Unleash the new 10th Edition Warhammer 40k Blood Angels, Characters, Sanguinary Guard, and more with these detachments, stratagems, and weapon rules!
The Blood Angels—legendary warriors who teeter between nobility and rage—bring to mind a specific image: majestic golden-armored heroes striking with precision, all while hiding a simmering fury beneath their angelic masks. Enter the Sanguinary Guard, the crème de la crème of this storied chapter. With new rules and miniatures on the way, it’s time to see what makes these airborne angels more than just another pretty set of wings.
Unleash the Red Thirst with New Blood Angels 40k Detachment Rules
Welcome, noble scions of Sanguinius and those curious about the most stylishly tragic chapter in the Imperium. Whether you’re a bloodthirsty aficionado of red power armor or just here for the grimdark melodrama, there’s a lot to be excited about in the Blood Angels’ latest Codex Supplement. We’re talking jump packs, death-seeking maniacs, and warriors so angry they might literally tear themselves apart. For a Chapter that’s equal parts art critic and rage-fueled berserker, the new rules bring fresh ways to unleash that signature blend of angelic grace and unhinged violence.
We’ll break down the three brand-new Detachments designed to help you bring Sanguinius’ vengeful wrath to the tabletop—whether your forces are clad in gold, black, or that iconic red. You’ll get a taste of power edging toward madness, tragic warriors embracing their doom, and jumppack strikes straight out of a fever dream.
Liberator Assault Group: A Taste of Blood & the Red Thirst
Imagine being constantly on the edge, teetering between noble heroism and uncontrollable bloodlust. That’s life for the Blood Angels in the Liberator Assault Group. These warriors are right on the brink of giving in to the Red Thirst, that ever-present curse driving them into a furious battle frenzy. For the Liberator Assault Group, that curse is not just a burden; it’s a deadly weapon. On the charge, these warriors gain an extra Attack and boost their melee weapons with +2 Strength. Essentially, they become blender-mode Space Marines, primed to shred anything unfortunate enough to be in their path.
The real joy lies in the suite of Stratagems that encourage your Blood Angels to “see red” for even more power. Let’s talk about Red Rampage. This Stratagem offers either [Lance] or [Lethal Hits] to your unit’s melee weapons, but if they really give in to that bloody urge, they get both effects. The twist? They have to become battle-shocked, trading sanity for savagery.
Then there’s Savage Echoes, which is basically giving your warriors a choice: hit harder or hit more often. But why choose when they can just give in to their fury and do both? The Liberator Assault Group is all about riding that razor-thin line between control and chaos, pushing your Space Marines to unleash their full potential—at a price.
The Lost Brethren: Honoring a Glorious Downfall
The Death Company is not just a formation; it’s a tragic reminder of the Blood Angels’ darkest days. These aren’t just soldiers; they’re living relics haunted by the Black Rage, believing they’re fighting alongside Sanguinius himself during the Horus Heresy. In the Lost Brethren Detachment, they become even deadlier. Every single Death Company unit gains the BATTLELINE keyword, giving them the chance to tackle critical objectives while still being the lunatic shock troops we know and love.
Combat-wise, this Detachment lets you re-roll Wound rolls of 1 in melee, but when your unit’s numbers start to thin out, they dig deep and can re-roll a failed Wound roll entirely. Their fury is barely held in check, and Chaplains play a vital role here. These grim shepherds empower Stratagems that make the Death Company even more terrifying—like increasing their Attacks, Strength, and Armour Penetration. But the curse is ever-present. Without a Chaplain nearby, these warriors run the risk of tearing themselves apart with the [Hazardous] ability.
As their end draws near, they’re granted a final moment of cathartic violence through Final Retribution, where on a roll of 4+, they lash out one last time. This finale is all the more potent with a Chaplain nearby, who ensures their final act is one of vengeful fury.
The Angelic Host: Precision and Power from On High
The skies have always belonged to the Blood Angels. Masters of aerial assaults, the Angelic Host Detachment cranks their mobility up to eleven. The core of this Detachment is jump pack-equipped warriors, from Assault Marines to the iconic Sanguinary Guard. These angels of death can take flight, surveying the battlefield from above, before crashing down with pinpoint accuracy.
The Descent of Angels Stratagem is key here, letting them drop in where they’re needed most—whether that’s disrupting a crucial enemy charge or snatching an objective out of the enemy’s grasp. But the Angelic Host isn’t just about rapid strikes; it’s about staying slippery and unpredictable. Characters equipped with Gleaming Pinions can dart away when enemies get too close, repositioning themselves to keep their tactical advantage.
If you like playing games with your opponents, leaving them guessing where your forces will hit next, the Angelic Host is for you. They combine classic Blood Angels aggression with unmatched mobility, swooping down to carve their enemies apart before disappearing back into the skies.
Blood Angels Sanguinary Guard: New 10th Edition Rules for Warhammer 40k’s Golden Elite
The Blood Angels have always walked a precarious line between two extremes: the blood-crazed berserkers driven by the Red Thirst and the angelic warriors who embody grace, nobility, and deadly precision. The Sanguinary Guard sits firmly in the latter camp; an elite cadre wrapped in shimmering gold who combine divine purpose with lethal efficiency. Their latest updates bring exciting changes that will hopefully bring the pain that all Blood Angel players want!
Guardians of a Legacy
The Sanguinary Guard trace their origins back to Sanguinius himself, handpicked to stand as his closest protectors. These aren’t just any Astartes—these are the chosen few, selected from those already considered elite among the Blood Angels. Even after their role expanded into battlefield operations across the Imperium, the tradition of choosing only the very best remains sacred. This isn’t merely tradition—it’s a decree from Azkaellon, Sanguinius’ right-hand warrior, who made sure each Successor Chapter upheld this legacy through the Codex Astartes.
Azkaellon wasn’t just preserving the Guard’s exclusivity for tradition’s sake; he was shaping their role as an ongoing symbol of the primarch’s angelic image. Whether soaring down from the skies with radiant death masks or charging fearlessly into the thick of combat, the Sanguinary Guard carry not just weapons but the living memory of their father.
Striking and Surviving: New Sanguinary Guard 40k Weapon Rules
With the latest updates, the Sanguinary Guard is not only even deadlier but more resilient, boasting an extra Wound and a new 4+ Invulnerable Save. The reduced unit sizes of three to six might seem small, but that’s more than offset by their beefier defenses. If you’re the kind of player who believes quality trumps quantity, then the new Guard is made for you.
Where they shine is in the cut-and-thrust of melee, their encarmine blades crackling with energy as they sweep through hordes of foes or bring down toughened behemoths. New to their arsenal are encarmine spears, weapons crafted not just for slicing but for skewering even the hardest targets on the charge thanks to the [LANCE] rule. No foe is safe when these warriors descend from the skies with a vengeance in their hearts.
The Red Thirst Returns
For those ready to channel the Blood Angels’ thirst for battle, the Red Thirst Detachment rule in the Liberator Assault Group will let you push the Sanguinary Guard to their absolute limits. Their strength and attack potential ramp up to match their foes’ most dangerous moments. Pair this with the Angelic Host Detachment, and you’ll unlock jump-pack-related tricks that amplify the Guard’s maneuverability. The Death from the Skies Stratagem, for instance, allows your Guard to maintain pressure, charging even after advancing or falling back. Mobility and precision strike perfectly balanced.
The Glory of Choice
On the modeling side, you’ll find plenty of options to give your Guard the individual flair they deserve. Their iconic death masks and unhelmeted heads evoke everything from angelic calm to divine wrath. Whether you’re fielding them with encarmine blades or spears, these warriors look fantastic while delivering punishment. For those who want some extra firepower, the choice of an inferno pistol or a Sanguinary Banner adds depth and tactical options. The banners themselves aren’t just decorative—they’re relics that carry the chapter’s honor, retrieved from the sacred vaults on Baal.
Final Thoughts: Wrath of the Angels
So, there you have it—three ways to unleash your inner vampire-angel-space-knight, whether you prefer tearing through enemies with unbridled fury, descending from the skies like a golden harbinger of doom, or steering cursed warriors toward a glorious end. The Blood Angels’ new Detachments capture everything we love (and fear) about this tragically regal Chapter.
With these new tools at your disposal, your opponents better brace for some high-flying, blood-soaked artistry. After all, what’s more Blood Angels than delivering righteous fury with a flourish? So go ahead—paint the battlefield red, just as Sanguinius would have wanted, and remind everyone why the sons of Baal are still the most graceful killers in the galaxy.
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What are your thoughts on the new Blood Angels rules for 10th Edition Warhammer 40k?
About the Author: Travis Pasch
Travis Pasch
Job Title: Head Writer & Editor
Socials: @paschbass
About Travis Pasch: Travis has been a Warhammer 40k hobbyist since the 1990s, playing the game since Third Edition. Through extensive traveling, he’s seen a lot of the miniatures hobby from across the world, giving him a unique perspective on the latest gaming topics and trends.
Travis’s brother even owns a commission painting studio, where he’s picked up a lot of good advice and techniques for painting Warhammer and tabletop miniatures over the years, as well. Travis joined the Spikey Bits team in 2019 and has been the lead writer since 2020.
Currently, he’s working on converting all his 40k Adeptus Mechanicus models and becoming a true tech enjoyer, complete with both sad and happy robot noises!
