Introduction
The Death Guard are one of the most iconic Chaos Space Marine Legions in Warhammer 40,000. Once proud warriors under the Emperor's banner, they were corrupted by the Chaos God Nurgle – the master of disease, decay, and endurance.
On the battlefield, the Death Guard are known for their extreme resilience, their ability to spread disease, and their relentless, slow march towards the enemy. For players who want an army that is hard to kill and can wear down the enemy over time, the Death Guard are a perfect choice.
Lore – Who are the Death Guard?
The Death Guard were once led by Primarch Mortarion, a man who grew up on a toxic world where he learned to endure suffering. When the Horus Heresy broke out, Mortarion betrayed the Emperor and embraced Nurgle.
The Legion mutated into living cadavers filled with disease, with bodies that decay but never die. They spread Nurgle's gifts in the form of plagues and epidemics – every battlefield they tread becomes a plague-ridden wasteland.
Playstyle on the Table
The Death Guard are a resilient and slow army.
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Resilience: Almost all units have high defense and special rules that make them difficult to wound.
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Diseases: They weaken the enemy through Contagions of Nurgle – an aura of decay.
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Shooting & melee: Not as fast as other armies, but their plaguespitters, plague weapons, and drones can wear down anything.
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Slowness: They don't move as fast – planning is key.
Iconic Units
Some of the most famous Death Guard units:
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Plague Marines – resilient infantry that form the backbone of the army.
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Poxwalkers – zombies that swarm in masses.
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Blightlord Terminators – almost indestructible elite soldiers.
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Daemon Engines – sickly war machines like Foetid Bloat-drones and Plagueburst Crawlers.
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Mortarion – the legion's primarch, one of the most powerful characters in the entire game.
Explore our range of Death Guard at RGBKingz and build your own disease-spreading force.
Painting & Hobby Tips
The Death Guard are perfect for players who enjoy weathering and "gritty" models.
Popular color schemes:
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Classic Nurgle-look – dirty green and rusty brown.
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Rust & corrosion – with lots of weathering and slime effects.
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Individual mutations – no two models need to look exactly alike.
Tip: use Technical paints like Nurgle's Rot (slime), Typhus Corrosion (dirt), and Blood for the Blood God (blood) to give your models truly disgusting details.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Are the Death Guard a good beginner army?
Yes! They are slow, but their resilience makes them forgiving for new players.
Can Death Guard play with other Chaos factions?
Yes, they can ally with Chaos Daemons and other Chaos armies.
What makes Death Guard unique compared to other Space Marines?
Their combination of resilience, decay, and plague mechanics makes them one of the most enduring armies in the game.
Summary
The Death Guard are Nurgle's immortal legion – slow, diseased, and almost impossible to kill. On the table, they are an army that slowly but surely crushes the opponent with resilience, diseases, and brutal daemon engines.
Are you ready to spread Nurgle's gifts across the galaxy?
Check out our selection of Death Guard at RGBKingz and start building your contagion-spreading army today.