Combat Patrol 40k: Best Boxes Ranked by Value (2026 Pricing)

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Combat Patrol 40k made easy: see every box ranked by value with updated 2026 prices, top beginner picks, plus rules links and best deals online now, fast.

Not every faction’s Warhammer 40k Combat Patrol boxes are created equal. Some pack in serious savings, while others… well, let’s just say you might be better off piecing an army together yourself.

If you want the best value for your hobby budget, this guide breaks down the cost, contents, and savings of every Combat Patrol box.

Which 40k Combat Patrol Boxes Have the Best Pricing and Value?

Updated on March 4, 2026, by Rob Baer with links and information on the newest Combat Patrol 40k box sets.

What Is Combat Patrol in Warhammer 40k?

Combat Patrol is the fastest way to start playing Warhammer 40,000 with a ready-to-go force. Each faction uses a pre-built roster designed for balanced games without list-building. Pick a faction, build the models, and play.

How Combat Patrol Works

• No list-building: Combat Patrol uses pre-defined rosters.
• Faction-specific rules: each Combat Patrol has tailored rules and datasheets for balanced matchups.
• Great for trying armies: it’s built to teach an army’s basics before you scale up.

Download Free Combat Patrol Rules

Grab the official Combat Patrol overview and rules hub here, then use our roundup of free Combat Patrol datasheets and rules downloads to find your faction quickly.

If you look just at the numbers, these are Warhammer 40k’s best value Combat Patrol box sets based on pricing and savings.

• Daemons
• Ultramarines (Space Marines)
• Genestealer Cults
• Death Guard
• Imperial Agents

However, when considering the units involved, the OOP Drukhari box emerges as the clear winner, with nearly everything in the box being useful and included in almost every Kabal list. But it can be hard to find.

40k Combat Patrol Box Sets Ranked By Value

It’s worth noting that every Warhammer 40k faction has a combat patrol box available. While the official price is now $170 (with local currency conversion below) on the Games Workshop webstore, your local gaming store may offer them at a discounted price.

Generally, Games Workshop seems to add $50-$60 in value to most of these boxes. However, some of them go above and beyond, while others fall a bit short. 

Updated Pricing & Values

The current 40k Combat Patrols list price starting on October 6th, 2025 is: $170 (US), $200 (Canada), $285 (Australia), £100 (UK), €130 (EU). Here’s the lineup of all the boxes ranked from worst value to best.

Top 10 Combat Patrols Ranked (What You’re Actually Getting)

If you want the buyer-guide version instead of spreadsheet brain, this is the fast rundown of the top deals and who they actually fit.

#1 Chaos Daemons – Best overall savings
Why it’s good: Huge model count and a pile of kits you will actually use. Great if you want to start big and expand in multiple directions.

#2 Ultramarines (Space Marines) – Best “plug and play” starter deal
Why it’s good: Clean unit mix, easy to build, easy to learn, and Space Marines always have an upgrade path.

#3 Genestealer Cults – Best value for a tricky army
Why it’s good: Solid savings on an army that can get pricey fast. If you already like the playstyle, this is a smart first buy.

#4 Death Guard – Best value with beefy units
Why it’s good: Fewer models, but chunky kits. Good if you like durable squads and a slower, grindy game plan.

#5 Imperial Agents – Best “toolbox” box
Why it’s good: Lots of models and a flexible vibe. Works well if you like mixing specialists and building out a wider Imperial collection. You can also slot all of these into any Imperial army, giving it tons of playability.

#6 Aeldari – Best value for fast, elite play
Why it’s good: Strong savings and a clean spread of units. Great if you want speed and precision without buying half a shelf on day one.

#7 Salamanders – Best value for “I want to hobby this.”
Why it’s good: Solid savings, solid model count, and a chapter that rewards painting and themed builds.

#8 World Eaters – Best value for “build, charge, repeat.”
Why it’s good: Straightforward army identity, strong savings, and a box that naturally expands into bigger lists.

#9 Blood Angels – Best value for “elite and efficient.”
Why it’s good: Good savings on a smaller model count. Nice if you want fewer minis on the hobby desk at once.

#10 Thousand Sons – Best value for psyker fans
Why it’s good: Strong savings, distinctive models, and a path to expand into a full army with a clear theme.

DIY Custom 40k Combat Patrols Without A Box Set 

You can build the same roster from your collection as long as you follow the faction’s Combat Patrol roster.

DIY Combat Patrol Checklist

• Use the official faction Combat Patrol roster (no list-building).
• Match the required units and loadouts as written.
• Build to the roster first, then customize hobby extras after.
• If you’re expanding later, prioritize multi-use core units.

Games Workshop’s been sneakily slipping out 40k custom Combat Patrols in White Dwarf lately. Sure, there’s no shiny box to grab off the shelf, but hey, if you’ve already got the minis, you’re good to go. 

• Imperial Knights
• Chaos Knight
• Harlequins
• Astra Militarum
• Necrons
• Kroot (they actually got a Combat Patrol box in March 2026)

We don’t think you’ll save any money here otherwise (sorry, wallet), but it is a fresh twist that can spice up your usual grind.

40k Combat Patrol Magazine

If you’re the “drip-feed me models and lore” type, the magazine is basically a slow-burn army build with hobby motivation baked in. It’s also a solid way to cherry-pick minis if you do not care about owning every box, or you just want to pad out a collection over time.

If you’re after the Combat Patrol Magazine, you’ll want to check that out from Hatchette Partworks here. This guide focuses on the actual box sets, but the magazine can be a solid pickup, especially if you’re just in it for the minis.

Frequently Asked Questions About Combat Patrols

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about Warhammer 40,000 Combat Patrols that we have seen come up on forums and social media so far:

What is a Combat Patrol in 40k?

It’s a small, pre-built army box designed for quicker, more accessible Warhammer 40k games. Each one includes a mix of units tailored to give a well-rounded experience without the complexity of a full-scale battle. Plus, it uses a pre-defined roster, so there’s no list-building.

How to Play Combat Patrol?

Each faction has its own set of simplified Warhammer 40k Combat Patrol rules. You grab your box, use the preset loadouts, and follow the streamlined mission setup. Download your faction Combat Patrol rules and roster, then play using that fixed roster. These games are faster, the rules are lighter, and you can start playing almost immediately. 

How many points is a Combat Patrol?

Warhammer 40k Combat Patrol points are set at around 500 each, but the exact value varies by faction. The important part is that they’re balanced against each other, so the raw points don’t always tell the full story. Combat Patrol is balanced by rosters rather than points optimization.

Is a box enough to play?

Yes! If all you want is smaller, more casual games, Combat Patrol is all you need. You’ll still want the usual basics like dice, a tape measure, and some terrain, but the models and roster are the core. If you’re planning to play standard 40k, you’ll eventually want to expand, but as a starting point (or a way to keep things simple), it works just fine.

What is the purpose of a Combat Patrol?

It’s the easiest way to get into Warhammer 40k without worrying about list-building, endless rules, or needing a massive army. Each 40k Combat Patrol is a self-contained force designed for quick, balanced games right out of the box.

Are Warhammer 40k Combat Patrol Boxes Starter Products or Limited Edition Releases?

In the past, combat patrols were strictly for getting new players into the game and were mostly evergreen for a few years. However, lately, starting with the Space Marine first founding chapters, things have been a little different.

Games Workshop indicated that these box sets would be “Available Only While Stocks Last.” Some rotate or go OOP, so value rankings can shift as boxes change. But it’s hard to say whether this is the norm rather than the exception for future Combat Patrol box releases.

Final Thoughts from us on all the Combat Patrol 40k Best Boxes

As you can see, not all Warhammer 40k Combat Patrols are built the same, but they all offer a streamlined way to start playing without the usual army-building headaches. Some packs are absolute steals, loaded with value, while others might leave you questioning why you picked that army.

The trick is knowing which boxes stretch your hobby budget and which ones just look like a good deal.

If you’re picking your first Combat Patrol, choose based on (one) real savings, (two) how useful the units are when you expand, and (three) how much hobby time you want to commit right now. If you want the fastest answer, use the Quick Picks, then check the Top 10 breakdown for the “why,” and grab your box in the Where to Buy section.

Where to Buy Your Warhammer 40k Combat Patrol

• Buy local if you can: your FLGS often has community, events, and staff who can point you at the right glue and paint.
• Reputable online discounters: frequently ten to twenty percent off, and sometimes better during promos (our list of favorites is below).
• Direct from Games Workshop: usually best for guaranteed availability when everything else is out of stock.

Want a discount and fewer out-of-stock headaches? Hit our Warhammer retailer guide and grab the best option for your region. Links are below.

Buy Warhammer 40k Combat Patrols

Hobby Tools & Supplies List to Build Your Combat Patrols!

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