Goatboy’s Warhammer 40K: Top 5 Rules Buffs In the Custodes Codex
Goatboy here with the biggest improvements in the brand new Adeptus Custodes codex.
Overall I think both the new releases, Custodes and GSC are pretty good – they don’t seem completely bananas like Dark Eldar or initial Ad Mech were. This is fine as I think more books that go to the middle ground make for a better game especially with the chatter on points and how it might be a continued rough Dark Eldar competitive year. Get used to the pointy elves for the duration. Still – if GW gets things right with some problem books we’ll probably see a game that features players who know how their army works, instead of just the “auto-win” armies doing all the work for them.
New Custodes Codex
The big overall themes in Custodes are we are superheroes, we kick butt for the Emperor, and we are BADasses! Really, that is the basic breakdown of the book with a slew of new rules, added cool things, and some really powerful combos. Still, it relies on a toughness 5+ body with a 2+ armor save and 4++ invulnerable save. I don’t know how good they will be overall – but hey Grey Knights live in that zone with Dreadknights so it can’t be too bad. But enough with my dancing around the subject – let’s get into the top things I like about the new Custodes codex.
Trajann is a Wrecking Ball
Trajann is a frigging mack truck of damage. He will be in almost every list because he is that good. Trajann can be any Shieldhost, gives 2 amazing auras (reroll 1’s to hit and wound). He has a ton of attacks, gives you more CP, and he gets 2 Warlord traits if he is your warlord (and has to be in a pure Custodes army). There is almost nothing this guy can’t do for you with a way to regenerate CP and being able to heroically charge at 6″ (yay double warlord traits!). The only thing he doesn’t do is get those awesome upgrades aka Captain Commander powers to make him a bit nutty. I just like the fact he can be any Shieldhost he wants to be. This means he fits without any fiddly weird rules saying he can be in any type of detachment. His points feel right so I don’t think will see an oops custodes codex points update nerf in a few months if need be.
Solid HQs
The HQ choices seem pretty good for in the new Custodes codex. The Captain-Commander upgrades are pretty awesome. Even the Terminator armor Captain is probably going to be a must for most armies. He has a relic combo that allows him to quickly appear somewhere, well within heroic range, and go punch you. The foot ones feel really good as they get objective secured which is powerful. Sadly the bikes lost it but most likely needed it as the Custodes also have a rule where they count as more models. So if you had a unit of 3 bikes barreling in they all of a sudden count as a 6 man squad. Oh thankfully the Custodes count as two models for Look out Sir things. This is helpful when it is a full MSU army and 3 model units dropping a guy would make for some sad games as your Captain gets shot in the dingus. It doesn’t help the Sisters of Silence character – so hang out with the Dread or Rhino.
Better Dreads
The Dreadnought updates feel right. While they are losing some rerolls if they are not CORE they did gain a powerful stratagem to give something powerful the army is lacking – reroll ones to wound. Having the same sort of ability that Marines have to become a “Captain” or a “Lt” at the drop of a few CP means this book has some better staying power. The Custodes can now create flanks that just don’t revolve around where Trajann is.
Solid Shieldhosts
The Shieldhosts all seem pretty interesting with an obvious push towards Emperor’s Chosen. In fact I am guessing most armies will be that one. The 4++ to Mortal wounds is powerful and the ability to quickly grab another Hosts fighting style for a unit will be powerful. Do you need your Salvo Launcher bikes to move 20 inches and shoot all their guns into a bad guy? The Custodes codex has you covered boo. The Shieldhost also gives you the always powerful extra “CP reroll” of either a wound or to hit roll. The Emissaries Imperatus gets a Fight First as one of its abilities so that is neat too. Again with Emperor’s Chosen you can just pull those traits over for a unit. So while the Hosts are powerful – having a toolbox is just better.
Martial Ka’tahs
The Martial Ka’Tah rules seem very interesting. Powerful, but not game-breaking. I always like the ability to shift your game before you begin. This rule hits the right spot of being decent, isn’t too hard to keep track of, and is fluffy. I have talked about in the past of ways you could have your “leaders” influence how your army works during a game. These sort of things create the ability for better players to “outplay” the opponent by creating effects that benefit those quick-thinking players. This is one of those things I hope we see in other armies. It hits the sweet spot of being neat and flavorful for the army. It feels like what GW tried to do with Necrons. But moved in the right direction of being useful and easy to remember during a game.
New Custodes Codex is a Winner!
There are loads of other things in this book to dig into. These are just the things I happen to like after a read thru. The Custodes codex is coming out in enough time for LVO. I can expect to see some players throwing them on the table. Thankfully the Custodes book is not full of needing a ton of new stuff. If you have collected the army pretty heavily you should be good. This is a good thing. It will help players be ready to throw down on the tabletop as they shift thru rules to try to remember an important stratagem or two. I would definitely make a cheat sheet to ensure you don’t forget anything if you are planning on playing the Golden boys.
For the Emperor!
