Games Workshop Unveils Female Custodes Miniatures
▼ Summary
– Games Workshop unveiled new Warhammer 40K models for the Legio and Adeptus Custodes, which for the first time include female-presenting heads.
– This marks a departure from the Custodes’ previous all-male presentation, as their female equivalent had traditionally been the separate Sisters of Silence faction.
– The company clarified this is not a lore change, stating noble daughters could also be taken to become Custodes, not just first-born sons.
– The move is a direct step against a segment of the right-wing fanbase and supports fans who have requested such representation.
– These new Custodes models, confirmed as female in the preview, will be available for use in both Horus Heresy and Warhammer 40K later this year.
The unveiling of new Warhammer 40K miniatures by Games Workshop has marked a significant moment in the hobby’s history. During a recent preview event, the company showcased updated models for the Adeptus Custodes, the Emperor’s personal guardians, which notably include heads presenting as female. This development represents a clear departure from the faction’s traditional aesthetic, where all previous miniature representations have been male.
For years, the Sisters of Silence have served as the thematic female counterpart to the Custodes within the game’s lore. However, recent narrative expansions have steadily paved the way for this change. The current edition’s rulebook introduced a female Custodian character in a short story, and a popular animated series later featured another. These inclusions, while celebrated by many, also sparked considerable debate within certain segments of the community.
The latest model reveal firmly establishes that female Custodes are a permanent and integrated part of the setting. Games Workshop directly addressed potential ambiguity in their presentation, describing a Shield Captain’s unhelmeted head with “golden leaf woven into her hair” to confirm the intent. The company clarified that this is not a retcon of existing lore, but an expansion of it. The process of creating a Custodian has always involved transforming children from Terra’s noble houses; the new stance simply confirms that noble daughters were also eligible for this rare and brutal honor, especially as the Imperium’s endless wars demanded a constant supply of recruits.
This move is seen as a strong statement in support of inclusive representation, aligning with long-standing requests from a substantial portion of the fanbase. The new Legio Custodes kits, which are compatible with both the Horus Heresy and Warhammer 40,000 game systems, are scheduled for release later this year.
(Source: Gizmodo)
