Warhammer 40,000 – Imperial Fists Darnath Lysander

Darnath Lysander was announced at the Big Summer Preview and has finally arrived alongside other updated Space Marine sculpts. It is important to note that Lysander did not cross the Rubicon Primaris, but instead received a miniature wearing the upgraded Indomitus Pattern Terminator armour.

As the captain of the Imperial Fists' first company, he is renowned for wielding the mighty Thunder Hammer, The Fist of Dorn, and for donning ornate Terminator armour and a Storm Shield. His leadership has turned the tide of many battles, particularly defensive operations, in which his strategic mind excels. Fiercely loyal to the ideals of the Imperial Fists and their Primarch, Rogal Dorn, Lysander embodies the Chapter's unyielding spirit.

The new Darnath Lysander miniature has been available since September 20th and has an RRP of 37 EUR (35 EUR at release, increased with the October price update). It includes a small sprue, a 50 mm round base, and assembly instructions, including a datasheet.

The casting quality of the sprue is superb, and the available space has been used well. There are minor mould lines and sharp details. The sprue even includes a base topper for the 50 mm base. Take a look at the details on the storm shield and thunder hammer.

The updated sculpt wears the new, larger-scaled Indomitus-pattern Terminator armour, built in multiple layers. As you would expect from a decorated captain of the chapter, it features a lot of insignia, primarily the Fist.

Next, we add the upper torso. Once again, there is plenty of Fist iconography, including a themed Iron Halo. There are two interesting design choices: the Mark III-inspired overlapping armour plates for the groin, and the fact that the chains and small shield on the chest have details on the underside. This gives you the option of building the model without the cloak if you swap one of the shoulder pads.

Lysander's pose is very bulky and could provide the basis for various heroes/characters in Terminator armour (including successor chapters).

Next, we add the Fist of Dorn: a master-crafted thunder hammer given to Lysander by his predecessor, the First Captain, Kleitus. This weapon was taken from Lysander when he was captured by the Iron Warriors and kept as a trophy by Warsmith Kraegon. However, Lysander was able to reclaim it during the Scouring of Malodrax.

Due to the design of the arms and shoulders, it is easy to replace or convert Darnath Lysander, either with or without the cloak, and for different chapters. However, he is depicted wearing his famous red cloak, which features another prominent fist symbol.

There are two head options within this kit. You can choose between a Terminator helmet and his bare head, which features a goatee and short mohawk.

As mentioned above, some parts that will later be covered are detailed/sculpted. For example, the left hand/lower arm is barely visible, providing a proper starting point for further conversions, such as weapon swaps.

The first sculpt of Darnath Lysander was released in 2005 as a metal cast, later moving to Citadel Finecast. As you can see, the miniature has grown in size, and many of the details have been updated without losing the character's identity. The shield has been significantly enlarged — it is almost twice the original size.

Lysander fits in very well with the new Indomitus pattern Terminatus; due to their updated sculpts, they fit into the new Primaris range of Astartes.

Here are some close-ups of the assembled miniatures, as well as a shot of the base topper.

Conclusion

This is a superb update of the character. While the classic sculpt of Darnath Lysander is not bad, it just does not feel fresh enough after 20 years, especially when compared to more recent releases like Tor Garadon.

I had already started working on a kitbash using parts from the older Finecast model and the Indomitus Terminator plastic kit, but this new model is much better than what I could have achieved with the bits. As mentioned above, the model itself has only one option — to use or not to use the helmet — but its design brings so much potential for the Imperial Fists and successor chapters - or even others, provided you tone down the number of fist icons on the model.

Paying almost 40 euros for a single sprue character is quite expensive and certainly something we need to talk about. However, if you can grab it at a discount — not everybody has moved the baseline price tag from 35 to 37 EUR — you can still get this sculpt for less than 30 EUR.

• Production Quality: 4/5
• Design appeal: 4/5
• Options / Customization: 3/5
• Value for money: 3/5
• Ease of Assembly: 4/5

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