Adeptus Custodes - Warhammer 40k Guide

The Adeptus Custodes are the personal bodyguards of the God Emperor of Mankind, renowned for their unmatched skill and dedication. These golden-clad warriors are the finest that humanity has ever produced, considered a step above their Space Marine cousins, with prowess on the battlefield acting as a testament to millennia of genetic perfection and rigorous training.

Their role extends beyond protection; they are also the watchful eyes of the God Emperor, ensuring that threats to the Imperium are swiftly eliminated, and are created to act as shining examples of what humanity should be.

Join us as we delve into the might, history, and strategy of this legendary force.

Gold armored warriors, one bigger than the rest with flaming sword.

Who Are The Adeptus Custodes?

The Adeptus Custodes are the elite guardians of the God Emperor himself, stationed in the Imperial Palace on Holy Terra. They have served as his protectors since the dawn of the Imperium of Man, and are revered as the finest warriors in existence.

Each Custodian is not only a superhuman soldier but also an exemplar of tactical and strategic prowess, trained for centuries to master the art of war in all its forms.

Unlike the mass-produced Space Marines, each Custodian is an individuals, and down to the intricacies of their armor, are crafted with painstaking care and undergoes rigorous physical and mental enhancements.

They operate independently or in small units called Shield Companies, each warrior possessing the strength and ability to face entire armies, providing the champions of Chaos and the strongest Warbosses of an Ork Waaaagh with a near insurmountable foe.

The Custodes are divided into various Shield Hosts, such as the Shadowkeepers and the Emissaries Imperatus, each with distinct roles and battlefield strategies. Standing as the God Emperor’s final defense, the Adeptus Custodes embody his will and maintain a vigilant watch over the most vital planets of the Imperium, while Imperial Agents guard the realm from the shadows.

What are Adeptus Custodes’ Army Strengths?

The Adeptus Custodes excel in their combination of unmatched durability and overwhelming combat prowess. Their units have high toughness and can absorb considerable damage, while their close combat abilities make them lethal in engagements.

Key advantages of this army include:

Durable Elite Units: Custodes units are incredibly tough, boasting high wounds and strong saves, making them difficult to eliminate.

Combat Mastery: Whether wielding the Guardian Spears or Castellan Axes, Custodes can dish out significant damage in melee.

Low Unit Count, High Quality: Though their forces are small, each Custodes unit can dominate the battlefield. However, this means a single loss can be costly in points.

Their main drawbacks include their limited mobility without the right transport options and their relatively low numbers, which requires careful positioning and tactical precision.

Female warrior in bronze armor with hair up in a plume. Big long sword held pointy end down in front of her.

Where Should Beginners Start?

Here are essential models for first-time Adeptus Custodes players, along with why they are useful:

Custodian Guard Squad: As the backbone of the army, Custodian Guards are versatile, tough, and excellent in close combat. They provide a solid foundation for learning how to control objectives and dominate engagements.

Allarus Custodians: These Terminator-armored warriors are exceptional for learning deep strike tactics. Their ability to teleport into key positions and disrupt enemy lines makes them a valuable asset for strategic play.

Venerable Contemptor Dreadnought: Offering both ranged firepower and close combat capabilities, this dreadnought is a great model to understand the role of powerful walkers on the battlefield. Its durability ensures it can hold ground and support your Custodians.

Vertus Praetors (Jetbikes): These fast-moving units teach you about hit-and-run tactics. Their speed and firepower are perfect for disrupting enemy formations and applying pressure where it’s needed most.

Starting with these models provides a well-rounded Adeptus Custodes army, allowing you to grasp their strengths in durability and combat superiority.

Adeptus Custodes painted models - five in a row, gold armor.

How To Paint Adeptus Custodes

Painting Adeptus Custodes can be a rewarding experience, with their shining gold armor and intricate details. Here’s a guide using Citadel color schemes to bring your army to life:

Color Scheme

Golden Guardian

Base Color: Retributor Gold
Shading: Agrax Earthshade for depth and shadow.
Highlights: Auric Gold to emphasize edges and raised areas.
Accent Colors: Deep red (like Khorne Red) for cloaks and details, and black for weapons and armor trim.

Emerald Sentinel

Base Color: Caliban Green for the armor.
Shading: Nuln Oil to create depth in the recesses.
Highlights: Warpstone Glow for edges and raised areas.
Accent Colors: Gold (like Retributor Gold) for details and trims, and a silvery grey (like Stormhost Silver) for weapons and accessories.

Crimson Aegis

Base Color: Mephiston Red for armor panels.
Shading: Nuln Oil to enhance shadows and depth.
Highlights: Evil Sunz Scarlet for bright edges and raised areas.
Accent Colors: Gold (like Retributor Gold) for armor details, with white or cream (like Screaming Skull) for purity seals and scrolls.

Adeptus Custodes Painting Techniques

Base Coating: Start with Retributor Armour for the gold armor. Apply it evenly to ensure all areas are covered and give a strong base for highlighting. Use a large brush for armor and a smaller brush for details to avoid overlap.

Washing: Use Reikland Fleshshade or Agrax Earthshade to deepen the recesses and bring out the intricate details of their armor. Be mindful of pooling in unwanted areas, especially around the Custodian’s robes and armor joints.

Drybrushing: Lightly dry brush with Stormhost Silver over the armor to create a brilliant, polished effect. Keep the brush almost dry to avoid heavy application, focusing on raised details for a natural shine.

Edge Highlighting: Use Liberator Gold or Stormhost Silver to highlight the edges of the armor and weapons for a striking contrast. Take your time when edge highlighting to ensure crisp, clean lines that make the model’s details stand out.

Contrast Paints: Build layers slowly with contrast paints, especially for areas like red or black robes, to create smooth transitions between shadows and highlights. For areas like robes, apply Guilliman Flesh for natural shading. Contrast paints are useful for quickly achieving depth without multiple layers.