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What’s in the Space Marines Combat Patrol?
The current Space Marines Combat Patrol is the 11th Edition Assault Force. It arrived with the launch of 11th Edition in summer 2026, and it’s the force Games Workshop now builds its beginner products around. Unlike most Combat Patrols, it isn’t sold as a box simply labelled “Combat Patrol”. You get it inside a few different starter products, which we explain below. The force itself is the same in all of them:
- 1x Captain with Relic Shield: a brand-new sculpt for 11th Edition and your leader. He carries a master-crafted power weapon, a relic shield and a heavy bolt pistol, so he’s tough, hits hard in melee and makes a solid Warlord.
- 1x Librarian: a battlefield psyker. He can lead the Intercessors and gives the force some psychic tricks, both to protect your own units and to hurt the enemy.
- 5x Intercessors: the standard Space Marine infantry squad, armed with bolt rifles. They hold objectives and provide steady, reliable shooting.
- 5x Vanguard Veterans with Jump Packs: fast, elite close-combat specialists who fly across the battlefield and smash into the enemy.
- 1x Land Speeder: a fast, lightly armoured skimmer. It can be built with an onslaught gatling cannon or a heavy flamer.
That’s 13 models in total. Every kit is push-fit, so you can build the whole force without glue.
How to Buy the Assault Force
This is the part that confuses most new players, so here are your options, from smallest to biggest:
- Getting Started with Space Marines: the simplest way in for one person. It contains exactly the 13 Assault Force models listed above, plus 11 Citadel paints, a starter brush, a texture spreader for bases and an introductory guide to building and painting. If you want one Space Marine army and the tools to paint it, buy this.
- Warhammer 40,000 Starter Set: aimed at two players. Games Workshop says it contains both 11th Edition Combat Patrols, the Space Marines Assault Force and the Ork ‘Ardmob, plus a Combat Patrol-sized set of new terrain. It’s a good choice if you’re starting with a friend or family member.
- Armageddon: the big 11th Edition launch box. Its Space Marine half contains everything you need for the Assault Force (Captain with Relic Shield, Librarian, Intercessors, Vanguard Veterans and Land Speeder) plus extra models: a Chaplain with Jump Pack, an Ancient, five more Intercessors and three Eradicators. It also has the full Core Rules and a lore book. Read our Armageddon starter set review for the full breakdown.
Not sure which suits you? Our guide to the best Warhammer 40k starter sets compares them side by side.
Previous box
If you’ve seen older guides, you may have read about a different Space Marines Combat Patrol. There have been several over the years, including a Phobos-themed box in 9th Edition and a Terminator-led box in 10th Edition. They’re still good Space Marine models, but the 11th Edition Combat Patrol rules are written for the Assault Force. An earlier version of this page listed a Gravis Captain, Intercessors, Hellblasters and an Impulsor, which never matched any official box.
Which Rules Does It Use?
Space Marines are one of only three armies with an 11th Edition codex so far, alongside Orks and Adeptus Custodes. Warhammer 40,000’s 11th Edition launched in June 2026, and Games Workshop has said no more codexes are coming until 2027. Our Codex: Space Marines 11th Edition guide explains what changed, including how Combat Doctrines replaced Oath of Moment as the army rule.
For Combat Patrol, you don’t need the codex at all. In July 2026 Games Workshop moved Combat Patrol into the Warhammer 40,000 app, and the Assault Force was one of the first two forces supported. The app gives you its datasheets, army rule, Enhancements and a bespoke mission for free, and you can track your score in War Journal. The Assault Force uses Combat Doctrines as its army rule and has two Enhancements: one for the Vanguard Veterans and one for the Intercessors. Our Combat Patrol rules guide explains how the format works, and our 11th Edition rules changes guide covers the core game.
What Each Unit Does
Captain with Relic Shield
The Captain is your toughest character and best melee fighter. The shield keeps him alive, and the master-crafted weapon lets him take on enemy leaders. Run him with the Vanguard Veterans or use him to anchor the middle of the board.
Librarian
The Librarian is your support piece. Attach him to the Intercessors to make that squad tougher and more dangerous while it holds an objective. His psychic powers can shield your units or blast an enemy one, so think about which you need each turn. Our explainer on what a Librarian is covers the background.
Intercessors
Five Intercessors are your objective holders. Bolt rifles have good range and the squad is durable, so park them on an objective and let them shoot.
Vanguard Veterans with Jump Packs
These are your hammer. Jump packs make them very fast, so they can strike almost anywhere on the board. Use them to charge enemy shooting units, finish off weakened squads or snatch an objective late in the game. Our Vanguard Veterans guide goes into their wargear and tactics.
Land Speeder
The Land Speeder is fast, fragile and fun. Use it to grab distant objectives, hunt light infantry and pick off damaged units. The heavy flamer option is great against infantry at short range, while the onslaught gatling cannon lets you shoot from further away. If you want the background, see what is a Land Speeder.
How to Play the Space Marines Combat Patrol
The Assault Force plays a “hold and strike” game. The Intercessors and Librarian hold ground, while the Captain, Vanguard Veterans and Land Speeder hit hard wherever the enemy is weakest.
Deployment
Put the Intercessors and Librarian near your home objective, ideally in or behind terrain. Deploy the Vanguard Veterans and Captain out of sight, ready to move fast. Keep the Land Speeder hidden behind a ruin so it can’t be shot on turn one.
Turn 1
Move the Intercessors onto their objective and start shooting. In 11th Edition, Infantry in terrain get -1 to Hit against ranged attacks, so use cover wherever you can. Send the Land Speeder towards a flank objective. Move the Vanguard Veterans and Captain into a position where they can charge next turn, but stay out of the enemy’s line of sight.
Turn 2
This is when you strike. Charge the Vanguard Veterans, with the Captain alongside, into the most dangerous enemy unit you can reach. Use the Land Speeder to finish off a damaged unit or contest an objective. Check which Combat Doctrine suits the turn: the army rule rewards you for matching your plan to the moment.
Turns 3 to 5
Keep the Intercessors on their objective. Use the Vanguard Veterans and Captain to clear enemies off other objectives, then leave a model or two standing on them. Objectives are terrain pieces in 11th Edition, so check the mission in the app to see exactly what scores.
Key Tactical Tips
- Keep the Librarian with the Intercessors. Together they’re far harder to shift.
- The Land Speeder dies quickly if it’s left in the open. Move it, shoot, then hide.
- Play the mission. Combat Patrol games are won on objectives, not kills.
Is It Good Value?
Yes. Getting Started with Space Marines is one of the best ways into the hobby, because it gives you a complete Combat Patrol, the paints and a brush in a single box. All five units are useful in larger Space Marine armies too, and the Captain with Relic Shield is a new sculpt you can’t get any other way at the moment.
Strengths:
- A good mix of objective holding, speed and melee punch
- Push-fit kits that are easy to build
- Free rules and a bespoke mission in the app
- Can be painted as any Space Marine chapter
Weaknesses:
- Only 13 models, so every loss hurts
- Little dedicated anti-tank shooting
- The Land Speeder is fragile
Painting the Space Marines Combat Patrol
The Assault Force models carry no sculpted chapter symbols, so you can paint them as any chapter you like. Armageddon’s story is themed around the Blood Angels, but that’s entirely optional.
Popular Colour Schemes
- Ultramarines: Macragge Blue, shaded with Nuln Oil, with Retributor Armour trim. See our how to paint Ultramarines guide.
- Blood Angels: Mephiston Red with gold trim and black details. See our how to paint Blood Angels guide.
- Your own chapter: try our colour scheme generator, or compare chapter tactics.
Painting Tips
- The paints in Getting Started with Space Marines include Macragge Blue and Mephiston Red, so Ultramarines or Blood Angels are the easiest schemes to start with.
- A wash of Nuln Oil over the armour adds depth in seconds.
For a full step-by-step, see our how to paint Space Marines guide. For chapter-specific painting guides, visit our Space Marines army hub.
Expanding Beyond the Combat Patrol
Our Space Marines 1000 point army list guide shows how to grow this force into a full army. Here are the best next purchases.
Path to 1,000 Points
- More Intercessors: a full ten-man squad makes your objective game much stronger.
- Eradicators: dedicated anti-tank shooting, which the Assault Force lacks.
- A Redemptor Dreadnought: a tough, hard-hitting walker. Our Redemptor Dreadnought guide covers it.
- A Chaplain with Jump Pack: keeps pace with the Vanguard Veterans and makes them even better in combat.
Path to 2,000 Points
- Terminators for a tough, elite core. See our Terminators guide.
- A Gladiator Lancer for long-range anti-tank. See our Gladiator Lancer guide.
- Sternguard Veterans for elite shooting
- A named hero for your chosen chapter
Where to Buy the Box
The easiest way to get the Assault Force on its own is Getting Started with Space Marines. Amazon US listings come from third-party sellers, so make sure it’s the 2026 edition with 13 push-fit models and 11 paints.
Price details
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a standalone Space Marines Combat Patrol box in 11th Edition?
The 11th Edition Combat Patrol for Space Marines is the Assault Force, and the easiest way to buy it on its own is Getting Started with Space Marines. That box contains the full force, plus paints and a brush. It’s also in the Warhammer 40,000 Starter Set and in Armageddon.
Is the Space Marines Combat Patrol good for beginners?
Yes. Space Marines are the classic beginner army. Their rules are straightforward, the models are tough and forgiving, and the Assault Force teaches you shooting, melee, movement and objective play all at once.
Where do I find the Combat Patrol rules?
In the Warhammer 40,000 app. Combat Patrol rules are free there, with no codex or subscription needed. Our guide to the best Warhammer apps covers the app and other useful tools.
How long does a Combat Patrol game take?
Usually about an hour. Combat Patrol uses small forces like the 13-model Assault Force, a smaller board and a bespoke mission, so turns go quickly. Your first game might take longer while you learn the rules in the Warhammer 40,000 app, but it’s still far shorter than a full 2,000-point game.
Can I use the Assault Force in bigger games of 40k?
Yes. Every unit in the Assault Force, from the Captain with Relic Shield to the Land Speeder, has a full Warhammer 40,000 datasheet in the Space Marines codex. When you move up to 1,000 points, the whole box becomes the core of your army. Our 1,000-point list guide shows how to build on it.