The Hammer of the Emperor
“There Is Only War”
Numbering in the untold billions, the regiments of the Astra Militarum are drawn from ten thousand worlds, each with its own traditions, uniforms, and battle-cries, yet united in service to the God-Emperor of Mankind. Where the Space Marines strike like a scalpel, the Guard advances like a tidal wave — endless ranks of lasgun-armed infantry backed by thundering Leman Russ tanks, screaming Basilisk artillery, and the earth-shaking tread of Baneblade super-heavies. Guardsmen know they are expendable, and yet they hold the line anyway, for every world lost to the Ruinous Powers or ravenous xenos is a world that may never be reclaimed. Commissars watch for cowardice with bolt pistol in hand, for in the Imperial Guard, courage is enforced as often as it is inspired.
Army Rule
Officers in your army can issue Orders to friendly ASTRA MILITARUM units within range, granting bonuses such as re-rolling hit rolls, moving again, or firing Overwatch, representing the iron discipline of the Imperial Guard's chain of command.
Each ASTRA MILITARUM OFFICER can issue one Order each Command phase to a friendly ASTRA MILITARUM INFANTRY unit within 6", selected from a list including 'First Rank, Fire! Second Rank, Fire!', 'Move! Move! Move!', and 'Take Aim!'.
6 available
Absolutist Principles
Commissars with experience overseeing auxiliary platoons display the ferocious strength of will and fearsome levels of scrutiny needed to ensure the most thick-skulled or rebelliously larcenous of soldiers - no matter what their size or shape - do their duty. - Friendly BULLGRYN SQUAD/OGRYN SQUAD/RATLINGS units have ABHUMAN. - Friendly COMMISSAR models can: ▫ Issue the Take Aim! Order. ▫ Issue 1 Order to a friendly ABHUMAN unit. This detachment has the ABHUMAN tag and cannot be taken with another ABHUMAN detachment.
These Ratlings' naturally keen vision is supplemented with varied magnoculors, listening devices and other detection gear that mysteriously comes into their possession. RATLINGS unit only. When this unit is selected to shoot, enemy units have +6" detection range until this unit has shot.
The whine of hidden bionics, webs of ugly scars, or the rattle of abraded lungs with every barked order signals a grizzled veteran whose devotion to duty has seen them survive not only the enemy but also proximity to the most overly muscled soldiers. COMMISSAR model only. This model has Feel No Pain 4+.
Fire Zone Purge
Key to this force's mission is the swift purgation of local enemy forces through sudden deployment and focused firefights. As such, whether they hit the ground from a low-altitude drop or deploy from armoured transports, the soldiers of this formation are trained to find targets and start shooting the instant the foe is in sight. - If a friendly MILITARUM TEMPESTUS OFFICER model is your WARLORD, friendly TEMPESTUS SCIONS units have: ▫ BATTLELINE. ▫ +1 OC. - When a friendly MILITARUM TEMPESTUS unit is selected to shoot, if that unit was set up this turn, that unit's ranged attacks have +1 to hit rolls.
Carried by an officer's comms specialist, this device is a precious example of an omni-frequency master vox-array manufactured on the long-lost forge world of Urvax. It facilitates the rapid dissemination of orders throughout the entire strike force. MILITARUM TEMPESTUS OFFICER model only. When this model issues an Order, if this unit has the Master Vox wargear ability, this model can issue that Order to up to three different REGIMENT units, instead of only one.
Locked to the designator runes of this officer's dropship and heavily warded against interference, this predeployed beacon ensures they and their elite soldiers land swiftly and on target. MILITARUM TEMPESTUS OFFICER model only. In your first Movement phase, this unit can make an ingress move.
Designated Targets
A regiment's resilient and often unconventional scouts are deployed to provide forward intelligence on enemy dispositions. With a combination of regimental issue scopes and guerrilla instincts hard-won through survival at the forefronts of war zones, they can draw massed firepower down on lurking threats. Friendly SCOUT SENTINEL/ASTRA MILITARUM INFANTRY SMOKE units have the following ability: Signal Flares: In your Shooting phase, this unit can select one visible enemy unit within 12". That enemy unit is designated: - While a unit is designated, that unit has +3" detection range. This detachment has the RECON tag and cannot be taken with another RECON detachment.
Veteran pilots of Scout Sentinels have a reputation as insubordinate mavericks or taciturn loners, but their skill in manoeuvring their often-camouflaged walker unseen into hostile territory is second to none. SCOUT SENTINEL unit only. This unit has Infiltrators.
Those soldiers who have earned this commendation have earned their skills stealthily trekking through dangerous no man's land far in advance of the main push, striking behind enemy lines on missions of sabotage, or laying flanking ambushes. ASTRA MILITARUM INFANTRY PLATOON unit only. In your first Movement phase, this unit can make an ingress move.
Ceaseless Cannonade
The heaviest Astra Militarum vehicles are adamantine behemoths whose armour is almost impenetrable. The crews of these colossal war engines need have no concern for the integrity of their vehicles, unleashing even the most violently destructive ordnance at point-blank range. Each time an Astra Militarum Titanic or Astra Militarum Squadron unit from your army is selected to shoot, models in that unit can target enemy units within Engagement Range of that unit (including with Blast weapons), provided no other friendly units are also within Engagement Range of that enemy unit. When doing so, such models do not suffer the penalty to their Hit rolls for being within Engagement Range of one or more enemy units (excluding attacks made with Indirect Fire weapons). KEYWORDS In the Muster Armies step, you can select one or more Astra Militarum Titanic units from your army to gain the Character keyword. Designer's Note: This means that the selected units can be given Enhancements, and one of them can be selected as your Warlord.
High-ranking officers of armoured regiments may operate super-heavy tanks as command vehicles, their orders blaring from hull-mounted laud hailers or crackling over internal vox-channels. Astra Militarum Titanic Character model only. The bearer has the Voice of Command ability and the Officer keyword, and can issue up to 2 Orders to Astra Militarum Titanic and Squadron units.
Seeking to add another kill marking to their war machine, this glory-hungry tank commander seeks out and engages only the heaviest enemy assets. Astra Militarum Titanic Character model only. Each time the bearer makes a ranged attack, you can re-roll the Damage roll.
Intimately attuned to the machine spirits of Astra Militarum vehicles, this Tech-Priest administers rites and rituals, seeking to draw additional performance from engines. Astra Militarum Tech-Priest Enginseer model only. Each time the bearer uses its Omnissiah's Blessing ability, until the start of your next Command phase, add 3" to the Move characteristic of the selected Vehicle model.
Ramps and hatches slam down on all sides of this titanic vehicle, enabling infantry to surge forth and overwhelm the enemy. Astra Militarum Titanic Character Transport model only. Each time a unit disembarks from the bearer after it has made a Normal move, that unit is still eligible to declare a charge this turn.
Squadron Command
Officers in charge of motorised formations are as well versed in armoured combat as in infantry operations. Add Squadron to the list of units each Officer unit from your army can issue Orders to. Add the Order below to those listed in the Voice of Command ability. ORDER
Possessed of great initiative and authority, this officer marshals surrounding assets with great efficiency. Infantry Officer model only. Each time the bearer issues an Order to its own unit, you can select up to two other Platoon units within 3" of the bearer's unit. That Order is also issued to each of those units.
Academy training and battlefield experience have instilled in this officer a mastery of mobile warfare. At their barked orders, soldiers and armoured vehicles work in well-drilled unison. Infantry Officer model only. At the end of your opponent's Fight phase, if the bearer's unit is not within Engagement Range of one or more enemy units and every model in that unit is within 3" of an Astra Militarum Transport from your army, it can embark within that Transport.
Tech-Priests of the Adeptus Mechanicus bear to battle an array of sanctified oils and tinctures of protection with which to bless the Machine God's divine works. Astra Militarum Tech-Priest Enginseer model only. While a friendly Armoured Skirmisher unit is within 3" of the bearer, that unit has the Feel No Pain 5+ ability.
Able to see the broader strategic picture, this experienced officer deploys their assets sparingly and with practised precision. Officer model only. After both players have deployed their armies, if the bearer's unit (or any Transport it is embarked within) is on the battlefield, select up to two units with the Regiment or Squadron keywords from your army and redeploy them. When doing so, you can set those units up in Strategic Reserves, regardless of how many units are already in Strategic Reserves.
Ruthless Discipline
The officers of this company are wily, iron-willed veterans both respected and feared by the troops under their command. At their barked orders, even the weariest soldiers redouble their efforts. Add 1 to the number of Orders each Astra Militarum Officer model from your army can issue, as stated on their datasheet. While an Astra Militarum unit from your army is affected by an Order, each time a model in that unit makes an attack, re-roll a Hit roll of 1.
Ogryns respond well to this Commissar's stern discipline and are even known to accompany them as a personal bodyguard. Commissar model only. Add the Ogryn keyword to the list of units this model can issue Orders too (as stated on its datasheet). In the Declare Battle Formations step, the bearer can be attached to an Ogryn Squad or Bullgryn squad unit.
This bionic lens contains a miniaturised auspex capable of detecting the slightest flaws in enemy defences. Astra Militarum officer model only. Each time you select an Order for the bearer to issue, you can select the Order below: Target Weak Spot (Order): Each time a model in this unit makes a ranged attack that targets an enemy unit within 12", improve the Armour Penetration characteristic of that attack by 1.
This veteran commando officer imparts their experience in clandestine warfare to the rank and file. Astra Militarum Infantry officer model only. Each time you select an Order for the bearer to issue, you can select the Order below: Move to the Shadows (Order): Each time a ranged attack targets this unit, until those attacks are resolved, models in this unit have the Stealth ability.
This device amplifies the bearer's voice, enabling their orders to cut through the din of battle. Astra Militarum officer model only. Each time you select a unit for this Officer model to issue an Order to, that unit can be within 12" instead of within 6".
27 stratagems
Detachment · Shooting phase · Abhuman Auxiliaries
WHEN: Your opponent's Shooting phase or the Fight phase, when an enemy unit targets a friendly BULLGRYN SQUAD/OGRYN SQUAD unit that is within range of an objective. TARGET: That BULLGRYN SQUAD/OGRYN SQUAD unit. EFFECT: Attacks that target your unit have -1 AP until that enemy unit has attacked.
Detachment · Shooting phase · Abhuman Auxiliaries
WHEN: Your Shooting phase, when a friendly RATLINGS unit has shot. TARGET: That RATLINGS unit. EFFECT: Those ranged attacks do not prevent your unit from being hidden.
Detachment · Shooting phase · Abhuman Auxiliaries
WHEN: Your opponent's Shooting phase, when an enemy unit that targeted a friendly unengaged BULLGRYN SQUAD/OGRYN SQUAD unit has shot. TARGET: That BULLGRYN SQUAD/OGRYN SQUAD unit. EFFECT: Your unit can make a surge move of up to D6".
Detachment · Charge phase · Bridgehead Strike
WHEN: End of your opponent's Charge phase. TARGET: One friendly engaged REGIMENT unit. EFFECT: Roll one D6 for each enemy unit engaged with your unit: - On a 2+ that enemy unit suffers D6 mortal wounds. Then, your unit suffers 3D3 mortal wounds.
Detachment · Shooting phase · Bridgehead Strike
WHEN: Your Shooting phase, when a friendly MILITARUM TEMPESTUS/ KASRKIN unit is selected to shoot. TARGET: That MILITARUM TEMPESTUS/KASRKIN unit. EFFECT: Your unit's Hot-shot Lascarbines, Hot-shot Lasguns, Hot-shot Laspistols, Hot-shot Marksman Rifles, Hot-shot Volley Guns and Sentry Hot-shot Volley Guns weapons that targeted an enemy unit within 12" have +1 S and AP.
Detachment · Shooting phase · Bridgehead Strike
WHEN: Your Shooting phase, when a friendly MILITARUM TEMPESTUS unit has shot. TARGET: That MILITARUM TEMPESTUS unit. EFFECT: Select one enemy unit hit by those ranged attacks. Friendly MILITARUM TEMPESTUS units' ranged attacks that target that enemy unit have [IGNORES COVER].
Detachment · Shooting phase · Designation Force
WHEN: Start of your Shooting phase. TARGET: One friendly SCOUT SENTINEL/ASTRA MILITARUM INFANTRY unit. EFFECT: While a visible enemy unit is within 6" of your unit, that unit has +3" detection range.
Detachment · Movement phase · Designation Force
WHEN: Your opponent's Movement phase, when an enemy unit ends a move within 8" of a friendly unengaged ASTRA MILITARUM INFANTRY unit. TARGET: That ASTRA MILITARUM INFANTRY unit. EFFECT: Your unit can make a normal move of up to D3+3".
Detachment · Shooting phase · Designation Force
WHEN: Start of your opponent's Shooting phase TARGET: One friendly ASTRA MILITARUM INFANTRY SMOKE unit. EFFECT: When an attack targets either your unit, or a unit that is not fully visible to the attacking model because of one or more models in your unit, the target has the benefit of cover against that attack.
Epic Deed · Fight phase · Steel Hammer
WHEN: Fight phase. TARGET: One Astra Militarum Titanic unit from your army that has not been selected to fight this phase. EFFECT: Select one enemy unit within Engagement Range of your unit. Until the end of the phase, add 6 to the Attacks characteristic of melee weapons equipped by models in your unit, improve the Armour Penetration characteristic of those weapons by 2, and each time a model in your unit fights, it can only target that enemy unit.
Strategic Ploy · Movement phase · Steel Hammer
WHEN: Reinforcements step of your Movement phase, from the second battle round onwards. TARGET: One Astra Militarum Titanic unit from your army that is in Reserves. EFFECT: Set up your unit on the battlefield, wholly within 8" of the battlefield edge and more than 6" horizontally away from all enemy units.
Strategic Ploy · Movement phase · Steel Hammer
WHEN: Your Movement phase or your Charge phase. TARGET: One Astra Militarum Vehicle unit from your army that has not been selected to move or charge this phase. EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, each time your unit makes a Normal, Advance or Charge move, it can move horizontally through terrain features.
Strategic Ploy · Shooting phase · Steel Hammer
WHEN: Your Shooting phase, just after an Astra Militarum Titanic unit from your army has shot. TARGET: That Astra Militarum Titanic unit. EFFECT: Select one enemy unit hit by one or more of those attacks. Until the end of the phase, that enemy unit cannot have the Benefit of Cover.
Strategic Ploy · Shooting phase · Steel Hammer
WHEN: Your Shooting phase, just after an Astra Militarum Vehicle unit from your army has shot. TARGET: That Astra Militarum Vehicle unit. EFFECT: Select one enemy unit hit by one or more of those attacks. That enemy unit must take a Battle-shock test, subtracting 1 from that test.
Battle Tactic · Shooting phase · Steel Hammer
WHEN: Your Shooting phase. TARGET: One Astra Militarum unit from your army that has not been selected to shoot this phase. EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, each time a model in your unit makes an attack, you can re-roll the Hit roll.
Battle Tactic · Movement phase · Armoured Infantry
WHEN: Start of your Movement phase. TARGET: One Astra Militarum Officer unit from your army. EFFECT: Select one or more friendly Astra Militarum units within 6" of your unit; until the end of the phase, you can re-roll Advance rolls made for those units.
Strategic Ploy · Movement phase · Armoured Infantry
WHEN: Your Movement phase, just after an Armoured Skirmisher unit from your army Advances or Falls Back. TARGET: That Armoured Skirmisher unit. EFFECT: Until the end of the turn, your unit is eligible to shoot in a turn in which it Advanced or Fell Back.
Strategic Ploy · Movement phase · Armoured Infantry
WHEN: End of your Movement phase. TARGET: One Astra Militarum unit from your army that did not Remain Stationary or arrive from Reserves this phase. EFFECT: Your unit can make a Normal move of up to D6".
Battle Tactic · Shooting phase · Armoured Infantry
WHEN: Your Shooting phase. TARGET: One Armoured Skirmisher unit from your army that has not been selected to shoot this phase. EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, each time a model in your unit makes an attack that targets a visible Monster or Vehicle unit, you can re-roll the Hit roll.
Battle Tactic · Shooting phase · Armoured Infantry
WHEN: Your Shooting phase, just after an Armoured Skirmisher unit from your army has shot. TARGET: That Armoured Skirmisher unit. EFFECT: Select one enemy unit hit by one or more of those attacks. Until the end of the phase, that enemy unit cannot have the Benefit of Cover, and each time an Armoured Skirmisher unit from your army makes an attack that targets that unit, improve the Strength characteristic of that attack by 2.
Battle Tactic · Shooting phase · Armoured Infantry
WHEN: Your Shooting phase. TARGET: One Astra Militarum unit from your army that disembarked from a Transport this turn and has not been selected to shoot this phase. EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, each time a model in your unit makes an attack, add 1 to the Wound roll.
Detachment · Any phase · Grizzled Company
WHEN: Start of any phase. TARGET: One Astra Militarum Officer unit from your army. EFFECT: Your unit's Officer model can issue 1 Order as if it were your Command phase.
Detachment · Command phase · Grizzled Company
WHEN: Your Command phase. TARGET: One Astra Militarum unit from your army affected by the Duty and Honour! Order. EFFECT: If your unit is within range of an objective marker you control, that objective marker remains under your control, even if you have no models within range of it, until your opponent controls it at the start or end of a phase.
Detachment · Shooting phase · Grizzled Company
WHEN: Your Shooting phase. TARGET: One Astra Militarum unit from your army that has not been selected to shoot this phase. EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, ranged weapons equipped by models in your unit have the [IGNORES COVER] ability.
Detachment · Shooting phase · Grizzled Company
WHEN: Your Shooting phase. TARGET: One Astra Militarum unit from your army affected by an Order that has not been selected to shoot this phase. EFFECT: If your unit is within range of an objective marker, until the end of the phase, ranged weapons equipped by models in your unit have the [LETHAL HITS] ability.
Detachment · Shooting phase · Grizzled Company
WHEN: Your Shooting phase. TARGET: One Astra Militarum Infantry unit from your army affected by the First Rank, Fire! Second Rank, Fire! Order. EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, each time a model in your unit makes an attack, improve the Strength characteristic of that attack by 1.
Detachment · Shooting phase · Grizzled Company
WHEN: Your opponent's Shooting phase, just after an enemy unit has selected its targets. TARGET: One Astra Militarum unit from your army that was selected as the target of one or more of the attacking unit's attacks. EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, each time an attack targets your unit, worsen the Armour Penetration characteristic of that attack by 1.
92 units
Rules digest
Our own plain-speech digest of how this force's rules hang together — army rule, detachment choice, command-point economy and roster shape. Written by us, not reproduced from the pack; the official PDF is the only authority on exact wording.
Read the official pack PDFEvery list in this force answers to Regimental Orders, so plan your turns around it rather than treating it as a bonus. A second layer — Voice of Command — lets you tilt the same roster toward a different way of fighting before the first dice are rolled. Exact wording lives in the official pack PDF; the summary here is ours.
You commit to one of 6 detachments (Abhuman Auxiliaries, Bridgehead Strike, Designation Force, Steel Hammer, Armoured Infantry, Grizzled Company), and that choice locks in both your detachment rule and the 18 enhancements available to your characters. Pick the detachment that matches the units you already own, then buy enhancements last.
There are 27 stratagems on offer, costing between 1 and 2 CP. In a normal game you will bank enough for two or three interventions a turn at most, so decide before deployment which one or two plays you are saving command points for.
The roster runs to 92 datasheets. The cheapest entry comes in at 30 points and the most expensive at 430, so a single flagship choice can eat a fifth of a 2,000-point army. Use the list builder to keep the Rule of Three, character limits and your points ceiling honest as you add units.
Official faction pack v1.2
Our own plain-speech summary of what the current pack alters for this force — no rules text reproduced. The exact wording is authoritative only in the Games Workshop PDF. Legal for matched play from 26th August 2026.
Read the official pack PDFNumbers change only: Reactive Command now reads 8" where it used to read 9".
Swift Interception's target section has been rewritten for this pack, so the old wording no longer applies. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
Masters of Camouflage has been rewritten for this pack, so the old wording no longer applies. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
Numbers change only: Tripwires now reads 8” where it used to read 9”.
Numbers change only: Draw Them Out's target section now reads 8" where it used to read 9".
Tanglefoot Grenades's effect section has been rewritten for this pack, so the old wording no longer applies. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
Artillery Support Detachment Rule, Creeping Barrage has been rewritten for this pack, so the old wording no longer applies. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
Cadian Command Squad, Cadia Stands! Ability has been rewritten for this pack, so the old wording no longer applies. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
Basilisk, Earthshaker Rounds Ability has been rewritten for this pack, so the old wording no longer applies. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
RANGE A BS S AP D is updated in this pack. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
RANGE A BS S AP D is updated in this pack. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
RANGE A BS S AP D is updated in this pack. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
Korps Watchmasters can each replace their laspistol and chainsword is updated in this pack. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
Death Riders, Screening Line Ability has been rewritten for this pack, so the old wording no longer applies. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
RANGE A BS S AP D is updated in this pack. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
RANGE A BS S AP D is updated in this pack. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
RANGE A WS S AP D is updated in this pack. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
Krieg Combat Engineers, Remote Mine Ability has been rewritten for this pack, so the old wording no longer applies. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
Krieg Heavy Weapons Squad is updated in this pack. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
Lord Solar Leontus, Orders Section has been rewritten for this pack, so the old wording no longer applies. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
Militarum Tempestus Command Squad is updated in this pack. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
Ogryn Bodyguard is updated in this pack. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
Tempestus Scions is updated in this pack. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
Tempestus Aquilons is updated in this pack. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
Valkyrie is updated in this pack. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
Ruling on a rules interaction in this army
Ruled no in the official pack.
Ruling on a rules interaction in this army
Ruled no in the official pack.
Ruling on a rules interaction in this army
Ruled no in the official pack.
Ruling on Creeping Barrage
The official pack gives a detailed answer — read it in the PDF.
Ruling on Deep Strike
Ruled no in the official pack.
Ruling on a rules interaction in this army
Ruled no in the official pack.
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