Adeptus Titanicus - New Starter Box

When Adeptus Titanicus was first launched it was to much fanfare, a Grandmaster Edition, the Core Rules, and a glorious Warlord Titan. In 2020 we’ve already seen some splash releases, including a brand new starter box that is definitely worth its cost and a great way to introduce new players or even expand upon existing forces.

THE CONTENTS

This box set will feel both familiar and new. Some of its contents mirror the original release, but this time much has been added.

Included in the box are:

•          A softback version of the Adeptus Titanicus rulebook, complete with FAQ updates and errata.
•          12 inch range finder.
• 2 Quick Reference Sheets.
•          An Adeptus Titanicus cardstock poster featuring the artwork of the new box.
•          Plastic sprue with status markers, Opus Titanica, objective marker, Titan identifier chips, and arc templates.
•          Blast and flame templates.
•          Deck of Stratagem and Objective cards.
•          Deck of weapon cards for the included Titans.
•          The dice needed to play Adeptus Titanicus.
•          2 each of command terminals for Reaver and Warhound Titans and two Banners of Cerastus Knights.
•          2 Reaver Titans.
•          2 Warhound Titans.
•          2 Cerastus Knights.

THE PIECES

Unlike when we unboxed the Core Book, everything in this box is loose. However, some of the items are placed in packaging to keep them safe during transportation.

What becomes evident as this point is that the moderately high entry cost of the game has actually been made considerably better. The cost of each item in the box is less than half of buying each item individually, with this box clearly designed to get people playing easily or introduce it to many people quickly. The contents have been well-chosen and both new and returning players would feel good about getting this new starter set. The choice of model selection is also excellent, using smaller models that are easy to learn how to play but still pack enough punch to help the player learn what kind of devastating firepower they’ll be throwing around.

Aside from the new softback rulebook and the new command terminals, all of the items that come in the core set are the same in this box. While the new command terminals are nice as a type of “card,” the thick board-type of the originals is still more appealing and the pre-punched holes make it more enjoyable. However, this could all be a matter of preference and the new command terminals will certainly hold up and be easy to transport and use.

THE VERDICT

Nailed it! Just absolutely nailed it! The entry point that this boxed set gives is among the most reasonable in quite some time and the contents mean that plenty of players will be able to make the jump into the game or easily expand their existing forces. It’s also better geared towards new players being able to learn the game than the Grandmaster Edition. This box will also jive really well with the Grandmaster Edition since splitting the contents of that box means two players would both be able to field Axiom maniples, have all of the materials to play, and each have a set of rules and a lot of models. The only gripe comes with the new command terminals, but that is an overall style change for the game and not something unique to this box. This is easily a 10/10 on this box.