Minis For War Painting Studio

Astra Militarum army photoshoot on terrain with usage of buildings

How to Start an Astra Militarum Army?

Astra Militarum army photoshoot on terrain with usage of buildings

A Guide for New Warhammer Players and Collectors

So, you’re thinking about starting an Astra Militarum army, huh?

Let’s start with a few questions:

  • Do you dream about trenches, shovel fights and charging through no-man’s-land while being under artillery fire?
  • Do you like to read articles about the Battle of Stalingrad/Verdun (where soldiers were used as cannon fodder)?
  • Do you like big guns, massive cannons and chunky tanks?
  • Do you enjoy having a table full of models during gameplay? Or perhaps you have shelves waiting to be filled?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, Astra Militarum might be the perfect fit for you.

In the lore, the Astra Militarum is the largest force of the Imperium, drawn from all corners of the Empire. Their sole purpose is to defend the galaxy against the endless horrors of the Warhammer 40k universe. This faction also closely resembles more ‘traditional’ military structures and aesthetics compared to most armies.

From a gameplay perspective, it’s one of the most established factions in the game. Additionally, with the new release of the Death Korps of Krieg, Astra received an updated codex, which adds a lot of new units, detachments, and more. With numerous regiments available within the Astra Militarum, there is a wide variety of possible playstyles as well.

And for sure they look neat on the shelf next to your gun, gas masks, or WW I shovels collection.

So, where do we start?

Astra Militarum army photoshoot on terrain with usage of buildings
Astra Militarum Army in white and blue colour scheme.

Choose your regiment

An excellent first step in building an Astra Militarum army is selecting a regiment to focus on. This choice provides a solid foundation for determining the long-term appearance of your entire forces. This is primarily for aesthetic purposes to have the army painted in one style, rather than having mismatched units. 

There are A LOT of Astra regiments, but from visual perspective there are some worth mentioning:

  • Krieg – they’re all about a grim WWI trench warfare vibe. Most known regiment: the Death Korps of Krieg.
  • Cadian – probably the most classic Astra look: big guns, chunky helmets, and solid armor. Most known regiment: Cadian Shock Troopers.
  • Catachan – jungle Rambos. And that’s it folks. Most known regiment: Catachan Jungle Fighters
  • Vostroyan – imagine Russian Tsar’s bodyguards in space. Most known regiment: Vostroyan Firstborn
  • Armageddon – when post-apo meets WWII Americans fighting in Africa. Most known regiment: Armageddon Steel Legion 

You can find more about regiments in the Warhammer 40k universe here, but honestly, we’ve already covered the coolest ones, which you can find to purchase as well.

Of course, nothing’s stopping you from mixing things up and having, say, two regiments in one army (like some Korps of Krieg alongside Cadian Shock Troopers). They can look awesome together, especially if you stick to a cohesive painting style.

Astra Militarum army photoshoot on terrain with usage of buildings
See these bald guys on the left? Every Astra unit is blending in, with proper painting.

What an Astra Militarum army should include?

Infantry 

Core of every Astra militarum army. You need them a lot, because they are meant to be sacrificed in the dark corners of the galaxy. 

Here different regiments really get to shine. Most of them don’t come with their own tanks or artillery, so the infantry defines the style of your army. 

Of course, there are exceptions: Death Korps of Krieg get their own artillery, and the Tempestus Scions (Astra’s special forces) have a dedicated heavy transport vehicle. 

However most of the time it’s the infantry that sets the tone for your entire army

Astra Militarum army photoshoot on terrain with usage of buildings
Remember folks, no one dies without a proper reason!
Astra Militarum army photoshoot on terrain with usage of buildings
Chimera troop transporter.

Transporters

A lot of your units will need some kind of transport. That’s why you’ll love to have a lot of armored vehicles to get your troops from point A to point B – preferably without them getting blown up on the way.

 

You’ve got plenty of options here: Chimera, Taurox, or even Pegasus transporters are all solid picks.

TANKS

Your tanks are the real heavy hitters. Unlike infantry, they’re NOT disposable – you’ll have fewer of them, so every single tank matters.

The Astra Militarum has a killer lineup of tanks – from the trusty Leman Russ to the beefy Rogal Dorn Battle Tank, and all the way up to the monstrous Banehammer Super Tank

Astra Militarum army photoshoot on terrain with usage of buildings
From the left: Leman Russ, Rogal Dorn, and Banehammer Tanks.
Mighty Valkyrie VTOL aircraft.

 Other units

The rest is optional, but honestly, it’s always nice to see them in an Astra army. You’ve got tons to pick from – artillery, static cannons, walkers, and more.

Astra even has a VTOL ship called Valkyrie, and can be an interesting addition.



Astra Militarum armies are HUGE, and we paint them just the way they deserve to be.

Thinking about starting an army but dreading the painting part? Hit us up! We love bringing big armies to life!

Curious about our work? Check out our Instagram and gallery to see if we’re the right studio for you!

See you next time! 

Remember to sacrifice your Astra soldiers efficiently!

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