A Thousand Points of Light: Imperial Guard by Patrick Eibel
The Imperial Guard are the 40K equivalent to the regular army. As such, I wanted this force to feel like an actual platoon of soldiers, rather than really futuristic. I used Steel Legion figures (see below) because you can still get troop boxes, but you could substitute plastic Cadian models if they are ever made. I chose not to use Catachans because I will be doing a separate Jungle Fighter list, however you may substitute the cheaper models if you are so inclined. 

Remember, this list--like all the others in this series--is meant for brand new players or for players looking to start a new army. This list is not meant to be a "killer" list for winning tournaments or trouncing people at the local gaming shop. Rather, it is a foundation that players can build upon as they desire.

What To Buy

2 Commissars (w/ appropriate weapons)	$16.00	£8
4 boxes of Steel Legion squads	$140.00	£72
1 Steel Legion Lieutenant	$7.00	£4
1 Steel Legion Sergeant	$6.00	£6
3 Steel Legion heavy bolter teams	$40.00	£21
3 plasma gun troopers	$21.00	£9
1 flamer trooper	$7.00	£3
1 medic (use Gaunt’s Ghost figure)	$6.00	£3
1 Leman Russ Battle Tank	$35.00	£18
2 Sentinels	$40.00	£20
1 Chimera	$30.00	£18
Total	$348.00	£182

All prices are from the Games Workshop website and may vary. Prices do not include taxes and are meant only as a guide.

1000 point list
Use the Commissar with the power fist and cloak to represent your captain. The Steel Legion boxes should come with missile launcher teams and grenade launcher troopers. Use three of the missile launcher teams for the anti-tank squad and the last for the Infantry command. Split the four grenade launcher troopers between the command squads. You will need to buy heavy weapon teams (heavy bolters) and assault troppers (either plasma gun or flamer) to finish out your infantry squads. If you cannot find Steel Legion heavy weapon or assault troops, use Cadians or Valhallans as you see fit. 

You will replace the Sergeant for the Armored Fist squad with the cool Steel Legion Sergeant with the Ork head in his hands. The other Sergeant figure will go in the Command HQ as the Sergeant. Finally, there are no medic figures available. The just-released Gaunt’s Ghost box set does have a Doc figure, which would be perfect if you can buy it individually from Mail Order (I guessed at the price). Otherwise, you could fashion your own from a standard trooper or swap out both the sergeant and medic for a lascannon team instead (additional $10).
 

Imperial Guard Tactics
The infantry squads and command squads will form a static battle line. Use the Captain’s command squad to move along the back of the line to add support where needed and to keep him within 12" of the infantry units so they may benefit from his Leadership of 8. The Armored Fist squad, Sentinels (in separate squadrons, of course), and Leman Russ will be the mobile element of your army should you need to claim board quarters. Obviously, you should try not to move the Leman Russ if possible so as to maximize your shooting potential. 

Related Pages
Introduction to the series
Other lists in this series
 

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© Copyright Patrick Eibel, June 2002. Used with permission.
 

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