Imperial Guard (Warhammer 40,000)

The 3rd edition Imperial Guard sourcebook.

The Imperial Guard are a specific army or faction in the Warhammer 40,000 and Epic tabletop games and universe. The army itself is characterised by being capable of fielding a multitude of lightly-armoured, average infantry in combination with some of the toughest and most powerful tanks in the game. In the game universe, the Imperial Guard is a colossal military organisation consisting of billions of men and women from thousands of different worlds and systems within the Imperium of Man.

The Imperial Guard was first introduced to the game in White Dwarf 109. In May 2009 a new codex was released for the 5th Edition of the game, along with a number of new plastic kits. One such new model is the Valkyrie.

Overview

The Imperial Guard (previously the Imperial Army) is a colossal military organisation, consisting of many individual armies throughout the Imperium, and forming the vast bulk of the Imperium's military machine.

Each Imperial Guard regiment is raised from a single world and numbers between five hundred and ten thousand fighting soldiers, supported by a huge array of light and heavy armoured vehicles. Each regiment also has its own entourage, consisting of support staff, camp followers, suppliers, tech-priests, doctors, religious leaders and the like.

Regiments are drawn from all types of planets of the Imperium from Holy Terra to Feral and Medieval worlds, and the contributions of some planets over the ten thousand years of the Imperium runs into the billions, if not more. The Imperial Guard are constantly at war, freeing worlds from Chaotic or alien influence, or defending them from the same. The Imperial Guard rely upon the Imperial Navy for transport to and from warzones.

Gameplay

The codex for the game's 2nd edition.

The first Imperial Guard codex for Warhammer 40,000 3rd edition.

History of the Imperial Guard as an Army

The first edition of Warhammer 40,000 included rules for a force known as the "Army". Later their name was changed to "Imperial Guard".

The Imperial Guard was initially bound by a series of rules relating to its command structure. Squads of units formed platoons under a command squad. Units that were separated from the command squad were more limited in action. The initial Imperial Army could include, besides the basic squads, Rough Riders (a form of mounted trooper), penal troops, human bombs and Abhumans (see below). Vehicles were limited to Rhinos, and Land Speeders.

The first incarnation of the Imperial Guard as a fully-supported army was in 1995, with the release of the Codex: Imperial Guard sourcebook for the second edition of Warhammer 40,000. This was the first time that the army itself had specific army rules collected in their own sourcebook. With the release of the third edition of the game, almost all the Warhammer 40,000 armies eventually had new codices compatible with the new edition. In line with this, Codex: Imperial Guard was released in 1999, followed by Codex: Catachans in 2001. This was a smaller sourcebook (or mini-dex/mini-codex) that was meant to be used in conjunction with the "parent" Codex: Imperial Guard. The mini-dex itself provided even more specific rules for fielding one of the more popular Imperial Guard sub-armies, the Catachan Jungle Fighters, for which plastic models were available. In 2003, Games Workshop conducted the Eye of Terror worldwide campaign and released a corresponding sourcebook, Codex: Eye of Terror. This campaign sourcebook contained various rules, including a specific army list for another one of the Imperial Guard's notable sub-armies, the Cadian Shock Troops. Soon after the campaign ended, the changes in the Cadian Shock Troops army list were integrated into the Imperial Guard rules, and Games Workshop released a second, revamped version of Codex: Imperial Guard. Following various rumours, White Dwarf 351 confirmed that an updated Imperial Guard codex was being released, along with new rules and miniatures (including the Valkyrie airborne assault carrier, a new Cadian and Catachan command squad and a new sentinel) and was released on May 2 2009.

Overview

File:ImperialGuardCadians.gif

Cadian Guardsmen

Because of the low in-game points cost of each individual Imperial Guardsman, Imperial Guard armies are capable of fielding a much larger number of troops than most other armies (A full guard platoon can boast up to 147 models (not counting independent characters) per troops choice). In addition, they have access to various vehicles, such as the Leman Russ main battle tank, Basilisk mobile artillery, Chimera armoured troop transport and the Sentinel scout (or war) walker.

In the latest Codex, the Imperial Guard "doctrines" were removed, replaced by the "orders" system. Units designated by the "order" must be in a specific distance radius from either a Platoon Officer or an HQ Officer. Benefits are given if the squad has a vox-caster.

In addition to humans, the Imperial Guard also contains several types of abhumans—species evolved from humans that differ markedly from the norm. The two species most commonly found are the Ogryns (the counterpart of the Warhammer Fantasy setting ogres) and the Ratlings (a sub-human that resembles the halfling/hobbit).

One of the more distinctive aspects of the Imperial Guard army is its Commissars. They are represented as akin to the ruthless, obedient political commissars of the Soviet Union.

The Imperial Commissar, as described by many Warhammer novelists, is given complete jurisdiction to judge the actions of any trooper or officer and to act accordingly. An Imperial Commissar's word is immutable law and his visage is one of grim authority that is to be respected and rightly feared, reporting to the Commissariat personally. Many novels also hint that a good portion of the Commissars slain in battle are "accidentally" hit by "friendly fire." There are hints that some Commissars have taken to the tactic of inspiring troops by heroic example, hoping to emulate the "heroic" Commissar Ciaphas Cain.

As a single platoon contains several squads, and each squad has options for taking special and heavy weapons, a single troops choice can take a staggering amount of said weapons (a fully loaded platoon may take up to 11 special weapons AND 20 heavy weapons in a single troops choice, while most other armies can only take one of each), which, when combined with the heavy firepower of Guard vehicles produces an army that is primarily geared toward firepower.

Main article: Vehicles of the Imperial Guard (Warhammer 40,000)

Some of the major strengths of the Imperial Guard army are their vehicles. From the fragile Sentinel to the devastatingly destructive Leman Russ Demolisher, and many of its new variants released in the new codex, the vehicles of the Imperial Guard can significantly add to their effectiveness as an army.The Imperial Guard are said to have the best tanks in the game; while individual tanks from other armies (such as the Necrons) may sport more firepower or armor than those of the Imperial Guard, but, overall, the Guard has the most powerful armored force. New plastic kits for the hellhounds, leman russ' and basilisks are rumoured to be in production for an August 2009 release.

Notable regiments

There are around a million worlds contributing Imperial Guard regiments to the Imperium's defence, each world having its own methods of training, its own unique equipment, and its own specialisations. Even so, the regiments of certain worlds stand out, and are renowned throughout the Imperium for their deeds, strengths and methods of combat.

Some examples of exceptional regiments are:

Cadian Shock Troops: Cadians are notable as being the only regiment of the Imperial Guard which is not directly based on a real world historical army. In appearance, Cadians are science fiction rather than historical, and represent the standard Imperial Guard regiments. Cadia, a strategically important planet as it guards the one major stable route through the Eye of Terror, has developed into a heavily fortified world as it must constantly guard against invasions of Chaos forces. Cadian society is heavily militarised, every civilian a trained soldier, with roughly 75% of the planet's population under arms at any one point. The Cadians, to an extent, resemble the Mobile Infantry from the 1997 film Starship Troopers albeit vastly superior.

Mordian Iron Guard: The Mordian Iron Guard are disputably the most ruthlessly efficient Imperial Guard army in the Imperium. Mordian, the Iron Guard homeworld, is known as the World of Eternal Night; due to its slow axial rotation, one half of the planet is constantly burned by sunlight, while the other remains in darkness. The dark half is very densely populated, and food and supplies must be strictly rationed and recycled to allow the populace to survive, although with severe impoverishment. Because of this, the Mordian Iron Guard are often fighting rebellions, quelling uprisings and policing the planet's civilians. The Mordian Iron Guard is highly disciplined and believe in swift precision and are constantly drilling. The Mordian Iron Guard are known for their bright, immaculate, battle dress uniform. Their trappings, combined with their drills and marches, make the Mordian Iron Guard comparable to tin soldiers. The Iron Guard's uniform is comparable to Imperial European uniforms of the 19th and 18th centuries. As a result of their appearance, many opponents have made the fatal mistake of underestimating the Mordian Iron Guard, but few live to regret it.

Valhallan Ice Warriors: The Valhallan soldiers are known for their grim resolve and seeming indifference to even the most appalling casualties. Valhalla, the Ice Warrior homeworld, was once a verdant paradise before being struck by a meteor. The meteor did not destroy the planet, but turned it into a harsh world of endless glaciers. The Valhallan Ice Warriors now defend their scarce resources against the rampaging Ork warbands that are eager to steal what little the Valhallan settlers are able to maintain. The Ice Warriors' appearance and character is reminiscent of the Soviet Union soldiers during World War II, and the planet Valhalla and its soldiers are a homage to the ice planet Hoth from the Star Wars franchise.

Tallarn Desert Raiders: The Tallarn Desert Raiders are superb desert strategists, and cunning practitioners of guerrilla warfare. Known and feared for their weapon accuracy, the Tallarn Desert Raiders are just as deadly with swords and daggers as they are with a rifle. The Tallarn are comparable to desert bandits of ancient Arabia, but also soldiers of the LRDG of the British Army in the North African campaign of WWII.

Armageddon Steel Legions: Representative of the Imperial Guard's more advanced formations, The Armageddon Steel Legions fight as mechanized infantry within Chimera APCs. Armageddon, a planet blighted and poisoned after centuries of industry, is a manufacturing centre and a constant battlesite between the Steel Legions and countless Ork hordes. The soldiers of the Steel Legions require gas masks and trenchcoats to protect them from their toxic homeworld, but equally require a uniform which emphasizes the technologically advanced society which produced them, and thus have a uniform which is a composite of many elements. Parts of the uniform are drawn from British Infantry uniform in WW1 (coats are modelled on the British 1914 Utility Tunic and Gasmasks are of the 1916 Box-Respirator type) & German Paratroops ( Fallschirmjäger )of WWII (helmet designs). This is contrasted with Steel Legion weapons, which are all much more high tech and more portable than comparable Imperial designs - for example, their rifles are 1/2 the size of Cadian weapons, and have folding wire stocks.

Death Korps of Krieg: Krieg, home of the Death Korps, was once torn apart by a long and bloody rebellion. The planet's governors overthrew the rebels, but only after 500 years of atomic cleansing. The Death Korps are fearless soldiers, fighting the Imperium's enemies forever in order to atone for their planet's past rebellion. The Death Korps are grim fighters, specializing in trench warfare and attrition; they see death as the ultimate penance and a redemption in the eyes of the Emperor. The Korps are share elements with the Steel Legion in terms of appearance (e.g. Gasmasks), but have a repeating skull motif in their equipment that matches their morbid personalities. Their uniforms and equipment draw influences from many combatants in World War I , predominately the French and German armies.

Catachan Jungle Fighters: Experts in jungle warfare and camouflage, the Catachans are the best hunters in the human forces of the Imperium of Man. The Catachans are tough and hostile, even to fellow Imperials. Many Catachan regiments also have a strong dislike of authority; many Commissars are dispatched to Catachan units but few ever return. The Catachans are based on the US forces in the Vietnam War, and a homage to several movies like Predator and Commando. One Catachan special character, Sly Marbo, is based on Sylvester Stallone's Rambo character.

Praetorians: The Praetorians are brave and disciplined, famous for their unwavering resolution in the darkest times. Praetoria is a world of squalid hive cities, populated by slaves and tyrannical lords. Crimes, no matter how minor, are fiercely punished and so the Praetorian infantry are trained to follow orders without hesitation. Many of the battles involving the Praetorians end with bloody massacres, like the Battle of Big Toof River, but the Praetorians are always remembered for their fighting spirit when all is lost. The Praetorians are reminiscent of soldiers of the British Empire serving in the numerous colonial conflicts of the 19th century, and the Battle of Big Toof River is an homage to the film Zulu, which commemorates the events occurring at Rorke's Drift during the Zulu Wars.

Vostroyan First-born The Vostroyans are one of the oldest Imperial Guard regiments, able to trace their regimental histories back to the Horus Heresy. The Vostroyans have a tradition that the firstborn son of every household will serve in the Vostroyan regiments, hence the name of the Regiments. Vostroyan soldiers and officers retain a very archaic appearance compared to the rest of Imperial Guard. Their weapons are passed down from from firstborn to firstborn and are usually worth more than the guardsmen who carry them. The Firstborn are based in appearance on the real world 18th century Russian Cossacks. Firstborn use long and very ornate rifles, usually with wooden stocks. Officers bear lasguns integrated with axes. Thus, the Vostroyans are probably the regiment most evocative of the "retro-tech" background of Warhammer 40,000, and were originally based on concept sketches by celebrated artist John Blanche.

Tanith First and Only The forested world of Tanith fostered three Imperial Guard regiments shortly before it was destroyed by Chaos; only a third of these units, primarily their light infantry, escaped. As a result, the Tanith First and Only has an extreme hatred for Chaos. The unit was famed for its ability to use camouflage, conduct recon missions, and ambushing their enemies. They were also known by another name based upon the last name of their commander (Colonel-Commissar Ibram Gaunt): Gaunt's Ghosts. Following a siege on the hive world of Verghast, they adopted the survivors of the besieged hive into the First and Only, much to the annoyance of both factions; the original Ghosts didn't care for the new members, and the Verghast felt unappreciated. However, after much work from the senior officers of both and Gaunt, they have been integrated into a full company successfully.

Video games

File:WH40k DoW IG Lasguns.jpg

Squad of Imperial Guardsmen led by a Commissar in the game Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War

The Imperial Guard make several appearances in many of the video games that occur in the Warhammer 40,000 universe.

The Imperial Guard make a guest appearance in the single player campaign of Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War led by Colonel Carus Brom as NPCs and playable units in some missions . They have since been expanded into a playable faction in the game's expansion packs:

Further information: List of Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War characters

• In Winter Assault, the Guard is represented by the 412th Cadian Regiment under the command of General Sturnn in the Order Campaign.

• In Dark Crusade, the 1st Kronus regiment, a.k.a. "The Liberators", represents the faction, led by Governor-Militant Lukas Alexander with their home territory based out of "Victory Bay."

• In Soulstorm, the faction is portrayed as the 252nd Kauravan conservator regiment, under Governor-General Vance Stubbs; their primary base of operations is located in the Dussala District on Kaurava I.

The Imperial Guard were part of the Imperium's force in Final Liberation: Warhammer Epic 40,000, the other two parts consisting of the Space Marines and the Adeptus Mechanicus Titan legions.

The Imperial Guard also make appearances as opposition in the Warhammer 40,000: Fire Warrior first-person shooter. Among the possible opponents, there are lasgun and autogun-wielding guardsmen, officers with chainswords and a Valkrie Dropship as a boss.

The Imperial Guard has made appearance also in the computer game Warhammer 40,000: Rites of War. Usually used alongside Space Marine forces (much like in the Final Liberation.)

Much like in the original Dawn of War the Imperial Guard (more specifically stormtroopers) make a guest appearance as NPCs in Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II during several campaign battles, including the ending mission against the Tyranid Hive Tyrant.

See also

• Equipment of the Imperium (Warhammer 40,000)
• Vehicles of the Imperial Guard (Warhammer 40,000)
• Vehicles of the Imperium (Warhammer 40,000)
• WH40K Wiki Imperial Guard

Bibliography

• Chambers, Andy (2003). Warhammer 40,000 Codex: Imperial Guard (3rd Edition ed.). Nottingham: Games Workshop. ISBN 1-84154-410-8. {{cite book}}: |edition= has extra text (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
• Johnson, Jervis (2001). Warhammer 40,000 Codex: Catachans. Nottingham: Games Workshop. ISBN 1-84154-016-1.
• Imperial Guard Homepage from the UK Games Workshop website. URL accessed on 9 January 2006.
• Haines, Pete. "Chapter Approved – Rolling Thunder: Armoured Companies Army List" (PDF). Games Workshop. Retrieved 2007-08-12.