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.

Alright I am building an IG army and I am kinda confused, I see several types of regiments i.e Cadian, Catachan, Elysian... Well there are two questions, first can I mix and match regiments? Second is there any benefits to one regiment over the other? I just ordered the codex and it should be here with in a couple days so please go easy on me for being an IG idiot.

No there isn't. not anymore anyways. For now the different regiments are simply for looks and so the answer to your other question is yes you can mix.

Cadians, Tallarns, Steel Legion, Valhallans, Catachans, Mordians, Vostroyans, and all of those non-FW (at least, not Forge World in the beginning) Regiments are just different versions of the Imperial guard. They use to have different rules with the Doctrine system of the last codex, but as it stands they are pretty much like the variant chapters of Codex Marines: purely for show. Forge World regiments like the DKoK and Elysians do have rules for them in the relevant Imperial Armour books, but can be used as standard guardsmen (like how you technically can use ultramarines as Grey hunters) if you dont want to use the FW rules (which are usually banned in tournaments).

There really is nothing stopping you from mix and matching regiments, however if you go with only one you get a really strong sense of unity with all of them in one style, rather than a mishmash of different models.

Yeah, it's just aesthetics. I personally don't want to field a mixed force for fluff and modeling reasons, so I don't. If you do, then go ahead. As mentioned, there's no rules distinctions.

If you want to be a cheesemaster, you can go buy some really expensive forgeworld books for alternate codecies, but which models you run are still irrelevant (you could play with DKoK with cadian models, for example).

I figured there wasn't any different rules for the different factions because I have not been finding any with google or anything like that. As far as mixing and matching, it was just a question. I agree with having a sense of unity in my army with only going with one troop style. As it stands now I am debating on either Vostoryan Firstborns or Cadians as my army.

I'd suggest Cadians solely because Vostroyians are really expensive, especially if you decide to run them in normal infantry platoons instead of as Vets. IG as it stands is already one of the more expensive armies you can get.

MechaEmperor7000 wrote:I'd suggest Cadians solely because Vostroyians are really expensive

Don't underestimate this piece of advice, especially if you're going foot guard.

Also, remember that cadians, being plastic, are way easier to convert up. If you're going mech-guard, and want to do no conversions, then the V-boys are fine, but if you're wanting to play with a horde, or get creative in the modeling department, cadians (or catachans) are the way to go.

MechaEmperor7000 wrote:I'd suggest Cadians solely because Vostroyians are really expensive, especially if you decide to run them in normal infantry platoons instead of as Vets. IG as it stands is already one of the more expensive armies you can get.

I've been leaning towards Cadians too because I've been browsing ebay and seeing alot of them for sale. I am just trying to not spend a fortune on this army. Also are there any other websites that would sell cadians just on sprue's instead of in the boxes like dicebucket.com or sometimes on ebay?

Oh, well then Cadians.

I don't think you can build a guard army cheaper.

I am still putting my list together but I am shooting for a competitive 1500pt army.

Try getting a few battle forces. It's a very good start.

or just a handful of boxes of infantry and/or a couple chimeras.

Also, as noted, e-bay is a great place to pick up a bunch of guardsmen.

Ailaros wrote:or just a handful of boxes of infantry and/or a couple chimeras.

Also, as noted, e-bay is a great place to pick up a bunch of guardsmen.

On the note of picking up a bunch of guardsman, does anyone know of any websites that sell just the sprue's out of box for a discounted price. I found one website that does but they don't have a great selection. Any help in this department would be appreciated.

I only know of in-store discount ones. however given that most have a policy of 20% off retail, 30% off no-box items, it's actually cheaper to buy the Battle Force, as the 20% off compounds with the Battle Force's normal discount, making it alot cheaper than just buying the on-sprue items (even taking into account for the elements of the battle force you wont use).

MechaEmperor7000 wrote:I only know of in-store discount ones. however given that most have a policy of 20% off retail, 30% off no-box items, it's actually cheaper to buy the Battle Force, as the 20% off compounds with the Battle Force's normal discount, making it alot cheaper than just buying the on-sprue items (even taking into account for the elements of the battle force you wont use).

Only problem with the Battle Force is that when I open it up I know damn well that I will be overwhelmed with painting. I suck at painting, when I was building my BA army (which I recently given up) it took me forever to paint one troop because my skills are so poor.

You're going to have a tough time with IG no mater what then. Even low model count armies are going to have lots of Guardsmen, and lots of Chimeras or other vehicles. The IG are an expensive army both money and painting wise.

Actually, battleforces also suffer from having to spend money on units you're not actually going to use. If you're reasonably certain you're going to use HWSs, infantry platoons, and a CCS in advance, picking up one might be a good idea, but it's still not necessarily the best. Really, the biggest problem with the battleforce is that they give you models, but they don't give you any real weapons. You still need to buy a bunch of plasma or meltagunners, etc.

The cheapest way is still ebay and simple green. Other than that, it's likely going to be picking up an endless stream of guardsmen from your FLGS.

The cost of guard isn't actually too bad, given that you collect things over time, but you do have to do a surprising amount of up-front painting and modeling to get even a 500 point list.

ChrisWWII wrote:You're going to have a tough time with IG no mater what then. Even low model count armies are going to have lots of Guardsmen, and lots of Chimeras or other vehicles. The IG are an expensive army both money and painting wise.

Wow, that just brought my spirits down. But it's the truth from what I have heard. The painting aspect is actually making me second guess whether or not I should build an IG army. But the good thing is that my friend gave me some old Catachan jungle fighters that I have recently stripped down and going to use them for practicing painting flesh tones and camo on. Hopefully that will help me.

The thing is IG is fun to paint, and each model is pretty simple (especially Cadians). Once you get down how to paint them, you can get it done pretty fast. I'm down to about 10 minutes per Guardsman now, and I like to think models (while not the best) are at least decent.

ChrisWWII wrote:The thing is IG is fun to paint, and each model is pretty simple (especially Cadians). Once you get down how to paint them, you can get it done pretty fast. I'm down to about 10 minutes per Guardsman now, and I like to think models (while not the best) are at least decent.

I was actually considering buying that 5 troop box GW has for like $9 and practicing painting on those. Atleast it would give me a few models to test out color schemes on and getting some techniques down with.

I did get those too, they're great for a bit of practice, and playing around with paint schemes.

Also those 5 man boxes are good for conscripts.

ChrisWWII wrote:I did get those too, they're great for a bit of practice, and playing around with paint schemes.

Yeah more than likely I am just going to go with the GW color scheme because I don't know really how to put together a workable color scheme for them. Is there a color chart for the Imperial Guard that shows different ideas for the uniforms? I am pretty sure that the old codex had something like that but is there something like that on the interweb?

If you can find someone who has the old guard codex, page 32 has a 1-page color guide to painting cadians.

I am actually considering buying Dawn of War for the army painter that comes with it.

I'm building a mixed catachan/cadian army and like the way they mix. i generally use one for basic infantry and the other for vets, and put catachan heads on a few cadian bodies for cadians with extra personality. they basically use the same color scheme so its cool.

My IG force is a mishmash of different kinds...Cadians, Catachans, my own mix of Cadians/Catachans, and a squad of Steel Legion thrown in. I have mixed and matched Catachan legs with Cadian tops and Catachan heads.....I have also picked up some Pig Iron Kolony Militia heads to make a squad of Shotgun Vets....

I believe that with common colors and patterns the Army will look coherent. My Harker squad is all strait Catachan troops and i feel if there were Cadians in that small squad it would look wrong. Having Catachans mixed within Cadians does look silly....

During games I just keep the different looking models i their own squads...Fluff wise i just explain that my current regiment has been combined from several decimated units....

Now here is a new question that has come to mind, is a foot slogging army (little to no armor) even a competitive choice?

Yes, Indeed it is. Powerblobs are a very competivie option for the Imperial Guard. Ailaros is the expert with all infantry IG, and I recommen you either talk to him, or read his battle reports for more information on foot slogging Guard and how kick ass it is.

ChrisWWII wrote:Yes, Indeed it is. Powerblobs are a very competivie option for the Imperial Guard. Ailaros is the expert with all infantry IG, and I recommen you either talk to him, or read his battle reports for more information on foot slogging Guard and how kick ass it is.

Thank you, I will get in contact with him and ask for his advice.