Suggestions starting a Custodes Army

[Inquisitor Red]

Hey everyone,

 

I'm looking into starting a Custodes Army and wanted to know any suggestions on where to start? As in what core models should I start from to build out from to the rest of my force? Thanks in advance!

 

[MyD4rkPassenger]

I'd probably ask is this going to be competitive, or a list for a competitive environment? If so it's unfortunately just all about jetbikes.  They just do way to much for their point cost, not even counting the infamous shield captain on bike.

 

If you're thinking of a more laid back list I'd recommend grabbing either the warden or the standard guard box.  With these you can build either a captain and a 4 man unit, or a captain/banner/3 man unit.  From there I'd say the sky's the limit.  

 

I focused on a battalion to get the extra command points so I have a solid core of custodian guard supported by a squad of Allarus, Wardens, and Jetbikes.  If you want to go more elite the terminators are extremely dangerous with the strategems available and wardens pack some serious punch when equipped with the axes.  For the special character they have Captain General Valoris who can lay serious heat in the combat phase, has some cool tricks with his moment shackle, and gives your units re-roll 1s to hit and wound.

 

Custodes have some very cool and tough units and I've always had fun playing them since they've come out.

[MARK0SIAN]

Most of the units are pretty fun. The bikes are definitely the best though. They’ll probably get a price hike in the next chapter approved though so proceed with caution.

 

As you’re just starting with them and I’m not sure what sort of points level you’re aiming for, I’d advise against getting Valoris to begin with. He’s a good character but he is VERY expensive for what he does and, personally, I think he’s just too much of a points sink in a Custodes force below 2000 points.

[rcoon]

500 Points? 3 Jetbike captains

1000 points? 3 Jetbike squads of 3 with a captain

Be sure to include a Vexillus Praetor, and equip him with the -1 to hit banner. My opponents always groan against that crap.

 

You get the idea. I have about 4K of Adeptus Custodes and a fair few games under my belt. I haven't been playing long, but I've only ever lost a single game of 2v2 against Death Guard because they're basically Custodes with more saves. Auric Aquilis and Eagle eye are your prime Relics, and as for Warlord traits I always opt for Superior Creation for the FnP on a 5+. Very rarely do I opt for Radiant Mantle but in some cases it comes in handy (see: Tau and their millions of bullets).

 

The main thing I can tell you is what units I have never used, or used and then stored away never to be used again:

 

Venerable Contemptor Dreadnought: With a Melta he's just crap, never gets in close enough to do anything unless you spend CP to drop him, and frankly I'd rather spend that CP dropping something else entirely or on another strategem. With the Kheres canon he does the same thing a squad of bikes can do, only he dies faster. He's a really poor anti-vehicle choice, and what he does vs infantry your bikes and guard do just as well.

 

Venerable Land Raider: It costs 400 points. It only holds 5 units. Just don't bother.

 

Trajaan Valoris: He costs twice as much as a normal shield captain, his Warlord Trait sucks (rendering Shoulder the Mantle kinda crap if he's not your Warlord), but he shoots good. Just get a Bike Captain. Only include him for fluff reasons.

 

Wardens: Halfway between a standard Custodian Guardian and an Allarus Terminator, only they're forced to take Misericordias. They have FnP, but I prefer just running a Guard with a Storm Shield or an Allarus Termie. I run them if my points are really awkward to fill out, but mostly I've dropped them altogether.

 

Salvo Launchers (Jetbike weapon option): What would you rather have, 36 shots of bolter fire or the option to shoot at a "proper" FLY keyword unit? I've done more with the Hurricane Bolters than Salvo Launchers against vehicles in most games.

 

One thing Custodes really lack at the moment is solid long range support fire. I resolved this with a Shadowsword in a Supreme Command detachment with a Lord Commisar, 2 Primaris Psykers and an Enginseer to heal D3 wounds on the tank. For 600 points no vehicle is safe, and you can reliably one shot almost all vehicles, and severely cripple even a Castellan Knight, sometimes one-shot it. My entire meta is vehicles so while this is an odd choice, it works for me. You're probably better off with the Forgeworld Telemon Dreadnought with twin Accelerator canons in most cases, or some Imperial Knight Helverins. I go against Knights every single damn week, so the Shadowsword is a fun tool for me.

 

NOTE: This is from a semi-competitive viewpoint.

[BLACK BLΠFLY]

A Knight is a good ally for Custodes too.

 

If Forgeworld ever releases official rules and don’t overcost everything Custodes can be a stand alone army. The grav tank and Telemon are both really good. Melta-Spears would be awesome.

[Charlo]

Bikes come with a reputation, and for good reason...

 

They're ultra strong and one of the best units in the game currently:

• Mobile
• Hit hard
• Clear chaff
• Objective Secured
• AMAZING Stratagem support (seriously, Stooping Dive can easily win games)

If you're playing no holds barred, go nuts with them - otherwise i'd look to some other units for variety.

 

In addition, if you've got the funds FW Resin is a nice investment - especially with the new Imperial Armour Volume being finished and at print, scheduled to drop any moment adding loads of new options to our units (and the Sisters of Silence!)

[noigrim]

Bikes are custodes MVP ideal for allies as you build your force

 

Two captains on bike one with the relic bike other with the helmet are good hqs for a brigade

[BLACK BLΠFLY]

My list of go to units are as follows:

 

Allarus Custodians

Wardens

Vexilla Praetors

 

SC on Dawneagles and Vertus Praetors have already been mentioned several times.

[CaptainMarsh]

The Custodian Guard are a rock-hard troops choice, and with some Storm Shields mixed in can drive people mad. I don't think they're the most efficient choice, but your opponent will look at 30 Custodian Guard at 2k points and despair. I've had excellent luck with that setup. 

I would only avoid the Dreadnought and Land Raider. Everything else has a place, with varying efficiencies, but all have a place.

[Charlo]

The Custodian Guard are a rock-hard troops choice, and with some Storm Shields mixed in can drive people mad. I don't think they're the most efficient choice, but your opponent will look at 30 Custodian Guard at 2k points and despair. I've had excellent luck with that setup. 

 

That's exactly it - while it's easy to go "Oh well normal Custodes are overcosted and a Battalion is a tax" etc, just step back and look at what each individual Custode can do... They're utter monsters! Not a lot can even take down the basic ones in combat easily!