Plague Marines are the corrupted foot soldiers of the Death Guard, the Chaos Space Marine legion sworn to Nurgle. They’re slow, tough, and absolutely relentless, shrugging off wounds that would kill a normal Marine twice over.
Who they are
Plague Marines started as loyal Death Guard Legionaries before the Horus Heresy. When their primarch Mortarion turned against the Emperor, Nurgle claimed them, and their bodies swelled with disease and decay.
Now they’re living plague hosts, their armour fused to rotting flesh, their guts spilling out, and they don’t care. Pain means nothing to them. They just keep coming.
On the tabletop
In Warhammer 40,000, Plague Marines are a Troops choice for Death Guard armies. They’re famously hard to kill, with high Toughness, multiple wounds, and a Disgustingly Resilient rule that lets them ignore damage on a roll.
They’re not fast, but they don’t need to be. Give them plague knives, bolters, or special weapons like plasma guns and blight launchers, and they’ll grind through most infantry.
- Toughness 5 (or better) and 2+ wounds each
- Disgustingly Resilient: ignore wounds on a 5+ (varies by edition)
- Can take a mix of bolters, melee, and plague spewers
- Often led by a Plague Champion with a power fist or daemonic weapon
In Kill Team and beyond
Plague Marines also show up in Kill Team, where their durability makes them a nightmare for elite teams. A single Plague Marine can soak up ridiculous amounts of firepower.
If you’re building a Death Guard army, you’ll want at least a couple of squads. They’re the backbone of the force, supported by daemon engines and characters like the Lord of Contagion.
Key facts
- Plague Marines are the Troops choice for the Death Guard in Warhammer 40,000.
- They’re dedicated to the Chaos god Nurgle, granting them unnatural resilience.
- Their signature rule, Disgustingly Resilient, lets them ignore wounds.
- They can be equipped with a variety of plague weapons and bolters.
- Plague Marines are also playable in Kill Team.
FAQ
Are Plague Marines good in 10th edition?
They’re solid, though not top-tier. Their resilience keeps them on objectives, but they lack speed. Use them as a durable core while faster units grab attention.
How many Plague Marines come in a box?
The standard kit from Games Workshop contains 7 miniatures. You can also find larger lots on the secondary market.
What’s the difference between Plague Marines and regular Chaos Space Marines?
Plague Marines are dedicated to Nurgle, so they’re tougher and slower. Regular Chaos Marines are more flexible but far less durable.