Part of our Leagues of Votann hub: every Leagues of Votann guide, lore page and painting tutorial in one place. Browse every Combat Patrol & Spearhead guide.
What’s in the Leagues of Votann Combat Patrol?
The current Leagues of Votann Combat Patrol is a heavily armoured Kin strike force: a veteran champion, an elite bodyguard in exo-armour, heavy weapon teams and a solid squad of battleline warriors. It’s tougher and more elite than the old box, and it’s built around the Kin’s current objective-grabbing army rule.
The box contains 19 models:
- 1 Einhyr Champion
- 5 Einhyr Hearthguard
- 3 Brôkhyr Thunderkyn
- 10 Hearthkyn Warriors
In the Combat Patrol game mode, this force is called Bane-slayer’s Bulwark, and the Einhyr Champion is a named character, Vynn Bane-slayer. The Combat Patrol rules use set loadouts for each unit, so if you mainly want to play Combat Patrol games, build the models with the weapons shown on those datasheets. For example, the Combat Patrol Thunderkyn use SP conversion beamers and the Champion uses a mass hammer.
Previous box
Earlier versions of this guide described an older Leagues of Votann Combat Patrol mix built around a Kâhl, Hearthkyn Warriors, Hernkyn Pioneers and a Sagitaur transport. That box has been replaced by this one. If you own it, every model still works in normal games with its own datasheet, and the Pioneers and Sagitaur add the speed this new box lacks, but the current Combat Patrol rules only cover the four units listed above.
What Each Unit Does
Einhyr Champion
The Champion is a melee leader in heavy exo-armour who joins the Einhyr Hearthguard. He carries a combi-bolter and, in the Combat Patrol version, a mass hammer that can crack tanks and monsters open. He also has a strong invulnerable save, which makes the unit he leads very hard to shift.
Einhyr Hearthguard
Hearthguard are the Kin’s elite bodyguards, the closest thing the Votann have to Terminators. They’re tough, well armed and good at both shooting and fighting. Each can carry an EtaCarn plasma gun or volkanite disintegrator, plus a concussion gauntlet or plasma blade gauntlet. With the Champion attached, this is your main assault unit.
Brôkhyr Thunderkyn
Thunderkyn are heavy weapon teams in powered exoframes. The kit can build bolt cannons, graviton blast cannons or SP conversion beamers. Their job is to sit in cover and deliver heavy firepower, and in the Combat Patrol rules their shooting also strips cover from the target for the rest of your army.
Hearthkyn Warriors
Hearthkyn are your battleline troops and the backbone of every Votann army. They’re tougher than most basic infantry, they shoot accurately, and the squad carries a mix of special weapons, including a magna-rail rifle for anti-tank work. Keep them on objectives and let them hold the line.
Rules: Codex and 11th Edition
Warhammer 40,000 11th Edition launched in June 2026. So far only Orks, Space Marines and Adeptus Custodes have 11th Edition codexes, and Games Workshop has said there won’t be any more until 2027. Until their new book arrives, the Leagues of Votann use their existing codex rules alongside the 11th Edition core rules. Our codex release order tracker shows the current schedule, and our 11th Edition rules changes guide covers what’s different in the core game.
The Votann army rule is Prioritised Efficiency, which replaced the old Judgement Tokens. You earn Yield Points (YP) mainly by controlling objectives: one for holding an objective in your deployment zone, and from the second battle round, more for holding objectives outside it and for controlling more than your opponent. While you have fewer than 7 YP, your units have Hostile Acquisition, which gives them +1 to Hit against enemies near objectives and lets them re-roll Advance and Charge rolls. Once you reach 7 YP or more, they switch to Fortify Takeover, which gives them +1 to Hit while they stand on objectives you control and makes them harder to wound with strong weapons. The switch happens at the end of your Command phase.
Is the Leagues of Votann Combat Patrol Good?
Rating: 8.5/10
This is one of the strongest starter boxes for any faction. Every unit is a core part of a full Votann army, the models are tough and forgiving for new players, and the army rule rewards the simple plan of taking and holding objectives.
Strengths:
- Every unit is useful in a full army, with no filler
- Very tough models that forgive positioning mistakes
- A clear, beginner-friendly plan: take objectives and hold them
- A good mix of elite infantry, heavy support and battleline troops
- Low model count, so it’s quick to build and paint
Weaknesses:
- Slow. There are no bikes or vehicles in this box
- Small model count means every loss hurts
- Limited reach on the flanks without fast units
- The army rule needs a little planning ahead to switch at the right time
How to Play the Leagues of Votann Combat Patrol
The Kin treat war as a hostile takeover. You advance steadily, seize valuable ground and make the enemy pay for every inch. Your units are tough enough to walk through fire that would shred most infantry.
Deployment
Put the Hearthkyn Warriors on or near your home objective, in cover if you can. Attach the Champion to the Hearthguard and deploy them centrally, ready to push forward. Place the Thunderkyn somewhere with clear lines of sight across the middle of the board.
Turn 1
You start with Hostile Acquisition, so this is the turn to move. Push the Champion and Hearthguard towards the central objective. Keep the Hearthkyn on your home objective so you start earning Yield Points straight away. Shoot with the Thunderkyn first so the rest of your army ignores cover against their target.
Turn 2–3
Take the middle. Charge the Champion and Hearthguard into whatever is sitting on the central objective. From the second battle round you earn extra YP for holding objectives outside your deployment zone, so every point you seize speeds up your switch to Fortify Takeover. In the Combat Patrol rules, units from this force keep objectives secured after they move off them, so you can claim a point and keep advancing.
Turn 4–5
By now you’ll often have 7 YP or more and your units will have Fortify Takeover. That’s your cue to dig in. Stand on the objectives you hold, shoot anything that comes close, and let your tough infantry soak up return fire.
Key Tactical Tips
- Hold your home objective every turn; it’s your steady source of Yield Points
- Be aggressive early with Hostile Acquisition, then defensive later with Fortify Takeover
- Shoot with the Thunderkyn before your other units to strip cover from their target
- Hearthkyn are deceptively tough, so don’t be afraid to stand them on contested objectives
- The Champion and Hearthguard are your hammer; aim them at the unit that matters most
Value and Building Notes
Like every Combat Patrol, this box is cheaper than buying the four kits separately. Check the current price on the Games Workshop webstore or at your local store, as prices change and retailers vary.
The Thunderkyn and Hearthguard have several weapon options. If you only plan to play Combat Patrol, build them as the Combat Patrol datasheets show. If you’re building towards a bigger army, consider magnetising the Thunderkyn’s heavy weapons, as all three options see use. The Hearthkyn sprues also include plenty of spare parts to personalise your squad.
Painting the Leagues of Votann Combat Patrol
Votann models have clean, chunky armour plates that are ideal for beginners. Large flat panels are easy to basecoat and highlight, and Contrast paints over a zenithal undercoat work superbly. Our Contrast paints guide is a great place to start.
Greater Thurian League Scheme
- Armour: The Fang base, Russ Grey layer, Fenrisian Grey highlight
- Undersuit: Mechanicus Standard Grey, Nuln Oil wash, Dawnstone highlight
- Gold trim: Retributor Armour, Reikland Fleshshade wash, Liberator Gold highlight
- Skin: Bugman’s Glow, Reikland Fleshshade, Cadian Fleshtone highlight
- Weapons: Leadbelcher, Nuln Oil wash, Ironbreaker highlight
Painting Tips
- Votann armour plates are large and flat, which is perfect for practising smooth basecoats
- Paint the Thunderkyn’s heavy weapons separately before you attach them
- Beards and faces are the focal point; take your time on the Champion
- Use a single spot colour on shoulder pads or crests to tie the force together
Expanding Beyond the Combat Patrol
Our Leagues of Votann 1000 point army list guide starts with this exact box and shows three ways to build it up to an Incursion-sized army. The most useful next purchases are:
Path to 1,000 Points
- 10 more Hearthkyn Warriors — a second battleline squad for scoring
- Kâhl — a strong leader and a natural Warlord for your Hearthkyn
- Hernkyn Pioneers — fast scouts that fix the box’s lack of speed
- Sagitaur — a fast, armed transport for half a Hearthkyn squad
Path to 2,000 Points
- Hekaton Land Fortress — the big centrepiece vehicle with huge firepower and transport space
- More Einhyr Hearthguard — a second elite squad for another hammer
- Brôkhyr Iron-master — an engineer who repairs your vehicles and exoframes
- Kapricus Defenders or Carriers — fast vehicles for the flanks
Explore the full faction in our Leagues of Votann army guide, and read about the Kin’s surprising past in our Squats and Leagues of Votann history.
Where to Buy the Box
On Amazon US, Combat Patrol boxes are sold by third-party sellers, so check the listing before you buy. It should show the current box: the newer box with an Einhyr Champion, Einhyr Hearthguard, Brôkhyr Thunderkyn and Hearthkyn Warriors, not the older box with a Sagitaur.
Price details
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.As an Amazon Associate, Warhammer Guild earns from qualifying purchases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Leagues of Votann Combat Patrol worth buying?
Yes. Every unit is a core part of a full Votann army, and the force is tough, simple to play and quick to paint. It’s one of the best ways into any faction.
What’s in the current Leagues of Votann Combat Patrol?
An Einhyr Champion, 5 Einhyr Hearthguard, 3 Brôkhyr Thunderkyn and 10 Hearthkyn Warriors, for 19 models in total.
Are Leagues of Votann good for beginners?
Yes, they’re one of the most beginner-friendly armies in Warhammer 40,000. Their high toughness forgives mistakes, their shooting is straightforward, and the army rule rewards the simple plan of taking objectives.
Do Leagues of Votann still use Judgement Tokens?
No. Judgement Tokens were replaced by the Prioritised Efficiency army rule and Yield Points. If you’re reading older guides or tactics articles, keep that in mind.
What rules do Leagues of Votann use in 11th Edition?
They use their existing codex rules with the 11th Edition core rules until a new codex arrives. Games Workshop has said no further codexes will be released until 2027. Check the Warhammer 40,000 app for the latest points and updates before you play. For an overview of smaller games, see our Combat Patrol rules guide.
Who are the Leagues of Votann?
The Leagues of Votann, or the Kin, are short, tough, cloned abhumans from the galactic core. They’re guided by ancient AI ancestor cores called the Votann and run their society like a hard-headed business, taking resources and ground with ruthless efficiency. They’re neither part of the Imperium nor its enemies, trading and fighting with whoever suits them.
Are the Leagues of Votann the same as Squats?
Not quite. The Leagues of Votann are the modern replacement for the Squats, the abhuman dwarf-like faction from early editions of 40k that was dropped in the 1990s. The Votann kept the stout, bearded look and the mining and industry theme, but they have new lore, ancestor-core AIs and a completely new model range.