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The Astra Militarum Combat Patrol is a great way to start an Imperial Guard army, and it’s quite different from what many players expect. The current box, released in 2025, isn’t a horde of basic Guardsmen. It’s Drayden’s Lance: an elite veteran force of Cadian officers, Kasrkin special forces and Attilan Rough Riders on horseback. This guide covers what’s in it, how to play it, how to paint it and where to go next.
What’s in the Astra Militarum Combat Patrol?
Major Drayden leads a hand-picked lance of veterans, with Kasrkin storm troopers at its core and two squads of Rough Riders to run down the enemy. Here’s what you get:
- 1x Cadian Command Squad: built as Major Drayden and his veteran staff, including a medic and a soldier with a power fist. Drayden is your leader and gives Orders to the rest of the army.
- 10x Kasrkin: elite Cadian special forces with hot-shot lasguns and a wide range of special weapons. They’re the core of the force.
- 10x Attilan Rough Riders: cavalry with explosive hunting lances, fielded as two units of five.
That’s 25 models in total (counting the Command Squad as five models, as the box does), plus two transfer sheets.
Previous box
An earlier version of this page described an older, Cadian-based starter force built around a Castellan, twenty Cadian Shock Troops, a Field Ordnance Battery and a Sentinel. If you own those models, they’re all still useful in a full Astra Militarum army, but they aren’t the current Combat Patrol. Our Cadian Shock Troops guide covers the basic infantry if you want them later.
Which Rules Does It Use?
Astra Militarum don’t have an 11th Edition codex yet. 11th Edition launched in June 2026, and so far only Orks, Space Marines and Adeptus Custodes have new books. Games Workshop has said no more codexes are coming until 2027, so the Guard use their existing codex with the 11th Edition core rules. Our codex release order tracker has the latest schedule, and our 11th Edition rules changes guide explains what’s different.
Drayden’s Lance launched with its Combat Patrol rules in the current Astra Militarum codex. Combat Patrol has since moved into the Warhammer 40,000 app, and Drayden’s Lance is listed there with its own datasheets, enhancements and a bespoke mission. New to the format? Our Combat Patrol rules guide explains how it works.
What Each Unit Does
Major Drayden and his Command Squad
Orders are the heart of any Guard army, and Drayden’s Command Squad gives them out. An Order is a short buff, such as better shooting or moving faster, that you give to a nearby unit each turn. Keep the Command Squad close enough to reach the Kasrkin and Rough Riders, and out of the enemy’s line of sight. The medic helps the squad survive, and the power fist means they can defend themselves if something gets too close.
Kasrkin
Ten Kasrkin are your main damage dealers. Their hot-shot lasguns are much stronger than standard lasguns, and the squad can carry plasma, melta, flamers and more. Put them in cover on an objective and let them shoot. Our Kasrkin guide covers their weapon options and builds.
Attilan Rough Riders
The Rough Riders are your fast hitters. Their hunting lances are explosive, so their first charge is the one that really hurts. Use them to hit a key enemy unit hard, or to race to an objective your opponent has left open. They can fall back from combat and still act, which makes them flexible. Our Attilan Rough Riders guide covers them in detail.
How to Play the Astra Militarum Combat Patrol
This isn’t the classic Guard gunline. Drayden’s Lance is a small, elite strike force. The Kasrkin hold the middle and shoot, the Rough Riders hit hard on the flanks, and Drayden makes everyone better with Orders.
Deployment
Put the Kasrkin where they can reach a central objective in cover. The Command Squad goes behind them, out of sight. Split the Rough Riders between the flanks, hidden behind terrain, so your opponent can’t easily guess where they’ll strike.
Turns 1 and 2
Move the Kasrkin onto their objective and start shooting. In 11th Edition, Infantry in terrain get -1 to Hit against ranged attacks, which helps a great deal because Guardsmen aren’t very tough. Hold the Rough Riders back until you can see a good target.
Turns 3 to 5
Launch the Rough Riders at the enemy’s most valuable unit, ideally one that’s already been weakened by the Kasrkin. Keep giving Orders every turn. Use the remaining Riders to grab or contest objectives in the closing rounds.
Key Tactical Tips
- Give Orders every turn. They’re your biggest advantage.
- Charge with the Rough Riders only when the hit really counts.
- Keep the Kasrkin in cover. They hit hard, but they’re fragile.
- Remember the mission. Objectives win more games than kills.
Is the Astra Militarum Combat Patrol Good Value?
We don’t list prices because they change and vary by country, so check the Games Workshop website or your local store. Like most Combat Patrols, the box costs less than buying the kits separately. The Kasrkin and Rough Riders are both popular units in full-sized armies, too.
Strengths:
- Elite, flexible units with clear jobs
- Orders add a fun layer of tactics
- Rough Riders give you speed and a big charge
- Kasrkin are great value in any Guard army
Weaknesses:
- No tanks or big guns, so it can struggle against heavy vehicles
- Guardsmen are fragile compared with Space Marines
- Not the massed-infantry Guard army some players expect
Painting the Astra Militarum Combat Patrol
The classic Cadian scheme is green-grey armour over beige fatigues, and it’s quick to paint in batches. The Rough Riders give you a chance to paint some horses, too.
Recommended Colour Scheme (Classic Cadian)
- Armour: Castellan Green, washed with Agrax Earthshade, highlighted with Loren Forest.
- Fatigues: Zandri Dust, washed with Seraphim Sepia, highlighted with Ushabti Bone.
- Kasrkin armour: the same green, or a darker grey for a special-forces feel.
- Weapons: Abaddon Black casings with Leadbelcher metal.
- Horses: Mournfang Brown or Rhinox Hide, washed with Agrax Earthshade, with Abaddon Black manes.
Painting Tips
- Batch paint the Kasrkin in groups of five.
- Contrast paints are ideal for horses. Try Snakebite Leather or Wyldwood.
- Paint Drayden last, once you’ve had plenty of practice on the rest of the squad.
Our how to paint Astra Militarum tutorial covers the scheme step by step, and painting camouflage is useful if you want a different regiment.
Expanding Beyond the Combat Patrol
Our Astra Militarum 1000 point army list guide shows how to grow a starter force into a full army. For lore and more guides, visit our Astra Militarum army guide.
Path to 1,000 Points
- A Leman Russ Battle Tank: the iconic Guard tank and the heavy firepower the box lacks. See our Leman Russ guide.
- Cadian Shock Troops: cheap Battleline infantry to hold more objectives.
- A Chimera: a transport to get the Kasrkin forward safely.
- A Cadian Castellan: a second officer to give more Orders.
Path to 2,000 Points
- More tanks, such as a Rogal Dorn or a second Leman Russ. Our Imperial Guard tanks guide compares them.
- Artillery, such as a Basilisk or a Field Ordnance Battery
- Sentinels for fast scouting and anti-tank support
Where to Buy the Box
On Amazon US, Combat Patrol boxes are sold by third-party sellers, so check the listing before you buy. It should show the current box: the 2025 version with a Cadian Command Squad, Kasrkin and Attilan Rough Riders (25 models).
Price details
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Frequently Asked Questions
What’s in the Astra Militarum Combat Patrol?
A Cadian Command Squad (Major Drayden and his veterans), ten Kasrkin and ten Attilan Rough Riders. The force is called Drayden’s Lance.
Do Astra Militarum have an 11th Edition codex?
Not yet. They use their existing codex with the 11th Edition core rules. Games Workshop has said no more codexes are coming until 2027.
Is it good for beginners?
Yes. There are only a few units to manage, and Orders teach you to think a turn ahead. It’s a little more fragile than a Space Marine force, so use cover well.
Where are the tanks?
There aren’t any in this box. It’s an elite infantry and cavalry force. Add a Leman Russ as your first expansion if you want armour.
Are Kasrkin the same as Tempestus Scions?
No. Kasrkin are Cadian special forces, drawn from the best soldiers of the Cadian regiments. Tempestus Scions are storm troopers trained from childhood in the Schola Progenium and serve in the Militarum Tempestus. Both carry hot-shot lasguns and wear carapace armour, which is why they’re often confused.
Can I paint the Combat Patrol as a regiment other than Cadians?
Yes. Drayden, the Command Squad and the Kasrkin are Cadian in the lore, but you can paint them in any colours you like and treat them as your own regiment’s veterans. Many players use the Kasrkin as generic special forces. Painting camouflage or a homemade scheme is a great way to make the box your own.