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The Start Collecting boxes are a great deal to get a bunch of generally desirable models at a pretty significant discount. I'm quite certain the idea is that it gives both new and existing players a chance to explore another faction -- and it's models -- without a large investment.

The formations that come with them are nothing spectacular, but what did you expect? It's just rules to allow you to play with those models, plus a small, often minor, bonus. The bigger issue, I guess, is that the Start Collecting boxes are balanced against each other more in terms of model desirability and cost, rather than any power level, so you can't just say, "My Start Collecting Box, Your Start Collecting box, FIGHT!" -- or at least no do so with the expectation of an even playing field.

Model Value-wise, some of the factions are a whole lot better than others. Skitarii and Tau are fantastic, for example, in terms of both model purchase price and gaming use desirability, while and Eldar and Blood Angels less so different reasons -- Eldar, because the discount is small, Blood Angels, because the Baal Pred and Karlaen aren't that good in-game, and Deathstorm fans already have one or more Karlaen. Not that either stopped me from buying a box, but it would have been cool to get a Furioso and a Sanguinary Priest or jet-pack Chaplain instead, for example.

But, all that's fine with me. I'm very happy with them as a way to start on a new faction, or add to an existing one

I like to think of the Baal as a Blood Angels Rhino or Blood Angels Razorback.

 adamsouza wrote:
I like to think of the Baal as a Blood Angels Rhino or Blood Angels Razorback.

It is definitely a versatile kit in that respect.

 Talys wrote:

Model Value-wise, some of the factions are a whole lot better than others. Skitarii and Tau are fantastic, for example, in terms of both model purchase price and gaming use desirability, while and Eldar and Blood Angels less so different reasons -- Eldar, because the discount is small, Blood Angels, because the Baal Pred and Karlaen aren't that good in-game, and Deathstorm fans already have one or more Karlaen. Not that either stopped me from buying a box, but it would have been cool to get a Furioso and a Sanguinary Priest or jet-pack Chaplain instead, for example.

I'm willing to wager that BA Dreads and Sanguinary priest sales are more robust than Baal and Karlaen sales are, or would be.
GW's most likely not looking to cannibalize sales of well performing models, when they have less robust selling alternatives taking up space in the warehouse.

Moving forward, it's also nice to see Karlaen available for newer BA players, who weren't around to pick up Deathstorm as well.

It's basically a Captain, Tactical, and Razorback with BA Aesthetic

Just checked the GW site: Captain, Tactical, and Furioso are the contents of the $95 BA Battleforce

The Battleforces also had varying prices that might influence newbies.
And they were generally more expensive than the Start Collecting boxes. 65€ is ok even if I don't want one of the units included. But 80 or even 95 € I would only invest if I really want everything included even if the savings would be the same.

 adamsouza wrote:

 Talys wrote:

Model Value-wise, some of the factions are a whole lot better than others. Skitarii and Tau are fantastic, for example, in terms of both model purchase price and gaming use desirability, while and Eldar and Blood Angels less so different reasons -- Eldar, because the discount is small, Blood Angels, because the Baal Pred and Karlaen aren't that good in-game, and Deathstorm fans already have one or more Karlaen. Not that either stopped me from buying a box, but it would have been cool to get a Furioso and a Sanguinary Priest or jet-pack Chaplain instead, for example.

I'm willing to wager that BA Dreads and Sanguinary priest sales are more robust than Baal and Karlaen sales are, or would be.
GW's most likely not looking to cannibalize sales of well performing models, when they have less robust selling alternatives taking up space in the warehouse.

Moving forward, it's also nice to see Karlaen available for newer BA players, who weren't around to pick up Deathstorm as well.

It's basically a Captain, Tactical, and Razorback with BA Aesthetic

Just checked the GW site: Captain, Tactical, and Furioso are the contents of the $95 BA Battleforce

I totally agree with what you're saying as to GW not wanting to cannibalize sales, but if you look at the "great" Start Collecting boxes, like Skitarri, you get the Dominus, which is both an awesome model and a great gamepiece, Or the Tau, where you get the new Crisis Suits (which are practically the value of the box) and an Ethereal. I mean, they could have just as easily packed in some crappy Tau vehicle.

By the way, Karlaen is available separately -- he's called "Blood Angels Captain in Terminator Armor".

I'm actually more surprised they included a Baal Pred instead of a Furioso, as the CSM box was basically the CSM version of the Space Marine one (1 "Dread", 1 Term Lord/Captain, 1 squad of marines). Karleen in there makes this just one unit off from being the same "clone" set.

Not really complaining though, I need baal preds and Furiosos are still one of the last decently priced Dreads left.

Just noticed the Dark Angels battleforce and Dark Vengeance expansion are no longer available. Hint that Dark Angels are getting a start collecting box shortly?

The Dark Angels Ravenwing Battleforce has been gone for at least a year, and the DV Expansion for maybe four months.

 Kanluwen wrote:
The Dark Angels Ravenwing Battleforce has been gone for at least a year, and the DV Expansion for maybe four months.

Different RW Battleforce.

 Kanluwen wrote:
The Dark Angels Ravenwing Battleforce has been gone for at least a year, and the DV Expansion for maybe four months.

Think you're thinking of a different one. The "Dark Angels Battleforce" was in stock last month (friend just ordered it).

I recall a Ravenwing Battleforce sometime back though, which I think you might be thinking of.

 Twelvecarpileup wrote:

 Kanluwen wrote:
The Dark Angels Ravenwing Battleforce has been gone for at least a year, and the DV Expansion for maybe four months.

Think you're thinking of a different one. The "Dark Angels Battleforce" was in stock last month (friend just ordered it).

I recall a Ravenwing Battleforce sometime back though, which I think you might be thinking of.

"In stock" for Canada does not equate to "In Stock" for the rest of the world. Sometimes stuff that has been gone for months if not years in other regions is available in others.

 Kanluwen wrote:

 Twelvecarpileup wrote:

 Kanluwen wrote:
The Dark Angels Ravenwing Battleforce has been gone for at least a year, and the DV Expansion for maybe four months.

Think you're thinking of a different one. The "Dark Angels Battleforce" was in stock last month (friend just ordered it).

I recall a Ravenwing Battleforce sometime back though, which I think you might be thinking of.

"In stock" for Canada does not equate to "In Stock" for the rest of the world. Sometimes stuff that has been gone for months if not years in other regions is available in others.

That is true, but when someone says something is out of stock and gives the impression it's like that in the rest of the world, of course someone is going to say they could get it. At least they should say "not available in my area" instead of just saying "not available anymore."

Sorry, just noticed it while I was on their site after a friend ordered it. Didn't think to check every country's stock/when they went out of stock.

 Twelvecarpileup wrote:
Sorry, just noticed it while I was on their site after a friend ordered it. Didn't think to check every country's stock/when they went out of stock.

And you don't have to be. If someone is going to say "out of stock" or "can't get no more" they should be saying what region they are in, otherwise it seems they are saying for the entire planet. It's up to them to get the point across, not us to do research and think what they might mean.

You have no need to be sorry at all.

Are there any more rumored Get Started boxes or are we at a slowed down point?

People have been speculating on:
40k - Harlequins, Dark Angels, Slaanesh Deamons, Tzeentch Daemons and Grey Knights (problematic because of the lack of plastic hero).
AoS - Ogres, Free Peoples (Empire), Dwarves, High Elves, Dark Elves, Wood Elves, Non-Pestilens Skaven (particularly Skryre), Beastmen.

Some people have also been speculating on other factions, and complaning that GW aren't boxing up new factions like Fyreslayers or Bloodbound - or why they don't release a brand-new overpriced hero to be seen first in a SC kit, but those aren't realistic expectations given that SC kits are about reboxing older kits (though some of the Tau stuff is newer). I think that we might see some of the new AoS factions in a year or two if SC is still a popular thing, but forget about seeing a Sylvaneth one for quite some time...

 Azazelx wrote:
Grey Knights (problematic because of the lack of plastic hero).

Not really a problem. GW has shown willing to use the standard terminator librarian models for GK in the past, so the new plastic SM Librarian in TDA, a 10 man squad of GK, and a dreadknight would make a likely box.

Hopefully we see a Tzeentch one this year with all the Tzeentch rumors flying around. The likely contents of such a box has already been around for a while now.

Watch them try to blow our mind by including some of the Silver Tower Plastics in the Tzeentch 40K Get Started Box.

Although Herald, Screamers or Flamers , and Pink Horrors is more likely.

 Azazelx wrote:
40k - Harlequins, Dark Angels, Slaanesh Deamons, Tzeentch Daemons and Grey Knights (problematic because of the lack of plastic hero).

I really want the plastic Tzeentch one to become a reality, especially if it had him in it.

As for the GK's? This'll do as a plastic character.

 H.B.M.C. wrote:

 Azazelx wrote:
40k - Harlequins, Dark Angels, Slaanesh Deamons, Tzeentch Daemons and Grey Knights (problematic because of the lack of plastic hero).

I really want the plastic Tzeentch one to become a reality, especially if it had him in it.

As for the GK's? This'll do as a plastic character.

that plastic Termie Libby is dead easy to convert to a GK, too...
the storm bolter is in a seperate hand from the wrist, and a casting hand comes in the kit to replace it...
cutting off the gun, and mounting it on the opposite wrist, didn't even require Green Stuff
even better, the GK Termie box (which you know would be included in the SC box) comes with a spare shoulder pad to customize your Libby...
conveniently, the right shoulder pad is a separate piece on this guy...
almost like the designer knew what he was doing

cheers
jah

 jah-joshua wrote:
that plastic Termie Libby is dead easy to convert to a GK, too...
the storm bolter is in a seperate hand from the wrist, and a casting hand comes in the kit to replace it...
cutting off the gun, and mounting it on the opposite wrist, didn't even require Green Stuff
even better, the GK Termie box (which you know would be included in the SC box) comes with a spare shoulder pad to customize your Libby...
conveniently, the right shoulder pad is a separate piece on this guy...
almost like the designer knew what he was doing

cheers
jah

You know 2 boxes of basic marines, 1 box of termies and libby seems to add up to about what other gives you. Does lack vechile though which goes against trend but exceptions can be made.

Would be pretty sweet deal. Maybe TOO good for GW to give that. That's like very good deal to multiply.

And I would get cheaply GK army for 2nd ed. 10 PA+lib+5 terminators=pretty respectable army already

I'd say more likely to be:

Plastic Libby
5 Terminators
Dreadknight

Probably so :( Would be less appealing box for me. Ah well. Can't have them all.

 H.B.M.C. wrote:
I'd say more likely to be:

Plastic Libby
5 Terminators
Dreadknight

That seems to make good sense. I could see them putting PA Marines in instead just so you have to buy a box of Termies to make your Librarian look the part.