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

In the universe of Warhammer 40K, human society isn’t solely a product of a hyper-militarized regime. It’s not just about Space Marines and Martian cyborgs. The Imperium’s fabric also includes a powerful theocracy that worships the Emperor of Mankind as a divine entity. Within the Blood and Zeal box set, you’ll find fervent zealots fervently devoted to this false god. They bear the weight and destiny of vast civilian populations in the 41st millennium. The rest of the miniatures? They’ve aligned with Chaos.

Known as the Ecclesiarchy, this theocratic arm of the Empire stands as one of 40K’s most insidious features. It’s almost ironic, considering the Emperor himself repeatedly insisted, “don’t worship me.” Yet, within this universe, some individuals recognized the potential power in establishing the Cult of the Emperor. This cult acts as a potent tool of control, employed to suppress the common folk. The Ecclesiarchy doesn’t directly spawn humanity’s darkest traits like xenophobia or mob violence—those are already there. But it surely doesn’t stand in their way either. The perpetual violence and fear within the Imperium aren’t flaws; they are intentional. And now, thanks to these miniatures, we can put a face to this reality.

These are, quite literally, the most subservient, brainwashed fanatics imaginable. It makes sense, then, that they’re packaged alongside the forces of Chaos. The lore included with the set reveals that there are vastly more members of the Ecclesiarchy than there are Space Marines. In fact, in this slice of the future galaxy, religious extremists may even outnumber the Imperial Guardsmen. And they are, to put it bluntly, pretty insufferable.

Yet, they are depicted as the binding force holding the Imperium of Mankind together. Without their fervor and fanaticism, without their unyielding devotion and hatred, human civilization would quite literally collapse under outside threats—be it from Chaos, the Tyranids, the Orks, or any other factions intent on erasing humanity from the galactic map. In a way, it’s crucial we finally have some faces to associate with these roles.

The Blood and Zeal set not only expands the universe’s narrative for Kill Team, but it also fills a significant niche in the broader hobby. These figures deserve a presence in every corner of tabletop 40K—they belong in Kill Team, sure, but also in Necromunda, the comprehensive Warhammer 40,000 wargame, and even in tabletop RPGs like Imperium Maledictum.

Personally, I despise them. Yet, I’m also pleased they exist as tangible pieces. I’d recommend adding them to your collection, if for no reason other than to finally meet their gaze face-to-face.