The new Custodes Jetbikes are wonderful in my opinion. Ive always loved new designs for them, whether they were Harlequinn, Forgeworld, or even Captain Sammael, Master of the Ravenwing. (suddenly his looks very dull).
via the Warhammer Community
After 10,000 years as the Imperium’s final line of defence, the Adeptus Custodes are marching forth from Terra in force, and thanks to a new codex, you’ll be able to lead them in battle with new units, Stratagems, Relics and much more. In the third of our daily previews this week, we’re looking at the war machines of the Adeptus Custodes, including the Dawneagle jetbikes and the Vertus Praetors who ride them.
Vertus Praetors hearken back to the same ancient, martial traditions that guide the Adeptus Custodes, mirroring the heavy cavalry employed by human armies since the very dawn of time. The technology may have advanced, but the principle is still the same – range ahead of the main body of the force and devastate the foe with crushing lance charges.
On the tabletop, Vertus Praetors are the fastest moving elements of the Adeptus Custodes army, boasting a 14″ move, Fly, and a straight boost of 6″ when they Advance without having to roll.
Where the Vertus Praetors really shine is in their weaponry, helping provide some much-needed anti-armour ability to the Adeptus Custodes army. While you’re free to build yours with hurricane bolters, we’re fans of the new salvo launcher, a missile weapon that can adjust its firing profile based on target. The flakkburst missile allows you to shoot Flyers out of the sky (or soften them up for a particularly bold lance charge), while the melta missile deals hefty damage to any vehicles
Should anyone survive your ranged onslaught, interceptor lances are also brutally effective weapons:
By combining these guys with a nearby Shield-Captain on Dawneagle Jetbike (buildable using the same kit!) you’ll be able to grab objectives and hunt down choice enemy units with ease.
With the Stooping Dive Stratagem, you’ll be able to make defensive use of your Vertus Praetors too, by unleashing a deadly counter-charge upon your foes.
Meanwhile, existing Adeptus Custodes vehicles can benefit from a range of new Stratagems, as well as the helpful presence of a nearby Shield-Captain. Venerable Land Raiders are already unbelievably accurate – form a firebase with a commander nearby, and use the Networked Machine Spirits Stratagem, and you’ll be able to deal with tricky targets like Flyers with ease.
Wisdom of the Ancients, meanwhile, allows you to use your Venerable Contemptor Dreadnoughts to bolster the abilities of nearby units:
However you build your new Adeptus Custodes army – a slow-moving armoured column, a legion of Dreadnoughts, or a rapid-strike detachment of Vertus Praetors – you’ll find a range of potent and versatile options to help you out. Come back tomorrow when we’ll be checking out even more new units with a closer look at the Elites of the Adeptus Custodes.