RUMORS: Next Primarch Models Coming to 40k

By Travis Pasch | March 23rd, 2023 | Categories: 40k News & Articles, Chaos Space Marines, Dark Angels, Emperor's Children, Space Marines, Tabletop Gaming News & Rumors

More Primarchs may be returning to Warhammer 40k, with Lion El’Jonson and Fulgrim rumored as the next two!

We’ve actually heard rumors that the Lion will be returning for a long time now, and GW has left plenty of lore open for it to happen. It also looks like Lion will be first on deck, with Fulgrim coming sometime in the future, and it will most likely be later in 10th edition, so we likely have a while to wait on him…

However, this also opens up some really cool lore opportunities, as when Lion El’Jonson returns, will he agree with Guilliman or think he’s taken the wrong path? This also opens huge opportunities for the Fallen, as the lore says they are gathering in legion-size strength, and what better time to wake up your Primarch when you have to fight off your Fallen brethren?

Lion El’Jonson New Primarch Miniature Revealed for Warhammer 40k: (March 22nd, 2023)

Well, GW wasn’t very subtle with its hints, but hey, seeing the new model is just awesome! After thousands of years of sleeping in The Rock, he finally comes out to help the beleaguered Dark Angels.

He’s also coming with a new Arks of Omen book that will also have rules for Dante as well. Let’s take a closer look at the mini.

Lion El’Jonson, Primarch of the Dark Angels, has returned from the annals of history in humanity’s time of greatest need. Wielding the radiant sword Fealty and the Emperor’s Shield, he is a martial paragon – a hunter of beasts and slayer of traitors, stalking from the mist-wreathed passageways between the stars like a questing knight of Old Terra.

Obviously, he looks a lot older than his Horus Heresy model, but that makes sense as he’s been resting for 10,000 years!

They didn’t say much about rules, but his sword is still carried around the universe by Cypher, maybe he’ll have to go retrieve it soon.

However, he carries the Shield of the Emperor, so that should mean he has some crazy defensive capabilities.

Like many of the Dark Angels, he comes with a few attendants, just as it should be.

Then, he comes with four different head options, so if you’re not a huge fan of the old man look, you can throw a helmet on there.

Size-wise, he’s about the same size as Guilliman, which makes sense, complete with tactical rock (get it).

RUMORS: More Primarchs Coming to 40k

These rumors come from Valrak on YouTube, and he says they are from a very reputable source who leaked to him many things before that turned out to be true. However, they are rumors, so take them with as much salt as you need.

Honestly, the loyalists need another Primarch in 40k, as they are getting quite outnumbered, and it would just be awesome. Then, if they could do an entire campaign against and about the Fallen (with the Blood Angels on their side), it would be a super cool event and open so many avenues for lore and gameplay. Not to mention just how cool the mini could be.

Considering we’ve been seeing rumors for a long time about the Lion, let’s check them out.

RUMORS: Lion El’Jonson in 40k & Possible Rules

The first bit of speculation came from this codex excerpt in the Dark Angels book back in 8th Edition, which speaks about the Lion being fully healed.

Image via Chapter Master Valrak (2017).

The last paragraph states, “His wounds long healed, he awaits a time when he is most needed,” speaking about Lion El’ Johnson. It goes on to say that he’s waiting for the call when he will need to lead his sons to defend the Imperium of Mankind, which definitely leaves room for speculation on whether or not he will be making a return here soon.

This is about as direct as GW gets when it comes to putting new models into the game. This is from a while ago, but with the new rumors, it seemed worth revisiting this.

A New Warhammer 40k Primarch Model:

We know the loyalists are outgunned on the primarch side of things, but it looks like the Lion may return to Warhammer 40k according to these 10th Edition rumors.

Current Forge World Model For Lion El’Jonson

This full set of rumors from Reddit (edited for grammar) lines up with previous ones, and some don’t.

The confusion is that the generic marines are painted as blood angels as they’re going to poster boy the launch, along with Dark Angels, and both will see large Primaris-centric updates (including a lion model). It will be a launch focussed on imperium nihilist with “angels of death” codex nostalgia.

Edit: typo

Edit 2: Obviously, I know Demons exist; I just personally haven’t seen anything specific about their release. They’ll probably be out before space marine 2.0

RUMORED Lion El’Jonson 40k Primarch Rules

Now, let’s compare the rumored rules via The Inner Circle Facebook Group we saw for him a while ago and compare them to Bobby G.

Wargear:

Lion’s Roar (Relic)
Choose one or both of the profiles below when attacking with this weapon. If you choose both, subtract 1 from all hit rolls for this weapon-
Boltgun 24″ Rapid Fire 1 S4 AP0 D1
Plasma 24″ AssaultD3 S7 AP-3 D1

Stats:

M 8″
WS 2+
BS 2+
S 6
T 6
W 9
A 7
Ld 10
Sv 2+

Abilities:

Hope Melee Melee S+2 AP -3 D 2 If you roll a wound roll of 6+ for this weapon, it inflicts Mortal Wounds instead of its normal damage.
Despair 18” AssaultD3 S8 AP -3 D3 If a unit suffers any damage from this weapon, roll a D6 on a 6 the unit suffers D3 Mortal Wounds
And they shall know no fear
Master of the First – If your army is battleforged, you receive an additional 3 CP if Lion El’Jonson is your Warlord.
Armour of the Order – Lion El’Jonson has a 3+ invulnerable save. In addition, all UNFORGIVEN units within 8” receive a 5+ Invulnerable save.
Blade Master – For every unsaved wound Lion El’Jonson causes in the fight phase he can immediately make an additional attack. This ability can only be used once per fight phase.
Master Strategist- each time a stratagem is used roll a D6 on a 4+ the CP for that stratagem is not spent
I Primarch – You can re-roll any failed hit and wound rolls for friendly UNFORGIVEN units within 6” of Lion El’Jonson

Compared to Roboute Guilliman

Right off the bat, his statline is about the same, but with more attacks. Then, weapon strength is similar, but the ability to make more attacks from unsaved wounds will give Lion even way more attacks than Bobby.

Then, the abilities are much different, but they are both super strong. Overall, the rules look pretty strong and possible/ viable in 9th or 10th Edition 40k.

Check out the latest Warhammer 40k rumors for the rest of the 9th and even 10th Edition, new releases, and more!

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Here’s the most up-to-date list of new Games Workshop bits from preview models that we should watch out for. Click on the gallery above to see dozens of Rumor Engines with new models still left to be revealed!