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Warhammer 40K: 5 Famous Astra Militarum Heroes

3 Minute Read
Feb 17 2021
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When it comes to Heroes of the Imperium these 5 Astra Militarum characters have legends that can stand next to any Space Marine!

The Adeptus Astartes might be the Angels of Death for the Emperor, but the Astra Militarum is the largest fighting force in the galaxy. The brave foot soldiers of the Imperium might be a countless mass of lasguns but even among their number they have legendary heroes. Today, we’re taking a closer look at 5 of the most famous heroes in all of the Astra Militarum – FOR THE GUARD!

Lord Commander Solar Macharius

Lord Commander Solar Macharius (356-400.M41) is widely regarded as the greatest Imperial Guard commander in Imperial history. His conquests, known as the Macharian Crusade, beginning in 392.M41, reached the edge of galactic space, and brought nearly a thousand worlds under Imperial control within only seven years of fighting. He was one of the greatest Living Saints in Imperial history and is considered the greatest Saint of the Imperial Guard.

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Lord Castellan Ursarkar E. Creed

Lord Castellan Ursarkar E. Creed was a Lord General of the Astra Militarum and the leader of the Imperial forces of Cadia during the 13th Black Crusade. He was the most renowned of all Cadian Shock Troopers and has led Imperial forces through the most important battles that the Cadians have ever faced, from raids by the Eldar to the periodic Black Crusades led by the forces of Chaos.

Commissar Sebastian Yarrick

Sebastian Yarrick is an Imperial Guard Commissar famous for his participation in the Second and Third Wars for Armageddon, in which he twice fought against the Ork forces of Warlord Ghazghkull Mag Uruk Thraka. His leadership and bravery during these conflicts have made him one of the greatest heroes of the Imperium.

Lord Militant General Ibram Gaunt

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Lord Militant General Ibram Gaunt was an Astra Militarum officer best known for his long-running command of the Tanith First and Only Imperial Guardregiment, also known as “Gaunt’s Ghosts“. A favoured subordinate of the Imperial Warmaster Slaydo, the once simply Commissar Gaunt was given the unusual distinction of regimental command by the Warmaster on his deathbed. Gaunt was to assume command of three Imperial Guard regiments drawn from the backwoods world of Tanith, but terrible tragedy during their Founding resulted in only enough men for a single regiment surviving. Gaunt would go on to turn these ragtag, ill-disciplined, under-equipped survivors into one of the most notable and successful regiments that served during the Sabbat Worlds Crusade, though it took a long time for their achievements to be noted and rewarded. Gaunt ultimately rose to the rank of First Lord Executor, serving as right-hand man and acknowledged successor to Warmaster Macaroth.

Colonel ‘Iron Hand’ Straken

Colonel ‘Iron Hand’ Straken, renowned as Catachan‘s “Man of Adamantium”, is the commanding officer of the Catachan II “Green Vipers” regiment of the Imperial Guard. His nom de guerre comes from his unique Bionics, which replaced the portions of his body devoured by a Miral Land Shark, which he killed mere moments later, by ripping its throat open with his teeth. Larger than life and twice as violent, Straken can always be found where the fighting is thickest.

Want to learn more about the Heroes of the Astra Militarum? Check out the Lexicanum!

 

The Imperial Guard has dozens of Heroes and Saints – who’s your favorite?

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Author: Adam Harrison
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