Listen up, battle-brothers — the mission clock is ticking, and the new edition of Warhammer: The Horus Heresy – Age of Darkness is about to drop like a Thunderhawk in full burn.
We’ve already seen the glorious contents of the Saturnine launch box (that’s 50 brand-new models, thank you very much), but that’s just the start. If you thought the Heresy was just about Astartes-on-Astartes action, it’s time to think bigger. This is a full-blown, galaxy-burning refresh — and we’re breaking it all down right here.
Five Liber Books to Rule the Galaxy
At launch, the game’s backbone will be formed by five new Liber books. These chunky tomes cover the core factions of the Horus Heresy setting: Loyalist Astartes, Traitor Astartes, the Mechanicum, Solar Auxilia, and the Titan Legions and Knight Households. If you’ve ever wanted to march a god-engine into battle or swarm the board with radiation-soaked tech-priests, now’s your moment.
However, that’s not all. Because the war stretched across every corner of the Imperium, there are more factions coming soon via free PDFs. You’ll soon be able to field Daemons of the Ruinstorm, Blackshields, and the ragtag masses of the Imperialis Militia. That’s right — you can finally bring your weirdest conversions out of the foam tray and back onto the battlefield.
Talons of the Emperor Get a Digital Detour
Worried that the Custodes and Sisters of Silence are missing from the launch lineup? Don’t be. A free digital rules pack will let Talons of the Emperor players get right into the action from day one. It’s not a full Liber (yet), but it will tide you over until these auramite-clad legends get the deep-dive treatment they deserve.
It might take a few months, but they’ve already teased that you’ve seen the tip of the spear — so expect something golden and glorious soon.
We all remember those oddball Forge World units from earlier editions — the ones that never got plastic models or vanished from the range. Great news: they’re back. The Legacies of the Age of Darkness PDF will support all those units with clear “core” or “legacy” labels.
Even better, official Warhammer events will allow legacy units, keeping narrative play alive and flexible. TOs might still set their own limits, but the core game stays inclusive. This is a smart move that respects long-time collectors while keeping balance in mind.
Massive Digital Support Is Incoming
Over the first five months, Games Workshop is rolling out a wave of digital content. This includes rules for niche forces like the Shattered Legions, full updates for Daemons of the Ruinstorm, and crucially, Zone Mortalis rules for brutal close-quarters battles. These skirmish-scale rules make great use of limited table space and maximize terrain-heavy drama.
If you’ve ever wanted to recreate a desperate boarding action or tight corridor firefight, now’s your chance. And yes, it’ll all be free to download.
Journal Tactica: Printed Expansions With Narrative Punch
Beyond PDFs, we’re getting regular printed supplements via the Journal Tactica series. Each 48-page softback zeroes in on a specific part of the Heresy — whether a famous battle, a major faction, or a new playstyle.
The first issue launches with Saturnine and focuses on the Dropsite Massacre. Expect new lore, custom missions, and even some unique units to sprinkle into your force. These books will likely become essential for narrative campaign builders and collectors.
Plastic Is the Future — And It Looks Glorious
You’ve seen them teased at Dropsite Preview, but let’s say it again: we’re getting MkII Assault Marines, MkIII Breachers, and a massive Fellblade Super-heavy Tank, all in plastic. GW is clearly leaning hard into the plastic transition, which means better accessibility, easier builds, and a serious boost to army diversity. This isn’t just a minor update — it’s a full-on commitment to making Heresy more mainstream and beginner-friendly. Expect more kits on a faster release schedule moving forward.
The long-running Heresy Thursday series is coming to a close. That’s a bit sad, sure, but there’s a good reason. The new content cadence just can’t support weekly reveals anymore, especially with so many big plastic drops on the horizon.
But don’t worry — Warhammer Community will still cover Heresy news, interviews, painting guides, tactical breakdowns, and mini reveals as they arrive. This change reflects a maturing game line that’s moving from teaser trickles to full-blown support.
Final Thoughts: The Horus Heresy Is in Great Hands
This new edition of The Horus Heresy isn’t just a rules update. It’s a total overhaul of how the game is presented, played, and expanded. With plastic kits, full faction support, a mix of free and printed content, and room for every kind of player — it’s the best time to jump into the Long War.
Whether you’re a crusty old Death Guard player with resin tanks, or a new Blood Angels hobbyist with plastic dreams, there’s room for you in the Age of Darkness.
So keep your bolter locked and your vox tuned in — the Emperor’s Light may be dim, but the future of the Heresy burns bright.
And remember, Frontline Gaming sells gaming products at a discount, every day in their webcart!
