The new Legio Custodes miniatures add more loadout and unit choices, but Games Workshop’s previews do not provide enough shared Horus Heresy profile and points data to rank them against existing units. For a rules-based comparison, use Liber Custodes: The Forces of the Emperor and the current Army List Profiles—not Warhammer 40,000 Codex entries. The clearest preview-level comparisons are the Aquilon Terminators’ two equipment themes, the Venatari’s ranged or melee options, and the Guard Sodalities’ place in a loyalist Allied Detachment.
What the new Custodes units add
Games Workshop’s January 2026 reveal introduced new plastic Legio Custodes miniatures and identified Liber Custodes: The Forces of the Emperor as the army-rules reference. An April preview described standalone releases including Venatari and grav vehicles. In September, Games Workshop previewed Aquilon Terminators and said their Horus Heresy rules are in Liber Custodes.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Those announcements establish that the range is expanding and identify some equipment and army-list details. They do not, by themselves, establish unit points, complete profiles, or how a new unit performs compared with an existing one. A miniature release preview is not a substitute for the rules entry.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
That distinction matters because “compare” can mean several things. A player choosing a kit may want to know what weapons it offers or how its miniatures can be organized. A player choosing an army-list entry needs to know its legal size, slot, rules, and cost. A player trying to identify the most effective option needs still more: comparable current profiles and points, plus the context of a particular force and game. The official previews offer useful answers to the first question and part of the second, but do not settle the third.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
Quick comparison of the previewed choices
| Unit or group | What the official material establishes | What it does not establish for Horus Heresy |
|---|---|---|
| Aquilon Terminators | Two equipment themes: lastrum storm bolters with Solarite power talons, or adrathic combi-destructors with Solarite power gauntlets. Their Horus Heresy rules are in Liber Custodes. | Points, complete profile details, and a performance ranking against other Terminators or Custodes units. |
| Venatari | A six-miniature kit that can be fielded as one large unit or as two squads of three. Equipment options distinguish kinetic destroyers for ranged combat from Verutum lances for melee. | Points, complete profile details, and whether one loadout is more effective than another in a particular game. |
| Custodian and Sentinel Guard Sodalities | Games Workshop’s allied-army example places these choices in Troops slots of a Custodes Allied Detachment. A separate 40K Codex preview says older Custodian Guard miniatures can represent the renamed Guard Sodalities. | A complete Horus Heresy profile comparison or an implication that a 40K datasheet applies to Horus Heresy. |
| Grav vehicles and dreadnoughts | The 40K Codex overview names the Pallas, Coronus, Caladius variants, Telemon, and Contemptor variants among its units. The January reveal also identified grav vehicles as part of the expanding range. | Current Horus Heresy points, profiles, or battlefield performance based on the Codex list alone. |
Aquilons: compare the weapon package, not an assumed winner
The September 2026 preview gives two concrete Aquilon loadout themes. One pairs lastrum storm bolters with Solarite power talons; the other pairs adrathic combi-destructors with Solarite power gauntlets. That is enough to distinguish the options by the weapons named, but not enough to say which is stronger, more efficient, or better against a particular target in Horus Heresy.
The useful comparison is therefore between packages, not a claim that one package wins. The first pairing combines the named storm bolters with talons; the second combines the named combi-destructors with gauntlets. The preview identifies the components, but it does not supply their Horus Heresy ranges, attack values, special rules, or points. Even the apparent contrast between shooting and close-combat equipment should not be treated as a complete account of how either option functions: that requires the relevant weapon and unit rules.
To compare either option with an existing unit, check the Aquilon Army List Profile alongside the candidate unit’s current profile. Read the weapon rules as well as the model’s characteristics: the preview’s weapon names alone do not provide range, attack values, special rules, points, or the full interaction between weapons and unit rules. If the profile allows a choice, assess each legal combination at its listed cost rather than treating the two previewed themes as complete performance data.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →When making that comparison, keep the question narrow. If you want a shooting comparison, examine the relevant ranged weapons and any rules that affect their use on both profiles. If you want to compare close-combat options, look at the melee equipment and applicable rules on both sides. Then consider cost and the role the unit is meant to fill in your own list. Without those matched values, describing one Aquilon package as a better buy would be guesswork.
Venatari: unit size and weapon role are the supported comparison points
Games Workshop describes a kit of six Venatari miniatures that can form one large unit or two squads of three. The preview also distinguishes kinetic destroyers for ranged combat from Verutum lances for melee. These are useful organizational and equipment comparison points when setting Venatari beside other Custodes choices.
The two squad arrangements create a concrete list-building question to check in the rules: whether you prefer to use the miniatures together as one unit or divide them into two groups of three, subject to the current profile and the rules for the game. The preview supports those two ways of fielding the kit, but the physical contents do not establish every legal configuration, any minimum or maximum in the army list, or the points cost of each arrangement. Confirm those details in the current Army List Profile.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Do not infer from the six-model kit that every army-list configuration must use all six models, or that a larger unit is automatically more effective. The preview states the two ways the miniatures can be fielded, but the current profile is where to verify unit-size limits, any restrictions on weapon selection, points, and rules that affect movement, deployment, or combat. Likewise, the ranged-versus-melee distinction describes the weapon options; it does not establish which option suits a list without considering the army’s needs and the actual rules.
Recommended Free Tools
A useful comparison with an existing choice starts by identifying the job you want the unit to do. For a ranged role, compare the kinetic destroyer option with the other unit’s legal ranged choices. For a melee role, compare the Verutum lance option with that unit’s melee equipment. In either case, also check movement or deployment rules, special rules, unit size, and points. Those are the comparison categories to investigate, not claims that the preview has already established an advantage for Venatari.
Guard Sodalities and the loyalist Allied Detachment route
Games Workshop’s Horus Heresy allied-army article describes a Legio Custodes Allied Detachment for loyalist armies. In that example, a Shield Captain occupies a Command slot, while Custodian Guard or Sentinel Guard Sodalities occupy Troops slots. The article says the Custodes were loyal to the Emperor and are not available as a Traitor ally in the example it presents.
For someone comparing new choices with existing ones, this is an army-access point rather than a stat-line comparison. The example identifies a route for including Custodes alongside a loyalist force and names the slots and choices it uses. It does not establish the complete rules for every possible allied force or answer whether a particular event permits a specific list. Consult the current army books for composition requirements and the event pack for additional restrictions before building around the example.
This distinction also helps keep model and rules questions separate. The September 2026 40K Codex overview says older Custodian Guard miniatures can still represent the renamed Guard Sodalities. That is a miniature-continuity statement in a Codex overview. It does not provide a Horus Heresy profile, establish a change to Heresy rules, or mean that a 40K datasheet should be used for a Heresy game.
Accordingly, a player who already owns older Guard miniatures has a supported reason not to assume those models are unusable simply because a unit name changed in the Codex context. But the correct Horus Heresy entry and its requirements still need to be checked in the Heresy rules. The allied-army article’s Command and Troops example is useful for understanding access; it is not a substitute for confirming the full detachment rules currently in force.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
How to compare a new choice with an existing unit
A fair comparison needs matching evidence from the current Horus Heresy rules. For each candidate, use its Army List Profile and compare the same decision points rather than leaning on a reveal’s description or a different game’s datasheet. The following sequence keeps equipment, battlefield role, and army construction connected without assuming that similar names or miniatures mean similar rules.
- Confirm the rules source. Start with Liber Custodes for the named units and check whether a relevant supplement applies. The Third Edition Version 1.0 Legacies of the Age of Darkness: Legio Custodes PDF supplements Liber Custodes with Expanded Units; it is not standalone and requires both the Age of Darkness Rulebook and Liber Custodes.
- Check the individual profile. Establish the unit’s classification, legal unit size, army-list slot, equipment options, points, and rules from its current Army List Profile. Do not fill missing values from a miniature preview or from Warhammer 40,000.
- Compare like with like. Look at battlefield role, unit size and slot, movement or deployment rules, durability, ranged and melee options, special rules, and points. A unit may overlap with an existing choice in one role while offering a distinct weapon or army-building option.
- Evaluate the actual list context. Consider what the unit contributes alongside the rest of the force and whether its slot or cost competes with another choice you want. The official preview material does not provide enough data to resolve these trade-offs universally.
- Check the rules version used for your game. Use the current army books and the event pack, if playing an organized event. A label or release preview is not a replacement for the current rules governing that game.
For a practical worksheet, put the new unit and the existing alternative side by side and fill in the same fields from their profiles: battlefield role, classification, slot, legal unit size, movement or deployment rules, durability, ranged and melee equipment, special rules, and points. Note any relevant restrictions or book references as well. This prevents an incomplete preview from becoming an assumed rule and makes it clear which parts of the choice are factual and which depend on your intended list.
Then decide what you are actually comparing. A choice between two units competing for the same list slot is different from a choice between two weapon options within one unit. Likewise, a unit that gives you a distinct way to build a loyalist Allied Detachment is not automatically a direct battlefield replacement for a unit in another role. The available official descriptions establish some equipment and access details, but the profile comparison has to do the remaining work.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsCore and Expanded labels do not decide whether a unit is usable
The Third Edition Version 1.0 Legacies of the Age of Darkness: Legio Custodes document says it supplements Liber Custodes with Expanded Units and requires the Age of Darkness Rulebook and Liber Custodes. It also states: “Both types of Unit may be freely used in any Horus Heresy Battle, and this category does not affect their availability as part of an Army or Detachment or the Rules for their use during a Battle.” The statement is from the official Legacies document.
In practice, do not treat “Expanded” as a blanket ban or assume the classification supplies a unit’s full rules. Check the entry’s current Army List Profile and the books it references, then apply any event-specific restrictions separately. The PDF’s statement addresses what the Core and Expanded categories mean for availability in a Horus Heresy battle; it does not remove the need to read the profile or the other rules that apply to a game.
The document’s non-standalone status matters when looking up a unit. Its Expanded Units supplement Liber Custodes, while also requiring the Age of Darkness Rulebook. It is not a replacement for those books. If a unit is listed in the supplement, use the relevant profile and referenced rules together rather than treating the supplement’s classification as a complete description of how the unit works.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Keep the Warhammer 40,000 Codex separate
Games Workshop’s September 2026 overview of the Adeptus Custodes Codex lists new-to-that-Codex entries including Sentinel Guard Sodality, Custodian Guard Sodality, Aquilon Terminators, Venatari, Telemon and Contemptor dreadnoughts, Gyrfalcon Jetbike Sodality, Pallas Grav-attack, Coronus Grav-carrier, and Caladius tanks. It describes 27 datasheets across the combined Warhammer 40,000 and Horus Heresy ranges. That is a Codex overview and its combined-range count—not a count of Horus Heresy units or a Horus Heresy unit ranking.
The same boundary applies to profile statistics. A separate 2026 Codex preview gives Custodian Guard models Toughness 7 and 5 Wounds apiece, with squads capped at three models before Leaders. Those are Warhammer 40,000 datasheet details, not Horus Heresy profile values. They should not be copied into a Heresy comparison, even where the miniature or unit name looks familiar.
The Codex overview’s vehicle and dreadnought list can help identify units present in that publication, but it does not establish their current Horus Heresy rules, points, or battlefield performance. For those questions, use Liber Custodes and the relevant current Horus Heresy Army List Profiles. The same check applies to the Aquilons and Venatari: a shared name or a model appearing in a Codex overview does not make that game’s datasheet the right source for a Heresy comparison.
This is particularly important when looking at broad unit lists. The Codex overview’s 27 datasheets span the combined Warhammer 40,000 and Horus Heresy ranges, so the number does not tell a Heresy player how many choices appear in the Heresy army list. Nor does an entry’s presence in that overview show its Heresy points or battlefield role. Treat the Codex overview as a guide to the publication’s contents, not as a substitute for the relevant army-list profile.
What can and cannot be concluded from the previews
- Supported: Aquilons have two previewed weapon pairings; Venatari have ranged and melee equipment options and a six-miniature kit that can be fielded as one unit or two groups of three; and Games Workshop describes a loyalist Allied Detachment example with specified Command and Troops choices.
- Not established by the previews: a points-efficiency ranking, an across-the-board performance verdict, or a complete numerical comparison of new units with existing Custodes choices.
- Best next step for a rules-based decision: compare the applicable current profiles and points directly, including the special rules and any restrictions that matter for the army or event you are using.
The practical takeaway is that the new releases expand the choices a Custodes player can investigate, while the strongest preview-level comparisons are about weapon package, unit organization, and army-list access. A reliable judgement about durability, output, or value needs the full Horus Heresy profile on both sides of the comparison. Until those values are checked together, it is more accurate to describe what each option offers than to declare a universal winner.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Frequently Asked Questions
Where should I check the Horus Heresy rules for the new Custodes units?
Start with Liber Custodes: The Forces of the Emperor and the current Army List Profiles. The Third Edition Version 1.0 Legacies of the Age of Darkness: Legio Custodes PDF supplements Liber Custodes with Expanded Units and also requires the Age of Darkness Rulebook.
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Are Aquilon Terminators better with talons or gauntlets?
The September 2026 preview identifies lastrum storm bolters with Solarite power talons and adrathic combi-destructors with Solarite power gauntlets. It does not provide the complete Horus Heresy rules or points needed to rank those packages. Compare their current profiles and legal costs for the role you want.
Can I field six Venatari together or split them into two units?
Games Workshop describes the six-miniature kit as usable either as one large unit or as two squads of three. Check the current Army List Profile for the legal unit-size limits, equipment restrictions, and points for the configuration you plan to use.
Can a Traitor army take Custodes as the allied example describes?
The allied-army article describes a Legio Custodes Allied Detachment for loyalist armies, with a Shield Captain in a Command slot and Custodian or Sentinel Guard Sodalities in Troops slots. It says the Custodes were loyal to the Emperor and are not available as a Traitor ally in that example. Check current army books and any event pack for your game.
Does the Codex’s 27-datasheet count or Custodian Guard stat line apply to Horus Heresy?
No. The 27 figure is for the combined Warhammer 40,000 and Horus Heresy ranges in the 2026 Codex overview. The Toughness 7, 5 Wounds, and three-model squad cap are Warhammer 40,000 preview details, not Horus Heresy profile values.
Does an Expanded label prevent a Custodes unit from being used?
The Third Edition Version 1.0 Legacies document says Core and Expanded units may be freely used in Horus Heresy battles and that the classification does not itself affect availability in an Army or Detachment. The supplement is not standalone, so check the unit profile, required books, and any event-specific restrictions.
The Bottom Line
The new kits add distinct equipment and organization choices, and the official allied-army example shows a route for loyalist forces to include Custodes. But the previews do not establish a points or performance winner over existing units. Use Liber Custodes, relevant supplements, and current Army List Profiles for a like-for-like comparison; keep Warhammer 40,000 Codex statistics and datasheet counts out of Horus Heresy conclusions.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
