Games Workshop has revealed seven new Warhammer 40,000 Battleforce boxes for Christmas 2026, covering Space Marines, Chaos Knights, Orks, Space Wolves, Blood Angels, Chaos Space Marines and Necrons. According to the Warhammer Community announcement on 19 October, all seven will be available to pre-order soon. Prices and the exact pre-order date have not been confirmed yet.
Battleforces are GW's festive bundles: a big chunk of an army in one box, usually at a lower price than buying the kits separately. Below is the full contents of every 40k Battleforce, who each box suits, and our verdict on which ones are worth clearing space under the tree for. If you are new to the hobby, our Warhammer 40k faction range is a good place to get your bearings first.
Warhammer 40k Battleforce 2026: the key facts
- Announced: 19 October 2026, on Warhammer Community
- Boxes revealed: seven for Warhammer 40,000
- Pre-order date: not yet confirmed (GW says soon)
- Prices: not yet announced
- Still to come: GW says Age of Sigmar and Horus Heresy Battleforces will be revealed separately
Space Marines Battleforce: Indomitus Task Force
- Captain in Terminator Armour
- Chaplain
- Redemptor Dreadnought
- 5 Terminators
- 5 Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs
- 10 Intercessors
That is 23 miniatures, and the widest spread of the lot: two characters, a Dreadnought, elite Terminators, a fast assault squad and a ten-strong line unit. GW pitches it as a core to build a Space Marines army around, and it reads that way.
Our take: this is the safe bet of the year. Every kit is a staple, none of it is chapter-locked, so it works for Ultramarines, home-brew chapters or any of the successors. If someone on your list has said the words I want to start Space Marines, this is the space marine battleforce to buy. Browse the wider Space Marines range to see what sits alongside it.
Chaos Knights Battleforce: Helhunt Lance
- Knight Ruinator (can also be built as Knight Abominant, Knight Rampager or Knight Desecrator)
- 4 War Dog Stalkers (can also be built as War Dog Brigands or War Dog Karnivores)
Only five models, but they are big ones. One full-size Chaos Knight with four build options, plus four War Dogs that can each be built three ways.
Our take: Chaos Knights armies are small by nature, so five kits is a serious portion of a force rather than a starter. The build flexibility is the selling point: you are not locked into one Knight before you have even opened the box. For how they play on the table, see our Chaos Knights Army Analysis, or shop the Chaos Knights range.
Ork Battleforce: Armoured Blitzmob
- Warboss in Mega Armour
- Battlewagon (can also be built as a Gunwagon)
- Deff Dread
- 3 Meganobz
- 10 Ork Boyz
Sixteen models built around one idea: load the Warboss and Meganobz into the wagon and drive straight at the enemy. GW notes that built as a Battlewagon, it can carry all ten Boyz at once.
Our take: the most characterful box of the seven and a proper Christmas present, because the Battlewagon is the sort of kit people want but rarely buy for themselves. The Deff Dread adds a walker, the Boyz give you bodies. If you are already into green tide, it also pairs nicely with this year's festive miniature, Da Red Gobbo's Squigmobile. More reading in our Orks Army Analysis and the full Orks range.
Space Wolves Battleforce: Champions of Fenris
- Logan Grimnar
- Arjac Rockfist
- 15 Wolf Guard Terminators
Seventeen models, and fifteen of them are Terminators. Logan Grimnar leads, with his champion Arjac Rockfist at his side.
Our take: this is not a balanced starter, it is a hammer, and it is honest about it. If you play Space Wolves, three squads of Wolf Guard Terminators in one go is a serious upgrade. If you are starting from zero, the Indomitus Task Force gives you more variety. Read up in our Space Wolves Army Analysis or browse the Space Wolves range.
Blood Angels Battleforce: Angelus Assault Force
- Commander Dante
- Blood Angels Chaplain with Jump Pack
- Death Company Brutalis Dreadnought
- 3 Sanguinary Guard
- 5 Death Company Marines with Jump Packs
- Blood Angels Upgrade Frame
Eleven models plus an upgrade frame. Everything with legs arrives from the sky, while the Brutalis Dreadnought charges in on foot.
Our take: the lowest model count of the Marine boxes, but it is very much quality over quantity: two characters, an elite unit and a big Dreadnought. It is a box for people who already know they love the Blood Angels, and it builds a fast, aggressive force that suits how the chapter plays. See our Blood Angels Army Analysis and the Blood Angels range.
Chaos Space Marines Battleforce: Cult of Destruction
- Warpsmith
- Defiler
- Venomcrawler
- 2 Obliterators
- 5 Havocs
- 3 Mutilators
Thirteen models, themed on heavy weapons and daemon engines. GW calls out the Iron Warriors as the natural fit, but says it works for any Chaos warband.
Our take: the Defiler is the headliner and the Venomcrawler is a second big engine, which makes this the most vehicle-heavy box after the Orks. It is a strong pick for an existing Chaos Space Marines player who wants more firepower, and an excellent painting project for anyone who likes rust, brass and spikes. More in our Chaos Space Marines Army Analysis and the Chaos Space Marines range.
Necron Battleforce: Disciples of the Nekrosor
- C'tan Shard of the Nightbringer
- Nekrosor Ammentar
- 3 Ophydian Destroyers
- Canoptek Doomstalker
- 10 Necron Warriors
- 3 Canoptek Scarab Swarms
Two centrepiece models, the Nightbringer and Nekrosor Ammentar, backed by ten Warriors, Ophydian Destroyers, a Doomstalker and Scarabs. Nineteen bases in total.
Our take: two big characters in one box is unusual, and the Nightbringer alone is one of the best-looking kits in the Necron range. Add a ten-strong Warrior squad and this necron battleforce is both a strong start and a strong top-up. Our Necrons Army Analysis covers how they play, and the Necrons range has the rest of the dynasty.
Which 40k Battleforce should you buy?
This part is opinion, so take it with the appropriate pinch of salt:
- Best for starting a new army: Space Marines: Indomitus Task Force. Broadest mix, works for any chapter.
- Best present for someone else: Orks: Armoured Blitzmob. A Battlewagon under the tree is a strong opening move.
- Best centrepieces: Necrons: Disciples of the Nekrosor. Two showpiece models in one box.
- Best for existing players: Space Wolves: Champions of Fenris and Chaos Space Marines: Cult of Destruction. Both are big injections of a specific unit type.
- Best for the painter: Chaos Knights: Helhunt Lance. Few models, lots of surface, plenty of build options.
Once prices are confirmed we will update this article with a value-for-money check against buying the kits separately.
When can you pre-order the Battleforce boxes?
Not quite yet. Games Workshop's announcement says the boxes will be up for pre-order soon, with the date to follow. In previous years Battleforces have been limited runs that tend to sell through quickly, so if one has your name on it, it is worth being ready on the day.
A few ways to get ahead of it:
- Plan the army: use MOAB, our 40k army builder, to see what the box adds to what you already own.
- Free up budget: trade in models you have stopped using through Reclamation and put the store credit towards your Battleforce.
Seven boxes, seven factions, one difficult conversation with whoever handles the household budget. Choose wisely, and remember: the Emperor protects, but he does not do the gift wrapping.
Images: Games Workshop, via Warhammer Community.
Further reading: Faction Files: Chaos Knights and Warhammer Painting Tips for Beginners.
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