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So soon*tm* I'm starting an Elysian Imperial Guard army, likely just an allied force to my Flesh Tears at first, then growing into a force in it's own right over time.
But the question is which rules are the best to use?
In the spirit of Elysians I see my self largely using aircraft with veteran squads in.
I've decided for fluff reasons nothing 'heavier' than a Chimera will be allowed (I'm using my artistic licence to say a Sky Talon can carry one), that also means Bane Wolves & Co are allowed imo.

Astra Militarum; has the benefit of the most options, their demo charges also seem a lot more powerful the IA2's, so a more powerful alpha strike. However they don't get Vultures or dedicated transport Valkyries, not a huge issue if just allies though. The books also smaller and more convenient.

IA2 Taros Campaign; Includes Vultures, Avengers (which seem pretty good as well) and dedicated Valkyrie transports. However the options are very limited. As well as being slightly older.

IA3 Anphelion Project; D99 seems a lot flashier than Elysians, with boosted stat lines, Vultures and their fancy decimation and what-have-you squads. However their standard veteran squads seem rather light on the special weapons. Although I don't think they get Vendetta's, which would leave me rather strapped for anti-tank power.

Or Codex: Militarum Tempestus; Would be more just as temporary for the allies 'phase' but they'd make a nasty unit dropping down next to some MeQs. However I highly doubt they make a decent full army given the options at their disposal.

Writing this out it sounds like Astra Militarum is the better choice, But most of the options just wouldn't cut it, and Vultures seem really good :/.

Thanks for any advice.

The AM codex does get Vultures, etc. - these are added to it by the datasheets in IA1.

The IA3 Taros army list for elysians is simply worse than the codex unless you want deep-striking troops. The ability to get dedicated transport valks is irrelevant now that you can take multiple CADs or a formation with 3x valk/vend.

I don't like the IA4 Anphelion list at all.

Go with your gut to use the AM codex and get a copy of IA1 so that you can take vultures and all of the other toys. You'll also want Mont'ka for the AM triple flyer formation.

Problem with getting AM, Mont'ka and IA1 is I'm getting 3 seperate books (And can't you only buy Mont'ka + Kauyon? making that 4 books?)
Which is a bit much...

Good that AM get Vultures, thanks. That really was the only thing endearing me to Elysian list

I reckon I'll do AM now, buy IA1 once I expand to a Vulture, then maybe Mont'ka further down the line. Unless that formation is really good.

Edit: Nevermind, I just checked you can buy Mont'Ka seperately. But £45 is hella steep for one formation.

The main upside to Elysians over normal Guard is the Combat Drop rule that brings on half your Valkyries on turn one. If you're not taking enough Valkyries to take advantage of that you're probably better off with the normal book.

D-99 is a weird and difficult list, if you're just starting out you should probably play one of the others. The primary advantages (BS4 aircraft, higher statline, and the all-special-weapon Elites squads) generally come into play in smaller games and/or full D-99 forces, they're hard to fit well into an allied force. If you want to experiment later you can use the same models you would be for the normal Elysian list.

I've just checked the rules in IA1, and I can't see anywhere where it says Imperial Guard can use Vultures.
It seems Vultures are only available as part of the Armoured Fist or whatever formation, not as an independent choice available to guard.

As for the Elysians combat drop rule, that's a pretty good point. Once I do reach the stage of a full army I'm gonna want full flyer really, which isn't possible in AM is it?
Because the Valkyries/Vendetta's aren't transport the squads would still count towards the mandatory 1/2 army on the board correct? Then there's not getting tabled in the 1+ turns I'm sitting with minimal units on the table, guard aren't known for hardiness.

Unless that Mont'Ka formation changes anything?

 kirotheavenger wrote:
Because the Valkyries/Vendetta's aren't transport the squads would still count towards the mandatory 1/2 army on the board correct?

The 50% rule no longer exists in 7th. There is no minimum that you have to start on the table, you simply lose the game if you have no models at the end of turn 1.

As for the Vulture, the permission is in IA:Aeronautica, but the rules are exactly the same as the rules in IA1.

 kirotheavenger wrote:
I've just checked the rules in IA1, and I can't see anywhere where it says Imperial Guard can use Vultures.

Apologies - the vulture isn't in IA1-2nd ed, it's in Aeronautica.

For getting through first turn I usually setup a small platoon with a bunch of saber platforms and a defence line. Deploy defensively after specifically noting the T1 threats your opponent can bring (like drop pods) and weathering the first turn isn't a problem against most lists. This is not something I would play in a highly competitive environment, however. (I wouldn't use Guard at all for that in this edition)

Is aeronautica still legal? It seems Forgeworld no longer sells it. :/

1. If you're not averse to digital editions, the Cadian Supplement reportedly contains the formations from the Mont'Ka book. The Emprah's Spear 3+ Vendetta/Valkyrie formation is Quite Good and I include it frequently without contents, soon to be brimmed with 1+ CCS (12 plasma guns, teehee) which another formation in the book provides

2. While the Vulture is in both Aeronautica and IA1, it's been 'normalised' into a flyer wing by FW's update, so you could feasibly take them that way if it's an option open to you - same for Vendettas. Aeronautica has yet to be fully replaced, most of its contents are OOP and the Marauders have better profiles in FW's Apocalypse book, but it's still as 'valid' as the IA1 ABG.

3. The combat drop bonus is a Big Deal as it means your slightly worse special weapons teams are highly likely to accomplish something fast and when it matters, instead of typically turn 2 or 3

Hmm okay, I've got nothing against digital editions really.
Thanks guy's, you've stuff a bit clearer.

 kirotheavenger wrote:
Is aeronautica still legal? It seems Forgeworld no longer sells it. :/

If you're opponent's willing to take your word for it the Vulture's profile is in the Armoured Company list in IA1 and the Elysian list in IA3, and it's identical to the profile that was printed in Aeronautica, which let you take them as FA for the main Guard book (though do remember the one the Guard are allowed doesn't come in squadrons). (D-99 Vultures are more expensive and have BS4 but are otherwise still identical.)

As far as I know the Vulture's FA-choice-for-IG profile, the Marauders, Aquila, Raven, and the Ork vehicles from Aeronautica haven't yet been overwritten, but the Ork content is inferior to the flyers out of their new plastic kit, the Raven was awful, and the Aquila model has been discontinued so there isn't much reason to look for it.