Unleash the Emperor’s Children with our guide to their Warhammer 40k codex, how-to-play strategies, index changes, and rules review!
Updated April 7th, 2025, by Rob Baer. This post has been updated with the latest Warhammer 40k codex rules detachments and datasheets!
The Emperor’s Children are back, and they’re louder, deadlier, and flashier than ever in the 10th Edition Warhammer 40k codex. Whether you’re looking to dominate the tabletop with sonic weaponry or just appreciate the finer things in the grimdark future, this guide breaks down everything you need to know. From the latest index changes to key rules, must-know strategies, and the PDF details you’ve been hunting for, we’ve got it all covered.
Slaanesh rewards perfection, but that doesn’t mean playing Emperor’s Children is as simple as throwing Noise Marines on the table and hoping for the best. Getting the most out of this faction means understanding their strengths, maximizing key synergies, and knowing when to strike with that signature arrogance.
This guide runs through the tactics that matter, how to wield their signature wargear, and what’s changed in the codex so you can hit the battlefield with style—and results.
New Emperor’s Children Rules
So, what’s included with this update? Six new detachment rules suggest an army that rewards aggressive plays, character duels, and precision strikes. This guide will hit the highlights, break down what’s promising, and—most importantly— also talk about how to make the most of it when the book lands in our latest podcast episode.
How To Play Emperor’s Children Warhammer 40k
The Emperor’s Children are all about delivering a symphony of destruction with style. They excel in close combat, striking with precision and speed, and their sonic weaponry can devastate enemies before they even get close. Their unique abilities allow them to advance and charge, ensuring they dictate the flow of battle.
However, their obsession with perfection means they can be unforgiving. While they hit hard, they require tactical finesse to maximize their potential. A misstep can lead to their downfall, as they aren’t the most resilient legion.
Strengths:
- High mobility with advance and charge capabilities
- Devastating sonic weaponry
- Strong synergy between units
- Access to powerful stratagems
Weaknesses:
- Moderate durability; not built to withstand prolonged assaults
- Requires precise positioning and timing
- High learning curve; rewards experience and tactical acumen
If you relish the idea of leading a force that combines elegance with lethal efficiency, overwhelming foes with both melee prowess and sonic barrages, the Emperor’s Children are your legion of choice.
Emperor’s Children 10th Edition Codex PDF – What’s Inside?
The first dedicated codex for the Emperor’s Children offers a comprehensive look into their lore, unit profiles, and unique rules that set them apart on the battlefield. Inside, you’ll find detailed datasheets for their specialized units and fielding Daemons like the Keeper of Secrets. Plus stratagems that emphasize their combat style and Crusade rules that reflect their quest for perfection.
Where to Get the Emperor’s Children Codex
Finding the latest rules for the Emperor’s Children 10th Edition Codex isn’t hard if you know where to look.
Games Workshop’s official site – The physical versions of the codex are available for purchase.
Wahapedia – A fan-favorite site that keeps an up-to-date index of rules, datasheets, and points for free.
Warhammer+ App – Official source for rules updates and digital access.
Local game stores and online retailers– Many will have physical copies and rule breakdowns (see our rundown below)
Snag your new codex goodies from our handpicked list of retailers, and give us a high-five in support! Every qualifying purchase helps Spikey Bits keep the lights on and the fun going.
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Mid Atlantic US: Fabricators Forge | Bazooka Games | Frontline Gaming (West Coast US) | The Rogue Traders | Central US: Dicehead Games | Noble Knight Games | Warpfire Minis | West Coast US: Squadmarks |
Worldwide: Amazon | eBay| or | Games Workshop’s Store | UK: Element Games (UK) | Merlin’s Minis | Wayland Games | Canada: Tista Minis | Abyss Game Store | Kingdom Titans |
If you’re looking for the Emperor’s Children codex PDF, 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.
Major Changes from the Index to the Codex
Transitioning from the Emperor’s Children Index to the full 10th Edition Codex brings notable updates:
Reworked Detachments
The codex introduces the “Slaanesh’s Chosen” detachment, which enhances specific units, granting them re-rolls to wound rolls when they become “Favoured.” This mechanic encourages aggressive play to maximize benefits.
Stratagems Overhaul
Stratagems have been refined to align with the Emperor’s Children’s playstyle, offering powerful options that reward tactical precision and thematic flair.
Unit Profiles and Weapon Adjustments
Several units have received updates to better reflect their roles. For instance, Noise Marines continue to be a versatile choice, balancing both ranged and melee capabilities. Plus, now you can take Fulgrim!
New Army Rules
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 gets 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
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. See our separate article on all the new Emperor’s Children detachments and what they bring to the table here.
New Datasheet Rules:
The new Warhammer 40k Emperor’s Children datasheets are here, and they’re bringing some serious shake-ups. Some units have vanished, others got reworked, and a few favorites just became even deadlier (like Daemon Princes).
Missing units? Oh yeah, they’re gone, and it’s raising plenty of questions. Key Chaos staples like Cultists, Helbrutes, and Forgefiends didn’t make the cut, leaving gaps in the lineup. Meanwhile, new synergies and buffs are shifting how this army plays. Read our article on what Datasheet rules have changed, what’s missing, and what it means for the battlefield here.
Why Play Emperor’s Children?
Speed, Momentum, and Unrelenting Pressure
This army isn’t about sitting back and waiting for the perfect moment—it creates the perfect moment. Units like Noise Marines and Terminators benefit from Advance and Charge, letting them close the gap fast and hit hard before the enemy can react. Whether you’re leading the charge with Daemon-infused warriors or blasting foes apart with deadly sonic weaponry, your opponent is always on the back foot.
And the best part? This momentum never slows down. The more carnage you cause, the better your army performs, thanks to the Favoured by Slaanesh rule, which grants rerolls to wound once a unit has proven its worth in battle.
Devastating Sonic Weapons
Bolters are for the weak. True warriors of excess wield sonic blasters, blastmasters, and doom sirens, weapons that ignore cover and shred anything foolish enough to stand in the way. Noise Marines can fire full blast even when advancing, and their weapons ramp up in power as battles intensify. Whether you’re melting heavy armor or drowning enemy squads in a symphony of destruction, the right weapon is always at your fingertips.
Relentless Stratagems and Unit Synergy
Playing Emperor’s Children isn’t just about mindless aggression—it’s about knowing when to unleash your most potent tricks. Their stratagems reward aggressive, high-impact plays:
- Excessive Cruelty – Punishes enemies who fall back by letting your units shoot or charge again.
- Unrelenting Performance – Boosts Noise Marines’ firepower even further when they wipe a unit.
- Cacophonic Choir – A brutal morale-breaking ability that forces enemy units to take devastating Battle-shock tests.
Every stratagem feeds into the army’s momentum—stalling your advance only makes the carnage worse for your opponent.
What You Need To Know: New Codex Rules
With the Emperor’s Children 10th Edition codex making waves, players are asking the important questions: Are Noise Marines still as deadly as ever? Will they be in the Cavill Amazon show (hey, we can wish)?
What’s the best way to play the army? How does this Slaaneshi masterpiece stack up against other factions? If you’re looking to lead the most stylish and lethal warriors in the galaxy, here’s what you need to know.
Are Noise Marines Still as Devastating as They Were in the Index?
Oh, absolutely. Noise Marines are still the core of the Emperor’s Children and now have even more ways to blast, shred, and scream their way to victory. They get devastating re-rolls, ignore cover, and can fire effectively even after advancing. Their sonic weapons scale up in power mid-game, ensuring that the longer the battle rages, the louder their symphony of destruction becomes.
- Sonic Blasters – Excellent anti-infantry firepower with no need for cover saves.
- Blastmasters – Melts power armor and vehicles with high-damage profiles.
- Doom Sirens – Because sometimes, you want to scream your way through enemy lines.
So yes, Noise Marines remain an absolute menace, just as Slaanesh intended.
How Do Emperor’s Children Compare to Other Factions?
Against fast, high-damage armies like Aeldari or Genestealer Cults, you’ll need clever movement and decisive attacks to avoid getting kited. Against tougher armies like Death Guard or Adeptus Custodes, timing your engagements is everything—pick your battles wisely, and make every strike count.
Bringing It All Together
The Emperor’s Children codex is shaping up to be one of the most exciting releases in a while. The army has always had style, but now it looks like it will have serious mechanical depth, too. Between the revamped Noise Marines, Lucius the Eternal, Flawless Blades, Fulgrim’s return, and six diverse detachments, there’s a lot to experiment with.
Emperor’s Children Army Box: Packed with New Miniatures
What do you think about all the new Warhammer 40k codex rules for the Emperor’s Children?
