Rumors are pointing to a huge Horus Heresy 3.0 starter box set featuring Mark II Marines, Saturnine Terminators, and the biggest Dreadnought yet!
Games Workshop looks ready to shake up the Horus Heresy battlefield with a massive 3.0 starter set, and the leaks are coming in fast. If the rumors hold, this box won’t just be big—it’ll be a full-on game reset, packed with plastic Mark II Marines, Saturnine Terminators, and the largest Dreadnought yet.
Mark II armor fans have been waiting for this moment, and it looks like it’s finally happening. No more hunting down resin upgrades or wishing for an easier way to build a full army. Let’s get into the rumors!
What We Know and Why It Makes Sense
If the rumors are right, Games Workshop is gearing up for something huge in the Horus Heresy range. Word on the street is that a massive 3.0 edition box set is on the way, bringing Salamanders vs. Iron Warriors into the spotlight. And by massive, we’re talking 40-50 miniatures, including plastic Mark II armor, Saturnine Terminators, and a completely new gun emplacement.
This wouldn’t be just another army box—it’s shaping up to be a full reset of the game. Horus Heresy 2.0 dropped in 2022, and given GW’s well-established three-year release cycle, the timing lines up perfectly. With Warhammer 40k 11th Edition rumored for next year, it makes sense for GW to push Horus Heresy into its next chapter now before shifting focus.
Here are all the rumored models coming in the box, and then we’ll break them down in more detail below!
- Plastic Mark II Tactical Marines (Troops with bolters)
- Plastic Mark II Heavy Weapon Teams
- Plastic Mark II Praetor
- Saturnine Terminators (Two units of three, with multiple build options)
- Saturnine Praetor (A large model, possibly a centerpiece character)
- Saturnine Dreadnought (Larger and bulkier than current Horus Heresy Dreadnoughts)
- New Artillery or Defensive Structure (Brand new to the Horus Heresy, designed to sit on the table as a big battlefield piece)
- Horus Heresy 3.0 Rulebook
- Templates & Gaming Accessories
A Full Plastic Mark II Army Is Coming
If the rumors are right, the box is expected to feature a full contingent of Mark II Tactical Marines, all armed with bolters and ready to be painted in the colors of any Legion you fancy. Fans have been asking for plastic Mark II armor for what feels like an eternity, so let’s break down the contents that may come in the new Starter Set.
Leading the charge looks to be a Mark II Praetor, a character model that’s bound to come with all the gothic flair and brutal detail that makes Heresy-era commanders so special.
Heavy weapon squads may also make an appearance, fully clad in Mark II armor as well. Whether you need lascannons to melt tanks or missile launchers for flexible firepower, this is a solid addition that brings variety right out of the gate.
Saturnine Terminators and a New Dreadnought
One of the biggest surprises in these leaks is the arrival of Saturnine Terminators in plastic. Unlike their Cataphractii or Tartaros counterparts, these brutes are expected to be even bulkier, practically walking fortresses. The set is rumored to include two squads of three, with a range of build options to make each one unique.
And then there’s the Saturnine Dreadnought. Descriptions so far suggest this thing is even thicker and more heavily armored than the current Contemptor chassis. Given that Dreadnoughts are already walking tombs of destruction, an even heavier version is something to get excited about.
A Brand New Gun Emplacement Enters the Game
(Supposedly, the Saturnine Dread will be even bigger than the Contemptor)
Horus Heresy has always leaned into the theme of massive sieges and brutal, trench-fought battles. This time around, GW is supposedly adding a new gun emplacement to reinforce that style of warfare. While the details are still up in the air, expect something large, static, and designed to dominate firing lanes.
This could be a fortified turret, heavy artillery, or even a bunker-based weapon system, adding an extra layer of tactical options to the battlefield. It’s not every day that Horus Heresy gets completely new unit types, so this one is worth keeping an eye on.
The Next Horus Heresy Box Set: The Timing Lines Up Perfectly
Looking beyond the models, this entire release makes sense when you look at Games Workshop’s historical patterns. The Horus Heresy reboot in 2022 reinvigorated the game, but we’re now at that three-year mark where GW tends to shake things up.
With 40k 11th Edition rumored for 2026, this is the perfect window for GW to launch Horus Heresy 3.0 without stepping on its own toes (but could interfere with the rumored new paint line). By getting the next edition of Horus Heresy out the door in late spring or early summer, they give players time to dig in before shifting attention back to the main Warhammer 40k line next year.
It’s a smart play that ensures both game systems get the attention they deserve.
Final Thoughts: This Could Be the Biggest Heresy Release Yet
If all these details hold true, this isn’t just another army box—it’s a full relaunch of Horus Heresy as a game. Plastic Mark II armor has been a long time coming, Saturnine Terminators and Dreadnoughts bring fresh unit types, and the new gun emplacement adds a unique strategic twist. This also would mean a new rulebook, possibly with updated colored plastic templates, making it an easy starting point for new players while keeping long-time fans engaged.
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