Wow!!!
I'm seriously stunned, and honestly cursing out loud about this! This is both unbelievable and shocking news, and I know that there are fans who are going to be extremely upset over it.
The Space Marine codex is a behemoth. After constantly receiving new miniatures throughout 10 Editions of this game, there is just an incredible number of Datasheets that need to be rewritten each edition and then balanced as people play. Yet Space Marines are the game's most popular faction. It's seriously not even close. Now there are things GW could and should do to bring other factions up, but the simple fact is that Space Marines sell. To not make new Space Marine kits is to leave money on the table. But there eventually comes a point where you can't feasibly add more to the game.
So GW has apparently decided that 10th Edition will come with the sunsetting of many Space Marine kits. And some of the ones they've chosen are jaw dropping.
Now I'd normally guess in many cases these are kits that are getting a refresh. Some of these are extremely old and in desperate need of an update. But why would they announce the kits are being retired before they announce the new models? That doesn't make a lot of sense to me. So this really makes me wonder if these units are just going away to make room for new models and units. Even then, the fact they announced this before revealing the new miniatures is flabbergasting!
Some of these units make perfect sense.
The Iron Clad Dreadnought. I did not even know this thing existed. I think it looks ridiculous. I know I'm not going to miss it.
The Stalker and Hunters. Again, I'd never even seen these, though I've at least heard of them.
The Thunderfire Cannon. This one I knew and have even faced across the table. But slow moving heavy weapons don't have much of a roll in a faction with so many fast assets.
Even the Company Command Squad makes at least some sense in a game that's become more about single heroes.
I'm sure there is probably a player out there that really loves one or more of these. But at the end of the day, I don't think many players will complain about GW no longer selling them, save for generic complaints about fewer options.
But those are only a few models on this list!
Let's start with the ones that at least have some obvious reasons behind them: the Scouts and Techmarine.
These are ancient kits in desperate need of a refresh. But I'm sure everyone was expecting a refresh; everyone was expecting to see the new Space Marine Scouts when the new model reveals come in. I guarantee, no one was expecting either of these to be consigned to Legends. And they're both integral parts of Space Marine lore. It's hard to imagine not being able to field them in your army.
But from there the choices just get eye watering.
Bikes could use a refresh; they're both pretty old kits too. But they still hold up pretty well. And Space Marines on bikes are still a very popular theme. Hell! Arguably there's an entire Chapter dedicated to them! I know we have the Primaris bikes, but they have a pretty different feel from the older ones. I know there are going to be people who are really upset to see these go!
The Librarian! This is actually a really cool model! It's even a plastic kit! But it looks like it'll only be Primaris Libbies from now on.
But by far the ones that have my jaw on the floor are the Land Speeders and the Assault Squad. Like, I seriously don't have words. How can I even explain how iconic these two units are? And I know they're popular! Space Marine players love their Land Speeders! Maybe we don't need multiple variants of them, but I just can't imagine Space Marines without them.
And the Assault Squad? The most requested new Space Marine unit has to be a proper Primaris jump pack unit. People love the concept of a force of fully armoured Space Marines slamming down on the enemy from on high! Assault Marines are extremely beloved! Even if there are new Primaris versions coming, I know people are going to be upset to see the old ones go.
But I guess that's where we are. All and all fourteen kits leaving the store and becoming either Legends or "counts as."
This is gonna be a rough week.
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