From Polymorphine to Primarch kills, see why the Warhammer 40k Callidus Assassin is one of the deadliest infiltrators in the galaxy.
Originally published in October 2023. Updated on August 18th, 2025, by Rob Baer with the latest information and links.
If you’ve ever looked at your Warhammer army and thought, “This list could use a shapeshifting murder machine,” you’re talking about the Warhammer 40k Callidus Assassin. The Callidus Temple doesn’t produce garden-variety Imperial agents. They create infiltrators so convincing they could walk into an enemy war council, serve tea, and behead the general before the biscuits arrive.
Here’s what you need to know about these deadly Warhammer 40k Assassins.
What Makes a Callidus Warhammer Assassin Different?
Most Imperial Assassins are all about flashy kills, sniper rounds, or swinging giant blades the size of a guardsman. The Callidus Assassin Warhammer 40k approach? Slip in unnoticed, change the game from the shadows, and leave without anyone realizing who (or what) did it.
The secret weapon? Polymorphine, a shape-changing drug that lets a Callidus agent alter their entire appearance, down to the voice, mannerisms, and even scent. With intense training and a lifetime of conditioning, these assassins can mimic anyone, from planetary governors to enemy officers.
And they’ve got the track record to back it up. Ever heard of m’shen in 40k? She’s the one who assassinated Primarch Konrad Curze, the infamous Night Haunter, in one of the most debated moments in Warhammer 40k Callidus Assassin history. Whether Curze let it happen or she pulled off the perfect kill, it cemented the temple’s reputation forever.
How the Callidus Temple Operates
First Callidus Assassin Mini in Pewter
The Callidus Temple serves as the Imperium’s scalpel when brute force just won’t cut it. Their agents infiltrate enemy ranks, dismantle plans from the inside, and take out high-value targets at the moment that causes the most chaos. One well-timed assassination can shatter an entire enemy offensive.
They’re also masters of psychological warfare. By impersonating trusted figures, they can destabilize entire commands before a single shot is fired. If your warlord starts making strange decisions right before a big push, there’s a chance it’s not really your warlord anymore.
Weapons of the Callidus Assassin
While disguise is their main game, the Warhammer Callidus Assassin still packs lethal hardware for when subtlety turns into close-quarters carnage. Common tools include:
- Phase Sword – A blade capable of slicing through armor as if it were paper.
- Poison Blades – Coated in toxins so deadly you won’t get a second swing.
- Digital Weapons – Miniature weapons hidden inside rings or trinkets, perfect for an “accidental” handshake that ends with a kill.
- Death Cards – Psychological tools designed to terrify and destabilize targets before striking.
Even unarmed, a Callidus 40k agent can end a fight in one move. If you see one walking toward you without a weapon, you should probably start writing your last will.
Notable Callidus Assassin Lore Moments
Beyond the M’shen 40k strike on Konrad Curze, Callidus operatives have been involved in countless covert missions across the galaxy. They’ve infiltrated xenos cults, sabotaged Chaos incursions, and turned potential disasters into Imperial victories without the enemy ever knowing they were there.
In some cases, agents even undergo surgical modification to fully match alien physiology. Meh’Lindi, for example, famously impersonated a Genestealer Hybrid not once but twice. If you can convincingly pass as Tyranid spawn, blending in with a rebellious planetary governor is a cakewalk.
Bringing the Warhammer 40000 Imperial Agents Callidus Assassin Miniature to Your Table
Current Callidus Assassin Miniature (plastic)
If all this talk has you itching to add one to your army, Games Workshop has you covered. The Warhammer 40000 Agents of the Imperium Callidus Assassin miniature captures the deadly elegance of these operatives.
Whether you’re painting straight from the box or going for a custom scheme inspired by Callidus Assassin art, the model is a centerpiece that looks just as good on the display shelf as it does sneaking behind enemy lines on the tabletop.
Painting tip from a fellow hobbyist: lean into the dark leathers and sleek metallics to really make that Phase Sword pop. Or go full narrative and recreate the look from your favorite Warhammer 40k Callidus Assassin art piece.
Why the Callidus Assassin is a Tabletop Wild Card
In game terms, the Callidus Assassin Warhammer 40k model is a nightmare for your opponent’s plans. Between her ability to mess with enemy stratagem costs and deploy where she’ll hurt the most, she’s a perfect tech choice for any Agents of the Imperium list.
And let’s be honest, there’s something deeply satisfying about winning a match because your opponent never saw the real threat coming.
Final Thoughts From Us
Whether you’re into the lore, the gameplay impact, or just want to paint one of the most striking Warhammer 40000 Imperial Agents Callidus Assassin miniatures out there, the Callidus Assassin is a must-have. She’s the ultimate blend of style, subtlety, and surgical lethality, a true shadow of the Emperor’s will.
See How to Play The Imperial Agents Here
