HERO OF THE IMPERIUM!...A Review
There are release cycles, and then there are release cycles that feel like Games Workshop backed a supply truck up to the front door and started unloading everything at once. This weekend's preorder wave is absolutely one of those weeks.
The After Dark opens at Midnight EST on 06/27, and this round brings a heavy mix of Warhammer 40,000 boxed sets, new Astra Militarum armor, a major Horus Heresy battle group, and a very strong Black Library showing led by none other than Commissar Ciaphas Cain himself.
As always, anything marked Special Edition will be purchased directly from Games Workshop and will not be available through third-party retailers.
Commissar Cain Finally Takes the Field
The headline character release this week is easily Ciaphas Cain, one of Black Library’s most beloved Imperial heroes, whether he likes that title or not. Cain arrives with his ever-reliable aide Jurgen, bringing one of Warhammer fiction’s most recognizable duos to the tabletop.
The kit having the option to build them separately or as a small diorama is a great touch. Cain is one of those characters who works best when the model captures both the legend and the absurdity around him, and pairing him with Jurgen is the only way this release was ever going to feel complete.
For Astra Militarum collectors, Cain is the kind of character model that instantly gives an army more personality. For Black Library fans, he is probably the easiest “yes” of the entire week.
Battleforces Return in Force
The Warhammer 40,000 side of the release cycle is packed with limited-stock Battleforces, and this wave hits several major factions at once.
The Tyranid Swarm box is exactly what it says on the tin, a heavy spread of bioforms built around a Hive Tyrant, with a Lictor, Tyranid Warriors, Von Ryan’s Leapers, Hormagaunts, Termagants, and Ripper Swarms. It is a very solid Tyranid expansion box for players who want bodies, pressure pieces, and a central monster to anchor the swarm.
The Chaos Space Marines Warband box leans into the best kind of Chaos list-building, Marines, cultists, daemon engines, and something unpleasant riding at the front. With Legionaries, Chaos Cultists, a Venomcrawler, Obliterators, and a Lord Discordant on Helstalker, this is a strong warband-style collection that feels appropriately aggressive.
The Necron Host box is another strong pickup for players building out the silver tide. A Catacomb Command Barge, Warriors, Flayed Ones, Ophydian Destroyers, a Doomstalker, and Scarab Swarms give the box a nice mix of core infantry, fast threats, support, and creepy murder robots.
Then there is the Astra Militarum Platoon, which pairs very nicely with the Cain release. A Commissar, Cadian Command Squad, Cadian Shock Troops, Basilisk, Field Ordnance Battery, and Rogal Dorn tank make this feel like a proper Guard firebase in a box. It has infantry, command, artillery, and armor, which is exactly what the Astra Militarum should feel like.
Each of these Battleforces is only available while stocks last, so this is not the kind of wave to casually circle back to a few weeks later and assume it will still be sitting around.
New Astra Militarum Armor Joins the Motor Pool
Guard players also get two new vehicle kits this week, the Centaur RSV and Hippogriff AFV.
The Centaur Rapid Strike Vehicle gives the Astra Militarum a fast, practical troop carrier. It is a small transport with open fighting space, which makes it feel very on-brand for the Guard, cheap, functional, and probably terrifying to ride into battle.
The Hippogriff Armoured Fighting Vehicle is the more aggressive of the two, bringing speed and firepower with several weapon options, including the vigilator cannon, chiron gatling cannon, melta cannon, or heavy lascannon. It looks like a great support platform for Guard players who want something mobile without giving up real punch.
Between Cain, the Platoon Battleforce, and these vehicles, this is a strong week for anyone expanding an Astra Militarum collection.
Horus Heresy Gets a Major MkIV Wave
The Maximus Battle Group is the big Horus Heresy boxed release this cycle, and it is a serious one. The return of MkIV “Maximus” armor is a big deal for Heresy players, especially with 20 Tactical Marines and 10 Assault Marines in the box.
Adding in a Sicaran Battle Tank and a Contemptor Dreadnought makes this feel like a proper force foundation instead of just an infantry refresh. It has the core troops, the assault element, the armor, and the dreadnought presence needed to make the box feel complete.
The Maximus Battle Group is also only available while stocks last, so Heresy players should treat this as a limited opportunity rather than a standing range item.
The Whirlwind Missile Tank also joins the Heresy range, giving Legiones Astartes armies long-range fire support built to punish infantry and clear objectives. Rules for it are found in Journal Tactica: Mailed Fist – Legiones Astartes Super-heavy Tanks, so make sure you know where the rules live before planning lists around it.
The new Journal Tactica: Zone Mortalis rounds out the Heresy side of the week. Zone Mortalis has always been one of the most thematic ways to play Horus Heresy, tight corridors, brutal firefights, and nowhere to run. Updated rules for 1,500-point confined-space battles, new missions, and new units make this one worth watching for players who want something tighter and nastier than a standard battlefield game.
Black Library Comes Out Swinging
This is also a very strong Black Library week.
The Illustrated and Annotated Edition of For the Emperor is a perfect companion piece to the Cain miniature release. Sandy Mitchell’s first Ciaphas Cain novel is already a fan favorite, and this edition adds author annotations alongside new artwork. For Cain fans, this is probably the book release of the week.
The Sabbat Worlds Crusade also returns in hardback, bringing back one of the most important in-world lore books tied to Dan Abnett’s corner of Warhammer 40,000. This edition is currently listed as while stocks last, though it may return later, so collectors may want to pay attention.
The Rynn’s World Special Edition is the direct-only note of the week. Since this is a Special Edition, it will be purchased directly from Games Workshop and will not be available through third-party retailers. It is a beautiful edition for Crimson Fists fans, with a blue cloth-effect cover, red and gold foil details, printed page edges, ribbon marker, and a new introduction.
Finally, three novels hit paperback for the first time, Krakenblood, Vagabond Squadron, and Starseer’s Ruin. That gives Space Wolves, Imperial aviation, and Seraphon readers something new to throw on the shelf without chasing premium formats.
Final Thoughts
This is a crowded preorder week in the best way. Warhammer 40,000 gets character support, four limited Battleforces, and new Astra Militarum vehicles. Horus Heresy gets a major MkIV-focused boxed set, a new missile tank, and Zone Mortalis support. Black Library brings Cain back into the spotlight with a strong mix of collector editions, lore books, banners, and paperbacks.
The biggest thing to remember is that many of the boxed sets and collector items are only available while stocks last, and anything marked Special Edition is direct from Games Workshop only.
The After Dark opens at Midnight EST on 06/27, and this is one of those release cycles where it is worth being ready early.
