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
- Attilan Rough Riders
- Death Riders of Krieg
- Kashann Xeno Riders
- Ezelti Lancers
- Krum Ironsides
- Gantor Riders
- Remus Crushers
- Praetorian Hussars
- Fallonian Rough Riders
- Tallarn Desert Raiders (Mukaali-mounted)
- Savlar Chem-Riders
- Ratskins Regiment
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
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 |