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Breaking open launch boxes like Warhammer 40K Armageddon is a bit like setting up a shiny next-gen console. It's a fresh start wrapped in cardboard and plastic; you excitedly tear off the packaging as if it's Christmas morning, breathe in that heady 'new' smell, and then get to work. For those first few hours, you're living on promise and possibility and endless horizons.
If ripping into a set like Armageddon is Christmas, this is a good year. I was able to go hands-on with it all early, and after just a few days building its armies and poring over the new rules, I think you're gonna dig it. That applies no matter whether you're an experienced player or newcomer, by the way; while some will get more from Warhammer 40K Armageddon than others, it's a crowd-pleaser. I suspect most of us will walk away satisfied.
Armageddon kicks off a new version of the game (Warhammer 40K 11th Edition) and provides entirely new models for Space Mariners and Orks alongside the full core rules, datasheets for every model, cards for competitive play/campaigns, and a lore book explaining the backstory. Pre-orders will be going live from Saturday 6 June, and while you can put in an order via Games Workshop itself, I'd say it's worth checking Miniature Market in the US or Wayland Games in the UK - they usually offer Warhammer at a discount.
If you're new to the hobby or are transitioning over to 40K for the first time, this is a good first step; it's not the most beginner-friendly package around because it lacks dice and terrain, but you've got everything else you need to play casual or competitive matches. Plus, the miniatures aren't going to tax you much even if you've never made a Space Marine before. (With the exception of the Vanguard Veteran leader with Jump Pack – that guy's a prick whose pieces refuse to go together nicely.) Each model here is push-fit, meaning you don't even need glue to keep them together. Simply clip pieces off the sprue and slot them into them place.
However, I would guess that a huge proportion of those buying Armageddon will know their way around 40K already – and honestly, that's who this feels made for. The box set is a sumptuous treasure-trove for long-term fans, soaked in nostalgia but with a sleek, forward-looking attitude to rules.
Sure, those push-fit minis lack the customization that you'd expect from more complex kits. But if you're anything like me, it'll be a pleasant break from the usual sprues. I was amazed at how quick it was to construct each army, for example; if you're really trucking, I think you could probably get both done in an afternoon. It'll feel as though you're hobbying on double-speed.
That doesn't mean they lack dynamism, though. The design team's done a phenomenal job of ensuring its troops look fluid and energetic, making a mockery of any limitations imposed by their push-fit nature. A lot of that is thanks to the incredibly clever (if initially baffling) way those parts fit together; it's like a cross between madness and sorcery that looks nonsensical at first until it all comes together. This is Games Workshop showing off.
Armageddon also feels like Games Workshop finally learning a lesson. For years, its rulebooks have been divided between mechanics and lore. This led to a monstrous tome with material most wouldn't use on the regular, because do you really need the intricacies of Imperial politics close to hand when working out how to make your friend's army explode in the most satisfying way during a match? Warhammer 40K is doing away with all that now, splitting its rules and backstory into wholly separate books. This box set is the first example of such a divorce, and… well, I don't know if I could go back. Believe me, I used to adore poring over the worldbuilding of each rulebook. But realistically, it makes the whole thing unwieldy. All I need during a game are the basic rules and an easy-access glossary of terms, which this provides.
That doesn't mean the lore isn going away, though. The box set contains a lavish breakdown of the new war for planet Armageddon (called 'Operation Imperator') with every flashpoint and faction. This is followed by the 'Combat Patrol' book, sold separately, which breaks down the 40K universe at large for newcomers.
What about the rules themselves, then? A lot has already been said about what's changed (if you want the lowdown on all things 'new,' check out these 11 changes we're most excited about), and I've not seen anything eyebrow-raising beyond that. Still, I did note how well laid-out and easy to follow they are. If you're ever felt intimidated by Warhammer 40K, you'll find it surprisingly straightforward to learn.
Is it the best start, though? Well, while Age of Sigmar's Skaventide or Kill Team's Hivestorm hold the crown as the best 'starter' boxes so far as I'm concerned, this remains impressively good value. The lack of dice or terrain mean that it's not the perfect beginner package, but I'd argue that this says a lot about who Armageddon is designed for – and those more established fans will be very happy with what they get. The combo of core rules, datasheets, campaign/competitive play cards for the 2026 season, and all-new models for two of the game's most popular factions make this an easy recommendation.
For them, it'll feel like Christmas has come early - so happy holidays, I suppose.
