The New Year Preview dropped a massive one for Horus Heresy players, with brand-new plastic Legio Custodes kits.
If you have ever wanted the Emperor’s bodyguards to look as lethal as their lore, this is it. A whole wave of models is coming, and it is led by a Legio Custodes Battle Group box that basically counts as a starter army. You get classic golden infantry, a nasty grav tank, and a new plastic Contemptor kit with multiple builds. Meanwhile, the range expands with speedy Venatari, another Caladius variant, and a dedicated grav transport. On top of that, Liber Custodes is the rules and lore backbone, and it also supports Sisters of Silence and even an Assassinorum addendum. Finally, they are clearly winking at 40k players too, since many of these kits can proxy current units. Plus, a 40k Adeptus Custodes rules update is planned for later this year.
Auramite Glory, Now in Plastic
This reveal is basically the “By the glory of Terra” moment for Custodes fans. The big headline is all-new plastic Legio Custodes miniatures, and they look ridiculously sharp. Also, it reads like a full range refresh, not a token release. So if you play Heresy, you are getting serious new toys. And if you play 40k, you are getting tempting crossover potential.
The Battle Group Box Feels Like a Full Army Start
The release is spearheaded by the Legio Custodes Battle Group box, and it sounds like a complete on-ramp. First, you get new Custodian Guard with the iconic look: guardian spears, plumed helmets, and that polished auramite vibe. Also, the kit includes bare head options and command bits, including a vexilla, so your unit leaders can stand out. Meanwhile, they straight-up point out these models can double as Custodian Guard in a 40k Adeptus Custodes army.
Next up are Custodian Sentinels, and they are basically the shield wall version. Instead of spears, they bring sentinel warblades and praesidium shields. However, they still share the same general option flexibility, so you can theme your force consistently. And again, they call out that these also work great as 40k Guard stand-ins.
Then you get the Caladius Annihilator Grav-tank, which is described as one of the nastiest tanks of its size in the Age of Darkness. It carries an Arachnus blaze carronade, and it can either crack armor or mow heavy infantry.
Additionally, it has hull weapons, with either twin lastrum bolt cannon or a brand-new gun option called the twin neutronium cascade projector. So it is pitched as a main battle tank, only better.
Finally, the box includes a spectacular new plastic Contemptor kit. It can build either a Contemptor-Achillus with an Achillus dreadspear, or a Contemptor-Galatus with a warblade, shield, and a flamer baked into the sword. The Achillus hits Damage 3 and bullies armor, while the Galatus leans into crowd control and extra durability. Best of all, they hype the poseability, so you can go full heroic statue mode.
Shield Captains, Venatari, More Tanks, and a Proper Transport
They also reveal a new Shield Captain miniature, and the pitch is pure prestige. These are the best of the best, and the sculpt is loaded with detail accordingly.
If you caught the reveal video, you also saw more kits coming. Venatari show up with that big Aquila silhouette on their backs, and they are fast, aggressive hunters. They can run kinetic destroyers and bucklers, or swap to a Verutum lance. So they read as mobile pressure pieces that still hit like a truck.
The Custodes also get a second Caladius Grav-tank, armed with a twin Iliastus accelerator cannon. It fires six Strength 8 shots a turn, which should shred light and medium vehicles. Also, it can straight-up butcher heavy infantry, which feels very on brand.
When you need delivery, the Coronus Grav Carrier is the new transport answer. It is heavily armoured, it is fast, and it can Deepstrike, so it is made for getting your golden bricks into the mess. It carries seven Custodians, or a squad plus a character, which is very practical. Additionally, it provides fire support with either a twin Arachnus blaze cannon or lastrum bolt cannons.
Liber Custodes Rules, Famous Characters, and the 40k Wink
Rules and lore live in Liber Custodes, and it is positioned as the essential play book for the faction. It covers the Custodians themselves, and it also includes Sisters of Silence support. Plus, there is an addendum for Agents of the Divisio Assassinorum, which can ally in, while Sisters of Silence can even run standalone.
You also get rules for two major named legends: Constantin Valdor and Jenetia Krole. So if you love the Emperor’s Talons angle, the book is clearly leaning into it.
They also underline the 40k connection again. A rules update for Adeptus Custodes is set for later this year, and several of these new kits already cleanly represent existing 40k units. Finally, they push the Horus Heresy email list for release updates, and they point you back to the New Year Preview hub for the rest.
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