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Hello!

So, I've been experimenting with different ways to play Imperial Guard (Astra Militarum, I guess) and the Imperial Armour Vol 1 2nd Ed is pretty awesome. However, I do have a question about how it's actually used. Is it a way to add more units and wargear options to the existing codex and the Cadia supplements, like I've used it, or is it a completely separate thing?

A basic example, one that I use in all my armies, is the Autocannon upgrade for the Chimera transports. This is an auto-include for me since I think the Autocannon outclasses all other turrets for the Chimera, so I upgrade all my tanks using this, but is this "legal" if I use a standard CAD with the Astra Militarum codex, or a Cadia special detachment?

Same goes for Manticore missiles replacing the Storm Eagle ones in a Emperors Wrath Artillery formation, Monster Hunter shells for the Vanquisher tank in a CAD or Emperors Fists formation etc etc. Are all these upgrades and units (like the Medusa) usable in this way, or are they only allowed in a special "Imperial Amour" detachment like the Armoured Battle group?

I'm sorry if this is obvious, but I find it (even after many years of playing 40k) quite confusing with all these different books, on which to use and how they can be used together.

The IA books are all supplements/expansion books. They are designed to be used with the core armies.

As such there is no issue with using any of the equipment in them in a standard CAD using their alloted points costs and list slots (Heavy support and so on.)

Now when it comes to formations, this is where it gets tricky. Pure RAW if a formation lists a specific unit, we'll use Razorbacks.

You can take a Razorback in a formation + it's upgrades.
IA2 has a multi melta Razorback. But it is called the "Infernus Pattern Razorback" in its unit entry. So it is a separate unit from a standard "razorback" so I can not use it in my formation that calls for a Razorback.

Conversely. If the Multi Melta was an Upgrade or add one for a normal Razorback, then I would be able to take a Standard one, and use the upgrade because it is still an acceptable unit entry.


The same thing goes for Leman Russ tanks:

If formation says you can take a Leman Russ of [insert Variant], but the IA book weapon you want is part of an unlisted Variant then you can not use it. But if it is an upgrade to a listed Variant you may use it.

This is the basic Understanding, however it may change from Gaming Group to gaming Group.

I personally am of the opinion, that a russ is a Russ and a Chimera is a Chimera so.. bring it. But others may not share this sentiment.

 alleus wrote:
Hello!

So, I've been experimenting with different ways to play Imperial Guard (Astra Militarum, I guess) and the Imperial Armour Vol 1 2nd Ed is pretty awesome. However, I do have a question about how it's actually used. Is it a way to add more units and wargear options to the existing codex and the Cadia supplements, like I've used it, or is it a completely separate thing?

A basic example, one that I use in all my armies, is the Autocannon upgrade for the Chimera transports. This is an auto-include for me since I think the Autocannon outclasses all other turrets for the Chimera, so I upgrade all my tanks using this, but is this "legal" if I use a standard CAD with the Astra Militarum codex, or a Cadia special detachment?

Same goes for Manticore missiles replacing the Storm Eagle ones in a Emperors Wrath Artillery formation, Monster Hunter shells for the Vanquisher tank in a CAD or Emperors Fists formation etc etc. Are all these upgrades and units (like the Medusa) usable in this way, or are they only allowed in a special "Imperial Amour" detachment like the Armoured Battle group?

I'm sorry if this is obvious, but I find it (even after many years of playing 40k) quite confusing with all these different books, on which to use and how they can be used together.

I checked your questions on Army Builder and IA 1 2nd ed, yes on the AC turret for the Chimeras, AM Cad can take either Manticore variation, formation Manticore must be regular from AM, Beast Hunter shells are ONLY available for ABG Vanquishers(HQ and Commissar variant, not troop vanquishers).

Hmm, okay. The Razorback one makes sense, since it's a whole other tank in another entry, but let's talk about the Manticore missiles (as it's the best example I can come up with).

In the Emperor's Wrath Artillery formation, it says you can bring two squadrons of artillery of your choice, and then a Manticore or Deathstrike. The Manticore missile upgrade, AFAIK, isn't in a whole separate entry, right? It's still the "Manticore" entry but with additional upgrades. So I would say that this makes sense and should be allowed in a formation.

The reason for this is that I don't really like the Eagle missiles that come equipped as standard. STR 10 is nice, but the AP is low and they don't feel super reliable. Since they are ordinance they can kill tanks just fine, but they have to glance them to death since there's no real AP to speak of.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
No, wait. I just read the entry, and I'm wrong.

The entry for the Manticore tank in IA is equipped with Manticore missiles as standard, and can exchange them for either Storm Eagle (the ones the Manticore has in the codex) or Sky Eagle (anti air missiles) missiles.

So with that, I now understand why this isn't possible. It's a shame though, I really do think the codex Manticores are very underwhelming compared to the IA ones.

 alleus wrote:
Hmm, okay. The Razorback one makes sense, since it's a whole other tank in another entry, but let's talk about the Manticore missiles (as it's the best example I can come up with).

In the Emperor's Wrath Artillery formation, it says you can bring two squadrons of artillery of your choice, and then a Manticore or Deathstrike. The Manticore missile upgrade, AFAIK, isn't in a whole separate entry, right? It's still the "Manticore" entry but with additional upgrades. So I would say that this makes sense and should be allowed in a formation.

The reason for this is that I don't really like the Eagle missiles that come equipped as standard. STR 10 is nice, but the AP is low and they don't feel super reliable. Since they are ordinance they can kill tanks just fine, but they have to glance them to death since there's no real AP to speak of.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
No, wait. I just read the entry, and I'm wrong.

The entry for the Manticore tank in IA is equipped with Manticore missiles as standard, and can exchange them for either Storm Eagle (the ones the Manticore has in the codex) or Sky Eagle (anti air missiles) missiles.

So with that, I now understand why this isn't possible. It's a shame though, I really do think the codex Manticores are very underwhelming compared to the IA ones.

One is label Manticore, the other is Manticore(IA) according to AB, the formation just says Manticore.

Another example of this is the Hydra, regular Hydra is now open top, the Hydra(IA) is not and with a few additional benefits.

Yep, I realised this. So that's that, thanks for the answers guys!

Now I have a new question for ya: super-heavies, how would they work? Let's say I want a Macharius Vanquisher, because it's amazing. Would that be a Lord of War choice in a regular 40k game using a CAD? They are marked with "Apocalypse" in the IA book, so how would they work?

Also, structure points. IIRC, they are calculated as 3/structure point, right? Or 2?

3HP per SP

There is a download for 6th ed which lists all the SH and their Lord of War status - somewhere on the FW website.

Yep, here it is:
https://www.forgeworld.co.uk/resources/fw_site/fw_pdfs/Warhammer_40000/Forge_World_Lords_of_War_Choices_for_Warhammer_40,000_Escalation.pdf

It's stated as "Codex: Imperial Guard" but that has to work with Astra Militarum as well. Powergamers might not agree, but it's clearly still meant to be usable still, even with a new codex name.

AM are referred to as IG throughout the codex, meaning they are an equivalent name.