Death Guard is one of the best factions for new 40k players — forgiving playstyle, striking visual identity, and models that paint up quickly with washes and drybrushing. The Combat Patrol box is the standard starting point. Here is whether it is worth buying.
What Is in the Death Guard Combat Patrol Box?
The Death Guard Combat Patrol contains a selection of core Death Guard units designed to give you a functional, balanced starting force for Combat Patrol-format games. The box includes a character model, a squad of Plague Marines (the elite infantry), a large block of Poxwalkers (the expendable horde unit), and a support model. Exact contents and model counts are confirmed on the GW product page — check there before purchasing as compositions occasionally update between printings.
Is the Savings Worth It?
Combat Patrol boxes are designed to offer approximately 30–40% savings compared to buying the same models individually from Games Workshop at retail price. For Death Guard specifically, the Plague Marines kit alone retails at around $40–45, and the support character at similar cost — the Combat Patrol bundles these at a significant discount.
For value comparison: buying every model in the box separately would cost considerably more. The Combat Patrol format also includes a rules reference for the format, saving you from needing to look up the Combat Patrol rules separately.
Who Should Buy It?
- New Death Guard players: Yes — this is the intended entry point. The box gives you enough models to learn the game and complete a full Combat Patrol list immediately.
- Experienced players expanding an army: Check first whether you already own these models. If your army runs multiple Plague Marine units, this is still good value. If you primarily need Poxwalkers for a horde list, it is excellent value.
- Players who want to skip straight to 2,000 point games: You will need more than one Combat Patrol box. But it is still the cheapest starting point — buy two Combat Patrols and fill gaps with individual kits.
Is Death Guard a Good Faction for Beginners?
Yes — Death Guard is one of the recommended starter factions for several reasons. The playstyle is straightforward: walk forward, survive damage that would kill other armies, and grind the opponent down. There is no complex movement phase or positioning requirement. The models are forgiving to paint — heavy armour with visible rust, nurgling detail, and organic textures all benefit from Contrast paints and washes, meaning you can achieve a great-looking army quickly without advanced techniques.
See our full Death Guard painting guide for step-by-step colour schemes from primer to basing.
Death Guard Combat Patrol — Verdict
Worth it: Yes. The Death Guard Combat Patrol offers solid value, a playable starting army for the Combat Patrol game format, and a natural upgrade path into a full-size army. It pairs well with our Death Guard painting guide and Warhammer 40k beginner guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many points is the Death Guard Combat Patrol?
Combat Patrol boxes are designed to hit the 500-point threshold used in Combat Patrol format games. Exact point values change with GW’s quarterly balance updates — check the current Matched Play Guide PDF (free from GW’s website) for up-to-date values before your first game.
Can I use Death Guard Combat Patrol models in a 2,000-point army?
Yes — all models in the Combat Patrol box are standard Death Guard units fully legal in any game size. The Combat Patrol box is a starting point, not a separate game mode. You expand by buying additional kits.
Is Death Guard good in 10th Edition?
Death Guard received updated rules in 10th Edition with their own detachment abilities centred on Contagion and Lethal Hits. The faction has a dedicated playerbase and a strong competitive toolkit. For a new player, the faction is an excellent choice — deep enough for competitive play, forgiving enough that early learning mistakes do not feel punishing.