First Published: Friday, August 23, 1996.
Adeptus Custodes
The Adeptus Custodes Background.
This is a compilation of all the official background of the Emperors Guard. AKA The Adeptus Custodes or Custodians of the Emperor, or pointy hats :-)
History.
There is no official founding of the Custodes there first 'Historical' appearance is defending the Emperors palace during the Horus Heresy, Prior to this and even before the Great Crusade the duty of guarding Terra (AKA Earth) fell to the Imperial Fists Chapter of Space Marines. As best I can discover the Custodes were founded during the Great Crusade so the Emperors elite troops of the time, the Adeptus Astartes would be free to go crusading across the galaxy. The Adeptus Custodes and the Imperial Fists are the only two armies assigned to defend Terra after the Horus Heresy some '10,000 years' ago. In the aftermath of the great betrayal the Adeptus Custodes took on the role of defending Terra and there Emperor after the incapacitating wounds he took at the taloned hands of the warmaster.
Style.
Uniform, Icons and symbols.
Uniform. The Adeptus Custodes wear no physical armor, The traditional uniform is the tall black pointed 'Speartip' helmet, black leather breeches and boots and the long black cloak, showing a bare torso.
Icons. The Icon of the Emperors Guard is the winged spear, This represents Defense of the Emperor. If you didn't know already I'll explain later but the spear is the weapon of the defender and the Wings represent the wings of the Imperial Eagle, the symbol of the Emperor and his empire.
The Spear Symbol. The spear is the symbol of the Adeptus Custodes because they defend the Emperor. Player of Warhammer fantasy battles will know this but for the rest of you firstly why not? its a great game go down to your local Games Workshop and ask to try it, secondly in fantasy battles as in real life you can fight in ranks with spears this means when you are charged by the enemy the back rank lower there spears between the front row doubling the defensive attacks the unit gets to fight with. The Custodians have taken this one step further and fashioned their weapons to look like spears when in fact they contain laser weapons.
This is where I pick it up.
From here on in is where I make it up. I have included a large list of references at the bottom of this page so you can see where I got my ideas. Hopefully this will help you find the information you want on any obscure army you may want to do.
Adeptus Custodes army list.
Special Rules.
You can only use the Adeptus Custodes in battles based on Earth, you may only take Imperial Fists as allies. No Imperial Agents, Marines or Guard only Custodial forces and Imperial fists. No army may take Adeptus Custodes as allies. The NEVER LEAVE EARTH EVER! as to do so would be abandoning their Emperor. They leave the traveling to the Space Marines.
Army balance.
You must include one or more Companions to lead your army.
You must include at least 3 Custodian squads.
You may spend 25% of your points on support.
Character
Emperors Companion.
- 150 points per model.
- You must include one or more of the Emperors Companions.
- You may include 1 of the Emperors Companions for every three squads.
The Emperors Companions are the elite inner guard of the Imperial palace and never leave the palace grounds. The most senior Companions never leave the Golden Throne room.
Weapons: Companion Grade Las-Spear, Sword (never used).
Armor: Custodians Helmet.
Wargear: The Emperors Companions mat not carry extra wargear.
Strategy: Any of the Companions may count as the Army Commander. The Companions have a strategy rating of 4.
Special: Any unit within 12" of ANY Companion, not just the one counting as the Commander, may use the Companions leadership of 10. Any unit within 12" of TWO Companions may also re-roll failed leadership tests as if the Army standard was present.
M 4 Ws 7 Bs 7 S 4 T 5 W 3 I 7 A 3 Ld 10
Squad
Custodian Squad.
- 70 points per model.
- Your army may include any number of these squads.
- Squads are of 3 to 5 models.
The Custodian squads are the bulk troops of the Emperors Guard and stand guard in the Palace gates, doors and grounds.
Weapons: Custodian Grade Las-Spear, Sword (never used).
Armor: Custodians Helmet.
M 4 Ws 6 Bs 6 S 3 T 4 W 1 I 6 A 2 Ld 8
Support
Guardian Squad.
- 330 points per squad.
- Three Custodians per squad.
- You may spend up to 25% of your points on this type of squad.
Guardian squads are squads of custodians armed for guarding the palace walls and towers armed with the long range, extra heavy Guardian Grade Las-Spear.
Weapons: Guardian Grade Las-Spear, Sword (never used).
Armor: Custodians Helmet.
M 4 Ws 6 Bs 6 S 3 T 4 W 1 I 6 A 2 Ld 8
Wargear list
All the wargear and weapons were created by me based on existing wargear weapons and on the stories and descriptions in the various books.
Weapons
There are three grades of Las-Spear.
Custodian Grade
Carried by the bulk of Custodians, the smallest and lightest grade but still deadly in hand to hand of shooting.
Ranges Short 0 - 12 +2 to hit Long 12 - 24 +1 to hit Strength Shooting 5 -2 save D4 damage Combat 6 -3 save 1 damage Armor Penetration Shooting D6+D4+5 Combat D12+D6+6 Special Parry in Combat Targeter already included in stats
Companion Grade
Carried by the Emperors Companions, these rapid firing Las-Spears are used only by the true Elite of the Emperors Guard.
Ranges Short 0 - 12 +2 to hit Long 12 - 36 +1 to hit Strength Shooting 6 -3 save D4 damage Combat 6 -3 save 1 damage Armor Penetration Shooting 2D6+6 Combat D12+D6+6 Special Parry in Combat Targeter already included in stats Sustained fire 1Dice when shooting
Guardian Grade
Carried by the Palace wall Guardians having longer range not needed within the palace but at the cost of extra bulk.
Ranges Short 0 - 20 +1 to hit Long 20 - 60 +1 to hit Strength Shooting 9 -6 save 2D6 damage Combat 6 -3 save 1 damage Armor Penetration Shooting 3D6+9 Combat D12+D6+6 Special Targeter already included in stats Move or Fire
Armor
Custodians Helmet
The Custodians Helmet is worn by all Adeptus Custodes. It incorporates several different protective devices.
- Refractor field = 5+ unmodified save
- Emperors protection = 4+ Psyonic save
- Respirator = Counts as sealed armor
- Auto Senses = Protected from Photon flares like Marines / can see through smoke
That's is.
Copyright © 1996, Gavin Ford.
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