Horus Heresy – Mechanicum Thallax Cohort

The next bigger unit from the Mechanicum Battle Group after the Adsecularis Tech-thralls are the Thallax Cohort.

For those of you unfamiliar with the Mechanicum or the individual units, these are no robots, but heavily augmented cyborgs. While the Tech-thralls are almost lobotomized in the process of their creation, the Thallax retain a degree of their independent human thought. The Lorica Thallax which encases their major organs and nervous system, replaces the skeleton and limbs entirely, with an armoured mechanical system.

There is a total of 6 Thallax Cohort in the battle group set, which can either be build as a larger unit, or two individual units of 3. The unit entry in the Liber Mechanicum gives them the option to have units up to 9 large, as well as a dedicated transport, in this case the Triaros Armoured Conveyor. Not all weapon options available to them are covered with these sprues, but more on that further below during the build. We don't have individual pricing yet, but I assume the box of 6 will be around 55 EURs.

The models are spread across three sprues, but not evenly. The six miniatures are build from 1x sprue A (covering the 6 pair of legs and additional parts for the upper bodies) and 2x identical sprues B with the weapon options and torsos. There were only minor mould lines on these sprues, but some very delicate pieces, so take care when removing these from the sprue.

We will build a smaller unit of three in this review, and begin with the 40mm round bases and legs. There are six different poses, in various walking motion. They are kept in place with small tongue-and-groove connections, which can be filed down for further flexibility. You could mix and match the pre-sorted pairs, but would probably need some filling on the bases, like rocks or fallen enemies to counter the different lengths of the (stretched) legs.

The upper bodies are split in a lot of indiviual bits, more than I would have expected. But they had to recreate the design of the resin models, and with the "limitations" of injection mould plastic (you can't do undercuts, as they wouldn't release from the moulds), you have to slice those parts accordingly. So far uniform pieces, no alterations or variants.

In the next step, we choose the weaponry. Each sprue B comes with three Lightning Guns, with the optional chain bayonets, and a multi-melta, phased plasma-fusil or photon thruster each. Per three models you have the option to replace a lightning gun with a different weapon. The Thallax Cohort have access to the three mentioned, along with the multi-laser and irad-cleanser, that are not included in this kit.

I went with two lightning guns and the phased plasma-fusil. The way they cut the cables and put the connections towards the body is quite clever, as you have small pins for the shoulder joints. So less hassle than with other models, where both arms are connected to the weapon.

The next step got me a bit by surprise, as I was a bit overwhelmed by the amount of smaller details added to the bodies. You have four exhausts per model for the jetpacks, two steering jets, frag grenades on the back of the shoulders and optional melta bombs on the thighs.

All of this makes these model really plastic. Just make sure you work in a well lighted area and be patient, so you don't drop any of these smaller bits, as you don't have spares for them.

The last step are the heads, these are two part with a neck and five different helmet options. Due to the ball joint you can have them look around and not just starring straight head.

The Thallax are taller than you might expect, quite bigger than an Astartes, right in the middle between the Tech-thralls and Castellax Battle-Automata.

The Thallax Cohort really brings the "cohort" to the table, like a praetorian guard.

Conclusion

A really interesting kit and huge upgrade towards the resin model. Those had a lot of bits as well, but using plastic glue is much more comfortable compared to super glue, as it gives you more flexibility while assembling.

Good amount of details, a very well captured design and good options across this kit. Nothing to argue. Especially with the six different poses for the legs and weapon upgrades. Yes, it would have been cool if the kit actually covered all five upgrades, and it is going to be interesting to see how they will cover those (most likely with a sprue C, as we've seen in the past with other kits). Actually, the way they split the sprue, would make it possible that we will see beside the Thallax the Ursarax Cohort, repurposing the leg sprue (as we have the unarmoured legs and the shoulder guards, which they share across both patterns) and get another sprue for the upper bodies, covering the different design and close combat weaponry.

Beyond that I still have to remember myself, that these are cyborgs and as such don't have command upgrades in their units, as I would love to see a bit more heroic poses, like one of the Thallax carrying a mechanicum banner or icon. But as we have a plastic kit, that is something, that will be possible to convert.

Warhammer 40,000 and The Horus Heresy are brands by Games Workshop.

The reviewed product item was provided by the manufacturer.