What a year it's been for Warhammer, eh? A new edition of the Horus Heresy hits our shelves, bringing plastic Saturnine armor for the first time. I still intend to turn those Terminators into an Obliterator team when I get the chance. Old World also went from strength to strength with the release of the Grand Cathay faction, some of the best miniatures games workshop has sculpted to go along with some of the dreaded rules.
The field of video games was not so successful. Space Marine Remastered was a resounding flop, and while 2024's Space Marine 2 continued to draw players in, two of its most important characters were unceremoniously killed off in a blog post so Titus could get a promotion.
But what about next year? Those of you who can count to three will be hoping Warhammer 40k's 11th edition drops next summer, and Dawn of War 4 promises a return to the glory days of RTS action after a miserable showing in the threequel eight years ago. Those predictions aren't quite as expected, but I've consulted the Technodivinations of Orikan and executed a dozen psykers to come up with TheGamer's predictions for Warhammer in 2026.
Sher L'Johnson creates a stir
It is the dawn of war 4 that I expect to cause the first conflict of 2026. By introducing the Warhammer video games 'first playable Primarch', developer King Art Games is practically begging for criticism. He is very strong! He's not strong enough! He's not voiced by Charles Dance!
Warhammer fans will never be happier, and Lion's triumphant digital debut can't help but enjoy things. As a bloke with aspirations of bringing an all-death army to the tabletop, however, I couldn't be happier.
Plastic Warhound Titan
Rumors have been circulating for some time, but I believe that the workshop's new factory is now built, with new and improved machinery within those hallowed walls. This device, blessed by the Omnissiah, will begin the production of an army of titanic war machines the likes of which we have never seen before. At least, not in plastic.
With Warhammer 40k games growing thanks to scale creep and constantly dropping points (since when was my Ad Mech a Horde army?), it's only a matter of time before we can field a Warhound Titan in a 2,000 point battle. The only question is whether it will be balanced or not. I know what my money is.
Kislev release for the old world
Warhammer: The Old World has been a resounding success, with the Grand Cathay faction icing on the mooncake. Another on the docket is Kislev, a long-forgotten faction that the workshop teased years ago before giving shelter, allegedly because of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Being based in Kievan Rus, the newly anointed FTSE500 company could not stand the controversy with this range of miniatures.
However, the ongoing offensive has largely divided the public at this point, with the plight of Ukrainian soldiers barely registering in the national news. As such, I can see the Kislev faction finally dropping the Gee-dubs to keep the Old World momentum going. I'll be honest, I mostly want a plastic war mammoth, but I could easily see it in 2027 or 'whenever Putin gives up'.
More primarchs, more times
Listen, I can choose easy predictions. Any fool would have guessed that the workshop would withdraw its excessive Ork Boyz transformation. 11th edition will probably focus on fast attack for space marines. There will also be an Ultramarine supplement before the 11th. But you're not here for safe predictions. i know you You want to see more Primarchs back.
Speculation that the 11th edition will focus on the Primaris bike lends itself to speculation that Jagati Khan could be earmarked for a comeback. And, like, I get it. He is a bike guy. But the safe money is on Russia after GW leaked their addition to the Space Wolves codex with forward-compatible rules. I'd really like to see Ferus Manus return (along with me) in the guise of a Ghost Rider-esque Primarch of the Legion of the Damned. Refresh the range for them, please. But it's probably going to be Russ.
Dark Mechanics Revealed
Well, this is a wish list rather than a prediction, but you have to let me have a dream. I think I'm probably the biggest Dark Mechanicus fan in the entire universe, and I've wondered for years when Workshop would make official minis for my beloved faction. Even though Vashtor seems to be on the edge for a while now, I back him to bring the goods next year. I hope the GW sculptors can live up to my cursed creations.
Henry Cavill is Captain Titus in the Amazon TV show
We'll get news of Cavill's Amazon show in 2026, I'm sure. It can also enter pre-production. And my prediction: the news will be a casting announcement. Cavill is Titus. The show will follow his quest to protect the 500 worlds of Ultramar. I know you all want the Horus Heresy, but where does the face of 40k fit into that?
I've seen Cavill fancast as Guilliman, Dorne, and the Emperor himself, but none really fit. Mark Strong would be a good Eisenhorn, but there's no way a live action 40k show wouldn't have a Space Marine front and center anyway, so the point is moot.
However, Captain Titus has recently been promoted. In order to fast-forward his comeback outside of any game or animated short, his Ultramarine comrades Captain Acheron and Lieutenant Cheiron are killed. I'm sure Titus will be the iconic face of 40k going forward, so why shouldn't Cavill – the celebrity face of the hobby – take the mantle?
They don't look too different, especially since Titus has lost some of the grizzled features of the first game and has become more conventionally attractive with each appearance.
With two video games, a promotion, and an Amazon short under his belt, everything is coming to Titus. He's a shoe-in to lead the charge in Space Marine 3 and I'm guessing he's set to be the star of the TV show. If I'm right about this, Henry Cavill should fight me at his earliest convenience.
Something for the Age of Sigmar, perhaps
Listen, I don't play AoS. I don't know what's going on there. You'll get some Stormcasty, I guess? 2026 is going to be a more 40k-heavy year than usual, sorry.
