Discover how a previously underpowered Emperor’s Children unit has received a much-needed upgrade in Warhammer 40K.
Emperor’s Children aren’t one of those armies in Warhammer 40K with a ton of unit options. With a paper-thin codex where nearly every model is necessary to building a winning list, any duds stand out fast—and Flawless Blades were a pretty big dud on release.
The models themselves were undeniably cool sculpts that captured the army’s twisted elegance. Their rules weren’t inherently terrible either. The problem was simple: they just weren’t worth the points. But now, that looks like it’s finally changed.
Emperor’s Children Flawless Blades Finally Get a Needed Buff
After a dramatic run in obscurity, Flawless Blades have moved into a fringe-playable position thanks to one small but impactful change—each model now has one more attack.
At first glance, this doesn’t sound like much. But three (or six) additional swings translate into far more efficiency than it seems. That small math tweak gives this unit the production it always needed.
Points, Movement, and Abilities
Flawless Blades come in at 110 points for three models or 220 points for six. That’s not a bad price for a unit with an 8-inch move, advance and charge, and a possessed-style profile. But that’s just the baseline.
The real spice comes from their special ability: the unit gains Critical Wounds on a 3+ in combat. Fail to kill anything, though, and you lose a Flawless Blade instead.
This mechanic gives the unit a serious “high-risk, high-reward” feel. Combine that with 4 attacks per model, hitting on 2+, Strength 6, -3 AP, and 2 damage, and suddenly you’ve got a unit that can punch well above its weight if you’re willing to gamble, and can punch down just as well without the risk.
The Math Behind the Buff
Here’s what the numbers say:
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Three-man unit (110 pts): 10 hits on average → 7 wounds → 14 total damage. Enough to pressure mid-tier tanks and dreadnoughts but probably doesn’t kill these units.
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Six-man unit (220 pts): 20 hits on average → 13 wounds → 26 total damage. At this size, Flawless Blades start reliably dropping big threats.
This means a 6-model squad can threaten Rogal Dorns (T12, 2+ save, 18 wounds) if dice cooperate, or just about any heavy unit if staged correctly. That’s a massive leap from their previous irrelevance.
How They Fit Into the Current Meta
Right now, the meta is saturated with T3 and T4 infantry blobs. These models absolutely hate facing 12–24 AP -3, 2-damage attacks.
On average, a unit of Flawless Blades will:
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Kill 11 Space Marines or Berzerkers per swing.
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Delete 17 T3 bodies with weaker saves.
This is exactly the kind of profile that makes them valuable in today’s environment, and that still works in addition to being able to threaten bigs and Knights.
Weaknesses That Still Hold Them Back
Of course, nothing is perfect. Flawless Blades (ironic) still suffer from:
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Toughness 5
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5+ invulnerable save
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3 wounds per model
That’s paper-thin defense for their points cost. If they get hit first, or left exposed, they’ll evaporate before swinging. Smart positioning and careful staging are absolutely required.
Final Thoughts: Are Flawless Blades Worth It?
At the end of the day, this buff finally gives Flawless Blades a shot at seeing real playtime in Emperor’s Children lists. They won’t singlehandedly break the meta, but their ability to hit hard into both elite targets and mass infantry makes them a far more compelling choice than before.
If you’ve shelved these models since release, now might be the perfect time to dust them off and give them another shot.
What do you think—are Flawless Blades finally worth their points, or are they still too fragile for the competitive scene? Drop your thoughts in the comments and let’s talk Emperor’s Children in Warhammer 40K!
Husband, Florida State Seminole, and fan of all things grimdark, sometimes even winning a game or two.
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