Warhammer 40K: Combat Patrols & Starter Forces

Games Workshop is talking shop about Combat Patrols and showcasing some example starter armies.

It’s a new edition and it’s a great time to start a new force – or relearn how to play an old one. Smaller games are great for that. They are also handy if you don’t have a ton of play space or are short on time. The new Combat Patrols are designed to take around an hour with a Power Level of 50 – that’s 25 Power Level per player. GW has more details today and also a look at one of the new missions.

via Warhammer Community

Remember, with a Combat Patrol, the battlefield is at least 44″ x 30″ (which is two of the Kill Team boards next to each other). That also means each player will have 3 CP to start and gain one CP a turn. That doesn’t give you a ton of CP to choose detachments – but it’s only 25 Power Level anyhow so you’re probably using a Patrol Detachment:

While you are going to have to pay the CP cost to field the Patrol Detachment, remember the Command Benefit – you’ll recoup those spent points. Now, how about we look at some sample army lists?

Sample Combat Patrols

Games Workshop has provided a few lists as examples. If you’re planning on getting the Indomitus Box then you’ll be able to build the Necrons or Marine list day one!

If you wanted to play a different force, why not pick up a Start Collecting! Box because those are also great options – and these Combat Patrol are build from their respective boxes:

For the Ad Mech, GW started with the Start Collecting! Box and added 3 Kataphron Destroyers. That’s a pretty simple load-out and it’s perfect for a Combat Patrol.

This Chaos List is basically built from their Start Collecting! Box – no other changes.

This is the Genestealer Cult Start Collecting! Box with the Jackal Alphus and Genestealers added. That’s a pretty quick build and play list right there!

Combat Patrols offer a slice of Warhammer 40,000 for when you are short on space, time, or models. If you’re looking to learn a new army, relearn an old army, or perhaps learn a new edition Combat Patrols are perfect games to play!

What do you think of the Combat Patrols and those sample armies?

Author: Adam Harrison

Writer, Editor, Texas Native, and Austinite for 15+ years, Adam covers all things Tabletop Gaming. Which includes Warhammer 40,000, Age of Sigmar, D&D, Board Games and everything else that involves dice, boards, cards and a table. A hobbyist, player, and collector of miniatures and games, Adam's current obsession are his Death Armies for Age of Sigmar, his Blood Angels and Tyranids for 40k, and his ever growing Arkham Horror: The Card Game Collection.