Custodian Warden

True grit is shown through an epic beard and a thousand-yard stare. (Note that the gentleman pictured is a shield-captain, not a Warden, but the skirt is spot on.)

Not to be confused with the Warder which is another type of specialized Adeptus Custodes.

Custodian Wardens are veterans and really, really old Custodians that is still alive and kicking rather then being demoted 'retired' to a very large fellow in a hoody. Custodian Wardens are elite warriors within the Adeptus Custodes, each with several centuries of experience overseeing the defence of Terra. Equipped with Guardian Spears or Castellan Axes, their binding oaths of service allow them to resist wounds that would lay even another Custodian low.

Wardens can differentiate themselves from regular Custodes for having sillier-looking eagle ornaments on their helmets, and also for wearing skirts. Apparently, when you're a thousand-year old demigod bodyguard warrior monk, you just don't give a fuck any more.

Overview

As you know, how old one counts a Custodian Warden is up to debate. However, it can be stated that these guys are the rough Custodes equivalent to a Space Marine Veteran Squad. Although it is quite the convenience that you have a job that promotes you just by how much grey hair you have, granted that job is one of the most stressful and dangerous job in the Imperium. Then again, you're a superhuman transhuman who can bench press Terminators for breakfast so such dangers aren't really an issue.

What is known is that these guys hit like a freight train. This in itself is relatively unsurprising given the type of army we are dealing with here. Custodian Wardens may, at first glance, appear very similar to Custodian Guard, and indeed, these elite warriors perform much the same role as their brethren, but with some added benefits. Not only that. The first of such benefits is Binding Oaths, a special rule that further boosts the durability of a unit that is already very hard to kill. Basically, you have to roll a D6 each time a model in this unit loses a wound. Any rolls on a 6 and that damage is ignored and the wound is not lost. It may not sound too shabby at first, but consider that the most basic of Custodian have fucking Invuln saves and that shit becomes ballistic.

Additionally, one of their main weapons, the Castellan Axe is a S8 AP-2, D3 damage weapon that can cleave MEQs like butter. Whilst the axe may not have the same armor piercing capabilities as a Guardian Spear, the fact that it provides a +3 boost in strength is ridiculous.

All in all, for being a veteran unit, the Custodian Warden surely delivers.