Here’s all the rumored and confirmed new 40k rules for the Adeptus Custodes and the Sisters of Silence from everything we’ve spotted on the web for War of the Spider.
All of the new Adeptus Custodes and Sisters of Silence 40k rules have been spotted over on Reddit. We’ve taken all the latest from there and supplemented them with the 40k rules that have already been previewed, to give you everything we know about the Adeptus Custodes and Sisters (Talons of the Emperor) inside of Psychic Awakening: War of the Spider.
Adeptus Custodes & Sisters 40k Rules From War of the Spider
Just remember that the bulleted points are rumors.
Everything On The Adeptus Custodes
Moving into generic Stratagems, Custodes are getting a 1CP Strat that allows any Custodes unit to heroically intervene. This is nice, however with only moving 3″, it probably won’t see as much play as the Blood Angel’s Unbridled Ardour.
Now this one is something we’re sure to see a lot of. 1CP to double the output of rapid-fire and pistol weapons is insanely strong. Especially if we see a meta shift to a big 10-man blob of Custodes Guard. That would be 40 2-damage shots coming out of one unit.
- Ten Thousand Heroes (1CP): Use this Stratagem before the battle, after nominating your warlord. Select one Adeptus Custodes Character model from your army that is not your warlord and determine one warlord trait for it; it is regarded as your warlord for the purposes of that warlord trait. Each warlord trait in your army must be unique use can only use this stratagem once per battle.
- Ancient Artifice (1CP): Use this Stratagem in any phase when an Adeptus Custodes Dreadnought unit from your army is chosen as the target for an attack. Until the end of that Phase, when resolving an attack made against that unit, halve the damage inflicted.
- Arcane Genetic Alchemy (2CP): Use this Stratagem when an Adeptus Custodes unit from your army that is not a vehicle is chosen as a target for an attack. Until the end of that phase when resolving an attack made against that unit an unmodified wound roll of 1~3 always fails irrespective of any abilities that the weapon or the model making that attack has.
- Eternal Penitent (1CP): Use this Stratagem before the battle. Select one Adeptus Custodes Dreadnought unit from your army. increase that unit’s attack Characteristic by 1. You can reroll charge rolls made for that unit. Each Adeptus Custodes Dreadnought unit from your army can only be selected for this stratagem once.
- Vengeance of the Machine Spirit (2CP): Use this Stratagem when an Adeptus Custodes Vehicle model from your army with the Power of the Machine Spirit ability is destroyed. That model can either automatically explode (do not roll a d6), shoot with one of it’s ranged weapons as if it were your Shooting phase, or make one attack with one of it’s melee weapons as if it were the Fight phase (use the top row of that model’s damage table when shooting with the range weapon or resolving that attack with a melee weapon).
- Slayer of Nightmares (2CP): Use this Stratagem in the fight phase when an Adeptus Custodes unit from your army is chosen to fight with. Until the end of that Phase when resolving an attack made with a melee weapon by a model in that unit against a unit with higher Toughness characteristic than it’s own, you can add 1 to the wound roll.
- Fortress of Willpower (1CP): Use this Stratagem in your opponent’s Psychic phase, when an Adeptus Custodes unit from your army is selected as the target of a psychic power that was successfully manifested this turn. Roll 1d6, adding 1 to the result if that unit is a Custodian Wardens unit; on a 4+ that psychic power has no effect.
- Indomitable Engines (1CP): Use this Stratagem in any phase when an Adeptus Custodes Vehicle model from your army would lose a wound as a result of a mortal wound. Roll 1d6; on a 5+ that wound is not lost. in addition until the end of that phase when this model would lose a wound as a result of a mortal wound roll 1d6; and on a 5+ that wound is not lost.
- The Emperor’s Auspice (2CP): Use this Stratagem in any phase, when an Adeptus Custodes unit from your army is chosen as the target of an attack. Until the end of that phase, when resolving an attack against that unit your opponent cannot reroll any dice for that attack.
- Blood Games Veterans: 1/2CP use this Stratagem in your Shooting Phase. Select one Adeptus Custodes unit from your army that contains 5 or fewer models for 1 CP or 6 or more models for 2CP. Until the end of that phase when resolving an attack made with a ranged weapon by a model in that unit an unmodified hit roll of 6 automatically scores a hit and successfully wounds the target. (do not make a wound roll).– Great for chipping wounds off of high-toughness targets.
- Archeotech Munition (1CP): Use this stratagem in your shooting phase, when an Adeptus Custodes unit from your army is chosen to shoot with. until the end of that phase when resolving an attack made with a ranged weapon with Damage characteristic of D6 by a model in that unit, roll one additional d6 and discard one of the dice. -Give your weapons the melta bonus rule.
- Auramite and Adamantium (1CP): Use this stratagem in any phase, when an Adeptus Custodes Terminator unit from your army is Selected as the target of an attack. Until the end of that phase when resolving an attack against that unit an AP characteristic of -1 or -2 are resolved as 0 for that attack.
Custodes Getting Subfactions (Shield Hosts)
The really exciting development in War of the Spider is the option to field your Adeptus Custodes as one of five Shield Hosts. Each has a unique Warlord Trait, Relic and Stratagem that reflect its background.
While each Shield Host is getting a Warlord Trait, Relic, and Strat, WHC gave us a little teaser of a few…
Emissaries Imperatus Shield Host
- Warlord Trait: Voice of the Emperor: If you are within 9 inches of this Warlord, friendly Imperium units can use that warlord leadership Characteristic. Add 3” to the range of this warlord’s aura abilities – This is good for soup, especially for something like Guard. It’s also fluffy because they are the Emissaries of the Custodes. While the wording is weird on this one, you don’t add 3″ to the 9″ aura. It’s normally a 6″ aura that’s had 3″ added to it already. So basically a 9″ Ld yes bubble. Not horrible, but it’ll ultimately come down to how GW reworked morale in 9th Edition too.
- Relic: Vexillum Dominates: While units are within 6” of a model with this relic, you can reroll failed morale tests for friendly imperium infantry and imperium biker units. While this unit is within 6” of a model with this relic, friendly Emissaries Imperatus. models count as 3 models for the purposes of determining who controls an objective marker. – Again, fluffy but not that great.
For this Shield Host, they’re getting a 1CP Strat that allows you to outright ignore any modifiers when you shoot or fight. Got some -1 to hit Raven Guard Eliminators in cover? Well, now you can delete them.
Shadowkeepers Shield Host
For the Shadowkeepers, their Warlord Trait makes them a nightmare for enemy characters. Your opponent’s characters specifically will be -1 to hit on your Warlord and your Warlord will force them to subtract 1 from all saves, including invulns against characters. He’ll be the chief nutcracker in your list.
- Relic: Stasis Oubliette: At the start of the fight phase, choose an enemy character model unit within 3 inches of a model with this relic. Until the end of that phase, halve the attack characteristic of models in that unit (rounding up), and when resolving attacks made by friendly Shadowkeepers model against that character unit, you can reroll wounds of 1.– Solid but you’ll want to put this on a character hunter.
- Stratagem: Grim Responsibility (1CP): Use in a phase where a Shadowkeeper unit of your army is chosen as the target of an attack. Subtract 1 from the strength value until the end of that phase if you attack that unit. -Decent in some situations. Could be the difference between them wounding on a 5 to a 6.
Solar Watch Shield Host
- Warlord Trait: Sally Forth: At the start of the movement phase add 1″ to the Move Characteristic of all friendly Solar Watch units who are within 6” of this warlord. While they are within 6”, models in friendly solar watch units that have Advanced can shoot with Rapid Fire weapons in the following shooting phase. But must subtract 1 from hit rolls for those attacks. -This is very strong if you’re going to be running a fast-paced list. You get the option to advance and still lob some shots downrange. Who cares if your 2+ goes to a 3+.
For the Solar Watch, they’ve had the Swiftsilver Talon teased which is a souped-up Guardian Spear. On this model alone, he’ll have four 2-damage shots and in melee, it’ll act like a regular spear. Overall, you’ll have way more reach than anyone expects with this weapon also having an Assault profile. Probably best of all is the ability to fall back, and/or advance and still assault afterward. Yikes…
- Stratagem: The Eagle’s Strike (0CP): Use this stratagem when an enemy character is destroyed as a result of an attack made by a solar watch model from your army. The next time your opponent wishes to use a stratagem they must spend 1 extra CP to use that stratagem. This stratagem can only be used once per battle round. -This is already a strong trick to have up your sleeve. But when you factor in the cost at 0CP, it just gets even better. Especially in the lategame where your opponent might’ve spent most of their CP.
Aquilon Shield Shield Host
- Warlord Trait: Revered Companion: When resolving attacks made against this warlord halve any damage they take.
- Relic: Praesidius: Model with a stormshield only. When resolving an attack against a model with this relic subtract 1 from the wound roll.– You can turn your Shield-Captain into a deceptively tanky dude. He’s already got a 3+ invuln but now your opponents will be -1 to wound.
- Stratagem: Shield of Honor: Use this Stratagem in any phase when an Imperium character unit of your army is chosen as the target for an attack of an enemy unit model. Choose an exhilarated Aquilan-shield-infantry-or Aquilan-shield-dreadnought unit within 3 inches of that imperial character model unit. Until the end of that phase, you measure the distance to that imperial character model unit when you deal with attacks of a model of the enemy unit, but you deal with the attacks from models of the enemy loan unit against the unit you selected. If the selected unit is destroyed, all remaining attacks expire. –This one is worded really weird, but it looks like units within 3″ can jump in front of attacks. This is great because you have to use it on dudes with a high invuln save.
Dread Host Shield Host
- Warlord Trait: All Seeing Annihilator.: when resolving an attack made with a melee weapon by a model in a friendly Dreadhost unit within 6” if this Warlord, an unmodified hit roll of 6 scores 1 additional hit. –Exploding 6’s is always good.
- Relic: Admonimortis: Model with a Castellan Axe only. This Relic of Terra replaces a Castellan Axe and the following profile. Range 24” Rapid Fire 1, S4, Ap-1, D2, Melee, S+3, Ap-3, 3D. -Where this relic really shines is in melee, with an additional AP and 3-flat damage over the normal axe.
- Stratagem: The Golden Light of the Moiraides: Use this stratagem at the start of your charge phase. Select one Dread Host unit from your army that teleported into battle this turn for 1 CP, or up to three such units for 2 CP until the end of that phase when a charge roll is made for those units, roll 1 additional D6 and discard one of the dice. –Basically, if you deepstrike dudes in, you can help assure they get into melee a big better by rolling another D6 and discarding the lowest. Definitely useful.
You Can Spend 1CP To Turn Shield Captains Into a Captain-Commander
Also touched on during the Warhammer TV Live Twitch stream, Shield Captains will have access to a new set of rules for 1CP.
Of course, you’ll need someone to lead your Shield Host, and War of the Spider includes an option to promote one of your Shield-Captains into a Captain-Commander. Costing just a single Command Point, this allows you to personalise the leader of your army by giving them a Captain-Commander Trait.
One of those rules will give your Captain-Commander +2 wounds, making him sit at a fat 8 wounds.
If you suspect your Shield-Captain is going to be going against something like Orks, Nids or GSC, Master of Melee will give him a bonus 2 attacks if he’s got six or more enemy models within 1″. This will be a little tricky to pull off, but if you charge a character and a unit next to him, then you can eat that poor character alive.
Here are some other rules spotted on Reddit:
- Slayer of the Unclean: When resolving an attack made by this model wounds of a 6+ double the damage characteristic of the weapon for that attack (D3 damage becomes 2d3)
- Swift as the Eagle: Add 1 to Advance and Charge rolls made for this model. Add 1” to the move characteristic of this model.
- Strategic Mastermind: While this model is on the battlefield, you can roll one d6 for each command point you spend to use a stratagem; on a 5+ that command point is refunded. you can only have 1 command point redundant per battle round by this ability
- Bane of Abominations: when resolving an attack made by this model against an enemy monster unit or vehicle unit, you can re-roll the wound roll.
- Unstoppable Destroyer: When this model piles in, it can move up to D3+3” and can end the move closer to any enemy model within that distance of this mode. When this model consolidates, it can move up to d3+3” and does not have to end the move closer to the nearest enemy model.
- Defiant to the last: for each wound this model has lost, increase it’s attack characteristic by 1 (to a maximum of 3 additional attacks)
- Inspirational Exemplar: Add 3″ to the range of this model’s aura abilities.
Talons of the Emperor: Sisters of Silence Are Now A Part of The Custodes!
The curse has been lifted! The Adeptus Custodes will finally have a cheaper aspect added to their army with these new Sisters of Silence 40k rules.
Thanks to their Talons of the Emperor rule, the Sisters of Silence can be added into any Adeptus Custodes army. However, what if you wanted to add them into another Imperial force? The Null-Maidens rule can help you out.
The Sisters of Silence are coming with a sweet rule that allows you to take them in a Vanguard Detachment without having to bring an HQ. This frees players up to take a Vanguard of Sisters in any Imperial Soup list.
On top of that, Psychic Abomination protects them from Psyker-heavy lists like Thousand Sons and Grey knights. However, if you’re running a Psyker heavy list with some Sisters, your opponents will have a harder time Denying the Witch.
YIKES, that’s powerful. We’ve seen how brutal a 50/50 deny chance is for the Black Templars. However, Sisters of Silence are going to be able to Deny the Witch on a 3+. The best part is that you’re still allowed to attempt to roll the dice to Deny before you pop this Strat. Next stop value town!
This one is interesting. If you’re taking flamer Sisters in your list, you can spend 1/2CP depending on how big your squad is and count any roll less than 4 for auto-hits as a 4. Decently strong.
- Talons (1CP): Use this Stratagem in any phase, after shooting or fighting with an Adeptus Custodes unit from your army., Select one friendly Sister of Silence Infantry unit within 6” of that unit. until the end of that phase, when resolving an attack made by a model in that Sisters of silence unit. you can reroll the hit roll.
- Punishment fire (1CP): use this Stratagem in your shooting phase, when a Prosecutors unit from your army is chosen to shoot with. Until the end of that Phase, change the range and Type characteristic of Boltguns equipped on models in that unit to 18” and assault 3 respectively.
- Desperation’s Price(1CP): Use this Stratagem in your opponent’s Psychic Phase when an enemy Psyker unit within 18” of a Sisters of Silence Infantry unit from your army suffers a Perils of the Warp. That psyker suffers an additional D3 Mortal Wounds.
- Creeping Dread (1CP): Use this Stratagem at the start of any phase. select one Sisters of Silence Infantry unit from your army. until the end of that phase when resolving an attack made by a model in an enemy unit within 6” of that unit, subtract 1 from the hit roll.
- Decapitating strikes (1CP): use this Stratagem in the fight phase when a Vigilator unit from your army is chosen to fight with, until the end of that phase when resolving an attack made with a melee weapon by a model in that unit, add 1 to the wound roll.
- Immaterial Dissonance (1CP): Use this Stratagem in your shooting phase or your opponents’ charge phase. after resolving an attack made with a psyk-out grenade by a Sisters of Silence model from your army against a psyker or a Daemon unit that scored a hit, until the end of that turn that psyker or daemon unit Can not fire overwatch and when resolving an attack made by a model in that unit subtract 1 from the hit roll. -This is basically the Primaris Reiver trick in Stratagem form.
WOW, that was a lot to cover. After seeing all of the support on the way to the Talons of the Emperor, we might be seeing Adeptus Custodes and Sisters back on the top of the food chain once again with these new 40k rules!
Do you think the new Sisters and Adeptus Custodes 40k rules are going to be the new power faction? How bad have they needed some cheap unit options like Sisters?
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About the Author: Wesley Floyd
Wesley Floyd
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About Wesley Floyd: Wes has been in the Warhammer hobby since 2015 and joined the Spikey Bits writing team in 2018. He is known for his satirist takes on trending topics and imaginative yet amazingly affordable hobby solutions to painting Warhammer miniatures.
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