Is it just me, or is Warhammer 40K 11th Edition missing something?
Don't get me wrong, I really liked the Armageddon box set reveal. That Ork horde steals the show (sorry, Space Marines), and it seems to be the most comprehensive way of getting into this version of Warhammer 40K. Other than terrain, it has everything you need – full core rules, mission packs, and the goodies necessary to kick off a campaign. However, the system still seems to be sleeping on its smaller, faster Combat Patrol match type.
Let's address the squig in the room before we go any further. Yes, I appreciate that a new book dedicated to Combat Patrol (a much quicker version of Warhammer with preset armies that don't require any points wrangling) is on the way. But judging by the Warhammer Community announcement, this feels more like an introduction to Warhammer 40K at large than anything else… which is kinda how Combat Patrol has been treated since its introduction a few years ago. Rather than helping the streamlined version of Warhammer grow into the competitive, self-contained game it could be, it appears to emphasize lore and "guidance for playing your first games of Combat Patrol." First being the operative word here. In addition, it introduces "key concepts useful for new players – which can be used in concert with an upgraded Warhammer 40,000 app to play games of Combat Patrol." In other words, the actual 'Combat Patrol' of it all feels a bit secondary. This is sounding more like a beginner's guide to 40K instead.
The nice thing about Combat Patrol is that it's easy to get into the game thanks to pre-made armies, which you can find a lot of everywhere from the Warhammer store itself to Amazon.
For me, that's a crying shame. I love 40K, but have less free time than ever so can't dedicate as much of it to full-blown matches as I'd like. This is why I'm so keen on the idea of Combat Patrol and the Age of Sigmar equivalent, Spearhead; they last a fraction of the time while condensing what makes each game so appealing. Yet Warhammer 40,000 has never fully committed to the idea, not like AoS has. As demonstrated by City of Ash, Spearhead may as well be a self-contained game in its own right.
Sure, the mechanics are near-identical to AoS, barring some trimmed fat. But it has 'seasons' which introduce distinct terrain sets, and boards every year, along with unique cards that provide fresh challenges based on the environment each round. By contrast, Combat Patrol has always felt a bit… tacked-on, or buried under the weight of full 40K. It's always been treated as an on-ramp to Warhammer 40,000 rather than an end-point in its own right. That's why I'd hoped Armageddon would function like Skaventide did, with dedicated Combat Patrol rules and a similar 'seasonal' model. Perhaps using scenery like the Warhammer 40K pre-painted terrain that was just announced...
I'm certainly not alone in this. A revamped Combat Patrol in the vein of Spearhead was one of the most common requests I saw on reddit forums when researching what the community wanted for 11th Edition. But alas, it seems as though that'll stay on the wishlist for the time being.
Is this a reason to be grumpy about what we are getting? Of course not. I'll bet you anything that the core rulebook in Armageddon will have a dedicated section for Combat Patrol matches too, just like before. Yet it feels like a missed opportunity. I hope Warhammer realizes it before long, and gives Combat Patrol the love it deserves.
- See all Warhammer 40K Combat Patrol deals at Amazon
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