{{AdeptusCustodesPortal}}[[Image:ShieldCaptainArt.jpg|thumb|right|220px|A Shield Captain{{PAGENAME}}]]

The rank in truth is more of a general classification to refer to a series of command ranks within the Custodes, ranging from '''Prefect''', '''Lictor''', '''Proconsul''', and [[Custodian Tribunate|Tribune]]. This is purely a martial rank and signifies the Custodian is worthy of leading a force of his peers into battle. Many Shield-Captains hold a variety of simultaneous ranks. Regardless of what formal title is used, all Shield-Captains are the greatest among the Custodian Guard.{{Fn|1b}}

More than just exceptional fighters, Shield-Captains are highlyintelligent and tactically gifted commanders, ableto read the ebb and flow of the wider war at a glance anddirect their forces accordingly. They know neither fear nor self-doubt, and can appeararrogant and aloof to other warriors of the Imperium. This is amisconception however for Shield-Captains are untroubled bysuch self-serving notions as ego. They are absolute realists,fully aware of the stakes involved in the wars they wage. Nonetheless they do not lack charisma. Rather, they exude it. To the common soldiery of the Imperium thesegilded figures seem to have stepped from the pages of religiousscripture. Their presence fills faithful men witheuphoria, banishing fears and doubts, replacing themwith the absolute certainty that the Emperor watches over hisservants and will preserve their souls should they fall in battle thatday. Shield-Captains are also master diplomats, well versed in theintricacies of Imperial high society, privy to secrets and traditionsthat allow them to charm, inspire, threaten and manipulate asrequired to see their will done.{{Fn|9a}}

In battle, Shield-Captains typically lead a detachment{{fn|1a}} or squad of Custodes.{{fn|3}} It is not uncommon to see a multiple Shield-Captains in battle, nor is it for one to command others- groupings such as the [[Golden Brothers]], [[Heralds Three]], or [[Sevenshields]] have won remarkable renown through their impressive accomplishments. {{Fn|9i}} This does not result in any tension, for the Shield-Captains are frank in discussing their respective merits and quick to recognize their own strengths and weaknesses.{{Fn|9a}}

The [[Custodian Tribunate|Tribunate ]] are the highest ranking Custodians after the [[Captain-General]] himself. During the [[Great Crusade]] they were a senior cadre of around ten individuals who formed the Legio's council on war and policy.{{fnFn|1a}} After the [[Horus Heresy]], the Adeptus Custodes maintain two Tribunes, one of whom serves as master of the [[Hetaeron Guard]].{{fnFn|7}}

The Prefectorate were senior Shield-Captains during the Great Crusade. The rank of Prefect was conferred on a Shield-Captain as a mark of veterancy and the Emperor's favour.{{fnFn|1a}}

*'''Aquila Commander'''{{fnFn|8}}*'''[[Captain-Commander]]'''{{Fn|12}}

*'''Honoured Watchman''' - — Signifies that he has once served within the [[Companions]].{{Fn|9a}}

*'''Lictor'''{{fnFn|1b}}*'''Lockwarden''' - — Master of the [[Shadowkeepers]]{{fnFn|9b}}

*'''Proconsul'''{{fnFn|1b}}*'''Shieldsmith''' - — Signifies that the Custodian has triumped triumphed in a [[Blood Game]].{{Fn|9a}}*'''Supreme Castellan'''{{fnFn|8}} ==Noteworthy Shield-Captains==*{{Main|Known Members of the Adeptus Custodes}}

*[[Aquillon]] - — Prefect of the Hykanatoi.{{fnFn|4c}}*[[Diocletian Coros]] - — Prefect of the [[Hykanatoi]].{{fnFn|4a}}*[[Helios (Custodian)|Helios]] - — Tribune.{{fnFn|4b}}*[[HonorisJasaric]]— Tribune.{{fnFn|34b}}*[[Ixion HaleKadai Vilaccan]] - Tribune*[[Jasaric]] - — Tribune.{{fnFn|4b}}*[[Kadai VilaccanRa Endymion]] - — Tribune.{{fnFn|4b4a}}*[[Mikaelor CobernusVettranio Shapura]]{{fn|2}}*— [[Ra EndymionMoritoi]] - TribunePrefectus.{{fnFn|4a1c}}*[[Zhanmadao Navenar]] - Prefect of the [[TharanatoiSola Morvae Arcas]]{{fnFn|4a16}}

*[[Anatolyn GanorthBoudikari Heliathon]] *[[Archturus Paliades]] - Commands the '''Gilded Talons Shield Company'''{{fnFn|9d15}}

*[[Heracleon]] - — Tribune, Master of the Hetaeron Guard.{{fnFn|7}}*[[Italeo]] - — Tribune.{{fnFn|7}}

*[[Maldovar Colquan]] - — Tribune.{{fnFn|6}}*[[Nathadian StealeMarcus Achallor]] *[[Oldorian Mefistal]] - — Serves in the [[Dread Host]].{{fnFn|9f}}*[[Rothrian GanythTyvar]]{{fnFn|9e}}*[[Thetus]]*[[Tybalus Maxin]]{{fn|9g11}}*[[Valerian]]{{fnFn|7}}*[[Yorta'karin DesmodagesVesandrius Malathor]]{{fnFn|9c13}}

:{| border="0" cellpadding="3" align="<center" style><gallery mode="border-collapse:collapsepacked" valignheights="top250">!colspan=9 ShieldCaptain.jpg|[[Hykanatoi]] Shield-Captain (2016)WardenMini.jpg|----[[Custodian Warden]] Shield Captain (2018)Allaruscaptain.jpg|[[Image:Allarus Custodian]] Shield Captain (2018)ShieldCaptainFW.jpg|thumb|center|150px|Heresy-era Shield Captain]](2018)ShieldCaptain2024.jpg|Shield Captain (2024)HHSCPlastic.jpg|Shield Captain for the [[ImageHorus Heresy:ShieldCaptain.jpg|thumb|center|Age of Darkness]]{{PAGENAMEFn|17}} miniature]]|}</gallery></center>

*1: [[The Horus Heresy Book Seven- Inferno]]:

*4: [[The Master of Mankind (Novel)]]:**{{Endn|4a}}: ''Dramatis Personae''

*9: [[Codex: Adeptus Custodes (8th Edition)]]:

{{CustodesUnits}}[[Category:The Emperor and the Adeptus Custodes]]