The road to 11th Edition Warhammer 40,000 begins with the first of the new campaigns by Games Workshop becoming available for pre-order this weekend. 500 Worlds: Titus follows the Ultramarines 2nd Company Captain and his companions as they face down a terrible, Necron threat and more.

Captain Titus & The Wardens of Ultramar // Warhammer 40,000

Kicking things off, we have Captain Titus and his companions, known as The Wardens of Ultramar. Captain Titus gets himself a nice new miniature befitting his status as leader of the 2nd Company but he is also joined by two long-time allies, Veteran Sergeant Metaurus and Ancient Gadriel. You'll know them from the Space Marine II video game and the Secret Level animation.

The rest of the crew includes Lucia Vestha, a plenipotentiary of Ultramar; the Astropath Dainal Kornelius; Gaius Silva, veteran commodore of the Ultramar Defence Fleet; and Aemelia Minervas, a Legatus in the Ultramar Defence Auxilia and commander of the 30th Macragge Defence Auxilia. If you're interested in learning more about them as characters, you can see more HERE.

If this means that you're going to be starting a new Space Marine force led by Titus, then you might want some new heads, available in an upcoming plastic set.

Space Marine Heads // Warhammer 40,000

Whilst not specifically themed to Ultramarines, meaning these could be great for all sorts of Chapters, these would be a solid way for you to create a new Ultramarines army. I really like the mixture of unhelmeted heads, which are destined to be used as leaders of all sorts of units.

Awakened Necrons

Going up against Titus, at least as the initial threat, we have some dangerous Necrons. Nekrosor Ammentar spreads his fear when he takes to the battlefield.

Nekrosor Ammentar // Warhammer 40,000

Nekrosor Ammentar embodies the murderous psychosis that has taken root within the minds of many of the Necrons. It has forced Crypteks to give it many bladed limbs and a serpentine tale plus an enmitic projector that allows it to tunnel through the battlefield so it can unleash the devastating Unmaker Gauntlet.

Despite the insanity of its creation, Nekrosor Ammentar has managed to bring many of the Destroyer Cult along with it deep into Ultramar, threatening the Imperium within one of its own strongholds.

To aid you in that, you can also get the first of the 500 Worlds Battalions for the Necrons.

500 Worlds Battalion: Necrons // Warhammer 40,000

This set would work perfectly when led by Nekrosor Ammentar. The set contains a Hexmark Destroyer, two Lokhust Heavy Destroyers, three Skorpekh Destroyers and three Ophydian Destroyers (alongside Plasmacytes). A great way to start running the Cursed Legion Detachment in games of Warhammer 40,000.

Unlocked from within the bounds of a Kill Team set, you will also be able to pre-order the C'tan Shard of the Nightbringer.

C'tan Shard of the Nightbringer // Warhammer 40,000

The Nightbringer was shattered by the Necrons and enslaved by them in the very distant past of the Warhammer 40,000 universe. This C'tan Shard represents just a fraction of its power, taking the form of a robed figure of death, swinging out with its scythe to reap souls. This is a superb (and delicate) addition to the Necrons, a great update to the incredibly old sculpt.

500 Worlds Supplement

All of these miniatures will feature as part of the hefty new supplement for Warhammer 40,000, 500 Worlds: Titus.

500 Worlds: Titus // Warhammer 40,000

None other than Roboute Guilliman has commanded Captain Demetrian Titus to reclaim the 500 Worlds of Ultramar. This is no mean task, especially with ancient enemies lying in wait. Inside this slipcase supplement, you'll get a number of books and booklets covering this fight on the Vespator Front and the story of Titus as he seeks to complete the task set for him by his Primarch.

500 Worlds: Titus // Warhammer 40,000

The first book, Titus, covers the lore of the Ultramarian Reclamation. You will learn about the characters and detachments in play, including the murderous legions of the Necrons led by Nekrosor Ammentar (who you've seen above!).

Dread Incursions then adds new ways for you to play Boarding Actions set against the backdrop of the 500 Worlds.

500 Worlds: Titus - Dread Incursions // Warhammer 40,000

The core rules for Boarding Actions have been included, along with twelve new missions. You will also find more rule adaptations and new Detachments, the Shield of the Void for the Space Marines and the Harbinger Calab for the Necrons. There are also four Dread Incursion Campaigns covering fighting in voidships, Necron tombs, ship-to-ship battles, ruined space hulks and more.

If you're into campaigns, you'll want to dive into the War on the Vespator Front supplement.

500 Worlds: Titus - War on the Vespator Front // Warhammer 40,000

This contains rules for running a map-based campaign for two or more players taking place on the Vespator Front. You'll find theatres of war to fight in, six new thematic missions and a fold-out campaign map and sticker sheet so you can see your campaign unfold. This sounds perfect for a gaming club or store to get involved with.

Last but not least, you have the Detachments booklet.

500 Worlds: Titus - Detachments// Warhammer 40,000

This contains, as you'd imagine, new Detachments for Warhammer 40,000. The Space Marines have the Orbital Assault Force, Bastion Task Force and the Reclamation Force. The Necrons will get the Pantheon of Woe, Cursed Legion and the Cryptek Conclave.

For a lot of the characters and Detachments that you see here, the rules will also be available on Warhammer Community for free and included within the app. So, you will have plenty of ways to play with your new miniatures on the tabletop.

If you want to REALLY show your dedication to 500 Worlds, there is also a Collector's Edition that will be available in limited numbers.

500 Worlds: Titus - Collector's Edition // Warhammer 40,000

This is just the start of the end campaign for 10th Edition as the designers move towards the launch of 11th Edition later this year. Not only do we have the 500 Worlds but we've seen whispers of The Maelstrom, featuring the Aeldari and the Red Corsairs. There has also been whispering of Freebooter Orks coming down the line but take that with a pinch of salt.

What do you make of this first big campaign release for Warhammer 40,000?