Games Workshop Overhauls Adeptus Custodes Rules and Miniatures for 11th Edition

Key points

• The new Codex: Adeptus Custodes combines Warhammer 40,000 and Warhammer: The Horus Heresy rules into a single book, featuring 27 datasheets.
• Custodian Guard Sodalities now have Toughness 7, a 2+ save, and 5 wounds, but squad sizes have shrunk from five to three models.
• Captain-General Trajann Valoris has been upgraded to 10 wounds and retains powerful melee abilities, while the Telemon Heavy Dreadnought gains Toughness 11 and 14 wounds.
• Several legacy units, including the Land Raider and Venerable Contemptor Dreadnought, are moving to the Warhammer Legends system to make room for new vehicles like the Caladius Grav-tank.
• The Codex is expected to release in a few weeks, with some existing kits currently out of stock due to re-boxing processes.

Background

This update follows the Big Warhammer Autumn Preview, where Games Workshop teased new Custodian Terminator miniatures. The Adeptus Custodes have historically been a premium, high-cost faction in Warhammer 40,000, known for their elite status and high point values. Previous editions often featured larger squad sizes, but this update shifts toward smaller, more potent units to align with the faction's lore of elite efficiency.

How outlets are covering it

Warhammer Community provides the official breakdown of the new Codex, emphasizing the unification of 40,000 and Horus Heresy rules and the specific units moving to Warhammer Legends. Wargamer.com analyzes the mechanical impact, noting that while individual Custodes are now 'demigods' with stats surpassing Space Marine captains, the reduction in squad size from five to three models may balance their overall army effectiveness. ixbt.games highlights the new Aquilon Terminator miniatures and the Combat Patrol box, focusing on the physical product releases rather than the rule changes. The outlets agree on the power increase but differ in emphasis: Warhammer Community focuses on product logistics, Wargamer on balance and math, and ixbt.games on the new miniatures.

Why it matters

This update is significant for Warhammer 40,000 players as it redefines the Adeptus Custodes faction, making them more powerful individually but potentially less numerous on the table. The shift to smaller squads and the integration of Horus Heresy rules could impact competitive play and army building, requiring players to adapt their strategies and potentially purchase new miniatures to stay legal in matched play.

What to watch

The Codex: Adeptus Custodes is expected to release in a few weeks. Players should check local Warhammer stores for existing kits, as some are currently out of stock due to re-boxing. Games Workshop may release further details on points costs and army rules in the coming days, as the current datasheets do not include point values.