Astra Militarum

Where this topic stands

The Astra Militarum are one of four playable factions confirmed for launch, announced by Games Workshop on 12 December 2025 alongside the Space Marines, the Orks and the Aeldari. The publisher’s own game page describes them as the largest human fighting force in the setting, a fortress of flesh and steel whose legions advance under the roar of battle tanks and the thunder of artillery. Press coverage of the 7 June 2026 presentation reports that the Astra Militarum were the faction shown in gameplay, defending Armageddon. As of 17 August 2026 no statistic has been published for any unit in this game.

What the tabletop establishes

The Imperial Guard, also called the Astra Militarum, is the setting’s army of ordinary humans. Its familiar image combines large infantry formations with tanks and artillery. That combination gives a Total War audience a recognisable starting point: soldiers held in line by discipline, supported by heavier weapons, and exposed when that support fails. The faction’s appeal lies in how those parts work together, rather than in a single soldier’s strength. Its final balance against the other launch factions remains unknown.

The Imperium’s standing army, and the largest fighting force in the setting: ordinary humans in overwhelming numbers, supported by massed artillery and tank divisions. On the tabletop they trade individual quality for volume of fire and bodies.

Tabletop identity, as established by Games Workshop. It says nothing about the video game.

What has actually been shown

Warhammer Community confirmed the faction on 12 December 2025. The publisher’s Steam description mentions tanks and artillery in its faction overview and describes general systems such as army customisation and reinforcements; it does not provide named Astra Militarum unit entries or their statistics. Press accounts of the 7 June 2026 PC Gaming Show name Cadian Shock Troops, Kasrkin, Ogryns led by Commissars, Leman Russ and Rogal Dorn tanks, Sentinel walkers and a Baneblade, with concept art of a Primaris Psyker shown as a support unit. These names are presented here as press reporting on that presentation, not as a complete launch roster or a final set of rules. The cited reports do not supply their unit statistics.

What to watch next

The useful question is how ordinary infantry and heavy armour share an army’s resources. Press accounts name Cadian troops as well as a Baneblade, but do not give their recruitment costs, limits or final statistics. If infantry is inexpensive and a super-heavy vehicle consumes a large part of the budget, the choice could be between spreading strength across the field and concentrating it in a few assets. Other recruitment or supply rules could change that trade-off. The sources reviewed do not yet explain it. Information correct as of 5 September 2026.