As we get closer to Vigilus, more and more previews are here for the new 40k formations and rules everyone has been talking about. Take a look.
Whether you play Imperium or Xenos some of your questions on what new 40k detachments that are coming 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, along with previews from their videos and the open day itself.
Without any more delay, let’s dive in!
Vigilus Defiant Campaigns & Missions
From the looks of it, there are a lot more rules coming for Warhammer 40k this weekend. GW posted the table of contents for the new Vigilus Defiant, and some factions are for sure lacking.
Does that mean a sequel book is already in the works for the rest of the 40k lineup?
Xenos Detachments
GSC: Anointed Throng
As we’ve said before, the specialist detachments only affect certain units. In this case, Abominants and Aberrants gain the Anointed Throng keyword. But what does it do for them?
This Specialist Detachment unlocks a number of useful tricks, including a Warlord Trait that adds 1 to charge rolls for nearby Anointed Throng units, and the Blessed Sledgehammer relic that improves your Abominant’s weapon to a tank-busting AP of -4.
You’d want to use this stratagem when you decide to chest bump a Knight with a full squad of Aberrants. This is basically Only in Death does Duty End for an entire unit of Aberrants. Keep in mind that the Aberrants can take power sledges which are literal thunder hammers. Translation: You’ll be able to tear something up.
GW also dropped this teaser:
Genestealer Cults players will also have access to the Deliverance Broodsurge, representing flotillas of Goliath Trucks brimming with Hybrids.
We’re not exactly if this is a stratagem or a rule for the detachment but it sounds like we can maybe pop units out of Goliath Trucks for free? Maybe after they’ve already moved? who knows.
Craftworlds: Wraith Host
1Pp gives the Spiritseers and Wraith Constructs in a detachment the Wraith Host Keyword and it looks like the detachment unlocks access to a new Warlord Trait called Revered by the Dead.
…the Revered by the Dead Warlord Trait will enable nearby Wraith Constructs to re-roll charge rolls…
Not only can your Constructs re-roll failed charge rolls, but for just 1CP, you can add 1 to the attacks of every model in the unit.
Just like the GSC quote from above, GW left us with this teaser. Is another detachment on the way for Eldar that is more focused on speed?
If your Asuryani hail from Saim-Hann, or simply like to ignore such paltry concerns as gravity, you can even field a Windrider Host to give your jetbike and Vyper-mounted Craftworlders a handy, thematic boost.
Windrider Host
Eldar are getting the Windrider Host formation for just 1CP. This unlocks the Wild Rider Warlord Trait. Unfortunately, we can’t see what else the formation will be getting.
- Wild Rider Warlord Trait: Your Warlord and friendly Windrider Host units within 6″ can charge even if they fell back earlier in the turn.
Orks: Kult of Speed
You now have another stratagem to throw on all of those newfangled Speed Freeks models that just dropped!
Unsurprisingly, all of the associated rules benefit your adrenaline-fuelled Speed Freeks, from a trait that renders Kult of Speed units within 12” of your Warlord immune to Morale tests provided they Advanced (that’s your Warbikers sorted!)
There’s also a 2CP stratagem on the way that allows a unit to double its movement. That’s upwards in the 20+” threat range.
You can turn your Deffkilla Wartrike into Skargim’s Snazztrike as a relic. This just gives it +1 toughness and a 5++ save.
Ork players are getting a grand total of four specialist detachments in Vigilus:
- Kult of Speed
- Dread Waaagh!
- Blitz Brigade
- Stompa Mob
Dread Waagh!
This is the first time we’ve seen a faction get more than one formation. Orks have already had one of their other formations called the Blitz Brigade previewed first. With that being said, if you see a formation for your faction that doesn’t sit well with you, there’s probably more for you to pick from!
We can’t see what the formation gives the Orks besides their Shiny Gubbin and boy is it a Gubbin to behold.
- Dread Waaagh’s Shiny Gubbinz: Da Souped-up Shokka: Range 60″ Heavy 2d6 S 2d6 AP -5 D d6.
Ork Formation: Blitz Brigade
BLITZ BRIGADE (UNLOCK COST) – 1-3CP??
…Pick an ORK detachment from your army to be a BLITZ BRIGADE Spearhead detachment. WARBIKERS, BATTLEWAGONS, BONECRUSHAS and (OTHER VARIANT) in this detachment gain the BLITZ BRIGADE keyword.
The cost is up in the air for right now. It could be anywhere from 1-3Cp as the pictures are so blurry. However, it looks like spending the CP only gives a certain detachment a keyword. Which in turn, obviously gives you access to restricted warlord traits, relics, and stratagems.
Warlord Trait: Back-seat driver
If a BLITZ BRIGADE CHARACTER is your Warlord, you can give the them the following Warlord Trait. When your Warlord is embarked within a BLITZ BRIGADE TRANSPORT, add 1″ to that transport’s move characteristic. In addition, while your Warlord is embarked within it, the transport gains the “ere we go” ability
Right off the bat, this seems perfect for an Evil Sunz list as a Speed Freeks Blitz Brigade units can move a whopping +2″ and reroll charge rolls. Let’s check out the special relic next.
Da Blitz Shouta
If the relic wielder is in a Blitz Brigade Battlewagon at the start of your shooting phase, you can pick an enemy unit that is visible to the character. Until the end of the phase, reroll all hit rolls of 1 for attacks made by friendly Blitz Brigade units with 6″ that target the enemy you selected.
Blitz Brigade Stratagems
1CP – Opening Salvo – Use this stratagem in your shooting phase in the first battle round. Select a friendly Blitz Brigade Gunwagon. You can double the range of all of its shooting attacks until the end of the phase.
Opening Salvo is perfect for getting that extra bit of reach on a unit you need to cripple turn one.
1CP – CRUSH YA! – Use this stratagem when a Blitz Brigade Bonecrusha unit from your army is chosen to fight. You can roll an additional D6 when using the unit’s ram ability and take the highest result.
2CP – Hold on, Boyz! – Use this stratagem during your movement phase, before moving a Blitz Brigade Battlewagon in your army. Pick a friendly <CLAN> Infantry unit wholly within 3″ of that model and remove it from the battlefield. Once the Battlewagon has moved, you may re-deploy the unit of Ork Infantry unit around the Battlewagon within 3″ of it and more than 1″ away from enemy units.
The infantry unit cannot move further this phase and counts as having moved this turn for all rules purposes and it cannot charge this turn.
While not every Xenos faction will be in Vigilus, there’s plenty of support coming to the ones that are. We’re sure GW will give the factions (Tau & Necrons) some kind of detachment rules somewhere down the line.
Imperium Detachments
Field Commander Stratagem
Before we jump into the detachments themselves, there’s a universal 1CP stratagem that lets you essentially give a non-Warlord non-named character a unique Warlord Trait.
You can also use it as many times as you want (as long as you have a different special detachment each time).
Indomitus Crusaders
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. However, They did give us 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: adds 1 to wound rolls for nearby Victrix Guard units in the Fight phase.
The Warlord Trait essentially gives all Victrix Guard units in the detachment The Red Thirst from the Blood Angels codex.
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.
We don’t know any more rules on the detachment past what they gave us above. But that’s not the only detachment they’re getting. Guard are also going to have:
- Emperor’s Blade Assault Companies
- Emperor’s Wrath Artillery Companies
- Tempestus Drop Forces
Haarken & Marneus Calgar
Rejoice Chaos and Space Marine fans because Games Workshop also previewed the new 40k rules for both Marneus Calgar and Haarken Worldclaimer!
Let’s start off with Haarken Worldclaimer and see what he’ll be bringing to the 40k table.
Haarken Worldclaimer
Haarken is essentially a named Raptor. He’s armed with a Jump Pack, his Helspear, a lightning claw, and a Sigil of Corruption for the nifty 4++ invuln save.
He’s essentially what you’d expect out of a relatively cheap Raptor HQ. Haarken is still T4 with a 3+ armor save with a WS and BS of 2+. His spear is actually a ranged weapon. It looks like he’ll be slapping people around with his lightning claw. What makes him especially deadly, however, are his rules.
He may be dressed in the colors of the Black Legion, but he is the Lord of the Raptors. ANY Raptor model can reroll hit rolls with their melee weapons within 6″ of him.
He’s also got Herald of the Apocalypse which reduces the enemy’s leadership in an 18″ bubble around him (this will probably only be a -1Ld).
Five attacks are already scary enough. But his Head-Claimer rule lets him become a flurry of attacks late-game. This model is mobile and will be able to jump into a crowd, smack around your enemies cheap characters, and keep going.
All in all, Haarken looks to be a solid, mobile unit that you can snowball into late-game. Now let’s go over Marneus.
Marneus Calgar
What’s odd is that Marneus doesn’t have the symbol for being an HQ…or any symbol for that matter. Just something to note. However, he is BEEFY. sitting at T5 and eight wounds, he’s like a great-value Primarch. don’t forget he halves the damage he suffers.
Marneus Calgar now wears the Armour of Heraclus – a custom suit of Mk X Gravis armour that allows him to move unencumbered, provides him with a 4+ invulnerable save and halves any damage he suffers!
Marneus Calgar is keeping the same stats of his weapons from what they are now and they aren’t half bad. That’ll be six attacks at S8 coming at his enemies.
Marneus Calgar also makes for a fantastic choice of Warlord. Not only will this net you a couple of bonus Command Points from his Master Tactician ability, but his Adept of the Codex Warlord Trait will enable you to replenish your store of Command Points even as you spend them:
So not only does Marneus give you command points, but you can net them back on a 5+. Don’t forget he still is a Chapter Master at the end of the day and lets any friendly Ultramarines reroll fail hit rolls within 6″ of him.
Marneus is most definitely a force to be reckoned with. Haarken will probably be able to cause some serious damage to him late-game but Marneus will still probably come out on top. (Marneus is also more than likely going to be twice Haarken’s points cost so keep that in mind).
What do you think about the stats of the (new) characters coming to 40k? What are your thoughts on the 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: Wesley Floyd
Wesley Floyd
Job Title: Staff Writer
Joined: 2018
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About Wesley Floyd: Wes has been in the Warhammer hobby since 2015 and joined the Spikey Bits writing team in 2018. He is known for his satirist takes on trending topics and imaginative yet amazingly affordable hobby solutions to painting Warhammer miniatures.
Imperial fanboy, tabletop fanatic, and the self-proclaimed King of Sprues. He knows for a fact that Mephiston red is the best-tasting paint and is the commission painting equivalent of a Wendy’s 4 for $4. If you like what he writes and want to contact him or have your tabletop minatures painted (to a mostly okayish standard), message him on Instagram.
