Looking forward to a possible new Abaddon model and Chaos Marines? Check out everything we have been hearing since 2018 about new Chaos for 40k!
Followers of the ruinous powers rejoice for the return of Chaos may not be that far off!
Hot on the heels of their big video announcement thought the narrative of Haarken Wordclaimer about the potential return of Chaos this spring, we have a pic of what appears to be a new Chaos Lord and an ominous silhouette of Abaddon in the background!
Let’s look at the latest rumors and previews starting in the new year and going back deep into 2018 as well!
A big teaser that kicked off tons of speculation about future releases of Chaos Space Marines appeared back on December 16th. Games Workshop put a 37-second second teaser recently proclaiming the return of Chaos:
We Have Returned!
The video ends in a countdown clock to a date 80 days from now. Well, technically 20ish days have elapsed since then putting the countdown currently at about 60 days:
From the timing above it appears the video indicates March 5th 2019, but what exactly may happen that day is still very much a mystery. Regardless of what happens then, this video is sure to jump-start the hype train much like the oversized wrench video did on August 14th for Orktober.
Speaking of timing, that buggy video also came out about 80 days before the Speed Freeks box set hit store shelves as well.
Fast forward a month to the New Years Open Games Workshop dropped one little image that seems to support the return of Chaos and possibly a Vigilus part two campaign book
Hobby Hero Garro showed what they preview on the floor at their event below:
And the official preview from GW:
While we can’t tell you anything about this guy yet, it’s safe to say he’s not a good guy – and the Imperium is in for some very dark days indeed…
From the picture itself, it appears that not only are there Primaris Space Marines depicted, but also the outstretched Talon of Horus in the top right seems to indicate the presence of Abaddon himself.
CSI Robbie B is on the case breaking down the teaser:
Space Marines of a Primaris Variety?
The unmistakable Talon of Horus wielded by Abaddon the Despoiler.
Is this enough evidence to support the advancing of the 40k story-line putting Abaddon on a crash course for Vigilus (and the Primaris Marines) after his actions at Cadia?
What do you think we will see return for Chaos Space Marines based on these previews? Well here are some of our guesses, which of course is just 100% pure speculation and wishlisting.
- A new Vigilus supplement that includes content for Chaos.
- New Abaddon and Obliterator models (keep reading for more on that)
- Fulgrim and new Emperors Children
Taken literally what the countdown really could be, however, is the day that actual new models and content previews arrive from Games Workshop, as March 5th, 2019 is on a Tuesday.
Remember there are always big reveals at Adepticon each year, and the event itself is only 22 days later in March as well.
Current Rumors of New Chaos Space Marines
For a while now, we’ve been seeing Abaddon rumors pop up from all kinds of different sources. Let’s take a look at the latest from all of the rumors so far, as we try to divinate what may be happening in March!
Chaos player’s ears should be perking up. Abaddon is a monster in 8th edition and is even seen in competitive play. The only bad part to all this is that his current model isn’t exactly “current”.
With that, let’s dive right into the rumors swirling around this character.
April 12th, 2018
via anonymous sources on Faeit
We had talked about Black Legion, and how I was bummed about losing some of the special units from their supplement.
He said Bringers of Despair are coming back this summer. WS 2, BS 2 Terminators who can tank wounds for Abaddon. He told me there’s more on the way but wasn’t specific.
The latest chaos rumor from BoLS is said that the Bringers of Despair will be making their way into 8th edition in the form of Terminators with a WS/BS 2+, and they’ll be able to take wounds for Abaddon. But, given the source, we really recommend adding plenty of salt to this one.
Industry insiders report:
“Look for the return of Abaddon and his entourage this year on the heels of the Orks.”
Currently, we are in Ork prime time and the year is starting to come to a close. Going by the rumor, we should be seeing Abaddon and some Bringers of Despair popping up very soon.
May 30th, 2018
BoLS gave us some clues of what the future could look like after the Knight codex.
- The rumors from BoLS say to keep an eye out for an Ork codex after the Knight codex is released. Then there will be Space Wolves, Genestealer Cult, and Ynnari to come out (in no particular order). Once the 8th edition Codexes come out, there should be some books on lore advancing the story everyone is in for 8th.
- People are saying that when these books come out, there will be new minis to go with them. The first set sounds like it’s going to be Abaddon.
Going by this rumor, the timeline is more or less accurate. We DID have a Knight, Ork, and Space Wolves codex all released recently. Plus Genestealer Cult previews are beginning to pop up. There’s still no date on the GSC book, but if their codex comes out and there’s still no Abaddon model, we can use that to gauge just how far away we are to seeing Abaddon.
September 6th, 2018
There was something that looked like a French-language stream that was recorded and put on Youtube. Apparently somewhere in the video, they started talking about this rumor. We don’t know the context of the conversation or who’s speaking here. But here’s the apparent translation:
Four or Five month ago, an american guy “dreamt” of new obliterators. We had the same “dream”. It would be for the end of the year, or beginning of next year, we’ll have a recast of Abaddon and Obliterators. I saw Santa, he was talking to Abaddon: Abaddon was in a box set with some obliterators, fighting other people looking like humans […]. (answering a question) No, it’s not the Battle Sisters ! I don’t know, maybe I spoke too quickly. No, they will be imperial humans in 3+ power armor.
This rumor is a fatty. Based off of where we are in GW’s release timeline, people are starting to really look into Blackstone Fortress for the Abaddon model. Why? Because a Blackstone Fortress is a Chaos Stronghold (Abaddon could totally be hanging out in one, or trying to get one back…). AND the person/people going in are regular ol’ humans.
October 30th, 2018
Chapter Master Valrak has indicated that one of the potential Chaos Space Marines will be none other than Abaddon himself.
Take it with Salt, a GW Store Member contacted me and said, that they will be showing off the new Abbadon model.
Regarding the release date, Valrak also mentions the 3rd or 10th of November as well.
I don’t want to go into too much detail in case this guy is right and he gets sacked or anything, he said, 3rd or the 10th of November.
We’ll see how true it is soon enough!
So from the looks of it, two of these “new Abaddon/Chaos” rumors were completely false when looked back at presently at the indicated timeline, hindsight being what it is.
However, could they have just either been off the mark timing wise or in the case of Valark, they could have just confused the Chaos Lord in Blackstone Fortress with Abbadon, which is easy to do as they do look visually similar right?
One thing is for sure is that when rumors from all different parts of the web sprout up, if there’s smoke, there’s usually fire. Now we have some more previews to look forward to for the potential arrival of Chaos and a new edition of Vigilus.
What do you think is coming? Let us know in comments of our Facebook Hobby Group.
About the Author: Rob Baer
Rob Baer
Job Title: Managing Editor
Founded Spikey Bits in 2009
Socials: Rob Baer on Facebook and @catdaddymbg on X
About Rob Baer: Founder, Publisher, & Managing Editor of Spikey Bits, the leading tabletop gaming news website focused on the hobby side of wargaming and miniatures.
Rob also co-founded and currently hosts the Long War Podcast, which has over 350 episodes and focuses on tabletop miniatures gaming, specializing in Warhammer 40k. and spent six years writing for Bell of Lost Souls.
Every year, along with his co-hosts, he helps host the Long War 40k Doubles Tournament at Adepticon and the Long War 40k Doubles at Las Vegas Open, which attracts over 350 players from around the world.
Rob has won many Warhammer 40k Tournaments over the years, including multiple first-place finishes in Warhammer 40k Grand Tournaments over the years and even winning 1st place at the Adepticon 40k Team Tournament.
With over 30 years of experience in retail and distribution, Rob knows all the products and exactly which ones are the best. As a member of GAMA (Game Manufacturers Association), he advocates for gaming stores and manufacturers in these difficult times, always looking for the next big thing to feature for the miniatures hobby, helping everyone to provide the value consumers want.
While he’s played every edition of Warhammer 40k and Warhammer Fantasy (since 5th Edition) and has been hobbying on miniatures since the 1980s, Titans of all sizes will always be his favorite! It’s even rumored that his hobby vault rivals the Solemnance Galleries, containing rulebooks filled with lore from editions long past, ancient packs of black-bordered Magic Cards, and models made of both pewter and resin.
