Warhammer news is heating up again, and this time the Adeptus Custodes are getting a serious overhaul.
The new codex folds several Horus Heresy units into Warhammer 40,000 for the first time. Meanwhile, the faction’s core rules are becoming broader, more flexible, and much more tactical. Consequently, existing Custodes players may find their collections changing shape without losing their elite identity.
The New Custodes Codex Unifies Two Golden Armies
The new Codex: Adeptus Custodes brings 27 datasheets together under one book. Most importantly, it combines the Warhammer 40,000 range with several previously Horus Heresy focused units. New entries include both Guard Sodalities, Aquilon Terminators, Venatari, Telemon, Galatus, Achillus, Gyrfalcons, Pallas, Coronus, and Caladius vehicles. However, older Custodian Guard remain usable despite the new Sentinel Guard and Custodian Guard naming split. Meanwhile, Trajann Valoris, Blade Champions, Wardens, Allarus Custodians, Vertus Praetors, and Sisters of Silence remain. T
he Ares Gunship and Orion Dropship also stay legal through digital Imperial Armour datasheets. However, Valerian, Aleya, the Venerable Contemptor, and Venerable Land Raider move to Legends. Additionally, adrasite, pyrithite, and Sagittarum Custodian units also move from Imperial Armour to Legends. That is a sizeable reshuffle, although the army gains considerably more variety overall. Finally, several familiar kits are temporarily unavailable because Games Workshop is reboxing them.
Martial Ka’tahs Make Custodes Much More Flexible
The bigger gameplay change comes from martial ka’tahs, which now operate across several phases instead of only melee. Each Custodian unit becomes readied during your Command phase and can spend that status activating one ka’tah. Consequently, timing these abilities should matter far more than simply selecting a combat stance.
Conservai allows engaged or Battle-shocked units to perform actions while remaining eligible to shoot. Calistus permits movement through models, potentially solving some nasty movement-blocking situations. Meanwhile, Salvus ignores Ballistic Skill, hit, and wound modifiers when shooting.
Dacatarai provides melee hit rerolls of one against non-Monster and non-Vehicle targets. Kaptaris instead gives enemies minus one to hit Custodes in melee. Rendax grants Lethal Hits against Monsters and Vehicles, giving the army a dedicated anti-heavy option. Moreover, six of thirteen detachments enhance a Favoured Ka’tah with another effect. Emperor’s Chosen, for example, can make Rendax punish engaged Monsters or Vehicles with mortal wounds. Characters and Stratagems can also ready units again, opening some interesting sequencing tricks.
Aegis of the Emperor also returns with a 5+ Feel No Pain against mortal wounds. Meanwhile, Aquila Commander generates an extra Command Point at each battle round’s start.
Sisters of Silence gain excellent psychic protection through Daughters of the Abyss. They receive a 3+ Feel No Pain against psychic attacks.
What This Means for the Golden Host
Overall, this Warhammer news makes the Custodes broader without sacrificing their identity. The army gains more units, better tactical tools, and stronger reasons to carefully plan each turn. Consequently, longtime players should find plenty worth experimenting with when the new codex arrives.
