Rough Rider
Rough Riders are fast moving troops of the Astra Militarum that are mounted on cybernetic horses/other animals/groxen/bikes or other mounts.
Overview
They are deployed on the battlefield as scouts, patrol units and for quick hit-and-run attacks; living mounts allow Rough Riders to function far from Imperial supply lines, in terrain unsuitable for mechanized warfare, and avoid detection.[1] Though armoured no better than the average Guardsman, their speed and maneuverability is their true asset on the battlefield, able to charge into the enemy's flanks for devastating effect.[1] Rough Riders are primarily trained for close combat, not ranged assault, they are often armed simply with a hunting lance and laspistol or other close-combat weapon, as well as frag and krak grenades; some squads will arm themselves with special weapons such as a flamer, grenade launcher, meltagun or plasma gun. Squads are generally composed of four to nine riders in addition to a Sergeant, who sometimes carries melta bombs in addition to a power weapon or plasma pistol.[1]
Famous Rough Rider Squadrons
Variations
The Astra Militarum are not known for their exclusive use of Bikes, but occasionally Rough Rider Squadrons may be mounted on Bikes rather than the native animals.[5]
The Catachan Jungle Fighters utilize unique Rough Riders who fight atop one of the mighty Giant Reptiles native to Catachan's deadly jungles.[2]
The cavalry units of Aexe Cardinal ride large flightless birds called struthids, and are known as psicavalry because of mind-link implants between the rider and their bird.[6]
Images
See also
Sources
- 1: Codex: Imperial Guard (5th Edition), pg. 44
- 2: Codex: Catachans (3rd Edition), pg. 16
- 3: Warhammer Community: Attilan Rough Riders Bring Horses to a Tank Fight – and Win (saved archive page, dated October 2022)
- 4: Imperial Armour Volume Five - The Siege of Vraks - Part One, pg. 21
- 5: Games Workshop Online web article: Convershun Klinic: Cadian Rough Riders (saved archive page, dated December 2007)
- 6: Straight Silver (Novel), Chapter Two
Uncited
- Codex: Imperial Guard (2nd Edition), pg. 18
- Codex: Imperial Guard (3rd Edition, 1st Codex)
- Codex: Imperial Guard (3rd Edition, 2nd Codex)
- White Dwarf 111 (UK), pgs. 12-15
Imperial Guard Infantry | |
---|---|
Command | Company Command Squad • Platoon Command Squad • Scion Command Squad • Tank Commander • Regimental Advisors • Commissar • Primaris Psyker • Tech-priest Enginseer • Priest |
Specialists | Master of Ordnance • Breacher • Scout • Medic • Vox-Operator • Weapons Specialist • Sharpshooter • Operator |
Troops | Infantry Squad • Heavy Weapons Squad • Special Weapons Squad • Armoured Fist Squad • Veteran Squad • Scions Squad • Canids • Penal Legion Troopers • Ogryn Squad • Ratling Squad • Psyker Battle Squad • Rough Rider Squad • Field Ordnance Battery • Jump Trooper • H-Grade Combat Servitor |