Warhammer 40k Armies – Praetorian Guard

My 1,000 points Praetorian Guard army for Warhammer 40k 7th Edition is finally completed. It started out 20 years ago with the Chimera and the lascannon teams taking part in a tank battle. Since then the other elements gradually came together, with the occasional interruption for re-basing and additional detailing on parts that had already been finished.

Taking up positions in an abandoned outpost

Similar to my Mordian Iron Guard, this Praetorian Guard force is based around an infantry platoon with attached weapons teams and some armoured support. The backbone of the Imperial Guard taking to the field.

A forward headquarters is being established

Squads are ordered into a defensive perimeter

The reconnaissance element consists of a Sentinel with multilaser and two 3-man teams of Ratling Snipers. All suitable choices for the savannah like area of operations I have in mind.

The Sentinel is brought up to run patrol

A multilaser also provides solid offensive capabilities

“Quick, secure the pantry!”

Fire support is provided by lascannons and a mix of heavy bolters and an autocannon. When I saw how people had swapped the lascannon wheels for those from the old Ork artillery, I borrowed the idea.

The big guns hunker down behind improvised barricades

Any attackers will wade through a hail of bullets

A mortar battery lays down suppressive fire

The Lemon Russ was the last model to be finished. All vehicles ended up with different shades of sand colour, since several generations of paints went out of production during the raising of this force. I chose to interpret it as adding to the realism of an army supplied by the Adeptus Administratum.

The Leman Russ acts as a mobile strong point

While I was avoiding painting the tank I decided to convert the veteran squad and accordingly also the Command HQ which is formed of veteran soldiers. I both wanted to add variety to the appearance of the infantry units and also make it easier to tell them apart on the battlefield. The topknots were mainly plundered from the Chaos Marauders for Warhammer Fantasy Battle which is a kit that keeps on giving.

The Command HQ flies the banner of Praetoria

A veteran squad brings experience and firepower

There are another 500 points of reinforcements in different stages of assembly and painting, so the Praetorian Guard will be added to whenever inspiration for them strikes me.

The Chimera is a mobile command vehicle

Men and machines in the service of the Imperium

“Smite the enemies of the Imperium, for Praetoria!”