Factions — Codex: Adeptus Custodes
Adeptus Custodes
Aegis of the Emperor#
Friendly Adeptus Custodes units with this ability have Feel No Pain 5+ against mortal wounds.
Aquila Commander#
At the start of the battle round, if a model with this ability is your Warlord, gain 1CP.
Daughters of the Abyss#
- Friendly Anathema Psykana units with this ability have Feel No Pain 3+ against psychic attacks.
- Friendly Anathema Psykana units with this ability have the following ability:
Psychic Null (Aura): Friendly Adeptus Custodes units within 6" of this unit have Feel No Pain 5+ against psychic attacks.
ANATHEMA PSYKANA
Though the Adeptus Custodes often fight alongside the Silent Sisterhood, they take orders only from their own commanders, or from the Emperor Himself.
You can include Anathema Psykana units in your army, even though they do not have the Adeptus Custodes faction keyword.
When mustering your army, unless otherwise stated:
- You cannot select Anathema Psykana as your army faction.
- You cannot select an Anathema Psykana model to be your Warlord.
Martial Ka’tah#
At the start of your Command phase, friendly Adeptus Custodes units with this ability are readied. While a friendly unit is readied, you can select one of the ka’tah abilities presented below for that unit to use. If you do, that unit is no longer readied.
Each ka’tah ability will tell you when that ka’tah ability can be used, and the effects that ka’tah ability has on the unit using it.
We recommend placing a token next to each readied unit, removing it when that unit is no longer readied.
Conversai
WHEN: Your Command phase.
TARGET: One friendly readied unit.
EFFECT: Until the end of the turn:
Being engaged/battle‑shocked does not prevent your unit from being eligible to start an action.
Starting an action does not prevent your unit from being eligible to shoot.
Calistus
WHEN: Your Movement phase, when a friendly readied unit is selected to move.
TARGET: That readied unit.
EFFECT: When your unit makes a normal/advance/fall‑back move, your unit can move through all types of model.
Salvus
WHEN: Your Shooting phase, when a friendly readied unit is selected to shoot.
TARGET: That readied unit.
EFFECT: Your unit can ignore modifiers to your unit’s:
BS.
Hit rolls and wound rolls.
Dacatarai
WHEN: Start of the Fight phase.
TARGET: One friendly readied unit.
EFFECT: Your unit’s melee attacks that target an enemy unit (excluding Monster/Vehicle units) can re‑roll hit rolls of 1.
Kaptaris
WHEN: Start of the Fight phase.
TARGET: One friendly readied unit.
EFFECT: Melee attacks that target your unit have -1 to hit rolls.
Rendax
WHEN: Fight phase, when a friendly readied unit is selected to fight.
TARGET: One friendly readied unit.
EFFECT: Your unit’s melee attacks have [Lethal Hits: Monster/Vehicle].
Favoured Ka'tah
Many of the most prominent shield hosts favour a specific martial ka’tah above all others.
All detachments tagged ‘Unique: Shield Host’ state a Favoured Ka’tah. If you selected one of these detachments, the ka’tah ability that is the Favoured Ka’tah of that detachment grants the additional effect listed in that detachment.
Example: If you selected the Solar Watch detachment, when you select the Calistus ka’tah ability for a readied unit, that unit has +2" M in addition to the normal effect of Calistus.
Special Move Types#
The following are special move types that certain or all of your units are eligible to make.
Aquilan Shield1 pts#
Gilded Guardians#
While a friendly Adeptus Custodes unit (excluding Monster/Vehicle units) is within range of an objective, ranged attacks that target that unit with a S greater than that unit’s T have -1 to wound rolls.
Favoured ka’tah
Salvus
Additional Effect: Your unit’s ranged attacks have +6" R.
Enhancements
Stratagems
Manoeuvre and Fire#
- When
Your Movement phase, when a friendly Adeptus Custodes unit is selected to make a fall‑back move.
- Target
That Adeptus Custodes unit.
- Effect
That move does not prevent your unit from being eligible to shoot/declare a charge.
Rapid Reactions#
- When
Your opponent’s Movement phase, when an enemy unit ends a fall‑back move.
- Target
One friendly Adeptus Custodes Infantry unit that was engaged with that enemy unit at the start of the phase.
- Effect
Your unit shoots using normal shooting, but while doing so your unit can only target that enemy unit.
Tip of the Talon#
- When
Your Shooting phase, when a friendly Adeptus Custodes unit is selected to shoot.
- Target
That Adeptus Custodes unit.
- Effect
Your unit’s ranged attacks that target an enemy unit within 9" of your unit have +1 S.
Auric Champions1 pts#
Assemblage of Might#
In your Command phase, you can select one enemy unit to be a dreadful foe unit until the start of your next Command phase. Friendly Adeptus Custodes Character models’ attacks that target a dreadful foe unit have +1 to wound rolls.
Enhancements
Inspirational Exemplar#
10 ptsAdeptus Custodes Infantry model only. (Once per battle round, per army) At the start of any phase, you can select one friendly battle‑shocked Adeptus Custodes unit within 9" of this model. That unit is no longer battle‑shocked.
Superior Creation#
30 ptsAdeptus Custodes Infantry model only. (Once per battle, per army) At the end of a phase in which this model is destroyed, roll one D6:
- On a 2+, set this model back up on the battlefield as close as possible to where it was destroyed, unengaged, with 3 wounds remaining.
ErrataAURIC CHAMPIONS, SUPERIOR CREATION
Change to:
ADEPTUS CUSTODES INFANTRY model only. (Once per battle, per army) At the end of a phase in which this model is destroyed, roll one D6: 
▪ On a 2+, set this model back up on the battlefield as close as possible to where it was destroyed, unengaged, with 3 wounds remaining.
Stratagems
Duty Unto Death#
- When
Fight phase, when an enemy unit targets a friendly Adeptus Custodes unit.
- Target
That Adeptus Custodes unit.
- Effect
When a model in your unit is destroyed, if your unit has not been selected to fight this phase, roll one D6, with +1 to that roll if that model is a Character model:
- On a 3+, do not remove that model from the battlefield. When your unit has fought, or at the end of the phase (whichever comes first), that model is removed from the battlefield.
Gilded Champion#
- When
Any phase, when a friendly Adeptus Custodes Character model has used a (Once per battle, per unit) datasheet ability.
- Target
That Adeptus Custodes Character model.
- Effect
Your model can use that (Once per battle, per unit) datasheet ability one additional time, but not in the same phase.
- Restrictions
You cannot use this stratagem on the same Adeptus Custodes Character model more than once per battle.
Dread Host1 pts#
Instruments of the Emperor’s Wrath#
Friendly Adeptus Custodes units can re‑roll charge rolls.
Favoured ka’tah
Dacatarai
Additional Effect: When an enemy unit engaged with your unit makes a pile‑in/consolidation move, -2" from that pile‑in/consolidation move.
Enhancements
Stratagems
Golden Light of the Moiraides#
- When
Your Movement phase, when a friendly Adeptus Custodes unit is selected to make an ingress move.
- Target
That Adeptus Custodes Unit.
- Effect
Until the start of your next turn:
- Attacks that target your unit have -1 to hit rolls.
- Enemy units cannot target your unit with snap shooting attacks.
Lightning Wrath#
- When
Fight phase, when a friendly Adeptus Custodes unit is selected to make a pile‑in move.
- Target
That Adeptus Custodes unit.
- Effect
When making that pile‑in move, your unit can move up to D3+3".
Preternatural Rapidity#
- When
Your Movement phase, when a friendly Adeptus Custodes unit ends an advance move.
- Target
That Adeptus Custodes unit.
- Effect
That advance move does not prevent your unit from being eligible to declare a charge.
Emissaries Imperatus1 pts#
Heralds of the Throne#
Friendly Adeptus Custodes units have Fights First.
Favoured Ka’tah
Conservai
Additional Effect: Until the end of the turn, being selected to make an advance/fall‑back move does not prevent your unit from being eligible to start an action.
Enhancements
Stratagems
Bearers of His Light#
- When
Fight phase, when a friendly Adeptus Custodes unit is selected to fight.
- Target
That Adeptus Custodes unit.
- Effect
Your unit’s melee attacks can ignore modifiers to hit rolls and wound rolls.
Selfless Service#
- When
End of your opponent’s Charge phase.
- Target
One friendly unengaged Adeptus Custodes unit within 6" of an enemy unit. You can only select a Vehicle unit if it is a Character/Walker unit.
- Effect
Declare a charge with your unit:
- When making the charge roll, if the result is greater than 6 (after modifiers), change it to 6.
- When selecting charge targets, you can select any enemy units that are within 6" of your unit and within the maximum distance.
Slayers of Nightmares#
- When
Fight phase, when a friendly Adeptus Custodes unit is selected to fight.
- Target
That Adeptus Custodes unit.
- Effect
Your unit’s melee attacks that target a unit with a T greater than this unit’s T have +1 to wound rolls.
Emperor’s Chosen1 pts#
Magna Imperator#
When a friendly Adeptus Custodes unit is selected to attack, that unit’s attacks can:
- Re‑roll one hit roll.
- Re‑roll one wound roll.
Favoured ka’tah
Rendax
Additional Effect: You can select one enemy Monster/Vehicle unit engaged with your unit and roll one D6:
- On a 1‑2, that enemy unit suffers 1 mortal wound.
- On a 3‑5, that enemy unit suffers D3 mortal wounds.
- On a 6, that enemy unit suffers 3 mortal wounds.
Enhancements
Stratagems
Impenetrable Bastion#
- When
End of your Movement phase.
- Target
One friendly Adeptus Custodes unit (excluding Monster/Vehicle units).
- Effect
Select one objective your unit is controlling. That objective is secured.
In Auramite clad#
- When
Your opponent’s Shooting phase or the Fight phase, when an enemy unit targets a friendly Adeptus Custodes unit (excluding Custodian Wardens units).
- Target
That Adeptus Custodes unit.
- Effect
Attacks that target your unit have -1 AP until that enemy unit has attacked.
Superhuman Focus#
- When
End of any phase.
- Target
One friendly Adeptus Custodes unit that is not readied.
- Effect
Your unit is readied.
- Restrictions
You cannot select the same unit as the target of this stratagem more than once per battle round.
Grav‑Assault Force1 pts#
Flare Shields#
Friendly grav‑assault units have 4+ InSv against ranged attacks.
Enhancements
Anti-gravitic Mobility (Upgrade)#
15 ptsgrav‑assault unit only. When this unit makes a fall‑back move, that fall‑back move does not prevent this unit from being eligible to shoot.
Combat Deployment (Upgrade)#
20 ptsgrav‑assault Transport model only. When a friendly Adeptus Custodes unit is selected to make a disembark move from this unit, until the end of the turn:
- That unit can re‑roll charge rolls.
- Enemy units cannot target that unit with snap shooting attacks.
Stratagems
Advanced Stabilisers#
- When
Your Shooting phase, when a friendly grav‑assault unit is selected to shoot.
- Target
That grav‑assault unit.
- Effect
Your unit’s ranged attacks have [Assault].
Inevitable Annihilation#
- When
Your Shooting phase, when a friendly grav‑assault unit is selected to shoot.
- Target
That grav‑assault unit.
- Effect
Your unit can ignore modifiers to your unit’s:
- BS.
- Hit rolls.
Victory Before Death#
- When
Any phase, when a friendly grav‑assault unit within range of an objective is destroyed.
- Target
That grav‑assault unit. You can target that unit with this stratagem even though it is destroyed.
- Effect
Select one objective that:
- Your unit was controlling when it was destroyed.
- Has no enemy units (excluding AIRCRAFT units) within range of it.
That objective is secured.
Guardians of the Throne3 pts#
Martial Mastery#
In the Fight phase, when a friendly Adeptus Custodes unit is selected to fight, that unit’s melee attacks have:
- [Sustained Hits 1].
- Or: [Lethal Hits].
Enhancements
Bane of Abominations#
20 ptsAdeptus Custodes model only. This model’s attacks that target an enemy Character/Monster/Vehicle unit have +1 to wound rolls.
Castellan’s Mark#
25 ptsAdeptus Custodes model only. When both players have deployed their armies, you can redeploy up to three friendly Adeptus Custodes units. When doing so, you can set those units up in strategic reserves, regardless of how many units are already in strategic reserves.
Eagle’s Eye#
30 ptsAdeptus Custodes model only.
- This model has +1 W.
- (Once per battle, per army) When attacks are allocated to this model, you can use this ability. If you do, this model has 3+ InSv.
Stratagems
In Auramite clad#
- When
Your opponent’s Shooting phase or the Fight phase, when an enemy unit targets a friendly Adeptus Custodes unit (excluding Custodian Wardens units).
- Target
That Adeptus Custodes unit.
- Effect
Attacks that target your unit have -1 AP until that enemy unit has attacked.
Prime Target#
- When
Your Shooting phase, when a friendly Adeptus Custodes unit is selected to shoot.
- Target
That Adeptus Custodes unit.
- Effect
Your unit’s ranged attacks can:
- Re‑roll one hit roll.
- Re‑roll one wound roll.
- Re‑roll one damage roll.
Shield of Honour#
- When
Start of the Fight phase.
- Target
One friendly Adeptus Custodes Infantry/Mounted unit.
- Effect
When an enemy model engaged with your unit selects targets, if that enemy model does not select your unit as the target of all of its attacks, that enemy model’s attacks have:
- -1 to hit rolls.
- -1 to wound rolls.
Superhuman Focus#
- When
End of any phase.
- Target
One friendly Adeptus Custodes unit that is not readied.
- Effect
Your unit is readied.
- Restrictions
You cannot select the same unit as the target of this Stratagem more than once per battle round.
Swift as the Eagle#
- When
Your opponent’s Movement phase, when an enemy unit ends a move within 8" of a friendly unengaged Trusted Sentinel unit.
- Target
That Trusted Sentinel unit.
- Effect
Your unit can make a normal move of up to D3+3".
Unlimited Endurance#
- When
Your Movement phase, when a friendly Adeptus Custodes unit ends an advance move.
- Target
That Adeptus Custodes unit.
- Effect
Until the end of the turn:
- Your unit’s ranged attacks have [Assault].
- That advance move does not prevent your unit from being eligible to declare a charge.
Honoured Companions1 pts#
Companion’s Watch#
While a friendly Trusted Sentinel unit is within range of an objective, that unit’s attacks can re‑roll wound rolls of 1.
Enhancements
Arae-Shrike#
20 ptsAdeptus Custodes Infantry model only. Enemy units that are selected to make an ingress move cannot be set up within 12" of this unit.
Celeritous Sentries (Upgrade)#
15 ptsTrusted Sentinel unit only. (Once per phase, per unit) You can target this unit with the Heroic Intervention stratagem, regardless of any other uses of that stratagem this phase. If you do:
- That use is -1 CP.
- That use does not prevent any uses of that stratagem on other units this phase.
Stratagems
Avenge the Fallen#
- When
Fight phase, when a friendly Trusted Sentinel unit that is below starting strength is selected to fight.
- Target
That Trusted Sentinel unit.
- Effect
Your unit’s melee attacks (excluding those made by Character models) have +2 A.
Emperor’s Domain#
- When
Fight phase, when a friendly Trusted Sentinel unit is selected to make a consolidation move.
- Target
That Trusted Sentinel unit.
- Effect
You can select the objective consolidation mode for that consolidation move, regardless of that consolidation move’s Before Moving restrictions. This means your unit can move out of engagement range with enemy units, provided it meets the conditions of the objective consolidation mode.
Swift as the Eagle#
- When
Your opponent’s Movement phase, when an enemy unit ends a move within 8" of a friendly unengaged Trusted Sentinel unit.
- Target
That Trusted Sentinel unit.
- Effect
Your unit can make a normal move of up to D3+3".
Lions of the Emperor1 pts#
On Gilded Wings#
At the end of your opponent’s Fight phase, if a friendly Adeptus Custodes Terminator unit is unengaged, you can place that unit in strategic reserves.
Enhancements
Leonine Ferocity#
20 ptsShield‑Captain in Allarus Terminator Armour model only. (Once per phase, per army) You can target this unit with the Rapid Ingress stratagem, regardless of any other uses of that stratagem this phase. If you do:
- That use is -1 CP.
- That use does not prevent any uses of that stratagem on other units this phase.
Lightning Descent#
20 ptsShield‑Captain in Allarus Terminator Armour model only. In your first Movement phase, this unit can make an ingress move.
Stratagems
Fury of the Emperor#
- When
Your Charge phase, when a friendly Adeptus Custodes Terminator unit that made an ingress move this turn is selected to declare a charge.
- Target
That Adeptus Custodes Terminator unit.
- Effect
Your unit has +2 to charge rolls.
Unleash the Lions#
- When
Your Command phase.
- Target
One friendly Adeptus Custodes Terminator unit that has 2+ models.
- Effect
Your unit is split into separate units, each containing one model. These new units each have a starting strength of 1.
Vigil Unending#
- When
Your opponent’s Shooting phase or the Fight phase, when an enemy unit targets a friendly Adeptus Custodes Terminator unit.
- Target
That Adeptus Custodes Terminator unit.
- Effect
Attacks that target your unit have -1 D until that enemy unit has attacked.
Might of the Moritoi1 pts#
Moritoi Ancients#
- While a friendly Adeptus Custodes Dreadnought unit is at starting strength, that unit has +2 OC.
- While a friendly Adeptus Custodes Dreadnought unit is below starting strength, that unit’s attacks can re‑roll hit rolls of 1.
- While a friendly Adeptus Custodes Dreadnought unit is below half‑strength, that unit’s attacks can:
- Re‑roll hit rolls of 1.
- Re‑roll wound rolls of 1.
Enhancements
Stratagems
Honoured Interred#
- When
Your Shooting phase or the Fight phase.
- Target
One friendly Adeptus Custodes Dreadnought unit.
- Effect
Your unit has the following ability: Honoured Interred (Aura): Friendly Adeptus Custodes units within 6" of this unit can re‑roll hit rolls of 1.
Unceasing Onslaught#
- When
Your Movement phase, when a friendly Adeptus Custodes Dreadnought unit ends an advance move.
- Target
That Adeptus Custodes Dreadnought unit.
- Effect
- Your unit’s ranged attacks have [Assault] until the end of the turn.
- That move does not prevent your unit from being eligible to declare a charge.
Unstoppable momentum#
- When
Your Movement/Charge phase, when a friendly Adeptus Custodes Dreadnought unit is selected to move or declares a charge.
- Target
That Adeptus Custodes Dreadnought unit.
- Effect
Your unit has Mobile.
Null Maiden Vigil1 pts#
Silent Sisterhood#
- When mustering your army, you can select a friendly Anathema Psykana Character model to be your Warlord.
- Friendly Prosecutor SQUAD units have Battleline.
- Friendly Anathema Psykana units have the following ability:
Creeping Dread (Aura): In the Battle‑shock step of your opponent’s Command phase, each enemy unit within 12" of this unit that is a Psyker unit/below starting strength makes a battle‑shock roll, with -1 to that battle‑shock roll.
Enhancements
Huntress’ Eye#
10 ptsAnathema Psykana model only. In your Movement phase, you can select one visible enemy unit within 12" of this unit. That unit makes a battle‑shock roll, with -1 to that battle‑shock roll.
Oblivion Knight#
15 ptsAnathema Psykana model only. This unit’s attacks have:
- +1 to hit rolls.
- Or: If this unit targets a Psyker/battle‑shocked unit, +1 to hit rolls and wound rolls.
Stratagems
Anathema Blademastery#
- When
Fight phase, when a friendly Vigilator squad unit is selected to fight.
- Target
That Vigilator squad unit.
- Effect
Your unit’s attacks have:
- [Sustained Hits 1]
- Or: [Lethal Hits].
Psy‑chaff Volley#
- When
Your Shooting phase, when a friendly Prosecutor squad unit has shot.
- Target
That Prosecutor squad unit.
- Effect
Select one enemy unit hit by those attacks. That unit is prosecuted until the end of the turn:
- Attacks that target a prosecuted unit have +1 AP.
Purgation Sweep#
- When
Your Shooting phase, when a friendly Witchseeker squad unit is selected to shoot.
- Target
That Witchseeker squad unit.
- Effect
Your unit’s [Torrent] attacks have:
- +1 A.
- Or: If those attacks target a Psyker/battle shocked unit, +2 A.
Shadowkeepers1 pts#
Wardens of the Dark Cells#
While a friendly Adeptus Custodes unit (excluding Monster/Vehicle units) is within range of an objective, melee attacks that target that unit with a S greater than that unit’s T have -1 to wound rolls.
Favoured ka’tah
Kaptaris
Additional Effect: You can select one enemy unit engaged with your unit. That enemy unit must make a battle‑shock roll, with -1 to that battle‑shock roll. You cannot select the same enemy unit for this effect more than once per phase.
Enhancements
Unstoppable Destroyer#
25 ptsAdeptus Custodes Infantry model only. When this unit is selected to make a pile‑in/consolidation move:
- This unit can move up to 4".
- You can select any consolidation mode for that consolidation move, regardless of that consolidation move’s Before Moving restrictions.
Stratagems
Grim Responsibility#
- When
Fight phase, when a friendly Adeptus Custodes Infantry unit is selected to fight.
- Target
That Adeptus Custodes unit.
- Effect
Your unit’s melee attacks have [Lethal Hits: Character/Monster].
Indomitable Guardians#
- When
Your opponent’s Fight phase, when an enemy unit has fought.
- Target
One friendly Adeptus Custodes unit that is within range of an objective and is eligible to fight.
- Effect
Your unit has Fights First and must be the next unit you select to fight.
No Escape#
- When
Your opponent’s Movement phase, when an enemy unit ends a fall‑back move.
- Target
One friendly unengaged Adeptus Custodes Infantry unit that is within 6" of that enemy unit.
- Effect
Declare a charge with your unit. When selecting charge targets, you can only select enemy units that made a fall‑back move this phase and are within the maximum distance.
Solar Watch1 pts#
Talon Sortie#
When a friendly Adeptus Custodes unit makes a fall‑back move, that fall‑back move does not prevent that unit from being eligible to charge.
Favoured ka’tah
Calistus
Additional Effect: Your unit has +2" M.
Enhancements
Auric Eagle (Upgrade)#
15 ptsAdeptus Custodes Infantry/Mounted unit only (excluding Terminator units). This unit has +1 to advance rolls and charge rolls.
Sally Forth#
30 ptsAdeptus Custodes Shield‑Captain model only. At the start of your Charge phase, select one friendly Adeptus Custodes Infantry unit within 6" of this model. If that unit made an advance move this turn, that advance move does not prevent that unit from being eligible to declare a charge.
Stratagems
At Spear’s Length#
- When
Your Movement phase, when a friendly Adeptus Custodes unit is selected to make a fall‑back move.
- Target
That Adeptus Custodes unit.
- Effect
That fall‑back move does not prevent your unit from being eligible to shoot.
Gravimetric Grenade#
- When
Start of your opponent’s Charge phase.
- Target
One friendly unengaged Adeptus Custodes unit.
- Effect
Select one visible enemy unit within 12" of your unit. When that enemy unit declares a charge, that enemy unit has -1 to charge rolls.
Inexorable#
- When
Your Movement phase, when a friendly Adeptus Custodes unit is selected to move.
- Target
That Adeptus Custodes unit.
- Effect
Until the end of the turn, your unit can ignore modifiers to your unit’s:
- M.
- Advance rolls and charge rolls.