Charge the field with the Imperial Agents and our guide to their 10th Edition Warhammer 40k codex, how-to-play strategies, index changes, and rules review!
Originally published in September 2024. Updated July 16, 2025, by Rob Baer with the latest Imperial Agents Codex rules, strategies, and content links.
Imperial Agents aren’t your standard front-line bruisers. These operatives are the Imperium’s specialists, striking from the shadows, purging corruption, and keeping the Emperor’s will intact in all its grimdark glory.
The new Imperial Agents Codex for 10th Edition Warhammer 40k finally gives them a proper place at the table, offering clear detachment options, solid army rules, and fun, flexible ways to mix them into any Imperium force.
Whether you’re here to add assassins to your Astra Militarum gunline, inquisitors to your Adepta Sororitas, or you want to run a full Imperial Agents army just for the style points, this guide will show you exactly how to play Imperial Agents and what makes them tick.
The Imperial Agents Faction in 10th Edition
The Imperial Agents Index was a loose collection of quirky options. The new Imperial Agents Codex tightens things up into something much more usable and thematic. Instead of a jumble of characters and niche units, we now have distinct detachments that give you structure and purpose.
Their unique strength lies in their ability to slip into other Imperium armies without breaking your faction bonuses. Thanks to their new Assigned Agents rule, you can add key units exactly where you need them.
Want a Vindicare Assassin to remove that pesky backfield objective holder? Done. Need an Ordo Hereticus Inquisitor to counter enemy psykers? Easy.
But don’t underestimate them as a standalone force either, with careful list building and smart play, you can run a pure Imperial Agents army that punches above its weight through clever positioning, tactical flexibility, and excellent datasheets.
Core Army Rules: Assigned Agents
This is the foundation of how to play Imperial Agents in 10th Edition Warhammer 40k.
The Assigned Agents rule allows Imperium players to “borrow” Imperial Agents without disrupting their primary faction’s detachment rules. It means your Space Marines, Astra Militarum, Adepta Sororitas, and more can all sprinkle in a few Imperial Agents for extra tools without sacrificing their army bonuses. Who doesn’t want some retinue units in their army (and maybe some little guys in an Imperial Knights army)?
It’s an elegant mechanic and one of the reasons Imperial Agents are a tempting pick right now. In short, you get to pick the right specialists for the right job, adding assassins, inquisitors, or rogue traders as scalpel-like solutions to specific tactical problems.
How to Play Imperial Agents: Detachment Overview
The Imperial Agents Codex isn’t just about adding tools to your existing armies; it also lets you run detachments built around different branches of the Imperium’s covert operatives.
Ordo Xenos Detachment
The Ordo Xenos are alien hunters, bringing Deathwatch Kill Teams into focus. They excel at adapting to the battlefield, with buffs tailored to your opponent’s unit types.
Deathwatch’s mission tactics let you shift your strategy mid-battle, making this detachment perfect for taking on Tyranids, Aeldari, Orks, or any other xenos menace.
Ordo Hereticus Detachment
The Ordo Hereticus Purgation Force is perfect for purging heretics and rooting out corruption. The Ordo Hereticus focuses on bonuses against Chaos-aligned foes and psykers.
It’s ideal when you expect psychic-heavy opponents like Thousand Sons or Chaos Daemons, but the morale-manipulating abilities here can help in any matchup.
Ordo Malleus Detachment
The daemon hunters of the Ordo Malleus bring the Emperor’s wrath straight to the warp. This detachment leans heavily on Grey Knight Terminators and Inquisitors.
Strong re-rolls against daemonic targets but enough general power to threaten elite enemy units across the board.
Imperialis Fleet Detachment
A flexible, well-rounded option, this detachment mixes Voidfarers, Rogue Traders, and inquisitorial agents into a list that can adapt on the fly.
Each turn, you can select an enemy unit or objective to target, granting your units powerful bonuses that help you press the right advantage at the right moment.
Key Imperial Agents Datasheets: Who Stands Out?
Inquisitor Coteaz
Coteaz is the classic all-rounder inquisitor. His psychic abilities, leadership buffs, and tricks for interfering with enemy reserves make him a fantastic force multiplier. He’s a great choice if you want a flexible leader who improves your surrounding units while throwing out solid damage himself.
Inquisitor Greyfax
Greyfax is your anti-psyker specialist. She punishes psykers with deadly precision and improves the effectiveness of your army against psychic-heavy forces. Her Psyocculum lets her pick psykers off efficiently, and her leadership buffs keep your troops in line.
Watch Captain Artemis
If you’re building an Ordo Xenos detachment, Artemis is your man. He boosts Deathwatch Kill Teams, leads from the front, and brings extra firepower. His gear and aura abilities make Deathwatch squads more lethal and reliable.
Vindicare Assassin
This is your go-to for eliminating characters, support units, or enemy threats hiding in the backfield. The Vindicare Assassin is almost impossible to outrange and excels at removing problematic linchpins from your opponent’s game plan.
Eversor Assassin
The Eversor thrives on carnage and disruption. He’s fast, deadly, and can tear apart infantry squads before exploding in a final act of destruction. Perfect for throwing into vulnerable backlines or soft targets that need clearing out fast.
Strengths of Imperial Agents
- Unmatched flexibility: Tailor your force exactly how you want it, mixing specialists into your existing armies or running themed detachments.
- Assassin options: Perfect for sniping characters or disrupting enemy lines.
- Detachment variety: Each one brings its own flavor, catering to different enemies and playstyles.
- Narrative appeal: Build a force full of iconic 40k characters and shadow operatives, mix them with Imperial Navy Breachers, and you have a cool army.
Weaknesses to Watch
- Low internal cohesion: They’re excellent allies, but pure Imperial Agent armies require finesse to work well.
- Elite units mean expensive trades: Lose too many early, and you’ll struggle to maintain pressure.
- Limited heavy firepower: You’re not going to outshoot many opponents; you’ll need to play smart to win.
Where to Get the Imperial Agents Codex
Snag your new codex goodies from our handpicked list of retailers, and give us a high-five in support! Every qualifying purchase helps Spikey Bits keep the lights on and the fun going.
Quick Order Links To Get 15% Off or More:
- Mid Atlantic US: Fabricators Forge | Bazooka Games | or | The Rogue Traders |
- Central US: Wargame Portal | Dicehead Games | Noble Knight Games | or | Warpfire Minis |
- West Coast US: Frontline Gaming | Gamers Guild AZ | or | Squad Marks |
- UK: Element Games (UK) | Merlin’s Minis | or | Wayland Games |
- Canada: Fenris Workshop | Tista Minis | Abyss Game Store | or | Kingdom Titans |
- Worldwide: Amazon | eBay | or | Games Workshop’s Store |
If you’re looking for the Imperial Agents codex PDF, Wahapedia is the go-to spot for free reference material, but if you want the full book with lore, art, and all the extras, Games Workshop’s official version is the way to go.
Should You Play Imperial Agents?
The Imperial Agents Codex brings a unique and refreshing playstyle to 10th Edition Warhammer 40k. If you enjoy thematic, characterful armies and value flexibility above raw power, they’re a fantastic pick.
For competitive players, their ability to plug gaps in other Imperium armies makes them valuable tools in list-building. But… they actually aren’t doing well as a stand-alone army on their own, just something to keep in mind. For narrative players, they offer endless possibilities to create flavorful forces full of inquisitors, assassins, and agents of the Imperium.
Latest Imperial Agents 40k Rules Updates
The latest PDF updates for the Imperial Agents rules Codex 10th Edition rules are released in what Games Workshop calls a Balance Dataslate, sometimes along with accompanying points changes as well.
You can see all the latest Balance Dataslate updates here in our post, which breaks down the most recent changes.
Final Thoughts From Us
So, what’s the takeaway? The Codex Imperial Agents gives you tools to shake things up, fill gaps, and pull off clever plays no one sees coming. Whether you’re slotting assassins into another Imperium army or running a full shadow-ops strike force, it’s all about timing, precision, and knowing how to play Imperial Agents smart.
Pick the right detachment, deploy your assassins carefully, and keep your inquisitors alive long enough to cause trouble. If you like flexible, characterful armies that reward tactical thinking, this codex is worth your time.
All the Latest Warhammer Rules & Model Rumors
What do you think about the new Imperial Agents Codex and our review and guide on how to play them? Will you be adding them to your army, or play them on their own?
