Games Workshop has released new detachment rules for both Space Marine and Astra Militarum forces in the Armageddon setting, giving players enhanced mobility and firepower options for vehicle-heavy armies.
The Space Marine Detachment, detailed in a Warhammer Community post, centers on the TANK ACE keyword, which applies to most Astartes vehicle units excluding fortifications, drop pods, walkers, and flyers. Units with this keyword do not roll for Advance; instead, they gain a flat 6-inch increase to their Movement characteristic when they Advance. If a TANK ACE unit shoots in the Shooting phase without having Advanced that turn, players may re-roll the Damage roll. During the Muster Armies step, players can select up to three TANK ACE units to gain the CHARACTER keyword, allowing them to receive Enhancements and be chosen as the army’s Warlord.
For the Astra Militarum, two new detachments were introduced via Bell of Lost Souls and confirmed by Warhammer Community. The Armoured Infantry Detachment supports mechanized guard play, enabling Officers to issue orders to Squadrons and featuring the “On My Signal” order, which permits a D6-inch counter-move when an enemy unit ends its move within 9 inches. It also includes the Opening Salvo stratagem, granting a +1 to wound for units disembarking from transports, and Combined Fire, which removes the enemy’s Benefit of Cover and grants +2 Strength to other Armoured Skirmisher units targeting the same foe.
The Steel Hammer Detachment focuses on titanic firepower, allowing Astra Militarum Titanic units to be designated as Characters through the Ceaseless Cannonade rule. Its core mechanic permits “danger close” shooting—firing weapons at enemies within Engagement Range without suffering the usual to-hit penalty, provided no other friendly units are within that range. Additional enhancements include Assault Hatches, which improve the effectiveness of Titanic Transports in delivering payloads into enemy lines.
These rules reflect Games Workshop’s ongoing effort to refresh army-specific mechanics tied to narrative campaigns, particularly around the perennial conflict on Armageddon. By emphasizing vehicle synergy and character conversion for tanks, the detachments encourage players to build around armored columns rather than infantry squads. The design also introduces tactical trade-offs, such as the Steel Hammer’s restriction on nearby friendly units during danger close shots, balancing power with positioning constraints.
How the new detachments change vehicle army building
The updates encourage players to treat tanks not just as support pieces but as central characters capable of leading armies and receiving custom upgrades. For Space Marines, this means Predators, Land Raiders, and similar units can now be Warlords, opening avenues for vehicle-centric HQ strategies. The Astra Militarum equivalents allow Baneblades and other super-heavy tanks to gain Character status, enabling them to take Enhancements typically reserved for infantry commanders.
What risks approach with the new close-range shooting rules
The Steel Hammer Detachment’s danger close rule creates a high-reward, high-positioning scenario: firing at point-blank range without penalties can devastate enemy units, but only if the titanic unit is isolated. This discourages clustering and pushes players to spread out their super-heavy assets, potentially exposing them to flanking maneuvers or focused anti-tank fire.
Why these changes matter for the Armageddon narrative
Armageddon’s lore is defined by massive armored engagements, particularly during the Ork invasions led by Ghazghkull Thraka. The new rules mirror this theme by rewarding players who field and maneuver large numbers of tanks, reinforcing the planet’s reputation as a crucible of mechanized warfare. The detachments effectively translate the setting’s constant state of armored conflict into tangible tabletop advantages.
Can I use these detachments with existing Space Marine or Astra Militarum codexes?
Yes, the detachments are designed to perform with current codexes as supplemental rules, provided your army includes units that meet the keyword requirements such as TANK ACE for Space Marines or Titanic units for the Astra Militarum Steel Hammer Detachment.
Do I need to own the Armageddon: The Return of Yarrick book to use these rules?
The rules were first revealed in support of that upcoming book, but Games Workshop has published the core detachment mechanics publicly through Warhammer Community and Bell of Lost Souls, making them accessible for use without requiring immediate purchase of the book.
