Codex: Word Bearers (Alpha)
The First Heretics
9.547.999.M40
+EXPUNGED BY ORDER OF THE HOLY INQUISITION+
“Hear my warnings, unbelievers - carried to your minds by the power of the Prince of Excess himself. We
have raised altars in this land so that we may sacrifice you to our gods. Veterans of ten millennia of unholy
war wait to grind you beneath the treads of their mighty boots. There is no hope in opposing the inevitable.
Put down your arms, unbelievers, and bow before the forces of Chaos Undivided.”
++ Eliphas the Inheritor ++
By Wyrmwood, with special thanks to MvS for his expertise and use of
his Apocalypse Extravaganza: Word Bearers
Disclaimer:
This file and the rules, images and flavour text within are completely unofficial, and are in no way endorsed by Games Workshop
Limited or its subsidiaries. All rights are reserved for their respective owners. The rules contained within are fan made and are not
a challenge to the status of Games Workshop Limited as the owners of copyright.
I do not own any of the images within this file, all images are taken from Google and belong to their respective owners.
Adeptus Astartes, Battlefleet Gothic, Black Flame, Black Library, the Black Library logo, BL Publishing, Blood Angels, Bloodquest, Blood Bowl, the Blood Bowl
logo, The Blood Bowl Spike Device, Cadian, Catachan, the Chaos device, Cityfight, the Chaos logo, Citadel, Citadel Device, City of the Damned, Codex,
Daemonhunters, Dark Angels, Dark Eldar, Dark Future, the Double-Headed/Imperial Eagle device, 'Eavy Metal, Eldar, Eldar symbol devices, Epic, Eye of Terror,
Fanatic, the Fanatic logo, the Fanatic II logo, Fire Warrior, Forge World, Games Workshop, Games Workshop logo, Genestealer, Golden Demon, Gorkamorka,
Great Unclean One, the Hammer of Sigmar logo, Horned Rat logo, Inferno, Inquisitor, the Inquisitor logo, the Inquisitor device, Inquisitor:Conspiracies, Keeper of
Secrets, Khemri, Khorne, Kroot, Lord of Change, Marauder, Mordheim, the Mordheim logo, Necromunda, Necromunda stencil logo, Necromunda Plate logo,
Necron, Nurgle, Ork, Ork skull devices, Sisters of Battle, Skaven, the Skaven symbol devices, Slaanesh, Space Hulk, Space Marine, Space Marine chapters, Space
Marine chapter logos, Talisman, Tau, the Tau caste designations, Tomb Kings, Trio of Warriors, Twin Tailed Comet Logo, Tyranid, Tyrannid, Tzeentch,
Ultramarines, Warhammer, Warhammer Historical, Warhammer Online, Warhammer 40k Device, Warhammer World logo, Warmaster, White Dwarf, the White
Dwarf logo, and all associated marks, names, races, race insignia, characters, vehicles, locations illustrations and images from the Blood Bowl game, the
Warhammer world, the Talisaman world, and the Warhammer 40,000 universe are either ®, TM and/or © Copyright Games Workshop Ltd 2000-2011, variably
registered in the UK and other countries around the world. All Rights Reserved
Contents
Introduction…
The Great Betrayal…
The First Founding
- The Imperial Heralds
- Colchis
The Great Crusade
- Lorgar
- Monarchia
- The Pilgrimage
+ The Scarus Sector
+ The Eye Stares Back
- Ullanor
- Nikea and the Chaplain Edict
The Horus Heresy
- Isstvan V
- Calth
- Terra
The Scouring
The Long War
- The Boros Gate
- The Black Crusades
The Warp…
The Cadian Gate
The Eye of Terror
Daemon Worlds
Gods and Daemons
- Faith and Ritual
The Word Bearers…
Chaos Space Marines
- Crusaders and Adjudicators
- Iconoclasts
- Proselytisers
- Possessed Word Bearers
Lords and Heroes
- Dark Apostles
- First Acolytes
- Coryphaeus
- Theosophists
- The Seraphim
The Cults
- Raptor Cult
- Obliterator Cult
+ The Techno-Virus of Ghalmek
- The Anointed
- The Gal Vorbak
Dreadnoughts…
- Possessed Dreadnoughts
- Venerable Dreadnoughts
- Penitent Dreadnoughts
Battle Tanks and Vehicles…
- Word Bearer Bike Squad
- Rhino
- Predator
- Vindicator
- Land Raider
+ Eschaton Pattern
+ Crusader Pattern
+ Ark Pattern
- Dreadclaw Assault Pod
Daemon Engines…
+ Talion
+ Soul Grinder
+ Ophanim
The Divine Emissaries…
- Hashmallin
+ Daemon Princes, Lords and Kings
- Potesta
- Angels and Daemons
The Cult Lorgar…
- Black Cardinals and Hierophants
- Qadashi, Preachers and Redemptionists
- Fanatics and the Faithful
- Cult Apostate
Armoury…
- Wargear
- Gifts of Chaos
- Faith Abilities
- Psychic Powers
Army List…
- HQ
- Elites
- Troops
- Fast Attack
- Heavy Support
Appendix
Introduction

What is Codex: Word Bearers?
Welcome, Word Bearer! The most obvious goal of this (completely
unofficial) Codex is to provide a supplement for Word Bearer players to
use in place of Codex: Chaos Space Marines, which should be used in
conjunction with the main Warhammer 40,000 rulebook and any number
of the expansions. More importantly, we’re (I am) hoping to represent
the Word Bearers on the table with, not just everything I’d like to see, a
very characterful assortment of religious and theosophical themed units.
In fact, the feel I get from reading about the death cult of Antiochus
(don’t bother trying to look him up on the internet, you’ll find next to
nothing about him) is very important to the vibe that I get from the Word
Bearers. That being the case, I’m trying to capture that atmosphere and
inject it into the feel of the army, so that it seeps out and flows into the
backstory behind every unit and action.
That isn’t to say that all Word Bearers are near suicidal death cultists or
one dimensional zealots, but each Word Bearer is not only a scholar and
a warrior but also someone who understands the fabric of the universe
and the truth behind it, and is not afraid. He doesn’t try to use power
that isn’t his own like the sorcerers of the Thousand Sons, or deny that
power and try to destroy it like the Grey Knights. The Word Bearer works
with that power because he understands that it is intelligent, and to toy
with it would be dangerous. He understands that the Imperium would
have crumbled if it were to stand against it, regardless of the irony
present in the Horus Heresy – sooner or later, and that the current
Imperium is too weak to resist it and the numerous alien threats, so he
understands that the Imperium of Man must be replaced and Chaos
worshiped and served. He does not resist this, but he is implacable and
questioning to any belief that offers another answer. Better still, like the
Imperial Inquisitors, he’d sooner see such heretical belief destroyed lest it weaken his brotherhood.

Does a Word Bearer feel fear? Perhaps he does, but no more or less than any other Space Marine.
He simply understands that it is his duty to safeguard the human race, and lead its ascension to a
higher plane in the grand scheme of things. Whether this is actually true or not is up for debate, but
the Word Bearer has seen enough to truly believe and faith is a mechanic that I want to work into
the army. You still get bad apples, and we’ve only seen those bad apples in the 41st Millennium.
That isn’t to say that the Word Bearers are good, but evil for evil’s sake? No-one but the most onedimensional and deluded hold that point of view, of which there are likely many amongst the ranks
of the Word Bearers theocratic domain, but all? Nah, that’s boring.
This humble scribe (Wyrmwood) is simply a vessel for the will of the divine emissaries, and it is
through this tortured husk that they dictate the information that fills this holy tome. With me in this
undertaking is that most vile rogue, warp-maddened MvS – disgraced intellectual and trafficker of
forbidden knowledge. Between us, we hope to craft a satisfying and flavourful guide for fans of
Chaos in general, not just Word Bearers despite the focus on them. Oh, there was also some
Inquisitor bloke that got his hands on this file, and left annotations all over the place. He won’t be
bothering us anymore.


The Dark Armoury
Word Bearer Special Rules
The Laughter of Thirsting Gods – Anytime a unit with this rule fails a Morale test,
declines a Challenge or goes to ground, roll a D6. On a roll of a 1, 2 or a 6, all of the units’
weapons have the Gets Hot special rule for the remainder of that turn.
Bearer of the Word – All units with this rule benefit from Crusader and Faithful. In addition,
non-fearless units that fall back automatically regroup within 6” of an Independent Character
from this Codex or any allied detachment of Battle Brothers. The Laughter of Thirsting Gods
still applies to a unit with this rule, but the Bearer of the Word may add or subtract 1 to or
from the result. For example, Apostle Antiochus declines a Challenge and rolls for The
Laughter of Thirsting Gods; he rolls a 2, which would normally activate the rule, but as he is
a Bearer of the Word he adds 1 to the result. The resulting 3 disables the penalty.
Divine Law – All models with this rule are Fearless. Furthermore, a model with this rule
cannot decline a Challenge.
Maledicti Aeternum – All models with this rule benefit from Veterans of the Long War and
Preferred Enemy (Chaos Space Marines).
Infernal Machine – The vehicle may move an extra D6 in the assault phase.
Abyssal Mantle – The unit gains the Shrouded special rule.
Shemhamforash – Allied units within 6” of a model with this special rule benefit from
Zealot.
He Who Is Invoked – A model with this rule can only enter play via Deep Strike.
Iconoclast – All models with this rule add +1 to their armour penetration rolls against
fortifications and structures.
Aetheric Blessing – A weapon with this buff benefits from Soul Blaze.
Aetheric Wings – Gains the Infantry (Jump) type.
Lorica Sancti – Armour save increased to 2+.
Sanctus Fortis – A model with this possesses a 4+ invulnerable save.
Divine Emissary – All units with this special rule benefit from Fear and Sanctus Fortis. They
do, however, count as Daemons.
We Are the Perils… – This model is immune to the Perils of the Warp.
Faithful – All units with this rule may perform Epiklesis. In addition, when they are
victorious in combat they gain one point of Faith.
Epiklesis – Roll on the following table:
D6
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
2
3
4
5
6
Headquarters
Dark Apostle of the Cult Lorgar, Prophet of Chaos Undivided
Apostle
150pts

WS
6
BS
5
Unit Type:
S
4
T
4

Infantry

Number/Squad:
Wargear:
- Power Armour
- Reconsecrated Crozier
- Bolt Pistol
- Close Combat Weapon
- Frag and Krak Grenades

I
5
Options:
A
3
LD
10

- Eternal Warrior 20pts
- Aetheric Blessing 5pts
- Lorica Sancti 15pts
- Aetheric Wings 15pts
- Sanctus Fortis 10pts
1

W
3

Special Rules:
May replace his Close
Combat Weapon
with:
- Power Weapon 10pts
- Powerfist 15pts
- Thunder Hammer 20pts
- Chainfist 20pts
- Lightning Claw 15pts
- Blessed Weapon 25pts
- Combat Shield 10pts
- Independent Character
- Divine Law
- Word Bearer
- Shemhamforash


He may replace all
Wargear and
weapons with
Terminator Armour, a
Combi-Bolter and
Reconsecrated Crozier
for free.
He may replace his
Twin-Linked Bolter for
a Combi-Weapon,
5pts or a Storm Shield
at 25pts.

He may upgrade his
Crozier to a
Transfigured Crozier
for 40pts. This
replaces the Crozier
and CCW slot.

He may be
accompanied by a
retinue of Disciples
May replace his Bolt
Pistol with:
- Plasma Pistol 10pts
- Bolter free
- Twin-Linked Bolter 5pts
- Combi-Weapon 10pts
Save
3+/5+
0-1 Thousand Sons Sorcerer Lord, Manipulator of Fate 120pts
May only be taken if allied Thousand Sons Space Marines are included in the army. Use the rules and
options (including psychic powers) for the Chaos Sorcerer in Codex: Chaos Space Marines with the
following changes/additions:
o
o
o
o
+1 Ballistic Skill
Mark of Tzeentch
(Invulnerable save
increased to 4+,
immune to ‘Perils of
the Warp’)
May exchange his
Force Weapon:
- Warp Blade, 20pts
- Bedlam Staff, 20pts
- Deathscreamer,
30pts
o
In addition to two
Psychic Powers from
Codex: Chaos Space
Marines, he may take
up to two of the
following:
- Psychic Duel, 10pts
- Reckoning, 10pts
- Weaver of Fates,
10pts
- Withering Gaze,
10pts
May select the
following:
- Eye of Tzeentch, 5pts
- Inferno Bolts, 10pts
- Warp Talisman,
10pts
Unless accompanied
by a retinue, he may
choose to ride a Disc
of Tzeentch at 30pts
o
First Acolyte of the Cult Lorgar, Tongue of the Pantheon
Acolyte
60pts

WS
5
BS
5
Unit Type:
S
4
T
4

Infantry

Number/Squad:
Wargear:
- Power Armour
- Bolt Pistol
- Close Combat Weapon
- Frag and Krak Grenades

I
5

Special Rules:
- Independent Character
- Word Bearer
- Disciple of Chaos
- Faithful
- Shemhemforash
May replace his Close
Combat Weapon
with:
- Power Weapon 10pts
- Powerfist 15pts
- Thunder Hammer 20pts
- Chainfist 20pts
- A pair of Lightning
Claws 25pts
- Blessed Weapon 25pts

A
3
LD
9
May replace his Bolt
Pistol with:
- Plasma Pistol 10pts
- Bolter free
Save
3+/5+
- Twin-Linked Bolter 5pts
Options:
- Chaos Armour 15pts
- Aethyric Wings 15pts
- Blessed Ammo 5pts
- Personal Icon 5pts
- Blasphemous Runes
10pts
- Combat Shield 10pts
1

W
2
- Combi-Weapon 10pts
- Storm Shield 25pts



He may replace all
Wargear and
weapons with
Terminator Armour, a
Twin-Bolter and
power weapon or
with the Gal Vorbak
upgrade for 20pts.
He may replace his
Twin-Linked Bolter for
a Combi-Weapon,
5pts or a Storm Shield
at 25pts.
He may accompany
the Dark Apostle as
part of the Disciples
Coryphaus, Commander of the Host
Coryphaeus
100pts

WS
6
BS
6
S
4
T
4

Unit Type:
Number/Squad:
1

Wargear:
- Power Armour
- Bolt Pistol
- Close Combat Weapon
- Frag and Krak Grenades
- Tainted Auspex

I
5
A
3

Special Rules:
- Independent Character
- Word Bearer
- Urizen’s Blessing
- Tactical Acumen
Save
3+/5+
May replace his Bolt
Pistol with:
- Plasma Pistol 10pts
- Bolter free
- Twin-Linked Bolter 5pts
- Combi-Weapon 10pts

May replace his Close
Combat Weapon
with:
- Power Weapon 10pts
- Powerfist 15pts
- Thunder Hammer 20pts
- Chainfist 20pts
- Lightning Claw 15pts
- Blessed Weapon 25pts
- Storm Shield 25pts
- Rites of Battle
LD
10

Options:
- Eternal Warrior 20pts
- Blessed Ammo 5pts
- Chaos Armour 15pts
- Aethyric Wings 15pts
- Combat Shield 10pts
- Anointed 30pts
- Crusader 10pts
Infantry

W
3

He may replace all
Wargear and
weapons with
Terminator Armour, a
Twin-Linked Bolter
and a power weapon
for 20pts.
He may replace his
Twin-Linked Bolter for
a Combi-Weapon,
5pts or a Storm Shield
at 25pts
Word Bearer Champions, Blades and Executioners of the Coryphaus
Champion
50pts

WS
5
BS
4
Unit Type:
S
4
T
4

Infantry

Number/Squad:
Wargear:
- Power Armour
- Bolt Pistol
- Close Combat Weapon
- Frag and Krak Grenades
- Tainted Auspex
I
5
A
3
LD
9

Special Rules:
- Powerfist 15pts
- Thunder Hammer 20pts
- Chainfist 20pts
- Lightning Claw 15pts
- Blessed Weapon 25pts
- Storm Shield 25pts
Options:
- Blessed Ammo 5pts
- Combat Shield 10pts
- Anointed 10pts

May replace his Close
Combat Weapon
Save
3+
with:
- Power Weapon 10pts
- Word Bearer
- Crusaders
- Tactical Acumen
1-3

W
2

May replace his Bolt
Pistol with:
- Plasma Pistol 10pts
- Bolter free
- Twin-Linked Bolter 5pts
- Combi-Weapon 10pts

He may replace all
Wargear and
weapons with
Terminator Armour, a

Twin-Linked Bolter
and a power weapon
for 15pts.
He may replace his
Twin-Linked Bolter for
a Combi-Weapon,
5pts or a Storm Shield
at 15pts
Theosophist, Bending the Fabric of the Universe through the Divine
Theosophist
100pts
WS
5
BS
5
S
4
T
4
W
3
I
5
A
2
LD
9
Save
3+/4+