Every year as we approach the Christmas holidays, we release some absolutely packed boxes known as battleforces for a select few factions. Warhammer 40,000 has five this time, and they are a great way to start a new army, bolster your existing force, or expand on a Combat Patrol.
Penitent Crusader Host
Sufficiently large numbers of penitent cowards and enhanced shock troops can overwhelm even the hardiest enemies, and with such a wealth of bodies to hurl into the fire, the Adepta Sororitas have become accustomed to sending poorly trained squads on suicidal charges into enemy lines. The Penitent Crusader Host battleforce has this strategy as its core, fielding masses of expendable infantry backed up by a pair of stomping mechanical flagellants.
A Ministorum Priest leads 10 Sisters Repentia and 10 Arco-flagellants on the ground, while a pair of Rhinos grant these units a safe journey to the front line and two Penitent Engines – which can also be built as Mortifiers – tear apart the largest, scariest monsters. Win the battle, or achieve a glorious death to absolve your sins – you basically can’t lose here.
Hypercrypt Legion
The Necrons burst forth from their tombs with the terrifying eldritch power of a C’tan Shard of the Void Dragon leading the charge. These captured shards of ancient star gods are abominably powerful and durable monsters, with the Void Dragon having a particular hunger for technology and the slaying of armoured vehicles.
The rest of the Hypercrypt Legion is comprised of a Necron Lord with a Translocation Shroud, 10 Lychguard – who can also be built as Triarch Praetorians – and 10 Necron Warriors. This is an excellent infantry force that will be completed with vehicular support, such as the Night Scythe fighter, Annihilation Barge, or the infamously massive Monolith.
Retaliation Cadre
T’au battlesuits carry devastating weaponry to myriad battlefields since they rolled from the Earth caste production lines. It’s not often that they all group up for an almighty smackdown, but when they do, these Retaliation Cadres are a formidable force.
A T’au Empire Commander can strap into either a Coldstar or Enforcer battlesuit, while a Broadside battlesuit, a Ghostkeel battlesuit, and a Riptide battlesuit bring up the rear with awe-inspiring firepower. All you need is a few squads of Fire Warriors and Kroot to turn this Battleforce into a bona fide army.
Inner Circle Task Force
Lion El’Jonson hasn’t been back in action for long, but he’s already putting the forces of Chaos to flight throughout the Imperium Nihilus with the Inner Circle at his back.
This strike force of the First Legion’s premier close combat specialists is a terrifying prospect to face in battle, featuring the Primarch himself, a Chaplain in Terminator Armour, six Inner Circle Companions, and 10 Deathwing Knights who can be assembled with swords or maces. It’s the perfect way to start a Dark Angels army.
Valourstrike Lance
Imperial Knights are some of the most singularly powerful warriors to bestride the stars, pairing finely honed combat skills with titanic walkers that carry enormous weapons into battle. The massive Questoris Knights are attended by smaller Armigers, which themselves tower over the war machines of lesser factions.
The Valourstrike Lance centres around one such Questoris Knight which can be built as one of two variants – the battle cannon-toting Knight Paladin or melta specialist Knight Errant.* Each of the four Armigers can be built as either an Armiger Helverin with twin autocannons or an Armiger Warglaive, packing a close range thermal spear and chain-cleaver.
Like what you see? You’ll be able to pre-order your battleforces later this year as we get closer to Christmas, but in the meantime head back to the Preview Show hub to find out what else is being looked at.
And finally, five people will win one of four Greater Daemons of Chaos (a Bloodthirster, a Lord of Change, a Great Unclean One, or a Keeper of Secrets) simply by signing up to – or by already being signed up to – the Warhammer email newsletter. Be signed up by 12th of October, and then click on your choice in the Warhammer Day email you receive to be in with a shot. Terms and conditions apply.
* Correction: An earlier version of this article stated that the Knight Questoris in this kit could be built as one of six variants and included Sir Hektur. We can confirm that the Knight Questoris can only be built as a Knight Paladin or a Knight Errant.
