The World Eaters are a brutal and bloodthirsty faction within the Chaos Space Marines faction of Warhammer 40,000. Known for their relentless desire for slaughter and destruction, the World Eaters are a chaos-worshipping chapter that follows Khorne, the Chaos God of bloodshed, rage, and violence. Their Combat Patrol is built around the idea of overwhelming opponents through sheer brutality, with a focus on close combat, bloodthirsty assaults, and devastating charge tactics.
The Combat Patrol: World Eaters features an army that thrives in close-quarters combat, equipped with a variety of melee weapons, heavy armor, and ruthless units. They are driven by their need to please Khorne and are constantly on the hunt for new enemies to slay in the name of their blood god. World Eaters forces do not rely on ranged attacks or defensive strategies—every tactic is focused on closing the gap and engaging the enemy in brutal hand-to-hand fighting.
Lore and Background
The World Eaters were once one of the most honorable and disciplined Legions of Space Marines, known as the War Hounds, led by the now-infamous Angron. However, after their fall to Chaos, the War Hounds were transformed into the World Eaters, a force completely devoted to Khorne, abandoning their former ideals of honor for bloodlust and violence.
Under the influence of Angron and Khorne, they lost all sense of restraint and now see combat as the ultimate expression of devotion to their dark god. They are famed for their berserker rage, tearing through anything in their path, from enemy soldiers to entire cities, leaving nothing but destruction and carnage behind them. Their Combat Patrol reflects this desire for unrelenting violence.
The World Eaters Combat Patrol
A World Eaters Combat Patrol is a fast-moving, brutal force that focuses almost exclusively on close combat. Their units are built to get into battle quickly and deal devastating melee damage, while also having enough durability to withstand enemy fire long enough to close the gap. The World Eaters excel at assaults, rampaging through the enemy, and overwhelming them with the power of Khorne's wrath.
World Eaters Chaos Space Marine Squads:
- These are the backbone of any World Eaters force. Equipped with bolt pistols, chainswords, and close combat weapons, these squads are designed to engage the enemy head-on with brutal melee attacks.
- The World Eaters are focused on getting into close combat quickly. Their rampaging assault squads are meant to close the distance with the enemy and tear them apart with their berserker fury.
- These squads are excellent for saturation tactics, as they flood the battlefield with melee units to overwhelm opponents.
Berzerkers:
- The Berzerkers are the most iconic unit in the World Eaters army. These elite warriors are fueled by rage and are unstoppable in hand-to-hand combat. Armed with chainswords, bolt pistols, and sometimes chainaxes, these warriors are the physical embodiment of Khorne’s fury.
- World Eaters Berzerkers are highly specialized for close combat and are extremely effective at taking down enemy infantry and elite units alike. Their berserk rage allows them to make multiple attacks in close combat, tearing through anything they face with ferocity.
- In a Combat Patrol, they act as the shock troops, charging into the heart of the enemy lines to decimate opposing forces.
World Eaters Chaos Lord:
- The Chaos Lord is a powerful commander who leads the World Eaters into battle. This heroic figure can be equipped with power weapons, plasma pistols, or combination weapons to fit the needs of the army.
- The Chaos Lord can lead their forces with great authority, boosting their combat effectiveness and making them even more deadly in melee combat. In a Combat Patrol, the Chaos Lord helps direct the carnage, ensuring the troops stay focused on their goal of slaughter and destruction.
- The Lord’s Presence boosts attacks and leadership, making them an essential unit to keep the World Eaters fighting at full strength.
Khorne Berzerker Champion:
- The Champion is a significant upgrade to a Berzerker squad, giving them additional attack power and leadership. The Khorne Berzerker Champion leads the charge, inspiring their squadmates to fight even harder, ensuring the squad’s rage is maintained until the enemy is utterly crushed.
- With access to special wargear like power fists or special weapons, the Champion can deal with a variety of enemy threats, from heavily armored units to elite infantry.
World Eaters Rhino or Chaos Land Raider (Optional):
- Transport vehicles like the Rhino or the larger Land Raider are great choices for the World Eaters, ensuring that their elite melee troops can close the gap with the enemy quickly and efficiently. These vehicles allow the World Eaters to overrun enemy positions or keep their forces moving swiftly around the battlefield.
- The Rhino is a more cost-effective option for a Combat Patrol, while the Land Raider offers significantly greater firepower and durability, helping the World Eaters take down heavier targets.
World Eaters Possessed (Optional):
- The Possessed are demonic entities that inhabit the bodies of fallen Space Marines. In a World Eaters army, these units are often completely transformed by the influence of Khorne, becoming insanely strong and dangerous close combat units.
- In a Combat Patrol, the Possessed can be used as elite shock troops to infiltrate the enemy lines and rip through them with terrifying speed and brutality. They are often used to break open enemy positions and disrupt their tactics.
Khornate Daemon Engines (Optional):
- Daemon Engines like the Forgefiend or Maulerfiend can add fire support and versatility to a World Eaters Combat Patrol. While not as durable as a full daemon engine force, they offer much-needed firepower and close-combat support. They’re the perfect units to counter armored threats or provide additional close combat mobility.
Tactics and Playstyle
The World Eaters are all about fast, relentless assaults. Their combat patrol focuses heavily on melee dominance, with fast-moving, ferocious units that charge into close combat as soon as possible. Their entire army is designed to engage enemies head-on, using overwhelming close combat tactics.
Speed and Aggression: The World Eaters move quickly, hitting hard and fast. Their units are designed for fast assaults, getting to the enemy's heart before they can react. This requires players to be aggressive and push forward as quickly as possible, especially using fast transports like Rhinos or Land Raiders.
Close Combat Dominance: World Eaters are deadly in melee. They rely on powerful close combat weapons like chainaxes and berserk abilities, dealing devastating damage to anything they fight. Their fearsome assault troops are built to tear apart infantry and hard targets alike, with speed and ferocity.
Psychological Warfare: The World Eaters’ rage is their greatest strength, and they use it to make the enemy fear them. Players should use this berserker fury to overwhelm opponents, especially weaker forces. Chaos Lords and Champions help direct this fury, ensuring every squad gets into the fight with maximum devastation.
Conclusion
The World Eaters Combat Patrol is for players who want to bring the heat of battle to the tabletop. These brutal, bloodthirsty forces are relentless and designed for close combat aggression, able to tear through any enemy in their path. They are fast, furious, and unforgiving, making them perfect for those who enjoy a fast-paced, aggressive playstyle that focuses on overwhelming the enemy through sheer force. The World Eaters may not have the finesse of other armies, but they will leave nothing but blood and broken bodies in their wake.