Warhammer Community have been releasing a lot of articles recently on the new Necromunda release – Hive Secundus. Like This!! The more jaded amongst you may think it is because pre-orders are not what they hoped but I know it’s because Necromunda is awesome, so a new box is bound to be great!
And so, I joined the pre-order gang and got mine first thing this morning to bring you an early ‘what’s in the box’ review!
And it is a pretty box. GW always do good box art and this one is no exception with Spyre, Van Saar and suspiciously Genestealer like thing and flying skulls it is clear that this expansion / stand-alone game is not going to make things better in Necromunda.
What’s in the Box
It is packed full of goodies, which you can use to play the game mode Secundus, or to add some additional peril to an existing campaign… hopefully the Story-Teller in my game doesn’t think of that!
There is a chunk of grey sprues, and the templates required for the game … although most of us already have these it is good that GW have taken the ‘game in a box’ to it’s full conclusion and included them. Beneath all this there is also a print of the front cover to keep the books safe from the plastic.
Let’s delve deeper into Hive Secundus and check out those sprues.
Suspicious looking Malstrain Genestealers are first up, with a lot of spiky bits and pieces. I was hoping to contrast these, but I may need to break out the layer paint as well just to ensure the contrast doesn’t flee from those spikes!
As the poster-boys of this set the Van Saar get some new toys… because (you know) they definitely needed them. As with many Necromunda sprues I will have to work out what the weapons are, but there are some new ones in here to help the Van Saar shoot one of the deadliest close combat troops in Warhammer 40k! I certainly don’t want them in combat with a Genestealer, no matter if it isn’t quite Purestrain.
All I can say is ‘oooo’. This all looks fun. The two sprues on the left look like they are from the Hired Gun set (never a bad thing as it is one of the best sets in Necromunda in my opinion), so the right hand one must by the Spyre...! A lot of small bits so it’ll need glueing and will no doubt end with bits of my finger stuck to at least some bits.
But what else?
That is not all though, as well as lots of lovely new models there is terrain:
It is only one sprue, so isn’t going to provide much cover, which may be a problem in a game with shooting troops against close combat troops, but they have thought of that as well:
There are 2 of these (each with different sides) and are a really interesting idea. Of course, we would all prefer the tiles but this does allow for playing the scenarios in the book and also gives voids that the models can play around. You will need to suspend belief a little for any ‘true line of sight’ work, but it is explained in the rulebook as well.
Which all seems nice and clear… I also like that they have deliberately used the boards provided for this.
My only note of concern is that they are flimsy so you will need to keep them in their paper cover… which is one of 3 books / packages you get.
This is the maps (top left), assembly instructions (top middle), cards and rulebook. Happily the cards come with 14 blank cards for gangers. A significant improvement on the number in a ‘normal’ gang pack… which is definitely welcome.
Also included are cards for the enemies and men of Hive Secundus, Archeo-Tech and scenarios. They are very helpful, and will add nicely to any other Necromunda cards you may have.
There are also 2 sets of dice in alternating colours. They are clear and given that a set is £12.50 from the GW store a generous inclusion (I expected only one set).
What’s in the Book?
Well, I’ve only just picked it up, so I don’t really know yet. I have started reading the 25+ pages of background lore and it is very interesting — and comes with pretty pictures.
The rest of the book comprises the core rules (without ‘Ash Wastes’), an Underhells campaign, new scenarios, the Secundun Incursion Gang (‘good guys’) and the Forces of Malstrain (aliens intent on the destruction of humankind… or at least Necromunda humankind.
So it is packed full, and coming in at shorter page count than the available rulebook (and paperback) I can see this being the rules I refer to more regularly during game play… I just need to determine if they really are the same and some weird change hasn’t snuck in!
Where can I pick one up?
It is unclear if this is a limited release, but it is still available on some online stores. Of course we at Woehammer always advise that you speak with your FLGS (Friendly Local Gaming Store) first… if you play there; try to buy there! But if you don’t have one nearby, or they have no stock you can pick it up at SCN Hobby World or Element Games using our affiliate link. RRP is £105 (US$170), and Element Games are selling for £89.25 with free P&P at time of writing.
Conclusion
It is a great set, with some lovely models and the return of the Spyre. I may be biased as Van Saar are the gang I play, and I have a Tyranid army with a lot of Genestealers, but none-the-less this is a great addition to the lore of Necromunda and – as it is set in a Hive – I think it will see more play than Ash Wastes for those looking to challenge their gangers a little further.
It is a bit difficult to judge value here as well. I like the softback book, the dice, I needed the counters and of course the Van Saar and Malstrains… but… if you only want or 2 of these things it may be better to wait for the individual releases. Especially as I would expect a Spyre book with more rules for them in there.
Declan & Eeyore
