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Hello, a long time ago after 8th edition was released I decided to get back into 40k. I liked the look of Death Guard and picked up a codex and some minis as seen in the pics. I started painting them, but stopped for whatever reason. We are now 2 editions later and I want to pick it up again but I am lost, I think I have correctly identified what I currently have.

I believe I have 16 maybe 17 space marines, death guard, plague marines, whatever they're called. I'm not sure if I can combine them with some of the characters to make squads of 7 to be lore friendly or just make two more from the sprues.

I also think my Deathshroud are supposed to be body guards (as was written on a box) but can't see a reference to that in my old codex. What are they supposed to be protecting, one of the HQ? That would make a nice squad of 7.

I'm not sure what the unpainted green termies are supposed to be, maybe Blightlords but I can't find a similar reference picture.

Ultimately, is this a usable army, what do I need to get to bring it up to a decent standard, I used to like playing the big battles, which last an afternoon. I was intending to bring a daemon army along side it with flying drones and a great unclean one or some other big single entity characters.

Guidance please, in the meantime I will continue painting them.

Thank you

in 10th edition, things work a bit differently

first of all, you can use Plague Marines in squads of 5, 7, or 10. those extra characters you have can be used as characters, but attached to the unit, since 10th edition has rules for that. each one of the characters does their own unique thing so check the rules for that

on that note, this edition has indexes, so you can check that for everything related to your army, available here
https://www.warhammer-community.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/hCSDjE3DAmBFARNE.pdf

the two HQs both go with terminators but luckily you have the terminators you'd want to be using them with. two different types, and again, check the index for full information. one potential issue is that the Blightlords are meant to be taken in units of 5, when the old set only came with 3. it's a bit annoying

the Deathshrouds are just terminators. I don't know why GW named them as bodyguards but that's not really what they are

this is a solid start for a DG list. recommend checking the rules and seeing what you think of it

Thanks for the response, I haven't read the core rules yet (9 or 10), so it will probably be explained there. But how do I work out the points/power values?

From the link it looks like I can attach two elite characters to a plague marine unit of 5. This would work out perfect giving 3 squads of 7. But here I would have several units with characters classed as Leader, am I limited to a certain number of HQ's or could I really take 8 Leaders, despite 5 of those being classified as elites in 8th?

Edit: I'm downloading the core rules from warhammer site now.

you can take any number of characters. they've completely done away with the FOC. the only limit now is three of each unit (except battleline or dedicated transports, which can take six)

 StudentOfEtherium wrote:
you can take any number of characters. they've completely done away with the FOC. the only limit now is three of each unit (except battleline or dedicated transports, which can take six)

Or things that have the Unique keyword. Those you only get 1 of.

ccs wrote:

 StudentOfEtherium wrote:
you can take any number of characters. they've completely done away with the FOC. the only limit now is three of each unit (except battleline or dedicated transports, which can take six)

Or things that have the Unique keyword. Those you only get 1 of.

well, yes, but I was sticking to what's most relevant. none of the units they have would have that keyword

 StudentOfEtherium wrote:

ccs wrote:

 StudentOfEtherium wrote:
you can take any number of characters. they've completely done away with the FOC. the only limit now is three of each unit (except battleline or dedicated transports, which can take six)

Or things that have the Unique keyword. Those you only get 1 of.

well, yes, but I was sticking to what's most relevant. none of the units they have would have that keyword

I'm sure Typhus (seen in the 2nd pic) has that Keyword.

ccs wrote:

 StudentOfEtherium wrote:

ccs wrote:

 StudentOfEtherium wrote:
you can take any number of characters. they've completely done away with the FOC. the only limit now is three of each unit (except battleline or dedicated transports, which can take six)

Or things that have the Unique keyword. Those you only get 1 of.

well, yes, but I was sticking to what's most relevant. none of the units they have would have that keyword

I'm sure Typhus (seen in the 2nd pic) has that Keyword.

i thought that was one of the generic terminator characters

Is this guy a character or a generic terminator?

If I understand correctly, I no longer need to price up individual equipment, I used to play WYSIWYG, but I guess that doesn't matter anymore as I can just decide before each game what wargear they have based on the situation for the same price.

If i'm correct my points total is 1650. What would be good to spend 350 points on? To round up to 2000.

Also anyone know what Vallejo greens I've been using by any chance?

rhysgm wrote:
Is this guy a character or a generic terminator?

If I understand correctly, I no longer need to price up individual equipment, I used to play WYSIWYG, but I guess that doesn't matter anymore as I can just decide before each game what wargear they have based on the situation for the same price.

If i'm correct my points total is 1650. What would be good to spend 350 points on? To round up to 2000.

Also anyone know what Vallejo greens I've been using by any chance?

he was a named character when he was first released, but now he's just a generic one. also, i'd recommend some vehicles

rhysgm wrote:


If I understand correctly, I no longer need to price up individual equipment, I used to play WYSIWYG, but I guess that doesn't matter anymore as I can just decide before each game what wargear they have based on the situation for the same price.

You are correct that individual weapons/gear no longer cost pts. (for now, if you stick around you shouldn't be surprised if pts for gear return in some future edition - because GW....)

But why do you think that means WYSIWYG shouldn't apply? Did you think that didn't apply previously when something had a 0 cost either/or choice? Do you think its fair to make it so that your opponent can't tell what a model/squad is armed with at a glance & thus can't make an informed decision about where to move/what to shoot at, etc.

rhysgm wrote:
Thanks for the response, I haven't read the core rules yet (9 or 10), so it will probably be explained there. But how do I work out the points/power values?

From the link it looks like I can attach two elite characters to a plague marine unit of 5. This would work out perfect giving 3 squads of 7. But here I would have several units with characters classed as Leader, am I limited to a certain number of HQ's or could I really take 8 Leaders, despite 5 of those being classified as elites in 8th?

Edit: I'm downloading the core rules from warhammer site now.

Main page, and the core rules you already know about:
https://www.warhammer-community.com/warhammer-40000-downloads/
Points are in the "Munitorum Field Manual", which also tells you what sizes a squad can be.
There is the "Death Guard" index, look for the Leader entry on cards for which squad a leader can lead.
Always make sure you have the latest "Balance Dataslate", as it can change your army every 6 months.
The "Core Rules Updates and Rules Commentary" will change the main rules, if the game itself is being adjusted.

Tournaments and organised games will likely expect you to 'lock in' a list, which will state which weapon and kit options you are selecting.
Just because all (or most) weapons are freely able to be swapped, swapping between games is usually frowned upon. And if you model does not show the correct loadout, expect problems.
If you're playing casually, it's up to your oponent and the meta you're in.