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Plague Companies return with new rules for Codex: Death Guard

Grandfather Nurgle’s cauldron has been bubbling away for a while now, and it’s almost time to sample the delicious concoctions being cooked up in the new Death Guard codex. We’ve been previewing many of the key changes to their rules over the past few weeks, so today we’re looking back at some of the most important updates ahead of pre-orders opening later this month.

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But before that, we’ve got a new tidbit for you. You may remember the introduction of Plague Companies during the Psychic Awakening saga, giving you another way to customise your Death Guard force and bring new Warlord Traits and Relics to the table. These rules will be undergoing a few changes with the release of the new codex, including opportunities to bring further Contagions of Nurgle into play.

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 That’s right, as well as Nurgle’s Gift – read on to find out more about that – you’ll now have the ability to enhance your Warlord with a second aura of pestilence to debilitate your foes. Each Plague Company has their own personal flavour of Contagion to coat their Warlord with, so make sure to pick up the codex to discover them all.

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Just like the Death Guard themselves, we’re never ones to stop marching inexorably forwards, so let’s take a look at the changes to one of their most iconic abilities: Disgustingly Resilient.

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In the wake of firstborn Space Marines everywhere finding themselves with an additional Wound, the galaxy reverberated with the sound of plasma weapons overcharging in response. 

Alas, those hoping to quickly dispatch Nurgle’s elite will need to think again. Those 2-Damage weapons will barely scratch the Death Guard, and if you think Plague Marines sound tough, just think about the new and improved 3-Wound Deathshroud Terminators. Truly an immovable object worthy of the XIV Legion…

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Fans of the classic Nurgle’s Rot ability will also be glad to see the debilitating clouds of pathogens return with the all-new, all-disgusting Contagions of Nurgle.

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Reducing the Toughness of an opposing unit is a powerful ability in its own right and, with the steadily growing aura of Nurgle’s Gift, it’ll only get easier as the game goes on. Regular Space Marines will find themselves wounded by your boltgun fire on a 3+, while the poor, maligned infantry of the Astra Militarum will suffer Wounds on a 2+. Worshippers of the Corpse-Emperor and pitiful xenos alike will fall before your attacks easier than ever before.

Don’t forget, while the Death Guard are typically known for their slow, unstoppable advance, they still have access to fast units like the Foetid Bloat-drones, which are perfect for spreading the gifts of their grandfather across the entire table.

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Are you ready for the imminent arrival of Mortation’s Traitor Legion? Don’t forget to pre-order the new codex on Saturday the 16th of January, and catch up with us next week as we’ll preview even more rules, Relics, and Stratagems. Are you starting a Death Guard force as part of New Year, New Army? Make sure to show us your progress on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.