How to Play Imperial Agents in Warhammer 40K
Today take a look at some basics of how to play and get started with Warhammer 40k 10th Edition Imperial Agents.
Codex Imperial Agents is a unique, conglomerate book composed of various entities of the Imperium, including the Inquisition, Imperial Fleet, Arbites, and Officio Assassinorum, with close assistance of the Sororitas, Deathwatch, and Grey Knights.
So below we will offer some tips on how to play Imperial Agents and how to get started with the army.
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Who Are The Imperial Agents?
The Imperium is the galactic empire under which the majority of humanity is united. The founder and nominal ruler of the Imperium is the god-like Emperor of Mankind, the most powerful human psyker ever known.
The Imperium is the largest and most powerful political entity in the galaxy, consisting of at least a million worlds that are dispersed across most of the galaxy. An Imperial planet might be separated from its closest neighbor by hundreds or thousands of light years. As a stellar empire, the size of the Imperium cannot be measured in terms of contiguous territory but only in the number of planetary systems in its control.
The Inquisition, are the powerful secret police of the Imperium responsible for guarding the souls of humanity. The purpose of the Inquisition is to identify and destroy the myriad of potential threats to the Imperium and humanity. Such is the Inquisition’s power that it answers only to the Emperor.
Ordos are a major operational subfaction within the Imperial Inquisition. As the Inquisition possesses neither a formalized hierarchy nor leadership, each Inquisitor is free to pursue the mission of humanity’s survival in the manner they see most appropriate.
Like-minded individuals gather together to investigate areas of mutual interest and concern, as bounded by one of the many Inquisitorial Ordos. Oftentimes an Imperial Agents army represents the ad hoc forces of a particular Inquisitor.
Why Play Imperial Agents
The 40k Imperial Agents is an army from random organizations across the Imperium. Their Codex has not just the Inquisition, but also Rogue Traders, Assassins, Grey Knights, Deathwatch, Navis Nobilite, Navy troops, and Arbites as well. Do you like space pirates? Space cops? Esoteric knowledge? Imperial Agents might just be your faction.
Strengths of the Imperial Agents Army
- Highly flexible
- The right tool for any job
- Great in other armies!
Weakness of the Imperial Agents Army
- The esoteric smattering of units means that any sort of focus will need to come from the player. It is easy to end up with an incoherent mess.
- For the most part, the Detachments are not very exciting
Imperial Agents Army Rule
- Assigned Agents– This rule allows other Imperium armies to select units out of this book. The bigger the game, the more selections are allowed.
Imperial Agents Detachment Rules
1. Imperial Fleet
- Rules: At All Costs is a flexible rule that triggers in the Command phase. Either a singular enemy unit is picked to have bonus’ to hit against it or a single objective is given a buff aura.
- Enhancements: Clandestine Operations is a neat one here, giving three units Infiltrators.
- Stratagems: Violent Acquisition is an incredibly flexible offensive buff, giving a unit a selection of powerful rules for any attacks.
2. Purgation Force
- Rules: Shooting used by Adeptus Arbites, Inquisitors (and retinue), and Ordo Heresticus models in your army ignore cover, with an additional boost against Chaos.
- Enhancements: The aptly named Witch Hunter is great against psyker heavy armies.
- Stratagems: Say “I am the luh!” with a unit of Arbites and Dispense Justice dealing out Lethal Hits.
3. Alien Hunters
- Rules: Mission Tactics gives a choice of three buffs each Command Phase to all of your Deathwatch units.
- Enhancements: Beacon Angelis gives a nice Deep Strike as well.
- Stratagems: All three Deathwatch weapon Round stratagems are fun and flexible.
4. Daemon Hunters
- Rules: Destroy the Daemonic gives a re-roll to all 1s to hit. If the target is a Daemon it you also re-roll 1s to wound.
- Enhancements: Gift of the Prescient gives you a 3″ Deep Strike with a nice unit of Grey Knight Terminators.
- Stratagems: Steel Heart will let those Grey Knight Terminators Fall Back and still Shoot and Charge.
Key Imperial Agents Units To Know
Warhammer 40K Imperial Agents have a sizable and random unit roster and knowing what units to take can be tricky. Here are some suggestions to get you off on the right track.
Leaders
Inquisitor Coteaz
Coteaz is the cover boy of Codex Imperial Agents for good reason. With thicc gold armour and big ol’ hammer, Coteaz is ready to party with Daemons thanks to his Malefic Wardings.
Inquisitor Draxus
From the Ordo Xenos, Draxus gives her unit bonus’ to hit against alien units (cleverly signified as units without the Chaos or Imperium keyword).
Inquisitor Greyfax
Greyfax, from the Ordo Hereticus, significantly boosts her units ability to fight witches (Psykers) with her Psyoculum.
Vindicare Assassin
The Vindicare is the premiere Sniper and character assassin extraordinaire with his Shieldbreaker Round.
Eversor Assassin
As always a powerhouse of the Combat Phase, though not very stealthy. The Eversor can slice characters to ribbons thanks to his handy neuro-gauntlet.
Navigator
Why would you want a frail ship crewman on the table and in your army? Well… look at that helmet! He can also open up his Warp Eye and force a Battleshock test on an enemy unit in your Shooting phase.
Rogue Trader Entourage
The Rogue Trader Entourage is a Rogue Trader with a few of his favorite Specialists. You can make use of his Backroom Deals to give Infiltrate to a Breacher unit.
(not pictured: Entourage)
Units
Navy Breachers
A nice core unit- take advantage of full re-rolls to wound against enemies on objectives, thanks to their Breaching Team rule.
Exaction Squad
These space cops punch way above their weight against a target unit, thanks to the Imperial Law rule, giving them Lethal Hits.
Inquisitorial Agents
This unit represents a group of your Inquisitor’s favorite hangers-on and sycophants. Attach an Inquisitor to the unit and get a number of bonuses.
Sample Starter 40k Imperial Agents Army
Army: Imperial Agents (Imperial Fleet)
Leaders
Inquisitor Draxus
Rogue Trader Entourage
Navigator
Vindicare Assassin
Battleline
10*Voidsmens-at-Arms
10*Voidsmens-at-Arms
6*Voidsmens-at-Arms
Other Units
10*Imperial Navy Breachers
10*Imperial Navy Breachers
Inquisitorial Agents
10*Imperial Navy Breachers
Dedicated Transports
Rhino
Rhino