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As someone who has done a reasonably convincing 2000+ point Talllarn army just of Cadians with a headswap, it's staggering to me that Forge World don't sell bags of 10 heads to help your guard look like the regiment you prefer.

Vostroyans and Mordians probably need more than a headswap but most of the others look fine.

Or even combined torsos+heads like the wonderful Reptilian Overlords Desert Reavers i use for my Tallarn-themed Militarum Tempestus Scions.

I buy a box of Cadians or Scions and then buy a third party heads or torsos. I would gladly give my money to Forge World but it seems to me they just don't want it.

Seems like an easy win to me.

True, a couple of "multi-kits", containing parts for a couple of regiments (much like Skitarii have stuff for both Rangers and Vanguards) would be fine, or "conversion kits" sold separately, containing only heads/guns/torsos/whatever only for that said regiment.

It will greatly boost modelling options. But since we have tons or 3rd party bits avalible, I wonder if it would be economically viable for GW to invest in such number of new molds.

It wouldn't be hard for GW to produce a generic kit with the options to make them into one of say two or three different regiments. The amount of parts on new sprues shows they're willing to fill the boxes with options. Even just alternate heads and pauldrons would be enough. Perhaps the sergeant could get a choice of torso too.
And I imagine it would sell well too.

I don't see why it is an issue to have multiple AM lines simultaneously. It really doesn't require many sprues.

If we look at the current grand total for plastic Guardsmen sprues, we have seven*:



As well as two Scion and three Ogryn sprues:



That brings the total of AM infantry sprues to 12, for their entire plastic infantry. This really is not a lot- Space Marine tactical squads, for example, essentially have 9 sprues** alone!

Orks, as an army with a similar kind of pedigree and variety as AM, have a total of nineteen! That is a significantly higher number than the AM. So we can see that the AM sprues carry a lot of weight for their faction- those 4 sprues each used by Cadians or Catachans have to cover 6 different units each (8 including officers).

Therefore, I don't think supporting two alternate designs for AM is particularly a burden, because a low sprue load is needed to provide a wide range of options. Because the heavy weapons sprue is shared by both Cadians and Catachans, only three sprues are needed for a specific regimental design- any new regiments could share the same heavy weapons sprue (see below for more on this).

Three sprues is not a lot. Now, I can see an argument that any increase in the number of options on the sprue could see the numbers increase- two sprues for an infantry squad with an alternate build for shotgun veterans for example- that is fair. Even so, that would be 4 new sprues. We could add two entire new plastic regiments and still only be roughly equal to the Ork range!

The point about upgrade kits is a good one. Looking at the current main regiments, some stand out as being very unique and requiring full kits- Vostroyans, Steel Legion, and Valhallans in particular. All three are wearing long coats, but of different lengths with very different accessories and equipment. Mordians can be readily kitbashed from existing parts (as shown in the latest AM Codex), but this would be hugely expensive for a full force, even with bitz sellers, because only a few Cadian parts are suitable:
I think a conversion kit is... possible, especially if a new Cadian kit had separate shoulder pads that were not moulded into the arms, but would be difficult.

Tallarn and Tanith, however, more readily lend themselves to a conversion kit of somekind. Tanith are basically Catachans with a headswap, cloak, and new knife. Some of the torsos don't match well, but clever cloak design and the odd replacement torso could mask this. Tallarn have actually already had what is basically a conversion kit for the plastic heavy weapons sprue from FW, making it 3 different regiments that share that sprue:

Now, they went for entire, fully sculpted crew members to accompany the plastic weapons sprue, but it is FW. I think Tallarn could be adequately represented with a headswap, the odd torso, and some Tallarn-themed accessories. Again, this would be especially true if we got a new Cadians kit with detached shoulder pads.

Variety and modelling opportunities are the real spice of 40k- if GW could pull off something like this for AM, I reckon it would be a success. We got a taster for what updated kits for AM units would look like all the way back in 5th edition:
Selected Imperial Guard regiments image (Flickr isn't hosting properly- click for a larger image).

Don't they just look awesome?


*There is an additional easy-to-build pushfit Cadian sprue, but I thought that was a bonus sprue that is fine to ignore. I have ignored pushfit sprues for all armies above.
**Yes, I know that the early mark squads are designed for Heresy use too, but they are fundamentally alternate tactical squad builds.

 Bloviator wrote:
I think it is likely they will have Robute Gulliman reform the Astra Militarum back into the Imperial Army and enforce uniformity across the Imperium.

AKA: brand spanking new trademarkable Imperial Army

Oh god, I can totally see them do that

Yea in hindsight, the Rogue trader release for kill team probably gives us a snap shot of what the future IG look like. Part of me has felt the loyal 32 being for useful for a competative list is GW wants to dump as much old product as possible before a reboot.

 Brotherjanus wrote:
A standardized kit is a redesign of the faction. That is really the only way to get rid of the second party model makers that supply models for regiments GW doesn't support but are in the codex. That is what I meant by the range being constrained by the fluff and codex. If they want to only produce Cadian troops then Cadian troops are all there is galaxy wide.

I've often thought it would make sense, Gulliman is now running the show, and he's famous as a logistian, and what simplifies logistics more then a universal kit for everyone? I suspect once GW (and Gulliman in universe) is happy with the deployment of primaris Marines. Gw/gulliman will shift their focus to the guard.

BrianDavion wrote:

 Brotherjanus wrote:
A standardized kit is a redesign of the faction. That is really the only way to get rid of the second party model makers that supply models for regiments GW doesn't support but are in the codex. That is what I meant by the range being constrained by the fluff and codex. If they want to only produce Cadian troops then Cadian troops are all there is galaxy wide.

I've often thought it would make sense, Gulliman is now running the show, and he's famous as a logistian, and what simplifies logistics more then a universal kit for everyone? I suspect once GW (and Gulliman in universe) is happy with the deployment of primaris Marines. Gw/gulliman will shift their focus to the guard.

Except, he didn't do that. Otherwise, he'd rework HBs, Shotguns and Scout Sniper Rifles to all fire standard Bolter Rounds. One kind of ammunition is a lot easier logistically than 3 or more. Similar issue with Flamers, Plasma and Meltas.

Gulliman takes too much space in 40k already, keep him out of the Guard business.

BrianDavion wrote:

 Brotherjanus wrote:
A standardized kit is a redesign of the faction. That is really the only way to get rid of the second party model makers that supply models for regiments GW doesn't support but are in the codex. That is what I meant by the range being constrained by the fluff and codex. If they want to only produce Cadian troops then Cadian troops are all there is galaxy wide.

I've often thought it would make sense, Gulliman is now running the show, and he's famous as a logistian, and what simplifies logistics more then a universal kit for everyone? I suspect once GW (and Gulliman in universe) is happy with the deployment of primaris Marines. Gw/gulliman will shift their focus to the guard.

Because it will be a logistical nightmare - not to mention political nightmare - for all the forgeworlds that supply the guard regiments to change production. And because of the STC base everything is to some degree cross compatible anyway.

 Bobthehero wrote:
Gulliman takes too much space in 40k already, keep him out of the Guard business.

Agreed. If anything, with the loss of Creed to Trazyn's pokeballs, Kell dying and a lot of the IG special characters' fates being ambiguous with the opening of the rift, it seems like an ideal time to bring forth some mortal heroes into the fray from the guard. Bastonne taking the reins of what's left of Cadia's leadership would be cool, as would updating Yarrick's current crusade in hunting down Ghazzy. Maybe a spotlight on Scion leaders or another Lord Solar/Warmaster to get things going.

Some sort of Macharius 2.0 would be nice.

I want to see a modular range of interchangeable components like the Anvil Regiments line.

Seeing the genestealer cults to me makes it obvious we will be getting new guard this year or next, GW love to re use CAD and those models are perfect for a guard makeover, the more unique stuff not so much of course.

 Bobthehero wrote:
Some sort of Macharius 2.0 would be nice.

A functioning malcador allready would be something.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

dyndraig wrote:

 Bloviator wrote:
I think it is likely they will have Robute Gulliman reform the Astra Militarum back into the Imperial Army and enforce uniformity across the Imperium.

AKA: brand spanking new trademarkable Imperial Army

Oh god, I can totally see them do that

Gulliman + ultra plot favoritism = it will happen.


God pls no though.
Fix up the cadian modells, and the catachans then maybee bring out Mordians or another standardised guard that is interchangeable.

I would love for the Militarum Tempestus to be spun off into their own army again, with different regiment rules for them, and to receive an expanded mini line with bikes, buggies, heavy weapon teams etc. Think of an official, more elite replacement for the Elysian drop troop list.

If they made an infantry, command and heavy weapon kit for the cadian, catachan, vostroyian, mordian, valhallan, tallarn and armageddon regiments, that would be 21 plastic kits. Could GW support that? I mean...it seems like a lot...but then you look at the marines and Stormcast...plus think of the kit bashing potential!

 Future War Cultist wrote:
I would love for the Militarum Tempestus to be spun off into their own army again, with different regiment rules for them, and to receive an expanded mini line with bikes, buggies, heavy weapon teams etc. Think of an official, more elite replacement for the Elysian drop troop list.

If they made an infantry, command and heavy weapon kit for the cadian, catachan, vostroyian, mordian, valhallan, tallarn and armageddon regiments, that would be 21 plastic kits. Could GW support that? I mean...it seems like a lot...but then you look at the marines and Stormcast...plus think of the kit bashing potential!

Mordians are anyways in it allready, they basically are Officers.

As for tempestus split off again? Ehh, do we really need another minidex?

 Future War Cultist wrote:
I would love for the Militarum Tempestus to be spun off into their own army again, with different regiment rules for them, and to receive an expanded mini line with bikes, buggies, heavy weapon teams etc. Think of an official, more elite replacement for the Elysian drop troop list.

If they made an infantry, command and heavy weapon kit for the cadian, catachan, vostroyian, mordian, valhallan, tallarn and armageddon regiments, that would be 21 plastic kits. Could GW support that? I mean...it seems like a lot...but then you look at the marines and Stormcast...plus think of the kit bashing potential!

Really they don't need to be all separate kits. You can probably combine 2-3 regiments into one kit.

e.g. A basic infantry squad of cadians, can become Tallarns with a simple extra set of heads, and if the shoulder pads are not attached to the arms; or can become Armageddon with a gas mask head. Mordians could be added too with a set of torsos, and heads.
Vostroya and Valhalla are combined, with only different torso and head options for each.
Catachan is a bit awkward, though.

If the parts are interchangeable you can then make a bunch of your own custom regiments by mixing and matching. Sure its not perfect and there's some crossover, but that'd be the simplest way to get as many of them out there, in fewer actual kits.

As demand for converion/whole regiment kits is quite popular, I wonder if it would be viable economically for GW, considering the amount of 3rd party bits we can use. Even a single mould is a huge investment.

Now, they make 6 sprues for 2 main ranges (Cadian and Catachan - Command, Heavy weapons, Infantry). Investing in 15 more would cost a load of money, effectively dividing all the customers between 7 model ranges instead of 2, all along with a inevitable price hike for all kits, due to lowered demand for individual sprues.

To be honest, most regiments can be effectively represented by switching one or two bits, on a Cadian miniature. Maybe except Vostroyans, but Reptilian Overlords may be filling that gap soon.

And comparing Guard to Marines is like comparing eating cheeseburgers to veggies. One may be better, healthier, more beneficial, but the other will always be more popular.

I've talked about this elsewhere, but right now? I think the future is this:

Cadians remain the basis of the Guard's miniature range. The Heavy Weapon crew frame gets reworked to match a reworked Cadian sprue. Sleeves rolled up arms, some variations on flak armor, forage/patrol caps, etc. Stuff that would still allow for the sprue to get packed in with any potentially unredone Basilisks.

Reworked Cadian Shock Troop set also gets a few new weapon options. We've been seeing art for at least 3-4 years now of Cadians rocking backpack mounted lasguns. At this point, I'm going to flatout say we'll see Infantry or Veteran Squads getting an option for a Hellgun again.

Catachans see a reworked Infantry Squad and Heavy Weapons Squad.

Scions see an added Sentinel variant and Heavy Weapons Squads.

Ratlings get split into Sniper and Saboteur variants. I'm definitely feeling like Rein and Raus were a 'sneak peek' in that regards.

I'm also leaning towards Special Weapon Squads going away and Infantry/Veteran Squads just getting a bit more flexibility as to how they take stuff. I'm really hopeful for the idea of Canids though.

 Kanluwen wrote:
Infantry or Veteran Squads getting an option for a Hellgun again..

Plastic Kasrkins! Yes, please.

Or similar looking models, ideally playable as Grenadier Veterans with access to formation that will make them troops.

// ObSec will suffice, if they remain Elite

You're not getting "formations" or anything that alter the slot of where things are.

And really. Look at the art in the Guard book, pg 52+53(the two page "Super-Heavy Tanks" spread). That style of backpack lasgun has shown up for the past 4-5 years at least.

Most recently? It was as part of the art with the Imperial Knight on a snow planet with a squad of Guardsmen in front of it.

Dai wrote:... and that if anything it is about making the rules fit the fluff for the unit rather than the other way around.

Only in the vaguest sense, e.g. assault orientated units being good at assault. It has been stated numerous times (often in frustrated tones) by ex-GW employees that the process starts with the sales team figuring out what will sell well, the concept design team then drawing up ideas based on that, who then pass it to the model designers, who then pass it to the dev team to make the rules and write the fluff, which in turn is subject to approval by the higher ups to make sure it will sell. Fluff is consistently one of the last considerations on the list, because it's the least related to how well something sells.

Bloviator wrote:I think it is likely they will have Robute Gulliman reform the Astra Militarum back into the Imperial Army and enforce uniformity across the Imperium. AKA: brand spanking new trademarkable Imperial Army

Probably. Industrial tooling is expensive. Even the SM lines are somewhat limited when you think about how popular they are and how much of a ridiculous percentage of their sales SM make up. Making 8 different base units, 8 command squads, 8 heavy weapons teams etc to replace the existing tooling is unlikely. I think you're on the money with this idea they'll probably go for a standard look and maybe release a sprue set with different heads on it.

I reckon they could run 6 Guard lines simultaneously. After all, GW seems to have had no issues producing the multiple different forms of plastic Space Marine captain, a model most people will only need a couple of, not to mention their Chapter-specific variants.

Several of those have been limited edition too, so clearly GW feels they can make a profit off a short production run with a plastic model.

 Haighus wrote:
I reckon they could run 6 Guard lines simultaneously. After all, GW seems to have had no issues producing the multiple different forms of plastic Space Marine captain, a model most people will only need a couple of, not to mention their Chapter-specific variants.

There's only two Captains that are regular stock, available by themselves.

With regards to the "Chapter Specific Variants"...there's not as many as you seem to be suggesting.

Also worth pointing out that the 'basic' Space Marine Captain? He's web only at this point...and the Deathwatch Watch Captain is a model from the Start Collecting Marines and the old Strike Force Ultima box with an upgrade frame pushed in there.

Several of those have been limited edition too, so clearly GW feels they can make a profit off a short production run with a plastic model.

They really haven't had that many "limited edition" plastic Captains. At this point, it's just the Primaris with Power Fist and Plasma Pistol off the top of my head.

There is also the the Power Armored Captain that isn't available outside of that...but he was part of another set(Shadow Force Solaq) which just didn't do well and let's be honest that model is kind of trash.


With all that said, I don't think they really could run 6 Guard lines simultaneously. You're trying to use an example that spreads across 4-5 armies(of which they tend to be fairly popular to begin with) that doesn't require an exceedingly high model count to start with to justify claims that an army which does require a high model count(thus higher production numbers and more wear+tear on molds and machinery) could somehow support 6 lines running at once.

 Kcalehc wrote:
Really they don't need to be all separate kits. You can probably combine 2-3 regiments into one kit.

e.g. A basic infantry squad of cadians, can become Tallarns with a simple extra set of heads, and if the shoulder pads are not attached to the arms; or can become Armageddon with a gas mask head. Mordians could be added too with a set of torsos, and heads.
Vostroya and Valhalla are combined, with only different torso and head options for each.
Catachan is a bit awkward, though.

If the parts are interchangeable you can then make a bunch of your own custom regiments by mixing and matching. Sure its not perfect and there's some crossover, but that'd be the simplest way to get as many of them out there, in fewer actual kits.

 Hawky wrote:
As demand for converion/whole regiment kits is quite popular, I wonder if it would be viable economically for GW, considering the amount of 3rd party bits we can use. Even a single mould is a huge investment.

Now, they make 6 sprues for 2 main ranges (Cadian and Catachan - Command, Heavy weapons, Infantry). Investing in 15 more would cost a load of money, effectively dividing all the customers between 7 model ranges instead of 2, all along with a inevitable price hike for all kits, due to lowered demand for individual sprues.

To be honest, most regiments can be effectively represented by switching one or two bits, on a Cadian miniature. Maybe except Vostroyans, but Reptilian Overlords may be filling that gap soon.

And comparing Guard to Marines is like comparing eating cheeseburgers to veggies. One may be better, healthier, more beneficial, but the other will always be more popular.

bouncingboredom wrote:
]Probably. Industrial tooling is expensive. Even the SM lines are somewhat limited when you think about how popular they are and how much of a ridiculous percentage of their sales SM make up. Making 8 different base units, 8 command squads, 8 heavy weapons teams etc to replace the existing tooling is unlikely. I think you're on the money with this idea they'll probably go for a standard look and maybe release a sprue set with different heads on it.

Good point guys. Thinking about it, you could get so much mileage out of a basic Cadian kit. Of the top of my head, you could get Mordians, Tallarns, Praetorians (Remember them?) and possibly Steel Legion too (I've seen conversions).

Here's a question; how viable would it be to have the shoulder pads and possibly even the body armor be optional? Because if they could, the sky's the limit. Cadians would have the pads and armor attached, Tallarns would have the pads but no armor...Mordians/Praetorians would have neither with added Epaulettes...Steel Legion have none period. If it could be done.....

 Kanluwen wrote:

 Haighus wrote:
I reckon they could run 6 Guard lines simultaneously. After all, GW seems to have had no issues producing the multiple different forms of plastic Space Marine captain, a model most people will only need a couple of, not to mention their Chapter-specific variants.

There's only two Captains that are regular stock, available by themselves.

With regards to the "Chapter Specific Variants"...there's not as many as you seem to be suggesting.

Also worth pointing out that the 'basic' Space Marine Captain? He's web only at this point...and the Deathwatch Watch Captain is a model from the Start Collecting Marines and the old Strike Force Ultima box with an upgrade frame pushed in there.

Several of those have been limited edition too, so clearly GW feels they can make a profit off a short production run with a plastic model.

They really haven't had that many "limited edition" plastic Captains. At this point, it's just the Primaris with Power Fist and Plasma Pistol off the top of my head.

There is also the the Power Armored Captain that isn't available outside of that...but he was part of another set(Shadow Force Solaq) which just didn't do well and let's be honest that model is kind of trash.


With all that said, I don't think they really could run 6 Guard lines simultaneously. You're trying to use an example that spreads across 4-5 armies(of which they tend to be fairly popular to begin with) that doesn't require an exceedingly high model count to start with to justify claims that an army which does require a high model count(thus higher production numbers and more wear+tear on molds and machinery) could somehow support 6 lines running at once.

Eh? Higher use means higher profit margins surely? If moulds wearing out is an issue, then spreading the load over 6 sets is surely better than the current two? Don't follow your logic there at all

Space Marine Captains in plastic:
Old SM Commander box
Space Marine Captain clampack with combi-grav and power sword
LE SM Captain with stormbolter and powerfist
LE SM Captain with plasma pistol and powerfist (required buying the previous LE Captain to purchase)
SM Captain with power sword and plasma pistol (originally in the LE Shadow Force Solaq box)
SM Captain in Terminator armour (originally in a LE box too)
SM Primaris Captain.

Chapter specific variants:
Deathwatch Captain
Blood Angels Terminator Captain
I'm not going to include the Space Wolf characters.

Then there are at least three plastic starter-set Captains over the last 4 editions (2 generic, one DA).

That is a LOT of plastic kits for one model, some in limited runs, all over the same timespan GW has produced 7 total sprues for Guardsmen infantry, with a further 5 for AM specialist infantry. I'm not saying there should be less SM Captains (I own almost all of those Captains), but clearly GW reckons they can still make a profit on a heavily saturated unit option, or they wouldn't keep making Captain variants, and now Lieutenants (which are in the same role now).

Remember that AM sprues cover a lot of different units- an infantry kit can make 4 different unit options. AM doesn't need many sprues per design to make a functioning alternate build.

Don't get me wrong, I don't think the two options are directly comparable, but I think GW is fully capable of making a plastic sprue for each major regiment and profiting from it.

 Future War Cultist wrote:

Here's a question; how viable would it be to have the shoulder pads and possibly even the body armor be optional? Because if they could, the sky's the limit. Cadians would have the pads and armor attached, Tallarns would have the pads but no armor...Mordians/Praetorians would have neither with added Epaulettes...Steel Legion have none period. If it could be done.....

Not too much I think. It would be way easier to make 2 separate torsos, one with armor and the other without, as the flat armor alone would be rather a tiny and thin piece of plastic. Making shoulder pads separated, as it is on vehicle sprues would work, as you can replace it with epaulets or some other pads/stuff.

 Haighus wrote:

Eh? Higher use means higher profit margins surely? If moulds wearing out is an issue, then spreading the load over 6 sets is surely better than the current two? Don't follow your logic there at all

Understand: They aren't renting machine time like (seemingly) most other companies do. They own the machines and the moulds. They have to pay upkeep, training, etc.

There's no "spreading the load over 6 sets" when you can't guarantee that they all will sell.
As of right now? We have 6 plastic Guard Infantry kits: Catachan and Cadian Company Command, Heavy Weapon, and Infantry Squads. Unless we see a significant rejigging of the contents of those kits to where Heavy Weapon Squads can just flatout be left out of the mix and the parts are instead in the Infantry Squad box? Your "6 sets" is actually 18.

Space Marine Captains in plastic:
Old SM Commander box

Direct Only.

Space Marine Captain clampack with combi-grav and power sword

Direct Only.

LE SM Captain with stormbolter and powerfist
LE SM Captain with plasma pistol and powerfist (required buying the previous LE Captain to purchase)

Yeah, and remember that the first one wasn't really a thing that people "bought". You got them by ordering a certain amount during the holidays...which then allowed for you to get the other one.

SM Captain with power sword and plasma pistol (originally in the LE Shadow Force Solaq box)
SM Captain in Terminator armour (originally in a LE box too)

You're confusing "limited run" with "limited edition".

These two were not "limited editions". The models are still available. The boxed sets for them were either part of a campaign splash release(Shadow Force Solaq) or a Christmas bundle(Strike Force Ultima).

SM Primaris Captain.

Primaris != "old" Marines.

Chapter specific variants:
Deathwatch Captain

Named character--Artemis.

Blood Angels Terminator Captain

Revamp of the Space Hulk sculpt.

I'm not going to include the Space Wolf characters.

Just for fun, I will:
Krom, Ulrik, and the Iron Priest are the only ones in plastic that don't have multiple build options. Grimnar is a kit of either him on foot or with his crazy grav-sled.

Out of the 17 Space Wolves HQ options currently available by themselves, only 4 are specifically Space Wolves in plastic.
There's also an as of yet unreleased Lieutenant option.

Then there are at least three plastic starter-set Captains over the last 4 editions (2 generic, one DA).

Starter sets being the operative word there.

Those sets are loss leaders. That's why the kits are generally limited in terms of equipment and things of that nature.

That is a LOT of plastic kits for one model, some in limited runs, all over the same timespan GW has produced 7 total sprues for Guardsmen infantry, with a further 5 for AM specialist infantry. I'm not saying there should be less SM Captains (I own almost all of those Captains), but clearly GW reckons they can still make a profit on a heavily saturated unit option, or they wouldn't keep making Captain variants, and now Lieutenants (which are in the same role now).

But they aren't making Captain variants now.

The last one was the Primaris Captain. There's been variations on that as promotional models, but otherwise we're not exactly drowning in them now are we?
And as for Primaris Lieutenants? There really haven't been that many. One promotional model, one for each of the 'major' Chapters(Ultramarines in Wake the Dead, Wolves in Tooth & Claw, DA and BA as solo blisters when their books dropped), and then the two from the starter set.

So all told we have the various profiles covered in one way or another, then there's some Chapter specific frippery for the Primaris side of things.
And then that Commander box you were pointing out earlier? That is literally billed as how to make non-Primaris Lieutenants.

Remember that AM sprues cover a lot of different units- an infantry kit can make 4 different unit options. AM doesn't need many sprues per design to make a functioning alternate build.

An infantry kit can make 3 different unit options: Conscripts, Veterans, and Infantry Squads. Command Squads can have vastly different loadouts and either need options added to the sprues that would be ridiculously overcrowding things or options need to be cut out of the Command Squads to make things work.
The same goes for Heavy Weapon Squads and Special Weapon Squads.

And realistically, Conscripts should just be given their own damn kit. Strip them of the <Regiment> keyword and make it so they are Officio Prefectus instead(which is actually fluffier for everyone given the garbage tier fluff they keep shoveling out for Conscripts) and everyone's a winner.

Don't get me wrong, I don't think the two options are directly comparable, but I think GW is fully capable of making a plastic sprue for each major regiment and profiting from it.

Then why would you use the comparison to begin with?

Could they do it? Sure! They could also do what it looks like they've been doing and slowly move Regiments to look like they actually all have a standardized kit with occasional bits and bobs that are locally produced instead(read: what an Upgrade Pack would contain).

Do you guys really think they'd update Cadian guard although it's (it being cadia) no longer exists in 40k? I sort of hope they don't so that event actually carries some meaning in the universe.

https://www.warhammer-community.com/2019/01/08/urban-conquest-the-hivesprawls-of-vigilusgw-homepage-post-1/

In this article they talk about the "Vigilant Guard" which I think might be what they update the cadians into (since vigilus is basically cadia anyways). Obviously vigilant guard might just mean the guard forces stationed on vigilus. I would expect them to look fairly similar to cadians since a more plain look is probably for the best but making them into a new force might make it easier to integrate some new Cawl-tech on them.

I just don't imagine GW redoing Guard without any sort of significant changes to equipment and looks. The Gloomspite Gitz sort of bucked that trend and showed that they are willing to do it but more often than not they introduce a separate unit. So I wouldn't be surprised if vigilant guard drops with assault lasguns as their primary weapons and phosphor mortars etc.

Whatever the case ends up being I really hope they do get some new troops though, even though cadians hold up fairly well you can just see how "airy" those sprues are. A newer kit would fit twice as much on it..