Uncover the strengths, tactics, and background lore of the Death Korps of Krieg; plus learn how to build, play, and master this fan favorite 40k faction.
The Death Korps of Krieg. The Death Korps of Krieg are iconic for their gas masks, trench warfare, and grim resolve. These guys don’t flinch, don’t falter, and certainly don’t ask for a day off. But what makes this faction such an iconic force in Warhammer 40k?
Let’s look at what makes the Death Korps of Krieg so distinct in lore and gameplay. From their fanatical devotion to the Emperor to their trench-toughened army tactics, you’ll find everything you need to outlast the opposition.
Ready to assemble a Death Korps army that stares down the galaxy’s deadliest foes without Forge World resin?
Death Korps of Krieg Lore: The Tragic Origin of Krieg
Originally published in November 2024. Updated December 4th, 2025, by Rob Baer with updated information and links to relevant content.
Krieg used to be a regular old Imperial Guard world. Then its leaders got rebellious. Colonel Jurten, ever the team player, responded by nuking the entire planet. That’s not a joke. He bombed his own homeworld into a radioactive nightmare to restore loyalty to the Emperor.
The result? A society that raises kids in bunkers, feeds them propaganda, and teaches them that dying in battle is the highest honor. These aren’t drafted soldiers. They’re vat-grown war machines. Not clones, just mass-produced, conditioned, and built for sacrifice.
No birthdays. No family. Just lasguns and loyalty.
Death Korps of Krieg Aesthetic and Lore
The Krieg aesthetic is straight out of a nightmare version of World War I. Trench warfare, gas masks, and artillery shells the size of motorcycles. The look borrows from German soldiers, British trench tactics, and a whole lot of hopeless industrial grit.
These guys don’t charge for glory. They dig in, fire artillery until the dust settles, and then march forward through no man’s land as they’ve already written their wills. It’s all about brutal efficiency and unshakable resolve.
How Death Korps of Krieg Play in Warhammer 40k
Are They Good?
If you like wars of attrition, the answer is yes. If you like fast skirmishes or hero hammer nonsense, maybe look elsewhere. The Death Korps of Krieg are built for players who enjoy methodical positioning, strong defensive play, and grinding their opponent into submission.
Their infantry can soak hits, their artillery hits like a freight train, and their whole vibe screams “you’re not getting past this line without a fight.”
Artillery First, Questions Never
The real damage comes from the backline. Earthshaker Batteries and Medusa Siege Carriages rain down destruction while your infantry holds the field and your opponent watches their army evaporate. Death Riders add mobility and punch, while the core troopers trade bodies for board control like it’s a clearance sale.
They aren’t flashy. They’re relentless. That’s what makes the Death Korps of Krieg 40k army so powerful.
Key Death Korps of Krieg Units in Warhammer 40k
- Infantry Squads: The backbone of the army. Durable, dirt-cheap, and perfect for holding objectives. They are represented by the Death Korps of Krieg Kill Team.
- Death Riders: Cavalry in the 41st millennium. They hit hard, move fast, and die with style.
- Medusas & Earthshakers: Artillery that makes your opponent’s heavy hitters vanish in a cloud of smoke.
- Engineers & Sappers: Great for laying mines or holding terrain in narrative missions.
- Command Squad: Includes that iconic banner bearer, equal parts morale boost and stylish centerpiece.
New Death Korps of Krieg Plastic Kits and Models
Games Workshop finally released a full plastic range for the Warhammer 40k Death Korps of Krieg.
New model kits include:
- Death Korps of Krieg Army Set (with alt codex cover)
- Infantry Squad
- Plastic Death Riders (rough riders)
- Command HQ Squad
- Krieg Combat Engineers
- Heavy Weapons Teams
- Heavy Mortars and Artillery pieces
- Character model: Lord Marshal Dreir
The Kill Team Veteran Guardsmen box is already a fantastic starting point. It’s loaded with weapon options, fun poses, and it doesn’t snap in half when you breathe near it.
Building a Death Korps of Krieg Army for Warhammer 40k
Start with plastic kits. The Kill Team box is affordable and flexible. Then, grab infantry and artillery to flesh out your core. Add Death Riders if you want a mobile threat. Resin is harder to use, so stay clear unless you know how to handle it.
Mixing in standard Astra Militarum units like Chimeras or Leman Russ tanks is perfectly legal and helps patch mobility gaps. That combo of slow infantry and fast armor makes for a more adaptable force, without losing the Krieg flavor.
How to Play Death Korps of Krieg in Warhammer 40k 10th Edition
Luckily, with the new line of minis and rules, GW firmly answered the question, “Can you play Death Korps of Krieg in Warhammer 40k?” with a yes! You’re working out of the Astra Militarum codex, but with Krieg-specific flavor. That means orders, tanks, and flexible datasheets, plus some unique Krieg rules with the new line.
Your strategy? Use artillery to weaken enemies while the infantry absorbs charges, supported by fast-moving Death Riders.
Set up overlapping fire lanes. Keep your HQs protected. And don’t be afraid to sacrifice units if it means holding the board. Krieg doesn’t play to win fast. They play to make sure no one else wins either.
Painting Your Death Korps of Krieg Army
You want grime. You want rust. You want that “hasn’t seen the sun in three years” vibe. Let’s break down some common DKoK paint schemes.
How to Paint Death Korps of Krieg:
- Grey coats, brown leather, dull green armor
- Weathered gas masks in light grey or off-white. A favorite for the Death Korps of Krieg 5th Siege Regiment color scheme
- Dark brown boots and gear
Techniques:
- Drybrush mud on coats and boots
- Sponge chip metal parts for battle damage
- Oil washes for rust streaks and grime buildup
Add basing details like sandbags and barbed wire for authentic Death Korps realism.
Are Death Korps of Krieg Clones?
Nope. They’re vat-grown humans conditioned for war, not clones. They’re bred in bulk by the Mechanicus, trained from infancy, and mentally conditioned for war. That’s why they fight like machines, never retreat, and follow orders without hesitation.
Cloning exists in 40k, but the Imperium doesn’t trust it. Vat-growing gets you soldiers without the side effects of genetic instability or rebellion. So no, the Death Korps aren’t clones. They’re just factory-assembled humans who’ve never been hugged.
Best Death Korps of Krieg Army Lists for Narrative and Competitive Play
Playing for lore?
Go full trench-core. Infantry blobs, artillery, and Death Riders for that cinematic battlefield look. The Death Korps of Krieg 40k army remains a solid mid-tier meta force with strong artillery play.
Playing to win?
Mix in faster units, mobile armor, and flexible orders. Build around your artillery core and adjust based on meta threats. A good DKoK 40k list can be thematic and brutal, just keep your strategy airtight.
Why Death Korps of Krieg Are Still a Top Warhammer 40k Army
They don’t flinch. They don’t retreat. And they never run out of bodies. No other faction in Warhammer 40k captures the horror of endless war quite like the Death Korps of Krieg.
They’re bleak, iconic, and tactical. They don’t win by doing the most damage. They win by surviving what no one else can.
If you want to play the long game, dominate the board with artillery, and send waves of gas-masked maniacs into no man’s land without blinking, welcome to Krieg.
Where to Get Your Death Korps of Krieg:
- Contains 18 brand new plastic Death Korps of Krieg miniatures
- Start a new army or easily add to an existing one, and save money compared to buying the contents individually
- Includes Codex: Astra Militarum bound in an exclusive cover, along with datacards and a transfer sheet
Last update on 2026-02-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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thanks for this