This Year’s Top Warhammer 40K Expansion Sells Out Online

In the world of Warhammer 40,000, humanity isn’t just molded by a heavily militarized, totalitarian regime, and that means it’s not all about Space Marines and their Martian counterparts. It’s a place dominated by a vast theocracy that reveres the Emperor of Mankind as a literal deity. In the Blood and Zeal box, you’ll find that roughly half of the figurines are fervent fanatics, overwhelmed by their devotion to a false god, bearing the immense responsibility of the civilian masses in the 41st millennium. The rest? They’re aligned with Chaos.

Known as the Ecclesiarchy, this theocratic powerhouse of the Empire is perhaps the most sinister element in the 40K universe. Strangely enough, it adores a man who, quite openly and repeatedly, insisted he wasn’t to be worshipped. Nevertheless, the lore makes it apparent that certain individuals recognized an opportunity to amass power by founding the Cult of the Emperor. This cult has proven invaluable as a tool of dominance, coercing the ordinary populace into submission. While the Ecclesiarchy isn’t the origin of humanity’s darkest tendencies—like xenophobia, vigilante justice, and mob behavior—it certainly doesn’t oppose them either. The pervasive violence and fear throughout the Imperium aren’t flaws, but rather intentional aspects. Now, we have some figures to put a face on that reality.

These are quite literally the most blindly loyal and heavily indoctrinated zealots in the cosmos. It makes sense that they share a box with forces of Chaos. The accompanying lore makes it evident that the ranks of the Ecclesiarchy far outnumber the Space Marines. In this part of the distant future galaxy, there might even be more religious extremists than there are Imperial Guardsmen—and they all pose a major problem.

Yet, they’re also portrayed as the societal glue that keeps the Imperium of Mankind intact. Without their fervor and fierce dedication, humanity would likely crumble and fall prey to the forces of Chaos—or the Tyranids, Orks, or any number of other factions intent on erasing humankind from the galaxy. So, in a certain respect, having some faces to attach to these names is essential.

While Blood and Zeal fills an important gap by adding depth to the universe’s narrative and providing more options for Kill Team, it also supplies something significant for the broader hobby. These figurines should be prominently featured in all aspects of tabletop 40K—from Kill Team to Necromunda, the expansive Warhammer 40,000 wargame, and even tabletop role-playing games like Imperium Maledictum.

I can’t stand them. Yet, I’m also pleased they exist as tangible pieces. I’d suggest picking them up, if only for the chance to finally stare them down face-to-face.