Games Workshop had a very Space Marine-heavy news day, but in two different flavors.
On one side, 40K players received faction pack downloads for the incoming edition. On the other, Heresy fans got a gorgeous MkIV armor reveal. Together, these updates hit rules-heads, collectors, and anyone who loves power armor with too many options.
Space Marine Faction Packs Start the New Edition Push
The new 40K faction pack drop prepares Space Marines for the coming edition and its updated detachment system. That matters immediately, since detachments now shape both theme and list construction. The headline is simple, but important: Space Marines are first out with a downloadable pack. The three brand-new generic Space Marine detachments each cost 1DP.
These are Fulguris Task Force, Librarius Conclave, and Subversion Assets. Because of that price, they feel like focused tools rather than expensive army engines. Meanwhile, Gladius Task Force, Armoured Speartip, and Stormlance Task Force sit at 3DP. Many familiar choices land at 2DP, which gives list builders plenty to chew on right away. Cheap detachments may create room for other upgrades, while pricier ones likely bring broader power.
The divergent chapters also get real attention, which matters for players with dedicated collections. Nobody wants Dark Angels, Blood Angels, Space Wolves, Black Templars, or Grey Knights feeling like afterthoughts. Each of those armies receives new 1DP options.
The list includes Dark Age Arsenal, Encarmine Speartip, Champions of Fenris, Marshal’s Household, and Argent Assault. Existing themed detachments then slot into the 2DP or 3DP range. Deathwatch also keeps Black Spear Task Force at 3DP, so elite kill teams still pay premium prices.
Aircraft are being cleaned up in a very practical way. Stormhawk Interceptors and Stormtalon Gunships now fully act like aircraft through ingress-style attack runs. However, the Stormraven loses Aircraft so it can better function as a hovering transport. That makes more sense for how people picture that brick screaming across the table.
Also, several former Leader characters are now Support units. That includes Ancients, Apothecaries, and most Lieutenants. Therefore, support characters should attach less awkwardly, although the Lieutenant with Combi-weapon remains a stylish loner. The article closes by noting that xenos, Chaos, and Imperium downloads follow through the week.
MkIV Maximus Armor Returns to the Age of Darkness
The Horus Heresy reveal is pure plastic temptation for fans of classic power armor. That cleaner, high-tech look still rules, especially beside chunkier MkIII squads. These new Space Marines arrive first as Tactical Legionaries with Tigris-pattern bolters.
That gives them a fantastic late Great Crusade feel. Lore-wise, MkIV was designed as one of the most advanced armor marks available to the Legiones Astartes. However, the Heresy wrecked the Mechanicum and shattered supply lines, so mass adoption never really happened. That detail gives the kit a sharp narrative edge. Favoured Traitor Legions like the Sons of Horus received major stocks before everything caught fire. The new MkIV kits join MkII, MkIII, and MkVI in the current range. Also, they work with heavy weapons, special weapons, and command upgrades. Like the MkIII set, the Tactical Squad includes vambraces for weapon-arm conversions. That helps upgraded arms look properly MkIV, which is a thoughtful converter-friendly touch. Assault Legionaries are also coming in MkIV armor with sleek jump packs. Those packs later influenced MkVI designs, which is a nice bit of visual lineage.
Even better, the squad can be built as Veteran Assault Marines with power lances. That sounds perfect for fellow Astartes skewering in brutal mirror-match assaults. The first release point is the Maximus Battle Group. It packs 20 Tactical Legionaries, 10 Assault Legionaries, a Contemptor Dreadnought, and a Sicaran Battle Tank. The Contemptor comes with many weapon options, while the Sicaran brings accelerator autocannons. Rules support comes from Liber Astartes or Liber Hereticus, depending on your loyalty problem.
Summary and Final Thoughts
Overall, this is a strong double hit. The 40K packs give competitive players immediate homework, while the MkIV release gives Heresy collectors fresh fuel. More importantly, both updates respect how people actually engage with these games. Players want rules that build cleaner armies, but they also want kits that tell a story on the shelf. As a result, this feels like a good week to own too many Space Marines.
