Editing Warhammer 40,000/Tactics/Talons of the Emperor (30k) (section)

===Elites===
*'''Legio Custodes Hetaeron Guard Squad''': The Emperor's [[Companion|Companions]], [[Mary Sue|the best]] of [[Adeptus Custodes|the best]] of [[Imperium|the best]]. At 70 points per model they look REALLY expensive, but they were one of the best infantry units in the game, which is sad since their price shot up a ton, in their base unit purchase, in their DT, and their options. What makes them special? 3 Wounds, 3 Attacks and ''counter attack'', on top of bonus gear. On that note, any member of the squad can replace their spears with any melee weapon other than a Paragon Spear, but you can have Paragon '''blades''' for some nice AP2 at Initiative (apparently not a typo from FW, they just decided to [[FAIL|give them a weapon that isn't in their armoury]]). Suffice to say, thanks to the surprising buffs handed to the Aquilon Terminators, the Hetaeron are in an odd spot. They're much more expensive than Guard Squads, but they're not as durable as the Aquilon and if you want to arm them similarly they become way pricier, to the point where it's not worth it. If you absolutely need AP at Initiative 5 (6 against WS4 or less) then you could buy two of them Paragon Blades and Shields, give the third a Vexilla, teleport them to the middle of the enemy's forces when your own forces are drawing near and just eat the charge they throw at you (seriously, they'll wreck face and don't forget to reallocate some wounds on a 4+ thanks to Look Out, Sir!). If you want their statline for literally any other reason, get Aquilons.
**Do note that thanks to the wording, you can buy a Divining Blade for one model in the squad.
*'''Legio Custodes Aquilon Terminator Squad''': Custodes with Terminator Armor. How terrifying. Now having the same statline as the Hetaeron, in one of the few cases where FW didn't nerf the Custodes (probably because everyone was using Sentinels and Hetaerons instead). While costly (especially with special weapons), they can do the job if you use them correctly. They are the Custodes' answer against vehicles and Astartes multi-wound special units, since they can one-shot Justaerin, Firedrakes and Gal Vorbak while giving no fucks about Power Fist/Thunderhammer instakill (beware of shenanigans, like Rad Grenades, Rad Furnaces, Rad-Phage etc). Firepikes are also you best friends against hordes, something useful since tarpits are the bane of your Cutodes. Seriously it's arguably the best choice against most infantry units as long as you get at least 4 hits with the template. The Adrathic destructor may sound nice for TEQ-hunting, but ONE S5 AP2 shot is not that great since most TEQ in 30k are Terminators with an invulnerable save. Take it for one-shooting multi-wound models but otherwise go for the Infernus. The Lastrum is only top-tier against models with T3 and a 4+, so you should keep it when facing Solar Auxilia, and do remember that Void Hardened armours make the Infernus firepikes almost useless.
** Keep in mind that '''Aquilons do not have Implacable Advance''' like the basic Legion Astartes Terminators get. So they won't be able to contest the objective even if they crack open a Spartan Deathstar.  One of the four Talons of the Emperor troops choices are what you use to babysit objectives.
*'''Legio Custodes Contemptor-Achillus Dreadnought''': The fanciest, goldiest, and potentially deadliest non-boxiest dreadnought to ever be seen. It's got WS6 and BS5, an AV of 13/13/11, and hits at I5, meaning he'll more than match any marines on the field. He also has a Refractor Field instead of the basic Atomantic Reactor Contemptors use and comes stock with Extra Armor. For weapons, he starts with two Dread CCWs with Lastrum Storm Bolters, but he can buy the Dreadspear, a S10 AP2 MC weapon that '''turns any attack into S:Destroyer on a 6 to hit''' during the turn he charged AND has a Corvae Las-Pulser bolted on top. In addition, he can replace his Lastrum Storm Bolters with either TL Adrathic Destructors or Infernus Incinerators for a small fee.
*'''Sisters of Silence Oblivion Knight Cadre''': The Elite among the Sisters of Silence, each comes with Ex Oblivio, Fanatic Discipline, and Precision Strikes. Each comes with Vratine Armor, cloaks that grant a 6++ Invuln or a 4++ against Templates and Blasts, Execution Blades, grenades, and Bolt Pistols. Everyone can replace their blades for Power Axes while the sergeant can buy a Neuro-Lash and replace her pistol with a Needle-Pistol, a Plasma Pistol, or a Hand Flamer.