Charge the field with the new Imperial Agents 40k 10th Edition codex and our guide to all the how-to-play strategies, index changes, and rules review!
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.
Why Play the Warhammer 40k Imperial Agents Codex
Updated December 4th, 2025, by Rob Baer with the latest Imperial Agents Codex rules, strategies, and content links.
If you want an army built on precision strikes, secret missions, and operatives who solve problems before the rest of the Imperium even knows they exist, the Imperial Agents Codex is your playground. These specialists thrive on timing and clever positioning. Assassins delete key targets, inquisitors bend the rules of the battlefield, and Rogue Traders bring flexible utility that turns awkward situations into opportunities.
The best part is that the Imperial Agents rules let you slot these operatives into any Imperium force without breaking detachment bonuses. Space Marines, Astra Militarum, Adepta Sororitas, or Grey Knights can all recruit elite agents and keep their main-game advantages.
That flexibility is why the Imperial Agents Index was already popular in the early 10th Edition, and it is exactly why the new Imperial Agents Codex 10th Edition pushes things even further.
If you like playing with surgical tools instead of sledgehammers, the Imperial Agents Codex rewards you for it.
Strengths and Weaknesses in the Imperial Agents Codex 10th Edition
Strengths
- Assigned Agents is the ultimate tech choice, letting you bring assassins, inquisitors, or Rogue Traders into any Imperium list with zero penalty. It is one of the most flexible rule setups in Warhammer 40k right now.
- Strong character support makes learning how to play Imperial Agents surprisingly rewarding. Inquisitor Coteaz boosts friendly units, Greyfax punishes psykers, and Deathwatch leaders like Artemis supercharge elite Kill Teams.
- Detachments offer clear playstyles. Ordo Xenos adapts to enemy keywords, Ordo Hereticus crushes psykers and heretics, Ordo Malleus hunts daemons, and the Imperialis Fleet detachment gives you a balanced toolbox for any matchup.
- Elite assassins like the Vindicare and Eversor remain some of the best surgical threats in the game, especially when slotted into non-Agents armies.
Weaknesses
- Pure Imperial Agents’ armies require finesse. You cannot tank hits like Custodes or trade bodies like Guard.
- Most datasheets are elite, which means losing key models early can spiral fast.
- Limited access to heavy weapons and big guns forces you to win through positioning, tricks, and objective play.
Imperial Agents Rules and How They Play in 10th Edition
The Imperial Agents’ rules are built around decision-making and timing. You win games by applying the right specialist at the right moment. A Vindicare picks off a support character. An Eversor tears through a soft flank. An inquisitor shuts down reserves or psykers. A Rogue Trader escorts their retinue into a key objective and flips the math in your favor.
The Imperial Agents Codex 10th Edition doubles down on this identity. Every detachment feels purpose-built. Ordo Xenos punishes xenos armies through shiftable mission tactics. Ordo Hereticus leans on leadership bombs and psychic denial. Ordo Malleus locks in when daemons show up. The Imperialis Fleet gives you target selection bonuses that swing turns at the perfect moment.
Whether you run a full Imperial Agents army or use the Assigned Agents rule to reinforce your main faction, the codex fits players who enjoy clever tech, unexpected angles, and units that punch far above their size.
Imperial Agents Index and Assigned Agents Core Rule
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.
Imperial Agents Codex Detachments and How to Play Them
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 in the Imperial Agents Codex
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 in the Imperial Agents Rules Set
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 in the Imperial Agents Codex 10th Edition
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 and Imperial Agents Index Updates
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 Datasheets in the Imperial Agents Codex 10th Edition
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. He’s perfect for throwing into vulnerable backlines or soft targets that need clearing out fast.
Final Thoughts on the Imperial Agents Codex and How to Play Them
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.
Where to Get the Imperial Agents PDF and Warhammer 40k Codex
If you’re looking for the Imperial Agents PDF codex, 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.
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