The Combat Patrol rules are perfect for experienced players playing within a lunch break; and because the forces involved are relatively small, but potentially varied, they also make for ideal games with which to introduce a new player to Warhammer 40,000.

Each force represents a small scouting patrol; this is why there are certain limitations on what powerful models you can take. It stops situations like an Avatar rampaging across the board just because ten Eldar have been ordered to check out a suspicious tree!

The rules for 40K in 40 minutes were first printed in White Dwarf 274. You can download this article, and an Eye of Terror Edition with a number of scenarios, by clicking on the links below.

DOWNLOADS

- Original article: from WD 274 [Download PDF - 655Kb].
- Eye of Terror: from WD 284 [Download PDF - 655Kb].

In order to download these documents you will need Acrobat Reader. Download it for free from the Adobe site.

There are a number of Warhammer 40,000 players at Games Workshop who have put together patrols and you can read more about them by clicking on the links below.

SAMPLE PATROLS

- Che Webster's Tau.
- Gareth Harvey's Guard.

BEWARE ODDITIES!

When you play Combat Patrol it's important to remember that these games approach Warhammer 40,000 in a way that it was not originally conceived by the designers. This means odd stuff will crop up, especially in team play battles, which you need to sort out "on the fly". The best way to resolve this kind of stuff is to ask yourself:

1: Is there is any existing rule you can use as a precedent?

2: What is the most reasonable thing that would happen in this situation?

3: What are the two most likely outcomes and then roll a D6. On a result of 1-3 go with solution 1, on a result of 4-6 go with solution 2.

Tim Eagling developed the Combat Patrol guidelines. His site Patrol Clash contains some additional information about playing with patrols including more sample forces, more scenario ideas, a handy FAQ and some alternative troop types. Games Workshop is not responsible for the content of external websites.