Four new 40k Combat Patrol boxes are incoming for Aeldari Corsairs, Kroot, Red Corsairs, and Night Lords. Here’s what they do, who they are for, and what to buy.
You know that moment when you tell yourself, “No more new 40k armies,” and then Games Workshop drops a batch of Combat Patrols that look like a suspiciously sensible starting point? Don’t worry, it happens to everyone.
Combat Patrol is still one of the cleanest ways to get models on the table fast. You get a curated set of units that can be played as-is in the smaller, balanced Combat Patrol game mode, or used as the core of a larger force later. With the Maelstrom conflict heating up and Huron Blackheart’s shadow hanging over the region, these four new boxes feel like GW planting faction flags right where the fighting is loudest.
There is also a big crossover lure here. These boxes can build full Kill Teams, which makes them extra tempting if you like bouncing between games.
- Four new Combat Patrols are on deck: Aeldari Corsairs, Kroot, Red Corsairs, and Night Lords as Maelstrom hype ramps.
- Each box has a clear game plan: Corsairs = speed raids, Red Corsairs = mid-board pressure, Kroot = skirmish ambush play, Night Lords = close-range terror melee.
- Kill Team crossover is the sneaky hook: these kits can build full Kill Teams, so they pull double duty if you bounce between games.
- Corsairs bring real build flexibility: Voidreavers can build as Voidscarred, and the Wave Serpent kit can build a Falcon, so the box does not lock you into one path.
- Night Lords get the look right: Legionaries swap to the Nemesis Claw Night Lords upgrade sprue for the winged-helmet, Nostraman vibe.
- Street date watch: March 21st, 2026, is the current rumor-pattern target, but nothing is real until the official pre-order post drops.
Why These 40k Combat Patrols Are a Big Deal
Combat Patrol works because it trims the decision fatigue. Instead of buying three kits, then realizing you needed two more, then stalling out mid-project, you get a ready-to-build force that actually resembles an army.
Plus, these come on the heels of the big army boxes for Red Corsairs and Aeldari Corsairs, which means if you missed the Battleforces, you still have an option to get a starter force for cheaper.
They lean hard into a clear theme
Each new Combat Patrol box has a vibe and a plan:
- Corsairs: speed, piracy, surgical hits
- Red Corsairs: direct aggression, pragmatic brutality
- Kroot: ambush predators, skirmish pressure
- Night Lords: close-range terror, elite melee violence
When a starter box has a real identity, it’s easier to build, paint, and play without your collection turning into an unfinished pile of “maybe someday.”
Aeldari Corsairs Combat Patrol: Fast Raiders With Style for Days
Corsairs are the Aeldari who looked at the galaxy and said, “Rules are optional.” With Prince Yriel pushing the piracy energy into overdrive, this Combat Patrol is basically a speed-focused raid squad in a box.
What it’s trying to do on the tabletop
This is all about mobility and positioning. You want to hit the right place first, force bad trades, and keep your opponent reacting instead of planning.
Hobby and build flexibility
The Corsair kits are friendly for customization. The Voidreavers can be built as Voidscarred, and the Wave Serpent kit can build a Falcon instead. That is exactly the kind of flexibility that keeps a starter box from feeling like it has only one correct build path.
Combat Patrol Red Corsairs: Chaos Marines With a Pirate Business Plan
Red Corsairs are renegade Space Marines who are not precious about allies. If it fights and follows the banner, it is welcome. That includes Fellgors, because nothing says “teamwork” like weaponized goat violence.
What it is trying to do on the tabletop
This one reads like a pressure list. You have a compact elite core, melee support to jam up the board, and a Rhino to keep key units moving without eating every gun in the first two turns.
Why is it a solid starter pick
Some armies start with complicated layering. Red Corsairs start with a simple, effective plan: get into the mid-board, punch hard, and keep punching. That is beginner-friendly without feeling boring.
Combat Patrol Kroot: Mercenary Kinbands Doing Kroot Things
Kroot are often seen next to T’au, but they are fully capable of operating on their own terms. They are resourceful, savage, cunning, and terrifying in the wrong terrain at the wrong time.
What it is trying to do on the tabletop
This box wants to play the angles. Kroot thrive when they can skirmish, swarm objectives, and punish anyone who assumes the backfield is safe. They’re not about standing in the open and pretending armor saves are a personality trait.
Who should grab this one
Pick Kroot if you like:
- fast trading units
- pressure through movement and threat ranges
- scrappy melee and board control
- painting texture, trophies, leathers, and lots of organic detail
Combat Patrol Night Lords: The “Please Do Not Stand Behind Me” Box
Night Lords are close-range terror specialists, which makes them feel right at home in smaller games where space is tighter and mistakes are punished faster.
The standout detail in the box
The Legionaries swap to a Night Lords-themed upgrade sprue from the Nemesis Claw Kill Team, which is a big deal for hobby identity. Night Lords live and die on the look. Winged helmets and Nostraman details are not just decoration; they are the whole point.
What it is trying to do on the tabletop
This is a violence delivery package. It wants to close distance, apply pressure, and win fights up close where Night Lords feel most at home.
Possible Street Date Watch: March Twenty-First Might Be the Big Drop
Here’s the part where we all start squinting at the calendar like it owes us money. With so much else on the horizon and AdeptiCon fast approaching, these four Combat Patrols could be part of this weekend’s pre-orders, with a possible street date of March 21st, 2026.
The vibe is “full 40k roundup” too, meaning these boxes might land alongside the other recently previewed goodies, including the teased Xenos characters and those T’au twins.
None of that is locked in until GW posts the official pre-order article, but the pattern fits. When you start seeing multiple release teasers clustered together, it usually means the runway is short, and the launch is imminent. So, keep your eye on the pre-order announcements for a potential March twenty-first release date.
Combat Patrol FAQs
What is Combat Patrol in Warhammer 40k?
Combat Patrol is a smaller game mode built around curated forces that are meant to be played as-is. It is designed to get you playing quickly without full army list building.
Are Combat Patrol boxes good value?
Value depends on what you want. If you want a playable core fast, Combat Patrol tends to feel worth it because it saves time, simplifies decisions, and gives you a clear next step for expanding.
Can I use Combat Patrol models in normal 40k games?
Yes. Combat Patrol boxes are normal models. You can expand the force with additional units and play larger point games.
Do these boxes work for Kill Team too?
Each box includes the miniatures needed to make a full Kill Team. Treat that as a strong hint, but still verify on the product listings when pre-orders go live, since exact team legality can hinge on specific build options.
When are these Combat Patrols coming out?
There is a possible pre-order window tied to a March 21st, 2026 window and other Maelstrom-related releases. That is not confirmed, though, so consider it a rumor-level watch item until GW posts the official pre-order article.
Final Take on Four New 40k Combat Patrols for 2026
These four new 40k Combat Patrols are not generic starter bundles. They’re themed launches that point you toward a specific playstyle right away, and they slot neatly into the current Maelstrom-focused momentum.
If you’ve been eyeing a new project, this is GW handing you four different flavors of “bad decisions that will look amazing on your shelf.”
See All the other 40k Combat Patrols and their Values Here
