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'''Rough Riders''' are fast moving troops of the [[Imperial Guard]], mounted on a [[horse]]/animal/beast/[[grox]]/bike or other mount.

== Overview ==

They are deployed on the battlefield as scouts, patrol units and for quick hit-and-run attacks; living mounts allow Rough Riders to function far from [[Imperial]] supply lines, in terrain unsuitable for mechanised warfare, and avoid detection.{{Fn|1}} Though armoured no better than the average [[Guardsman]], their speed and manoeuvrability is their true asset on the battlefield, able to charge into the enemy's flanks for devastating effect.{{Fn|1}}

Rough Riders are primarily trained for close combat, not ranged assault, they are often armed simply with a [[hunting lance]] and [[laspistol]] or other close-combat weapon, as well as [[frag grenade|frag]] and [[krak grenade]]s; some squads will arm themselves with special weapons such as a [[flamer]], [[grenade launcher]], [[meltagun]] or [[plasma gun]]. Squads are generally composed of four to nine riders in addition to a [[Imperial Guard Sergeant|Sergeant]], who sometimes carries [[melta bomb]]s in addition to a [[power weapon]] or [[plasma pistol]].{{Fn|1}}

==Variations==

The Imperial Guard are not known for their exclusive use of [[Bike]]s, but occasionally Rough Rider Squadrons may be mounted on Bikes rather than the native animals. This confers no benefits or disadvantages to the rider, but is a fairly easy conversion project.{{Cite This}}

*{{Endn|1}}: [[Codex: Imperial Guard (5th Edition)]], pg. 44

*{{Endn|2}}: [[Codex: Catachans (3rd Edition)]], pg. 16

===Uncited===

*[[Codex: Imperial Guard (3rd Edition, 1st Codex)]]

*[[Codex: Imperial Guard (3rd Edition, 2nd Codex)]]

{{IGInfantry}}

[[Category:Cavalry]]

[[Category:Troops (Astra Militarum)]]

[[de:Imperiale Kavallerie]]