They’re implacable, they’re determined, and they STINK, badly. They’re the Death Guard, and slowly yet surely, they are marching straight through the bowels on the way to your heart. Here are the 5 MUST take units from the Death Guard codex.
Mortarion
The Primarch, the myth, the LEGEND. There’s never a good reason NOT to take the leader of the Death Guard, Mortarion, in your army. Yes, I get that he’s a big target and there are absurdly powerful 9th edition shenanigan weapons that exist, but personally I feel that what he brings to the table far outweigh that limitation. Here’s what you get.
- 18 Wounds with a 3+ / 4++ save and a 5+ Feel No Pain (Revoltingly Resilient).
- Ignores 1 AP due to Armor of Contempt and 1 Damage characteristic due to Disgustingly Resilient.
- Provides a plethora of re-roll aura abilities via Arch-Contaminator (re-roll plague weapon wound rolls) and Primarch/Lord of the Death Guard.
- Comes stock with 3 Warlord Traits with a bonus able to be taken from the Plague Company rules.
- Powerful Psyker that can take 3 powers from the Contagion discipline, cast 2 powers per turn and deny 3.
- Has an 18″ diameter Contagions of Nurgle range from the start of the game.
Plague Marines
THEE most iconic unit in the Death Guard codex, the Plague Marines are as apple pie to Warhammer 40,000 as are the Ultramarines. These guys are known to be tough, and here’s why you need to have them in your list.
- 2 wounds with a 3+ save. Toughness 5
- Ignores 1 AP due to Armor of Contempt and 1 Damage characteristic due to Disgustingly Resilient
- Contagions of Nurgle, reduces enemy toughness by 1.
- Free weapon upgrades!
- Can take 2 Melta Guns, Plague Belchers, or Plasma Guns. Throw a Power Fist on the Plague Champion, put the unit in a Rhino, and baby, you goin back to 5th edition!
Plagueburst Crawler
I would say if there is one, MUST TAKE unit in the codex, I would confidently say the Plagueburst Crawler. Tough as nails with some awesome firepower, these guys bring so much to the tabletop. Here is what you get.
- 12 Wounds with a 3+/5++ save. Toughness 8
- Ignores 1 AP due to Armor of Contempt and 1 Damage characteristic due to Disgustingly Resilient.
- D6 S8 AP-2 D2 shots that ignore LOS.
- 2x S8 AP-4 D D3+3 Plague Weapon shots.
Myphitic Blight-Haulers
The more I look at these little guys, the more I LOVE them. They are fast, hit like a truck, and are tough enough to last. Lets take a closer look a the Myphitic Blight-Haulers.
- 9 Wounds with a 3+/5++ save. Toughness 7.
- Ignores 1 AP due to Armor of Contempt and 1 Damage characteristic due to Disgustingly Resilient
- -1 to hit rolls in melee against this model due to Foul Stench.
- Equipped with a Multi-Melta as well as a Missile Launcher. Not bad in combat either with 4 S6 AP -2 attacks that are Poison Weapons.
Blightlord Terminators
Using a self-imposed 5 unit limit really hurts with the Deathguard codex. When it comes to Terminator options there are two FANTASTIC choices, but within the limitations of this article I HAVE to go with the Blightlord Terminators. Here’s why.
- 3 Wounds with a 2+/4++ save. Toughness 5.
- Ignores 1 AP due to Armor of Contempt and 1 Damage characteristic due to Disgustingly Resilient.
- S5 AP -3 stock attacks with the Plague Weapon rule.
- Can take combi weapons!
- Flails of Corruption WRECK, with double the normal attacks at S5 AP-2 and 2 Damage a piece.
So there you have it, MY must take units from the Death Guard codex. What do you think? What was left off that should have made the cut? Let us know in the comments!
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