, and all kinds of stuff.
Crowe looks very easy to build with no real Gothchas (well not yet at least, there will be some later) and two different head options.
You can magnetize the Dread if you want, but it is a little tricky because you have to magnetize everything to one bit. Still, it’s possible if you want to.
The Infernal Master also looks like it goes together fairly easily but the cape may provide some issues. Usually, when the cape is three pieces it can be annoying.
Get Rid of the Baby Carrier
Pop Goes the Monkey has a really cool conversion kit to get rid of the baby carrier look, if you want to see more about how it all works, check that out here.
This is what it will look like once it’s installed.
Assembly & Gotchas
Crowe was actually a little harder than Rob expected. The main issue came when putting the legs and front together, there is actually a gap there that is a little confusing. After that, the cape goes on super tight so Rob recommends putting that on early in the process. It can create a gap between the arm if you don’t get the ammo feed correct.
Infernal Master
The design of this is actually really well done. Even the little swirl piece attaches to the terrain, which really allows for painting it in parts. The main thing to watch out for is the cape because it’s in three parts. There are a decent amount of mold lines but nothing out of the ordinary.
Rob did use the Tamiya Extra Thin Cement to help with this long gnarly gap on the cape, so be ready for that.
He’s pretty big on a 40mm base, more about the size of an Occult Terminator.
Castellan Crowe
This is such a cool and dynamic sculpt! Overall (other than the issues above) the mini went together pretty well and Rob just really likes the look of this.
Rob did have a little trouble where the shoulder meets the cape because and it came out with a little gap.
He’s pretty big and about the same size as Valoris and Mephiston.
Should You Buy Hexfire Battlebox?
Yes, if you currently play or are starting either of these armies this box is well worth it value-wise. If are a veteran player and all you want is either of these special characters exclusive to this box, it will probably just be worth picking them up on the secondary market or waiting for GW to release them separately.
However as we saw with Dominion, and the Black Templar Army box, interest in these paywall-type releases with no value (unlike Hexfire) may be waning as hobbyists continue to vote with their hobby dollars about what’s important to them.
Hexfire however both has exclusive models, as well as value, so it has done pretty well so far sales-wise accord to the stores we have polled around the world.
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About the Author: Travis Pasch
Travis Pasch
Job Title: Head Writer & Editor
Socials: @paschbass
About Travis Pasch: Travis has been a Warhammer 40k hobbyist since the 1990s, playing the game since Third Edition. Through extensive traveling, he’s seen a lot of the miniatures hobby from across the world, giving him a unique perspective on the latest gaming topics and trends.
Travis’s brother even owns a commission painting studio, where he’s picked up a lot of good advice and techniques for painting Warhammer and tabletop miniatures over the years, as well. Travis joined the Spikey Bits team in 2019 and has been the lead writer since 2020.
Currently, he’s working on converting all his 40k Adeptus Mechanicus models and becoming a true tech enjoyer, complete with both sad and happy robot noises!
