Imperial Guard Heavy Support

In this section we will be looking at the tactics for the Imperial Guard Heavy Supports choices.

> Also see the 40k Tanks tactic page

General Imperial Guard Heavy Support Tactics

With all the infantry heavy weapons moved to the Troops section, the Imperial Guard heavy support choices are left with the tanks - and a lot of them too. Not only does the new Imperial Guard Codex list a lot of new variations, or borrowed Forge World tank variations, but now you can have many more tanks in a standard army because you can field a squadron of tanks as a single support choice. This means that you could field up to three squadrons of three tanks per army, that adds up to 9 tanks on the table! (points permitting).

Leman Russ Tank Squadron Tactics

A Leman Russ tank squadron is made up form one to three of the Leman Russ battle tank variations. Seven variations are listed in the codex, and you can mix and match then in your squadrons.

Sponsons or No Sponsons?

The Leman Russ Battle Tanks can have side weapons attached using sponsons. Normally problem with these are that the main weapon is an ordnance weapon. This means that usually you can not fire a second weapon if you fire the main weapon. This will mean that for most of the time they are just sucking up points with no advantage. The second problem is that you can not fire two main weapons unless you are stationary. This makes the tank no better that a pill box. The idea of a tank is that it can move around the battle field. The last, but minor issue is that sponsons make the tank wider. This may be an issue if you are going to be fighting in heavy terrain.

Lumbering Behemoth Special Rule

To Address the Sponsons issue the 2009 Imperial Guard codex has added the 'Lumbering Behemoth' special rule. This special rule trades some cruising speed for the ability to fire the turret weapon when stationary or moving at combat speed (up to 6") in addition to the usual rules. This means that if the tank is stationary you can fire all the weapons including the turret ordinance weapon, and if you have moved up to 6" you can fire the turret weapon, one other main weapon and any support weapons (usually a storm bolter or heavy stubber). With this rule you will probably use the sponsons more. Be aware that two heavy bolters on a Leman Russ will cost 20 points, but a heavy bolter weapons team costs 5 points.
The argument for having them is that sometimes you may wish the fire the secondary weapons instead of the main weapon. This mainly happens if the main weapon is destroyed.
In summary, sponsons are not worthwhile on tanks with ordinance main weapon, but may be worthwhile for tanks with none-ordinance main weapons.

Leman Russ Battle Tank

The Leman Russ is the standard Imperial Guard battle tank.

Leman Russ Demolisher

The Leman Russ Demolisher is a great tank. It's range is a bit short at 24", but the main gun is a S10 5" ordinance template! The shorter range means that the Leman Russ Demolisher is better suited to smaller gaming tables or games where the line of sight in blocked by a number of tall objects like multi floor buildings.

Leman Russ Exterminator

Leman Russ Exterminator replaces the battle cannon with a twin linked autocannons. This means that the Leman Russ is much more mobile and suited to anti-infantry roll. The Exterminator works well with heavy bolter sponsons.

Leman Russ Vanquisher

> Also see the 40k Tanks tactic page

Ordinance Battery Tactics

An alternative to a Battle tank squadron is to have an Ordinance squadron. Ordinance squadrons are designed to place one spot and not moved during the game. In return for the mobility you get a digger ordinance weapon at less cost.
Be aware that the ordinance tanks have weaker armour that the battle tanks so you will want to keep them behind cover when you can.

Basilisk

The Basilisk has a huge range, and a S10 5" Ordinance shell, but it has a sizeable minimum range. I would recommend it for larger tables ( like Apocalypse games).

Medusa

Colossus

Griffon

> Also see the 40k Tanks tactic page

Hydra Flak Tank Battery Tactics

Got a pesky air support problem? Get a Hydra Flak Tank Battery! It gives the enemy air support something to think about.

Hydra Flack Tanks are usually more use in Apocalypse games where there tends to be more air support units.

Manticore Rocket Launcher Tactics

Death Strike Missile Launcher Tactics

> Also see the 40k Tanks tactic page