Warhammer 40,000/Tactics/Death Korps of Krieg(8E)

This is the current Edition's Death Korps of Krieg tactics. General Imperial Guard tactics can be found here.

Why Play the Death Korps of Krieg

If you love WWI and 40k, then you'll love the Death Korps of Krieg. They love trenches, attrition warfare, and everything that the Western Front had to offer. They don't waver when their mates drop dead, in fact, they get happier. Collectively, they want to martyr themselves as a messed up way of saying "sorry" to The Emperor. All in all, they are badasses who shell their enemies into a pulp, then mow down the survivors with hordes of infantry and armour.

On the tabletop, the Death Korps can be played like a normal Imperial Guard army, just with a few unit restrictions, an immunity to casualties taken in the shooting phase, and are strong in close quarters, be that melee, or short-range gunfights.

Pros

• Versatile and strong vehicles.
• Hordes of infantry that can be buffed with force multipliers such as Commissars, Astropaths, Priests, and all Commanders.
• Dirt cheap troops means you can laugh off the loss of cheap guardsmen whereas an elite army cannot.
• The removal of platoons means you can get rid of some minor taxes. A little bit of points go a long way.
• Laughably easy to amass command points in a brigade detachment or multiple battalions due to dirt cheap units.
• The new Strength/Toughness and AP mechanics tend to favor hordes, as does the removal of templates. Your opponent won't get more than 6 hits from a flamer or heavy flamer, you actually get a save against both, and that heavy flamer only wounds your boys on 3s.
• You're the best ally army in the Imperium, bar none. It doesn't matter if you're bringing Space Marines, Sisters, AdMech, or Genestealers: you open more doors for more armies than any other army in the game, whether with long-ranged fire support, cheap bodies, or badass flyers.
• Let's state the obvious: Guard is by far one of the strongest armies in the game right now, right up there with Marines, Tyranids, and Death Guard. All those Eldar, Tau, and Necron players who cheesed their way through easy victories with Decurion detachments, Wraithknight spam, and markerlights are crying crocodile tears about how tricky Guard is to counter this edition. You're not invincible, but you are very point-efficient, and have probably the highest heavy-and-special weapon density in the game; there is almost no unnecessary purchase between you and your big killy guns.
• You have arguably one of the best looking armies in the game, and with awesome fluff to go with it.

Cons

• Overall flimsy infantry. What you have in numbers you do not have in resilience; your most common model statline is toughness 3 with a 5+ save. Still some of the toughest models point-for-point, but it practically forces you to buy in bulk.
• Comparatively weak in assault. S3 with 1 attack each is not doing you any favor, even though you hit on 3+. Close combat can still work, but shooting is preferable. Our Infantry squads are still better in assault than Battle Sisters, Guardians Defenders, Termagants or even Tactical Marines point for point. That's before Priests, Fix Bayonets, and regimental standard shenanigans. But squads caught in melee alone will fail anyway because...
• Individual units are weak without support from characters and other squads. Synergy is key.
• Anti-infantry weapons will destroy your hordes in short order.
• Anti-tank weapons will destroy your tanks in short order.
  • Now stop and think about those above three points. Together, they constitute a major challenge when understood in tandem. Enemies can reap bounteous rewards through good target selection against the IG, and it can be tricky to find ways to deny their efforts. Take a typical mixed-unit army, some infantry and some tanks. There will be times when the enemy can pull off a highly effective attack, pointing their dakka at your infantry and their blasta at your tanks. Some units may have to be sacrificed to an effective enemy - let's say a unit of Centaurs against enemy melta fire - if it means guarding a more important yet similarly vulnerable target - your Leman Russes - until you can wheel a more effective counter unit into place - disposable infantry squads. You can only anticipate so much! The standard wisdom when designing an army is to aim for a uniform defensive approach between units, to prevent easy target practice for the enemy. But the IG are very dependent on synergy, so taking an all-infantry or all tank army is also quite risky! Whether it's a mixed army that demands carefully positioning and tough sacrifices, all-infantry that runs the risk of weak output or all-tank brigades that struggle to shoot fast enough, you've always got a catch when constructing your wall of shooty death.
• Playing Imperial Guard can be tedious. Whether its literally counting out hundreds of dice for shooting (bring bags, and expect to lose some) or spending more than half an hour just deploying your army (movement trays, learn to love them). Fortunately your turns will go by faster once you start piling up casualties.
• Although your units are cheap in points, they're not that cheap in cash, especially' since the Death Korps are a Forge World exclusive army..
• You're not GW's favorite children, so not only are new models for your army very rare, but your infantry models are mostly outdated as fuck and are rarely in stock. Just thank the Emperor that you don't have to buy pewter models for everything like Sisters players do. (PLASTIC SISTERS COMING OUT B*TCH! YEEAAHH!)
• Unless you keep everything in transports or a tank squad list (and maybe if you're playing against Orks), you're less likely to get the first turn by getting all of your units deployed first since during the roll-off the player who finished deploying first gets +1 to their roll (this is assuming you're using the new deployment method outlined in the Chapter Approved book and confirmed by GW, if you're using the old one you will rarely go first). Plan your strategy accordingly. Of course, you can get away with going tank and transport heavy better than most armies can.
• A fair few Forge World options have been removed from the site, so you'll need to either kitbash, or do some lurking online for them.

Important Rules References

Games Workshop has been lax about propagating errata to their errata page, so FAQ links are included below. Current as of May 15, 2018.

• Index: Forces of the Astra Militarum is your go-to. It has all the main rules for the Death Korps of Krieg and many of the units you can take.
  • The FAQ is here.
• Codex: Astra Militarum is your go-to for some options of your list..
  • The FAQ is here.
• The Big FAQ contains some point changes that are relevant for the Death Korps. You can find it here.

Special Rules

• Defenders of Humanity: Leman Russes in a Spearhead Detachment, and all Astra Militarum troop choices, have Objective Secured in 8th edition.
• Cult of Sacrifice: When taking Morale tests, ignore casualties inflicted in the Shooting phase. This applies to all Infantry units listed above, not just the Death Korps exclusive ones. This rule helps mitigate the punishing effects of morale, which is both fluffy and reduces their dependency on Ld-boosting aura effects.
  • Note that this is casualties inflicted in the Shooting Phase not By Shooting. So DKoK ignore casualties inflicted by Gets Hot!, which is good for Plasma and Carcass spam.
• Death Korps can take laspistols, hotshot laspistols, hotshot lasguns, dual hotshot laspistols, dual laspistols, and dual bolt pistols as ranged weapons, heavy flamers and twin heavy stubbers as heavy weapons, and chainswords as melee weapons.

Warlord Traits

Unfortunately, you can't take any Regiment-specific Warlord Traits, because you're not a part of that regiment. You can however, have an Officio Prefectus character as your Warlord, such as Yarrick, or a Lord Commissar.

1. Grand Strategist: Re-roll one failed hit, wound, or save per battle. More importantly, every time you spend a command point, get it back on a 5+. Quite powerful when you have an easy time making Brigades and other armies (SM) bring Vanguard. Beat the Smurfs at their own game!.
   • While the CP is gained on a 5+ (aka 1/3), that same CP you just got back can be regained yet again on a further roll of 5+ when it is spent. Since spent CP can be recovered once again after spending, if you spend your entire pool, recover as much as possible, spend it all, etc, the net impact is multiplying your pool by 1.5, not the 1.33 a naive approach would assume.
   • Note that Kurov's Aquila gives you a third of what your enemy spends, so the net effect of combining the two is that you have 1.5*(your starting CP + 1/3 of enemy's CP) - Kurov's will give you more the more your enemy spends, and this will give you more the more you spend.
2. Old Grudges: At the start of the game, choose an enemy unit. All Astra Militarum units within 6" of your warlord re-roll failed wounds against that unit.
   • Better than "Bring it Down!" and affecting multiple units, but against a single enemy unit you have to pick up front. Powerful when nominating Magnus or models providing buffs, but Guilliman and anyone smaller can hide from anything more dangerous than a Ratling, unless you nominate a key element of your enemy's strategy instead, like a deathstar squad or their transport.
3. Implacable Determination: When the warlord and one friendly unit within 3" of them advance, both add 6" to their move instead of rolling.
   • Note the lack of keywords on this one - you can use this to accelerate any friendly. At its most extreme, if you've been allied to Tyranids via Genestealer Cults, this will work on both a GSC unit or a Tyranids unit.
4. Draconian Disciplinarian: Re-roll failed Morale checks for friendly Astra Militarum Infantry within 6" of the Warlord. Technically better than a Commissar, rerolling for free instead of at the cost of 1 execution.
   • If applied to an actual Commissar, Summary Execution takes precedence. If the Summary Execution re-roll is also failed, d3 models are slain but the test is considered passed. Now that regular Commissars may not cut it for Conscripts, this is the only area-of-effect source of morale immunity (after 3 cowards) that every regiment has access to.
5. Bellowing Voice: Increase all data sheet ability ranges of the Warlord by 3 inches, aka 9" orders (which won't stack with a Vox-caster) or 9" Commissar auras of Discipline and Summary Execution. Remember named characters, Masters of Ordnance and Officers of the Fleet can't get this WT in the first place.
6. Master of Command: Gain the Voice of Command Rule. If you already have it or Tank Orders, issue one extra order instead (Tank Commanders don't get infantry orders).
   • No longer an issue for Yarrick or Lord Commissars. The FAQ says Commissars can issue the basic orders to any <regiment> infantry units, regardless of regiment, still unclear on what happens if you give this trait to ministorum priests, enginseers, psykers, etc. This is more special if you have multiple detachments, as Company Commanders may order units only from their own Regiment. So it's not only putting your orders in more baskets, but it carries fewer restrictions (although the Warlord won't have a Regiment-exclusive order). Remember, the Commissar still won't have a <regiment>, so they won't be able to order themselves.

Orders

The Death Korps of Krieg has a different roster of Orders compared to standard guard and can order Cavalry as well as Infantry. Infantry Orders

• Re-roll Orders: Death Korps lose Take Aim! and thus only have Bring it down! as a Re-roll Order. However, except in the case of Gets Hot!, Bring it down! has the same effect as Take Aim!
  • Bring it down!: Ordered unit re-rolls to-wound rolls of 1 until the end of the phase.
• Movement Orders: Same as standard Guard. Death Korps are mostly footsloggers, so a fluffy army will find these more useful.
  • Forwards, for the Emperor!: Ordered unit can shoot, even if it advanced in the movement phase.
  • Get back in the fight!: Ordered unit can shoot, even if it fell back in its movement phase.
  • Move! Move! Move!: Ordered unit must move as if it were in the movement phase, and it must advance and cannot charge.
• Special Orders: Death Korps lose First Rank fire! Second Rank fire! and gain the orders Duty Unto Death! and Without Mercy!
  • Without Mercy!: Lasguns and Hot-shot Lasguns become Pistol 2. While lacking in the sheer number of shots FRFSRF can bring out, it can be quite effective at surprising a melee-happy opponent when your gunline can keep on shooting even in close combat.
    • This is basically your equivalent of FRFSRF, and unless you're under 12", actually gives the same firepower - no range change so you get 24" Pistol 2.
    • However, because you still have access to Get back in the Fight!, overall you're usually worse with these weapons than stock Guard - FRFSRF+GBITF together solve most problems as well as or better than Without Mercy + GBITF. This order is primarily useful on Objectives, where you dare not Fall Back or you'll cease to contest.
  • Fix Bayonets!: May only be issued to units within 1" of an enemy unit. Ordered unit may immediately fight as if it were in the fight phase.
    • This is more useful for Death Korps, as it can be given to their superior dedicated melee units, namely Death Riders.
  • Duty Unto Death!: Any INFANTRY or CAVALRY model in the affected unit slain in the Fight phase makes one last attack. Helps to wring out one last bit of usefulness from a unit that's losing a melee fight.
    • Compared to Fix Bayonets! this is useless, as Fix Bayonets! lets all of a unit's models fight twice with their full attacks, not just slain models fight with one attack, so it is mainly only useful with the laurels of command.

When using death riders, Duty Unto death is the only way to get extra attacks with the lances. Fix Bayonets can not be used the same turn you charge (shooting is before charging and thus you are not within 1"). Duty Unto death *can* give some extra attacks if some death riders are killed. Otherwise stick to the other orders. Tank Orders

• Gunners, Kill on Sight!: This gives your Leman Russes the ability to re-roll hits of 1. Pretty useful for an overcharging Executioner's main turret, or plasma cannons if your tank didn't move. This order is the one you will likely be using the most, as it increases your accuracy.
• Full Throttle!: This is simply the Tank Order version of "Move! Move! Move!", and is identical in every other respect. Did you ever expect a Russ to move 27", outrunning Eldar skimmers?.
• Strike and Shroud! (Tank Order): Allows the ordered Russ to both fire its weapons (including Grinding advance) and protect itself with its smoke launchers, as if it had two shooting phases. You can use this rule to get into a shooting position (you can see the enemy but it can see you too) and cripple the enemy while you survive the return fire. Smoke launchers are One Use, and so is this rule.

Psychic Powers

Guard Psykers are drawn from the Scholastica Psykana, and thus don't have a regiment; however they're the only Psykers with the Astra Militarum keyword, so if you want regiments, doctrines, and all that good jazz without adding another detachment, you're limited to the Psykana discipline. Fortunately for you, it's really good! The rules breakdown is here, but here's some tactical commentary.

• Offensive Powers
  • Terrifying Visions (WC 7): One of the hardest powers to channel, with only a 58.33% base chance of success. This, combined with the fact that most of the units you'll cast it on - those with high points-per-model where Battleshock is most painful - are high leadership, have ways around it, or can just deny your powers to begin with, makes it highly situational, and while it's not useless, it's probably the least useful power in the discipline.
    • Before the IG Codex, it was the time of mixed Imperium armies. But multiple small detachments are still a thing, and -2Ld is less situational when you stack it: Sicaran Infiltrators can combine their own -1Ld aura with Metallica's -1Ld Stratagem, and appear wherever you need them to. 120pts & -1CP for an Auxiliary Detachment, or 212pts for a Patrol and the cheap HQ Enginseer can repair your vehicles too. Reivers also have -1Ld and may deepstrike, and Black Templar reroll charges (233-268pts for a Patrol with Jump Pack Lieutenand and Scouts), not to mention SM in general have powerful melee infantry to begin with (plus the Standard of the Emperor Ascendant for another -1Ld). 6 Maul Bullgryn cost 252pts, so it's not unreasonable. What we're saying is -2Ld is situational, but -4Ld not so much and you still have Crusaders, Bullgryn, Rough Riders and disposable Conscripts, boosted by Priests, Yarrick and Commissars. -4Ld renders expensive & resilient Plague marines as cowardly as Conscripts, but without a Commissar to "motivate" them. IG is & Imperium all about coordination, don't you restrict it.
  • Gaze of the Emperor (WC 6): With a 72.22% base chance of success and no save of any kind aside from a deny roll, this is also a TEQ-buster. It's model-count-dependent, so it's lousy against Characters, but it can wreck small units of high points-per-model troops, or densely packed blobs of cheaper models. Aim carefully - friendly fire is on - and beware the random range!
  • Psychic Maelstrom (WC 7): The other hard one to channel, but a hell of a lot more powerful. This can target Characters, and it's probably best used in this fashion; you've got a really solid chance of scoring at least one mortal wound if you pull it off. As-is, there's no way to add to the roll to wound, but the rule is future-proofed for it; if you do find a way, this power can become a lot stronger. Save a Command Re-Roll for this one - by re-rolling the lowest of two dice you can get it off about 84% of the time.
• Defensive Powers
  • Psychic Barrier (WC 6): Channels relatively reliably and only benefits Astra Militarum units, for some reason. Best against poor AP attacks. The flat bonus to saves can make certain units stupidly durable; suggestions include Bullgryns, Conscripts, Crusaders, and anything in the Baneblade family - it affects Invulnerable saves, too! Going from 3+ to 2+ outright halves wounds taken, before AP. Make sure to cast it on a unit that the enemy can't ignore so they don't just target something else. Good for Scions, since it protects against both ranged and melee. Stack it with Nightshroud on a Baneblade and make your opponent weep salt-water crocodile tears. One of the best powers on the list, right there with...
  • Nightshroud (WC 6): A new power added with the Codex, this is essentially a psychic smokescreen; all ranged hit rolls made towards the targeted unit (which, again, must be Astra Militarum) subtract 1. Best against low accuracy shooting, think Gaunts and humans. Psychic Barrier is better in about 70% of the circumstances you'd be using this, but by RAW it can cause enemy Plasma gunners to blow themselves up, and completely negates '6+ to hit' effects like Necron Tesla weapons. It also stacks with Night Fighting and similar rules. More importantly, the two powers stack. Get two psykers and pick a unit you need to stick around, as two thin psychic layers are better than a thick one. Don't waste it on something the enemy can afford to ignore, though.
  • Mental Fortitude (WC 4): AKA 'I'm the Commissar now!' This will go off more than nine times out of ten and makes the unit in question immune to morale. You don't even have to execute anyone! It's not an AoE, and it's Astra Militarum only, but it can be a nice ability if the enemy is debuffing your units' Leadership, as Commissars will run the risk of executing people simply to fail the morale test anyway. Limited far more by the Psychic Focus rule in matched play - you only get one.

Tactical Objectives

11 - Overkill

1 VP if a ASTRA MILITARUM VEHICLE destroyed an enemy unit this turn, d3 VP if the vehicle in question was TITANIC.

12 - Regimental Pride

1 VP if you slew an enemy CHARACTER with an attack made by one of your <REGIMENT> CHARACTERs this turn. Good luck with that, you're going to need it.

13 - Chain of Command

1 VP if you issued 3-5 different orders or tank orders this turn, which goes up to d3 VP if you gave 6 or more orders or tank orders.

14 - Troops on the Ground

Score d3 VP if you control 3-5 objectives with INFANTRY units. If you hold all 6 objectives with INFANTRY, it becomes d3+3 VP.

15 - Hammer of the Emperor

1 VP if you destroy an enemy unit that was controlling an objective at the start of the turn.

16 - Death from Afar

1 VP if an enemy unit wholly within their deployment zone at the start of the turn was destroyed by a unit wholly within your own deployment zone this turn.

Stratagems

Each new Codex grants its faction new Stratagems. Remember that some of these are irrelevant for the Death Korps, as they affect units that cannot be used for by your army, which sucks. These stratagems will stay here because you can technically use them, but it's a waste of CP.

Universal

• Aerial Spotter (2 CP): Use at the start of the shooting phase. A Wyvern or Basilisk can re-roll failed hit rolls in this phase.
• Consolidate Squads (1 CP): Use this stratagem at the end of your movement phase. Select two Infantry Squads (the unit named "Infantry Squad", nor just any Infantry units) within 2" of each other sharing the same <Regiment>, and they combine to form one big unit. Who didn't see this coming? Allows you to sort-of recapture the blob guard armies of yore and use less orders, but it'll now cost you valuable command points. Still nothing an extra Battalion Detachment can't fix, though. Also a good option to 'save' orphaned special and heavy weapons by adding them to less mauled squads.
  • The Stratagem doesn't have an explicit rule against combining a squad with a squad that's already been combined with this Stratagem, so in theory you could keep on consolidating them so long you have the CP...although you'll need 5 game turns to surpass 50 models when accounting for casualties. Before even attempting huge numbers, be advised 20 Guardsmen already do the same as 30 Conscripts due to their better BS. It does help if you're bent on having every single Guardsman listen to orders at all time; every Platoon Commander costs half an infantry squad after all. As casualties diminish each individual squad, your orders affect less and less models but this Stratagem fixes that problem just as the Munitorum pastes understrength Regiments together. Besides Orders, the primary benefit of this is that the defensive Psychic Powers (see below) get to protect more dudes, and that the other buffs you might have (again, see below) spread to more men.

• Alternative view point: there also is another benefit to do so defense stance for you heavy weapon teams. First, you need a lot more guys before even getting to their heavy weapon teams. Second, and more importantly, with a flamer in each infantry squad, for your adversary is lot more risky to charge 20ish guys with two 2 flamers, or 30ish guys with 3 flamers. It's a risky procedure that endangers you greatly in the shooting phase, but can be an unsuspecting tactical advantage if you desire to remove the enemy spotlight from your most sensible units. Aside from this, it's still best used sparingly.

• With the nerf to Summary Execution this strategem has gone from the only way to get big blobs of dudes like in 7th edition to a trap. If you combine units, you spend CP to make a unit that is more vulnerable to battleshock losses, not less - and if you're Valhallan, they can't be respawned anymore, either. The only thing you get out of this is order efficiency - which you can get by taking more officers, who are cheap - and Psychic Barrier/Nightshroud efficiency - which you can get with more psykers, who are also cheap. Of course this isn't really an issue if you're casting Mental Fortitude on the squad (and thus making it immune to morale), but it still renders the unit a bigger target, thus increasing the efficiency of enemy fire - five men is a juicy opportunity, while one man is a waste of ammo. The only real reason to use it now is to keep a Sergeant with a Power Sword alive so he can keep hacking at the enemy.
  • Combine a squad that advanced into another squad that didn't. Order, shoot, and assault with the whole bunch as if they didn't advance.
• Crush them! (1 CP): Use this stratagem at the start of the charge phase. A Vehicle may charge, even if it has advanced this turn. In addition, all attacks made by the vehicle will hit on a 2+. Remember how the Baneblade family has 9 powerful melee attacks that are reduced in effectiveness by WS 5+? This will fix that in an instant and make sure that even dedicated melee units won't want to get into its newly boosted charging range.
  • Particularly good on Tallarn, as their Doctrine combined with this permits their Baneblades to Advance, Shoot with virtually all their guns, and Charge in the same turn.
• Defensive Gunners (1 CP): Use this stratagem when a charge is declared against one of your vehicles. When it fires Overwatch for the rest of the phase, it hits on a roll of 5 or 6. Mordian vehicle formations can serve as a literal wall of iron in front of your infantry, as the enemy won't be able to slip through them without declaring multiple charges. And you thought charging a Wyvern was already a risky proposition.
• Fight to the Death (1 CP): Any Imperial Guard unit can take a morale test on 1d3 instead of 1d6. You've got plenty of morale improving abilities already, but it's cheap and could be useful in an emergency. Now that commissars got the nerf this one got a lot more useful. You might want to use this stratagem if you’re using infantry or vets and need them to survive morale, and don’t have anything else to buff leadership nearby. It’ll help them survive losing 3-5 guys at once much more easily.
• Fire on my position! (3 CP): Use when the last model is slain from an Astra Militarum unit equipped with a vox-caster, before removing it from the table; for each unit within 3", on a 4+ that unit suffers 1d3 mortal wounds. Note, specifies unit with a vox-caster, not model (you use it when the unit dies, not the specific model with the caster), and if several models all die together, you can choose which is the last to be removed from the table, to maximize the potential victims of this stratagem.
  • Hits all nearby units, friend or foe, but only up to once per unit, so a waste of CP against a single blob, but excellent if a bunch of MSUs have melee'd you to death.
• Go! Recon! (1 CP): Use this stratagem at the beginning of your shooting phase; select a unit of Scout Sentinels. They immediately move 2d6", but cannot shoot or charge this turn. Useful for getting a Scout sentinel to an unguarded objective or out of trouble, but only applies to one unit, and can't be applied to an Armoured Sentinel; sacrificing a turn of shooting makes it extremely situational, and it doesn't even benefit a unit with a chainsaw blade, as they can't charge, either.
  • Note that, although you can't Charge, you are still allowed to use this move to move within 1" of a enemy unit and thus fight in the Fight Phase, due to the fact that the prohibition on moving with 1" of an enemy model is only in effect during the movement phase. Do note that this is likely RAW instead of RAI, and thus may be FAQed.
• Grenadiers (1 CP): Use this stratagem before an Astra Militarum Infantry unit either shoots or fires overwatch. Up to ten models in the unit armed with grenades may throw their grenades this phase instead of only one- basically the AM rip-off of the Death Guard grenade stratagem.
  • Now that Conscripts can fail orders and combined squads are king of rank-fire, this can be a dependable alternative for conscripts that get close enough. After all, Infantry Squads wouldn't survive intact to get into the 6" range needed for grenades. Vostroyans are better off using Firstborn Pride with FRFSRF for offensive purposes, since it affects more than just 10 models, but this can be a powerful tool for any regiment in Overwatch on a roll of 3 or more (especially Mordians). Bullgryn Frag Bombs become a hail of bolter shots. Beware gimped charge range against squishy distant enemies.
  • Extra powerful in Cities of Death, where grenades both reroll all failed wounds and get the maximum possible amount of hits. That's 60 for ten models.
  • Can also give Scions squads a nasty bite. Krak grenades will do a better job versus tanks than a hot-shot lasgun. 6 of them can supplement the squad's special weapons nicely, especially since scions are out of order range a lot more often.
• Jury Rigging (1 CP): Use this stratagem at the start of your turn. Select a AM Vehicle in your army, that vehicle can't move, charge or pile in this turn but immediately heals 1 wound. Good for giving that little push into a better health bracket if an Enginseer isn't around (or it wasn't enough), and you can still shoot with the targeted vehicle.
• Imperial Commander's Armoury (1/3 CP): One use only. Use "before the battle" and you may take 1 additional relic for 1 CP, or two additional relics for 3 CP; all relics must be different and given to different characters.
  • "Before the battle" means, suprisingly, "before the battle". Use it to get the Dagger of Outflank before deployment? It works. The Grand Strategist WT needs the Warlord to be already on the field (which won't happen until the deployment phase) to refund your CP, so that won't work. But enemy Kurov's Aquilas do work, since they only need to be written in the enemy's roster, not any "while this Warlord is on the battlefield" limitation. You spend CP and gain extra toys before the battle, simple as that.
• Inspired Tactics (1 CP): An officer can issue 1 more order. You can only bring so many Platoon and Tank Commanders, after all, and not everybody is Creed, Pask or Kell.
• Mobile Command Vehicle (1 CP): Use at the start of a turn; pick a Chimera, and until the end of the turn, an embarked officer may issue orders to units outside the vehicle, measuring range from the vehicle. He is also treated as having access to a Vox. Sadly it now costs CP to use Chimeras as the Command Vehicles they were...but under threat of enemy snipers, this Stratagem may be worth its CP. Unfortunately specifies Chimera only, so no Stormlord or Macharius command vehicles for you.
• Opening Bombardment (2 CP): One use only. After deployment but before the first battle round, each enemy unit on the battlefield suffers a mortal wound on a 1d6 roll of 6+. Like Fire on my position, this can be useful against MSU, but less so if they hid themselves inside transports.
• Officio Prefectus Command Tank (2 CP): Commissar Tank! Pick a Leman Russ at the start of the first round, before the first turn - it gives all Astra Militarum units within 6" of it Ld9 for the rest of the game. It also lacks the Summary Execution rule while granting a superior LD buff, so you should always consider taking this stratagem over a regular Commissar. "Drive me closer, I want to hit them with my sword!"
• Take Cover! (1 CP): Use this stratagem in your opponents shooting phase if they target one of your Infantry units. That unit immediately adds 1 to their saving throws (including invulnerable saves!) until the end of the phase.
• Vengeance for Cadia! (1 CP): Any Imperial Guard unit can re-roll failed hits and wounds versus Chaos. Scary, this can turn even basic Infantry or Conscripts into a major threat against Daemons and Heretics, especially if you combine it with FRFSRF since it surpasses both "Take Aim!" and "Bring it Down!" effects (supercharge that Plasma). It goes without saying Consolidated squads use it better than lone Infantry ones, but keep in mind it affects Vehicles too. From the humble Sentinel to the mighty Manticore and Baneblade, the Stratagem's effects are far more powerful than its cheap cost would suggest.
• Vortex Missile (3 CP): Nuclear launch detected, for when targets require not so much strategy as a "fuck you". Use this stratagem when you get to fire a Deathstrike missile (pay after rolling the 8, before resolving the shot). You can re-roll all failed to-hit rolls with the weapon, and add 1 to the roll made to determine if nearby units within 6" of the target unit are hit (so a 3+, rather than a 4+). If a model is wounded but not slain by the attack, roll an additional die, on a 6 it suffers 1d6 additional mortal wounds. Makes the missile go from 5.25 mortal wounds dealt on the target + 1 to each nearby to 8.46 + 1.72 per each nearby, but the amount of variance is very high, and that assumes you're shooting a parking lot, as single-wound models won't trigger the stratagem's extra mortal wounds.

Wargear

Ranged Weapons

• Laspistol: A lasgun Pistol. More of a placeholder than anything else, but it's free. Still find the points to get the bolt version.
• Lasgun: Your trusty flashlight hasn't changed. What changed is the way strength rolls against wounds, allowing it to wound T5 on a 5+, and T7+ is no longer immune to them.
• Bolt Pistol: 1pt for a real pistol. Only advantage over the boltgun is that it can be fired in close combat.
• Boltgun: 1pt allows your Watchmaster/Character to actually contribute to a firefight instead of merely looking cool.
• Hot-shot Laspistol: What says on the tin, but only 6" range means you may not even get to shoot it before a charge. Karis Venner has one, to balance out his sheer power in buffing your dudes.
• Hot-shot Lasgun: Still sacrifices 6" of range for AP-2, but as the AP system itself changed this bad boy is ever so slightly worse at MEQ hunting now. Its short 18" range also makes it unable to rapid fire right after an Aerial Drop.
  • edit:This only applies to deepstriking units, so the most useful use of these can be achieved with a transport, in particular our good old friend Valkyries which can take a Commander to boot, just remember that if they don't die next turn, your guys will.
• Plasma Pistol: An actual officer's weapon. Plasma can now be fired safely at S7 AP-3 to deal with infantry, and can be supercharged to S8 and D2 to deal with heavy infantry and even vehicles. However, a Gets Hot now outright slays the shooter, so reserve overcharges for your disposable Watchmasters instead. No longer overcosted at 5pts, so it's actually worth considering now.

Special Weapons

• Flamer: A bit different in 8E. Templates are gone, so flamers do 1d6 Str4 autohits from 8" range. Thus, they may hit even single models several times and your flamers will never be out of position...but your enemy may bunch 20 gaunts together and you'll still only hit 3.5 on average. Due to its rate of fire being random regardless of the number of enemies, range so short it cannot be used right after an outflank and no longer ignoring cover while also lacking any AP whatsoever, you cannot depend on this weapon alone to beat hordes like it used to. Still, being an assault weapon that always hits, there's no penalty for advancing and firing, especially for Special Weapon Squads. It's also pretty useful insurance against charges as it always auto-hits during Overwatch and cautious opponents will position their charges at least 9" away to ignore its 8" range (making it statistically likely that they'll simply fail their charge to begin with).
• Grenade Launcher: Not bad, but there are better things available. Krak grenades in particular took a big hit, with insufficient AP and Str. Furthermore, there is no more rear AV10 to target anymore. Frag grenades average 3.5 lasgun shots, make of it what you will.
• Meltagun: Good against anything with lots of wounds, not just vehicles. 12" Assault allows it to be fired even if you ran. S8 AP-4 D1d6 makes it more powerful than supercharged plasma yet safe. Damage doesn't spill, so it's more efficient against singular huge targets of any kind. If you manage to get to 6" for melta range, the average Damage goes from 3.5 to 4.47, making it more reliable. However, it is expensive: 12 points for regular guardsmen and 17 for anyone with BS of 3+ or better. On a model with 3+ BS, the meltagun within half range has a slight advantage in terms of average damage dealt per point over a supercharged plasma gun in rapid firing range, but you have to be close to reap the maximum potential of metlaguns. The choice between plasma and melta should be based on what you want your infantry units to be doing. If your dudes are going to be sitting in a static gunline, plasma is probably a better choice. If you are getting your men close (preferably via a transport or Valkyrie) melta can be the better option.
• Plasma Gun: See the Plasma Pistol, but in Rapid Fire. A bit less powerful than in 7E due to the new mechanics, but it can be fired safe so it's ok. You only need to supercharge against mean bastards, but against mean bastards, you need to supercharge. Curiously, it's about half as cheap for models with BS4+ (7pts) as it is for BS3+ models like Veterans and Scions (13pts). Given that you have a variety of ways to re-roll 1's ("Hero of Hades Hive", etc.) casualties from supercharging can be easily minimized.
  • Given it has the same 24" range and Rapid Fire profile as Boltguns and Lasguns, Plasma Guns are the default special weapon choice in most squads. Remember, it is only 7 points on BS4+ models. Point for point, plasma is the most efficient weapon for regular guardsmen at engaging tough targets. As for BS 3+ units (vets, Scions, etc.), there is room for debate between plasma and melta. The question should always be: "what is this unit going to be doing?"

Melee Weapons

Most of these are specific to one unit. The ones that aren't are listed below, and may be taken by sergeants and most characters. As of newer codex, Power Axe and Power Maul are no longer available options in Imperial Guard Armory, but you can simply field them using their Index entries. However, none of them will make you great at melee. Almost everything that can take something here gives up a chainsword to do so, although normal Commissars do not.

• Chainsword: Some credit must be given to the old standby. In addition to being free, it gives an extra attack with it. This is why Watchmasters should give all of the other options here a complete miss, unless maybe they have a priest.
• Power Axe: S+1 AP-2 looks good on paper, and it is, the only problem being it's 5 points instead of 4. But then again, so what? Generally the best option for killing T3, and not bad against T4, it's the take-all-comers option.
• Power Fist: Sx2 AP-3, but forces a -1 to hit on the model using it. Korpsmen don't feel the impact of the downsides too much, given their 3+ WS. While expensive, it's cheaper than it was in the Index, and as a result, almost everything that can take this will see the best results from it.
• Power Maul: At S+2 AP-1, this is the best choice if you're fielding a Lord Commissar but want to keep him cheap - it'll outperform the sword for the same cost.
• Power Sword: At SUser AP-3 and 4 points, just not good enough for the S3 models that can mostly take this - and the S4 models prefer the Fist. You should generally avoid this unless you're looking for a budget choice, or you like the look of swords.

Heavy Weapons

• Mortar: 48" Heavy D6 S4 AP0 D1, and may fire indirectly. At 8 points a gun team, it's a dirt cheap light and medium infantry muncher. Because of the revision to the way AP works it's in direct competition with the Heavy Bolter; this ALSO means it's in indirect competition with your entire motor pool. Consider this when the challenge of fitting half a dozen kits' worth of mortar tubes into your list is a daunting prospect.
• Heavy Bolter: 36" Heavy 3 S5 AP-1 D1. It's still standard on every vehicle in your motor pool, and it's better than the Autocannon against T5 and less, but especially 4 and 2 where it hits 50% harder. It's gone way down in price (8 points), so the choice is a choice now, but it's still one of the weaker options.
• Autocannon: 48" Heavy 2 S7 AP-1 D2. The 'Pom-Pom' is the all-rounder choice for heavy weapons. Its two S7 AP-1 D2 shots don't particularly excel against any one kind of target. The heavy bolter is generally the superior choice against infantry much like the lascannon is the go to for anything with high toughness and multi wound. The autocannon does, however, act as an the intermediate between those two. Because Guard has access to cheap platforms for weapons, it may be better to specialize your units. However, having autocannons can let your bolters focus on the infantry, your lascannons focus on the big guys so you aren't wasting those two on the intermediate targets like MEQs and Sentinels as well as 2-wound units like some Eldar Jetbikes, Nobz, etc.
• Missile Launcher: 48" Heavy D6 S4 AP0 D1 or 48" Heavy 1 S8 AP-2 D1d6. Still the Jack of All Trades, still the Master of None. Lost the option for a flak missile (though you don't really need it, as fliers can be hit on 5s by guardsmen now, and 4s by Veterans and Scions) but kept the cost; at 20 points it's tied with the Lascannon for most expensive heavy weapon. Compared to Autocannons, it is better against the hordiest and heaviest units such as Guardsmen or tanks, but the auto cannon has a slight edge against MEQ, a decent edge against T5 and T6 MEQ and TEQ, and kicks ass against almost anything with 2 wounds, especially with light or medium armor like Nobz or Rough Riders (as neither frag nor krak missiles are fully effective against such models). While some armies you'll play against have a hard time fielding T8 units where you won't feel the decreased strength from the lascannon. With the Big FAQ that came out in April of 2018, the potential for limits of a single datasheet could be imposed which would restrict the number of heavy weapon teams one could take potentially making it harder to specialize units en masse making more versatile options more appealing. This and the possibility of facing few T8 units, however, is situational and by no means a sure thing. Lascannons still have superior strength and AP for the same cost and mortars do the same thing as frag missiles for one quarter the cost. You're playing Guard and your platforms for heavy weapons are cheap. It is often better to specialize units which makes the missile launcher less appealing. Some units may be better served having versatility though. The Avenger for example comes stock with purpose built AT (lascannons) and GEQ-eating (Avenger bolt cannon) weapons so having additional versatile weapons may not be a bad choice. Like everything else in Guard however, you need to ask yourself what you want your unit to be doing and give them the best loadout for that one job.
• Lascannon: 48" Heavy 1 S9 AP-3 D1d6. The ever-reliable Imperial tank-buster. The improved strength over Missile Launchers is critical, as most tanks are T8, meaning krak missiles wound on 4s while the Lascannon wounds on 3s. The extra AP doesn't hurt, either; carapace armor is ignored entirely, and Land Raiders have to roll with a 5+. It's the same price as last edition, at 20 points, but the D6 damage lets it threaten heavy units, and it can now be used to snipe heavy infantry in cover.
• Heavy Flamer: 8" Heavy 1d6 S5 AP-1 D1. Can only be taken by Command and Veteran Squads, but doesn't take up two Guardsmen. This almost strictly better than a Flamer, with the only downside that it can't advance and fire (outside of Tallarn Titanic Vehicles) and it is more expensive.
• Twin Heavy Stubber: 36" Heavy 6 S4 AP0 D1. As it ties with the Heavy Bolter against MEQs and beats the Mortar against GEQs, take it unless you are low on anti TEQ. Models look quality too.

Vehicle Weapons

There are many weapons that are only available on vehicles, and other weapons that are also available to infantry have different tactics when mounted. (note, this list is currently incomplete)

• Multi-Melta: 24" Heavy 1 S8 AP-4 D1d6. If you're within 12" of the target you roll 2D6 for damage and take the highest. Leman Russ Demolishers can find some use out of this to brawl with enemy heavy vehicles and monsters, although they'll take a penalty for firing on the move. Cost is unchanged from 7th, at the same 20 point cost as a missile launcher or lascannon, but because it's so difficult to get it into range for the increased damage, particularly without incurring a -1 penalty to hit, and due to how AP works in 8E, you're usually better off with a lascannon against T8 (or incredibly rare T9) targets; the Multi-Melta remains far superior against <-T7 with 3+ or better saves, but the big issue remains getting into range - lighter vehicles like that are faster, and you don't want to be fighting infantry hordes with either weapon - and it's not like you can rely on your opponent leaving his T8 at home. Plus, Multi-Meltas are hurt far more by invuln saves than lascannons are. Your more reliable anti-tank choice is always going to be the lascannon, for the same cost.
• Plasma Cannon: 36" Heavy D3 S7 AP-3 D1 or S8 AP-3 D2 Gets Hot. Someone found the manual! If a korpsman overcharges it, it gets the more powerful statline, but a 1 on the hit roll kills you. Yes, that's correct - no armor save, you're just dead. The ones on Leman Russ sponsons have special vents to survive this, taking only a single mortal wound per 1 rolled. Cost is unchanged from 7th, though when buying just one, you only pay for one. Careful firing on the move or against Tyranids with venomthropes; those -1 to-hit modifiers now make it much more likely to roll that 1, at least until GW regains its sanity and makes it only a natural one.
  • When fired on normal mode, this is equal to or worse than an autocannon against everything in the game with 2 or more wounds, but often better against 1-wound targets, since the improved AP helps, while the difference in Damage doesn't matter. In overcharged mode, it completely puts the autocannon to shame - but even with re-rolling 1s to hit, you run a 5.45% chance every time you fire it of slaying the wielder, and the wielders you don't mind losing - heavy weapons teams - can't carry it. That's a whopping 29.78% chance to lose the wielder without the buff, incidentally. On top of all this, its only advantage over a plasma gun is range - its average rate of fire is the same as a plasma gun within rapid fire range, and a plasma gun can be carried by a Moving wielder without penalty, while costing less than half of what a plasma cannon does. By and large, avoid this weapon if you can.

• Earthshaker: The Earthshaker smacks units up to 240" away at with the same power as a lascannon, rolling 2D6 for shot count and taking the highest while ignoring LOS. It performs better against vehicles than troops, because its multi-wound power is wasted against infantry. Unless you're playing on a 20 ft board (or at a table across the room) the range on an Earthshaker is pure overkill.
• Exterminator Autocannon: Costs more than the Battle Cannon, which would be worth it for the (very slightly) improved rate of fire, except that its output is inferior against T4, T7, T8, anything with a 5+ or better save, and anything without exactly 2 wounds.
• Eradicator Nova Cannon: Often overlooked. For 3 points more than a Battle Cannon, you lose 36" of range and only hit at S6. In exchange you ignore cover bonuses, which would have been negated anyway by the Battle Cannon's AP-2. This is perhaps the most specialized of all the Leman Russ options, so only consider bringing it against targets that depend on cover saves (Space Marine Scouts with camo cloaks, Eldar Rangers, AdMech with cover canticles, Poxwalkers, Vindicare Assassins, Imperial Guard, etc). Perhaps the best at straight-up murdering GEQs in cover (wounding on 2+ with no save), its extra 12" range edging out the Demolisher Cannon.
• Vanquisher Battle Cannon: The Vanquisher, a dedicated anti-tank cannon, is proof that GW is incapable of statistics, as it performs worse against heavy armour than every Leman Russ turret except the exterminator, despite being one of the pricier options (doing 0.93 wounds to another Russ; every other variant manages at least 1 wound). Sad thing is, if GW had given it a flat 2+ to wound against vehicles or flat 2D6 damage instead of 2D6 drop the lowest, it’d perform better against most vehicles than other Russes. Never take this.
• Demolisher Cannon: Statistically the best tank-buster of all Russ cannons, and easily the most powerful (and expensive) of all the Leman Russ options at 40 pts, the Demolisher is S10 AP-3 dealing D6 damage. Against units with 5 or more models the Demolisher Cannon jumps from Heavy D3 to Heavy D6. The caveat? It has the same range as a lasgun, a 24" bubble of pure unadulterated fucking murder. If you have to choose it's best taken on a Leman Russ rather than a Baneblade/Hellhammer (which won't benefit from "Grinding Advance").
• Executioner Plasma Cannon: A plasma cannon with nearly double the rate of fire even before you use Grinding Advance to shoot twice and without a movement penalty, but only x1.33 the cost, and cheaper than a Battle Cannon, at the same price as a Punisher. If you fire it on Supercharge - which you should - it will outshine the Battle Cannon easily, dealing more damage to W2 models at -1AP for 9.1% (2) fewer points. That actually places this weapon in direct competition with the Demolisher Cannon, above - when Supercharged, the Demolisher's only improvement against most targets is +2S, which is of dubious utility, given that it costs 25% more and has 66.67% the range.
• Punisher Gatling Cannon: Tank-mounted BRRRT. Statistically, your best friend against infantry, but it lacks range and struggles against heavy stuff. However, consider grinding advance. While the range is short if you give this vehicle track guards and maybe use full throttle on it the turn before it can easily be in range to do 40 S5 shots while maintaining a 29" threat range (24" plus half move) even until it only has 1 wound remaining. Getting scary yet? Remember that tank commander who ordered it to use full throttle? Now give it kill on sight to reroll 1s with all those shots. Virtually no INFANTRY units in the game can withstand that level of firepower. Additionally, because of the way AP works in 8e the sheer volume of fire can do decent damage against targets that might not immediately come to mind when thinking about a minigun on steroids. This is particularly true if you can get a punisher to hit more that 50% of the time... Looking at YOU Pask!
• Macharius Vulcan Mega-Bolter unlike the stormlord variant, it retains the ability to spin up to maximum speed if the tank hasn't moved, doubling its rate of fire to 30 compared to the stormlord's 20. On a S6 AP-2 gun, that's some SERIOUS pain.
• Battle Cannon: The main gun of your standard Leman Russ. With the new rules of firing twice when moving at half speed with no penalty, the amount of fire this cannon can unleash is terrifying. Take aim at anything GEQ or MEQ, and this gun can level squads of 5-10 with ease, don't waste it on large swarms or blobs. Against T5-T7 multi-wound models, it can easily down a dreadnought, or if you feel lucky, can put a surprisingly decent smack on some T8 models with the right stratagem and a group of tank commanders (looking at you Pask). The Battle Cannon is very much a generalist weapon able to do most battlefield roles but will lose out to more specialized weapons. The main downsides are the variable damage, as you are relying on RNG against low multi-wound models whom you'll either kill outright or scratch them to death in a nonstop battle of attrition, and that it struggles against invulnerable saves which negate the cannon's AP advantage.

Vehicle Equipment

All of your non-Forge World vehicles on treads that isn't a Baneblade variant (i.e. not a Lord of War) has access to this list.

• Augur Array: The vehicle may re-roll one hit die per game, at a cost of 10 points; with the vast array of other possible sources of re-rolls, this upgrade should be rejected out of hand. Perhaps the most useless thing in the entire book.
• Dozer Blade: Adds one to melee hit rolls when charging. Not bad per se, at 5 points, for that rare situation where you want to charge with a Leman Russ (finishing off MCs, for instance). Can be combined with Crush Them! if you're trying to hit something giving you a penalty to hit, and has some synergy with Straken's aura. Or if you just want your tanks to look cool.
  • Actually crush them just forces a +2 to hit regardless of modifiers, probably not worth it considering how many CP you'll have.
• Hunter-Killer Missile: This is a missile launcher with only the Krak profile that can only shoot once per game, at slightly more than 1/4 the points (i.e. 6). Not bad on Pask or a Tank Commander for a little extra punch on turn 1.
• Pintle Weapon; one of:
  • Heavy Stubber: 4 points for 36" Heavy 3 S4 AP0 D1 is a bit more to think about it; outside of Tallarn, you can't move and shoot it without being at Ork BS, and it's twice the cost of the Storm Bolter, while fewer shots out to 12" (relevant for e.g. Overwatch). Synergizes with the Stormlord which already comes stock with 2x Heavy Stubbers, while costing less than 1% of the tank itself.
  • Storm Bolter: 2 points for 24" Rapid Fire 2 S4 AP0 D1. A perfectly respectable option on just about everything, and particularly useful in Overwatch.
• Track Guards: Easily the most useful of all the vehicle upgrades. Makes the vehicle ignore the damage table in respect to degraded movement range. This one does actually make sense to take as it will keep your vehicles agile even when they're on their last wound. As far as upgrades go 10 points is an investment - put it on a Hellhound and laugh as your opponent fails to escape its auto-hitting cleansing flames even when its down to 1 wound! Also useful on Leman Russes (particularly Tallarn who want to be moving) and short-range tanks like Demolisher and Eradicators.

Other Wargear

• Bullgryn and Ogryn Bodyguards:
  • Bullgryn Plate: Grants the wearer a Sv characteristic of 4+.
  • Brute Shield: Grants the wielder a 4++ invuln.
  • Slabshield: Wielder adds 2 to all save rolls, meaning both normal and invulnerable. While Bullgryn don't normally get invulnerable saves when equipped with a slabshield, it does make buffs that grant them invulnerable saves much more effective. Saint Celestine comes to mind...
• Command Squads:
  • Platoon Standard: Can be carried by either normal Infantry Squads or Command Squads, and gives all Death Korps units within 6" of a unit with a model in it with one of these may add 1 to its Leadership when taking a Morale test.
  • Regimental Standard: Carried by Command Squads, all friendly Death Korps units within 6" of a model with one of these must add 1 to its Leadership when taking a Morale test - note the very important nerf relative to a Platoon Standard that the aura is emitted by the model, not the unit, and the completely irrelevant nerf that it is a must effect, not a may effect.
• Command and Infantry Squads, Engineers, and Grenadiers:
  • Vox-Caster: This machine is the beating heart of the Orders system. It's greatly simplified from previous editions; if an Officer is within 3" of a model with a Vox, and the target squad also has a Vox (and is of the same Death Korps), the range of the order is tripled to 18". The important thing to note here is that it means your Officers can improvise their command structure a lot more - any Vox can send, and any Vox can receive, as long as the Officer and target squad share regiments. It is entirely legal - and fluffy - for your Field, his assigned Vox operator having been killed, to run to a nearby squad of Grenadiers and commandeer their Vox Operator to continue sending orders! This also means you don't need to rely on flimsy four-man Command Squads for your Officers to send orders out.

Heirlooms of Conquest

Relics return in the new Codex. Like Warlord Traits, the regiment-specific ones really are regiment-specific, so custom regiments can only use the Universal list, but once again, this list contains the best options anyway, Kurov's Aquila and The Laurels of Command.

Universal

• The Blade of Conquest: Replaces a Power Sword. At S+2 AP-4 D1d3 it's better than a Relic blade...but if you want one why not take an actual Relic Blade on a SM? But if you're bent on demonstrating mortal hands are worthy of this Macharian blade, a Marshal, or Lord Commissar, could make something out of it, especially when supported by the usual retinue of Ogryn Bodyguard, Priest, Commissar Yarrick, Bullgryn and Crusaders. The Guard may be a shooty army, but mortals can still fight the good fight with blade, boot and bodies. Plus the sword is only 4pts, try having some fun.
• The Dagger of Tu'Sakh: INFANTRY officers only, per the FAQ. During deployment you can set up the bearer and one INFANTRY unit of the same Regiment (if the bearer has one) in ambush behind enemy lines. At the end of any of your movement phases these units may launch their attack. Set them up within 3" of each other, more than 6" from any battlefield edge, and more than 9" away from enemy units. Surprise Special weapons are always welcome, especially when they're a part of a bigger plan instead of just them.
• The Deathmask of Ollanius: Infantry only; the bearer has a 4++, and once per game, at the start of your turn, can heal 1d3.
  • An Ogryn Bodyguard with a Slabshield will now have a 2++ (Bullgryn Plate optional) to only ever worry about snipers fishing for 6s and the Mortal Wounds he'll get from doing bodyguard duty...risks that are both diminished by it suddenly healing 1d3W, helping the overwhelmed Quartermaster.
• The Emperor's Benediction: Replaces a Commissar's or Lord Commissar's Bolt Pistol, giving it +2 shots, -1AP, and +1D. While it can also target Characters like a 12" sniper, it can't do so when the bearer is within 1" of the enemy, unlike the very similar Imperial Fists Spartean relic Bolt Pistol. Still, better than a Plasma Pistol.
• Kurov's Aquila: Officers only (now including Tank Commanders!). Every time your opponent uses a stratagem, roll 1d6, and on a 5+, you gain one Command Point. Which you may regain once you use them yourself with the Grand Strategist WT, allowing you to farm more CP out of the already high amount you'll have. Damn solid relic. Punish Ultrasmurfs for their recycling command points!
• The Laurels of Command: One of the better relics too! Officers with Voice of Command. When the bearer issues an order to a friendly Death Korps unit within 6" of them, roll a die; on a 4+, the bearer can immediately issue them another order, which does not count against the orderer's maximum, and can trigger Laurels again. Also the only way in the game to stack multiple orders on one unit, though the bonus orders can't be the same as the first (so no, you can't use Fix Bayonets like 10 times if you keep making the roll).
  • Death Korps of Krieg caught in melee wouldn't fall back because of their better WS: turn your Lasguns into pistols with "Without Mercy", but then go directly to "Fix Bayonets". Death Riders should instead "Fix Bayonets" and then "Duty onto Death".

HQ

• Death Korps Marshal: The equivalent of a Company Commander doesn't come stock with a chainsword (but can take one for free, so he might as well) or shotgun, but he does come with a Krak Grenade and a higher armor save. Additionally, the Momento Mori he can buy forces all weapons that normally roll for damage to treat the roll as a 1, giving him a bit more staying power than normal.
  • Marshal Karis Venner: Your named Character for the Death Korps, he comes with a hot-shot laspistol, powersword, and Momento Mori. He can issue three Orders per turn and lets friendly units within 12" to use his Ld value unless their own Ld is higher. With that Ld aura, you can combine Venner with a platoon and regimental standard for an Ld 11 bubble 25"+ in diameter (depending on what size base you put him on). Basically gives your guys fearless. A little something to remember: RAW states that all friendly units can use Venner's Ld, which means that all units in your army use his Ld. That's right. Terminators with Ld 11? Yes, please.
    • If you really want to be cheesy, get him to sit on an Imperial Defence Line for another +1 to his Leadership. This will result in units that need to take at least 7 casualties (and, if they're Death Korps, those loses can't be in the Shooting Phase) to even have a chance of losing models to Morale and, even after taking 9 casualties, will still have a 50% chance of the remaining model holding the line. Finally, if you use the Fight to the Death stratagem, they become immune to Morale completely. And remember, this applies to all friendly units. Have fun with those Leadership 12 Space Marines.
• Death Korps Field Officer: The Platoon Commander equivalent, though he shares the improved armor save with the Marshal and comes with a Marshal's Ld score as well. At 23 points base, possibly the cheapest HQ choice in the game (other regiments have to spend a precious Elite slot on their version of this guy).
• Death Korps Death Rider Squadron Commander: A Field Officer on a horse, with a boost to Toughness and Wounds to go with it. Having the same Augmented Mount ability as other Death Riders helps to increase his durability, and for obvious reasons he's the best choice for getting Orders to your cavalry.
• Tank Commander: A single Leman Russ tank, with 3+ to hit and Tank Orders (as seen in their section) to boost a single fellow Leman Russ (the Codex doesn't say he can't order himself, but an earlier Index FAQ did. However the official facebook account of Games Worskhop for warhammer 40.000 confirmed that both Pask and Tank commanders can order themselves). As such, you're paying +45pts over a normal Russ for one order and BS3+, but it is an extra Russ in HQ as opposed to Heavy. There are ways to make it issue more orders, but is it worth passing the other Warlord Traits?. Still, with Warlord Traits, they can do different gimmicks. Plus, being Officers, they unlock Command Squads. In all other respects, it's still a Leman Russ: it gains Objective Secured in an Astra Militarum Spearhead detachment, can become an Officio Prefectus Command Tank, and has the same weapon options.
  • Unfortunately, RAW says they can't ride in a Leman Russ Mars Alpha, but if you're not at a tournament, who's going to tell you otherwise?

Non Regimental

Adeptus Astra Telepathica

• Primaris Psyker: Gone are the days of making everything reroll hits. Compared to an Astropath you get a compulsory force stave, one more known power, and more durability. Can still only cast 1 a turn, so only bring him if you need HQs or are worried about snipers (he's tougher than an Astropath) or want to be able to smite like a big boy. Slightly okayish in close combat. Keep a Commissar nearby in case Perils kills him- he'll still die, but it'll prevent mortal wounds from spilling over to anyone else.
  • Note: These guys are probably the best cheap way to spam (unmodified) Smite in the game; on average he scores 1.79 mortal wounds per turn (assuming he's at full health - he gets a bit worse as his ability to survive Perils goes down), which likely is more damage than any other 40 point unit in this army will deal. Astropaths may be more efficient when it comes to utility, but being able to reliably get off Smite makes these a steal for their points. If you assume no one is attempting to Deny you, a Primaris Psyker's Points-Per-Wound with Smite is 22.33 (assuming he can live through Perils, which he can from full health, guaranteed); an Astropath's is 22.5 but their odds of actually casting Smite on 1D6 are abysmal. Psychic Maelstrom is generally much better than Smite, so consider taking it as your 2nd backup power.

Adeptus Mechanicus

• Tech-Priest Enginseer: Not an Astra Militarum option per se, but you can field this guy using his Adeptus Mechanicus entry, where he is an HQ choice; per the rules in the AM Codex, he explicitly won't block your Regiment rules. Your Regiment will block his Canticles, but he doesn't get those anyway when fielded as an Elites choice. The benefit of doing this is that you can pay an HQ tax with an Enginseer, which you may have wanted anyway to keep your tanks repaired, in e.g. a Spearhead detachment, or better yet a Supreme Command Detachment with 3 of them; the major downside is that he won't have the Astra Militarum keywords, so you won't be able to convince him to get on any of your transports, and he'll cause other problems, like interfering with Stratagem access. Still, he's legal, just a poor choice.

Adeptus Ministorum

• Uriah Jacobus: A Ministorum Priest on steroids who now has the Astra Militarum faction keyword and qualifies as an HQ despite being found in the Adeptus Ministorum portion of the index. For 65 points more than a standard Priest (100, rather than 35, and we'll be assuming the Priest took a Bolt Pistol and Bolter, since every other choice on a Priest is worse), you get: +2 Ld (which is irrelevant, but note that that's counting both his native Ld and his aura, which hits himself), +2A and +1WS, which is largely irrelevant, +1BS and the Bolter becomes Assault 2 and has -1AP, and is D2 on a 6+ to wound, which is nice, but not worth the cost, 1d6 Deny the Witch, which is nearly worthless, and +1 Leadership to nearby Adeptus Ministorum or Astra Militarum infantry. Finally, and most valuably, he occupies an HQ slot, simultaneously helping to pay your HQ taxes while avoiding occupying a potentially valuable Elites slot.
  • He's not worth his cost, which is nearly 3 normal Priests, but it's worth noting he does buff Commissar leadership - if you combine him with a Lord Commissar, units will receive 10 Leadership, not 9, which means they need to suffer a fifth casualty before Summary Execution starts making your life worse. However, it's far more cost efficient at that point to just buy more soldiers with your points - you have no units valuable enough for Uriah to earn his cost back this way. That said, if you're already bringing Yarrick, this can be a way to reduce the damage he'll inflict on your army.
  • Despite having the Astra Militarum and Ministorum Priest keywords, he is not listed as a unit you can take without breaking your Regimental abilities. GW has not updated the Guard FAQ because it might cause Primaris Marine or Nurgle/Death Guard production to fall below optimal levels, so unless your opponent is a reasonable sort, either leave him at home or take him in an Vanguard/Supreme Command detachment along with your Commissars, Psykers, Ogryns/Bullgryns, and Ratlings (or in a general Imperium detachment).

Officio Prefectus

• Lord Commissar: A more expensive Commissar with a power sword, but improved in all key stats like not using up one of your crowded Elite choices, offense (BS & WS2+), resilience (4W 4+/5++) and, most importantly, Ld9 for his Aura of Discipline, which is important now Summary Execution became a mere (thankfully optional, as of the most recent FAQ) Morale reroll at the tax cost of one dude, as opposed to the outright morale near-immunity it used to be. With enough casualties, you'll just fail the reroll regardless of result. Still, Ld9 is hands down better than Conscript Ld4, and you'll lose fewer of them. He works best with squads small enough to benefit from Aura of Discipline without triggering Summary Execution, like Ogryn. Furthermore, he's the one with enough WS to properly use a Power Fist. Always replace his bolt pistol for a bolter; same price, double shots. His 2+ BS also makes a plasma pistol a tempting option since you're only paying 4 points more over the mandatory bolt pistol.
  • Company Commanders with Draconian Disciplinarian, and Kell, both allow optional Ld re-rolling without shooting up a guy, which is superior to Summary Execution, although they don't boost Ld by themselves. A Regimental Standard will get your Infantry Squads up to normal Commissar Ld8, while Catachan and Mordian can boost them up to Ld9, all this from models you'll be already bringing. However, Conscript squads have such poor Leadership that they're better off replacing their Ld with the Lord Commissar's..
  • Post-FAQ the Lord Commissar has practically become an auto-include - for a mere 35 pts you get a LD9 aura, optional ATSKNF, insurance against Perils of the Warp, and a surprisingly decent melee character.
  • Catachan, Mordian and Regimental Standard buffs to Ld work with Aura of Discipline, as the unit is replacing it's Leadership with the one of the Lord Commissar, and then all modificators apply. Otherwise you'd be able to ignore losses in the squad as following the logic of not applying the bonuses Lord Comissar didn't have any models slain in his unit. Uriah Jacobus too helps you get rerollable Ld10.
  • Officio Prefectus Command Tanks cost CP and aren't Characters (unless you choose a Tank Commander but even then he has more than 10 wounds, so moot point anyway), so they tend to last less despite being a damn tank. They get you Ld9, but also lack the reroll. Likewise, you can always pay 2 CP to auto-pass Morale, or 1 CP to take the test on 1d3.

• Commissar Yarrick: Essentially a named Lord Commissar with a power fist klaw that costs more than double, but has a bunch of extra stuff on him. He's got three guns (Storm Bolter, Bolt Pistol, and Bale Eye Hot-Shot Laspistol), and even better, resilience, with T4, his 4++ Power Field, and FnP 3+ for his final wound (and he's legally healable with a medic). His main use, which GW thinks it costs something around +66pts to use, is Hero of Hades Hive, an aura of re-roll 1s to hit, re-rolling all failed hits against Orks instead. Not just "Take Aim!" for shooting, but in melee as well. Your infantry squads may not be so eager to be in close combat, but Bullgryn and Crusaders are. For the cost, you could buy two Company Commanders to order the actual "Take Aim!" to your units, in addition to the Lord Commissar (and get +1CP in a Supreme Command Detachment)...but Yarrick's buff can stack with other orders, like a Laurels of Command that isn't free but is reliable and even affects vehicles. Plasma, woo! Yes, he has Summary Execution despite him not executing anyone in Hades Hive. But now that Summary Execution is optional, you don't even have to use it if you don't want to.
  • What Yarrick brings to the shooting phase, Cadians get at the cost of not moving. Doesn't need to be against orks either. Still, Yarrick enables moving plasma supercharge for them and buffs Fight Phase melee. The main benefit is moving supercharged plasma without needing to waste an order and you probably want to stay out of melee anyway, but it's very situational.
  • Harker's got half the bonus he does, and old man Yarrick can beat his ass in melee. But if you're Catachan and all you want is re-rolling 1s for plasma, by all means bring that guy instead.
  • Post-FAQ Yarrick is nearly 4x as expensive as a 35 pt Lord Commissar, and almost 9x as expensive as a regular Commissar. Hopefully GW will be reevaluating his point cost. That being said, he's an absolute tank in melee, regularly makes Marines crap themselves in terror, and sticks around a lot longer than other Commissars do. There's some trade-off.

Troops

• Death Korps Infantry Squad: An odd change to basic Guardsmen, Kriegers lose the option to take Heavy Weapon Teams and their Watchmaster uses a lasgun like the regular troops (though he can exchange it for a chainsword and laspistol for free, so it's a non-issue). They also all have WS3+ and can buy a Platoon Standard which buffs all Kriegers within 6" LD by 1. They synergize particularly well with the Death Korps' unique orders - especially when dogpiling on an objective or bubblewrapping precious artillery pieces. Kriegers also come stock with Krak grenades; with the GRENADIERS stratagem you can throw 10 of them at once (though this tactic is more impressive when used on Grenadiers (no acid grenades for the grenadiers) or Combat Engineers' acid grenades).
  • Oddly enough the Watchmaster also has BS3+.(not so odd when you remember that all watchmasters serve in the grenadiers before returning to be promoted.)
• Death Korps Grenadier Storm Squad: A Tempestus Scion squad with deep striking replaced by Cult of Sacrifice and no access to hot-shot volley guns. Unlike with Scions the number of Special weapons Grenadiers can take does not depend on the number of models in the unit so they can unfortunately only have two Specials max. Now with the FAQ update they can take Heavy Stubbers as special weapons, as well as the ability to form a Heavy Weapons team to tote around a Heavy Flamer.
  • Not as good as Combat Engineers in terms of points per wound, but they can get Objective Secured which is probably worth their extra points cost and loss of acid gas grenades. Fundamentally fantastic MSU style, with a heavy flamer, 2 special weapons (probably plasma, maybe melta), and a Watch Master taking up 4 spots in a transport and costing very little points. Shove three squads in a Valkyrie and drop them onto an objective.
    • OR, if you don't want to spend the points on a Valkyrie, chuck these mean machines in a centaur. They are suprisingly mobile, thanks to the 9" scouting move you can do before the game starts. And a bare-bones centaur is only 54 points!
  • Hot-shot laspistols are garbage, so always have the Watch Master swap out his weapon - your best bet is probably a hotshot lasgun or bolter, unless you want to fucking commit and get a plasma pistol.

Elites

• Death Korps Command Squad: No heavy flamer, medi-pack, or heavy weapons teams in this command squad, but what you do get is the ability to use the Regimental Standard. It only affects Cavalry and Infantry, but grants an additional attack on top of the Ld bonus, making your troops more effective in close combat.
  • These guys are surprisingly underwhelming compared to Combat Engineers, since you pay the same cost per model and don't get a 4+ save or acid gas bombs; furthermore, they obey the same 2 special weapons per unit limit as the Engineers. Even if you do spam them, you're not going to achieve anything you couldn't achieve only better with Combat Engineer spam, since their standard won't work on Conscripts, they're too slow to keep up with Death Riders, they can't be Medics.... really, there's just about never a good reason to field these guys over Combat Engineers.
• Death Korps Combat Engineer Squad: Shotgun infantry with decent armour. Overall not super inspiring until you see their shotguns have Carcass Shot, which wounds anything (except Vehicles) on a 2+. Carnifex? 2+ Wound. Ogryns? 2+ Wound. You lose the model if you roll a 1 on the hit roll. BUT buff them with a nearby Guilliman (gross, or don't and have some class. You are a Guard player after all, not a WAAC Tau reject left over from 7th) Yarrik and say hello to rerolls of 1 to hit. Carcass Shot vs GEQs, MEQs and TEQs is basically a Plasma Gun with AP 0.
  • These guys are incredible - they cost a point less than Grenadiers for what amounts to the same model with the addition of an acid gas grenade, although they are Elites and hence cannot get Objective Secured. You can keep their shotguns, which, unlike hot-shot lasguns, are worth spending a point on, or swap out for special weapons to demonstrate superiority over Grenadiers - 2 plasma gunners, a boltgun on the sergeant, and a heavy flamer team will get you the same output as a Grenadier squad with the same loadout, except your guys also have acid gas grenades and cost less. The plasma gunners can carry meltaguns instead, of course, and either way can be stuffed in a Valkyrie and dropped in sets of 3 squads directly into your enemy's lap.
  • A bit of MathHammer shows the following averages: 864pts of Combat Engineers will put out 216 shots, hitting on 3s and wounding GEQs, MEQs and TEQs on 2+ with a 5+/3+/2+ save respectively and 2 wounds, killing 640pts/160 models of GEQs, 1040pts/80 models of MEQs and 960pts/20 models of TEQs; while losing 288pts/36 Engineers in return. Thus, ignoring other factors the kills to deaths ratio will always be in your favour by a factor of 585:1300, 360:1300 or 390:1300 respectively and Carcass Shot is most productive when used on MEQs.
• Death Korps Commissar: A basic Commissar. Given all the buffs to Ld you can get with the Death Korps along with their Cult of Sacrifice rule, you can skip him. The models are pretty nice though.
  • As of April 2018, the cost of a Death Korps Commissar has gone down to 15 points, from 30. They’ve become a pretty handy Ld buffer for melee.
• Death Korps Death Rider Commissar: See above, but with a horse. Forge World doesn't seem to make these models anymore so you'll have to kitbash them.
  • While the Death Korps Commissar and the other Forge World Commissars were FAQed to have the new Summary Execution Rule, the Death Rider Commissar was overlooked. While this is an obvious RAW interpretation, the Death Rider Commissar therefore still only allows a maximum of 1 model to be lost to morale.
  • Same as the foot-slogging Death Korps Commissar, this Commissar got a point reduction to 35 points. They’ve become useful, if not viable, as your Death Riders will be getting stuck into melee.
• Death Korps Quartermaster Cadre: This is where the Command Squad's Medi-pack went. One creepy guy and up to 4 servitors wielding scalpels that wound non-vehicles on a 2+ and get buffed to WS/BS 4+ and Ld 9 as long as they stay close to him. They also grant nearby Infantry and Cavalry the ability to ignore an unsaved wound on a 6+, making it mutually beneficial for them to stay close to a big squad of infantry.
• Death Korps Death Rider Command Squad: A must-have for any list focusing on Death Riders. Taking this squad along allows them and up to 5 other Death Rider units to deploy via outflanking at the end of any movement phase. Use in combination with the Death Rider officer, above, and a few squads of Death Riders, below, to outflank an entire detachment! Aside from this they're the same as an understrength Death Rider Squad, as they lost the ability to take a Standard.
  • As of the current FAQ, you may only bring one Command Squad or a Rider Command Squad per Death Korps officer, but any type of officer will do.
• Master of Ordnance: Gone is the hilariously inaccurate mini-basilisk of 7th edition; the MoO is now a fire support coordinator, which is arguably closer to the fluff. The fluff changed him very slightly; instead of buffing specific named units, he's now entirely keyword based - nearby <regiment> Basilisks, Deathstrikes, Manticores, and Wyverns can reroll 1s on the hit roll if this guy is about and the target is more than 36" away (because he can't really help if the gun is direct firing, apparently). If that isn't enough to justify his cost, he can call in a favor from a nearby battery once per game, dropping a basilisk shell anywhere on the map - though if he can't see the target, it hits on 4s. Unfortunately, thanks to his one-shot syndrome that one shell is going to do almost nothing (at least it won't kill your dudes now). Take this guy for his re-roll ability; that way, you're pleasantly surprised if the artillery strike does something instead of basing your strategy around such an unreliable, one-use attack.
  • As of the change he can now support an Armageddon Pattern Basilisk, but he still inexplicably cannot support the other Forge World variants, like Medusae (vehicle or either Battery), or the Battery variants for Basilisks, or Wyverns (that last meaning Heavy Quad Launcher Batteries).
• Atlas Recovery Tank: Believe it or not, this thing is almost useful now. It's a standard "battle Chimera" tank (T7 W11 and a hull heavy bolter) with S7, but rather than a battle gun, it has an enginseer's ability to heal a vehicle (but not itself). Compared to the enginseer, it's more expensive (both in points and money), but more mobile and less vulnerable to sniper fire. Unfortunately, while being a tank means it can't be picked off by snipers, it's not a character, so it can be targeted by anything else. Still probably too expensive for what it does, but a lot better than what it used to be.
  • Important note: Unlike the Enginseer's Master of Machines rule, the Recovery Vehicle rule doesn't stipulate that a given vehicle may only benefit from it once. If you have a Lord of War on the field and want it to stay alive, an Enginseer and a few Atlases can give it a serious survivability boost. Highly situational, but potentially useful.
• Hades Breaching Drill Squad: A Vehicle with a squad of "Veterans" (who all have Sergeant grade LD, but none of whom have Veteran grade BS, all with shotguns, AKA crazy... or very unlucky) that emerges anywhere more than 9" away from enemies. Once it shows up, the Drill and Veteran Squad become separate units entirely. The Hades Drill itself is a big 'fuck you' machine, with 1d6 WS3+ S10 AP-4 D1d3 melee attacks (D1d6 against Vehicles), and it has a 4++ invul in the fight phase thanks to its whirling blades. With T7, W7, and Sv3+, it's pretty durable, too. The Veterans are significantly worse than normal Veterans at shooting, with limited special weapons access on top of their nerfed BS, in that they can only take 2 special weapons in the squad, with no heavy flamer or heavy weapons team; the squad amounts to a tax on the drill, because it is so much worse than your other options, but it can still do ok with a pair of flamers. Makes for a delightful Distraction Carnifex; cackle with glee as your opponent shits himself trying to kill this thing before it crawls up his Gargant's ass and cores it like an apple!

No Regiment

Adeptus Mechanicus

• Tech-Priest Enginseer: Found in the AdMech list as well as the new Guard codex alongside Servitors. Repairs D3 lost wounds on a single Astra Militarum vehicle or AdMech vehicle with the same Forge World keyword as himself within 3" of him. This opens up some interesting listbuilding ideas, such as combining mechguard troops with Skitarii snipers or Cult Mech deathrobots, as the Enginseer can repair whatever he pleases from either list as long as they share the same Forge World. An auto-include if you brought a Baneblade. He can also repair Questor Mechanicus Knights, albeit only for a single wound per turn.
  • Imperial Guard codex kept Tech-Priest as an Elite choice, and allows him to bring in his Servitors with him as another Elite choice.
• Servitors: 4 Guardsman bodies which are slower, have poor BS of 5+, and have a 4+ save. Two of them can take a Heavy Bolter, Plasma Cannon, or Multi-Melta. If Tech-Priest is babysitting them, they increase their BS to 4+ and Leadership to 9. A poor choice all around, even with two Plasma Cannons.

Adeptus Ministorum

• Ministorum Priest: Streamlined from 7th Edition, his War Hymns are now a +1 attack for every Astra Militarum infantry unit within 6". He also still has Zealot, though since it's not an AoE buff and only offers the first turn re-roll, he no longer assists with morale. Not a bad idea if there's a likelihood that your boys will charge or be charged. He synergizes well with Catachan, especially when taken with Straken for A3 on your basic infantry during the fight phase. He's also great at accompanying Bullgryns, Ogryns, and Conscripts; in fact, he's a must for any infantry units you plan on getting in close combat. He also buffs nearby Adeptus Ministorum infantry, too, so there's obvious synergy with their dedicated close-combat units as well.
• Crusaders: A dedicated close-combat unit that, while not as tough or strong as Bullgryns, pack a 3+ invulnerable save (and that's before Psychic powers or stratagems) and Power Swords. They're identical to their entry in Index: Imperium 1 with the exception of the added Adeptus Ministorum keyword, including the otherwise Sisters-exclusive rule Act of Faith. At the start of your turn, roll a D6, and on a 2+, you can immediately move as if it were the movement phase, shoot as if it were the Shooting phase (which is hilarious because these guys don't have any shooting weapons, but the rule was lifted from the Sisters), fight as if it were the Fight phase, or heal a wound/bring back a dead model as if it were the Healing phase. You only get one Act of Faith per turn, no matter how many units of these guys you have, and you can't give them more using Celestine or an Imagifier since they aren't Adepta Sororitas and don't have an <ORDER>. Still, with base 2A and Zealot, these guys can easily overwhelm their points in MEQs on the charge, and they love taking Priests with them. They can be made even tankier by using Psychic Barrier, as unfluffy as it may be to have them tolerate the presence of Psykers. They're one wound wonders, but you can bring one back each turn on a 2+ so long as the unit hasn't been destroyed. They're not quite as points efficient as Bullgryns, but they can come back from the dead, andthey have an easier time fitting into your list, as they can be taken in groups of 2-10 and are cheaper per model.

Astra Telepathica

• Wyrdvane Psykers: Very mediocre. If you have 6 you get to add 2 to psychic tests (getting them all the way up to succeeding two thirds the time for Smite, and one half to one third for the Psykana powers, ugh), but you only roll 1d6 for both Psychic and Deny tests (the bonus for having members only applies to Psychic tests, though). And without having the character keyword, expect them to die quickly. It is, however, impossible for you to peril.
  • Alternate take: If the Guard teaches us anything, it’s that cheapness and numbers have a quality all their own. Switching over to Power Levels for a moment, for simplicity, you can make a Vanguard Detachment consisting of one Primaris Psyker and three (3-model) Wyrdvane Psyker squads for 5 Power Level. In a typical 80 Power Level game, that means that you can take 16 of those detachments. Hitting on a 4+, your 48 Wyrdvane squads alone could potentially drop an average of 24 Smites (and roughly 36 mortal wounds) a round, with no Perils. Oh, and you’ll also have 16 extra command points to re-roll Perils on your Primaris. This is, of course, a terrible idea, but just imagine the look on your opponent’s face when you lay out 160 Psyker models and begin the longest Psychic Phase outside of the Thousand Sons.
• Astropath: Only 1d6 for Smite (but you should be casting Psychic Maelstrom or Gaze of the Emperor for damage anyway), but astoundingly cheap at only 30 pts per model. Camp a few of these guys behind your gunline and deny powers. The only reason not to bring these guys would be if you ran out of Elites slots, because Primaris Psykers are HQs.
  • Unlike Primaris Psykers Astropaths lack the It's For Your Own Good rule, so Commissars are unable to stop them from blowing up in case they die from Perils of the Warp. However, it's also impossible for Astropaths to Perils while casting Smite (as they're limited to only rolling 1D6).
  • Players often forget about the Astropath's other special rule (note this is not a psychic power) - Astral Divination. Pick an enemy unit within 18" of an Astropath, and for the rest of the shooting phase that unit loses its cover save against IG models within 6" of your Psyker. A great way to fuck with Eldar Rangers, Space Marine Scouts, or anything that relies on cover saves.

Militarum Auxilla

Per the current FAQ, this is explicitly not a <REGIMENT>, so you can't e.g. assign it to your Commander.

• Bullgryns: From zero to hero! Their Slabshields and Brute Shields got buffed: Slabshields give them +2 to all save rolls as of the Codex, while Brute Shields give them a 4++. Did I mention either option is now free, and you can mix and match them with the weapons now? Like regular Ogryns, they get an additional attack the turn they charge. With their upgraded Power Mauls (+1 D), that's gonna hurt a lot. Finally your Terminator-cost unit can match with actual Terminators! If only they could take orders. Also, consider the slabshields and power mauls for T5 2+, and distraction carnifex them to make your opponent leave your tanks alone. Even with powermauls you'll still be able to manually lob one grenade a turn, so they're not losing as much firepower as you'd think.
  • Slabshields are much better now; for example, given a source of a 6++ Invuln save, such as Celestine, they'll skyrocket to 2+/4++, and, since their Characteristic hasn't changed, Grav weapons don't improve against them - Bullgryns with Slabshields are Sv 4+, with +2 to save rolls. Naturally, this also has interactions with other rules, such as the currently very rare rules that might cause save re-rolls. With Psychic Barrier, that can be a 1+/3++ (0+/3++ in cover, which you have a stratagem for)!
    • Incidentally, that statline - T5W3 2+/4++ - shows up elsewhere in the Imperium...on Custodes. Make your lovable meatheads stand toe-to-toe with the Ten Thousand!
  • To make them even tankier, you can mix and match slabshields and brute shields. If none of them have taken a wound yet, take anything that gets a good armor save on the slabshield, then anything that would lower the armor save to worse than a 4 (-3 and worse, which is basically dedicated anti-tank weaponry like lascannons) against the brute shield. This goes out the window once one of them takes a wound (at least until that model dies), but on the plus side both shields are the same cost, so just make with the magnets and experiment with the ratio of power fields to ceramite.
  • In a high point game, take two minimum squads of Ogryn/Bullgryn, 20 infantry, a priest, and your choice of final buffing spot (commissar/officer etc..). If you want extra smash, two squads of 6 meatheads plus a priest and a psyker for each is a whole barrel of fun. You can buff both squads, buff one twice (using nightshroud), or anything else you feel like doing. With proper fire support there is very little that can survive this.
• Nork Deddog: Need a capable bodyguard? This is the guy you're looking for. If a character within 3" of him takes a wound, he can take a mortal wound on a 2+ to cancel out the wound on the character - and with 6 wounds he can do it a lot. Coming with a Ripper Gun, his huge knife (S:User AP-1 D2), 4+ armor, and the ability to headbutt an opponent (the headbutt counts as a melee weapon that can't be used for more than one attack) at S+3 AP-2 D3, he wrecks a decent amount of face in melee, too. Finally, he can make a heroic sacrifice if he loses his final wound in the fight phase: he can immediately attack, even if he had already been selected to fight beforehand.
  • Note that Nork's bodyguard ability isn't optional - you are required to roll the die if a nearby character is hurt. Nork isn't smart enough to weigh the tactical value of a cheap Master of Ordnance against the valuable Lord Commissar keeping your conscripts in line - he'll do his level best to protect both. It's just the kind of guy he is.
  • Nork will actually die far, far faster than his points in Bullgryn, while dealing less damage, to boot. Make sure you take him for his Loyal to the End bodyguard ability, not for anything else.
• Ogryns: Probably one of the most improved Guard units this edition (though due more to how the game changed than anything else). They're cheaper, they get a bonus attack on the charge (AND they go first!) and they're still T5 - which in this edition is a serious boon, as all but the most lethal of weaponry will still only wound them on 3s. You need a Demolisher Cannon to hurt these big boys on 2s! The Ripper gun is the same as it was, an Assault 3 S5 AP0 shotgun, although thanks to the Codex, the bayonet on it now grants AP-1, which is nice. "Assault" is the key word here, as it now makes foot slogging them decently fast. With them moving an average of 9.5 inches a turn and still being able to shoot, they become the shock troops they were always meant to be. More importantly, the Assault Vehicle rule is gone; you can charge the turn you disembark from a Chimera, but they take up 3 transport slots, so be careful.
  • Priests love to preach to these guys. A double-size squad of six will put out 30 attacks on the charge with the priest following them. For about 200 points it's a great pile of meat to throw across the board. Just be careful about matching your advances. The priest is a separate unit, so he doesn't advance in lockstep with the squad - you have to roll his advances separately, and he won't be able to charge, since you have to finish a charge within 1" of an enemy unit and ogryn models have big enough bases to make this impossible - this can result in your over-enthusiastic meatheads charging out of his buff radius! This applies to Bullgryns too, except of course they're more expensive.
    • Alternate Take - Priests can be expensive if they have any kit worth taking, especially in comparison to another Ogryn. If footslogging, take the priest, but if you're transporting them in a Chimera then leave him at home or stick him with conscripts. In a standard squad of three you're only getting three extra attacks, and if you fit in a preist you'll either have to put in two other characters and deathstar it up or forfeit two spots in the transport. Just take the fourth Ogryn and get the same number of attacks extra anyway. Ogryn No. 4 also adds survivability, which the priest does not.
• Ogryn Bodyguard: Not a new 8th edition model, unfortunately, but a generic Nork Deddog (and so can be taken in multiple), he has a slightly weaker version of the bodyguard ability (operates on a 3+ rather than a 2+) and lacks Nork's headbutt as well as his heroic sacrifice rule; he can, however, choose from Ogryn/Bullgryn equipment. The baseline model costs nearly as much as two Ogryn Sergeants (55 to their 60) and has the same number of wounds as both of them put together, in addition to both the very serious upgrade that is character (although they are explicitly banned from being your Warlord, unfortunately), and carrying, for free, a Huge Knife to accompany his Ripper Gun, in addition to his aforementioned ability to, on a 3+, suffer a mortal wound to block a wound on a nearby infantry character (As of the first codex FAQ this does not work on other Ogryns or Tank Commanders/Pask, so no wound musical chairs bullshit anymore).
  • Do not underestimate the Bodyguard ability. It's rolled on a per-wound basis, meaning it's effectively a 3+ FnP for every infantry character within 3" you can roll (successfully) up to 6 times (with the possibility for more, see below). This is an enormous survivability boost for your commanders and commissars; even Skitarii Rangers with transuranic arquebuses will have to dedicate multiple turns and squads of sniping to the task. And all the while, you're chewing them up with artillery...
  • The Knife hand can only hold options that don't cost points, but let's be serious: it should be holding a slabshield, now that slabshields are +2 to all save rolls. Not only is a higher save far more useful in general against sniper-capable weapons (in case someone decides to attack the Bodyguard directly), that +2 to save rolls means he'll act like a 3+ or 2+ model without being vulnerable to Grav, and he can use the thing to improve any invuln save he gets from anywhere - with Celestine, he'll skyrocket to 4++ (3++ with an Astropath to help), and with the Deathmask of Ollanius, 2++.
  • He can also put on Bullgryn Plate, which is carapace armor; outside of the Deathmask of Ollanius, this is a very good idea, since it will stack with the slabshield.
    • Should you give him the Deathmask or, for whatever reason, a Brute Shield though, you probably don't need Bullgryn Plate. There are not many ways to ignore invuln saves in 8th edition (though they DO exist).
  • The Gun hand can carry a Ripper Gun for free, or you can pay points for a Bullgryn Maul or Grenadier Gauntlet. The Gauntlet is garbage; since the model is a single-model unit, it can just throw Frag Bombs for free for the same effect out to 6", and out to 12", it's not worth the points cost against any target in the entire game vs. the Ripper Gun. The Maul is worth discussing, as it is far better than a Force Staff and far cheaper, but since we're comparing it to the Ripper Gun, remember, it won't improve your AP at all - instead, you're contemplating paying 7 points for +2S and doubling your Damage to 2. The big reason to take this seriously is that the Bodyguard can legally employ Heroic Interventions, and is far better when doing so with the Maul in hand; even against 1-wound models, he's more efficient this way against Toughnesses 3 and 5-7, and obviously, once he's hitting multi-wound models, he's better with the Maul against everything. You can always stick with the Ripper Gun if you prefer to keep your Bodyguard cheap and contributing to the ongoing gunbattle, but he'll do real work with a Maul in hand.
    • Alternate Take As the bodyguard ability causes a mortal wound which can't be saved no matter how armoured up he is and (with the exception of special characters like Yarrick or Creed) he costs more than most of the characters he will be guarding (for instance two Company Commanders or Commissars is cheaper), you have a choice of two different ways to play the bodyguard. If he's acting as a dedicated bodyguard keep him as cheap as possible with no additional armour and retain the Ripper Gun to put out some shots while stationary. The other path is to deck him out with the best gear and play him as an Ogryn Commando, your own personal over-sized Sly Marbo with as bodyguard ability as just a secondary function.
• Ratlings: The same pint-size sniper unit as before with much improved abilities. They retain an infiltrate and a stealth/cover skillset, but their Shoot Sharp and Scarper ability is now a normal move, rather than a random D6" run. With a bit of planning and positioning around LOS-blocking cover, these little gits can snipe away enemy characters with impunity. Hilariously, because Heavy Weapons only impose a -1 shooting penalty for firing after a move, and Ratlings are BS3+, this lets the Ratlings still move-shoot-move, in an era where Tau Battlesuits, the originators of the tactic, have lost this ability. On top of this, sniper rifles in general have been buffed by the edition - on a 6+ to wound each rifle inflicts a mortal wound in addition to any other normal damage. So Ratlings are a good unit overall. As of the new FAQ, their movement has been reduced to 5", but that still means a 10" scarper thanks to their ability. Just beware their terrible defenses. Toughness 2 and Leadership 7 are underwhelming, while their +2 to saves in cover is small consolation when their base save is a mere 6+, so anything stronger than a stiff breeze will fold them like a deck of card.
  • With characters generally untargetable by non-sniper shooting in 8th Edition, all types of sniper unit have become much more valuable, and Ratlings are a prime example. Both cheap and good at what they do, the space halfings have gone from a quirky side-choice to an almost must-have. Two full squads of these guys are relatively cheap and will statistically down an Ork Warboss on your first shooting phase. They also say a friendly "fuck you" to any cheeselord Tau players running 6 Commanders in the backfield by forcing him to strip shield drones to these guys.

Officio Prefectus

• Commissar: His Summary Execution rule means that all Astra Militarum squads within 6" of him may re-roll (as of the latest FAQ, which also dropped their points cost considerably) their first failed Morale test in any given phase at the expense of a single model dying (the newly dead unit doesn't count for the re-roll), which means you should be picky about when you use the Summary Execution ability. Thanks to the Aura of Discipline ability, those same Guard squads will be given Ld8. Compared to his senior ranking Lord counterpart, he has one less wound, a 5+ save, WS and BS 3 instead of 2, and no Invulnerable save of any kind. However, he's much cheaper.
  • His ranged weapon should always be a bolter; you shouldn't buy him a melee weapon, as he should be staying out of melee and providing buffs instead.
  • The cheapest Commissar you can take is 15 points (16 with a Bolter), while Lord Commissars have to take a Power Weapon as well, raising them up to 34 (35 with a Bolter). They're Characters, so what you primarily need them to live through are sniper rifle shots; their points divided by how many ratling sniper rifle shots it takes to kill them are 76 and 165, respectively (using the versions that took a Bolter). The Lord Commissar fills up an HQ slot, which is better, and if you do take one, higher Leadership is better, to try and minimize losing models to Summary Execution.
  • The nerf to Summary Execution has made him very situational. For example, if a 20-man Conscript blob suffers 9 casualties, they would ordinarily lose another 8.5 men, on average; the Commissar being around will reduce that by 3, since they'll roll, he'll shoot someone, and then they will roll again. In a situation where he could reliably provide this difference every round, the third time he does it, he will have made back his points. He's really only useful where you can prevent Summary Execution from happening, since it's worse than not having the rule at all, which means he's actually at his best in a Heavy Weapons Squad nest, where he can provide morale immunity via his leadership, but you never need to worry about failing Morale and relying upon SE. Now that you don't have to use his ability, he's gone from being a hindrance to a situational buff.
  • Consider using the Officio Prefectus Command Tank stratagem instead of taking a Commissar. For just 2CP you get a 6" LD9 buff with a much better version of Summary Execution... in addition to being a goddamn tank.
    • Other Stratagem options include paying 1 CP to take a test on 1d3 or 2 CP to auto-pass; if you're low on CPs, you're playing Guard wrong, especially now that a Brigade nets you 12 goddamn CP.
  • Other superior choices, provided you can get them in, include an Inquisitor or Guilliman (who will both need their own detachment to avoid breaking Doctrine, which isn't hard for Guilliman since he's a Lord of War choice), or an Astropath or Primaris Psyker using the Fearless power (which the Inquisitor also has).
  • 4/16/2018 FAQ notice: In case you have missed it, Summary Execution is an optional re-roll now. Commissars also faced a steep price decrease, now being 16 points instead of 31 at base.

Dedicated Transport

• Death Korps Storm Chimera: The Krieger approach to warfare is obvious in this armored vehicle's loadout. It gets an autocannon as its turret gun and the option to buy improved armor, which gives it a 2+ save vs weapons of S4 or less and lets it ignore the effects of land mines on a 4+. It's a price hike on the standard Chimera, but it's worth it. Note that it doesn't necessarily have to be used with Death Korps; although it has the DEATH KORPS OF KRIEG keyword instead of REGIMENT, it specifically says it transports ASTRA MILITARUM INFANTRY, and even mentions it can take Ogryn, so RAW, it's legal to use these to transport regular guardsmen, or even storm troopers.
• Death Korps Centaur Light Assault Carrier: Hoo-boy. This little bugger is magnificent. Sure, it's not as tough or as shooty as a Storm Chimera, but if you pop 5 grenadiers with some meltas or flamers, or 4 (how are you getting a squad of 4 grenadiers? Min is 5(ruled as written, a Grenadier Weapons Team doesn't take up two slots in the vehicles. Only Heavy Weapons Teams are mentioned.)) with heavy flamer/melta or flamer/melta or flamer/sergeant and, optionally, a fifth rider of your choice, such as an Astropath or Primaris Psyker for Smite, you can send this off towards the enemy up to 9" before the game even starts. Imagine your opponent's face when they see this little bundle of hurt rolling towards them. They can ignore it, and have some grenadiers kick them in the arse, or shoot it and ignore the vast majority of your army.
  • Pretty cheap, at 54 points, and 6 wounds in it's still Movement 12, unlike a Chimera, which has dropped to 8 by then. Plus, like the DKSC above, this transport carries any Imperial Guard infantry, not just <REGIMENT> ones.

Fast Attack

• Death Korps Death Rider Squadron: A big step up from the basic Rough Riders. +1 to WS, T, A, and Sv, although the +1A evens out in the wash when you don't charge, as you lack chainswords; regardless, you're much less likely to die before you reach your target, particularly since the Augmented Mount special rule gives you 5+ FNP against S4 weapons and below. Your steed gets 2 extra attacks instead of one and hits as hard as a bolter; this is particularly noticeable when not charging, giving you 4 attacks to a normal Rough Rider's 3, and 2 of those are at +1S. While you don't get a chainsword, you do get krak grenades, which will benefit one model in the unit. While you cannot outflank with this unit (unless you take the Death Rider Command Squad), it is not slowed when charging through terrain, making it easier to attack cover campers. With no access to special weapons, they're much better suited as frontline brawlers - with access to orders, they can be just mean with Fix Bayonets! and Duty Unto Death! (although Fix Bayonets is better in basically all circumstances). Like with most DKoK, they have Cult of Sacrifice as a morale buff.
  • The fact that Death Riders trade their Chainsword for +1 Attacks is a bonus, because they can hit twice with their lance on the charge, instead of the one lance and one chainsword hit that standard Riders get.
  • Use Duty Until Death when you charge, because that's the only order you will get use out of by doing so. If your opponent decides he doesn't want to get slowly pounded down by hard to kill horsies, use Fix Bayonets! to make him understand that melee guardsmen just work.
  • Rough Riders cost 10 points apiece, compared to the DKoK Death Rider cost of 16, which pays for itself in the improved attack volume alone, let alone their many other improvements, like ability to obey orders; their only substantive downside is their inability to take special weapons. Even their sergeant is buffed, as he drops his lance to buy a melee weapon if you want to change his melee up, as opposed to stock, which is forced to carry both a lance and a power weapon if you want that. Consider said swap, as a power axe brings the sergeant pretty close to the lance, but usable in the event you get stuck in. Fix Bayonets!, and you're possibly hitting 6 times with that axe in one turn. Ouch.

Heavy Support

• Death Korps Heavy Weapons Squad: Other than the higher WS, Krak Grenades, and Cult of Sacrifice, they're identical to the vanilla HWS - with the additional option to take heavy flamers. You might need to bring a couple along anyway though since you can't take heavy weapons in your regular infantry squads.
  • Heavy Flamer teams are drastically the most cost effective way to get heavy flamers into your army, so much so that they are actually competitive with flamers (which does not usually happen, due to a heavy flamer costing more than two flamers). This gives them a radically dofferent role from what HWSs are used to, but they can be very effective when carried in a Valkyrie.
  • Heavy Bolters and Twin Heavy Stubbers may compete with each other, as they both cost 8 points each, and are both direct-fire anti-infantry options. Against TEQs (T4 2+), Heavy Bolters win (0.9801 wounds on average vs 0.765 wounds on average). Against MEQs (T4 3+), either option is viable (1.485 wounds on average). Against GEQs (T3 5+), Twin Heavy Stubbers are better (3.9204 wounds on average vs 2.4948 wounds on average). Ultimately, Heavy Bolters are better against enemies with better saves, and Twin Heavy Stubbers are better against enemies with worse saves. The models for either weapon choice are very nice, so you can't lose there.
  • A full squad of mortars actually costs 3 pts less than it does in the AM Codex, although sadly they don't really benefit from Krieg's doctrines
• Death Korps Leman Russ Mars Alpha Battle Tanks: Your favorite battle tank, customizable into any configuration of Russ as you see fit (though the Vanquisher Cannon comes with a heavy stubber instead of a storm bolter as its coaxial weapon), but now with the ability to trade the stock hull-mounted heavy bolter for a multi-melta or a plasma cannon. As an added bonus, its armour save becomes a 2+ against weapons of S4 or lower, so bolter shots won't even faze you. Like the other Forge World Russ variants, it too now benefits from Grinding Advance.
  • The Leman Russ Annihilator is best taken as a Tank Commander with a hull lascannon, or at least it would be if that was actually an option but it's not. The Annihilator is a surprisingly thrifty (and more importantly durable) lascannon platform, being only 3 pts more than a standard russ with a battle cannon.
  • Despite its higher cost and reduced range the Leman Russ Conqueror is more than worth taking just for its co-axial weapon which allows your battle cannon to reroll all missed hits.