Warhammer 40,000 Combat Patrol Boxes — Which One Should You Buy?
Combat Patrol is the most practical entry point into Warhammer 40,000—a single box that gives you a complete, playable force at a size specifically designed for the smaller Combat Patrol game format, which uses simplified rules and fits on a smaller table. It is also the format Games Workshop recommends for new players, and for good reason: you get a coherent set of units from a single faction, enough models to start painting and learning the hobby, and a self-contained experience that does not require you to own a full army before you can play.
This guide covers what Combat Patrol boxes actually contain, how to choose the right one for you, and which specific boxes are available now from Merlin's Miniatures. Use coupon code SCALEANDMOTION at checkout for your discount.
Browse Warhammer 40,000 at Merlin's Miniatures
What Is a Combat Patrol Box?
Each Combat Patrol box contains a curated set of miniatures representing a single Warhammer 40,000 faction—typically a combination of infantry, a character or leader model, and at least one heavier unit, such as a vehicle, walker, or elite squad. The contents are selected to work together as a balanced Combat Patrol force, which means you can take them straight from the box to the table without needing to make army construction decisions first.
The Combat Patrol rules are available as a free download from the Warhammer Community website, which means the only purchase required to play is the box itself and a set of dice. For new players, this is the most cost-effective way to start — you are getting a meaningful selection of models from a single manufacturer at a price that represents genuine value compared to buying the equivalent units individually.
All miniatures come unassembled and unpainted. They are supplied on plastic sprues with assembly instructions. You will need plastic cement and paints to finish them, both of which are available from Merlin's Miniatures via their Citadel paints range.
How to Choose the Right Combat Patrol
The most important factor in choosing a Combat Patrol is the faction — and the most reliable way to choose a faction is by what appeals to you visually and thematically, not by what is currently considered strongest in competitive play. Combat Patrol is an introductory format where balance matters less than engagement, and a faction you find compelling to paint and model will hold your interest through the build and hobby process far more effectively than one chosen purely on tier lists.
That said, there are practical considerations worth knowing:
Horde vs elite playstyle. Some factions field many models at low individual cost — Tyranids, Orks, Astra Militarum. Others field fewer, more powerful models — Space Marines, Adeptus Custodes, Death Guard. Horde factions offer more painting surface and more models on the table; elite factions offer more complex individual miniatures and a smaller overall model count to complete before your force is table-ready.
Painting complexity. Some factions have straightforward colour schemes — Space Marines in a single chapter colour, for instance — while others involve more complex techniques such as the blending required for Tyranid chitin or the rust and decay aesthetics of Death Guard. If you are new to painting, a faction with a simpler base colour scheme and strong contrast paint compatibility is worth prioritising.
Lore and setting interest. Warhammer 40,000 has a deep and extensive lore. The faction you find most interesting to read about is usually the faction you will be most motivated to build and paint. Merlin's Miniatures stocks Codexes and rulebooks for all major factions, so you can explore the lore before committing.
Combat Patrol Boxes Available at Merlin's Miniatures
The following are currently verified in stock at Merlin's Miniatures.
Use coupon code SCALEANDMOTION at checkout for your discount.
Space Marines
The Combat Patrol: Space Marines is the most accessible starting point for new players — the Adeptus Astartes are the iconic face of Warhammer 40,000, with the widest range of painting guides, tutorials and community support of any faction. Strike Force Octavius is the named force in this box, built around elite close-range fighters suited to dense terrain and void combat. The Space Marines Combat Patrol is an online-only range item, meaning it is not available in standard retail and must be ordered directly.
Iron Hands
The Combat Patrol: Iron Hands covers one of the most distinctive Space Marines Chapters — the Iron Hands, who replace their flesh with cybernetic augmentation as an act of faith, viewing biological weakness as a spiritual failing. Their aesthetic is heavily mechanical, with bionic limbs, servo-arms and integrated weapons systems throughout. For painters interested in metallic and industrial schemes over the more traditional power armour palette, this set is one of the most compelling chapter-specific options currently available.
Leagues of Votann
The Combat Patrol: Leagues of Votann covers one of the newer factions in the 40K range — the Kin, a stocky, technologically advanced civilisation descended from ancient humanity, rediscovered in the 10th Edition era. Their aesthetic is industrial and militaristic, with heavy equipment, powered exosuits and compact but heavily armed infantry. For players who want a faction that feels distinct from both the grimdark Imperial factions and the alien Xenos, the Votann are worth considering.
Night Lords
The Combat Patrol: Night Lords covers the Chaos Space Marines warband known for psychological warfare, terror tactics and a distinctly gothic visual identity — midnight blue armour with lightning bolt iconography, bat-winged jump pack troops and an emphasis on fear as a weapon. For players drawn to the Chaos side of the setting rather than the Imperium, the Night Lords are one of the most visually coherent and thematically strong starting points currently in the Combat Patrol range.
What Comes After Combat Patrol?
Once you have built and played your first Combat Patrol, the natural next step is expanding into the full Warhammer 40,000 game format – which uses the same miniatures but adds army construction rules, larger point limits and a wider range of game types including narrative campaigns and matched play. The units in your Combat Patrol box are fully compatible with the main game; you are not buying a separate introductory product, you are buying the foundation of an army.
The most efficient expansion path is typically to add the faction's Codex (which contains the full rules for all units in the range) alongside one or two additional unit boxes that complement what you already have from the Combat Patrol. Merlin's Miniatures stocks all current Codexes alongside the full miniatures range.
For a broader guide to the Warhammer 40,000 starter set options — including the Combat Patrol format in context alongside other entry points — see our Warhammer 40,000 Starter Sets guide.
Browse the Catalogue
Looking for Warhammer 40,000 miniatures, hobby supplies and related products? The Scale & Motion Plus curated catalogue organises products by category, all linking directly to verified retailers.
Explore the Scale & Motion Plus catalogue
Further Reading
- Warhammer 40,000 Starter Sets — Understanding the First Step Into the Hobby — how Combat Patrol compares to other entry points including the Leviathan and Introductory sets.
- How to Choose Your First Warhammer 40,000 Army Box — faction selection guide covering lore, playstyle and painting considerations.
- Trajann Valoris — Adeptus Custodes — an example of what a centrepiece character model looks like at the premium end of the 40K range.
Image Credit: Merlin's Miniatures and Games Workshop product imagery. All product images © Games Workshop Ltd.
Affiliate Disclosure: This article may contain affiliate links. Purchases made through these links may earn a commission at no additional cost.
This article may contain affiliate links (paid links). If you click through and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These commissions help keep Scale and Motion Plus running. Affiliate partners may include (but are not limited to): Awin retailers (such as CK-Modelcars, Modellbau-Universe, Diecastmodelwholesale, Carrera Toys Carson and Hobbies UK), GoAffPro partner stores (FairRC, FMS, Merlin Miniatures, Redcat Racing, Mighty Lancer Games, Scale Motorsport), tidd.ly links, AirModels and Discovery Japan. This article may contain affiliate links to refered partners and/or other retailers. If you click through and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These commissions help keep this project running.
All images, logos, and trademarks remain the property of their respective copyright holders. If you are a content creator and wish for credit, an update, or removal of content, please contact me directly.
Please note: Images used in this article may not correspond exactly to the products promoted in the affiliate links and are provided for illustrative purposes only.
All transactions, product quality, shipping, and returns are the sole responsibility of the respective seller or manufacturer. Scale and Motion Plus does not handle orders or provide after-sales support.
This site uses cookies and may contain affiliate links. By using this site, you accept the Privacy Policy. Read more.
The information provided on this blog is for entertainment, historical and educational purposes only and should not be considered purchasing advice. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research before making any buying decisions.