old starter sets

[Glenn87]

hey,
After looking at the contents of the AoBR Marines, I noticed that they've got the tactical arrow on their shoulder pad. I always assumed that they were the normal mono-pose marines.
It made me think back at when I played 3th edition, and I looked up that starter and the 4th one (didn't play then).

Does anyone recall how those Marines were? I know the tactical sprue was different during 3th. 3th also includes a Land Speeder. Wasn't the Speeder back then partially metal?


Does anyone also have a picture of the 2nd starter sets (I red somewere that it was Orks vs Marines).


I'm thinking of making an army with ONLY starter set Marines and stuff

[Lord Damocles]

The current three-man box set of snap-fit Marines uses models from the 4th ed. Battle of Macragge box set. The Assault on Black Reach Marines were new models with sculpted squad markings and different armour patterns.

The Land Speeder in the 3rd ed. set was all plastic, since it was the standard variant. The Tornado and Typhoon, released a little later, where hybrid kits, however.
The Marines in the 3rd ed. set were the standard (and still current) multi-part models. The command sprue in the Tactical Squad box set has been re-cut since, but the rest of the models are exactly the same if I recall correctly.

Lexicanum shows the contents of the 2nd ed. set (identical mono-pose for the win!)

[Glenn87]

ow, that picture is GREAT!! thanks.
And were the marines in 3th the same? You're right about the command sprue, as I don't recaull a Melta and Plasmagun being in the box. As well as the backback banner nog really having a plastic 'banner' on it.

I calculated with all of the Starter Sets (Rougue Trader not included), that I could make a 1K marine army (3th-4th-5th edition, still need to count 2nd).

[terradax]

The current three-man box set of snap-fit Marines uses models from the 4th ed. Battle of Macragge box set. The Assault on Black Reach Marines were new models with sculpted squad markings and different armour patterns.

True. They look very similar , but the Assault on Black Reach is actually more detailed. 3rd ed consisted of the old Land speeder and a Tactical squad. None of theese were unique to the starter set. 2nd ed also contained 2 Tactical squads, and all marines were identical! (except for the heavy weapons guy and sergeant...)

[Glenn87]

True. They look very similar , but the Assault on Black Reach is actually more detailed. 3rd ed consisted of the old Land speeder and a Tactical squad. None of theese were unique to the starter set. 2nd ed also contained 2 Tactical squads, and all marines were identical! (except for the heavy weapons guy and sergeant...)

Has the Speeder sprue changed ever since?

[Lord Damocles]

Has the Speeder sprue changed ever since?

God, yes! Thankfully.

The sprue was re-cut so that the hull goes together diferently, and you now get the Typhoon and Tornado upgrade parts with it (all in plastic).

[Sgt John Keel]

The Marines in the 3rd ed. set were the standard (and still current) multi-part models. The command sprue in the Tactical Squad box set has been re-cut since, but the rest of the models are exactly the same if I recall correctly.

The 3rd edition tactical sprue was a 10-model sprue, which was broken into its constituent sections for 5-model boxes and 1-model blister packs. I think some parts, like the mirrored Mark V torso was on the old tactical sprue (the new one has only five models per sprue, so you get two copies in a full Tactical box), but not on the new one. Instead it can be found on the Devastator leg sprue. With reservations for me being confused.

[Spectratos]

Lexicanum shows the contents of the 2nd ed. set (identical mono-pose for the win!)

LoL! I have that box. Oh the memories. =)

I actually would be fun to find that cardboard ork-dread and field it in a battle. Want to see the look on the opponent's face.