Allright folks, heres your version (might become the main version) of my WIP that's also up on Warseer and RM/Terra. I apologise in advance for the inevitable double posting that is sure to follow, but there's alot of stuff...
So here you guys go. This is a VERY background driven army, and I'll ay in advance that when I army list pops up I'll take any critisicms on playability/competitiveness but my goal is not to build a super tourny list, thats really how I want it to be. Now backgorund based suggestions, fire away!
BackgroundAs most of you already know I love Krieg. I've been a huge fan of the Death Korps of Krieg ever since I fist picked up a copy of the Armageddon 3 Codex/supplement and the Imperial Guard codex. That little picture of the Death Korps on pg. 61 was all it took to inspire me to make a Death Korps army to attach to my Black Templar/Other Guard Crusade. Little did I know it would grow to an 8-10k pts monstrosity. Before FW I experimented with Steel Legion models and green stuff, and while that did build up my almost non-existent GS skills to meagre status, they just didnt come out quite right. So with the release of the FW Death Korps line I immediatly jumped on board and made mortal enemies with my cashflow.
Plan/AimSince the 501st is more of an army rather than a single division or regiment in the Imperial Guard, I'm trying to represent a combined arms force. The Isenherz division represents an infantry division with attached Grenadiers, Pioneers and Jagers and the Isenblut takes care of Armor and Artillery. All of these branches have their own color schemes and provide some uniqueness to the painting of the army. As for inspiration, I'm drawing heavily on WW1 and WW2 Germany for particular sections, though overall the army tends to feel more Imperial German/Prussian with the massed infantry and such.
Now some basics to help you all understand the Army:
501st Death Korps of Krieg 'Isenherz/Isenblut'501st Death Korps Commander: Lord Militant Baron Jürgen Ulrich von Lexus
’Isenherz’ Divisional Commander: Field Marshall Sigismund von Höhenstaufen
’Isenblüt’ Divisional Commander: Orden Marshall Ortwinus ”The Saint“ von Munich
Isenherz Division:Kampfgruppe/Combat Battalion = 2 Infantry Battalions
Infantry Battalion = 5 Große Kompanies
Große Kompanie = 10 Infantry Kompanies
Infantry Kompanie = 10 Infantry Platoons
Infantry Platoon = 4-8 Infantry Squads
Infantry Squad = 10 Soldiers
Total Operational Strength:
1 Korps
2 Kampfgruppen/Combat Battalions (158th ‘Kuspen’ Combat Battalion and 310th ‘Graf Jurten’ Combat Battalion)
4 Infantry Battalion
20 Große Kompanies
200 Infantry Kompanies
2,000 Infantry Platoons
16,000 Infantry Squads
Total: 160,000 Soldiers
Actual Operational Strength:
1 Korps
2 Kampfgruppen/Combat battalions (158th ‘Kuspen’ Combat Battalion and 310th ‘Graf Jurten’ Combat Battalion)
4 Infantry Battalion
20 Große Kompanies
192 Infantry Kompanies
1920 Infantry Platoons
15,360 Infantry Squads
Total: 153,582 Soldiers
Isenblüt Division:Siege Kompanie = 15 Große Batteries
Große Battery = 8-10 Artillery Batteries
Artillery Battery = 1-3 Guns
Gun = Gun and Crew
Assault Kompanie = 10 Tank Kompanies and 2-4 Super Heavy Detachments
Tank Kompanie = 5-10 Tank Squadrons
Tank Squadron = 3 Tanks
Tank = Tank and Crew
Super Heavy Detachment = 3 Super Heavy Class Tanks and Crew
Total Operational Strength:
8 Siege Kompanies
120 Große Batteries
1200 Artillery Batteries
3600 Guns
3 Krieg Pattern Super Heavy Self Propelled Siege Mortar “Gustav”
60 Assault Kompanies
240 Super Heavy Detachments (42 Baneblade, 150 Macharius, 24 Shadowsword, 12 Stormsword, 12 Hellhammer)
600 Tank Kompanies
6,000 Tank Squadrons
18,000 Tanks
Actual Operational Strength:
8 Siege Kompanies
118 Große Batteries
1180 Artillery Batteries
3540 Guns
3 Krieg Pattern Super Heavy Self Propelled Siege Mortar “Gustav”
60 Assault Kompanies
236 Super Heavy Detachments (40 Baneblades, 142 Macharius, 24 Shadowsword, 12 Stormsword, 12 Hellhammer)
600 Tank Kompanies
5942 Tank Squadrons
17,826 Tanks
DOCTRINE:The 501st Death Korps of Krieg consists of 2"Regiments", Isenherz (Iz) (Infantry) and Isenblut (Ib) (Artillery and Armor). All Death Korps units are trained to operate in the most hostile environments and in the extensive use of trench warfare. The 501st add to these roles a specialty in Armor and City-Fighting. All Death Korps troops are masters in close quarters combat as well as adept at any range. Preferred weapons include but aren’t limited to, grenades/grenade launchers, Meltaguns, Heavy Bolters, Heavy Stubbers and Flamers.
The 501st operates in a sort of archaic blitzkrieg fashion with tanks forming the spearhead with Infantry following close behind. The infantry move behind the tanks to add weight to the assault and guard the tanks rear and flanks. This tactic is especially effective in urban environments as well as moving across no-mans-land, where accurate walking artillery provides cover for the tanks which in turn provide cover for the advancing infantry. The 501st employs a unique light infantry force, the Jägerkorps, to serve as vanguard for the main force as well as provide recon for the army. These troops are expert mechanized light infantry who are equally capable of both lightning raids/ambushes and strategic and tactical breakthroughs. Tank Squadrons are typically attached to Infantry platoons and become integrated. This is the reason for the two “regiments” in one. Artillery also plays a key roll in the 501st Strategy as it supplies a deadly, accurate moving field of fire to support the Armored advance. The Infantry are experts in Stormtroop tactics combining firepower and mobility and use these to great effect in both urban combat zones and trench clearing.
Unit Distictions:Infantry:
Grenadiers (Stormtroops)
Line Infantry
Jägers (Light Infantry)
Pioneers (Combat Engineers)
Heavy Weapons
Artillery/Armor:
Super Heavy Detachment
Sentinel Squadron
Tank Kompanie
Siege Kompanie
Heavy Artillery
Artillery
Ranks ‘Isenherz’:Field Marshall (Commands Korps)
General (Commands Kampfgruppe/Combat Battalion)
Colonel/Oberst (Commands Kampfgruppe/Combat Battalion)
Major (Commands Infantry Battalion)
Captain/Hauptmann (Commands Infantry Kompanie)
Quartermaster (Medic/Quartermaster/Priest)
1st Lieutenant/ 1st Leutnant (Commands Platoon)
2nd Lieutenant/ 2nd Leutnant (Commands Platoon)
Sergeant/Watchmaster/Ridemaster (Commands Sqaud)
Lance Corporal/ Sturmann/(Lanze Feldjäger)
Corporal/ (Feldjäger)
Private First Class (PFC)/ Fusilier 1st Class/(Jäger 1st Class)
Private/Fusilier/(Jäger)
Trooper
Ranks ‘Isenblüt’:ARTILLERY
Colonel/Oberst (Commands Siege Kompanie)
Major (Commands Große Battery)
Captain/ Gun Captain (Commands a Battery/Große Battery)
Quartermaster
Sergeant/ Gunnery Sergeant (Commands 1 gun)
Senior Gunner (Crew)
Gunner (Crew)
ARMOURColonel/Oberst der Rustung (Commands Assault Kompanie)
Major (Commands Super Heavy Attachments/Tank Kompanie)
Captain/Panzer/Tank/Armor Captain (Commands Tank Kompanie)
Quartermaster/Armorer (Super Heavy Attachments)
Lieutenant/ Tank Commander (Commands Tank Squadron)
Sergeant (eqiv)/ Rüstungmeister (Commands 1 tank)
Driver (Crew)
Trooper (Crew)
**Note on Quartermaster: The quartermaster fills a special role in the 501st as a medic/Techpriest/Quartermaster/Priest and in Armored units a tactical advisor similar to a Commissar.
And finally heres a brief Unit history/overview:
History:Raised on Krieg 248.M41 only 300 Years after the end of the Revolt of Krieg and Colonel Jurten’s famous

, the 501st was raised by Munitorum Tithe from Hive Ferrograd, the loyalist base on Krieg during the revolt. The 501st has a long history throughout the 41st Millennium and has taken part in multiple crusades and many campaigns. Most notable among these is the colonization of Hess’s World in 456.M41. Named after ‘Isenherz’ Divisional Commander Hermann Hess, this small planet near Krieg became the 501st’s unofficial permanent headquarters and base of operations by Inquisitorial mandate in reward for the Assault on Festkranken in 450.M41. The 501st fought with distinction during the 3rd War for Armageddon (991.M40) at Helsreach and Hades Hive during the darkest hours of the war. After the Armageddon campaign the army was brought back to full strength and attached to the Black Templars Lothar Kroh Crusade as the bulk of Task Force Edelweiss along with other Imperial regiments. The next major engagement was the Cleansing of Geist in the final days of M41. Requisitioned by Lord Inquisitor Baron Johann Dietrich von Lexus (Jürgen Ulrich von Lexus’s brother) as part of the Kroh Crusade the 501st was employed to return Geist to Imperial hands in less than a year. The next stop for the Kroh Crusade and the 501st was Medusa V. Operating under the command of the Lord Inquisitor once again; the Kroh Crusade played a vital role in the defense of Hive Sybilla Primus and Hydra zone as a whole. After the Imperial Victory on Medusa V the Kroh Crusade was dispatched to help reclaim the world of Valdenheim where they struggle to fight off Chaos, Orks, and Rebels. The 501st is unusually unorthodox in its size and organization, and although labeled a ‘regiment’ by the Departmento Munitorum, it is more of a full scale army. Due to over 700 years of untarnished reputation and service this organization is tolerated by always working in conjunction with the Inquisition. Added to this is the weight of Task Force Edelweiss, the Black Templars and other allied forces, making the Kroh Crusade very formidable indeed. Rarely is the 501st assembled in once place all at once and about ¼ of the entire Army is actively engaged on Valdenheim. The regiment has a very rich history with many accolades and honors. Units often are named after great heroes of the regiment and Imperium as a way to pay homage to those who have given their all for the Emperor. Thus it is not uncommon for outsiders to have no idea of how the regiment is commanded and coordinated. Although unorthodox and sometimes unwieldy the 501st is a force to be reckoned with and one of the paragon ‘regiments’ of the Imperium.
501st Death Korps of Krieg ‘Isenherz/Isenblüt’ – Total pts cost: 9056 pts501st “Isenherz” Doctrines: Total: 2653 pts
Die-Hards
Iron Discipline 25pts per squad
Hardened Fighters
Stormtrooper Squads
Heavy Weapons Squads
Rough Rider Squadrons
HQ:
501st Death Korps of Krieg ‘Isenherz’ Division HQField Marshall von Höhenstaüfen’s Command Squad + 25 pts for upgrade
Sigismund von Höhenstaüfen (Heroic Senior Officer w/Carapace Armor, Master-Crafted Powersword, Macharian Cross, Medallion Crimson, Ritterkreutz) 145pts
1x Master Vox Caster (Veteran, master vox, Carapace Armor) 36 pts
1x Standard Bearer (Veteran, Regimental Standard, Carapace Armor) 31 pts
2x Ensign’s (Veterans, Carapace Armor) 22 pts
Chimera 70 pts
Total: 329 pts
Colonel-Commissar Heinrich von Möltke – (Master Crafted Laspistol, Powersword, Medallion Crimson) 75 pts
Commissar Luther von Manteuffel – (Master Crafted Powersword, Laspistol) 60 pts
Commissar Felix von Hammerstein – (Powersword, Shotgun) 45 pts
Total: 180 pts
Albrecht Brom (Senior Death Rider Officer w/Master Crafted Powersword, Laspistol, Cavalry, Hochland Heraldry (adds +1 attack) 10 pts) 130 pts
*
Kommandant of Grenadiers, Captain Sigmund Renchef – Special Character, (Master Crafted Power Sword, Hell Pistol, Bayonet, Carapace Armor, Frag and Krak Grenades, Ritterkreutz) 145 pts
Troops: 1st Platoon- 310th Kfg, 1st Bn HQ310th ‘Graf Jurten’ 1st Battalion HQ (90 pts) + (25) upgrades
Oberst Ulrich Mannheim (Carapace Armor, Powersword, Laspistol) 45 pts
Vox Caster 5 pts
Standard Bearer (Company/Platoon Standard) 5 pts
Meltaguner 10 pts
Plasmagunner 10 pts
1st Squad 60 pts + (38) weapons+ (25) upgrades
1x Watchmaster
1x Grenade Launcher
8x Guardsmen w/frag and krak
2nd Squad 60 pts + (36) weapons+ (25) upgrades
1x Watchmaster
1x Flamer
8x Guardsmen w/frag and krak
3rd Squad 60 pts + (38) weapons+ (25) upgrades
1x Watchmaster
1x Grenade Launcher
8x Guardsmen w/frag and krak
*4th Squad 60 pts + (40) weapons+ (25) upgrades
1x Watchmaster
1x Meltagun
8x Guardsmen w/frag and krak
*5th Squad 60 pts + (45) weapons+ (25) upgrades
1x Watchmaster
2x Missile Launcher
7x Guardsmen w/frag and krak
Total: 737 pts
2nd Platoon – 158th KfG, 3rd Bn, 4th GKo, 8th Ko, 1st P HQ
*158th ‘Kuspen’, 3rd Bn, 4th GKo, 8th Kompanie HQ (75 pts) + (25) upgrades
Hauptman Maximillian Wülf (Carapace Armor, Powersword, Laspistol) 45 pts
Vox Caster 5 pts
Standard Bearer (Platoon Standard) 5 pts
Meltaguner 10 pts
Plasmagunner 10 pts
1st Squad 60 (+36) pts + (36) weapons+ (25) upgrades
1x Vet Watchmaster w/Honorifica Imperialis and Power Weapon
1x Flamer
8x Guardsmen w/frag and krak
*2nd Squad 60 pts + (36) weapons+ (25) upgrades
1x Watchmaster
1x Flamer
8x Guardsmen w/frag and krak
Total: 378 pts
Elites:Grenadier Stoßtrupp 1581st Squad 61 pts + (37) options + (25) upgrades
Veteran Watchmaster (Chainsword, Hellpistol, Medallion Crimson)
1x Meltagun
1x Heavy Stubber
2x Grenadiers w/Hellguns, frag and krak
1x Grenadier Centaur (50) + upgrades
2nd Squad 61 pts + (34) options + (25) upgrades
*Veteran Watchmaster (Master Crafted Power Sword, Hellpistol)
1x Grenade Launcher
1x Flamer
2x Grenadiers w/Hellguns, frag and krak
3rd Squad 61 pts + (40) options + (25) upgrades
Veteran Watchmaster (Master Crafted Hellgun)
1x Heavy Flamer Team (2 Grenadiers)
1x Grenadier w/demo charge
2x Grenadiers w/Hellguns, frag and krak
Total: 419 pts
Heavy Support:See Isenblüt entry
Fast Attack:Seigfried Light Infantry Support Tank (Marder)
See Isenblüt entry
Army Transports:
3x Wülfen Trucks (Protze) 105 pts + upgrades
1-3x Isenfaust Halftracks 60 (180) pts + upgrades
1x Sturmgeist HQ Halftrack 50 pts + upgrades
Total: 215 (335) pts
501st “Isenblüt” Doctrines: Total: 5070 pts
Die-Hards
Iron Discipline 25 pts per unit
Hardened Fighters
Cameleoline 10 pts per unit
Heavy Weapons Squads
HQ:See Isenherz entry
Troops:See Isenherz entry
Elites:
Heavy Mortar Battery 112 – 95 + Siege Shells (10pts) + 10 pts
1x Heavy Mortar 50 pts
3x Crew
1x Centaur 45 pts
Heavy Mortar Battery 84 – 95 + Siege Shells (10pts) + 10 pts
1x Heavy Mortar 50 pts
3x Crew
1x Centaur 45 pts
Heavy Mortar Battery 56 - 95
1x Heavy Mortar 50 pts + Infernus Shells (20pts) + 10 pts
3x Crew
1x Centaur 45 pts
Total: 355 pts
Heavy Support:
Super Heavy Detachment 214 “Rittermann”1x Baneblade 500 Pts + (25) Command Tank
OR
1x Hellhammer 500 pts
1x Stormsword (555)/Shadowsword (535)
1x Macharius Vanquisher 325 pts + (60) Weapons- Heavy Bolter
1x Macharius 325 pts + (10) Weapons- Heavy flamers
Total: 1800 pts (Shadow Sword 1780)
400th Ragnarok Heavy Tank Kompanie HQ “Krieglitz”1x Command Ragnarok 300 + ( ) Weapons + (25) upgrades
Total: ----
Leman Russ Squadron 380 “Wallenstein”1x (380) Command Vanquisher 175 + (25 or 15)
1x (381) Vanquisher 175 + (25 or 15)
1x (382) Demolisher 150 + (25) Weapons
Total: 575 pts
Medium Tank (LR+Chimera) VDR Squadron “Meyerling”*1x Command Vanquisher 175 + (25 or 15)
*1x Battle Cannon 140 + (25 or 15)
*1x Battle Cannon 140 + (25 or 15)
Total: 530 pts
Medium Tank (Panzer IV) VDR Squadron “Pfaltzen”1x Command Pz IV F2 130
*1x Pz IV E (short barrel) 125
1x Pz IV G 120
Total: 375 pts
Self Propelled Artillery Battery 101*1x Krieg Basilisk 125
*1x Krieg Basilisk 125
*1x Krieg Basilisk 125 (Medusa 135)
Total: 375 pts (385)
Super Heavy Self Propelled Siege Mortar Battery 2 ‘Höhenstaüfen’s Hammer’SHSPSM ‘Gustav’ - VDR
Total: 450 pts
Mortar Platoon 14Platoon HQ (75 pts) + (35) Doctrines
Gun Captain Karolus Bergmann (Carapace Armor, Powersword, Laspistol) 45 pts
Vox Caster 5 pts
Standard Bearer (Platoon Standard) 5 pts
Meltaguner 10 pts
Plasmagunner 10 pts
Mortar Squad – 80 pts + (35) Doctrines
*Rocket Squad – 95 pts + (35) Doctrines (2 out of 3)
Total: 330 pts
Fast Attack:Sentinel Squadron “Bredow”Krieg Pattern Command Sentinel (Heavy Stubbers, extra armor included) 60 pts
Armageddon Pattern Sentinel (Lascannon) 55 pts
Cadian Pattern Sentinel (Autocannon) 50 pts
Total: 165 pts
Hellhound Squadron “Feuerwehr”1x Graia Pattern Hellhound
Total: 115 pts
501st Jägerkorps Doctrines: Total: 863 pts
Die-Hards
Iron Discipline 25 pts per unit
Hardened Fighters
Light Infantry 10 pts per unit
Sharpshooters 10 pts per unit
Special Weapon Squads
HQ:*Jägerkorps HQ + 45 pts upgrades
Gottfrey von Jagow (Senior Officer w/Carapace Armor, Powersword, Laspistol, Ritterkreutz) 105 pts
Quartermaster Frederick von Topp (Quartermaster w/Laspistol, CCW, medi-pack) 30 pts
1x Vox Caster 5 pts
1x Flamer 6 pts
1x Meltagun 10 pts
Total: 201 pts
*Scharfjäger Squad 35 pts + 48 weapons + 45 upgrades
3x Snipers
3x Guardsmen w/Lasguns, frag and krak
Total: 128 pts
Troops:*Jäger Squad 1 60 pts + 35 weapons + 45 upgrades
Watchmaster
1x Sniper
8x Guardsmen w/Lasguns, frag and krak
*Jäger Squad 2 60 pts + 35 weapons + 45 upgrades
Watchmaster
1x Sniper
8x Guardsmen w/Lasguns, frag and krak
Total: 280 pts
Elites:*Hardened Veterans Squad 45 pts + 14 weapons + 45 upgrades
Veteran Watchmaster (Master Crafted Lasgun)
1x Flamer
1x Grenade Launcher
2x Guardsmen w/Lasguns, frag and krak
Total: 104 pts
Heavy Support:Panzerjäger Detachment 2151x VDR Tank Destroyer (Hornisse) w/High Velocity-AP Cannon 150
Total: 150 pts
Fast Attack:See Isenblüt entry
501st Piöneerkorps Doctrines: 470 pts
Die-Hards
Iron Discipline 25 pts per unit
Hardened Fighters
Drop Troops (Tunnelers)
Veterans
Special Weapon Squads
HQ:See Isenherz entry
Troops:Engineer Squad 1 – 60 pts + (50) weapons + (25) upgrades
1x Veteran Watchmaster w/melta bombs + Isenkreuz (15pts)
1x Engineer Vox Caster
1x Engineer w/demo charge
2x Engineers w/Shotgun, frag, krak, and gas grenades
Engineer Squad 2 – 60 pts + (25) weapons + (25) upgrades
1x Veteran Watchmaster
2x Mole Launcher
2x Engineers w/Shotgun, frag, krak, and gas grenades
Engineer Squad 3 – 60 pts + (25) weapons + (25) upgrades
1x Veteran Watchmaster
2x Mole Launcher
2x Engineers w/Shotgun, frag, krak, and gas grenades
Engineer Squad 4 – 60 pts + (30) weapons + (25) upgrades
1x Veteran Watchmaster w/melta bombs
1x Engineer w/demo charge
3x Engineers w/Shotgun, frag, krak, and gas grenades
Total: 470 pts
Elites:See Isenherz entry
Heavy Support:Stürmpanzer – VDR
Yet to be named Light Tank (King Tiger) - VDR
Fast Attack:Armored Command Car – VDR
****
Valdenheim Hochland Freikorps Doctrines:****
Ratling(Dwarf) Squads
Xeno-Fighters: Orks
Priests
Warrior Weapons
Hardened Fighters (15 pts per unit)
HQ:Baron Konrad von Hochwald
Troops:Infantry
Musketeers
Elites:Dwarfs
PDF w/lasguns
Heavy Support:Hellblaster
Fast Attack:Knights
**Notes:**Medals:
Isenkreutz- NCO’s Corporal-Watchmaster, adds +1 Toughness – 15 pts
Ritterkreutz- Officers only, adds +1 Leadership and +1 Toughness – 15 pts
Anything marked with a * needs to be purchased/requisitioned still.
****The Freikorps is going to be a custom organization and represents the forces of Valdenheim under the Baron of Hochland during the War of Iron. Dwarfs will be used as buffed up ratlings and the command structure and unit organization will be different than a typical Guard or PDF list.
I have some VDR vehicles that I’m working on getting rules for but I’ll do that later.
Total pts cost: 9056 pts