Do Mordians take cover?

[Walter Payton]

I was rereading some older Imperial Guard fluff, a story I particularly like - the tale of the Mordian Heresy, and how the Mordian Iron Guard, alone, held off an invasion by Nurgle daemonkin and Death Guard and denied that illustrious world to Chaos.  I went on a Wiki walk, and according to that ever-reliable source 1d4chan, the Mordians employ exclusively 19th-century line infantry tactics like firing lines and infantry squares - "even Space Marines will take cover when they can".  However, we also see lore about Mordian tank regiments, Mordian mechanized infantry, and Mordian snipers in other sources - not least illustrations, where they appear to be more "fluid" in their battle order.

 

What gives?  I find the idea of Napoleonic infantry tactics to be a little silly, even in a universe as camp as 40k.  But that's just me.  

[duz_]

A true Mordian has very little use for camouflage or cover!

[WarriorFish]

Lore for old school regiments has been around for a long time, and been given attention by many different people with differing opinions through that period. Or perhaps some without accurate research beforehand you could say..? There's always going to be variation so it's up to you how you interpret that. Perhaps one style is the "true" Mordian way, or maybe they adapt their tactics depending on commander?

[KasrkinRyu]

Warning epic head canon incoming;

 

When you think about it the Mordian tank regiments, Mordian mechanized infantry, and the Mordian snipers that you mentioned still relate to Napoleonic units. The tank regiments are essentially Heavy Cavalry or Cavalry drawn artillery etc, the mechanised infantry would be the Light Cavalry, lancers or fast moving rifle companies whilst the snipers would be again rifle companies or skirmishers, finally the Mordian rank and file would be the musket armed foot companies. In a sense the tactics are still fairly sound if you a fighting a defensive action facing horde foes such as tyranids, orks or perhaps masses of zombies or demons. Skirmishers to the front, flanks and high ground, big guns to the rear, mobile units protecting the flanks, ready to push when an opening presents itself and the mass of lasguns in the middle anchoring it all together. In this kind of situation you want the enemy to come to you. I think that's how the Mordians do it, why bother with cammo and the like when you literally want the enemy to attack you. Well at-least this is what they are famed for, if they are fighting a highly mobile enemy or an airborne enemy it raises a whole plethora of other questions. As WarriorFish mentions you would hope the commander would change his tactics according to the situation. 

 

The Praetorian Guard follow pretty much the same principles. Even though they are based on later British Empire troops of the late 1800s, even then the tactics were pretty similar. The American civil war was again fought in a similar manner. Its not until the advent of weapons with high rates of fire that tactics had to change. Even then it happened painfully slowly, World war 1 being a prime example.

 

Sorry brain fart over.

[WarriorFish]

Maybe we're looking at this the wrong way. Do Mordians take cover? No; however that doesn't stop cover selflessly leaping in the way of incoming fire, for He works in mysterious ways ;)

[Arkaniss]

I'm sure they take cover if the situation permits/demands it. While we all know of epic set piece battles of ranks of infantry blasting away at each other there are plenty of examples in history of troops taking cover. I would think the Mordians do the same - fight shoulder to shoulder in open battles, dying like guardsmen still in their ranks - and hide behind rubble, ducking in and out of ruined buildings in a bitter siege of attrition bleeding their enemy dry.

 

Sure they're famous for their discipline and disdain for enemy fire but it's the same with Space Marines and their famous prevalences (such as BA and jump packs/close combat) it's not all they are and do. :)

[duz_]

Heresy! All heresy!

 

Where's the company commander ....

[our_baz]

Mordians only take cover behind the brim of their caps..

[duz_]

Or the sights of their lasguns. ;)