New Chaos Space Marines Battleforce Sets (First Look)
Bow down to the Dark Gods of the Warp! We dig our claws into two new Chaos Space Marine Battleforce box sets.
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In the grim dark future of the Warhammer 40K universe, there are few forces more fanatical and feared than the Adeptus Custodes. Sworn to serve the Emperor of Mankind, these elite warriors are essentially one-man armies whose very presence can alter the tide of battle.
In recent months, the “Ten Thousand” have stormed into the 10th edition of Warhammer 40K, with a new Adeptus Custodes Codex and a new Shield-Captain model. Now, GW is unveiling their new “Auric Champions” Adeptus Custodes Battleforce, which will be released on April 27th, 2024 and is available now on the Games Workshop website.
So does this new Battleforce live up to the legacy of Golden Throne? Below, we break out all the details.
What’s included in the New Adeptus Custodes Battleforce?
The new Auric Champions Battleforce includes 18 individual models, as follows:
- 1x Shield-Captain
- 6x Allarus Custodians (two of which can be built as Shield-Captains)
- 6x Vertus Praetors (two of which can be built as Shield-Captains)
- 5x Custodian Wardens (one of which can be built as a Shield-Captain)
Notably, all of these units have been previously released, with the exception of the standalone Shield-Captain, which is a brand new model.
What are the datasheets and point values of the Auric Champions
The complete datasheets for the Auric Champions Battleforce will first be made available in the upcoming Adeptus Custodes Codex for 10th edition, but stats can be found in Games Workshop’s free Custodes rules PDF.
According to the latest version of the Munitorum Field Manual (which breaks out the current point value for our Warhammer 40K 10th edition units), the breakout is as follows:
- 1x Shield-Captain (140 points)
- 6x Allarus Custodians (390 points)
- 6x Vertus Praetors (450 points)
- 5x Custodian Wardens (250 points)
So all told, you’re looking at around 1,230 points for the Auric Champions, but this number can change depending on how you build out the specific Battleforce models (particularly given that the Custodians, Praetors and Wardens can all potentially be turned into Shield-Captains).
When is the New Adeptus Custodes Battleforce Going to be Released?
The Auric Champsion Battleforce will be available on April 27th, 2024 to coincide with the launch of the the upcoming 10th edition Adeptus Custodes Codex.
Notably, in recent months Games Workshop has been having difficulties meeting pre-order demand, with some third-party game stores being unable to get their hands on product, so you may want to check with your local retailer to see if and when the new Adeptus Custodes Battleforce is available in your area.
How much is the new Auric Champions Adeptus Custodes Battleforce?
The Auric Champions box set will retail for $210 USD if you purchase it directly from the Games Workshop website. This is comparable to what we’ve seen past Battleforces retail for, such as the recently release Stompa Boyz Ork Battleforce.
If you were to purchase the models separately you’d likely be looking at around $340 USD, so the savings here is considerable. Of course, as always, prices may vary if you buy the model from your local game store or from Amazon (where discounts and sales may allow you to pick him up for a bit cheaper, with most third-party retailers offering at least 10-15% discounts).
What previous Adeptus Custodes Battleforce Sets are available?
In 2023 Games Workshop released an Adeptus Custodes Battleforce known as the “Watchers of the Gate,” which was available for Warhammer 40K 9th edition. This box set (which has since been sold out and discontinued by GW) includes:
- 1x Captain-General Trajann Valoris
- 3x Vertus Praetors (one of which can be built as a Shield-Captain on Dawneagle Jetbike)
- 3x Allarus Custodians (one of which can be built as a Vexilus Praetor in Allarus Terminator Armour and another as a Shield-Captain in Allarus Terminator Armour)
- 15x Custodian Guards (which include components to build some as Shield-Captains and Vexilus Praetors)
Final Thoughts
If you’re a fan of the Adeptus Custodes, then chances are you’ll dig the new Auric Champions Battleforce, which features both the new Shield-Captain model and a solid mix of heavy hitters from the ranks of the Ten Thousand. It’s a great option if you’re looking to build out your very first Custodes army or augment your exisitng ranks.
You can pre-order your copy off the new Battleforce now directly from the Games Workshop website.
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Zachary Birch lives in Medford, Massachusetts and has been a dedicated war gamer for over 15 years, playing pretty much ever system under the sun. Orks remain his favorite Warhammer 40K army (because nothing beats stomping gits into the ground). He also enjoys playing video games, reading, playing the guitar and shouting “WAAAGH!” at inappropriate times.
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