GW continues to push back its schedule as the Dark Eldar 40k codex has a new release date for April…
Previously we had seen a few rules previews for some of the changes coming for the new Drukhari codex, and now we have a release date courtesy of GW
Let’s take a look at the latest new rules preview and teasers to get hype for what looks to be the next 40k release!
New Drazhar Drukhari 40k Rules
There was an Ikea style sheet of his rules spotted on Reddit so let’s compare it to the old sheet and see what’s changed.
Old rules
New Rules
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New Bonuses:
- +1 Attack (was 4, now 5)
- Buffed weapon profile got +1 S and +1 Damage (was +1 S and 2 Damage, now +2 S with 3 Damage)
What we don’t know:
- Re-rolls?
- Incubi Aura?
- Fight twice on charge?
- Chaff clearing profile?
Overall, Drazhar is getting a big bump. His weapon going to three damage while also getting 5 attacks is massive. If he gets to keep his fight twice he may be a force to be reckoned with.
New Dark Eldar Core Rules
Recently we saw new rules from GW on Warhammer Community for the Kabalite Warriors. We will briefly recap that then dive into the new rules that were spotted.
As we know the Drukhari are next in line for their 9th edition codex update. As such GW is starting to release some sneak peeks into their rules. The first of which revolves around the simple Kabalite Warriors.
You may soon start to see your Drukhari arriving in sleek new packaging, ahead of their upcoming codex release, and with it comes a sneak peek at some of the rules you can expect to see in the near future.
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Kabalite Warrior Stat Line
Unlike Space Marines, Eldar look to be staying at one wound a pop. This statline doesn’t however bring to light two new changes coming their way. They are getting an additional attack, and +1 to their Save. These two changes are pretty small, so they won’t see too much of a change, however facing two wound troops does hurt, so hopefully, they will be relatively cheap to field.
Splinter Cannon Stat Line
They also showed off the Splinter Cannon which is one of the many ranged options the kit has access to. There are a couple of changes here. The only thing remaining the same are the range and Poisoned Weapon (which might change with the codex). The weapon will now be Heavy 3 instead of Rapid fire 3, with Strength 3 instead of user strength. It is also up to -1 AP instead of 0 and has 2 Damage instead of 1. Overall these are good changes considering SM has two wounds, these weapons just got a lot better versus them.
There have also been two Ikea-style datasheets spotted for Wyches and Kabalite Warriors spotted (with changes that match these official teased changes) around the web! Let’s take a closer look at what we know is coming in the Druhkari Codex!
New Wyches Drukhari 40k Rules
There was an Ikea style sheet of their rules spotted recently so let’s compare it to the old sheet and see what’s changed.
Old rules
New Rules
New Bonuses:
- +1 Attack (up from 2, now 3)
- Agonizer -1 AP (was -2, now -3)
- Splinter Pistol flat S2 (was user)
- Hekatarii Blade -1 AP (was 0, now -1)
- Hydra Gauntlets +2 S, -2 AP, 1 Damage (was user, -1 AP, 1 Damage)
- Shardnet and Impaler – 1 AP ( was -1AP, now -2)
What we don’t know:
- Grenade Launcher?
- Poison Weapon?
- Unique Weapon rules?
- Invulnerable Save in Melee?
- Combat Drugs?
Overall, Wyches look like they are coming out on top. Most of their weapons are getting buffed and none of them are nerfed. They staying at 1 wound which may hurt them, but with many of their unique rules still unknown, this may not be that big of a deal.
Buffed across their whole sheet means if they get decent faction rules they will be much better in every way, and if not, they are better in their own right.
New Kabalite Warriors Drukhari 40k Rules
There was an Ikea style sheet of their rules spotted on Imgur so let’s compare it to the old sheet and see what’s changed.
Old rules
New Rules
New Bonuses:
- +1 Attack (up from 1, now 2)
- +1 Armor Save (up from 5+, now 4+)
- Splinter Rifle Base S2 (was user)
- Shredder +6 inch range (was 12″, now 18″)
- Splinter cannon Heavy 3, s3, -1 AP, 2 damage (was rapid-fire 3, user S, 0 AP, 1 Damage)
- Dark Lance now D3+3 (was d6)
- Splinter Pistol now S2 (was user)
- Agonizer -1 AP (was -2, now -3 AP)
What we don’t know:
- Poison Weapon?
- Power from Pain?
Overall, Kabalite Warriors are doing great. Most of their weapons are getting buffed and none of them are nerfed. They staying at 1 wound which may hurt them, but with many of their unique rules still unknown, this may not be that big of a deal.
A huge thing to note is the buffs to Dark lances, these may be returning as the heavy weapon of choice for Drukhari players this time around.
New Dark Eldar Drukhari Codex Release Date
According to Games Workshop, the newest 9th Edition codex will go on pre-order this March 20th!
You’ll be able to read more about Commorragh soon, for Codex: Drukhari is up for pre-order from Saturday the 20th of March.
So it looks like a full month may pass between new releases of Warhammer 40k, and after the latest cryptic weekly teaser message perhaps any new GW release in general?
There are loads more to come in 2021 – of that you can be sure – and our goal is to make sure that hobbyists around the world can get their hands on the latest Warhammer within a similar timeframe. Global events certainly make this challenging right now, but by moving the release dates of certain products in our schedule, we can make it more likely that everyone can enjoy the latest models, books, and games together.
This adjustment will help everyone involved in shipping and selling your Warhammer – wherever you happen to live – ensure that it reaches you in a timely manner. And it means that when we get to some of the mind-blowingly huge releases coming your way this year, you’ll be ready for them.
Confused? So are we? Perhaps some things we think we are on the way have been pushed back to keep bigger release dates more cemented in place? It’s really hard to say, but it seems like overall it may be better for the Warhammer hobby in general?
No word yet if the Purity and Pain box set release will accompany this release
Look for the Druhkari codex to hit store shelves on APRIL 3rd, as we assume the next major codex release for 40k!
What rules changes do you want to see from the new Dark Eldar Codex with this release date?
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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.
