Games Workshop has once again struck gold with the unveiling of five stunning new character miniatures — each one a love letter to its Chapter’s unique legacy. While all five models bring fresh identity and artistic brilliance to the battlefield, two in particular feel like watershed moments for their factions: Suboden Khan of the White Scars and Aethon Shaan of the Raven Guard. Let’s take a look.
Suboden Khan — The White Scars Finally Ride Again
White Scars players have waited a long time for a hero worthy of their speed and savagery — and Suboden Khan delivers in every way. No longer confined to generic Captains or bland bike conversions, the Chapter now has a named character that embodies everything they stand for.
From the moment you see the sculpt, you know who he is. His flowing cloak, curved power lance, and grav-bike-mounted gatling cannon radiate motion and controlled fury. Unlike traditional Space Marine models, Suboden looks like he's moving — riding straight through the enemy line with thunder and fire.
What elevates this model is not just the visuals, but the lore baked into his posture. As the Khan’s right hand and the tip of the Spearpoint Brotherhood, Suboden’s grav-bike isn't just for show — it's a scalpel of war. He’s the kind of leader who dissects the enemy line before they know what hit them, and Games Workshop's sculpt reflects that perfectly.
In a release filled with fan-favorite revivals, Suboden Khan isn’t just new — he’s a milestone. White Scars players finally have a hero that feels like theirs, and not just a reskinned Captain on wheels.
Aethon Shaan — Shadows Take Form in Raven Guard Steel
The ascension of Aethon Shaan from First Captain to Chapter Master is a bold narrative move, but it’s the model that tells the real story. This is not a rehash of Shrike or a generic stealth commander — this is a warrior forged in shadow and purpose, and it shows.
Everything about the miniature feels deliberate. The sable feathered cloak. The curved claws. The talon-shod boots. The winged servo-skulls crafted from bird bones. It’s corvidae meets killer, a gothic silhouette that’s instantly recognizable yet uniquely Shaan.
Aethon isn’t just a sneaky Space Marine — he’s a surgical blade wrapped in the mythology of Corax. And the fact that he comes with three different head options (helmeted, hooded, or free-flowing locks) means players can tailor him even further to their vision of the Raven Guard’s new master.
Lore-wise, his rise is poetic — Shrike, ever the loyal son, recognizing that a new exemplar was needed for a new era. Shaan is that balance — ruthless, pragmatic, and precise. His model captures that ethos without needing a single line of dialogue. This model is for sure the one causing the most buzz with the staff here!
Vulkan He’stan — The Living Flame Rekindled
Vulkan He’stan’s new sculpt is an elegant blend of classic and modern — a hulking figure wreathed in relics and fire. The first full reveal of his scarred face brings gravitas to the Forgefather’s eternal quest. Wielding three of the Primarch’s artifacts, he is the Salamanders incarnate — equal parts guardian, seeker, and executioner.
His rules — boosting flame and melta units, and tanking objectives like a demigod — promise tabletop power that matches his lore. He doesn't reinvent He’stan, he perfects him.
Darnath Lysander — The Fist of Dorn Reforged
Darnath Lysander marches again, his thunder hammer still the size of a car door and his shield now more finely detailed than ever. His redesigned Terminator armor respects the original silhouette while adding modern flair, with crisp lines and a presence that screams “veteran of centuries.”
His story — lost in the warp, returned a hero, now rearmed for a new age — remains one of the most inspiring tales of Imperial Fist resilience. His model is a welcome return, not a reinvention.
Caanok Var — Iron Without Mercy
If the Iron Hands could dream, they’d dream of Caanok Var. This model is mechanical brutality made manifest. His tetsubo-like power weapon, hulking augmetics, and stoic expression capture everything about Clan Avernii’s ruthless efficiency. He’s more machine than man — and he wouldn’t have it any other way.
Final Word
This is more than just a wave of new character models. It’s a restoration of legacy, a reinforcement of what makes each Chapter unique. And while all five bring something meaningful to the table, Suboden Khan and Aethon Shaan feel like turning points. They aren’t just beautiful miniatures — they’re a promise that every Chapter, no matter how often overlooked, has heroes still worth telling stories about.
We’ll be watching closely for what comes next — but for now, we’ll be painting grav-bikes and raven feathers until our brushes wear out, once we can get them of course!
