Death Guard
The Death Guard are foulness made manifest. They are a vision of unnatural corruption, of nobility, courage and strength perverted into nightmarish foulness and diseased might. Cities, worlds, even entire systems rot at their touch, the power of Nurgle spreading inexorably wherever the Death Guard raise their flyblown banners.
Books
| Book | Kind | Edition | Version | Last update |
 Death Guard | ||||
| Death Guard | Index | 10 | June 2024 | |
 Munitorum Field Manual | ||||
| Munitorum Field Manual | Expansion | 10 | 1.11 | June 2024 |
 Balance Dataslate | ||||
| Balance Dataslate | Rulebook | 10 | June 2024 | June 2024 |
 Legends Field Manual | ||||
| Legends Field Manual | Expansion | 10 | 1.6 | June 2024 |
| Legends: Heretic Astartes | ||||
| Legends: Heretic Astartes | Datasheet | 10 | May 2024 | |
| Legends: Death Guard | ||||
| Legends: Death Guard | Datasheet | 10 | July 2023 | |
 Horus Heresy Legends: Heretic Astartes | ||||
| Horus Heresy Legends: Heretic Astartes | Datasheet | 10 | June 2023 | |
| Horus Heresy Legends: Adeptus Astartes | ||||
| Horus Heresy Legends: Adeptus Astartes | Datasheet | 10 | June 2023 | |
FAQ
Index: Death Guard
| Q: | Do POXWALKERS returned by the Curse of the Walking Pox ability in the Fight Phase get to fight if they are returned within Engagement Range of one or more enemy units? |
| A: | No, they were not present in the Select Targets step when the unit was selected to fight. |
| Q: | Does MORTARION’s Lord of the Death Guard ability ignore other models’ abilities that affect the damage of his weapon (e.g. a C’tan Shard of the Void Dragon’s Necrodermis ability)? |
| A: | Yes. |
Army Rules
Nurgle’s Gift (Aura)
The Death Guard are carriers of countless infections and contagions, each a gift from Nurgle. Whenever they march to war, they contaminate all around them, overwhelming their victims’ immune systems and undoing metallic bonds, alien psychic materials and all manner of other components, rendering even armoured vehicles vulnerable.
If your Army Faction is DEATH GUARD, while an enemy unit is within Contagion Range of this unit, subtract 1 from the Toughness characteristic of models in that enemy unit. Contagion Range changes over the course of the battle, as shown below.CONTAGION RANGE
Plague Company
Detachment Rule
If your Army Faction is DEATH GUARD, you can use this Plague Company Detachment rule.Spread the Sickness
To the Death Guard, spreading Nurgle’s gifts goes beyond the beings they fight – even the landscapes they tread upon they seek to corrupt, cultivating Nurgle’s garden as widely as possible.
During the Declare Battle Formations step, select one of the Sicknesses below. Until the end of the battle, all units from your army with the Nurgle’s Gift ability gain the selected Sickness.- Skullsquirm Blight (Aura): While an enemy unit is within Contagion Range of this unit, worsen the Ballistic Skill and Weapon Skill characteristics of weapons equipped by models in that enemy unit by 1.
- Rattlejoint Ague (Aura): While an enemy unit is within Contagion Range of this unit, worsen the Save characteristic of models in that enemy unit by 1.
- Scabrous Soulrot (Aura): While an enemy unit is within Contagion Range of this unit, worsen the Leadership and Objective Control characteristics of models in that enemy unit by 1 (to a minimum of 1).
If you control an objective marker at the end of your Command phase and a DEATH GUARD unit from your army is within range of that objective marker, that objective marker is said to be Infected and 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. In addition, while an objective marker is Infected and under your control, it has the Nurgle’s Gift ability as if it were a unit from your army (so enemy units within Contagion Range of it will have their characteristics modified).
Stratagems
If you are using the Plague Company Detachment rule, you can use these Plague Company Stratagems.FERRIC BLIGHT
1CP
Plague Company – Battle Tactic Stratagem
The spreading rust of the Ferric Blight can reduce armour of all kinds to nothing.
WHEN: Your Shooting phase or the Fight phase.
TARGET: One DEATH GUARD unit from your army that has not been selected to shoot or fight this phase.
EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, each time a model in your unit makes an attack, improve the Armour Penetration characteristic of that attack by 1. If the target of that attack is within Contagion Range of an Infected objective marker you control and a Critical Wound is scored for that attack, improve the Armour Penetration characteristic of that attack by 2 instead.
TARGET: One DEATH GUARD unit from your army that has not been selected to shoot or fight this phase.
EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, each time a model in your unit makes an attack, improve the Armour Penetration characteristic of that attack by 1. If the target of that attack is within Contagion Range of an Infected objective marker you control and a Critical Wound is scored for that attack, improve the Armour Penetration characteristic of that attack by 2 instead.
SANGUOUS FLUX
1CP
Plague Company – Battle Tactic Stratagem
Bleeding sores erupt all over enemies afflicted by the Sanguous Flux, the wounds never clotting or healing.
WHEN: Fight phase.
TARGET: One DEATH GUARD unit from your army that has not been selected to fight this phase.
EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, weapons equipped by models in your unit have the [SUSTAINED HITS 1] ability. While your unit is within range of an Infected objective marker you control, those weapons have the [SUSTAINED HITS 2] ability instead.
TARGET: One DEATH GUARD unit from your army that has not been selected to fight this phase.
EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, weapons equipped by models in your unit have the [SUSTAINED HITS 1] ability. While your unit is within range of an Infected objective marker you control, those weapons have the [SUSTAINED HITS 2] ability instead.
DISGUSTINGLY RESILIENT
2CP
Plague Company – Battle Tactic Stratagem
Those favoured by Nurgle are inured to pain, their rotting bodies shrugging off all but the most traumatic damage with ease.
WHEN: Fight phase, just after an enemy unit has selected its targets.
TARGET: One DEATH GUARD unit from your army 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 DEATH GUARD unit from your army 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.
GIFTS OF DECAY
1CP
Plague Company – Epic Deed Stratagem
Nurgle is a generous god, and through worship and devotion his followers can gain mighty rewards as they spread sickness in his name.
WHEN: Your Command phase.
TARGET: One DEATH GUARD model from your army.
EFFECT: Your model regains up to D3 lost wounds. If your model’s unit is within Contagion Range of an Infected objective marker you control, your model regains up to 3 lost wounds instead.
TARGET: One DEATH GUARD model from your army.
EFFECT: Your model regains up to D3 lost wounds. If your model’s unit is within Contagion Range of an Infected objective marker you control, your model regains up to 3 lost wounds instead.
BOILBLIGHT
1CP
Plague Company – Strategic Ploy Stratagem
The strange lumps that form on victims of Boilblight – also known as Nurgle’s Fruit, Lumpen Splatter or the Crawling Pustulence – are easy to spot at a distance for the Death Guard.
WHEN: Your Shooting phase.
TARGET: One DEATH GUARD unit from your army, and one enemy unit within Contagion Range of that unit.
EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, each time a weapon equipped by a DEATH GUARD model from your army targets that enemy unit, that weapon has the [HEAVY] and [IGNORES COVER] abilities.
TARGET: One DEATH GUARD unit from your army, and one enemy unit within Contagion Range of that unit.
EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, each time a weapon equipped by a DEATH GUARD model from your army targets that enemy unit, that weapon has the [HEAVY] and [IGNORES COVER] abilities.
CLOUD OF FLIES
1CP
Plague Company – Strategic Ploy Stratagem
With a thrumming roar, a thick cloud of daemon flies whirls around the Death Guard and obscures them from the enemy’s sight.
WHEN: Your opponent’s Shooting phase, just after an enemy unit has selected its targets.
TARGET: One DEATH GUARD unit from your army that was selected as the target of one or more of that enemy unit’s attacks.
EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, your unit has the Stealth ability.
TARGET: One DEATH GUARD unit from your army that was selected as the target of one or more of that enemy unit’s attacks.
EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, your unit has the Stealth ability.
Enhancements
If you are using the Plague Company Detachment rule, you can use these Plague Company Enhancements.
Saturated as he is with Nurgle’s contagious blessings, merely to stand before this warlord is to be assailed by an oppressive aura of plague. DEATH GUARD model only. Add 3" to the range of the bearer’s Aura abilities (including Nurgle’s Gift). |
This warrior is surrounded by a cloud of dreaded plague flies that harass the Death Guard’s enemies and feed on their sanity. DEATH GUARD model only. While an enemy unit is within Contagion Range of the bearer, each time that unit fails a Battle-shock test, roll one D6: on a 2-5, that unit suffers 1 mortal wound; on a 6, that unit suffers D3 mortal wounds. |
When this pathogen finds a victim – whether organic or machine – it rapidly replicates, causing horrific damage before burning out. DEATH GUARD model only. Add 1 to the Strength and Attacks characteristics of the bearer’s melee weapons. While the bearer is within range of an Infected objective marker you control, add 2 to the Strength and Attacks characteristics of the bearer’s melee weapons instead. |
The strains of the zombie virus carried by the Death Guard slowly but surely break mortals around them, sapping their strength and dexterity before consuming them utterly. DEATH GUARD model only. Each time the bearer’s unit is selected as a target of an enemy unit’s charge, until the end of the phase, subtract 2 from Charge rolls made for that enemy unit. |
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.
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.
Nurgle’s Gift (Aura)
The Death Guard are carriers of countless infections and contagions, each a gift from Nurgle. Whenever they march to war, they contaminate all around them, overwhelming their victims’ immune systems and undoing metallic bonds, alien psychic materials and all manner of other components, rendering even armoured vehicles vulnerable.
If your Army Faction is DEATH GUARD, while an enemy unit is within Contagion Range of this unit, subtract 1 from the Toughness characteristic of models in that enemy unit. Contagion Range changes over the course of the battle, as shown below.CONTAGION RANGE
Spread the Sickness
Plague Company Detachment
To the Death Guard, spreading Nurgle’s gifts goes beyond the beings they fight – even the landscapes they tread upon they seek to corrupt, cultivating Nurgle’s garden as widely as possible.
During the Declare Battle Formations step, select one of the Sicknesses below. Until the end of the battle, all units from your army with the Nurgle’s Gift ability gain the selected Sickness.- Skullsquirm Blight (Aura): While an enemy unit is within Contagion Range of this unit, worsen the Ballistic Skill and Weapon Skill characteristics of weapons equipped by models in that enemy unit by 1.
- Rattlejoint Ague (Aura): While an enemy unit is within Contagion Range of this unit, worsen the Save characteristic of models in that enemy unit by 1.
- Scabrous Soulrot (Aura): While an enemy unit is within Contagion Range of this unit, worsen the Leadership and Objective Control characteristics of models in that enemy unit by 1 (to a minimum of 1).
If you control an objective marker at the end of your Command phase and a DEATH GUARD unit from your army is within range of that objective marker, that objective marker is said to be Infected and 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. In addition, while an objective marker is Infected and under your control, it has the Nurgle’s Gift ability as if it were a unit from your army (so enemy units within Contagion Range of it will have their characteristics modified).
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.
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.
Heavy
Heavy weapons are amongst the biggest guns on the battlefield, but require bracing to fire at full effect and are unwieldy to bring to bear at close quarters.
Weapons with [HEAVY] in their profile are known as Heavy weapons. Each time an attack is made with such a weapon, if the attacking model’s unit Remained Stationary this turn, add 1 to that attack’s Hit roll.- Add 1 to Hit rolls if the bearer’s unit Remained Stationary this turn.
Ignores Cover
Some weapons are designed to root enemy formations out of entrenched positions.
Weapons with [IGNORES COVER] in their profile are known as Ignores Cover weapons. Each time an attack is made with such a weapon, the target cannot have the Benefit of Cover against that attack.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.
STEALTH
Some warriors are masters of disguise and concealment.
If every model in a unit has this ability, then each time a ranged attack is made against it, subtract 1 from that attack’s Hit roll.Aura Abilities
Some abilities affect multiple models or units in a given range. These are known as Aura abilities and are tagged with the word ‘Aura’. A model with an Aura ability is always within range of its own Aura ability. A unit can be affected by more than one Aura ability at a time, but if a unit is within range of the same Aura ability more than once, that Aura ability only applies to that unit once.
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.
In this step, if for any reason a unit is forced to take a Battle-shock test for being below its Starting Strength, unless otherwise stated, that unit does not also have to take a Battle-shock test for being Below Half-strength. While a unit is Battle-shocked, all models in that unit are also Battle-shocked.
- 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.
Hazardous
Weapons powered by unstable and dangerous energy sources pose a substantial risk to the wielder every time they are used.
Weapons with [HAZARDOUS] in their profile are known as Hazardous weapons. Each time a unit is selected to shoot or fight, after that unit has resolved all of its attacks, for each Hazardous weapon that targets were selected for when resolving those attacks, that unit must take one Hazardous test. To do so, roll one D6: on a 1, that test is failed. For each failed test you must resolve the following sequence (resolve each failed test one at a time):- If possible, select one model in that unit that has lost one or more wounds and is equipped with one or more Hazardous weapons.
- Otherwise, if possible, select one model in that unit (excluding CHARACTER models) equipped with one or more Hazardous weapons.
- Otherwise, select one CHARACTER model in that unit equipped with one or more Hazardous weapons.
If a unit from a player’s army is selected as the target of the Fire Overwatch Stratagem in their opponent’s Charge phase, any mortal wounds inflicted by Hazardous tests are allocated after the charging unit has ended its Charge move.
Example: A unit of five models make five attacks with ranged weapons with the [HAZARDOUS] ability. After the unit has finished shooting, its controlling player rolls five D6. One of the results is a 1, and as no models in the unit are CHARACTERS, MONSTERS or VEHICLES, one of those models is destroyed.
- After a unit shoots or fights, roll one Hazardous test (one D6) for each Hazardous weapon used. For each 1, one model equipped with a Hazardous weapon is destroyed (CHARACTERS, MONSTERS and VEHICLES suffer 3 mortal wounds instead).
Devastating Wounds
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. After that attack is allocated and after any modifiers are applied, it inflicts a number of mortal wounds on the target equal to the Damage characteristic of that attack, instead of inflicting damage normally.Example: An attack made with a Devastating Wounds weapon with a Damage characteristic of 2 scores a Critical Wound. Instead of allocating the attack and making saving throws normally, the target suffers 2 mortal wounds.
- A Critical Wound inflicts mortal wounds equal to the weapon’s Damage characteristic, instead of any normal damage.
Mortal Wounds
Some attacks are so powerful that no armour or force field can withstand their fury.
Some rules inflict mortal wounds on units. Each time mortal wounds are inflicted on a unit, each of those mortal wounds inflicts one point of damage to that unit, and they are always applied one at a time. Each mortal wound is allocated to a model in the same manner as allocating an attack. 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 an attack inflicts mortal wounds in addition to any normal damage, do not make a Wound roll or saving throw (including invulnerable saving throws) against those mortal wounds. If those mortal wounds are inflicted by an attack that has the [PRECISION] ability, the attacking model’s controlling player can allocate those mortal wounds to a CHARACTER model in that unit.
If mortal wounds are being inflicted as a result of the [HAZARDOUS] ability or by an attack with the [DEVASTATING WOUNDS] ability that scored a Critical Wound, each time those mortal wounds are allocated to a model, if that model is destroyed as a result of those mortal wounds, the remaining mortal wounds from that attack are lost, just as with a normal attack.
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.
- Unless the source of the mortal wounds is the [HAZARDOUS] ability or an attack with the [DEVASTATING WOUNDS] ability, damage from mortal wounds is not lost if it can be allocated to another model.
- 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.
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.
Army List
Datasheets collatedCharacters
Battleline
Dedicated Transports
Fortifications
