Hold the field with the new Astra Militarum/ Imperial Guard 40k 10th Edition codex and our guide to all the how-to-play strategies, index changes, and rules review!
The Astra Militarum are rolling back onto the battlefield, and this time, they’ve got a brand-new Astra Militarum Codex 10th Edition with them. Expect fresh Astra Militarum rules, new detachment options, and a whole lot more ways to turn your humble Guardsmen into the Emperor’s hammer (and anvil, and occasionally, heroic red smear).
From regiment tactics to orders that make your squads fight like a single, well-oiled war machine (with caffeine and fear), the Astra Militarum index changes to the codex give the army its classic identity: unrelenting firepower, iron discipline, and sheer, overwhelming numbers.
So grab your Astra Militarum PDF, rally your troops, and let’s break down the new detachments, rule tweaks, and unit highlights you’ll need to master if you want to know how to play Astra Militarum like a true Imperial commander in 10th Edition.
Why Play Astra Militarum in Warhammer 40k 10th Edition (Codex Overview)
Updated October 30th, 2025, by Rob Baer. This post has been updated with the latest Warhammer 40k codex rules and profiles.
Do you like your sci-fi wars loud, explosive, and full of regular humans doing absolutely wild things in the Emperor’s name? Then the Astra Militarum Codex is your new best friend (and possibly your last line of defense).
This army is all about holding the line with sheer willpower, overwhelming firepower, and enough tanks to make a Forge World blush. Whether you love the idea of endless infantry waves or prefer to crush your enemies beneath the treads of a Baneblade, the Astra Militarum rules give you the tools to do both, often at the same time.
Astra Militarum Codex 10th Edition: Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths:
- Orders system: Buffs on demand, keeping your infantry and tanks in sync.
- Tanks that don’t quit: Leman Russ, Rogal Dorn, and Baneblades turn battlefields into craters.
- Board control: You own the objectives by sheer volume of boots, tracks, and explosions.
- Detachment variety: From Combined Regiments to Siege and Mechanized Assault, there’s a playstyle for every commander.
Weaknesses:
- Melee? Only certain units. Guardsmen hit like wet noodles unless supported. But you can always back them up with tons of riders and Ogryns.
- Mobility: Infantry are slow, use transports and Orders wisely.
- Decision fatigue: You’ll be managing Orders, stratagems, and multiple units every turn.
How to Play Astra Militarum: 10th Edition Playstyle Guide
The Guard doesn’t do subtle. They do artillery barrages, disciplined volleys, and heroic last stands that would make a Space Marine pause. In 10th Edition, that means coordinating Orders, maximizing your detachments, and making sure your opponent never gets a moment’s peace.
The Astra Militarum Codex 10th Edition streamlines command mechanics and buffs your favorite units from the Astra Militarum Index, giving you more tactical flexibility without slowing down the action. Whether you’re raining death from Basilisks, charging in with Rough Riders, or shouting “Move! Move! Move!” like it’s your job (it probably is), you’ll always be playing the Emperor’s hammer to someone’s unlucky nail.
Core Army Rule in the Astra Militarum Codex 10th Edition
The Astra Militarum 10th Edition Codex PDF dials up the firepower and streamlines the rules to keep the Imperial Guard as versatile and relentless as ever. Whether you love rolling in with tanks, marching infantry in overwhelming waves, or just raining artillery on anything that moves, this codex has something for you.
Astra Militarum Orders (Voice of Command): 10th Edition Rules
Orders are the backbone of Astra Militarum gameplay, and in 10th Edition, they’re easier to use and even more effective. Officers bark their commands during the Command Phase or right after hopping out of a transport, with a 6-inch range (usually) to issue Orders to eligible Infantry or Vehicle squadrons.
Each Order grants a key buff, from boosting movement to improving accuracy or increasing durability. These effects last for the entire phase, making them a crucial tool for controlling the flow of battle.
Best Practices for Issuing Orders:
- “Take Aim!” goes to your highest-damage units, whether it’s infantry with special weapons or tank squadrons, to make sure they hit their mark.
- “Move! Move! Move!” is perfect for grabbing objectives or flanking enemy positions. Use it wisely.
- Keep Officers mobile. Position Castellans and Command Squads where they can affect multiple units for maximum efficiency.
- Don’t waste Orders on Battle-shocked units, they lose the benefits immediately.
Astra Militarum Detachments in 10th Edition (From Index to Codex)
Each detachment in the Astra Militarum Codex 10th Edition amplifies a different playstyle, whether you prefer rolling in with tanks, hammering foes with artillery, or swarming objectives with infantry. Let’s break down what makes each one shine and how to get the most out of them.
Combined Regiment Detachment
What It Does:
A well-balanced mix of infantry and vehicles, this detachment thrives on synergy. The Born Soldiers rule hands out Lethal Hits, infantry get it against regular targets, while tanks use it to wreck Monsters and Vehicles.
How to Play It Smart:
- Death Mask of Ollanius keeps your troops functional even when Battle-shocked, letting them hold objectives instead of fleeing like cowards.
- Grand Strategist grants an extra Order in the Command phase, making sure your most crucial units get the buffs they need.
- Fields of Fire adds +1 AP when both infantry and vehicles gang up on the same target, perfect for melting enemy armor.
- Reinforcements let you bring back full-strength infantry squads, keeping your boots on the ground longer than your opponent would like.
Siege Regiment
What It Does:
Love artillery? This is your detachment. Artillery Support lets you pick between suppressing movement, stripping Cover, or making your own units Stealthy.
How to Play It Smart:
- Manticores and Basilisks become nightmares for your opponent, especially when paired with Creeping Barrage to slow enemy advances.
- Flash Grenades on Infantry Officers shut down Overwatch, so your squads can move in without getting torched.
- Minefield turns key locations into no-go zones, dealing mortal wounds to enemies who try to push forward.
- Furious Fusillade cranks up the number of ranged attacks, making your infantry surprisingly lethal in close-range firefights.
Mechanized Assault
What It Does:
Turn your Transports into tactical weapons with Armoured Fist, giving units +1 to Wound after disembarking.
How to Play It Smart:
- Rapid Dispersal lets your troops reposition after leaving a Transport, setting up nasty surprises.
- Hasty Extraction lets vulnerable infantry retreat into a Transport at the end of the enemy turn, keeping them alive for another round.
- Sacred Unguents grants reroll Hits to nearby tanks, ensuring every shot counts.
- Vanguard Honours lets infantry disembark after an Advance, creating absurd mobility plays.
Hammer of the Emperor
What It Does:
Tanks, tanks, and more tanks. Iron Tread makes them Advance faster and move through enemies like a wrecking ball.
How to Play It Smart:
- Final Hour keeps wounded tanks fighting at full power, ignoring those pesky Ballistic Skill penalties.
- Blazing Advance lets them shoot while repositioning, keeping the pressure on while staying mobile.
- Furious Cannonade gives +1 AP to tanks within 12”, perfect for melting enemy armor.
- Veteran Crew lets you reroll Hit rolls of 1, ensuring your shots don’t go to waste.
Recon Element
What It Does:
Great for board control, this detachment helps infantry and walkers stay alive with Masters of Camouflage, granting Cover and boosting saves.
How to Play It Smart:
- Guerrilla Honours allows you to redeploy up to three units after setup, keeping your opponent on their toes.
- Scare Gas Grenades force Battle-shock tests, throwing a wrench into enemy plans.
- Tripwires slow enemy movement, making it harder for them to reach key areas of the board.
Bridgehead Strike
What It Does:
This detachment, found in the Grotmas Calendar, focuses on Tempestus Scions; this detachment rewards high mobility and elite infantry.
How to Play It Smart:
- Vox-Relay lets Officers issue Orders across the board, keeping your Scions coordinated no matter where they land.
- Clear and Secure grants rerolls near objectives, ensuring your deep-striking troops make their shots count.
- Tempestus units dominate objective control, combining elite firepower with special weapons like plasma and melta guns.
Each of these detachments brings something unique to the table. Whether you’re crushing enemies with artillery, overwhelming them with sheer numbers, or rolling a steel tide across the battlefield, the Astra Militarum Codex 10th Edition has the perfect tools for Imperial supremacy that pump up the index rules to 11.
Pick your playstyle, issue your orders, and remind the galaxy why the Imperial Guard is the Emperor’s hammer.
Best Units in the Astra Militarum Codex 10th Edition (with PDF Reference)
The Astra Militarum (Imperial Guard) Codex 10th Edition is stacked with units that can flood the battlefield with bodies, roll over foes with unstoppable armor, or level entire sections of the board with artillery, and even more options than the index.
So, whether you prefer waves of disciplined infantry, thundering tanks, or explosions big enough to make an Ork jealous, there’s something here for you. Let’s break down the standout units that make the Imperial Guard a force to be reckoned with.
Krieg Engineers
These guys are the sneaky saboteurs of the Astra Militarum (Imperial Guard) codex and a fun addition not in the index. Armed with grenades, mines, and a bad attitude, they specialize in mortal wounds, making them a nightmare for enemy vehicles and high-value targets. Their Remote Mine ability dishes out D3+3 mortal wounds to nearby enemy vehicles, which can leave an opponent scrambling to plug holes in their battle line.
That said, they’re not the toughest and can get a bit pricey for what they bring. Think of them as a disruptor unit, deploy them in the right spot, mess with your opponent’s plans, and force them to waste time dealing with these sneaky saboteurs instead of your more valuable units.
Death Korps of Krieg
Hard-hitting, unbreakable, and covered in mud, the Death Korps of Krieg are a fan-favorite for a reason. Their Stubborn Tenacity lets them receive Orders even while Battle-shocked, which means they’ll hold objectives and keep firing no matter what gets thrown at them.
They come equipped with solid melee weapons and reliable ranged options, making them extremely versatile. They’re not the fastest, but if you need an infantry unit that can grind enemies into paste, these trench fighters won’t let you down. Stick them near artillery or a commanding officer for maximum efficiency.
Leman Russ Battle Tanks
The backbone of Astra Militarum armored power, the Leman Russ is a tank that does exactly what it says on the tin, takes a beating and keeps on blasting. With tough armor, a Battle Cannon that shreds infantry and vehicles alike, and new Orders that make it even more flexible, it’s a must-have in any list.
Want to maximize its power? Pair it with Tank Commanders for better Ballistic Skill and strategic Orders. Whether you need to hold objectives, soften up enemy forces, or outright delete a target, the Leman Russ is never a bad choice.
Tank Commanders
Think of these as the brains behind the brawn. Tank Commanders don’t just blast enemies to dust, they coordinate the attack. They come with extra durability and can issue Orders, making them indispensable in a vehicle-heavy army.
Their Called Shots ability on the Rogal Dorn Tank Commander is particularly nasty, allowing re-rolls on hits, wounds, and damage, perfect for precision devastation when you need something gone yesterday.
Death Riders & Attilan Rough Riders
Cavalry in the 41st Millennium? Absolutely. Death Riders and Attilan Rough Riders bring high-speed melee mayhem to an army that usually fights at range.
- Death Riders are mid-board disruptors, using reactive movement to strike where it hurts.
- Attilan Rough Riders specialize in high-impact charges, impaling foes with their devastating lances.
Pair them with Lord Marshall Dreir to add extra utility and ensure they’re landing devastating wounds on the charge.
Artillery Team
Astra Militarum armies wouldn’t be the Imperial Guard without big guns firing from miles away. Artillery units bring indirect firepower that keeps enemies ducking for cover even when they’re nowhere near the front lines.
Weapon Profiles: What’s New and How to Use Them
The new weapon profiles fit into 10th Edition’s streamlined rules, giving Astra Militarum units (like Cadian Shock Troops) clear battlefield roles.
- Leman Russ Battle Cannons now pump out multiple high-strength shots, making them devastating against almost anything.
- Baneblade Cannons remain blast-heavy nightmares, turning enemy squads into craters.
- Plasma guns and melta guns received better AP, making them even scarier against elite infantry and vehicles.
Loadout Tips:
- Grenade launchers are great for flexibility, working well with large infantry squads.
- Lascannons in heavy weapon teams are essential for taking down big threats.
The updated weapons reward careful list-building, mix and match loadouts to maximize your army’s strengths.
Final Thoughts on the Warhammer 40k Astra Militarum Codex
The Astra Militarum (Imperial Guard) Codex 10th Edition and PDFs nail the identity and rules of the Imperial Guard, tanks that hit like a sledgehammer, infantry that never quits, and artillery that dictates the flow of battle and really do a good job of expanding the index.
The army is straightforward to play but packed with tactical depth. Whether you’re here for the epic tanks, the massed ranks of infantry, or the absolute joy of rolling handfuls of dice, the Astra Militarum delivers.
If you want to stand as the Emperor’s shield, hold the line, and win through superior firepower, there’s no better army for the job.
Where to Get the Astra Militarum Codex (PDF and Physical)
Snag your new Astra Militarum codex from our handpicked list of retailers, and give us a high-five in support! Every qualifying purchase helps Spikey Bits keep the lights on and the fun going.
Quick Order Links To Get 15% Off or More:
- Mid Atlantic US: Fabricators Forge | Bazooka Games | or | The Rogue Traders |
- Central US: Wargame Portal | Collector Store | Dicehead Games | Noble Knight Games | or | Warpfire Minis |
- West Coast US: Frontline Gaming | Gamers Guild AZ | or | Squad Marks |
- UK: Element Games (UK) | Merlin’s Minis | or | Wayland Games |
- Canada: Fenris Workshop | Tista Minis | Abyss Game Store | or | Kingdom Titans |
- Worldwide: Amazon | eBay | or | Games Workshop’s Store |
You can save even more on your purchase by using our exclusive list of redeemable discount codes from some of the best hobby retailers and miniature manufacturers!
If you’re looking for the Astra Militarum PDF codex, Wahapedia is the go-to spot for free reference material, but if you want the full book with lore, art, and all the extras, Games Workshop’s official version is the way to go.
🔗 Related Reads:
- All The New 40k Astra Militarum Minis!
- Latest Astra Militarum 40k Rules Balance Dataslate Updates
- Astra Militarum Battleforce
- New Astra Militarum Combat Patrol Box
- Best Warhammer 40k Army List Builders
