A new Warhammer 40k leak hints at a narrative battle between Ultramarines and Necrons; could this be the setup for 11th edition?
It’s happening again. The Ultramarines, those poster boys of the Imperium, are apparently gearing up for another spotlight moment, and this time, the Necrons might be crashing their party. A leak from The Grand Alliance is stirring up the 40k scene, teasing something called the “500 Worlds Battalion: Necrons.”
Now, before you reach for your purity seals, this isn’t the usual rumor mill chatter. The source, known as “Bool,” has a track record of calling it right with AOS releases.
This makes the post, which combines Ultramarine teases, a mysterious “500 Worlds” box, and a Necron face-off, too spicy to ignore.
The Ultramarines Get More Stuff?
If you play anything other than blue, you’re probably sighing. Yes, it looks like more Ultramarine kits are on the way. According to Bool, there are “numerous long-delayed Ultramarine-exclusive kits” that might finally see daylight.
This could mean new Tyrannic War Veterans, reboxed heroes, or maybe even a custom Dreadnought variant. Considering the current edition focuses heavily on the Tyranid invasion of Segmentum Pacificus, revisiting the Tyrannic War theme would fit like a power fist to the jaw.
It’s all up in the air, but the 500 Worlds is Ultramar, so this alone gives credence to the possibility.
What’s Up with “500 Worlds Battalion: Necrons”?
Here’s where things go from “neat rumor” to “what in the Emperor’s name.”
The image doing the rounds features the label: Warhammer 40,000 500 Worlds Battalion: Necrons. If it’s real, it suggests the Necrons are taking the fight directly to the Ultramarines’ doorstep. That means we could be staring down a narrative box set pitting Ultramar against Necron, potentially the next Boarding Actions, Ark of Omen, or Psychic Awakening-style release to bring us into 11th Edition.
But is the image legit? Some parts look a bit too clean, almost Photoshopped, but that’s not unusual for official GW promotional images (as they photoshop pretty often). They composite everything, so the telltale digital look isn’t proof that it’s fake.
The second strike against it is that this font is out of place. We couldn’t find anywhere on a GW box to match this 500 Worlds font. That doesn’t mean they couldn’t just go with something new, but that does feel off to us.
If it is real, this might mark the beginning of the endgame for 10th edition and the launchpad for 11th, and may even explain that Necron Nightbringer model that we know is coming in 2026 as well.
A Clash of Dynasties and Discipline
A Necron incursion into Ultramar’s territory would be a big narrative shake-up. We’ve had the Tyranids, Chaos, and Space Marines chew their share of screen time. Bringing the Necrons into direct conflict with the Imperium’s shining sons gives Games Workshop plenty of room to flex, much like they did in 9th Edition.
Imagine the campaign potential; new rules for planetary defense, Ultramar-specific detachments, and Necron dynasties getting fresh lore expansions. Then, with such a sprawling area, they could really add in more for almost any faction, and it wouldn’t feel horribly out of place.
Why This Could Point to 11th Edition
The timing is what’s weird about this. The Warhammer Championships Preview on November 7th is shaping up to be a big event, and this leak smells like pre-reveal smoke.
Think about it: we’re nearing the end of the 10th edition narrative arc. The Tyranids got their spotlight, Chaos has been simmering, and the xenos factions are overdue for a big story push. A campaign box like 500 Worlds Battalion: Necrons could serve as the transition event leading straight into 11th edition, just like Arks of Omen wrapped up 9th.
Expect preview teasers, model reveals, and probably a shiny cinematic trailer showing Guilliman glaring at some glowing green tomb world nonsense.
Final Thoughts on the 500 Worlds and Necron Battalion box
Whether this leak pans out or not, the discussion around it highlights something undeniable: Warhammer 40k’s storytelling machine is revving up again.
The idea of Ultramarines defending their 500 Worlds from a Necron resurgence feels right: classic, high-stakes, and ripe for model releases. And if it means fresh kits, new campaign rules, and maybe a glimpse into what 11th edition has in store, we’re all for it.
So keep your eye on November 7th. The stars, and maybe the C’tan, might have something big to show us.
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