Big changes are coming to Warhammer 40k 11th Edition, with new starter set rumors, codexes, and a release date closer than you think.
According to what we have been hearing from industry insiders and rumors seemingly everywhere, significant changes are on the way for Warhammer 40k.
Some long-forgotten factions may finally be getting the attention they deserve, and there’s even talk of a brand-new army crashing onto the scene.
If these 11th Edition Warhammer 40,000 rumors are even half true, we’re in for a wild ride.
- 11th Edition is lining up for summer 2026: based on GW’s three-year edition cadence, the “safe bet” window is June or July 2026, and the rumors say it’s more refresh than full teardown.
- The launch box rumor has a name: the next starter could be branded “Armageddon”, which screams throwback vibes and sets up the classic Orks vs Space Marines grudge match.
- Yarrick is back on the menu: multiple winks in recent GW narrative teases have people betting on a Commissar Yarrick return, possibly tied to Armageddon-style campaign boxes.
- GW is already “edition-proofing” products: the Ultimate Starter Set getting rebranded as the Combat Patrol Starter Set looks like prep work to keep starters on shelves through the next rules cycle.
- Starter set wishlist: rumors bounce between big Ork refresh ideas (Boyz, Runtherd, Gretchin, maybe a classic throwback kit) and Marines leaning fast and punchy (jump units, Vanguard-style options, Gravis melee, Techmarine, and an anchor kit).
- Best-case rules rumor: 10th edition codexes may carry into 11th with a free-style update sheet for points and tweaks, meaning a smoother jump than the 9th to 10th reset.
- Guard might finally get a new flavor: the talk is a fresh regiment push, with Catachans as the obvious contender, but it could also be something brand new.
Latest Warhammer 40k 11th Edition: News & Rumors
Updated on February 4th, 2025, by Rob Baer with the latest rumors about Warhammer 40k’s new starter box set.
If you’ve been keeping an eye on Games Workshop’s release cycles, you already know that a new edition of 40k lands every three years. That puts the Warhammer 40k 11th Edition release date on track for Summer 2026, and all signs point to a refresh rather than a full rules overhaul.
Plus, after the AoS 4th edition reveal at Adepticon 2024, this year’s event looks like the perfect GW-sized stage to kick off the first real Warhammer 40k 11th edition reveals, setting up a long teaser runway before a possible early-summer 2026 launch box.
Games Workshop has also confirmed they will be attending the UK Games Expo for the first time ever that we can remember, and we fully expect them to show off the new edition there, like they would have normally done at their old Warhammer Fest Event.
As far as the rules go, think of it as a cleanup job. Streamlining mechanics, rolling out fresh codexes, and setting up a new round of faction updates. Either way, the rumors are starting to heat up.
Welcome to the 11th edition 40k rumor season. Population: Everyone
Games Workshop has been moving at such a glacial pace lately that the community has officially entered the “fine, I’ll make my own 11th Edition starter set rumors / predictions” phase of the hobby. With so few concrete previews, folks are already cooking up their own 11th Edition box set wishlists like it is a competitive sport.
And honestly, who can blame them? Even GW wasn’t sure what to do with the Grotmas calendar this year. Official or not, the rumors are flying.
Warhammer 40k 11th Edition Starter Set Name?
Concept image of what the rumors say the new 40k 11th Edition Starter Set could look like.
If Valrak and the rumor mill are even close, the next big Warhammer 40k box set might be branded straight up as Armageddon. That alone is a pretty loud signal, especially with the recent anniversary and the long-running whispers about Commissar Yarrick making a return.
Nothing is confirmed, but the name lines up a little too neatly with the vibe GW loves to lean into.
Why “Armageddon” Hits: Orks, Marines, and a Throwback Feel
Calling the box Armageddon feels like a deliberate nostalgia play. It instantly drags the conversation back to that old-school “Marines vs Orks” conflict energy, which is basically 40k comfort food. People have even been comparing the vibe to the second edition era, where you had Blood Angels and Orks headlining the starter experience. Same kind of warzone story, just with a modern label slapped on it.
If this ends up being real, it sounds like a big, loud box that leans hard into classic 40k themes: Space Marines getting refreshed kits, jump units getting love, and the whole thing wrapped in a storyline that screams, “Yeah, we remember Armageddon too.”
Armageddon Boxes, Yarrick Joining the 11th Edition Launch?
The rumors point to Armageddon boxes (think Boarding Patrol-style boxes) rolling in alongside 11th edition; GW has been laying the breadcrumbs with the subtlety of a Squiggoth in a china shop.
White Dwarf teased that characters we thought were dead could still make a comeback, then a Grotmas story goes and kicks the Yarrick legend back into the spotlight like it never left.
GW has basically left the door wide open for his return, and if they are going back to Armageddon as the big stage, an Armageddon box with Yarrick makes way too much sense.
Add in that small Armageddon campaign book GW dropped in 2025, which looked like a one-off at the time, and suddenly it reads more like a “hey, remember this place?” teaser.
We have already seen the 500 Worlds and Maelstrom boxes doing the narrative legwork, so it’s not exactly wild to think GW keeps the story rolling with new-style campaign boxes, especially if they borrow that Boarding Patrol, boarding actions-style setup across multiple factions.
But from the rumors, this doesn’t seem like a single box. It feels more like GW will drop “Armageddon” boxes for different armies, including a rumored Deathwatch one, which would fit the whole “xenos hunters show up when Orks start acting like Orks” routine.
That Grotmas line about a “wartorn little planet” feels like the loudest wink of all. If it really is Armageddon, expect Orks front and center, Space Marines taking the spotlight, and maybe, just maybe, a Steel Legion refresh so we can all pretend we never stopped yelling “Armageddon!” back in 2000.
The 11th Edition Starter Rebrand Begins
Games Workshop is already laying the groundwork for 11th Edition Warhammer 40k, and the clearest tell is sitting right on the webstore. The Warhammer 40,000: Ultimate Starter Set has been retitled to the Warhammer 40,000 Combat Patrol Starter Set. Same minis, same matchup, same value, just a new label probably meant to prevent “wrong edition” confusion once the next rules cycle lands.
GW even warns that orders might arrive in the old packaging, which is your clue that this change started midstream. Translation: they are burning through existing warehouse stock rather than binning it.
GW generally turns the new big starter set into the three smaller starters a few months after launch. This rebrand gives them room to keep this product in the store and run their usual starter sets (but the other products might get taken off the store in 11th).
In 9th Edition, everything was based on Indomitus, then 10th Edition replaced Necrons with Tyranids and new Space Marine minis.
The pattern fits the long-running three-year cadence, too: codex releases are out, the narrative is leaning into the 500 Worlds, and the starter branding is getting made edition-proof.
Warhammer 40k 11th Edition Starter Set Predictions & Rumors
Alright, here is the fun part. These “leaks” for the 11th Edition starter set are, more or less, pure predictions and wishlisting territory from Valrak and Reddit.
Are these confirmed? Nope.
Are they fun? Absolutely.
11th Edition 40k Starter Set Box Wishlisting
Alright, let’s talk about the big shiny rumor doing laps around Reddit. Someone out there put together what is basically a dream sheet of what they think might land in the Warhammer 40k 11th Edition starter box, and you should treat it with the same caution you’d use when accepting snacks from a Nurgling.
In other words, grab all the salt you need.
What Could the Orks Get in 11th Edition?
On the Ork side, the wishlist is stacked, calling for everything from a brand new Warboss stand-in to Stormboyz, Meganobz, Bikes, and even a Deff Dread taking the role of the big stompy centerpiece. If true, these kits have been begging for a refresh in WH40k 11th edition. While everyone seems to think they will be Goffs, it doesn’t appear there will be any Goff-specific models, just the paint job.
Then, in newer rumors, some actually contradict these earlier possibilities. The latest rumors point to new Boyz (hopefully with proper multi-build options instead of that “you will glue it this way and like it” monopose life), plus a Runtherd HQ and fresh Gretchin to round out the classic mob vibe.
Maybe the biggest contradiction is the fact that the rumors specifically say no new Stormboyz… So, if you really want the flying Orks, pray to Gork (or Mork) that the first rumors are true and not these.
The spicy extras are rumors of a possible revamped War Trakk for that old-school nostalgia hit, and some kind of big gun weapon platform that sounds like it was designed by an Ork who thought “subtlety” was a disease.
Space Marine 11th Edition Possibilities
On the Space Marine side, expect fast and heavy units, possibly Vanguard Veterans, Gravis melee bruisers, a Techmarine, and a possible Redemptor-style anchor model rounding things out, or something equally punchy (maybe the new Armor Marks that have been rumored).
If the rumors are even half right, Space Marines in Warhammer 40k 11th edition could lean hard into that “fast, heavy, hit you in the teeth” vibe. That points to classic jump-pack aggression being back in style, with Primaris-scale Vanguard Veterans, plus a new Jump Chaplain to yell litanies at terminal velocity.
On top of that, there are also rumors about a refreshed Intercessor Squad kit rocking mixed armor marks while keeping the same bolt weapon identity, which feels like GW’s favorite trick: update the look, keep the role familiar.
It sounds like GW might be cooking up a new Gravis heavy squad that’s basically Eradicators, but for bolters. Think chunky armor, big-boy bolt guns, and probably a three-model unit meant to lay down the hurt from mid-board. Then there are still whispers hanging around about a Techmarine, and some kind of Redemptor-ish anchor (or a new armor mark centerpiece),
But that’s not quite it. The rumor mill is still yelling “new Land Speeder,” or at least a Storm Speeder-style refresh. Supposedly, it’s a two-seat skimmer, maybe rocking a melta-ish main gun plus a secondary weapon, with swap-out loadouts so you can kit it for whatever flavor of target you want to ruin.
Orks vs Space Marines: 11th edition 40k Starter Set Factions
Every new edition of Warhammer 40k brings a fresh starter set, and this time, the rumor mill is calling it early: Orks versus Space Marines. It’s a pairing that feels both nostalgic and perfectly chaotic, with plenty of reason for players on both sides to get excited.
We expect the Warhammer 11th edition release date to be June or July 2026, with the starter set headlining it.
But the biggest twist? Blood Angels may be taking over the new 11th edition starter box art, pushing Ultramarines off their long-running pedestal.
That alone is a nice nod to history. Back in the day, the 2nd Edition Starter featured Blood Angels and Ork models that were generic models. Recently, we’ve had the “Blood Angels” Space Marine Heroes Terminators that were actually generic, too.
So this rumored 11th Edition box would be a clever full-circle moment. The models inside are expected to be chapter-neutral, letting players build and paint their favorite flavor of power-armored zealot while still giving the cover art a little nostalgia punch.
Warhammer 40k New Edition: What’s Filling the Gap to 11th
With the Warhammer 40k new edition looming in early summer, Games Workshop suddenly has months of open space to keep players busy. And they’re not about to let things go quiet. When codex releases dry up, narrative campaigns swoop in to carry the torch.
We’ve seen it before: Psychic Awakening pushed the story forward in 8th, Boarding Patrols shook up 9th, and the Lion/Vashtorr arc in Arks of Omen. Now we know to expect the same treatment this time around.
The “Warhammer 40,000 500 Worlds” is real, and the Necrons are rolling right into Ultramarine space and ultimately 11th edition.
Titus has been tasked with reclaiming the 500 Worlds of Ultramar in the campaign book of the same name, presumably setting up fresh box set bundles to lead into 11th Edition like a new Arks of Omen or Psychic Awakening.
Following that, fresh new 11th Edition storylines led by Huron Blackheart are setting the stage with shiny new rules and likely some plastic crack to tempt wallets.
Now the 500-worlds, Maelstorm, and the upcoming Eye of Terror series look to be the 10th edition version of the multi-book Arks of Omen series that introduced the Primarch Lion El Johnson back into Warhammer 40k.
11th Edition Warhammer 40k Codex Roadmap Predictions
If 10th edition proved anything, it’s that GW finally figured out how to keep the release train on time, mostly. With 11th on the horizon, it looks like we’re in for another well-paced ride packed with familiar beats and a few spicy twists.
Expect the usual Marine supplement parade, an Imperium wave to pad the middle, and a late-cycle crescendo with Emperor’s Children making the noise right before the lights go out.
Here are our full predictions for the 11th edition 40k codex release roadmap.
Rumors Point to a Smoother Rules Jump into Warhammer 40k 11th Edition
If the latest rumors are true (or rather if the established pattern holds), Warhammer 40k’s 11th edition is shaping up to be more of a tune-up than a teardown, rules-wise. Think streamlined mechanics, fresh lore, and a shiny new launch box, without nuking your current codex from orbit.
This isn’t the seismic shift we got from 9th to 10th edition, where the core rules were rebuilt, and everyone started from scratch with indexes.
The word is that your 10th edition codex will still be good to go in 11th, just with an update sheet to tweak points, adjust faction rules, and keep things in line with any core mechanic changes. Very similar from 8th to 9th.
That’s great news for armies like Leagues of Votann, and Dark Eldar, who are the last codex drops in 10th. You’ll get more than a few months of table time before the next big shake-up.
If GW sticks to their usual pattern, the major overhauls only drop every other edition, meaning this style of refresh comes about every six years. Expect free PDFs with the changes, so your army stays competitive without having to shelf your current book.
We think this *could* be the most painless Warhammer 40k new edition change yet.
Imperial Guard: Another Regiment Marching In?
The Astra Militarum has a galaxy’s worth of lore, but model-wise, most regiments get left behind while Cadians and DKoK hog the spotlight. The word on the street? A new regiment is said to be coming, and Catachans are the top contenders.
And with the recent Rumor Engine, which looks a lot like a Catachan power fist, they may be getting some support. Especially given GW hasn’t refreshed the standard box of Catachans since like 2000, it’s about time that 25 year old box gets a rework. Let’s just hope it’s the size of the DKoK refresh and more than just one box.
That said, it could be something entirely fresh. So if you’re a Guard player looking for new army inspiration or just sick of converting your own squads from third-party kits, 11th Edition might be your lucky draw.
Final Thoughts From Us on Warhammer 40k 11th Edition
So if you were wondering: “When is 11th edition 40k coming out?” Summer 2026 is the tentative release date, with a possible reveal at Adepticon in the spring. We feel that rumors of a springtime release are just too ambitious and 100% unprecedented to launch a new edition when every other one has come out in the summer.
If the rumored Warhammer 40k 11th Edition Starter set really channels that old-school Armageddon energy with Blood Angels charging Orks again, it’ll be a tribute to the roots of the hobby, a nod to the days when we painted everything red and called it good.
The game’s grown up since 1993, but some matchups never get old, and this would be history repeating itself in the best possible way.
Regardless of whether these are rumors or just predictable patterns, changes are on the way for Warhammer 40k and Horus Heresy over the next couple of years, and they are going to be packed with new models, rules tweaks, and plenty of narrative action.
Warhammer 40k 11th Edition looks set to be more of a refinement than a complete overhaul, with fresh codex rules rolling out along with the update.
🔗 Related Reads:
- 40k Release Schedule Roadmap
- All the Chaos Rumors Heading Into 11th Edition
- Space Marine Rumors Roundup
- Latest Xenos Rumors for 40k
- Christmas Battleforces
- New Combat Patrol Boxes
- Best Warhammer 40k Army List Builders
