Dark Angels (Warhammer 40,000): army guide and where to start

Dark Angels are the First Legion of Space Marines in Warhammer 40,000: a disciplined, secretive army built around armoured elites, fast bike-mounted strike forces and a handful of strong characters. They suit collectors who like the Space Marine look but want a darker story, and players who enjoy a hard-hitting army with a lot of character. The simplest way in is the Combat Patrol, which gives you a playable force from a single box.

What are the Dark Angels in Warhammer 40,000?

The Dark Angels are one of the original Space Marine Legions, led in the ancient past by the primarch Lion El'Jonson. Their story is defined by secrecy. They guard a shameful history involving the Fallen, former brothers who broke away, and they hunt those Fallen across the galaxy while keeping the reasons hidden even from other Imperial forces.

That secrecy shapes the army's identity. Their forces are organised around orders and traditions that feel more like a knightly brotherhood than a standard military, and their iconography leans on swords, hooded robes and dark green armour.

How do Dark Angels play?

Dark Angels are a Space Marine army, so they share the sturdy, well-equipped core of the wider faction. What sets them apart is their emphasis on three things:

• Deathwing: the heavily armoured Terminator elite of the First Company, built for close, brutal fighting.
• Ravenwing: fast, mobile bike and vehicle forces that strike where the enemy is weakest.
• Characters: chaplains, commanders and veterans who lead and strengthen the rest of the army.

This gives you a choice of play style. You can build a slow, tough Deathwing force, a mobile Ravenwing force, or a mix of both. If you want a wider look at the game itself, our Warhammer 40,000 guide covers the basics.

What should I buy first for a Dark Angels army?

Start with the Combat Patrol: Dark Angels. It is designed as an entry point: a themed box with enough models to play small games and to act as the core of a larger collection. It also lets you try the painting scheme before committing to more.

After that, add one or two kits that match the way you want to play. Choose a leader, then a unit that gives the army its flavour. Buying a couple of characters and one elite squad early on tends to give more variety than buying many copies of the same box.

Which Dark Angels characters are worth knowing?

Characters are a big part of the appeal. These are the main ones in our range:

• Azrael, Supreme Grand Master is the head of the Chapter and the natural centrepiece of a Dark Angels army.
• Lion El'Jonson is the primarch himself, a large and imposing showpiece model and a rewarding paint project.
• Asmodai, Master of Repentance is an Interrogator-Chaplain, a role that fits the Chapter's grim, secretive character.
• Master Lazarus is another named Dark Angels leader to give your force a distinct personality.

You do not need all of them. One or two characters are enough to give an army a clear identity, and the choice mostly comes down to which model you most want to paint.

Which Dark Angels units define the army?

Deathwing and the Inner Circle

For the armoured side of the army, the Deathwing Knights are the standout kit: Terminator-armoured warriors that carry the Deathwing look. The Inner Circle Companions are an elite escort for the Chapter's leaders and suit a force built around a strong command group.

Ravenwing

The Ravenwing Black Knights are the classic fast-moving unit. Painted in the Ravenwing black, they give an army a strong visual contrast with the green of the rest of the Chapter, and they are a good way to add mobility.

Veterans

The Sternguard Veteran Squad is a versatile veteran unit. It is useful if you want an experienced infantry squad that sits between the standard line troops and the Deathwing elites.

How do I paint Dark Angels?

The Dark Angels scheme is a good one for newer painters. The dominant dark green armour is simple to block in, and the contrast with bone-coloured details, metal and the Ravenwing black makes models look finished without advanced techniques.

If you are new to the hobby, read how to start painting Warhammer miniatures first. For choosing greens, blacks, metals and washes, the Citadel and Warhammer Colour paints guide explains the ranges and what each type is for.

For the finishing touches, Dark Angels: Upgrades and Transfers gives you chapter markings and decorative details that are hard to freehand. Transfers are a quick way to make a squad look like part of the same force.

What rules and books do I need?

To play, you need the current rules for the Dark Angels army and the core rules for Warhammer 40,000. Rules are updated from time to time, so check the current publications before buying anything. We have deliberately not listed specific rules here, since they change. The Combat Patrol is a safe starting point either way, because it is built to be playable straight away.

Dark Angels FAQ

Are Dark Angels good for beginners?

Yes. They share the straightforward foundations of Space Marines, and the Combat Patrol gives you a ready-made starting force. The paint scheme is also forgiving.

What is the difference between Deathwing and Ravenwing?

Deathwing is the slow, heavily armoured Terminator elite, built for fighting up close. Ravenwing is the fast, bike-mounted force, built for speed and flanking. Many armies include both.

Can I use Dark Angels models in other Space Marine armies?

Some kits, such as veteran squads, are shared across Space Marine chapters, but army rules and options differ. Check the current rules for your army before you assemble and paint a model for a particular role.

Do Dark Angels use the same Space Marines as Chaos?

The two factions are related in lore and share a visual language, but they are separate armies. For the traitor side, see our Chaos Space Marines guide.

Which other Space Marine chapter should I compare?

The Blood Angels guide is a good comparison, since they are another First Founding chapter with a very different look and play style.

Related guides

• Warhammer at Universe TCG: the complete buying guide
• Warhammer 40,000
• Blood Angels (Warhammer 40,000)
• Chaos Space Marines (Warhammer 40,000)
• Death Guard (Warhammer 40,000)
• Emperor's Children (Warhammer 40,000)
• Genestealer Cults (Warhammer 40,000)
• Citadel and Warhammer Colour paints: the complete guide
• How to start painting Warhammer miniatures