Games Workshop has revealed new Astra Militarum rules, giving players an early look at Commissar Graves and three upcoming vehicles that could reshape how Imperial Guard armies play on the tabletop. The update focuses heavily on mechanised warfare, combining mobility, firepower and objective control into a more aggressive battlefield approach.
Leading the reveal is Commissar Graves, a striking new character who can be fielded either on foot or mounted on her heavily modified Centaur vehicle, Vigilance. Alongside her come the Centaur Rapid Strike Vehicle (RSV) and the fast-moving Hippogriff AFV, both designed to support high-speed infantry operations.
Commissar Graves brings mobile Orders and frontline pressure
Commissar Graves stands out as a hybrid leader built for both support and combat. Her defining ability, Mechanised Spearhead, allows Regiment units disembarking within 6 inches of her to immediately receive a free Order. This is a significant shift from traditional timing, letting Astra Militarum players deploy troops and boost their effectiveness in the same moment.
In objective-based missions, this can be decisive. Units stepping onto contested ground can instantly gain bonuses like improved Objective Control through Orders such as Duty and Honour!, making it easier to take or deny scoring positions.
When mounted on Vigilance, Graves becomes even more dangerous. The vehicle itself is designed for both durability and aggression, capable of absorbing damage while pushing into enemy lines. Its Aquiline Prow encourages direct charges, dealing mortal wounds on impact and weakening targets before melee combat begins.
Graves can then follow up with her power fist, Manus Mortis, giving her real threat in close quarters rather than just acting as a support piece.
Her Brutal Disciplinarian ability is also flexible depending on how she is deployed. On foot, its range matches her bolt pistol, while when mounted in Vigilance, it extends to the range of the vehicleâs gatling cannon. This effectively turns her into a moving aura platform that supports units across a wider section of the battlefield.
Even without her vehicle, Graves remains a strong Leader choice, capable of anchoring infantry squads while keeping them steady under pressure.
Centaur RSV and Hippogriff add speed and firepower
The Centaur RSV is more than just a transport option. Built to keep pace with frontline pushes, it can carry 10 Guardsmen along with two attached Characters, offering flexibility in how players structure their units.
Its standout feature is Firing Deck 12, which allows embarked units to shoot from inside the vehicle. This opens up powerful combinations, including loading it with Heavy Weapons Teams. Players can effectively field multiple lascannons or missile launchers on a fast-moving platform without exposing the squads inside.
Another key rule, Rapid Strike Vehicle, increases the Centaurâs Objective Control depending on how many models are embarked. At maximum capacity, it can reach OC 6, allowing it to compete directly with elite infantry units when contesting objectives.
This means the Centaur can hold ground even without disembarking troops, making it valuable in situations where stepping outside would be too risky.
The Hippogriff AFV, on the other hand, is built for flexibility and speed. It can be equipped with one of four main weapons: a heavy lascannon for anti-tank fire, a melta cannon for close-range damage, a vigilator cannon for versatility, or a chiron gatling cannon for anti-infantry roles.
Secondary weapon options, including a heavy stubber or meltagun, allow further customization depending on battlefield needs.
While it is less heavily armoured than larger Astra Militarum tanks, the Hippogriff compensates with mobility. Its Convoy Escort Vehicle rule allows it to reposition after shooting, effectively letting it strike and then retreat back into cover.
This makes it particularly useful for picking off key targets while avoiding retaliation, especially when combined with terrain.
Players can also field Hippogriffs in squads of two, increasing the efficiency of Orders and Stratagems while doubling their battlefield impact in a single activation.
According to the official preview on Warhammer Community, more units are still to be revealed before pre-orders begin, including additional characters and unique mounts.
Overall, the new Astra Militarum rules highlight a clear shift toward mechanised strategies. Instead of relying solely on static gunlines, players are encouraged to combine transports, infantry and fast vehicles to apply pressure across multiple objectives.
With Commissar Graves providing mobile Orders, the Centaur RSV offering protected firepower and objective control, and the Hippogriff delivering fast strike capability, Astra Militarum armies are set to feel faster, more flexible and more aggressive in upcoming games.
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