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DISTRACTION CARNIFEX

2016-10-29T16:50:26Z

2A02:810D:1140:1F08:49D7:DCAC:CB85:176F: /* Imperium */

{{Cleanup}}
''"Remember- SHOOT THE BIG ONES."'' ― [[Imperial Infantryman's Uplifting Primer]] on Tyranids.

'''DISTRACTION [[Carnifex|CARNIFEX]]!'''

'''EVERYONE START [[dakka|SHOOTING]]!!'''

DISTRACTION CARNIFEX is a psychological wargame tactic which can be used by most [[Warhammer 40,000]] armies, some [[Warhammer Fantasy Battle]] armies, and in several other wargames for good measure. The short version is that you plonk a huge, scary-looking model in the middle of the table, which draws a tremendous amount of enemy gunfire, while the real threats make it up the field relatively unmolested.

It's named after the [[Carnifex]], one of the big monsters of the [[Tyranid]] faction, because the DISTRACTION CARNIFEX was one of that faction's most popular tactics after their 4th edition codex. Many models other than the Carnifex can be used as a DISTRACTION model; in that case, it might still be called a DISTRACTION CARNIFEX (even if it isn't a Tyranid), a DISTRACTION <WHATEVER> (e.g. "DISTRACTION [[Battlesuit#XV104_Riptide_Battlesuit|RIPTIDE]]"), or simply a DISTRACTION. The use of all caps is not optional.

==DISTRACTION TACTICS==

First, choose your DISTRACTION model. A DISTRACTION model must have the following properties:
*Physical size. Remember, you ''want'' the DISTRACTION to get shot. You still want it to stay alive, so by all means chase after cover saves as best you can, but if there's ever a ranged threat on the table that can't see the DISTRACTION, then you're doing it wrong.
*Toughness. DISTRACTIONS don't necessarily need offensive punch -- they're actually fairly likely to die before they hit melee -- but you need them to grip the table for as long as possible.
*Scariness. Remember that DISTRACTION is a psychological tactic; the bigger and scarier your model ''looks'', the better your chances are of it pulling enemy gunfire.
*Low(ish) points cost. The DISTRACTION is a ''support'' model (indirectly) -- it should not be hogging your army points. By all means, give it all the toughness-boosting wargear you can get, and maybe one really scary-looking melee weapon wouldn't go amiss, but you want the rest of your army to be able to compensate for the loss of the DISTRACTION in the early game.

Second, choose the rest of your army. Anything that can boost the DISTRACTION's toughness without being too vulnerable itself is a must. Aside from that, try to build your army with a focus on smaller models and glass cannons -- if the DISTRACTION is taking fire, you don't need to worry so much about the little guys.

When you're deploying your army on the table, put the DISTRACTION down first, and put it right in the middle of the board (unless there's an obstacle in the middle, in which case you should put it in the longest unobstructed lane from front to back). Alternatively, you can deploy the DISTRACTION model through [[Deep Strike]], but only if you have a [[Drop Pod]] or some other method for guaranteeing that it'll enter from reserve by Turn 2 at the latest.

During the battle, move the DISTRACTION either first or last in your turn order, and keep it in front of the rest of your force to keep its alleged threat fresh in your opponents' minds.

If the DISTRACTION pays off, the battle will go something like this:
*'''Guard turn 1:''' Everything shoots the DISTRACTION CARNIFEX.
*'''Tyranids turn 1:''' Tyranids advance.
*'''Guard turn 2:''' Everything shoots the DISTRACTION CARNIFEX.
*'''Tyranids turn 2:''' Tyranids advance.
*'''Guard turn 3:''' Everything shoots the DISTRACTION CARNIFEX. DISTRACTION CARNIFEX finally dies.
*'''Tyranids turn 3:''' Remaining Tyranids eat everyone else's face.

===How to counter a DISTRACTION===

To be honest, if you can recognise a DISTRACTION play, you already know how to counter it; ''don't dedicate your entire army just to killing the DISTRACTION.'' If you spread your firepower in a vaguely sensible way, then you can weaken the DISTRACTION and the rest of the opponent's army. For example, if you have some weapon which only hurts the DISTRACTION on a 6+ and doesn't break its armour, maybe don't shoot the DISTRACTION with it.

==Some good DISTRACTION models==

===[[Warhammer 40,000]]===

====[[Tyranids]]====

*'''DISTRACTION [[Carnifex|CARNIFEX]]:''' The original, but not really the best any more, because the Carnifex's point cost and access to toughness-boosting abilities have bounced back and forth a bit between editions. It was essential in 4th ed, impossible in 5th ed, and possible but not great in 6th.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Haruspex|HARUSPEX]]:''' A 6th ed beast that seems to be practically made to fill the DISTRACTION role, especially since it can regain wounds by killing models in melee (if it gets there). [[Games Workshop|So the new unit replaces an old one that can't do its job any more]] -- [[JUST AS PLANNED]].
*'''DISTRACTION STONECRUSHER CARNIFEX''' - Someone in [[Forge World]] was pretty sad about how DISTRACTION CARNIFEX doesn't work as well anymore, so they created their own with 2+ armor and 5+ regeneration. It's cheap, durable, intimidating, but a bit slow, meaning it draws a lot of fire. Just as planned. [[Anal circumference|Note that this works even better when it's Deep Struck into the middle of your enemy's tank formation for maximal damage]].

====[[Imperium]]====
*'''DISTRACTION [[MURDERWINGS]]:''' With a monstrously huge 12 attacks on the charge, MURDERWINGS sheer MURDERNESS will turn him into a huge distraction. Unfortunately he doesn't have the raw toughness to endure any shooting without a meaty retinue, so he still requires BLOS cover to survive anything.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Imperial Knight|IMPERIAL KNIGHT]]:''' Just fielding one of these guys (esp. Gerantius) is going to draw lots of attention from nearly all units that your enemy can afford to throw at it. Also it forces your enemy to rethink where he might deploy his [[Chapter Master Smashfucker|balanced and fair]] units, lest they get pummeled to death by reaper chainswords. 4+ invulnerable save, AV13 and 6hp are going to guarantee hard times for anyone trying to take this guy down unless they have other Lord of War unit with ranged S:D weapon. Or [[Rage|any Wraith army]].
*'''DISTRACTION [[Dreadnought#Chapter_Specific_Dreads|FURIOSO DREADNOUGHT]]:''' Drop podding these guys with double frag cannons. Now with the new Blood Angels Codex the Blood Talons no longer have extra attacks that generate extra attacks that generate extra attacks. All they are now are glorified Powerfists without unwieldy. No longer viable just like the tool namer.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Dreadnought#Leviathan_Pattern|LEVIATHAN DREADNOUGHT]]:''' A brand new Dreadnought from Forgeworld that looks downright terrifying. Even its weapons are incredibly intimidating heavy hitters, and its carapace weapons will make anyone think twice about getting close. It is incredibly tough to kill, and has numerous immunities to basically everything, [[Blank|up to and including psychic powers]], which means your opponent will waste a lot of time trying to kill it before it gets close. Bonus points if you put it in a Dreadnought Drop Pod for extra intimidating shennanigans.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Dreadnought#Chapter_Specific_Dreads|AXE DREADNOUGHT]]:''' Again, drop pod one of these guys face first into the opponent's army and watch your opponents cry as your Dreadnought shrugs off even the strongest of attacks with it's 3++ save on top of its AV12. Be careful though, if they get your back armor you're dead.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Deathwing|DEATHWING KNIGHTS]]:''' Put [[Belial]] with them, deepstrike them right next to all the most dangerous units in your foe's army, and watch them squirm to murder them all. They may all die either by the sheer amounts of firepower or melee directed towards them, but it's worth watching your foe ignore Devastators, Deathwing Terminators, Ravenwing, and other such unit, just for the sheer infamous reputation that the Knights have gained.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Dreadknight|DREADKNIGHT]]:''' Take a T6 W4 Termi with a weapon for ~170 points and see the enemy focus him without really damaging him fast.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Ogryn|OGRYN DEATHSTAR]]:''' 10 Ogryn with 2 Primaris Psykers (faq stated each get 2 rolls) with biomancy for toughness and allied dark angel psyker for rerolls on everything and 4+ invulnerabilities. Watch it absorb loads upon loads of fire as your tactical units sneak up on the enemy.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Eversor|EVERSOR]]:''' Look, he's a full-on nightmare, distraction is far too subtle a concept for him. With the neuro-gauntlet and melta bombs ''nothing'' is safe from the Eversor's indiscriminate rape, be it snowflake characters, tanks, or infantry. Because of this, your opponent will most likely focus every damn gun he has into stopping this drug-crazed junkie of pure murder before he gets anywhere near the bulk of his army, which is more time for your heavy hitters to move forward without the fear of getting an instant-death hit to the face (can also work the other way around. A single Eversor is capable of crapping all over your opponent's army should he close the distance). Well, if he will if he does not die to [[Tau|overwatch]]...
*'''DISTRACTION [[Space Wolves|LONE WOLF]]:''' Give your Lone Wolf 2 Fen Wolves and Terminator Armor and just let him roam. If you feel generous, slap a Chainfist on him. The fact that you gain points by letting this guy die means you can expend him without much consequence.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Leman Russ Battle Tank|RUSS]]:''' Usually done with a Demolisher or Executioner, but can be done with almost any Russ variant. Give it Extra Armor, Recovery Gear and Relic Plating and watch as it slowly crawls it's way up the battlefield dispensing death. As the saying goes - if it hasn't absorbed at least six attempts to destroy it by Turn Two, you're doing it wrong.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Imperial Guard|BANEBLADE]]:''' Not so much a distraction as a 'rolling fortress of destruction', since the Guard never does anything subtly. Take a Doomhammer or Stormlord and start it with the following in the troop bay: 3 Techpriest Enginseers attached to a squad of 4 servitors, and as many Heavy Weapons Squads as you can fit (3 for the Doomhammer, 5 and space for some gun servitors in the Stormlord). Kit them out as appropriate; lascannons for more anti-tank, autocannons for more anti-everything. Buy extra sponsons on the tank itself to make it EXTRA distracting. The resulting 9HP super-heavy can put out an ''enormous'' amount of pain, and thanks to the enginseers safe in its hold, continuously recovers lost HP at a rate of 3 a turn. The cheapest version of this will run around 950 points, and easily breaks 1100 at its most expensive, but it'll put the fear of the Emperor into your opponent...before crushing them beneath its armored treads.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Skitarii|SKITARII VANGUARDS]]:''' To be honest, this only really works against someone who hasn't played against your army much, if at all (which, since it still isn't very common, should mean this works quite often). Bare bones vanilla vanguard will run you 100pts for a ten-man squad and with their basic guns can put a serious smackdown on anything with a toughness value; add plasma calivers for extra distraction, though realize that this will make the unit a prohibitively expensive meat shield. That being said, if your opponent is targeting one vanguard squad with plasma calivers while the other three are closing in with a plethora of haywire and rad-weaponry unscathed then you're doing it right.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Skitarii|SICARIAN INFILTRATORS]]:''' Their debuff aura will make them prime targets, combine with your regular DISTRACTION CARNIFEX for a dire threat.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Adeptus_Mechanicus|KASTELANS]]:''' T7 W3 FNP 3+/(5++ against shooting) robots, take 4+ and a Techpriest Dominus with the Relic Pimp Cane in formation for extra hilarity. Give one of the Datasmiths the Robes of the Technomartyr for the sweet, sweet boon of giving everyone Cognis. Their ability to severely hurt assaulters on Overwatch will perturb your opponent even more
*'''DISTRACTION [[Adeptus_Custodes|CUSTODES]]:''' Terminators on Steroids (albeit lacking in anti-tank)

====[[Chaos]]====

*'''Distraction''' '''[[Chaos Space Marines|MURDER SWORD]]''': Chaos Space Marine one. Give a '''MURDER SWORD''' to a (random champion (NOT LEGAL)) chaos lord or DAEMON PRINCE(illegal too), stick it in a nest of Cultists, and laugh as the enemy targets it for the rest of the game because they don't want it getting within 400 clicks of their special snowflake character, though you are fucked if the enemy has good snipers, fucking Vindicaires... or artillery... or any decent amount of guns AH FUCK IT! This one doesn't work! <s>Still decent for removing faggots like [[Marneus Calgar|papa smurf]].</s> NOPE! Calgar has Eternal Warrior, making him immune to the Sword's ID. Better have the dice gods at your back. [[Forge World|Almost makes us wonder how this thing can be a threat to a]] [[Primarch]].
** (clears throat) "Look Out, Sir!" - on a 2+ for special characters. Even against Vindicaires (but with a -2 penalty so ICs get 4+ LoS while everyone else gets a 6+) and Precision Shots. Yes, I checked before posting.
** (punches previous speaker in the throat) As the power creep goes on, even the Cultist ball gets stomped on (literally) by the new Knights as Stomp results of 6 remove all models from under the Blast. Yes, Removes. No saves, 2++, FNP or Look out Sir. Just pick those models off the table and put them into your bag. Even then, it wasn't that scary as a single turn of decent shooting can wipe your '''MURDERER''' before he gets near the corpse.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Nurgling|NURGLINGS]]:''' Take 6-9 bases of these cute little shits,Infiltrate them as close to the enemy as possible behind ruins, enjoy a tasty 2+ cover save while your army moves up. Just pray they don't have flamers or ignore cover weapons.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Daemon Engine|DAEMON ENGINE]]:''' A Forgefiend, Maulerfiend, Defiler or Heldrake will be a guaranteed fire magnet. Fortunately, they all have It Will not Die (tied for best name for a 40k rule ever with He Has A Plan, beaten in the category of best overall rule name by My Will Be Done), and the Drake has the added bonus of being a flyer when Skyfire is still a relative rarity. The reputation of the Defiler and Heldrake in particular will ensure that literally everything the enemy has will be hurled at you, including the models, the table, the dice, the players at the WFB table, and chairs. Lots of chairs.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Mutilator|MUTILATOR]]:''' Pretty much the only use for Mutilators with the new CSM book, Deep Strike one behind the enemy (bonus points if it's a Tau or Guard gunline) and it will die in style as the enemy wastes a turn of valuable shooting which could have been better spent trying to bring down that Land Raider full of Terminators, or the rampaging Maulerfiend in the corner
*'''DISTRACTION [[Angron|ANGRON]]:''' like this needs explaining.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Vindicator|CHAOS VINDICATOR]]:''' Throw in a combi-bolter and daemonic possession and then watch your opponent devote retarded amounts of firepower to keep the Khorne-incarnate rape-engine down.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Defiler|DEFILER]]:''' With a fat BATTLE CANNON stuck to it's front that can try to destroy anything on the table that you'd shoot a krak missile at (STR8 AP3), no-one can ignore this 12 Front Armour beast ( except for anything with a 2+ or armor above 12). Stick it behind some ruins and watch your enemy fall to the might of the <s>[[Baneblade|Baneblade]]</s> [[Defiler|Defiler]].

====[[Eldar]]====

*'''DISTRACTION [[Wraithlord|WRAITHLORD]]:''' It's big, scary, 3+ save, T8 and capable of fucking shit up.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Wraithknight|WRAITHKNIGHT]]:''' It's bigger, scarier, 3+/5++ (if you want to use it as Distraction Carnifex, you will buy it the option for a 5++) save, Feel No Pain, T8, 6 wounds and WILL be targeted by any weapon big enough hoping to harm it, even by the cannons of the Empire vs Dwarfs game on the [[WHFB]] table. Is now a Jump Gargantuan Creature with options to take either a Strength D melee or ranged weapon, meaning, essentially, you're fucked.
*'''DISTRACTION SOLITAIRE:''' Since the Mantle of the laughing god is no more, take this guy for his 3+ Invuln and Eternal Warrior. Has potentially 10 rending attacks which can instant-death. He is certainly capable of fucking shit up.

====[[Dark Eldar]]====

*'''DISTRACTION TALOS PAIN ENGINE:''' The best part about DISTRACTION TALOS is that nobody plays DEldar. Therefore, the majority of the player population has no idea what to expect. Player: "Wait, Toughness seven?!" You: "Yep." Player: "With 3+ and FnP?!" You: "You betcha. Oh, also, enjoy [[Rip_and_tear|haywire and Shred]]." Your enemy then proceeds to unload everything they have at your slow, dead 'ard, floating scorpion beast while your gunboats, Scourges, and Reavers tear them [[Anal_circumference|several new assholes]]. For better results,(aka:something that can also function as a threat) add a cronos with a spirit probe. "4+ FnP!?!?!"

====[[Orks]]====

*'''DISTRACTION [[Morkanaut|GORKANAUT]]/[[Gorkanaut|MORKANAUT]]''' Add the kustom force field (Morkanaut only) and grot riggers, and stow a minimum size squad of lootas inside with three of 'em swapped for meks. Almost too expensive for a real distraction Carnifex, but dangerous enough to work, and almost impossible to kill. For more fun, add a Big Mek with Da Fixer Uppers (on a Gorkanaut, he can grab the KFF) or the Mega Force Field if taking the Ghazkull suppliment. You now have an AV13 gun covered walker with S10 CCW, 5+ invuln against shooting (4+ if Ghazkull and taking the MFF), IWND, Ignore crew shaken and crew stunned results, and any actual damage can be repaired by one 3+ and three 5+ rolls each turn. Points wise though it's bordering on a deathstar rather than an expendable distraction.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Deff Dred|DEFF DRED]]''' Just kit it out with a few scary looking weapons, let it stumble forward with the boys. Make sure you take grot riggers for it to have It Will Not Die, This is really effective when your enemy takes less anti tank because you are playing a mainly infantry army. This is also better used in smaller games, as this thing looks like a scary, choppy hulk of metal.

====[[Tau]]====

*'''DISTRACTION [[Battlesuit#XV104_Riptide_Battlesuit|RIPTIDE]]:''' the advent of the new tau codex means you can field 3 T6 MC with a 2+,3++ save combo and 5 wounds. Give them stimulant injectors and they can shrug off anything you can throw at them. Additionally, they are strong enough to be a victory factor in their own right, capable of dropping S9 AP1 large blasts with ignores cover. Remember, regardless of your tricks, the Tau only win through synergy. Combine one tactic with another, and really tear shit to pieces. Bonus points if you kill the opponent's warlord on turn 1 with only 1 shot from these guys.
*'''DISTRACTION [[El'Myamoto (Sub-commander Darkstrider)|DARKSTRIDER]]:''' Enemy has a charging focused army and you only took one Pathfinder squad, stick this guy in there with a Grav-Inhibitor Drone and laugh as your opponents thrashing, snarling wave of hate never comes anywhere close.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Battlesuit#XV25_Stealthsuit|STEALTH SUITS]]:''' With the advent of the new Tau Codex this is arguably far more inferior to the DISTRACTION RIPTIDE above, but a team of 6 Stealthsuits, with 3+ Armour 4+ Cover, one Burst cannon each (24 S5, AP5), 2 markerlights for support, their hardpoints filled with Stim Injectors, and they just started within their 18" range, well bob, I think I just saw a first turn rape happen. (and they're probably gonna stick around for at least 1 or 2 more turns with those saves)

===Warhammer Fantasy Battles===
*'''Distraction [[Skaven|Hellpit Abomination]]''' - a giant scary monster, which can wreck whole hordes of infantry with some luck. Any sensible enemy with focus it down... buuuut, it is so adorable in has a chance to RISE FROM THE GRAVE, making the enemy freak out and focus it again - this time with EVERYTHING is has.
*'''Distraction Treeman''' - Being worse than it was in last edition, it is still big and tall, and is a fine monster killer, and its shooting can wreck small elite units, so it is likely to attract much dakka (vs very inexperienced player). Beware of fire, or Treebeard's cousin becomes kindling.
*'''Distraction Wyvern''' - just fly behind enemy units the whole game. wrecks chaos so easy, assuming the enemy doesnt realise its a distraction wyvern

===Warmachine and Hordes===
It can be done here too!

*'''Distraction Centurion''' - The [[Cygnar|Cygnarian]] Heavy Warjack Centurion is made for this - Though reasonably killy in and of itself, it's main job is absorbing stupid amounts of fire and hits while your shooty army gets into place, and with defensive buffs up the arse, Cygnar can easily make it even tougher.
*'''Distraction Beserker''' - Khador is nothing but inventive - Though the Beserker Heavy Warjack is unstable and technologically weak compared to its predecessors, it can still majorly fuck up some unlucky sod with its twin axes. That is not why you use it, though - It is because it have a tendency to explode when given focus. It is fairly cheap too, so send it after whatever you want and watch as it gets blown up by anyone on the field - Your enemy if they manage to bring it down, or you, for the lulz.
*'''Distraction Ghordson Basher''' - This might just be the epitome of distraction - A rather fast Heavy Warjack made for one thing, smashing things with its head. Really. That is what it does. Throw it into the enemy and watch as it bounces the enemy about like gravity went on a break.
*'''Distraction Avatar of Menoth''' - Arguably the best of the Character Heavy Warjacks (The [[Cryx]] Deathjack being the only other real contended for the title), it is big, scary, hits like an a freight train and is hard enough to endure the return fire. Throw the Choir Hymn of Passage, the Vassal of Menoth's Enliven and, if you are playing Grand Scrutator Severius, put Defenders Ward on it for a 12/23 monster that's immune to non-magical shooting, can move after taking damage and can lock enemy units in place/force them to move towards you for your next turn when shit is going to get fucked. This is literally the Sain Distraction Carnifex as it forces the enemy to move towards it instead of doing anything productive, and combined with Harbinger of Menoth's feat you either force the enemy to stay still, or get blasted by instagibbing Fire damage roll.
*'''Distraction Colossal''' - Basically every Colossal is a giant distraction tool to draw fire. Especially against inexperienced players who vastly overestimate their threat value.
[[Category:Warhammer 40,000]]
[[Category:Warhammer 40000 Tactics]]

DISTRACTION CARNIFEX

2016-10-29T16:49:18Z

2A02:810D:1140:1F08:49D7:DCAC:CB85:176F: /* Imperium */

{{Cleanup}}
''"Remember- SHOOT THE BIG ONES."'' ― [[Imperial Infantryman's Uplifting Primer]] on Tyranids.

'''DISTRACTION [[Carnifex|CARNIFEX]]!'''

'''EVERYONE START [[dakka|SHOOTING]]!!'''

DISTRACTION CARNIFEX is a psychological wargame tactic which can be used by most [[Warhammer 40,000]] armies, some [[Warhammer Fantasy Battle]] armies, and in several other wargames for good measure. The short version is that you plonk a huge, scary-looking model in the middle of the table, which draws a tremendous amount of enemy gunfire, while the real threats make it up the field relatively unmolested.

It's named after the [[Carnifex]], one of the big monsters of the [[Tyranid]] faction, because the DISTRACTION CARNIFEX was one of that faction's most popular tactics after their 4th edition codex. Many models other than the Carnifex can be used as a DISTRACTION model; in that case, it might still be called a DISTRACTION CARNIFEX (even if it isn't a Tyranid), a DISTRACTION <WHATEVER> (e.g. "DISTRACTION [[Battlesuit#XV104_Riptide_Battlesuit|RIPTIDE]]"), or simply a DISTRACTION. The use of all caps is not optional.

==DISTRACTION TACTICS==

First, choose your DISTRACTION model. A DISTRACTION model must have the following properties:
*Physical size. Remember, you ''want'' the DISTRACTION to get shot. You still want it to stay alive, so by all means chase after cover saves as best you can, but if there's ever a ranged threat on the table that can't see the DISTRACTION, then you're doing it wrong.
*Toughness. DISTRACTIONS don't necessarily need offensive punch -- they're actually fairly likely to die before they hit melee -- but you need them to grip the table for as long as possible.
*Scariness. Remember that DISTRACTION is a psychological tactic; the bigger and scarier your model ''looks'', the better your chances are of it pulling enemy gunfire.
*Low(ish) points cost. The DISTRACTION is a ''support'' model (indirectly) -- it should not be hogging your army points. By all means, give it all the toughness-boosting wargear you can get, and maybe one really scary-looking melee weapon wouldn't go amiss, but you want the rest of your army to be able to compensate for the loss of the DISTRACTION in the early game.

Second, choose the rest of your army. Anything that can boost the DISTRACTION's toughness without being too vulnerable itself is a must. Aside from that, try to build your army with a focus on smaller models and glass cannons -- if the DISTRACTION is taking fire, you don't need to worry so much about the little guys.

When you're deploying your army on the table, put the DISTRACTION down first, and put it right in the middle of the board (unless there's an obstacle in the middle, in which case you should put it in the longest unobstructed lane from front to back). Alternatively, you can deploy the DISTRACTION model through [[Deep Strike]], but only if you have a [[Drop Pod]] or some other method for guaranteeing that it'll enter from reserve by Turn 2 at the latest.

During the battle, move the DISTRACTION either first or last in your turn order, and keep it in front of the rest of your force to keep its alleged threat fresh in your opponents' minds.

If the DISTRACTION pays off, the battle will go something like this:
*'''Guard turn 1:''' Everything shoots the DISTRACTION CARNIFEX.
*'''Tyranids turn 1:''' Tyranids advance.
*'''Guard turn 2:''' Everything shoots the DISTRACTION CARNIFEX.
*'''Tyranids turn 2:''' Tyranids advance.
*'''Guard turn 3:''' Everything shoots the DISTRACTION CARNIFEX. DISTRACTION CARNIFEX finally dies.
*'''Tyranids turn 3:''' Remaining Tyranids eat everyone else's face.

===How to counter a DISTRACTION===

To be honest, if you can recognise a DISTRACTION play, you already know how to counter it; ''don't dedicate your entire army just to killing the DISTRACTION.'' If you spread your firepower in a vaguely sensible way, then you can weaken the DISTRACTION and the rest of the opponent's army. For example, if you have some weapon which only hurts the DISTRACTION on a 6+ and doesn't break its armour, maybe don't shoot the DISTRACTION with it.

==Some good DISTRACTION models==

===[[Warhammer 40,000]]===

====[[Tyranids]]====

*'''DISTRACTION [[Carnifex|CARNIFEX]]:''' The original, but not really the best any more, because the Carnifex's point cost and access to toughness-boosting abilities have bounced back and forth a bit between editions. It was essential in 4th ed, impossible in 5th ed, and possible but not great in 6th.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Haruspex|HARUSPEX]]:''' A 6th ed beast that seems to be practically made to fill the DISTRACTION role, especially since it can regain wounds by killing models in melee (if it gets there). [[Games Workshop|So the new unit replaces an old one that can't do its job any more]] -- [[JUST AS PLANNED]].
*'''DISTRACTION STONECRUSHER CARNIFEX''' - Someone in [[Forge World]] was pretty sad about how DISTRACTION CARNIFEX doesn't work as well anymore, so they created their own with 2+ armor and 5+ regeneration. It's cheap, durable, intimidating, but a bit slow, meaning it draws a lot of fire. Just as planned. [[Anal circumference|Note that this works even better when it's Deep Struck into the middle of your enemy's tank formation for maximal damage]].

====[[Imperium]]====
*'''DISTRACTION [[MURDERWINGS]]:''' With a monstrously huge 12 attacks on the charge, MURDERWINGS sheer MURDERNESS will turn him into a huge distraction. Unfortunately he doesn't have the raw toughness to endure any shooting without a meaty retinue, so he still requires BLOS cover to survive anything.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Imperial Knight|IMPERIAL KNIGHT]]:''' Just fielding one of these guys (especially Gerantius) is going to draw lots of attention from nearly all units that your enemy can afford to throw at it. Also it forces your enemy to rethink where he might deploy his [[Chapter Master Smashfucker|balanced and fair]] units, lest they get pummeled to death by reaper chainswords. 4+ invulnerable save, AV13 and 6hp are going to guarantee hard times for anyone trying to take this guy down unless they have other Lord of War unit with ranged S:D weapon. Or [[Rage|any Wraith army]].
*'''DISTRACTION [[Dreadnought#Chapter_Specific_Dreads|FURIOSO DREADNOUGHT]]:''' Drop podding these guys with double frag cannons. Now with the new Blood Angels Codex the Blood Talons no longer have extra attacks that generate extra attacks that generate extra attacks. All they are now are glorified Powerfists without unwieldy. No longer viable just like the tool namer.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Dreadnought#Leviathan_Pattern|LEVIATHAN DREADNOUGHT]]:''' A brand new Dreadnought from Forgeworld that looks downright terrifying. Even its weapons are incredibly intimidating heavy hitters, and its carapace weapons will make anyone think twice about getting close. It is incredibly tough to kill, and has numerous immunities to basically everything, [[Blank|up to and including psychic powers]], which means your opponent will waste a lot of time trying to kill it before it gets close. Bonus points if you put it in a Dreadnought Drop Pod for extra intimidating shennanigans.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Dreadnought#Chapter_Specific_Dreads|AXE DREADNOUGHT]]:''' Again, drop pod one of these guys face first into the opponent's army and watch your opponents cry as your Dreadnought shrugs off even the strongest of attacks with it's 3++ save on top of its AV12. Be careful though, if they get your back armor you're dead.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Deathwing|DEATHWING KNIGHTS]]:''' Put [[Belial]] with them, deepstrike them right next to all the most dangerous units in your foe's army, and watch them squirm to murder them all. They may all die either by the sheer amounts of firepower or melee directed towards them, but it's worth watching your foe ignore Devastators, Deathwing Terminators, Ravenwing, and other such unit, just for the sheer infamous reputation that the Knights have gained.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Dreadknight|DREADKNIGHT]]:''' Take a T6 W4 Termi with a weapon for ~170 points and see the enemy focus him without really damaging him fast.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Ogryn|OGRYN DEATHSTAR]]:''' 10 Ogryn with 2 Primaris Psykers (faq stated each get 2 rolls) with biomancy for toughness and allied dark angel psyker for rerolls on everything and 4+ invulnerabilities. Watch it absorb loads upon loads of fire as your tactical units sneak up on the enemy.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Eversor|EVERSOR]]:''' Look, he's a full-on nightmare, distraction is far too subtle a concept for him. With the neuro-gauntlet and melta bombs ''nothing'' is safe from the Eversor's indiscriminate rape, be it snowflake characters, tanks, or infantry. Because of this, your opponent will most likely focus every damn gun he has into stopping this drug-crazed junkie of pure murder before he gets anywhere near the bulk of his army, which is more time for your heavy hitters to move forward without the fear of getting an instant-death hit to the face (can also work the other way around. A single Eversor is capable of crapping all over your opponent's army should he close the distance). Well, if he will if he does not die to [[Tau|overwatch]]...
*'''DISTRACTION [[Space Wolves|LONE WOLF]]:''' Give your Lone Wolf 2 Fen Wolves and Terminator Armor and just let him roam. If you feel generous, slap a Chainfist on him. The fact that you gain points by letting this guy die means you can expend him without much consequence.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Leman Russ Battle Tank|RUSS]]:''' Usually done with a Demolisher or Executioner, but can be done with almost any Russ variant. Give it Extra Armor, Recovery Gear and Relic Plating and watch as it slowly crawls it's way up the battlefield dispensing death. As the saying goes - if it hasn't absorbed at least six attempts to destroy it by Turn Two, you're doing it wrong.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Imperial Guard|BANEBLADE]]:''' Not so much a distraction as a 'rolling fortress of destruction', since the Guard never does anything subtly. Take a Doomhammer or Stormlord and start it with the following in the troop bay: 3 Techpriest Enginseers attached to a squad of 4 servitors, and as many Heavy Weapons Squads as you can fit (3 for the Doomhammer, 5 and space for some gun servitors in the Stormlord). Kit them out as appropriate; lascannons for more anti-tank, autocannons for more anti-everything. Buy extra sponsons on the tank itself to make it EXTRA distracting. The resulting 9HP super-heavy can put out an ''enormous'' amount of pain, and thanks to the enginseers safe in its hold, continuously recovers lost HP at a rate of 3 a turn. The cheapest version of this will run around 950 points, and easily breaks 1100 at its most expensive, but it'll put the fear of the Emperor into your opponent...before crushing them beneath its armored treads.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Skitarii|SKITARII VANGUARDS]]:''' To be honest, this only really works against someone who hasn't played against your army much, if at all (which, since it still isn't very common, should mean this works quite often). Bare bones vanilla vanguard will run you 100pts for a ten-man squad and with their basic guns can put a serious smackdown on anything with a toughness value; add plasma calivers for extra distraction, though realize that this will make the unit a prohibitively expensive meat shield. That being said, if your opponent is targeting one vanguard squad with plasma calivers while the other three are closing in with a plethora of haywire and rad-weaponry unscathed then you're doing it right.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Skitarii|SICARIAN INFILTRATORS]]:''' Their debuff aura will make them prime targets, combine with your regular DISTRACTION CARNIFEX for a dire threat.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Adeptus_Mechanicus|KASTELANS]]:''' T7 W3 FNP 3+/(5++ against shooting) robots, take 4+ and a Techpriest Dominus with the Relic Pimp Cane in formation for extra hilarity. Give one of the Datasmiths the Robes of the Technomartyr for the sweet, sweet boon of giving everyone Cognis. Their ability to severely hurt assaulters on Overwatch will perturb your opponent even more
*'''DISTRACTION [[Adeptus_Custodes|CUSTODES]]:''' Terminators on Steroids (albeit lacking in anti-tank)

====[[Chaos]]====

*'''Distraction''' '''[[Chaos Space Marines|MURDER SWORD]]''': Chaos Space Marine one. Give a '''MURDER SWORD''' to a (random champion (NOT LEGAL)) chaos lord or DAEMON PRINCE(illegal too), stick it in a nest of Cultists, and laugh as the enemy targets it for the rest of the game because they don't want it getting within 400 clicks of their special snowflake character, though you are fucked if the enemy has good snipers, fucking Vindicaires... or artillery... or any decent amount of guns AH FUCK IT! This one doesn't work! <s>Still decent for removing faggots like [[Marneus Calgar|papa smurf]].</s> NOPE! Calgar has Eternal Warrior, making him immune to the Sword's ID. Better have the dice gods at your back. [[Forge World|Almost makes us wonder how this thing can be a threat to a]] [[Primarch]].
** (clears throat) "Look Out, Sir!" - on a 2+ for special characters. Even against Vindicaires (but with a -2 penalty so ICs get 4+ LoS while everyone else gets a 6+) and Precision Shots. Yes, I checked before posting.
** (punches previous speaker in the throat) As the power creep goes on, even the Cultist ball gets stomped on (literally) by the new Knights as Stomp results of 6 remove all models from under the Blast. Yes, Removes. No saves, 2++, FNP or Look out Sir. Just pick those models off the table and put them into your bag. Even then, it wasn't that scary as a single turn of decent shooting can wipe your '''MURDERER''' before he gets near the corpse.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Nurgling|NURGLINGS]]:''' Take 6-9 bases of these cute little shits,Infiltrate them as close to the enemy as possible behind ruins, enjoy a tasty 2+ cover save while your army moves up. Just pray they don't have flamers or ignore cover weapons.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Daemon Engine|DAEMON ENGINE]]:''' A Forgefiend, Maulerfiend, Defiler or Heldrake will be a guaranteed fire magnet. Fortunately, they all have It Will not Die (tied for best name for a 40k rule ever with He Has A Plan, beaten in the category of best overall rule name by My Will Be Done), and the Drake has the added bonus of being a flyer when Skyfire is still a relative rarity. The reputation of the Defiler and Heldrake in particular will ensure that literally everything the enemy has will be hurled at you, including the models, the table, the dice, the players at the WFB table, and chairs. Lots of chairs.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Mutilator|MUTILATOR]]:''' Pretty much the only use for Mutilators with the new CSM book, Deep Strike one behind the enemy (bonus points if it's a Tau or Guard gunline) and it will die in style as the enemy wastes a turn of valuable shooting which could have been better spent trying to bring down that Land Raider full of Terminators, or the rampaging Maulerfiend in the corner
*'''DISTRACTION [[Angron|ANGRON]]:''' like this needs explaining.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Vindicator|CHAOS VINDICATOR]]:''' Throw in a combi-bolter and daemonic possession and then watch your opponent devote retarded amounts of firepower to keep the Khorne-incarnate rape-engine down.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Defiler|DEFILER]]:''' With a fat BATTLE CANNON stuck to it's front that can try to destroy anything on the table that you'd shoot a krak missile at (STR8 AP3), no-one can ignore this 12 Front Armour beast ( except for anything with a 2+ or armor above 12). Stick it behind some ruins and watch your enemy fall to the might of the <s>[[Baneblade|Baneblade]]</s> [[Defiler|Defiler]].

====[[Eldar]]====

*'''DISTRACTION [[Wraithlord|WRAITHLORD]]:''' It's big, scary, 3+ save, T8 and capable of fucking shit up.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Wraithknight|WRAITHKNIGHT]]:''' It's bigger, scarier, 3+/5++ (if you want to use it as Distraction Carnifex, you will buy it the option for a 5++) save, Feel No Pain, T8, 6 wounds and WILL be targeted by any weapon big enough hoping to harm it, even by the cannons of the Empire vs Dwarfs game on the [[WHFB]] table. Is now a Jump Gargantuan Creature with options to take either a Strength D melee or ranged weapon, meaning, essentially, you're fucked.
*'''DISTRACTION SOLITAIRE:''' Since the Mantle of the laughing god is no more, take this guy for his 3+ Invuln and Eternal Warrior. Has potentially 10 rending attacks which can instant-death. He is certainly capable of fucking shit up.

====[[Dark Eldar]]====

*'''DISTRACTION TALOS PAIN ENGINE:''' The best part about DISTRACTION TALOS is that nobody plays DEldar. Therefore, the majority of the player population has no idea what to expect. Player: "Wait, Toughness seven?!" You: "Yep." Player: "With 3+ and FnP?!" You: "You betcha. Oh, also, enjoy [[Rip_and_tear|haywire and Shred]]." Your enemy then proceeds to unload everything they have at your slow, dead 'ard, floating scorpion beast while your gunboats, Scourges, and Reavers tear them [[Anal_circumference|several new assholes]]. For better results,(aka:something that can also function as a threat) add a cronos with a spirit probe. "4+ FnP!?!?!"

====[[Orks]]====

*'''DISTRACTION [[Morkanaut|GORKANAUT]]/[[Gorkanaut|MORKANAUT]]''' Add the kustom force field (Morkanaut only) and grot riggers, and stow a minimum size squad of lootas inside with three of 'em swapped for meks. Almost too expensive for a real distraction Carnifex, but dangerous enough to work, and almost impossible to kill. For more fun, add a Big Mek with Da Fixer Uppers (on a Gorkanaut, he can grab the KFF) or the Mega Force Field if taking the Ghazkull suppliment. You now have an AV13 gun covered walker with S10 CCW, 5+ invuln against shooting (4+ if Ghazkull and taking the MFF), IWND, Ignore crew shaken and crew stunned results, and any actual damage can be repaired by one 3+ and three 5+ rolls each turn. Points wise though it's bordering on a deathstar rather than an expendable distraction.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Deff Dred|DEFF DRED]]''' Just kit it out with a few scary looking weapons, let it stumble forward with the boys. Make sure you take grot riggers for it to have It Will Not Die, This is really effective when your enemy takes less anti tank because you are playing a mainly infantry army. This is also better used in smaller games, as this thing looks like a scary, choppy hulk of metal.

====[[Tau]]====

*'''DISTRACTION [[Battlesuit#XV104_Riptide_Battlesuit|RIPTIDE]]:''' the advent of the new tau codex means you can field 3 T6 MC with a 2+,3++ save combo and 5 wounds. Give them stimulant injectors and they can shrug off anything you can throw at them. Additionally, they are strong enough to be a victory factor in their own right, capable of dropping S9 AP1 large blasts with ignores cover. Remember, regardless of your tricks, the Tau only win through synergy. Combine one tactic with another, and really tear shit to pieces. Bonus points if you kill the opponent's warlord on turn 1 with only 1 shot from these guys.
*'''DISTRACTION [[El'Myamoto (Sub-commander Darkstrider)|DARKSTRIDER]]:''' Enemy has a charging focused army and you only took one Pathfinder squad, stick this guy in there with a Grav-Inhibitor Drone and laugh as your opponents thrashing, snarling wave of hate never comes anywhere close.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Battlesuit#XV25_Stealthsuit|STEALTH SUITS]]:''' With the advent of the new Tau Codex this is arguably far more inferior to the DISTRACTION RIPTIDE above, but a team of 6 Stealthsuits, with 3+ Armour 4+ Cover, one Burst cannon each (24 S5, AP5), 2 markerlights for support, their hardpoints filled with Stim Injectors, and they just started within their 18" range, well bob, I think I just saw a first turn rape happen. (and they're probably gonna stick around for at least 1 or 2 more turns with those saves)

===Warhammer Fantasy Battles===
*'''Distraction [[Skaven|Hellpit Abomination]]''' - a giant scary monster, which can wreck whole hordes of infantry with some luck. Any sensible enemy with focus it down... buuuut, it is so adorable in has a chance to RISE FROM THE GRAVE, making the enemy freak out and focus it again - this time with EVERYTHING is has.
*'''Distraction Treeman''' - Being worse than it was in last edition, it is still big and tall, and is a fine monster killer, and its shooting can wreck small elite units, so it is likely to attract much dakka (vs very inexperienced player). Beware of fire, or Treebeard's cousin becomes kindling.
*'''Distraction Wyvern''' - just fly behind enemy units the whole game. wrecks chaos so easy, assuming the enemy doesnt realise its a distraction wyvern

===Warmachine and Hordes===
It can be done here too!

*'''Distraction Centurion''' - The [[Cygnar|Cygnarian]] Heavy Warjack Centurion is made for this - Though reasonably killy in and of itself, it's main job is absorbing stupid amounts of fire and hits while your shooty army gets into place, and with defensive buffs up the arse, Cygnar can easily make it even tougher.
*'''Distraction Beserker''' - Khador is nothing but inventive - Though the Beserker Heavy Warjack is unstable and technologically weak compared to its predecessors, it can still majorly fuck up some unlucky sod with its twin axes. That is not why you use it, though - It is because it have a tendency to explode when given focus. It is fairly cheap too, so send it after whatever you want and watch as it gets blown up by anyone on the field - Your enemy if they manage to bring it down, or you, for the lulz.
*'''Distraction Ghordson Basher''' - This might just be the epitome of distraction - A rather fast Heavy Warjack made for one thing, smashing things with its head. Really. That is what it does. Throw it into the enemy and watch as it bounces the enemy about like gravity went on a break.
*'''Distraction Avatar of Menoth''' - Arguably the best of the Character Heavy Warjacks (The [[Cryx]] Deathjack being the only other real contended for the title), it is big, scary, hits like an a freight train and is hard enough to endure the return fire. Throw the Choir Hymn of Passage, the Vassal of Menoth's Enliven and, if you are playing Grand Scrutator Severius, put Defenders Ward on it for a 12/23 monster that's immune to non-magical shooting, can move after taking damage and can lock enemy units in place/force them to move towards you for your next turn when shit is going to get fucked. This is literally the Sain Distraction Carnifex as it forces the enemy to move towards it instead of doing anything productive, and combined with Harbinger of Menoth's feat you either force the enemy to stay still, or get blasted by instagibbing Fire damage roll.
*'''Distraction Colossal''' - Basically every Colossal is a giant distraction tool to draw fire. Especially against inexperienced players who vastly overestimate their threat value.
[[Category:Warhammer 40,000]]
[[Category:Warhammer 40000 Tactics]]

DISTRACTION CARNIFEX

2016-10-29T16:47:50Z

2A02:810D:1140:1F08:49D7:DCAC:CB85:176F: /* Imperium */

{{Cleanup}}
''"Remember- SHOOT THE BIG ONES."'' ― [[Imperial Infantryman's Uplifting Primer]] on Tyranids.

'''DISTRACTION [[Carnifex|CARNIFEX]]!'''

'''EVERYONE START [[dakka|SHOOTING]]!!'''

DISTRACTION CARNIFEX is a psychological wargame tactic which can be used by most [[Warhammer 40,000]] armies, some [[Warhammer Fantasy Battle]] armies, and in several other wargames for good measure. The short version is that you plonk a huge, scary-looking model in the middle of the table, which draws a tremendous amount of enemy gunfire, while the real threats make it up the field relatively unmolested.

It's named after the [[Carnifex]], one of the big monsters of the [[Tyranid]] faction, because the DISTRACTION CARNIFEX was one of that faction's most popular tactics after their 4th edition codex. Many models other than the Carnifex can be used as a DISTRACTION model; in that case, it might still be called a DISTRACTION CARNIFEX (even if it isn't a Tyranid), a DISTRACTION <WHATEVER> (e.g. "DISTRACTION [[Battlesuit#XV104_Riptide_Battlesuit|RIPTIDE]]"), or simply a DISTRACTION. The use of all caps is not optional.

==DISTRACTION TACTICS==

First, choose your DISTRACTION model. A DISTRACTION model must have the following properties:
*Physical size. Remember, you ''want'' the DISTRACTION to get shot. You still want it to stay alive, so by all means chase after cover saves as best you can, but if there's ever a ranged threat on the table that can't see the DISTRACTION, then you're doing it wrong.
*Toughness. DISTRACTIONS don't necessarily need offensive punch -- they're actually fairly likely to die before they hit melee -- but you need them to grip the table for as long as possible.
*Scariness. Remember that DISTRACTION is a psychological tactic; the bigger and scarier your model ''looks'', the better your chances are of it pulling enemy gunfire.
*Low(ish) points cost. The DISTRACTION is a ''support'' model (indirectly) -- it should not be hogging your army points. By all means, give it all the toughness-boosting wargear you can get, and maybe one really scary-looking melee weapon wouldn't go amiss, but you want the rest of your army to be able to compensate for the loss of the DISTRACTION in the early game.

Second, choose the rest of your army. Anything that can boost the DISTRACTION's toughness without being too vulnerable itself is a must. Aside from that, try to build your army with a focus on smaller models and glass cannons -- if the DISTRACTION is taking fire, you don't need to worry so much about the little guys.

When you're deploying your army on the table, put the DISTRACTION down first, and put it right in the middle of the board (unless there's an obstacle in the middle, in which case you should put it in the longest unobstructed lane from front to back). Alternatively, you can deploy the DISTRACTION model through [[Deep Strike]], but only if you have a [[Drop Pod]] or some other method for guaranteeing that it'll enter from reserve by Turn 2 at the latest.

During the battle, move the DISTRACTION either first or last in your turn order, and keep it in front of the rest of your force to keep its alleged threat fresh in your opponents' minds.

If the DISTRACTION pays off, the battle will go something like this:
*'''Guard turn 1:''' Everything shoots the DISTRACTION CARNIFEX.
*'''Tyranids turn 1:''' Tyranids advance.
*'''Guard turn 2:''' Everything shoots the DISTRACTION CARNIFEX.
*'''Tyranids turn 2:''' Tyranids advance.
*'''Guard turn 3:''' Everything shoots the DISTRACTION CARNIFEX. DISTRACTION CARNIFEX finally dies.
*'''Tyranids turn 3:''' Remaining Tyranids eat everyone else's face.

===How to counter a DISTRACTION===

To be honest, if you can recognise a DISTRACTION play, you already know how to counter it; ''don't dedicate your entire army just to killing the DISTRACTION.'' If you spread your firepower in a vaguely sensible way, then you can weaken the DISTRACTION and the rest of the opponent's army. For example, if you have some weapon which only hurts the DISTRACTION on a 6+ and doesn't break its armour, maybe don't shoot the DISTRACTION with it.

==Some good DISTRACTION models==

===[[Warhammer 40,000]]===

====[[Tyranids]]====

*'''DISTRACTION [[Carnifex|CARNIFEX]]:''' The original, but not really the best any more, because the Carnifex's point cost and access to toughness-boosting abilities have bounced back and forth a bit between editions. It was essential in 4th ed, impossible in 5th ed, and possible but not great in 6th.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Haruspex|HARUSPEX]]:''' A 6th ed beast that seems to be practically made to fill the DISTRACTION role, especially since it can regain wounds by killing models in melee (if it gets there). [[Games Workshop|So the new unit replaces an old one that can't do its job any more]] -- [[JUST AS PLANNED]].
*'''DISTRACTION STONECRUSHER CARNIFEX''' - Someone in [[Forge World]] was pretty sad about how DISTRACTION CARNIFEX doesn't work as well anymore, so they created their own with 2+ armor and 5+ regeneration. It's cheap, durable, intimidating, but a bit slow, meaning it draws a lot of fire. Just as planned. [[Anal circumference|Note that this works even better when it's Deep Struck into the middle of your enemy's tank formation for maximal damage]].

====[[Imperium]]====
*'''DISTRACTION [[MURDERWINGS]]:''' With a monstrously huge 12 attacks on the charge, MURDERWINGS sheer MURDERNESS will turn him into a huge distraction. Unfortunately he doesn't have the raw toughness to endure any shooting without a meaty retinue, so he still requires BLOS cover to survive anything.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Imperial Knight|IMPERIAL KNIGHT]]:''' Just fielding one of these guys is going to draw lots of attention from nearly all units that your enemy can afford to throw at it. Also it forces your enemy to rethink where he might deploy his [[Chapter Master Smashfucker|balanced and fair]] units, lest they get pummeled to death by reaper chainswords. 4+ invulnerable save, AV13 and 6hp are going to guarantee hard times for anyone trying to take this guy down unless they have other Lord of War unit with ranged S:D weapon. Or [[Rage|any Wraith army]]. Gerantius is the best man for the job.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Dreadnought#Chapter_Specific_Dreads|FURIOSO DREADNOUGHT]]:''' Drop podding these guys with double frag cannons. Now with the new Blood Angels Codex the Blood Talons no longer have extra attacks that generate extra attacks that generate extra attacks. All they are now are glorified Powerfists without unwieldy. No longer viable just like the tool namer.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Dreadnought#Leviathan_Pattern|LEVIATHAN DREADNOUGHT]]:''' A brand new Dreadnought from Forgeworld that looks downright terrifying. Even its weapons are incredibly intimidating heavy hitters, and its carapace weapons will make anyone think twice about getting close. It is incredibly tough to kill, and has numerous immunities to basically everything, [[Blank|up to and including psychic powers]], which means your opponent will waste a lot of time trying to kill it before it gets close. Bonus points if you put it in a Dreadnought Drop Pod for extra intimidating shennanigans.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Dreadnought#Chapter_Specific_Dreads|AXE DREADNOUGHT]]:''' Again, drop pod one of these guys face first into the opponent's army and watch your opponents cry as your Dreadnought shrugs off even the strongest of attacks with it's 3++ save on top of its AV12. Be careful though, if they get your back armor you're dead.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Deathwing|DEATHWING KNIGHTS]]:''' Put [[Belial]] with them, deepstrike them right next to all the most dangerous units in your foe's army, and watch them squirm to murder them all. They may all die either by the sheer amounts of firepower or melee directed towards them, but it's worth watching your foe ignore Devastators, Deathwing Terminators, Ravenwing, and other such unit, just for the sheer infamous reputation that the Knights have gained.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Dreadknight|DREADKNIGHT]]:''' Take a T6 W4 Termi with a weapon for ~170 points and see the enemy focus him without really damaging him fast.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Ogryn|OGRYN DEATHSTAR]]:''' 10 Ogryn with 2 Primaris Psykers (faq stated each get 2 rolls) with biomancy for toughness and allied dark angel psyker for rerolls on everything and 4+ invulnerabilities. Watch it absorb loads upon loads of fire as your tactical units sneak up on the enemy.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Eversor|EVERSOR]]:''' Look, he's a full-on nightmare, distraction is far too subtle a concept for him. With the neuro-gauntlet and melta bombs ''nothing'' is safe from the Eversor's indiscriminate rape, be it snowflake characters, tanks, or infantry. Because of this, your opponent will most likely focus every damn gun he has into stopping this drug-crazed junkie of pure murder before he gets anywhere near the bulk of his army, which is more time for your heavy hitters to move forward without the fear of getting an instant-death hit to the face (can also work the other way around. A single Eversor is capable of crapping all over your opponent's army should he close the distance). Well, if he will if he does not die to [[Tau|overwatch]]...
*'''DISTRACTION [[Space Wolves|LONE WOLF]]:''' Give your Lone Wolf 2 Fen Wolves and Terminator Armor and just let him roam. If you feel generous, slap a Chainfist on him. The fact that you gain points by letting this guy die means you can expend him without much consequence.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Leman Russ Battle Tank|RUSS]]:''' Usually done with a Demolisher or Executioner, but can be done with almost any Russ variant. Give it Extra Armor, Recovery Gear and Relic Plating and watch as it slowly crawls it's way up the battlefield dispensing death. As the saying goes - if it hasn't absorbed at least six attempts to destroy it by Turn Two, you're doing it wrong.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Imperial Guard|BANEBLADE]]:''' Not so much a distraction as a 'rolling fortress of destruction', since the Guard never does anything subtly. Take a Doomhammer or Stormlord and start it with the following in the troop bay: 3 Techpriest Enginseers attached to a squad of 4 servitors, and as many Heavy Weapons Squads as you can fit (3 for the Doomhammer, 5 and space for some gun servitors in the Stormlord). Kit them out as appropriate; lascannons for more anti-tank, autocannons for more anti-everything. Buy extra sponsons on the tank itself to make it EXTRA distracting. The resulting 9HP super-heavy can put out an ''enormous'' amount of pain, and thanks to the enginseers safe in its hold, continuously recovers lost HP at a rate of 3 a turn. The cheapest version of this will run around 950 points, and easily breaks 1100 at its most expensive, but it'll put the fear of the Emperor into your opponent...before crushing them beneath its armored treads.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Skitarii|SKITARII VANGUARDS]]:''' To be honest, this only really works against someone who hasn't played against your army much, if at all (which, since it still isn't very common, should mean this works quite often). Bare bones vanilla vanguard will run you 100pts for a ten-man squad and with their basic guns can put a serious smackdown on anything with a toughness value; add plasma calivers for extra distraction, though realize that this will make the unit a prohibitively expensive meat shield. That being said, if your opponent is targeting one vanguard squad with plasma calivers while the other three are closing in with a plethora of haywire and rad-weaponry unscathed then you're doing it right.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Skitarii|SICARIAN INFILTRATORS]]:''' Their debuff aura will make them prime targets, combine with your regular DISTRACTION CARNIFEX for a dire threat.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Adeptus_Mechanicus|KASTELANS]]:''' T7 W3 FNP 3+/(5++ against shooting) robots, take 4+ and a Techpriest Dominus with the Relic Pimp Cane in formation for extra hilarity. Give one of the Datasmiths the Robes of the Technomartyr for the sweet, sweet boon of giving everyone Cognis. Their ability to severely hurt assaulters on Overwatch will perturb your opponent even more
*'''DISTRACTION [[Adeptus_Custodes|CUSTODES]]:''' Terminators on Steroids (albeit lacking in anti-tank)

====[[Chaos]]====

*'''Distraction''' '''[[Chaos Space Marines|MURDER SWORD]]''': Chaos Space Marine one. Give a '''MURDER SWORD''' to a (random champion (NOT LEGAL)) chaos lord or DAEMON PRINCE(illegal too), stick it in a nest of Cultists, and laugh as the enemy targets it for the rest of the game because they don't want it getting within 400 clicks of their special snowflake character, though you are fucked if the enemy has good snipers, fucking Vindicaires... or artillery... or any decent amount of guns AH FUCK IT! This one doesn't work! <s>Still decent for removing faggots like [[Marneus Calgar|papa smurf]].</s> NOPE! Calgar has Eternal Warrior, making him immune to the Sword's ID. Better have the dice gods at your back. [[Forge World|Almost makes us wonder how this thing can be a threat to a]] [[Primarch]].
** (clears throat) "Look Out, Sir!" - on a 2+ for special characters. Even against Vindicaires (but with a -2 penalty so ICs get 4+ LoS while everyone else gets a 6+) and Precision Shots. Yes, I checked before posting.
** (punches previous speaker in the throat) As the power creep goes on, even the Cultist ball gets stomped on (literally) by the new Knights as Stomp results of 6 remove all models from under the Blast. Yes, Removes. No saves, 2++, FNP or Look out Sir. Just pick those models off the table and put them into your bag. Even then, it wasn't that scary as a single turn of decent shooting can wipe your '''MURDERER''' before he gets near the corpse.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Nurgling|NURGLINGS]]:''' Take 6-9 bases of these cute little shits,Infiltrate them as close to the enemy as possible behind ruins, enjoy a tasty 2+ cover save while your army moves up. Just pray they don't have flamers or ignore cover weapons.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Daemon Engine|DAEMON ENGINE]]:''' A Forgefiend, Maulerfiend, Defiler or Heldrake will be a guaranteed fire magnet. Fortunately, they all have It Will not Die (tied for best name for a 40k rule ever with He Has A Plan, beaten in the category of best overall rule name by My Will Be Done), and the Drake has the added bonus of being a flyer when Skyfire is still a relative rarity. The reputation of the Defiler and Heldrake in particular will ensure that literally everything the enemy has will be hurled at you, including the models, the table, the dice, the players at the WFB table, and chairs. Lots of chairs.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Mutilator|MUTILATOR]]:''' Pretty much the only use for Mutilators with the new CSM book, Deep Strike one behind the enemy (bonus points if it's a Tau or Guard gunline) and it will die in style as the enemy wastes a turn of valuable shooting which could have been better spent trying to bring down that Land Raider full of Terminators, or the rampaging Maulerfiend in the corner
*'''DISTRACTION [[Angron|ANGRON]]:''' like this needs explaining.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Vindicator|CHAOS VINDICATOR]]:''' Throw in a combi-bolter and daemonic possession and then watch your opponent devote retarded amounts of firepower to keep the Khorne-incarnate rape-engine down.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Defiler|DEFILER]]:''' With a fat BATTLE CANNON stuck to it's front that can try to destroy anything on the table that you'd shoot a krak missile at (STR8 AP3), no-one can ignore this 12 Front Armour beast ( except for anything with a 2+ or armor above 12). Stick it behind some ruins and watch your enemy fall to the might of the <s>[[Baneblade|Baneblade]]</s> [[Defiler|Defiler]].

====[[Eldar]]====

*'''DISTRACTION [[Wraithlord|WRAITHLORD]]:''' It's big, scary, 3+ save, T8 and capable of fucking shit up.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Wraithknight|WRAITHKNIGHT]]:''' It's bigger, scarier, 3+/5++ (if you want to use it as Distraction Carnifex, you will buy it the option for a 5++) save, Feel No Pain, T8, 6 wounds and WILL be targeted by any weapon big enough hoping to harm it, even by the cannons of the Empire vs Dwarfs game on the [[WHFB]] table. Is now a Jump Gargantuan Creature with options to take either a Strength D melee or ranged weapon, meaning, essentially, you're fucked.
*'''DISTRACTION SOLITAIRE:''' Since the Mantle of the laughing god is no more, take this guy for his 3+ Invuln and Eternal Warrior. Has potentially 10 rending attacks which can instant-death. He is certainly capable of fucking shit up.

====[[Dark Eldar]]====

*'''DISTRACTION TALOS PAIN ENGINE:''' The best part about DISTRACTION TALOS is that nobody plays DEldar. Therefore, the majority of the player population has no idea what to expect. Player: "Wait, Toughness seven?!" You: "Yep." Player: "With 3+ and FnP?!" You: "You betcha. Oh, also, enjoy [[Rip_and_tear|haywire and Shred]]." Your enemy then proceeds to unload everything they have at your slow, dead 'ard, floating scorpion beast while your gunboats, Scourges, and Reavers tear them [[Anal_circumference|several new assholes]]. For better results,(aka:something that can also function as a threat) add a cronos with a spirit probe. "4+ FnP!?!?!"

====[[Orks]]====

*'''DISTRACTION [[Morkanaut|GORKANAUT]]/[[Gorkanaut|MORKANAUT]]''' Add the kustom force field (Morkanaut only) and grot riggers, and stow a minimum size squad of lootas inside with three of 'em swapped for meks. Almost too expensive for a real distraction Carnifex, but dangerous enough to work, and almost impossible to kill. For more fun, add a Big Mek with Da Fixer Uppers (on a Gorkanaut, he can grab the KFF) or the Mega Force Field if taking the Ghazkull suppliment. You now have an AV13 gun covered walker with S10 CCW, 5+ invuln against shooting (4+ if Ghazkull and taking the MFF), IWND, Ignore crew shaken and crew stunned results, and any actual damage can be repaired by one 3+ and three 5+ rolls each turn. Points wise though it's bordering on a deathstar rather than an expendable distraction.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Deff Dred|DEFF DRED]]''' Just kit it out with a few scary looking weapons, let it stumble forward with the boys. Make sure you take grot riggers for it to have It Will Not Die, This is really effective when your enemy takes less anti tank because you are playing a mainly infantry army. This is also better used in smaller games, as this thing looks like a scary, choppy hulk of metal.

====[[Tau]]====

*'''DISTRACTION [[Battlesuit#XV104_Riptide_Battlesuit|RIPTIDE]]:''' the advent of the new tau codex means you can field 3 T6 MC with a 2+,3++ save combo and 5 wounds. Give them stimulant injectors and they can shrug off anything you can throw at them. Additionally, they are strong enough to be a victory factor in their own right, capable of dropping S9 AP1 large blasts with ignores cover. Remember, regardless of your tricks, the Tau only win through synergy. Combine one tactic with another, and really tear shit to pieces. Bonus points if you kill the opponent's warlord on turn 1 with only 1 shot from these guys.
*'''DISTRACTION [[El'Myamoto (Sub-commander Darkstrider)|DARKSTRIDER]]:''' Enemy has a charging focused army and you only took one Pathfinder squad, stick this guy in there with a Grav-Inhibitor Drone and laugh as your opponents thrashing, snarling wave of hate never comes anywhere close.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Battlesuit#XV25_Stealthsuit|STEALTH SUITS]]:''' With the advent of the new Tau Codex this is arguably far more inferior to the DISTRACTION RIPTIDE above, but a team of 6 Stealthsuits, with 3+ Armour 4+ Cover, one Burst cannon each (24 S5, AP5), 2 markerlights for support, their hardpoints filled with Stim Injectors, and they just started within their 18" range, well bob, I think I just saw a first turn rape happen. (and they're probably gonna stick around for at least 1 or 2 more turns with those saves)

===Warhammer Fantasy Battles===
*'''Distraction [[Skaven|Hellpit Abomination]]''' - a giant scary monster, which can wreck whole hordes of infantry with some luck. Any sensible enemy with focus it down... buuuut, it is so adorable in has a chance to RISE FROM THE GRAVE, making the enemy freak out and focus it again - this time with EVERYTHING is has.
*'''Distraction Treeman''' - Being worse than it was in last edition, it is still big and tall, and is a fine monster killer, and its shooting can wreck small elite units, so it is likely to attract much dakka (vs very inexperienced player). Beware of fire, or Treebeard's cousin becomes kindling.
*'''Distraction Wyvern''' - just fly behind enemy units the whole game. wrecks chaos so easy, assuming the enemy doesnt realise its a distraction wyvern

===Warmachine and Hordes===
It can be done here too!

*'''Distraction Centurion''' - The [[Cygnar|Cygnarian]] Heavy Warjack Centurion is made for this - Though reasonably killy in and of itself, it's main job is absorbing stupid amounts of fire and hits while your shooty army gets into place, and with defensive buffs up the arse, Cygnar can easily make it even tougher.
*'''Distraction Beserker''' - Khador is nothing but inventive - Though the Beserker Heavy Warjack is unstable and technologically weak compared to its predecessors, it can still majorly fuck up some unlucky sod with its twin axes. That is not why you use it, though - It is because it have a tendency to explode when given focus. It is fairly cheap too, so send it after whatever you want and watch as it gets blown up by anyone on the field - Your enemy if they manage to bring it down, or you, for the lulz.
*'''Distraction Ghordson Basher''' - This might just be the epitome of distraction - A rather fast Heavy Warjack made for one thing, smashing things with its head. Really. That is what it does. Throw it into the enemy and watch as it bounces the enemy about like gravity went on a break.
*'''Distraction Avatar of Menoth''' - Arguably the best of the Character Heavy Warjacks (The [[Cryx]] Deathjack being the only other real contended for the title), it is big, scary, hits like an a freight train and is hard enough to endure the return fire. Throw the Choir Hymn of Passage, the Vassal of Menoth's Enliven and, if you are playing Grand Scrutator Severius, put Defenders Ward on it for a 12/23 monster that's immune to non-magical shooting, can move after taking damage and can lock enemy units in place/force them to move towards you for your next turn when shit is going to get fucked. This is literally the Sain Distraction Carnifex as it forces the enemy to move towards it instead of doing anything productive, and combined with Harbinger of Menoth's feat you either force the enemy to stay still, or get blasted by instagibbing Fire damage roll.
*'''Distraction Colossal''' - Basically every Colossal is a giant distraction tool to draw fire. Especially against inexperienced players who vastly overestimate their threat value.
[[Category:Warhammer 40,000]]
[[Category:Warhammer 40000 Tactics]]

DISTRACTION CARNIFEX

2016-10-29T16:40:29Z

2A02:810D:1140:1F08:49D7:DCAC:CB85:176F: /* Imperium */

{{Cleanup}}
''"Remember- SHOOT THE BIG ONES."'' ― [[Imperial Infantryman's Uplifting Primer]] on Tyranids.

'''DISTRACTION [[Carnifex|CARNIFEX]]!'''

'''EVERYONE START [[dakka|SHOOTING]]!!'''

DISTRACTION CARNIFEX is a psychological wargame tactic which can be used by most [[Warhammer 40,000]] armies, some [[Warhammer Fantasy Battle]] armies, and in several other wargames for good measure. The short version is that you plonk a huge, scary-looking model in the middle of the table, which draws a tremendous amount of enemy gunfire, while the real threats make it up the field relatively unmolested.

It's named after the [[Carnifex]], one of the big monsters of the [[Tyranid]] faction, because the DISTRACTION CARNIFEX was one of that faction's most popular tactics after their 4th edition codex. Many models other than the Carnifex can be used as a DISTRACTION model; in that case, it might still be called a DISTRACTION CARNIFEX (even if it isn't a Tyranid), a DISTRACTION <WHATEVER> (e.g. "DISTRACTION [[Battlesuit#XV104_Riptide_Battlesuit|RIPTIDE]]"), or simply a DISTRACTION. The use of all caps is not optional.

==DISTRACTION TACTICS==

First, choose your DISTRACTION model. A DISTRACTION model must have the following properties:
*Physical size. Remember, you ''want'' the DISTRACTION to get shot. You still want it to stay alive, so by all means chase after cover saves as best you can, but if there's ever a ranged threat on the table that can't see the DISTRACTION, then you're doing it wrong.
*Toughness. DISTRACTIONS don't necessarily need offensive punch -- they're actually fairly likely to die before they hit melee -- but you need them to grip the table for as long as possible.
*Scariness. Remember that DISTRACTION is a psychological tactic; the bigger and scarier your model ''looks'', the better your chances are of it pulling enemy gunfire.
*Low(ish) points cost. The DISTRACTION is a ''support'' model (indirectly) -- it should not be hogging your army points. By all means, give it all the toughness-boosting wargear you can get, and maybe one really scary-looking melee weapon wouldn't go amiss, but you want the rest of your army to be able to compensate for the loss of the DISTRACTION in the early game.

Second, choose the rest of your army. Anything that can boost the DISTRACTION's toughness without being too vulnerable itself is a must. Aside from that, try to build your army with a focus on smaller models and glass cannons -- if the DISTRACTION is taking fire, you don't need to worry so much about the little guys.

When you're deploying your army on the table, put the DISTRACTION down first, and put it right in the middle of the board (unless there's an obstacle in the middle, in which case you should put it in the longest unobstructed lane from front to back). Alternatively, you can deploy the DISTRACTION model through [[Deep Strike]], but only if you have a [[Drop Pod]] or some other method for guaranteeing that it'll enter from reserve by Turn 2 at the latest.

During the battle, move the DISTRACTION either first or last in your turn order, and keep it in front of the rest of your force to keep its alleged threat fresh in your opponents' minds.

If the DISTRACTION pays off, the battle will go something like this:
*'''Guard turn 1:''' Everything shoots the DISTRACTION CARNIFEX.
*'''Tyranids turn 1:''' Tyranids advance.
*'''Guard turn 2:''' Everything shoots the DISTRACTION CARNIFEX.
*'''Tyranids turn 2:''' Tyranids advance.
*'''Guard turn 3:''' Everything shoots the DISTRACTION CARNIFEX. DISTRACTION CARNIFEX finally dies.
*'''Tyranids turn 3:''' Remaining Tyranids eat everyone else's face.

===How to counter a DISTRACTION===

To be honest, if you can recognise a DISTRACTION play, you already know how to counter it; ''don't dedicate your entire army just to killing the DISTRACTION.'' If you spread your firepower in a vaguely sensible way, then you can weaken the DISTRACTION and the rest of the opponent's army. For example, if you have some weapon which only hurts the DISTRACTION on a 6+ and doesn't break its armour, maybe don't shoot the DISTRACTION with it.

==Some good DISTRACTION models==

===[[Warhammer 40,000]]===

====[[Tyranids]]====

*'''DISTRACTION [[Carnifex|CARNIFEX]]:''' The original, but not really the best any more, because the Carnifex's point cost and access to toughness-boosting abilities have bounced back and forth a bit between editions. It was essential in 4th ed, impossible in 5th ed, and possible but not great in 6th.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Haruspex|HARUSPEX]]:''' A 6th ed beast that seems to be practically made to fill the DISTRACTION role, especially since it can regain wounds by killing models in melee (if it gets there). [[Games Workshop|So the new unit replaces an old one that can't do its job any more]] -- [[JUST AS PLANNED]].
*'''DISTRACTION STONECRUSHER CARNIFEX''' - Someone in [[Forge World]] was pretty sad about how DISTRACTION CARNIFEX doesn't work as well anymore, so they created their own with 2+ armor and 5+ regeneration. It's cheap, durable, intimidating, but a bit slow, meaning it draws a lot of fire. Just as planned. [[Anal circumference|Note that this works even better when it's Deep Struck into the middle of your enemy's tank formation for maximal damage]].

====[[Imperium]]====
*'''DISTRACTION [[MURDERWINGS]]:''' With a monstrously huge 12 attacks on the charge, MURDERWINGS sheer MURDERNESS will turn him into a huge distraction. Unfortunately he doesn't have the raw toughness to endure any shooting without a meaty retinue, so he still requires BLOS cover to survive anything.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Imperial Knight|IMPERIAL KNIGHT]]:''' Just fielding one of these guys is going to draw lots of attention from nearly all units that your enemy can afford to throw at it. Also it forces your enemy to rethink where he might deploy his [[Chapter Master Smashfucker|balanced and fair]] units, lest they get pummeled to death by reaper chainswords. 4+ invulnerable save, AV13 and 6hp are going to guarantee hard times for anyone trying to take this guy down unless they have other Lord of War unit with ranged S:D weapon. Or [[Rage|any Wraith army]].
*'''DISTRACTION [[Dreadnought#Chapter_Specific_Dreads|FURIOSO DREADNOUGHT]]:''' Drop podding these guys with double frag cannons. Now with the new Blood Angels Codex the Blood Talons no longer have extra attacks that generate extra attacks that generate extra attacks. All they are now are glorified Powerfists without unwieldy. No longer viable just like the tool namer.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Dreadnought#Leviathan_Pattern|LEVIATHAN DREADNOUGHT]]:''' A brand new Dreadnought from Forgeworld that looks downright terrifying. Even its weapons are incredibly intimidating heavy hitters, and its carapace weapons will make anyone think twice about getting close. It is incredibly tough to kill, and has numerous immunities to basically everything, [[Blank|up to and including psychic powers]], which means your opponent will waste a lot of time trying to kill it before it gets close. Bonus points if you put it in a Dreadnought Drop Pod for extra intimidating shennanigans.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Dreadnought#Chapter_Specific_Dreads|AXE DREADNOUGHT]]:''' Again, drop pod one of these guys face first into the opponent's army and watch your opponents cry as your Dreadnought shrugs off even the strongest of attacks with it's 3++ save on top of its AV12. Be careful though, if they get your back armor you're dead.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Deathwing|DEATHWING KNIGHTS]]:''' Put [[Belial]] with them, deepstrike them right next to all the most dangerous units in your foe's army, and watch them squirm to murder them all. They may all die either by the sheer amounts of firepower or melee directed towards them, but it's worth watching your foe ignore Devastators, Deathwing Terminators, Ravenwing, and other such unit, just for the sheer infamous reputation that the Knights have gained.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Dreadknight|DREADKNIGHT]]:''' Take a T6 W4 Termi with a weapon for ~170 points and see the enemy focus him without really damaging him fast.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Ogryn|OGRYN DEATHSTAR]]:''' 10 Ogryn with 2 Primaris Psykers (faq stated each get 2 rolls) with biomancy for toughness and allied dark angel psyker for rerolls on everything and 4+ invulnerabilities. Watch it absorb loads upon loads of fire as your tactical units sneak up on the enemy.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Eversor|EVERSOR]]:''' Look, he's a full-on nightmare, distraction is far too subtle a concept for him. With the neuro-gauntlet and melta bombs ''nothing'' is safe from the Eversor's indiscriminate rape, be it snowflake characters, tanks, or infantry. Because of this, your opponent will most likely focus every damn gun he has into stopping this drug-crazed junkie of pure murder before he gets anywhere near the bulk of his army, which is more time for your heavy hitters to move forward without the fear of getting an instant-death hit to the face (can also work the other way around. A single Eversor is capable of crapping all over your opponent's army should he close the distance). Well, if he will if he does not die to [[Tau|overwatch]]...
*'''DISTRACTION [[Space Wolves|LONE WOLF]]:''' Give your Lone Wolf 2 Fen Wolves and Terminator Armor and just let him roam. If you feel generous, slap a Chainfist on him. The fact that you gain points by letting this guy die means you can expend him without much consequence.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Leman Russ Battle Tank|RUSS]]:''' Usually done with a Demolisher or Executioner, but can be done with almost any Russ variant. Give it Extra Armor, Recovery Gear and Relic Plating and watch as it slowly crawls it's way up the battlefield dispensing death. As the saying goes - if it hasn't absorbed at least six attempts to destroy it by Turn Two, you're doing it wrong.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Imperial Guard|BANEBLADE]]:''' Not so much a distraction as a 'rolling fortress of destruction', since the Guard never does anything subtly. Take a Doomhammer or Stormlord and start it with the following in the troop bay: 3 Techpriest Enginseers attached to a squad of 4 servitors, and as many Heavy Weapons Squads as you can fit (3 for the Doomhammer, 5 and space for some gun servitors in the Stormlord). Kit them out as appropriate; lascannons for more anti-tank, autocannons for more anti-everything. Buy extra sponsons on the tank itself to make it EXTRA distracting. The resulting 9HP super-heavy can put out an ''enormous'' amount of pain, and thanks to the enginseers safe in its hold, continuously recovers lost HP at a rate of 3 a turn. The cheapest version of this will run around 950 points, and easily breaks 1100 at its most expensive, but it'll put the fear of the Emperor into your opponent...before crushing them beneath its armored treads.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Skitarii|SKITARII VANGUARDS]]:''' To be honest, this only really works against someone who hasn't played against your army much, if at all (which, since it still isn't very common, should mean this works quite often). Bare bones vanilla vanguard will run you 100pts for a ten-man squad and with their basic guns can put a serious smackdown on anything with a toughness value; add plasma calivers for extra distraction, though realize that this will make the unit a prohibitively expensive meat shield. That being said, if your opponent is targeting one vanguard squad with plasma calivers while the other three are closing in with a plethora of haywire and rad-weaponry unscathed then you're doing it right.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Skitarii|SICARIAN INFILTRATORS]]:''' Their debuff aura will make them prime targets, combine with your regular DISTRACTION CARNIFEX for a dire threat.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Adeptus_Mechanicus|KASTELANS]]:''' T7 W3 FNP 3+/(5++ against shooting) robots, take 4+ and a Techpriest Dominus with the Relic Pimp Cane in formation for extra hilarity. Give one of the Datasmiths the Robes of the Technomartyr for the sweet, sweet boon of giving everyone Cognis. Their ability to severely hurt assaulters on Overwatch will perturb your opponent even more
*'''DISTRACTION [[Adeptus_Custodes|CUSTODES]]:''' Terminators on Steroids (albeit lacking in anti-tank)

====[[Chaos]]====

*'''Distraction''' '''[[Chaos Space Marines|MURDER SWORD]]''': Chaos Space Marine one. Give a '''MURDER SWORD''' to a (random champion (NOT LEGAL)) chaos lord or DAEMON PRINCE(illegal too), stick it in a nest of Cultists, and laugh as the enemy targets it for the rest of the game because they don't want it getting within 400 clicks of their special snowflake character, though you are fucked if the enemy has good snipers, fucking Vindicaires... or artillery... or any decent amount of guns AH FUCK IT! This one doesn't work! <s>Still decent for removing faggots like [[Marneus Calgar|papa smurf]].</s> NOPE! Calgar has Eternal Warrior, making him immune to the Sword's ID. Better have the dice gods at your back. [[Forge World|Almost makes us wonder how this thing can be a threat to a]] [[Primarch]].
** (clears throat) "Look Out, Sir!" - on a 2+ for special characters. Even against Vindicaires (but with a -2 penalty so ICs get 4+ LoS while everyone else gets a 6+) and Precision Shots. Yes, I checked before posting.
** (punches previous speaker in the throat) As the power creep goes on, even the Cultist ball gets stomped on (literally) by the new Knights as Stomp results of 6 remove all models from under the Blast. Yes, Removes. No saves, 2++, FNP or Look out Sir. Just pick those models off the table and put them into your bag. Even then, it wasn't that scary as a single turn of decent shooting can wipe your '''MURDERER''' before he gets near the corpse.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Nurgling|NURGLINGS]]:''' Take 6-9 bases of these cute little shits,Infiltrate them as close to the enemy as possible behind ruins, enjoy a tasty 2+ cover save while your army moves up. Just pray they don't have flamers or ignore cover weapons.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Daemon Engine|DAEMON ENGINE]]:''' A Forgefiend, Maulerfiend, Defiler or Heldrake will be a guaranteed fire magnet. Fortunately, they all have It Will not Die (tied for best name for a 40k rule ever with He Has A Plan, beaten in the category of best overall rule name by My Will Be Done), and the Drake has the added bonus of being a flyer when Skyfire is still a relative rarity. The reputation of the Defiler and Heldrake in particular will ensure that literally everything the enemy has will be hurled at you, including the models, the table, the dice, the players at the WFB table, and chairs. Lots of chairs.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Mutilator|MUTILATOR]]:''' Pretty much the only use for Mutilators with the new CSM book, Deep Strike one behind the enemy (bonus points if it's a Tau or Guard gunline) and it will die in style as the enemy wastes a turn of valuable shooting which could have been better spent trying to bring down that Land Raider full of Terminators, or the rampaging Maulerfiend in the corner
*'''DISTRACTION [[Angron|ANGRON]]:''' like this needs explaining.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Vindicator|CHAOS VINDICATOR]]:''' Throw in a combi-bolter and daemonic possession and then watch your opponent devote retarded amounts of firepower to keep the Khorne-incarnate rape-engine down.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Defiler|DEFILER]]:''' With a fat BATTLE CANNON stuck to it's front that can try to destroy anything on the table that you'd shoot a krak missile at (STR8 AP3), no-one can ignore this 12 Front Armour beast ( except for anything with a 2+ or armor above 12). Stick it behind some ruins and watch your enemy fall to the might of the <s>[[Baneblade|Baneblade]]</s> [[Defiler|Defiler]].

====[[Eldar]]====

*'''DISTRACTION [[Wraithlord|WRAITHLORD]]:''' It's big, scary, 3+ save, T8 and capable of fucking shit up.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Wraithknight|WRAITHKNIGHT]]:''' It's bigger, scarier, 3+/5++ (if you want to use it as Distraction Carnifex, you will buy it the option for a 5++) save, Feel No Pain, T8, 6 wounds and WILL be targeted by any weapon big enough hoping to harm it, even by the cannons of the Empire vs Dwarfs game on the [[WHFB]] table. Is now a Jump Gargantuan Creature with options to take either a Strength D melee or ranged weapon, meaning, essentially, you're fucked.
*'''DISTRACTION SOLITAIRE:''' Since the Mantle of the laughing god is no more, take this guy for his 3+ Invuln and Eternal Warrior. Has potentially 10 rending attacks which can instant-death. He is certainly capable of fucking shit up.

====[[Dark Eldar]]====

*'''DISTRACTION TALOS PAIN ENGINE:''' The best part about DISTRACTION TALOS is that nobody plays DEldar. Therefore, the majority of the player population has no idea what to expect. Player: "Wait, Toughness seven?!" You: "Yep." Player: "With 3+ and FnP?!" You: "You betcha. Oh, also, enjoy [[Rip_and_tear|haywire and Shred]]." Your enemy then proceeds to unload everything they have at your slow, dead 'ard, floating scorpion beast while your gunboats, Scourges, and Reavers tear them [[Anal_circumference|several new assholes]]. For better results,(aka:something that can also function as a threat) add a cronos with a spirit probe. "4+ FnP!?!?!"

====[[Orks]]====

*'''DISTRACTION [[Morkanaut|GORKANAUT]]/[[Gorkanaut|MORKANAUT]]''' Add the kustom force field (Morkanaut only) and grot riggers, and stow a minimum size squad of lootas inside with three of 'em swapped for meks. Almost too expensive for a real distraction Carnifex, but dangerous enough to work, and almost impossible to kill. For more fun, add a Big Mek with Da Fixer Uppers (on a Gorkanaut, he can grab the KFF) or the Mega Force Field if taking the Ghazkull suppliment. You now have an AV13 gun covered walker with S10 CCW, 5+ invuln against shooting (4+ if Ghazkull and taking the MFF), IWND, Ignore crew shaken and crew stunned results, and any actual damage can be repaired by one 3+ and three 5+ rolls each turn. Points wise though it's bordering on a deathstar rather than an expendable distraction.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Deff Dred|DEFF DRED]]''' Just kit it out with a few scary looking weapons, let it stumble forward with the boys. Make sure you take grot riggers for it to have It Will Not Die, This is really effective when your enemy takes less anti tank because you are playing a mainly infantry army. This is also better used in smaller games, as this thing looks like a scary, choppy hulk of metal.

====[[Tau]]====

*'''DISTRACTION [[Battlesuit#XV104_Riptide_Battlesuit|RIPTIDE]]:''' the advent of the new tau codex means you can field 3 T6 MC with a 2+,3++ save combo and 5 wounds. Give them stimulant injectors and they can shrug off anything you can throw at them. Additionally, they are strong enough to be a victory factor in their own right, capable of dropping S9 AP1 large blasts with ignores cover. Remember, regardless of your tricks, the Tau only win through synergy. Combine one tactic with another, and really tear shit to pieces. Bonus points if you kill the opponent's warlord on turn 1 with only 1 shot from these guys.
*'''DISTRACTION [[El'Myamoto (Sub-commander Darkstrider)|DARKSTRIDER]]:''' Enemy has a charging focused army and you only took one Pathfinder squad, stick this guy in there with a Grav-Inhibitor Drone and laugh as your opponents thrashing, snarling wave of hate never comes anywhere close.
*'''DISTRACTION [[Battlesuit#XV25_Stealthsuit|STEALTH SUITS]]:''' With the advent of the new Tau Codex this is arguably far more inferior to the DISTRACTION RIPTIDE above, but a team of 6 Stealthsuits, with 3+ Armour 4+ Cover, one Burst cannon each (24 S5, AP5), 2 markerlights for support, their hardpoints filled with Stim Injectors, and they just started within their 18" range, well bob, I think I just saw a first turn rape happen. (and they're probably gonna stick around for at least 1 or 2 more turns with those saves)

===Warhammer Fantasy Battles===
*'''Distraction [[Skaven|Hellpit Abomination]]''' - a giant scary monster, which can wreck whole hordes of infantry with some luck. Any sensible enemy with focus it down... buuuut, it is so adorable in has a chance to RISE FROM THE GRAVE, making the enemy freak out and focus it again - this time with EVERYTHING is has.
*'''Distraction Treeman''' - Being worse than it was in last edition, it is still big and tall, and is a fine monster killer, and its shooting can wreck small elite units, so it is likely to attract much dakka (vs very inexperienced player). Beware of fire, or Treebeard's cousin becomes kindling.
*'''Distraction Wyvern''' - just fly behind enemy units the whole game. wrecks chaos so easy, assuming the enemy doesnt realise its a distraction wyvern

===Warmachine and Hordes===
It can be done here too!

*'''Distraction Centurion''' - The [[Cygnar|Cygnarian]] Heavy Warjack Centurion is made for this - Though reasonably killy in and of itself, it's main job is absorbing stupid amounts of fire and hits while your shooty army gets into place, and with defensive buffs up the arse, Cygnar can easily make it even tougher.
*'''Distraction Beserker''' - Khador is nothing but inventive - Though the Beserker Heavy Warjack is unstable and technologically weak compared to its predecessors, it can still majorly fuck up some unlucky sod with its twin axes. That is not why you use it, though - It is because it have a tendency to explode when given focus. It is fairly cheap too, so send it after whatever you want and watch as it gets blown up by anyone on the field - Your enemy if they manage to bring it down, or you, for the lulz.
*'''Distraction Ghordson Basher''' - This might just be the epitome of distraction - A rather fast Heavy Warjack made for one thing, smashing things with its head. Really. That is what it does. Throw it into the enemy and watch as it bounces the enemy about like gravity went on a break.
*'''Distraction Avatar of Menoth''' - Arguably the best of the Character Heavy Warjacks (The [[Cryx]] Deathjack being the only other real contended for the title), it is big, scary, hits like an a freight train and is hard enough to endure the return fire. Throw the Choir Hymn of Passage, the Vassal of Menoth's Enliven and, if you are playing Grand Scrutator Severius, put Defenders Ward on it for a 12/23 monster that's immune to non-magical shooting, can move after taking damage and can lock enemy units in place/force them to move towards you for your next turn when shit is going to get fucked. This is literally the Sain Distraction Carnifex as it forces the enemy to move towards it instead of doing anything productive, and combined with Harbinger of Menoth's feat you either force the enemy to stay still, or get blasted by instagibbing Fire damage roll.
*'''Distraction Colossal''' - Basically every Colossal is a giant distraction tool to draw fire. Especially against inexperienced players who vastly overestimate their threat value.
[[Category:Warhammer 40,000]]
[[Category:Warhammer 40000 Tactics]]

Adeptus Custodes

2016-10-29T16:25:38Z

2A02:810D:1140:1F08:49D7:DCAC:CB85:176F: /* Getting a codex */

[[File:Adeptus Custode.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Paladins of the 31st millennium. The 41st ones are marginally less clad in gold and a lot more naked.]]

The Adeptus Custodes are the guardians of the [[God-Emperor of Mankind|Emperor of Mankind]] and the most badass group of genetically engineered/enhanced warriors/motherfuckers the galaxy has ever known (with the exception for Assassins and the Primarchs). So badass in-fact that they can get away with dressing like drag queens and transvestites (they love skirts). Well, the skirts are actually a bit closer to the ancient Roman Legionaries, which is pretty awesome in itself, and on the whole they come off as elite and badass.

==Origins & Design==
[[File:Pillarstodes.jpg|400px|left|thumb|[https://youtu.be/R9w_uoUHgiE?t=1m40s ''"After the confinement of the Emperor within the Golden Throne, the Custodes abandoned, among other things, the use of their armour, and their traditional colour of red was changed to black."'']- Horus Heresy: Collected Visions. Hence, the [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDEbsZpweDo Pillarstodes] meme isn't actually too far from the truth.]]

The Custodes are warriors unmatched in the galaxy, genetically-engineered by the Emperor himself. The Emperor first created these elite warriors back in the old days of his conquest of Terra, making them souped-up and more long-lived versions of the already hilariously OP [[Thunder Warriors]]. While the Thunder Warriors were eventually replaced by the far more stable but slightly less powerful Space Marines, the Custodes apparently still use those ancient methods (but geared towards producing far more stable warriors) and as such lack a gene-seed.

Although the Custodes were among the first genetically-modified warriors to be created by the Emperor, they were never intended to be part of a conquering army (though The Wolf of Ash and Fire shows that the Emperor sometimes rolled with a hundreds-strong posse of Custodes in battle); such a role was to be filled by the latter [[Adeptus Astartes]] armies. This is revealed both in their mindset and training: While Custodians share a genetic kinship with one another within the formation, they do not foster the same spirit of brotherhood that is instilled within the Astartes in order to function together as a unit. Indeed, each Custodian prepares and inspects his equipment individually, rather than on military parade. The individuality of each Custodes is further promoted by the fact that the processes required to produce them is not as refined or as simple as that of the Astartes and thus they are not "mass-produced" as the Astartes are; meaning that each Custodian is a unique investment for the [[Imperium]]. It was implied in False Gods that the creation of a Custode was a long and arduous process, utterly different from the creation process of a regular Astartes and much costlier, thus their relatively small numbers.

One ritual that the Custodes do share is the recognition of mighty deeds, manifested in the awarding of names, which are added to the Custodian's title to represent the actions he has performed in service to the [[Emperor]]. ('''Constantin Valdor''' obtained 1932 names prior to the assault of Horus upon Terra.) Such names were inscribed onto the inside of the warrior's battle armour as marks of individual pride.

The training of the Custodes also differed immensely from the Adeptus Astartes, since they were intended to be bodyguards rather than soldiers. It is clear from their '''Blood Games''' that Custodians are trained in the arts of assassination -- both improvised and professional -- in order to counter possible assassination attempts on the Emperor. It is common for several Custodians to be on detached duty for these Blood Games so that the organisation remains vigilant against developing threats. Even pre-Heresy, they were clued up enough to recognise Warp-sorcery for what it was.

Furthermore it is clear that the Custodes are also well-versed in the political etiquette of Terra, and have been known to act outside of Imperial law, to infiltrate influential Noble Houses and to investigate any potential threats. (A role that a Space Marine would ''never'' be expected to fulfill.) This aspect of the Custodian mindset is advantageous, given that the Captain-General of the order often shares a seat with the [[High Lords of Terra]] and thus allows him to navigate the political maneuverings of the Imperium's various agencies, while still remaining an awe-inspiring warrior.

==Capabilities==
The martial capabilities of the Adeptus Custodes remain largely unknown. What is known is that they possess skill beyond even a 'normal' member of the [[Adeptus Astartes]]. It has been said that the Adeptus Custodes are to a Space Marine what a Space Marine is to a member of the Imperial Guard. They are similar to the ''[[Grey Knights]]'', the militant arm of the [[Ordo Malleus]] branch of the [[Inquisition]], in that both are elite, secret organisations with close ties to the [[Emperor]]. Custodes are unique as they have neither a known [[Primarch]] nor do they use gene-seed to produce their genetic modifications. They stand a full head taller than a Space Marine and it is said that they were almost the same size as a Primarch. In fact it was said that '''Constantine Valdor''', Chief Custodian to the Emperor during the Horus Heresy, was the same size as the traitor Primarch [[Alpharius]] of the [[Alpha Legion]] (not a great achievement after all, considering Alpharius was the shortest of Primarchs - the size of a tall space marine)

Dan Abnett's ''Blood Games'', however, provides a different version of the relationship between the Astartes and Custodes. Abnett claims that, although Custodians are slightly larger on average than Space Marines, to an observer it would be a tough bet on who would win in a fight based on strength and size alone.

James Swallow's ''Sword of Truth'' sees [[Brother-Captain|Captain]] [[Nathaniel Garro]] fight a one-on-one duel with a mid-level Custodian ''(if there is such a term)'', which he finds is one of the toughest battles of his life and only wins by playing to his opponent's overconfidence and manages to exhaust himself in the process.

Aaron Dembski-Bowden's ''The First Heretic'' further expands on the Custodes fighting style and armoury. Each weapon used by the Custodes is gene-coded to only be used by only that Custodian (Argel Tal stole some and used his demonic powers to unlock them and then kill loyalists. Even funnier when you remember that certain [[Blood Ravens|bloody magpies]] have working Custodian bolter in their armory and some [[Minotaurs|Greeks]] have a Halbard). The weapons are given to them personally by the Emperor (or at least they were in the 31st millennium, they've probably dropped this rule by the 41st) and as such one of the highest [[Heresy|heresies]] possible is to allow a non-Custodian to handle the weapon. Perhaps the most notable thing about the Adeptus Custodes is the radically different combat approach between them and the Adeptus Astartes: Custodes are not brothers. While Space Marines are trained to support their battle-brothers in combat, each Custodian fights by himself, never intending to receive support from their fellow Custodes. The [[Word Bearers]] who observed this were utterly dumbfounded by this approach, thinking the fighting was just "wrong", despite their fighting being individually perfect. They are "tigers" compared to the "wolves" the space marines represent. Ironically though, one becomes good friends with a Word Bearer to the point that they end up fighting in lockstep like true Astartes (even more ironically, that Word Bearer is possessed by a daemon). Also, he has a Custodian named Vendatha kill 3 WB chapter masters in a second, and then survive a full bolter magazine and sword to the face. And on top he has 3 Custodes kill 7 out of 11 the original possessed marines the Gal Vorbak, including a beautiful final kill. Winning.

But in Graham McNeill's ''The Outcast Dead'', an armed and armoured Custodes fights an unarmed and unarmoured World Eater and [[What|loses]] when the World Eater breaks open his armour and [[Rip and tear|rips out the Custodes spine through his chest]], something he threatened to do earlier. So fuck knows how good Custodes are, since Black Library's writers can't get their collective shits together and decide. That or Khorne just felt like trolling the Emperor that day. To be fair, said Custodian was crippled so his physical capabilities were just under what was required for active duty guarding the Emperor, hence the reason he was stuck on guard duty.

''The Outcast Dead'' also provides an example of a Custodian taking on two Astartes at the same time. While Saturnalia dies, he does succeed in killing both of his opponents.

In Anthony Reynolds ''The Purge'', Word Bearer Captain, Sor Talgron makes his personal assessment on Custodians, where while he figures that a single Custodian would likely have little problems dispatching a single Legionary, the larger the theatre of war became, the more the odds would tip in the Astartes favour. Because although Custodians might be peerless warriors, they are not soldiers.

In Guy Haley's ''Throneworld'', a Shadow Seer and a Death Jester kill a dozen Custodes between the two of them, before being brought down by "hundreds" more. Note that, although ''Throneworld'' is set 1500 years after the Horus Heresy, it's clear that the Custodes were still equipped with golden armour, so inadequate equipment is not an excuse for their poor showing.

The thing is that Custodes are not mass produced and are without a Gene-Seed, which aught to provide some level of genetic normality amongst those from the same Chapter. This would lead to a large discrepancy in their individual levels of strength; most of them are superior than the Astartes, but some are weaker.
Thus, where the average Astartes would be a take-all-comers warrior, some Custodes will specialize in infiltration, some will specialize in war, some go more into politics. With enough Custodians, this means that they eventually cover nearly any possible route to attack the Emperor. This would ensure that any opponent attempting to penetrate the Custodes' defenses (being ''bodyguards'' of the Emperor and all) would run into fighting the Custodes who specialize in countering their plan, whatever it may be. But because of the lack of exclusive focus on military matters compared to what Astartes get, if two large forces of equal size came together, it is likely that the Custodians would be cut to pieces due to the Astartes superior coordination and battlefield control.

==Role==
[[File:Shirtless custode.jpg|300px|right|thumb|Chest armor is for pussies anyway...]]
They have the final word on security in the Imperial Palace, and even the High Lords of Terra are subservient to them within its walls.

Although their full numbers remain unknown, three hundred Custodes guard the Emperor's chambers at all times. Also, back before the God-Emperor was interred into the Golden Throne, the Adeptus Custodes was known as the ''Legio Custodes'' (Custodes Legion), and numbered in Ten thousand golden warriors. It is strongly believed that this is their same number today.

Only three hundred of the Adeptus Custodes serve as the actual personal guard of the Emperor, called the Companions. These are those Custodes that are privileged enough to be in the Emperor's physical presence. Each unit of Companions is led by a Centurion. It was one such Centurion that led a small group of Companions to meet Alicia Dominica, head of the Brides of the Emperor (later Sisters of Battle) during Vandire's Reign of Blood. One such Custodian, Constantine Valdor, was the Chief Custodian during the Horus Heresy. He was the most honoured of all the Emperor of Mankind's creations. No other being had served the Emperor for as long as he, save [[Malcador the Sigillite]]. Valdor was a proud and respectful warrior unmatched in his devotion and loyalty to the Emperor. Valdor was ever-present at the Emperor's side, always protecting him from unseen enemies and saving the Emperor's life innumerable times. Along with Malcador, Valdor was his most trusted friend and advisor.

Constantine Valdor was one of the first members of the Council of [[Earth|Terra]]. He also had a close relationship with the Primarchs Rogal Dorn and Leman Russ, although initially Russ and Valdor didn't see eye to eye. Dorn was ever-present at the Imperial Palace during the great Crusade and so Valdor and the Primarch spent much time together. On the other hand, Valdor only earned Russ's respect when the former defeated Horus in a sparring match. The two were then together during the Battle of Prospero. There is no mention of when or how Valdor was killed if he was killed at all. He stepped down from command as a High Lord so that he could protect his beloved Emperor, now ensconced within the Golden Throne.

===Effectiveness===
Occasionally you see questions raised on forums regarding their effectiveness after apparently spending 10,000 years on guard duty, suggesting that despite their biological augmentations; without any actual combat experience they might have simply become a symbolic organisation since Terra is so well defended by other means.

In fact the Custodians sat through most of the [[Age of Apostasy]], not participating until the last moment to bring order when the fighting made it to the Imperial Palace. They also were mysteriously absent during [[The Beheading]] when the [[Officio Assassinorum]] started leveling city blocks. Added to the fact that the ''admittedly'' very old pictures of Custodians show them not even bothering to wear their armour any more indicates that they don't actually have very much to do these days.

However, one very important fact remains: The Golden Throne is a portal to the [[Webway]] which was [[Magnus|broken]], and it takes the [[Emperor]] every ounce of his concentration to stop that energy spilling out into a new [[Eye of Terror]]. Underneath the Imperial Palace [[Malcador the Sigillite]] showed one of the human founders of the [[Inquisition]] a series of adamantium doors the size of Imperator Titans, and even when standing at the first door it sounds like the greatest battle of all time was going on behind them. So while the [[Grey Knights]] are cruising through the galaxy responding to daemonic threats, the Custodians are holding the line at home, fighting perhaps the most significant ''(and secret)'' battle in the history of mankind, making them perhaps the most badass of any fighting forces EVER.

However-however, the recent HH books have clarified a bit more about this. There ''was'' a war between the Custodes and daemons that was fought in the webway after it was damaged by Magnus' warning attempt, but presently, its sealed now. The Custodes and Sisters of Silence fought together in order to beat back the tide of traitors and daemons trying to force themselves through the damaged gate, while the AdMech was given the task of repairing the gate. This was also the time the Emperor had to confine himself into the Golden Throne to help mend with the repairs and he managed to finalize this by creating a massive golden sun in the middle of the webway entrance to fry daemons trying to get through, although maintaining it was an incredibly taxing job that only he is able to reliably do (Malcador was temporarily assigned to this job when the Emperor got up to give Horus a proper stomping and he withered away into dust from the ordeal).

However-however-however, the Custodes' know their stake in the Imperium's and The Emperor's future: should anyone or anything manage to breach the Emperor's chamber; humanity is doomed in all senses of the word, and they have to be in the right condition and in the right place at the right time. Its not unreasonable to assume that the Custodes didn't budge while the Imperium was burning around them (twice) because that could very well be an opening an assassin was expecting as it is not unreasonable to assume Custodes are likely keeping themselves at peak performance to be ready at a moment's notice because only the ballsiest of assassins would even think of trying to infiltrate Holy Terra itself, they have to be ready to take on anything the galaxy can throw at them.

If you're thinking "isn't that what the Palace Guard is for?", well about that: during [[The War of The Beast]] and the Imperium was freaking out over an unstoppable Ork WAAAAGH, an elite squad of 7 Eldar Harlequins managed to infiltrate The Imperial Palace and muscle their way through palace security in an effort to warn The Emperor about something (or so they claim). They were only stopped at the Eternity Gate after an army of angry Custodes confronted and proceeded to cut them down.

So while it might be unreasonable for the Custodes not to assist the Imperium during its most dire times of need: their own duties are something they cannot slack on for even a moment.

==Notable Custodians==
[[File:1264391028586.jpg|500px|thumb|right|And people bitch about Space Marines and Grey Knights having overdone armor....]]
*'''Amon Tauromachian'''- One of the most notable Custodes. In combat, unarmoured, versus three " Migou" ([[H.P. Lovecraft|I see what you did there]]) or Genestock Ogres from Nei Monggol (Ogryns anybody?) Amon is impressive, he is apparently strong enough to effortlessly break an Ogryn's arm, relieving it of its punch-dagger, then ram it through the poor sods skull. One of them grabs him from behind in a bear hug, which he literally shrugs off, then punches his hand through the Ogryn's chest and rips out its heart. Mary Sue you say? All this is from Dan Abnett himself from his short story ''Blood Games''. Also, he is probably refered to in ''The First Heretic'' as an instructor of at least 2 other Custodes, even though the "last" (well, gene-stock/family) name of said Amon is not revealed.
*'''Constantin Valdor'''- The big cheese of the Custodian Guard, he is a mary sue of epic proportions (Almost like [[Kaldor Draigo]]). A monster of a man, he was described as being a head taller than Amon (who was already significantly larger than an Astartes) and the size of a Primarch (Alpharius to be exact). At one point he defeated Horus himself in a sparring match, however, it is never stated how old Horus was when the duel took place. Valdor was one of the Emperors closest friends and his second most trusted advisor (Malcador the Sigillite being #1). He was described as being the mightiest warrior in the entire Imperium with the exception of the Primarchs and Big E himself (he was almost killed by Phosis T'Kar on Prospero however, only surviving because Phosis [[Chaos Spawn|accidentally rolled snake eyes on Chaos Boon]]). Naturally he shared a close relationship with a number of the Primarchs, the most notable being Horus, Rogal Dorn, and Leman Russ. Also, he rolls with the [[Officio Assassinorum]], so he earns massive bonus points there. At the end of the Heresy, he was one of the high lords of Terra, but stepped down sometime after that to be able to look after the Emperor personally. He has since been replaced as Captain-General: in M32 the Custodians are commanded by a new guy called '''Beyreuth'''.

*'''Aquillon'''- the "Oculi Imperator" who was charged with leading four other Custodes, watching over Lorgar and the Word Bearers after the Monarchia kerfuffle. They were kept in the dark about the Heresy until Isstvan V, but left alive because Erebus wanted their blood. Aquillon embarked on a tragic bromance with Argel Tal. It ended badly - Aquillon killed Argel Tal's mortal waifu Cyrene, and the possessed Astartes [[Rip and Tear|bit his head off]].

===Non-canon===
*'''[[If the Emperor had a Text-to-Speech Device#Team_Emperor|Little Kitten]]'''- known on /tg/ as the Captain-General of the group during "[[If the Emperor had a Text-to-Speech Device]]". May or may not be Constantine Valdor, it's kept deliberately contradictory, what's known is that he was the Custodian who brought Alicia Dominica to the Emperor during the [[Age of Apostasy|Reign of Blood]]. Known for basically telling Big E what is everything. Called "Kitten" for purring up the ranks of the Custodes. Despite the vaguely British accent, he is highly American as he hates [[Tau|Communist fuckers]] with a passion. <s>(It's actually because [[Shadowsun|one]] was tsundere enough that she dropped him before he could tap that ass.)</s> SHIT'S NOT CANON! What is canon though is that he is a black guy (that is, normal human black guy, not [[Salamander]]-Class black). Also manage to beat up a million ton's worth of [[cheese]] in [[Yu-Gi-Oh|a children's card game]].

*'''"[[If the Emperor had a Text-to-Speech Device#Imperials_(So_sorta_good_guys)|Fab-Custodes]]"'''- aka the Pillar-stodes, See 2nd picture for an idea of what they look like. Their whole image is based on the old post-heresy depiction of the Custodes from [[Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader|First Edition]]. They are NUTS, even more so than [[Rage|the dipshit who wrote twilight]]. They are oily, snickering, gay as [[Slaanesh]]'s hell and love it. Seriously, even Kitten knows this and is worried for the Emperor's safety around them, saying that none of this was his idea.

==Getting a codex==
[[File:1474071012706.jpg|300px|right|thumb|We have leaked information of the Custodes from [[White Dwarf]]! Woot Woot! Damn do those models not disappoint! The hype train has no breaks!]]
In Warhammer 40k no, in Warhammer 30k hell yes. Actually it's the other way around: 40k will have custodes available BEFORE 30k. Damn it forge world!

Forge World confirmed that Adeptus Custodes, will indeed, get not only rules, but models. The rules will likely be in Burning of Prospero book, which was (originally) the 3rd book in the third HH trilogy. They will be released alongside Sisters of Silence rules (also getting models, let us hope they have nipple spikes like the old Blanche art!)

Rules can be found on this PDF: https://www.games-workshop.com/resources/PDF/Datasheets/Burning%20of%20Prospero%20Imperial%20Datasheets.pdf

They count as Armies of the Imperium
{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="left"
! || Pts || WS || BS || S || T || W || I || A || Ld || Sv
|-
| '''Custodian Guard:''' || 50 each || 5 || 5 || 5 || 5 || 2 || 4 || 3 || 10 || 2+
|} 
Default squad size 5, max size 10.
Shield-Captain (Character) has +1 WS, +1I, +1A (10 pt tax)

'''Wargear''':
* '''Guardian Spear''': S+1 AP2 Two-Handed, Block(each model can ignore one melee attack per turn, if it rolls higher than its to-hit roll -if it has no to-hit roll it cannot be ignored), also counts as Boltgun
* '''Power Knife''': AP3

'''Special Rules''':
* '''Adamantium Will'''
* '''Bulky'''
* '''Deep Strike'''
* '''Fearless'''
* '''Eternal Warrior'''

'''Upgrades''':
* Any model may swap their Guardian Spear for a Sentinel Blade (AP3, also counts as Bolt Caster (Range 12" S4 AP5 Assault2, Overwatch at BS2)) for free
* Any model without Guardian Spear may get a Storm Shield for 10 pts
* One Custodes in the army can swap their Guardian Spear for a Custodes Vexilia (Banner that creates a 24" Bubble of Fearless for units from Armies of the Imperium and +1 attack for the bearer's unit)

Their '''Formation'''(1-3 units of Custodes) gets a 6++ save if 2 units or 5++ if 3 units from the formation are still in the field

==See Also==
*[[Grey Knights]]

==Gallery==
<gallery>
Image:Custodies-pic-1.jpg|A Custodes. Pimped out beyond recognition? Maybe. Awesome? Hell yes!
Image:Custodes_01.jpg|Custodes Squad.
Image:Custodes-size-comparison.jpg|Size comparison between a Custodes and a Spess Mehreen.
</gallery>

{{Template:Custodes}}
{{Template:Imperium}}
{{WH40k-Factions}}
[[Category:Warhammer 40,000]][[Category:Imperial]]

Adeptus Custodes

2016-10-29T16:03:06Z

2A02:810D:1140:1F08:49D7:DCAC:CB85:176F: /* Getting a codex */

[[File:Adeptus Custode.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Paladins of the 31st millennium. The 41st ones are marginally less clad in gold and a lot more naked.]]

The Adeptus Custodes are the guardians of the [[God-Emperor of Mankind|Emperor of Mankind]] and the most badass group of genetically engineered/enhanced warriors/motherfuckers the galaxy has ever known (with the exception for Assassins and the Primarchs). So badass in-fact that they can get away with dressing like drag queens and transvestites (they love skirts). Well, the skirts are actually a bit closer to the ancient Roman Legionaries, which is pretty awesome in itself, and on the whole they come off as elite and badass.

==Origins & Design==
[[File:Pillarstodes.jpg|400px|left|thumb|[https://youtu.be/R9w_uoUHgiE?t=1m40s ''"After the confinement of the Emperor within the Golden Throne, the Custodes abandoned, among other things, the use of their armour, and their traditional colour of red was changed to black."'']- Horus Heresy: Collected Visions. Hence, the [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDEbsZpweDo Pillarstodes] meme isn't actually too far from the truth.]]

The Custodes are warriors unmatched in the galaxy, genetically-engineered by the Emperor himself. The Emperor first created these elite warriors back in the old days of his conquest of Terra, making them souped-up and more long-lived versions of the already hilariously OP [[Thunder Warriors]]. While the Thunder Warriors were eventually replaced by the far more stable but slightly less powerful Space Marines, the Custodes apparently still use those ancient methods (but geared towards producing far more stable warriors) and as such lack a gene-seed.

Although the Custodes were among the first genetically-modified warriors to be created by the Emperor, they were never intended to be part of a conquering army (though The Wolf of Ash and Fire shows that the Emperor sometimes rolled with a hundreds-strong posse of Custodes in battle); such a role was to be filled by the latter [[Adeptus Astartes]] armies. This is revealed both in their mindset and training: While Custodians share a genetic kinship with one another within the formation, they do not foster the same spirit of brotherhood that is instilled within the Astartes in order to function together as a unit. Indeed, each Custodian prepares and inspects his equipment individually, rather than on military parade. The individuality of each Custodes is further promoted by the fact that the processes required to produce them is not as refined or as simple as that of the Astartes and thus they are not "mass-produced" as the Astartes are; meaning that each Custodian is a unique investment for the [[Imperium]]. It was implied in False Gods that the creation of a Custode was a long and arduous process, utterly different from the creation process of a regular Astartes and much costlier, thus their relatively small numbers.

One ritual that the Custodes do share is the recognition of mighty deeds, manifested in the awarding of names, which are added to the Custodian's title to represent the actions he has performed in service to the [[Emperor]]. ('''Constantin Valdor''' obtained 1932 names prior to the assault of Horus upon Terra.) Such names were inscribed onto the inside of the warrior's battle armour as marks of individual pride.

The training of the Custodes also differed immensely from the Adeptus Astartes, since they were intended to be bodyguards rather than soldiers. It is clear from their '''Blood Games''' that Custodians are trained in the arts of assassination -- both improvised and professional -- in order to counter possible assassination attempts on the Emperor. It is common for several Custodians to be on detached duty for these Blood Games so that the organisation remains vigilant against developing threats. Even pre-Heresy, they were clued up enough to recognise Warp-sorcery for what it was.

Furthermore it is clear that the Custodes are also well-versed in the political etiquette of Terra, and have been known to act outside of Imperial law, to infiltrate influential Noble Houses and to investigate any potential threats. (A role that a Space Marine would ''never'' be expected to fulfill.) This aspect of the Custodian mindset is advantageous, given that the Captain-General of the order often shares a seat with the [[High Lords of Terra]] and thus allows him to navigate the political maneuverings of the Imperium's various agencies, while still remaining an awe-inspiring warrior.

==Capabilities==
The martial capabilities of the Adeptus Custodes remain largely unknown. What is known is that they possess skill beyond even a 'normal' member of the [[Adeptus Astartes]]. It has been said that the Adeptus Custodes are to a Space Marine what a Space Marine is to a member of the Imperial Guard. They are similar to the ''[[Grey Knights]]'', the militant arm of the [[Ordo Malleus]] branch of the [[Inquisition]], in that both are elite, secret organisations with close ties to the [[Emperor]]. Custodes are unique as they have neither a known [[Primarch]] nor do they use gene-seed to produce their genetic modifications. They stand a full head taller than a Space Marine and it is said that they were almost the same size as a Primarch. In fact it was said that '''Constantine Valdor''', Chief Custodian to the Emperor during the Horus Heresy, was the same size as the traitor Primarch [[Alpharius]] of the [[Alpha Legion]] (not a great achievement after all, considering Alpharius was the shortest of Primarchs - the size of a tall space marine)

Dan Abnett's ''Blood Games'', however, provides a different version of the relationship between the Astartes and Custodes. Abnett claims that, although Custodians are slightly larger on average than Space Marines, to an observer it would be a tough bet on who would win in a fight based on strength and size alone.

James Swallow's ''Sword of Truth'' sees [[Brother-Captain|Captain]] [[Nathaniel Garro]] fight a one-on-one duel with a mid-level Custodian ''(if there is such a term)'', which he finds is one of the toughest battles of his life and only wins by playing to his opponent's overconfidence and manages to exhaust himself in the process.

Aaron Dembski-Bowden's ''The First Heretic'' further expands on the Custodes fighting style and armoury. Each weapon used by the Custodes is gene-coded to only be used by only that Custodian (Argel Tal stole some and used his demonic powers to unlock them and then kill loyalists. Even funnier when you remember that certain [[Blood Ravens|bloody magpies]] have working Custodian bolter in their armory and some [[Minotaurs|Greeks]] have a Halbard). The weapons are given to them personally by the Emperor (or at least they were in the 31st millennium, they've probably dropped this rule by the 41st) and as such one of the highest [[Heresy|heresies]] possible is to allow a non-Custodian to handle the weapon. Perhaps the most notable thing about the Adeptus Custodes is the radically different combat approach between them and the Adeptus Astartes: Custodes are not brothers. While Space Marines are trained to support their battle-brothers in combat, each Custodian fights by himself, never intending to receive support from their fellow Custodes. The [[Word Bearers]] who observed this were utterly dumbfounded by this approach, thinking the fighting was just "wrong", despite their fighting being individually perfect. They are "tigers" compared to the "wolves" the space marines represent. Ironically though, one becomes good friends with a Word Bearer to the point that they end up fighting in lockstep like true Astartes (even more ironically, that Word Bearer is possessed by a daemon). Also, he has a Custodian named Vendatha kill 3 WB chapter masters in a second, and then survive a full bolter magazine and sword to the face. And on top he has 3 Custodes kill 7 out of 11 the original possessed marines the Gal Vorbak, including a beautiful final kill. Winning.

But in Graham McNeill's ''The Outcast Dead'', an armed and armoured Custodes fights an unarmed and unarmoured World Eater and [[What|loses]] when the World Eater breaks open his armour and [[Rip and tear|rips out the Custodes spine through his chest]], something he threatened to do earlier. So fuck knows how good Custodes are, since Black Library's writers can't get their collective shits together and decide. That or Khorne just felt like trolling the Emperor that day. To be fair, said Custodian was crippled so his physical capabilities were just under what was required for active duty guarding the Emperor, hence the reason he was stuck on guard duty.

''The Outcast Dead'' also provides an example of a Custodian taking on two Astartes at the same time. While Saturnalia dies, he does succeed in killing both of his opponents.

In Anthony Reynolds ''The Purge'', Word Bearer Captain, Sor Talgron makes his personal assessment on Custodians, where while he figures that a single Custodian would likely have little problems dispatching a single Legionary, the larger the theatre of war became, the more the odds would tip in the Astartes favour. Because although Custodians might be peerless warriors, they are not soldiers.

In Guy Haley's ''Throneworld'', a Shadow Seer and a Death Jester kill a dozen Custodes between the two of them, before being brought down by "hundreds" more. Note that, although ''Throneworld'' is set 1500 years after the Horus Heresy, it's clear that the Custodes were still equipped with golden armour, so inadequate equipment is not an excuse for their poor showing.

The thing is that Custodes are not mass produced and are without a Gene-Seed, which aught to provide some level of genetic normality amongst those from the same Chapter. This would lead to a large discrepancy in their individual levels of strength; most of them are superior than the Astartes, but some are weaker.
Thus, where the average Astartes would be a take-all-comers warrior, some Custodes will specialize in infiltration, some will specialize in war, some go more into politics. With enough Custodians, this means that they eventually cover nearly any possible route to attack the Emperor. This would ensure that any opponent attempting to penetrate the Custodes' defenses (being ''bodyguards'' of the Emperor and all) would run into fighting the Custodes who specialize in countering their plan, whatever it may be. But because of the lack of exclusive focus on military matters compared to what Astartes get, if two large forces of equal size came together, it is likely that the Custodians would be cut to pieces due to the Astartes superior coordination and battlefield control.

==Role==
[[File:Shirtless custode.jpg|300px|right|thumb|Chest armor is for pussies anyway...]]
They have the final word on security in the Imperial Palace, and even the High Lords of Terra are subservient to them within its walls.

Although their full numbers remain unknown, three hundred Custodes guard the Emperor's chambers at all times. Also, back before the God-Emperor was interred into the Golden Throne, the Adeptus Custodes was known as the ''Legio Custodes'' (Custodes Legion), and numbered in Ten thousand golden warriors. It is strongly believed that this is their same number today.

Only three hundred of the Adeptus Custodes serve as the actual personal guard of the Emperor, called the Companions. These are those Custodes that are privileged enough to be in the Emperor's physical presence. Each unit of Companions is led by a Centurion. It was one such Centurion that led a small group of Companions to meet Alicia Dominica, head of the Brides of the Emperor (later Sisters of Battle) during Vandire's Reign of Blood. One such Custodian, Constantine Valdor, was the Chief Custodian during the Horus Heresy. He was the most honoured of all the Emperor of Mankind's creations. No other being had served the Emperor for as long as he, save [[Malcador the Sigillite]]. Valdor was a proud and respectful warrior unmatched in his devotion and loyalty to the Emperor. Valdor was ever-present at the Emperor's side, always protecting him from unseen enemies and saving the Emperor's life innumerable times. Along with Malcador, Valdor was his most trusted friend and advisor.

Constantine Valdor was one of the first members of the Council of [[Earth|Terra]]. He also had a close relationship with the Primarchs Rogal Dorn and Leman Russ, although initially Russ and Valdor didn't see eye to eye. Dorn was ever-present at the Imperial Palace during the great Crusade and so Valdor and the Primarch spent much time together. On the other hand, Valdor only earned Russ's respect when the former defeated Horus in a sparring match. The two were then together during the Battle of Prospero. There is no mention of when or how Valdor was killed if he was killed at all. He stepped down from command as a High Lord so that he could protect his beloved Emperor, now ensconced within the Golden Throne.

===Effectiveness===
Occasionally you see questions raised on forums regarding their effectiveness after apparently spending 10,000 years on guard duty, suggesting that despite their biological augmentations; without any actual combat experience they might have simply become a symbolic organisation since Terra is so well defended by other means.

In fact the Custodians sat through most of the [[Age of Apostasy]], not participating until the last moment to bring order when the fighting made it to the Imperial Palace. They also were mysteriously absent during [[The Beheading]] when the [[Officio Assassinorum]] started leveling city blocks. Added to the fact that the ''admittedly'' very old pictures of Custodians show them not even bothering to wear their armour any more indicates that they don't actually have very much to do these days.

However, one very important fact remains: The Golden Throne is a portal to the [[Webway]] which was [[Magnus|broken]], and it takes the [[Emperor]] every ounce of his concentration to stop that energy spilling out into a new [[Eye of Terror]]. Underneath the Imperial Palace [[Malcador the Sigillite]] showed one of the human founders of the [[Inquisition]] a series of adamantium doors the size of Imperator Titans, and even when standing at the first door it sounds like the greatest battle of all time was going on behind them. So while the [[Grey Knights]] are cruising through the galaxy responding to daemonic threats, the Custodians are holding the line at home, fighting perhaps the most significant ''(and secret)'' battle in the history of mankind, making them perhaps the most badass of any fighting forces EVER.

However-however, the recent HH books have clarified a bit more about this. There ''was'' a war between the Custodes and daemons that was fought in the webway after it was damaged by Magnus' warning attempt, but presently, its sealed now. The Custodes and Sisters of Silence fought together in order to beat back the tide of traitors and daemons trying to force themselves through the damaged gate, while the AdMech was given the task of repairing the gate. This was also the time the Emperor had to confine himself into the Golden Throne to help mend with the repairs and he managed to finalize this by creating a massive golden sun in the middle of the webway entrance to fry daemons trying to get through, although maintaining it was an incredibly taxing job that only he is able to reliably do (Malcador was temporarily assigned to this job when the Emperor got up to give Horus a proper stomping and he withered away into dust from the ordeal).

However-however-however, the Custodes' know their stake in the Imperium's and The Emperor's future: should anyone or anything manage to breach the Emperor's chamber; humanity is doomed in all senses of the word, and they have to be in the right condition and in the right place at the right time. Its not unreasonable to assume that the Custodes didn't budge while the Imperium was burning around them (twice) because that could very well be an opening an assassin was expecting as it is not unreasonable to assume Custodes are likely keeping themselves at peak performance to be ready at a moment's notice because only the ballsiest of assassins would even think of trying to infiltrate Holy Terra itself, they have to be ready to take on anything the galaxy can throw at them.

If you're thinking "isn't that what the Palace Guard is for?", well about that: during [[The War of The Beast]] and the Imperium was freaking out over an unstoppable Ork WAAAAGH, an elite squad of 7 Eldar Harlequins managed to infiltrate The Imperial Palace and muscle their way through palace security in an effort to warn The Emperor about something (or so they claim). They were only stopped at the Eternity Gate after an army of angry Custodes confronted and proceeded to cut them down.

So while it might be unreasonable for the Custodes not to assist the Imperium during its most dire times of need: their own duties are something they cannot slack on for even a moment.

==Notable Custodians==
[[File:1264391028586.jpg|500px|thumb|right|And people bitch about Space Marines and Grey Knights having overdone armor....]]
*'''Amon Tauromachian'''- One of the most notable Custodes. In combat, unarmoured, versus three " Migou" ([[H.P. Lovecraft|I see what you did there]]) or Genestock Ogres from Nei Monggol (Ogryns anybody?) Amon is impressive, he is apparently strong enough to effortlessly break an Ogryn's arm, relieving it of its punch-dagger, then ram it through the poor sods skull. One of them grabs him from behind in a bear hug, which he literally shrugs off, then punches his hand through the Ogryn's chest and rips out its heart. Mary Sue you say? All this is from Dan Abnett himself from his short story ''Blood Games''. Also, he is probably refered to in ''The First Heretic'' as an instructor of at least 2 other Custodes, even though the "last" (well, gene-stock/family) name of said Amon is not revealed.
*'''Constantin Valdor'''- The big cheese of the Custodian Guard, he is a mary sue of epic proportions (Almost like [[Kaldor Draigo]]). A monster of a man, he was described as being a head taller than Amon (who was already significantly larger than an Astartes) and the size of a Primarch (Alpharius to be exact). At one point he defeated Horus himself in a sparring match, however, it is never stated how old Horus was when the duel took place. Valdor was one of the Emperors closest friends and his second most trusted advisor (Malcador the Sigillite being #1). He was described as being the mightiest warrior in the entire Imperium with the exception of the Primarchs and Big E himself (he was almost killed by Phosis T'Kar on Prospero however, only surviving because Phosis [[Chaos Spawn|accidentally rolled snake eyes on Chaos Boon]]). Naturally he shared a close relationship with a number of the Primarchs, the most notable being Horus, Rogal Dorn, and Leman Russ. Also, he rolls with the [[Officio Assassinorum]], so he earns massive bonus points there. At the end of the Heresy, he was one of the high lords of Terra, but stepped down sometime after that to be able to look after the Emperor personally. He has since been replaced as Captain-General: in M32 the Custodians are commanded by a new guy called '''Beyreuth'''.

*'''Aquillon'''- the "Oculi Imperator" who was charged with leading four other Custodes, watching over Lorgar and the Word Bearers after the Monarchia kerfuffle. They were kept in the dark about the Heresy until Isstvan V, but left alive because Erebus wanted their blood. Aquillon embarked on a tragic bromance with Argel Tal. It ended badly - Aquillon killed Argel Tal's mortal waifu Cyrene, and the possessed Astartes [[Rip and Tear|bit his head off]].

===Non-canon===
*'''[[If the Emperor had a Text-to-Speech Device#Team_Emperor|Little Kitten]]'''- known on /tg/ as the Captain-General of the group during "[[If the Emperor had a Text-to-Speech Device]]". May or may not be Constantine Valdor, it's kept deliberately contradictory, what's known is that he was the Custodian who brought Alicia Dominica to the Emperor during the [[Age of Apostasy|Reign of Blood]]. Known for basically telling Big E what is everything. Called "Kitten" for purring up the ranks of the Custodes. Despite the vaguely British accent, he is highly American as he hates [[Tau|Communist fuckers]] with a passion. <s>(It's actually because [[Shadowsun|one]] was tsundere enough that she dropped him before he could tap that ass.)</s> SHIT'S NOT CANON! What is canon though is that he is a black guy (that is, normal human black guy, not [[Salamander]]-Class black). Also manage to beat up a million ton's worth of [[cheese]] in [[Yu-Gi-Oh|a children's card game]].

*'''"[[If the Emperor had a Text-to-Speech Device#Imperials_(So_sorta_good_guys)|Fab-Custodes]]"'''- aka the Pillar-stodes, See 2nd picture for an idea of what they look like. Their whole image is based on the old post-heresy depiction of the Custodes from [[Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader|First Edition]]. They are NUTS, even more so than [[Rage|the dipshit who wrote twilight]]. They are oily, snickering, gay as [[Slaanesh]]'s hell and love it. Seriously, even Kitten knows this and is worried for the Emperor's safety around them, saying that none of this was his idea.

==Getting a codex==
[[File:1474071012706.jpg|300px|right|thumb|We have leaked information of the Custodes from [[White Dwarf]]! Woot Woot! Damn do those models not disappoint! The hype train has no breaks!]]
In Warhammer 40k no, in Warhammer 30k hell yes. Actually it's the other way around: 40k will have custodes available BEFORE 30k. Damn it forge world!

Forge World confirmed that Adeptus Custodes, will indeed, get not only rules, but models. The rules will likely be in Burning of Prospero book, which was (originally) the 3rd book in the third HH trilogy. They will be released alongside Sisters of Silence rules (also getting models, let us hope they have nipple spikes like the old Blanche art!)

Rules can be found on this PDF: https://www.games-workshop.com/resources/PDF/Datasheets/Burning%20of%20Prospero%20Imperial%20Datasheets.pdf

They count as Armies of the Imperium
{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="left"
! || Pts || WS || BS || S || T || W || I || A || Ld || Sv
|-
| '''Custodian Guard:''' || 50 each || 5 || 5 || 5 || 5 || 2 || 4 || 3 || 10 || 2+
|} 
Default squad size 5, max size 10.
Shield-Captain (Character) has +1 WS, +1I, +1A (10 pt tax)

'''Wargear''':
* '''Guardian Spear''': S+1 AP2 Two-Handed, Block(each model can ignore one melee attack per turn, if it rolls higher than its to-hit roll -if it has no to-hit roll it cannot be ignored), also counts as Boltgun
* '''Power Knife''': AP3

'''Special Rules''':
* '''Adamantium Will'''
* '''Bulky'''
* '''Deep Strike'''
* '''Fearless'''
* '''Eternal Warrior'''

'''Upgrades''':
* Any model may swap their Guardian Spear for a Sentinel Blade (AP3, also counts as Bolt Caster (Range 12" S4 AP5 Assault2, Overwatch at BS2)) for free
* Any model without Guardian Spear may get a Storm Shield for 10 pts
* One Custodes in the army can swap their Guardian Spear for a Custodes Vexilia (Banner that creates a 12" Bubble of Fearless for units from Armies of the Imperium and +1 attack for the bearer's unit)

Their '''Formation'''(1-3 units of Custodes) gets a 6++ save if 2 units or 5++ if 3 units from the formation are still in the field

==See Also==
*[[Grey Knights]]

==Gallery==
<gallery>
Image:Custodies-pic-1.jpg|A Custodes. Pimped out beyond recognition? Maybe. Awesome? Hell yes!
Image:Custodes_01.jpg|Custodes Squad.
Image:Custodes-size-comparison.jpg|Size comparison between a Custodes and a Spess Mehreen.
</gallery>

{{Template:Custodes}}
{{Template:Imperium}}
{{WH40k-Factions}}
[[Category:Warhammer 40,000]][[Category:Imperial]]

Sisters of Silence

2016-10-29T15:58:39Z

2A02:810D:1140:1F08:49D7:DCAC:CB85:176F: /* Tabletop */

[[image:Sisters of Silence art.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Don't fuck with these crazy bitches!]]

:"''That's their function...aside from the fact that they fight like bastards. Got the pariah gene in 'em.''"
:--[[Leman Russ]], [[Primarch]] of the [[Space Wolves]], on the Sisters of Silence

The Sisters of Silence were an elite, all female order created by the [[God-Emperor of Mankind|Emperor of Mankind]] to man the [[Black Ships]] and round up a planet's renegade [[psyker]]s.

==History==
[[image:Sisters of silence.jpeg|right|250px|thumb|The Sisters of Silence. NOT ELDAR!]]
As stated, the Emperor formed this all female army at the beginning of the [[Great Crusade]] as a counter-measure against untrained psykers, which had increased at the start of the [[Age of Strife]]. To do this, the Emperor ensured that they were all [[Blank|pariah]]s, human beings with no presence in the [[Warp]]. As such, the psyker's abilities would have no effect on them, but would be cancelled out when they got close enough to them. In one of his odder decisions, the Emperor explicitly had the Sisters take literal vows of silence upon becoming full Sisters. They could communicate via several sign languages (including [[Space Marines|Astartes]] battle-sign) but would not speak a word upon completion of their training. To ensure communication between other branches of the [[Imperium of Man]], Sisters in training would serve as communicators.

The Sisters of Silence are also consummate warriors, trained to the same levels as the Space Marine Legions and using similar wargear, such as [[bolter]]s and [[power weapon]]s, as well as being covered in SoB-like power armour, albeit with no armored helmet or other head protection aside the massive [[Ork|jaw-like collar]] that hides their mouths, which leads to a lot of deaths from headshots during the burning of Prospero. As a military force they are formidable; during the Burning of [[Prospero]] they were deployed to augment the [[Space Wolves]] and the [[Adeptus Custodes]]. While this was more because the pariah gene would neutralize the [[Thousand Sons]] psyker abilities, they were more than capable of fighting with the Astartes. They would also in turn augment the Custodes, the [[Imperial Fists]], the [[Blood Angels]], and the [[White Scars]] during the [[Siege of Terra]], where the pariah gene became a boon fighting the [[Daemon]]s unleashed.

===After the Horus Heresy===
The fate of the Sisters of Silence following the [[Horus Heresy]] has not been completely documented yet. What is known is that the sisterhood was either abandoned, exiled or betrayed by the Imperium after the incarceration of the Emperor on the Golden Throne, and as a result the sisters had given up their vow of silence.

They refuse to recognise the Imperium in its political form as of M32, seeing it as a corrupted simulacrum of what the Emperor actually intended, but they still acknowledge the Emperor as the focus of their loyalty. Thus when their services are required again in the [[War of The Beast]] they accept the calling and return to Terra, where they are granted an audience with the Emperor in his sanctum on the throne; a privilege that not even the High Lords are afforded.

Also, according to a GW response to a question as how to field the Sisters (and custodies) they stated that both still exist. Now as to what the Sisters of Silence do is up for debate. But as it seems, they still exist.

==Tabletop==
Official crunch [https://www.games-workshop.com/resources/PDF/Datasheets/Burning%20of%20Prospero%20Imperial%20Datasheets.pdf here] if you want your ministorum wax seal.

They count as Armies of the Imperium
{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="left"
! || Pts || WS || BS || S || T || W || I || A || Ld || Sv
|-
| '''Sister of Silence:''' || 15 each || 4 || 4 || 3 || 3 || 1 || 5 || 2 || 10 || 3+
|} 
Default squad size 5, max size 10.

'''Wargear''':
* '''Bolter'''
* '''Knife'''
* '''Psyk-out Grenades''': S2 AP-, Blast, causes Perils if it hits something that can generate warp charges. Also count as defensive grenades if charged by something that can generate warp charges.

'''Special Rules'''
* '''Bane of Psykers''': Re-roll all to-hit and gains Precision Shots/Strikes against things that can generate warp charges
* '''Psychic Abomination''': Anything capable of generating warp charges 1) doesn't if standing within 12 inches, 2) manifests warp charges on a 6 only, 3) suffers -3 Ld
** and any Blessing or Malediction cast on a unit (friend or foe) gets nullified if the SoS get within 12" or vice versa
* '''Fear'''
* '''Fearless'''

'''Upgrades''':
* One Sister can become Sister Superior (Character, +1 A) for 10 points
* Any model may swap Boltgun for:
** Flamer for 2 points
** Executioner Greatblade (S+1 AP2, two-handed) for free

So after yeas of speculating if GeeDubs will even give them rules at all we get... Sisters of Battle, essentially. At least in terms of statline. That wasn't too surprising overall, given they were never Astartes. Hitting at Ap2 with three attacks each on the charge can deal some respectable damage, even hitting at only Strength 4 under most circumstances. Though at a mere T3 with 3+ and none of the 6++ their successors got, they usually won't withstand whatever desperate fire the enemy will throw at them to keep them the fuck away from their psykers.

Their '''Formation''' (1-3 units of SoS) gives enemy players -1 to the total number of warp charges they generate each turn for each unit from the formation after the first that is still in the field (i.e. 2nd+)

==Gallery==
<center>
<gallery>
SoS vs. TS Dred.jpg|Being in a Dreadnought does not make you safe from these Chicks.
SoS vs. EC Noise Marines.jpg|Even these Bastards are having a hard time dealing with them.
</gallery>
</center>

{{Imperium}}

Sisters of Silence

2016-10-29T15:58:27Z

2A02:810D:1140:1F08:49D7:DCAC:CB85:176F: /* Tabletop */

[[image:Sisters of Silence art.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Don't fuck with these crazy bitches!]]

:"''That's their function...aside from the fact that they fight like bastards. Got the pariah gene in 'em.''"
:--[[Leman Russ]], [[Primarch]] of the [[Space Wolves]], on the Sisters of Silence

The Sisters of Silence were an elite, all female order created by the [[God-Emperor of Mankind|Emperor of Mankind]] to man the [[Black Ships]] and round up a planet's renegade [[psyker]]s.

==History==
[[image:Sisters of silence.jpeg|right|250px|thumb|The Sisters of Silence. NOT ELDAR!]]
As stated, the Emperor formed this all female army at the beginning of the [[Great Crusade]] as a counter-measure against untrained psykers, which had increased at the start of the [[Age of Strife]]. To do this, the Emperor ensured that they were all [[Blank|pariah]]s, human beings with no presence in the [[Warp]]. As such, the psyker's abilities would have no effect on them, but would be cancelled out when they got close enough to them. In one of his odder decisions, the Emperor explicitly had the Sisters take literal vows of silence upon becoming full Sisters. They could communicate via several sign languages (including [[Space Marines|Astartes]] battle-sign) but would not speak a word upon completion of their training. To ensure communication between other branches of the [[Imperium of Man]], Sisters in training would serve as communicators.

The Sisters of Silence are also consummate warriors, trained to the same levels as the Space Marine Legions and using similar wargear, such as [[bolter]]s and [[power weapon]]s, as well as being covered in SoB-like power armour, albeit with no armored helmet or other head protection aside the massive [[Ork|jaw-like collar]] that hides their mouths, which leads to a lot of deaths from headshots during the burning of Prospero. As a military force they are formidable; during the Burning of [[Prospero]] they were deployed to augment the [[Space Wolves]] and the [[Adeptus Custodes]]. While this was more because the pariah gene would neutralize the [[Thousand Sons]] psyker abilities, they were more than capable of fighting with the Astartes. They would also in turn augment the Custodes, the [[Imperial Fists]], the [[Blood Angels]], and the [[White Scars]] during the [[Siege of Terra]], where the pariah gene became a boon fighting the [[Daemon]]s unleashed.

===After the Horus Heresy===
The fate of the Sisters of Silence following the [[Horus Heresy]] has not been completely documented yet. What is known is that the sisterhood was either abandoned, exiled or betrayed by the Imperium after the incarceration of the Emperor on the Golden Throne, and as a result the sisters had given up their vow of silence.

They refuse to recognise the Imperium in its political form as of M32, seeing it as a corrupted simulacrum of what the Emperor actually intended, but they still acknowledge the Emperor as the focus of their loyalty. Thus when their services are required again in the [[War of The Beast]] they accept the calling and return to Terra, where they are granted an audience with the Emperor in his sanctum on the throne; a privilege that not even the High Lords are afforded.

Also, according to a GW response to a question as how to field the Sisters (and custodies) they stated that both still exist. Now as to what the Sisters of Silence do is up for debate. But as it seems, they still exist.

==Tabletop==
Official crunch [https://www.games-workshop.com/resources/PDF/Datasheets/Burning%20of%20Prospero%20Imperial%20Datasheets.pdf here] if you want your ministorum wax seal.

They count as Armies of the Imperium
{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="left"
! || Pts || WS || BS || S || T || W || I || A || Ld || Sv
|-
| '''Sister of Silence:''' || 15 each || 4 || 4 || 3 || 3 || 1 || 5 || 2 || 10 || 3+
|} 
Default squad size 5, max size 10.

'''Wargear''':
* '''Bolter'''
* '''Knife'''
* '''Psyk-out Grenades''': S2 AP-, Blast, causes Perils if it hits something that can generate warp charges. Also count as defensive grenades if charged by something that can generate warp charges.

'''Special Rules'''
* '''Bane of Psykers''': Re-roll all to-hit and gains Precision Shots/Strikes against things that can generate warp charges
* '''Psychic Abomination''': Anything capable of generating warp charges 1) doesn't if standing within 12 inches, 2) manifests warp charges on a 6 only, 3) suffers -3 Ld
** and any Blessing or Malediction cast on a unit(friend or foe) gets nullified if the SoS get within 12" or vice versa
* '''Fear'''
* '''Fearless'''

'''Upgrades''':
* One Sister can become Sister Superior (Character, +1 A) for 10 points
* Any model may swap Boltgun for:
** Flamer for 2 points
** Executioner Greatblade (S+1 AP2, two-handed) for free

So after yeas of speculating if GeeDubs will even give them rules at all we get... Sisters of Battle, essentially. At least in terms of statline. That wasn't too surprising overall, given they were never Astartes. Hitting at Ap2 with three attacks each on the charge can deal some respectable damage, even hitting at only Strength 4 under most circumstances. Though at a mere T3 with 3+ and none of the 6++ their successors got, they usually won't withstand whatever desperate fire the enemy will throw at them to keep them the fuck away from their psykers.

Their '''Formation''' (1-3 units of SoS) gives enemy players -1 to the total number of warp charges they generate each turn for each unit from the formation after the first that is still in the field (i.e. 2nd+)

==Gallery==
<center>
<gallery>
SoS vs. TS Dred.jpg|Being in a Dreadnought does not make you safe from these Chicks.
SoS vs. EC Noise Marines.jpg|Even these Bastards are having a hard time dealing with them.
</gallery>
</center>

{{Imperium}}

Adeptus Custodes

2016-10-29T15:52:20Z

2A02:810D:1140:1F08:49D7:DCAC:CB85:176F: /* Getting a codex */

[[File:Adeptus Custode.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Paladins of the 31st millennium. The 41st ones are marginally less clad in gold and a lot more naked.]]

The Adeptus Custodes are the guardians of the [[God-Emperor of Mankind|Emperor of Mankind]] and the most badass group of genetically engineered/enhanced warriors/motherfuckers the galaxy has ever known (with the exception for Assassins and the Primarchs). So badass in-fact that they can get away with dressing like drag queens and transvestites (they love skirts). Well, the skirts are actually a bit closer to the ancient Roman Legionaries, which is pretty awesome in itself, and on the whole they come off as elite and badass.

==Origins & Design==
[[File:Pillarstodes.jpg|400px|left|thumb|[https://youtu.be/R9w_uoUHgiE?t=1m40s ''"After the confinement of the Emperor within the Golden Throne, the Custodes abandoned, among other things, the use of their armour, and their traditional colour of red was changed to black."'']- Horus Heresy: Collected Visions. Hence, the [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDEbsZpweDo Pillarstodes] meme isn't actually too far from the truth.]]

The Custodes are warriors unmatched in the galaxy, genetically-engineered by the Emperor himself. The Emperor first created these elite warriors back in the old days of his conquest of Terra, making them souped-up and more long-lived versions of the already hilariously OP [[Thunder Warriors]]. While the Thunder Warriors were eventually replaced by the far more stable but slightly less powerful Space Marines, the Custodes apparently still use those ancient methods (but geared towards producing far more stable warriors) and as such lack a gene-seed.

Although the Custodes were among the first genetically-modified warriors to be created by the Emperor, they were never intended to be part of a conquering army (though The Wolf of Ash and Fire shows that the Emperor sometimes rolled with a hundreds-strong posse of Custodes in battle); such a role was to be filled by the latter [[Adeptus Astartes]] armies. This is revealed both in their mindset and training: While Custodians share a genetic kinship with one another within the formation, they do not foster the same spirit of brotherhood that is instilled within the Astartes in order to function together as a unit. Indeed, each Custodian prepares and inspects his equipment individually, rather than on military parade. The individuality of each Custodes is further promoted by the fact that the processes required to produce them is not as refined or as simple as that of the Astartes and thus they are not "mass-produced" as the Astartes are; meaning that each Custodian is a unique investment for the [[Imperium]]. It was implied in False Gods that the creation of a Custode was a long and arduous process, utterly different from the creation process of a regular Astartes and much costlier, thus their relatively small numbers.

One ritual that the Custodes do share is the recognition of mighty deeds, manifested in the awarding of names, which are added to the Custodian's title to represent the actions he has performed in service to the [[Emperor]]. ('''Constantin Valdor''' obtained 1932 names prior to the assault of Horus upon Terra.) Such names were inscribed onto the inside of the warrior's battle armour as marks of individual pride.

The training of the Custodes also differed immensely from the Adeptus Astartes, since they were intended to be bodyguards rather than soldiers. It is clear from their '''Blood Games''' that Custodians are trained in the arts of assassination -- both improvised and professional -- in order to counter possible assassination attempts on the Emperor. It is common for several Custodians to be on detached duty for these Blood Games so that the organisation remains vigilant against developing threats. Even pre-Heresy, they were clued up enough to recognise Warp-sorcery for what it was.

Furthermore it is clear that the Custodes are also well-versed in the political etiquette of Terra, and have been known to act outside of Imperial law, to infiltrate influential Noble Houses and to investigate any potential threats. (A role that a Space Marine would ''never'' be expected to fulfill.) This aspect of the Custodian mindset is advantageous, given that the Captain-General of the order often shares a seat with the [[High Lords of Terra]] and thus allows him to navigate the political maneuverings of the Imperium's various agencies, while still remaining an awe-inspiring warrior.

==Capabilities==
The martial capabilities of the Adeptus Custodes remain largely unknown. What is known is that they possess skill beyond even a 'normal' member of the [[Adeptus Astartes]]. It has been said that the Adeptus Custodes are to a Space Marine what a Space Marine is to a member of the Imperial Guard. They are similar to the ''[[Grey Knights]]'', the militant arm of the [[Ordo Malleus]] branch of the [[Inquisition]], in that both are elite, secret organisations with close ties to the [[Emperor]]. Custodes are unique as they have neither a known [[Primarch]] nor do they use gene-seed to produce their genetic modifications. They stand a full head taller than a Space Marine and it is said that they were almost the same size as a Primarch. In fact it was said that '''Constantine Valdor''', Chief Custodian to the Emperor during the Horus Heresy, was the same size as the traitor Primarch [[Alpharius]] of the [[Alpha Legion]] (not a great achievement after all, considering Alpharius was the shortest of Primarchs - the size of a tall space marine)

Dan Abnett's ''Blood Games'', however, provides a different version of the relationship between the Astartes and Custodes. Abnett claims that, although Custodians are slightly larger on average than Space Marines, to an observer it would be a tough bet on who would win in a fight based on strength and size alone.

James Swallow's ''Sword of Truth'' sees [[Brother-Captain|Captain]] [[Nathaniel Garro]] fight a one-on-one duel with a mid-level Custodian ''(if there is such a term)'', which he finds is one of the toughest battles of his life and only wins by playing to his opponent's overconfidence and manages to exhaust himself in the process.

Aaron Dembski-Bowden's ''The First Heretic'' further expands on the Custodes fighting style and armoury. Each weapon used by the Custodes is gene-coded to only be used by only that Custodian (Argel Tal stole some and used his demonic powers to unlock them and then kill loyalists. Even funnier when you remember that certain [[Blood Ravens|bloody magpies]] have working Custodian bolter in their armory and some [[Minotaurs|Greeks]] have a Halbard). The weapons are given to them personally by the Emperor (or at least they were in the 31st millennium, they've probably dropped this rule by the 41st) and as such one of the highest [[Heresy|heresies]] possible is to allow a non-Custodian to handle the weapon. Perhaps the most notable thing about the Adeptus Custodes is the radically different combat approach between them and the Adeptus Astartes: Custodes are not brothers. While Space Marines are trained to support their battle-brothers in combat, each Custodian fights by himself, never intending to receive support from their fellow Custodes. The [[Word Bearers]] who observed this were utterly dumbfounded by this approach, thinking the fighting was just "wrong", despite their fighting being individually perfect. They are "tigers" compared to the "wolves" the space marines represent. Ironically though, one becomes good friends with a Word Bearer to the point that they end up fighting in lockstep like true Astartes (even more ironically, that Word Bearer is possessed by a daemon). Also, he has a Custodian named Vendatha kill 3 WB chapter masters in a second, and then survive a full bolter magazine and sword to the face. And on top he has 3 Custodes kill 7 out of 11 the original possessed marines the Gal Vorbak, including a beautiful final kill. Winning.

But in Graham McNeill's ''The Outcast Dead'', an armed and armoured Custodes fights an unarmed and unarmoured World Eater and [[What|loses]] when the World Eater breaks open his armour and [[Rip and tear|rips out the Custodes spine through his chest]], something he threatened to do earlier. So fuck knows how good Custodes are, since Black Library's writers can't get their collective shits together and decide. That or Khorne just felt like trolling the Emperor that day. To be fair, said Custodian was crippled so his physical capabilities were just under what was required for active duty guarding the Emperor, hence the reason he was stuck on guard duty.

''The Outcast Dead'' also provides an example of a Custodian taking on two Astartes at the same time. While Saturnalia dies, he does succeed in killing both of his opponents.

In Anthony Reynolds ''The Purge'', Word Bearer Captain, Sor Talgron makes his personal assessment on Custodians, where while he figures that a single Custodian would likely have little problems dispatching a single Legionary, the larger the theatre of war became, the more the odds would tip in the Astartes favour. Because although Custodians might be peerless warriors, they are not soldiers.

In Guy Haley's ''Throneworld'', a Shadow Seer and a Death Jester kill a dozen Custodes between the two of them, before being brought down by "hundreds" more. Note that, although ''Throneworld'' is set 1500 years after the Horus Heresy, it's clear that the Custodes were still equipped with golden armour, so inadequate equipment is not an excuse for their poor showing.

The thing is that Custodes are not mass produced and are without a Gene-Seed, which aught to provide some level of genetic normality amongst those from the same Chapter. This would lead to a large discrepancy in their individual levels of strength; most of them are superior than the Astartes, but some are weaker.
Thus, where the average Astartes would be a take-all-comers warrior, some Custodes will specialize in infiltration, some will specialize in war, some go more into politics. With enough Custodians, this means that they eventually cover nearly any possible route to attack the Emperor. This would ensure that any opponent attempting to penetrate the Custodes' defenses (being ''bodyguards'' of the Emperor and all) would run into fighting the Custodes who specialize in countering their plan, whatever it may be. But because of the lack of exclusive focus on military matters compared to what Astartes get, if two large forces of equal size came together, it is likely that the Custodians would be cut to pieces due to the Astartes superior coordination and battlefield control.

==Role==
[[File:Shirtless custode.jpg|300px|right|thumb|Chest armor is for pussies anyway...]]
They have the final word on security in the Imperial Palace, and even the High Lords of Terra are subservient to them within its walls.

Although their full numbers remain unknown, three hundred Custodes guard the Emperor's chambers at all times. Also, back before the God-Emperor was interred into the Golden Throne, the Adeptus Custodes was known as the ''Legio Custodes'' (Custodes Legion), and numbered in Ten thousand golden warriors. It is strongly believed that this is their same number today.

Only three hundred of the Adeptus Custodes serve as the actual personal guard of the Emperor, called the Companions. These are those Custodes that are privileged enough to be in the Emperor's physical presence. Each unit of Companions is led by a Centurion. It was one such Centurion that led a small group of Companions to meet Alicia Dominica, head of the Brides of the Emperor (later Sisters of Battle) during Vandire's Reign of Blood. One such Custodian, Constantine Valdor, was the Chief Custodian during the Horus Heresy. He was the most honoured of all the Emperor of Mankind's creations. No other being had served the Emperor for as long as he, save [[Malcador the Sigillite]]. Valdor was a proud and respectful warrior unmatched in his devotion and loyalty to the Emperor. Valdor was ever-present at the Emperor's side, always protecting him from unseen enemies and saving the Emperor's life innumerable times. Along with Malcador, Valdor was his most trusted friend and advisor.

Constantine Valdor was one of the first members of the Council of [[Earth|Terra]]. He also had a close relationship with the Primarchs Rogal Dorn and Leman Russ, although initially Russ and Valdor didn't see eye to eye. Dorn was ever-present at the Imperial Palace during the great Crusade and so Valdor and the Primarch spent much time together. On the other hand, Valdor only earned Russ's respect when the former defeated Horus in a sparring match. The two were then together during the Battle of Prospero. There is no mention of when or how Valdor was killed if he was killed at all. He stepped down from command as a High Lord so that he could protect his beloved Emperor, now ensconced within the Golden Throne.

===Effectiveness===
Occasionally you see questions raised on forums regarding their effectiveness after apparently spending 10,000 years on guard duty, suggesting that despite their biological augmentations; without any actual combat experience they might have simply become a symbolic organisation since Terra is so well defended by other means.

In fact the Custodians sat through most of the [[Age of Apostasy]], not participating until the last moment to bring order when the fighting made it to the Imperial Palace. They also were mysteriously absent during [[The Beheading]] when the [[Officio Assassinorum]] started leveling city blocks. Added to the fact that the ''admittedly'' very old pictures of Custodians show them not even bothering to wear their armour any more indicates that they don't actually have very much to do these days.

However, one very important fact remains: The Golden Throne is a portal to the [[Webway]] which was [[Magnus|broken]], and it takes the [[Emperor]] every ounce of his concentration to stop that energy spilling out into a new [[Eye of Terror]]. Underneath the Imperial Palace [[Malcador the Sigillite]] showed one of the human founders of the [[Inquisition]] a series of adamantium doors the size of Imperator Titans, and even when standing at the first door it sounds like the greatest battle of all time was going on behind them. So while the [[Grey Knights]] are cruising through the galaxy responding to daemonic threats, the Custodians are holding the line at home, fighting perhaps the most significant ''(and secret)'' battle in the history of mankind, making them perhaps the most badass of any fighting forces EVER.

However-however, the recent HH books have clarified a bit more about this. There ''was'' a war between the Custodes and daemons that was fought in the webway after it was damaged by Magnus' warning attempt, but presently, its sealed now. The Custodes and Sisters of Silence fought together in order to beat back the tide of traitors and daemons trying to force themselves through the damaged gate, while the AdMech was given the task of repairing the gate. This was also the time the Emperor had to confine himself into the Golden Throne to help mend with the repairs and he managed to finalize this by creating a massive golden sun in the middle of the webway entrance to fry daemons trying to get through, although maintaining it was an incredibly taxing job that only he is able to reliably do (Malcador was temporarily assigned to this job when the Emperor got up to give Horus a proper stomping and he withered away into dust from the ordeal).

However-however-however, the Custodes' know their stake in the Imperium's and The Emperor's future: should anyone or anything manage to breach the Emperor's chamber; humanity is doomed in all senses of the word, and they have to be in the right condition and in the right place at the right time. Its not unreasonable to assume that the Custodes didn't budge while the Imperium was burning around them (twice) because that could very well be an opening an assassin was expecting as it is not unreasonable to assume Custodes are likely keeping themselves at peak performance to be ready at a moment's notice because only the ballsiest of assassins would even think of trying to infiltrate Holy Terra itself, they have to be ready to take on anything the galaxy can throw at them.

If you're thinking "isn't that what the Palace Guard is for?", well about that: during [[The War of The Beast]] and the Imperium was freaking out over an unstoppable Ork WAAAAGH, an elite squad of 7 Eldar Harlequins managed to infiltrate The Imperial Palace and muscle their way through palace security in an effort to warn The Emperor about something (or so they claim). They were only stopped at the Eternity Gate after an army of angry Custodes confronted and proceeded to cut them down.

So while it might be unreasonable for the Custodes not to assist the Imperium during its most dire times of need: their own duties are something they cannot slack on for even a moment.

==Notable Custodians==
[[File:1264391028586.jpg|500px|thumb|right|And people bitch about Space Marines and Grey Knights having overdone armor....]]
*'''Amon Tauromachian'''- One of the most notable Custodes. In combat, unarmoured, versus three " Migou" ([[H.P. Lovecraft|I see what you did there]]) or Genestock Ogres from Nei Monggol (Ogryns anybody?) Amon is impressive, he is apparently strong enough to effortlessly break an Ogryn's arm, relieving it of its punch-dagger, then ram it through the poor sods skull. One of them grabs him from behind in a bear hug, which he literally shrugs off, then punches his hand through the Ogryn's chest and rips out its heart. Mary Sue you say? All this is from Dan Abnett himself from his short story ''Blood Games''. Also, he is probably refered to in ''The First Heretic'' as an instructor of at least 2 other Custodes, even though the "last" (well, gene-stock/family) name of said Amon is not revealed.
*'''Constantin Valdor'''- The big cheese of the Custodian Guard, he is a mary sue of epic proportions (Almost like [[Kaldor Draigo]]). A monster of a man, he was described as being a head taller than Amon (who was already significantly larger than an Astartes) and the size of a Primarch (Alpharius to be exact). At one point he defeated Horus himself in a sparring match, however, it is never stated how old Horus was when the duel took place. Valdor was one of the Emperors closest friends and his second most trusted advisor (Malcador the Sigillite being #1). He was described as being the mightiest warrior in the entire Imperium with the exception of the Primarchs and Big E himself (he was almost killed by Phosis T'Kar on Prospero however, only surviving because Phosis [[Chaos Spawn|accidentally rolled snake eyes on Chaos Boon]]). Naturally he shared a close relationship with a number of the Primarchs, the most notable being Horus, Rogal Dorn, and Leman Russ. Also, he rolls with the [[Officio Assassinorum]], so he earns massive bonus points there. At the end of the Heresy, he was one of the high lords of Terra, but stepped down sometime after that to be able to look after the Emperor personally. He has since been replaced as Captain-General: in M32 the Custodians are commanded by a new guy called '''Beyreuth'''.

*'''Aquillon'''- the "Oculi Imperator" who was charged with leading four other Custodes, watching over Lorgar and the Word Bearers after the Monarchia kerfuffle. They were kept in the dark about the Heresy until Isstvan V, but left alive because Erebus wanted their blood. Aquillon embarked on a tragic bromance with Argel Tal. It ended badly - Aquillon killed Argel Tal's mortal waifu Cyrene, and the possessed Astartes [[Rip and Tear|bit his head off]].

===Non-canon===
*'''[[If the Emperor had a Text-to-Speech Device#Team_Emperor|Little Kitten]]'''- known on /tg/ as the Captain-General of the group during "[[If the Emperor had a Text-to-Speech Device]]". May or may not be Constantine Valdor, it's kept deliberately contradictory, what's known is that he was the Custodian who brought Alicia Dominica to the Emperor during the [[Age of Apostasy|Reign of Blood]]. Known for basically telling Big E what is everything. Called "Kitten" for purring up the ranks of the Custodes. Despite the vaguely British accent, he is highly American as he hates [[Tau|Communist fuckers]] with a passion. <s>(It's actually because [[Shadowsun|one]] was tsundere enough that she dropped him before he could tap that ass.)</s> SHIT'S NOT CANON! What is canon though is that he is a black guy (that is, normal human black guy, not [[Salamander]]-Class black). Also manage to beat up a million ton's worth of [[cheese]] in [[Yu-Gi-Oh|a children's card game]].

*'''"[[If the Emperor had a Text-to-Speech Device#Imperials_(So_sorta_good_guys)|Fab-Custodes]]"'''- aka the Pillar-stodes, See 2nd picture for an idea of what they look like. Their whole image is based on the old post-heresy depiction of the Custodes from [[Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader|First Edition]]. They are NUTS, even more so than [[Rage|the dipshit who wrote twilight]]. They are oily, snickering, gay as [[Slaanesh]]'s hell and love it. Seriously, even Kitten knows this and is worried for the Emperor's safety around them, saying that none of this was his idea.

==Getting a codex==
[[File:1474071012706.jpg|300px|right|thumb|We have leaked information of the Custodes from [[White Dwarf]]! Woot Woot! Damn do those models not disappoint! The hype train has no breaks!]]
In Warhammer 40k no, in Warhammer 30k hell yes. Actually it's the other way around: 40k will have custodes available BEFORE 30k. Damn it forge world!

Forge World confirmed that Adeptus Custodes, will indeed, get not only rules, but models. The rules will likely be in Burning of Prospero book, which was (originally) the 3rd book in the third HH trilogy. They will be released alongside Sisters of Silence rules (also getting models, let us hope they have nipple spikes like the old Blanche art!)

Rules can be found on this PDF: https://www.games-workshop.com/resources/PDF/Datasheets/Burning%20of%20Prospero%20Imperial%20Datasheets.pdf

They count as Armies of the Imperium
{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="left"
! || Pts || WS || BS || S || T || W || I || A || Ld || Sv
|-
| '''Custodian Guard:''' || 50 each || 5 || 5 || 5 || 5 || 2 || 4 || 3 || 10 || 2+
|} 
Default squad size 5, max size 10.
Shield-Captain has +1 WS, +1I, +1A (10 pt tax)

'''Wargear''':
* '''Guardian Spear''': S+1 AP2 Two-Handed, Block(each model can ignore one melee attack per turn, if it rolls higher than its to-hit roll -if it has no to-hit roll it cannot be ignored), also counts as Boltgun
* '''Power Knife''': AP3

'''Special Rules''':
* '''Adamantium Will'''
* '''Bulky'''
* '''Deep Strike'''
* '''Fearless'''
* '''Eternal Warrior'''

'''Upgrades''':
* Any model may swap their Guardian Spear for a Sentinel Blade (AP3, also counts as Bolt Caster (Range 12" S4 AP5 Assault2, Overwatch at BS2)) for free
* Any model without Guardian Spear may get a Storm Shield for 10 pts
* One Custodes in the army can swap their Guardian Spear for a Custodes Vexilia (Banner that creates a 12" Bubble of Fearless for units from Armies of the Imperium and +1 attack for the bearer's unit)

Their '''Formation'''(1-3 units of Custodes) gets a 6++ save if 2 units or 5++ if 3 units from the formation are still in the field

==See Also==
*[[Grey Knights]]

==Gallery==
<gallery>
Image:Custodies-pic-1.jpg|A Custodes. Pimped out beyond recognition? Maybe. Awesome? Hell yes!
Image:Custodes_01.jpg|Custodes Squad.
Image:Custodes-size-comparison.jpg|Size comparison between a Custodes and a Spess Mehreen.
</gallery>

{{Template:Custodes}}
{{Template:Imperium}}
{{WH40k-Factions}}
[[Category:Warhammer 40,000]][[Category:Imperial]]

Adeptus Custodes

2016-10-29T15:46:47Z

2A02:810D:1140:1F08:49D7:DCAC:CB85:176F: /* Getting a codex */

[[File:Adeptus Custode.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Paladins of the 31st millennium. The 41st ones are marginally less clad in gold and a lot more naked.]]

The Adeptus Custodes are the guardians of the [[God-Emperor of Mankind|Emperor of Mankind]] and the most badass group of genetically engineered/enhanced warriors/motherfuckers the galaxy has ever known (with the exception for Assassins and the Primarchs). So badass in-fact that they can get away with dressing like drag queens and transvestites (they love skirts). Well, the skirts are actually a bit closer to the ancient Roman Legionaries, which is pretty awesome in itself, and on the whole they come off as elite and badass.

==Origins & Design==
[[File:Pillarstodes.jpg|400px|left|thumb|[https://youtu.be/R9w_uoUHgiE?t=1m40s ''"After the confinement of the Emperor within the Golden Throne, the Custodes abandoned, among other things, the use of their armour, and their traditional colour of red was changed to black."'']- Horus Heresy: Collected Visions. Hence, the [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDEbsZpweDo Pillarstodes] meme isn't actually too far from the truth.]]

The Custodes are warriors unmatched in the galaxy, genetically-engineered by the Emperor himself. The Emperor first created these elite warriors back in the old days of his conquest of Terra, making them souped-up and more long-lived versions of the already hilariously OP [[Thunder Warriors]]. While the Thunder Warriors were eventually replaced by the far more stable but slightly less powerful Space Marines, the Custodes apparently still use those ancient methods (but geared towards producing far more stable warriors) and as such lack a gene-seed.

Although the Custodes were among the first genetically-modified warriors to be created by the Emperor, they were never intended to be part of a conquering army (though The Wolf of Ash and Fire shows that the Emperor sometimes rolled with a hundreds-strong posse of Custodes in battle); such a role was to be filled by the latter [[Adeptus Astartes]] armies. This is revealed both in their mindset and training: While Custodians share a genetic kinship with one another within the formation, they do not foster the same spirit of brotherhood that is instilled within the Astartes in order to function together as a unit. Indeed, each Custodian prepares and inspects his equipment individually, rather than on military parade. The individuality of each Custodes is further promoted by the fact that the processes required to produce them is not as refined or as simple as that of the Astartes and thus they are not "mass-produced" as the Astartes are; meaning that each Custodian is a unique investment for the [[Imperium]]. It was implied in False Gods that the creation of a Custode was a long and arduous process, utterly different from the creation process of a regular Astartes and much costlier, thus their relatively small numbers.

One ritual that the Custodes do share is the recognition of mighty deeds, manifested in the awarding of names, which are added to the Custodian's title to represent the actions he has performed in service to the [[Emperor]]. ('''Constantin Valdor''' obtained 1932 names prior to the assault of Horus upon Terra.) Such names were inscribed onto the inside of the warrior's battle armour as marks of individual pride.

The training of the Custodes also differed immensely from the Adeptus Astartes, since they were intended to be bodyguards rather than soldiers. It is clear from their '''Blood Games''' that Custodians are trained in the arts of assassination -- both improvised and professional -- in order to counter possible assassination attempts on the Emperor. It is common for several Custodians to be on detached duty for these Blood Games so that the organisation remains vigilant against developing threats. Even pre-Heresy, they were clued up enough to recognise Warp-sorcery for what it was.

Furthermore it is clear that the Custodes are also well-versed in the political etiquette of Terra, and have been known to act outside of Imperial law, to infiltrate influential Noble Houses and to investigate any potential threats. (A role that a Space Marine would ''never'' be expected to fulfill.) This aspect of the Custodian mindset is advantageous, given that the Captain-General of the order often shares a seat with the [[High Lords of Terra]] and thus allows him to navigate the political maneuverings of the Imperium's various agencies, while still remaining an awe-inspiring warrior.

==Capabilities==
The martial capabilities of the Adeptus Custodes remain largely unknown. What is known is that they possess skill beyond even a 'normal' member of the [[Adeptus Astartes]]. It has been said that the Adeptus Custodes are to a Space Marine what a Space Marine is to a member of the Imperial Guard. They are similar to the ''[[Grey Knights]]'', the militant arm of the [[Ordo Malleus]] branch of the [[Inquisition]], in that both are elite, secret organisations with close ties to the [[Emperor]]. Custodes are unique as they have neither a known [[Primarch]] nor do they use gene-seed to produce their genetic modifications. They stand a full head taller than a Space Marine and it is said that they were almost the same size as a Primarch. In fact it was said that '''Constantine Valdor''', Chief Custodian to the Emperor during the Horus Heresy, was the same size as the traitor Primarch [[Alpharius]] of the [[Alpha Legion]] (not a great achievement after all, considering Alpharius was the shortest of Primarchs - the size of a tall space marine)

Dan Abnett's ''Blood Games'', however, provides a different version of the relationship between the Astartes and Custodes. Abnett claims that, although Custodians are slightly larger on average than Space Marines, to an observer it would be a tough bet on who would win in a fight based on strength and size alone.

James Swallow's ''Sword of Truth'' sees [[Brother-Captain|Captain]] [[Nathaniel Garro]] fight a one-on-one duel with a mid-level Custodian ''(if there is such a term)'', which he finds is one of the toughest battles of his life and only wins by playing to his opponent's overconfidence and manages to exhaust himself in the process.

Aaron Dembski-Bowden's ''The First Heretic'' further expands on the Custodes fighting style and armoury. Each weapon used by the Custodes is gene-coded to only be used by only that Custodian (Argel Tal stole some and used his demonic powers to unlock them and then kill loyalists. Even funnier when you remember that certain [[Blood Ravens|bloody magpies]] have working Custodian bolter in their armory and some [[Minotaurs|Greeks]] have a Halbard). The weapons are given to them personally by the Emperor (or at least they were in the 31st millennium, they've probably dropped this rule by the 41st) and as such one of the highest [[Heresy|heresies]] possible is to allow a non-Custodian to handle the weapon. Perhaps the most notable thing about the Adeptus Custodes is the radically different combat approach between them and the Adeptus Astartes: Custodes are not brothers. While Space Marines are trained to support their battle-brothers in combat, each Custodian fights by himself, never intending to receive support from their fellow Custodes. The [[Word Bearers]] who observed this were utterly dumbfounded by this approach, thinking the fighting was just "wrong", despite their fighting being individually perfect. They are "tigers" compared to the "wolves" the space marines represent. Ironically though, one becomes good friends with a Word Bearer to the point that they end up fighting in lockstep like true Astartes (even more ironically, that Word Bearer is possessed by a daemon). Also, he has a Custodian named Vendatha kill 3 WB chapter masters in a second, and then survive a full bolter magazine and sword to the face. And on top he has 3 Custodes kill 7 out of 11 the original possessed marines the Gal Vorbak, including a beautiful final kill. Winning.

But in Graham McNeill's ''The Outcast Dead'', an armed and armoured Custodes fights an unarmed and unarmoured World Eater and [[What|loses]] when the World Eater breaks open his armour and [[Rip and tear|rips out the Custodes spine through his chest]], something he threatened to do earlier. So fuck knows how good Custodes are, since Black Library's writers can't get their collective shits together and decide. That or Khorne just felt like trolling the Emperor that day. To be fair, said Custodian was crippled so his physical capabilities were just under what was required for active duty guarding the Emperor, hence the reason he was stuck on guard duty.

''The Outcast Dead'' also provides an example of a Custodian taking on two Astartes at the same time. While Saturnalia dies, he does succeed in killing both of his opponents.

In Anthony Reynolds ''The Purge'', Word Bearer Captain, Sor Talgron makes his personal assessment on Custodians, where while he figures that a single Custodian would likely have little problems dispatching a single Legionary, the larger the theatre of war became, the more the odds would tip in the Astartes favour. Because although Custodians might be peerless warriors, they are not soldiers.

In Guy Haley's ''Throneworld'', a Shadow Seer and a Death Jester kill a dozen Custodes between the two of them, before being brought down by "hundreds" more. Note that, although ''Throneworld'' is set 1500 years after the Horus Heresy, it's clear that the Custodes were still equipped with golden armour, so inadequate equipment is not an excuse for their poor showing.

The thing is that Custodes are not mass produced and are without a Gene-Seed, which aught to provide some level of genetic normality amongst those from the same Chapter. This would lead to a large discrepancy in their individual levels of strength; most of them are superior than the Astartes, but some are weaker.
Thus, where the average Astartes would be a take-all-comers warrior, some Custodes will specialize in infiltration, some will specialize in war, some go more into politics. With enough Custodians, this means that they eventually cover nearly any possible route to attack the Emperor. This would ensure that any opponent attempting to penetrate the Custodes' defenses (being ''bodyguards'' of the Emperor and all) would run into fighting the Custodes who specialize in countering their plan, whatever it may be. But because of the lack of exclusive focus on military matters compared to what Astartes get, if two large forces of equal size came together, it is likely that the Custodians would be cut to pieces due to the Astartes superior coordination and battlefield control.

==Role==
[[File:Shirtless custode.jpg|300px|right|thumb|Chest armor is for pussies anyway...]]
They have the final word on security in the Imperial Palace, and even the High Lords of Terra are subservient to them within its walls.

Although their full numbers remain unknown, three hundred Custodes guard the Emperor's chambers at all times. Also, back before the God-Emperor was interred into the Golden Throne, the Adeptus Custodes was known as the ''Legio Custodes'' (Custodes Legion), and numbered in Ten thousand golden warriors. It is strongly believed that this is their same number today.

Only three hundred of the Adeptus Custodes serve as the actual personal guard of the Emperor, called the Companions. These are those Custodes that are privileged enough to be in the Emperor's physical presence. Each unit of Companions is led by a Centurion. It was one such Centurion that led a small group of Companions to meet Alicia Dominica, head of the Brides of the Emperor (later Sisters of Battle) during Vandire's Reign of Blood. One such Custodian, Constantine Valdor, was the Chief Custodian during the Horus Heresy. He was the most honoured of all the Emperor of Mankind's creations. No other being had served the Emperor for as long as he, save [[Malcador the Sigillite]]. Valdor was a proud and respectful warrior unmatched in his devotion and loyalty to the Emperor. Valdor was ever-present at the Emperor's side, always protecting him from unseen enemies and saving the Emperor's life innumerable times. Along with Malcador, Valdor was his most trusted friend and advisor.

Constantine Valdor was one of the first members of the Council of [[Earth|Terra]]. He also had a close relationship with the Primarchs Rogal Dorn and Leman Russ, although initially Russ and Valdor didn't see eye to eye. Dorn was ever-present at the Imperial Palace during the great Crusade and so Valdor and the Primarch spent much time together. On the other hand, Valdor only earned Russ's respect when the former defeated Horus in a sparring match. The two were then together during the Battle of Prospero. There is no mention of when or how Valdor was killed if he was killed at all. He stepped down from command as a High Lord so that he could protect his beloved Emperor, now ensconced within the Golden Throne.

===Effectiveness===
Occasionally you see questions raised on forums regarding their effectiveness after apparently spending 10,000 years on guard duty, suggesting that despite their biological augmentations; without any actual combat experience they might have simply become a symbolic organisation since Terra is so well defended by other means.

In fact the Custodians sat through most of the [[Age of Apostasy]], not participating until the last moment to bring order when the fighting made it to the Imperial Palace. They also were mysteriously absent during [[The Beheading]] when the [[Officio Assassinorum]] started leveling city blocks. Added to the fact that the ''admittedly'' very old pictures of Custodians show them not even bothering to wear their armour any more indicates that they don't actually have very much to do these days.

However, one very important fact remains: The Golden Throne is a portal to the [[Webway]] which was [[Magnus|broken]], and it takes the [[Emperor]] every ounce of his concentration to stop that energy spilling out into a new [[Eye of Terror]]. Underneath the Imperial Palace [[Malcador the Sigillite]] showed one of the human founders of the [[Inquisition]] a series of adamantium doors the size of Imperator Titans, and even when standing at the first door it sounds like the greatest battle of all time was going on behind them. So while the [[Grey Knights]] are cruising through the galaxy responding to daemonic threats, the Custodians are holding the line at home, fighting perhaps the most significant ''(and secret)'' battle in the history of mankind, making them perhaps the most badass of any fighting forces EVER.

However-however, the recent HH books have clarified a bit more about this. There ''was'' a war between the Custodes and daemons that was fought in the webway after it was damaged by Magnus' warning attempt, but presently, its sealed now. The Custodes and Sisters of Silence fought together in order to beat back the tide of traitors and daemons trying to force themselves through the damaged gate, while the AdMech was given the task of repairing the gate. This was also the time the Emperor had to confine himself into the Golden Throne to help mend with the repairs and he managed to finalize this by creating a massive golden sun in the middle of the webway entrance to fry daemons trying to get through, although maintaining it was an incredibly taxing job that only he is able to reliably do (Malcador was temporarily assigned to this job when the Emperor got up to give Horus a proper stomping and he withered away into dust from the ordeal).

However-however-however, the Custodes' know their stake in the Imperium's and The Emperor's future: should anyone or anything manage to breach the Emperor's chamber; humanity is doomed in all senses of the word, and they have to be in the right condition and in the right place at the right time. Its not unreasonable to assume that the Custodes didn't budge while the Imperium was burning around them (twice) because that could very well be an opening an assassin was expecting as it is not unreasonable to assume Custodes are likely keeping themselves at peak performance to be ready at a moment's notice because only the ballsiest of assassins would even think of trying to infiltrate Holy Terra itself, they have to be ready to take on anything the galaxy can throw at them.

If you're thinking "isn't that what the Palace Guard is for?", well about that: during [[The War of The Beast]] and the Imperium was freaking out over an unstoppable Ork WAAAAGH, an elite squad of 7 Eldar Harlequins managed to infiltrate The Imperial Palace and muscle their way through palace security in an effort to warn The Emperor about something (or so they claim). They were only stopped at the Eternity Gate after an army of angry Custodes confronted and proceeded to cut them down.

So while it might be unreasonable for the Custodes not to assist the Imperium during its most dire times of need: their own duties are something they cannot slack on for even a moment.

==Notable Custodians==
[[File:1264391028586.jpg|500px|thumb|right|And people bitch about Space Marines and Grey Knights having overdone armor....]]
*'''Amon Tauromachian'''- One of the most notable Custodes. In combat, unarmoured, versus three " Migou" ([[H.P. Lovecraft|I see what you did there]]) or Genestock Ogres from Nei Monggol (Ogryns anybody?) Amon is impressive, he is apparently strong enough to effortlessly break an Ogryn's arm, relieving it of its punch-dagger, then ram it through the poor sods skull. One of them grabs him from behind in a bear hug, which he literally shrugs off, then punches his hand through the Ogryn's chest and rips out its heart. Mary Sue you say? All this is from Dan Abnett himself from his short story ''Blood Games''. Also, he is probably refered to in ''The First Heretic'' as an instructor of at least 2 other Custodes, even though the "last" (well, gene-stock/family) name of said Amon is not revealed.
*'''Constantin Valdor'''- The big cheese of the Custodian Guard, he is a mary sue of epic proportions (Almost like [[Kaldor Draigo]]). A monster of a man, he was described as being a head taller than Amon (who was already significantly larger than an Astartes) and the size of a Primarch (Alpharius to be exact). At one point he defeated Horus himself in a sparring match, however, it is never stated how old Horus was when the duel took place. Valdor was one of the Emperors closest friends and his second most trusted advisor (Malcador the Sigillite being #1). He was described as being the mightiest warrior in the entire Imperium with the exception of the Primarchs and Big E himself (he was almost killed by Phosis T'Kar on Prospero however, only surviving because Phosis [[Chaos Spawn|accidentally rolled snake eyes on Chaos Boon]]). Naturally he shared a close relationship with a number of the Primarchs, the most notable being Horus, Rogal Dorn, and Leman Russ. Also, he rolls with the [[Officio Assassinorum]], so he earns massive bonus points there. At the end of the Heresy, he was one of the high lords of Terra, but stepped down sometime after that to be able to look after the Emperor personally. He has since been replaced as Captain-General: in M32 the Custodians are commanded by a new guy called '''Beyreuth'''.

*'''Aquillon'''- the "Oculi Imperator" who was charged with leading four other Custodes, watching over Lorgar and the Word Bearers after the Monarchia kerfuffle. They were kept in the dark about the Heresy until Isstvan V, but left alive because Erebus wanted their blood. Aquillon embarked on a tragic bromance with Argel Tal. It ended badly - Aquillon killed Argel Tal's mortal waifu Cyrene, and the possessed Astartes [[Rip and Tear|bit his head off]].

===Non-canon===
*'''[[If the Emperor had a Text-to-Speech Device#Team_Emperor|Little Kitten]]'''- known on /tg/ as the Captain-General of the group during "[[If the Emperor had a Text-to-Speech Device]]". May or may not be Constantine Valdor, it's kept deliberately contradictory, what's known is that he was the Custodian who brought Alicia Dominica to the Emperor during the [[Age of Apostasy|Reign of Blood]]. Known for basically telling Big E what is everything. Called "Kitten" for purring up the ranks of the Custodes. Despite the vaguely British accent, he is highly American as he hates [[Tau|Communist fuckers]] with a passion. <s>(It's actually because [[Shadowsun|one]] was tsundere enough that she dropped him before he could tap that ass.)</s> SHIT'S NOT CANON! What is canon though is that he is a black guy (that is, normal human black guy, not [[Salamander]]-Class black). Also manage to beat up a million ton's worth of [[cheese]] in [[Yu-Gi-Oh|a children's card game]].

*'''"[[If the Emperor had a Text-to-Speech Device#Imperials_(So_sorta_good_guys)|Fab-Custodes]]"'''- aka the Pillar-stodes, See 2nd picture for an idea of what they look like. Their whole image is based on the old post-heresy depiction of the Custodes from [[Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader|First Edition]]. They are NUTS, even more so than [[Rage|the dipshit who wrote twilight]]. They are oily, snickering, gay as [[Slaanesh]]'s hell and love it. Seriously, even Kitten knows this and is worried for the Emperor's safety around them, saying that none of this was his idea.

==Getting a codex==
[[File:1474071012706.jpg|300px|right|thumb|We have leaked information of the Custodes from [[White Dwarf]]! Woot Woot! Damn do those models not disappoint! The hype train has no breaks!]]
In Warhammer 40k no, in Warhammer 30k hell yes. Actually it's the other way around: 40k will have custodes available BEFORE 30k. Damn it forge world!

Forge World confirmed that Adeptus Custodes, will indeed, get not only rules, but models. The rules will likely be in Burning of Prospero book, which was (originally) the 3rd book in the third HH trilogy. They will be released alongside Sisters of Silence rules (also getting models, let us hope they have nipple spikes like the old Blanche art!)

Rules can be found on this PDF: https://www.games-workshop.com/resources/PDF/Datasheets/Burning%20of%20Prospero%20Imperial%20Datasheets.pdf

They count as Armies of the Imperium
{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="left"
! || Pts || WS || BS || S || T || W || I || A || Ld || Sv
|-
| '''Custodian Guard:''' || 50 each || 5 || 5 || 5 || 5 || 2 || 4 || 3 || 10 || 2+
|} 
Default squad size 5, max size 10.
Shield-Captain has +1 WS, +1I, +1A (10 pt tax)

'''Wargear''':
* '''Guardian Spear''': S+1 AP2 Block(each model can ignore one melee attack per turn, if it rolls higher than its to-hit roll -if it has no to-hit roll it cannot be ignored), also counts as Boltgun
* '''Power Knife''': AP3

'''Special Rules''':
* '''Adamantium Will'''
* '''Bulky'''
* '''Deep Strike'''
* '''Fearless'''
* '''Eternal Warrior'''

'''Upgrades''':
* Any model may swap their Guardian Spear for a Sentinel Blade (AP3, also counts as Bolt Caster (Range 12" S4 AP5 Assault2, Overwatch at BS2)) for free
* Any model without Guardian Spear may get a Storm Shield for 10 pts
* One Custodes in the army can swap their Guardian Spear for a Custodes Vexilia (Banner that creates a 12" Bubble of Fearless for units from Armies of the Imperium and +1 attack for the bearer's unit)

Their '''Formation'''(1-3 units of Custodes) gets a 6++ save if 2 units or 5++ if 3 units from the formation are still in the field

==See Also==
*[[Grey Knights]]

==Gallery==
<gallery>
Image:Custodies-pic-1.jpg|A Custodes. Pimped out beyond recognition? Maybe. Awesome? Hell yes!
Image:Custodes_01.jpg|Custodes Squad.
Image:Custodes-size-comparison.jpg|Size comparison between a Custodes and a Spess Mehreen.
</gallery>

{{Template:Custodes}}
{{Template:Imperium}}
{{WH40k-Factions}}
[[Category:Warhammer 40,000]][[Category:Imperial]]

Adeptus Custodes

2016-10-29T15:42:12Z

2A02:810D:1140:1F08:49D7:DCAC:CB85:176F: /* Getting a codex */

[[File:Adeptus Custode.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Paladins of the 31st millennium. The 41st ones are marginally less clad in gold and a lot more naked.]]

The Adeptus Custodes are the guardians of the [[God-Emperor of Mankind|Emperor of Mankind]] and the most badass group of genetically engineered/enhanced warriors/motherfuckers the galaxy has ever known (with the exception for Assassins and the Primarchs). So badass in-fact that they can get away with dressing like drag queens and transvestites (they love skirts). Well, the skirts are actually a bit closer to the ancient Roman Legionaries, which is pretty awesome in itself, and on the whole they come off as elite and badass.

==Origins & Design==
[[File:Pillarstodes.jpg|400px|left|thumb|[https://youtu.be/R9w_uoUHgiE?t=1m40s ''"After the confinement of the Emperor within the Golden Throne, the Custodes abandoned, among other things, the use of their armour, and their traditional colour of red was changed to black."'']- Horus Heresy: Collected Visions. Hence, the [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDEbsZpweDo Pillarstodes] meme isn't actually too far from the truth.]]

The Custodes are warriors unmatched in the galaxy, genetically-engineered by the Emperor himself. The Emperor first created these elite warriors back in the old days of his conquest of Terra, making them souped-up and more long-lived versions of the already hilariously OP [[Thunder Warriors]]. While the Thunder Warriors were eventually replaced by the far more stable but slightly less powerful Space Marines, the Custodes apparently still use those ancient methods (but geared towards producing far more stable warriors) and as such lack a gene-seed.

Although the Custodes were among the first genetically-modified warriors to be created by the Emperor, they were never intended to be part of a conquering army (though The Wolf of Ash and Fire shows that the Emperor sometimes rolled with a hundreds-strong posse of Custodes in battle); such a role was to be filled by the latter [[Adeptus Astartes]] armies. This is revealed both in their mindset and training: While Custodians share a genetic kinship with one another within the formation, they do not foster the same spirit of brotherhood that is instilled within the Astartes in order to function together as a unit. Indeed, each Custodian prepares and inspects his equipment individually, rather than on military parade. The individuality of each Custodes is further promoted by the fact that the processes required to produce them is not as refined or as simple as that of the Astartes and thus they are not "mass-produced" as the Astartes are; meaning that each Custodian is a unique investment for the [[Imperium]]. It was implied in False Gods that the creation of a Custode was a long and arduous process, utterly different from the creation process of a regular Astartes and much costlier, thus their relatively small numbers.

One ritual that the Custodes do share is the recognition of mighty deeds, manifested in the awarding of names, which are added to the Custodian's title to represent the actions he has performed in service to the [[Emperor]]. ('''Constantin Valdor''' obtained 1932 names prior to the assault of Horus upon Terra.) Such names were inscribed onto the inside of the warrior's battle armour as marks of individual pride.

The training of the Custodes also differed immensely from the Adeptus Astartes, since they were intended to be bodyguards rather than soldiers. It is clear from their '''Blood Games''' that Custodians are trained in the arts of assassination -- both improvised and professional -- in order to counter possible assassination attempts on the Emperor. It is common for several Custodians to be on detached duty for these Blood Games so that the organisation remains vigilant against developing threats. Even pre-Heresy, they were clued up enough to recognise Warp-sorcery for what it was.

Furthermore it is clear that the Custodes are also well-versed in the political etiquette of Terra, and have been known to act outside of Imperial law, to infiltrate influential Noble Houses and to investigate any potential threats. (A role that a Space Marine would ''never'' be expected to fulfill.) This aspect of the Custodian mindset is advantageous, given that the Captain-General of the order often shares a seat with the [[High Lords of Terra]] and thus allows him to navigate the political maneuverings of the Imperium's various agencies, while still remaining an awe-inspiring warrior.

==Capabilities==
The martial capabilities of the Adeptus Custodes remain largely unknown. What is known is that they possess skill beyond even a 'normal' member of the [[Adeptus Astartes]]. It has been said that the Adeptus Custodes are to a Space Marine what a Space Marine is to a member of the Imperial Guard. They are similar to the ''[[Grey Knights]]'', the militant arm of the [[Ordo Malleus]] branch of the [[Inquisition]], in that both are elite, secret organisations with close ties to the [[Emperor]]. Custodes are unique as they have neither a known [[Primarch]] nor do they use gene-seed to produce their genetic modifications. They stand a full head taller than a Space Marine and it is said that they were almost the same size as a Primarch. In fact it was said that '''Constantine Valdor''', Chief Custodian to the Emperor during the Horus Heresy, was the same size as the traitor Primarch [[Alpharius]] of the [[Alpha Legion]] (not a great achievement after all, considering Alpharius was the shortest of Primarchs - the size of a tall space marine)

Dan Abnett's ''Blood Games'', however, provides a different version of the relationship between the Astartes and Custodes. Abnett claims that, although Custodians are slightly larger on average than Space Marines, to an observer it would be a tough bet on who would win in a fight based on strength and size alone.

James Swallow's ''Sword of Truth'' sees [[Brother-Captain|Captain]] [[Nathaniel Garro]] fight a one-on-one duel with a mid-level Custodian ''(if there is such a term)'', which he finds is one of the toughest battles of his life and only wins by playing to his opponent's overconfidence and manages to exhaust himself in the process.

Aaron Dembski-Bowden's ''The First Heretic'' further expands on the Custodes fighting style and armoury. Each weapon used by the Custodes is gene-coded to only be used by only that Custodian (Argel Tal stole some and used his demonic powers to unlock them and then kill loyalists. Even funnier when you remember that certain [[Blood Ravens|bloody magpies]] have working Custodian bolter in their armory and some [[Minotaurs|Greeks]] have a Halbard). The weapons are given to them personally by the Emperor (or at least they were in the 31st millennium, they've probably dropped this rule by the 41st) and as such one of the highest [[Heresy|heresies]] possible is to allow a non-Custodian to handle the weapon. Perhaps the most notable thing about the Adeptus Custodes is the radically different combat approach between them and the Adeptus Astartes: Custodes are not brothers. While Space Marines are trained to support their battle-brothers in combat, each Custodian fights by himself, never intending to receive support from their fellow Custodes. The [[Word Bearers]] who observed this were utterly dumbfounded by this approach, thinking the fighting was just "wrong", despite their fighting being individually perfect. They are "tigers" compared to the "wolves" the space marines represent. Ironically though, one becomes good friends with a Word Bearer to the point that they end up fighting in lockstep like true Astartes (even more ironically, that Word Bearer is possessed by a daemon). Also, he has a Custodian named Vendatha kill 3 WB chapter masters in a second, and then survive a full bolter magazine and sword to the face. And on top he has 3 Custodes kill 7 out of 11 the original possessed marines the Gal Vorbak, including a beautiful final kill. Winning.

But in Graham McNeill's ''The Outcast Dead'', an armed and armoured Custodes fights an unarmed and unarmoured World Eater and [[What|loses]] when the World Eater breaks open his armour and [[Rip and tear|rips out the Custodes spine through his chest]], something he threatened to do earlier. So fuck knows how good Custodes are, since Black Library's writers can't get their collective shits together and decide. That or Khorne just felt like trolling the Emperor that day. To be fair, said Custodian was crippled so his physical capabilities were just under what was required for active duty guarding the Emperor, hence the reason he was stuck on guard duty.

''The Outcast Dead'' also provides an example of a Custodian taking on two Astartes at the same time. While Saturnalia dies, he does succeed in killing both of his opponents.

In Anthony Reynolds ''The Purge'', Word Bearer Captain, Sor Talgron makes his personal assessment on Custodians, where while he figures that a single Custodian would likely have little problems dispatching a single Legionary, the larger the theatre of war became, the more the odds would tip in the Astartes favour. Because although Custodians might be peerless warriors, they are not soldiers.

In Guy Haley's ''Throneworld'', a Shadow Seer and a Death Jester kill a dozen Custodes between the two of them, before being brought down by "hundreds" more. Note that, although ''Throneworld'' is set 1500 years after the Horus Heresy, it's clear that the Custodes were still equipped with golden armour, so inadequate equipment is not an excuse for their poor showing.

The thing is that Custodes are not mass produced and are without a Gene-Seed, which aught to provide some level of genetic normality amongst those from the same Chapter. This would lead to a large discrepancy in their individual levels of strength; most of them are superior than the Astartes, but some are weaker.
Thus, where the average Astartes would be a take-all-comers warrior, some Custodes will specialize in infiltration, some will specialize in war, some go more into politics. With enough Custodians, this means that they eventually cover nearly any possible route to attack the Emperor. This would ensure that any opponent attempting to penetrate the Custodes' defenses (being ''bodyguards'' of the Emperor and all) would run into fighting the Custodes who specialize in countering their plan, whatever it may be. But because of the lack of exclusive focus on military matters compared to what Astartes get, if two large forces of equal size came together, it is likely that the Custodians would be cut to pieces due to the Astartes superior coordination and battlefield control.

==Role==
[[File:Shirtless custode.jpg|300px|right|thumb|Chest armor is for pussies anyway...]]
They have the final word on security in the Imperial Palace, and even the High Lords of Terra are subservient to them within its walls.

Although their full numbers remain unknown, three hundred Custodes guard the Emperor's chambers at all times. Also, back before the God-Emperor was interred into the Golden Throne, the Adeptus Custodes was known as the ''Legio Custodes'' (Custodes Legion), and numbered in Ten thousand golden warriors. It is strongly believed that this is their same number today.

Only three hundred of the Adeptus Custodes serve as the actual personal guard of the Emperor, called the Companions. These are those Custodes that are privileged enough to be in the Emperor's physical presence. Each unit of Companions is led by a Centurion. It was one such Centurion that led a small group of Companions to meet Alicia Dominica, head of the Brides of the Emperor (later Sisters of Battle) during Vandire's Reign of Blood. One such Custodian, Constantine Valdor, was the Chief Custodian during the Horus Heresy. He was the most honoured of all the Emperor of Mankind's creations. No other being had served the Emperor for as long as he, save [[Malcador the Sigillite]]. Valdor was a proud and respectful warrior unmatched in his devotion and loyalty to the Emperor. Valdor was ever-present at the Emperor's side, always protecting him from unseen enemies and saving the Emperor's life innumerable times. Along with Malcador, Valdor was his most trusted friend and advisor.

Constantine Valdor was one of the first members of the Council of [[Earth|Terra]]. He also had a close relationship with the Primarchs Rogal Dorn and Leman Russ, although initially Russ and Valdor didn't see eye to eye. Dorn was ever-present at the Imperial Palace during the great Crusade and so Valdor and the Primarch spent much time together. On the other hand, Valdor only earned Russ's respect when the former defeated Horus in a sparring match. The two were then together during the Battle of Prospero. There is no mention of when or how Valdor was killed if he was killed at all. He stepped down from command as a High Lord so that he could protect his beloved Emperor, now ensconced within the Golden Throne.

===Effectiveness===
Occasionally you see questions raised on forums regarding their effectiveness after apparently spending 10,000 years on guard duty, suggesting that despite their biological augmentations; without any actual combat experience they might have simply become a symbolic organisation since Terra is so well defended by other means.

In fact the Custodians sat through most of the [[Age of Apostasy]], not participating until the last moment to bring order when the fighting made it to the Imperial Palace. They also were mysteriously absent during [[The Beheading]] when the [[Officio Assassinorum]] started leveling city blocks. Added to the fact that the ''admittedly'' very old pictures of Custodians show them not even bothering to wear their armour any more indicates that they don't actually have very much to do these days.

However, one very important fact remains: The Golden Throne is a portal to the [[Webway]] which was [[Magnus|broken]], and it takes the [[Emperor]] every ounce of his concentration to stop that energy spilling out into a new [[Eye of Terror]]. Underneath the Imperial Palace [[Malcador the Sigillite]] showed one of the human founders of the [[Inquisition]] a series of adamantium doors the size of Imperator Titans, and even when standing at the first door it sounds like the greatest battle of all time was going on behind them. So while the [[Grey Knights]] are cruising through the galaxy responding to daemonic threats, the Custodians are holding the line at home, fighting perhaps the most significant ''(and secret)'' battle in the history of mankind, making them perhaps the most badass of any fighting forces EVER.

However-however, the recent HH books have clarified a bit more about this. There ''was'' a war between the Custodes and daemons that was fought in the webway after it was damaged by Magnus' warning attempt, but presently, its sealed now. The Custodes and Sisters of Silence fought together in order to beat back the tide of traitors and daemons trying to force themselves through the damaged gate, while the AdMech was given the task of repairing the gate. This was also the time the Emperor had to confine himself into the Golden Throne to help mend with the repairs and he managed to finalize this by creating a massive golden sun in the middle of the webway entrance to fry daemons trying to get through, although maintaining it was an incredibly taxing job that only he is able to reliably do (Malcador was temporarily assigned to this job when the Emperor got up to give Horus a proper stomping and he withered away into dust from the ordeal).

However-however-however, the Custodes' know their stake in the Imperium's and The Emperor's future: should anyone or anything manage to breach the Emperor's chamber; humanity is doomed in all senses of the word, and they have to be in the right condition and in the right place at the right time. Its not unreasonable to assume that the Custodes didn't budge while the Imperium was burning around them (twice) because that could very well be an opening an assassin was expecting as it is not unreasonable to assume Custodes are likely keeping themselves at peak performance to be ready at a moment's notice because only the ballsiest of assassins would even think of trying to infiltrate Holy Terra itself, they have to be ready to take on anything the galaxy can throw at them.

If you're thinking "isn't that what the Palace Guard is for?", well about that: during [[The War of The Beast]] and the Imperium was freaking out over an unstoppable Ork WAAAAGH, an elite squad of 7 Eldar Harlequins managed to infiltrate The Imperial Palace and muscle their way through palace security in an effort to warn The Emperor about something (or so they claim). They were only stopped at the Eternity Gate after an army of angry Custodes confronted and proceeded to cut them down.

So while it might be unreasonable for the Custodes not to assist the Imperium during its most dire times of need: their own duties are something they cannot slack on for even a moment.

==Notable Custodians==
[[File:1264391028586.jpg|500px|thumb|right|And people bitch about Space Marines and Grey Knights having overdone armor....]]
*'''Amon Tauromachian'''- One of the most notable Custodes. In combat, unarmoured, versus three " Migou" ([[H.P. Lovecraft|I see what you did there]]) or Genestock Ogres from Nei Monggol (Ogryns anybody?) Amon is impressive, he is apparently strong enough to effortlessly break an Ogryn's arm, relieving it of its punch-dagger, then ram it through the poor sods skull. One of them grabs him from behind in a bear hug, which he literally shrugs off, then punches his hand through the Ogryn's chest and rips out its heart. Mary Sue you say? All this is from Dan Abnett himself from his short story ''Blood Games''. Also, he is probably refered to in ''The First Heretic'' as an instructor of at least 2 other Custodes, even though the "last" (well, gene-stock/family) name of said Amon is not revealed.
*'''Constantin Valdor'''- The big cheese of the Custodian Guard, he is a mary sue of epic proportions (Almost like [[Kaldor Draigo]]). A monster of a man, he was described as being a head taller than Amon (who was already significantly larger than an Astartes) and the size of a Primarch (Alpharius to be exact). At one point he defeated Horus himself in a sparring match, however, it is never stated how old Horus was when the duel took place. Valdor was one of the Emperors closest friends and his second most trusted advisor (Malcador the Sigillite being #1). He was described as being the mightiest warrior in the entire Imperium with the exception of the Primarchs and Big E himself (he was almost killed by Phosis T'Kar on Prospero however, only surviving because Phosis [[Chaos Spawn|accidentally rolled snake eyes on Chaos Boon]]). Naturally he shared a close relationship with a number of the Primarchs, the most notable being Horus, Rogal Dorn, and Leman Russ. Also, he rolls with the [[Officio Assassinorum]], so he earns massive bonus points there. At the end of the Heresy, he was one of the high lords of Terra, but stepped down sometime after that to be able to look after the Emperor personally. He has since been replaced as Captain-General: in M32 the Custodians are commanded by a new guy called '''Beyreuth'''.

*'''Aquillon'''- the "Oculi Imperator" who was charged with leading four other Custodes, watching over Lorgar and the Word Bearers after the Monarchia kerfuffle. They were kept in the dark about the Heresy until Isstvan V, but left alive because Erebus wanted their blood. Aquillon embarked on a tragic bromance with Argel Tal. It ended badly - Aquillon killed Argel Tal's mortal waifu Cyrene, and the possessed Astartes [[Rip and Tear|bit his head off]].

===Non-canon===
*'''[[If the Emperor had a Text-to-Speech Device#Team_Emperor|Little Kitten]]'''- known on /tg/ as the Captain-General of the group during "[[If the Emperor had a Text-to-Speech Device]]". May or may not be Constantine Valdor, it's kept deliberately contradictory, what's known is that he was the Custodian who brought Alicia Dominica to the Emperor during the [[Age of Apostasy|Reign of Blood]]. Known for basically telling Big E what is everything. Called "Kitten" for purring up the ranks of the Custodes. Despite the vaguely British accent, he is highly American as he hates [[Tau|Communist fuckers]] with a passion. <s>(It's actually because [[Shadowsun|one]] was tsundere enough that she dropped him before he could tap that ass.)</s> SHIT'S NOT CANON! What is canon though is that he is a black guy (that is, normal human black guy, not [[Salamander]]-Class black). Also manage to beat up a million ton's worth of [[cheese]] in [[Yu-Gi-Oh|a children's card game]].

*'''"[[If the Emperor had a Text-to-Speech Device#Imperials_(So_sorta_good_guys)|Fab-Custodes]]"'''- aka the Pillar-stodes, See 2nd picture for an idea of what they look like. Their whole image is based on the old post-heresy depiction of the Custodes from [[Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader|First Edition]]. They are NUTS, even more so than [[Rage|the dipshit who wrote twilight]]. They are oily, snickering, gay as [[Slaanesh]]'s hell and love it. Seriously, even Kitten knows this and is worried for the Emperor's safety around them, saying that none of this was his idea.

==Getting a codex==
[[File:1474071012706.jpg|300px|right|thumb|We have leaked information of the Custodes from [[White Dwarf]]! Woot Woot! Damn do those models not disappoint! The hype train has no breaks!]]
In Warhammer 40k no, in Warhammer 30k hell yes. Actually it's the other way around: 40k will have custodes available BEFORE 30k. Damn it forge world!

Forge World confirmed that Adeptus Custodes, will indeed, get not only rules, but models. The rules will likely be in Burning of Prospero book, which was (originally) the 3rd book in the third HH trilogy. They will be released alongside Sisters of Silence rules (also getting models, let us hope they have nipple spikes like the old Blanche art!)

Rules can be found on this PDF: https://www.games-workshop.com/resources/PDF/Datasheets/Burning%20of%20Prospero%20Imperial%20Datasheets.pdf

They count as Armies of the Imperium
{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="left"
! || Pts || WS || BS || S || T || W || I || A || Ld || Sv
|-
| '''Custodian Guard:''' || 50 each || 5 || 5 || 5 || 5 || 2 || 4 || 3 || 10 || 2+
|} 
Default squad size 5, max size 10.
Shield-Captain has +1 WS, +1I, +1A (10 pt tax)

'''Wargear''':
* '''Guardian Spear''': S+1 AP2 Block(each model can ignore one melee attack per turn, if it rolls higher than its to-hit roll -if it has no to-hit roll it cannot be ignored), also counts as Boltgun
* '''Power Knife''': AP3

'''Special Rules''':
* '''Adamantium Will'''
* '''Bulky'''
* '''Deep Strike'''
* '''Fearless'''
* '''Eternal Warrior'''

'''Upgrades''':
* Any model may swap their Guardian Spear for a Sentinel Blade (AP3, also counts as Bolt Caster (Range 12" S4 AP5 Assault2, Overwatch at BS2)) for free
* Any model without Guardian Spear may get a Storm Shield for +10 pts
* One Custodes in the army can swap their Guardian Spear for a Custodes Vexilia (Banner that creates a 12" Bubble of Fearless for units from Armies of the Imperium and +1 attack for the bearer's unit)

Their '''Formation'''(1-3 units of Custodes) gets a 6++ save if 2 units or 5++ if 3 units from the formation are still in the field

==See Also==
*[[Grey Knights]]

==Gallery==
<gallery>
Image:Custodies-pic-1.jpg|A Custodes. Pimped out beyond recognition? Maybe. Awesome? Hell yes!
Image:Custodes_01.jpg|Custodes Squad.
Image:Custodes-size-comparison.jpg|Size comparison between a Custodes and a Spess Mehreen.
</gallery>

{{Template:Custodes}}
{{Template:Imperium}}
{{WH40k-Factions}}
[[Category:Warhammer 40,000]][[Category:Imperial]]

Adeptus Custodes

2016-10-29T15:40:25Z

2A02:810D:1140:1F08:49D7:DCAC:CB85:176F: /* Getting a codex */

[[File:Adeptus Custode.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Paladins of the 31st millennium. The 41st ones are marginally less clad in gold and a lot more naked.]]

The Adeptus Custodes are the guardians of the [[God-Emperor of Mankind|Emperor of Mankind]] and the most badass group of genetically engineered/enhanced warriors/motherfuckers the galaxy has ever known (with the exception for Assassins and the Primarchs). So badass in-fact that they can get away with dressing like drag queens and transvestites (they love skirts). Well, the skirts are actually a bit closer to the ancient Roman Legionaries, which is pretty awesome in itself, and on the whole they come off as elite and badass.

==Origins & Design==
[[File:Pillarstodes.jpg|400px|left|thumb|[https://youtu.be/R9w_uoUHgiE?t=1m40s ''"After the confinement of the Emperor within the Golden Throne, the Custodes abandoned, among other things, the use of their armour, and their traditional colour of red was changed to black."'']- Horus Heresy: Collected Visions. Hence, the [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDEbsZpweDo Pillarstodes] meme isn't actually too far from the truth.]]

The Custodes are warriors unmatched in the galaxy, genetically-engineered by the Emperor himself. The Emperor first created these elite warriors back in the old days of his conquest of Terra, making them souped-up and more long-lived versions of the already hilariously OP [[Thunder Warriors]]. While the Thunder Warriors were eventually replaced by the far more stable but slightly less powerful Space Marines, the Custodes apparently still use those ancient methods (but geared towards producing far more stable warriors) and as such lack a gene-seed.

Although the Custodes were among the first genetically-modified warriors to be created by the Emperor, they were never intended to be part of a conquering army (though The Wolf of Ash and Fire shows that the Emperor sometimes rolled with a hundreds-strong posse of Custodes in battle); such a role was to be filled by the latter [[Adeptus Astartes]] armies. This is revealed both in their mindset and training: While Custodians share a genetic kinship with one another within the formation, they do not foster the same spirit of brotherhood that is instilled within the Astartes in order to function together as a unit. Indeed, each Custodian prepares and inspects his equipment individually, rather than on military parade. The individuality of each Custodes is further promoted by the fact that the processes required to produce them is not as refined or as simple as that of the Astartes and thus they are not "mass-produced" as the Astartes are; meaning that each Custodian is a unique investment for the [[Imperium]]. It was implied in False Gods that the creation of a Custode was a long and arduous process, utterly different from the creation process of a regular Astartes and much costlier, thus their relatively small numbers.

One ritual that the Custodes do share is the recognition of mighty deeds, manifested in the awarding of names, which are added to the Custodian's title to represent the actions he has performed in service to the [[Emperor]]. ('''Constantin Valdor''' obtained 1932 names prior to the assault of Horus upon Terra.) Such names were inscribed onto the inside of the warrior's battle armour as marks of individual pride.

The training of the Custodes also differed immensely from the Adeptus Astartes, since they were intended to be bodyguards rather than soldiers. It is clear from their '''Blood Games''' that Custodians are trained in the arts of assassination -- both improvised and professional -- in order to counter possible assassination attempts on the Emperor. It is common for several Custodians to be on detached duty for these Blood Games so that the organisation remains vigilant against developing threats. Even pre-Heresy, they were clued up enough to recognise Warp-sorcery for what it was.

Furthermore it is clear that the Custodes are also well-versed in the political etiquette of Terra, and have been known to act outside of Imperial law, to infiltrate influential Noble Houses and to investigate any potential threats. (A role that a Space Marine would ''never'' be expected to fulfill.) This aspect of the Custodian mindset is advantageous, given that the Captain-General of the order often shares a seat with the [[High Lords of Terra]] and thus allows him to navigate the political maneuverings of the Imperium's various agencies, while still remaining an awe-inspiring warrior.

==Capabilities==
The martial capabilities of the Adeptus Custodes remain largely unknown. What is known is that they possess skill beyond even a 'normal' member of the [[Adeptus Astartes]]. It has been said that the Adeptus Custodes are to a Space Marine what a Space Marine is to a member of the Imperial Guard. They are similar to the ''[[Grey Knights]]'', the militant arm of the [[Ordo Malleus]] branch of the [[Inquisition]], in that both are elite, secret organisations with close ties to the [[Emperor]]. Custodes are unique as they have neither a known [[Primarch]] nor do they use gene-seed to produce their genetic modifications. They stand a full head taller than a Space Marine and it is said that they were almost the same size as a Primarch. In fact it was said that '''Constantine Valdor''', Chief Custodian to the Emperor during the Horus Heresy, was the same size as the traitor Primarch [[Alpharius]] of the [[Alpha Legion]] (not a great achievement after all, considering Alpharius was the shortest of Primarchs - the size of a tall space marine)

Dan Abnett's ''Blood Games'', however, provides a different version of the relationship between the Astartes and Custodes. Abnett claims that, although Custodians are slightly larger on average than Space Marines, to an observer it would be a tough bet on who would win in a fight based on strength and size alone.

James Swallow's ''Sword of Truth'' sees [[Brother-Captain|Captain]] [[Nathaniel Garro]] fight a one-on-one duel with a mid-level Custodian ''(if there is such a term)'', which he finds is one of the toughest battles of his life and only wins by playing to his opponent's overconfidence and manages to exhaust himself in the process.

Aaron Dembski-Bowden's ''The First Heretic'' further expands on the Custodes fighting style and armoury. Each weapon used by the Custodes is gene-coded to only be used by only that Custodian (Argel Tal stole some and used his demonic powers to unlock them and then kill loyalists. Even funnier when you remember that certain [[Blood Ravens|bloody magpies]] have working Custodian bolter in their armory and some [[Minotaurs|Greeks]] have a Halbard). The weapons are given to them personally by the Emperor (or at least they were in the 31st millennium, they've probably dropped this rule by the 41st) and as such one of the highest [[Heresy|heresies]] possible is to allow a non-Custodian to handle the weapon. Perhaps the most notable thing about the Adeptus Custodes is the radically different combat approach between them and the Adeptus Astartes: Custodes are not brothers. While Space Marines are trained to support their battle-brothers in combat, each Custodian fights by himself, never intending to receive support from their fellow Custodes. The [[Word Bearers]] who observed this were utterly dumbfounded by this approach, thinking the fighting was just "wrong", despite their fighting being individually perfect. They are "tigers" compared to the "wolves" the space marines represent. Ironically though, one becomes good friends with a Word Bearer to the point that they end up fighting in lockstep like true Astartes (even more ironically, that Word Bearer is possessed by a daemon). Also, he has a Custodian named Vendatha kill 3 WB chapter masters in a second, and then survive a full bolter magazine and sword to the face. And on top he has 3 Custodes kill 7 out of 11 the original possessed marines the Gal Vorbak, including a beautiful final kill. Winning.

But in Graham McNeill's ''The Outcast Dead'', an armed and armoured Custodes fights an unarmed and unarmoured World Eater and [[What|loses]] when the World Eater breaks open his armour and [[Rip and tear|rips out the Custodes spine through his chest]], something he threatened to do earlier. So fuck knows how good Custodes are, since Black Library's writers can't get their collective shits together and decide. That or Khorne just felt like trolling the Emperor that day. To be fair, said Custodian was crippled so his physical capabilities were just under what was required for active duty guarding the Emperor, hence the reason he was stuck on guard duty.

''The Outcast Dead'' also provides an example of a Custodian taking on two Astartes at the same time. While Saturnalia dies, he does succeed in killing both of his opponents.

In Anthony Reynolds ''The Purge'', Word Bearer Captain, Sor Talgron makes his personal assessment on Custodians, where while he figures that a single Custodian would likely have little problems dispatching a single Legionary, the larger the theatre of war became, the more the odds would tip in the Astartes favour. Because although Custodians might be peerless warriors, they are not soldiers.

In Guy Haley's ''Throneworld'', a Shadow Seer and a Death Jester kill a dozen Custodes between the two of them, before being brought down by "hundreds" more. Note that, although ''Throneworld'' is set 1500 years after the Horus Heresy, it's clear that the Custodes were still equipped with golden armour, so inadequate equipment is not an excuse for their poor showing.

The thing is that Custodes are not mass produced and are without a Gene-Seed, which aught to provide some level of genetic normality amongst those from the same Chapter. This would lead to a large discrepancy in their individual levels of strength; most of them are superior than the Astartes, but some are weaker.
Thus, where the average Astartes would be a take-all-comers warrior, some Custodes will specialize in infiltration, some will specialize in war, some go more into politics. With enough Custodians, this means that they eventually cover nearly any possible route to attack the Emperor. This would ensure that any opponent attempting to penetrate the Custodes' defenses (being ''bodyguards'' of the Emperor and all) would run into fighting the Custodes who specialize in countering their plan, whatever it may be. But because of the lack of exclusive focus on military matters compared to what Astartes get, if two large forces of equal size came together, it is likely that the Custodians would be cut to pieces due to the Astartes superior coordination and battlefield control.

==Role==
[[File:Shirtless custode.jpg|300px|right|thumb|Chest armor is for pussies anyway...]]
They have the final word on security in the Imperial Palace, and even the High Lords of Terra are subservient to them within its walls.

Although their full numbers remain unknown, three hundred Custodes guard the Emperor's chambers at all times. Also, back before the God-Emperor was interred into the Golden Throne, the Adeptus Custodes was known as the ''Legio Custodes'' (Custodes Legion), and numbered in Ten thousand golden warriors. It is strongly believed that this is their same number today.

Only three hundred of the Adeptus Custodes serve as the actual personal guard of the Emperor, called the Companions. These are those Custodes that are privileged enough to be in the Emperor's physical presence. Each unit of Companions is led by a Centurion. It was one such Centurion that led a small group of Companions to meet Alicia Dominica, head of the Brides of the Emperor (later Sisters of Battle) during Vandire's Reign of Blood. One such Custodian, Constantine Valdor, was the Chief Custodian during the Horus Heresy. He was the most honoured of all the Emperor of Mankind's creations. No other being had served the Emperor for as long as he, save [[Malcador the Sigillite]]. Valdor was a proud and respectful warrior unmatched in his devotion and loyalty to the Emperor. Valdor was ever-present at the Emperor's side, always protecting him from unseen enemies and saving the Emperor's life innumerable times. Along with Malcador, Valdor was his most trusted friend and advisor.

Constantine Valdor was one of the first members of the Council of [[Earth|Terra]]. He also had a close relationship with the Primarchs Rogal Dorn and Leman Russ, although initially Russ and Valdor didn't see eye to eye. Dorn was ever-present at the Imperial Palace during the great Crusade and so Valdor and the Primarch spent much time together. On the other hand, Valdor only earned Russ's respect when the former defeated Horus in a sparring match. The two were then together during the Battle of Prospero. There is no mention of when or how Valdor was killed if he was killed at all. He stepped down from command as a High Lord so that he could protect his beloved Emperor, now ensconced within the Golden Throne.

===Effectiveness===
Occasionally you see questions raised on forums regarding their effectiveness after apparently spending 10,000 years on guard duty, suggesting that despite their biological augmentations; without any actual combat experience they might have simply become a symbolic organisation since Terra is so well defended by other means.

In fact the Custodians sat through most of the [[Age of Apostasy]], not participating until the last moment to bring order when the fighting made it to the Imperial Palace. They also were mysteriously absent during [[The Beheading]] when the [[Officio Assassinorum]] started leveling city blocks. Added to the fact that the ''admittedly'' very old pictures of Custodians show them not even bothering to wear their armour any more indicates that they don't actually have very much to do these days.

However, one very important fact remains: The Golden Throne is a portal to the [[Webway]] which was [[Magnus|broken]], and it takes the [[Emperor]] every ounce of his concentration to stop that energy spilling out into a new [[Eye of Terror]]. Underneath the Imperial Palace [[Malcador the Sigillite]] showed one of the human founders of the [[Inquisition]] a series of adamantium doors the size of Imperator Titans, and even when standing at the first door it sounds like the greatest battle of all time was going on behind them. So while the [[Grey Knights]] are cruising through the galaxy responding to daemonic threats, the Custodians are holding the line at home, fighting perhaps the most significant ''(and secret)'' battle in the history of mankind, making them perhaps the most badass of any fighting forces EVER.

However-however, the recent HH books have clarified a bit more about this. There ''was'' a war between the Custodes and daemons that was fought in the webway after it was damaged by Magnus' warning attempt, but presently, its sealed now. The Custodes and Sisters of Silence fought together in order to beat back the tide of traitors and daemons trying to force themselves through the damaged gate, while the AdMech was given the task of repairing the gate. This was also the time the Emperor had to confine himself into the Golden Throne to help mend with the repairs and he managed to finalize this by creating a massive golden sun in the middle of the webway entrance to fry daemons trying to get through, although maintaining it was an incredibly taxing job that only he is able to reliably do (Malcador was temporarily assigned to this job when the Emperor got up to give Horus a proper stomping and he withered away into dust from the ordeal).

However-however-however, the Custodes' know their stake in the Imperium's and The Emperor's future: should anyone or anything manage to breach the Emperor's chamber; humanity is doomed in all senses of the word, and they have to be in the right condition and in the right place at the right time. Its not unreasonable to assume that the Custodes didn't budge while the Imperium was burning around them (twice) because that could very well be an opening an assassin was expecting as it is not unreasonable to assume Custodes are likely keeping themselves at peak performance to be ready at a moment's notice because only the ballsiest of assassins would even think of trying to infiltrate Holy Terra itself, they have to be ready to take on anything the galaxy can throw at them.

If you're thinking "isn't that what the Palace Guard is for?", well about that: during [[The War of The Beast]] and the Imperium was freaking out over an unstoppable Ork WAAAAGH, an elite squad of 7 Eldar Harlequins managed to infiltrate The Imperial Palace and muscle their way through palace security in an effort to warn The Emperor about something (or so they claim). They were only stopped at the Eternity Gate after an army of angry Custodes confronted and proceeded to cut them down.

So while it might be unreasonable for the Custodes not to assist the Imperium during its most dire times of need: their own duties are something they cannot slack on for even a moment.

==Notable Custodians==
[[File:1264391028586.jpg|500px|thumb|right|And people bitch about Space Marines and Grey Knights having overdone armor....]]
*'''Amon Tauromachian'''- One of the most notable Custodes. In combat, unarmoured, versus three " Migou" ([[H.P. Lovecraft|I see what you did there]]) or Genestock Ogres from Nei Monggol (Ogryns anybody?) Amon is impressive, he is apparently strong enough to effortlessly break an Ogryn's arm, relieving it of its punch-dagger, then ram it through the poor sods skull. One of them grabs him from behind in a bear hug, which he literally shrugs off, then punches his hand through the Ogryn's chest and rips out its heart. Mary Sue you say? All this is from Dan Abnett himself from his short story ''Blood Games''. Also, he is probably refered to in ''The First Heretic'' as an instructor of at least 2 other Custodes, even though the "last" (well, gene-stock/family) name of said Amon is not revealed.
*'''Constantin Valdor'''- The big cheese of the Custodian Guard, he is a mary sue of epic proportions (Almost like [[Kaldor Draigo]]). A monster of a man, he was described as being a head taller than Amon (who was already significantly larger than an Astartes) and the size of a Primarch (Alpharius to be exact). At one point he defeated Horus himself in a sparring match, however, it is never stated how old Horus was when the duel took place. Valdor was one of the Emperors closest friends and his second most trusted advisor (Malcador the Sigillite being #1). He was described as being the mightiest warrior in the entire Imperium with the exception of the Primarchs and Big E himself (he was almost killed by Phosis T'Kar on Prospero however, only surviving because Phosis [[Chaos Spawn|accidentally rolled snake eyes on Chaos Boon]]). Naturally he shared a close relationship with a number of the Primarchs, the most notable being Horus, Rogal Dorn, and Leman Russ. Also, he rolls with the [[Officio Assassinorum]], so he earns massive bonus points there. At the end of the Heresy, he was one of the high lords of Terra, but stepped down sometime after that to be able to look after the Emperor personally. He has since been replaced as Captain-General: in M32 the Custodians are commanded by a new guy called '''Beyreuth'''.

*'''Aquillon'''- the "Oculi Imperator" who was charged with leading four other Custodes, watching over Lorgar and the Word Bearers after the Monarchia kerfuffle. They were kept in the dark about the Heresy until Isstvan V, but left alive because Erebus wanted their blood. Aquillon embarked on a tragic bromance with Argel Tal. It ended badly - Aquillon killed Argel Tal's mortal waifu Cyrene, and the possessed Astartes [[Rip and Tear|bit his head off]].

===Non-canon===
*'''[[If the Emperor had a Text-to-Speech Device#Team_Emperor|Little Kitten]]'''- known on /tg/ as the Captain-General of the group during "[[If the Emperor had a Text-to-Speech Device]]". May or may not be Constantine Valdor, it's kept deliberately contradictory, what's known is that he was the Custodian who brought Alicia Dominica to the Emperor during the [[Age of Apostasy|Reign of Blood]]. Known for basically telling Big E what is everything. Called "Kitten" for purring up the ranks of the Custodes. Despite the vaguely British accent, he is highly American as he hates [[Tau|Communist fuckers]] with a passion. <s>(It's actually because [[Shadowsun|one]] was tsundere enough that she dropped him before he could tap that ass.)</s> SHIT'S NOT CANON! What is canon though is that he is a black guy (that is, normal human black guy, not [[Salamander]]-Class black). Also manage to beat up a million ton's worth of [[cheese]] in [[Yu-Gi-Oh|a children's card game]].

*'''"[[If the Emperor had a Text-to-Speech Device#Imperials_(So_sorta_good_guys)|Fab-Custodes]]"'''- aka the Pillar-stodes, See 2nd picture for an idea of what they look like. Their whole image is based on the old post-heresy depiction of the Custodes from [[Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader|First Edition]]. They are NUTS, even more so than [[Rage|the dipshit who wrote twilight]]. They are oily, snickering, gay as [[Slaanesh]]'s hell and love it. Seriously, even Kitten knows this and is worried for the Emperor's safety around them, saying that none of this was his idea.

==Getting a codex==
[[File:1474071012706.jpg|300px|right|thumb|We have leaked information of the Custodes from [[White Dwarf]]! Woot Woot! Damn do those models not disappoint! The hype train has no breaks!]]
In Warhammer 40k no, in Warhammer 30k hell yes. Actually it's the other way around: 40k will have custodes available BEFORE 30k. Damn it forge world!

Forge World confirmed that Adeptus Custodes, will indeed, get not only rules, but models. The rules will likely be in Burning of Prospero book, which was (originally) the 3rd book in the third HH trilogy. They will be released alongside Sisters of Silence rules (also getting models, let us hope they have nipple spikes like the old Blanche art!)

Rules can be found on this PDF: https://www.games-workshop.com/resources/PDF/Datasheets/Burning%20of%20Prospero%20Imperial%20Datasheets.pdf

They count as Armies of the Imperium
{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="left"
! || Pts || WS || BS || S || T || W || I || A || Ld || Sv
|-
| '''Custodian Guard:''' || 50 each || 5 || 5 || 5 || 5 || 2 || 4 || 3 || 10 || 2+
|} 
Default squad size 5, max size 10.
Shield-Captain has +1 WS, +1I, +1A (10 pt tax)

'''Wargear''':
* '''Guardian Spear''': S+1 AP2 Block(each model can ignore one melee attack per turn, if it rolls higher than its to-hit roll -if it has no to-hit roll it cannot be ignored), also counts as Boltgun
* '''Power Knife''': AP3

'''Special Rules''':
* '''Adamantium Will'''
* '''Bulky'''
* '''Deep Strike'''
* '''Fearless'''
* '''Eternal Warrior'''

'''Upgrades''':
* Any model may swap their Guardian Spear for a Sentinel Blade (AP3, also counts as Bolt Caster (Range 12" S4 AP5 Assault2, Overwatch at BS2)) for free
* Any model with no Guardian Spear may get a Storm Shield for +10 pts
* One Custodes in the army can swap their Guardian Spear for a Custodes Vexilia (Banner that creates a 12" Bubble of Fearless for unis from Armies of the Imperium and +1 attack for the bearer's unit)

Their '''Formation'''(1-3 units of Custodes) gets a 6++ save if 2 units or 5++ if 3 units from the formation are still in the field

==See Also==
*[[Grey Knights]]

==Gallery==
<gallery>
Image:Custodies-pic-1.jpg|A Custodes. Pimped out beyond recognition? Maybe. Awesome? Hell yes!
Image:Custodes_01.jpg|Custodes Squad.
Image:Custodes-size-comparison.jpg|Size comparison between a Custodes and a Spess Mehreen.
</gallery>

{{Template:Custodes}}
{{Template:Imperium}}
{{WH40k-Factions}}
[[Category:Warhammer 40,000]][[Category:Imperial]]

Sisters of Silence

2016-10-29T15:16:18Z

2A02:810D:1140:1F08:49D7:DCAC:CB85:176F: /* Tabletop */

[[image:Sisters of Silence art.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Don't fuck with these crazy bitches!]]

:"''That's their function...aside from the fact that they fight like bastards. Got the pariah gene in 'em.''"
:--[[Leman Russ]], [[Primarch]] of the [[Space Wolves]], on the Sisters of Silence

The Sisters of Silence were an elite, all female order created by the [[God-Emperor of Mankind|Emperor of Mankind]] to man the [[Black Ships]] and round up a planet's renegade [[psyker]]s.

==History==
[[image:Sisters of silence.jpeg|right|250px|thumb|The Sisters of Silence. NOT ELDAR!]]
As stated, the Emperor formed this all female army at the beginning of the [[Great Crusade]] as a counter-measure against untrained psykers, which had increased at the start of the [[Age of Strife]]. To do this, the Emperor ensured that they were all [[Blank|pariah]]s, human beings with no presence in the [[Warp]]. As such, the psyker's abilities would have no effect on them, but would be cancelled out when they got close enough to them. In one of his odder decisions, the Emperor explicitly had the Sisters take literal vows of silence upon becoming full Sisters. They could communicate via several sign languages (including [[Space Marines|Astartes]] battle-sign) but would not speak a word upon completion of their training. To ensure communication between other branches of the [[Imperium of Man]], Sisters in training would serve as communicators.

The Sisters of Silence are also consummate warriors, trained to the same levels as the Space Marine Legions and using similar wargear, such as [[bolter]]s and [[power weapon]]s, as well as being covered in SoB-like power armour, albeit with no armored helmet or other head protection aside the massive [[Ork|jaw-like collar]] that hides their mouths, which leads to a lot of deaths from headshots during the burning of Prospero. As a military force they are formidable; during the Burning of [[Prospero]] they were deployed to augment the [[Space Wolves]] and the [[Adeptus Custodes]]. While this was more because the pariah gene would neutralize the [[Thousand Sons]] psyker abilities, they were more than capable of fighting with the Astartes. They would also in turn augment the Custodes, the [[Imperial Fists]], the [[Blood Angels]], and the [[White Scars]] during the [[Siege of Terra]], where the pariah gene became a boon fighting the [[Daemon]]s unleashed.

===After the Horus Heresy===
The fate of the Sisters of Silence following the [[Horus Heresy]] has not been completely documented yet. What is known is that the sisterhood was either abandoned, exiled or betrayed by the Imperium after the incarceration of the Emperor on the Golden Throne, and as a result the sisters had given up their vow of silence.

They refuse to recognise the Imperium in its political form as of M32, seeing it as a corrupted simulacrum of what the Emperor actually intended, but they still acknowledge the Emperor as the focus of their loyalty. Thus when their services are required again in the [[War of The Beast]] they accept the calling and return to Terra, where they are granted an audience with the Emperor in his sanctum on the throne; a privilege that not even the High Lords are afforded.

Also, according to a GW response to a question as how to field the Sisters (and custodies) they stated that both still exist. Now as to what the Sisters of Silence do is up for debate. But as it seems, they still exist.

==Tabletop==
Official crunch [https://www.games-workshop.com/resources/PDF/Datasheets/Burning%20of%20Prospero%20Imperial%20Datasheets.pdf here] if you want your ministorum wax seal.

They count as Armies of the Imperium
{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="left"
! || Pts || WS || BS || S || T || W || I || A || Ld || Sv
|-
| '''Sister of Silence:''' || 15 each || 4 || 4 || 3 || 3 || 1 || 5 || 2 || 10 || 3+
|} 
Default squad size 5, max size 10.

'''Wargear''':
* '''Bolter'''
* '''Knife'''
* '''Psyk-out Grenades''': S2 AP-, Blast, causes Perils if it hits something that can generate warp charges. Also count as defensive grenades if charged by something that can generate warp charges.

'''Special Rules'''
* '''Bane of Psykers''': Re-roll all to-hit and gains Precision Shots/Strikes against things that can generate warp charges
* '''Psychic Abomination''': Anything capable of generating warp charges 1) doesn't if standing within 12 inches, 2) manifests warp charges on a 6 only, 3) suffers -3 Ld
** and any Blessing or Malediction cast on a unit gets nullified if the SoS get within 12" or vice versa
* '''Fear'''
* '''Fearless'''

'''Upgrades''':
* One Sister can become Sister Superior (Character, +1 A) for 10 points
* Any model may swap Boltgun for:
** Flamer for 2 points
** Executioner Greatblade (S+1 AP2, two-handed) for free

So after yeas of speculating if GeeDubs will even give them rules at all we get... Sisters of Battle, essentially. At least in terms of statline. That wasn't too surprising overall, given they were never Astartes. Hitting at Ap2 with three attacks each on the charge can deal some respectable damage, even hitting at only Strength 4 under most circumstances. Though at a mere T3 with 3+ and none of the 6++ their successors got, they usually won't withstand whatever desperate fire the enemy will throw at them to keep them the fuck away from their psykers.

Their '''Formation''' (1-3 units of SoS) gives enemy players -1 to the total number of warp charges they generate each turn for each unit from the formation after the first that is still in the field (i.e. 2nd+)

==Gallery==
<center>
<gallery>
SoS vs. TS Dred.jpg|Being in a Dreadnought does not make you safe from these Chicks.
SoS vs. EC Noise Marines.jpg|Even these Bastards are having a hard time dealing with them.
</gallery>
</center>

{{Imperium}}