The internet is saying the new Adeptus Custodes rules are basically unplayable, just like every other time we’ve seen leaked rules early…
It’s important to remember that while we haven’t seen the full Adeptus Custodes codex yet, it may be too early to judge whether or not they are unplayable. While the initial rules leaks may seem underwhelming, it seems like it’s important to wait and see what the full codex has to offer.
New Custodes Rules Set Internet On Fire
If you look at Reddit, Facebook Groups, or anything focused on Custodes, the vast majority of people say the new leaked rules are basically unplayable. However, we haven’t seen everything. While we will agree that the current rules seem a little underwhelming, it seems a little heavy-handed to banish a whole faction to f-tier without actually seeing the full codex.
Plus, we wouldn’t put a day one FAQ past GW (they’ve done it before), and they might just be as good as now the second the book drops, just with more detachment choices. This codex was most likely written before the Custodes took a big dip in win rate with the NERFS in 10th. So it seems like from most comments players are hoping they get a patch to these new leaked rules soon.
Let’s look at the detachments they will have in the codex, then get into the rules and the fact that you shouldn’t let anyone tell you how to hobby or what army to actually play!
Adeptus Custodes Codex Detachements Preview
Considering they have so few units, it seems pretty reasonable that they are only getting four detachments in 10th Edition.
- Talon of the Emperor– This detachment will have synergies between Sisters of Silence and regular Custodes.
- Shield Host- The current detachment should be about the same in the codex as index cards, but it has some major changes.
- Null Maidens Vigil- Perhaps a Sisters of Silence-focused list.
- Auric Champions—This is a detachment focused on smashing enemy characters, with a focus on bikes and terminators, especially considering the Battleforce’s name includes those units.
While the Shield Host does lose some abilities, it seems like people think it’s the most viable of the detachments so far.
Trajann Valoris New Adeptus Custodes 10th Edition 40k Rules
Just looking at the card, Trajann seems to get weaker this time around. However, we haven’t seen the full codex, so we can’t say 100%. Here are the changes so far:
- He loses Fights First. This is huge, as before, you couldn’t really charge him to take him out (however, he still gets a 2+ invulnerable save once, so when he is charged, he’ll still be hard to kill).
- Now, his ignore modifiers rule has been clarified to only ignore BS, WS, and all hit rolls, and you don’t need to dig deep into the rules commentary to decipher what gets what.
Talons of the Emperor Detachment Rules
The presence of a psychic blank protects nearby allies from Psychic Attacks and mortal wounds, while proximity to the peerless martial example set by Adeptus Custodes units spurs the Sisters of Silence to fight ever harder.
It seems like you will have to mix in a lot of Sisters of Silence to make this worth it. However, when they are within 6″ of each other, your Sisters of Silence will hit better, and your Custodes will get a 5+ FNP against Psychic and Mortal Wounds.
This is an interesting take, as you can basically run your units in groups of two or three to get full bonuses.
The teamwork continues with the Stratagems, with four of the six targeting two units within 6” of each other as long as one of them has the ANATHEMA PSYKANA keyword – practically turning your entire army into a macro-scale Valerian and Aleya duo. Some allow your paired champions to chase down an enemy target together, such as Taloned Pincer, while others like Talons Interlocked establish vicious fields of crossfire to blast through the toughest armour.
Getting free moves in your opponent’s turn is always awesome, especially for 1 CP. Plus, getting +1 Strength and -AP for a single CP is also great for two units.
All the teamwork in the world won’t save a Shield-Captain taking unlucky blows in a fated duel, so it’s fortunate that the Enhancements break from the rest of the Detachment and offer pure, unbridled power to the one in charge. Gift of Terran Artifice gives a permanent boost for Wound rolls and nothing else – a deceptively powerful bonus – while the Radiant Mantle trades offence for defence by docking the accuracy of nearby enemies.
Radiant Mantle is a bit of an odd one, as it’s only within 12″. However, adding 1 to your Wound rolls is a nice little enhancement.
Shield Host Rules
These are some of the leaked rules from either Games Workshop or one of their influencers (or both.)
5+ Criticals combined with the additional AP is nice. However, from what we’ve seen so far, they are going to the NERFED version of the detachment rule without all the extra saves to Mortals, which seems like an easy, fixable mistake if it was not as intended.
Auric Champions Rules
We’ll admit that this detachment rule could be a little better. How many characters can attack one unit in a turn? Martial Philosopher is really good, as you get to move for free and fall back and do everything.
They actually have some pretty strong Stratagems and can really turn your characters into smashing machines. Getting full re-rolls for 1 CP can be amazing, Slayer of Champions can be totally free (as it can refund one CP), and you can get a 4+ FNP.
Null Maiden Vigil Rules
GW has been trying to make Battleshock detachments a thing, but we think Battleshock needs to be more impactful to make a full detachment rule based on it. However, Raptor Blade makes a character super strong if the unit is battleshocked.
Oblivion Knight is also a decent buff, especially if you’re against Psykers.
If you’re playing against an army with a lot of Psykers, this is super great; if not, not too much happens. Do you play against Tzeentch a lot? Take this detachment!
New Adeptus Custodes Datasheets
The new captain gets the Melta Lance, which can be useful for punching through armor. However, as a NERF, he can only use the double Katah once per battle.
There are two big changes here. First, the Allarus Shield captain can, once per battle, reduce all incoming damage to 1, basically becoming immortal for a turn. Then, the bike shield captain can’t consolidate 6″ anymore.
Blade champion can no longer reroll advances and lost heroic intervention for 0 CP. The free intervention was really thematic, so we’re a little sad about that. Valerian seems to have lost his once-per-battle reroll to hit, wound, or save roll.
One big change here is the axes hit on 2’s now!
Allarus can no longer deep strike turn 1; now, they are placed in strategic reserve.
Points
The points are all over the place, so we expect these to change basically from day one (just like the Ad Mech book), so take these with as much salt as you need.
Are They Unplayable?
As we said, this happens nearly every time random parts of the codex are leaked. Necrons are the best example, so we’ll use them again. When a couple of detachments were shown, the community raged at how bad and unplayable they would be. It’s really hard to tell how the army will be, as GW could FAQ them day one.
They might end up needing improvement for weeks until the balance dataslate drops in late April/early May or their one-month FAQ comes out; who really knows at this point?
If you like the look and feel of the army, go ahead and play them! While they might not win major tournaments right now, the majority of play takes place with your group, and they seem like they will always be viable there.
Don’t let the outrage change how you hobby. The viability of armies comes and goes; sometimes, it may be better to play what you like and stay positive in your hobby than be a toxic troll on the internet.
With new detachments, changes to existing rules, and new stratagems, there may be more to the Adeptus Custodes than meets the eye. As always, we think it’s important to play the army you love and enjoy, regardless of what anyone else says. Happy hobbying!
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About the Author: Travis Pasch
