597th Vahallan infantry Regiment
"I asked myself: What would Cain do?"
"And then did the opposite, I hope."
- – Conversation
The regiment the famous Commissar Ciaphas Cain was attached to during some of his most notable exploits.
The 597th Valhallan was actually Cain's own idea. Originally, the regiment was formed from the battered remains of the 301st and the 296th, both understrength from facing the Tyranids, who made a three course meal of them. With 301st being an elite stormtrooper regiment (which are usually all dudes) while the 296th was a rural backwater garrison regiment (made up of all women), tensions ran high.
Making things worse, the 296th's only remaining commander, Regina Kasteen, was put in charge of the amalgamated regiment as its Colonel over the more qualified leader of the 301st, Ruput Broklaw, since the Imperium, er, "unwisely" used time in rank instead of merit or combat experience to determine seniority. In this context, what had happened was that Broklaw's superiors had taken three days longer to get eaten by Tyranids than Kasteen's, so she'd been promoted before he was. Soon, these tensions made the regiment into a pressure cooker, ready to blow into mutiny. To fix this screw up, Ciaphas Cain was sent to reestablish order.
Following a particularly violent incident which resulted in several deaths, Cain proposed the change of name in order to establish a new identity. With Departmento Munitorum approval, the regiment was officially redesignated the 597th.
It worked. With grand effort, Cain's inspiring leadership (and legendary luck) managed to turn the regiment into an effective, professional fighting force, despite the Imperium's earlier bureaucratic bungling of the matter. The top officers resolved their issues, especially once the new Colonel proved her worth, and the regiment, er, preceded Cain into many an impressive scrap.
Stats for 9th edition[edit]
Since there are other pages dedicated to Cain and Jurgen. This section is dedicated to the Fan-made Rules for the regiment.
Commissar Ciaphas Cain, Hero of the Imperium![edit]
| power | Pts | M | WS | BS | S | T | W | A | Ld | Sv | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ciaphas Cain | 7 | 75 | 7" | 2+ | 2+ | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 4+ |
| Range | Type | S | AP | D | Special Rules | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cain's Trusty Laspistol | 12" | Pistol 1 | 3 | -2 | 1 | On a roll of a 6+, 1 Mortal wound is inflicted instead |
| Cain's Chainsword | Melee | Melee | +1 | -2 | 1 | Each time the bearer Fights, it makes 1 additional attack with this weapon. on a 4+ a mortal wound is dealt also |
- Composition: Caiaphas Cain a single model equipped with his Trusty Laspistol and Chainsword. Only one of this model may be included in your army
- Faction Words: Imperium, Astra Miltarum, Officio Prefectus , Valhallan
- Key Words: Character, Infantry, Commissar, Lord Commissar, Officer, Ciaphas Cain.
- Special Rules:
- Aura of Discipline, Voice Of Command, Senior Officer
- Position of Authority: Despite being a Commissar, Ciaphas Cain can issue commands as if he were a Company Commander.
- Hero of the Imperium!: Ciaphas Cain's heroic reputation (regardless of whether it is fraudulent or not) inspires those around him to follow his example. any unit within 6" can fallback than charge and shoot without the -1 plenty.
- Leader of Men: Even though he is a Commissar, Ciaphas Cain can never use Summary Execution, as this would mean one less body standing between him and danger. He may still execute a Psyker that failed Perils of the Warp test, as per the It's For Your Own Good rule.
- Survival Instincts: Commissar Cain's focus on personal safety, and experience in surviving dangerous situations allows him, and units within 3" of him to gain a cover (ie +1 to amour sv) and a -1 to hit rolls.
- Defensive Fencing Technique: Ciaphas Cain developed his own unique fencing style, which revolves around defensive stances, evasion, counter-attack, and running away. in the fight Phase, enemies suffer a -1 to Hit against Ciaphas Cain.
- Pintle mounted Gunner: Any vehicle carrying Ciaphas Cain may fire any pintle mounted weapon using his BS instead of the vehicle's.
- Run Like Frak!: When Ciaphas Cain falls back, he maybe move back an additional 1d6".
- Tingling Means Bad News!: gain a 4+ invulnerability save.
- Options: Commissar Ciaphas Cain may be accompanied by Gunner Jurgen (75 pts.)
- Transport: Commissar Ciaphas Cain may take a Chimera or a Salamander as dedicated transport.
Gunner First Class Ferik Jurgen[edit]
| Power | Pts | M | WS | BS | S | T | W | A | Ld | Sv |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 75 | 6" | 4+ | 3+ | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 10 | 4+ |
| name | type | Range | S | AP | D | special rules |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jurgen's Meltagun | assault 1d6 | 8" | 8 | -4 | 1d3 | 1d3+2 when in half range |
- Composition: Ferik Jurgen is a single model equipped with his Meltagun, lasgun, Frag and Krak grenades. Only one of this model may be included in your army.
- Faction Key Words: Imperium, Astra Militarum, Valhallan
- Key Words: Character, Infantry, Ferik Jurgen
- Special Rules
- Psychic Blank: Psychic powers have no effect on Jurgen or on units within 8" of him. In addition, an enemy unit must take a -1 to hit in the fight subphase whilst in 8"of Jurgen.
- Robust Driving Style: Any vehicle transporting Jurgen adds +3" to its movement. If the vehicle in question has a damage track, it will always move at its maximum value.
- Cain's Loyal Aide: Whenever Cain takes a Wound, on a 2+ Jurgen can take the wound for him. In addition, Jurgen starts the game attached to Cain and may never leave his commissar. In the event that Cain is removed from the board as a casualty, Jurgen must also be removed from the board as a casualty as well.
- Uncountable Number of Pouches: At the start of each turn, Jurgen reaches into his many pouches and pulls something of use out of them. Roll one die and consult with table below.
| Items in Jurgen's many pouches | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Slates of various contents of questionable nature - Jurgen cannot shoot in the shooting phase. | |
| 2-3 | Fresh mug for you, Sir - at the start of the movement phase, Cain regains a wound. | |
| 4-5 | A small snack for the trip - Jurgen regains a wound. | |
| 6 | Extra Comm-bead for you, Sir - Cain can Issue a Extra order immediately. | |
Colonel Regina Kasteen[edit]
| power | Pts | M | WS | BS | S | T | W | A | Ld | Sv |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 70 | 6" | 2+ | 2+ | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 9 | 5+ |
| Name | Type | Range | S | AP | D | Special Rules |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter's Wrath | Pistol 2 | 12" | 3 | -1 | 2 | On an unmodified wound roll of 6 it deals 1 mortal wound instead |
- Composition: Colonel Kasteen is equipped with Winter's Wrath, a chainsword, and Frag & Krak Grenades. You may only take one of this model to include in your army.
- Faction Key Words: Imperium, Astra Militarum, Valhallan
- Key Words: Character, Infantry, Officer, Company Commander, Colonel Kasteen
- Special Rules
- Voice of Command, Senior Officer, Refractor Field'
- Youngest Commander- 18" voice of command range.
- Former Storm Troopers Company Commander: Colonel Kasteen can issue commands to any Militarum Tempestus Scion or Militarum Tempestus Scion Command Squad as if she were a Tempestor.
Major Ruput Broklaw[edit]
| power | Pts | M | WS | BS | S | T | W | A | Ld | Sv |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 50 | 6" | 3+ | 2+ | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 9 | 4+ |
- Composition: Major Broklaw is a single model equipped with a Bolt Pistol, Chainsword, and Frag & Krak Grenades. You may only include one of this model in your army.
- Faction Key Words: Imperium, Astra Militarum, Valhallan
- Key Words: Character, Infantry, Officer, Company Commander, Major Broklaw
- Special Rules
- Voice of Command, Senior Officer
- Former Storm Troopers Company Commander: Major Broklaw can issue commands to any Militarum Tempestus Scion or Militarum Tempestus Scion Command Squad as if he were a Tempestor.
Lieutenant Lustig[edit]
| power | Pts | M | WS | BS | S | T | W | A | Ld | Sv |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 30 | 6" | 3+ | 3+ | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 9 | 4+ |
| Name | Type | range | S | AP | D | special rules |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid Storm | Rapid Fire 2 | 30" | 4 | -2 | 1 | This weapon can target a Character unit even if it is not the closest enemy unit. |
- Composition: Lieutenant Lustig is a single model that is equipped with Rapid Storm and Frag & Krak Grenades. You may only include one of this model in your army.
- Faction Key Words: Imperium, Astra Militarum, Valhallan
- Key Words: Character, Infantry, Platoon commander, Officer, Lieutenant Lustig
- Special Rules
- Voice of Command
- Professional and Competent: Re-roll hit rolls of 1 for attack made by Valhallan models within 6" of this unit.
Captain Jenit Sulla[edit]
| power | Pts | M | WS | BS | S | T | W | A | Ld | Sv | Unit Type | Composition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 50 | 6" | 3+ | 3+ | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 5+ | Infantry (IC) | 1 company commander |
- Unit Type: Infantry (unique)
- Wargear: Flak armor, Las Pistol, Chain-Sword, Frag & Krak Grenades.
- Special rules
- Senior Officer, Voice of Command
- What Would Cain Do?: Friendly ASTRA MILITARUM INFANTRY units within 6" of this model at the start of the Charge phase can charge even if they Advanced this turn.
Corporal Mari Magot[edit]
| power | Pts | M | WS | BS | S | T | W | A | Ld | Sv |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 45 | 6" | 3+ | 4+ | 3 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 5+ |
- Composition: Corporal Magot is equipped with a Lasgun and Frag and Krak grenades. You may only include one of this model in your army.
- Faction Key Words: Imperium, Astra Militarum, Valhallan
- Key Words: Character, Infantry, Corporal Mari Magot
- Special rules
- Short, Quick, Sociopathic, Regimental Champion: Corporal Magot can reroll failed to hit and wound rolls against Characters.
Regimental Traits[edit]
The 597th Valhallan is a mechanized regiment; each squad in the regiment is mounted in a Chimera transport, with an additional Chimera for each platoon leader and company HQ. They have no specific limits on Chimera weapons and appear to use all varieties.
They have a scout troop of Mars pattern Sentinel walkers, again with a mix of weapons loadouts, and a small number of Hydra flak tanks to provide AA defense for their regimental HQ.
The 597th does not have any organic heavy artillery or tanks. They have four line companies of mechanized infantry (1st, 2nd, 4th, and 5th) and one logistic support company (3rd). They do not appear to use crew-served weapons teams in their line companies, instead leaning on the Chimera's turret weapons for mobile direct fire support in the field. Their overall doctrine seems to be rapid maneuver warfare, with dug in heavy weapons relegated to protecting their regimental HQ and supply train.
On Gravalax, the newly formed 597th paraded into the capital with their infantry dismounted, and Cain remarked at a "thousand pairs of boots slapping the pavement". Assuming ten-man squads, with 8 dismounts per vehicle in two fire teams plus driver and gunner, this would amount to ~125 Chimeras worth of infantry. Based on this, it's likely that their four line companies each consist of five platoons and a company HQ squad, each platoon consisting of five squads plus a command fire team (totaling 6 Chimeras per platoon, 31 per company). It IS known they use command teams as low as the platoon level, as (then) Lt Sulla led her "doughty quartet" in a high risk flanking maneuver to free one of her pinned down squads in her first action in the 597th.
The regiment was well-supplied with small arms, comms gear, and other materiel due to an oversight by the Departmento Munitorum, which continued to send the 597th all the equipment and recruits allotted for the 301st and 296th Regiments. This meant, for example, that every soldier in the regiment could be issued a commbead, which were typically reserved for squad leaders and above in other Guard regiments. It also meant that they remained at or near full strength more consistently than other regiments.
While not on the level of Kasrkin, the 597th came to be regarded as an elite regiment during the Damocles Crusade, capable of punching well above their numbers, especially in their preferred climate, and against almost every sort of enemy. It was known among the Crusade's leadership that the regiment had the favor of a particular Inquisitor for their knack at finding and surviving trouble. At some not-depicted point in the Crusade, Jenit Sulla succeeded Kasteen and Broklaw to become the regiment's Colonel, before eventually being promoted to Lady-General; it's stated that Cain visited Valhalla, so it's possible the 597th completed its campaign with its leadership and returned home for refounding, with Sulla taking the helm at that point.
While the regiment does not use the Salamander in their SoE, Jurgen typically has one for Cain.