MKVI Assault Squad: Out of the Pack & Build Review

The wait is finally over: a plastic Horus Heresy Assault Squad is finally here. Please join me to unbox this kit, take a look at it's features and review some assembled flying Beakies.
Support my channel through Patreon:
/ leakycheese
Or leave a tip for tea with PayPal:
[e-mail]
Tweet the cheese: @Leaky_cheese
Instagram: @the_real_leakycheese
If you would like to subscribe please follow this link:
kzbin.info/door/Kyx...

[@Ssaaka]

All of these HH2.0 plastic kits are pretty cleverly designed with cross-compatibility. Looking forward to mk v kits in the future.

[@craigjones7343]

‘Reasonably priced’ is something I have never heard said about GW minis before. Great review. 👍

[@StephenLeaSheppard]

The one thing that kind of puzzles me about the kit is the decision to model the combat shields as alternatives to the bolt pistols, when that's not the case in game, but I suppose it's not difficult to either source full pistol holsters or modify things somewhat so the same arm can have a bolt pistol and a combat shield at the same time, if it matters to you.

[@leakycheese]

This is a good boggle to consider, and I have done likewise since completing the video. Looking at the available sprue estate, there was space for one pistol holster per trooper. So given this, and that the Tactical accessory sprue has holstered sidearms, I think the designers decided to do something new. Of course, they could have added both, but at the expense of the combat shields ;)

[@StephenLeaSheppard]

I was just thinking modeling the shields so that you can attach them to an arm holding a bolt pistol, rather than giving them separate hands. But doing it the way they did probably makes it more useful for kitbashing.

[@TheHAZMAT221]

@@StephenLeaSheppardyou can always use the pistols in holsters from other kits and put them on their belts!

[@Demiosaticus]

What I would like to see is Mk II and Mk V assault marines have the iconic jump pack where it looks like two jet turbine engines were strapped to a space marine.

[@Dreamzkape]

Something that really surprised me is just how snug and flush the MKVI Tactical backpacks fit onto the MKVI Assault Marines, as it was one of the first things I'd dry-fitted with a test model just to see if I could build, say, Seekers with these. Very happy. Even the FW resin MKVI Champion Consul backpack fits snug. Great review. Looking forward to getting a box of these for my Salamanders!

[@TheHAZMAT221]

Thanks for checking if regular packs fit! Gonna make a despoiler/Assault Marine combo unit with magnets

[@Normandy42]

I’m a Blood Angels player and the “FINALLY” I shouted when I got a kit in my hands. Feels so good to have some plastic assault marines to add to my 30 resin Mk IV assault marines. This kit was such a joy and ease to put together compared to the assault Intercessors with jump packs. Minimal mould lines, easy to put together, and I really liked the different MkVI jump pack with the triple turbine. The pictures really made it seem like it would be the one Zephon has on but I guess it looked too much like the MK VII and VIII jump packs? Great review and glad you’ve enjoyed this kit as much as I have!

[@WarmasterPainting]

Great review, thanks Leaky.

[@leakycheese]

Thanks Warmaster!

[@samconroy]

Top tier Heresy review as usual. Leaky is the #1 for all Heresy reviews and needs!

[@leakycheese]

Thank you Sam :)

[@goforitpainting]

Cool. Happy New Year

[@KaeEbonrai]

Amazing video! Thanks as always for the attention to detail!!!

[@leakycheese]

You're welcome as always :)

[@LurksNoMore]

Belated wishes of a merry Cheesemas! That assault squad looks pretty good. I'm feeling tempted to dip a toe into Horus Heresy, now...

[@robertjensen1438]

I have just bought myself a new cheese grater Must say, grate things came out of this.

[@leakycheese]

I also recently bought myself a cheese grater. I'm really pleased with it, a definite improvement on my old cheese lesser.

[@nanodave1980]

Do plan on getting a couple of these for my blood angels. Great review. Keep at the good work.

[@chrislevitt4929]

beeen waiting for someone to do a video review of these

[@prophet89]

I may have to pick up a kit just for the shields so I can convert up some templar brethren

[@aliceoliver9260]

If you do, can you send me a spare bolt pistol that I seem have to lost? 😅😅 will pay for the privilege x

[@BrooksSligh]

Interesting, I like the look of the assault squad torsos with standard backpacks. May end up using that build for my Effrit squad. Might have to pick up some bits & try out some mix & match.

[@Ethnarches]

Thank you, great review! I'll never buy these as I'm only really interested in pre 2004 Warhammer Fantasy models, but still enjoyable to watch.

[@leakycheese]

You're most welcome, thanks for the view!

[@jalleonothing5946]

I think the two full body sprues might end up being used for the breacher kits. The only additions needed for it would be a alternative arm handle connection to switch it to right handed and a boltgun arm for the basic setup for it with shields. Any other aspects that would have to be in the kit should fit alongside the backpacks on that sprue I presume.

[@KaiCalimatinus]

Those little thrusters are definetely linked to the ones you'll see on Inceptor and Suppressors, like on their calves and under the Inceptor main thrusters I think you're right in the vein of being like manouvering jets

[@leakycheese]

That's a really good shout looking at the Primaris range - this is another example of heresy retrospective design foreshadowing. Similar to the Arquitor and Plagueburst Crawler.

[@anotherzingbo]

I've built Dominon Zephon and his jump pack actually only has two jet exhausts, so is more different to the ones in this kit than I was expecting - I hadn't noticed that these ones have 3 exhausts until you showed them off. They jump pack was probably the most annoying bit of Zephon's build, as well as needing a bit of clean up the inserts for the jet exhausts had very vague alignment notches that seemed to be more trouble than they were worth. As you didn't mention this hopefully it means they're easier on this kit. Also - I'm part of team Fingermouse, it's a dim memory but I definitely remember him.

[@BlastastiC]

Great kit. I'm trying to work out if I can use the parts from this and the tactical box to turn these into Destroyers and the tacticals into Despoilers, so this was super helpful!

[@redgreen09]

well so fare so good yes part two of the show we will tune in to great holday nest vid

[@sonicwingnut]

I got 20 of these - 10 for Christmas then saw there was another 10 on the shelf for £32 so thought sod it.. kinda got a little hobby paralysis with these too though, like what to build them as and what weapon options to use.. I'm tempted to do one squad as Destroyers - the chests have an extra plate anyway and can add more weight to the arms using the bracers from the MKIII kit. Some bits off Votan Ion blasters make nice rad grenades. Also debating whether those combat shields can double as breacher ones..

[@MrCitizen0]

All my jetpacks fit perfectly no gaps . 🤷‍♂️

[@leakycheese]

Got any photos you can share? Would be interested to see.

[@anelectricbluelobster8724]

I’m thinking of getting these for my brand new black templars army. Would love to have some variation with the armor marks.

[@katana2665]

Nice sculpting on those.

[@irksomebunny1123]

The bit at 12:12 you are referencing reminds me a bit of the resin heavy weapons power packs, wonder if that's the design cue?

[@fransaacs]

"Yoffy lifts a finger..." Thanks for the video. I'm also looking forward to the Command Squad release. This is all beginning to feel like a Firstborn range refresh by stealth.

[@leakycheese]

“The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn’t exist”

[@fransaacs]

@@leakycheese "...and like that, he's gone." If I wanted to extend the life and versatility of this product range and encourage players to to use these kits in a 40K setting, I'd (re)launch an iteration of the Badab War, say, within the next two to five years.

[@leakycheese]

@@fransaacs That would be cool to see... BW was ace. Also, wouldn't a reimaged MKVII kit be a great segway into the Great Scouring while being usable in modern 40K?

[@fransaacs]

@@leakycheese Yes indeed. With the HH timeline the way it is GW will have to explore the last days of the Siege of Terra/Great Scouring eventually. I also believe there's enough of a Primaris-averse audience out there to support a new MKVII kit.

[@Mrcoops85]

The Scalpel of Access needs an extended showcase imo

[@leakycheese]

Heart for being a member of Team Fingermouse! Thanks for the info on Zephon's jump pack. I found the inserts to be no issue on these guys, they are built into one of the two main halves of the jump pack.

[@svenicefang5861]

The melee weapons and command squad are due in the spring not winter so will be some time after March.

[@leakycheese]

Right you are, thanks for pointing this out 👍

[@CygnusMaximusXIII]

The lack of power swords and axes in the kit is a bit disappointing, but I, like you, suspect they'll be included in the upcoming weapon pack (for extra money). I also think it's interesting the jump pack AND jetbike sprues don't contain any armour-mark-specific bits, and, as a White Scars player, I do hope we see plastic Mk II armour options at some point in the near future!

[@ironbomb6753]

I bet you'll see those released later on. We have to spend more money that way.

[@stephenreid4717]

Shame they did not give us some more weapons options and or maybe some studs on the legs or breast plate like the mk5 or MK4. They feel too clean. But will probably buy 20 lol

[@leakycheese]

One the I didn't specifically comment on but can be seen in the video is the sprue estate is well utilised in this kit. I guess they could have included more weapon options but at the expense of the combat shields. But yeah, the melee weapon kit will be great for these once released. On studs... I hear Zinge Industries make a nice set of cheap resin studs... www.zinge.co.uk/products/small-1mm-round-head-rivet-sprue-x-175

[@StephenLeaSheppard]

For studs I recommend Tichy Train Group rivets; they're polystyrene, come in relatively generous quantities and a variety of shapes and sizes (the ones we're interested in here are the hemispherical ones but they also do e.g. hexagonal bolts), and seem to be commonly available at model train stores. I forget which ones match the rivet size on the MkVI pauldrons, though. 0.035", maybe?

[@markmorris2207]

Thanks for the video. Can you please hold the parts steady for a second or two instead of moving it around?

[@leakycheese]

You’re most welcome. On the holding frames still that’s easier said than done in the live reaction format I use. You can of course pause the video at any time.

[@HAZZZZZZZZZAAAA]

so, the Zephon jump pack is a 2 thruster pack with those 2 smaller nozzles underneith it. I was honestly surprised they changed up the style for the squad kit but overall I don't actually mind the difference.

[@leakycheese]

Good spot, I'd been looking at the photos of Dominion's front when preparing for this video. An artificer jump pack perhaps?

[@HAZZZZZZZZZAAAA]

@@leakycheese would fit with how little of Zephon is left as “Stock” I do like these new releases. The shift back to infantry is very welcome, even if GW was trying to address heresy 1.0’s biggest issue/complaint of tanks being far too expensive of the wallet.

[@asgaard636]

Are the spiked shoulder pads in two halves with this set?

[@leakycheese]

They are, check out my second to last video where I do a demo on getting seam-free joins when gluing these together.

[@gafrers]

Quality Review as always. Thanks LeakyCheese Not a fan of those lightning claws

[@leakycheese]

You're welcome. I'm sure there are plenty of bits sites where you can get old design versions. Oh yes, I forgot to mention in the video, the power glove* design is a reproduction of the original armoury art from Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trade book. *See what I did there?

[@ironbomb6753]

​@@leakycheeseI might have noticed that when I build mine. Now I'll be looking for it! That's so great! I never wanted to leave the Rogue Trader era, lol👍❤🙂

[@bogdanionut7768]

Does this kit require glue? Or it is push to fit?

[@leakycheese]

This is a normal GW plastic kit requiring glue (polystyrene cement of some type).

[@DrDleith]

Team Fingermouse!!!

[@leakycheese]

👉🐭

[@ruleofkoolwargaming4926]

I really like the kit but I think it misses on two key points of function that would have made the kit more flexible and multipurpose (for me). I wish that the chest harness was separate and could be added over a normal MKVI torso. That way you could use these as despoilers with regular power packs. Their running poses look better to me as despoilers and the resin despoiler kit is just too expensive for I believe only 5 guys. Also, I wish that half the bolt pistols and chainswords were in opposite hands. All the pistols are in the left and swords in the right. I wish there were 5 left pistols and five right pistols, that way you could optionally turn these into 5 destroyers, with or without jump packs. Just felt like a missed opportunity to me. If you feel the need to correct these issues, you would need to go to third party or 3D printed bits, something I know GW isn’t keen on its customers going. Other than those points the kit looks amazing and I really like the jump pack designs.

[@leakycheese]

The designer problem with a half-and half solution here is the base sprue is 5 troopers i.e. an odd number. So even if they did 3 right and 2 left (or vice-versa) two kits still wouldn't give a full squad. Thus for Destroyers I'd be looking to the upcoming melee weapon set for offhand bolt pistols.

[@squadmoralerestored]

Team Fingerrrmooouse!! :)

[@leakycheese]

👉🐭

[@danielstennert1263]

tfw you realise two packs of despoiler upgrade kits to make 10 despoilers cost just a tiny bit less than just buying an assault squad box.

[@leakycheese]

I do.... makes me wince every time I think about it. Hoooowwweeeevveeeeerrr, I did get my MKVIs for cheap as part of the AoD box, so that's softens the blow. A bit.

[@danielstennert1263]

@@leakycheese yeah. For me I was just about to buy a few sets of the despoiler kits, then realized I moght aswell just get 20 assault marines and nick their arms.. Feels kind of perverse though - buying 20 bolterpigs and 20 jumpy bois just to make despoilers.

[@harryknapper1133]

If they release other MK jump marines and don't change the packs I will be extremely angry. I like how each armor MK has almost everything different.

[@TheHAZMAT221]

Thanks for checking if regular packs fit! Gonna make a despoiler/Assault Marine combo unit with magnets