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GW Reveals 11th Edition 40k Armageddon Starter Set Contents

GW Reveals 11th Edition 40k Armageddon Starter Set Contents

Games Workshop revealed the full Warhammer 40k 11th Edition Armageddon Starter Set, 23 Space Marines, 38 Orks, and the new Big Mek Dakkarig walker.

That’s right, 11th edition Warhammer 40k is scheduled to drop in June 2026, and there have already been a ton of reveals since Adepticon 2026 to catch up on. Right now, what is still a mystery is most of the box contents, the full overall model lineup for the Armageddon Starter Box, how big the range refresh really is, and whether some of the wilder wishlist ideas floating around online are actually real.

So now we’re looking at which of the previous leaks and rumors were actually true, and breaking down all the new 11th edition rules and model reveals from Games Workshop.

Armageddon Starter Set Unboxing: Full Contents Revealed

Updated on May 12, 2026, by Rob Baer with the full Armageddon Starter Set contents reveal, including the new Big Mek Dakkarig, Captain with Relic Shield, Bigboss, Bannernob, and Eradicator Squad with Heavy Bolters.

Armageddon Launch DateGames Workshop pulled the lid off the Warhammer 40k 11th Edition Armageddon Starter Set today, and the box is stacked with 23 push-fit Space Marines and 38 push-fit Orks across 12 brand new kits.

Either way, May 1st delivered exactly the popcorn night everyone wanted with the full Starter Set contents revealing a wave of brand new minis, and enough Orky nonsense (looking at you, Big Mek Dakkarig) to keep everyone’s hobby engines redlining straight into summer.

Confirmed: Full Armageddon Box Contents

11th Edition Armageddon Starter Set contents preview Now that Games Workshop has revealed the box, here’s the full confirmed lineup.

The Space Marine side carries 23 minis across 8 kits, including the Captain with Relic Shield, a new Librarian, the Chaplain with Jump Pack, an Ancient with the Armageddon banner, 10 Intercessors in mixed-mark armor, 5 Vanguard Veterans, 3 Eradicators with Heavy Bolters in Gravis armor, and the updated Land Speeder.

We called the Librarian over the rumored Techmarine, which we’re very happy about getting right. Check out the full start set breakdown below.

Latest Warhammer 40k 11th Edition: News, Confirmations, & Rumors

TL;DR
  • Confirmed: Games Workshop revealed at AdeptiCon 2026 that 11th Edition Warhammer 40k is coming in June 2026.
  • Confirmed: The new edition launches with Warhammer 40,000: Armageddon, a boxed set focused on Space Marines vs Orks.
  • Confirmed: The lore centers on Armageddon after The Return of Yarrick, with Wazdakka Gutsmek’s vanguard landing first, Ghazghkull’s main force closing in, and Yarrick calling for aid.
  • Confirmed: Blood Angels are leading the Imperial response, with support from Salamanders, Ultramarines, Space Wolves, and other Chapters.
  • Confirmed: 23 push-fit Space Marines and 38 push-fit Orks across 12 kits, with the Big Mek Dakkarig and Captain with Relic Shield as the centerpiece reveals.
  • Rumor: a June 20th release date looks likely, along with a retail price of $299, mirroring the Saturnine box.

11th Edition Rules Blood Angels vs Orks Confirmed vs. rumor: We label all rumors. Only items with official or major-source confirmation are treated as confirmed.

Confirmed vs Rumor: What Changed After AdeptiCon

armageddon starter box 11th edition product shot If you’ve been keeping an eye on Games Workshop’s release cycles, you already know that a new edition of 40k lands every three years. GW has said the Warhammer 40k 11th Edition release date is June 2026, and all signs point to a refresh rather than a full rules overhaul.

11th Edition Armageddon Launch Box Retail Price & Release Date:

  • Armageddon Release Date: June 20th, 2026 (Rumored but likely given GW’s monthly release pattern)
  • Retail Price (MSRP/RRP):  $299 (USD). (Rumored, Leviathan was $250, and Saturnine was $299; we doubt the new edition of 40k will be less than Horus Heresy’s Saturnine)

Before AdeptiCon, almost everything about 11th Edition was a rumor. Now, that’s not the case, because Games Workshop has officially confirmed the big stuff: a new edition is coming this summer, the launch box is called Warhammer 40,000: Armageddon, and the starter war is Orks vs Space Marines, with Blood Angels front and center in the narrative.

That means most of the rumors up to the reveal were real. Armageddon, Orks, Blood Angels, and a summer launch were all real. As of May 1st, the full miniature lineup and complete starter contents are now confirmed. What’s still bouncing around is confirming new rules, and all the deeper 11th edition mechanics drops are still on the way.

So yes, the rumors nailed the major points of this release, and no, that doesn’t mean every wishlist unit on Reddit suddenly became canon.

Warhammer 40k 11th Edition Is Coming This Summer

Armageddon Starter Box 11th EditionGames Workshop confirmed at AdeptiCon 2026 that 11th Edition Warhammer 40k is on the way this summer. That lines up with the expected three-year edition cadence, but now it is official, not just the safest bet in the room.

That also means the long teaser runway is underway. GW already said they will be showing more of the launch box over the coming weeks, leading up to a live unboxing show. So while the edition itself is confirmed, the slow-drip reveal campaign is just getting started.

Warhammer 40k 11th Edition Starter Set Name: Armageddon (Confirmed)

ArmageddonIt’s not a rumor anymore, the new launch box is officially called Warhammer 40,000: Armageddon. That alone tells you exactly which nostalgia button GW is trying to hit this time. Yup, it’s a full-on throwback to one of the most iconic warzones in 40k, complete with Orks, Space Marines, and Yarrick back in the middle of the mess where he belongs.

Why “Armageddon” Hits: Orks, Marines, and a Throwback Feel

2nd Edition Armageddon Box The 11th Edition launch box is Orks vs Space Marines, with the Blood Angels taking the lead in the story. That alone gives the whole launch a very deliberate old-school feel, especially for anyone who remembers the second edition vibe.

second edition warhammer 40k starter set john blanche art blood angels on conver battling orks It’s not hard to look at the new box art and think back to the old second edition 40k starter, where Blood Angels and Orks were the face of the game.

The best part is that the box art and narrative can be Blood Angels while the kits themselves remain broader Space Marine releases. We’ve seen this before, and it’s a very GW move that lets them play the nostalgia card without locking hobbyists into one Chapter.

The 11th Edition Starter Rebrand Begins: (Confirmed)

Starter SetGames Workshop is already laying the groundwork for 11th Edition Warhammer 40k, and the clearest tell is sitting right on the webstore. The Warhammer 40,000: Ultimate Starter Set has been retitled to the Warhammer 40,000 Combat Patrol Starter Set. Same minis, same matchup, same value, just a new label probably meant to prevent “wrong edition” confusion once the next rules cycle lands.

Warhammer RebrandingGW even warns that orders might arrive in the old packaging, which is your clue that this change started midstream. Translation: they are burning through existing warehouse stock rather than binning it.

GW generally turns the new big starter set into the three smaller starters a few months after launch. This rebrand gives them room to keep this product in the store and run their usual starter sets (but the other products might get taken off the store in 11th).

In 9th Edition, everything was based on Indomitus, then 10th Edition replaced Necrons with Tyranids and new Space Marine minis.

New Ork Warboss Leaked, Then Revealed: (Confirmed)

new ork warboss painted model images from GW The Orks fired off one of the clearest opening shots for 11th edition single-handedly. First, a new Ork Warboss leaked online. Then Games Workshop did the most GW thing possible and officially showed him off almost immediately, confirming a new multi-part plastic Warboss with classic options like a choppa or power klaw, a combi-shoota, and even an optional Attack Squig.

Better yet, GW called out that this is the first time an Ork Warboss has arrived as a multi-part plastic kit, which makes this feel a lot more like the start of a new Orks range push for the fall, than a random one-off character drop. 

Warhammer 40k 11th Edition Trailer Models & Rumors

Possible Ork WarbikeEven after AdeptiCon, most of the “11th edition desk detective” stuff is still exactly that: guesses. People are still circling blurry shapes from trailers and teaser shots, trying to call new bikes, Meganobz, Guard vehicles, and who knows what else. Some of those guesses may end up being right, but some are probably hobbyists manifesting with the confidence of a Weirdboy having a very dangerous afternoon.

Armageddon Starter Box 11th Edition Space MarineRight now, what GW has actually shown is limited to the confirmed models in the list below. So if you’re looking at blurry desk shots and seeing new bikes, tracked vehicles, or extra infantry units, don’t forget, those are still guesses until GW puts them on screen properly.

Every Confirmed New Model in the Armageddon Starter Set

The Armageddon reveal has come and gone, but best of all, the trailer rumor list aged like fine wine, because almost every centerpiece guess was real. The biggest reveals were the Jump Chaplain, Vanguard Veterans, Weirdboy, and the brand new Big Mek Dakkarig walker, which is the standout new addition to the entire Ork roster.

Here’s everything in the Armageddon Starter Set, along with what Games Workshop has now confirmed.

Warhammer 40k Armageddon Box Set Contents & Value pricing breakdown

Click the links below to see more on the newly revealed 11th edition models. For the full breakdown on the pricing and values inside the box, read the full Armageddon Starter Set Breakdown guide here.

More 11th Edition Model Rumors: Flame Dreads, Big Orks, and Terrain (Post Launch Box Release Waves)

Just when you thought the 11th edition hype train might slow down, the rumor mill kicks it into high gear. Word is that post-launch support is already lined up, and it is not small stuff.

Orks are looking at more character refreshes besides the Warboss, including chatter about Nazdreg making a comeback, plus a Nobz-focused Kill Team instead of Mega Nobz. 

Space Marines are apparently eyeing a brand new flame-based Dreadnought, possibly with multi-melta options baked in. Whether that rolls into a Venerable-style kit or stands alone, the safe bet is more fire and more armored stomping.

Nothing confirmed, of course. But if even half of this is on the money, the months after launch will be packed.

11th Edition 40k Starter Set Box Wishlisting

This part is still the fun section, and it’s still very much rumor territory. There’s no shortage of “here is what should be in the box” postings right now, especially on Reddit and YouTube, where every grainy teaser becomes a launch roster by lunchtime. Some of it feels plausible, but most of it feels like people dumped their entire Ork wishlist into a starter box, too.

What Could the Orks Get in 11th Edition? (Rumors & Confirmations)

Armageddon Starter Box 11th Edition Ork

orks half TL;DR
  • Theme/paint: Rumored Orks are shown as Goffs (black paint), but no Goff-specific sculpts, just the scheme.
  • HQ loadout: Starter is rumored to be HQ-heavy with five Ork characters.
  • New Warboss: Multi-part kit confirmed and in the Armageddon Starter Set.
  • Bigboss: Confirmed second Ork HQ with a two-handed big choppa.
  • Banner Nob: (confirmed)
  • Painboy + Grot Orderly: Confirmed, with the Painboy now coming alongside a Grot Orderly assistant model.
  • Weirdboy: (confirmed)
  • Boyz refresh: (confirmed)
  • Build style: Push-fit with cosmetic options. The Boss Nob has kombi-rokkit or kombi-shoota loadouts, Gretchin have two build options each, and Boyz come with interchangeable heads.
  • Gretchin refresh: (confirmed)
  • Stormboyz confusion: Early wishlist includes Stormboyz, but newer rumors specifically say no new Stormboyz.
  • Post-launch wishlist: Meganobz, Ork Bikes, and a Deff Dread are still on the rumor list for the post-launch waves, but none of them are in the Armageddon Starter Set.
  • Wartrakk: Confirmed in the box, classic-style nostalgia kit with rokkit launchers.
  • Big Mek Dakkarig: Confirmed brand new Ork walker with a rotating blitzcannon, the centerpiece of the Ork half.

new ork models from Armageddon Box painted models

On the Ork side, the bigger of the two rumor piles won; this is a huge Ork refresh packed with characters, updated mob units, and fan-favorite callbacks. The Armageddon box brings five Ork characters, 20 Boyz, 10 Gretchin, the Wartrakk, and the brand-new Big Mek Dakkarig.

Orks Starter Set

Bikes still make sense for a post-launch wave with Wazdakka being a major part of the Armageddon story, even though they aren’t in the starter box itself. Gretchin and the new Grot Orderly are in the box, so expect plenty of little green support out of the gate.

But “makes sense” and “confirmed” are not the same thing, and that distinction matters a lot more now that GW has started their reveals.

Space Marine 11th Edition Starter Set Possibilities: (Rumors & Confirmations)

Space Marine Half TL;DR

new Space Marine models from Armageddon Box painted models

The Marine side got its own little confirmation slice at AdeptiCon, but only a slice. GW showed off a member of a new Intercessor Squad, and the big takeaway was not a radical role change. It was the look. The new kit mixes the modern Primaris silhouette with older armor-mark details, which is exactly the kind of nostalgia seasoning GW loves sprinkling on Space Marines.

Primaris Company Chapion Unboxing 5That refreshed visual direction now extends across the entire Marine side of the box. The full lineup is the Captain with Relic Shield, Librarian, Chaplain with Jump Pack, Ancient, 10 Intercessors, 5 Vanguard Veterans, 3 Eradicators with Heavy Bolters, and the new Land Speeder.

11th Edition boxset rumoras

The rumored Gravis melee unit, Techmarine, and big anchor centerpiece didn’t make the cut; those are still possible for post-launch waves.

Warhammer 40k New Edition: What’s Filling the Gap to 11th

psychic awakening pariah With the Warhammer 40k new edition looming in early summer, Games Workshop suddenly has months of open space to keep players busy. And they’re not about to let things go quiet. When codex releases dry up, narrative campaigns swoop in to carry the torch. We’ve seen it before: Psychic Awakening pushed the story forward in 8th, Boarding Patrols shook up 9th, and the Lion/Vashtorr arc in Arks of Omen. Now we know to expect the same treatment this time around.

500 worlds

Starting the build-up to the new edition is the  “Warhammer 40,000 500 Worlds” campaign, and the Necrons are rolling right into Ultramarine space and ultimately the 11th edition.

arks of omen hor wal Now the 500-worlds, Maelstorm, and the upcoming Eye of Terror and Return of Yarrick series look to be the 10th edition version of the multi-book Arks of Omen series that introduced the Primarch Lion El Johnson back into Warhammer 40k.

Perhaps best of all, the final book in this series focuses on the latest 40k Armageddon campaign and rolls right into the 11th edition with a similarly themed new starter set.

Armageddon, Yarrick, and the Road to 11th Edition

new armageddon book with yarrick for warhmmer 40k product shotThe broader narrative setup is now official as well. GW confirmed that the new edition picks up after Armageddon: The Return of Yarrick. Imperial forces are in trouble. Wazdakka Gutsmek’s vanguard has landed. Ghazghkull’s main force is not far behind. Yarrick gets out a desperate plea for help, and Operation Imperator sends a coalition of Space Marines racing toward the planet.

So yes, the Yarrick return was absolutely part of the bigger setup. That also makes the recent campaign books and story arcs feel less random in hindsight. GW was laying the track the whole time, and now the train is rolling right over Armageddon.

Wazdakka vs Yarrick on Armageddon? (Confirmed)

Wazdakka GutsmekHere is where things split a smidge from the rumors

Confirmed: Wazdakka’s vanguard is on Armageddon, and Yarrick is involved. The war for Armageddon is the launch setting for 11th Edition, and Wazdakka is grabbing a new mini alongside Yarrick!

Confirmed: Ghazghkull’s return is now part of the new Armageddon lore. GW’s official reveal text describes the Ork horde swelling “in the wake of Ghazghkull Thraka’s return to Armageddon.” Still rumor: any new Ghazghkull model or rules, which have not been revealed yet.

So, yes, the setup for a huge three-way disaster is in place, and Ghazghkull is now part of it as well. But no, GW has not shown a new model for him yet, and to be honest, they might not, because he’s not that old.

11th Edition Warhammer 40k Codex Roadmap Predictions

codex books warhammer 40k wal hor If 10th edition proved anything, it’s that GW finally figured out how to keep the release train on time, mostly. With 11th on the horizon, it looks like we’re in for another well-paced ride packed with familiar beats and a few spicy twists. 

Expect the usual Marine supplement parade, an Imperium wave to pad the middle, and a late-cycle crescendo with Emperor’s Children making the noise right before the lights go out. Here are our full predictions for the 11th edition 40k codex release roadmap.

new 40k core rules 11the edition preview product shot

Smoother Rules Changes for Warhammer 40k 11th Edition (Confirmed)

10th edition codex workGW is calling this a new edition, but don’t start panic-shelving your books just yet. Your current codexes, faction rules, and even the recent campaign supplement rules, including Armageddon: Return of Yarrick, will all still work. The big 11th edition rules shift is in how armies get built and how the game flows on the table.

New 11th Edition DetachmentsDetachments are getting a major overhaul, with more flexibility and over 70 new or updated options at launch, including the ability in some cases to mix multiple detachments for a more custom setup. Missions are changing too, with your army style now influencing what you are rewarded for doing, whether that is holding ground, disrupting enemy plans, or just smashing everything in sight.

Objectives in 11th EditionObjectives are also ditching the old circles in favor of terrain footprints, which is a pretty major change on its own. Terrain is getting reworked, so cover now affects Hit rolls instead of saves, and units should be easier to keep hidden. On top of that, combat is being cleaned up with tweaks to charge targeting, activation order, damage rolling, and the timing of pile-ins and consolidations.

So this is looking less like a full table flip and more like GW tightening up a lot of the game’s rough edges while giving armies more ways to play how you actually want them to.

Warhammer 40k 11th Edition Rules (Rumors)

new-rules-codex-warhammer-40k-datacards-index-10th-Edition If the latest rumors are true (or rather if the established pattern holds), Warhammer 40k’s 11th edition is shaping up to be more of a tune-up than a teardown, rules-wise. Think streamlined mechanics, fresh lore, and a shiny new launch box, without nuking your current codex from orbit.

This isn’t the seismic shift we got from 9th to 10th edition, where the core rules were rebuilt, and everyone started from scratch with indexes. The word is that your 10th edition codex will still be good to go in 11th, just with an update sheet to tweak points, adjust faction rules, and keep things in line with any core mechanic changes. We saw something very similar from 8th to 9th edition as well. 

Dark Eldar hor wal armies Drukhari That’s great news for armies like Leagues of Votann, and Dark Eldar, who were the last codex drops in 10th. You’ll get more than a few months of table time before the next big shake-up.

Either way, if GW sticks to their usual pattern, the major overhauls only drop every other edition, meaning this style of refresh comes about every six years. Expect free PDFs with the changes, so your army stays competitive without having to put your current book on the shelf. We think this *could* be the most painless Warhammer 40k new edition change yet.

Final Thoughts from us on Warhammer 40k 11th Edition

warhammer 11th edition 40k

So if you were wondering: “When is 11th edition 40k coming out?” June 2026 is the confirmed release date, from Games Workshop, after the big reveal at Adepticon 2026. Current sleuthing points to June 20th, but that is unconfirmed right now. 

warhammer 40k 11th edition release date june 2026

Plus, the good news is that, overall, Warhammer 40k 11th Edition looks set to be more of a refinement than a complete overhaul, with fresh codex rules rolling out alongside the update.

The game’s grown up a lot since the second edition dropped in 1993, but some matchups never get old, and history is repeating itself in the best possible way.

Where to Buy Warhammer 40k Armageddon Box Set: Release Date & Price

new Warhammer 40k Armageddon Starter Set product shot with Space Marine

Warhammer 40k Armageddon Starter Set Pre-Order: $299 (USA), $375 (Canada), $545 (Australia), £195 (UK), €245 (EU)*

If you want discounts or you’re tired of dodging out-of-stock headaches, our retailer guide is the fastest way to grab one in your region. Links are below.

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What do you want to see in the 11th Edition Warhammer 40k Starter set, and what do you think the Warhammer 40k 11th edition release date will be? Summer 2026?
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*Estimated pricing based on previous releases, contents, and current pricing.

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