How to Build the Best Emperor’s Children List in Warhammer 40K

Learn how to build the best Emperor’s Children army list in Warhammer 40K with top units, tactics, and strategies for 10th Edition.

The Chaos Superfaction is currently in an interesting position in the world of Warhammer 40K.

Almost all Chaos armies are competitive on the professional scene, achieving strong finishes in tournaments of various sizes worldwide. Among them, the push to determine the best-performing Chaos faction is ongoing. While the crown still appears to belong to Death Guard as the most consistent Chaos army, Chaos Space Marines and Emperor’s Children have demonstrated high-level success, and many believe Emperor’s Children are poised to thrive as the meta develops.

Building a successful Emperor’s Children list requires understanding both the core units that drive the faction and the supporting choices that make a list flexible and powerful. In this guide, we’ll explore the key units, synergies, and strategies for constructing a competitive EC army.

Why Daemon Princes of Slaanesh with Wings Are the Core of Your List

One unit has become central to almost every EC build: the Daemon Prince of Slaanesh with Wings. If you aim to create a strong list, starting with at least two of these models is essential. After establishing your core, the rest of the army can be tailored to your style and the meta.

Three aspects make this unit indispensable:

1. Movement – The Daemon Prince boasts a base movement of 14 inches. Combined with its ability to advance and charge, this unit has one of the best threat ranges in Warhammer 40K. On average, it can move 23 inches in a turn, with potential to reach nearly 30 inches. Proper placement allows it to avoid early shooting while keeping the initiative and pressure on your opponent.

2. Offensive Power – The unit comes with a free Tank Shock ability that consistently deals mortal wounds on a charge, often landing five of the 6 possible. Beyond that, it has six attacks at Strength 8, -2 AP, and 3 damage. These attacks become even more dangerous when paired with Coterie buffs later in the game, making the Daemon Princes nearly unstoppable.

3. Durability – Perhaps the most powerful aspect is its -1 damage ability. This significantly reduces incoming damage, especially against armies relying on low-damage attacks. Having multiple Daemon Princes with this ability makes large sections of your army difficult to remove, providing a resilient backbone for your list.

By combining speed, offense, and survivability, the Daemon Princes form the centerpiece of an Emperor’s Children army. While two is the minimum, running three ensures maximum pressure and flexibility.

Supporting Units to Complete Your Emperor’s Children List

Once your Daemon Princes are in place, the rest of the army can be built to complement them. Key units include:

• Infractors and Tormentors – Both units are excellent for scoring objectives and advancing your Coterie points. Including four models across these options is a solid baseline.

• Noise Marines – EC lacks consistent shooting damage outside of Noise Marines, so three squads should form your primary ranged damage. They are cost-effective and provide a reliable source of firepower.

• Lords – Units like Lord Exultant, Lord Kakophonist, and Lucius the Eternal are powerful options to punch up your army and generate additional buffs for your core Daemon Princes.

By balancing chaff, ranged damage, and your winged Daemon Princes, you can build an EC army capable of competing against nearly any opponent.

Sample Emperor’s Children List

Here is an example list that has seen success in the current meta:

• 3x Daemon Prince of Slaanesh with Wings

• 3x Lord Exultant

• Lord Kakophonist

• Lucius the Eternal

• 3x Infractors

• 2x Tormentors

• Rhino

• 3x Noise Marines

This composition emphasizes speed, durability, and concentrated damage. The Daemon Princes lead the charge, Noise Marines provide reliable shooting, and the Lords support both buffs and scoring.

Tips for Building Your Own List

When building your own Emperor’s Children army:

• Start with your Daemon Princes as the core and plan around their strengths.

• Include sufficient scoring units like Infractors or Tormentors to maintain objectives.

• Balance ranged and melee damage to remain flexible against diverse opponents.

• Adjust your number of Lords based on personal playstyle and expected matchups.

Emperor’s Children are one of the few Chaos factions that can feel “solved,” with clear core units and flexible supporting choices. By starting with a strong foundation and building around it strategically, you can create a competitive, fun, and effective EC army.

If you’re ready to dominate the battlefield with Emperor’s Children, start building your list today, test it in games, and tweak it for your local meta. With the right combination of units, your EC army can become a powerful force in any Warhammer 40K tournament.

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