Death Guard (Warhammer 40,000): Buying and Getting Started Guide

Death Guard are the Chaos Space Marines devoted to Nurgle, the Chaos God of decay and disease. They suit players who like a durable, slow-advancing army that wins by outlasting the enemy rather than out-manoeuvring it. A good first purchase is a box of Plague Marines, a Poxwalker squad and the codex.

This guide explains what the army is, how it tends to play, which kits to buy first and how to approach painting it. Everything here is written to help you build a collection step by step without overspending on units you do not need yet.

What are the Death Guard in Warhammer 40,000?

The Death Guard are one of the original Traitor Legions of Space Marines who turned against the Emperor. They are led by their Primarch, Mortarion, and are now sworn to Nurgle. Their armour is corroded and bloated, their bodies are riddled with disease, and yet they endure. That contradiction, rot that refuses to die, is the heart of the faction.

On the tabletop, the army is known for toughness and for pushing forward steadily under fire. Many units are hard to remove, and the army often rewards patience and careful positioning. If you enjoy Chaos but prefer a grinding, resilient style over speed, Death Guard is a natural fit. For a wider view of the traitor armies, see our Chaos Space Marines guide.

How do Death Guard play?

In general terms, Death Guard armies are slow but very hard to dislodge. You advance together, soak up damage, and let your opponent wear themselves out against your lines. Close-range firepower, poisonous or diseased effects and tough heavy units are common themes.

The trade-off is mobility. You will rarely out-run an enemy, so learning to use terrain, screening units and objectives is part of the fun. It is a forgiving army for newer players who like to take their time, though it asks for a clear plan.

Which Death Guard kits should I buy first?

A sensible starting collection has a core of troops, a cheap horde unit and one or two characters. Here is a practical order.

1. The codex. The Codex: Death Guard (English) explains the army's background and rules, so it is worth having before you decide what else to buy.
2. Plague Marines. The Plague Marines kit is the backbone of the army and a very good kit to learn the faction's look on.
3. Poxwalkers. The Death Guard Poxwalkers are shambling infected cultists, useful as a cheap, characterful mass of bodies and easy to paint in batches.
4. A first character. Pick from the leaders below depending on how you want the army to feel.

If you are new to the hobby as a whole, our Warhammer 40,000 guide and the complete Warhammer buying guide explain how armies, rulebooks and starter purchases fit together.

Which characters lead a Death Guard army?

Characters give the army direction and are some of the most enjoyable models to paint. The store carries several.

• Mortarion, Daemon Primarch of Nurgle is the Legion's Primarch and a large centrepiece model, best added once you are comfortable with the core of the army.
• Lord of Poxes is a plague-ridden commander who suits an army built around spreading disease.
• Lord of Virulence is a more martial leader, a good fit if you like your characters to fight alongside your troops.
• Foul Blightspawn is a support character with a suitably revolting look, popular with painters who enjoy dripping, toxic details.
• Tallyman is a quirky character who counts the Legion's ongoing spread of plague, and a fun model to build and paint.

What elite and heavy units does the army offer?

Once your core is in place, elites and vehicles add punch and variety.

• Blightlord Terminators are heavily armoured veterans in Terminator plate, the army's close-quarters elite.
• Deathshroud Terminators are silent bodyguards of the Primarch, and make a striking display unit.
• Plagueburst Crawler is a big, many-legged war machine that gives the army heavy ranged support.
• Myphitic Blight-hauler is a fast, insect-like vehicle that offers a way to bring some speed into a slow army.
• Foetid Bloat-drone is a floating daemon engine that adds a more mobile threat.

You do not need all of these. A single squad of Terminators and one vehicle are enough to give a starter force real variety.

What are Plaguebearers and how do they fit?

Plaguebearers are lesser daemons of Nurgle. They link the Death Guard to the wider Chaos Daemons and give a collection a more supernatural flavour. Check the current codex to see how they can be used alongside your Legionaries before buying, since which models work together is set by the rules.

How do I paint Death Guard?

Death Guard is a rewarding faction to paint because it forgives mess. Dirty greens, bone and rusted metal all look better when they are weathered, so you do not need a pristine finish. Washes, drybrushing and stippled rust can be added at a level that suits you.

If you are new to painting, start with our guide to starting painting Warhammer miniatures. When you are ready to choose paints, the Citadel and Warhammer Colour paints guide explains base paints, shades, layers and technical paints so you can build a small, useful palette.

Poxwalkers are an ideal practice squad. They are many in number, forgiving of rough work, and teach you the same techniques you will use on your Plague Marines.

Which book do I need for Death Guard?

The faction's own book is the Codex: Death Guard. It covers the army's background and the rules for its units. Always check that your codex matches the edition of the game you are playing, and pair it with the core rules covered in our Warhammer 40,000 guide.

Death Guard FAQ

Are Death Guard good for beginners?

Yes, for many players. The army is durable and forgiving, so early mistakes are less costly. Its slow pace means you have time to think, though you will need to plan how to reach objectives.

What is the difference between Death Guard and Chaos Space Marines?

Death Guard are one specific Traitor Legion devoted to Nurgle, while Chaos Space Marines is a wider faction covering several Legions and warbands. Death Guard have their own codex and a distinct theme of resilience and disease. Our Chaos Space Marines guide covers the broader picture.

What should I buy first for a Death Guard army?

Start with the codex, a box of Plague Marines and a squad of Poxwalkers. That gives you a core, a horde unit and the information to plan what comes next.

Can I mix Plaguebearers with Death Guard?

The models share a theme, and many players collect both. Whether they can be fielded together depends on the current rules, so check your codex and the latest game documents before you buy.

Do I need to paint Death Guard to a high standard?

No. The faction suits a grimy, weathered look, so a simple scheme with washes and drybrushing can look excellent on the table.

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