Rumors suggest major 40k rules changes for Emperor’s Children in the new codex, including Fulgrim’s brutal melee, Blastmaster NERFs, detachment shifts, and unit cuts.
If the latest Emperor’s Children leaks are real, big changes are coming. Fulgrim looks downright deadly, with devastating melee options that could tear through just about anything. Blastmasters might be getting a serious nerf, detachment rules could shift how the army plays, and some staple units may be gone entirely.
But let’s be honest—none of this is confirmed until Games Workshop makes it official (or you see it yourself in the codex). That said, the rumors are worth a closer look because if even half of them hold up, the battlefield is about to get a whole lot louder, deadlier, and much more stylish.
Emperor’s Children Codex – What’s Changing?
Big rumors are circling about the upcoming Emperor’s Children codex, and while none of this is official until Games Workshop gives the nod, it’s worth a look at what might be coming. Whether these changes excite or frustrate, they could shake things up for those loyal to Fulgrim’s twisted perfection.
Again, remember, these are rumors and might not be true at all… so take them with as much salt as you need. Don’t get too excited or frustrated!
Fulgrim Primarch Stats – A Glass Cannon?
Let’s start with the big one: Fulgrim. If these numbers hold, he’s going to hit like a freight train. A 16” move, 2+ save, 4+ invuln, and 16 wounds put him in the ballpark of his fellow Primarchs. The price tag floating around—385 points—suggests he’s packing serious firepower.
His melee options are looking nasty (and GW mentioned he killed Angron in test melees, but they probably gave him strikes first in the tests). A strike attack at Strength 14 with AP-3 and D6+1 damage will tear through most units. The sweep attack at Strength 8, AP-2, and flat two damage is great for clearing infantry. On top of that, he’s throwing out six extra attacks at Strength 6, which should add a bit of chip damage.
Ranged isn’t his specialty, but a 12” Strength 8, AP-2, Damage 2 attack isn’t bad. He also has a poison ability that lets him pick a unit and roll a 4+ to deal D3 mortal wounds. Not game-breaking, but a nice bit of extra damage.
The more interesting part is his defensive abilities. Depending on the situation, he can fight first, impose -1 to be hit, or force enemies to take a Leadership test to fall back. That’s solid flexibility. He’s also sitting at OC6, which means he’s not just a brawler—he can actually hold objectives.
Blastmasters Get Hit with a Nerf Bat
This one hurts. The rumored range drop on the iconic Blastmaster—from 48” down to 18”—is a massive downgrade. The real question is whether its new profile makes up for that. If it hits harder or gains some kind of rule to compensate, it might still be worth taking. But on paper, this looks like a big loss.
Lucius and the Flawless Blades
Lucius is still looking strong, but the change to his fights-first ability makes things tricky. If he’s rolling solo, he keeps it. If he joins a unit, he loses it. Since he’s now locked to only running with Flawless Blades, that’s something to consider when list-building.
Speaking of the Flawless Blades, they’re packing three attacks each, critically wounding on a 3+. That means they’ll always wound on a 3+, but opponents still get their saves. These likely sit at Damage 2 with three wounds per model. That sounds solid, but whether they’ll actually be a must-have unit depends on what else is in the book.
Detachments and Army Rules
One rumored detachment gives a Dark Pact-style ability on the charge, which could push the army toward aggressive melee play. There’s also talk of a detachment allowing 1000 points of Daemons, but those Daemons would be restricted to what’s in the codex. No cherry-picking the best Chaos Daemons from outside the book.
The army rule leaks suggest restrictions on charging after advancing and falling back. Only one unit that advanced can charge a single enemy unit, and units that fall back can’t charge the same unit they just retreated from. This might be a balancing mechanic to prevent overwhelming alpha strikes.
Some Units Are Missing
A few Chaos staples might be gone. The rumored cuts include:
- Predators
- Vindicators
- Forgefiends
- Hellbrutes
- Cultists
That last one is interesting. No Cultists means no cheap screens or objective holders, which could change how the army plays.
Terminators Get a Boost but Are Stuck in 5-Man Squads
Word is that Terminators are locked into 5-model units but are getting significantly stronger. If this means better weapons, abilities, or survivability, it might not be a bad trade-off.
Final Thoughts
Right now, this is all just speculation. Some of these changes sound like major shifts, while others feel like sidegrades. Fulgrim looks terrifying, Blastmasters might need a rethink, and unit restrictions could make list-building more focused.
Until Games Workshop confirms anything, take all of this with a heap of salt.
New Emperor’s Children Army Box Value & Pricing!
What do you think about the leaks so far? Do you like the direction of the new Emperor’s Children Codex 40k rules rumors or no?
About the Author: Travis Pasch
Travis Pasch
Job Title: Head Writer & Editor
Socials: @paschbass
About Travis Pasch: Travis has been a Warhammer 40k hobbyist since the 1990s, playing the game since Third Edition. Through extensive traveling, he’s seen a lot of the miniatures hobby from across the world, giving him a unique perspective on the latest gaming topics and trends.
Travis’s brother even owns a commission painting studio, where he’s picked up a lot of good advice and techniques for painting Warhammer and tabletop miniatures over the years, as well. Travis joined the Spikey Bits team in 2019 and has been the lead writer since 2020.
Currently, he’s working on converting all his 40k Adeptus Mechanicus models and becoming a true tech enjoyer, complete with both sad and happy robot noises!
