IG/Astra Militarum Rumours for April (first post updated 12th April)

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**Caederes**

insaniak wrote:
Caederes wrote:
The Taurox is $55 AUD from the picture, meaning it is Rhino priced in Australia. Ergo, it will be Chimera sized.

40K models aren't priced by their size.

Every single vehicle that is $55 AUD is Rhino-sized or about around there, with no exceptions. Anything larger is between $70 and $110 AUD. It's pretty obvious this won't be bigger than a Chimera, or not by much at any rate.

**AllSeeingSkink**

Bobthehero wrote:
Not in Canada, with added shipping fees they aren't

Edit: And the store where I will be buying them has a discount on GW stuff, I think.

Normally when I buy FW I buy enough to get free shipping, lol. The Grenadiers are about 10% cheaper, so if you have somewhere that gives a discount larger than 10% including shipping the Storm Troopers are cheaper... but I'd sooner buy the Grenadiers.

**Ruberu**

JB wrote:
Other than the new codex, I haven't seen anything here that I want to pay money for. TBH, I'm not even sure I want to pay money for the codex, and IG are my primary army!!!

I will wait for reviews of the codex before I buy one.

The vehicle is super ugly and defies any functional logic. Perhaps it is a 40K steam tank?

The Scions are OK but their aesthetic just doesn't look right to me. I also wonder how posable the models will be with the hotshot hellguns. Those power cables may mean that the torso positions are fairly static.

The rumors still mention three more kits (Ogryns and two others). I hope those kits will be better.

I'm with you, I am hesitant about even getting the codex. Also, if one of the other kits it a palstic Salamander Command Tank, then I might be able to forgive GW for the Ork tactical toaster.

**AllSeeingSkink**

Caederes wrote:
insaniak wrote:
Caederes wrote:
The Taurox is $55 AUD from the picture, meaning it is Rhino priced in Australia. Ergo, it will be Chimera sized.

40K models aren't priced by their size.

Every single vehicle that is $55 AUD is Rhino-sized or about around there, with no exceptions. Anything larger is between $70 and $110 AUD. It's pretty obvious this won't be bigger than a Chimera, or not by much at any rate.

But the GW pricing has been changing in Australia, so it can't be used as a gauge. The Rhinos and Chimeras are old models, more recent models are closer to the price of their UK and US counterparts. eg. In the UK, the Stompa is actually cheaper than the IK, but in Australia the IK is cheaper. The Taurox is priced closer to the Leman Russ in the US and UK and I think that's a more accurate guide.

But that said, price is a poor guide anyway. The Hellhound is the same "size" as a Chimera but costs 50% more.

**MrMoustaffa**

Caederes wrote:
insaniak wrote:
Caederes wrote:
The Taurox is $55 AUD from the picture, meaning it is Rhino priced in Australia. Ergo, it will be Chimera sized.

40K models aren't priced by their size.

Every single vehicle that is $55 AUD is Rhino-sized or about around there, with no exceptions. Anything larger is between $70 and $110 AUD. It's pretty obvious this won't be bigger than a Chimera, or not by much at any rate.

It's also priced $49.50 for Americans, which is the price we pay for Leman Russes, Basilisks, and other "Large" IG vehicles. By your logic, that would imply that this is actually a pretty large vehicle.

If anything, this is showing that GW might actually be starting to understand that Aussiebucks aren't completely worthless and have dropped the price accordingly. Weren't several of the Tau releases roughly equal to what Americans and Canadians pay too?

**Lone Cat**

MrMoustaffa wrote:
Lone Cat wrote:
Astra Militarium. (Latin for Starship Troopers ) better name than the Imperial Guard but it needs a bigger effort to rebrand them. (Stormtroops were latinized too! Militarium Tempestus)

so for anti-Taurox movements. Why the vehicle, or any quad track vehicles are considered 'out of place' for the IG?

Ok, I'll take the challenge.

So. Let's take a look at the tonka truck again.

Spoiler:

The basic idea is there. A big, boxy, utilitarian type tvehicle with what looks like some decent firepower and some poorly thought out design decisions. That's pretty much every Imperial Guard vehicle in a nutshell.

Now, I'm going to show a few pictures of some of the classic IG vehicles. Let's see if you spot the difference. \

Spoiler:

Leman Russ by Peregrine

Chimera by Michaelcycle

Sentinel by Doug

Notice anything?

Unlike most other factions in 40k, the IG is known for having barebones vehicles. If you'll notice in all three of those examples, all of the vehicles only show a small amount of iconography, if any all. There is little in the way of extra parts and symbols that isn't added by the crew later, and they definitely don't come from the factory sporting titan sized skulls mounted to their front grill. They are simple, barebones, built for a purpose. These are not works of art, most aren't ancient machines that have served for centuries (Executioners and Vanquishers sometimes being an exception)

These are vehicles designed to be cheap and simple to produce and WORK. They're essentially the Soviet design philosophy of WWII. The tank isn't perfect, and has some glaring flaws, but if we can crank out enough of them, it doesn't matter. It doesn't matter if the tank's engine breaks down after 200km if it's just going to get destroyed in it's first week of combat for example. These are tanks that can get destroyed by the HUNDREDS in an engagement depending on the foe. What sane person would justify welding a massive skull to the front end and Fleur de Les on the "wheels", a part that will often get damaged? That kind of work slows down production time, and adds extra work and cost, things that the Imperial Guard can't afford. It flies in the face of the "build them simple and cheap, and build a lot of them" design philosophy IG vehicles are known for.

To put this in perspective, the tonka truck has more ridiculous ornamentation than most SPACE MARINE vehicles. And you know, it's not like each space marine vehicle isn't a priceless relic that has served for centuries. Most Sisters vehicles are more adorned with symbols, but then again, they're a major part of the religious cult of the Imperium, of course their equipment will have it. They're not expendable meatshields.

The model really doesn't need much to get it to fit into the IG aesthetic. Make it much more simple and remove the fancy icons, and that alone would make it fit in much better. Removing the weird track parts and just giving it wheels would make more sense too, as wheels are going to be a lot cheaper than 4 separate track assemblies.

But then again, this could very well just be a command/special forces vehicle. If that's the case, all the fancy stuff makes a bit more sense, since the people riding in it aren't getting thrown into the meatgrinder as often, but I would still think it looks out of place.

So does that clarify a bit? I know there are probably other reasons people dislike the vehicle, but that's what I would wager most people dislike about it, whether they realize it or not. You can see similar sentiment to the Stormtroopers, as they have a bit of this going on as well. I just forgive them because I like the poses and weapons they have, and I have a soft spot for berets since I have 20 of the 2nd ed plastic stormtroopers.

At first I believe that quad tracks are out of place. now you quoted that no military vehicles produced with any form of ornaments. and every IG vehicles built by the concepts of Soviets & Americans in the second world war. where T34 was easier to make en mass and Shermans can be crewed by cowboys and farmers drafted to the war by the federal government. which these make more sense than 'No quad tracks!' but if GW released this vehicle without separating lion plates and big bonehead grill and having fleurs de lys a separate bits and not part of track bogie. what else will you say about it?

**Caederes**

Haven't prices been RISING everywhere else other than Australia? I thought that was what so many of the complaints about releases from Chaos Space Marines onwards were about. I severely doubt they are dropping prices here for any reason.

I might be wrong, but it seems more like they have jacked the price up of new models again for other countries and left it similar to our already expensive kits for Aussies.

**MrMoustaffa**

Honestly Lonecat if the tracks were removed for regular tires (or even just a halftrack) and they took off most of the stupid looking symbols and icons, I'd be pretty happy. Those 2 changes alone would make a huge difference and make it look a lot more practical for the IG to field in mass.

I probably wouldn't love the vehicle, but I'd be much more open to fielding it and wouldn't mind seeing it on the table. My opinion would go from "Jesus Christ how horrifying" to "eh, it's not my cup of tea, but I can see why people would like it."

**Caederes**

AllSeeingSkink wrote:
Caederes wrote:
insaniak wrote:
Caederes wrote:
The Taurox is $55 AUD from the picture, meaning it is Rhino priced in Australia. Ergo, it will be Chimera sized.

40K models aren't priced by their size.

Every single vehicle that is $55 AUD is Rhino-sized or about around there, with no exceptions. Anything larger is between $70 and $110 AUD. It's pretty obvious this won't be bigger than a Chimera, or not by much at any rate.
But the GW pricing has been changing in Australia, so it can't be used as a gauge. The Rhinos and Chimeras are old models, more recent models are closer to the price of their UK and US counterparts. eg. In the UK, the Stompa is actually cheaper than the IK, but in Australia the IK is cheaper. The Taurox is priced closer to the Leman Russ in the US and UK and I think that's a more accurate guide.

But that said, price is a poor guide anyway. The Hellhound is the same "size" as a Chimera but costs 50% more.

Pricing hasn't changed really at all in Australia, except that newer kits have been getting more expensive. Am I missing something? 10-man elite infantry Fantasy units are still all $70. Rhino-sized vehicles are $55, like the Annihilation Barge. Flyers have all been between $76-83, except the Harpy/Crone which was $115. Medium-sized Walkers are still about $70-90, including the Maulerfiend/Forgefiend and Helbrute. Monstrous Creatures have been $90-100 since the Dreadknight, excluding the $125 Wraithknight. The only things that have gone DOWN in price from their usual bracket are replacement kits for old units/repacks like Crisis Teams and Wraithguard, but even not all of them have been cheaper (Dire Avengers).

My point is that they don't offer any vehicle that is larger than a Rhino by any significant amount for $55. All those are $70+. Hence, the minimum cost for a vehicle that is larger than a Chimera should be around $70 going by all the evidence we have, ergo, this new vehicle probably isn't that much bigger than a Chimera, if at all.

**Bobthehero**

AllSeeingSkink wrote:
Bobthehero wrote:
Not in Canada, with added shipping fees they aren't

Edit: And the store where I will be buying them has a discount on GW stuff, I think.
Normally when I buy FW I buy enough to get free shipping, lol. The Grenadiers are about 10% cheaper, so if you have somewhere that gives a discount larger than 10% including shipping the Storm Troopers are cheaper... but I'd sooner buy the Grenadiers.

Already have Grenadiers, first thing I've ever bought 40k related.

And in Canada customs feth you up so much if you buy enough to get free sihpping, you end up paying more than said shipping in the end, its all very sad.

And I am mostly buying the new stormies because I think they look great. (And to support my FLGS)

**Caederes**

Sorry to derail by the way, I just haven't really seen any massive price differences in Aussie releases than the status quo aside from slight increases (i.e. Haruspex/Exocrine is $100 instead of the Riptide's $90) and a few good exceptions (Crisis Team for $80 instead of $123, Wraithguard for $55 instead of about $120) so I'm pretty sure this new transport will be Rhino sized.

The kits look nice, though. I don't mind the weird look of the new transport, and the Storm Troopers are great. I'm curious if they will actually redo Ogryns though. The codex cover is very cool, though not as impressive IMO as some of the others. Hopefully the codex fixes all of the internal balance issues the old one has.

**Yodhrin**

insaniak wrote:
generalchaos34 wrote:
Several of the commissar units (and the lord) all wear metal bresatplates, you just cant see them very well under their coats

Yeah, it was the specific style of breastplate that I was referring to, though. The Scions are essentially Rogue Trader guard with 2nd edition berets and 3rd edition guns.

And the point is that to a lot of us, those aesthetic elements look moronic when combined. Saying "Oh that's just a modern military armour vest combined with a tricorn hat, a kilt, ladies thigh-high socks, and converse all-stars" might be a factual account of what someone is wearing, but it's not an argument against the fact it would be an ugly and stupid outfit.

The beret heads are cool, but not combined with gothic armour plate. The plate itself might be decent or it might not, I'll reserve judgement on that until I see it in a non-horrible colour scheme, and what the helmeted heads look like.

**Hydrapup**

CthuluIsSpy wrote:
-iPaint- wrote:
What they should have used for inspiration:

~iPaint

Oh hai Aliens reference!

They really should have used that APC. The one that's leaked is good, but the under-hive one is better.

I was really down about this release but this pic has inspired me to kit bash a chimera into something if its the general size... I cant remember who makes the chimera wheels (link anyone? but that would be a great starting place... but like others say if the codex sucks I wont even bother. My guard army will be time traveling to become auxiliaries for my pre-heresy salamanders... they found some kind of relic, possibly the whole army is tainted by chaos but its prefereable to existing in a universe where that thing exists.

**Rabid Ferret**

I am totally loving the truck with a change of those stupid tracks. They look ridiculous.

I will be buying a bunch of these... http://chapterhousestudios.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=77&product_id=221

**xole**

MrMoustaffa wrote:
Caederes wrote:
insaniak wrote:
Caederes wrote:
The Taurox is $55 AUD from the picture, meaning it is Rhino priced in Australia. Ergo, it will be Chimera sized.

40K models aren't priced by their size.

Every single vehicle that is $55 AUD is Rhino-sized or about around there, with no exceptions. Anything larger is between $70 and $110 AUD. It's pretty obvious this won't be bigger than a Chimera, or not by much at any rate.

It's also priced $49.50 for Americans, which is the price we pay for Leman Russes, Basilisks, and other "Large" IG vehicles. By your logic, that would imply that this is actually a pretty large vehicle.

If anything, this is showing that GW might actually be starting to understand that Aussiebucks aren't completely worthless and have dropped the price accordingly. Weren't several of the Tau releases roughly equal to what Americans and Canadians pay too?

I think you've discovered what the new chimera price will be.

**Hydrapup**

Hmm we should have a competition for someone to design a fitting alternative and then fund it on kickstarter!!!

**Kosake**

I for one expect a lot of cool orky conversions out of this. What I don't get is the name.

There's allready the Tauros LAV and the Minotaur heavy artillery.
Why Taurox? Did they run out of mythological critters or imperial heroes?

**Kerrathyr**

Kosake wrote:
I for one expect a lot of cool orky conversions out of this.

I concur... It calls greenskins with every nut and bolt... Though orkz would probably mix tracks and wheels (and paint it red to make it run faster ^^)

What I don't get is the name.

There's allready the Tauros LAV and the Minotaur heavy artillery.
Why Taurox? Did they run out of mythological critters or imperial heroes?

... Or maybe tjey just like cattle

**Anung Un Rama**

I love it! I'm so glad I still have an unbuild Battlewagon lying around. That's going to be one hell of a limousine for my Bad Moon Mega Nobz.

...

What's an Astra Miliatarum?

**Herzlos**

I quite like the look of those Scions command, but I can't get over how bad that tank thing is. Which is a shame, because it looks like a good concept (it's an armoured car with a gatling gun) but:

* What's with the quad tracks? that'd make it much harder to build, maintain and manouvre whilst making it more vulternable and losing offroad ability. It'd probably also wreck any road it's on due to the smaller contact points.
* Then there's the the turret next to the gun, which means it can only fire on a 180 degree arc to it's right. Which makes it essentially defenceless against an attack from the left.
* The iconography is over the top.

Going by the price, this is indeed just an armoured car for the command squad, and is probably going to be half the size you expect. I'm assuming it'll be more like a land speeder, with 5 troop capacity. Probably some sort of scouting rule.

I didn't have high expectations but I'm not impressed so far and I can't say I'm particularly enthusiastic about having to drop £24-27 on a new codex when I paid £16 for the last one.

**insaniak**

Yodhrin wrote:
Saying "Oh that's just a modern military armour vest combined with a tricorn hat, a kilt, ladies thigh-high socks, and converse all-stars" might be a factual account of what someone is wearing...

Oddly enough, you just described my next army.

I can certainly see how the breastplate may not work for some, but I like it. So there.

**BrookM**

The storm troopers will make for excellent Imperial Knight house guard.

**Yodhrin**

insaniak wrote:

Yodhrin wrote:
Saying "Oh that's just a modern military armour vest combined with a tricorn hat, a kilt, ladies thigh-high socks, and converse all-stars" might be a factual account of what someone is wearing...

Oddly enough, you just described my next army.

I can certainly see how the breastplate may not work for some, but I like it. So there.

The breastplate may well be fine, it's the gothic breastplate in combination with the near-futurish sci-fi beret heads that looks daft.

**Kosake**

Agreed, the Stormies look nice.
Also, look at cadians. They allready have that modern-military style. Stormtroopers should stick out a bit, so the larger plate makes them look more important. I just think that they would care less about fancy dresses and more about utilitarian camouflage, but I guess that wouldnt be grimdark enough or something

**prowla**

Kerrathyr wrote:
Kosake wrote:
I for one expect a lot of cool orky conversions out of this.
I concur... It calls greenskins with every nut and bolt... Though orkz would probably mix tracks and wheels (and paint it red to make it run faster ^^)

Bah. No self-respecting Ork boss would swap this for a StormPig! Now if they had made the 'original' Battlewagon before it was orkified, that would had been cool and fun.

IMO, GW should just hand out their vehicle design to the guys at FW.

**Do_I_Not_Like_That**

Yesterday, I viewed those models under the influence of a generous Sunday roast and a few glasses of white wine!

Today, having not long rolled out of bed, I'm less than generous. I still like the stormtroopers, but the van? The van? Nooooooooooooooooooooo!

It always seems to be one step forward, two steps back with GW.

But, given that their main demographic is the 12-15 year old bracket, maybe it makes sense to design a transport resembling a toy.

**Kroothawk**

Do_I_Not_Like_That wrote:
But, given that their main demographic is the 12-15 year old bracket, maybe it makes sense to design a transport resembling a toy.

But would kids also love a 10-man squad for 70$?

**StraightSilver**

Could be clutching at straws here, but on the Codex cover top right hand corner is that a Griffon barrel?

I know it's a bit big, but that's generally just because GW artsits struggle with perspective, and the placement of the heavy bolter just underneath suggests it isn't a Baneblade.

Could be a Demolisher Russ, but i think it might be a Griffon which would suggest new kit possibly.

**prowla**

What's most annoying about the Scions, is that their armour doesn't look very modern, but instead like a 1700's/1800's Cuirassier armour. Having the beret enforces that image.

Oh well, at least you can go for these guys if you need any spares. I'd totally get a feathered hat for the sergeants

**loki old fart**

prowla wrote:
Kerrathyr wrote:
Kosake wrote:
I for one expect a lot of cool orky conversions out of this.
I concur... It calls greenskins with every nut and bolt... Though orkz would probably mix tracks and wheels (and paint it red to make it run faster ^^)

Bah. No self-respecting Ork boss would swap this for a StormPig! Now if they had made the 'original' Battlewagon before it was orkified, that would had been cool and fun.

IMO, GW should just hand out their vehicle design to the guys at FW.

Don't be silly, that would be the sensible thing to do.
In fact I can see someone doing that.