Chaos Daemons vs Adeptus Custodes, 29.03.2025

I really, really wanted to play a new Astra Militarum detachment, but I just couldn't finish anything in time. So I dug out my old demons instead. I probably don't have anything 2000 points ready, but with Shadow Legion, you can mix in Chaos Marines, so this works. I slapped together a list, and went up against the Lions of the Emperor, all tournament ready. You can guess how this went down.

Anyway, I was overexcited and forgot take pictures at the beginning. The Custodes had first turn and spread out. Nothing could shoot me within Be'lakor's aura. On my turn, I rushed out my Bloodthirster and splatted a Telemon. I had some units Marked for Death, so I ran out my Flesh Hounds in the middle, and landed another unit previously put into reserves to screen everything out. I cleared out a unit of Sisters of Silence. All good.

Battle round 2

The Custodes always surprise me with their speed. With rechargeable abilities, both Wardens used their run and charge liberally.

What did surprise me, was their +1 to hit and wound, which makes their okayish shooting deadly. They blew through my screens and hit the backlines.

Shooting from two units took down the Bloodthirster.

Leaving all my screens either dead or engaged. I went from a winning position (in my mind) to a losing one at the end of the turn.

At least the Havocs cleared out the Sisters of Silence holding the home objective.

Send in whatever was left! Including the big man himself.

The Chosen failed their charge. Bloodletters went in, did minimal damage and died. Bloodcrushers went in, barely did any damage and died.

Battle round 3

Be'lakor died. The Chosen got charged and almost died. Havocs got shot and died. I conceded. Points were kind of close, but I would have been tabled top of round 4, and then the Custodes would have ran away with points.

Conclusion

I was up with a new army (haven't played demons since 8th) and I did some misplays. Landing the Flesh Hounds in a better position would have been a better screen, for once. 

But the Custodes are brutal. Their infantry random shooting takes down monsters. They speed across the battlefield. Of course, I have to give it to my opponent, that he used the terrain well. A good charge with the Bloodcrushers could have made the difference, but I couldn't get in.

I'll refine my list, perhaps more Nurglings to lock the opponent in his deployment zone.