Leagues of Votann reinforcements bring epic firepower and the greatest, shortest Tyranid-killer alive

We saw a whole Oathband of new units for the Leagues of Votann during the recent Big Summer Warhammer Preview, from the Tyranid-hunting hero Buri Aegnirssen to the swift Kapricus – and they’re just about to hit pre-orders. It’s high time we found out what they all bring to the table.

We absolutely must kick things off with the legendary Thrice-devoured, the last survivor of the Emberg-Aegnir Bloc, Buri Aegnirssen. This apex predator of a Kin harbours a never-ending grudge against the Tyranids for wiping out his people and condemning his patron Votann to the madness of solitude. He travels from battlefield to battlefield feverishly hunting down the largest leader-beasts possible and slaying them with his darkstar glaive.

Although he can’t join other units and is somewhat vulnerable to close-range firepower, anyone coming for the short king best not miss. He’s liable to charge headfirst towards the closest enemies when shot at with his Unhinged Vengeance rule – and even if they do bring him down, he’ll get right back up again completely unscathed.

While Buri is going about his business hitting as hard as a Redemptor Dreadnought in close combat, the Arkanyst Evaluators prefer to stay way outside of the melee and test deadly experimental weaponry from afar. They also don’t join units, but rather gain Lone Operative when standing near fellow Infantry, which we’re sure they’ll appreciate – this way, the Evaluator only has themselves to melt when overcharging their transmatter inverter goes hilariously wrong.

Taking a more calm and considered approach to warfare, the immense cognitive power of the Ironkin is put to good use with the Memnyr Strategist – a superlative battlefield tactician whose analytical abilities are so strong that their predictions border on the supernatural. They’re an excellent tool for manipulating your army’s Yield Points, so you can get the bonuses you need most each turn, and can lead units of Ironkin Steeljacks.

Speaking of the Steeljacks, they come with two separate datasheets – one for ranged combat with heavy volkanite disintegrators, and the other equipped with melee weapons and autoch-pattern bolters (which they use as pistols). Their reinforced combat frames are ideally suited to both roles, weathering storms of firepower while anchoring battle lines and smashing up hordes with plasma swords and concussion gauntlets.

The ranged Ironkin Steeljacks synergise with the Memnyr Strategist, whose Predictive Guidance ability lets them fire their improved Overwatch for free once per battle round while helping the army reach the Yield Point threshold for the Fortify Takeover ability. 

Armies can also get further long-ranged support from an unexpected quarter – underground – courtesy of the Cthonian Earthshakers. These unusual artillery teams use modified mining equipment akin to ancient Imperial mole mortars to launch subterranean shells that dig towards enemy positions before exploding, shaking bastions to their foundations and shredding surface infantry with great bursts of shrapnel.

Finally, the nimble Kapricus is a hovering scout vehicle that fills a niche halfway between Hernkyn Pioneers and Sagitaur ATVs. This adaptable chassis is split into two different units to support Hernkyn operations in varying ways, with pairs of Kapricus Carrier transports splitting a Hernkyn Yaegir team between them while Kapricus Defenders lay down heavy firepower on the move. 

We’ll be back with a look into the lore of the new Codex soon, so stick around to find out when the book and all its new reinforcements will be hitting shelves near you.