Codex Adeptus Custodes 9th Edition Tactica: Auric Mortalis

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**FezzikDaBullgryn**

Does anyone else find it odd that we are the only faction that never got a terrain piece?

**KGYM**

GSC, GK, TS, Admech also lack fortifications. I think it is not a bad thing, we aren't friendly lorewise in this area, and also a useless fortification could be an excuse of not updating our playable range.

**U02dah4**

Elicidean starstriders

Astra cartographica

Inquisition

Technically SoB as theirs is adeptus ministorum

**FezzikDaBullgryn**

Of please, feth off with the point scoring that is "Inquisition, Startstriders, and Cartographers"

They haven't been proper "factions" since several generations ago.

I thought GSC have one, it's their stupid shrine thingy that immits the warp call to the hive fleet. I thought it came out in 8th? GK and TS don't. So you are right there.

I just feel like it was an odd promise to make back when they started making them a thing. Also, TS may still get one when "Chaos" books get pushed out. I'm betting it would be some form of summoning circle thing. Don't GK have access to the Hammerfall Bunker also?

**stratigo**

FezzikDaBullgryn wrote:
Of please, feth off with the point scoring that is "Inquisition, Startstriders, and Cartographers"

They haven't been proper "factions" since several generations ago.

I thought GSC have one, it's their stupid shrine thingy that immits the warp call to the hive fleet. I thought it came out in 8th? GK and TS don't. So you are right there.

I just feel like it was an odd promise to make back when they started making them a thing. Also, TS may still get one when "Chaos" books get pushed out. I'm betting it would be some form of summoning circle thing. Don't GK have access to the Hammerfall Bunker also?

GSC used to have one but their new codex didn't have it. It's weird.

Was a big drill

**FezzikDaBullgryn**

So I know the common chant these days is NERF custodes, but if they did nerf us into 8th levels, I would still enjoy some form of sacred relic that we have to guard, but inspires us. This also breaks my "no more special rules" statement, but it would be nice to see us have some way of either 1. taking the sting out of psyker abilities

Or

2. Give us the ability to summon a tech priest or servitor that can heal/repair mechs. Again, we don't need it, at all, but I regret the missed opportunity to give us something fun.

**KGYM**

Eihnlazer wrote:
With EI you will want to leverage Into the Darkness so you either go full tilt with a 6 man vertus squad, or stick with 3 man squads.

You can certainly try to be janky and take a 6 man venetari squad comboed with Kaptaris to first turn charge and potentially tie up multiple units of your opponent army as well.

EI is one of the shield hosts who will take Auric Mortalis a bit more often. Being able to first turn get a 6 man bike unit up the field, shoot, and charge a potential auric mortalis for 15pts on turn one is something you can huild into your list. However be away some opponents will be able to screen or throw said unit into reserve to stop that plan.

I personally just take 3 man units to reduce the cost of both the strat and the potential YOLO sacrificial unit.

Standout units in Emissaries are both saggitarum and venetari. With conversoi as the favored ka'tah, you can potentially Advance, fire, and raise banners on turn 1 with the infantry units.

You can also take BEL and DTH for another secondary wombo combo turn one. Simply boost your Bike captain into your opponents deployment zone and deploy teleport homers turn one. Your opponent would have to dedicate a fair amount of his army to taking him out or you gain 6 points. You can furthur conflate this problem by having another uniit also in your opponents lines with Into the darkness and have a praetorian plate captain ready to intervene on your opponents turn should he charge the bike cap.

Emissaries has alot of play in tournaments because of the varied secondary combos, and the fact that its probably the strongest shield host into harlequins atm.

Had 3 EI games yesterday, twice against Eldar (slightly modified Harpster-list from Adepticon) and once against Terminus Est DG. Eldar conceded on T2 twice, DG got tabled T5 and I won 98-36. Just unimaginably more fun than EC, gonna be honest. Into the Darkness is great, not so much against Eldar shenanigans, but DG managed to not be able to insulate their DP on a crossfire map, so I just nuked him T1 while remaining out of threat range. Saggies are crazy, 2x5 men squads with some auras dished out huge amounts of damage due to no modifiers. Advance, combi-shoot, still hit on 2+. Absolutely disgusting. Favorite shield host for me from now on, HANDS DOWN.

**Scoundrel80**

can I asked how the elder player modified it? a few throw away/screenig units? thats what id add.

**Eihnlazer**

the strat has a stipulation that you cannot end your move within 9" of enemy models, so even with their massive 14" pre-game move, your opponent can put scout deployers up and block you from going in deep. Rangers, Incursors, Nurglings and such can really be a hamper.

**FezzikDaBullgryn**

Can I get a better idea of what the leaks show for the new Chaos Troops? It showed they can take a "Heavy Chain Axe" that is flat 4 damage, but is this a SGT only, or each one can take one? Also, Wrath giving them extra attacks army wide? Please tell me I misunderstood the video I listened to on the way to work....

**nordsturmking**

I am thinking about pros and cons on the Telemon and on the Achillus.

I am compareing both survivability and damage output.

And here is a comparison of the damage output of both:
Melee vs T7 2+ 4++ target:
Achillus does 7.2 dmg
Telemon does 5.7 dmg

Melee vs T8 2+ 4++ target:
Achillus does 5.7 dmg
Telemon does 5.7 dmg
so in a good match up for the Telemon he does the same dmg but he cost almost double the points.

So here are my calculations for survivability
Getting shot by 5 shot with BS 3+ S8 -4 damage 5:

Achillus takes 4.9 dmg, points lost per volley 79
Telemon takes 2.7 dmg, points lost per volley 51
so in this case the Achillus is about 53% less survivable per point

Getting shot by 5 shot with BS 3+ S9 -4 damage 5:

Achillus takes 4.9 dmg, points lost per volley 79
Telemon takes 3.7 dmg, points lost per volley 69
so in this case the Achillus is about 13% less survivable per point

My point is that the Telemon is about 33% more survivable that the Achillus but the Telemon does the same damage but for 100 points more and in a case that better suits the Telemon. And the Achillus has core and does not degrade. So i think the Achillus is clearly the better option.

What do you think?

**FezzikDaBullgryn**

The Telemon with very few exceptions can't be taken off the table in a single turn. The Achillus can, quite a bit more easily. The baked in cost of the Telemon also far more versatile than the Achillus, which is really just really good beatstick. It's a carnifex. It can be avoided. The Telemon forces the opponent to deal with it.

Telemon still rocks a 4++ right? Versus 5+ for Achillus? Your opponent has to dedicate a lot of shooting to take it down.

Just my 2 cents, I'd always take a Telemon over one of our other dreads, unless you are freeing up points for something specific.

**Tiberias**

nordsturmking wrote:
I am thinking about pros and cons on the Telemon and on the Achillus.

I am compareing both survivability and damage output.

And here is a comparison of the damage output of both:
Melee vs T7 2+ 4++ target:
Achillus does 7.2 dmg
Telemon does 5.7 dmg

Melee vs T8 2+ 4++ target:
Achillus does 5.7 dmg
Telemon does 5.7 dmg
so in a good match up for the Telemon he does the same dmg but he cost almost double the points.

So here are my calculations for survivability
Getting shot by 5 shot with BS 3+ S8 -4 damage 5:

Achillus takes 4.9 dmg, points lost per volley 79
Telemon takes 2.7 dmg, points lost per volley 51
so in this case the Achillus is about 53% less survivable per point

Getting shot by 5 shot with BS 3+ S9 -4 damage 5:

Achillus takes 4.9 dmg, points lost per volley 79
Telemon takes 3.7 dmg, points lost per volley 69
so in this case the Achillus is about 13% less survivable per point

My point is that the Telemon is about 33% more survivable that the Achillus but the Telemon does the same damage but for 100 points more and in a case that better suits the Telemon. And the Achillus has core and does not degrade. So i think the Achillus is clearly the better option.

What do you think?

There is a reason the Achillus pops up on a lot of tournament lists and I agree that it is the more point efficient option. Being able to get re rolls from Trajann pushes the Achillus even more ahead.

However, depending on the meta game the Telemon can have a place in my opinion as an anvil unit that is almost impossibly hard to shift.

The Achillus also wins because it looks way cooler than the Telemon, which is obviously the way more significant metric.

I'm rather curious though that not more people are bringing a Galatus. Not only is it the coolest of the three FW options, but it's also extremely tough and plays very well into harlequins with the big flamer it has.

**M0ff3l**

I think a Galatus with Eternal Penitent and From Golden Light They Come is really strong.

Take an Achillus to move up with your CORE buffing character of choice + a Vexilus with Magnifica and then deep strike the Galatus behind and watch the chaos unfold.

**The Red Hobbit**

Tiberias wrote:

The Achillus also wins because it looks way cooler than the Telemon, which is obviously the way more significant metric.

Absolutely, agree. The Achillus is my favorite model from the Custodes range so I always like to run two. You can always kit them out with flamers as well, although I usually stick with Lastrums, or Adrathics if I'm dealing with T4-5 and W2+

**Scoundrel80**

is anybody considering the witch seekers now? 7 costs 98 and can 7" + advance and shoot 7d6 s5ap1 autohits to who ever needs delivery. they are hard to charge and should be a decent unit into Harley's. oh, an they have the pesky pregame move if you dont want them just sitting on a backfield obj preferable out of LOS.

**Tiberias**

Scoundrel80 wrote:
is anybody considering the witch seekers now? 7 costs 98 and can 7" + advance and shoot 7d6 s5ap1 autohits to who ever needs delivery. they are hard to charge and should be a decent unit into Harley's. oh, an they have the pesky pregame move if you dont want them just sitting on a backfield obj preferable out of LOS.

I've played them a couple of times before the advent of Harlequin domination and they were fine honestly. The pregame move can be really useful and the flamers are decent. I agree with you that you can get a lot more mileage out of them against Harlequins. The bigger question is what are you going to cut from your lists to make room for those 70-98 points.

**ZergSmasher**

By time you pay for even a 5-girl unit of Witchseekers plus their Rhino (and you probably want the Rhino), you have to drop an Achillus/Galatus or the equivalent thereof in points (some players take 3 Allarus instead, but same diff pointswise). And that's why you don't see them in very many competitive lists. Of course, as has already been mentioned, with Harlequins being the current meta boogeymen maybe there's more of a case for them.

**Scoundrel80**

yeah, at only ten points more than procecs, they might be contenders for their slot now. But then again, no obsec hurts. I'll shelf the idea : )

**nordsturmking**

From warcom:

They’re Not Laughing Now

So, what’s next for our favourite pantomime killers? Rest assured that the Warhammer Studio is aware that this particular comedy is at present slightly too divine. Several senior members of the Warhammer 40,000 team were at AdeptiCon to watch things unfold, and the next Balance Dataslate is coming with appropriate fixes next week.

You can therefore expect imminent tweaks and changes to the Harlequins in particular – they’ll remain an awesome faction, but other factions will find them more fun to play against, and Aeldari players will see them support a wider variety of army lists in competitive settings.

That’s not all you’ll find in the Balance Dataslate – stay tuned to the Warhammer Community website for more news on that soon. In the meantime, we believe crafty players can come up with creative solutions to our little clown infestation…

We need to wait and see how much Harlequins are gonna be nerfed, but i think the next thing to worry about is Tyranids with the amount of MW tyranids can throw at you EC is gonna be the way to go i think. And if they keep crusher they will crush the Meta XD would you agree or go for another SH?

**FezzikDaBullgryn**

If Harlies get nerfed at all, they'll go through us first. More people are worried about Custodes than Harlies.

**Audustum**

FezzikDaBullgryn wrote:
If Harlies get nerfed at all, they'll go through us first. More people are worried about Custodes than Harlies.

Not right now I don't think. It's been all Harlie freakout since Adepticon. Custodes are actually down to a 54% win rate (below Chaos Daemons, which have a 55%).

That said, GW has lag time and I expect us to get hit in some capacity, but Harlies are definitely the focus.

Automatically Appended Next Post:

nordsturmking wrote:
From warcom:

They’re Not Laughing Now

So, what’s next for our favourite pantomime killers? Rest assured that the Warhammer Studio is aware that this particular comedy is at present slightly too divine. Several senior members of the Warhammer 40,000 team were at AdeptiCon to watch things unfold, and the next Balance Dataslate is coming with appropriate fixes next week.

You can therefore expect imminent tweaks and changes to the Harlequins in particular – they’ll remain an awesome faction, but other factions will find them more fun to play against, and Aeldari players will see them support a wider variety of army lists in competitive settings.

That’s not all you’ll find in the Balance Dataslate – stay tuned to the Warhammer Community website for more news on that soon. In the meantime, we believe crafty players can come up with creative solutions to our little clown infestation…

We need to wait and see how much Harlequins are gonna be nerfed, but i think the next thing to worry about is Tyranids with the amount of MW tyranids can throw at you EC is gonna be the way to go i think. And if they keep crusher they will crush the Meta XD would you agree or go for another SH?

I agree. From what I'm hearing of MW output in Tyranids, EC is the way to go. Especially with getting Rendax as your favored Kata.

**M0ff3l**

I want to play Emissaries Imperatus with a bunch of Sagittarum, but it's looking more and more like I should just play EC for the versatility. Could a 2k EC list still bring 9 Sagittarum? Or should you really start mixing it up with some spear guard as well then?

**Audustum**

M0ff3l wrote:
I want to play Emissaries Imperatus with a bunch of Sagittarum, but it's looking more and more like I should just play EC for the versatility. Could a 2k EC list still bring 9 Sagittarum? Or should you really start mixing it up with some spear guard as well then?

I don't think Spear Guard are ever required, so you could run 9 Sag as EC. Emissaries is getting some traction because it's really solid into Harlies. With the data slate next week, we'll have to see how the Harlie matchup shakes out and what kind of condition we're in. That's my long winded way of saying you don't have to give up on EI just yet.

**NewTruthNeomaxim**

M0ff3l wrote:
I want to play Emissaries Imperatus with a bunch of Sagittarum, but it's looking more and more like I should just play EC for the versatility. Could a 2k EC list still bring 9 Sagittarum? Or should you really start mixing it up with some spear guard as well then?

I won a 20+ player RTT in a pretty tough meta with that, so it is absolutely viable, In fact, Trajaan and 3x 3 Sagittarum are my stock starting point for any list. They just contribute so much more than their datasheet suggests as they are doing something every turn, even if that something isn't massive. They absolutely are, IMO the best troop choice.

**M0ff3l**

NewTruthNeomaxim wrote:
M0ff3l wrote:
I want to play Emissaries Imperatus with a bunch of Sagittarum, but it's looking more and more like I should just play EC for the versatility. Could a 2k EC list still bring 9 Sagittarum? Or should you really start mixing it up with some spear guard as well then?

I won a 20+ player RTT in a pretty tough meta with that, so it is absolutely viable, In fact, Trajaan and 3x 3 Sagittarum are my stock starting point for any list. They just contribute so much more than their datasheet suggests as they are doing something every turn, even if that something isn't massive. They absolutely are, IMO the best troop choice.

as EI or EC?

Regardless, great to hear those results. mind sharing the full list you played at the RTT?

**NewTruthNeomaxim**

M0ff3l wrote:
NewTruthNeomaxim wrote:
M0ff3l wrote:
I want to play Emissaries Imperatus with a bunch of Sagittarum, but it's looking more and more like I should just play EC for the versatility. Could a 2k EC list still bring 9 Sagittarum? Or should you really start mixing it up with some spear guard as well then?

I won a 20+ player RTT in a pretty tough meta with that, so it is absolutely viable, In fact, Trajaan and 3x 3 Sagittarum are my stock starting point for any list. They just contribute so much more than their datasheet suggests as they are doing something every turn, even if that something isn't massive. They absolutely are, IMO the best troop choice.

as EI or EC?

Regardless, great to hear those results. mind sharing the full list you played at the RTT?

++ Battalion Detachment 0CP (Imperium - Adeptus Custodes) ++

+ Configuration +

Battle Size: 3. Strike Force (101-200 Total PL / 1001-2000 Points)

Detachment Command Cost

Detachment Type / Shield Host: Adeptus Custodes, Emissaries Imperatus

+ Stratagems +

Stratagem: Open the Vaults: Additional Relics

+ Agents of the Imperium +

Inquisitor Greyfax: 1) Terrify

+ HQ +

Blade Champion: Eagle's Eye, Stratagem: The Emperor's Heroes

Shield-Captain in Allarus Terminator Armor: 3. Superior Creation, 5. Radiant Mantle, Bane of Abominations, Castellan Axe, Praetorian Plate, Stratagem: The Emperor's Heroes, Stratagem: Victor of the Blood Games

Trajann Valoris

+ Troops +

Custodian Guard Squad
3x Custodian w/ Guardian Spear & Misericordia: 3x Guardian Spear, 3x Misericordia

Sagittarum Custodians
3x Sagittarum: 3x Adrastus Bolt Caliver

Sagittarum Custodians
3x Sagittarum: 3x Adrastus Bolt Caliver

Sagittarum Custodians
3x Sagittarum: 3x Adrastus Bolt Caliver

+ Elites +

Custodian Wardens
3x Warden w/ Castellan Axe & Misericordia: 3x Castellan Axe, 3x Misericordia

+ Fast Attack +

Vertus Praetors
3x Praetor w/ Salvo Launcher & Misericordia: 3x Interceptor Lance, 3x Misericordia, 3x Salvo Launcher

Vertus Praetors
3x Praetor w/ Salvo Launcher & Misericordia: 3x Interceptor Lance, 3x Misericordia, 3x Salvo Launcher

Vertus Praetors
3x Praetor w/ Salvo Launcher & Misericordia: 3x Interceptor Lance, 3x Misericordia, 3x Salvo Launcher

Created with BattleScribe (https://battlescribe.net)

Automatically Appended Next Post:
Opponents were, unoptimized Ad-Mech, a so-so Borkan Tau Stormsurge spam, and the Light Harlies in the final.

**Eihnlazer**

blade champ is definately not something i'd expect to see in an emissaries list. He doesnt really benefit from the traits and doesnt bring that much to the table by himself.

Im glad he's working for you, but i'd personally never use a blade champ in anything but shadowkeepers or dread host.

**NewTruthNeomaxim**

Eihnlazer wrote:
blade champ is definately not something i'd expect to see in an emissaries list. He doesnt really benefit from the traits and doesnt bring that much to the table by himself.

Im glad he's working for you, but i'd personally never use a blade champ in anything but shadowkeepers or dread host.

So the answer is two-fold. One, I had painted the list as Shadow Keepers and had been using them as such, but the night before the event called an audible when I heard at least three Harlies lists were expected. As such I changed what I had do on short notice. That said, the second reason to keep him is simply that he's a deceptively decent toolbox that can fill several roles. During the course of the day I had him as a charge deterrent protecting Greyfax, had him on an undefended flank cleaning up cheap obsec, etc... Blade Champ with the Oubliette is incredible, but even as-is, can be very good.

**nordsturmking**

https://www.warhammer-community.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/lBLlqvrttJVgyfhC.pdf
We just got hit with the nerf hammer sooo fething hard holy gak. the over correction of doom
Custodes got nerft back to 8th edition dread spam.