Our readers keep the lights on and my morning glass full of iced black tea. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.9 Best Combat Patrol Box | Faction Starter Guide

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The Adeptus Custodes box delivers exactly 14 meticulously sculpted miniatures that form a lean, deadly core for the elite faction. The model count is low, but each model is packed with detail — Allarus Terminators and a Shield‑Captain in Allarus Armor stand out as centerpiece units that dominate games at the 500‑point level. The 2024 edition refreshes the unit selection to align with the 10th edition codex, meaning every unit pulls its weight in a competitive list.

Assembling Custodes is markedly easier than horde factions because there are fewer models and the parts fit precisely. The box does not require much in the way of sub‑assembly painting compared to multi‑part kits. The trade‑off is that you get very few battleline bodies — expect to add a second box and a character to push past 750 points. Veteran players praise this as the cheapest entry point to a 1,000‑point army because the points‑per‑dollar ratio on elite models is exceptional.

Community feedback highlights the box as the best starter option for achieving a full 1,000‑point army with minimal extra purchases. The synergy between the Shield‑Captain and the Terminators is straightforward and effective, making it a strong choice for new players who want a small, high‑quality army that wins games out of the box.

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The Aeldari Combat Patrol marks a high point for Games Workshop’s current sculpting era, featuring brand‑new Warp Spider models that haven’t appeared in any previous box. With 24 plastic miniatures including a Spiritseer, Wraithguard, and Dire Avengers, this box offers a balanced mix of psychic support, durable wraithbone constructs, and fast skirmishers. The synergy between the Spiritseer and the Wraithguard is immediately playable, giving new Aeldari players a clear tactical anchor point.

Assembly requires plastic glue — none of these models are push‑fit, so beginners should have clippers and cement ready. The model quality is outstanding, with crisp detail on the Warp Spider’s exoskeleton and the Wraithguard’s chunky panels. The points value inside this box is generous, and importantly, there is zero unit overlap with the previous Aeldari Combat Patrol, meaning collectors can combine both for a sizable force.

Experienced players note that the Warp Spiders are a brand‑new sculpt and the Spiritseer can buff multiple unit types, making this a flexible foundation. The box arrives with cards and dice, so you can play Combat Patrol games immediately after assembly. This is the cleanest expansion path for any Aeldari player starting fresh in 10th edition.

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The 2025 Astra Militarum Combat Patrol brings cavalry charges back to the table with a strong focus on Rough Riders and mounted command units. This 25‑miniature box trades the traditional infantry blob for a faster, more aggressive playstyle that exploits the new codex’s cavalry synergies. Each Rough Rider model is highly detailed, with lances and barding that make them stand out from the typical infantry‑heavy Guard lists.

Assembly is straightforward, with parts fitting cleanly and minimal flash. The set includes a commanding officer on a horse, which serves as the HQ centerpiece and a beacon for your advance. The points value in this box is competitive, and the cavalry theme means your army naturally avoids the slow, static gunline reputation that often frustrates new Guard players. Veteran hobbyists note that the fit of pieces is excellent, with no gap issues reported.

The box is a fantastic start for anyone drawn to the Imperial Guard’s combined‑arms identity but looking for a more mobile entry point. If you pair this with a second infantry squad and a transport, you have a well‑rounded 1,000‑point force that can hold objectives and deliver shock charges.

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The Adepta Sororitas Combat Patrol packs over 30 miniatures into a single box, making it one of the highest‑model‑count options in the current range. You get a Canoness, 10 Battle Sisters, 5 Celestian Sacresants, and 10 Arco‑Flagellants — a mix of faith‑fueled infantry and frenzied melee threats. The savings versus buying these kits individually is substantial, but the total points value is on the lower side, meaning your 500‑point army will be very model‑dense.

Assembly requires careful attention, particularly on the Arco‑Flagellants which have fine cables and body‑horror details that demand steady hands. The Celestian Sacresants feature elaborate halberds and shields that can be tricky to align. Experienced painters love the detailed sculpts, but beginners should expect a longer build time. The Canoness model is a standout with multiple weapon options, giving you flexibility in list building.

The major caveat is that the Arco‑Flagellants are a divisive unit — if you don’t plan to field them in a larger army, the discount is effectively lost. Buyers who want all four units will love the value, but those seeking a more focused core should look elsewhere. The points value is low compared to other boxes, so be prepared to add a second box or characters to reach 1,000 points.

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The Chaos Space Marines Combat Patrol delivers a large, varied force with over 25 miniatures including Legionaries, Possessed, a Master of Possession, and a Helbrute. This box is designed to offer a taste of every major archetype in the Chaos codex — durable battleline, psychic support, fast melee threats, and a monstrous vehicle. It’s the most versatile single box in the Chaos range, giving you a force that can compete in multiple detachment styles.

Assembly is intermediate — the Possessed have intricate tentacles and claw arms that require careful alignment, while the Helbrute is a chunky kit with clear part placement. The Legionaries are straightforward push‑fit adjacent, making them a good palate cleanser after the more complex models. The Master of Possession’s psychic hood and staff are delicate, so handle with care during clipping.

Community reviews highlight this box as a strong start for beginners who want to explore Chaos without committing to a single god’s aesthetic. The diverse unit selection means you can experiment with different playstyles before expanding. However, some players note that the box lacks the raw power of the previous Chaos Space Marines Combat Patrol, which included a Dark Apostle and more cultists. Still, the Possessed and Helbrute are solid performers in 10th edition.

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The Dark Angels Combat Patrol focuses on the Deathwing theme, providing a core of Terminators and inner‑circle units that fit perfectly into the Unforgiven Task Force detachment. This box is a natural expansion for anyone who already owns the standard Space Marine Combat Patrol, as the Dark Angels units fill a distinct tactical niche — durable, slow‑moving elites that control the center of the board.

Assembly is typical of Games Workshop’s recent Terminator kits, with crisp mold lines and positive part placement. The models feature iconic Dark Angels iconography — robes, swords, and winged helms — that make them instantly recognizable on the table. The points value in this box is solid, and the units are all highly playable in 10th edition, especially with the Inner Circle detachment’s rules for ignoring cover and re‑rolling wounds.

Buyers appreciate that the box contents are well‑balanced and that every model is useful in a competitive list. The biggest drawback is that the box is relatively small in model count compared to other Combat Patrols, and some hobbyists wish it included a Dreadnought or vehicle option. If you love the Dark Angels’ aesthetic and want a focused Deathwing force, this is the best starting point available.

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The Leagues of Votann Combat Patrol is a dense, chunky box that gives you a core of durable, slow‑moving dwarfs with heavy weapons and tough exo‑armor. The Hearthguard and Champion are the standout units, providing excellent melee output and a tough center to your battle line. This box is designed for players who want a resilient, shooty force that can hold objectives against incoming fire.

Assembly is demanding — these are multi‑part plastic kits that require careful trimming and plastic cement. The Thunderkyn models have bulky weapons that can interfere with each other during assembly, so dry‑fitting is recommended. The Hearthguard’s exo‑armor suits have intricate cabling and joint details that reward a steady hand. Experienced hobbyists will enjoy the challenge, but beginners should expect a multi‑session build.

Community feedback is positive about the improved unit selection compared to the previous Votann box, with the Champion and Hearthguard being much better choices than the previous Pioneers. However, some players note that the points value is slightly lower than ideal, so you may need a second box to reach 1,000 points. The faction as a whole is expensive to collect, so this Combat Patrol is the most cost‑efficient way to start.

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The Necrons Combat Patrol is the gold standard for new hobbyists, combining a forgiving paint scheme (metallics cover beautifully) with a competitive unit selection that includes Necron Warriors, Skorpekh Destroyers, a Plasmacyte, Canoptek Scarab Swarms, and a Canoptek Doomstalker. The 19‑miniature box offers a perfect mix of durable battleline, fast melee threats, and heavy firepower support in the form of the Doomstalker.

Assembly is relatively easy — the Warriors are push‑fit adjacent, the Scarabs snap together quickly, and the Doomstalker has large, obvious part placement. The Skorpekh Destroyers require a bit more care with their blade arms but are still beginner‑friendly. Re‑animation protocols make Necrons forgiving on the table, so new players won’t feel punished for tactical mistakes. The silver and green color scheme is one of the fastest army themes to paint to a tabletop standard.

Community reviews consistently call this the best value Combat Patrol for new players because of its playability, ease of assembly, and strong expansion path. Adding a second box and a character like a Technomancer pushes you comfortably past 1,000 points. The box does not include datasheets — you’ll need the 10th edition Necron Codex for unit rules. This is a minor inconvenience for a box that otherwise checks every beginner box.

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The T’au Empire Combat Patrol is built around ranged fire superiority, featuring a cadre of Fire Warriors, a Cadre Fireblade, and a battlesuit or two that can deliver high‑volume shooting. This box is the ideal entry point for players who prefer to shoot from a distance and use mobility to control the engagement range. The T’au playstyle is unique in Warhammer 40,000, rewarding careful positioning and target priority over melee aggression.

Assembly is straightforward, with the Fire Warriors coming in a partly push‑fit format that reduces glue time. The battlesuit models have clear part placement and large pieces that snap together with minimal fuss. The Cadre Fireblade is a single‑spine model that builds quickly. The main challenge is painting the T’au’s white and ochre scheme, which demands thin coats and patience to avoid brush strokes.

Buyers note that this box provides a solid core for a T’au army, but the unit selection is somewhat limited compared to other Combat Patrols. If you plan to build a T’au collection, you will almost certainly need at least one more box and a Commander to reach 1,000 points competitively. The box arrived in good condition for most buyers, but one reviewer reported missing plastic bases for infantry models — always check the contents immediately upon arrival.