Review of the Start Collecting Slaanesh Box

This is a review of the Start Collecting box “Daemons of Slaanesh”: the first step to be damned in a constant obsession towards excess.  

If you do not know anything about what a Start Collecting box is, here is a short introduction.

The Start Collecting boxes are a very convenient way to get started playing Warhammer or start a new army with a specific faction.

You will usually get at least 1 character, 1 sort of “basic unit” (many times a battleline unit) and 1 unit that is a bigger elite/monster type sort of deal.

 

Which models are included in the Daemons of Slaanesh Start Collecting Box?

The box advertise:

• 1 Exalted Chariot of Slaanesh
• 5 Seekers of Slaanesh
• 10 Daemonettes of Slaanesh
  

But, as we will see, the chariot has multiple assembly options (6!).

1 Exalted Chariot of Slaanesh

As a starting point for Slaanesh this box is definitely excessive. The main piece, the chariot, has 6 multiple assembly options, including combining the sprues from two Seeker Chariots to make a single Exalted Chariot. If that is not Slaaneshi…

There are 3 different types of chariots:

1. The Hellflayer
2. The Seeker
3. And the combined version: the Exalted. 

Each of these 3 can be assembled as a single unit or as a leader, the Bladebringer.

Assembling the Exalted Chariot leaves also some daemonettes models behind that could be used to assemble or convert other heralds (Viceleader).

The Exalted Chariot is a veritable beast, able to dish out 21 attacks, do mortal wounds on a charge and at the start of the combat phase and improve his attacks for every enemy unit within 1” on a 2+.

The Bladebringer adds to this model 2 more whipping attacks and the wizard keyword that allows it to cast spells and 9 depravity point when it’s slain, making it (her?) a perfect option as a starting hero.

The hero version can also be summoned for 18 depravity points, without hero for 15. The hero version is probably the recommended assembly option for the first box purchased.

The Hellflayer loses a bit of attacks compared to the Exalted Chariot (14 instead of 21) but maintains the ability to do mortal wounds and improve the attacks for each unit within 1” on a 4+ (instead of a 2+).

The mounted version is also a wizard, this time his death would bring only 8 depravity points and it costs 15 to summon the hero and 12 the simple unit.

Both versions are ok as slightly cheaper than the Exalted but still quite deadly in combat.

The Seeker Chariot is the only one that can be added in units of 3 and can be a battleline in a Godseekers Host. Despite so it loses many attacks (only 11), cannot add more in combat but does mortal wounds on the charge and can retreat and charge for continuous mortal wounds.

As the other models, the Bladebringer brings magic and 2 more attacks. The unit version is probably not worth, even summoning costs 10 points for 1 and 30 for 3.

But the Bladebringer is a good option (12 points) giving the ability to choose the spell when summoned from the lore of Slaanesh and worst-case scenario, becomes another 7 depravity points when he/she dies.

Note that a single box has enough pieces to assemble 2 Seeker Chariots, 2 Hellflayers or a combination of the 2 if you choose to not assemble the Exalted Chariot.

In that case you will need to purchase separately the appropriate base.

5 Seekers of Slaanesh

The Seekers are an incredibly fast unit (14”) able to run (using 2D6 instead of one) and charge in the same turn and re-roll charges with the Seeker Banner Bearer for a potential 38 movement in a single turn!

If they slay an enemy, they increase their attacks by 1 per weapon profile in the next combat phase and a 1 on a battleshock brings back D3 models.

They are fast and hit hard, but they are not durable and, with a save of 5+, they will most likely melt in a protracted fight. A unit of 5 can be summoned for 10 depravity points.

10 Daemonettes of Slaanesh

The Daemonettes are your bread and butter. You will need plenty of them, as they are the only unconditional battleline for Slaanesh and an extremely useful unit. 10, 20 and 30 can be summoned using depravity points and with their run and charge ability can cover quite some terrain.

They are an essential staple of your army; you’ll need to decide how big the units need to be depending on which hero choices you bring to the table.

Points cost of the Daemons of Slaanesh Start Collecting Box

Using the points from the General Handbook 2019:

• 10 Daemonettes are a battleline for 110 points (300 for 30)
• 5 Seekers are 120 points
• The Exalted Chariot is 220 points with the Bladebinger on top, 180 without, the Hellflayer is 180 with and 140 without, the Seeker Chariot is 160 with and 120 without. The Seeker Chariot is battleline in a Godseekers Host.

Without the chariot you have 230 points. The most expensive chariot is 220 points, bringing you to 550 points.

Note: this article was made prior to the December 2019 points update, so some points could have changed there.

Value of the Daemons of Slaanesh box

The sum of all models as purchased directly from the GW store is 73.5£ for a discount of 25%, one of the lowest of the entire game.

It is, however, the easiest way to get the Exalted Chariot without buying 2 Seeker boxes directly from GW and will provide plenty of conversion material.

Overall verdict on the Daemons of Slaanesh box

This is the only start collecting box for Slaanesh and despite not including the best Slaaneshi units or some of the newest models, it’s still a good value box with many essential units.

If you are comfortable magnetizing you can try to have for each Chariot a swappable Bladebringer, but the different versions have to be assembled separately.

Each box will provide enough conversion bits for many other armies and since you will need plenty of Daemonettes and Seekers you will most likely buy many of these boxes.

The only reason to not have many of these boxes is if you are interested in a mortal army (mainly Slaves to Darkness or a Beasts of Chaos battalion) but even in this case you would need some daemons to summon.

However, in all circumstances, is only appropriate to buy an excessive amount of these boxes.