The Guard’s Kit is the plastic box that builds five Adeptus Custodes Custodian Guard, the Emperor’s own bodyguard. It’s the core infantry kit for the faction, and it’s where most Custodes armies start.
What’s actually in the box
You get five multi-part plastic Custodians on 40mm round bases, plus enough parts to arm them a few different ways. Every model can take a guardian spear, or swap to a sentinel blade and storm shield.
One model can be built as a Shield-Captain with a cloak and a choice of two heads. Another can be a Vexilus Praetor carrying the Custodes Vexilla, the unit’s banner.
The weapons, and why they matter
Guardian spears are the classic look: a power blade on a long haft with a built-in bolter. They give you decent shooting and a strong melee punch in one package, which is exactly what Custodes want.
Sentinel blades paired with storm shields trade some reach for survivability. That 4+ invulnerable save turns a small unit into a real speed bump, and it’s the usual pick when you expect heavy incoming fire.
- Guardian spear: melee blade plus a bolt weapon on the same model.
- Sentinel blade and storm shield: better protection, slightly less offense.
- Shield-Captain: a character upgrade with a cloak and two head options.
- Vexilus Praetor: carries the Vexilla, a buff banner for nearby Custodes.
Where it fits in the army
Custodian Guard are the backbone of most Adeptus Custodes forces. They’re expensive per model but tough and hard-hitting, so you’ll usually run them in small squads rather than big blobs.
The kit also feeds into the wider range. Custodian Wardens, Allarus Custodians, and the various characters all share the same visual language, so a Guard squad sits naturally next to them on the table.
Lore behind the kit
In the background, Custodians are the Emperor’s personal guard, gene-crafted to a far higher standard than Space Marines and far fewer in number. Each one is closer to a hero than a rank-and-file soldier.
That’s why the kit feels elite on the tabletop. Five Custodians cost about as much as a much larger Guard squad, and they’re expected to win fights against odds that would wipe ordinary troops.
Key facts
- The kit builds five Adeptus Custodes Custodian Guard on 40mm round bases.
- Each model can take a guardian spear, or a sentinel blade with a storm shield.
- One model can be assembled as a Shield-Captain with a cloak and two head options.
- One model can be assembled as a Vexilus Praetor carrying the Custodes Vexilla.
- It’s the core infantry kit for Adeptus Custodes armies in Warhammer 40,000.
FAQ
How many models are in the Custodian Guard kit?
Five. You can build one as a Shield-Captain and one as a Vexilus Praetor, or keep them all as regular Custodian Guard.
Should I build guardian spears or sentinel blades?
Spears are the default for balanced offense. Take sentinel blades and storm shields when you want the unit to hold an objective under fire.
Is the Guard’s Kit the same as the Custodian Wardens kit?
No, they’re separate boxes. Wardens are a heavier variant, but both share the same armour style and base size.