Warhammer 40,000 – Space Hulk 3rd Edition

Space Hulk was the long kept secret project for 2009. Games Workshop is giving collectors a limited 3rd edition of the space board game.

For 78 EUR, a total of 7,500 (German) copies can be purchased in German-speaking countries. One of these almost 4kg heavy boxes is also in our editorial office and we take a look inside for you.

What is Space Hulk about?
In Space Hulk, Space Marines fight against Tyranids in a huge spaceship. The game is designed for 2 players, with one player taking control of the Space Marines with up to 2 Terminator squads and the other player controlling a horde of Genestealers.
As a rule, the Space Marines have to get to certain rooms in the Space Hulk in the various missions in order to recover artefacts, destroy consoles or do similar things. During this time, swarms of Genestealers lurks around the Space Hulk and attack the Terminators.

What does the box offer?
As already mentioned, the box weighs just over 3.5kg. This puts Space Hulk on a par with various similar products from Fantasy Flight (Doom, Descent). Overall, the box offers the following:

• 1 rulebook (24 pages)
• 1 mission book (48 pages)
• 12 Terminators
• 1 Terminator Scriptor with force axe and storm bolter
  • 1 Terminator Sergeant with power sword and storm bolter
  • 1 Terminator Sergeant with thunder hammer and storm shield
  • 1 Terminator with 2 lightning claws
  • 1 Terminator with heavy flamethrower
  • 1 Terminator with assault cannon
  • 1 Terminator with storm bolter and chain fist
  • 5 Terminators with storm bolter and power fist
• 22 Genestealer
• 1 Broodlord
• 3 mission markers
• 1 K.A.T.S.
• 1 dead Terminator on throne
• 1 chalice / artefact of the Blood Angels
• 105 game markers
• 24 corridors
• 10 rooms
• 8 intersections
• 8 T-junctions
• 4 dead ends
• 6 corner sections
• 20 airlocks
• 1 mission indicator
• 1 hourglass
• 5 dice

The Terminators are really well made for plastic figures, especially for the starter box-like construction. Lots of detail, superbly structured and very three-dimensional. The character models in particular are simply stunning.
The Genestealers are of a similarly high standard to the multi-part plastic kits. Only 4 of them stand out negatively as they are missing the 4th arm.

With the Terminators, each miniature is unique. The Genestealers have some models in duplicate, one even in triplicate. This is not too bad, as the poses look very dynamic. A total of 2 moulded frames in red (Terminators) and 3 in blue (2x Genestealers and 1x Broodlord with mission objectives) are included.

The Broodlord is a really huge model, here in comparison with a Space Marine. Also the Terminators from the Space Hulk with a Black Reach Terminator and an old 2nd Edition Space Hulk plastic Terminator.

One shortcoming, which has already been criticised several times by Games Workshop and can also be described here as unsuitable for board/society games, is the arrangement of the individual parts in the casting frame. In some places, it is not possible to remove the parts from the moulding frame without damaging the details, as the moulding knots have been arranged inappropriately. For non-hobbyists or even those without tools, this would be a major disadvantage.
However, as Space Hulk is a limited edition game, which was only advertised within the tabletop scene anyway and is therefore reserved for the "hard core" due to the number of pieces, this is not a major issue.
Another positive aspect is the base plates, which are thicker - i.e. higher - than those of the predecessor, but still compatible with the other Space Hulk parts of the 2nd edition. Although these are very stable, they should be handled with care so that the edges and corners do not fray.
The 3D haptics are also successful, with embossing on the base plates, which directly enhances the playing field. Only the bulkheads would have benefited from a clearer reference to the Empire, as there are no Imperial eagles or similar and, with the exception of a Blood Angels symbol, only generic doors.

Another positive aspect is that the entire contents can be easily stowed away in the box. Nothing to be taken for granted in games with so much content!

How does Space Hulk play?
It's a fast-paced game and it's a deadly game. The rules are based on the 1st edition of Space Hulk and are a far cry from the Warhammer 40,000 rulebook. The dice rolls are greatly simplified, which is why the chances of survival of the individual fighters in a Space Hulk are very close to zero, depending on the situation.
For example, a Terminator squad is very effective at medium to long range and, when ready to fire, it can send countless Tyranids to the afterlife, but as soon as the aliens get into close combat, the Space Marines' service is quickly over.
The distribution of roles is therefore clear: firing is the Terminators' strength, close combat is the Genestealers'. Thanks to the storm bolters, continuous fire and readiness to fire, the Terminators can build up an enormous fire potential, which is supplemented to deadly effect by the flamethrower.
To eliminate a Genestealer, the Space Marine player must achieve a minimum roll of 6 or 5+ per D6; only the flamethrower can top this, but it is restricted by limited ammunition.
Close combat is also a very swift affair. The Genestealers player rolls 3 D6s, the terminator usually 1 D6. The highest result counts and eliminates the opponent. No wound rolls, no armour rolls, straight out of the game.
Although the rules are kept simple, there are still a few things - at least in the German translation - that would need a FAQ or at least a detailed explanation. However, the current White Dwarf (September issue) with its extensive Space Hulk mission report is a good point of reference here. Again, it is clear that the game is aimed at hobbyists already familiar with tabletop gaming and is not a product to introduce newcomers to the hobby.

Incidentally, the plastic accepts normal spray primer without any problems despite the higher gloss.

Conclusion
Games Workshop may not have reinvented the wheel with Space Hulk, but the game is solid, fast and a nice change not only for nostalgics. The build quality is more than satisfactory and, with a few exceptions, the accuracy of fit is unobjectionable. Only the arrangement in the moulding frame, which we have already criticised several times with various kits, tarnishes the picture here.
However, Space Hulk does not only have a bitter taste due to the limitation. Many will "cannibalise" the box, similar to the Black Reach box, because of the miniatures and we expect some totally exaggerated auctions on eBay and Co, in which primarily the Terminators are offered for expensive money. A complete Space Hulk edition, unmodified, should be the real rarity.
The price of 78 EUR is fair, which is slightly higher than comparable games, but also delivers significantly better miniatures. Once again, the GW-internal price ratio is rather off. For 78 EUR there is no force box, but for about 10 EUR less you only get 1 Azhag the Destroyer or until recently a single steam tank.

But Space Hulk is fun and has a high replay value. The missions offer enough opportunities to test different tactics and to be played repeatedly. There are also countless scenarios and missions on the Internet and in old White Dwarfs.
A successful revival, anyone who feels a little tempted now should get a box tomorrow before the opportunity no longer presents itself.

Update: Space Hulk was reprinted multiple times over the years and got another update with the 4th edition in 2014.