After so long without any significant releases for Warmachine, the announcement that there World be MkIV battlegroups available at GenCon sparked a heck of a lot of joy. Naturally, what I really wanted to see was new Menites, but I’ll settle for the faction that houses followers of the Old Faith in a pinch 😉
Today we’re taking a look at the contents of the Khador Winter Korps battlebox. As a reminder, we’ll see the Winter Korps released as full army set down the line. This battlebox is two warjacks, and the second warcaster for the Winter Korps, so will supplement that larger army box when it’s released.
Each of the battleboxes is the same size box that we saw for the Colossals and other 120mm base models in MkIII, and comes with a tub of magnets.
The magnet tubs provide 20 small and 20 medium sized magnets. Given how many options these kits come with, depending on which battlebox your building, you can’t afford to lose any, so be mindful. The Khador warjacks, for example, will use 10 small magnets for the heads options, and all 20 of the medium magnets for the arm options. I’m
Kapitan Ekaterina Baranova has me going full “Moose and Squirrel!” in my head, but that’s only cos I’m old. The model is in four easy-to-assemble parts, though when you’re putting her together be a little smarter than I was…
… and make sure you’ve pushed her leg all the way into its socket. She’s got a lot of sass, this one, she doesn’t need additional sass from artificially jaunty hips.
One thing that always interests me is the technological variance between the kingdoms. Ekaterina’s arcantrik turbine is a very compact unit, as was Sorscha’s and Zerkova’s, while the Cygnaran warcaster Major Anson Wolfe’s turbine is significantly larger. Ekaterina’s has three exhausts though, because she’s an overachiever.
The Dire Wolf is Khador’s attempt at a Light Warjack, though it falls in the same category as some of the Trollblood Light Warbeasts being more Medium Warbeasts. It’s still on a full heavy chassis, it just has a smidge less armour than the Great Bear. The torso and waist are a single unit with a dynamic twist for fun posing. Each of the heads has a magnet socket in the back of the neck, to connect to the torso. Choose your favourite!
Left arm options include the Flame Fist, Scrap Saw, Plow-Shield and Heavy Machine Gun, showcasing traditionla khadoran efficiency in naming conventions. “Contents as appears on label”
For the right, we have the Ice Hammer, Long Axe, Bombard and Cannon. You’ll note the Long Axe is in two pieces. It shouldn’t be, but resin is sadly brittle at times, and it was snapped in transit. It’s a clean break, easily realigned, and the resin takes superglue well – a very simple fix.
The Great Bear is just as easy to assemble as the Dire Wolf. Four heads to challenge your indecisive nature, including one that causes Mage Static, just to screw with opposing spellcasters.
For the left arm it’s a Dozer, Battle Axe, Blasting Fist and Shield Cannon. Why should the Man-o-War have all the fun?
For the right, Battle Mace (suffering the same concern as the Dire Wolf’s axe but again – simple fix), Quad Chaingun, Deep Freezer and Heavy Cannon.
The Dire Wolf’s slightly more hunched pose means it’s a little shorter than the Great Bear, but the additional armour plating on the big fellow makes him readily identifiable. Interestingly, the bigger warjack has smaller feet. I’m sure there’s something in that…
Now it’s time to play! Magnets make hot-swapping the loadout a breeze. Smart Chris would have put the magnets in before taking the pictures, but noooo….
The Dire Wolf with Heavy Machine Gun and Bombard is an example of a decidedly un-Khadoran concept – a Warjack without a melee weapon.
Conversely, we can take the (repaired) Long Axe and pair it with a Scrap Saw to really go to town on a charcuterie board.
Plow-Shield and Ice Hammer means you can be shoving frozen opponents all over the place.
For the Great Bear, the the Deep Freezer and Battle Axe, paired with the Mage Static head, makes for a blend of old and new.
Battle Maze and Shield Cannon lets your Great Bear channel their inner Drakhun.
And then there’s the SBD… Quad Chaingun and Dozer, for when you absolutely have to clear the room.
While all three of the new battleboxes will end up on the painting table so that I have them for teaching games, etc, the dice have determined that Ekaterina’s Winter Korps group will be first up. I make no promises as to how long it’ll take me to get her done, mind you…
Coming soon: Storm Legion and Sea Raiders unboxings.
