The Imperial Guard’s doctrine is how the Astra Militarum turns a million worlds’ worth of traditions into one army list. You pick two Regimental Doctrines from fifteen, and that choice defines how your Guardsmen fight, what Stratagems they unlock, and which heroes you can throw together without a second thought.
What the doctrine actually is
In the tabletop game, the Imperial Guard’s doctrine shows up as Regimental Doctrines. You choose two from a list of fifteen, and each one reflects a way of war: crushing artillery barrages, top-tier armour, iron discipline in the ranks, or dirty guerrilla fighting.
That pick shapes your army’s strengths and often unlocks themed Stratagems. It’s customisation without the old lock-in, so you’re never forced to commit to one named regiment just to get the rules you like.
The system was revealed by Warhammer Community ahead of the Cadian army box, and Spikey Bits covered it on 8 November 2022. Fifteen doctrines, two picks each, ninety-three possible combinations.
- Pick two doctrines from fifteen options.
- Each doctrine grants a passive bonus and often a unique keyword.
- Those keywords unlock themed Stratagems.
- You can mix units and characters from any regiment freely.
Why it matters for list building
Doctrines let you field the army you picture. You can rebuild a famous regiment from the lore or invent your own home world and give it a history that fits your models.
The tactical depth is real too. With ninety-three combinations, two Guard players at the same club can turn up with forces that play nothing alike, even if they’re both running Cadian shock troops as the backbone.
One cited bonus is ignoring all modifiers for combat attrition. For Guard players, that’s genuinely good news: you’re less likely to watch a battered squad melt away after a bad round of shooting.
Regimental Tactics and orders
Ordering your troops around got easier with the new codex. If every model in your army has the ASTRA MILITARUM keyword, your OFFICERS can use the Regimental Tactics ability to spread their directives across multiple units at once.
In practice, that’s two orders for every one issued. You get far more mileage out of the same handful of officers, and the massed infantry that defines the Guard keeps fighting at peak efficiency instead of standing around waiting for instructions.
It’s a clean fit for the lore. Astra Militarum officers are drilled to command any of the Emperor’s loyal servants, so the rules finally match the fiction.
Mixing regiments and named characters
Once you’ve settled on your doctrines, there are no restrictions on combining your favourite units and heroes, no matter where they come from. Cadians can act as support on top of your chosen regiment rather than replacing it.
The classic example is Ursula Creed. She wouldn’t let something as trivial as a different uniform stop her from ordering Death Korps or Attilan Rough Riders into the breach alongside other regiments. That image sums up the whole design philosophy.
It’s also a practical win for hobbyists. You don’t have to hunt down expensive older models just to play a particular regiment’s style. If you like Steel Legion rules but only own Cadians, you can still take the doctrine.
Stratagems tied to lore
Some doctrines grant unique keywords like EXPERT BOMBARDIERS or VETERAN GUERILLAS. Those specialists are even better at using powerful Stratagems that mirror classic fighting styles.
The flavour is deliberate. Catachan Stratagems lean into their trap-setting proclivities, while Valhallan commanders get rules reflecting their flagrant disregard for subordinate safety. You’re more than buying a stat boost; you’re buying a bit of character.
So picking the right doctrine gives you the initial benefit and opens up a decent number of specific Stratagems on top. That’s where a lot of the army’s personality lives.
Key facts
- The Imperial Guard’s doctrine is represented by Regimental Doctrines in the tabletop game.
- You pick two doctrines from a list of fifteen, giving ninety-three possible combinations.
- Each doctrine reflects a fighting style like artillery, armour, discipline, or guerrilla warfare.
- Doctrines grant passive bonuses and often unlock unique Stratagems.
- The Regimental Tactics ability lets OFFICERS issue two orders for every one when every model has the ASTRA MILITARUM keyword.
- You can mix units and heroes from any regiment without restriction, including named characters like Ursula Creed.
FAQ
How many Regimental Doctrines are there?
There are fifteen doctrines, and you choose two for your army. That gives ninety-three possible combinations.
Can I mix different regiments in one army?
Yes. The doctrine system removes restrictions on mixing units and heroes from different regiments, and Cadians can act as support on top of whatever you’ve chosen.
Do doctrines affect gameplay?
They do. Each doctrine gives a passive bonus and may unlock unique Stratagems tied to that fighting style, like ignoring all modifiers for combat attrition.
What is the Regimental Tactics ability?
If every model in your army has the ASTRA MILITARUM keyword, your OFFICERS can spread directives to multiple units at once, effectively giving you two orders for every one issued.