Talons of the Emperor
Contents
Books
| Book | Kind | Edition | Version | Last update |
 Warhammer 40,000 Kill Team: Compendium | ||||
| Warhammer 40,000 Kill Team: Compendium | Index | 2 | 1.4 | May 2024 |
Talons of the Emperor Kill Team
A TALONS OF THE EMPEROR kill team consists of two fire teams selected from the following list:
- CUSTODIAN GUARD
- SISTER OF SILENCE
Archetype: Seek & Destroy / Security
Custodian Guard Fire Team
- A CUSTODIAN GUARD fire team includes two CUSTODIAN GUARD WARRIOR operatives each separately equipped with one of the following options:
- Guardian spear
- Sentinel blade; storm shield
- If your kill team does not include any other LEADER operatives, instead of selecting one CUSTODIAN GUARD WARRIOR operative for one CUSTODIAN GUARD fire team, you can select one CUSTODIAN GUARD LEADER operative equipped with one of the following options:
- Guardian spear
- Sentinel blade; storm shield
Sister of Silence Fire Team
- A SISTER OF SILENCE fire team includes five SISTER OF SILENCE operatives selected from the following list:
- If your kill team does not include any other LEADER operatives, instead of selecting one SISTER OF SILENCE PROSECUTOR operative for one SISTER OF SILENCE fire team, you can select one SISTER OF SILENCE SUPERIOR operative equipped with one of the following options:
- Boltgun; gun butt
- Flamer; gun butt
- Executioner greatblade
Strategic Ploys
If your faction is TALONS OF THE EMPEROR, you can use the following Strategic Ploys during a game.
AEGIS OF THE EMPEROR1CP
Strategic Ploy
Until the end of the Turning Point, each time Critical Damage would be inflicted upon a friendly TALONS OF THE EMPEROR operative from an attack dice, you can choose for that attack dice to inflict Normal Damage instead.
CREEPING DREAD1CP
Strategic Ploy
Until the end of the Turning Point, while an enemy operative is within of a friendly ANATHEMA PSYKANA operative, worsen the Ballistic Skill and Weapon Skill characteristics of ranged and melee weapons respectively that enemy operative is equipped with as if it were injured.
Tactical Ploys
If your faction is TALONS OF THE EMPEROR, you can use the following Tactical Ploys during a game.
ARCANE GENETIC ALCHEMY1CP
Tactical Ploy
Use this Tactical Ploy in the Roll Defence Dice step of a shooting attack, after rolling defence dice for a friendly ADEPTUS CUSTODES operative. You can change one of your retained normal saves to a critical save.
BROTHERHOOD OF DEMIGODS1CP
Tactical Ploy
Use this Tactical Ploy at the end of the Firefight phase. Select one friendly ADEPTUS CUSTODES operative to perform one free Fight or Overwatch action (this does not count as an activation).
TALONS1CP
Tactical Ploy
Use this Tactical Ploy when a ready friendly TALONS OF THE EMPEROR operative within of enemy operatives or within of the centre of an objective marker is activated:
- If that operative is an ANATHEMA PSYKANA operative, select one ready friendly ADEPTUS CUSTODES operative Visible to and within of it.
- If that operative is an ADEPTUS CUSTODES operative, select one ready friendly ANATHEMA PSYKANA operative Visible to and within of it.
Equipment
TALONS OF THE EMPEROR operatives in your kill team can be equipped with equipment from this list, as specified in the mission sequence. Each operative can be equipped with no more than one of each item.
OATH PARCHMENT [3EP]
The operative gains the following ability for the battle:Oath Parchment: Once per battle, when this operative is fighting in combat, making a shooting attack or a shooting attack is being made against it, you can use the Command Re-roll Tactical Ploy without spending any CP.
TANGLEFOOT GRENADE [3EP]
ADEPTUS CUSTODES operative only. The operative can perform the following action during the battle:TANGLEFOOT GRENADE1AP
Select one enemy operative Visible to and within of this operative. Subtract 1 from its APL. This operative can only perform this action once, and cannot perform this action while within Engagement Range of enemy operatives.
MISERICORDIA [2EP]
ADEPTUS CUSTODES operative that is not equipped with a storm shield only. The operative gains the following ability for the battle:Misericordia: Each time after this operative fights in combat, you can use this ability. If you do so, roll one D6: on a 3+, the enemy operative that fought it in that combat suffers 2 mortal wounds.
PSYK-OUT GRENADE [2EP]
ANATHEMA PSYKANA operative only. The operative is equipped with the following ranged weapon for the battle:Name | A | BS/WS | D | |||
| Psyk-out grenade | 4 | 3+ | 1/1 | |||
Special Rules | ! | |||||
Rng , Limited, Blast , Indirect, Psyk-out* | - | |||||
*Psyk-out: Each time a shooting attack is made with this weapon, if the target has the PSYKER or DAEMON keyword, for that shooting attack, change its Damage characteristics to 3/5 and it has the Lethal 5+ special rule.
Datacards
| M | APL | GA | DF | SV | W | Base | |
| 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 2+ | 18 | 40mm |
Name | A | BS/WS | D | SR Special Rules | ! | ||||
| Guardian spear | |||||||||
| Guardian spear | 4 | 2+ | 3/5 | !P1 | - | P1 | |||
| Sentinel blade | |||||||||
| Sentinel blade | 4 | 2+ | 3/4 | Rng . !P1 | Rng | P1 | |||
| Guardian spear | |||||||||
| Guardian spear | 5 | 2+ | 5/7 | Lethal 5+ | Lethal 5+ | - | |||
| Sentinel blade | |||||||||
| Sentinel blade | 5 | 2+ | 4/6 | Lethal 5+ | Lethal 5+ | - | |||
| ABILITIES | UNIQUE ACTIONS |
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The Emperor’s Chosen: Other than the effects of Battle Scars, this operative cannot be injured. You can ignore any or all modifiers to this operative’s APL and it is not affected by the Stun critical hit rule. Storm Shield: If this operative is equipped with a storm shield, it has a 4+ invulnerable save. Each time it fights in combat, in the Resolve Successful Hits step of that combat, each time it parries, two of your opponent’s successful hits are discarded (instead of one).
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| ABILITIES |
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The Emperor’s Chosen: Other than the effects of Battle Scars, this operative cannot be injured. You can ignore any or all modifiers to this operative’s APL and it is not affected by the Stun critical hit rule. Storm Shield: If this operative is equipped with a storm shield, it has a 4+ invulnerable save. Each time it fights in combat, in the Resolve Successful Hits step of that combat, each time it parries, two of your opponent’s successful hits are discarded (instead of one).
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| UNIQUE ACTIONS |
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DATACARD-RELATED
PEERLESS WARRIORS , ARCANE GENETIC ALCHEMY , BROTHERHOOD OF DEMIGODS , Tanglefoot Grenade , Misericordia
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TALONS OF THE EMPEROR, IMPERIUM, ADEPTUS CUSTODES, <SHIELD HOST>, CUSTODIAN GUARD, WARRIOR
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TALONS OF THE EMPEROR, IMPERIUM, ADEPTUS CUSTODES, <SHIELD HOST>, CUSTODIAN GUARD, WARRIOR
| M | APL | GA | DF | SV | W | Base | |
| 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 2+ | 19 | 40mm |
Name | A | BS/WS | D | SR Special Rules | ! | ||||
| Guardian spear | |||||||||
| Guardian spear | 4 | 2+ | 3/5 | !P1 | - | P1 | |||
| Sentinel blade | |||||||||
| Sentinel blade | 4 | 2+ | 3/4 | Rng . !P1 | Rng | P1 | |||
| Guardian spear | |||||||||
| Guardian spear | 5 | 2+ | 5/7 | Lethal 5+ | Lethal 5+ | - | |||
| Sentinel blade | |||||||||
| Sentinel blade | 5 | 2+ | 4/6 | Lethal 5+ | Lethal 5+ | - | |||
| ABILITIES | UNIQUE ACTIONS |
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The Emperor’s Chosen: Other than the effects of Battle Scars, this operative cannot be injured. You can ignore any or all modifiers to this operative’s APL and it is not affected by the Stun critical hit rule. Storm Shield: If this operative is equipped with a storm shield, it has a 4+ invulnerable save. Each time it fights in combat, in the Resolve Successful Hits step of that combat, each time it parries, two of your opponent’s successful hits are discarded (instead of one).
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| ABILITIES |
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The Emperor’s Chosen: Other than the effects of Battle Scars, this operative cannot be injured. You can ignore any or all modifiers to this operative’s APL and it is not affected by the Stun critical hit rule. Storm Shield: If this operative is equipped with a storm shield, it has a 4+ invulnerable save. Each time it fights in combat, in the Resolve Successful Hits step of that combat, each time it parries, two of your opponent’s successful hits are discarded (instead of one).
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| UNIQUE ACTIONS |
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DATACARD-RELATED
PEERLESS WARRIORS , ARCANE GENETIC ALCHEMY , BROTHERHOOD OF DEMIGODS , Tanglefoot Grenade , Misericordia
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TALONS OF THE EMPEROR, IMPERIUM, ADEPTUS CUSTODES, <SHIELD HOST>, CUSTODIAN GUARD, LEADER
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TALONS OF THE EMPEROR, IMPERIUM, ADEPTUS CUSTODES, <SHIELD HOST>, CUSTODIAN GUARD, LEADER
| M | APL | GA | DF | SV | W | Base | |
| 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3+ | 8 | 32mm |
Name | A | BS/WS | D | SR Special Rules | ! | ||
| Boltgun | |||||||
| Boltgun | 4 | 3+ | 3/4 | - | - | ||
| Gun butt | |||||||
| Gun butt | 4 | 3+ | 2/3 | - | - | ||
| ABILITIES | UNIQUE ACTIONS |
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Psychic Abomination: While an operative is within of an ANATHEMA PSYKANA operative, it cannot perform psychic actions. SISTER OF SILENCE operatives cannot be targeted or affected by psychic actions.
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| ABILITIES |
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Psychic Abomination: While an operative is within of an ANATHEMA PSYKANA operative, it cannot perform psychic actions. SISTER OF SILENCE operatives cannot be targeted or affected by psychic actions.
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| UNIQUE ACTIONS |
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DATACARD-RELATED
CREEPING DREAD , Psyk-out Grenade , Vratine Faceplate
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TALONS OF THE EMPEROR, IMPERIUM, ANATHEMA PSYKANA, SISTER OF SILENCE, PROSECUTOR
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TALONS OF THE EMPEROR, IMPERIUM, ANATHEMA PSYKANA, SISTER OF SILENCE, PROSECUTOR
| M | APL | GA | DF | SV | W | Base | |
| 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3+ | 8 | 32mm |
Name | A | BS/WS | D | SR Special Rules | ! | ||||
| Flamer | |||||||||
| Flamer | 5 | 2+ | 2/2 | Rng , Torrent | Rng , Torrent | - | |||
| Gun butt | |||||||||
| Gun butt | 4 | 3+ | 2/3 | - | - | ||||
| ABILITIES | UNIQUE ACTIONS |
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Psychic Abomination: While an operative is within of an ANATHEMA PSYKANA operative, it cannot perform psychic actions. SISTER OF SILENCE operatives cannot be targeted or affected by psychic actions.
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| ABILITIES |
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Psychic Abomination: While an operative is within of an ANATHEMA PSYKANA operative, it cannot perform psychic actions. SISTER OF SILENCE operatives cannot be targeted or affected by psychic actions.
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| UNIQUE ACTIONS |
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DATACARD-RELATED
CREEPING DREAD , Psyk-out Grenade , Vratine Faceplate
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TALONS OF THE EMPEROR, IMPERIUM, ANATHEMA PSYKANA, SISTER OF SILENCE, WITCHSEEKER
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TALONS OF THE EMPEROR, IMPERIUM, ANATHEMA PSYKANA, SISTER OF SILENCE, WITCHSEEKER
Vigilators capitalise on their innate gifts, assaulting their prey when the effects of their soulless aura is at its most potent. They train tirelessly with enormous greatblades in an ancient form of combat, laying open their victim’s guard before landing a decapitating blow.
Vigilators capitalise on their innate gifts, assaulting their prey when the effects of their soulless aura is at its most potent. They train tirelessly with enormous greatblades in an ancient form of combat, laying open their victim’s guard before landing a decapitating blow. |
M | APL | GA | DF | SV | W | Base |
| 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3+ | 8 | 32mm |
Name | A | BS/WS | D | SR Special Rules | ! | ||||
| Executioner greatblade | |||||||||
| Executioner greatblade | 4 | 3+ | 4/6 | Lethal 5+ | Lethal 5+ | - | |||
| ABILITIES | UNIQUE ACTIONS |
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Psychic Abomination: While an operative is within of an ANATHEMA PSYKANA operative, it cannot perform psychic actions. SISTER OF SILENCE operatives cannot be targeted or affected by psychic actions.
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| ABILITIES |
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Psychic Abomination: While an operative is within of an ANATHEMA PSYKANA operative, it cannot perform psychic actions. SISTER OF SILENCE operatives cannot be targeted or affected by psychic actions.
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| UNIQUE ACTIONS |
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DATACARD-RELATED
CREEPING DREAD , Psyk-out Grenade , Vratine Faceplate
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TALONS OF THE EMPEROR, IMPERIUM, ANATHEMA PSYKANA, SISTER OF SILENCE, VIGILATOR
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TALONS OF THE EMPEROR, IMPERIUM, ANATHEMA PSYKANA, SISTER OF SILENCE, VIGILATOR
| M | APL | GA | DF | SV | W | Base | |
| 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3+ | 9 | 32mm |
Name | A | BS/WS | D | SR Special Rules | ! | ||||
| Boltgun | |||||||||
| Boltgun | 4 | 2+ | 3/4 | - | - | ||||
| Flamer | |||||||||
| Flamer | 5 | 2+ | 2/2 | Rng , Torrent | Rng , Torrent | - | |||
| Executioner greatblade | |||||||||
| Executioner greatblade | 4 | 2+ | 4/6 | Lethal 5+ | Lethal 5+ | - | |||
| Gun butt | |||||||||
| Gun butt | 4 | 2+ | 2/3 | - | - | ||||
| ABILITIES | UNIQUE ACTIONS |
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Psychic Abomination: While an operative is within of an ANATHEMA PSYKANA operative, it cannot perform psychic actions. SISTER OF SILENCE operatives cannot be targeted or affected by psychic actions.
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| ABILITIES |
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Psychic Abomination: While an operative is within of an ANATHEMA PSYKANA operative, it cannot perform psychic actions. SISTER OF SILENCE operatives cannot be targeted or affected by psychic actions.
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| UNIQUE ACTIONS |
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DATACARD-RELATED
CREEPING DREAD , Psyk-out Grenade , Vratine Faceplate
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TALONS OF THE EMPEROR, IMPERIUM, ANATHEMA PSYKANA, LEADER, SISTER OF SILENCE, SUPERIOR
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TALONS OF THE EMPEROR, IMPERIUM, ANATHEMA PSYKANA, LEADER, SISTER OF SILENCE, SUPERIOR
Fire Teams
Many of the kill teams presented in Kill Team: Compendium require you to select your kill team by selecting one or two fire teams. A fire team is a collection of operatives and their selection requirements for the associated kill team. If your kill team consists of two fire teams, you can select the same fire team more than once. Many fire teams have the option to select a LEADER operative. When selecting your kill team, you can only include one LEADER operative, and in matched play, you must include one LEADER operative. Finally, each fire team has one or more archetypes. In such circumstances, your kill team’s overall archetype(s) is the archetype(s) of its fire teams.
The LEADER keyword is used in the following Talons of the Emperor datacards:
The SISTER OF SILENCE keyword is used in the following Talons of the Emperor datacards:
The ANATHEMA PSYKANA keyword is used in the following Talons of the Emperor datacards:
The ADEPTUS CUSTODES keyword is used in the following Talons of the Emperor datacards:
Visible
For an intended target to be Visible, the following must be true:- You can draw an imaginary, unobstructed straight line (known as a Visibility line) 1 mm wide from the head of the active operative’s miniature to any part of the miniature of the intended target (not its base).
In the rare instance that bases or parts of the active operative’s miniature prevent an intended target from being Visible to the active operative, such as when the active operative is directly below or above the intended target, treat those bases and parts as being invisible.
Some rare rules will require you to select a point that is Visible (e.g. a point on the killzone). In such circumstances, you must be able to draw an imaginary, unobstructed straight line 1mm wide from the head of the active operative’s miniature to the point you would select.
Actions
Actions are categorised as follows:- Universal actions can be performed by all operatives. They are detailed below.
- Unique actions are actions detailed on an operative’s datacard that only they can perform, such as the Dakka Dash action found on the example datacard.
- Mission actions are specific to the mission you are playing, and will be detailed by that mission’s briefing. Missions can be found here (Open Play mission) and here (Spec Ops Narrative missions).
- Free actions can only be performed when another rule specifies. Each time an operative would perform a free action, the following rules apply.
- The operative can perform the action, so long as the requirements of the action are met.
- The player does not subtract any additional AP to perform the action.
- The operative would still count as performing the action for all rules purposes. For example, if it performed it during its activation, it would not be able to perform the action again during that activation.
For example, when a KOMMANDO DAKKA BOY performs a Dakka Dash action (see unique actions, above), it can perform a free Dash and free Shoot action without subtracting any additional AP (other than the AP spent on the Dakka Dash action). However, it is subject to those actions’ requirements, therefore it cannot perform the free Dash action if it is within Engagement Range of enemy operatives, and cannot perform the free Shoot action if it is within Engagement Range of enemy operatives or has a Conceal order. In addition, for each of the free actions it performs, it cannot perform them again during its activation.
COMMAND RE-ROLL1CP
Tactical Ploy
Use this Tactical Ploy after rolling one of your attack dice or defence dice. You can re-roll that dice.
Engagement Range
Engagement Range is the zone of threat that operatives present to their enemies. Many rules in the game use Engagement Range, such as when moving and fighting. Engagement Range is mutual, therefore operatives are within each other’s Engagement Range if one of them is Visible to and within of the other.
Lethal x
Each time a friendly operative fights in combat or makes a shooting attack with this weapon, in the Roll Attack Dice step of that combat or shooting attack, your attack dice results of equal to or greater than x that are successful hits are critical hits, x is the number after the weapon’s Lethal, e.g. Lethal 5+.
Rng x
Range. Each time a friendly operative makes a shooting attack with this weapon, only operatives within x are a valid target, x is the distance after the weapon’s Rng, e.g. Rng . All other rules for selecting a valid target still apply.
Limited
This weapon can only be selected for use once per battle. If the weapon has a special rule that would allow it to make more than one shooting attack for an action (e.g. Blast), make each of those attacks as normal.
Blast x
Each time a friendly operative performs a Shoot action and selects this weapon (or, in the case of profiles, this weapon’s profile), after making the shooting attack against the target, make a shooting attack with this weapon (using the same profile) against each other operative Visible to and within X of the original target – each of them is a valid target and cannot be in Cover. X is the distance after the weapon’s Blast, e.g. Blast . An operative cannot make a shooting attack with this weapon by performing an Overwatch action.
- An operative performs a Shoot action, selects a ranged weapon with the Blast special rule, and selects operative A as the target.
- After making the shooting attack against operative A, it makes a shooting attack against operative B, determining if it is a valid target as if operative A was making the shooting attack.
- It cannot make a shooting attack against operative C, as when determining if it is a valid target in this manner, operative C is not Visible to operative A due to the terrain feature between them.
Indirect
Each time a friendly operative makes a shooting attack with this weapon, in the select valid target step of that shooting attack, enemy operatives are not in Cover.
Px
Piercing. Each time a friendly operative makes a shooting attack with this weapon, in the Roll Attack Dice step of that shooting attack, if you retain any critical hits, the weapon gains the APx special rule for that shooting attack, x is the number after the weapon’s P, e.g. P1.
Stun
Each time a friendly operative makes a shooting attack with this weapon, in the Roll Attack Dice step of that shooting attack, if you retain any critical hits, subtract 1 from the target’s APL. Each time a friendly operative fights in combat with this weapon, in the Resolve Successful Hits step of that combat:- The first time you strike with a critical hit, select one of your opponent’s normal hits from that combat to be discarded
- The second time you strike with a critical hit, subtract 1 from the target’s APL.
Invulnerable Save x+
Each time a shooting attack is made against an operative, the defender can use its invulnerable save instead of its normal Save characteristic. An invulnerable save is used like a normal Save characteristic, except that it cannot be modified in any way, and is not affected by any APx special rules (meaning the defender would use their normal Defence characteristic). x of the invulnerable save is the dice roll required for the defence dice to be successful, e.g. 4+.
ARCANE GENETIC ALCHEMY1CP
Tactical Ploy
Use this Tactical Ploy in the Roll Defence Dice step of a shooting attack, after rolling defence dice for a friendly ADEPTUS CUSTODES operative. You can change one of your retained normal saves to a critical save.
BROTHERHOOD OF DEMIGODS1CP
Tactical Ploy
Use this Tactical Ploy at the end of the Firefight phase. Select one friendly ADEPTUS CUSTODES operative to perform one free Fight or Overwatch action (this does not count as an activation).
TANGLEFOOT GRENADE [3EP]
ADEPTUS CUSTODES operative only. The operative can perform the following action during the battle:TANGLEFOOT GRENADE1AP
Select one enemy operative Visible to and within of this operative. Subtract 1 from its APL. This operative can only perform this action once, and cannot perform this action while within Engagement Range of enemy operatives.
MISERICORDIA [2EP]
ADEPTUS CUSTODES operative that is not equipped with a storm shield only. The operative gains the following ability for the battle:Misericordia: Each time after this operative fights in combat, you can use this ability. If you do so, roll one D6: on a 3+, the enemy operative that fought it in that combat suffers 2 mortal wounds.
The TALONS OF THE EMPEROR keyword is used in the following Talons of the Emperor datacards:
The IMPERIUM keyword is used in the following Talons of the Emperor datacards:
The ADEPTUS CUSTODES keyword is used in the following Talons of the Emperor datacards:
The <SHIELD HOST> keyword is used in the following Talons of the Emperor datacards:
The CUSTODIAN GUARD keyword is used in the following Talons of the Emperor datacards:
The LEADER keyword is used in the following Talons of the Emperor datacards:
Psychic Action
This is a term for a certain kind of action. This term provides no additional rules on its own, but other rules may interact with actions that have this term.
CREEPING DREAD1CP
Strategic Ploy
Until the end of the Turning Point, while an enemy operative is within of a friendly ANATHEMA PSYKANA operative, worsen the Ballistic Skill and Weapon Skill characteristics of ranged and melee weapons respectively that enemy operative is equipped with as if it were injured.
PSYK-OUT GRENADE [2EP]
ANATHEMA PSYKANA operative only. The operative is equipped with the following ranged weapon for the battle:Name | A | BS/WS | D | |||
| Psyk-out grenade | 4 | 3+ | 1/1 | |||
Special Rules | ! | |||||
Rng , Limited, Blast , Indirect, Psyk-out* | - | |||||
*Psyk-out: Each time a shooting attack is made with this weapon, if the target has the PSYKER or DAEMON keyword, for that shooting attack, change its Damage characteristics to 3/5 and it has the Lethal 5+ special rule.
VRATINE FACEPLATE [2EP]
ANATHEMA PSYKANA operative only. The operative gains the following ability for the battle:Vratine Faceplate: Once per battle, when damage would be inflicted upon this operative from an attack dice, subtract 3 from the damage inflicted (to a minimum of 0).
The ANATHEMA PSYKANA keyword is used in the following Talons of the Emperor datacards:
The SISTER OF SILENCE keyword is used in the following Talons of the Emperor datacards:
Torrent x
Each time a friendly operative performs a Shoot action or Overwatch action and selects this weapon, after making the shooting attack against the target, it can make a shooting attack with this weapon against each other valid target within x of the original target and each other, x is the distance after the weapon’s Torrent, e.g. Torrent .
- An operative performs a Shoot action, selects a ranged weapon with the Torrent special rule, and selects operative A as the target.
- After making the shooting attack against operative A, it makes a shooting attack against operative B and C, determining if they are a valid target as normal.
- It cannot make a shooting attack against operative D, as while that operative is within of operative A and C, it is not within of operative B.
Army List