A semi-modeled infantry squad:






I removed the helmet aquilas and green-stuffed tactical rails instead, as I might add flip-down goggles or gear later.

As for the lasguns, I flattened the tops, moved the scopes, cut out the superior rails and removed any bayonets.






I also added a few little touches to represent their affinity for desert fighting, such as this guy's shawl:






Here are some Molle backpacks I ordered from The Assault Group... I really can't recommend them enough, great place to buy from.






The Las-SMG for all my Sergeants (counts as pistol and CCW). I don't want them carrying swords into battle, and as they can't take lasguns anymore () I figured it'd suit the role, just like how Sergeants in WW2 were often armed with Thompsons, Owens, etc:

Little bit of background info about my fluff and theme: my Guardsmen are fairly high-tech, and superstitious of (and lacking) psykers and abhumans. All members of their society are taught to fight at an early age, and PDF/militia troops often accompany Imperial Guard forces as auxiliaries.



- Psyker Battle Squad


Concept: A squad of robotic attack drones, accompanied and supervised by a human "handler" (responsible for keeping the drones running, and preventing/addressing malfunctions in the field if necessary).
These drones are armed with lethal electroshock weaponry [representing "Soulstorm"], as well as translocational neural disruptors [representing "Weaken Resolve], and each is able to wirelessly transfer available power reserves to other drones within its "locally-networked" unit [representing "Psychic Choir"]. Due to the unstable nature of this power transfer network however, attempts to funnel energy can sometimes result in the deactivating, short-circuiting or malfunctioning of one or more contributing machines, often causing internal damage beyond the handler's ability to repair in the field [representing "Perils of the Warp"].
They'd hopefully look something like this, or maybe similar to Tau drones.

NOTES: This converion would account for their profile (ie, reduced WS, reduced Str. and increased Ld.), and fits in with the technologically-advanced theme I was going for.




- Ratlings


Concept: A squad of elite child soldiers, selected from amongst Xanderia's most promising and well-trained youth troops. Destined for prestigious careers within Special Forces or even Storm Trooper companies, these child prodigies are deployed on reconnaissance and fire support missions alongside fully-fledged Guardsmen in order for them to garner valuable battlefield experience... and for their watchful commanders to weed out those unworthy of their elite status.
Alternatively, an all-female squad of sharpshooters (although this wouldn't really account for their different profile characteristics).

NOTES: I'd much rather go down the child soldiers route (I know, I'm horrible ), but I doubt I'd be able to find many models, well, models that look like actual children anyway. I'd want short, but proportional figures, representing troops aged from maybe 10-14 years old... any ideas? At the moment, I'm looking at Hasslefree's Kindred range.
http://www.hasslefreeminiatures.co.uk/pack.php?pack=2483
http://www.hasslefreeminiatures.co.uk/pack.php?pack=2641

Disclaimer: I know the concept of child soldiers or weak women might be offensive to some people, but I'm just trying to characterise my army, and make them as unique (and let's not forget grimdark) as possible.




- Hydra


Concept: Not really a massive overhaul, but... a self-propelled, anti-air missile defence system. Based on a Chimera chassis, but armed with multiple pods/racks of small, fast and agile guided missiles (each like a modern-day Stinger). These guided missiles represent the modified profile of a Hydra's Autocannons (72" range, Heavy 2, twin-linked and ignores "Flat Out"/"Turbo Boosting" cover saves), and allow for some (relatively) easy converting... maybe I could use Sentinel/Drop Pod/Whirlwind missile launchers, or the Valkyrie's rocket pods?

I named him "Bruce", designed custom rules for him (full set found here), and am planning to use him alongside my IG in friendly battles against my mates.

B (Bravo) Company, 1st Battalion, 14th Xanderian Infantry Regiment.

Imperial Designation: (XndInfR.14.B.1)




More commonly known as the 14th "Desert Rifles" (or simply the "Fighting Sandmen"), this regiment hails from Xanderia, a barren, dimly-lit, volcanic mining planet blanketed by thick, semi-permeable clouds of soot and ash. The planet is relatively close to its parent sun, and despite the polluting gases and debris that saturate the atmosphere, surface temperatures can occasionally reach upwards of sixty degrees Celsius. As such, water is an incredibly valuable resource on Xanderia, and its population relies almost exclusively on imported water to survive. Most natural rain that falls is acidic, having been tainted by sulphur in the atmosphere, as have the few natural rivers, lakes, oceans and subterranean reservoirs that scar the landscape.
The majority of the planet's surface is arid desert, receiving relatively little rain, and made famous by Xanderia's distinctive black-coloured sand. Such sand is formed when volcanic lava spills are cooled so rapidly that they fracture and explode, or are eroded by wind and rain once petrified. Whipped into sandstorms of often-lethal velocities by powerful winds, and hot enough to cook a human alive given enough time, only the fully-prepared or utterly foolish leave the safety of the cities and attempt to cross the deserts. 
Many never reach their destinations. Though relatively inhospitable to humans, the sands (or "Black Wastes" as they are colloquially referred to) are home to a large number of indigenous lifeforms; both faunal and floral. 

Animal life is almost exclusively reptilian in nature, and of all the dangerous animals that call Xanderia home, the most notorious (and dangerous) are the Cruori lizards (or "Dune-dragons"). Despite their size, Cruori are slender, stealthy and agile, blessed with exceptional eyesight and a keen sense of smell, and can often reach over thirteen metres in length. They feed on a variety of herbivorous species (and smaller carnivores) that wander the plains, and will supplement their diet with human flesh if given the opportunity. Able to ambush a convoy without warning, tear the treads right off a Leman Russ main battle tank or swallow a fully-armoured man whole (without suffering from any subsequent gastrointestinal problems), the Cruori are a constant menace to outlying towns and isolated outposts. 
Cities and other major settlements are protected day and night by weaponised defences designed solely to keep such wildlife at bay, and the Defence Force will often conduct military training exercises within carnivore-populated areas in order to provide troops with actual combat experience, both hardening them to the stresses and trials of warfare, strengthening bonds between squadmates, and revealing any 'weak links' to commanding officers. Civilians are permitted to bear arms when travelling between designated safe-zones, and private security is a booming industry on Xanderia, with a multitude of specialised firms catering to both citizens and corporate bodies. 

Plant life on the planet is by necessity carnivorous (or herbivorous), due to the poor levels of light available on the surface. In order for plant life to survive, energy, sugar and water must be derived from living prey. 
Though most species are (thankfully) far too small to threaten an adult human, horror stories abound of long, networked, flailing roots able to pierce a man and drain his insides, of heat-sensitive plants able to spit toxic, necrotising spines or barbs at those nearby, of invisible, wind-blown spores that grow within a man's lungs and consume him from within, and of viny tendrils laying in wait, camouflaged amongst the dirt, ready to entangle unwary travellers and drag them into gurgling organic pits beneath the sand. Such monstrosities are relatively few in number however; much more numerous are the popular insect or pest-devouring plant species native to the acidic swamps of the South, often cultivated within greenhouses or household gardens and provided with artificial sunlight to accelerate growth.

Thanks to widespread (and lucrative) mining opportunities provided by rich mineral deposits within the planet's crust, Xanderian citizens enjoy relative prosperity, and thus an ample supply of advanced technology, such as giant, hemispherical energy-shields that help to protect cities and settlements from the sand and rain. Regardless of their wealth however, they generally choose to live simply, free from the decadent trappings and oppressive hierarchies of other wealthy Imperial worlds. Xanderia is devoid of any social or political caste system; every man, woman and child is an equal as decreed by democratic law, and serve no monarchy or ruling body other than that of their government, Holy Terra and the absolute authority of the Emperor. Carefree and happy, despite the incredibly harsh environment around them, Xanderians are a tough people, strong of mind and body, and utterly-loyal to the Imperium that provides them with water, equipment and other vital supplies. 

It is purely because of their harsh upbringing, experience and access to advanced technology that Xanderia produces such high-quality military men and women for induction into the Imperial Guard. Resourceful, fit and bonded by shared battlefield experiences, forged by heat, sand and trial-by-combat, each is a weathered survivor of their own birthplace and an experienced combat veteran to boot. Every officer, whether commissioned or not, is selected purely for his or her command capabilities, rather than any inherently-prestigious political or regal standing. Incompetence by those in such positions is punished dearly. 
Infantry companies on foot usually travel with all their gear and supplies, unsupported by transport vehicles, which cannot be trusted to remain in working order under such extreme environmental conditions. As such, Xanderian soldiers are lightly-protected, clad only in internally-cooled bodysuits, fatigues and flak armour. Their weapons are shortened, the complex and delicate focusing arrays inside the muzzle repositioned within the fore-stock and housed internally to prevent clogging and lens erosion. Many wear shawls, shemaghs, scarves and goggles to protect their faces from the howling winds and desert sands.

Capable of manoeuvring and fighting effectively within hostile deserts or hot climates that others would struggle to survive, Xanderian infantry regiments are invaluable to Imperial commanders from a tactical perspective, and can open up entirely new battlefronts to surprise advances or flanking opportunities. 

Extended stalemates and entire wars of attrition have been decisively ended by such actions.