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My idea was tied to the use of conscripts for Imperial Guard and their low morale. I imagine something like what the Soviet army did to stop their forces from fleeing the battle, namely having soldiers covering the rear of the main body to execute those attempting to run away. So here is a proposal I have for a fluffy regimental doctrine. It’s fairly impractical and convoluted[spoiler] but might be fun for narratives.

Penal Legion:
ASTRA MILITARUM CONSCRIPT units in this regiment may contain up to 60 models in them. In addition, these units are immune to the effects of “Aura of Discipline” and “Summary Execution”.

For each CONSCRIPT unit in this regiment, set up one unit of Barrier Troops. Set these models up no less than 9” and no more than 12” away from it’s assigned CONSCRIPTS unit. Whenever that unit moves, this unit must move so that it is no less than 9” and no more than 12” away from them. Whenever the last model in the assigned unit is removed from the battlefield, remove the Barrier Troop models assigned to that unit.


**These would be heavy weapon squads but can only take heavy bolters and have OFFICIO PREFECTUS and BARRIER TROOPS keywords instead of ASTRA MILITARUM and HEAVY WEAPONS SQUAD keywords respectively. They also have the following abilities:

NOT ONE STEP BACK: Whenever a CONSCRIPTS unit within the range of a unit with this ability’s weapons fails a morale test, instead of removing the models, immediately make a ranged attack against that unit with all of this unit’s weapons. This also applies whenever a CONSCRIPTS unit falls back.

HIGHER ORDERS: This unit cannot shoot or move except by its own abilities.

IRON WILL: This unit automatically passes all morale tests.

Any thoughts?

Overly complex and rather silly. Giant blobs of conscripts that get mowed down by dedicated heavy bolters squads of when they fail morale (which is nearly every time they have to take a morale test).

The degree to which 8e has rendered morale irrelevant makes this idea pretty impractical to try and actually implement. Would suggest looking into playing a 30k militia army with discipline collars instead.

I did say this was convoluted and impractical

I think for a fun narrative game, this would be pretty cool. As you said its a bit convoluted and silly, but isn't that the point!!