Plastic Warjack Kit Review
I’ve always liked Warmachine by Privateer Press. I mean, how can you beat a bunch of steam-powered machines pounding the hell out of each other? But alas, I dropped out of the game a long time ago when the Warjacks were reduced to the role of mere support, and the game basically became focused on swarms of infantry. This was lame - so I left.
Now Warmachine has been re-released, with rules that bring ‘Jacks back to the front of things - where they damn well should be - and thus, I have taken a very serious interest in the game that hasn’t graced my table in years. I dusted off my Khador models, got the new rules (which I will review later), and picked up one of the new plastic Warjack kits that Privateer Press has released. At first I was a bit weary - plastic?… ‘Jacks?… Warjacks are supposed to be heavy metal - not light plastic! Not only that - but each kit costs 35 bucks! But because each kit lets you make your choice of 4 different models, complete with stat cards, I thought I’d at least give this new kit a day in court. But to be realistic - if you want to make this kit worth it’s cost - get some magnets. (I’ll post a tutorial on that later as well.)
Upon opening the box, you’re greeted with this… What - no sprues? No clipping? No trimming? Now this is something I could get used to! And check out those nice stat cards! So far so good.
After unwrapping all the parts, you end up with this lovely pile of bits. Everything you need to make any of the four jacks shown on the box. You’ll notice right away if you have some of the classic metal ‘Jacks, that many of the proportions are quite different. I mean, check out those heads! Looks like some head hunters got to them or something. Other than that - So far so good.
Then I start to look closer… What the heck is with this torso piece!? First off, it’s completely smashed and crooked - slanting down the right. There’s a big friggin’ vent tab front and center - getting that off should be fun. Then I flip it around - and notice that all the smoke stacks on the right side are all crumpled in and shitty looking. Wow, look at that boiler! Looks like they used a 3-part mold here, so naturally, you’ll have to trim of 50% more flash! Of course, they ran the mold lines right over the rivets.
Then I find this piece of shit staring me down… What am I supposed to do with that? All the fingers of this hand are all screwed up, and have a nice mold line across the details as the cherry on top. Hey Privateer Press - this is “unusable”. You need to do better, or go back to metals. Some of the other bits were great as well - like the cannon arm that looks like it’s giving birth, and a head so thin and tiny, I thought the blade on top would snap if I looked at it too hard. (no I did not squash that pic.)
OK - so now lets see if Privateer Press has a good replacement service - seeing as how their “request form” offers up no confirmation of delivery, and since as of yet I have got no response, my guess would be it’s about worth as much as the “Fist o’ Flash” up there. I’ll let you know if I have any luck.
So here’s the rub. I can’t recommend this kit - especially at 35 bones. 35 dollars should buy you an all metal starter with a caster and 2-5 jacks, not one plastic model. If you manage to get it magnetized, so you can field any of the 4 Warjacks as you see fit, then maybe it’s worth the scratch - but not at this quality.
Privateer Press- this isn’t going to cut it - stick with what you know, and that’s kick ass metal figures. And for the love of god, don’t pull the classic metals and leave us with this garbage. And while you’re at it, stop trying to be GW’s mini-me. You must know that people flee from these prices and into your waiting arms everyday - you’re begging for them to bounce right out just as fast if you start gouging them.
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DEACON
