The Emperor's Dark Guardians: Adeptus Custodes Army Showcase
They are the Ten Thousand, the Emperor’s personal Praetorian Guard, the most elite warriors humanity has ever known. Traditionally wearing shimmering Auramite armour, wielding weapons of mythic power, the Adeptus Custodes stand watch over the Golden Throne and, more recently, have taken their silent wrath back to the stars. Each Custodian is a masterpiece of genetic alchemy, closer to a demigod than a soldier, embodying the pinnacle of martial perfection and unwavering loyalty.
However, this army, which we had the honour of painting, departs from the classic gold. We opted for an unorthodox, dark paint scheme with blue elements!
Take a look at the Emperor’s finest, reimagined and ready for war!
The Ten Thousand Ready for Battle: Army Composition
Captain-General Trajann Valoris - Supreme Commander of the Custodes
The current Captain-General, Trajann Valoris, is a legendary figure within the Imperium. Wielding the Watcher’s Axe and clad in the Castellan Plate, he is one of the most formidable warriors in the galaxy. As supreme commander of the Adeptus Custodes, his authority is second only to the Emperor (and perhaps the returned Primarch Guilliman). He is a veteran of countless battles and millennia of service, a strategic genius whose presence inspires the Ten Thousand to even greater feats.
Custodian Guard - The Unflinching Heart of the Ten Thousand
The Custodian Guard form the bedrock of the Ten Thousand. Wielding the iconic Guardian Spears, they are the stoic sentinels who have defended the Imperial Palace for millennia. Each Guard is a peerless warrior, trained in countless forms of combat, ready to form an unbreakable shield wall against any foe imaginable.
Sagittarum Guard - Masters of the Bolt Caliver
While all Custodians are masters of melee, the Sagittarum Guard provide specialized ranged support unique within the Emperor’s bodyguard. Armed with masterwork Adrastus Bolt Calivers, they can lay down surprisingly heavy volleys of firepower, capable of decimating infantry formations or targeting heavier threats from a distance, freeing their brethren to engage in glorious close combat.
Swift Hunters & Elite Assassins: Vertus Praetors & Allarus Custodians
The Adeptus Custodes employ both blinding speed and overwhelming force to eliminate key threats. Mounted on powerful Dawneagle Jetbikes, the Vertus Praetors are veteran warriors serving as fast-attack and reconnaissance units, excelling at outflanking foes and delivering the Emperor’s wrath with precision. Complementing this speed are the Allarus Custodians, elite warriors, wearing unique Terminator plate. Deploying via sudden teleport strikes, they specialize in eliminating enemy commanders, shattering strongpoints, and sowing chaos amongst enemy formations, signifying that a target is worthy of swift, personal annihilation.
Ancient Heroes & Close Combat Titans: Contemptor Dreadnoughts
Even death cannot stay the hand of a Custodian dedicated to the Emperor. Encased within the ancient adamantium shells of Contemptor Dreadnoughts, the broken bodies of heroes continue their service.
These revered warriors bring centuries of experience and potent weaponry to the battlefield, relics of a bygone age still defending the Imperium. Where the standard Contemptor provides versatile fire support, the specialized Contemptor-Galatus variant strides forward as an indomitable bulwark. Wielding the imposing Galatus Warblade and protected by a massive Praesidium Shield, these Dreadnoughts are nigh-unstoppable close-combat specialists, capable of weathering horrific firepower before carving through the heart of the enemy army.
Telemon Heavy Dreadnoughts - Apex Custodes Warmachines
The Telemon represents the apex of Adeptus Custodes Dreadnought technology, significantly larger and more powerful than even the Contemptor. These behemoths are walking fortresses, each armed according to their battlefield role. This force includes two Telemons: one equipped for overwhelming ranged destruction with an Arachnus Storm Cannon and Iliastus Accelerator Culverin, the other blending ranged power (Iliastus Accelerator Culverin) with devastating assault capability via its Telemon Caestus.
Forge Your Own Legendary Adeptus Custodes
A fully painted Adeptus Custodes army? Now that’s a sight worthy of the Emperor himself! This dark scheme shows just one badass possibility beyond the traditional gold.
Got your own Custodes waiting for colour, maybe still grey and waiting for glory? Whether you want the classic gold standard, this imposing shadow style, or a unique scheme all your own – we’re ready.
Send us a message and let’s make your legion real!
