Massive Warhammer 40k Blood Angels 10th Edition rules leaks reveal new detachment options, starts, and unit changes, to mixed reactions.
Updated December 27th, 2024, by Rob Baer. If you’re looking for all the new 40k rules, we have them right here in our how-to-play Blood Angels Codex guide article.
When new Blood Angels rules leak, it’s like throwing chum into shark-infested waters—expect feeding frenzies of opinions, memes, and more than a few heated debates. Whether you’re a hobbyist who remembers when Sanguinius was the new hotness or a newcomer curious about these vampire space marines in fancy armor, there’s plenty to sink your teeth into. From new detachment rules to the heartbreak of losing old favorites, the community’s reactions have been as varied as the sons of Baal themselves—bold, brutal, and a bit nostalgic.
New Detachments
The new Blood Angels detachment rules bring some serious variety to the table, catering to different playstyles while staying true to the chapter’s signature style—aggressive, in-your-face combat. Each detachment hones in on different aspects of the Blood Angels, whether it’s unleashing the rage-fueled Death Company, showcasing the elegance of the Sanguinary Guard, or taking to the skies with Jump Pack units. There’s something for everyone, whether you want to dive straight into the fray or play a more tactically flexible game.
Death Company Detachment: Harnessing the Madness
For fans of the Black Rage and all things unhinged, the Death Company detachment is an absolute blast. This detachment leans into the tragic narrative of the Blood Angels’ curse, turning it into a gameplay strength. The core theme here is all about trading sanity for power. Death Company units are relentless, getting buffs to strength, attacks, and extra abilities when they charge. The synergy is all about embracing that unstoppable force, rewarding players for throwing caution to the wind, and diving straight into the bloodbath.
The stratagems here are tuned to enhance this bloodlust. From rerolling charges to dishing out mortal wounds, everything is geared toward overwhelming your opponent before they know what hit them. It’s high-risk, high-reward gameplay that captures the essence of warriors who have fully succumbed to the Black Rage. However, the real beauty lies in the sheer unpredictability—you might lose units quickly, but the havoc they cause before going down makes it worth the sacrifice.
Sanguinary Guard Detachment (Angelic Host): The Emperor’s Golden Boys
On the other end of the spectrum is the Sanguinary Guard detachment, dripping with elegance and deadly precision. This detachment emphasizes surgical strikes and rapid response. The Sanguinary Guard are more than just pretty faces in ornate armor; they’re lethal, disciplined warriors who embody the refined side of the Blood Angels. If you’re looking for a force that can hit hard while maintaining some level of finesse, this is the one for you.
Their stratagems focus on amplifying their already considerable abilities. From granting additional attacks to bolstering their survivability, this detachment lets you lean into the high-mobility, elite playstyle. The synergy between units is crucial here, with the Sanguinary Guard acting as both scalpel and hammer, dismantling key threats while staying out of harm’s way. It’s all about striking with perfect timing, creating a harmonious blend of power and grace.
Liberator Assault Group: Up Close and Personal, Fast
This detachment is quintessential Blood Angels—fast, furious, and always ready to drop right into the heart of the fight. With an emphasis on mobility and shock tactics, this detachment is perfect for those who enjoy darting across the battlefield, seizing key objectives, and rushing into combat. It’s all about maintaining pressure and capitalizing on speed.
Stratagems here revolve around enhancing your mobility even further. From giving units advance and charge capabilities to getting extra movement after combat, you’ll be zipping across the board and leaving your opponents scrambling. The synergy between units is crucial; Assault Intercessors, Vanguard Veterans, and characters like Dante or Astorath thrive in this detachment, letting you build a force that hits hard and keeps moving.
Blood Angels Rules Leaks: New Datasheets
Mephiston
His rule set is a blend of finesse and raw power. His psychic abilities now let him control the battlefield with ease. Abilities like preventing enemies from falling back and having built-in Fight First make him a true terror. He’s tough to bring down, too, with a 5+ invulnerable save and a 4+ Feel No Pain that echoes his unkillable lore. However, there’s a catch: he can’t lead units anymore. But honestly, when you’re basically a living psychic blender, who needs backup? He’s gone full lone wolf, and the community is loving the narrative alignment with his rules. Whether he’s hacking through hordes or dueling with elite units, this version of Mephiston feels like the unstoppable force he’s always been in the lore.
Blood Angels Captain
The Captain has some pretty great combat power, can be targeted for free when using stratagems, and with a 4+ Invulnerable save, will be a force on the tabletop!
Death Company Captain
Sanguinary Priest
Giving a unit both a 5+ FNP and additional AP will make the priest quite a great buff-up character.
The Sanguinor
Miraculous Saviour is honestly a wild rule! You can drop this out of the sky into engagement range of an enemy on their turn! This means that if you can destroy the unit in combat that turn, you can then just move for free next turn and charge without worrying about getting shot at.
Lemartes & Astorath
Lemartes gives both damage reduction and Lethal Hits. Astorath lets your models attack before dying and devastating wounds, not to mention a lot of attacks himself!
Death Company Captain With Jump Pack
Commander Dante
With giving you an extra inch to charge roles, you should have a decent chance to deep strike in and actually make it to combat. Then, he deals all kinds of damage himself in combat!
Sanguinary Guard
With three wounds, enemies at -1 to Wound and hit (when being led), and a 2+/4+, they should be quite survivable. Then, once they get to combat, they can put a hurting on anything!
Death Company Marines
The Death Company needs Chaplains around if you want them to have any OC, but who cares about that? They hit hard in combat!
Baal Predator
Death Company Dreadnought
With Driven By Fury, this should get into combat quickly and smash through enemy units!
Community Reactions to the Blood Angels Rules Leaks
Whenever a new rules leak drops, you can bet there’s going to be a chorus of cheers, groans, and a few nostalgic laments from the Warhammer 40k community. The new Blood Angels updates are no different, sparking lively debate among fans who are eager to see how their beloved sons of Sanguinius will fare in the grim darkness of the far future.
The Good, the Bad, and the Surprisingly Balanced
First off, let’s talk about the mix of excitement and trepidation swirling around unit points. On one hand, there’s a sense of relief that certain units like the Sanguinary Guard are still viable and retain their hard-hitting presence. These guys have been iconic in both lore and gameplay, so seeing them maintain relevance is a win. However, the points adjustments have left some players scratching their heads. For example, the Death Company Dreadnought now costs a small fortune in points but doesn’t seem to justify its price tag when you consider what it brings to the table. Many in the community are already speculating that points tweaks post-launch will be inevitable (and pretty much a certainty at this point.)
One hot topic has been the shift toward more specialized detachments. While some players love the idea of leaning heavily into a specific theme, others feel it pigeonholes them into certain playstyles, leaving less room for creativity in army composition. For those who crave flexibility, the limited detachment variety is a double-edged sword—yes, you get some really flavorful builds, but you might find yourself wishing for more options when crafting your lists.
The Loss of Legends: Saying Goodbye to Old Friends
One of the most discussed changes has been the relegation of certain beloved units to “Legends” status. Chief among them is the Librarian Dreadnought. This unique unit had long been a favorite for its combination of psychic power and brute force, embodying the tragic heroism of the Blood Angels. Its removal has left many fans lamenting the loss, not just for gameplay but for what it symbolized in the army’s lore. For those who’ve lovingly painted and customized their Libby Dreads, it’s a tough pill to swallow. We’ll talk about all the units leaving in another post.
It’s not just the Librarian Dreadnought that’s getting the axe, either. The absence of characters like Gabriel Seth and Corbulo has sparked debate about what the future holds for these units. Are they gone for good, or will they find a way back into the game through supplements or campaign books? For now, it’s Legends or Bust, and while some players are content to run these units in narrative games, it’s a clear shift away from their prominence in competitive play.
What This Means for Blood Angels Players
The changes have certainly caused a stir, but overall, there’s cautious optimism. The new detachments provide thematic depth, while the updated rules reinforce the Blood Angels’ identity as masters of close combat. However, the loss of certain classic units leaves a bittersweet aftertaste. Some players are gearing up for a fresh take on their armies, while others are still coming to terms with the new status quo. Either way, the upcoming battles in the 41st millennium just got a lot more interesting.
Final Thoughts on the Blood Angels 40k Rules Leaks
In true Blood Angels fashion, the latest changes are equal parts thrilling and tragic. While the new detachments give players plenty of thematic tools to unleash righteous fury, the loss of beloved units like the Librarian Dreadnought is a tough blow. Whether you’re gearing up for competitive play or just here for the narrative, there’s no denying the chapter’s evolution remains true to its identity—charging headfirst into battle with style, elegance, and a touch of melancholy.
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About the Author: Travis Pasch
Travis Pasch
Job Title: Head Writer & Editor
Socials: @paschbass
About Travis Pasch: Travis has been a Warhammer 40k hobbyist since the 1990s, playing the game since Third Edition. Through extensive traveling, he’s seen a lot of the miniatures hobby from across the world, giving him a unique perspective on the latest gaming topics and trends.
Travis’s brother even owns a commission painting studio, where he’s picked up a lot of good advice and techniques for painting Warhammer and tabletop miniatures over the years, as well. Travis joined the Spikey Bits team in 2019 and has been the lead writer since 2020.
Currently, he’s working on converting all his 40k Adeptus Mechanicus models and becoming a true tech enjoyer, complete with both sad and happy robot noises!
