Build a stunning Blood Angels army without overspending, with a cool Sanguinary Guard conversion and other strategies to beat GW at their own game.
Blood Angels Warning: How to Beat GW at Their Own Game
For Warhammer 40k hobbyists, building a Blood Angels army is one of the most exciting but also expensive pursuits. The Sanguinary Guard, elite warriors of the Blood Angels chapter, are stunning models, but the cost can be prohibitive (considering you only get three for $60). Fortunately, there are ways to save money without sacrificing the quality of your army. Here’s how you can get more bang for your buck when collecting these iconic models.
Wait for Combat Patrol Deals
If you’ve been eyeing the Sanguinary Guard box set, a little patience could save you a lot of money. Instead of purchasing the Sanguinary Guard as a separate box, consider waiting for the Blood Angels Combat Patrol (CP) box to go on sale shortly. Sadly, this money-saving box was conspicuously absent from the second wave of Blood Angels orders for a reason, and that reason may simply be money.
Combat Patrols offer an array of units at a discount compared to buying each individually (and the Blood Angels one has a lot of Sanguinary Guard). Within the CP, you often get multiple unit types, and when broken down, the price per unit is significantly lower. This approach allows you to build your army quicker and more affordably when you’re focused on specific models like the Sanguinary Guard, especially with how expensive the individual models are.
Blood Angels Combat Patrol Value
| Models | Unit Name | Value |
| 1 | Blood Angels Captain | Â $42 |
| 6 | Sanguinary Guard | $120 |
| 10 | Intercessors | $62.50 |
| 2 | Blood Angels Primaris Upgrade sprues | $15 (could be $30; they don’t say which upgrade sprue it is) |
| Blood Angels Combat Patrol | ||
| Â | Total MSRP: | Â $239.50 |
| Â | Savings Versus Box Price: | $71.50 |
Check out the full breakdown and all the details on the Combat Patrol here!
Use 3D Printed Bits for Blood Angels & Sanguinary Guard Conversions
Another way to stretch your budget is to enhance Assault Intercessors with 3D-printed parts, turning them into jump pack-equipped units like Intercessors or even custom-made Sanguinary Guard. For example, 3D-printed jump packs, like our Prime Jump Pack Conversion Bits, can transform basic Assault Intercessors into Jump Intercessors in no time.
Or you can even units that rival the official Sanguinary Guard in appearance and functionality. It will take some work, but you can save a bunch of cash and basically make ten for the price of five (or close to) Sanguinary Guard. While the wings might not be there, they really aren’t on the new models from GW anyway…
Moreover, combining these third-party jump packs with custom bits, such as those from the Grey Tide Kickstarter, allows for an impressive array of options. It has over 300 files for Blood Angels, with everything you need to make full units of basically everything in the Blood Angels army. Whether it’s swapping helmets or adding ornate details, these bits ensure your models stay true to the Blood Angels’ aesthetic while saving you significant cash.
Maximize Your Assault Intercessors
Here’s the real kicker: you can get more than one squad of Sanguinary Guard out of a single Assault Intercessor box with the right approach. If you use custom bits and jump packs, you can transform these models into three squads of Sanguinary Guard at a fraction of the cost of buying multiple Guard sets separately.
You’ll need the jump packs and some weapons, but with the cost of 3D printed bits and $60 for 10 Assault Intercessors, you can get three squads of three for way cheaper. Then, you could use the remaining model (with some leftover bits from the captain kit) to make the Sanguinor (which runs for $45 for one model). With this, you can basically make three units and a character for about $100, less than half the normal retail price!
The Assault Intercessor box is much more affordable than the official Sanguinary Guard set, and with the right conversion bits, you’ll hardly notice the difference on the battlefield. Not only does this method cut costs, but it also allows for personalization of your models, which adds even more character to your army. And with the savings, you can reinvest in other parts of your collection, like a Captain or other HQ units.
Capturing the Lore in Every Detail
For long-time fans of the lore, the Sanguinary Guard is more than just a unit – they’re a symbol of the Blood Angels’ proud heritage. Sanguinius himself handpicked these original warriors, who are among the most elite in the Imperium, wielding specialized weapons and adorned in golden armor that reflects the grandeur of their chapter.
By carefully selecting bits and custom parts, you ensure that this majestic look isn’t lost, even if you’re converting Assault Intercessors or other units. Attention to detail is crucial here – from winged jump packs to the iconic death masks, ensuring that the Guard’s regal presence shines through is essential for fans who live and breathe the Blood Angels’ storied past.
The Final Word: Strategic Savings for a Legendary Army
There’s no reason your wallet should suffer as much as the Imperium. Whether you’re building your first Blood Angels army or adding to a battle-hardened collection, thinking outside the box (literally) can save you a ton. Why pay full price for shiny new Sanguinary Guard or Jump Intercessors when a few clever conversions and a bit of patience will do the trick? Sanguinius would probably approve—after all, ingenuity and resourcefulness are key traits of any good commander.
All the Latest Warhammer Rules & Model Rumors
Will you be trying to convert your own Sanguinary Guard instead of spending $60 on three models?
