Having just received my copy of the brand new board game Burning of Prospero by Games Workshop available this Saturday at knightly gaming and all other stockists, I’ve put together this unboxing article for those that want a better look at whats in the box. In this article I will go into depth of what I think of this new boxed game, its strengths and down falls and what I truly think of this latest release.

Burning of Prospero Box Art

The first thing you will notice when you pick up your copy is the great piece of artwork on the front. I’m not sure who produced this but it is exactly what I imagined when I think of Prospero. It’s also worth noting that all of the different units are represented, it truly is a fantastic bit of art that teases you with its contents.

Whats in the Box?

Inside the box you are greeted by a whole host of plastic frames, that are packed to the brim with highly detailed parts. The majority of these models can be posed however you like as GW seem to be moving away from the mono-pose models we used to see. The boxed game contains the following:

30 MKiii Tactical Marines

5 Tartaros Terminators

5 Sisters of Silence

5 Legio Custodes

2 named characters

A bag of 24 assorted dice

A bag of assorted bases

A rule book

The gaming board

A deck of cards

The Models

This is my own main reason for picking up the Burning of Prospero game. The fact that the majority of models are multi-part plastic kits, have fantastic detail and are available at a rock bottom price for what you get is just too good an offer to pass up, especially when your as invested in the Horus Heresy as I am.

MKiii Tactical Marines

I am happy to say there is not one Aquila to be found, that is at least until you get to the Custodes and Sisters of Silence. There are slightly fewer weapon options than what came with the Battle for Calth boxed game, the missile launcher is the main component that differs. There are 3 upgrade sprues, so you get the now normal Plasma Gun/Pistol, Melta Gun, Heavy Bolter, and each marine also comes with a Chainsword. There are also options for a Lightning Claw, Thunder Hammer as well as Power Sword and Power Fist. There seems to be a lot of potential for posing your models with the multi-part legs. I’d even go as far to say that the detail on these models is equal to the MKiii Tactical Marines from forge world.

Tartaros Terminators

These models are found across 2 linked frames. The models are again generic, and packed with options. You want a Volkite, its there, heavy flamer, reaper, that’s there too. bolters, chainfists, lightning claws, plasma blaster, power sword, grenade harness its all included. The lines are crisp and neat and helmets are free not fixed into the torsos. These models are on par to calth if not exceeding with the options included.

Legio Custodes

Long waited by so many, Games Workshop finally release the Legio Custodes. These come in two linked frames of Aquila mad models, the detail on these are just insane. The models are absolutely beautiful sculpts in a plastic format. There are options for equipping the Custodes with shields, swords, and halberds. I’d say that the models are on par, if even a little more detailed than the Grey knight models. There are also options for three banner tops included. Each has a horsehair plume, and a dagger.

Sisters of Silence

The 5 models included for Sisters of Silence are again very good models. Noticeably much sleeker than the Custodes and Space Marines, but fitting their fluff. The 3 tight packed frames include a lot of options including: swords, bolters, flamers. and a vast quantity of heads. The cloaks are fantastic and add a lot of movement to the models. I was initially concerned that these models may look a bit Dark Eldar-ish due to the slim build and from the teased images, but after seeing them up close they clearly come across as warriors of the Imperium and I’m impressed to see the differences between the two.

Named Characters

Ahriman

A 40k bad guy, or a misunderstood loyalist. Your call. A great model to a high standard, with etched runes, a staff and a flowing cape. There is so much on this model yet leads away from being overly busy to being more refined. the scrolls on his legs are a great note to what the model represents. His armour is fashioned around MKiii.

Geigor Fell-handed

Space wolves fans will love this model. It comes complete with lots of little additions and colourful extras, marking out the legion he belongs to with wolf pelts, bones and runes all over his armour. The level of detail is great on this model, especially on the face and backpack. The armour is fashioned around MKiv and he comes wielding a knife and a power claw, with his bolter slung on a chain.

Game Parts

Dice

There are 24 dice included in the game, 3 d10, 2 d12, 4 d8 and 8 d6. Half are red and half are grey. Nothing really special here but it is interesting to see Games Workshop move away from the D6 model they have rigidly stuck to for so long.

Rule Books and other Material

In side the rule book there are 2 quick reference sheets for playing the game, an instruction manual on how to assemble all the fantastic models, a fluff book which has some similar styling to the forge world publications which is nice to see, and a 32 page rule book.

The Board

There are 4 hard card parts in this part of the game. 4 are actually for the game surface and are double sided. and a sheet of counters. The art work on these are great, from flowing lava rooms, to vortex counters. By the looks of things a great deal of time has been spent on these and they have a quality finish to them.

The Cards

As Prospero burns the game has a certain amount of magic involved in it (Thousand Sons and Sisters of Silence) the cards are of a good quality, and I can only presume vital to play the game.

Decals.

Included in this boxed game are a sheet of water slide decals. These give you options to mark all your models with either space wolves or thousand sons markings.

Bits bags.

As in the calth box you also get a couple of sealable bags. Great for all those spare bits gw have included in the box.

Overview

As a whole the box is full of fantastic kit, Games Workshop have delivered a great boxed product yet again and similarly with Battle for Calth, I expect to see these fly off the shelves. Battle of Calth was a great box itself and this one surpasses it in some respects. The mould lines are minimal with the worst inflicted being the custodies but with this being the only issue I can find fault with.

Some people believed that GW were dying a slow death of stagnation with Warhammer 40k and Age of Sigmar, but releases like this show that it’s simply not the case and that they are delivering great products that will keep the fans coming back for more.

Personally, I have little interest in the Burning of Prospero boxed game itself, but the cost for the models alone makes this box a must have to any one thinking of starting a Horus Heresy army, or indeed expanding an already existing collection.

My only complaint is why was this not out when I started my own Horus Heresy army…