— ARTICLE UPDATE —

Since publishing, a gent called Will on Facebook asked if Vulkan now has the Tacticus keyword. I can confirm he now does! So yes, he can now embark in an Impulsor!

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Firstly, Vulkan He’stan and the Forgefathers would be a great band name, but that’s a conversation for another time.

Today we are unboxing and reviewing the brand new mini for the Salamander’s very own Vulkan He’stan, as well as checking out a brand new Salamander-aimed Detachment for the Space Marines of Warhammer 40,000.

As always, our thanks to Games Workshop for sending us both the mini and the rules to review. Vulkan is up for preorder right now, and you can purchase him via our affliates over at Element Games!

Fire up those meltas and flamers, let’s get stuck in!

Vulkan He’stan | Model Unboxing

Whilst none too dissimilar to the previous model, I stil really like this ‘upscaled’ Vulkan. Still rocking those Salamander relics, he was really fun to put together and paint. He has lots of little details, and I cannot wait to go back and add a few more highlights, especally to his scaly cloak.

As fitting for the Forgefather, I’ve tried to do his flames justice. He’s so very cool!

You can watch the full unboxing below:

For those who want to see his sprue…

And finally, the model built and painted!

Vulkan He’stan | The Datasheet

You cannot have a new Vulkan model without a new datasheet to accompany him, and I’m pleased to say he does have a new datasheet, albeit one with very minor changes.

His general statline is identical to the one from Codex Space Marines.

His Gauntlet of Fire is now just D6 shots, instead of D6+3 which is a bummer. As a slight trade off, it now has the Pistol keyword meaning it can be fired in combat.

His Spear of Vulkan has the same statline too, however it now does Devastating Wounds which is cool and befitting.

As for his Abilties. well, these are identical. He still has a 6+ FNP, and his Forgefather and Seeker of the Unfound abilties haven’t changed, meaning he can really lock down an objective still.

Unsurpraisingly, he can still lead the same units too.

To summarise out goes the +3 shots with the Gauntlet, but in comes shooting in combat and Devasting Wounds on the Spear. Yeah, I’m happy with that trade I think!

Forgefather’s Seekers | Salamanders Detachment Review

What is brand spanking new, as well as the mini, is the detachment for the Salamanders.

It’s detachment rule is called Vulkan’s Quest, and it does two simple things. One, it adds Assualt to all of your ranged weapons, and two it grants +1 Strength to ranged attacks so long as the target is within 12″. Spicy.

You also get the Seeker’s Companions rule which grants Infernus Squads in your army two abilties that you can pick from each turn:

• Allow the unit to perform an Action in a turn in which you have Advanced, or…
• Shoot in a turn in which the unit is performing an Action.

Both solid abilities and it’s great that this rule affects all of your Infernus Squads.

You can obtain 4 unique Enhancements:

• Immolator: No, not the Sister’s tank sadly, but an Enhancement that grants +1 attacks to Torrent weapons equipped by the bearer and his unit.
• War-Tempered Artifice: +3 Strength to the bearer’s melee weapons.
• Forged in Battle: While the bearer is leading a unit, it allows you to turn a failed Hit or Saving throw to a 6 for one of the unit’s attacks or saves.
• Adamatine Mantle: Basically -1 damage to the bearer, unless the incoming attack has come from a Melta or Torrent weapon, of which in that case the damage is 1, and only 1.

As with all detachments, you also get 6 stratagems. One of them is Armour of Contempt, so that leaves 5 new ones.

Cruicble of Battle grants a Infantry unit in your army +1 to Wound in either the shooting or fight phase. Wrathful Inferno grants full back and shoot, which is cool. Immolation Protocols grants a unit’s Torrent weapons Devastating Wounds. Burning Vengance is super cool, and you use it in your opponent’s shooting phase. It allows the unit with the enhance to disembark a Transport AND then shoot the unit that targetted your transport. Finally Blazing Earth minuses 2″ of your opponents Charge roll whilst your opponent attempts a charge within 12″ of this unit.

Clearly one for those with Torrent weapons, this is a great fun detachment, and with +1 to Wound with one of the strats, could they become all powerful on the table?

I think it has a great blend of ace detachment rules, good set of Enhancements and a very strong list of stratagems. This could cause a resurgence of Salamander players in 40k.

Just need a Primarch to return to them…right GW? He’s coming right?