Don’t miss a look at all the new Warhammer 40k formation detachments for the Imperium that are coming in Vigilus Defiant. What buffs are your army getting?
Whether you play Imperium or Xenos your questions on what new 40k detachments will do for your army may have just been answered.
Games Workshop has previewed some of the new special detachments and rules from the new Vigilus supplement book over the past few days, and now we have all 22 of the formations from a book reviewer over the weekend!
We cleaned up a lot of these images and tried to make them as large and as readable as possible for everyone so you could get as accurate of a preview of the new rules as possible!
Without any more delay, let’s dive in!
Vigilus Defiant Campaigns & Missions
GW posted the table of contents for the new Vigilus Defiant, and some factions are for sure lacking, like Chaos and Necrons for instance.
Does that mean a sequel book is already in the works for the rest of the 40k lineup?
A quick note on how the new Detachments work from Vigilus, and some pointers on Traits, Psychics, Relics and the faux warlord generic Stratagem that we had already seen previewed:
Save your CP’s as it looks like it is possible to retain your normal codex warlord trait, and give another character the detachment one as well.
Imperium Detachments
Indomitus Crusaders (Space Marines)
These abilities look to be intended for any Space Marine Chapter to use, but at second glance they are for “Space Marine Detachments” which only seem to apply anything from Codex Space Marines per page 196 of that book.
The Indomitus Crusader detachment only affects Primaris Captain, Primaris Lieutenants. Primaris Ancients, Intercessor Squads, and Inceptor Squads.
So what does this detachment unlock for you?
the coolest part of this Specialist Detachment is the ability to upgrade your Intercessors further with the Veteran IntercessorsStratagem. Not only does it upgrade their Attacks and Leadership characteristics by 1 for the cost of a single Command Point, but it unlocks one of three additional Stratagems according to their wargear.
You’ll have to spend another stratagem to upgrade your Intercessors to Veterans, but once you do, you have the ability to snipe characters out of the crowd with a 1Cp stratagem. This is strictly better than the Sniper squads.
Sure, this is more CP intensive, but the Stalker bolt rifles have AP on them and still cause mortal wounds.
Imperial Fist-Siegebreaker Cohort
Games Workshop also previewed Imperial Fists’ Siegebreaker Cohort formation recently. It’s what you’d expect from an Imperial Fist army…completely devastating buildings and all-around solid survivability. The Siegebreaker Cohort only costs 1CP and unlocks a new Warlord trait, a relic, and two stratagems.
- 1CP- Siegebreaker Cohort Formation: Pick an Imperial Fists detachment from your army. Captains, Centurion, Dreadnoughts, and Vindicators gain the Siegebreaker Cohort keyword.
Of course, they have to balance the formation a little bit. They only have a select number of units that can have the Siegebreaker Cohort keyword. Let’s check out the stratagems you unlock with this formation.
- 1CP- Structural Demolition: Use this stratagem when a Siegebreaker Cohort unit destroyed a building. The enemy must roll 2D6 for each model disembarking.
This stratagem would be brutal if it would include vehicles as well. There are hardly any buildings in the 40k meta.
- 1CP-Seismic devastation: Use this Stratagem at the start of the shooting or fight phase. Pick a Siegebreaker unit from your army. For each wound roll of a 6+, inflict a mortal wound on top of any additional damage.
- Indomitable Warlord Trait: If your Warlord did not move, friendly units within 6″ automatically pass morale and may gain the benefit of being in cover even if they are not wholly within a terrain feature.
- Eye of Hypnoth Relic: Reroll wound rolls of 1 for friendly Siegebreaker Cohort units within 6″ of the bearer.
Getting a free relic that essentially turns a character into a lieutenant isn’t bad at all. It frees you up to put Lieutenant points somewhere else.
Other Detachments Mentioned:
- Crimson Fists Liberator Strike Force
- Black Templars Sword Brethren
- Ravenwing Attack Squadron
- Space Wolves Stalker Pack
These were mentioned detachments but weren’t gone over in any kind of real detail.
Ravenwing Attack Squadron & Space Wolves Stalker Pack
Crimson Fists Liberator Strike Force & Black Templars Sword Brethren
Plus a deeper look into the Victrix Guard
Victrix Guard
This detachment turns key units into highly-regarded super soldiers with two exclusive relics and Warlord Trait.
Victrix Guard relics:
- Standard of Macragge Inviolate
- Soldier’s Blade
Victrix Guard Warlord Trait: once per battle re-roll wound rolls for Victrix Guard units witnin 6″ of the warlord in the Fight phase.
We’re off to a good start for just 1Cp. But check out the stratagems that are coming along with them as well.
Not only will you be +1 to wound, but you’ll more than likely be hitting on a 2+ in the fight phase with a unit as well.
The way this stratagem is worded, it looks like 3Cp gives you the ability to fight before your opponent selects any of his units that charged. On top of that, they can fight again later in the combat phase assuming they’re still locked up. This is 10X better than Honor the Chapter.
Admech Cybernetica Cohort
As for Admech, they are getting a detachment that seems centered around the Kastelan Robots and their controllers.
In addition to the Power Surge Stratagem that adds 3 to a unit’s charge rolls, or the Strafing Fire Run Stratagem that temporarily turns Heavy weapons into Assault weapons, you’ll have access to a great Warlord Trait for keeping your beloved machines of death in the battle:
On top of being able to turn your Robots into the most badass RC cars to ever exist, you’ll be getting a Warlord Trait that can heal a Robot D6 instead of D3.
You’ll also be able to field a Servitor Maniple for your Kataphron units. Hopefully, we can see just what buffs they give.
Astra Militarum: The Emperor’s Fist Tank Company
If you play Guard with a column full of Tanks (i.e the right way), a special detachment is making its way to you. Starting off, let’s check out the Warlord Trait.
Unflinching Resolve: Friendly Emperor’s Fist units within 6″ of the Warlord can reroll all hit rolls when firing overwatch.
Emperor’s Fist Relic:
Load up a Battle Cannon Leman Russ with this relic and pop armor with the damage of a thunder hammer.
Infantry & Tank Company Specialist Detachment
That’s not the only detachment they’re getting. Guard are also going to have the following:
- Emperor’s Blade Assault Companies
- Emperor’s Wrath Artillery Companies
- Tempestus Drop Forces
Tempestus Drop Forces
Emperor’s Blade Assault Companies & Emperor’s Wrath Artillery Companies
What are your thoughts on these new special detachments? Do you think they’ll have a place in the competitive meta?
Let us know in the comments of our Facebook Hobby Group.
About the Author: Rob Baer
Rob Baer
Job Title: Managing Editor
Founded Spikey Bits in 2009
Socials: Rob Baer on Facebook and @catdaddymbg on X
About Rob Baer: Founder, Publisher, & Managing Editor of Spikey Bits, the leading tabletop gaming news website focused on the hobby side of wargaming and miniatures.
Rob also co-founded and currently hosts the Long War Podcast, which has over 350 episodes and focuses on tabletop miniatures gaming, specializing in Warhammer 40k. and spent six years writing for Bell of Lost Souls.
Every year, along with his co-hosts, he helps host the Long War 40k Doubles Tournament at Adepticon and the Long War 40k Doubles at Las Vegas Open, which attracts over 350 players from around the world.
Rob has won many Warhammer 40k Tournaments over the years, including multiple first-place finishes in Warhammer 40k Grand Tournaments over the years and even winning 1st place at the Adepticon 40k Team Tournament.
With over 30 years of experience in retail and distribution, Rob knows all the products and exactly which ones are the best. As a member of GAMA (Game Manufacturers Association), he advocates for gaming stores and manufacturers in these difficult times, always looking for the next big thing to feature for the miniatures hobby, helping everyone to provide the value consumers want.
While he’s played every edition of Warhammer 40k and Warhammer Fantasy (since 5th Edition) and has been hobbying on miniatures since the 1980s, Titans of all sizes will always be his favorite! It’s even rumored that his hobby vault rivals the Solemnance Galleries, containing rulebooks filled with lore from editions long past, ancient packs of black-bordered Magic Cards, and models made of both pewter and resin.
