Guard previews

Despite having a whole host of post sitting in my draft folder, I though that I should get this out in some sort of timely manner, otherwise it it would be so long past the even that the actual codex will probably be out!

With the latest reveals show, we got a whole host of new guard models, some expected and some less so. On the whole though I think we were all braced for a host of new Kreig. 

The launch box is another exceptional box, and no doubt high on the list of any true Kreig fan, if not any guard fan in general. With two squads of death riders, an engineers squad and and artillery gun, all let by the new Kreig Character. Completing the box are the new codex and the new data cards. This really is a nice box, however, I don't think I will bother with it, for one simple reason, the 10 death riders. I have 10 rough riders and don't need, nor want any more horses, plus I'm not overly fussed about the command model, as beautiful as it is. If there was more engineers and a command squad instead of one of the horses, then I would be far more interested, but as it stands, a large part of this box is not of interest to me. 

The new codex looks very nice though, if anything I like the standard version better than the limited edition box, however, I will be keeping an eye on eBay for the new book and cards when they come out. I suspect that I will not be able to pick them up for cheap like the BA book and cards, but I will be looking nonetheless. 

The sole character model (except those in the command squad) was Lord Marshall Dreir. Mounted on his Kreig steed he can join his fellow Death Riders and charge headlong in to battle. He is apparently one tough cookie, with a 4+ invulnerable save and a revive on death special rule, possibly even a FNP save as well. He comes armed with a fancy sword and grants Death Riders devastating wounds on the charge, which could be very useful against tougher models. 

He is a stunning model, decked out in all his finery and will make an amazing centre piece model, especially whem surrounded by his fellow Death Riders.

Which are also very nice models. These boys come with options for either lances or swords. The Lance's seem to only be frag tipped and no option for melta, the power swords seem to be standard power swords. I believe both come with lascarbines for some shooting action as well. 

Additionally these are supposed to have rules that enable them to make a reaction move when enemy units get within a certain range, useful for denying charges and the like. 

I think these are really nice models but I really don't think I have any need for these. I think they have there place in the army list but I have my rough riders, who do the job I want them to do better than the death riders can. 

Next up is a unit I am very keen on, the Command Squad.

While we don't know many rules here, there are a few bits we do know. There are six models, lead by the Commissar. 

The alchemist is the medic equivalent and while we don't know what he does, I suspect that it will be a FNP save, whether this is a 6+ or a 5+ is unknown, but here's hoping for a 5+.

We don't know about orders yet, but hopefully, despite being a Commissar, he won't be limited with which orders he can give. As for the others, the vox and standard will no doubt do the same thing they usually do and the Commissar Cadet will most likely have a boosted combat stat line but little.else is known at this stage. While I am excited by the new command squad, I really was hoping for a new Marshall model, no I have to hope that they don't remove the Marshall from the Imperial Armour list.

The heavy weapons teams are another model on my wishlist list, especially the flamers! At 18" S5 AP-1 D2 and presumably d6 shots, they are looking very tasty. I am hopeful I can get squads of the stubbers and flamers, possibly using some 3rd party models (looking at you Wargames Atlantic). The lascannons are less appealing at the moment. They unit also comes with a Fire Co-ordinator which we don't know what he does but seems like it might be a fire on death type mechanic.

Engineers have been reborn in plastic, although they have changed a bit in the process. They have gained a mini Cyclops, in the form of the remote mine. This will have the ability to deal mortal wounds to a near by unit, and when combined with the free grenades stratagem, could be quite devastating. The unit also has the scout ability, which could be useful for grabbing early game objectives. In addition to this they look like that have fairly limited options, with shotguns and a flamer or laspistols and trench clubs being the only options. I am really not sure on the load out for either option, the limited special weapons could be problematic and combat guard are not really much use, however, it really depends upon the various weapons profiles as to how effective the units is. 

Lastly we have the big boys of the Kreig, and I mean big, on 130mm bases they are a substantial size and will not be easy to hide away.

We don't know which weapons are direct fire and which are indirect but I would be surprised is any of them didn't have indirect, as they are Kreig artillery pieces. Firstly the Quad Launcher, the updated version of the classic Thudd Gun. While we don't know any rules, I suspect that this will be a lighter weapon, somewhere around the standard mortar profile, and similar to the wyvern with 4d6 shots. The only issue is the next weapon.

Multiple Rocket Launcher is a very similar weapon and we know that this one will have the Anti-infantry 3+ ability. This means that it will cut through pretty much any light armoured infantry units, such as Tau, Guard and even Orks, however, I suspect that it will have quite a low strength and ap values with lots of shots. There will be some difference between this and the Quad Launcher but I suspect that this will be the better option of the two.

The next two weapons are also similar. We don't know anything about the heavy mortar but I suspect it will be hard hitting with high strength and damage, maybe even d6 damage but few shots and short range.

Opposite to the siege cannon which we know is a 3 damage weapon and I suspect a long range, probably table spanning and presumably more shots, maybe d6 to the mortars d3? 

Right now, without knowing the rules for any of these units my wish list is pretty large! So far I definitely know I need at least one command squad, if not two, also two engineer squads and two heavy weapons squads all backed up by two artillery pieces, either in heavy mortar or siege cannon form. I am not planning on getting all GW kits, most likely I will get one of each of the infantry kits and both artillery kits from GW and then kits from Wargames Atlantic, a grognard infantry and a command\heavy weapons kit, which I will kitbash with the spare GW bits to form the other units I want. Along with some of the bits I already have I should be able to bash together everything I need\want. I am really liking the new GW releases and who doesn't want more Guard infantry in their collection! Now I just have to wait and see if I can grab the codex at a reasonable price!