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In the annals of the Adeptus Astartes, there are few names more revered than Lion El’Jonson. The first of the Emperor’s faithful Primarchs, this legendary warrior is also the founder of the Dark Angles Chapter of Space Marines. And while he’s appeared in a significant amount of Warhammer 40K lore over the years (including most recently in the Black Library novel The Lion: Son of the Forest), his presence hasn’t been felt quite as much when it comes to Warhammer 40K gaming.
Fortunately, that’s all changed thanks to a brand new Lion El’Jonson model that’s recently been released, bringing the epic warlord into the 10th edition of Warhammer 40K.
So just what can fans expect to see from this new miniature of the great “Primaris Angelus Mortis”? Below we break out all the details.
What’s Included with the new Lion El’Jonson Model?
The new Lion El’Jonson model is a standalone figure that features the older and wiser (if not deadlier) version of the Primarch. He’s clad in his iconic Dark Angels armor and flanked by a pair of mysterious Watchers in the Dark (the tiny cloaked humanoids that were once native to his adopted homeworld of Caliban).
The set itself includes 43 plastic components, with the finished model mounted on a 60mm base. In terms of customization, the model can be built with four different head options: a bare head, a hooded head, a crested helm and a hooded helm.
What is the new Lion El’Jonson Model’s Data Sheet?
The latest incarnation of El’Jonson finds the Primarch awakening to the 41st millennium after being in stasis for over 10,000 years. Despite his long slumber, however, he’s still an incredibly deadly warrior and seeing some major upgrades over his last 9th edition appearance.
Below are some of the key datasheet elements for the 10th edition Lion El’Jonson model:
- +3 Invulnerable Save: Throw in a Toughness of 9 and a staggering 10 Wounds, and the Lion is able to soak up a massive amount of attacks and damage.
- All Secrets Revealed: This one-two-punch ability essentially lets El’Jonson shut down enemy Strategems while also gaining valuable CP at the same time.
- Fights First: This is particularly brutal for enemy units since it means that the El’Jonson model is actually able to fight before a charging unit gets to take a few swings at him.
- Melee Attacks: His legendary power sword “Fealty” allows for an insanely high number of attacks, making him a serious threat during the Fight Phase of combat.
In short, the new 10th edition Lion El’Jonson model is an absolute bad ass and if you’re a Dark Angels fan he really is the perfect compliment to the new Deathwing Assault box set and the various units featured in the new Codex: Dark Angels sourcebook. Just bear in mind that he is costly to employ, coming in at a whopping 350 points, according to the latest January 2024 Munitorum Field Manual
How much is the new Lion El’Jonson Model?
The standalone Lion El’Jonson model isn’t cheap, with a $70 USD MSRP (if you purchase him directly from the Games Workshop website).
As always, prices may vary if you buy the model from your local game store or from Amazon (where discounts and sales may allow you to pick him up for a bit cheaper, with most third-party retailers offering at least 10-15% discounts).
When was the Lion El’Jonson Model Released?
The model was first announced back in March 2023, at which point he could only be purchased in a special 9th edition box set that also three Bladeguard Veterans and two pieces of special edition artwork. Notably at that time he was also featured in the Arks of Omen: The Lion campaign sourcebook for Warhammer 40K 9th edition.
The standalone model for 10th edition, however, was eventually released at AdeptiCon in October 2023, after which it was voted Warhammer Miniature of the Year.
Final Thoughts
If you’re a fan of Lion El’Jonson, chances are you’ll want to pick him up for your 10th edition Dark Angels army. And while he’s definitely not cheap, the fact is the mini looks incredible and packs some serious power on the battlefield. In short, it’s exactly what you’d come to expect from the Emperor’s greatest Primarch.
You can snag your standalone Lion El’Jonson model now from your local games store, Games Workshop or Amazon.
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Zachary Birch lives in Medford, Massachusetts and has been a dedicated war gamer for over 15 years, playing pretty much ever system under the sun. Orks remain his favorite Warhammer 40K army (because nothing beats stomping gits into the ground). He also enjoys playing video games, reading, playing the guitar and shouting “WAAAGH!” at inappropriate times.
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