Everything you needed to learn about Adeptus Custodes within the new Horus Heresy 2.0 Age of Darkness Liber Imperium.  With a fist filled with Meridian Blades, we’re going to dive in to the Good, the Bad and the Ugly latest Horus Heresy providing!

Space Marines obtained you down?  Is Saturday night time the least shiny night time of the week?  The boys in gold are again and able to “illuminate” the Emperor’s foes in Games Workshop’s newest Horus Heresy Index, Liber Imperium.  So tag alongside as we breakdown the Custodes and speak concerning the “Good”, the “Bad”, and the “Ugly”

The Good

Custodes are again!  But are they higher than ever?  That is the true query.  While they had been completely brutal in Horus Heresy 1.0 to the purpose the place many occasions proposed an throughout the board 25% factors hike on Custodes they’re extra in stability with the opposite Space Marine and Mechanicum codices this time round.  You may say that Adeptus Custodes are paying for the sins of final version.

Solid State Lines

The Adeptus Custodes have at all times been the top of Imperial genetic know-how.  Given immense energy, stamina, reflexes, and diplomatic abilities the ten,000 buddies the Emperor created to take heed to him complain about his children are simply as burly and resilient because the final version.  Jokes apart Custodes haven’t modified a lot.  They for probably the most half have the stats from final version with one  or two main variations; an additional wound on just a few models and now motion 8 on all infantry save Terminators.

Meridian Blades and a Plethora of Instant Death and AP1/2 Weapons

If the present meta of umpteen Dreadnaughts has been retaining you up at night time, Adeptus Custodes could have an answer.  Between the Nemesis rule that marks a goal and offers the golden boys +1 assaults, +1 to cost rolls and by no means needing to roll larger than a 4+ to attain successful and their already prodigious stat line, even frequent models like Guardians can tie up a dreadnaught and make partaking precedence targets arduous.  The actual magic is storming as much as a Contemptor with models armed with Meridian Blades or Paragon Blades.  The instantaneous dying rule doesn’t  essentially KO a contemptor  outright however every failed save in opposition to your Instant Death weapons means you’re going to be placing D3 wounds onto the Contemptor.  With somewhat luck and somewhat technique you shouldn’t have a lot hassle downing these pesky Dreadnoughts, terminators or arduous to crack infantry.  Imperial Fist warders can nonetheless be problematic as they mitigate a lot harm…however they do this to everybody.

On high of the mighty Meridian Blades there may be additionally an excellent quantity of excessive energy taking pictures and low AP weapons that can make getting round Terminators and harder models a breeze.  The inclusion of the Str 8 AP 2 guardian Axe, tradiontally discovered on the 40k Allarus Termiantors and Custodian Wardens has lastly made an look.  They are brutal at eradicating T4 models by doubling them out or simply knocking round something armored.  Solarite energy gauntlets are again in all of their glory.  Take benefit they’re nonetheless beastly.

Misercordia

Someone had the very vivid thought over on the Games Workshop Rules division to present the Mizacordia, Instant Death.  Thats proper…any Custodian value his salt goes to be carrying round an instantaneous dying can opener.  While it doesn’t have AP…failed saves are going harm that rather more if you miss a 2+ on a terminator or a 3+ on Sunkiller’s squad.  Keep in thoughts most models who can take this weapon are nonetheless WS5 and rolling as much as something in need of a devoted shut fight squad may rating you some kills.

Excellent Troops/Infantry

Custodes troops are available in 2 flavors now.  With Sisters of Silence leaving the Talon’s of the Emperor over inventive variations you’re choices are actually Custodian Guardians (Spears and Lance Weapons) and Custodian Sentinels (Sword and Board).  Custodian Guards are likely to have extra vary and with their accessibility to Adrathic and Pyrthite spears they are often geared up to cope with nearly any unit kind.  Custodian Sentinels have extra shut fight oriented loadouts, together with Solarite Power Fists and Solarite Talons which can do fairly nicely in opposition to their meant targets.  I like to recommend on the very least together with a few Solartite Power fists into Sentinel squads to win arduous fights in opposition to issues like Dreadnaughts or sturdy Terminators.

Tribunes

Tribunes are terrifying.  Think of them as a marshal construct a bear that may nearly destroy every other generic HQ.  While they arrive with a mountain of particular guidelines, the massive get is Eternal Warrior which prevents them from being Insta-Deathed.  The large draw back is {that a} Tribune can solely be taken in 3000 level video games or above.  Another notable items of terrifying wargear is the Teleport Transponder Array which permits the Tribune and three extra Legio Custodes Infantry Units to deep strike.  The very last thing any opponent needs to see is a flash of golden gentle and a Tribune and Terminator/Hetaeron Guard hitting their traces.  Go pickup your Ixion Hale mannequin, you’ll be needing him

The Bad

Points Hikes

Anyone who performed final version knew this was coming.  The factors hikes got down to deal with a few of the unit points from final version and restrict the variety of models you possibly can carry to the celebration in opposition to the likes of the Space Marine Legions and Mechanicum.

Constantine Valdor

The Liber Imperium leaves Constantine Valdor considerably middling.  He will certainly not be an auto embody however he’s nice.  On a happier be aware he did pickup the “Primarch” key phrase.  Doing some fast math I believe he’s fairly good at slapping round a few of the much less burly Primarchs that aren’t thought of Close Combat specialists. His stats are fairly good and he even comes with at 3++,  and might take down most named characters aside from Primarchs, no drawback.  I believe Custodes will nonetheless be efficient at preventing a legion Primarch however it is going to be a workforce effort with both a Tribune or Valdor and a contingent of Hecteran Guard or Terminators.  Constantine can also be missing a particular Warlord trait.  It appears like an oversite or a miss however you’re compelled to take the only Custodes warlord trait or a generic from the core guidelines.  On the upside his armor provides Custodes models inside his imaginative and prescient 10 management, that is fairly important for morale checks and offers Adeptus Custodes models a excessive chance of passing pinning which might be devastating.

Venatari

I’ve many fond recollections of flying Venatari up the board and conquering opponents backlines.  Horus Heresy 2.0 has modified them a bit and sadly its for the more serious.  They are extremely costly whereas filling the identical position because the Agamatus Jetbikes although much less efficient.  The distinction is the Jetbikes simply occur to do every little thing higher together with sturdiness.  Venatari have the lighter armor variant which solely provides them the +3 armor save.  They come customary with a pistol and buckler.  The pistol is respectable taking pictures with the identical profile as an autocannon whereas the bucker mitigates sure kinds of taking pictures assaults.  The different choice is to swap to the two handed lance which is Str 6 AP2.  If its between a squad of Agamatus Jetbikes or Venatari…I’m taking Jetbikes the each time.

No Psychic Defense

One of the very best elements of the Horus Heresy 1.0 custodian guidelines had been the inclusion of the Sisters of Silence.  They allowed you some nice protection in opposition to Psychic skills which the Custodes are inherently dangerous at and so they acted as a factors dump.  Adeptus Custodians are costly and for that cause I’d usually discover myself with stray factors left over that would shortly and simply be full of Sisters of Silence.  Right now that is gone.  As each are thought of brokers of the imperium they’ll ally collectively however they’ll’t be included in the identical detachment.

The Ugly

Invulnerable Saves

For a military that’s elite and low mannequin rely sturdiness counts for lots.  With the brand new Liber Imperium the usual the 5++ from Horus Heresy 1.0 is gone and has moved to a 6++.  While some models did get extra wounds there are few issues on the market that may double out a Custodian.  However there are many instantaneous dying weapons floating round that you just’ll wish to keep away from as your likelihood of creating a save has gone from 33% to only  16.6%

Unit Diversity

One of the very best elements of the Horus Heresy 1.0 custodian guidelines had been the inclusion of the Sisters of Silence.  They allowed you some nice protection in opposition to Psychic skills which the Custodes are inherently dangerous at and so they acted as a factors dump.  Adeptus Custodians are costly and for that cause I’d usually discover myself with stray factors left over that would shortly and simply be full of Sisters of Silence.  Right now that is gone.  As each are thought of brokers of the Imperium they’ll ally collectively. But they’ll’t be included in the identical detachment.

No Rites of War or Anything Like It

I used to be upset to see that Custodes didn’t get a particular Rite or War or guidelines for just a few of their totally different Shield Hosts.  Rites of War add a lot taste to armies to assist in giving them themes and models to construct round.  I believe this is among the large misses within the ebook.  At the second Custodes are relegated to being simply Sassy house marines with extra menacing stats.

No Special Reaction

Like the Rites of War the particular reactions given to the Space Marine Legions added depth, and complexity to the armies. It gave them a trick up their sleeve for defeating sometimes doing what they do greatest. And Custodes don’t get one.

Heresy Era Custodes Are Still Mostly Resin

Resin is my chief criticism about Horus Heresy. Not as a result of I discover it arduous to work with myself or arduous to make use of or transport.  I dislike GW’s resin releases for 3 causes:

1. It acts as a gate keeper for folks stepping into the interest.  There is a shortage that accompanies resin releases.  There are solely so many produced by hand in Nottingham and as soon as these are gone its sometimes months earlier than they get launched once more.
2. Its intimidating for brand new avid gamers and infrequently occasions requires extra specialised instruments to work with.  I’ve been on the opposite aspect of a desk the place a brand new gamer is handed a resin equipment and inspired the construct it.  The appears to be like of horror and confusion usually comply with.
3. Its dangerous nice to your well being.  Its dangerous to your spouses well being, your children well being and naturally your pets.  Don’t breathe the mud, put on a masks and if attainable do it outdoors away from the rest with lungs.

Final Thoughts

Custodes are as brutal and efficient as they had been in 1.0 with sufficient weaknesses to make them palatable for Legion and Mechanicum gamers alike.  Their “basic” troops are on par with most different legions specialist terminators and infantry and may have no drawback mulching nearly any of them.  Not solely are they robust however their normal stat-line reads like a particular character for many different armies. M 8″, T5, WS5, BS5 2+ save, 6++ they arrive inventory at Initiative 5, which means they are going to seemingly kill no matter is in entrance of them earlier than they get to assault.

Your lists will in all probability be infantry heavy.  The boys in gold are the beating coronary heart of any Custodes listing and also you’ll need heaps.  The issues that hold different armies up at night time will discover the Custodes dreaming of  gold polish and marble flooring.  They do have entry to some enjoyable autos, the Paladus and Agamatus Jetbikes are notable.  They transfer exceedingly quick and have loads of punch to knock out issues your infantry can’t get to or needs to keep away from.

Primarchs, at all times a hazard

Tabletop Challenges

While spectacular, Custodes will wrestle in opposition to Legion armies that incorporate Primarchs.  Most of the adjoining armies outdoors of the Space Marine Legions have this drawback and only a few solutions to it.  Custodes are in a great place as they’ve Valdor or a Tribune who can stand as much as a Primarch. If they’re accompanied by some again corresponding to Hetaeron Guard or Aquilon Terminators.  Though the price to drop a brutal shut fight specialised Primarch could possibly be problematic.  Custodes may additionally wrestle with Mechanicum until they make use of some deep strikes.

One of the main methods to defeat custodes is mass hearth.  Mechanicum not solely have mass hearth however a lot of the worthwhile weapons are additionally low AP.  Anytime a custodian guard has to fall again to their 6++ they’re going to wrestle.    Custodes even have a definite lack of efficient Transports.  The Coronus Grav Carrier is sturdy and quick nevertheless it doesn’t have Assault which makes dropping off these terminators dangerous.  There is an actual likelihood they are going to get lit up as they wait till the next flip to have interaction in shut fight.

So right here we’re, seemingly on the finish of the main guidelines releases in 2022 for Horus Heresy.  What a 12 months for gaming within the Age of Darkness.

Ryan is a California boy at coronary heart who uprooted himself in 2012 and located a complete world of buddies and neighborhood in Austin, TX by tabletop gaming. He’s been taking part in RPGs, Warhammer, D&D and quite a lot of boardgames and desk high video games since 2000. His most up-to-date curiosity and obsession has been Horus Heresy and portray up legions of miniatures. Ryan is an achieved painter and at all times has one thing within the works.

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