How to play Death Guard in 9th edition - Tips from 40k Playtesters

Learn the new tricks and tactics you will need to play Death Guard in 9th edition from a team that has been playtesting the game for months. We take you through all the biggest nerfs and buffs to the Death Guard army along with the core strategies and thoughts on list creation.
Don't miss all our other 9th edition launch coverage including battle reports and tactics videos covering nearly all factions in the game.
===============
Chapters
0:00 - Intro
2:07 - Great durable obsec
2:40 - Playing from the midboard is stronger
3:26 - No need to get kills
3:56 - Improved shooting with vehicles
4:44 - CP to overwatch
5:20 - More CP
6:35 - Strategic reserve anything
7:40 - Fight first, even if charged
9:52 - Harder to hide within terrain
11:07 - Max +1 to wound
11:50 - Objectives are more spaced out
12:54 - Touching enemy vehicles is less effective
14:02 - Souping costs CP
14:43 - Character targeting is easier
15:35 - Blunting charges
19:00 - Using new LoS rules
23:18 - Poxmongers list
26:40 - Mortarion's Chosen Sons list
28:48 - Closing thoughts
===============
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[@foulmoodcentral2830]

Remember, the Death Guard are relentless, it is the byword most often seen and used with them, our strength is attrition and the spreading of Nurgle's boundless generosity. my brethren. have patience and follow the teachings of the primarch. All shall rot!

[@rebeccaschroder3000]

*BY NURGLE I AGGRE*

[@Grim67894]

Mortarion is overrated brother

[@foulmoodcentral2830]

@@Grim67894 You may have Mighty Nurgle's favor Typhus, but you do not command me. my loyalty is to the Legion as it ever has been. the Primarch has given you much freedom and you may do as you wish for now. but when he calls on you, know it is by both his will and that of our god! your schemes are unbecoming of one as blessed by the grandfather as you are, were that you had been on Iax when our gene-father needed you. together, We would have succeeded! and made yet another morsel of Ultramar part of our Grandfather's Garden! now our campaign is for naught, the war in the rift for the scourge stars yet rages on however. And Soon...Blessed Nurgle shall call on you to fullfill your oaths!

[@Grim67894]

@@foulmoodcentral2830 I spread Nurgle's gifts.. that is all. For what greater worship of the grandfather than to spread his blessings upon even the lowliest of mortals...Mortarion has spent much of his time in the warp and thinks himself higher than me because he was "born" with his power... pah. He should have left that to his insipid brother Lorgar. He only came back because of his other brother, and was foiled by a little girl on Parmenio.. Pathetic. He shall forever be the Grandfather's pet, but I am his Herald. Do what you will brother, but do not expect any mercy upon my ascension.

[@ourosaquavaringas6061]

my father will bless you all for your loyalty!

[@greggonzalez661]

Played my Death Guard today using 9th core rules against Custodes. Death Guard is a slow brew, but hit like a truck...

[@popamonkey190]

Boss man Greg.

[@altair_animations858]

They are slow af, but are hard to kill. They can shrug of things that would kill a normal astarties.

[@jagius121]

You guys are the best channel on 40k right now. Love this stuff, love it all!

[@Zer0Crow]

I'm loving all this content every day. It's almost like Christmas in July! Good content to keep me sane in these troubling times.

[@TabletopTitans]

We are having a lot of fun putting it together. It's nice to finally share what we know about 9th edition.

[@Makarislethal]

@@TabletopTitans how does the foul blight spawn interact with shock assault rule. If a unit fights as if it didn't charge then doesn't it lose shock assault ?

[@Fr0z0rz]

@@Makarislethal No, it only makes it so they do not fight first. They still get Shock/Hateful Assault "Such a unit does not get to fight first in the Fight phase, but can be chosen to fight like other units that did not charge. This ability also affects units who have abilities that would enable them to fight first as if they had charged."

[@kalamander8563]

Ooh, yay! Been thinking of jumping back into 40k, but wanted to wait until the new edition to start an army. I watched your Tau video the other day, and Tau and Death Guard were my top 2 picks for my first faction. I'm excited!

[@alanhastings498]

Really good tactical content. The practical example of the charge with custodes is a great touch. Keep up the good work

[@crackvok]

Great job guys, got a intense period of gaming ahead (2weeks) with my brother and these great example will help me hopefully smash his custodes ,) keep on the good work, much appreciated!!

[@m0e87]

Guy, I gotta say, those Videos are so great. Very helpful and easy to understand. And I'm watching them without even playing (yet). :D Good job!!

[@Etrious]

I'll be following as I'm jumping back into death guard, thanks for the insights!

[@G1MPSLAPPED]

Loving the recent videos, keep up the good work.

[@TabletopTitans]

Glad you like them!

[@infamousaerugo6879]

Im so happy you guys had the same idea about Mortarion's Chosen sons as I did. I built a list with 6 units of plasma marines, blightbringer with relic, surgeon with strat, chaos lord with wormspitter, and then either myphitic blight haulers, or terminators depending on how froggy you feel.

[@Scopetactics]

Excellent video, I'm a new Death Guard player so this was immensely helpful!

[@seriousmike5649]

Great content guys...can’t wait to see all your vids

[@fightindice6227]

Excellent video guys as always. Thank you very much

[@STLSpartan]

Nice video! Release the ork video, they got the shaft.. Thanks for all of the content, you guys rock.

[@pinponit]

You guys! this is awesome, you are becoming my favourite warhammer channel

[@evanparker2196]

These vids are fantastic. Really hoping for a TS video for 9th as well.

[@LeopoldZ]

Hearing these things makes me really excited for my Emperor's Children, with all the midrange shooting and ok combat ability :)

[@finkmonkeyful]

Excellent channel. Keep up the great work.

[@baldeepsingh8698]

Outstanding content! Just about to watch the Imperial Fists vs Tau game. Really cannot stress how much I think the content is top notch and been recommending you guys a lot. Can't wait to see DG batrep. Will you guys be reviewing War of the Spider anytime soon?

[@uba754]

Love the video, would really like to see one for chaos daemons.

[@Ulfhednir9]

Amazing and helpful video, you got yourself a new subscriber

[@commandersune5432]

Ok, so now I've watched the entire video and it was superb. Especially the list discussion. That last list sounds really fun with the plague surgeon. I love that Plague marines are actually good now. PA really gave DG some excellent variety. I'm really looking forward to the batrep.

[@Ulfhednir9]

Great video :) can't wait for the space wolves or Death korps of krieg video :)

[@chriengo89]

My friend plays DG and i fear i will struggle to beat him with my BA. Really hope you make a lot of Content for my Sons of Sanguinius in 9th! Love your BatReps. Keep up the good work!

[@scottstielow9500]

Thank you for another great video!

[@brib9716]

Makes Warhammer Community's daily faction focus look like a complete joke.

[@Undoing77]

Right? This is actually well thought out and clearly explained.

[@foulmoodcentral2830]

Cough because its the actual community cough. not the salespitch articles brigade.

[@Cyriuxa]

I also am surprised that a 30 minute video manages to cover more than a single page web article.

[@Steve_Keen]

Warhammer Community isn't a community site, it's a marketing tool.

[@Makarislethal]

It is a joke

[@paolocappelli7242]

Great video! I'm really enjoying the flood of uploads! Will you also cover my beloved Thousand Sons?

[@alexr.5389]

and now DG have an extra wound to play with.... extra disgustingly resilient.

[@Ulfhednir9]

Can still summon deamons in (especially with the wretched plague company). Fly up with a deamon prince (bloat drone body guard) and summon a pox bringer in the centre of the table to start working on the psychic ritual secondary.

[@Faramous]

Great video, thank you.

[@coltonlilly7098]

I love the primaries Chaplin conversion into a demon prince. Looks beautiful.

[@foulmoodcentral2830]

This information pleasses me. my mutations are wriggling in delight!

[@rebeccaschroder3000]

*ROTING FRIENDLYNES INTENSEFIES*

[@dautrix8507]

I actually just started today, and the first faction I'm going to get to use is Death Guard. I'm really excited!

[@khalebrobertson9907]

How's it going so far? I literally have the first strike and extra ETB Poxwalkers, so I have 12 and 3 plague marines (one a champion)

[@foulmoodcentral2830]

Mayhaps a late reaction, but welcome to the festering fold my brother! May Nurgle smile on you.

[@Ulfhednir9]

Plague burst crawlers with the "While we stand, we fight" secondary stratagem ;)

[@rebeccaschroder3000]

Nightmare fuel.............. FOR MY ENEMY

[@krorycanning5583]

Redoing this video with the changes from the codex would be awesome

[@javiercayuela5099]

Great video - I hope Drukhari get one too :)

[@DevilsBrushGaming]

Just come across your channel great insight and full of great information subbed straightaway. Christopher DBG

[@macinboss2159]

Man these videos are awesome. Any idea when a Chaos Space Marine (.....read Black Legion ;] ) video is coming?

[@nivalliaslive]

Drinking game: Drink every time one of them says "That's right."

[@mastershake42019]

I don't wanna die tho

[@dumbcow1]

My liver hates you

[@ForrixTV]

"how to ruin a video" that comment has for me

[@XCATX25]

Or if they say "absolutely

[@MrRaashby]

1 minute in and my wife/ kids have left me

[@healina31]

Hello, thanks for this video ! I want a information cause i realy like your scheme color green for death guard, can you tell us the differents green used on this plague marines please ? Thanks for all !

[@MrCaryk]

When do you think the Ork video is coming out? I am really nervous about this edition...

[@insanemang9983]

Hope y'all do a new version of this when the new codex comes out

[@eldermark8858]

I'm a newb ..and really enjoy watching how to play content..I probably got 2k worth of models and never played a match lol

[@S1ay3r013]

What colors did you guys use for those Blightlord Termies? That shade of green is gorgeous.

[@nathanieleck1023]

YEEEEAAAH. MORE TACTICS VIDEOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@skidmore2025]

That paint scheme is really nice do you guys have a tutorial on how to paint it?

[@jostonpowell1346]

Any chance you could say how the Pox Walkers were painted ? I really like the cold almost undead feel they have to them.

[@Steve_Keen]

Great video.

[@Crappy1441]

@Tabletop_Titans, are you gonna do Guardsmen Next? Curious how they play in the next edition

[@bas_6983]

Great info! Hope you're doing sisters as well!

[@KitFoxboy]

Am I a fool for holding out hope for Codex: Emperors Children or Khorne Daemonkin? Chaos is awesome because any specialist faction can pretty much be bolted onto generic Chaos but I’d love to see some more specific Slaaneshi or Khornate units.

[@foulmoodcentral2830]

No friend, you're not a fool. you and many others want to have the same army treatment for EC and WE as was done for Thousand Sons and Death Guard. by all accounts they deserve their own codex or supplements at the very least. but in lore they are both stated to be shattered legions, which is why i believe they haven't been separated from the main CSM book. but with a rumor here and there that the Emperor's Children are reforming now one could see them coming back but im not so sure of World Eaters. but it's strange how GW treats Chaos factions compared to Imperial ones. and with the xenos nearly being a forgotten matter... I think they should have done better though. there should have been thorough and well explored Legion supplements for Alpha Legion/Night-Lords/Iron Warriors/Word-Bearers. and a main focus on the Black Legion and varied renegades in their core book, with specific codii for the last two.

[@CrushDepth19]

I waited for Fulgrim and a third legion release for all of 8th edition. I dont see it happening any time soon, despite the hints here and there. Besides, they have to release 4 or 5 more primaris lieutenants before they focus on factions that need the attention

[@TheRabbit68]

I absolutely can't wait for a World Eaters release myself. Emperor's Children is the most likely to come up next though they keep making more and more hints story wise about Fulgrim returning.

[@rykerm4249]

Hoping for World Eaters with an Angron model. There is a teaser some people think means Angron is gonna show up.

[@BEASTmodeontheRoad]

Ready for Karen the betrayer to make a come back.

[@blaximus1st]

Are you guys going to do a faction focus for Adepta Sororitas? This DG one was great and a massive help as I'm not the most competetive player... yet

[@martinthomsen4955]

There are alot of talk about not being able to take one of the new companies relic without the same companies warlord trait, also it has to be on the same char? Can you guys confirm or deny? As your exam. of arch contaminator and 4+ daemon engine relic is that combo possible? Thanks

[@latro666]

i'm so weird with my DG army, have always ran it all rhino mech since 2007.

[@Makarislethal]

Maybe you gonna be the meta leader

[@deathboltzify]

I do that as well.. idk why anyone wouldnt...?

[@Grim67894]

@@deathboltzify Maybe now but previously rhinos had no invul or disgustingly resilient.

[@grimmo3936]

Thats almost as long as my entire life

[@valdabad]

That's exactly how everyone ran DG (and most other space marine varients) in 4th/5th

[@jamiemartini6681]

can someone please tell me the paint scheme or where to find it at 0:38. The dark grey and purple looks gorgeous.

[@wwoolofl8056]

Much of the information remains relevant but can we get a partial reshot with the new codex?

[@mcth0ny]

This content is amazing, please do Admech and Thousand Sons soon (I am very selfish:) )

[@Saszex]

Where Can I find more pictures of this army, looks really good :) !

[@johnnytrippett1868]

Hey guys, Just have a question about the foul blightspawn ability revolting stench. As you have said, the ability negates all charges within a 7 inch aura; making charging units fight as if they had not charged like a normal fight phase. For example, if I have a unit locked in combat during my fight phase where no charges has taken place just like the ability the foul blightspawn give, then being my turn dont i get to fight first?

[@Davti555]

I have a short question regarding the plague surgeons new ability... Can i reroll 1s AND 2s or only one of them because the rule says "you can reroll a roll of 1 OR 2"? As example i get 2 wounds, i try to after-save them and get a 1 and a 2... So can i reroll only one of the dices or both?

[@metalwizard1969]

Would love some army lists.

[@thatFellowTraveler]

For Mortarion, what's stopping players from adjusting the model to be lower and avoid LOS?

[@landzw]

Did you say Nurglings can now be taken in the update or did I wrongly hear that? I assuming if so all Nurgle daemons are being back included into the codex in 9th but not HQ? So Plaguebeaers and bloat drones and Nurglings etc will be included back with the Death Guard keyword as they should be, so characters from the 4th company like the plaguecaster should be able to summon them just like he should be able too.

[@AAAAAABBBZZZZVV]

who is the guy with wings to the right from noxious blightbringer?

[@Aussboi]

Should I buy the combat patrol and Terminator boxes on Amazon? Or should I still start with like the starter set astartes v necron box that's like $50 sum. In lore this is like my favorite faction but I haven't really done the tabletop game

[@amusician1771]

Has the Foul Blightspawn’s putrefying stench ability been reduced to 3” now? BattleScribe seems to think so.

[@decaybringer]

What kind of demon price is this in the background behind the blight haulers?

[@Sierra026]

Chaos Marines when? I want to see how Word Bearers did in the transition!

[@Marcicity]

Can Night Lords do morale shenanigans in this edition?

[@dylanstevens784]

Is there a link to the mortys chosen sons list?

[@blinkingred]

Just finished painting my death bois and papa mortarion! ..... Now it's time to learn the rules haha

[@NecronNb]

Great commentary guys but only one point from me - personally I think the Blight Haulers are the real winners and I’m surprised not more was mentioned about them. Their big issue was that their design in 8th was a little counter productive - ranged heavy weapons but advancing into assault range to keep units in cover. Now they can advance and can be confident that when they get into assault range, they not only have their assault attacks, but keep all their shooting attacks while still providing cover to your advancing army. Still tough buggers, and ridiculously cheap now for what they are.

[@hugosandoval1836]

What is the big model to the right of morty?

[@SymSne]

Do Custodes next!

[@Makarislethal]

Do spacemarines still get shock assault if they charge the foul blight spawn ? Enemy units that charged this turn and are within 7" of this model at the start of the Fight phase are struck by a stench so foul that they falter, losing their impetus. Such a unit does not get to fight first in the Fight phase, but can be chosen to fight like other units that did not charge. This ability also affects units who have abilities that would enable them to fight first as if they had charged. They fight as if they did not charge ? So?

[@minorharmonicscale]

Are there a Genestealer cult focus coming?

[@SoRa228]

Hope a tyranids faction focus is coming soon =D

[@person1589]

One thing you gotta be careful of when using the foul blightspawn is when playing against a space marine army with Judiciar's. Their rule will counteract the foul blightspawn by forcing the charged unit (who would typically go first now) to be the last unit to activate in that fight phase; this kinda kills the 20 man plague marine blob holding an objective with a blightspawn. Now i suppose the counter counter to this would be to place more than one unit in that crucial point so the judiciar would have to choose which unit had to go last unless they had two judiciar's.

[@Shooting_Through_Walls]

how do you put the iron clot furnace on

[@duke0mtg]

what tuffs are on the bases?

[@commandersune5432]

Whohoo! (Before I've watched the video.)

[@Ghostly_Knowmad]

What do you think about the new Command Re-roll ? Since disgustingly resilient cannot be re-roll anymore.

[@PrimarisBlackTemplaDraven]

My cousin gave me an entire Death Guard army on my birthday today and I don't know how play this guy's thanks for the Tutorial PS can you make a tutorial on turning Black Templar units into plague Templars cause apparently charging melee fighters will turned you're units into plague Marines

[@niklashvid1304]

Look out Tabletop Tactics, these guys are slowly becoming a new fan favorite channel. Keep it up. Cant wait to see more DG content. Greetings from Denmark 🇩🇰

[@Ruinstad694]

With bunkers like that the easiest way too deal with windows like that is too just stack up crates and other scatter around the outside.

[@XCATX25]

Absolutely, that's right, absolutely, that's right, absolutely, that's right, absolutely, that's right

[@Talenano94]

Are the point cost changed?

[@radoslawkabacinski]

I am looking forward to Dark Angels review

[@sarico7827]

So is there a way or good reason to take nurgle demons? I heard some rumors about the new book in Dec but just asking should we think about taking a small detachment of daemons with our daemons loving boys?

[@DragonKnight7166]

I'm just hoping Mortarion (and Magnus) get a rule similar to Ghaz so they can have a better chance to live through turn 1

[@numbere329]

I don't play death guard, so I genuinely don't know, but doesn't disgustingly resilient help? Is it really that easy to kill a deamon primarch?

[@Grim67894]

@@numbere329 Yes. You can death hex him or just shoot him with enough shots and he goes down.

[@DMKA94]

@@Grim67894 Its always been like that though throughout the editions, knock out the most serious threat as soon as possible

[@crackvok]

You can put him now in strategic reserve, for CP though

[@manuelnarciso9936]

Which one is strongest? Mortarion’s anvil or Mortarion’s chosen sons. Both seem nice

[@richardduska1558]

I wonder how Chaos armies will function in 9th. Because as of now we pretty much had to bring combined forces (CSM+ Knights; CSM + Thousond Sons) to cover up weknesses in our armies.

[@Th3D4nny]

Mono-CSM works pretty well, though I've only seen 1 battle report so far, the terrain rules and the smaller board really makes a difference for a clos(er) combat faction. More CP is also a good thing for us, the Red Corsair player was able to stratagem re-deploy his marines like 3 times. But I really want to see more, can't wait to hear Tabletop Titans give their review.

[@richardduska1558]

@@Th3D4nny That's good to heare. I use Apha Legion and Thousond Sons. So I wonder If those got better or not.

[@TheTexasDice]

They probably won't. You put down your models, roll some dice and the Space Marine players will win every game by a landslide.

[@seanhayes9792]

4 words...Disgustingly Resilient Hellforged Leviathan

[@Ypzon]

Quick question, defiler is mentioned, and giving it disgustingly resilient. How is this possible?

[@magicmanscott40k]

Where all the rule changes and buffs? I thought about getting the codex but I don't want to if there a lot of changes.

[@eternalcomrade8144]

2 wound plague marines will be broken. Very excited

[@nathanieleck1023]

Wait, I’m confused. In the leaked rules it only mentions capping modifiers on HIT rolls, so therefore wouldn’t pumping more +1 to wound rolls still work? Or did they FAQ it or mention it on another page.

[@liamt2864]

In the core rules page 18 "Making Attacks" has the rules for making hit rolls and wound rolls, under both sections it states the largest modifier can be +1/-1 for each of them. It then bullet points the statement at the end of the page.

[@assassinlasagna7504]

I,ve been looking to making death guard army, but don't know with which set I should start. Could you help me?

[@pablobro5944]

Combat patrol box.

[@Sanguinarius9999]

2:40 how did you not mention nurglings

[@patrickhaligarda2767]

I heard "over extending a death guard unit " i treat my dg units like small vehicles and with rhinos, a good dg squad is a fortification