Summary
Players ofWarhammer 40Kmight look at the Imperial Guard and see them as mere cannon fodder, especially when compared to the more brutal Space Marines, the wilder Orks, the devastating Tyranids, and the ravenous forces of Chaos. However, on top of what the Astra Militarum has in terms of numbers, are various Imperial Guard Regiments prepared to lay down their lives for the Imperium through their specializations.
For newcomers toWarhammer 40Kin terms of both lore and gameplay, the sheer numbers and specialties of the Imperial Guard may tempt them to explore this faction’s many branches. However, just which Imperial Guard Regiment suits specific kinds of players and playstyles?
Updated July 18, 2025 by Rhenn Taguiam:With Space Marine 2 achieving decent success in gaming spheres and Amazon finally greenlighting production for its Warhammer 40K series, it’s good news across the board for Warhammer fans. However, those who want to dabble into more Warhammer 40K might want to try their hand at the miniature wargame, specifically with an army as expansive as the Astra Militarum.
Thankfully, the Imperium has no shortage of Regiments for players to consider using - the strongest among which include the likes of extremely deadly Ogryn warriors, masked loyalists of the Emperor, fire-loving comrades, and even elite agents.
With A Devotion Unmatched Among The Imperial Guard
Strengths
Skilled Marksmen who use shoulder-to-shoulder firing formations, with unmatched Devotion, use finely-made and fully-enclosed armor.
Weaknesses
Aside from complete devotion, the Maccabian Janissaries don’t have any particular specialties.
Notable Units
As they are not a declared Regiment as per 8th Edition rules, there are no official Maccabian Janissaries models. However, their units and rulesets should be identical to the Astra Militarum’s, provided the tournament and opponents consent to going against a kitbashed (but properly declared) Maccabian Janissaries army.
Although theMaccabian Janissarieshail from the blessed Shrine World of Maccabeus Quintus, their world is far from “blessed” regarding resources and habitability. Instead, the Maccabeus Quintus is abundant in devotion - particularly through the Maccabian Janissaries who see fighting for the Imperium as an opportunity to show their unwavering faith in the Emperor. They wear a signature full-face mask in the shape of Saint Drusus, the Regiment’s founder and among the Emperor’s most skilled commanders.
Despite their first appearance in theWarhammer 40K RoleplayingTTRPG and lack of official model support from Games Workshop, players hoping to kitbash a Maccabian Janissaries army for theirWarhammer 40Kgameplayshould consider using units from the Tempestus Scions or Cadian Shocktroops as a base for both their units and base abilities. Maccabian Janissaries are known to have finely-wrought armor with skills in marksmanship, making other Regiments that specialize in long-range play their basis in terms of mechanics.
Brutal Ogryn Who Cannot Be Contained In Battle
The Hybrid Shooting/Combat Unit is known for being cheap but also tough. Its Ripper Gun can be a melee and ranged weapon.
Rather fragile despite their increased toughness, making them unreliable as actual tanks
Ogryn, Ogryn Bone’ead As they are not a declared Regiment as per 8th Edition rules, there are no official Krourk Ogryn Auxilia models. However, their units and rulesets should be identical to the Astra Militarum’s Auxillia Ogryn Squad.
Hailing from Krourk, theKrourk Ogryn Auxiliaare known for having much more brutal versions of the Abhuman Ogryns. They are often deployed sedated due to their volatile nature, especially when a squad of Ogryns who are enraged could be enough to bring down light-armored vehicles - especially when using their dual-purpose Ripper Guns, which are both compatible with both ranged and melee combat. Although the Codex doesn’t feature specific datasheets for the Krourk Ogryn Auxilia, it’s safe to assume their stats are almost identical to the Ogryn Squad.
While the simpler 10th Edition variant can reduce the Hit Roll of the enemy (Suppression Fire) and may operate a Hatchway during Movement (Idle Hands), their 9th Edition counterpart is much more potent. They have a natural -1 Damage against enemy attacks due to their physique (Wall of Muscle) and may even attack enemies within their Engagement Range despite ally presence (Point-Blank Barrage).
Fire-Loving Fire Skunks Others Don’t Even Want To Gear Near
Flamers, Incendiary Grenades, preference to fight on the frontlines and burn enemies
Not as reliable when deployed in defensive incursions due to their volatile equipment
Hellhounds As they are not a declared Regiment as per 8th Edition rules, there are no official Miasman Redcowls models. However, their units and rulesets should be identical to the Astra Militarum’s, provided the tournament and opponents consent to go against a kitbashed (but properly declared) Miasman Redcowls army.
Serving among the newer official Regiments of the Imperial Guard, not a lot is known aboutMiasman Redcowlssave for their ominous red robes. While some might speculate as to why rebreathers are essential for these soldiers who hail from the space station networks that surrounded gas giant Miasma XVI, those on the frontlines will see for themselves the sheer fury of the Miasman Redcowls when unleashed on the battlefield. Their rebreathers are necessary to ensure they can still breathe after all the onslaught they release with their Flamers, Incendiary Grenades, and the fiery artillery of their Hellhounds.
Since no official Miasman Redcowls units are released fortheirWarhammer 40Kgameplay, players should consider kitbashing their Imperial Guard and Skiitari units to approximate them closely. It’s said that their fire is more volatile (and stinkier) than Promethium, but no statblock exists for such an armament. The volatile nature of their fiery kit makes them unideal to be deployed in defensive incursions - but they are very well compatible wreaking havoc on territories the Imperium wants to clear of the xenos infection.
The Imperium’s Most Elite Assigned To Terra’s Imperial Palace
Famous for being the peak of martial prowess an Imperial Guard can achieve, especially during the Unification Wars and the Great Crusade. Served as bodyguards within the Imperial Palace on Terra.
Near-extinct Regiment which only started to regain its status post-Horus Heresy.
As they are not a declared Regiment as per 8th Edition rules, there are no official Lucifer Blacks models. However, their units and rulesets should be identical to the Astra Militarum’s, provided the tournament and opponents consent to going against a kitbashed (but properly declared) Lucifer Blacks army.
Almost every faction in theWarhammer 40Kuniverse has some form of “super secret” black ops unit, and theLucifer Blacksrepresent the Imperial Guard’s most elite warriors. Their notoriety goes back to the Unification Wars and the Great Crusader, with their long-sleeved flak jackets and Power Glaives made more iconic with their choice of a rather plain-looking black aesthetic compared to their more regal counterparts. After various events led to the disgraceful disbandment of the Lucifer Blacks and almost being driven to near-extinction, their reinstatement became an opportunity for them to regain their honor.
Nowadays, the elite Lucifer Blacks now guard the Imperial Palace alongside the Katanda Stalwarts and Palatine Sentinels. Not much is known about their true skillset, especially since their reputation traces well back to the Unification Wars when there wasn’t any real “basis” of comparison against their peers. However, being reinstated post-Horus Heresy and being specified to have gained some of their previous notoriety meant they could be estimated to have levels of competencies similar to Karskins, Scions, and perhaps even Cadian Shock Troops. Due to their lack of official models, the profile of the Lucifer Blacks makes their powerset similar to the Tempestus Scions, with a mix of Karskin and Solar Auxilia as model kitbash bases.
Suffers from suboptimal bonuses.
As per 8th Edition Rules, units with the keyword can be assigned .
Of thefactions inWarhammer 40Klore, Orks can be some of the toughest warriors due to their keen resilience and knack for reckless fighting. No one knows this better than theArmageddon Steel Legion, as their homeworld of Armageddon has become the site of frequent sieges from Orks. While absent in the current 10th Edition, their presence in the 8th Edition adds burst-fire capabilities to an Imperial Guard army. Their quick-acting nature extends to being rapid-fire experts, with Mount Up! (Order) allowing them to quite literally hit-and-run should a vehicle be nearby.
Other interesting mechanics include Industrial Efficiency (Doctrine) that lets Armageddon infantry double attacks with Rapid Fire weapons up to 18in, while Vehicles treat AP -1 attacks as AP 0. Armored Fist (Shooting Stratagem) lets Armageddon units disembark from a Vehicle reroll a Hit of 1. Despite the potential of the Steel Legion to become powerhouses, their bonuses hit the mark to become truly useful in large-scale fights, making them more optimal as support units but not necessarily mainline fighters.
Disciplined Long-Ranged Specialists For Sniper Plays
Long-ranged specialization allows them to mow down targets from afar, giving them decent sniping potential.
Sniping potential is at the cost of being dependent on matchups.
As per 8th Edition Rules, units with the keyword can be assigned .vb
The planet Mordian’s existence within the dangerous Dark Imperium has necessitated a rule of extreme rigidness and discipline, with theMordian Iron Guardbeing the epitome of such absolute dedication. As units trained on a planet constantly attacked byforces of Chaos inWarhammer 40Klore, it makes sense for the Mordian Iron Guard to be self-sufficient and skilled at taking down foes before they even pose a threat. The game reflects this through various mechanics: Form Firing Squad! (Order) enables Rapid Fire weapons to target non-nearby enemies, Parade Drill (Doctrine) gives +1Ld and 5-to-Hit Overwatch, and Volley Fire (Shooting Stratagem) gives another Hit roll after hitting 6+ in the first Hit.
While absent in the 10th Edition, their setup as a Regiment option in the 8th Edition allows them to take on sniping roles and even deal decent damage when firing from Overwatch. However, this setup is risky, as Parade Drill is best used against opponents dependent on close-quarters combat. Without the proper setup, the Mordian Iron Guard can see their weaknesses quickly against better-equipped shooting foes.
Lacks consistent firepower against tankier foes.
As per 8th Edition Rules, units with keyword can be assigned .
TheTallarn Desert Raidershave become infamous for their hit-and-run tactics, not out of training, but rather out of necessity, as their lush homeworld of Tallarn was transformed into an inhospitable desert during the Horus Heresy. After Tallarn repelled the forces of Chaos in a clash of 10 million tanks, Tallarn’s survivors became notorious for being masters of mobile warfare. While they’re absent in the 10th Edition, their presence in the 8th Edition has inspired the creation of hyper-mobile vehicle divisions. This is captured in gameplay easily through Get Around Behind Them! (Tank Order), allowing their vehicles to move before or after a shot for maximum maneuverability.
Their kit also incentivizes making faster, more efficient shots. Swift as the Wind (Doctrine) removes the penalties for Advancing and shooting (for Infantry), moving and firing Heavy Weapons (Vehicles), and treats Heavy Weapons as Assault Weapons (for Titanic Vehicles). For maximum effect, Ambush (Deployment Stratagem) allows Tallarn Desert Raiders to be set up for a surprise attack, and their Warlord unit may use Swift Attacker (Warlord Trait) to force units to charge even after falling back.
They suffer in terms of overall unit quantity.
As per 8th Edition Rules, units with keyword can be assigned to .
After the Industrial World of Vostroya refused to assistthe Emperor in the Horus Heresy, the shamed planet aims to repent for its lack of service by making its firstborns join the Imperial Guard. Reflected through theVostroyan Firstborn, these hardened soldiers use their distant familial ties to strengthen their camaraderie just as how their planet’s brutal alleyways and winters have trained them. While absent in the 10th Edition, the Firstborns in the 8th Edition boast strong firepower as Repel the Enemy! (Order) lets them fire any weapon within an inch of their model.
The rest of their kit excels at modifying weapon capabilities. Heirloom Weapons (Doctrine) add 6 to Rapid Fire and Heavy Weapons, allowing them to hit foes much further away. Meanwhile, Firstborn Pride (Shooting Stratagem) adds +1-to-Hit, making this quite a massive bonus for incremental firepower. Vostroyan Warlords can also use Honoured Duellist (Warlord Trait) to reroll failed Hit and Would rolls during the Fight phase, giving them more room to damage foes.
Cavalry Masters Can Overcome Terrain To Secure Objectives
Counter-charge specialists who can wreak havoc against weaker enemy units as flank support, especially when aiding or being aided by a larger force.
Rough Rider, Rough Rider Sergeant.
TheWarhammer 40Klore pays homage to thelegacy of the Mongol Empirethrough theAttilan Rough Riders, perhaps one of the game’s best cavalry units that hail from the Feudal World of Attila. Despite merely riding horses, the Rough Riders possess Horse Masters (Ability) that allow them to bypass terrain and movement modifiers and Scything Momentum (Ability) that gives them +2 Strength in the Fight phase should they perform a charge move this turn. As such, the Rough Riders compensate for their lack of interactions with Secondary Objectives because they can make potent counter-charge units.
Performance-wise, the Attilan Rough Riders possess Hunting Lances that can be modified to pack a lot of punch against cannon fodder units. Rough Riders can also benefit from Thunderous Charge (Stratagem) which can inflict 1 Mortal Wound to an enemy within their range after charging, whereas Feinting Strike (Stratagem) lets them shoot and declare a charge in the same turn in which they initiated Fall Back.
Elite Troops Become A Mini-Army Within The Imperial Guard
Limitations are compensated in terms of quantity and access to a more balanced kit.
Restricted unit list and lack of Regimental Doctrines lock them out of stronger Imperial Guard strategies.
Tempesus Scions, Valkyries, Taurox Prime, Auxilia (Commissars, Enginseers, Bullgryn, Ogryn, Ratlings, Psykers, Priests, Servitors).
Considered elite troops of the Imperial Guard, theMilitarum Tempestusare equipped with both the training and the armaments required to secure objectives methodically and consistently. In theirWarhammer 40Kfaction gameplay, this does mean having tactically viable units with more customizable weaponry and Deep Strike (Core Ability) to expand their deployment reach. Likewise, Storm Troopers (Ability) also allow them to reroll a Hit Roll 1 or reroll the Hit entirely when within the range of an objective. Their restricted unit list makes it ideal for Tempestus Scions to be deployed in 5-unit teams for quick skirmishes or heavier 10-unit teams for long-term firefights.
Compositions-wise, the Militarum Tempestus limitations allow them to take Commissars and other Auxilia forces. This allows players to slightly customize their Tempestus loadouts with Psykers, Ratlings, Bullgryns, and Servitors. Deployments become more convenient with Taurox Prime, while a Valkyrie could provide much-needed air support for the team.
