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Hello,

I am new to the hobby and have decided to go against the grain of my friends' collections, opting for the Imperial Guard (Cadians) as opposed to loyalist/ traitor Space Marines. We play social games only.

I've bought the 'Start Collecting!' box, 40k rulebook & the codex, but unfortunately got called away to work at sea earlier than expected (so now have four months with no access to the hobby except internet browsing!).

My plan is to paint up & play with the Start Collecting! box for a few games to learn the basics, and then expand my army.

I do, however, have one or two quick novice questions (that would be easily solved if I had the codex to hand). I'd appreciate your patient help!

Firstly, I'm confused by the tank commander; from memory he is an HQ choice, but he's riding in a Leman Russ; so does the tank count as a heavy support slot in addition to the Commander, or is the entire model (commander + tank) an HQ? Can he ride in any Leman Russ variant or just the base option?

Secondly, conscripts- what's the idea? With a beginner's eye they look little different from guardsmen, except they can only carry lasguns & can be fielded in mobs of up to 30. They also don't seem to have a unit Sergeant, so who is meant to lead them?

Lastly, regular guardsmen- if I remember they can ONLY be fielded in units of 9+ Sergeant, is this right? Seems like a small number for a relatively weak in-games troops choice (compared to Space Marines).

I'm sorry for the basic questions/ any mistaken assumptions but it's very frustrating buying a shiny new codex & box of models, and then having to leave them at home to join a ship! Guess I'll have to spend the next four months annoying you guys with questions and planning my army...

Thanks for your help.

EDIT: I have the current codex, but as I said I'm relying on my memory (which isn't 100% at the best of times).

bald&bitter wrote:
Hello,

I am new to the hobby and have decided to go against the grain of my friends' collections, opting for the Imperial Guard (Cadians) as opposed to loyalist/ traitor Space Marines. We play social games only.

I've bought the 'Start Collecting!' box, 40k rulebook & the codex, but unfortunately got called away to work at sea earlier than expected (so now have four months with no access to the hobby except internet browsing!).

My plan is to paint up & play with the Start Collecting! box (+1 additional infantry squad) for a few games to learn the basics, and then expand my army.

I do, however, have one or two quick novice questions (that would be easily solved if I had the codex to hand). I'd appreciate your patient help!

Firstly, I'm confused by the tank commander; from memory he is an HQ choice, but he's riding in a Leman Russ; so does the tank count as a heavy support slot in addition to the Commander, or is the entire model (commander + tank) an HQ? Can he ride in any Leman Russ variant or just the base option?

Secondly, conscripts- what's the idea? With a beginner's eye they look little different from guardsmen, except they can only carry lasguns & can be fielded in mobs of up to 30. They also don't seem to have a unit Sergeant, so who is meant to lead them?

Lastly, regular guardsmen- if I remember they can ONLY be fielded in units of 9+ Sergeant, is this right? Seems like a small number for a relatively weak in-games troops choice (compared to Space Marines).

I'm sorry for the basic questions/ any mistaken assumptions but it's very frustrating buying a shiny new codex & box of models, and then having to leave them at home to join a ship! Guess I'll have to spend the next four months annoying you guys with questions and planning my army...

Thanks for your help.

The Tank Commander is the tank. He's a tank with upgraded BS that lives in an HQ slot, and can be mounted in any non FW Variant. He's really good. I personally recommend the Punisher with Heavy Bolters all around, or a Battle Tank with Lascannon and Heavy Bolter Sponsons. I actually use Battle Tanks with no sponsons, because that's how mine are modeled and I like them that way.

Guardsmen are only fielded in 10-man squads. However, you should be fielding a lot of squads. For 40 points, you get 10. For 65 points, the Space Marines get 5. Sure, your guys are crap compared to his, but you should have a great many of them. I'd recommend no less than 60 in any game more than 1000 points.

Conscripts are currently kind of pointless. Theoretically, they'll save you on Troop Slots, which an IG player can run short on, but practically they're unnecessary since you can open enough troop slots pretty easily.



It just occurred to me: are you reading the 8e or 6e codex? The 8e Codex should give the statline of the Russ-Tank on the page with the TC on it, with the different leman russ guns as upgrade options for him. If you have the 6e Codex, you're a bit behind the edition unless your local group in playing 6e/7e.