Good news, bad news for the new Adeptus Custodes, Genestealer Cults Shadow Throne box for Warhammer 40k, and codex books release.
If you haven’t heard yet, the new Shadow Throne box set will feature the Adeptus Custodes versus the Genestealer Cults with two new models for each.
So whether you’re looking to start either of these armies or just expand your existing collection, these battle boxes are usually good value for the money.
The Genestealer Cults have found their way to the heart of the Imperium, and when such a threat to the Emperor rears its head the elite Adeptus Custodes will stop at nothing to stamp it out.
GW Announces 40k Shadow Throne Release & Codex Delays
Games Workshop updated everyone on the latest news for the release of both the new Adeptus Custodes, Genestealer Cults Shadow Throne box for Warhammer 40k, and their codex books.
You can learn more about the Talonhunt – the deadly quest undertaken by an elite strike team of Adeptus Custodes and Sisters of Silence to capture the Begator alive – next month, when Warhammer 40,000: Shadow Throne hits the shelves. And, of course, you’ll also get two armies, including the shiny new Blade Champion and Reductus Saboteur miniatures that are exclusive to the battlebox at time of launch, all in time for Christmas.
A heads-up on codex release dates:
While we previously expected the Adeptus Custodes and Genestealer Cults codexes to arrive alongside Shadow Throne, it’s fair to say that the process of shipping things around the world is still not without its challenges.
Despite the Herculean efforts of the teams that work to get new Warhammer into stores and homes every week, these codexes are now expected to land early next year.
Disappointing for sure, but given the current state of world affairs, not 100% unexpected.
Since we have a little bit longer to wait, let’s take a look at the values for the new Shadow Throne box set, and all the 40k rules and rumors for the new Adeptus Custodes and Genestealer Cults.
Shadow Throne Box Warhammer 40k Value
Each faction is getting a powerful new hero, along with a codex release featuring the updated 9th Edition 40k rules for each faction.
Luckily for all of us, we don’t have to wait that long as Warhammer Community just released a post detailing some of the rules for the characters! Let’s check them all out.
Reductus Saboteur 40k Rules
Starting with Genestealer Cults we see a weapon that the new Reductus Saboteur will use.
As you might expect for a demolitions specialist, the Reductus Saboteur is equipped with explosives of every description, from blasting and demolition charges to frag grenades. What’s more, before battle is joined, a Reductus Saboteur will saturate the battlefield with remote explosives that they can detonate from afar when the enemy draws near – and they’re especially effective against larger, more cumbersome targets.
This new weapon Remote Explosives looks fantastic. Getting a decent amount of shots with Blast and a triple base-damage modifier against vehicles and monsters built-in, make this thing an absolute powerhouse of damage.
Because the damage bonus is so high, you’ll probably want this character to chip away at vehicles and monsters any time it can, as a damage potential of 18 is pretty dang high for a solo unit with a ranged attack…
As if that wasn’t enough, they can perform a special Plant Explosives action, leaving a booby trap in place for an area denial threat. Should your opponent ignore the danger, they’ll suffer explosive consequences.
This is a unique rule because your opponent can choose to ignore it or avoid it. If they ignore it, you get to control the field and affect your opponent’s decision-making, which is powerful in a competitive scenario. If they ignore it, you get a decent amount of mortal wounds for free!
Even if your opponent attempts to hunt them down, they’ll find that these masters of concealment are all but impossible to pinpoint while in cover thanks to their combination of Cloaked and Clandestine abilities.
Getting another +1 to saves while in cover is pretty big, making the Reductus Saboteur even harder to take down if you place them correctly and thanks to their decent range, it shouldn’t be too hard to do and still be effective. Additionally, not being targetable within 12″ makes abusing its own 24″ range much easier!
It seems like it always gets -1 to hit regardless of being in cover, which could also make this unit an absolute menace to deal with for your opponents to deal with.
Now onto the Blade Champion for Custodes!
Blade Champion 40k Rules
First up for the Champion we get a peek at his weapon profile.
This phenomenal warrior has mastered three different fighting styles with which he can cut his way through every type of enemy with contemptuous ease. With six Attacks as standard, he can hit a whopping 12 times when using the Hurricanis technique!
The way that this is worded seems to imply you get access to all three options with one weapon loadout! If that’s true, this model will be nigh unstoppable in melee and can easily put a hurting on a variety of target types. Assuming the Blade Champion can get into melee he will be a huge force multiplier.
That’s where his Consummate Swordsman ability kicks in, for his skill with a blade enables him to fend off the attentions of even the deadliest foes.
Even more so, you can feel free to challenge any model in melee thanks to his extremely good defensive ability Consummate Swordsman which makes 1-3 hit rolls auto fail! Not to mention if they actually get a hit through, he gets a +1 bonus to his save in melee.
Another trick up the Blade Champion’s auramite sleeve is his Legacy of Combat ability, which extends the range from which he can make Heroic Interventions and, crucially, allows him to strike first in melee as well.
Fight first rules are critical to melee-centric models, being able to alpha strike opposing units and prevent as much swing back damage. His additional ability to intervene from further away is a great boost to mobility, allowing him to abuse his CQC defensive buffs more frequently.
Get The New Sci-Fi Ruler Miniature!
Now onto the Shadow Throne box set, which contains a total of 25 minis with 2 new characters for each 40k faction. Let’s start with the Genestealer Cults value then go to the Adeptus Custodes.
- Broodcoven $60
- Neophyte Hybrids $44
- Reductus Saboteur $35 (Based on recent characters, might be as high as $40)
Genestealer Cults MSRP: $139-$144
- Allarus Custodians $50
- Witchseeker Squad $49
- Blade Champion $35 (Based on recent characters, might be as high as $40)
Adeptus Custodes MSRP: $134-$139
Overall MSRP: $273-283
Cost of Box: $170
Total Estimated Value: $103-113
So, if you break it down with a friend, you’ll be paying right around $85 a person and getting about $55 in value each. So, honestly, there is solid value inside (but still less than Hexfire, which got $80 in value per person) and the units included are pretty decent judging from their new rules.
If the retail price does go up, it could be a reflection of increasing prices as we have seen with the Warcry Red Harvest and Harrowdeep starter prices creeping up as its rumored raw components like paper and pulp may be affected by supply chain issues now as well.
Is Shadow Throne Worth It?
Assuming the retail price ends up being $170 as we saw above, Shadow Throne is a solid value at release and probably worth it for anyone looking to start either of these armies or bolster existing ones.
While the Genestealer Cults side gets a bit more value, the total overall is a little less than both the recent Hexfire and Piety & Pain battlebox sets.
Plus you can always sell off the side you may not want if you can’t find someone to split it with on Shadow Throne release weekend (that we assume will be early to mid-December now).
All the Newest GW Model Previews For November & Beyond
Will you be picking up the 40k Shadow Throne box set on release?
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About the Author: Rob Baer
Rob Baer
Job Title: Managing Editor
Founded Spikey Bits in 2009
Socials: Rob Baer on Facebook and @catdaddymbg on X
About Rob Baer: Founder, Publisher, & Managing Editor of Spikey Bits, the leading tabletop gaming news website focused on the hobby side of wargaming and miniatures.
Rob also co-founded and currently hosts the Long War Podcast, which has over 350 episodes and focuses on tabletop miniatures gaming, specializing in Warhammer 40k. and spent five years writing for Bell of Lost Souls. Every year, along with his co-hosts, he helps host the Long War 40k Doubles Tournament at Adepticon and the Las Vegas Open, which attracts over 350 players from around the world.
Rob has won many Warhammer 40k Tournaments over the years, including multiple first-place finishes in Warhammer 40k Grand Tournaments over the years and even winning 1st place at the Adepticon 40k Team Tournament.
With over 30 years of experience in retail and distribution, Rob knows all the products and exactly which ones are the best. As a member of GAMA (Game Manufacturers Association), he advocates for gaming stores and manufacturers in these difficult times, always looking for the next big thing to feature for the miniatures hobby, helping everyone to provide the value consumers want.
While he’s played every edition of Warhammer 40k and Warhammer Fantasy (since 5th Edition) and has been hobbying on miniatures since the 1980s, Titans of all sizes will always be his favorite! It’s even rumored that his hobby vault rivals the Solemnance Galleries, containing rulebooks filled with lore from editions long past, ancient packs of black-bordered Magic Cards, and models made of both pewter and resin.
