Raid the field with the new Drukhari / Dark Eldar 40k 10th Edition codex and our guide to all the how-to-play strategies, index changes, and rules review!
Originally published in October 2023. Updated on September 16th, 2025, by Rob Baer with the latest Warhammer 40k Drukhari Codex 10th Edition rules, leaks, and information.
The Drukhari are back in the spotlight with a leaked codex that brings big changes to Power from Pain, new detachments, and the return of Lady Malys. If your vision of Warhammer 40k includes lightning-fast raids, poisoned blades, and sinister schemes, this book has plenty to chew on.
From Combat Drugs to Realspace alliances, the Drukhari Codex sharpens the army’s identity of brutal speed, tactical cruelty, and deadly precision.
Let’s break down the new rules, detachment flavors, and standout units so you know how to play Drukhari in 10th Edition.
Why Play Drukhari in Warhammer 40k?
If you want an army that rewards cunning raids and sharp timing, the Drukhari Codex delivers. Pain tokens fuel the army, letting every unit unlock its own trick when empowered. Wyches can charge after advancing, Wracks can soup up their weapons, and Scourges can either drop in or reroll shots depending on their kit.
Drukhari rules play like a scalpel that cuts fast and vanishes just as quickly. They thrive on aggressive maneuvers, clever unit pairings, and leaders who bring unique synergies.
With characters like Lady Malys adding redeploy options or Drazhar supercharging Incubi, the codex has plenty of ways to outthink and outfight the opposition.
Strengths of the Drukhari Now
- Pain token system creates flexible buffs across the army; this is a big change from the Drukhari index.
- Characters like Lady Malys, Drazhar, and Lelith Hesperax bring strong rules and table presence.
- Detachments each provide unique playstyles, from Coven durability to Kabalite Warriors precision.
- Fast units with strong offense, including Wyches, Scourges, and Incubi (still good in close combat).
- Powerful redeploy and trickery options that tilt the board in your favor.
Weaknesses of the Drukhari Codex
The army is fast but fragile, with most units folding under focused fire. Keeping track of empowered abilities across multiple units can get complicated mid-game. Several iconic Finecast units like Grotesques, beast packs, and the Court of the Archon appear to be missing, hinting they may be gone or heading to Legends.
If you rely on those models, you may need to rethink your collection and your army lists.
Drukhari in 10th Edition 40k
The Drukhari are designed to pressure the board through speed, pain-fueled abilities, and surgical unit combos. They don’t win by standing still or grinding through attrition. Instead, they strike where it hurts, punish mistakes, and keep opponents second-guessing every move.
The codex doubles down on what makes them feared: rapid redeployment, lethal duels, and detachments that let you tailor your playstyle. From the poison tricks of the Kabalites to the grotesque resilience of the Covens, the Drukhari remain one of the most flavorful and dangerous factions in Warhammer 40k.
Army Rule: Power from Pain
This is the Drukhari signature rule, and it defines how they play in 10th edition.
When: Start of each Command phase, when an enemy unit is destroyed, or when an enemy fails a Battle-shock test.
Effect: Gain Pain tokens. Spend them to “Empower” units and trigger unique abilities (no longer just rerolling hit rolls and melee weapons AP).
Limits: Each unit has its own Empowered effect. Leaders pass their buffs onto attached bodyguards for free.
This system keeps the army constantly fueled by pain and cruelty. Wyches can Advance and Charge, Wracks can upgrade their weapons, Scourges get rerolls or drop-in tricks, and leaders supercharge their squads without spending extra.
It’s flavorful and powerful, though keeping track of every unit’s Empowered option might get a little chaotic mid-game.
Drukhari Codex Detachments & Rules
Spectacle of Strife: Combat Drug Raiders Detachment
Detachment Rule: Pick or roll a (or two) combat drug each Command phase. Options boost attacks, strength, toughness, movement, weapon skill, or even leadership and ballistic skill.
Playstyle: Hyper-fast melee fighters who rely on drugs and clever mobility plays.
Enhancements:
- Extra drug rolls for the Succubus and her unit
- Fights First aura
- Overwatch denial
- Upgraded melee damage and AP
Stratagem Highlights: Fight on death, counter charges, extra melee power, and more to keep your Wyches on top.
Kabalite Cartel: Murderous Agenda Detachment
Detachment Rule: Choose a “Contract” against a target type at the start of the game. Earn Pain tokens for destroying them. Characters, infantry, and vehicles all trigger different precision or damage buffs.
Playstyle: Targeted killing and precision firepower.
Enhancements:
- Heal wounds by spending Pain
- Webway Deep Strike access
- Infiltration for multiple units
- Extra leadership and OC boosts
Stratagem Highlights: Double-crossing, precision strikes, and bonus rewards for Contract kills.
Skysplinter Assault: Raiders from Above Detachment
Detachment Rule: Units disembarking from transports gain Ignores Cover for shooting or Lance for melee.
Playstyle: Aggressive alpha strikes and punishing Overwatch.
Enhancements:
- Stealth and Cover aura near transports
- Re-roll Hits for a nearby Raider or Venom
- Extra Pain tokens from kills on objectives
- Overwatch denial after disembark
Stratagem Highlights: Pounce on prey, Night Shield for a 4++ on vehicles, and other mobility or hit-and-run tricks.
Covenite Coterie: Stitchflesh Abominations Detachment
Detachment Rule: Reduce wound rolls against Haemonculus units if the enemy’s Strength is higher than their Toughness.
Playstyle: Durable mid-board anchors with nasty tricks.
Enhancements:
- Improved regeneration for Bodyguards
- Anti-Beast and Anti-Monster buffs
- Flat boosts to wound and toughness
- Extra Pain tokens when enemies fail Battle-shock
Stratagem Highlights: Resurrection, poison debuffs, mortal wounds, and harder-hitting melee.
Realspace Raiders: Alliance of Agony Detachment
Detachment Rule: Start with 2 Pain tokens per leader-and-troop combo. Field all three types of leaders, and you begin with 6 tokens.
Playstyle: Mix-and-match flexibility with a big token economy. This is true realspace raiding.
Enhancements:
- Always count as Empowered
- Gain CP through Pain token trades or dice rolls
- Succubus buffed melee attacks and AP
- Haemonculus relic that punishes Psykers with mortal wounds
Stratagem Highlights: Reduce incoming damage, make your attacks stronger, and plenty of movement shenanigans.
Character and Unit Analysis
Lady Malys
- Role: Trickster queen and control piece.
- Highlights: Redeploy three units before the game, tax enemy stratagems, and flip her squad’s weapons into lethal or sustained hits when empowered.
- Use: Best when you want to control deployment and punish opponents who lean on stratagems. She brings both brains and blades to the table.
Archon
- Role: Classic Kabal commander.
- Highlights: Shadowfield gives a 2++ until it fails, Soul Trap cranks his strength and attacks (after killing an enemy model), and he can reduce a stratagem cost once per battle round. Empowered, he rerolls hits.
- Use: Excellent support for Kabalite units, handing out utility while still being a dangerous duelist.
Drazhar and Incubi
- Role: Elite melee wrecking crew.
- Highlights: Drazhar buffs Incubi with bonus moves and wounds easier when empowered. Incubi themselves gain Devastating Wounds against infantry and can force Battle-shock tests.
- Use: Together they carve through elite units and anchor any aggressive melee wing. Leaving home without them feels like a mistake.
Lelith Hesperax
- Role: Pure duelist and Wych multiplier.
- Highlights: Eight attacks base with sustained hits, grants Fights First to her squad, and once per game spikes to 12 attacks with a 3++.
- Use: The go-to pick for making Wyches actually scary in combat. She thrives on duels and glass-cannon plays.
Scourges (Heavy Weapons)
- Role: Mobile fire support.
- Highlights: Choose from Dark Lances, Blasters, Haywire, or Shredders. Empowered, they reroll hits, and they can scoot 6″ after shooting.
- Use: Great for anti-vehicle and elite sniping. Perfect for harassing flanks or punishing exposed armor.
Scourges (Shardcarbines)
- Role: Harassment and setup unit.
- Highlights: Empowered, they can drop in from the skies. Their crossfire rule lets another Drukhari unit get +1 AP against enemies they target.
- Use: Excellent for softening infantry and setting up kills for the rest of your force.
Venom
- Role: Speedy transport.
- Highlights: Carries five models, has decent anti-infantry firepower, and can pick up units after the fight phase.
- Use: Best for ferrying small squads like characters with elite retinues. Cheap, fast, and expendable.
Raider
- Role: Mainline transport and gunboat.
- Highlights: Tougher than the Venom, packs a Dark Lance or Disintegrator Cannon, and gets buffs when units disembark under certain detachments.
- Use: Bread and butter for moving Wyches, Kabalites, or Incubi into position. Staple pick for nearly every Drukhari list.
Final Thoughts From Us: Drukhari Codex
The Drukhari codex leak shows off a mix of sharp tricks, cruel speed, and just enough missing units to keep the rumor mill spinning. From Lady Malys steering the battlefield to Scourges filling the skies, this book leans into everything that makes the Dark Eldar dangerous.
If you’re ready to raid the table with poisoned blades and fast rides, this codex has all the tools you need to make opponents regret every mistake.
Where to Get Your Codex
Snag your new codex from our handpicked list of retailers, and give us a high-five in support! Every qualifying purchase helps Spikey Bits keep the lights on and the fun going.
Quick Order Links To Get 15% Off or More:
- Mid Atlantic US: Fabricators Forge | Bazooka Games | or | The Rogue Traders |
- Central US: Wargame Portal | Collector Store | Dicehead Games | Noble Knight Games | or | Warpfire Minis |
- West Coast US: Frontline Gaming | Gamers Guild AZ | or | Squad Marks |
- UK: Element Games (UK) | Merlin’s Minis | or | Wayland Games |
- Canada: Fenris Workshop | Tista Minis | Abyss Game Store | or | Kingdom Titans |
- Worldwide: Amazon | eBay | or | Games Workshop’s Store |
You can save even more on your purchase by using our exclusive list of redeemable discount codes from some of the best hobby retailers and miniature manufacturers!
If you’re looking for the Drukhari codex PDF, Wahapedia is the go-to spot for free reference material, but if you want the full book with lore, art, and all the extras, Games Workshop’s official version is the way to go.
Related Links:
- All The New 40k Drukhari Minis!
- Latest Drukhari 40k Rules Balance Dataslate Updates
- Realspace Raiders Battleforce
- New Drukhari Combat Patrol Box
