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Been wanting to try out some of the new FW Custodes, here's what I have at my disposal.

Trajan Valoris
2x Shield Captain

12x Custodes of various loadouts.
1x Vexilla

6x Vertus Praetors/Jetbike Captains

2x Achillus Dreadnoughts
2x Caladius Grav Tanks
1x Telemon Dreadnought

With that in mind here's a 2k list I've come up with.

+ HQ +

Captain-General Trajann Valoris [10 PL, 185pts]: Champion of the Imperium, Warlord

Shield-Captain [7 PL, 112pts]: Guardian Spear

Shield-Captain on Dawneagle Jetbike [9 PL, 160pts]: Hurricane Bolter

+ Troops +

Custodian Guard Squad [11 PL, 213pts]
. Custodian: Sentinel Blade, Storm Shield
. Custodian: Guardian Spear
. Custodian: Guardian Spear
. Custodian: Guardian Spear

Custodian Guard Squad [11 PL, 213pts]
. Custodian: Sentinel Blade, Storm Shield
. Custodian: Guardian Spear
. Custodian: Guardian Spear
. Custodian: Guardian Spear

Custodian Guard Squad [8 PL, 161pts]
. Custodian: Sentinel Blade, Storm Shield
. Custodian: Guardian Spear
. Custodian: Guardian Spear

+ Elites +

Contemptor-Achillus Dreadnought (Beta) [8 PL, 140pts]: 2x Lastrum Storm Bolter

+ Fast Attack +

Vertus Praetors [20 PL, 386pts]
. Vertus Praetor: Misericordia, Salvo Launcher
. Vertus Praetor: Misericordia, Salvo Launcher
. Vertus Praetor: Hurricane Bolter, Misericordia
. Vertus Praetor: Hurricane Bolter, Misericordia

+ Heavy Support +

Caladius Grav-tank (Beta) [10 PL, 210pts]: Twin Illiastus Accelerator Cannon, Twin Lastrum Bolt Cannon

Caladius Grav-tank (Beta) [10 PL, 210pts]: Twin Illiastus Accelerator Cannon, Twin Lastrum Bolt Cannon

++ Total: [104 PL, 1990pts] ++


The idea is the Vertus, Jetbike Captain and Caladius form up on one flank and become a hard-hitting mobile unit, helped by the Captain's aura. The rest of the force will move about and capture objectives, get into the midst, etc. Something about the list just looks wrong to me, and I need some advice on the following points.

1: Is this enough boots on the ground? It's almost the bare minimum number of Custodes which I suspect won't last long in a 2k game with plenty of multidamage weapons.
2: Should I keep Valoris? I'm reluctant to get rid of him, mainly due to his re-roll wound aura and the ability to get back D3 CP, but I could save >70pts by swapping him out for a regular Shield Captain.
3: Do I need a Vexilla Magnifica?
4: Should I try to take the Loyal 32? By dropping Valoris I can take them and get another 5CP, but is it worth giving up the wound re-rolls?

No comments?

Been running something similar
Spearhead Detachment 1709 Points (+1 CP)
HQ Trajan 185 Points
HQ Shield Captain on Bike w/ Bolters, Lance & Misericordia (Relic: Auric Aquilas) 164
EL Vexillus Praetor w/Castellan Axe, Misericordia & Magnifica 128
FA 3 Vertus Praetors w/Hurricane Bolters 270
FA 3 Vertus Praetors w/Hurricane Bolters 270
HS Telemon Dreadnought w/2 Arachnus Storm Cannons & Bolt Launchers 272
HS Caladius Grav Tank w/Twin Ilastius Accelerator Cannon & Twin Bolt Cannon 210
HS Caladius Grav Tank w/Twin Ilastius Accelerator Cannon & Twin Bolt Cannon 210

Astra Militarum Battalion Detachment 203 (+5 CP)
HQ Company Commander 30 (Warlord Trait: Grand Strategist, Relic: Kurov’s Aquilla)
HQ Primaris Psyker 38
TR Troop Squad, Mortar 45
TR Troop Squad, Mortar 45
TR Troop Squad, Mortar 45

Assassin Detachment? 85 (-1CP?)
EL Culexus Assassin 85

The regular Custodes just don’t do enough so I put in the loyal 32 and a culexus to have some psychic defense

How is that Telemon doeing for you swanson? It's main purpose is anti tank right? 4x S9 shots I believe. Does it do a lot of work for you or...?

They are pretty solid, tried 3 with Trajann and banner, either deathball or spread out on backfield obj with a L37 squad for each.

They are still Beta though and personally i think they need a minor points reduction (10-20 pts maybe), and that all weapons should be polished to be equally viable and cost the same basically.

Caladius is also great but i do think it is in a bait and switch phase right now, similar to how the Telemon was before the Culverins were nerfed and the never used Arachnus suddenly became really good. After next beta round or whatever they will probably see a points increase or weapon nerf/switheroo imo.

Don't make Trajann your warlord btw. You get his ability even if he isn't your warlord, and the WL trait serves your biker captain far better as he tends to be in the line of fire more.