Combat Patrol is Warhammer 40,000’s beginner-friendly game mode. You grab a pre-built box of minis, download the free rules, and play a fast battle in under an hour, no list-building required.
What combat patrol actually is
Combat Patrol is a self-contained way to play 40k. Each player brings one Combat Patrol box, which contains a fixed set of units with their own simplified rules. There’s no points math, no army list to write, and no need to buy extra models before your first game.
Games run on a 44″ x 30″ board (two gaming boards side by side) with a small amount of terrain. The missions are designed for quick, tense matches that usually wrap up in less than an hour. It’s perfect for a lunch break, a demo game, or trying a faction before committing to a full army.
Why it matters for new and returning players
The biggest barrier to 40k has always been the upfront cost and complexity. Combat Patrol removes both. You buy one box, download free rules, and you’re playing the same core game as everyone else. The rules trim out abilities that would be overwhelming in small games, so nothing feels bloated.
Veterans get something too. Each Combat Patrol has its own secondary objectives, enhancements, and stratagems. That means you can master a faction’s small-scale playstyle without building a 2,000-point army. It’s a great way to test a new army before you invest.
What you need to play
You don’t need much. Grab a Combat Patrol box for each player, a 44″ x 30″ battlefield, and some terrain. The core rules and all six Combat Patrol missions are available as free downloads from Warhammer Community. You can also find them in the Leviathan Core Book if you have that.
Each faction’s specific Combat Patrol rules are also free online. They come on just a couple of pages, so you won’t be flipping through a huge book mid-game.
- One Combat Patrol box per player
- 44″ x 30″ gaming surface (two boards side by side)
- A handful of terrain pieces for cover
- Free core rules and mission pack download
- Free faction-specific Combat Patrol rules
How it connects to the wider hobby
Combat Patrol is a stepping stone, not a dead end. The models in each box are standard Warhammer miniatures, so you can expand them into a larger army later. The core rules you learn here apply to full-scale games, just with more units and complexity.
It’s also a great way to explore the lore. Each box represents a faction’s fighting style, from Space Marines to Orks. Playing Combat Patrol gives you a feel for how that faction works on the table, which makes the stories and background hit harder.
Key facts
- Combat Patrol uses fixed rosters, so no army list is needed.
- Games are played on a 44″ x 30″ board with a small amount of terrain.
- All core rules and missions are available as free downloads.
- Each faction’s Combat Patrol has unique secondary objectives, enhancements, and stratagems.
- Matches typically last less than an hour, making it ideal for beginners or quick games.
FAQ
Do I need to buy a full army to play Combat Patrol?
No. One Combat Patrol box per player is all you need. The rules are fixed, so there’s no list-building or extra purchases required.
Are the Combat Patrol rules free?
Yes. Games Workshop offers the core rules, missions, and faction-specific Combat Patrol rules as free downloads on Warhammer Community.
How long does a Combat Patrol game take?
Most games finish in under an hour. The missions are designed for quick, focused matches on a small board.