Four times each year, the Warhammer 40,000 team take a careful look at each faction’s performance and release updates that tweak over- or under-performing units to keep the game fresh and fun. The final update of 2025 is here to download, and we asked the designers who worked on it to sum up some of the most important changes you have to look forward to.
Warhammer Design Studio: Overall game experience is in a healthy place, with a few outlier armies being too strong. In most cases we have just increased points and done a few point reductions for internal balance. Keeping our touch light and letting players continue to enjoy the state of play.
Adeptus Sororitas - We’ve made a number of points increases on the units that have been buffed over the last few updates to represent their new power level within the game.
Adeptus Custodes - Wardens are proving to be one of the most popular Adeptus Custodes Infantry units, so we have reduced the points on a few of the alternative unit types to let players explore the wider range of units that Custodes have to offer.
Adeptus Mechanicus - In the last update we made some significant changes to the power of certain Adeptus Mechanicus units, intentionally not adjusting the points at that time to see how the power increase affected the army. We’re happy that the units have become strong, and are increasing points on a number of them as a result to reflect their new-found strength more accurately.
Aeldari - We have implemented targeted points increases on some of the most taken/powerful units, while addressing a few rules like Star Engines now becoming Assault, Skyborn Sanctuary requiring your unit to have been eligible to fight and Fire and Fade no longer allowing you to embark. In addition, for consistency all Aspect tokens do not benefit the attached character, to match Incubi Shrine tokens.
Astra Militarum - With the brand new Grizzled Company detachment, we have refrained from making any additional changes, to let us see how the detachment adds new play opportunities for Astra Militarum players.
Black Templars - We have made some internal balance adjustments targeting some of the most taken units with points increases on the Repulsor Executioner and Castellan, while giving additional incentive for players to take two of the fantastic new kits for Black Templars in the Crusade Ancient and Execrator.
Blood Angels - As with the Astra Militarum, the brand new Rage-cursed Onslaught detachment is the focus for the Blood Angels update, however the mighty Sanguinor is down 10 points.
Chaos Daemons - With big Daemons proving ever popular, we have made some adjustments to encourage players to consider all of their options. There are points increases on Rotigus and the rules-adjusted units Kairos Fateweaver and Lord of Change; and decreases on both Shalaxi Helbane and the Keeper of Secrets. Finally The Endless Gift has proven to be a little bit too popular, even as one of the most expensive enhancements in the game at 45pts. So we have reduced its points, but also reduced the effect from a 4+ Feel No Pain to a 5+.
Chaos Knights - More internal balance adjustments, a points increase on Knight Despoiler to reflect the power of its option to take double guns. Then decreases on the Knight Ruinator and Desecrator due to their power relationship to the other large Knights.
Chaos Space Marines - Overall we are happy with where Chaos Space Marines are, and they also got the new Nightmare Hunt detachment to be excited about, So there are just a few little points adjustments otherwise. Fabius Bile is up 15pts as he’s been a staple in lots of lists for some time, while the Terminator Lord and Forgefiend get some nice drops to make them easier to field.
Dark Angels - Ravenwing sees some love in this update, with the Black Knights seeing drops to both the 3 man and 6 man units. Azrael is proving to be a very efficient Chapter Master, so goes up 10pts.
Deathguard - Nurgle’s favoured Legion received significant changes in the last update as they were overperforming, and we are now happy with where they sit in the current landscape. There are only some minor adjustments to bring the Land Raider and Rotigus in line with the other factions.
Deathwatch - The Indomitor Kill Team is up 15pts to bring it in line with the other choices.
Drukhari - Very minor adjustments here as we are still keeping an eye on the Drukhari performances as they were the latest codex to release.
Emperor's Children - A few significant changes here, with the new Court of the Phoenician detachment offering brand new play opportunities, in particular showing some love to Fulgrim. It is an exciting time to get the Primarch of the Emperor’s Children on the tabletop! We also made some adjustments to the Rapid Evisceration Detachment rule, allowing Transports to benefit from the re-rolls too.
To accompany this, a number of points changes on the Greater Daemons to match the Chaos Daemon changes, as well as drops for Spawn and Daemon Princes on Foot. The Daemon Prince with Wings does go up 15pts.
Grey Knights - Minor points buffs on the Interceptor and Purgation Squads to allow you to better support your Strike and Purifier squads.
Imperial Knights - Now with some data for the new codex, we have done some minor drops across five of the Big Knight variants, to open up some more list building choices.
Leagues of Votann - As with Imperial Knights we’ve had some time to get data and have given some points drops to a number of the new units that joined the Leagues of Votann ranks in the latest codex.
Necrons and Orks - We are happy with where both are currently, especially since Orks got significant changes in the last update. We have kept both factions stable as others are adjusting around them.
Space Marines - Only two rules changes for Space Marines: the Shadowmark Talon Hunter Instincts enhancement is now limited to your movement phase, and the Terminator Assault Squad gets an updated datasheet befitting their new kit. The rest has been handled with points: Aethon Shaan, Centurion Devastator squads, Vanguard Veteran squads and the brand new Victrix Honour Guard have all had points increases, with other units getting a few points drops.
Space Wolves - The focus for Space Wolves is the brand new detachment – Saga of the Great Wolf – which offers Space Wolves a unique way to play that has parallels with the very popular Gladius Task Force. To support this we have also given a number of unique Space Wolves units, like their specialist Dreadnoughts, minor points drops.
T’au Empire - There are some internal adjustments for the T’au Empire: Riptide Battlesuits and Skyray Gunships see a 10pts increase, while both the Breachers and Strike Team see minor drops. There is also a significant drop on the Stormsurge, for those who love to include big mech suit in their force.
Thousand Sons - The big rules change here is that when you play the Changehost of Deceit detachment, your Daemons now benefit from the Cabal of Sorcerers army rule. This should open up a completely new playstyle for Thousand Sons players to explore. In support of this, a number of units received some points adjustments down, while the Greater Daemons have mirrored the profile and points changes seen in Chaos Daemons.
Tyranids - Who doesn’t love Carnifexes and Screamer Killers? Both see points decreases in this update, so can field more in your games.
World Eaters - Last, but by no means least, World Eaters have internal adjustments like a number of other factions. Goremongers and Angron both see some nice drops, while the Lord on Juggernaut and Slaughterbound both go up 15pts.
Download your faction packs now to get the latest updates and stay up to date with the new changes, and as always, have fun playing games of Warhammer 40,000 with your mates!
