Character dossier / Warhammer 40,000
Trooper Kozlowski
Trooper Kozlowski looks like the ordinary option and quietly becomes one of the most important pieces in the launch meta. His Lasgun adds Cadian squadmates, and the follower system lets him join other champions who pick up the same weapon. He is the squad economy in one character.
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Why Kozlowski matters
Auroch introduced Kozlowski as a Cadian Shock Trooper whose Lasgun fires at the nearest enemy. As the weapon levels, additional Cadian squadmates join the firing line. That is a straightforward scaling rule on its own, but the keyword system makes it bigger: if another champion takes a Lasgun their keywords do not allow, Kozlowski can join as a follower.
The official squad breakdown gives the strongest example: the Black Templars Castellan gains attack power and skill with every follower, and each Cadian that appears from Lasgun upgrades contributes to his damage. That turns a modest rifle into a squad engine that benefits two champions at once.
- Confirmed starting weapon: Lasgun.
- Confirmed passive effect: Lasgun levels add Cadian squadmates.
- Confirmed follower interaction: taking a Lasgun can recruit Kozlowski for another champion.
- Demo status: rescue objective in the October demo.
The October demo rescue
IGN’s hands-on describes Kozlowski behind a question-mark rescue objective, surrounded by enemies. The exact launch unlock route is not announced. In the demo, the practical sequence is to clear the ring before entering and to approach from the side that leaves an exit.
Do not treat the marker as a free recruit. A rescue is a fight with an objective inside it. Clear a wedge, step in, then leave the same way. The Lasgun’s nearest-target fire will keep working while you reposition, but it will not stop a surround on its own.
The rescue is demo-tested. The full-game unlock condition may be different, so do not build a launch plan that assumes the October location carries over.
How to use the Lasgun
Kozlowski is not a screen-clearer at the start. He is a sustained-fire champion who wants a lane and a steady supply of targets. Keep the pack in front of the formation and strafe around it. The Cadians add volume, but they do not create space; your movement still does.
When you take a Lasgun with another champion, watch for the follower joining. The new ally attacks on your behalf and cannot take damage, which makes the weapon a safe way to add damage without adding another body to protect. That is especially valuable during rescue objectives and boss adds.
- Prioritise Lasgun levels when the squad is your main damage source.
- Keep a movement passive so the firing line does not get surrounded.
- Do not cross the horde for a pickup when the squad is already firing cleanly.
Build direction
The Cadian Firing Line build keeps the Lasgun at the centre and adds the reported Gauntlet → Meltagun evolution as a long-term target. The pairing is community-reported, not official. If you are playing the Castellan at launch, the same Lasgun upgrades become an attack-power engine rather than only a source of extra rifles.
For a first demo run, do not force the Meltagun. Get the Lasgun levels and the squad online first. A working firing line with a defensive upgrade is more reliable than a half-finished evolution hunt.
Positioning and threats
Lootas and Ratling Gunners are the cleanest arguments for moving the firing line. A stationary Lasgun formation gives ranged enemies a target and a lane. Shift laterally, keep the Cadians’ nearest-target fire active, and make the ranged specialist come to you.
Against Tyranids, kill the Synapse creature early. The extra Cadian fire is excellent at clearing a normal brood, but a Berserk brood closes faster than a Lasgun can whittle it down. Against Orks, a Waaagh! is the moment to stop standing still and start moving the formation.
Pre-launch note. This dossier is based on official reveals and the October 2026 demo. Unlock routes, exact damage values and final balance may change before 10 November 2026. Check the update log for newer information.
Sources and evidence
Editorial methodOfficial claims, press observations and community reports are kept separate. Where Auroch has not published a value, this guide says so instead of filling the gap.