Editing Warhammer 40,000/7th Edition Tactics/Adeptus Custodes (section)

==Armoury==
As you can guess, the Adeptus Custodes have access to arguably the single best melee weapon in the game, though it only becomes great if the unit has a lot of it.  Aside from that though the weapon variety's really lacking on squads, and you're going to have to use vehicles/dreadnoughts to make up the difference.
*'''Guardian Spear:''' Just like the one the Deathwatch Watch Masters can take, only now it's not heresy to do so!  The Guardian Spear incorporates a regular Boltgun and it is also a Two-Handed S+1 AP2 melee weapon (as mentioned, it can be used as both in the same turn). Also comes with the '''Block''' rule. Each model in this unit with this rule can attempt to block a single attack made against the unit, and they can even choose to try blocking the same attack as another model. In either case, you roll dice for each model trying to block the attack and add them together (in the case of multiple Custodes blocking the same attack). If the score is higher than the to-hit score, then the attack is blocked and has no effect.
**This means that so long as two Custodes try blocking the same attack, the odds are that you'll nullify that attack.  Yes this means that statistically, 8 Custodes will be immune to any character who has 4 attacks or less (although when you factor in the amount of attacks that miss, it'll usually only require 4-6 Custodes).
**Keep in mind that if your results are equal then the attack isn't blocked (and most of the time they're hit on 4's anyway), so in general it's better to have at least two Custodes trying to block the same attack, rather than having them attempt to block different attacks with a much higher chance of their block failing.
*'''Sentinel Blade:''' Only AP3, but incorporates a Bolt Caster (12" Storm Bolter) that fires Snapshots (aka Overwatch and shooting at Invisibility if you really need to) at BS2.
*'''Power Knife:''' It's a Power Sword. It's good because it stacks with the Sentinel blade for +1 attack, unless you took a Storm Shield. It also means models with spears can use them in situations where AP2/S6 aren't needed to get an additional attack.
**Unfortunately for this combo the Custodes aren't left wanting for Attacks.  On the charge they have 4, with a Vexilla they have 5, and at that point they Knives suffer a diminishing return in comparison to the Guardian Spear, as upping 4-5 attacks' Strength by 1 is better than just increasing the Attacks by 1 (Guardian Spears wound MEQ's on 2's and ID GEQ's).  Given the very high cost of even a single Custodes, you'd be better off in something that offers a bit more durability rather trying a lesser way to make them more killy.  Guardian Spears can block shit, Storm Shield's massively boost the save to the unit, and if you really want more attacks then just get/stay near the Vexilla.
*'''Custodes Vexilla:''' One Custodes in your army can take this. It's a boosted Company Standard which gives all Armies of the Imperium units within 12" Fearless and +1 Attack to the owners unit.  Unfortunately you lose your Guardian Spear (but thanks to the Power Knife you're still S5/AP3).
*'''Storm Shield:''' You know them, you love them. 3+ Invulnerable. Specifically says you cannot take this if you have a Guardian Spear though (you also cannot choose to not use the shield, which means you cannot suddenly decide to use the Sentinal Blade with the Power Knife for +1 Attack), which figures, though it is a shame you can't make space hoplites.