Uncover the strengths, tactics, and background lore of the Death Korps of Krieg; plus learn how to build, play, and master this 40k faction.
Originally published in November 2024. Updated August 4th, 2025, by Rob Baer with updated information and links to relevant content.
The Death Korps of Krieg. Just the name conjures up a background of images of gas-masked soldiers marching stoically through the mud, ready to face certain doom with grim determination. 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?
We’re pulling back the curtain on what makes the Death Korps tick, both in their grim lore and on the tabletop. 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? Let’s get to it!
Bomb Your Own Planet? Sure, Why Not
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.
Gas Masks, Greatcoats, and Gallows Humor
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 like they’ve already written their wills. It’s all about brutal efficiency and unshakable resolve.
Death Korps on the Tabletop
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. And that’s exactly what makes them terrifying.
Death Korps Units That Matter
- 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 Plastic Kits (Finally)
Resin fans, your suffering is over. Games Workshop is rolling out a full plastic range for the Warhammer Death Korps of Krieg in 2025, and it’s solid:
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.
How to Build a Death Korps of Krieg Army (Without Losing Your Mind)
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. Stay away from the full Forge World route unless you’re comfortable with resin and a high price tag.
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 Krieg in 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? Sit tight. Use artillery to soften targets. Let infantry soak charges. Drop Death Riders into weak spots. The longer the game drags on, the more it swings in your favor.
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 the Death Korps
You want grime. You want rust. You want that “hasn’t seen the sun in three years” vibe. Let’s break down some common Death Korps of Krieg 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
Want to go further? Add sandbags, barbed wire, and shell craters to your bases. Diorama-style boards are perfect for showing off the Krieg’s muddy misery.
Are They Clones?
Nope. Just vat-grown humans with all the personality of wet concrete. 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.
Narrative vs Competitive Krieg Lists
Playing for lore? Go full trench-core. Infantry blobs, artillery, and Death Riders for that cinematic battlefield look. If you’re still wondering if the Death Korps of Krieg are good, the short answer is they are always doing okay in the meta.
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 Death Korps of Krieg 40k list can be thematic and brutal, just keep your strategy airtight.
Why the Death Korps Still Rule
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.
They don’t flinch. They don’t retreat. And they never run out of bodies.
All the Latest Warhammer Rules & Model Rumors
What do you think about the new plastic Warhammer 40k Death Korps of Krieg Death Riders, along with their models, rules, and background lore?
