The Death Guard have long been synonymous with relentless resilience and the unyielding spread of Nurgle’s gifts across the battlefield.
With the release of the 10th Edition Codex: Death Guard, players are now equipped with a suite of new tools and strategies that delve deeper into the thematic essence of this plague-ridden legion. This codex not only reinforces their traditional strengths but also introduces nuanced tactical options that can catch opponents off guard.
Nurgle’s Gift: The Core of Decay
At the heart of the Death Guard’s strategy lies the “Nurgle’s Gift” army rule. This aura-based ability causes enemy units within Contagion Range to suffer a -1 Toughness penalty. As the battle progresses, this range expands—from 3″ in the first round to 9″ by the third—representing the inexorable spread of Nurgle’s influence. This mechanic not only weakens enemy resilience but also synergizes with the Death Guard’s plague weapons, many of which possess the Lethal Hits ability, ensuring that critical hits automatically wound.
Diverse Detachments: Tailoring Your Plague
The codex introduces six distinct detachments, each offering unique strategic advantages:
- Mortarion’s Hammer: Focuses on long-range afflictions, allowing Death Guard units to spread contagions even before making direct contact. This detachment is ideal for players who prefer a methodical approach, softening enemies from afar before closing in.
- Numberless Horde: Emphasizes overwhelming the enemy with hordes of Poxwalkers. The “Numberless Horde” rule replenishes these units throughout the game, ensuring a constant presence to bog down foes and control objectives.
- Flyblown Host: Enhances infantry mobility and survivability. Units gain Scout and Stealth abilities, allowing for better positioning and increased durability against ranged attacks. This detachment suits players who favor tactical maneuvering over brute force.
Each detachment comes with its own set of stratagems and enhancements, enabling players to customize their forces to match their preferred playstyle.
Stratagems and Enhancements: Tools of Corruption
The codex offers a variety of stratagems and enhancements that further define the Death Guard’s battlefield role:
- Mortarion’s Hammer
- Eye of Affliction: Grants ranged weapons the Ignores Cover ability when targeting afflicted units, ensuring that enemies find no safe haven.
- Font of Filth: Allows a Death Guard vehicle to treat its ranged weapons as Assault weapons for a phase, enabling it to advance and fire without penalty—a boon for maintaining pressure on the enemy.
- Numberless Horde:
- Witherbone Pipes: Enhances a Noxious Blightbringer’s ability to lead Poxwalkers, improving their Objective Control and bolstering their Leadership, making them more effective at holding key positions.
These options provide players with the flexibility to adapt their tactics mid-game, responding to evolving battlefield conditions with Nurgle’s characteristic inevitability.
Final Thoughts: Embracing the Rot
The 10th Edition Codex: Death Guard breathes new life into the army, offering a blend of thematic depth and tactical versatility. Whether you’re a veteran general or new to the forces of decay, this codex provides the tools to spread Nurgle’s blessings across the galaxy effectively. By leveraging the unique strengths of each detachment and mastering the interplay of stratagems and enhancements, players can craft a Death Guard force that is both resilient and relentlessly oppressive.
Embrace the rot, and let your enemies succumb to the inevitable decay.
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