This week’s wave of releases is one of the more varied we’ve seen in recent months, with the spotlight firmly on the Leagues of Votann while still delivering some exciting offerings for other factions.
Leagues of Votann – Back in Force
The Kin have returned with a vengeance, and Games Workshop clearly wants to push their narrative and tabletop relevance to the forefront. The new Codex: Leagues of Votann is the centerpiece, bringing five new Detachments, an intriguing new army mechanic (Prioritised Efficiency), and lore that expands on a faction that’s still mysterious to many players.
The new units are where things really shine.
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Buri Aegnirssen offers a characterful Lone Operative who refuses to die easily, bringing a strong narrative hook and useful tabletop utility.
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Arkanyst Evaluator adds a wild card with experimental weaponry, perfect for players who enjoy high-risk, high-reward playstyles.
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Memnyr Strategist introduces the first Ironkin character with tactical benefits and strong synergy with other Ironkin units.
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Cthonian Earthshakers bring subterranean artillery and great customization options, while the Ironkin Steeljacks are durable, objective-focused elites with versatile loadouts.
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The Kapricus vehicle rounds out the releases with a rugged scout transport featuring multiple weapon configurations.
All of these releases combine into Combat Patrol: Bane-slayer’s Bulwark, a box that offers a well-rounded entry point for new players and a strong expansion for veterans. The optional faction dice and datacards are a nice touch but not essential.
Our take: This is a fantastic release for Votann players. The model quality is excellent, the new rules appear competitive without being overpowered, and the narrative depth adds much-needed flavor. Expect high demand.
Other 40K Highlights
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Vulkan He’stan finally gets the model he deserves, with two head options and an updated aesthetic that fits the modern Salamanders range perfectly.
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The Combat Patrol: Salamanders box offers a solid mix of units but lacks the wow factor compared to the Votann set.
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World Eaters Slaughterbound and the Death Guard Lord of Poxes are both strong standalone character releases, expanding the flexibility of their respective armies without requiring large purchases.
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Captain Centos, part of the Commemorative Series, is a neat collector’s piece, but availability is restricted to official Warhammer stores only.
Black Library Offerings
Three new books hit the shelves, with The Lords of Silence (Illustrated Edition) and The High Kâhl’s Oath standing out. The latter, focusing on the Leagues of Votann, ties neatly into this week’s main theme and is likely a must-read for fans of the faction.
Verdict
This release wave is a big win for Votann players, a solid upgrade for Salamanders, and a nice bonus for Chaos fans. . For narrative fans, the Black Library releases round things out nicely. It's a pretty massive release weekend, with almost too much to choose from, but we like the variety!
At Wargame Portal, we expect strong demand for the new Votann models, the Lord of Poxes and the Vulkan He’stan miniature in particular. Supplies will be limited on select items, supply dependent.
