Adeptus Custodes
The shining golden warriors known as the Adeptus Custodes are the elite bodyguard of the Emperor himself. Their word is law and their might in battle unsurpassed, even amongst the ranks of the Space Marines. Striding resplendent and fearless through the fog of war, they bring hope to the embattled civilisations of Mankind and swift death to their enemies.
Contents
Books
| Book | Kind | Edition | Version | Last update |
 Adeptus Custodes | ||||
| Adeptus Custodes | Index | 10 | January 2024 | |
 Munitorum Field Manual | ||||
| Munitorum Field Manual | Expansion | 10 | 1.7 | March 2024 |
 Balance Dataslate | ||||
| Balance Dataslate | Rulebook | 10 | January 2024 | January 2024 |
 Imperial Armour: Adeptus Custodes | ||||
| Imperial Armour: Adeptus Custodes | Datasheet | 10 | June 2023 | |
Army Rules
Martial Ka’tah
Created deep in the Emperor’s Palace using esoteric genealchemies and other, even more mysterious processes, the warriors of the Adeptus Custodes are the Emperor’s personal bodyguards. Known as the Ten Thousand, they are the most elite warriors in the entire Imperium, and are armed and armoured to match. In battle, they deploy highly flexible fighting forces, from peerless infantry and lightning-fast jetbikes to indomitable combat walkers and line-shattering battle tanks. It is in melee combat that they truly excel, however, each warrior having mastered the nuanced and subtle fighting stances designed to dominate the Custodians’ many enemies.
At the start of the Fight phase, select one Ka’tah Stance from the list below to be active for your army until the end of the phase. While a Ka’tah Stance is active for your army, each unit from your army with this ability gains the relevant ability.Kaptaris Stance Kaptaris is optimised to trap enemy units in close combat with the Custodes, where the elite warriors can eliminate them. Each time a melee attack targets this unit, subtract 1 from the Hit roll. |
Dacatarai Stance This aggressive fighting style has been adapted for the Custodes to deal with hordes of foes who vastly outnumber them. Melee weapons equipped by models in this unit have the [SUSTAINED HITS 1] ability. |
Rendax Stance Masters of Rendax are superlative monster and warmachine hunters. Melee weapons equipped by models in this unit have the [LETHAL HITS] ability. |
Shield Host
Detachment Rule
If your Army Faction is ADEPTUS CUSTODES, you can use this Shield Host Detachment rule.Aegis of the Emperor
The cellular alchemy that creates the warriors of the Adeptus Custodes leaves them forever touched by a spark of the Emperor’s own greatness. Beyond their martial might and incorruptible nobility, this energy manifests itself as an almost supernatural warding, as though the Custodians were protected by the hand of the Emperor.
ADEPTUS CUSTODES models from your army have the Feel No Pain 4+ ability against mortal wounds and Critical Wounds caused by attacks with the [DEVASTATING WOUNDS] ability.Stratagems
If you are using the Shield Host Detachment rule, you can use these Shield Host Stratagems.SLAYERS OF NIGHTMARES
1CP
Shield Host – Battle Tactic Stratagem
In an age plagued by monstrous foes, when primordial horrors from the darkest void circle Humanity’s dying light, still the Adeptus Custodes stand strong.
WHEN: Fight phase.
TARGET: One ADEPTUS CUSTODES unit from your army that has not been selected to fight this phase.
EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, each time a model in your unit makes an attack that targets a MONSTER or VEHICLE unit, add 1 to the Wound roll.
TARGET: One ADEPTUS CUSTODES unit from your army that has not been selected to fight this phase.
EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, each time a model in your unit makes an attack that targets a MONSTER or VEHICLE unit, add 1 to the Wound roll.
AVENGE THE FALLEN
1CP
Shield Host – Battle Tactic Stratagem
The loss of a single Talon of the Emperor is commemorated by the tolling of the Bell of Lost Souls on Terra, and by their comrades’ bloody vengeance on the battlefield.
WHEN: Start of the Fight phase.
TARGET: One ADEPTUS CUSTODES unit from your army that is below its Starting Strength and has not been selected to fight this phase.
EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, add 1 to the Attacks characteristic of melee weapons equipped by models in that unit. If that unit is Below Half-strength, until the end of the phase, add 2 to the Attacks characteristic of those melee weapons instead.
TARGET: One ADEPTUS CUSTODES unit from your army that is below its Starting Strength and has not been selected to fight this phase.
EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, add 1 to the Attacks characteristic of melee weapons equipped by models in that unit. If that unit is Below Half-strength, until the end of the phase, add 2 to the Attacks characteristic of those melee weapons instead.
UNWAVERING SENTINELS
2CP
Shield Host – Epic Deed Stratagem
Custodians will not be moved from their objective.
WHEN: Start of the Fight phase.
TARGET: One ADEPTUS CUSTODES unit from your army (excluding ANATHEMA PSYKANA units) that is within range of an objective marker.
EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, your unit has the Fights First ability.
TARGET: One ADEPTUS CUSTODES unit from your army (excluding ANATHEMA PSYKANA units) that is within range of an objective marker.
EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, your unit has the Fights First ability.
ARCANE GENETIC ALCHEMY
2CP
Shield Host – Battle Tactic Stratagem
The Adeptus Custodes are individually engineered on a molecular level using secrets of genetic alchemy that render them virtual demigods in battle.
WHEN: Your opponent’s Shooting phase or the Fight phase, just after an enemy unit has selected its targets.
TARGET: One ADEPTUS CUSTODES INFANTRY unit from your army (excluding ANATHEMA PSYKANA units) that was selected as the target of one or more of that enemy unit’s attacks.
EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, each time an attack is allocated to a model in your unit, subtract 1 from the Damage characteristic of that attack.
TARGET: One ADEPTUS CUSTODES INFANTRY unit from your army (excluding ANATHEMA PSYKANA units) that was selected as the target of one or more of that enemy unit’s attacks.
EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, each time an attack is allocated to a model in your unit, subtract 1 from the Damage characteristic of that attack.
VIGIL UNENDING
1CP
Shield Host – Epic Deed Stratagem
The Custodes are determined that every second of their lives will be spent committed to the Emperor, and they do not yield while their duty remains unfilfilled, rising from the blood and ashes to continue their vigil.
WHEN: Your Command phase.
TARGET: One ADEPTUS CUSTODES INFANTRY unit from your army (excluding ANATHEMA PSYKANA units).
EFFECT: One destroyed model (excluding CHARACTER models) is returned to your unit with its full wounds remaining.
RESTRICTIONS: You cannot target the same unit with this Stratagem more than once per battle.
TARGET: One ADEPTUS CUSTODES INFANTRY unit from your army (excluding ANATHEMA PSYKANA units).
EFFECT: One destroyed model (excluding CHARACTER models) is returned to your unit with its full wounds remaining.
RESTRICTIONS: You cannot target the same unit with this Stratagem more than once per battle.
SWORN GUARDIANS
1CP
Shield Host – Strategic Ploy Stratagem
The Adeptus Custodes smash apart their foes without slowing, securing the Emperor’s realm with bloody efficiency and then advancing to new positions.
WHEN: Your Movement phase.
TARGET: One ADEPTUS CUSTODES unit from your army (excluding ANATHEMA PSYKANA units) within range of an objective marker you control.
EFFECT: That objective marker remains under your control even if you have no models within range of it, until your opponent controls it at the start or end of any turn.
TARGET: One ADEPTUS CUSTODES unit from your army (excluding ANATHEMA PSYKANA units) within range of an objective marker you control.
EFFECT: That objective marker remains under your control even if you have no models within range of it, until your opponent controls it at the start or end of any turn.
Enhancements
If you are using the Shield Host Detachment rule, you can use these Shield Host Enhancements.
This warrior is implacable on the field, the Emperor’s will made manifest. No foe can hope to stop him achieving his goals, and those who stand before his battle fury see their death swiftly approaching.
|
This warrior epitomises the martial genius of the Adeptus Custodes. His judgement is sound, his tactical acumen impeccable.
|
An ancient weapon that burns with a bitterly cold and dark energy, the Veiled Blade is bestowed upon a Custodian who has vowed to recover that which should remain hidden from Humanity, and return it to the Dark Cells.
|
This warrior never relents in the pursuit of his quarry – any apparent withdrawal he makes merely brings death to his foe sooner.
|
Hit Roll
When a model makes an attack, make one Hit roll for that attack by rolling one D6. If the result of the Hit roll is greater than or equal to the attack’s Ballistic Skill (BS) characteristic (if the attack is being made with a ranged weapon) or its Weapon Skill (WS) characteristic (if the attack is being made with a melee weapon), then that Hit roll is successful and scores one hit against the target unit. Otherwise, the attack fails and the attack sequence ends.An unmodified Hit roll of 6 is called a Critical Hit and is always successful. An unmodified Hit roll of 1 always fails. A Hit roll can never be modified by more than -1 or +1.
- Hit Roll (Ranged Attack): A hit is scored if the D6 result equals or exceeds that attack’s BS.
- Hit Roll (Melee Attack): A hit is scored if the D6 result equals or exceeds that attack’s WS.
- Critical Hit: Unmodified Hit roll of 6. Always successful.
- An unmodified Hit roll of 1 always fails.
- A Hit roll can never be modified by more than -1 or +1.
Sustained Hits
Some weapons strike in a flurry of blows, tearing the foe apart with relentless ferocity.
Weapons with [SUSTAINED HITS X] in their profile are known as Sustained Hits weapons. Each time an attack is made with such a weapon, if a Critical Hit is rolled, that attack scores a number of additional hits on the target as denoted by ‘x’.Example: A model makes an attack with a melee weapon with the [SUSTAINED HITS 2] ability. If the Hit roll is an unmodified 6 (a Critical Hit), then that attack scores a total of 3 hits on the target (1 from the successful Hit roll of 6, and 2 from the [SUSTAINED HITS 2] ability).
- [SUSTAINED HITS X]: Each Critical Hit scores ‘x’ additional hits on the target.
Lethal Hits
Some weapons can inflict fatal injuries on any foe, no matter their resilience.
Weapons with [LETHAL HITS] in their profile are known as Lethal Hits weapons. Each time an attack is made with such a weapon, a Critical Hit automatically wounds the target.Mortal Wounds
Some attacks are so powerful that no armour or force field can withstand their fury.
Some attacks inflict mortal wounds. Each mortal wound inflicts one point of damage on the target unit, and they are always applied one at a time. Do not make a Wound roll or saving throw (including invulnerable saving throws) against a mortal wound – just allocate it as you would any other attack and inflict damage to a model in the target unit as described below.Unlike damage inflicted by normal attacks, excess damage from mortal wounds is not lost if the damage can be allocated to another model. Instead, keep allocating damage to another model in the target unit until either all the damage has been allocated or the target unit is destroyed.
If, when a unit is selected to shoot or fight, one or more of its attacks can inflict mortal wounds on the target, resolve any normal damage inflicted by the attacking unit’s attacks on that target before inflicting any mortal wounds on that target. If an attack inflicts mortal wounds in addition to any normal damage, but the normal damage is subsequently saved, the target unit still suffers those mortal wounds, as described above.
- Each mortal wound inflicted on a unit causes one model in that unit to lose one wound.
- No saving throws can be made against mortal wounds.
- Mortal wounds inflicted by attacks always apply after any normal damage, even if that damage was saved.
Feel No Pain
FEEL NO PAIN
Some warriors refuse to be laid low, even by what should be fatal wounds.
Some models have ‘Feel No Pain x+’ listed in their abilities. Each time a model with this ability suffers damage and so would lose a wound (including wounds lost due to mortal wounds), roll one D6: if the result is greater than or equal to the number denoted by ‘x’, that wound is ignored and is not lost. If a model has more than one Feel No Pain ability, you can only use one of those abilities each time that model suffers damage and so would lose a wound.- Feel No Pain x+: Each time this model would lose a wound, roll one D6: if the result equals or exceeds ‘x’, that wound is not lost.
Wound Roll
Each time an attack scores a hit against a target unit, make a Wound roll for that attack by rolling one D6 to see if that attack successfully wounds the target unit. The result required is determined by comparing the attack’s Strength (S) characteristic with the target’s Toughness (T) characteristic, as shown below.
| ||||||||||||||
If the result of the Wound roll is greater than or equal to the required number shown in the table above, then that Wound roll is successful and scores one wound against the target unit. Otherwise, the attack fails and the attack sequence ends.
An unmodified Wound roll of 6 is called a Critical Wound and is always successful. An unmodified Wound roll of 1 always fails. A Wound roll can never be modified by more than -1 or +1.
- Critical Wound: Unmodified Wound roll of 6. Always successful.
- An unmodified Wound roll of 1 always fails.
- A Wound roll can never be modified by more than -1 or +1.
Devastating Wounds
Some weapons can inflict strikes of such power that they make a mockery of armour
Weapons with [DEVASTATING WOUNDS] in their profile are known as Devastating Wounds weapons. Each time an attack is made with such a weapon, if that attack scores a Critical Wound, no saving throw of any kind can be made against that attack (including invulnerable saving throws). Such attacks are only allocated to models after all other attacks made by the attacking unit have been allocated and resolved.- Saving throws cannot be made against Critical Wounds scored by this weapon (including invulnerable saving throws).
Starting Strength
The number of models a unit contains when it is added to your army is known as its Starting Strength.
Below Half-strength
Some rules will refer to a unit being Below Half-strength.- If a unit has a Starting Strength of 1, then it is said to be Below Half-strength while its remaining number of wounds is less than half of its Wounds characteristic.
- For any other unit, while the number of models in that unit is less than half of its Starting Strength, that unit is said to be Below Half-strength.
The ANATHEMA PSYKANA keyword is used in the following Adeptus Custodes datasheets:
Characters
Battleline
Dedicated Transports
Objective Markers
Objective markers represent objects of tactical or strategic import that both sides are attempting to secure, such as valuable artefacts, vital supplies or communications nodes. If a mission uses objective markers, it will state where they are located on the battlefield. These can be represented using any suitable marker, but we recommend using round markers that are 40mm in diameter.When setting objective markers up on the battlefield, place them so they are centred on the point specified by the mission. When measuring distances to and from objective markers, measure to and from the closest part of them. Models can move over objective markers as if they were not there, but they cannot end a move on top of an objective marker.
At the start of the battle, each objective marker on the battlefield is said to be contested, and so is not controlled by either player. To control an objective marker, a player will first need to move models within range of it. A model is within range of an objective marker if it is within 3" horizontally and 5" vertically of that objective marker.
Every model has an Objective Control (OC) characteristic listed on its datasheet. To determine a player’s Level of Control over an objective marker, add together the OC characteristics of all the models from that player’s army that are within range of that objective marker. A player will control an objective marker at the end of any phase or turn if their Level of Control over it is greater than their opponent’s. If both players have the same Level of Control over an objective marker, that objective marker is contested.
- A model is within range of an objective marker if within 3" horizontally and 5" vertically.
- Level of Control: Add together the OC characteristics of all of a player’s models within range of the objective marker.
- An objective marker is controlled by the player with the highest Level of Control over it (in a tie, it is contested).
- Models cannot end a move on top of an objective marker.
FIGHTS FIRST
Some warriors attack with blinding speed, landing their blows before their foes can react.
Units with this ability that are eligible to fight do so in the Fights First step, provided every model in the unit has this ability.The ADEPTUS CUSTODES and INFANTRY keywords are used in the following Adeptus Custodes datasheets:
Characters
Destroyed
Throughout a battle, models will suffer damage and be destroyed. When a model is destroyed, it is removed from the battlefield. When every model in a unit has been destroyed, that unit is destroyed.
The CHARACTER keyword is used in the following Adeptus Custodes datasheets:
Charging with a Unit
Once you have selected an eligible unit to declare a charge, you must select one or more enemy units within 12" of it as the targets of that charge. The targets of a charge do not need to be visible to the charging unit.You then make a Charge roll for the charging unit by rolling 2D6. The result is the maximum number of inches each model in that unit can be moved if a Charge move is possible. For a Charge move to be possible, the Charge roll must be sufficient to enable the charging unit to end that move:
- Within Engagement Range of every unit that you selected as a target of the charge.
- Without moving within Engagement Range of any enemy units that were not a target of the charge.
- In Unit Coherency.
- Charge Roll: 2D6".
- Targets of a charge must be within 12" but do not need to be visible.
- If the distance rolled is insufficient to move within Engagement Range of all targets while maintaining Unit Coherency, the charge fails.
- Cannot move within Engagement Range of any unit that was not a target of the charge.
- If the charge is successful, each model makes a Charge move less than or equal to the Charge roll, and must move into base-to-base contact with an enemy model if possible.
Engagement Range
Engagement Range represents the zone of threat that models present to their enemies. While a model is within 1" horizontally and 5" vertically of an enemy model, those models – and their units – are within Engagement Range of each other.Models cannot be set up or end a Normal, Advance or Fall Back move within Engagement Range of any enemy models. If for any reason a model cannot meet this condition, that model is destroyed.
- Engagement Range: Within 1" horizontally and 5" vertically.
- Models cannot be set up or end a Normal, Advance or Fall Back move within Engagement Range of any enemy models.
2. Battle-shock
In this step, you must take a Battle-shock test for each of your units on the battlefield that is Below Half-strength. To do so, roll 2D6: if the result is greater than or equal to the best Leadership characteristic in that unit, the test is passed; otherwise, the test is failed and, until the start of your next Command phase, that unit is Battle-shocked.While a unit is Battle-shocked:
- The Objective Control characteristic of all of its models is 0.
- If it Falls Back, you must take a Desperate Escape test for every model in that unit.
- Its controlling player cannot use Stratagems to affect that unit.
Once you have taken Battle-shock tests for all of your units that require them, your Command phase ends and you progress to your Movement phase.
- Take a Battle-shock test for each unit from your army on the battlefield that is Below Half-strength.
- Roll 2D6: if the result is greater than or equal to the unit’s Leadership, the test is passed. Otherwise, the unit is Battle-shocked until the start of your next Command phase.
- Battle-shocked units have an OC of 0 and their controlling player cannot use Stratagems to affect them.
- Battle-shocked units must take Desperate Escape tests if they Fall Back.
Normal Moves
When a unit makes a Normal move, each model in that unit can move a distance in inches less than or equal to its Move (M) characteristic, but no model can be moved within Engagement Range of any enemy models.- Normal Move: Models move up to M".
- Cannot move within Engagement Range of any enemy models.
Advance Moves
When a unit Advances, make an Advance roll for that unit by rolling one D6. Add the result in inches to the Move characteristic of each model in that unit until the end of the phase. Each model in that unit can then make an Advance move by moving a distance in inches less than or equal to this total, but no model can be moved within Engagement Range of enemy models. A unit cannot shoot or declare a charge in the same turn that it Advanced.- Advance Move: Models move up to M+D6".
- Cannot move within Engagement Range of any enemy models.
- Units that Advance cannot shoot or charge this turn.
Fall Back Moves
When a unit Falls Back, each model in that unit can make a Fall Back move by moving a distance in inches less than or equal to its Move characteristic, and when doing so you can move it within Engagement Range of enemy models, provided it does not end that move within Engagement Range of any enemy models – if this is not possible, that unit cannot Fall Back.
A unit cannot shoot or declare a charge in the same turn that it Fell Back.
Desperate Escape Tests
Unlike when making other types of move, models can move over enemy models when making a Fall Back move as if those enemy models were not there, but you must take a Desperate Escape test for each model that will do so (excluding models that are TITANIC or can FLY) before any models in that unit are moved. In addition, if a unit is Battle-shocked when it is selected to Fall Back, you must take a Desperate Escape test for every model in that unit before any are moved.
Each time you take a Desperate Escape test for a model, roll one D6. For each roll of 1-2, one model from the unit that is Falling Back is destroyed (selected by you). The same model can only ever trigger one Desperate Escape test per phase.A unit cannot shoot or declare a charge in the same turn that it Fell Back.
Desperate Escape Tests
Unlike when making other types of move, models can move over enemy models when making a Fall Back move as if those enemy models were not there, but you must take a Desperate Escape test for each model that will do so (excluding models that are TITANIC or can FLY) before any models in that unit are moved. In addition, if a unit is Battle-shocked when it is selected to Fall Back, you must take a Desperate Escape test for every model in that unit before any are moved.
- Fall Back Move: Models move up to M".
- Units that Fall Back cannot shoot or declare a charge in the same turn.
- Models can move over enemy models when Falling Back, but you must take Desperate Escape tests for them before they do so (excluding models that are TITANIC or can FLY).
- If a Battle-shocked unit is selected to Fall Back, take a Desperate Escape test for every model in that unit.
- Desperate Escape Test: Roll one D6. On a 1-2, one model from that unit is destroyed.
Army List
Datasheets collatedCharacters
Battleline
Dedicated Transports
Other
