As the 2024 holiday season approaches, Warhammer 40k fans have plenty to be excited about with the announcement of this year’s Christmas Battleforces. Games Workshop has unveiled five spectacular box sets, each offering incredible value and a great opportunity for collectors to either start a new army or bolster their existing forces. Let’s take a look at the details and point values of each box set to help you decide which might best suit your army-building needs.

1. Penitent Crusader Host (Adepta Sororitas)

This battleforce is all about righteous fury and religious zeal. The Penitent Crusader Host focuses on the Adepta Sororitas, or Sisters of Battle, with an emphasis on melee combat and heavy-duty support vehicles.

  • Contents:
    • Ministorum Priest
    • 10 Sisters Repentia
    • 10 Arco-flagellants
    • 2 Rhinos
    • 2 Penitent Engines (which can be built as Mortifiers)
  • Total Point Value: Approximately 800–1000 points, depending on equipment choices.

2. Hypercrypt Legion (Necrons)

Led by the mighty C’tan Shard of the Void Dragon, this Necron force includes powerful infantry units and a sinister Necron Lord.

  • Contents:
    • C’tan Shard of the Void Dragon
    • Necron Overlord with Translocation Shroud
    • 10 Necron Warriors
    • 10 Lychguard or Triarch Praetorians
  • Total Point Value: Approximately 850–1000 points, making it a solid foundation for any Necron army.

3. Retaliation Cadre (T’au Empire)

The Retaliation Cadre brings the formidable firepower of T’au battlesuits to the battlefield. This box emphasizes ranged combat and mobility with a combination of high-tech suits.

  • Contents:
    • Commander in Coldstar or Enforcer battlesuit
    • Ghostkeel Battlesuit
    • Riptide Battlesuit
    • Broadside Battlesuit
  • Total Point Value: Approximately 950–1200 points, with options to customize loadouts for maximum firepower.

4. Inner Circle Task Force (Dark Angels)

With Lion El’Jonson’s return, this box is perfect for any Dark Angels fan, focusing on elite combat units and the Primarch himself.

  • Contents:
    • Lion El’Jonson
    • Chaplain in Terminator Armour
    • 10 Deathwing Knights
    • 6 Inner Circle Companions
  • Total Point Value: Roughly 900–1100 points, focusing on elite melee forces and a powerful HQ.

5. Valourstrike Lance (Imperial Knights)

For those who prefer towering war machines, the Valourstrike Lance offers a powerful Imperial Knights army. It’s a balanced force capable of dealing massive damage.

  • Contents:
    • 1 Questoris Knight (can be built as one of six variants)
    • 4 Armigers (which can be built as Helverins or Warglaives)
  • Total Point Value: Around 1500–1700 points, making it the highest point value box set of this release.

Conclusion

These battleforce boxes are excellent value, typically costing less than purchasing the individual models separately, and they offer a fantastic variety of playstyles. Whether you’re looking to start a new army or expand your current collection, the Warhammer 40k 2024 Christmas Battleforces deliver both strategic depth and aesthetic appeal for any wargamer.

Auspex Tactics made a video about which box is best.

See this article about which armies have been performing best so far this fall.

Be sure to keep an eye out for these boxes as they will be in high demand leading up to the holidays!

Want the easiest entry point into 40k miniatures and tactical combat. Check out Kill Team.

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