Difference between revisions of "Mordian Iron Guard"
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|align=center|[[Mordian 201st|201st]] | |align=center|[[Mordian 201st|201st]] | ||
|The [[Cyclops Demolition Vehicle]] of the 201th Mordian used for crowd control during the occupation of Hive Secundus of the [[Hive World]] [[Vaust]].{{Fn|5e}} | |The [[Cyclops Demolition Vehicle]] of the 201th Mordian used for crowd control during the occupation of Hive Secundus of the [[Hive World]] [[Vaust]].{{Fn|5e}} | ||
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| + | |The [[Mordian 276th]] fought against the [[Dark Eldar]] of [[Archeon]] [[Asdrubael Vect]].{{Fn|7b}} | ||
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|align=center|278th | |align=center|278th | ||
Revision as of 15:23, 25 September 2025
"They may spend every off-duty minute polishing their shiny boots and marching up and down the parade ground in perfect formation, but don't let that fool you. These men are steel-eyed, cold-blooded killers and I'd as soon have a platoon of them in my force as I would a company of other troops."
- Gharan O'Hen, Army 212 Chief of Staff, on the Mordian Iron Guard[3a]
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The Mordian Iron Guard are Regiments of the Imperial Guard hailing from the planet Mordian. They are famed across the Imperium for their discipline, infantry quality, and brightly colored uniforms.[3a][41]
Contents
Overview
The Mordian Iron Guard are Imperial Guard regiments, originally from the planet Mordian. A harsh and unforgiving planet given to extremes, it was ruled in the Emperor's name by a body known as the Tetrarchs. The rule of the Tetrarchs was harsh, autocratic and above all absolute, a necessity due to planet's scarce and strictly-rationed resources. This environment bred a regimental system dedicated to the chain of command and an iron discipline at all levels. The Mordian Iron Guard are named and renowned for their iron resolve and their dour and unforgiving natures.[41]
As of the formation of the Dark Imperium, the planet of Mordian had been assailed by Chaos[15] and in particularly the Thousand Sons, who have made multiple attempts on Mordian itself. While the Mordians have been able to break any heretic Cultist cells discovered on their homeworld, many other worlds in their sector have not fared so well.[41]
Recruitment & Training
To be allowed to join the ranks of the Mordian Iron Guard, one must display great discipline.[41] Training for the Iron Guard is as rigorous as possible, instilling in each Guardsman fierce loyalty and determination to their cause: the destruction of the Emperor's enemies and the preservation of Mordian.[3a] Training consists of endless repetition, be it the pressing of uniforms, parade drills, bayonet practice, and live-fire exercises. This instills strict indoctrination within Mordians and builds a loyalty towards their officer class that borders on fanaticism.[41] It is only through their legendary discipline and ruthless pursuit of the enemy that the Iron Guard can prevent their world from descending into starvation and savagery.[1a]
Among the most dependable troops in the entire Imperium, a Mordian Guardsman will follow orders to the letter and without a moment's hesitation, firing and reloading his lasgun in the heat of battle until he or his enemy has been destroyed.[3a] These die-hard soldiers are all accomplished sharpshooters and proficient in close order drills.[2c] Incidents of insubordination are incredibly rare within the Iron Guard.[41]
Doctrine and Tactics
A Mordian Iron Guard regiment in battle is a solid wall of brightly-uniformed, perfectly-formed soldiers who cut through the enemy's ranks with precisely-timed volleys of fire behind a hedge of polished bayonets.[3a] Even in the face of the overwhelming daemonic hordes of Chaos, Iron Guard regiments will stand their ground, striking down their foe with disciplined fire; if forced to withdraw their lines will never break.[1b] They organize their support weapons into separate Heavy Weapons Platoons and make use of both Ratling Snipers and Sanctioned Psykers on the battlefield.[2c]
In combat, the Iron Guard relies heavily upon their infantry. Few other Regiments can match the lasgun drill of Mordian soldiery in either rate of fire or accuracy. When combined with their precise and potent artillery, these skills render the Mordians particularly effective when on the defense.[41]
Mordians have a reputation for following orders to the letter without hesitation, and will methodically fire and reload if they are instructed to despite their battlefield situation. This respect for the chain of command makes the Iron Guard popular amongst Imperial commanders.[41]
Equipment
The Iron Guards prefer to go into combat wearing the same dress-style uniforms they do on the parade ground. The bright colors and elaborate decoration on Mordian uniforms often mislead their enemies into thinking they are facing ceremonial troops with little combat experience, though this misapprehension is usually corrected as soon as they attempt to advance in the face of the Iron Guards' precise volleys and unyielding resolve. Upon their formation each regiment is presented a lavish banner, created within the Tetrarchal Palace, during a ceremony at which every Guardsman swears to never let it fall or be captured.[3a] Their preferred squad special weapon is the Grenade Launcher while the Lascannon is the principle heavy weapon.[2c]
Besides their preference for infantry, the Mordians also are renowned for precise artillery.[41]
Notable Engagements
- Battle of Mordian[1a]
- Macharian Crusade[1a]
- Battle of the Marble Garden[1c]
- Battle for Sularian Gate[23]
- Pandorax Campaign[24]
- Sabbat Worlds Crusade[22]
- Achilus Crusade[25]
- The Fall of Malvolion[26]
- Pacification of the T'arq System.[34]
- Third War for Armageddon — 6 Regiments of Iron Guard participated in the defence of Hive Death Mire.[32][34]
- 13th Black Crusade[27]
- The Battle of Gathalamor[28]
- Second Relief of Mordian[29]
- Battle of the Stygius Gilt[38c]
- The War of Beasts on Vigilus[30]
- The Taking of the Garron Orbital[17]
- War Zone Chalnath[40]
Notable Regiments
Infantry
| Regiment | Notes |
| 2nd | The Mordian 2nd were part of the Macharian Crusade and were victorious in their objectives during the Invasion of Jucha.[2a] |
| 3rd | The Mordian 3rd is one of the most decorated and celebrated Iron Guard regiments on Mordian. It took part in the defence of Hive Barbarossa against an Ork Waaagh! during the Battle of the Marble Garden.[3a] |
| 4th | Known only by saying of its Captain Macros.[11] |
| 7th | Fought against the 13th Black Crusade.[6] |
| 10th | Fought against the 13th Black Crusade.[6] |
| 11th | Fought in the Sabbat Worlds Crusade, notably at the Battle of Balhaut.[4] |
| 16th | Fought against the 13th Black Crusade.[6] |
| 17th | Fought in the Battle for Honoria, in which they were led by Colonel Oosthousen.[18] Also fought against feral orks on Kallash.[45] |
| 24th | Fought in the Third War for Armageddon, but only a few of its Guardsmen remain after the Regiment was ambushed by Orks.[44] |
| 26th | The Mordian 26th served under Lord Marshal Graf Harazahn of the Vostroyan Firstborn, supreme commander of the Imperial forces on Medusa V.[8] |
| 33rd | The 33rd Mordian Iron Guard, alongside the 91st, made up the defense of a city-sized promethium refinery on the planet of Phrixis against a Tyranid splinter fleet. They held out for months, until the 91st were wiped out by a cataclysmic explosion caused by a dying Tyranid bio-titan. Those of the 33rd that survived the explosion were found along the perimeter, and holding the line against the Tyranid swarms until their ammunition ran dry and they were wiped out.[14] The unit also tooke part in the Fall of Medusa V.[39] |
| 48th | Known as Maven's Fusiliers. Fought alongside the Cadian 16th Armoured Division at Kasr Sonnen on Cadia during the 13th Black Crusade, where they gained fame for fighting to only 5 men left against Chaos forces.[41] |
| 50th | Known as the Fort Baton Regulars.[13a] |
| 56th | The 56th Mordian is a mechanised force,[1b] responsible for ending the Komarl Revolt. Their execution of a tenth of the planet's population for failing in their duty to the Emperor, and the fear of further reprisals, ensured the planet's future loyalty to His divine rule.[3b] |
| 84th | Took part in the Battle of Gathalamor[21], Revolt on Kamidar[37], War on Barren[38a], and the assault on the Blackstone Fortress belonging to the Hand of Abaddon.[38c] |
| 91st | The 91st Mordian Iron Guard, alongside the 33rd, made up the defense of a city-sized promethium refinery on the planet of Phrixis against a Tyranid splinter fleet. They hold out for months, until the 91st are wiped out by a cataclysmic explosion caused by a dying Tyranid bio-titan.[14] |
| 93rd | The 93rd Mordian Iron Guard took part in the defense of Cadia during the 13th Black Crusade. The regiment was wiped out, its final soldier dying during the defense of Kasr Myrak.[16] |
| 98th | Dispatched by the Imperial Governor of Malaeor to put down a gathering of pilgrims, responsible for the spread of Retchpox disease. The gathering led to the summoning of the Great Unclean One Obloxxothrax and his plague minions, who overran the 98th.[35] |
| 113th | Fought against the 13th Black Crusade.[6] |
| 199th | Designated as heavy infantry. Fought in War Zone Chalnath. Part of reinforcements from the Riatov System that prevented Wlydreach from being overrun by the Cult of the Reaping Talon.[40] |
| 201st | The Cyclops Demolition Vehicle of the 201th Mordian used for crowd control during the occupation of Hive Secundus of the Hive World Vaust.[5e] |
| 276th | The Mordian 276th fought against the Dark Eldar of Archeon Asdrubael Vect.[7b] |
| 278th | The Mordian 278th took part in the battle for Baric Six when it lost two entire armoured companies due to a Deathstrike Missile Launcher stolen by Ork Lootas.[3c] |
| 415th | The Old Indefatigables, as the 415th are nicknamed, forged themselves a legendary reputation during the last bloody months of the Karnak Crusade.[43] |
| 667th | Fought against the 13th Black Crusade.[6] |
Armoured
| Regiment | Notes |
| 4th Armoured | Known as the Cobalt Lions.[13b] |
| 12th Armoured | Extremely well-drilled and efficient, the 15 Companies of the Mordian 12th Armoured each consist of thirteen Leman Russ Battle Tanks. They have recently been deployed to the Calixis Sector. Currently commanded by Colonel Halon Tanz.[9b] |
| 16th Armoured | The Mordian 16th Armoured regiment contains a Stygies VIII pattern Leman Russ Vanquisher. It is either of the first company or of the third, depending on the markings of the vehicle.[5a] The Hydra Flak Tanks of this Regiment fought with the secessionist fighter wing during the struggle on Kaanis Scriptoria.[10] Also the Regiment includes Tarantula sentry guns.[5f] |
| 84th Armoured | The Mordian 84th Armoured regiment contains a Chimeras with Heavy Flamers.[5c] |
| 3rd Heavy Tank Company | The 3rd Mordian Heavy Tank Company is known to include a Mars-pattern Shadowsword (possibly known as Alpha Three[7a]) as the third tank of the company, although the rest of the company is a mix of Baneblades, Shadowswords and Stormblades.[5b] Also contains Salamander Command as utility and support vehicles.[5d] |
Mordian Artillery
| Regiment | Notes |
| Mordian 8th Artillery Battalion | |
| 21st Mordian Artillery |
Mordian Light Patrol
| Regiment | Notes |
| 77th Mordian Light Patrol |
Notable Members
- Saint Magda Kesh — Originally a Sergeant of the 84th during the Indomitus Crusade[21], she was later promoted to Captain following her actions on Barren before being declared a Living Saint by Inquisitor Leonid Rostov after manifesting wings and emitting holy light during an assault on a Blackstone Fortress[38d]
- General Darcus Heiss — Commander of the regiments that defended Hive Death Mire during the Third War for Armageddon.[34]
- General Geinst[20]
- General Kraig — Commander of the Mordian 26th during the Fall of Medusa V.[8]
- General Luthor Dvorgin — Commander of the 84th Mordian Iron Guard during the Indomitus Crusade[21]
- Colonel Vargrif[31]
- Colonel Drask — Colonel of the Mordian 10th.[19]
- Lieutenant Brusak — A Lieutenant of the Mordian 26th during the Fall of Medusa V.[8]
- Sergeant Kolst — A Sergeant of the 211th Mordian, Capital Garrison.[Needs Citation]
Notable Named Vehicles
- Alpha Three — Shadowsword.[7]
- Mordian Honour — Baneblade. Destroyed during the Third War for Armageddon.[33]
- Steel Strider — Sentinel[12]
Gallery
Mordian Iron Guard[34]
Mordian Iron Guard in battle[3a]
Various patterns of Mordian uniforms[42]
Mordian Iron Guard Commander
Mordian Iron Guards with Autocannon
Mordian Iron Guards with Heavy Bolter
Mordian Iron Guards with Lascannon
Mordian Iron Guards with Mortar
Mordian Iron Guards with Missile Launcher
Mordian Iron Guard Commissar on a Pegasus Command Vehicle
See also
Sources
- 1: Codex: Imperial Guard (2nd Edition):
- 2: Codex: Imperial Guard (3rd Edition, 2nd Codex):
- 3: Codex: Imperial Guard (5th Edition):
- 4: The Sabbat Worlds Crusade (Background Book), pg. 45
- 5: Imperial Armour Volume One - Imperial Guard and Imperial Navy:
- 6: The 13th Black Crusade (Background Book), pg. 91
- 7: Imperial Armour - Apocalypse
- 8: The Fall of Medusa V (booklet), pg. 33
- 9: Only War Core Rulebook:
- 10: Imperial Armour Volume One - Second Edition: Imperial Guard, pg. 176
- 11: Strategy Cards for Planetary Empires expansion game, card Disruptor Field - Minor Stratagem", (saved archive page, dated February 2011, last accessed 6 October 2015)
- 12: Warhammer: Visions 16, pg. 154
- 13: Codex: Astra Militarum (8th Edition):
- 14: Codex: Tyranids (8th Edition), pg. 17
- 15: Warhammer 40,000 8th Edition Rulebook, pgs. 164-165
- 16: Cadia Stands (Novel), pg. 58[Needs Citation]
- 17: The Imperial Infantryman's Handbook, pg. 37
- 18: The Eye of Ezekiel (Novel), Chapter Eight
- 19: Codex: Harlequins (8th Edition), pg. 37
- 20: White Dwarf 453, pg. 65
- 21: The Gate of Bones (Novel), Dramatis Personae
- 22: First and Only (Novel) — The Founding (Omnibus), Part Six, Chapter One
- 23: Codex: Dark Angels (4th Edition), pgs. 41-42
- 24: Warhammer 40,000 7th Edition Rulebook - The Pandorax Incursion
- 25: Deathwatch Core Rulebook, pgs. 331–349
- 26: Warhammer: Visions 1, pgs. 124-127
- 27: Codex: Eye of Terror (3rd Edition), pg. 9
- 28: The Gate of Bones (Novel), Chapter Seven
- 29: Codex Supplement: Iron Hands (8th Edition), pgs. 32-33
- 30: Imperium Nihilus: Vigilus Defiant, pg. 73
- 31: Codex: Imperial Knights (6th Edition) — Knight Worlds of the Imperium - Knights at War
- 32: Codex: Armageddon (3rd Edition), pg. 32
- 33: Warhammer 40,000: Escalation, pg. 7
- 34: Third War For Armageddon - Imperial Forces: Mordian Iron Guard (archived page, last accessed via Wayback Machine 11th August 2022)
- 35: Codex: Chaos Daemons (9th Edition), pg. 23
- 36: Codex: Astra Militarum (9th Edition), pg. 19
- 37: The Iron Kingdom (Novel)
- 38: Hand of Abaddon (Novel):
- 39: Games Workshop - Medusa V - Week 8 Report (saved archive page, dated 11 July 2007, last accessed 8 March 2025, original link: http://medusav.uk.games-workshop.com/campaign/factions/imperialguard/imperialguard8.htm)
- 40: White Dwarf 507, pgs. 58 — War Zone Chalnath - Insidious Threat
- 41: Codex: Astra Militarum (10th Edition), pg. 36
- 42: Games Workshop webstore : Mordian Iron Guard Squad (saved archive)
- 43: Execution Hour (Novel), Part four, Four
- 44: Citadel Journal 48, pgs. 20-21 — Last Stand at Asch Creek
- 45: Iron Resolve (Novella), 1100
