Warhammer 40,000 11th Edition: Armageddon Box and Rules Changes Explained
11th Edition Is Out — What Actually Changed?
Games Workshop announced Warhammer 40,000 11th Edition at AdeptiCon 2026, with the Warhammer 40,000: Armageddon launch box as the centrepiece. Pre-orders opened on Saturday 6 June; boxes hit shelves on Saturday 20 June 2026.
If you played 10th, this is an evolution rather than a reset. Your existing models stay legal. If your faction doesn't have an 11th Edition codex yet, your 10th Edition codex remains valid until the new one arrives.
The Core Rules are free via the Warhammer 40,000 app and warhammer-community.com — worth reading before the box lands.
What's in the Armageddon Box?
GW is pitching this as their biggest 40K launch box to date: 61 push-fit models across 12 kits, split into two ~750-point forces you can run on day one.
Space Marines (23 models)
- Captain with Relic Shield
- Librarian
- Chaplain with Jump Pack
- Ancient with Armageddon Banner
- 10 Intercessors
- 5 Vanguard Veterans
- 3 Eradicators (Gravis armour)
- Updated Land Speeder
Orks (38 models)
- Big Mek Dakkarig (new Ork walker — the centrepiece model)
- Warboss
- Weirdboy
- Painboy
- 20 Ork Boyz
- 10 Gretchin
You also get:
- 88-page Core Rules booklet
- Armageddon: Operation Imperator hardcover lore book
- Chapter Approved 2026–27 Mission Deck (matched play)
- Dominatus Narrative Campaign Deck (casual/story games)
Everything is push-fit, so two people can build both sides the same afternoon without glue. At roughly £185 RRP, it's a serious chunk of plastic — but it's also a full two-player starting point, not just a single army.
The Rules Changes Worth Knowing
Coming from 10th? The core loop will feel familiar. These are the shifts that will actually change how games play.
Multiple Detachments
Instead of locking your whole army into one detachment, you spend from a Detachment Point (DP) pool:
- 1,000 pts → 2 DP
- 2,000 pts → 3 DP
Broad detachments might cost 3 DP (your whole army). Narrower ones can cost 1 DP and stack together. With 70+ detachments at launch, list building opens up.
No More Stratagem Stacking
A unit can only be affected by one stratagem per phase. Each stratagem can only fire once per phase across the table. The "buff one unit into a death star" builds from parts of 10th are gone.
Cover Hits Your To-Hit Roll
Cover now gives -1 to hit on ranged attacks against units in it. Monsters and Vehicles no longer get cover just for standing near terrain — they need to be obscured. Infantry benefit more; terrain placement matters.
Terrain as Objectives
Many missions now use physical terrain features as objectives instead of scattering 40mm markers on open table. Your Force Disposition (linked to detachment choices) can influence mission setup, and opponents may be chasing slightly different primaries on the same board.
Long-Range Alpha Strikes Are Softer
Units in terrain can stay concealed from long-range fire until an enemy closes to around 15 inches. Turn-one deletes from across the table are harder. Deployment and early movement carry more weight.
Should You Upgrade From 10th?
Yes, if you were already playing. Nothing on your shelf becomes obsolete overnight.
GW has stuck to a roughly three-year edition cycle since 7th — expect 11th to run until around 2029, which is plenty of time to paint what you already own and add new kits at your own pace.
The paid part is mostly models and the physical books. The rules themselves won't cost you anything to learn.
Where to Buy in the UK
You've got two sensible routes: order online (often cheaper) or buy through a local game store (launch events, demos, and someone to ask when a rule doesn't make sense).
Buy Online — Element Games
Element Games is one of the UK's largest Warhammer retailers. They typically discount GW RRP on boxes, paints, and hobby supplies — useful if you already know what you want and don't need a hand choosing an army.
Good for:
- Armageddon and other launch boxes
- Paints, tools, and basing materials
- Restocking kits for an existing army
FindYourLGS may earn a commission if you purchase through the link above.
Buy Local — Find a UK Game Store
Launch week is when brick-and-mortar stores pull their weight: demo tables, pre-order collections, league sign-ups, and people who've actually read the stratagem page you're stuck on.
Call ahead if you want an Armageddon box on release day — stock varies, and many stores took pre-orders well before general release.
Search for Warhammer stockists anywhere in the UK:
- Warhammer 40K stores — search by city or postcode
- Browse all UK cities — filter by country and jump to your area
Most listings include address, opening hours, Google ratings, and contact details.
Official Games Workshop Stores
GW's own stores stock the full range and run regular events. If there's one near you, it's worth checking their launch-week schedule — especially for demo games and painting tables.
Getting Started on Launch Week
- Download the free Core Rules and skim the mission and detachment sections.
- Build one side of the box before worrying about a full 2,000-point list.
- Play the included missions — the Mission Deck and Narrative Deck are there for a reason.
- Find a local store running launch events or open play, or order through a trusted UK retailer if you'd rather build at home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to rebuy my army for 11th Edition?
No. Existing miniatures remain legal. Codexes update faction by faction — until yours gets an 11th Edition book, your 10th codex still works.
Is the Armageddon box good for beginners?
Yes. Two full forces, push-fit construction, rules, missions, and lore in one box. It's one of the better "two people, one purchase" entry points GW has shipped in years.
Where can I read the rules for free?
The Core Rules are available digitally through the Warhammer 40,000 app and on Warhammer Community. You don't need the box to start learning.
What's the biggest change from 10th Edition?
Most players will feel multiple detachments and stratagem limits first. Cover and mission changes affect list building and deployment more than they look on paper.
Where's the cheapest place to buy the Armageddon box in the UK?
Prices move around, but specialist retailers like Element Games usually undercut GW RRP. Compare against your local store — some independents price competitively on launch boxes, and you get the in-store experience.
How do I find a Warhammer store near me?
Use FindYourLGS to search by city or postcode anywhere in the UK. You can also browse the full city directory.
About This Guide
Release dates and box contents are based on Games Workshop's June 2026 launch information. Stock and pricing vary by retailer — check before you travel or order.
Find UK game stores: Browse Warhammer 40K stockists →
Shop online: Element Games →
Find game stores near you
Ready to visit a local hobby shop? Search by city or postcode, browse the full directory, or jump straight to stores for your game.