His Bloated Magnificence...

I present the most Venerable Lord Kroak, as he was in ages long gone.

Venerable Lord Kroak, First of the Slann Mage-Priests

The Six Horsemen

And lo, the gates of Hell were torn asunder and the chosen of Darkness came forth...

The Red Angel, The Eater of Worlds, The Covenant of Destruction...
Angron, Demon Primarch of the World Eaters Legion

The Incandescent Eye, The Prince of Change, The Primatus Arcanus...
Magnus, Demon Primarch of the Thousand Sons Legion

The Putrescent Paladin, The Reaper of Despair, The Touch of Death...
Mortarion, Demon Primarch of the Death Guard Legion

The Glorious Defiler, The Avatar of Excess, The Caress of the Dark Prince...
Fulgrim, Demon Primarch of the Emperor's Children Legion

The Ruinous Preacher, The Unholy Demagogue, The Bearer of the Word...
Lorgar, Demon Primarch of the Word Bearers Legion

The Iron Demon, The Bastion Breaker, The Shield of Chaos...
Perturabo, Primarch of the Iron Warriors Legion

The Green Demon

The finest killer under Gork's cross-eyed gaze...

Grimgor Ironhide, Gork's Best Boss

The Red Angel

The Eater of Worlds hath come...

Angron, Demon Primarch of the World Eaters

Codex Imperial Guard Design Philosophy

MAJOR PLANNED CHANGES

Abandoning the order system.

I have never been a fan of implementing special rules for their own sake, nor have I been a fan of granting one army unique special rules that every other army can logically justify.  There is no reason why a Space Marine Squad, a Chaos Space Marine Squad, an Aspect Warrior Squad, a Kabalite Warrior Squad, a Fire Warrior Squad, or even an Ork Mob can’t use the orders that Guardsmen get.  While I have to give the order system its due for being effective, my rules design is as much about background as it is battlefield effectiveness.  In place of the order system, Commanders will get to pass around Leadership bonuses.

Abandoning tank squadrons.

I can fully understand the focus on Imperial Guard armored vehicles as a major thematic element, but frankly there are more balanced ways to do it than granting a 2000 point army the ability to drop nine pie plates on turn 1.  Leman Russ and Ordnance tanks will be 1 for 1, but there will be ways to swap Fast Attack choices or Elites choices for Heavy Support, most likely from a tank platoon commander.

Variation in unit entry instead of separate choices.

Where possible and convenient, I am going to incorporate minute changes such as turret swaps to into single unit entries.  All Leman Russ tanks will be incorporated into a single, smoother entry with the battle tank serving as the template.  The same will apply to Ordnance tanks, with the Griffon being the base and all sorts of siege weapon options.  This will be a common occurrence through many armies, with examples being Land Raider and Predator variants.   

Rough Rider platoons. 

Simple but huge shift in my opinion.  There might be a slight point increase, but the purpose here is to allow a player to create a massive cavalry hammer for his/her army. 

Return of doctrines.

The original document will be a barebones army list with rules and wargear, but eventually doctrines will follow so that the army can be altered to make Catachans, Valhallans, Vostroyans, etc.  The background demands!

Lower costs and Leadership.

Many infantry units will receive small price and Leadership reductions, mostly to fit the image of the Guard as a horde army.  Before you panic about the Leadership, remember my comments above concerning officers.  Vox-casters and commander special rules, reinforced by priests and commissars, will make an Infantry force quite stable and viable. 

MINOR PLANNED CHANGES

Commissars shift to function as Priests and Enginseers.

You will be able to take 0-5 Commissars, each with 2 wounds and a 6” stubborn bubble.

Autocannons gain AP 3.

Autocannons fire huge caliber shells more than capable of obliterating standard power armor.  This is a buff to give the unit a flexible heavy weapon that can tackle light vehicles and MEQ units, as the autocannon should be.  This change will be consistent throughout the new codices.

Expansion of psychic powers.

I don’t intend for the Guard to be a top tier psychic army, but Primaris Psykers and Battle squads will get some variation and a method of defense.  Battle squads will also be toned down slightly, as I have read that they are overpowered.

Let me know what you think.  More ideas will come as they occur to me.

The First Phoenix King

For those of you who like Herohammer, here's a 1000 point deathstar juggernaut for WHFB.

Aenarion, The First Phoenix King

The Supreme Grand Master

Sons of the Lion, I present your Father.

Lion El'Jonson, Primarch of the Dark Angels Legion