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Somebody told me that for imperial guard to field troops they need to field a platoon command squad. Is this still true because I can’t find it in the newest codex. I understand that to field a platoon command squad you need at least 2 infantry squads, but to field an “infantry squad” the book seems to make no mention of needing to field a “platoon command squad” as a pre-condition. Page reference?

Page 94. Infantry Platoons are composed of 1 Platoon Command Squad, 2-5 Infantry Squads, 0-5 Heavy Weapons Squads, 0-3 Special Weapons Squads and 0-1 Conscripts Squad.


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...or you could just field Veterans and ignore the Platoons altogether.

I’m interested in the special weapons squad. It reads to me as rules as written that you “may” field a special weapons squad in a platoon, but it isn’t necessary. The infantry platoon reads like it’s just an option for people looking to field a blob.

Infantry Platoons basically require 1 Platoon Command Squad and 2 Infantry Squads.

Then on top of that you can take up to 3 extra Infantry Squads, up to 5 Heavy Weapons Squads, up to 3 Special Weapons Squads and a Conscripts Squad.

If you're interested in Special Weapons only, you'd still need the PCS (Platoon Command Squad) and 2 Infantry Squads.

You might be happier with Vets. They can take some Special Weapons also.

Or if they really want a platoon command squad and they’re willing to pay a troops tax.

infantry platoon is the troop choice you can take
command squad infantry squad special weapon squad, heavy weapon squad and conscript squad are all sub sections to the infantry platoon some are mandatory some arent that is why it says "may"
they have to be in the platoon,
fmj

I understand the infantry platoon. Ok, it looks like I am on to something here. Perhaps in previous dex’s there was an army wide rule that specified the need for a command platoon to unlock a special weapons squad but it appears to no longer exist. It seems to be implied given how it used to be played, but in the dex it’s not so clear to me. I guess they are sub sections but they are not very well distinguished from the others.

You know the "Yo Dawg" meme? Yeah, that's a good way of looking at the infantry platoon. It's an FOC in your FOC so you build your army while you build your army. The platoon command squad and the Platoon Infantry Squad are your mandatory HQ/Troops choice respectively. If you want "Heavy Support" (Heavy Weapons Team) or "Fast Attack" (Special weapons squad) you need to take your minimum "HQ" and "Troops" choices.

For the record I don’t play imperial guard so this isn’t about me wishing to stack my army. I’m just reading the dex.


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What I’m getting at here is perhaps the new codex has introduced a new way to field imperial guard forces and it has slipped under everyone’s nose

Okay, so what exactly is this huge secret that every single 40k player has missed for the past year?

If you want to take standard guardsmen, you need to take a PCS and at least two squads of guard. If you just want to field guard without the command squad, you need to go with veterans instead.

It hasn't introduced anything new. The rules are quite clear. To take a Special Weapon Squad [in a Battleforged list] you must buy it as part of a Platoon. The exact wording is,

"Each Infantry Platoon may include up to three Special Weapons Squads." [AM Codex, Pg 95] The minimum requirements for a Platoon are on the previous page, and they've been gone over already.

Of course, a person may play an unbound list. At which point, they could play any valid unit from the codex as many times over as they have points to do so. You could, for example, take a ton of Company Command Squads, arm them all with Plasmaguns, give the Commanders each a pair of Plasma Pistols, and giggle maniacally as you burn your poor soldiers to dust every turn. But every model would have a double tapping Plasma option... which is even better than Special Weapon Squads.

Plus, they can issue Orders to each other. Hilarity ensues.

 kingbobbito wrote:
Okay, so what exactly is this huge secret that every single 40k player has missed for the past year?

If you want to take standard guardsmen, you need to take a PCS and at least two squads of guard. If you just want to field guard without the command squad, you need to go with veterans instead.

What I’m suggesting is, the exact opposite of what you’ve said. Infantry, Heavy weapons, and special weapons squads don’t need to be in a platoon because in the listing for Infantry, Heavy weapons, and special weapons it does not say it has to be part of a platoon.

Infantry Platoons are a Troops Choice. Special Weapons Squads aren't a Troops Choice. It's as simple as that.

Google:Terrorstorm wrote:

 kingbobbito wrote:
Okay, so what exactly is this huge secret that every single 40k player has missed for the past year?

If you want to take standard guardsmen, you need to take a PCS and at least two squads of guard. If you just want to field guard without the command squad, you need to go with veterans instead.

What I’m suggesting is, the exact opposite of what you’ve said. Infantry, Heavy weapons, and special weapons squads don’t need to be in a platoon because in the listing for Infantry, Heavy weapons, and special weapons it does not say it has to be part of a platoon.

It does say that in the army building section of the codex.

oh. thank you