The Death Guard continue to evolve in Warhammer 40,000 with the introduction of a new detachment that amplifies their signature strengths resilience, corruption, and relentless pressure. This new Death Guard detachment offers a fresh way to command Nurgle’s plague-ridden legions while retaining the thematic grit fans love. Players can expect mechanics that enhance the army’s staying power, support strategic board control, and bolster the offensive capabilities of both infantry and daemon engines. Whether you’re a veteran follower of the Plague God or a curious newcomer, this detachment offers unique tools that redefine the Death Guard’s role on the battlefield.
Understanding the Death Guard’s Identity
Core Themes and Playstyle
The Death Guard are known for their implacable march, bringing rot and ruin wherever they go. They embody attrition-based warfare, shrugging off wounds with Disgustingly Resilient and grinding down enemies through withering fire and unending contamination. Their units are typically slower than other Chaos Space Marines but are much harder to kill.
The new Death Guard detachment builds on these foundations, emphasizing durability, area denial, and synergies between different unit types. Plague weapons, Contagions of Nurgle, and high-toughness units remain central, but new mechanics bring additional strategic depth.
New Detachment Rules and Structure
Detachment Name and Lore
This new formation is called the Blighted Phalanx. It represents a heavily entrenched warhost fortified by Nurgle’s blessings, optimized for spreading Contagions and surviving the deadliest assaults. The Blighted Phalanx is designed for players who enjoy methodical play, focusing on board presence and punishing the enemy over time.
Army Rule Adjustments
While the Death Guard retain their universal Contagion rules, the new detachment introduces enhancements such as:
- Extended Contagion Range: Buffs plague-based abilities and increases debuff range as turns progress.
- Reinforced Resilience: Grants a bonus to Feel No Pain or Damage Reduction when near objectives or within Contagion aura.
- Mutated Cohesion: Units gain buffs when grouped in tight formation, reflecting Nurgle’s hive-like nature.
These changes encourage tight unit placement and aggressive board control while still maintaining flexibility across the table.
Warlord Traits and Stratagems
Warlord Traits
The Blighted Phalanx includes several new Warlord Traits tailored for its unique identity:
- Rotten Fortress: Grants nearby units +1 Toughness and immunity to being wounded on 2+ while within 3′ of the Warlord.
- Living Blight: Enemies within Contagion range suffer a penalty to melee hit rolls.
- Bloated Strategist: Allows one free stratagem use per turn when used on infantry units.
New Stratagems
This detachment comes with exclusive stratagems designed to enhance the plague warfare theme:
- Unholy Entanglement (1 CP): Target enemy unit within Contagion range cannot Fall Back next turn.
- Path of Decay (2 CP): Select a Plague Weapon unit its attacks auto-wound on hit rolls of 5+ this phase.
- Miasmic Advance (1 CP): Allows a unit to advance and still shoot without penalties.
- Resilient Spawn (1 CP): Regain D3 lost wounds on a daemon engine at the start of your turn.
These stratagems emphasize battlefield manipulation and resilience, allowing the Death Guard to maintain pressure while outlasting the opposition.
Notable Unit Synergies
Plague Marines
In the Blighted Phalanx, Plague Marines gain new prominence. Thanks to buffs from Contagions and Mutated Cohesion, running them in medium-sized squads becomes highly effective. With proper positioning, they can tank damage, hold ground, and whittle down foes with deadly melee and mid-range fire.
Daemon Engines
Foetid Bloat-Drones, Plagueburst Crawlers, and Myphitic Blight-Haulers shine with the new detachment’s rules. Combined with Resilient Spawn and area-based buffs, these units become mobile fortresses. Their ability to project threat while absorbing fire makes them critical in both defensive and offensive roles.
Characters
Characters like the Lord of Contagion and the Tallyman are vital in the Blighted Phalanx. They can spread Contagions, provide command rerolls, and trigger strategic effects when deployed smartly. A well-placed Tallyman can refund command points, while the Lord spreads a powerful Contagion that further weakens enemy units.
Secondary Objectives and Missions
Tailored Objectives
The Blighted Phalanx detachment supports specific secondary objectives that align with their playstyle:
- Spread the Rot: Earn points by controlling and contaminating objectives each turn.
- Deny the Clean: Score points when enemies fail morale near Contagion zones or retreat from engagements.
These objectives reward players for methodical advancement and maintaining board dominance through Corruption and Fear tactics.
Tips for Playing the Blighted Phalanx
Focus on Contagion Placement
Effective use of Contagion auras is key. Spread your characters and units to maximize coverage, and use terrain to funnel enemies into infected areas. The longer a unit remains under Contagion effects, the weaker it becomes.
Layer Your Defenses
Don’t rely on a single unit to hold ground. Position daemon engines behind Plague Marines and keep characters close to maximize buffs. Use stratagems like Miasmic Advance to reposition when needed without sacrificing offense.
Prioritize Objective Control
This detachment thrives when sitting on objectives. Fortify early, establish control, and force your opponent to fight through layers of armor and disease. The longer you hold, the deadlier your units become.
How It Compares to Other Detachments
Compared to other Chaos or Space Marine detachments, the Blighted Phalanx focuses less on alpha striking and more on enduring warfare. While it lacks the speed of some armies, it compensates with sustained presence and attrition tactics. It especially shines in missions that require board control and progressive scoring.
Players who appreciate complex positioning, battlefield denial, and tactical resilience will find this detachment both effective and rewarding. It’s a unique take that elevates what makes the Death Guard special without abandoning their core identity.
The new Death Guard detachment, Blighted Phalanx, represents a powerful evolution of Nurgle’s corrupted warriors. Through area control, strategic resilience, and potent synergies, this force turns slow movement into unstoppable pressure. With enhanced Contagion effects, expanded customization through traits and stratagems, and a flexible build structure, it offers players both flavor and functionality. Whether you enjoy elite infantry, daemon engines, or the sheer grotesque beauty of decay, this detachment will help you bring the will of the Plague God to the heart of any battlefield.