Review: Warhammer 40,000 IMPERIUM

 

Games Workshop and Hachette are back with another weekly magazine to get you started in the world of Warhammer 40,000.

Let's take a look at what you get in issue one and what to expect in the future.

If you collected the last Warhammer 40,000 magazine Conquest (you can see my review here) you will see there is a slight difference in price and what you get in this new Imperium magazine.

The first issue of Conquest came with 3 Space Marine Intercessors, paint, dice, and a brush all for £1.99 where in issue one of Imperium comes with two character models one Necron Royal Warden and a Primaris Lieutenant for £2.99.

Now this first issues of Imperium is still good value as the models are worth a lot more but its a interesting and possibly a move on GW part to get more new gamers their hands on a copy of this issue as a lot of existing gamers bought a few copies of the first issue of Conquest issue 1 which made it harder for new players to get hold of Conquest and try 40k.

So with this new Imperium magazine which follows in the footsteps of the new edition of Warhammer 40k what do you get.

First you get a magazine which is in full colour.

This gives the background to world of 40k as well as the Necrons and Space Marines. There is also a page dedicated to each miniature where you can create their profile by choosing their name and rolling on a table to give names to their weapons etc.

There is a how to build the new miniatures and an introduction to painting using citadel paints and of course how to begin your journey playing Warhammer 40k.

At the back of the magazine you see whats coming up in issues 2 and 3.

The back of the cardboard that holds the magazine gives you  a better idea at whats coming up in the next 4 issues including in issue 5 an exclusive Primaris Captain.

The price of the Issues do go up too. Issues 2 goes up to £5.99 which includes 3 Necron Warriors but from issue 3 the price rises to £8.99 which is the normal weekly price.

With this first issue you also get the information about subscribing to the magazine which offers issue 3 for free. 

Like in Conquest before the subscription will deliver 4 magazine a month and with most deliveries you will get a free gift. 

For example delivery one you will get modelling tools, 3rd delivery a binder. Some brushes with delivery 4 and a Citadel paint handle on delivery 5 and on delivery 7 some art prints.

There is also an option when you can subscribe to pay an additional £2 per issue to change to the premium subscription which allows you to choose to revive Chaos Space Marines, Tyranids, Orks or models from the T'au Empire.

You can of course as well just ask your local news agent to save you a copy each week if you prefer this method or want to pick up the odd magazine here and there.

In addition to the magazine you also get a poster which on one side sees the Space Marines and Necrons face off in battle but on the other is more information about the subscription service and a picture of all the miniatures you will receive if you collect all the issues.

If you do decided to collect this magazine in the long run there are some good savings as you will get plenty of miniatures, terrain and paint through out this magazine run.

So lets look at the pieces you get to start your journey in playing Warhammer 40k

First you get some 6 sided dice which compared to the Conquest magazine feel better quality and of course you get a measuring gauge.

Now you have these you need a gaming mat. Well in this addition you get a Small double sided mat with one side being a desert/mars style with some markers printed on it to help with the tutorial in the magazine.

On the other side is a Necron themed mat.

With these mats you also get some things to cut out for the intro game such as objective markers and wound counters.

Now let's take a look at the main attraction the miniatures.

As you can see these are push fit so easy for beginners to get them on the tabletop nice and quickly.

It does recommend in the magazine to use some clippers which some newcomers may not have yet.

So my thoughts.

Issue one has everything you need to get the feel of the Warhammer 40k universe and the backgrounds of the two armies that you will be collecting over the coming issues.

It is slightly more then the last magazine run and by the looks of things you get slightly less in terms of models and paint etc but there are two characters in this which I think for a first issue is good aa at least then you can play a game of 40k right away get on with a verses battle.

It also allows you to get a feel of both armies so if there is two of you that want to collect this magazine you to decided what army each of you will collect.

 I think GW have learnt form last time that existing players were buying multiple copies of the first issue which could stop new players getting a chance to get into the hobby so having just two character models for each army to start the Imperium makes sense.

The continuing of the same subscription model as before with bounces with free gifts with differnt deliveries is a model that worked before so again this could sway a few more to subscribe.

So first a first issue its not bad bad at all with two great miniatures, plenty to get you into the world of Warhammer 40k and the two armies you will collect with adverts and promotions to get you to subscribe. Some may find that this is not as good as Conquest issue one but if there are more copies of issues 1 of Imperium around and gets more new comers to the game it's a good thing right?

So what do you think? Will you be picking up issue 1 and future issues of Imperium? Will you subscribe?

Let me know in the comments below.