New Aeldari Corsairs, Orks, Votann, and Drukhari have been rumored for major Warhammer 40k Xenos updates ahead of 11th Edition; here’s the latest.
The rumor mill is spinning faster than a Shokk Attack Gun right now, and for once, the spotlight isn’t just on Space Marines or Chaos. Xenos factions, those lovable weirdos of the 41st Millennium, are getting some serious attention, from pirate princes to squig-riding bikers.
So, let’s break down what’s brewing across the galaxy and why Xenos players might finally get another big turn in the release cycle.
New Xenos Box Sets & Battalions on the Way
Updated January 8th, 2026, by Rob Baer with the latest leaks and reveals.
If the rumor mill is on the money, the end-of-edition stretch is leaning hard into Xenos, with at least one big campaign-style box and some smaller bundles circling behind it. The only snag is the leak chatter mixing labels like Maelstrom and Eye of Terror, which is an easy mistake for someone repeating info second-hand.
Those are very different places and vibes, so the name could be wrong even if the box details are broadly right. Either way, it sounds like GW is trying to crank the galaxy’s chaos level up another notch.
Votann Combat Patrol or Battalion Rumors
The Votann rumor is a tight little box built around a Strategist leading a ten-model set. The alleged contents are two squads of Iron Kin Steeljacks (six total) plus Hernkyn Pioneers, so you get core bodies and something fast right out of the gate.
That’s the kind of mix that actually plays well instead of feeling like random sprues stuffed in a carton. If it ends up branded as a battalion-style bundle instead, the concept still reads like “here’s a ready-to-go Votann core.”
More Xenos Characters Returning: Extra Spice on Top of What We Already Know Is Coming
Karandras GW Model From the 1990s
The “more Xenos epic heroes” talk is basically: Red Terror will return for Tyranids, Ork pirate energy could become a real thing (we have more below about all the freebooterz stuff), and Aeldari might finally get a missing name back like Karandras.
The key is that this would be in addition to the confirmed incoming stuff we already know about, like the Tyranid Prime, Berekh Stornbrow, and the T’au Twin Lance. So it’s not replacing the current wave; it’s stacking more on top of it.
40k Aeldari Corsairs Reveals, and Rumors
The Aeldari Corsairs are rumored to be boarding the tabletop again, this time with a shiny new Battleforce box set. This isn’t just another repack; word is, it’ll feature reworked and brand-new units that give these space privateers a proper spotlight.
Here’s what’s rumored to be on the way
- A new Prince model, possibly an updated Prince Yriel or another Corsair leader ready to swagger across the stars.
- A redesigned Vyper/Viper skimmer, suggesting a long-overdue rework of that classic light vehicle.
- Jump troops unique to the Corsairs could add some real flair to an already stylish army.
- A new psyker or seer-type unit, still shrouded in mystery but likely to add some psychic fireworks to the lineup.
Corsairs have been flirting with Warhammer’s spotlight ever since Kill Team introduced them to new players. The rumors even link them to Huron Blackheart and the Red Corsairs, hinting that these space elves might be tying into a larger narrative arc in future Warhammer 40k releases.
If true, that’s a perfect pirate pairing, Aeldari raiders and Chaos renegades crossing paths in the grimdark void. Now we know it’s sorta true, but without an official reveal, we can only speculate at what is in this image for sure.
Aeldari Corsairs vs Red Corsairs: “Lords of the Maelstrom” Box
The rumored headline is Lords of the Maelstrom, and that plural “Lords” is basically begging for a Corsairs vs Corsairs matchup. Red Corsairs vs Eldar Corsairs in one bundle would be the perfect pirate-on-pirate scrap, and hopefully at a price that does not feel like a mugging.
Of course, it could still be single-faction if the name is just GW being extra, but the versus-box angle makes the most sense with that title. Either way, it smells like a proper box release, not just background lore dressing.
Aeldari Corsairs Get Their Moment: Prince Yriel and New Raiders?
Prince Yriel looks like he’s finally getting a fresh model, with all that new Grotmas attention, and it fits perfectly with the whole “Aeldari nobility meets space pirate swagger” vibe. The real jackpot, though, is the leak hinting at Corsairs going plastic, which means more raiders on tables and way fewer people paying the resin tax.
Toss in whispers of multi-build melee options, a possible Vyper glow-up, and maybe even a vehicle upgrade sprue, and this starts looking like a sneaky little Corsair campaign starter kit.
The kit everyone actually wants
If those old Forge World-style Corsairs are plastic, that’s the big win: easier to collect, easier to build, and a pile of spare bits begging to become kitbashed characters.
Forge World’s Corsair Models
Possible Vehicle Upgrade Kit
That Vyper sighting with a starcannon could mean a quiet update, and a vehicle upgrade kit would be classic campaign support for anyone trying to run a “totally Corsairs, trust me” Aeldari force.
40k Xenos Faction Rumors?
For months, the rumor mill has been obsessed with Chaos Marines and Heresy talk, but the tides might be shifting. Between Corsairs, Votann, Drukhari, Tyranids, and Orks, fans might see their favorite faction see new minis.
The pattern is clear: smaller factions are getting love again, from character updates to new box sets and narrative tie-ins. If this keeps up, 2026 could be the year of the Xenos comeback, giving long-suffering alien players a reason to clear their shelves and prime their brushes.
Xenos Joining the 500 Worlds Campaign?
Word on the webway is that these new Aedari rumors tie into the new 500 Worlds series. So it sounds like Aeldari players might finally get to dust off their pirate hats and pretend they’re raiding Ultramar again.
New 40k Drukhari Rumors
The Drukhari range is, let’s say… vintage. Sure, they’ve got style, but a lot of it is trapped in outdated sculpts and resin nightmares. Recently, GW confirmed their codex, a new Archon, and Lady Malys. However, it’s not a big refresh like people were wishing for, and some major units are missing from the lineup.
Grotesques, Beast Packs, Court of the Archon, and Urien Rakarth are all missing from the new codex. Luckily for us Dark Eldar players, the rumors still point to 11th Edition as being the big refresh for the line (find the full rumors here). While people were wanting the big refresh to come in 10th Edition, 11th Edition seems to be on the table for Drukhari players.
And honestly? It’s about time. The Craftworld Eldar got their facelift, so it makes perfect sense that their twisted cousins are next in line. Let’s just hope it happens.
It’s been a rough few years for Drukhari players. Between resin nightmares and aging sculpts, the Dark Eldar range is long overdue for a facelift. While Games Workshop already put out a new codex for 10th Edition, Lady Malys, and a fresh Archon, the current release list still leaves plenty of holes and units actually sent to Legends.
Missing in action (sent to Legends):
- Grotesques
- Beast Packs
- Court of the Archon
- Urien Rakarth
That’s got everyone whispering that 11th Edition could finally be the moment for a full plastic overhaul. The Craftworld Eldar got their glow-up, and now it’s time for their cruel cousins to get theirs. If rumors of new Grotesques, Kabalite Warriors, and a plastic Tantalus pan out, the dark city of Commorragh might finally shine again (in its own evil way).
Latest 40k Tyranids Rumors
The Tyranids may have had their codex moment, but one legendary bug is apparently making a comeback: the Red Terror. Rumors point to a new sculpt that ties into an upcoming campaign narrative, possibly connected to a 500-worlds supplement series.
The Red Terror is one of those fan-favorite models that’s been lurking in the background for years. A modern plastic version could easily spark a new wave of nostalgia-fueled hobby projects and swarm-themed conversions.
Tyranid Prime, Not the Red Terror?
At the World Championships of Warhammer preview, we got a shiny new Tyranid Prime reveal instead, which definitely scratched the bug itch for now. So yeah, the Red Terror comeback rumors are still alive and gnawing, but even if that beast stays in the shadows a bit longer, we’ve got at least one fresh Tyranid model to chitter about.
Odds are it’s tied to the big 500 Worlds campaign, which means the swarm’s next feeding frenzy might be closer than we think.
Orks Rumors: The 11th Edition Showdown
Every new edition of Warhammer 40k brings a starter box, and the rumors for 11th Edition is pointing straight toward a classic grudge match: Orks vs. Space Marines.
Freebooterz: The Green Pirates Rise
Pirate hats and Orks, could it get any better? Rumors suggest Freebooterz will play a key role in the next wave of Ork releases, potentially tying into the same pirate theme seen with Corsairs.
A Freebooterz-focused wave would bring color, humor, and a heap of personality to the range. These aren’t just regular Orks; they’re swaggering, looting, loudmouthed raiders who live for style points and dakka counts. Perfect mascots for a new edition.
Final Thoughts on the Current 40k Xenos Rumors
So here we are, neck-deep in leaks, rumors, and half-confirmed wishlisting, and it’s starting to feel like the stars are finally aligning for most of 40k’s xenosfactions.
If these rumors pan out, 11th Edition might not just be another round of power armor vs. power armor. We could be looking at a proper alien uprising, with the kind of model refreshes and narrative spotlight that Xenos fans have been begging for since… well, forever.
đź”— Related Reads:
- 40k Release Schedule Roadmap
- All the Chaos Rumors Heading Into 11th Edition
- Space Marine Rumors Roundup
- Christmas Battleforces
- New Combat Patrol Boxes
- Best Warhammer 40k Army List Builders
