Ku’Gath Plaguefather is a Great Unclean One of Nurgle, and one of the strangest daemons in Warhammer 40k. He started as a Nurgling who fell into Nurgle’s cauldron, drank the god’s greatest disease, and has spent eternity trying to recreate it.
Who is Ku’Gath Plaguefather?
He’s a Greater Daemon of Nurgle, usually called the Plaguefather. Before the Plague Wars, he was Nurgle’s most favoured servant, though Rotigus later took that spot.
Unlike other Great Unclean Ones, who spread existing plagues, Ku’Gath is obsessed with breeding new ones. His goal is a contagion so potent it could infect the gods themselves. He’s also unusually willing to enter realspace, since mortal worlds offer fresh ingredients for his experiments.
The accident that made him
Ku’Gath was once a Nurgling perched on Nurgle’s shoulder. While Nurgle was mixing his most virulent toxin ever, Ku’Gath tumbled into the cauldron and drank deeply. He swelled with power until he’d grown into a Great Unclean One.
Nurgle laughed, but Ku’Gath realised he’d robbed his father of the greatest disease ever made. Ever since, he’s wandered the universe hunting for the perfect ingredients to recreate it. He also captures victims of his diseases and keeps them in his lair to watch them rot.
Ku’Gath in the 41st millennium
He’s shown up in some of the Imperium’s worst moments. During the Horus Heresy, he was summoned to Terra with other Greater Daemons and helped tear down the Colossi Gate’s outer defences before the White Scars and Custodes destroyed him.
In 927.M41, on the agri-world of Curwen, Justicar Anval Thawn of the Grey Knights was swallowed whole, then detonated his weapon inside Ku’Gath’s throat. That banished him back to the Warp. He returned in 998.M41 on Squire’s Rest, where Librarian Gared bisected his head with a Nemesis Greatsword.
The Plague Wars and after
In 012.M42, during the Plague Wars, Ku’Gath appeared on Iax with seven hosts of daemons. He wanted to destroy the planet because it had been turned into a hospital world, and healing mortals offends Nurgle’s gifts.
Sources differ on his current status. Some say Rotigus replaced him as Nurgle’s most favoured, but Ku’Gath remains a major threat and a recurring antagonist in Nurgle’s campaigns.
Key facts
- Ku’Gath Plaguefather is a Great Unclean One of Nurgle.
- He was originally a Nurgling who fell into Nurgle’s cauldron and drank the god’s greatest disease.
- He seeks to recreate that perfect plague and test it on mortals.
- He was once Nurgle’s most favoured daemon, later succeeded by Rotigus.
- He fought at the Battle for Terra during the Horus Heresy.
- He appeared on Iax during the Plague Wars in 012.M42.
FAQ
Is Ku’Gath a Great Unclean One?
Yes, he’s a Great Unclean One of Nurgle, though he began as a Nurgling who accidentally drank a cauldron of Nurgle’s perfect plague.
Why is he called the Plaguefather?
Because he breeds new diseases rather than just spreading existing ones. His goal is to create a plague that can infect even the gods.
Has Ku’Gath ever been defeated?
Several times. Grey Knights have banished him back to the Warp more than once, including Justicar Anval Thawn and Librarian Gared.