Lucius the Eternal is back with brutal rerolls, while Flawless Blades turn up the carnage; here’s what’s changed in 10th Edition 40k Emperor’s Children Codex datasheets.
Updated March 20th, 2025, by Rob Baer. This post has been updated with the latest Warhammer 40k codex rules detachments and datasheets!
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. Lucius the Eternal is still the go-to duelist, cutting down enemy leaders with brutal rerolls, while Flawless Blades gamble everything for devastating attacks.
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.
Let’s break down what’s changed, what’s missing, and what it means for the battlefield.
Leaked, Speculated, and Now Official: Emperor’s Children Rules
The leaks gave us an early look at the Emperor’s Children datasheets before the codex even hit the shelves. We saw the models, guessed at the rules, and braced for impact. Now that the official codex is in hand, there’s no more guesswork—these rules are straight from Games Workshop. These are just the datasheet rules, if you want the army rule and detachments, check those out here!
Some predictions were spot on, others not so much, and a few surprises have left players reevaluating their lists. Time to break it all down and see what really made the cut.
What’s Missing From The New Emperor’s Children Rules:
The recent leaks regarding missing units for the Emperor’s Children have surprised players, particularly those who have been collecting and playing this army for years. Now, it has been confirmed those units are actually missing.
- Cultists – A staple of Chaos forces, absent despite the lore often depicting the Emperor’s Children surrounded by mortal worshippers.
- Predators and Forgefiends – Long-range firepower is noticeably lacking outside of Noise Marines, with no access to these war machines.
- Defilers and Helbrutes – While the army retains Maulerfiends, there’s no Forgefiend alternative, and Helbrutes have been cut entirely.
- Terminators Without Characters – The codex includes Terminators, but lacks dedicated leaders (but can be joined by the Kakophonists) to run with them.
These omissions have left some players scratching their heads, especially given how central some of these units have been in previous lists.
Emperor’s Children Codex Datasheet Rules:
Let’s jump to what is in the codex from the key datasheets that make the army what it is!
Noise Marines: Louder and Deadlier
Anyone who’s played Emperor’s Children for a while knows that Noise Marines bring the party, and this update keeps that energy going. Their range may have taken a hit, but the trade-off is worth it. Two Blastmasters per squad means serious firepower (3 shots at S10, -2 AP, and D3 are no joke), and enemies caught in the blast are forced into Leadership tests at -1. Even the humble Sonic Blaster is no joke, now packing Damage 2 and AP -1.
That means these guys remain a solid choice for softening up targets before a melee charge. And let’s be honest, that’s how Slaanesh’s chosen warriors prefer it—facing the enemy head-on, reveling in the chaos.
Flawless Blades: High Risk, High Reward
This unit has a fun little gimmick that fits Slaanesh’s themes perfectly. Make a pact with their daemonic patrons, and suddenly they’re landing Critical Wounds on a 3+. If that sounds bonkers, that’s because it is.
The catch? If they don’t take down a model in the target unit, one of their own dies instead.
It’s a mechanic that rewards aggressive, calculated play. With -3 AP and Damage 2, they should be able to chew through tougher targets. The key will be choosing engagements wisely.
Against heavy armor, their critical hits will shine. Against large squads? It might be a little trickier.
Fulgrim’s Grand Entrance
This is what people have been waiting for—Fulgrim’s return to the tabletop. And, boy, does he bring some serious power.
16 wounds, poisonous attacks that keep dealing damage, a nasty mix of sweep and strike melee options, and a tail attack for extra spice. Fulgrim sits at 385, which makes him 50 points cheaper than Angron, so expect to see him leading plenty of armies. If that wasn’t enough, he gets to pick one of three bonuses each turn:
- Always fights first
- Forces enemies to stand still if they fail a Leadership test
- Gives enemies -1 to hit him
A Primarch with these options will be a nightmare to handle, especially when combined with the right support. Expect him to be a centerpiece model both visually and in actual gameplay.
Lucius the Eternal
Lucius continues to be the master of one-on-one fights. His ability to re-roll hits and wounds against characters, monsters, and walkers makes him a real problem for key enemy units. Strength 8, AP -3, and Damage 3? That’s enough to handle most threats.
And if he’s off doing his own thing rather than leading a unit, he gets to fight first. Solo assassin play might just be the way to go. He may not have the sheer destructive power of Fulgrim, but for targeted eliminations, he’s a solid choice.
Kakophonist: Buffing the Band
This guy can slot into Noise Marines and Terminators, making an already deadly unit even more brutal. Sustained Hits 1 for the whole squad means more shots landing, and mortal wounds on top make them a real headache for opponents.
If Noise Marines felt like they needed just a little more bite, this might be the answer. Expect him to be a staple in a lot of lists.
Tormentors
Tormentors sneak up on enemies with Infiltrators, ready to rain down bolter fire or bring the pain with plasma and melta options. They don’t just fight; they take objectives and hold them like they own the place, keeping control even when no one’s home.
If they obliterate a unit, they can earn CP just like Infractors, but they do it with a bit more range and a lot more arrogance. Fast, mean, and impossible to ignore, they make sure the battlefield feels very, very small for their enemies.
Infractors Emperor’s Children Codex Rules
Infractors are all about slicing and dicing their way to victory, rolling into battle with Scouts 6” and some nasty Precision weapons. They get extra spicy in melee, rerolling Wound rolls near objectives, making them a real headache for anyone trying to hold ground.
Their leader, the Obsessionist, can swap gear around to suit the mood, and if they wipe out an enemy unit, they might just snag you some extra CP. If you like your warriors unhinged, aggressive, and stylishly violent, these are your go-to troublemakers.
Lord Exultant
Lord Exultant is the kind of leader who thinks subtlety is for lesser beings, charging into combat with lethal flair. Any unit following him gets Lethal Hits, and once per game, he dials up the carnage with a massive attack boost and extra armor penetration.
He’s got options, too—swap his plasma pistol or spear to match whatever brand of destruction you prefer. Stick him in a squad, and suddenly, they hit harder, fight faster, and look even flashier while doing it.
Daemons Rules
The units are all about 20-30 points more expensive in the codex than the Daemons index. But they do have a ton of synergies with the army in the detachment.
Daemon Prince
The Daemon Prince of Slaanesh comes in two flavors: a sturdy brawler or a high-speed terror. The ground-based version rocks Toughness 10 and grants Lone Operative to nearby Slaanesh Infantry, making it a solid frontline anchor. The winged variant trades some toughness for 14″ movement, Deep Strike, and the nasty ability to deal up to six mortal wounds when it charges.
Both wield the same Infernal Cannon and Hellforged weapons, letting them slice through enemies with either six high-damage attacks or a sweeping 14-hit flurry. If the grounded one gets taken down in melee before fighting, it can roll a D6 to swing back on a 2+, while the flying version shrugs off damage by reducing incoming melee hits by 1 Damage.
Want a bruiser that holds the line? Go with the first—need a fast-moving executioner that punishes enemies on the charge? The wings have it.
Final Thoughts on the Emperor’s Children Datasheets
The new Emperor’s Children datasheets bring plenty of changes—some for the better, some leaving players scratching their heads. Lucius the Eternal is still a dueling nightmare, Flawless Blades trade risk for brutal efficiency, and Noise Marines keep the firepower cranked up. On the flip side, key units like Cultists, Helbrutes, and Forgefiends are gone, forcing a shift in army builds.
Love it or hate it, these updates change how Emperor’s Children play.
See the Army Rules & Detachments Here!
What are your thoughts on the Emperor’s Children 10th Edition Codex datasheets, rules, Lucius the Eternal, and the Flawless Blades?
