The Death Guard, originally the XIV Legion led by Primarch Mortarion, are an iconic and feared legion within the Warhammer 40,000 universe. Known for their resilience and tenacity during the Great Crusade, they transformed during the Horus Heresy when Mortarion and his warriors fell to Chaos. Trapped in the warp and beset by a supernatural plague, they turned to Nurgle, the Chaos God of decay and disease, who “blessed” them with his gifts, turning them into grotesque, disease-ridden warriors.
The Death Guard is characterized by their incredible durability, able to withstand tremendous damage due to Nurgle’s corrupting influence, which transforms their bodies into bloated, plague-ridden forms. Their presence on the battlefield is marked by toxic gases, swarms of plague flies, and relentless corruption. Their armor is heavily corroded and adorned with Nurgle’s symbols, and they wield rusted weapons alongside various daemonic entities like Nurglings and Plaguebearers.
Organized into seven Plague Companies, each led by a powerful Chaos Lord or Daemon Prince, the Death Guard operates with semi-independence but is united in their devotion to Nurgle and Mortarion. Key units include the resilient Plague Marines, zombified Poxwalkers, and elite Blightlords and Deathshrouds. They excel in attrition warfare, grinding down enemies through sheer resilience and the spread of disease, using plague-ridden weapons and psychological warfare to break their foes’ will.
As Nurgle’s primary agents of decay and corruption, the Death Guard are central to his plans, often at the forefront of Chaos invasions. They spread plagues and establish Nurgle’s dominion, leaving planets desolate and civilizations in ruin. The Death Guard embodies the inevitability of decay and the grimdark essence of Warhammer 40,000, blending military might with the horrifying power of Chaos to create one of the most formidable and terrifying forces in the galaxy.