Fast Attack
Rough Rider Squadron
| Pts/Model | WS | BS | S | T | W | I | A | Ld | Sv | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rough Rider | 8 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 5+ |
| Veteran Sergeant | +6 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 8 | 5+ |
Number/squad: Sergeant and between four and nine Rough Rider troopers.
Weapons: Laspistol and close combat weapon.
Options: The squadron can replace their laspistols or close combat weapons with hunting lances at +3 pts per model.
Any number of models without hunting lances may substitute a lasgun or shotgun for their laspistol at no extra cost.
Up to two troopers, without hunting lances, may be armed with one of the following special weapons:
- meltagun at +10 pts; plasma gun at +10 pts; flamer at +6 pts; grenade launcher at +8 pts.
The squadron may be equipped with krak grenades at +2 pts per model and/or meltabombs at +4 pts per model.
Any Guardsman not acting as part of a heavy weapon crew or using a special weapon may be equipped with a vox-caster at +5 pts.
Character: The Sergeant may be upgraded to be a Veteran Sergeant at +6 pts. A Veteran Sergeant has access to the Imperial Guard Armoury.
Special Rules
Cavalry: Rough Riders are Cavalry (see the Warhammer 40,000 rulebook for more details).
Hunting Lance: Rough Riders are sometimes issued with a long hunting lance tipped with a shaped explosive charge. They will automatically use the lance in the first close combat they fight in a game, after which it cannot be used again.
A model using a hunting lance cannot use an additional close combat weapon but adds +2 to its Strength and Initiative when charging. A model using a hunting lance ignores Armour saves.
Fleet of Hoof: Normally, Cavalry manoeuvre at the walk so that they can easily handle their weaponry, keep the horses fresh and maintain formation. When necessary, they can break into a trot or gallop. In the Shooting phase you may state that the unit is going to move rather than shoot. Roll a D6 – this is the distance the unit may move in the Shooting phase.
Errata — Chapter Approved: Codex: Imperial Guard Q&A (v1.0): A Rough Rider genuinely gives up either his close combat weapon or his laspistol to take a hunting lance. Fleet of Hoof does not ignore difficult terrain — Rough Riders remain subject to the normal terrain and Cavalry movement rules, since no exception is stated. The lance is automatically used only in the first round of the squadron's first close combat that game, not for every round of that first combat. Veteran Sergeants do get a Hunting Lance when the rest of the squadron upgrades to them. A model with a lance that is charged (rather than charging) still uses the lance and still ignores Armour saves, but gets none of the Strength/Initiative charge bonus, and still counts as a power weapon. A squadron that uses Fleet of Hoof instead of shooting can still assault that same turn. Unlike bike or jetbike riders (who need a hand free to steer), a horse steers itself, so a Cavalry rider gets the usual bonus Attack for wielding two close combat weapons.