‘Custodes Are Not Space Marines’ — Games Workshop Addresses ‘The Telemon in the Room’ and Explains Warhammer Lore Behind New Female Miniatures

Warhammer 40k Lore Clarified: Female Custodes Officially Explained by Games Workshop

For decades, the lore of the Warhammer 40k universe has been a dense and intricate tapestry, but a recent miniature reveal has ignited a fiery debate that cuts to the very core of its most elite warriors. Games Workshop has now directly addressed the uproar, providing a definitive and fascinating lore explanation for the introduction of female Custodes, a move that clarifies long-standing fan questions about the Emperor’s personal guard.

The New Custodes Minis That Sparked the Debate

During a recent preview livestream, the reveal of a new Adeptus Custodes miniature range included striking female models. The Adeptus Custodes are the pinnacle of transhuman warriors in the Warhammer 40,000 setting, engineered to be bigger, faster, and more powerful than even Space Marines. They serve as the personal bodyguards of the Emperor on Terra, created through ancient and arcane sciences. While female Custodes had been referenced in background material and animations, their debut in physical miniature form prompted immediate discussion and, from some quarters, accusations of retconning established lore.

Games Workshop’s Official Lore Clarification

In response to the community reaction, an official lore article was published to clarify the position of female Custodes. The core message is definitive: there has been no retcon. The explanation hinges on a critical and often misunderstood distinction between Custodes and the Adeptus Astartes.

• Custodes Creation is Unique: Unlike Space Marines, Custodes are taken as infants and undergo a bespoke, individual process of genetic and alchemical reconstruction. This ancient science, once overseen by the Emperor himself, rebuilds them entirely.
• Space Marines Are Fundamentally Different: Space Marines are created from male adolescents who survive horrific trials and genetic implantation, becoming remorseless weapons. This process has never successfully worked on female candidates.
• No Contradiction Exists: Because the creation processes are entirely separate, the all-male nature of the Space Marines does not preclude the existence of female Custodes. The lore for the Adeptus Custodes has always permitted this possibility.

Addressing Community Concerns and Moving Forward

The introduction of female Custodes miniatures allows for greater diversity in army builds and storytelling on the tabletop. For collectors and players, it expands the creative possibilities for one of the game’s most elite factions. This move is seen by many as a natural evolution of the tabletop game, reflecting a wider range of narratives within the rich {{INTERNAL_LINK:Warhammer 40k factions}} setting.

Ultimately, the official clarification solidifies the canonical place of female Custodes. It reinforces that the grim darkness of the far future is vast enough to include these legendary warriors, whose creation has always been a mystery separate from the Adeptus Astartes. This lore development enriches the Warhammer 40k universe, offering new avenues for exploration in both gameplay and background lore for the Adeptus Custodes.