This page details military structure of Chaos Space Marines forces including Detachments, Formations and Apocalypse Formations.
DetachmentsBlack Crusade Detachment
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 • 1 Chaos Lord • 0-1 Sorcerer • 1-3 units chosen in any combination from the following list: - Chosen - Chaos Terminators - Possessed • 2-6 units of Chaos Space Marines • 1-3 units chosen in any combination from the following list: - Raptors - Warp Talons - Chaos Bikers • 1-3 units chosen in any combination from the following list: - Havocs - Helbrute | |
 • 1 Warpsmith • 3-5 units chosen in any combination from the following list: - Helbrute - Maulerfiend - Forgefiend - Defiler • 1-4 units chosen in any combination from the following: - Khorne Berzerkers - Thousand Sons - Plague Marines - Noise Marines • 1-3 units of Chaos Spawn • 1 Chaos Lord • 3-5 units chosen in any combination from the following list: - Raptors - Warp Talons | • 1-3 Warpsmiths • 3-5 units chosen in any combination from the following list: - Obliterators - Mutilators • 1 Warpsmith • 3-5 units chosen in any combination from the following list: - Chaos Predators - Chaos Vindicators - Chaos Land Raider • 2-4 Heldrakes |
This Detachment must include at least one Core choice and one Auxiliary choice. It may include up to five Command choices and any number of additional Core or Auxiliary choices, in any combination. Only the datasheets listed here can be included in this Detachment and all units must have the Chaos Space Marines Faction.
COMMAND BENEFITS
Death to the False Emperor: All units in this Detachment have the Hatred (Armies of the Imperium) special rule. In addition, any unit from this Detachment that has the option of taking the Veterans of the Long War special rule can do so for free.
Formations
Chaos Warband
• 0-1 Sorcerer1
• 1-3 units chosen in any combination from the following list:
- Chosen
- Chaos Terminators
- Possessed
• 2-6 units of Chaos Space Marines
• 1-3 units chosen in any combination from the following list:
- Raptors
- Warp Talons
- Chaos Bikers
• 1-3 units chosen in any combination from the following list:
- Havocs
- Helbrute
None.
1 Abaddon the Despoiler, Huron Blackheart, Khârn the Betrayer, Typhus, Lucius the Eternal or Fabius Bile may be taken instead of a Chaos Lord. Ahriman may be taken instead of a Sorcerer
SPECIAL RULES
Favoured Scions: When a model from a Chaos Warband earns a roll on the Chaos Boon table as a result of the Champion of Chaos special rule, roll twice on the table and choose either one or both of the results.
Objective Secured: All units in a Chaos Warband have this special rule and will control objectives even if an enemy scoring unit is within range of the Objective Marker, unless the enemy unit also has this special rule.
Favoured Scions: When a model from a Chaos Warband earns a roll on the Chaos Boon table as a result of the Champion of Chaos special rule, roll twice on the table and choose either one or both of the results.
Cult of Destruction
• 3-5 units chosen in any combination
from the following list:
- Obliterators
- Mutilators
None.
SPECIAL RULES
Empyrionic Guidance Rituals: At the start of the Chaos Space Marine Movement phase, each Warpsmith in this Formation can perform a set of Empyrionic Guidance Rituals on one unit of Obliterators or Mutilators from the Formation that is within 8". Each Warpsmith must pick a different unit to perform the ritual upon.
If a unit of Obliterators is selected then it can shoot twice (at the same unit) in the Shooting phase of the turn. If a unit of Mutilators is selected, then it can attack twice after Piling In in the Assault phase of the turn.
Carry out the first set of attacks to completion, then carry out the second set of attacks. A unit must use different weapons for the two different sets of attacks, and cannot use a weapon it used in the previous turn.
Empyrionic Guidance Rituals: At the start of the Chaos Space Marine Movement phase, each Warpsmith in this Formation can perform a set of Empyrionic Guidance Rituals on one unit of Obliterators or Mutilators from the Formation that is within 8". Each Warpsmith must pick a different unit to perform the ritual upon.
If a unit of Obliterators is selected then it can shoot twice (at the same unit) in the Shooting phase of the turn. If a unit of Mutilators is selected, then it can attack twice after Piling In in the Assault phase of the turn.
Carry out the first set of attacks to completion, then carry out the second set of attacks. A unit must use different weapons for the two different sets of attacks, and cannot use a weapon it used in the previous turn.
Favoured of Chaos
SPECIAL RULES
Baleful Nexus of Warp Energies: Units of Possessed from the Favoured of Chaos that are within 12" of their Daemon Prince at the start of the Fight sub-phase receive the benefit of all three Mutations from their Mutation table, rather than only one.
Baleful Nexus of Warp Energies: Units of Possessed from the Favoured of Chaos that are within 12" of their Daemon Prince at the start of the Fight sub-phase receive the benefit of all three Mutations from their Mutation table, rather than only one.
Fist of the Gods
• 3-5 units chosen in any combination from the following list:
- Chaos Predators
- Chaos Vindicators
- Chaos Land Raider
None.
SPECIAL RULES
Dark Wards: All vehicles from the Fist of the Gods have a 6+ invulnerable save whilst they are within 12" of their Warpsmith.
Unholy Blessings: The Warpsmith from this Formation has a +1 bonus when making attempts to repair a vehicle from its Formation.
Dark Wards: All vehicles from the Fist of the Gods have a 6+ invulnerable save whilst they are within 12" of their Warpsmith.
Heldrake Terror Pack
SPECIAL RULES
Merciless Pursuit: When performing a Vector Strike with a model from a Heldrake Terror Pack against a target unit that is Pinned, Falling Back or has Gone to Ground, the target unit suffers D6 Strength 7, AP2 hits instead of only 1 hit.
Rising Terror: Enemy units that are within 12" of two models from a Heldrake Terror Pack reduce their Leadership by 1. Enemy units that are within 12" of three models from a Heldrake Terror Pack instead reduce their Leadership by 2, or reduce their Leadership by 3 if they are within 12" of four models from a Heldrake Terror Pack.
Merciless Pursuit: When performing a Vector Strike with a model from a Heldrake Terror Pack against a target unit that is Pinned, Falling Back or has Gone to Ground, the target unit suffers D6 Strength 7, AP2 hits instead of only 1 hit.
Helforged Warpack
• 3-5 units chosen in any combination from the following list:
- Helbrute
- Maulerfiend
- Forgefiend
- Defiler
None.
SPECIAL RULES
Master of Mechanical Warpcraft: Whilst their Warpsmith is alive and on the battlefield, Helforged Warpack models that have already used their Daemonforge special rule during the game can choose to do so for a second and/or subsequent time.
Warpack Alpha: One vehicle model from the Helforged Warpack must be nominated as the Warpack Alpha. The Warpack Alpha gains the (Character) unit type and a 4+ invulnerable save. If the Warpack Alpha is completely destroyed, all other models in its Helforged Warpack gain the Rage special rule.
Master of Mechanical Warpcraft: Whilst their Warpsmith is alive and on the battlefield, Helforged Warpack models that have already used their Daemonforge special rule during the game can choose to do so for a second and/or subsequent time.
Maelstrom of Gore
This Formation’s Chaos Lord must be given the Mark of Khorne at no additional points cost.
SPECIAL RULES
Blood-crazed: Maelstrom of Gore units have the Fleet special rule and add 3" to their charge distances.
Red Rain: Once per battle, at the start of your Movement phase, a Maelstrom of Gore can summon the red rain. When it does so, every unit in the Formation that is locked in combat is allowed to Pile In and fight as if it were a Fight sub-phase, but enemy units cannot fight back. Using this ability does not stop the Maelstrom of Gore’s units from fighting again in the Assault phase of the same turn.
Blood-crazed: Maelstrom of Gore units have the Fleet special rule and add 3" to their charge distances.
Raptor Talon
• 3-5 units chosen in any combination from the following list:
- Raptors
- Warp Talons
This Formation’s Chaos Lord must be equipped with a jump pack at no additional points cost.
SPECIAL RULES
Cacophonic War Cries: Enemy units that are charged by two or more units from a Raptor Talon must subtract 2 from their Leadership until the end of the turn.
Predatory Warriors: Units in this Formation can charge on the same turn they arrive from Deep Strike Reserve, but always count as making a disordered charge when they do so.
Cacophonic War Cries: Enemy units that are charged by two or more units from a Raptor Talon must subtract 2 from their Leadership until the end of the turn.
Terminator Annihilation Force
This Formation’s Chaos Lord or Sorcerer must be equipped with Terminator armour at no additional points cost.
1 Abaddon the Despoiler or Typhus may be taken instead of the Chaos Lord or Sorcerer.
SPECIAL RULES
Target Updated: If the enemy unit nominated for annihilation (see above) is completely destroyed, you can immediately pick a new enemy unit as a replacement target. The Targeted for Annihilation rules apply to the new unit from then on. If the new unit is also destroyed, pick another new unit, and so on.
Targeted For Annihilation: At the start of the game, before deployment, nominate one unit in the enemy army. Units in this Formation have the Hatred special rule when making attacks against the nominated unit. In addition, units from this Formation can make a shooting attack against the nominated unit immediately after they deploy by Deep Strike, if it is within range and line of sight. This does not stop the unit from shooting again later in the same turn, either at the same or a different target.
Target Updated: If the enemy unit nominated for annihilation (see above) is completely destroyed, you can immediately pick a new enemy unit as a replacement target. The Targeted for Annihilation rules apply to the new unit from then on. If the new unit is also destroyed, pick another new unit, and so on.
The Lost and the Damned
SPECIAL RULES
A Tide of Traitors: Each time a unit of Chaos Cultists from the Lost and the Damned is completely destroyed, roll a D6: on a 4+, you can immediately place a new, identical unit into Ongoing Reserve. These new units gain the Outflank special rule, but otherwise count as being part of the original Formation, so roll a D6 as described above if they are subsequently destroyed as well. Victory points are awarded as normal for new units in this Formation that have been completely destroyed.
Prophet of the Gods: The Dark Apostle’s Zealot special rule applies to all the Lost and the Damned units within 6" of him.
A Tide of Traitors: Each time a unit of Chaos Cultists from the Lost and the Damned is completely destroyed, roll a D6: on a 4+, you can immediately place a new, identical unit into Ongoing Reserve. These new units gain the Outflank special rule, but otherwise count as being part of the original Formation, so roll a D6 as described above if they are subsequently destroyed as well. Victory points are awarded as normal for new units in this Formation that have been completely destroyed.
Trinity of Blood
SPECIAL RULES
• Rampage
Apoplectic Storm: At the start of this Formation’s Movement phase, any enemy units locked in combat with any models from a Trinity of Blood are engulfed in a scorching storm of rage-fuelled energy. Affected units suffer a number of Strength 6 AP4 hits with the Ignores Cover and Soul Blaze special rules equal to the number of models in the unit. Any Wounds caused by these hits are Randomly Allocated.
Crashing Volleys: Weapons used by a model from a Trinity of Blood have the Twin-linked special rule if they are used to attack a target that has already been attacked by another model from the Formation earlier in that Shooting phase.
• Rampage
Fallen Champions
Units of Chosen from this Formation cannot take Chaos Rewards, Chaos Artefacts, Marks of Chaos or Dedicated Transports.
SPECIAL RULES
• Infiltrate
Fallen Leader: Any unit from this Formation that is within 12" of Cypher must use his Leadership characteristic instead of their own for any Leadership tests, and has the And They Shall Know No Fear special rule.
Never Forgive: In missions that include both Cypher and Dark Angels models, all Dark Angels models with the Deathwing (renamed from Inner Circle 6th edition Dark Angels rule) special rule also receive the Zealot special rule.
• Infiltrate
Helcult
SPECIAL RULES
Apocalyptic Fury: This Formation’s Helbrute has the Rage special rule. Furthermore, when rolling To Hit with the Helbrute’s Melee attacks, any unmodified rolls of a 1 are not discarded. Instead, they automatically hit a friendly model (but not the Helbrute) nearby. Randomly determine (for each roll of a 1) which model is hit, from those within 6" of the Helbrute, even if they are not involved in the same combat. If there are no viable targets in range, these Attacks are discarded.
Human Shields: If the Helbrute is partially obscured from the firer’s line of sight by models from one or more of this Formation’s units of Chaos Cultists, it receives a 3+ cover save. However, for each successful cover save the controlling player makes as a result of this special rule, the nearest intervening Cultist model is removed as a casualty with no saves allowed.
Living Idol of Chaos: As long as the Helbrute is alive, both of the Formation’s units of Chaos Cultists have the Fearless special rule. If the Helbrute is completely destroyed, the Formation’s units of Chaos Cultists lose the Fearless special rule, but gain the Zealot special rule.
Apocalyptic Fury: This Formation’s Helbrute has the Rage special rule. Furthermore, when rolling To Hit with the Helbrute’s Melee attacks, any unmodified rolls of a 1 are not discarded. Instead, they automatically hit a friendly model (but not the Helbrute) nearby. Randomly determine (for each roll of a 1) which model is hit, from those within 6" of the Helbrute, even if they are not involved in the same combat. If there are no viable targets in range, these Attacks are discarded.
Helfist Murderpack
SPECIAL RULES
Death of a Leader: If the Helbrute Champion is completely destroyed, all other Helbrutes in the Formation gain the Rage special rule.
Murderpack: All of the Helbrutes in this Formation count as a single vehicle squadron.
Pack Leader: The Helbrute Champion has the Vehicle (character) unit type, and the Aura of Dark Glory special rule. Other Helbrutes in the same vehicle squadron can make Look Out, Sir attempts to protect the Helbrute Champion as long as they are within 6". Furthermore, if any of the Formation’s Helbrutes have crazed markers, do not roll on the Crazed Table if the Helbrute Champion is still alive; instead, the controlling player can choose which result affects them each turn, though the nominated result applies to all the Helbrutes in the Formation with crazed markers.
Death of a Leader: If the Helbrute Champion is completely destroyed, all other Helbrutes in the Formation gain the Rage special rule.
Mayhem Pack
SPECIAL RULES
• It Will Not Die
Mayhem from the Maelstrom: All of the units in this Formation must begin the game in Reserve. When making Reserve Rolls, make a single roll for the entire Formation. On a successful Reserves Roll, the all of the units in this Formation arrives from Reserve by Deep Strike.
Tormented Terrors: At the start of each of your Movement phases, make a single roll on the Crazed Table. All of the Helbrutes in this Formation are affected by the result, even if they have not suffered glancing or penetrating hit.
• It Will Not Die
Wrathborn
SPECIAL RULES
Avatar of Spite: The Chaos Lord’s bitter hatred of all things is palpable and his presence sends his fellow Wrathborn into a murderous fury. The Chaos Lord and all Wrathborn units within 12" of him have the Hatred special rule.
Avatar of Spite: The Chaos Lord’s bitter hatred of all things is palpable and his presence sends his fellow Wrathborn into a murderous fury. The Chaos Lord and all Wrathborn units within 12" of him have the Hatred special rule.
Apocalypse Formations
Cult of Destruction
Each unit must consist of three models.
TYPE
• Battle Formation
SPECIAL RULES
Engines of Destruction: Six or more Obliterators in the formation can combine their shooting attacks into a single attack using one of the profiles below. All of the Obliterators that participate must be in range and have line of sight to the target.
Orgy of Devastation: Mutilators in the formation have the Furious Charge special rule. Furthermore, for every unsaved Wound caused by a Mutilator in the formation, the Mutilator immediately makes an additional Attack. These extra Attacks cannot generate further additional Attacks.
• Battle Formation
SPECIAL RULES
Engines of Destruction: Six or more Obliterators in the formation can combine their shooting attacks into a single attack using one of the profiles below. All of the Obliterators that participate must be in range and have line of sight to the target.
| Range | S | AP | Type | |
| Las-destructor | 48" | D | 1 | Heavy 1 |
| Hellflame | Hellstorm | 5 | 3 | Assault 1 |
| Shellstorm | 48" | 5 | 4 | Assault 1, Apocalyptic Blast |
Heldrake Fear Squadron
TYPE
• Flyer Wing
SPECIAL RULES
Fuelled by Fear: All of the Heldrakes in the Fear Squadron ignore the 'once per game' restriction for their Daemonforge special rule - they may use their Daemonforge special rule every turn. When using its Daemonforge special rule, a Heldrake must still roll a D6 to see if it suffers a Hull Point of damage at the end of the phase.
Harbringers of the Apocalypse: A Heldrake Fear Squadron does not enter play as a normal unit of Flyers, and is instead deployed with the rest of the army. Before the first turn begins, but after deployment is complete, the Fear Squadron may make a pre-game move of up to 6o", during which the Heldrakes may each make a special out-of-sequence Vector Strike. Casualties caused by this Vector Strike do not cause Morale tests.
If this special Vector Strike is used, the Fear Squadron may not make a Vector Strike on the first turn of the game, though it may fire its weapons as normal.
• Flyer Wing
SPECIAL RULES
Fuelled by Fear: All of the Heldrakes in the Fear Squadron ignore the 'once per game' restriction for their Daemonforge special rule - they may use their Daemonforge special rule every turn. When using its Daemonforge special rule, a Heldrake must still roll a D6 to see if it suffers a Hull Point of damage at the end of the phase.
If this special Vector Strike is used, the Fear Squadron may not make a Vector Strike on the first turn of the game, though it may fire its weapons as normal.
Legionnaire Warband
• 3+ Troops units
• 2+ Elites units
• Any number of units from the following:
- HQ
- Fast Attack
- Heavy Support
All models in the Legionnaire Warband must have the Veterans of the Long War upgrade. If the Chaos Lord has a Mark of Chaos, all other units that are able to, must have the same Mark of Chaos as the Chaos Lord.
TYPE
• Battle Formation
SPECIAL RULES
Ten Thousand Years of Hatred: When in close combat with a Space Marines unit (as defined in Codex: Chaos Space Marines), models in the Legionnaire Warband re-roll failed To Hit rolls in every round of combat. Furthermore, if a Legionnaire Warband unit is within 12" of a Space Marines unit, the Legionnaire Warband unit has the Fearless special rule.
• Battle Formation
SPECIAL RULES
Ten Thousand Years of Hatred: When in close combat with a Space Marines unit (as defined in Codex: Chaos Space Marines), models in the Legionnaire Warband re-roll failed To Hit rolls in every round of combat. Furthermore, if a Legionnaire Warband unit is within 12" of a Space Marines unit, the Legionnaire Warband unit has the Fearless special rule.
Lords of the Black Crusade
• 1 Chaos Lord with Mark of Khorne or Kharn the Betrayer
• 1 Chaos Sorcerer with Mark of Tzeench or Ahriman
• 1 Chaos Lord with Mark of Nurgle or Typhus
• 1 Chaos Lord with Mark of Slaanesh or Lucius the Eternal
None.
TYPE
• High Command
SPECIAL RULES
The Planet Killer: Once per game, provided Abaddon is on the battlefield, the formation can call upon the support of the Warmaster's flagship. From that point on, the game uses the Magma Storm Unnatural Disaster rules, in addition to any other Unnatural Disasters in play. As long as Abaddon is alive, then the player controlling him is automatically the Master of Disaster when resolving the Magma Storm.
Their Finest Hours (Lords of the Black Crusade): All the characters in the formation may use the Finest Hour rules. If they do so, they must all do so on the same turn. Any or all of them may choose to use the Sons of the Primarch rule relevant to their Legion if they prefer:
• High Command
SPECIAL RULES
The Planet Killer: Once per game, provided Abaddon is on the battlefield, the formation can call upon the support of the Warmaster's flagship. From that point on, the game uses the Magma Storm Unnatural Disaster rules, in addition to any other Unnatural Disasters in play. As long as Abaddon is alive, then the player controlling him is automatically the Master of Disaster when resolving the Magma Storm.
- Abaddon uses the Black Legion ability
- models with the Mark of Tzeentch use the Thousand Sons ability
- models with the Mark of Khorne use the World Eaters ability
- models with the Mark of Nurgle use the Death Guard ability
- models with the Mark of Slaanesh use the Emperor's Children ability.
The Lost and the Damned
TYPE
• Battle Formation
SPECIAL RULES
• Infiltrate
Limitless in Number - Boundless in Spite: A single Chaos Cultist unit from the formation may be returned to play after each scheduled break without spending a Strategic Victory Point. This does not count towards the number of units you may return to play after each break.
Warped by Mutation: All Chaos Cultists in the formation have the Feel No Pain and Furious Charge special rules.
• Battle Formation
SPECIAL RULES
• Infiltrate
Thousand Sons War Coven
• 3+ Chaos Sorcerers (Mastery Level 1)
None.
Warp Charge: 2
| The stolen energies of a Storm of Change mutate whatever they touch into a bewildering variety of mewling, fleshy forms before sucking the remains into the Warp forever. |
| Range | S | AP | Type |
| 48" | D | 1 | Assault X, Blast, Lifedrain, Vortex |
Tide of Spawn
TYPE
• Battle Formation
SPECIAL RULES
The Final Blessing of the Gods: The Chaos Spawn are not deployed with the rest of the army. Instead, at the start of any Chaos turn after the first, nominate a friendly unengaged Infantry unit from Codex: Chaos Space Marines that has the same number of models as the Tide of Spawn. Then replace all of the models in that unit with the Chaos Spawn models, with full Wounds, and with no upgrades. They may not be placed within 1" of an enemy model. The original models are removed from play. If the original unit had a Mark of Chaos the Chaos Spawn unit will have the same Mark of Chaos.
If the original unit is inside a Transport when they are transformed, they must immediately disembark before being replaced by the Spawn.
• Battle Formation
SPECIAL RULES
The Final Blessing of the Gods: The Chaos Spawn are not deployed with the rest of the army. Instead, at the start of any Chaos turn after the first, nominate a friendly unengaged Infantry unit from Codex: Chaos Space Marines that has the same number of models as the Tide of Spawn. Then replace all of the models in that unit with the Chaos Spawn models, with full Wounds, and with no upgrades. They may not be placed within 1" of an enemy model. The original models are removed from play. If the original unit had a Mark of Chaos the Chaos Spawn unit will have the same Mark of Chaos.
If the original unit is inside a Transport when they are transformed, they must immediately disembark before being replaced by the Spawn.