M
12"
T
6
SV
2+
W
4
LD
6+
OC
2
Guardians of the Golden Throne
Adeptus Custodes
“Ten Thousand Strong, Ten Thousand Years”
Forged before the Great Crusade even began, the Custodian Guard are the Emperor's personal warriors — each superior to a Space Marine in every physical and mental respect, honed across centuries of unbroken vigilance upon the Throneworld. For ten thousand years they held to their oath to never leave Terra, watching in golden silence as the galaxy burned without them. Now, with the Indomitus Crusade and the Emperor's growing peril, the Custodians ride to war once more, spears of guardian light cutting down enemies who dare threaten the Throne. Each Custodian is worth a full squad of any other warrior, and they know it.
Army Rule
Martial Ka'tah
At the start of each of your turns, select one Ka'tah stance for your army: Sentinel Stance (subtract 1 from Hit rolls that target ADEPTUS CUSTODES units in melee) or Zephon Stance (add 1 to Hit rolls made by ADEPTUS CUSTODES units in melee) or similar, and other tactical bonuses depending on the chosen stance.
5 available
Detachments & Enhancements
Might of the Moritoi
March of the Honoured Dead
The fallen warriors interred in ancient Dreadnought sarcophagi are ever eager for battle, and their hulking forms propel them towards the foe at a deadly pace. Friendly ADEPTUS CUSTODES WALKER units: - Have +2" M. - Have +1 to advance rolls and charge rolls. This detachment has the ARMOURY tag and cannot be taken with another ARMOURY detachment.
Interred Expertise
cost per official appThe eldest warriors of the Moritoi are revered champions with centuries of battle experience, whose strikes efficiently exploit their foes' every weakness. ADEPTUS CUSTODES WALKER unit only. This unit's attacks can: - Re-roll hit rolls of 1. - Re-roll wound rolls of 1.
Auramite Sarcophagus
cost per official appThese ancient sarcophagi are hardened with age and threaded with Dark Age mechanisms. When the warrior within slams their metallic form into the foe, they can crack armour, pulverise bone and wreck enemy war machines. ADEPTUS CUSTODES WALKER unit only. When you target this unit with the Crushing Impact stratagem, that use is -.
Silent Hunters
Skin-crawling Disorientation
The mere presence of the Silent Sisterhood's Blanks triggers a sense of agitated revulsion in their enemies. The foe's discipline breaks down, and watchful focus becomes elusive, allowing positions to be given away and granting the Sisters opportunities to conduct vital strategic operations. - When a friendly ANATHEMA PSYKANA unit is selected to make an advance move, that advance move does not prevent that unit from being eligible to start an action. - Friendly ANATHEMA PSYKANA units have the following ability: Ceaseless Vigilance: In your Shooting phase, this unit can select one visible enemy unit within 12". That enemy unit is nulled: - While a unit is nulled, that unit has +3" detection range.
Encircling Hunter
15 ptsPossessed of years' experience hunting duplicitous and evasive witches, this Knight-Centura is skilled in ensuring every escape route is covered and their unknowing target reeling in horror and confusion. ANATHEMA PSYKANA model only. When both players have deployed their armies, you can redeploy up to three friendly ANATHEMA PSYKANA INFANTRY units. When doing so, you can set those units up in strategic reserves, regardless of how many units are already in strategic reserves.
Psyk-out Grenades
cost per official appThese small, artificer-wrought explosives are deadly enough to lesser foes. Yet the favoured prey of the Sisters of Silence are excruciated or stunned by the grenades' psi-refractive particles, convulsing in a vortex of despair. ANATHEMA PSYKANA unit only. - This unit has EXPLOSIVES. - When you target this unit with the Explosives stratagem, if you select an enemy PSYKER unit, you can re-roll rolls to determine whether that enemy unit suffers a mortal wound.
Tharanatoi Hammerblow
The Hammer Falls
Whether striking from amidst roiling teleport flares or advancing from outflanking positions, the most heavily armoured of the Adeptus Custodes hit their foes in terrifyingly sudden incursions. If a friendly ADEPTUS CUSTODES TERMINATOR unit made an ingress move this turn, that unit can re-roll charge rolls. This detachment has the LIONS tag and cannot be taken with another LIONS detachment.
Mnemo-locked Shrine Cipher
25 ptsThis encrypted activation code dates back to before the Emperor's compact with Mars. Committed to the enhanced memory of the bearer, it can be uttered to cut through a teleportarium shrine's layers of ageing protocols to deliver armoured death in the blink of an eye. ADEPTUS CUSTODES TERMINATOR model only. In your first Movement phase, this unit can make an ingress move.
Efficient Aggression
25 ptsThis heavily armoured commander constantly seeks opportunities to exploit the foe's show of force, leading advances into the teeth of the enemy where lesser warriors would quail. ADEPTUS CUSTODES TERMINATOR model only. (Once per turn, per army) In your opponent's Shooting phase, when an enemy unit has shot, if this unit lost a wound as a result of those attacks, this unit can make a surge move of up to D6+1".
Lions of the Emperor
Against All Odds
The Adeptus Custodes are outnumbered on every battlefield upon which they fight, yet no matter the foe, and no matter their number, the Lions of the Emperor will prevail. Each time a model in an Adeptus Custodes unit from your army (excluding Vehicles ) makes an attack, if there are no other friendly units within 6" of that unit, add 1 to the Hit roll and add 1 to the Wound roll.
Superior Creation
25 ptsThe cellular alchemy by which this heroic warrior was forged has rendered them breathtakingly resilient. Adeptus Custodes Infantry model only. The first time the bearer is destroyed, roll one D6 at the end of the phase. On a 2+, set the bearer back up on the battlefield, as close as possible to where it was destroyed and not within Engagement Range of one or more enemy units, with its full wounds remaining.
Praes Idius
25 ptsFashioned by the Terran armourer Annah Tsvochakin in the latter years of the 32nd millennium, the stunningly worked Praesidius is a singular artefact. Nestled within its golden form are a series of microshield generators and stealth emitters. Employing a modification of displacer technology, the shield generates small localised displacement bubbles at the point of impact, literally beaming bolts, bullets and the tips of blades harmlessly away from its bearer. Adeptus Custodes model only. The bearer has the Lone Operative and Stealth abilities.
Fierce Conqueror
15 ptsThis Captain-Commander has trained extensively to face multiple foes at once, knowing that the Custodes will always be outnumbered. Shield-Captain model only. At the start of the Fight phase, until the end of the phase, add 2 to the Attacks characteristic of melee weapons equipped by the bearer for every 5 enemy models within 6" of the bearer (rounding down).
Admonimortis
30 ptsA relic of the Dread Host, this towering blade was wrought to make a bloody example of those who dare to set themselves against the might of Terra. Shield-Captain model only. Improve the Strength characteristic of melee weapons equipped by the bearer by 3, and improve the Armour Penetration and Damage characteristics of those weapons by 1.
Solar Spearhead
Auric Armour
The venerable war engines of the Adeptus Custodes possess aggressive machine spirits. ■ While an Adeptus Custodes Vehicle unit from your army is at Starting Strength, unless that unit is an Aircraft or it is Battle-shocked, add 2 to the Objective Control characteristic of models in that unit. ■ While an Adeptus Custodes Vehicle unit from your army is below Starting Strength, each time a model in that unit makes an attack, re-roll a Hit roll of 1. ■ While an Adeptus Custodes Vehicle unit from your army is Below Half-strength, each time a model in that unit makes an attack, re-roll a Hit roll of 1 and re-roll a Wound roll of 1.
Adamantine Talisman
25 ptsThis amulet contains a reservoir of promethium harvested from the wreckage of one of the Adeptus Custodes' most ancient Land Raiders. The fluid is said to possess the last lingering traces of that ancient vehicle's bellicose machine spirit, inspiring greater might and ferocity within its bearer. Adeptus Custodes model only. Improve the Attacks, Strength and Damage characteristics of melee weapons equipped by the bearer by 1.
Augury Uplink
35 ptsThe war engines of the Adeptus Custodes possess an array of augury equipment that combines to build an intricate picture of the unfolding conflict, enabling the bearer to tap into this accumulated data stream, detect incoming threats and angle their armour to repel the worst of enemy attacks. Adeptus Custodes model only. The bearer has the Feel No Pain 5+ ability.
Honoured Fallen (Aura)
15 ptsThe eldest warriors of the Moritoi are revered champions with centuries of battle experience, and their presence on the battlefield is inspirational. Adeptus Custodes Vehicle model only. While a friendly Adeptus Custodes Infantry or Adeptus Custodes Mounted unit is within 6" of the bearer, each time a model in that unit makes an attack, re-roll a Hit roll of 1.
Veteran of the Kataphraktoi
10 ptsThis champion has served amongst the Kataphraktoi and is a master at coordinating swift armoured assaults. Adeptus Custodes Infantry or Adeptus Custodes Mounted model only. In your Command phase, select one Adeptus Custodes Vehicle or Adeptus Custodes Mounted unit within 6" of the bearer. Until the start of your next Command phase, that unit is eligible to shoot in a turn in which it Fell Back.
21 stratagems
Stratagems
Flawless Construction
1 CPDetachment · Shooting phase · Might of the Moritoi
WHEN: Your opponent's Shooting phase or the Fight phase, when an enemy unit targets a friendly ADEPTUS CUSTODES WALKER unit. TARGET: That ADEPTUS CUSTODES WALKER unit. EFFECT: Attacks that target your unit with a S greater than your unit's T have -1 to wound rolls.
Unstoppable Advance
1 CPDetachment · Movement phase · Might of the Moritoi
WHEN: Your Movement phase, when a friendly ADEPTUS CUSTODES WALKER unit is selected to move. TARGET: That ADEPTUS CUSTODES WALKER unit. EFFECT: Your unit has MOBILE.
Prioritised Eradication
1 CPDetachment · Shooting phase · Might of the Moritoi
WHEN: Your Shooting phase, when a friendly TELEMON HEAVY DREADNOUGHT unit is selected to shoot. TARGET: That TELEMON HEAVY DREADNOUGHT unit. EFFECT: Your unit's: - Arachnus Storm Cannon weapons have [RAPID FIRE 6]. - Iliastus Accelerator Culverin weapons have [RAPID FIRE 2].
Deathsong Scythes
1 CPDetachment · Fight phase · Silent Hunters
WHEN: Fight phase, when a friendly VIGILATORS unit is selected to fight. TARGET: That VIGILATORS unit. EFFECT: - Your unit's melee attacks have [LANCE]. - Your unit's melee attacks that target a PSYKER unit have +1 A.
Umbral Prosecution
1 CPDetachment · Shooting phase · Silent Hunters
WHEN: Your Shooting phase, when a friendly PROSECUTORS unit is selected to shoot. TARGET: That PROSECUTORS unit. EFFECT: Your unit's Boltgun weapons have: - [RAPID FIRE 2]. - +1 AP.
Synchronised Inferno
1 CPDetachment · Shooting phase · Silent Hunters
WHEN: Your Shooting phase, when a friendly WITCHSEEKERS unit is selected to shoot. TARGET: That WITCHSEEKERS unit. EFFECT: Your unit's [TORRENT] ranged attacks have [BLAST 1].
Hardened Resolve
1 CPDetachment · Shooting phase · Tharanatoi Hammerblow
WHEN: Your opponent's Shooting phase or the Fight phase, when an enemy unit targets a friendly ADEPTUS CUSTODES TERMINATOR unit. TARGET: That ADEPTUS CUSTODES TERMINATOR unit. EFFECT: Your unit has +1 T.
Unleash the Lions
1 CPDetachment · Command phase · Tharanatoi Hammerblow
WHEN: Your Command phase. TARGET: One friendly ALLARUS CUSTODIANS / AQUILON CUSTODIANS unit that is on the battlefield. EFFECT: Your unit is split into separate units, each containing one model. These new units each have a starting strength of 1.
Electroexorcist Saturation
1 CPDetachment · Shooting phase · Tharanatoi Hammerblow
WHEN: Your Shooting phase, when a friendly ADEPTUS CUSTODES TERMINATOR unit is selected to shoot. TARGET: That ADEPTUS CUSTODES TERMINATOR unit. EFFECT: Your unit's Ballistus Grenade Launcher weapons have D3+3 A.
Gilded Champion
1 CPStrategic Ploy · Any phase · Lions of the Emperor
WHEN: Any phase, just after an Adeptus Custodes Character model from your army has used an ability on its datasheet that states it can only be used 'once per battle'. TARGET: That Adeptus Custodes Character model. EFFECT: Your model can use that 'once per battle' ability one additional time during the battle (but not in the same phase). RESTRICTIONS: You cannot use this Stratagem on the same Adeptus Custodes Character model more than once per battle.
Defiant to the Last
1 CPStrategic Ploy · Fight phase · Lions of the Emperor
WHEN: Fight phase, just after an enemy unit has selected its targets. TARGET: One Adeptus Custodes unit from your army that was selected as the target of one or more of the attacking unit's attacks. EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, each time a model in your unit is destroyed, if that model has not fought this phase, roll one D6, adding 2 to the result if that model has the Character keyword. On a 4+, do not remove it from play; the destroyed model can fight after the attacking unit has finished making its attacks (when doing so, it is treated as having 1 wound remaining), and is then removed from play.
Peerless Warrior
1 CPBattle Tactic · Fight phase · Lions of the Emperor
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, melee weapons equipped by models in your unit have the [PRECISION] ability.
Unleash the Lions
1 CPStrategic Ploy · Command phase · Lions of the Emperor
WHEN: Your Command phase. TARGET: One Allarus Custodians or Aquilon Custodians unit from your army that is on the battlefield. EFFECT: That unit is split into separate units, each containing one model. These new units each have a Starting Strength of 1.
Manoeuvre and Fire
1 CPStrategic Ploy · Movement phase · Lions of the Emperor
WHEN: Your Movement phase, just after an Adeptus Custodes unit from your army Falls Back. TARGET: That Adeptus Custodes unit. EFFECT: Until the end of the turn, your unit is eligible to shoot and declare a charge in a turn in which it Fell Back.
Swift As the Eagle
1 CPStrategic Ploy · Shooting phase · Lions of the Emperor
WHEN: Your opponent's Shooting phase, just after an enemy unit has shot. TARGET: One Adeptus Custodes unit from your army (excluding VEHICLE units) that was selected as the target of one or more of the attacking unit's attacks. EFFECT: Your unit can make a Normal move of up to D6".
Flawless Construction
1 CPBattle Tactic · Shooting phase · Solar Spearhead
WHEN: Your opponent's Shooting phase or the Fight phase, just after an enemy unit has selected its targets. TARGET: One Adeptus Custodes Vehicle unit from your army that was selected as the target of one or more of the attacking unit's attacks. EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, each time an attack targets a model in your unit, if the Strength characteristic of that attack is greater than the Toughness characteristic of your unit, subtract 1 from the Wound roll.
Emperor's Vengeance
1 CPBattle Tactic · Fight phase · Solar Spearhead
WHEN: Fight phase, just after an enemy unit has selected its targets. TARGET: One Adeptus Custodes unit from your army that was selected as the target of one or more of the attacking unit's attacks. EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, each time a model in your unit is destroyed, if that model has not fought this phase, roll one D6, adding 1 to the result if your unit has the Walker keyword. On a 4+, do not remove it from play; The destroyed model can fight after the attacking unit has finished making its attacks (when doing so, it is assumed to have 1 wound remaining), and is then removed from play.
Wrathful Advance
1 CPBattle Tactic · Fight phase · Solar Spearhead
WHEN: Fight phase, just before an Adeptus Custodes unit from your army Piles In. TARGET: That Adeptus Custodes unit. EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, each time a model in your unit makes a Pile-in move, it can move up to D3+3" instead of up to 3".
Unstoppable
1 CPStrategic Ploy · Movement phase · Solar Spearhead
WHEN: Your Movement phase or your Charge phase. TARGET: One Adeptus Custodes Vehicle or Adeptus Custodes Mounted unit from your army. EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, each time a model in your unit makes a move, it can move through terrain features.
Relentless Persecution
1 CPStrategic Ploy · Movement phase · Solar Spearhead
WHEN: Your Movement phase, just after an Adeptus Custodes Vehicle unit from your army Advances. TARGET: That Adeptus Custodes Vehicle unit. EFFECT: Until the end of the turn, your unit is eligible to shoot in a turn in which it Advanced. If your unit has the Walker keyword, until the end of the turn, your unit is eligible to shoot and declare a charge in a turn in which it Advanced instead.
Punishment Inescapable
1 CPStrategic Ploy · Shooting phase · Solar Spearhead
WHEN: Your Shooting phase. TARGET: One Adeptus Custodes unit from your army that has not been selected to shoot this phase. EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, ranged weapons equipped by models in your unit have the [IGNORES COVER] ability, and until the end of the phase, each time a model in your unit makes an attack, you can ignore any or all modifiers to that attack's Ballistic Skill characteristic and/or any or all modifiers to the Hit roll.
27 units
Datasheets
M
6"
T
3
SV
3+
W
4
LD
6+
OC
1
M
5"
T
7
SV
2+
W
4
LD
6+
OC
2
M
12"
T
9
SV
3+
W
10
LD
6+
OC
2
M
5"
T
7
SV
2+
W
4
LD
6+
OC
2
M
20+"
T
12
SV
2+
W
22
LD
6+
OC
0
M
6"
T
6
SV
2+
W
6
LD
6+
OC
2
M
10"
T
11
SV
2+
W
14
LD
6+
OC
4
M
6"
T
9
SV
2+
W
10
LD
6+
OC
3
M
6"
T
9
SV
2+
W
10
LD
6+
OC
3
M
12"
T
12
SV
2+
W
16
LD
6+
OC
5
M
6"
T
6
SV
2+
W
3
LD
6+
OC
2
M
6"
T
6
SV
2+
W
3
LD
6+
OC
2
M
6"
T
6
SV
2+
W
3
LD
6+
OC
2
M
14"
T
12
SV
2+
W
22
LD
6+
OC
0
M
12"
T
8
SV
2+
W
9
LD
6+
OC
2
M
6"
T
6
SV
2+
W
3
LD
6+
OC
2
M
6"
T
6
SV
2+
W
6
LD
6+
OC
2
M
5"
T
7
SV
2+
W
7
LD
6+
OC
2
M
12"
T
6
SV
2+
W
7
LD
6+
OC
2
M
8"
T
10
SV
2+
W
12
LD
6+
OC
4
M
6"
T
6
SV
2+
W
7
LD
5+
OC
2
M
6"
T
6
SV
2+
W
6
LD
6+
OC
2
M
10"
T
6
SV
2+
W
3
LD
6+
OC
2
M
6"
T
9
SV
2+
W
10
LD
6+
OC
3
M
10"
T
12
SV
2+
W
16
LD
6+
OC
5
M
12"
T
6
SV
2+
W
4
LD
6+
OC
2
Rules digest
How This Force Plays
Our own plain-speech digest of how this force's rules hang together — army rule, detachment choice, command-point economy and roster shape. Written by us, not reproduced from the pack; the official PDF is the only authority on exact wording.
Read the official pack PDFHow the army rule shapes play
Every list in this force answers to Martial Ka'tah, so plan your turns around it rather than treating it as a bonus. There is no secondary doctrine to pick, which keeps the force predictable to learn and unforgiving to misplay. Exact wording lives in the official pack PDF; the summary here is ours.
Choosing a detachment
You commit to one of 5 detachments (Might of the Moritoi, Silent Hunters, Tharanatoi Hammerblow, Lions of the Emperor, Solar Spearhead), and that choice locks in both your detachment rule and the 14 enhancements available to your characters. Pick the detachment that matches the units you already own, then buy enhancements last.
Command points and stratagems
There are 21 stratagems on offer, costing between 1 and 1 CP. In a normal game you will bank enough for two or three interventions a turn at most, so decide before deployment which one or two plays you are saving command points for.
Building to a points limit
The roster runs to 27 datasheets. The cheapest entry comes in at 55 points and the most expensive at 690, so a single flagship choice can eat a fifth of a 2,000-point army. Use the list builder to keep the Rule of Three, character limits and your points ceiling honest as you add units.
Official faction pack v1.1
What Changed & Rulings
Our own plain-speech summary of what the current pack alters for this force — no rules text reproduced. The exact wording is authoritative only in the Games Workshop PDF. Legal for matched play from 22nd July 2026.
Read the official pack PDFAuric Champions Detachment
Martial Philosopher Enhancement
This pack amends Martial Philosopher. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
Shoulder the Mantle Stratagem
Shoulder the Mantle has been rewritten for this pack, so the old wording no longer applies. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
Assemblage of Might Detachment Rule
Assemblage of Might has been rewritten for this pack, so the old wording no longer applies. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
Shield Host Detachment,
Martial Mastery Detachment Rule
This pack amends Martial Mastery. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
Castellan’s Mark Enhancement
Castellan’s Mark has been rewritten for this pack, so the old wording no longer applies. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
Talons Of The Emperor Detachment
Taloned Pincer Stratagem, Target Section
This pack amends Taloned Pincer's target section. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
Champion of the Imperium Enhancement
Champion of the Imperium has been rewritten for this pack, so the old wording no longer applies. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
Datasheets
Ranged Weapons
This pack amends Ranged Weapons. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
RANGE A BS S AP D
RANGE A BS S AP D is updated in this pack. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
RANGE A BS S AP D
RANGE A BS S AP D is updated in this pack. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
Shield-Captain on Dawneagle Jetbike, Profile
Shield-Captain on Dawneagle Jetbike, Profile has been rewritten for this pack, so the old wording no longer applies. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
Vertus Praetors
Vertus Praetors is updated in this pack. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
Anathema Psykana Rhino, Venerable Land Raider - Keywords section
This pack bolts an extra clause onto Anathema Psykana Rhino, Venerable Land Raider - Keywords section — the rule does everything it did before, plus more. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
Ruling on Auric Champions
Ruled no in the official pack.
Ruling on Radiant Mantle
Ruled yes in the official pack.
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