Introduction
Astra Militarum, also known as the Imperial Guard, are the endless armies of humanity in Warhammer 40,000. Unlike Space Marines, they are ordinary humans – but in billions. Their strength lies in discipline, tanks, and artillery rather than genetic enhancements.
For players who want an army with lots of infantry, iconic tanks, and the feeling of leading entire battalions, Astra Militarum is a perfect choice.
Lore – who are the Astra Militarum?
The Astra Militarum are the backbone of the Imperium. While Space Marines are elite forces, it is the Guard who do the daily bloody work in all the galaxy's wars.
They are recruited from countless worlds, with different cultures and traditions, but all united under the banner of the Imperium.
Some famous regiments:
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Cadian Shock Troops – disciplined infantry, the most iconic.
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Catachan Jungle Fighters – brutal survivors, inspired by action heroes.
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Death Korps of Krieg – grim soldiers known for their loyalty and sacrifice.
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Tallarn Desert Raiders – desert warfare specialists.
Tabletop Playstyle
Astra Militarum is an army of numbers and vehicles.
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Infantry: Lots of Guardsmen holding objectives and being sacrificed in droves.
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Artillery: Basilisks and Manticores bombarding the enemy from a distance.
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Tanks: The Leman Russ is one of the most iconic tanks in all of Warhammer.
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Officer Orders: Commanders giving orders and buffing troops.
They are not as durable as Space Marines, but compensate with numbers, firepower, and vehicles.
Iconic Units
Some examples of Astra Militarum's most famous units:
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Cadian Shock Troops – the standard troop, cheap and reliable.
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Commissars – stern leaders who maintain discipline, often with pistol in hand.
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Leman Russ Battle Tank – flexible and heavy main battle tank.
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Basilisk – long-range artillery that can hit targets anywhere on the board.
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Sentinels – light walkers for scouting and rapid assault.
Explore our range of Astra Militarum at RGBKingz and build your own regiment.
Painting & Hobby Tips
Astra Militarum are fun to paint because each regiment can have its own color scheme.
Popular styles:
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Cadian – classic green and beige.
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Catachan – green with bare-armed soldiers.
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Death Korps – grey, grim, and muddy.
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Own Regiment – choose colors you like and create your own lore.
Tips: use Contrast paints to quickly paint large infantry groups. Spend extra time on details on the tanks – weathering, rust, and damage make a huge difference to the realism.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is Astra Militarum a good beginner army?
They can be challenging for beginners as they require many models. But for those who like vehicles and mass armies, they are fantastic.
Are they strong compared to Space Marines?
Individually no – but they win through numbers and firepower. A regiment of Guard can stop almost anything.
Can I mix different regiments in an army?
Yes, you can paint and build however you like. The rules often support combining units from different regiments.
Summary
The Astra Militarum are humanity's massive armies – ordinary people who, with discipline, tanks, and artillery, fight against all threats in the galaxy. They are an army for players who enjoy strategy, vehicles, and the feeling of leading entire battalions.
Are you ready to assert the Imperium's will?
Check out our selection of Astra Militarum at RGBKingz and start building your own regiment today.