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So it really bugged me that the Imperialis Militia didn't have access to a cavalry unit, so I decided to whip up some rules of my own. The only thing I don't like is that with provenances it's possible to get a 3+ save on these guys, but I like the idea of Carapace armored cavalry represented maybe some feudal elites from a backwards planet or something in plate armor lol. Please comment and critique and feel free to use them!

Imperialis Militia Cavalry Squad: 50 points

On many worlds some form of mounted military units are considered either of strategic usefulness or a position of honor for those of rank. The steeds that such cavalrymen are mounted on are as varied as the worlds they hail from: everything from domesticated jungle reptiles to genetically enhanced Terran-equines have found their way into the muster of humanities armies. During the Age of Darkness such units were valued for their autonomy, especially in logistically unstable conflict zones, able to range far and wide from the main army without need for fuel. They were also noted for their resourcefulness and bellicosity, which suited them well in the dark campaigns ahead.

Statline:
Militia Cavalryman -WS3 BS3 S3 T4 W2 I3 A1 Ld6 Sv 5+
Sergeant ----------WS3 BS3 S3 T4 W2 I3 A2 Ld7 Sv 5+

Unit Type:
Cavalry

Unit Size:
1 Sergeant and 9 Militia Cavalrymen

Special Rules:
Provenance, Scout

Equipment:
Flak Armour
Frag Grenades
Auxilia Rifle
Close Combat Weapon
Laspistol (Sergeant Only)

Upgrades:
The Cavalry Squad May Include:
Up To 10 Additional Militia Cavalrymen ------------------------------ 5 points each
The Sergeant May Take Melta Bombs ------------------------------------- 5 points
The Sergeant May Exchange His Laspistol/Close Combat Weapon For One Of The Following:
Bolt Pistol -----------------------------------------------------------------2 points
Hand Flamer --------------------------------------------------------------10 points
Blast Pistol ----------------------------------------------------------------5 points
Augmented Weapon -------------------------------------------------------2 points
Power Weapon ------------------------------------------------------------ 5 points
The Entire Squad May Purchase Krak Grenades --------------------------- 10 points
The Entire Squad May Replace Its Auxilia Rifles With One Of The Following:
Laslocks/Lascarbines ----------------------------------------------------------------- 10 points
Auxilia Pistols ------------------------------------------------------------ Free
The Entire Squad May Replace Its Auxilia Rifles/Close Combat Weapons With One Of The Following:
Augmented Weapons -----------------------------------------------------15 points
Charnabal Sabres --------------------------------------------------------- 20 points
Power Spears ------------------------------------------------------------- 30 points
The Entire Squad May Replace Their Flak Armor with Carapace Armor -- 50 points
One Militia Cavalryman may take a Vexilia --------------------------10 points
One Militia Cavalryman may take a Nuncio-Vox --------------------10 points

If you're adding an extra toughness and wound for the mount, I'd probably recommend an extra attack, too.

Bear in mind that the closest existing analogue is mutant spawn, which at 25-and-a-bit points each would whup these things silly in a fair fight, in addition to move through cover for being beasts instead of cavalry.

Main thoughts:

- 90 point plus 10 points per man makes it cheaper to field a new squad tgan expand an existing one.

- a basic squad essentially gains little over an auxilia infantry squad except a faster move and scout. Worth having, but not at 4 times the price.

- lascarbines and especially shotguns would seem a sensible wepon option.

- laslocks are a very overpriced option - a single S4 hit is less effective than 2 s3 ones. 10 points should be fibe, even for a 29 man squad (thats what a full 50 man levy unit pays!)

- 15 points is probably okay for augmented weapons BUT its fair enough if they get a bonus attack.

- A vexilla is a characterful idea. Given that a 3 squad 'cavalry company' in your fast attack isn't unreasonable, a standard is sonething that'd be nice.

- properly upgraded, a unit with feral warriors, blade & fury, cukt horde, and power spears could hit like a real truck!

Thanks for the feedback! I'll edit the OP a bit to the take it into account. I'll probably ditch the laslocks for lascarbines/shotguns. I hear you about the points cost, what would you suggest? Most units in 30k have a steeper starting cost or "Sergeant tax", I was trying to emulate that but I might have gone a bit overboard lol. What do you think about carapace armor though? 3+ cavalry might be a bit much if someone takes Survivors of the Dark Age.

Also been considering "Skilled Rider" as an upgrade as well.

Updated this profile. Now that Victoria Miniatures is making cavalry type conversion kits might actually get a chance to play test this. Thoughts? Deleted Carapace as an option entirely just to head off 3+ save

Looks about what I'd expect from them. I'm not sure about dropping carapace entirely given that Survivors of the Dark Age already lets you get 3+ saves on Grenadiers.

Right now they're about 2x the cost of normal infantry for the T/W bump, type change, and Scout; make Carapace +50pts for the squad and a full squad is 1.5x the cost of Grenadiers for same changes but losing access to special weapons, BS4, and the higher Ld, which sounds close to right to me.

Thinking about archetypical cavalry styles, a pair of blast pistols and carapace armour makes a good 1600s-euivalent "curassier" analogue.

Thanks for the advice guys. I updated the profile again. I forgot completely to give them the option for a (very thematic imho) Vexilia it seems, and I think that a Nuncio-Vox would make sense for them as well.

Blast Pistols sounds like a fun upgrade for the squad, what do you think ~15-20 points for the squad?

Perhaps I should make a new thread to contain all my Militia Army List Additions lol, made two now so far.