A new edition isn’t just an excuse to drop a massive box of stunning new models (although Saturnine certainly delivers on that front).
It’s also the perfect moment for the Warhammer Studio to revisit the rules and breathe fresh life into the game, without straying from the core mechanics that Heresy fans know and love.
This time around, the focus has been on refining the ruleset, boosting narrative flavour, and empowering players to create even more thematic, characterful armies. Here are five of our favourite new mechanics and updates from this latest evolution of the Age of Darkness.
1. Challenges Become Truly Epic
The Heresy is a saga of legendary heroes, and now the game reflects that with dramatic new rules for character duels. When warlords clash, it shouldn’t just be another combat roll – it should feel like a pivotal showdown that could define the entire battle.
The new Challenge rules let your heroes do more than just swing harder – they gain tactical options to outmanoeuvre and outthink their rival. These cinematic duels evoke the feel of the Black Library novels and elevate your Characters beyond just stat blocks – they become living legends with a real impact on the battlefield.
2. Flexible, Flavourful Army Building
Gone are the rigid restrictions of past editions. This new approach to army construction opens up countless thematic possibilities. Want to run an all-Dreadnought force? A jetbike sky-cavalry? A gunline backed by Mechanicum allies? Go for it.
While balanced armies that include battleline infantry and leaders still offer subtle bonuses, there are no penalties for exploring more esoteric themes. You can also include allied detachments to reflect battlefield partnerships between Legions, Solar Auxilia, or Mechanicum cohorts. It’s a sandbox approach, designed to support both narrative flair and competitive creativity.
Also, yes – Drop Pods are back. You’re welcome.
3. Tactical Status: Control Beyond Killing
Winning the battlefield doesn’t always mean wiping out your foes. The new Tactical Status system reflects the psychological and strategic impact of advanced warfare. Units can now be affected by four conditions: Pinned, Suppressed, Stunned, and Routed – each representing a different type of disruption to a unit’s cohesion and performance.
These new mechanics give players more tools to control the tempo of battle – whether you’re halting an advance, sowing confusion, or locking down objectives. Handy tokens included in the Saturnine box make it easy to track effects in the heat of battle.
4. Advanced Characteristics Return
Old-school fans will cheer the return of nuanced stat lines. Beyond just Leadership, units now possess four Advanced Characteristics: Leadership (LD), Willpower (WP), Intelligence (IN), and Cool (CL). These are used in narrative and gameplay tests and give each unit more personality and role-specific flavour.
For example, a Legion Psyker might boast exceptional Willpower, while a tech-savvy comms officer would shine in Intelligence tests. Even basic Legionaries show balance across the board – while Tech-Thralls might have sky-high Cool but fall short everywhere else. Tests are resolved on 2D6, aiming to roll equal or under the relevant stat – simple and elegant.
5. A Total Weapon Overhaul
Weapons, both ranged and melee, have received a full revamp. Ranged weapons now include a Damage characteristic, much like in Warhammer 40,000, while melee weapons interact more directly with a user’s core stats – modifying Strength, Attacks, and Initiative instead of having fixed values.
This results in faster, more impactful combat and clearer differentiation between weapon types. Expect more drama in close combat and bigger swings from high-powered ranged weapons.
More to Come
This is just the beginning. Over the coming weeks, we’ll be diving deeper into the full rule set, with breakdowns of each system, spotlights on faction tactics, and more lore to frame the unfolding Age of Darkness.
If you haven’t yet, return to the Horus Heresy hub for the rest of today’s reveals – and brace yourself. The Age of Darkness has never looked sharper, hit harder, or told better stories than it does now.
And remember, Frontline Gaming sells gaming products at a discount, every day in their webcart!
