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I've seen in lore that IG regiments come in a variety of flavours like infantry regiments, armoured regiments, mechanised infantry regiments, siege regiments, etc.

So, do cavalry regiments composed of mostly Rough Riders exist? (Because I'm looking at the DKoK death rider detachment and salivating)

They should, rough riders are pretty good cavalry

Rough Rider regiments definitely exist. *Most* Imperial Guard regiments are raised as homogeneous units, with different types of regiment being more or less likely to be broken up and their sub-units assigned to other regiments as support. Rough Rider regiments are noted as being most commonly broken up, although they are occasionally deployed en-mass. Krieg Siege Regiments are however an exception to this, apparently they do contain their own integral companies of Death Riders, though that doesn't necessarily preclude there being separate Death Rider regiments.

Attilan Rough Riders are but one example. Regiments such as the Attilan Rough Riders 264th only pack horseback infantry. In theory, you could use the DKoK rules for the Attilans.

Definitely use DKoK Death Rider rules if you can, they just outclass Rough Riders in every single way. They are what normal RR should be.

I would imagine that a Cavalry Regiment would pack both horses and transports, so you could use a normal IG CAD and just giving all non-RR units a Chimera or Taurox. That is after all what happens in the real world- horses were traded in for tanks when some genius realised that horses die to bullets. Fortunately in the 41st millenium, we don't need to worry about logic and can just imagine that Cavalry Regiments used mutated super horses, or are only used against feral enemies. Or else use space magic.

 God In Action wrote:
I would imagine that a Cavalry Regiment would pack both horses and transports, so you could use a normal IG CAD and just giving all non-RR units a Chimera or Taurox. That is after all what happens in the real world- horses were traded in for tanks when some genius realised that horses die to bullets. Fortunately in the 41st millenium, we don't need to worry about logic and can just imagine that Cavalry Regiments used mutated super horses, or are only used against feral enemies. Or else use space magic.

Now, now... There's also something called mounted infantry. Soldiers that use horses (camels, grox, whatever) to move around but fight dismounted. They have superior mobility compared to foot troops, and possibly outclass mechanized units too in rough terrain. And WW2 saw huge use of horses for everything, even if it was the panzers that got the photo moments. Artillery? Pulled by horses. Supplies? Pulled by horses. Wounded? Pulled by horses. If an army had enough vehicles (and fuel, and spare parts, and roads) they could manage without horses. Else they were screwed.

Spetulhu wrote:

 God In Action wrote:
I would imagine that a Cavalry Regiment would pack both horses and transports, so you could use a normal IG CAD and just giving all non-RR units a Chimera or Taurox. That is after all what happens in the real world- horses were traded in for tanks when some genius realised that horses die to bullets. Fortunately in the 41st millenium, we don't need to worry about logic and can just imagine that Cavalry Regiments used mutated super horses, or are only used against feral enemies. Or else use space magic.

Now, now... There's also something called mounted infantry. Soldiers that use horses (camels, grox, whatever) to move around but fight dismounted. They have superior mobility compared to foot troops, and possibly outclass mechanized units too in rough terrain. And WW2 saw huge use of horses for everything, even if it was the panzers that got the photo moments. Artillery? Pulled by horses. Supplies? Pulled by horses. Wounded? Pulled by horses. If an army had enough vehicles (and fuel, and spare parts, and roads) they could manage without horses. Else they were screwed.

The other bonus to horses is that, terrain pending, you can supplement their feed with local vegetation. The "fuel" your horses carry can go a lot further when the horses, camels or whatever can eat on the go.

Horses also require a lot less attention from skilled labor. Anyone can take care of a horse.

I personally love the horse in warfare. I think there is still going to be a role for them in the future. If a real war breaks about between leading powers we may see a rise in the horse as a transport. I personally would rather ride a horse off road than a vehicle.

As for the imperial guard it would be cool to have a rule for dismounting infantry and remounting. This means they can dismount their horses and fight on foot (the modern cavalry) and then remount to take a new position. Supplement this with more traditional cavalry (rough riders) and maybe some chariots with heavy weapons for support and you have the coolest cavalry force around.

Actually this raises the question of if they would actually classify such a regiment as "cavalry". Modern armies still have cavalry units (in fact I am in an army cavalry unit) so how sound they designate an all horse mounted unit?

 Ignatius wrote:
Actually this raises the question of if they would actually classify such a regiment as "cavalry". Modern armies still have cavalry units (in fact I am in an army cavalry unit) so how sound they designate an all horse mounted unit?

Mechanized, armored, foot, mixed and then I suppose cavalry?

I think thats how GW does it anyway.

Couldnt really call them mounted either as I guess you can mount up on trucks or whatever as well.

Correct. The Imperial Guard doesn't use the 'cavalry' designation for mechanised infantry or armour, precisely because they also maintain actual cavalry.

transport-mounted infantry are either "Mechanised" or "Armoured Fist" units.

There were also some cavalary regiment in one of Cain novel) Something like Manly Riders)))

Let's not forget the old 40k go-to explanation, the horses are also "genetically engineered" to a certain degree in most cases. The different environments of planets likely produced hardier horses than are currently common IRL.

IIRC Dragoons are mounted infantry who usually fight on foot. Not true cavalry, the horse is used for mobility not as a force multiplier on the charge.

stripeydave wrote:
IIRC Dragoons are mounted infantry who usually fight on foot. Not true cavalry, the horse is used for mobility not as a force multiplier on the charge.

This was only true sometimes. Some Dragoons did fight on foot as mobile infantry, but dragoon doesn't necessarily mean they fight dismounted. I have some dragoons that never dismounted to fight in my Napoleonic forces. I have yet to get full answers on cavalry yet though. Still reading up on it.

 Grumblewartz wrote:
Let's not forget the old 40k go-to explanation, the horses are also "genetically engineered" to a certain degree in most cases. The different environments of planets likely produced hardier horses than are currently common IRL.

Not all. Some are modified, some are aliens, some are normal and so on. Depends on the world.

By definition a cavalry soldier is one whom fights from horseback. Typically, he was armed with a sabre, pistol, and or a light rifle.
The moniker of Cavalry has been used for more modern units, which in all intents purposes, were soldiers transported in various manners.

Because the Imperium only uses VTOL transport planes, their "air cavalry" are conflated with their paratroopers to create the Drop Regiments like the Harakoni and the Elysians.

So for the Imperium, we have.. hm;

Light Infantry - Tanith, Xenan, Catachan, Valhallan
Drop Infantry - Elysian, Harakoni
Heavy Infantry - Volpones, Cadians, Stormtroopers, Tallarn, Death Korps, Vitrians*
Mechanised/Armoured Fist - Steel Legion, Tallarn, Cadian
Cavalry - Attilan, Tallarn
Engineer - Death Korps
Armoured - Tallarn, Narmenian, Valhallan
Artillery - Valhallan, Death Korps

* I've included Vitrians in Heavy Infantry because we've only seen them operating in that capacity, but the regiment we see is noted to be the Vitrian Dragoons.

I feel Valhalla and Catachan should be in the same classification. I would consider Valhalla "Dangerous Environment" like Krieg.

Hazardous Environment isn't really a category. Its more of a specialisation - That said, thinking about it, Valhallans are more Heavy Infantry than Light Infantry.

Look at it this way. Categorisation is based around battlefield role and combat style, while something like Hazardous Environment is something that could be applied to Light Infantry or Heavy Infantry or Armoured Fist alike.

 Swastakowey wrote:

stripeydave wrote:
IIRC Dragoons are mounted infantry who usually fight on foot. Not true cavalry, the horse is used for mobility not as a force multiplier on the charge.

This was only true sometimes. Some Dragoons did fight on foot as mobile infantry, but dragoon doesn't necessarily mean they fight dismounted. I have some dragoons that never dismounted to fight in my Napoleonic forces. I have yet to get full answers on cavalry yet though. Still reading up on it.

 Grumblewartz wrote:
Let's not forget the old 40k go-to explanation, the horses are also "genetically engineered" to a certain degree in most cases. The different environments of planets likely produced hardier horses than are currently common IRL.

Not all. Some are modified, some are aliens, some are normal and so on. Depends on the world.

Many rough riders actually use motorcycles or quad-wheeled ATVs, particularly on places like ice worlds where riding beasts are hard to come by.

I wonder if there is a rough rider regiment with flying mounts? There should be.
I really want to do a dino bird rider regiment now.

 Kain wrote:

 Swastakowey wrote:

stripeydave wrote:
IIRC Dragoons are mounted infantry who usually fight on foot. Not true cavalry, the horse is used for mobility not as a force multiplier on the charge.

This was only true sometimes. Some Dragoons did fight on foot as mobile infantry, but dragoon doesn't necessarily mean they fight dismounted. I have some dragoons that never dismounted to fight in my Napoleonic forces. I have yet to get full answers on cavalry yet though. Still reading up on it.

 Grumblewartz wrote:
Let's not forget the old 40k go-to explanation, the horses are also "genetically engineered" to a certain degree in most cases. The different environments of planets likely produced hardier horses than are currently common IRL.

Not all. Some are modified, some are aliens, some are normal and so on. Depends on the world.

Many rough riders actually use motorcycles or quad-wheeled ATVs, particularly on places like ice worlds where riding beasts are hard to come by.

I have never seen fluff for motorized rough riders. Im sure they exist... but many is an over exaggeration. I have seen a lot of GW rough riders and most are on horse, some on lizards and some on cyborg horse.

 Swastakowey wrote:

 Kain wrote:

 Swastakowey wrote:

stripeydave wrote:
IIRC Dragoons are mounted infantry who usually fight on foot. Not true cavalry, the horse is used for mobility not as a force multiplier on the charge.

This was only true sometimes. Some Dragoons did fight on foot as mobile infantry, but dragoon doesn't necessarily mean they fight dismounted. I have some dragoons that never dismounted to fight in my Napoleonic forces. I have yet to get full answers on cavalry yet though. Still reading up on it.

 Grumblewartz wrote:
Let's not forget the old 40k go-to explanation, the horses are also "genetically engineered" to a certain degree in most cases. The different environments of planets likely produced hardier horses than are currently common IRL.

Not all. Some are modified, some are aliens, some are normal and so on. Depends on the world.

Many rough riders actually use motorcycles or quad-wheeled ATVs, particularly on places like ice worlds where riding beasts are hard to come by.

I have never seen fluff for motorized rough riders. Im sure they exist... but many is an over exaggeration. I have seen a lot of GW rough riders and most are on horse, some on lizards and some on cyborg horse.

It's mentioned in the eighth Kain novel that in worlds that can't offer suitable beasts of burden for rough riders, they substitute motor vehicles instead. The local PDF's rough riders used motorbikes because their ice world didn't have anything suitable for cavalry to ride on.

In 1st edition, there were certainly Imperial Guard on motorbikes. The rules allowed you to upgrade an entire infantry platoon to ride horses (making them Rough Riders) or to be mounted on motorcycles, motorcycle/sidecar combinations (i.e. attack bikes).

Most IOM worlds with a reasonable amount of undeveloped countryside and a suitable riding beast probably field cavalry. If you're going to field cavalry at all you might as well field them in units to take advantage of the movement and logistical characteristics.

As others have noted, cavalry is more mobile than infantry and can carry firepower equivalent to light infantry, with the added bonus of shock charges. Being large, unstealthy targets cavalry are exceptionally vulnerable to automatic weapons, and they're not good against armored or fortified opponents.

Though somewhat less mobile than motorized and mechanized units, cavalry are more mobile in certain types of terrain (mountain, forest, jungle, swamp) and require far less fuel, spare parts and lubricants. They can graze for fodder on most habitable planets.

Because they possess such specific, situational characteristics mixing cavalry with other troop types dilutes the advantages of both and makes planning and operations very difficult.

Using WWII (where cav was used alongside mech and armor) as an example, cavalry would be beset employed as raiders, scouts and exploitation units, tearing up enemy supply lines, support units and logistics infrastructure rather than as front line combat units.

Cavalry might reasonably be paired with light infantry for extended operations behind enemy lines where logistics are a major concern. They could also mix with motorized or mechanized units for exploitation, where both speed and limited logistics are factors. For scouting and raids cavalry are probably best employed as pure cavalry formations.

While a massed cavalry charge is a stirring sight, the outcome is more likely to resemble the Charge of the Light Brigade than some glorious breakthrough.

As I recall the Praetorians fielded cavalry regiments as well. Expanding on that, you might look at British colonial cavalry as a model for how mounted units might be employed.


My two cents.

I'm astounded as to how the unit managed to stay in the Codex. As far as I can tell, the minis are no longer produced. I thought this was a deathknell for the unit, usually?

I agree with the above though, they look really cool but don't generally work well.

They stayed in because the Rough Rider Hunting Lance is one of the more famous weapons in the background, and if GW stops publishing books with them in they probably lose the copyright. And we all know GW loves it's crunchy crunchy r's in circles ☺

 Furyou Miko wrote:
Because the Imperium only uses VTOL transport planes, their "air cavalry" are conflated with their paratroopers to create the Drop Regiments like the Harakoni and the Elysians.

So for the Imperium, we have.. hm;

Light Infantry - Tanith, Xenan, Catachan, Valhallan
Drop Infantry - Elysian, Harakoni
Heavy Infantry - Volpones, Cadians, Stormtroopers, Tallarn, Death Korps, Vitrians*
Mechanised/Armoured Fist - Steel Legion, Tallarn, Cadian
Cavalry - Attilan, Tallarn
Engineer - Death Korps
Armoured - Tallarn, Narmenian, Valhallan
Artillery - Valhallan, Death Korps

* I've included Vitrians in Heavy Infantry because we've only seen them operating in that capacity, but the regiment we see is noted to be the Vitrian Dragoons.

What? No Mordians?

Anyways, the term Cavalry today has a bunch of different meanings, but the easiest way to remember it is to just replace it with the word "mechanized". It doesn't always work this way of course, my battalion is composed of 1/3 Humvee mounted scouts, 1/3 mechanized infantry, and 1/3 straight infantry. Yet we are all in the same Cavalry Bat. That being said we are also a bit of an outlier in terms of composition.

Anyways, don't worry. If my dreams come true the next Guard codex will feature Rough Rider regiments heavily.

I forgot about Mordians... a load of others as well :p Not sure what I'd categorise them as, either.

Most Imperial Guard would be "Line Infantry" or just "Infantry"

Heavy Infantry would be carapace armoured troops.