From Thrill Seekers to Mechanised Murder, learn how the Emperor’s Children detachments dominate the battlefield with their latest codex.
Updated March 19th, 2025, by Rob Baer. This post has been updated with the latest Warhammer 40k codex rules detachments and datasheets!
The Emperor’s Children are here to dominate in style, and their latest detachments crank up the excess to glorious new heights. Whether it’s the raw speed of Thrill Seekers or the relentless advance of Mechanised Murder, these warbands bring fresh ways to spread exquisite carnage.
With the latest codex, there’s never been a better time to lean into the decadence and destruction that defines Slaanesh’s most favored warriors.
From lightning-fast strikes to unrelenting firepower, these detachments reshape how the Emperor’s Children wage war. Whether you favor precision kills or overwhelming sensory overload, there’s a playstyle here that will leave both you and your opponents breathless—one way or another
New Emperor’s Children 40k Codex Army Rules
The Emperor’s Children are stepping into the spotlight with their upcoming codex, bringing an army full of speed, precision, and excess. Their new Army Rule, Thrill Seekers, highlights their relentless drive for perfection, letting them shoot and charge even after Advancing or Falling Back—but only if they move on to fresh targets.
Overall, Emperor’s Children get six detachments, each focusing on a different style of war, as this update provides plenty of ways to play the most refined killers in the galaxy.
Emperor’s Children Detachment Rules: Picking Your Poison
The Emperor’s Children aren’t getting just one detachment—six different options let you tailor your playstyle. Each one leans into a different strength, meaning you can go full speed, focus on duels, or even stack favor-based buffs. Here’s what they bring to the table:
Rapid Evisceration – Hit Hard, Hit Fast, Keep Moving
If you love the idea of your warriors storming out of transports and tearing through enemies before they even know what’s happening, this detachment is for you. Infantry that disembark from transports get to re-roll both hits and wounds, making every charge out of a Rhino or Dreadclaw feel like an execution.
Stratagems here let you pull off some truly nasty tricks—mid-movement disembarks, extra transport shenanigans, and charge re-rolls that keep your momentum rolling. If fast, mechanized aggression is your style, this setup turns your battlefield into a brutal ballet of blades and bolter fire.
Peerless Bladesmen – For Those Who Think Subtlety Is Overrated
If you believe a real warrior doesn’t just defeat their opponent but dismantles them in style, this detachment is calling your name. Every charge makes your units more deadly, giving them Lethal Hits and Sustained Hits 1, meaning you’ll be landing more criticals and extra strikes the moment you connect.
The enhancements are all about making your melee units even nastier—more attacks, heroic interventions, and better survivability when things get up close and personal. If your idea of a perfect turn involves running straight into combat and leaving a trail of perfectionist-approved carnage, this is the pick for you.
Slaanesh’s Chosen – When Your Characters ARE the Show
If you think the rest of your army is just there to set the stage for your perfectly sculpted, hyper-lethal warlords, this is the detachment for you. Two chosen characters get to re-roll wounds in melee, turning them into absolute wrecking balls when they get stuck in.
Stratagems here double down on making them even better at cutting down enemy leaders, and if they win a fight (which, let’s be honest, they will), you get even more rewards. This is the choice for players who want their Chaos Lords, Daemon Princes, or any other terrifying duelist to be the undisputed center of attention.
Emperor’s Children Codex: Carnival of Excess – When Every Strike Is a Masterpiece
This detachment is all about stacking the odds in your favor and making sure every attack counts. If your units are near each other, they get better critical hit chances and ignore hit modifiers, making them incredibly reliable no matter what your opponent is trying to pull.
The enhancements are a mix of movement tricks, battle-shock manipulation, and devastating melee upgrades, giving you plenty of ways to keep the pressure on. If you like an army that plays off of synergy, stacks buffs, and ensures that every moment of combat is as extravagant as possible, this is your kind of show.
Mercurial Host – Speed Kills (And It Looks Good Doing It)
The fastest always win, and this detachment ensures that’s you. Your entire army gets to re-roll Advance rolls, meaning you’ll be where you need to be faster than your opponent can react. On top of that, the stratagems and enhancements give you extra mobility tricks—better repositioning, mid-fight movement options, and enough speed boosts to make even Aeldari jealous.
If you like playing an army that stays one step ahead, punishes slow opponents, and makes battlefield control an art form, Mercurial Host will have you dancing circles around the enemy.
Coterie of the Conceited – Power Takes Time, But Oh, Is It Worth It
This is for the player who enjoys watching their army gradually build into something completely unstoppable. Your Warlord generates points every turn, and those points unlock increasingly powerful army-wide buffs as the game progresses.
The trick here is patience—play smart early, build up your strength, and then hit your opponent with overwhelming force once you’ve stacked enough advantages. If you’re a strategist who enjoys escalating power, outlasting opponents, and making them regret underestimating you, this detachment delivers some of the biggest late-game payoffs in the Emperor’s Children arsenal.
Final Thoughts
The Emperor’s Children have always been one of the most unique factions in Warhammer 40k, and these new Emperor’s Children detachments make them even more versatile. Whether you prefer fast assaults, intricate mind games, or overwhelming melee duels, there’s a detachment that will fit your style of excess.
Champions of Slaanesh Army Box Is Packed With Emperor’s Children Miniatures
What Emperor’s Children Detachment are you most excited about?
