Today we have a Forge World list with bit more meat on it. Adeptus Custodes have been historically quite dependent on their Forge World datasheets. As a faction active now in both the 40K and Horus Heresy settings, they received rules for both games. Originally, Heresy was almost purely supported by Forge World, so Custodes ended up with a lot of resin. Now that Heresy is moving to plastic and Custodes is being represented more in 40K, we'll probably see many of these pieces eventually move to plastic too. But for now, Custodes players often have to try to get their hands on these harder to find, more expensive, and often more difficult kits. Let's see how they shape up.
Custodian Guard with Adrasite and Pyrithite Spears -
5 models for 325 pts (65 pts per model)
That's . . . that's a lot . . . That's 100 pts more than a standard unit of Custodian Guard. Let's see what you get.
Right off the bat, those spears have considerably stronger firepower than your standard guardian spear. The adrasite feels more like a sidegrade than an upgrade. While it hits with a pip more of Strength, Damage, and AP, it's also only one shot at shorter range. That might be worth more than a guardian spear, but not by that much. The real tech here is the pyrithite spear, a MELTA 2 weapon that your Guard will need to get really up close and personal to use. Not necessarily a bad thing, as Custodes has been setup now as more of a melee army. However, once in combat, these are still just guardian spears.
This version of Custodian Guard still keeps Stand Vigil, so they're still absolutely fantastic at holding objectives. However, you'll more often than not want these units to be charging forward to get to grips with some big prey. When they do, No Foe Shall Stand will help get around the now lesser Strength that Melta weapons have.
I'm just not sure that's worth 20 more pts per model! I think I'd have to give these a pass.
Sagittarum Custodians - 250 pts for 5 models (50 pts per model)
The ranged Custodian Infantry strikes with 3 attacks at S5, AP-1, Dmg2 with SUSTAINED HITS 1. Saturation Volleys hands out the suppressed debuff to an enemy unit you hit with them, and Disintegration Beams gives you one Shooting Phase of DEVASTATING WOUNDS. You're giving up some melee power, but misericordias are still a good combat profile. Shooting is currently very strong in 10th, so I think these earn their extra 5 points over standard Guard.
Aquilon Custodians - 230 pts for 3 models (~76.67 pts per model)
The more traditional style Custodian Terminators come with some interesting alternate weapons to their Allarus brothers. While their are arguments for or against the various guns on these Terminators, I feel the solerite power gauntlet is a pure upgrade over the Allarus melee choices.
I don't like their rule though. Of the ranged options, I feel the twin adrathic destructors are probably the better option, and those already get re-roll Wounds. Still, if you want to go with the classic storm bolter options, 4 shots each with re-roll Wounds of 1 will get some damage in.
I'm not sure these are worth 35 pts more than Allarus, but I do think they're still viable.
Contemptor-Achillus Dreadnought - 155 pts
For 30 pts less than the Venerable, you lose the ability to take a multi-melta or assault cannon and gain the achillus spear and some smaller guns. But the big loss here is Unyielding Ancient. Standing a dreadnought back up isn't anything to sneeze at. Instead you get to hand out some mortals in melee, which is where the Achillus wants to be. I feel like this is on the more expensive end of fine.
Agamatus Custodians - 280 pts for 3 models (~93.33 pts per model)
Vertus are already really spendy (Misreading their Quicksilver Execution had me hyped on them, but they've proven overpriced in practice), these need to bring something to the table to be even more expensive. And honestly, they kinda do. I like the twin las-pulsar and a once per game move shoot move is pretty nice. I think I like them over the Vertus, but I just don't think they bring enough damage for 280 pts.
Venatari Custodians - 235 pts for 3 models (~78.33 pts per model)
The jump back Custodes are more expensive than the Terminators! Remember how I keep saying GW is constantly charging a premium for mobility?
The combat stats here are quite comparable to your standard Custodian Guard, though I do think the weapon swap for the pistol and buckler is interesting. Rules wise, they get Fall Back and Shoot and Charge, which is always good, and a free Rapid Ingress.
I mean . . . they're cheaper than jet bikes . . . But that is just so much to pay for that mobility upgrade.
Pallas Grav-Attack - 120 pts
Finally something a bit new to think my teeth into. The main index doesn't really have anything like this. This fast and mobile gun platform puts out a ton of shots all with the potent combo of TWIN-LINKED and DEVASTATING WOUNDS. It also gets a finishing blow ability for +1 to Wound, but I've never been fond of those. Again, I feel like this is on the pricey end of fine.
Telemon Heavy Dreadnought - 235 pts
The big man on campus of the Dreadnought world comes with some very nice weapon options and a suitably tough profile, including -1 Dmg. I wish it had a bit more AP on its weapons though. I think I like the idea of marching it into combat with that storm cannon and caestus, but one sitting back with two accelerator culverins could be a pain to deal with.
Again, I feel like this is on the expensive end of fine.
Caldius Grav-Tank - 215 pts
Here's some high AP firepower! The twin-arachnus blaze cannon can puts out 4 shots at S12, AP-3, Dmg D6+2. It even gets LETHAL HITS against Monsters and Vehicles. This isn't the best special rule for it, but it'll still be useful against larger targets. Still feels on the upper end of fine, but I think I like this best as a firing platform so far.
Coronus Grav-Carrier - 200 pts
A budget transport option for your Custodes, you give up a little bit of fire power and the amazing Assault Ramp rule and instead get more room for your Infantry and a 5+ Invuln. I personally really like the Fire Support rule, too. Honestly, while the Land Raider is still better for delivering a unit into combat, I love these for getting your units into forward positions. I think this might be my favorite Forge World unit so far.
Orion Assault Dropship - 690 pts
Oh boy! Here's a tough one. This thing can transport a lot of Custodes and even a Dreadnought. It also comes with some incredible fire power to help soften up targets as it does so. I mean that is a lot of Fire Power! In many ways, this feels comparable to a Knight. I wish I had a better clue about how big that base was, because I think this might actually be good if you can put it on a table.
I really don't like its rule though. It's got that weird one where if you take a turn to keep it stationary, the units that disembark can advance and charge. I just don't see ever using that. There's also a very real possibility your opponent manages to blow this up turn one, though it should be able to survive long enough to get into position and get some damage off.
My gut is telling me this is just a little bit too expensive to reliably get its points back though.
Ares Gunship - 580 pts
This is basically a Knight. Like a Knight, you can shoot at basically everything and everything can shoot at you. You're going to put it in hover mode and move it into a good position and try to blast everything you can off the board until it gets shot down. Again though, you're really paying a premium for that mobility.
I'm pretty sure that this is just going to be too expensive at the end of the day to justify it.
Contemptor-Galatus Dreadnought - 175 pts
Our more dedicated melee Contemptor feels really lacking. While it gets a lot of attacks in combat, and they're definitely good attacks, I just don't think they justify this being more expensive than an Achilus. At least -1 to Wound will help it get into combat pretty reliably.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Custodes are in a decent spot right now, though that's mostly based on the value of their Infantry and Characters. Lists that are performing well right now are often including a lot of Imperial allies to make up the slack for board control and Tactical Mission play. The simple truth is that right now many Custodes units are a bit too expensive, and their Forge World units aren't any different. I think we need to see a sprinkling of points drops before their other units will start seeing more reliable play.
No comments:
Post a Comment