Take a look at the new Warhammer 40,000 detachments for the Adeptus Custodes. When combined with their souped-up datasheets and deadly martial ka’tah abilities, they make for an intimidating force.
Where selecting Orks detachments is a chaotic free-for-all and choosing Space Marines detachments is more regimented and orderly, the Adeptus Custodes sit somewhere between the two. Only one group of their detachments has a Unique keyword, while the rest can be chosen freely to boost units like Dreadnoughts, Terminators, or Sisters of Silence.
Six of the 13 detachments available in the Codex have the Unique: Shield Host tag, five of which are themed after one of the main Shield Hosts laid out in the lore section.* The Aquilan Shield, for instance, plays a more defensive game, focused on occupying objectives and whittling down the enemy as they’re forced to come to you, while the aggressive Dread Host charges forwards as fast as possible to brutalise their foes in close combat.
One thing you’ll notice – probably because we mentioned it on Friday – is that the Shield Host detachments each have a favoured ka’tah in addition to their detachment rule. These give additional effects when the corresponding ka’tah is activated, so if you activate Dacatarai for your units while using the Dread Host detachment, those units will re-roll 1s to hit against non-Monster/Vehicle units and reduce the pile-in and consolidation moves for engaged enemies by 2” – giving them a serious advantage over larger enemy units that now can’t get all of their warriors into engagement range.
Don’t worry about scuppering your tactical options, though, as having a favoured ka’tah doesn’t prevent you from using any others. It’s just a bonus.
Likewise, the Aquilan Shield gets bonus range on their guns when they use the Salvus ka’tah, and this helps them engage even more foes as they come crashing against your shield wall. This detachment has plenty of tools to soften up the enemy before the melee begins, like extra Strength from the Tip of the Talon stratagem, and can even gun them down as they foolishly fall back from a hopelessly one-sided scrap with Rapid Reactions.
TIP OF THE TALON (1CP)
AQUILAN SHIELD STRATAGEM
Fighting at the forefront of the battle, these Custodians hit their victims with perfectly timed volleys the instant before they tear into their ranks.
WHEN: Your Shooting phase, when a friendly ADEPTUS CUSTODES unit is selected to shoot.
TARGET: That ADEPTUS CUSTODES unit.
EFFECT: Your unit’s ranged attacks that target an enemy unit within 9" of your unit have +1 S.
RAPID REACTIONS (1CP)
AQUILAN SHIELD STRATAGEM
Forcing their outmatched enemies to fall back, Custodians level their guardian spears and cut down fleeing opponents with volleys of bolter fire.
WHEN: Your opponent’s Movement phase, when an enemy unit ends a fall-back move.
TARGET: One friendly ADEPTUS CUSTODES INFANTRY unit that was engaged with that enemy unit at the start of the phase.
EFFECT: Your unit shoots using normal shooting, but while doing so your unit can only target that enemy unit.
If wholesale destruction is more your speed, Dread Host gets you there quickly with a dose of Preternatural Rapidity allowing charges after an advance move – a favourite of assault-focused armies.
This detachment’s enhancements boost a Shield-Captain or Blade Champion, making them an Auric Exemplar and giving them Cleave 1 or calling out their Flawless Bladework and rewarding them with Sustained Hits 1. We’re especially fond of putting the latter on a Blade Champion’s eight Precision Victus attacks – it’s a great way to cut the head off the snake before it even knows you’re swinging.
PRETERNATURAL RAPIDITY (1CP)
DREAD HOST STRATAGEM
The warriors of the Adeptus Custodes are relentless in their pursuit of the Throneworld’s foes.
WHEN: Your Movement phase, when a friendly ADEPTUS CUSTODES unit ends an advance move.
TARGET: That ADEPTUS CUSTODES unit.
EFFECT: That advance move does not prevent your unit from being eligible to declare a charge.
ENHANCEMENTS
FLAWLESS BLADEWORK
This Custodian’s skills in close-quarters combat are awe-inspiring to behold.
ADEPTUS CUSTODES model only. This model’s melee attacks have [SUSTAINED HITS 1].
You might have spotted some detachment names during the Big Autumn Preview stream, so we won’t beat around the bush – here’s what they are, and what they do.
Guardians of the Throne – A big 3DP detachment giving balanced bonuses to most units.
Aquilan Shield & Dread Host – See above! (Unique: Shield Host)
Emissaries Imperatus – Prioritise the mission, fight first, and ignore modifiers to hit and wound. (Unique: Shield Host)
Emperor’s Chosen – Make your units more flexible and reliable, and ready a ka’tah mid-round too. (Unique: Shield Host)
Shadowkeepers – Brawl in close combat and overwhelm your enemy. (Unique: Shield Host)
Solar Watch – Move even quicker than usual, and flow into and out of engagement like water. (Unique: Shield Host)
Auric Champions – Character models single out prey and show why they’re your army’s champions.
Honoured Companions – Custodian Guard, Sentinel Guard and Wardens contest vital objectives.
Lions of the Emperor – Unleash your Terminators. Deep Strike, charge, cause carnage, and split your Terminator units mid-battle.
Might of the Moritoi – The galaxy’s best Dreadnoughts get escalating combat bonuses as they take damage.
Grav-assault Force – Grav-tanks support your forces and outflank opponents to sneakily secure objectives.
Null Maiden Vigil – The Sisters of Silence! Take one as your WARLORD with BATTLELINE Prosecutor squads.
That’s loads of versatility that can really be focused into some key units, thanks to the faction’s compact unit count. Pick your favourite Shield Host, then layer other detachments on top of the models you like the most for some real champion-level power.
The Adeptus Custodes are pretty powerful, but even they have things to fear in the 41st Millennium. Join us tomorrow as we take a look at some of the things even the Ten Thousand need to be wary of.
* Aquilan Shield, Dread Host, Emissaries Imperatus, Shadowkeepers, and Solar Watch.
