The Astra Militarum, also known as the Imperial Guard, are the massed armies of humanity in Warhammer 40,000. Recruited from countless worlds across the Imperium, they are ordinary soldiers facing the galaxy’s worst horrors with faith, discipline, and mass-produced weaponry. Unlike the superhuman Space Marines, the Astra Militarum rely on numbers, coordination, and the iron will to hold the line. Their regiments reflect the immense diversity of the Imperium, from trench-bound siege troops to fast-moving mechanised forces.
On the tabletop, the army thrives on combined arms and weight of fire. Infantry squads form sturdy gunlines supported by heavy weapons, artillery, and battle tanks. Officers issue Orders to improve accuracy, mobility, or resilience at crucial moments, rewarding careful positioning and synergy. Losses are expected, but through sheer numbers and board control the Astra Militarum can grind down even the toughest foe.
The faction’s backbone is its infantry, supported by iconic war machines such as the Leman Russ and the towering Baneblade, alongside long-range artillery like the Basilisk. This flexibility allows you to build defensive gun batteries, armoured spearheads, or infantry-heavy forces that overwhelm through sheer presence.
Aesthetically, the Astra Militarum embody the grim, industrial character of the Imperium. Inspired by real-world military history, their greatcoats, tanks, and artillery offer a grounded, war-torn look that is highly customisable and deeply satisfying to paint.