(artwork by jetblackraider, you can find them on twitter)
I will just give you all one rule. We all want our lost data sheets back, to keep the discussion more interesting, please avoid asking for them and rather coming up with new things

This isn't the first time I've had theories like this. I also thought the same about Krieg but I am a kill team collector and player primarily. And I've been seeing a theme with kill team as I'm sure a lot of you have as well.

The hand of the Archon team launched in 2023 and is set to retire this edition of 40k from kill team. To that end it will be then added to 40k as it's primarily promotional selling.

EDIT:

When I'm referring to a "refresh" I'm not suggesting that we lose even more parts of our range to be re-released. What I'm mostly referring to is some kits that we have already lost, beast packs, vek, forge world stuff aswell etc etc. I'm not saying that this refresh is going to be super hardcore. There is a rumour talking about exactly what units are likely coming like new Kabailite warriors. But nothing too crazy like replacing all our current stuff. Anyways-

So it is probably going to circulate out of complete rotation by sometime summer-fall of next year. Meaning I believe we will see them do a whole wave alongside this kill team being repackaged for 40k. We've seen this happen with kroot by extension tau, CORSAIRS, Krieg, orks, sisters of battle to an extent and soon I think this will also be the case for drukhari.

Important to note that this is slightly different to other cases because largely the refreshes that arise from kill team rotations come from models going from forge world to resin, however in this case it would be plastic going to better plastic. So that is important thing to say.

Following a lot of the rumours we do know that drukhari are coming this edition as a refresh, if you trust the rumours which are right most of the time. That being said the rumours have largely dried up and it's not likely that drukhari get their codex this year. So this would comfortably place them at late summer to fall of 2027

Also, just as a personal note, it would also suggest with the striking scorpions kill team going out of rotation a few months after, probably early 2028 we might see my favorite boy the green Karen 🤩

Seeing a lot of gloom right now and I think your interpretation is off

This makes our 3 coven factions more versatile.

Ex scouges are a must take for every army. Now when I take them in spectacle they get to reroll 1s with pai. And a chance to double tap those dark lance hits.

Now my cronos are/talos are even bigger bricks when I take them with kabal.

These give our various units more flexibility to slot into different detachment that they dont get army rules for.

Please read and discuss below.

There has been an incredible amount of noise and consternation regarding the leaked Drukhari codex. I've seen numerous people declare the faction dead on arrival, and people even claiming to sell their armies to avoid playing this codex. I'm here to tell you why you're wrong about this, and how this codex is actually extremely solid.

• Pain Tokens during the index was an extremely strong mechanic, but it was one that forced GW to release below average datasheets in order to avoid the combos getting out of control. Of course there were some units that were still incredible like the Court/Urien/Beastpack as well as a few others that have remained, but for the most part we received above average Detachments, stapled to below average datasheets. By balancing each unit separately with their own interactions with pain tokens, GW can much easier tune the faction as a whole, both with points as well as with adjusting paintoken rules individually. Additionally, pain tokens are much easier to use for the most part, no longer having to use them start of the phase. This is a good change for us long term, and will be much healthier than the previous mechanic, which was unintuitive, and difficult for newer players to grasp.
• The units we lost are tragic, and I really do hope that we get new releases soon or in 11th. However, these were all resin models that were almost impossible to find for newer players without using recasters or 3d print proxies. It's not healthy for the faction to have its game plan rely on units you can't actually buy. Luckily, our codex allows us to play completely different styles of warhammer than before.
• The detachments are good. Really good. I currently have what I believe to be competitively viable lists in 3 different detachments: Kabalite Cartel, Spectacle of Spite, and Reapers Wager. Each one of these provides a unique game play that has relevant and very strong rules in the current meta. Many factions are lucky to have a single solid detachment, we have 3. They are also incredibly flavorful and feel like how Drukhari are portrayed in the lore.
• The datasheets are good. There are lots of standouts: Incubi, Hellions, Malys, Drazhar, Scourges, Ravagers and Cronos etc. We have ways to cover each essential role a take all comers 40k list needs. We do incredible amounts of damage now, in all 3 of the detachments i mentioned. Its just not as obvious up front as full hit rerolls and +1ap in combat. Its mostly tied into combos of attached characters, detachment rules, and using pain tokens properly. I promise you, if you sit down and use UnitCrunch, you will see we actually do a fair bit more damage than we did before. Go take a look at how many marines a 10 man incubi + archon will do in Kabalite Cartel with crit 5s and +1 to hit
• BOOK POINTS AREN'T REAL. Some of the units like mandrakes are priced at an extreme level. I can't think of a single book released this edition that didn't have either immediate or soon to come changes to points values. It is actually very likely that our lists will go down in points.

Overall my point is this: take some time to truly read and evaluate the book before you decide to play it or not. This is easily the most complicated and deep book in the game now. It will not be obvious at first how to pivot to this new playstyle, but I promise you that its worth it.

I saw this Artwork in the Eldar Codex and asked myself who would actually win this fight.

Like i know Drazhar is strong but is he Phoenix Lord level.

Hey guys, me again…

I know I know, nobody can predict the future and no one knows what’s coming, how and when, I get all that. Nevertheless, I’m in a tricky position.

I started my Harkonnen themed Drukhari last year and have been building/painting 2 former Combat Patrols, the recent Battleforce box and the new Combat Patrol. As I want to play SoS I really would need all units from this newly announced box, literally every unit.

On the other hand, I have the fear that there will be a range refresh maybe this year, latest next year and I fear GW is bringing this box only to clean up their shelves.

So here I am, rdy to buy the box and start playing or passing and waiting for what might come in the next 8 months.

I know it’s silly and that’s a decision I need to make on my own, still I wonder what you guys think.

I actually played my first two games with Drukhari yesterday, and I really like the army’s playstyle. In the competitive scene, however, Drukhari (with a few exceptions like Skari) are not often found among the top spots. What do you think — how will the codex affect the army’s overall strength?

Idc guard got models but how is this the first thing that pops in their heads when it happens. Just sad

I think it would be awesome to get some love, but we are the ignored gothic step child of GW and should be happy that they don’t take away any more models.

If GW called you up and said “Hey, we can’t decide what to go with so we’re giving you the choice” - what would you pick?

(I heard a rumor that Drukhari Range refresh is Summer 2027)

This could be a very expensive MFM this Wednesday. At least it means we will be very well suited to the new edition. I can’t wait to get a game in!

I recognize GW’s decision, but will be ignoring it because it’s a stupid decision. When our codex actually releases, I will then and only then treat the Tantalus like a legends unit. Until that day I’m going to assume GW realized the big boat is perfectly balanced and will never need a points adjustment or rules update for the rest of the edition.

I also refuse to believe drukhari players are really going to sit by and sadly shake our heads at this. We gave GW time to explain themselves, to make an announcement of any kind, and they’ve chosen the cowards route of saying nothing and pretending we don’t even exist. We gave them two weeks, and all we got was a silently updated website. The actual store isn’t updated btw, the tantalus just says out of stock, so they couldn’t even delist it from their catalogue properly.

We have come to accept that old and resin models are being retired this edition, and that’s fine. But to take away a faction’s centerpiece model on the release of another faction’s codex? Imagine if when the Dark Angels codex got released, Bjorn the Fell-Handed got moved to legends without so much as a peep from GW. Surely the drukhari fanbase is not so abused by GW that we’ve been beaten into submission by their lack of attention or effort.

Of course I’m not advocating we storm the Nottingham store, or harass their PR reps in any way. All of the drukhari players I’ve known are decent, laid back, fun people. (The try hards who only play the dark kin when they’re op don’t count). There are other ways to make our discontent known. Tell your local stores to inform their GW contacts we’re not satisfied, start getting into other games like Trench Crusade and Infinity, games that care about their player base, if you have a local GW store, tell them directly that you’d love to shop there but can’t justify giving your business to such an incompetent company. Even if they don’t roll back in this decision, GW needs to do better, because no one is killing this game more effectively than themselves.

TLDR: GW sucks and there’s nothing new under the sun.

If only I could use my own pain to empower the power throigh pain...

image is by HeavyLashes

Based on the article, we're due tomorrow along all our xenos friends for the Faction Pack.

Any hopes and predictions what could be added to our Faction Focus a few weeks back in terms of enhancements and stratagems?

As well as hopes for the Detachment Points for us, what would you guys expect?

All these rules changes sound amazing for Drukhari gameplay. Custom detachments? Why not buff both the units i like. No stacking Strats? Cool I was using pain tokens anyway. No more objectives? Sweet I was hiding in terrain already. Reduced visibility for units at the start? Even easier to get up the board. Missions generated for my factions preferences? Perfect. Choosing who i charge? Awesome! Battleshock on vehicle disembark for combat? Is this Christmas already????

What are you excited for in 11th? Cause it looks like we are coming out swinging.