With the latest presentations, Games Workshop has shown the first concept art for an upcoming army in Warhammer 40,000: the Steel Legion. Although there is not much to see yet, the community seems satisfied, as that is exactly what they protested for.
The Steel Legion is one of the most well-known armies in Warhammer 40,000. They are the defenders of Armageddon, the planet where some of the worst wars of the Imperium of Man have taken place.
Like almost every regiment of the Astra Militarum, the Steel Legion is primarily equipped with iconic lasguns, but mainly relies on the use of Chimera transport tanks. Since Armageddon is one of the most important production worlds for such equipment, the Steel Legion is correspondingly well-equipped.
Armageddon and its Steel Legion are famous because they have defeated Khorne’s Chaos Primarch Angron and the same Waaaghboss of the Orks twice.
The planet has a toxic atmosphere due to industrial exploitation, making life difficult, and even impossible without respirators. It is precisely through these adverse conditions and the many wars on Armageddon that its people and soldiers have become as hardened as almost nowhere else in the Imperium.
Games Workshop offers nerds an alternative, they are not amused
After Games Workshop recently announced the return of the legendary Commissar Yarrick (GameStar reported), many fans wondered: Where is his Steel Legion? Fans of the Astra Militarum and especially the Steel Legion itself were disappointed that this important regiment was simply overlooked.
Worse still: Games Workshop posted a video along with Yarrick’s presentation that shows how to simply repaint existing models of the Death Korps of Krieg to match the Steel Legion (to be seen on YouTube).
A Warhammer fan worth their salt is of course absolutely not in agreement with such a workaround. Correspondingly heated were the discussions in various subreddits, like on r/Warhammer.
In the corresponding thread, the creator even defends the video from Games Workshop. Krieg is a planet with a similar history to Armageddon and the Death Korps of Krieg are indeed very similar to the Steel Legion:
- Both planets are barely habitable, one due to toxic fumes, the other due to nuclear contamination.
- The regiments have similar equipment with gas masks and (at least largely) hermetically sealed body armor. Only the colors differ fundamentally.
- Both populations have been through harsh wars, thus producing tough soldiers.
- The biggest differences are that the soldiers of Krieg are experts in trench warfare and often fight ruthlessly. The Steel Legion, on the other hand, frequently employs artillery, Baneblades, and other tanks.
However, Warhammer fans would not be Warhammer fans if such fine differences were not a reason for extensive discussions. Exactly that happened in the Astra Militarum subreddit – seemingly with success.
“Should we complain more?”
During Adepticon 2026, Games Workshop presented several novelties, including the 11th edition of Warhammer 40,000, centered around Armageddon. Included: a 38-second video asking: Where is my Steel Legion?
With the short teaser, Games Workshop also released the first concept art for the new Steel Legion. There is not much to see yet, but the video (with a humorous undertone) clearly addresses the demands. After all, it begins with: “People of the Internet…”
Of course, the teaser has also led to new discussions, such as how closely the images may adhere to the lore representation of the Steel Legion. However, some users argue: This is all still in the concept phase, the release will still take time, and a lot can change.
Nevertheless, the success has evidently inspired the community. On Reddit, there are already discussions about whether perhaps a little more should be demanded:
Should we complain more? We have teased them into producing concept art. Let’s keep annoying them for the insignia of the Steel Legion and the OG design. I swear, if they come out with a Cadian or a Krieg helmet …
Gold_Till8675 on Reddit
In general, the community seems quite satisfied that Games Workshop is listening and even responding with a certain self-irony, while also fulfilling fan wishes. The company has done this before: Games Workshop dryly makes fun of the fans of Warhammer 40,000, who just laugh about it.
