Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

I can't find any referance in the Imperial Guard Codex that states the Special Characters cannot be given additional equipment, particularly as they replace a particular member of the squad.

This brakes down in to two things
Sgt. specific upgrades:
(A veteran sgt. may replace a close combat weapon with a powerfist, could bastone take advantage of that?)
Squad upgrades
(For example, if I take a veteran's squad with Bastone, then take the 'forward scouts' doctrine, does Bastone get a camo-cloak?)

Is there a rule in the main book I'm forgetting that covers this?

Show me in their Army list entry the points costs and options for their additional gear.

Woops! You can't. The options for the "Sergeants" are for the stock sergeants with the stock sergeant profile and special rules. Once you put in a Special Character he is not that stock sergeant, so cannot take those options.

I had actualy assumed that much, but wanted to double check.

That doesn't answer the second question however:

Squad upgrades
(For example, if I take a veteran's squad with Bastone, then take the 'forward scouts' doctrine, does Bastone get a camo-cloak?)

Those specifily say 'the squad gains', and the special character is part of the squad.

Mars.Techpriest wrote:I had actualy assumed that much, but wanted to double check.

That doesn't answer the second question however:

Squad upgrades
(For example, if I take a veteran's squad with Bastone, then take the 'forward scouts' doctrine, does Bastone get a camo-cloak?)

Those specifily say 'the squad gains', and the special character is part of the squad.

This is the same issue that Tellion has with scouts who buy camo cloaks. Not sure how that worked out. I would say though that he does benefit from the doctrines.

For Telion

Marine Dex p.134 wrote:the squad may have camo cloaks

I see no reason to discount Telion from being part of the squad.

If the wording is the same for IG, I see no reason the squad upgrades would not also affect similar named sgt upgrades.

I'm pretty sure that both bastone and harker require the squad to take a specific doctrine

Scott-S6 wrote:I'm pretty sure that both bastone and harker require the squad to take a specific doctrine

Nope. Harker prevents his squad from having Grenadiers. Bastonne w/Grenadiers is a non issue, as he already has Carapace Armour. But there is nothing to stop them, so far as I can see and I would say they get the additional equipment, as they are part of the squad.