impy gaurd
"If the enemy comes on in a great horde, as Orks are wont to do, then
try to direct them into a narrow defile or enclosed space, such that their
numbers work against them. Crowed together those at the front will impede
those behind, whilst the push from the rear will prevent those at the front
from retreating or finding a better path." -IMPERIUM TACTICA
Advantages
Of course many players choose the Imperial Guard because the variety of
troops and vehicles make them a challenge to play and a tough opponent to
beat. The Imperial Guard may select quality human troops or may select from
a number of Abhumans, like the brutish Ogryns and the keen-eyed Ratlings.
The different squad types and equipment lists make each platoon unique and
an Imperial Commander must be sharp to employ the best strategy for each
troop type available.
The amount of varied munition and equipment that the I.G. uses, makes them
an even greater challenge. Featuring less speed, but more firepower, the
I.G. can field support weapons like the Thudd Gun, the Tarantula, and the
Rapier. The Predator Battle Tank can go a long way towards foiling your
opponent's best laid plans.
With all these troops, vehicles, and support weapons to choose from, Imperial
Commanders have the kind of firepower and flexibility other armies only
dream of.
Tanks and more tanks: The Imperial Guard has the best vehicles in the game,
bar none. Powerful and varied, there is a Guard tank for almost any and
every situation. For example, the Sentinel is a cheap walker with one nasty
gun, while the Leman Russ is the best heavy tank anywhere. Even a small
Guard force can typically afford a good number of vehicles, almost guaranteeing
that it will possess more firepower than its opponent. Numerous Troops:
Want cannon fodder? Well, the Imperial Guard has more than its fair share.
First Strike: The Imperial Guard gets to shoot before the game even starts!
Its pre-game barrage can take out enemy troops and vehicles before they
even get to move. Reinforcements: The Imperial Guard has the unique ability
to hold back some of its forces for deployment later in the battle, giving
them a important tactical advantage.
Disadvantages
Although an I.G. army has firepower to boot, their armour and medium ballistic
skills makes up for it. Being a relatively unexperienced army, most Imp.
Guardsmen aren't so hot in HTH, making easy targets to kill for enemies.
Not possesing many transports, make it hard to get troops around very fast,
and having low toughness makes them juicy targets for snipers with autoguns.
Thus large numbers are needed to increase chances of vitory.
Numerous Troops: Good thing the Imperial Guard has so many troops, as they
tend to loose them very quickly. The average Guardsman is dog food when
facing something like a Space Marine or Genestealer. This is not to say
Guardsmen aren't useful, just expect to watch them drop like flies at times.
Low Strategy Rating: Even orks are more tactically astute than the Imperial
Guard. Therefore, expect to nearly always set up first and usually move
second. Good thing that the Guard has its First Strike and Reinforcement
abilities, or it might face destruction before it even gets a turn. Mediocre
Characters: While other forces can field the Individuals of Doom, Imperial
Guard characters tend to be less capable. This is especially true for Guard
Psykers, which may be the worst in the game.
Psionics
An imperial army lacks in this department. They only have access to ill
equiped Adeptus Primaris Psykers who they apparenty feel can't be trusted
with expensive wargear even if it means they can't fulfil their primary
duties of providing psykic support to the units they're assigned to. Furthermore
Primaris Psykers only draw from the Adeptus powers.
Vehicles
Again I.G. have excelent firepower. Here are a few examples:
Leman Russ Battle Tank: The bane of the Imperium's enemies,
this tank shrugs off attacks as it cuts a bloody swathe through enemy troops
with its deadly Battle Cannon.
Leman Russ Demolisher Siege Tank: Armed with the mighty turret-mounted
demolisher cannon, the Demolisher is an awesome weapon of destruction.
Imperial Chimera Armoured Troop Carrier: The Chimera rapidly deploys
Imperial Guard troops across the battlefield and then supports them with
a deadly multi-laser.
Imperial Griffon: The Griffon is an armoured long-range killing machine.
having the power of a devastating mortar, no target is out of reach.