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

In the world of Warhammer 40K, human society isn’t solely shaped by a hyper-militarized regime; it extends beyond Space Marines and Martian cyborgs. This universe also hosts a powerful religious order that worships the Emperor of Mankind as a living deity. This devotion turns about half of the characters in the Blood and Zeal box into fervent followers, passionately misled by their belief in a false idol, all while holding the fate and well-being of vast civilian populations in their fanatical grip during the 41st millennium. The rest of the miniatures gravitate towards Chaos.

Known as the Ecclesiarchy, the theocratic arm of this empire emerges as perhaps the most cunning element in the 40K narrative. Even though the Emperor himself repeatedly insisted, “please do not worship me,” over time, it became apparent to some that they could wield immense power by creating the Cult of the Emperor. This cult acts as a powerful tool for controlling the masses, a blunt force used to coerce the public into submission. While not the root of humanity’s darker tendencies such as xenophobia and mob violence, the Ecclesiarchy certainly doesn’t counteract them either. In fact, the terror and aggression pervading every inch of the Imperium aren’t accidental—they’re integral. And now, we have miniatures to put faces to these unsettling truths.

These miniature figures represent some of the most subservient and brainwashed fanatics across the universe. It seems only appropriate to package them alongside the forces of Chaos. Delving into the lore included in this set reveals that there may be more members of the Ecclesiarchy than even the legendary Space Marines. In fact, these religious extremists likely outnumber the Imperial Guardsmen, and none of them are particularly redeemable.

Yet, paradoxically, they are depicted as the essential fabric holding the Imperium of Mankind together. Without their zealous devotion and animosity, humanity might crumble under the assaults of Chaos, the Tyranids, the Orks, and other relentless forces intent on wiping humans from existence on a galactic scale. So, in a sense, it’s crucial to have miniature figures to match these names.

While the Blood and Zeal set contributes significantly to the narrative depth of the universe and enhances the content for Kill Team, it also occupies a special place in the broader hobby. These figures should be integral to every corner of tabletop 40K—not only in Kill Team but also in games like Necromunda, the expansive Warhammer 40,000, and tabletop RPGs such as Imperium Maledictum.

As much as I find them distasteful, I’m also genuinely pleased that they exist as tangible entities. I wholeheartedly recommend adding them to your collection, if only to stare into their tiny, unblinking eyes.