This week’s Grown Men Playing With Toys’ Battle Report features the Emperor’s Children Carnival of Excess against the Adeptus Custodes Lions of the Emperor playing Purge the Foe on a Hammer and Anvil Deployment with GW Terrain Layout 7 in our last game of 10th Edition. As backdrop for the game….
The Emperor’s Children did not come to this world to be judged. They came for the sensation…..the thunder of Sonic Blasters, the shriek of tearing metal, the sublime feedback loop of excess and violence. The Carnival of Excess needs no strategic justification beyond that.
The Adeptus Custodes came for exactly the opposite reason. They are not an army. They are a standard. Each Warden is a reminder of what the Emperor’s dream was supposed to look like….disciplined, unbreakable, immovable. The Lions of the Emperor do not revel. They endure.
One side brings noise, speed, and an almost theological commitment to doing the most possible damage with the most possible style. The other brings the quiet certainty that none of that excessive show will be enough to stop them.
They said we’re too old, but we said “hold our dice”…..as we see whether the Carnival of Excess can drown the Lions of the Emperor in a tide of blades, blastmasters, and beautiful chaos or whether discipline and an unshakeable Custodian wall prove that some things in this galaxy simply do not break.
JUMP TO:
Emperor’s Children Specific Strategies
Adeptus Custodes Specific Strategies
RULES / POINTS VERSION:
10th Edition, 2025–2026 Chapter Approved
May 2026 Armageddon Update
MATCHUP:
| Faction: | Detachment: |
| Emperor’s Children | Carnival of Excess |
| VS | |
| Faction: | Detachment: |
| Adeptus Custodes | Lions of the Emperor |
MISSION:
| GW Mission | G |
| Primary | Purge the Foe |
| Terrain Layout | GW Terrain Layout 7 |
| Deployment | Hammer and Anvil |
| Deployed First | Adeptus Custodes |
| First Turn | Emperor’s Children |
| Emperor’s Children Secondaries | Tactical |
| Adeptus Custodes Secondaries | Tactical |
LISTS:
Emperor’s Children:
List
Emperor’s Children
Carnival of Excess
Strike Force (2,000 Points)
CHARACTERS
Daemon Prince of Slaanesh with Wings (240 Points)
• 1x Hellforged weapons
• 1x Infernal cannon
• Enhancements: Possessed Blade
Lord Exultant (110 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Bolt Pistol
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Phoenix power spear
• 1x Rapture lash
• Enhancements: Warp Walker
BATTLELINE
Daemonettes (90 Points)
• 1x Alluress
◦ 1x Slashing claws
• 9x Daemonette
◦ 1x Daemonic Icon
◦ 1x Instrument of Chaos
◦ 9x Slashing claws
Daemonettes (90 Points)
• 1x Alluress
◦ 1x Slashing claws
• 9x Daemonette
◦ 1x Daemonic Icon
◦ 1x Instrument of Chaos
◦ 9x Slashing claws
Daemonettes (90 Points)
• 1x Alluress
◦ 1x Slashing claws
• 9x Daemonette
◦ 1x Daemonic Icon
◦ 1x Instrument of Chaos
◦ 9x Slashing claws
Daemonettes (90 Points)
• 1x Alluress
◦ 1x Slashing claws
• 9x Daemonette
◦ 1x Daemonic Icon
◦ 1x Instrument of Chaos
◦ 9x Slashing claws
Infractors (85 Points)
• 1x Obsessionist
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
◦ 1x Rapture lash
• 4x Infractor
◦ 4x Bolt pistol
◦ 4x Duelling sabre
◦ 1x Icon of Excess
Tormentors (85 Points)
• 1x Obsessionist
◦ 1x Bolt pistol
◦ 1x Power sword
• 4x Tormentor
◦ 2x Boltgun
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Icon of Excess
◦ 1x Meltagun
◦ 1x Plasma gun
DEDICATED TRANSPORTS
Chaos Rhino (80 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Combi-bolter
• 1x Combi-bolter
• 1x Havoc launcher
Chaos Rhino (80 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Combi-bolter
• 1x Combi-bolter
• 1x Havoc launcher
OTHER DATASHEETS
Defiler (250 Points)
• 1x Ectoplasma destructor
• 2x Excruciator cannon
• 1x Heavy reaper autocannon
• 1x Heavy reaper autocannon
• 1x Shearing Claws
Defiler (250 Points)
• 1x Ectoplasma destructor
• 2x Excruciator cannon
• 1x Heavy reaper autocannon
• 1x Heavy reaper autocannon
• 1x Shearing Claws
Noise Marines (145 Points)
• 1x Disharmonist
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Sonic blaster
• 5x Noise Marine
◦ 2x Blastmaster
◦ 5x Close combat weapon
◦ 3x Sonic blaster
Noise Marines (145 Points)
• 1x Disharmonist
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Sonic blaster
• 5x Noise Marine
◦ 2x Blastmaster
◦ 5x Close combat weapon
◦ 3x Sonic blaster
Seekers (80 Points)
• 1x Heartseeker
◦ 1x Lashing tongue
◦ 1x Slashing claws
• 4x Seeker
◦ 1x Daemonic Icon
◦ 1x Instrument of Chaos
◦ 4x Lashing tongue
◦ 4x Slashing claws
Seekers (80 Points)
• 1x Heartseeker
◦ 1x Lashing tongue
◦ 1x Slashing claws
• 4x Seeker
◦ 1x Daemonic Icon
◦ 1x Instrument of Chaos
◦ 4x Lashing tongue
◦ 4x Slashing claws
Note: Daemonettes and Seekers not shown as they are NSFW.
Adeptus Custodes:
List
Adeptus Custodes
Lions of the Emperor
Strike Force (2,000 Points)
CHARACTERS
Blade Champion (120 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Vaultswords
Shield-Captain in Allarus Terminator Armour (155 Points)
• 1x Balistus grenade launcher
• 1x Guardian spear
• Enhancements: Superior Creation
Shield-Captain in Allarus Terminator Armour (155 Points)
• 1x Balistus grenade launcher
• 1x Guardian spear
• Enhancements: Praesidius
Shield-Captain on Dawneagle Jetbike (160 Points)
• 1x Interceptor lance
• 1x Salvo launcher
• Enhancements: Admonimortis
OTHER DATASHEETS
Allarus Custodians (110 Points)
• 2x Allarus Custodian
◦ 2x Balistus grenade launcher
◦ 2x Castellan axe
Allarus Custodians (110 Points)
• 2x Allarus Custodian
◦ 2x Balistus grenade launcher
◦ 2x Guardian spear
Caladius Grav-tank (215 Points)
• 1x Armoured hull
• 1x Twin arachnus heavy blaze cannon
• 1x Twin lastrum bolt cannon
Caladius Grav-tank (215 Points)
• 1x Armoured hull
• 1x Twin arachnus heavy blaze cannon
• 1x Twin lastrum bolt cannon
Custodian Wardens (210 Points)
• 4x Custodian Warden
◦ 4x Guardian spear
◦ 1x Vexilla
Custodian Wardens (210 Points)
• 4x Custodian Warden
◦ 4x Guardian spear
◦ 1x Vexilla
Custodian Wardens (210 Points)
• 4x Custodian Warden
◦ 4x Guardian spear
◦ 1x Vexilla
Prosecutors (40 Points)
• 1x Prosecutor Sister Superior
◦ 1x Boltgun
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
• 3x Prosecutor
◦ 3x Boltgun
◦ 3x Close combat weapon
Prosecutors (40 Points)
• 1x Prosecutor Sister Superior
◦ 1x Boltgun
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
• 3x Prosecutor
◦ 3x Boltgun
◦ 3x Close combat weapon
Witchseekers (45 Points)
• 1x Witchseeker Sister Superior
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Witchseeker flamer
• 3x Witchseeker
◦ 3x Close combat weapon
◦ 3x Witchseeker flamer
Note: I am in the process of repainting my Custodes to reflect a Knight of the Seven Kingdoms / Targaryen color scheme. I haven’t gotten o the Sisters of Silence yet, which is why they are mismatched.
FACTION SPECIFIC STRATEGIES:
Emperor’s Children:
I absolutely love this detachment. It’s not the most powerful or easiest of the Emperor’s Children lists to play, but it is easily the most fun and gratifying when I play it well.
The idea behind the list is to turbo boost the normally great Emperor’s Children units via nearby Legions of Excess daemons that are used to do actions and act as “buff wagons”. The goal is to get the Noise Marines and, especially, the Defilers popping off with Sustained Hits in shooting while also being able to use the other units to provide more board control and action economy than a normal Emperor’s Children list. While it is less powerful than Coterie, it is more flexible because of those added board control and action economy elements. Also, Defilers with 5+ Sustained Hits on their biggest guns just might be good…..
Win Condition: EC’s win condition is to use their superior model / unit count and model footprint to occupy as much space as possible while also never giving the Custodes a juicy target to Charge.
If the EC can force the Custodes to Charge sub-par targets or to turtle up, it will negate their detachment rule and create a shooting gallery for the Defilers and Noise Marines. This plus the threat of the Infractors and the Winged Daemon Prince running wild in the Custodes’ backfield is the goal.
What I Want to Work On This Game: I want to try Defilers before they get nerfed and see how they work in EC. I also want to use this particular list to focus on the spacing of my units in order to ensure that I get the buffs that I need without creating easy Charges for the Custodes. I also want to start working on playing in a more disciplined way as I suspect that will be rewarded more in 11th with the changes to Force Dispositions and Missions.
| Category | Description |
| Leader / Bodyguard Combos: | Lord Exultant with Infractors |
| Transport / Infantry Combos: | Lord Exultant + Infractors in Chaos Rhino 2 |
| Noise Marines 1 in Chaos Rhino 1 | |
| Strategic Reserves: | Daemon Prince of Slaanesh with Wings |
| Noise Marines 2 | |
| Key Stratagems: | Carnival of Excess |
| Heroic Intervention [1CP] Opponent’s Charge phase – WHEN: Your opponent’s Charge phase, just after an enemy unit ends a Charge move. TARGET: One unit from your army that is within 6″ of that enemy unit and would be eligible to declare a charge against that enemy unit if it were your Charge phase. EFFECT: Your unit now declares a charge that targets only that enemy unit, and you resolve that charge as if it were your Charge phase. | |
| Uncanny Reactions [1CP] Opponent’s Shooting phase – WHEN: Your opponent’s Shooting phase, just after an enemy unit has selected its targets. TARGET: One SLAANESH unit from your army that was selected as the target of one or more of the attacking unit’s attacks. EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, each time an attack targets your unit, subtract 1 from the Hit roll. | |
| Sycophantic Surge [1CP] Charge phase – WHEN: Your Charge phase. TARGET: One LEGIONS OF EXCESS unit from your army. EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, your unit is eligible to declare a charge in a turn in which it Advanced or Fell Back, provided at least one of the targets of that charge is within Engagement Range of one or more EMPEROR’S CHILDREN units from your army. | |
| Dark Apparitions [2CP] Opponent’s Fight phase – WHEN: End of your opponent’s Fight phase. TARGET: One DAEMONETTES unit from your army that is not within Engagement Range of one or more enemy units. EFFECT: Remove your unit from the battlefield and place it into Strategic Reserves. In the Reinforcements step of your next Movement phase, that unit can be set up anywhere on the battlefield that is more than 6″ horizontally away from all enemy units, so long as it is within 9″ of one or more friendly EMPEROR’S CHILDREN units. | |
| Key Combos: | Daemonettes + Noise Marines + Daemonic Empowerment detachment rule Noise Marines getting Sustained Hits from nearby Daemonettes. Nice! |
| Defiler + Seekers OR Daemonettes + Daemonic Empowerment detachment rule Defilers with Sustained Hits and 5+ Critical Hits on their big guns. Even better! | |
| Lord Exultant + Infractors + Daemonettes + Daemonic Empowerment detachment rule + Perfectionists ability + Excessive Assault ability This is used to give your Lord Exultant Sustained and Lethal with full re-rolls to Wound if targeting something on an Objective. Even better if you get it during his “go mode” turn where he gets 3 extra attacks with +1 to AP. |
Adeptus Custodes:
This detachment has been my favorite way to play Custodes in 10th Edition. It’s not the current meta choice, but I’ve tried playing Custodes Guards spam and did not enjoy it, so this is my preferred approach.
The list is simple, but can be brutal. The idea is to rush the 3 Warden bricks up the board while peppering the opponent with ranged shooting from the Caladius tanks. Ideally, the opponent gets one round to activate before the Custodes are on top of them in melee. I’ve also made some change to the list in preparation for 11th and the Force Disposition changes.
In addition to the Allarus Captains Deep Striking in to sit on Objectives or threaten the opponent’s Deployment Zone, I also added a unit of Allarus Terminators to join each Captain. The idea is to split off using Lions of the Emperor and then teleport around again using From Golden Light. I also added in another Prosecutors unit to do actions, which should free up the Jet Bike Captain to serve as a second wave pressure piece to smash anything the Wardens miss.
Win Condition: This game is all about timing. I need to either set it up so that the Custodes are the ones who Charge first, or time the Wardens’ Living Fortress ability so that the one-phase 4+ Feel No Pain lines up with Emperor’s Children Defiler activations. The Custodes also must spread out enough to benefit from the detachment rules while ensuring the opponent doesn’t get behind the line, as the Emperor’s Children have significant movement flexibility. Managing this timing effectively could decide the game.
What I Want to Work On This Game: I want to work on using the Lions of the Emperor stratagem to try to move individual Allarus Terminators around the board to keep the Emperor’s Children from just running forward. Its not the best way to play the detachment, and I know that most folks are saying to pair Lions with a 1 DP detachment that has Purge the Foe as its Force Disposition, but I want to give playing a Disruption type of play style a go before I jump to that conclusion.
| Category | Description |
| Leader / Bodyguard Combos: | Blade Champion with Custodian Wardens 3 |
| Shield-Captain in Allarus Terminator Armour with Allarus Custodians 1 | |
| Shield-Captain in Allarus Terminator Armour with Allarus Custodians 2 | |
| Strategic Reserves: | Shield-Captain in Allarus Terminator Armour + Allarus Custodians 1 |
| Shield-Captain in Allarus Terminator Armour + Allarus Custodians 2 | |
| Key Stratagems: | Lions of the Emperor |
| Gilded Champion [1CP] Any phase – WHEN: Any phase, just after an ADEPTUS CUSTODES CHARACTER model from your army has used an ability on its datasheet that states it can only be used ‘once per battle’. TARGET: That ADEPTUS CUSTODES CHARACTER model. EFFECT: Your model can use that ‘once per battle’ ability one additional time during the battle (but not in the same phase). | |
| Rapid Ingress [1CP] Opponent’s Movement phase – WHEN: End of your opponent’s Movement phase. TARGET: One unit from your army that is in Reserves. EFFECT: Your unit can arrive on the battlefield as if it were the Reinforcements step of your Movement phase. If every model in that unit has the Deep Strike ability, you can set that unit up using the Deep Strike ability even though it is not your Movement phase. | |
| Unleash the Lions [1CP] Command phase – WHEN: Your Command phase. TARGET: One ALLARUS CUSTODIANS or AQUILON CUSTODIANS unit from your army that is on the battlefield. EFFECT: That unit is split into separate units, each containing one model. These new units each have a Starting Strength of 1. | |
| Swift as the Eagle [1CP] Opponent’s Shooting phase – WHEN: Your opponent’s Shooting phase, just after an enemy unit has shot. TARGET: One ADEPTUS CUSTODES unit from your army (excluding VEHICLE units) that was selected as the target of one or more of the attacking unit’s attacks. EFFECT: Your unit can make a Normal move of up to D6″. | |
| Key Combos: | Shield-Captain in Allarus Terminator Armour + Gilded Champion stratagem + Auramite and Adamantine ability Used to “re-rack” their once per game ability for 0 CP once per game. This is very powerful if you can stagger the use of across multiple rounds as “Strategic Mastery” comes with the caveat that it can only be used once per round. It also fits nicely with the Blade Champions’ Martial Inspiration ability or the Jet Bike Captain’s Sweeping Advance ability. |
| Allarus Custodians + Shield-Captain in Allarus Terminator Armour + Unleash the Lions stratagem + From Golden Light ability This is one that I am trying to bring back to see if it will work better in 11th Edition when the Lions are playing Disruption. The idea is to Deep Strike the unit in, then use Strategic Mastery and Unleash the Lions to split the unit into 3 individual units, 2 of which can Uppy Downy next turn. |
ROUND-BY-ROUND RECAP:
The Emperor’s Children win the roll off and elect to have the Custodes deploy first. The Custodes deploy fairly aggressively as they need to get into action with the EC as soon as possible to avoid being shot off the board by Defilers and Noise Marines. Their goal is to go first, stage for a turn, and then push aggressively in charging the EC lines.
The Emperor’s Children deploy more cautiously than the Custodes, with the focus being on putting the Rhinos and Seekers out front, followed by the Daemonettes staged up behind terrain, and then the Defilers positioned to move into shooting lanes once the Custodes move into those lanes. Most importantly, they focus on keeping the Tormentors and 1 unit of Daemonettes deployed deep in their Deployment Zone to screen out the Allarus.
Board state after Deployment is shown below.
Post Deployment
The Emperor’s Children win the roll off and will go first, which they are fine with. They Scout Rhino 2 (which contains the Infractors) and the Seekers forward towards Objectives 3 and 5.
The Custodes would have prefered to go first and Scout the Witchseekers up to screen and setup a turn 1 Overwatch threat.
Board state at the start of the battle is shown below.
Start of the Battle
ROUND 1:
| Phase: | Go First: Emperor’s Children |
| Score at Start | 10 |
| CP at Start | 1 |
| Command | [Emperor’s Children] Draw Secondaries: Overwhelming Force & A Tempting Target [Adeptus Custodes] Choose Objective 4 as A Tempting Target [Emperor’s Children] Tormentors use Objective Defiled to Sticky Objective 2 |
| Movement | [Emperor’s Children] Daemonettes 2 Advances onto Objective 4 [Emperor’s Children] Chaos Rhino 1 Makes a Normal Move to Stage [Emperor’s Children] Chaos Rhino 2 Makes a Normal Move onto Objective 3 [Emperor’s Children] Defiler 2 Makes a Normal Move to Stage [Emperor’s Children] Tormentors Make a Normal Move to Screen [Emperor’s Children] Seekers 2 Make a Normal Move to Stage [Emperor’s Children] Daemonettes 3 Make a Normal Move to Stage [Emperor’s Children] Seekers 1 Make a Normal Move towards Objective 5 to Charge Witchseekers [Emperor’s Children] Defiler 1 Makes a Normal Move towards Objective 5 [Emperor’s Children] Daemonettes 1 Make a Normal Move to Screen |
| Shooting | [Emperor’s Children] None |
| Charge | [Emperor’s Children] Seekers 1 Declare a Charge into Witchseekers [Adeptus Custodes] Witchseekers use Fire Overwatch for 1 CP and Kill 2 Models from Seekers 1 [Emperor’s Children] Seekers 1 Charge Succeeded |
| Fight | [Emperor’s Children] Seekers 1 Fight Witchseekers and Destroy the Unit |
| End of Turn | [Emperor’s Children] Scores Secondary: A Tempting Target — 5 VP [Emperor’s Children] Scores Primary — 4 VP |
| Score at End | 19 |
| CP at End | 1 |
That has to be one of the more cautious but purposeful turns that I have ever played with the EC. The army focused mostly on staging and ensuring that their heavy hitters are protected or hidden, while also using the speed of the Seekers and Daemonettes to ensure that they score maximum Primary and at least 1 Secondary card this turn. They also held onto Overwhelming Force now that they have taken all 3 midfield Obejctives, as they are daring the Custodes to come take them away and risk the wrath of the Defilers.
Board state in the middle of Round 1 is shown below.
Middle of Round 1
| Phase: | Go Second: Adeptus Custodes |
| Score at Start | 10 |
| CP at Start | 1 |
| Command | [Adeptus Custodes] Draw Secondaries: Bring It Down & Storm Hostile Objective |
| Movement | [Adeptus Custodes] Blade Champion + Custodian Wardens 3 Advance onto Objective 3 [Adeptus Custodes] Caladius Grav-Tank 2 Makes a Normal Move towards Objective 3 to Shoot [Adeptus Custodes] Custodian Wardens 1 Makes a Normal Move towards Seekers 1 to Charge [Adeptus Custodes] Custodian Wardens 2 Makes a Normal Move to Stage [Adeptus Custodes] Prosecutors 2 Makes a Normal Move to Stage [Adeptus Custodes] Shield-Captain on Dawneagle Jetbike Makes a Normal Move to Stage |
| Shooting | [Adeptus Custodes] Blade Champion + Custodian Wardens 3 Shoot Daemonettes 2 and Kill 4 Models [Emperor’s Children] Defiler 1 uses Uncanny Reactions for 1 CP [Adeptus Custodes] Caladius Grav-Tank 2 Splits Fire to Shoot Defiler 1 and Deals 8 Damage and to Shoot Daemonettes 2 and Kill 2 Models |
| Charge | [Adeptus Custodes] Blade Champion + Custodian Wardens 3 use Martial Inspiration ability [Adeptus Custodes] Blade Champion + Custodian Wardens 3 use Gilded Champion for 1 CP [Adeptus Custodes] Blade Champion + Custodian Wardens 3 Declare a Charge into Chaos Rhino 2 – Charge Succeeded [Adeptus Custodes] Custodian Wardens 1 Declare a Charge into Seekers 1 – Charge Succeeded |
| Fight | [Adeptus Custodes] Custodian Wardens 1 select Sustained Hits to Fight into Seekers 1 and Destroy the Unit [Adeptus Custodes] Custodian Wardens 1 Consolidate onto Objective 5 [Adeptus Custodes] Blade Champion + Custodian Wardens 3 select Lethal Hits to Fight into Chaos Rhino 2 and Destroy the Unit [Emperor’s Children] Lord Exultant + Infractors suffer 1 Mortal Wound from Disembarking |
| End of Turn | [Adeptus Custodes] Scores Secondary: Storm Hostile Objective — 4 VP [Adeptus Custodes] Scores Secondary: Bring It Down — 4 VP [Adeptus Custodes] Scores Primary — 4 VP |
| Score at End | 22 |
| CP at End | 1 |
The Custodes come out swinging as they know that they need to push the pace of this game to avoid getting bottled up and shot to death. For this turn, that means Charging onto to 2 Objectives and then burning 1 CP to re-rack the Martial Inspiration ability for the Blade Champion. The goal is to take away Objective 3 and then to force a Battle Shock test on the Daemonettes on Objective 4 that could result in them denying the EC “Hold More” on Primary next Round. They also killed 2 units and maxed Secondaries for a great scoring turn. They will have to weather the incoming Defiler crack back but are feeling good after 1 Round.
Board state at the end of Round 1 is below.
End of Round 1
ROUND 2:
| Phase: | Go First: Emperor’s Children |
| Score at Start | 19 |
| CP at Start | 2 |
| Command | [Emperor’s Children] Draw Secondary: Secure No Man’s Land [Emperor’s Children] Daemonettes 2 use Insane Bravery for 1 CP [Emperor’s Children] Scores Primary — 8 VP |
| Movement | [Emperor’s Children] Lord Exultant + Infractors Make a Normal Move onto Objective 3 to Charge [Emperor’s Children] Daemonettes 3 Make a Normal Move towards Objective 3 to Charge [Emperor’s Children] Daemonettes 2 Make a Normal Move towards Objective 3 to Charge [Emperor’s Children] Seekers 2 Make a Normal Move onto Objective 4 [Emperor’s Children] Daemonettes 1 Make a Normal Move to Stage [Emperor’s Children] Noise Marines 2 Deploy from Strategic Reserves near Objective 5 to Shoot [Adeptus Custodes] Shield-Captain in Allarus Terminator Armour + Allarus Custodians 1 Deep Strike via Rapid Ingress near Objective 5 for 0 CP thanks to Strategic Mastery |
| Shooting | [Adeptus Custodes] Custodian Wardens 1 use Living Fortress ability [Emperor’s Children] Defiler 1 Shoots Custodian Wardens 1 and Kills 1 Model [Emperor’s Children] Noise Marines 2 Shoot Custodian Wardens 1 and Kill 1 Model [Emperor’s Children] Defiler 2 Shoots Blade Champion + Custodian Wardens 3 and Kills 2 Models with a CP Re-Roll for the Number of Shots |
| Charge | [Emperor’s Children] Lord Exultant + Infractors Declare a Charge into Blade Champion + Custodian Wardens 3 – Charge Succeeded [Emperor’s Children] Daemonettes 2 Declare a Charge into Blade Champion + Custodian Wardens 3 – Charge Succeeded [Emperor’s Children] Daemonettes 3 Declare a Charge into Blade Champion + Custodian Wardens 3 – Charge Succeeded |
| Fight | [Adeptus Custodes] Blade Champion + Custodian Wardens 3 use Living Fortress ability [Emperor’s Children] Lord Exultant uses Euphoric Strikes ability [Emperor’s Children] Daemonettes 2 use Horrifying Beauty ability [Adeptus Custodes] Blade Champion + Custodian Wardens 3 pass Battle Shock [Emperor’s Children] Daemonettes 3 use Horrifying Beauty ability [Adeptus Custodes] Blade Champion + Custodian Wardens 3 pass Battle Shock [Emperor’s Children] Lord Exultant + Infractors Fight Blade Champion + Custodian Wardens 3 and Destroy Custodian Wardens 3 [Emperor’s Children] Daemonettes 3 Fight Blade Champion and Deal 3 Damage [Emperor’s Children] Daemonettes 2 Fight Blade Champion and Deal 0 Damage [Adeptus Custodes] Blade Champion selects Behemor Profile and uses Sustained Hits to Fight Lord Exultant + Infractors and Kill 2 Models |
| End of Turn | [Emperor’s Children] Scores Secondary: Secure No Man’s Land — 5 VP [Emperor’s Children] Scores Secondary: Overwhelming Force — 3 VP [Emperor’s Children] Scores Primary — 4 VP |
| Score at End | 39 |
| CP at End | 0 |
Another cautious turn for the Emperor’s Children as they are being very careful in the Movement Phase to not leave any openings for the Custodes to get in their Deployment Zone. Additionally, that turn featured a ridiculous amount of borderline whiffs thanks to some terrible rolling of attacks by both sides. Both Defilers rolled 1’s for the shot count on their blast weapons (although Defiler 2 CP re-rolled it into a 6) and then proceeded to roll a stunning number of 1’s to Wound for their shots that did hit. Not to be outdone, the Lord Exultant also rolled four 1’s to Hit in his attack sequence before watching the Blade Champion roll 3 more to Hit in return. That was some serious pillow fighting by both sides.
As a result, the kill count remains low, which seems to favor the Custodes as they have more resources than expected up and ready to crack back into the EC. They also gave up on trying to get in the EC Deployment Zone and used a free Rapid Ingress to position 1 Allarus Terminator brick to reinforce Objective 5, which further holds that flank for them. They are behind on the scoreboard thanks to EC having a great scoring turn but are doing way better on unit strength than anticipated.
Board state in the middle of Round 2 is shown below.
Middle of Round 2
| Phase: | Go Second: Adeptus Custodes |
| Score at Start | 22 |
| CP at Start | 2 |
| Command | [Adeptus Custodes] Draw Secondaries: Establish Locus & Behind Enemy Lines [Adeptus Custodes] use New Orders for 1 CP to draw Display of Might [Adeptus Custodes] Scores Primary — 4 VP |
| Movement | [Adeptus Custodes] Custodian Wardens 1 Make a Normal Move onto Objective 5 to Shoot and Charge [Adeptus Custodes] Shield-Captain in Allarus Terminator Armour + Allarus Custodians 1 Advance onto Objective 5 [Adeptus Custodes] Custodian Wardens 2 Make a Normal Move towards Objective 4 to Shoot and Charge [Adeptus Custodes] Shield-Captain on Dawneagle Jetbike Makes a Normal Move towards Objective 5 to Stage [Adeptus Custodes] Caladius Grav-Tank 1 Makes a Normal Move to Shoot [Adeptus Custodes] Prosecutors 2 Make a Normal Move to Stage [Emperor’s Children] Daemon Prince of Slaanesh with Wings uses Rapid Ingress to Deep Strike into Custodes Deployment Zone for 1 CP |
| Shooting | [Adeptus Custodes] Caladius Grav-Tank 1 Shoots Noise Marines 2 and Kills 3 Models [Adeptus Custodes] Custodian Wardens 1 Shoot Noise Marines 2 and Kill 1 Model [Adeptus Custodes] Caladius Grav-Tank 2 Shoots Defiler 1 and Destroys the Unit with a CP Re-Roll |
| Charge | [Adeptus Custodes] Custodian Wardens 2 Declare a Charge into Seekers 2 – Charge Succeeded [Adeptus Custodes] Caladius Grav-Tank 2 Declare a Charge into Lord Exultant + Infractors – Charge Succeeded [Adeptus Custodes] Custodian Wardens 1 Declare a Charge into Noise Marines 2 – Charge Succeeded |
| Fight | [Adeptus Custodes] Caladius Grav-Tank 2 uses Sustained Hits to Fight Lord Exultant + Infractors and Deal 0 Damage [Adeptus Custodes] Custodian Wardens 1 use Sustained Hits to Fight Noise Marines 2 and Destroy the Unit [Adeptus Custodes] Custodian Wardens 1 Consolidate onto Objective 5 [Adeptus Custodes] Custodian Wardens 2 use Sustained Hits to Fight Seekers 2 and Destroy the Unit [Adeptus Custodes] Custodian Wardens 2 Consolidate onto Objective 4 [Emperor’s Children] Lord Exultant + Infractors Fight Blade Champion and Destroy the Unit |
| End of Turn | [Adeptus Custodes] Scores Secondary: Display of Might — 4 VP [Adeptus Custodes] drop Behind Enemy Lines for 1 CP [Adeptus Custodes] Scores Primary — 8 VP |
| Score at End | 38 |
| CP at End | 1 |
The Custodes keep pressing the Emperor’s Children and have a great turn. They take down a Defiler and collapse the entire flank on the Objective 5 side, while also taking back the middle and scoring really well. The game is basically neck and neck on the socreboard, but Custodes are ahead in damage dealing units remaining and CP, so things are looking up for them.
From an EC perspective, that turn hurt. They still have a Defiler and Noise Marines, but the early Round 2 whiffs are taking a tole as the Wardens 1 were able to survive and wipe out the Noise Marines 2, who the EC really wanted to see live. Its not quite panic time, but they will have to scramble a bit to take back the momentum of the game.
Board state at the end of the game is shown below.
End of Round 2
ROUND 3:
| Phase: | Go First: Emperor’s Children |
| Score at Start | 39 |
| CP at Start | 1 |
| Command | [Emperor’s Children] Draw Secondaries: Extend Battle Lines & Engage on All Fronts [Emperor’s Children] Daemonettes 2 pass Battle Shock [Emperor’s Children] Scores Primary — 4 VP |
| Movement | [Emperor’s Children] Chaos Rhino 1 Makes a Normal Move towards Objective 4 to Shoot [Emperor’s Children] Daemonettes 1 Makes a Normal Move towards Chaos Rhino 1 [Emperor’s Children] Defiler 2 Makes a Normal Move towards Objective 3 to Shoot [Emperor’s Children] Daemon Prince of Slaanesh with Wings Makes a Normal Move towards Objective 3 to Charge [Emperor’s Children] Daemonettes 3 Advances onto Objective 4 [Emperor’s Children] Daemonettes 4 Makes a Normal Move to Screen [Adeptus Custodes] Shield-Captain in Allarus Terminator Armour + Allarus Custodians 2 use Rapid Ingress to Deep Strike near Objective 3 for 0 CP using Strategic Mastery ability |
| Shooting | [Adeptus Custodes] Custodian Wardens 2 use Living Fortress ability [Emperor’s Children] Defiler 2 Shoots Custodian Wardens 2 and Kills 3 Models [Emperor’s Children] Chaos Rhino 1 uses Firing Deck and Shoots Custodian Wardens 1 and Destroys the Unit [Emperor’s Children] Daemon Prince of Slaanesh with Wings Shoots Caladius Grav-Tank 2 and Deals 2 Damage [Emperor’s Children] Lord Exultant + Infractors Shoot Caladius Grav-Tank 2 and Deal 0 Damage |
| Charge | [Emperor’s Children] Daemon Prince of Slaanesh with Wings Declares a Charge into Caladius Grav-Tank 2 – Charge Succeeded [Emperor’s Children] Daemon Prince of Slaanesh with Wings uses Daemonic Destruction ability and Deals 5 Mortal Wounds to Caladius Grav-Tank 2 [Emperor’s Children] Daemonettes 3 use Sycophantic Surge for 1 CP [Emperor’s Children] Daemonettes 3 Declare a Charge into Custodian Wardens 2 – Charge Succeeded [Emperor’s Children] Daemonettes 2 Declare a Charge into Caladius Grav-Tank 2 – Charge Succeeded |
| Fight | [Emperor’s Children] Daemonettes 3 use Horrifying Beauty ability [Adeptus Custodes] Custodian Wardens 2 pass Battle Shock [Emperor’s Children] Daemonettes 2 use Horrifying Beauty ability [Adeptus Custodes] Caladius Grav-Tank 2 passes Battle Shock [Emperor’s Children] Daemonettes 3 Fight Custodian Wardens 2 and Deal 2 Damage [Emperor’s Children] Daemon Prince of Slaanesh with Wings Fights Caladius Grav-Tank 2 and Deals 6 Damage [Emperor’s Children] Daemonettes 2 Fight Caladius Grav-Tank 2 and Destroy the Unit [Adeptus Custodes] Custodian Wardens 2 use Sustained Hits to Fight Daemonettes 3 and Kill 2 Models |
| End of Turn | [Emperor’s Children] Scores Secondary: Extend Battle Lines — 4 VP [Emperor’s Children] Scores Secondary: Engage on All Fronts — 2 VP [Emperor’s Children] Scores Primary — 4 VP |
| Score at End | 53 |
| CP at End | 0 |
Finally the Defiler pops off in a way that matches the “meta boogeyman” reputation that it has. After 2 turns of low rolling, it rolls 5 Sustained Hits on its Heavy Reaper Autocannon into 4 Devastating Wounds to kill 3 Wardens (Feel No Pains saved 1 model). Beyond that, the EC continue to score well and took back Objective 4 while also killing 2 more units. They would have loved to kill the last Warden, which barely survived on 1 Wound, but at least he whiffed in the crack back. Things are looking better at the end of the turn.
Board state in the middle of Round 3 is shown below.
Middle of Round 3
| Phase: | Go Second: Adeptus Custodes |
| Score at Start | 38 |
| CP at Start | 3 |
| Command | [Adeptus Custodes] Draw Secondaries: Extend Battle Lines & Marked for Death [Emperor’s Children] Mark Tormentors, Daemonettes 4 & Defiler 2 [Adeptus Custodes] Mark for Daemonettes 3 [Adeptus Custodes] Shield-Captain in Allarus Terminator Armour + Allarus Custodians 1 use Lions of the Emperor for 1 CP [Adeptus Custodes] Custodian Wardens 2 pass Battle Shock [Adeptus Custodes] Scores Primary — 4 VP |
| Movement | [Adeptus Custodes] Custodian Wardens 2 Fall Back [Adeptus Custodes] Custodian Wardens 2 use Manoeuvre and Fire for 1 CP [Adeptus Custodes] Allarus Custodians 1.2 Makes a Normal Move towards Chaos Rhino 1 to Shoot [Adeptus Custodes] Shield-Captain on Dawneagle Jetbike Makes a Normal Move towards Chaos Rhino 1 to Shoot and Charge [Adeptus Custodes] Allarus Custodians 1.1 Makes a Normal Move towards Objective 4 [Adeptus Custodes] Caladius Grav-Tank 1 Makes a Normal Move towards Objective 5 [Adeptus Custodes] Shield-Captain in Allarus Terminator Armour + Allarus Custodians 2 Makes a Normal Move towards Objective 4 to Shoot and Charge |
| Shooting | [Adeptus Custodes] Allarus Custodians 1.1 Shoot Daemonettes 3 and Kill 4 Models [Adeptus Custodes] Allarus Custodians 1.2 Shoot Daemonettes 3 and Kill 3 Models [Adeptus Custodes] Shield-Captain in Allarus Terminator Armour + Allarus Custodians 2 Shoot Daemonettes 2 and Destroy the Unit [Adeptus Custodes] Shield-Captain on Dawneagle Jetbike Shoots Chaos Rhino 1 and Deals 7 Damage |
| Charge | [Adeptus Custodes] Shield-Captain in Allarus Terminator Armour + Allarus Custodians 2 Declare a Charge into Daemonettes 2 – Charge Failed [Adeptus Custodes] Shield-Captain in Allarus Terminator Armour + Allarus Custodians 2 use CP Re-Roll for 1 CP [Adeptus Custodes] Shield-Captain in Allarus Terminator Armour + Allarus Custodians 2 Declare a Charge into Daemonettes 2 – Charge Succeeded [Adeptus Custodes] Shield-Captain on Dawneagle Jetbike Declares a Charge into Chaos Rhino 1 – Charge Succeeded |
| Fight | [Emperor’s Children] Daemonettes 3 use Horrifying Beauty ability [Adeptus Custodes] Shield-Captain in Allarus Terminator Armour + Allarus Custodians 2 pass Battle Shock [Emperor’s Children] Daemonettes 3 use Fights First to Fight Shield-Captain in Allarus Terminator Armour + Allarus Custodians 2 and Deal 1 Damage [Adeptus Custodes] Shield-Captain in Allarus Terminator Armour + Allarus Custodians 2 use Sustained Hits to Fight Daemonettes 3 and Destroy the Unit [Adeptus Custodes] Shield-Captain on Dawneagle Jetbike uses Sustained Hits to Fight Chaos Rhino 1 and Destroy the Unit [Emperor’s Children] Noise Marines 1 suffer 1 Mortal Wound from Disembarking |
| End of Turn | [Adeptus Custodes] Scores Secondary: Extend Battle Lines — 4 VP [Adeptus Custodes] Scores Secondary: Marked for Death — 2 VP [Adeptus Custodes] Scores Primary — 8 VP |
| Score at End | 56 |
| CP at End | 0 |
Custodes have another really good turn and I am really digging the changes to the list as it feels like it offers more flexibility. From a game perspective, the Custodes had a great turn on Primary and have taken the lead back from the EC. They also were able to do so without exposing their last Caladius Grav-Tank to any potential retribution, which is great. More importantly, they have put the EC on the back foot and forced them into a position where the EC have to bring out the last Defiler and start pushing on the midfield to avoid losing the game on Primary. They have the resources to do this, but will need a strong turn next Round to pull it off.
Board state at the end of Round 3 is shown below.
End of Round 3
ROUND 4:
| Phase: | Go First: Emperor’s Children |
| Score at Start | 53 |
| CP at Start | 2 |
| Command | [Emperor’s Children] Draw Secondaries: Behind Enemy Lines & Establish Locus [Emperor’s Children] use New Orders for 1 CP to drop Establish Locus and draw Storm Hostile Objective [Emperor’s Children] Scores Primary — 4 VP |
| Movement | [Emperor’s Children] Defiler 2 Makes a Normal Move towards Objective 4 [Emperor’s Children] Daemon Prince of Slaanesh with Wings Makes a Normal Move towards Objective 4 to Charge [Emperor’s Children] Lord Exultant + Infractors Make a Normal Move towards Objective 4 [Emperor’s Children] Daemonettes 1 Make a Normal Move onto Objective 5 to Charge |
| Shooting | [Adeptus Custodes] Shield-Captain in Allarus Terminator Armour uses Auramite and Adamantine ability [Adeptus Custodes] Shield-Captain in Allarus Terminator Armour 2 uses Gilded Champion for 0 CP [Emperor’s Children] Noise Marines 1 Shoot Shield-Captain on Dawneagle Jetbike and Destroy the Unit [Emperor’s Children] Daemon Prince of Slaanesh with Wings Shoots Allarus Custodians 1.1 and Deals 0 Damage [Emperor’s Children] Lord Exultant + Infractors use Grenades for 1 CP and Destroy Custodian Wardens 2 [Emperor’s Children] Defiler 2 Splits Fire to Shoot Allarus Custodians 1.1 and Deal 3 Damage and to Shoot Allarus Custodians 2 and Destroy the Unit |
| Charge | [Emperor’s Children] Defiler 2 Declares a Charge into Shield-Captain in Allarus Terminator Armour – Charge Succeeded [Emperor’s Children] Daemonettes 1 Declare a Charge into Allarus Custodians 1.2 – Charge Succeeded [Adeptus Custodes] Shield-Captain in Allarus Terminator Armour 1 uses Heroic Intervention for 1 CP – Charge Succeeded [Emperor’s Children] Daemon Prince of Slaanesh with Wings Declares a Charge into Shield-Captain in Allarus Terminator Armour 2 – Charge Succeeded [Emperor’s Children] Daemon Prince of Slaanesh with Wings uses Daemonic Destruction ability and Destroys Shield-Captain in Allarus Terminator Armour 2 |
| Fight | [Emperor’s Children] Daemonettes 1 use Horrifying Beauty ability [Adeptus Custodes] Shield-Captain in Allarus Terminator Armour 1 passes Battle Shock [Emperor’s Children] Daemonettes 1 Fight Allarus Custodians 1.2 and Deal 1 Damage [Adeptus Custodes] Allarus Custodians 1.2 use Sustained Hits to Fight Daemonettes 1 and Kill 3 Models [Adeptus Custodes] Shield-Captain in Allarus Terminator Armour 1 uses Sustained Hits to Fight Daemonettes 1 and Kill 5 Models |
| End of Turn | [Emperor’s Children] Scores Secondary: Storm Hostile Objective — 4 VP [Emperor’s Children] Scores Primary — 4 VP [Adeptus Custodes] Allarus Custodians 1.1 use From Golden Light to enter Strategic Reserves [Adeptus Custodes] Allarus Custodians 1.2 is not out of Engagement Range and uses From Golden Light to enter Strategic Reserves |
| Score at End | 69 |
| CP at End | 0 |
And that might have been the big turn that the EC have been needing to start creating some distance between them and the Custodes. They killed pretty much everything in sight that turn and did a great job taking back control of the midfield. A nitpick could be the Daemonettes 1 whiffing hard into the Allarus Custodes and then allowing one extra unit to dissapear into Reserves, but that was a long shot and not unexpected. Either way, it was a great turn for the EC.
From the Custodes perspective, they now have a dilemma. They have 1 Caladius Grav-Tank left with 2 juicy targets in the midfield to shoot at. They are still in this, but will need focus on actions and scoring to pull it out.
Board state in the middle of Round 4.
Middle of Round 4
| Phase: | Go Second: Adeptus Custodes |
| Score at Start | 56 |
| CP at Start | 1 |
| Command | [Adeptus Custodes] Draw Secondaries: Recover Assets & Secure No Man’s Land [Adeptus Custodes] Scores Primary — 4 VP |
| Movement | [Adeptus Custodes] Allarus Custodians 1.2 Deep Strike from Strategic Reserves into Emperor’s Children Deployment Zone |
| Shooting | [Adeptus Custodes] Prosecutors 1 perform Recover Assets [Adeptus Custodes] Prosecutors 2 perform Recover Assets [Adeptus Custodes] Allarus Custodians 1.2 perform Recover Assets [Emperor’s Children] Defiler 2 uses Uncanny Reactions [Adeptus Custodes] Caladius Grav-Tank 1 Shoots Defiler 2 and Deals 0 Damage |
| Charge | [Adeptus Custodes] None |
| Fight | [Emperor’s Children] Daemonettes 1 use Horrifying Beauty ability [Adeptus Custodes] Shield-Captain in Allarus Terminator Armour 1 passes Battle Shock [Emperor’s Children] Daemonettes 1 Fight Shield-Captain in Allarus Terminator Armour 1 and Deal 0 Damage [Adeptus Custodes] Shield-Captain in Allarus Terminator Armour 1 uses Sustained Hits to Fight Daemonettes 1 and Destroy the Unit |
| End of Turn | [Adeptus Custodes] Scores Secondary: Recover Assets — 5 VP [Adeptus Custodes] Scores Secondary: Secure No Man’s Land — 2 VP [Adeptus Custodes] Scores Primary — 4 VP [Emperor’s Children] Scores Primary — 4 VP [Emperor’s Children] Daemonettes 4 use Dark Apparitions for 1 CP to enter Strategic Reserves |
| Score at End | 71 |
| CP at End | 1 |
That was a bad damage dealing turn for the Custodes as Defiler 2 made three 5+ Invulnerable Saves to tank all incoming Damage. That said, the Custodes kept on scoring and are still ahead on the scoreboard (although woefully behind in damage dealing units). I think EC may have this one, but lets see what the cards have to say about it.
Board state at the end of Round 4 is shown below.
End of Round 4
ROUND 5:
| Phase: | Go First: Emperor’s Children |
| Score at Start | 69 |
| CP at Start | 1 |
| Command | [Emperor’s Children] Draw Secondary: Recover Assets [Emperor’s Children] Scores Primary — 8 VP |
| Movement | [Emperor’s Children] Daemon Prince of Slaanesh with Wings Makes a Normal Move towards Caladius Grav-Tank 1 to Charge [Emperor’s Children] Tormentors Make a Normal Move onto Objective 2 [Emperor’s Children] Noise Marines 1 Make a Normal Move into No Man’s Land to Shoot [Emperor’s Children] Daemonettes 4 Deep Strike from Strategic Reserves into Custodes Deployment Zone |
| Shooting | [Adeptus Custodes] Shield-Captain in Allarus Terminator Armour 1 uses Auramite and Adamantine ability [Emperor’s Children] Lord Exultant + Infractors perform Recover Assets [Emperor’s Children] Tormentors perform Recover Assets [Emperor’s Children] Daemonettes 4 perform Recover Assets [Emperor’s Children] Daemon Prince of Slaanesh with Wings Shoots Caladius Grav-Tank 1 and Deals 0 Damage [Emperor’s Children] Noise Marines 1 Shoot Shield-Captain in Allarus Terminator Armour 1 and Deal 2 Damage [Emperor’s Children] Defiler 2 Splits Fire to Shoot Caladius Grav-Tank 1 and Deal 12 Damage and to Shoot Shield-Captain in Allarus Terminator Armour 1 and Deal 1 Damage |
| Charge | [Emperor’s Children] Daemon Prince of Slaanesh with Wings Declares a Charge into Caladius Grav-Tank 1 – Charge Succeeded [Emperor’s Children] Daemon Prince of Slaanesh with Wings uses Daemonic Destruction ability and Destroys Caladius Grav-Tank 1 |
| Fight | [Emperor’s Children] None |
| End of Turn | [Emperor’s Children] Scores Secondary: Recover Assets — 5 VP [Emperor’s Children] Scores Secondary: Behind Enemy Lines — 3 VP [Emperor’s Children] Scores Primary — 4 VP |
| Score at End | 89 |
| CP at End | 1 |
Another great turn for the Emperor’s Children, although there was some internal debate about what to do during the Command Phase. The debate was between going all in to try to table the Custodes (which EC could probably have killed everything except for the Allarus Custodes 1.1 and 1.2) or to just play the cards. Ultimately, EC decided to just play the cards and try to run up the score, which seems to have paid off. The only other “hindsight is 20/20” moment would be charging the Defiler into the Shield Captain in Allarus Terminator Armour 1, which EC decided not to do. that one might have been a mistake.
Board state in the middle of Round 5 is shown below.
Middle of Round 5
| Phase: | Go Second: Adeptus Custodes |
| Score at Start | 71 |
| CP at Start | 3 |
| Command | [Adeptus Custodes] Draw Secondaries: Engage on All Fronts & A Tempting Target [Adeptus Custodes] use New Orders to drop A Tempting Target and draw Sabotage [Adeptus Custodes] Scores Primary — 4 VP |
| Movement | [Adeptus Custodes] Prosecutors 2 Make a Normal Move to Perform an Action [Adeptus Custodes] Shield-Captain in Allarus Terminator Armour 1 Makes a Normal Move towards Noise Marines 1 to Charge [Emperor’s Children] Defiler 2 uses Fire Overwatch for 1 CP and Deals 3 Damage to Shield-Captain in Allarus Terminator Armour 1 [Adeptus Custodes] Allarus Custodians 1.1 Deep Strike from Strategic Reserves into Emperor’s Children Deployment Zone [Adeptus Custodes] Allarus Custodians 1.1 fail Battle Shock as they had to test for being below Half Strength and coming out of Reserves. |
| Shooting | [Adeptus Custodes] Shield-Captain in Allarus Terminator Armour 1 Shoots Noise Marines 1 and Kills 2 Models [Adeptus Custodes] Prosecutors 2 perform Sabotage |
| Charge | [Adeptus Custodes] Shield-Captain in Allarus Terminator Armour 1 Declares a Charge into Noise Marines 1 – Charge Succeeded |
| Fight | [Adeptus Custodes] Shield-Captain in Allarus Terminator Armour 1 uses Sustained Hits to Fight Noise Marines 1 and Kills 3 Models with a CP Re-Roll |
| End of Turn | [Adeptus Custodes] Scores Secondary: Engage on All Fronts — 4 VP [Adeptus Custodes] Scores Secondary: Sabotage — 3 VP [Adeptus Custodes] Scores Primary — 4 VP [Emperor’s Children] Scores Primary — 2 VP |
| Score at End | 82 |
| CP at End | 1 |
The game is over and the Custodes came sooooo close. I mathed it out at the end and they potentially could have tied the game if the Allarus Custodes 1.1 had passed Battle Shock and if the Shield Captain had killed the Noise Marines (which would have been a 6 point swing). Its a major set of “what if’s” but still a great game to end the edition on.
Board state at the end of Round 5 is shown below.
End of Round 5
RESULT:
Singles Format: 91 – 82 Emperor’s Children WIN
WTC Teams Format: 11-9 Emperor’s Children WIN
GAME REVIEW:
For me, this was an ideal way to end 10th edition. My favorite army in the game gutted out a win against what might be the best game that I have ever played with Custodes, using one of my favorite lists. The game was full of little moments that felt like they were momentum and game changing, full of just enough dice craziness to make it interesting, and required both armies to stay focused and grind until the end. Both armies played patient, disciplined games and were competitive until the very end. Even better, both did so while I was experimenting with list changes to get ready for 11th and still performed well. What a way to finish an edition.
WHAT I WOULD CHANGE NEXT TIME:
- Emperor’s Children
- I think I would go back and play Round 5 more aggressively. The EC chose to follow the cards, but did so in a way that was too passively. Hindsight 20/20, I would have moved the Defiler to Charge the Caladius Grav-Tank 1 and then used the Winged Daemon Prince to attack the Shield Captain. This would have given the EC a much better chance of guaranteeing that the door stayed slammed closed on the Custodes in Round 5.
- Adeptus Custodes
- This one is tougher as I am VERY happy with how I played the Custodes into what should have been a bad matchup for them. The only thing that comes to mind is that I forgot to utilize Sweeping Advance to move after fighting on the Jet Bike Captain in Round 4. Hypothetically, he could have swung around to the side to threaten the EC Deployment Zone from a flank instead of standing there move blocking. I’m not sure it changes the outcome, but it was probably a smarter play.
- The other play worth mentioning, and it is something that I will need to work on going into 11th, is that I tended to hold onto my CP with the Custodes and finished the game with 1 CP. In hindsight, I should have utilized Swift as the Eagle on one of the Wardens in Rounds 2 or 3 to try to force EC to extend more (or even fail some charges). With 11th eliminating stratagem stacking, I’ll need to work on spending my CP more evenly across the game.
EARNED THEMSELF A NAME:
Defiler 2. While it took a few turns for it to get going, it felt like the game was sealed when it made all of its Invulnerable Saves in Round 4 as this put the Custodes in a position where they had to kill 2 Monsters/Vehicles and only had 1 activation left. This guaranteed that either the Defiler or Winged Daemon Prince would live to see the end of the game, which was bad news for the Custodes.
The other potential mention is the Winged Daemon Prince. He killed both tanks and a Shield Captain in Allarus Terminator Armour and was uniteractable for the Custodes all game long. He was a genuine problem….in a good way.
MAGNUS OF THE GAME:
Allarus Custodes 1.1. Failing Battle Shock in the late game was absolutely brutal as he had been positioned perfectly to sneak into the EC Deployment Zone and crack off a late game action. This was 1 of 2 factors that decided the game against the Custodes.
CINEMATIC MOMENTS OF THE GAME:
None. One of these days I will remember to take these pictures and not get so engrossed in the game. Today was not that day.
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