Hey everyone! Are you ready to dive headfirst into the grim darkness of the far future? If you're a fan of the mighty Space Marines, then you're in the right place! Today, we're going to break down the New Space Marine Combat Patrol, a fantastic way to kickstart or expand your Adeptus Astartes army in Warhammer 40,000. We'll be covering everything from what's included in the box to how to best utilize your units on the battlefield. So, grab your bolters, sharpen your chainswords, and let's get started!

What's Inside the Box? A Detailed Look at the Contents

Alright, guys, let's get down to the nitty-gritty. What exactly do you get when you snag a New Space Marine Combat Patrol box? This is super important because it dictates how you'll build your army and what strategies you can employ. Inside, you'll find a selection of iconic Space Marine units, carefully chosen to provide a solid foundation for your force. The contents typically include:

• A Primaris Captain: This is your HQ (Headquarters) choice, the leader of your force. The Captain provides crucial leadership buffs, like re-rolling hit rolls and boosting the combat effectiveness of nearby units. He is your tactical master, and a key piece to your winning strategy.
• Intercessors: These are your bread-and-butter troops, the backbone of any Space Marine army. Armed with bolt rifles, they're versatile and can handle a variety of threats. They're great for holding objectives, providing fire support, and generally being tough as nails. Intercessors are the tactical marines of the new era, and they can adapt to the battlefield, making them a must-have unit.
• Heavy Intercessors: Now, these guys are the heavy hitters! They're essentially beefed-up Intercessors, sporting heavier armor and more powerful weapons. They excel at close range combat and taking down enemy units with serious firepower. They can weather an enormous amount of punishment. These guys are made for sustained fire, and they can really cause some issues for your opponent.
• A Primaris Impulsor: This is a dedicated transport vehicle, designed to get your troops where they need to be quickly and safely. It can carry a significant number of infantry and provides some defensive firepower. The Impulsor will significantly affect the tide of a battle by giving the army more mobility.

Now, keep in mind that the exact contents of the Combat Patrol can sometimes vary slightly depending on the specific release, but the core units mentioned above are generally the staple. Always double-check the box contents before you buy, just to be sure!

The Strategic Value of the Included Units

So, why these particular units? The selection in the New Space Marine Combat Patrol is designed to give you a well-rounded and effective force out of the box. You get a good mix of infantry and a transport, meaning you can start building a balanced army. This initial box will help you learn the basic tactical functions. Here's a quick breakdown of the strategic value of each unit:

• The Primaris Captain: The Captain is the linchpin of your strategy. His ability to improve your units makes it crucial that he be protected. You need to think about how you will keep him in the best position. Choose his loadout wisely to fit the needs of your army.
• Intercessors: These Marines will be your objective holders. They provide a strong core. They have a good range to support any of your strategic needs. Consider this unit the center of your strategy.
• Heavy Intercessors: These guys are for close-quarters combat. They can take a beating and keep on fighting. They provide heavy firepower that is capable of decimating an enemy. Using them to support your other units can really change the direction of a fight.
• Primaris Impulsor: This is your fast attack, able to transport troops quickly. This is a crucial strategic piece, allowing for rapid deployment and flanking maneuvers. Using this vehicle can change a slow war into a fast-paced one.

By including these units, Games Workshop has made it incredibly easy for new players to start playing, while also providing enough flexibility that veteran players can add them to their existing collection.

Building Your Army: Assembly and Loadout Options

Alright, you've got your box, now what? It's time to build your miniatures! This is where the fun really begins. The New Space Marine Combat Patrol typically includes plastic miniatures that need to be assembled. Don't worry, it's not as daunting as it sounds! Here's a basic overview of the assembly process:

1. Read the Instructions: Every box comes with a detailed instruction manual. Read it carefully before you start. It will show you exactly how the pieces fit together and the various weapon and equipment options available.
2. Clipping and Cleaning: Use clippers to carefully remove the plastic pieces from the sprues (the plastic frames they come attached to). Clean up any mold lines with a hobby knife or file. This will make the models look much cleaner and easier to assemble.
3. Gluing: Use plastic glue to join the pieces together. Apply a small amount of glue to the contact surfaces and hold the pieces in place for a few seconds until the glue sets. Be patient and let the glue dry.
4. Choosing Your Loadouts: This is where you can customize your units. Most units will have different weapon options or special equipment that you can choose from. Consider your preferred play style and the roles you want each unit to fill. For example, do you want more long-range firepower or more close-combat punch?

Loadout Recommendations and Considerations

Choosing the right loadouts can make a huge difference in how your army performs. Here are a few recommendations to get you started:

• Intercessors: Bolt rifles are generally the best all-around choice. They're reliable and effective at a variety of ranges. Consider equipping one model in each squad with a special weapon, like a bolt pistol, to give you some additional options. Always consider what weapon is needed for the mission, and plan accordingly.
• Heavy Intercessors: Heavy bolt rifles are a solid choice for their improved range and damage. If you anticipate facing a lot of vehicles or heavily armored units, consider equipping some of them with a heavy weapon. These weapons are often designed to take down heavier enemies, and will be crucial in certain battles.
• Primaris Captain: The Captain's loadout can drastically impact their effectiveness. Consider giving him a melee weapon, like a power sword, to make him a deadly close-combat threat. Select a ranged weapon that complements the mission's requirements, keeping in mind range and firepower. Think about the mission, and equip the Captain to serve that function.

Remember, you can always change your loadouts in future games, or even try different options for each model. Don't be afraid to experiment and find what works best for you.

Painting Your Space Marines: Tips and Tricks

Building your models is only half the battle. Now comes the exciting part: painting them! Painting your Space Marines can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience. Here are some tips and tricks to help you get started:

1. Prime Your Models: Before you start painting, you need to prime your models. Priming creates a surface that the paint can adhere to. Use a spray-on primer specifically designed for miniatures. Black primer is a good starting point, as it provides a good base for dark colors. White primer can be useful for brighter color schemes.
2. Choose Your Chapter: Space Marines belong to different chapters, each with its own unique color scheme. Choose a chapter that appeals to you, or create your own! Popular choices include the Ultramarines (blue), Blood Angels (red), and Space Wolves (grey). There are many great tutorials to help you choose the right colors for your chapter.
3. Base Colors: Apply your base colors with a brush or airbrush. Thin your paints with water or a paint thinner to prevent them from becoming too thick and obscuring the details of the model. Apply multiple thin coats to achieve a smooth and even finish.
4. Details and Highlights: Once your base colors are dry, you can start adding details and highlights. This is where you can really bring your models to life. Use different colored paints to pick out details like weapons, pouches, and armor panels. Add highlights by drybrushing or edge highlighting. Drybrushing involves lightly brushing a dry brush with a small amount of paint over the raised areas of the model. Edge highlighting involves carefully painting a thin line of a lighter color along the edges of the armor panels. Highlights can really make your models pop.
5. Basing: Don't forget to base your models! Basing adds to the overall look and feel of your miniatures. Use sand, rocks, and other materials to create a realistic base. Painting these can also add to the final detail. You can also add some of the chapter's insignias to the base.

Painting Techniques for Beginners

If you're new to painting miniatures, don't worry! Here are some simple techniques to get you started:

• Washing: A wash is a thin, translucent paint that can be applied to your models to add shadows and depth. Apply the wash to the recesses of the model, such as the joints and crevices in the armor. The wash will settle in the recesses, creating shadows and adding definition.
• Drybrushing: Drybrushing is a great way to add highlights and texture to your models. Dip your brush in paint, then wipe off most of the paint on a paper towel. Then, lightly brush the brush over the raised areas of the model. The drybrushing technique can add a lot of detail to your models.
• Layering: Layering involves applying multiple thin coats of paint to build up the color and highlights. Start with your base coat, then add a slightly lighter shade of the same color to the raised areas. Continue to add layers of lighter colors, highlighting the most prominent areas of the model.

Gameplay: Deploying and Playing with Your New Army

Alright, so you've built and painted your army. Now it's time to get them on the tabletop and start playing! Here's a basic overview of how to play Warhammer 40,000 using your New Space Marine Combat Patrol force:

1. Setting Up the Battlefield: Before the game begins, you'll need to set up the battlefield. This typically involves placing terrain features like buildings, ruins, and forests. The battlefield should provide a variety of cover and strategic positions.
2. Deploying Your Army: Once the battlefield is set up, it's time to deploy your army. This means placing your units on the battlefield according to the deployment rules. Where you put your units can influence the entire game, and is worth the time to figure out.
3. Determining Turn Order: At the beginning of each turn, you and your opponent will roll a die to determine who goes first. The player who wins the roll then activates their units and performs their actions.
4. Phases of the Turn: Each turn is divided into several phases: the Command phase, the Movement phase, the Shooting phase, the Fight phase, and the Morale phase. During each phase, you will perform specific actions with your units.
5. Winning the Game: The objective of the game is to score more victory points than your opponent. Victory points are typically earned by completing objectives, controlling key locations on the battlefield, and destroying enemy units. The player with the most victory points at the end of the game wins!

Strategic Tips for the Tabletop

• Utilize Cover: Cover provides your units with protection from enemy fire. Position your units behind terrain features to reduce the number of hits they take.
• Objective Control: Focus on controlling objectives. This is often the key to winning the game. Positioning your troops can be crucial in obtaining victory.
• Coordinate Your Attacks: Coordinate your attacks by focusing fire on a single enemy unit at a time. This will help you eliminate enemy threats quickly. Make sure you have your units working together, supporting each other. Communicate strategy and move forward as a unit.
• Know Your Enemy: Understand your opponent's army and its strengths and weaknesses. This will help you make better tactical decisions.
• Adaptability: The situation can change in any war, so be ready for anything, and change your strategy as needed. Your current strategy may become useless, so knowing how to change is essential.

Expanding Your Army: Where to Go Next

Once you've mastered the New Space Marine Combat Patrol, you'll likely want to expand your army and add more units. Here are some great options to consider:

• Additional Units: Consider adding units that complement the ones you already have. For example, if you have a lot of infantry, you might want to add some heavier units to take down the enemy heavy weapons. There are a multitude of options, and it is crucial to do your research.
• Elite Units: Space Marine armies can utilize elite units, such as Terminators or Aggressors, to provide additional firepower and durability. These are excellent additions to any team.
• Vehicles: If you want more firepower, consider adding vehicles like a Predator tank or a Repulsor tank. These provide great firepower, and can completely change the tide of battle.
• Command Units: Adding command units, such as a Lieutenant or a Librarian, will give you more tactical flexibility. This is a good way to give your army an edge.
• More Combat Patrol Boxes: If you want to build a larger force quickly, consider buying more New Space Marine Combat Patrol boxes. You'll get more of the core units you need, along with some extra models. This is a great option for newer players.

Conclusion: Embrace the Emperor and Fight On!

Well, that wraps up our deep dive into the New Space Marine Combat Patrol. This box is an excellent starting point for any aspiring Space Marine player. It offers a solid foundation for your army, providing you with a versatile force that can handle a variety of opponents. With a good mix of infantry, a transport, and a capable leader, you'll have everything you need to start conquering the tabletop. Remember to take your time to learn your models, master your strategy, and have fun! The future of mankind is in your hands, so go out there and bring glory to the Imperium! For the Emperor!