Imperial Guard Datasheets are the lifeblood of any Astra Militarum commander in tabletop wargames. They contain all the essential information needed to field your units, from basic stats to special abilities. Understanding how to read and utilize Imperial Guard Datasheets is crucial for building a competitive and effective army. They are the foundation upon which your strategies are built and your victories are earned. Let’s delve into what makes these datasheets so important.
Deciphering the Imperial Guard Datasheets
At its core, an Imperial Guard Datasheet is a reference card detailing everything you need to know about a specific unit within the Astra Militarum. This includes Infantry Squads, Leman Russ tanks, Commissars, and everything in between. It essentially encapsulates the unit’s profile in the game. The datasheet typically lists key statistics like Movement (how far the unit can move), Weapon Skill (accuracy in melee combat), Ballistic Skill (accuracy when shooting), Strength (affects damage dealt), Toughness (resistance to damage), Wounds (how much damage the unit can take), Attacks (number of melee attacks), Leadership (resistance to morale checks), and Save (armor protection). Understanding these stats is vital for determining a unit’s strengths and weaknesses on the battlefield.
Beyond the basic statistics, the datasheet also provides crucial information regarding weapon profiles, abilities, and keywords. Weapon profiles detail the range, strength, Armor Piercing (AP), and Damage (D) of each weapon the unit can wield. Abilities are special rules that a unit possesses, granting them unique advantages or modifying their behavior. Keywords are descriptive tags that categorize the unit, allowing for synergies and interactions with other rules and abilities. For example, a datasheet might list the following information:
- Unit Type: Infantry
- Keywords: Astra Militarum, Infantry, Regiment
- Abilities: Orders
Imperial Guard Datasheets are used extensively during gameplay. Here’s how:
- Movement Phase: Consult the Movement stat to determine how far the unit can move.
- Shooting Phase: Use the Ballistic Skill and weapon profiles to resolve shooting attacks.
- Fight Phase: Utilize the Weapon Skill, Strength, Attacks, and weapon profiles to resolve melee combat.
- Morale Phase: Rely on the Leadership stat to determine the outcome of morale checks.
Now that you have a better understanding of Imperial Guard Datasheets and how to use them, dive into the official publications to explore them for yourself. You can find them in your codex and supplements that contains complete and up-to-date Imperial Guard Datasheets.